I may have to change the name of this column to the raptor report. Great excitement on Chappaquiddick, first the Fowle family observed four merlins on August 14. Two were immature merlins. How did they know they were immature? One merlin was being fed by the adult female and the other was begging food and fluttering its wings. So the Chappaquiddick merlins fledged at least two birds!

My chickens wish that we had a garden. It is not that they are avid vegetable eaters, although they do enjoy the produce leftovers that they get from our kitchencompost. Nor is it that they are looking to get a greenthumb. It is the protein from the garden that they desire.

Temperature: Precip.

Day Max. Min. Inches.

Fº Fº

August 15 80 64 .00

August 16 79 64 .45

August 17 79 60 .00

August 18 81 65 .00

August 19 83 67 .00

August 20 84 53 .00

August 21 83 56 .00

Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 74º F.

JUNE MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

Happenings at the Aquinnah Cultural Center this week begin today with Holly Herbster of Public Archeological Lab discussing artifacts excavated from non-ceremonial archeological sites and explaining why site preservation is important. Saturday the center is open for house tours between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. On Wednesday, August 27, Woody Vanderhoop will demonstrate how he uses clay to make colorful creations and Ramona Peters will be there with traditional coiled pottery.

JANE N. SLATER

508-645-3378

(slaterjn@comcast.net)

The Chilmark weather continues to be fit for all sorts of summer activities so the beaches, the harbor and the roadsides are scenes of activity still. Fair week is here and we wish good luck to all who have made entries at the Agricultural Fair.

NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

When the air turns drier and cooler, you know it’s time for the fair. My little family had to return to Illinois two weeks ago, unfortunately, they have missed it. But I know many eager children who no doubt started there yesterday. A lot of my little friends have entries in for judging. Good luck!

Bettye Foster Baker>

508-696-9983

(bdrbaker@comcast.net)

JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-2950

(alleys@vineyard.net)

With the fair in full swing it is hard to believe our summer season is fast becoming history. The weather has been, for the most part, quite warm. It has also been hectic for most everyone with house guests and the fair. The traffic was a nightmare everywhere backed up in every parking lot. By next Wednesday the fair will be a memory as most all the trucks, tents and carnival equipment will leave starting on Monday. Last weekend and again this one there will be a furious round of season-ending parties.

Moving to Maine

From the Vineyard Gazette editions of 1933:

Who on Martha’s Vineyard has paid a visit to New Vineyard, Maine? Who, among the many thousands journeying to the Island every year and taking an interest in its scene, its history and its people, knows that there is a place named New Vineyard and that it was settled by emigrants from the Island long ago and named in honor of Martha’s Vineyard?

The Edgartown library has been provisionally awarded $4.59 million as part of an omnibus bond bill that authorizes a total of $137.5 million for public library construction across the state.

The grant would help pay for an expansion project for the library on North Water street with a price tag of $15 million.

The library began action on the project in 2004 when the town agreed to buy the Capt. Warren house next door to the library on North Water street.