Tennis Center Change

Ken Martin, co-founder of the Vineyard Tennis Center, Workout and Spa, is stepping aside in the coming weeks after a 12-year partnership with Connie McHugh. Ms. McHugh will then assume full ownership.

Mr. Martin designed and has maintained the tennis and health club facility since 1996. His vision and direction have resulted in the club receiving the “Best of the Vineyard” award for four consecutive years.

He will continue to be an active tennis player and fitness member.

Please Don’t Feed the Turkeys

The bizarre Father’s Day incident in Chilmark in which a turkey attacked people delivering baby equipment and then two town police officers — an episode that ended with the turkey dead and its owner facing assault charges — has drawn chuckles across the Island.

At its core, however, the episode is no laughing matter and the outcome could have been worse.

A Dancer’s Legacy

Pretty straw hats hung in the trees on Saturday afternoon at The Yard, a quiet adornment to the hushed, leafy campus off Middle Road in Chilmark that has served as a summer colony and retreat for dancers and choreographers for thirty five years. A small crowd gathered to remember the life of Patricia Nanon, the woman who created this place which is the Vineyard’s Jacob’s Pillow.

As the Island Plan moves into its second summer feedback period, I’d like to offer an update on the work we’ve been doing and a few of the issues that have arisen, and invite you to help chart the future of the Vineyard.

Two key issues will be at the fore in the coming months: what kind of development and what kind of economy we want in the future. Also, two new work groups have outlined proposals dealing with the built environment and transportation.

Bill Russell, John Havlicek, JoJo White, Tommy Heinsohn and Danny Ainge were cheered again by thousands of screaming fans two weeks ago as Boston Celtic legends led the 2008 NBA champion Boston Celtic parade through the green, fan-frenzied streets of their city. A crowd filled Copley Square and then something different happened. The basketball legends pointed, screamed into the crowd for some one to join them on their parade float of Celtic honor. Who was it?

Truth comes from the mouths of babes. Or rather kids, or young adults, or the future of humanity . . . whatever you label them, the pint-sized pulse-takers of youth culture are back this summer with their own tell-all reviews of the movies for young viewers screening every Wednesday evening at the Chilmark Community Center.

Continuing a 14-year tradition of comedy improvisation on Wednesday evenings, actors will take the Grange Hall stage every Wednesday night from July 2 to August 20. This year, the cast of 10 includes the IMPers, the teen professional troupe, as well as the newly reincarnated WIMP.

The new WIMP consists of former IMPers now in college. Don’t miss the troupe called “one of the standout groups” of the 2007 Chicago Improv Festival by the festival’s artistic director. This group performs instantaneous skits based on audience suggestions.

Sea Education Association president and former New Bedford mayor John Bullard presents Global Warming: What’s Going On Here? What Do I Do About It? on Thursday, July 3, free at 5 p.m. at the Chilmark Public Library.

Mr. Bullard, who adapted his presentation from Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth, served in the Clinton/Gore administration. He will summarize the science of global warming, the impacts already being felt, future threats and actions we can all take.

The Martha’s Vineyard Library Association kicks off its 2008 summer reading program, Wild Reads at Your Library, with a lively performance by Bill Ross at the agricultural hall in West Tisbury at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 5.

Mr. Ross, of Easthampton, has been performing as a professional juggler and clown since 1984. He appeared a number of years ago at the Vineyard schools as the Tick Man, using his trademark humor to teach tick bite prevention.

By CYNTHIA COWAN

Hospitality in a Pan

What is it with the pineapple as the universal symbol of hospitality? They don’t look or feel particularly inviting, and they aren’t very user friendly. While the sweet, tropical taste is lovely, it is far from warm and welcoming like, say, a cup of coffee. So why the pineapple brass knockers, doorbells, finials, bed posts and candelabra?