This year's forum, titled The Rise and Fall of Affirmative Action, comes less than two months after the U.S. Supreme Court released decisions declaring the consideration of race in college admissions unconstitutional.

The 161st Agricultural Fair opened Thursday morning in West Tisbury, a tradition that dates back to 1858. Nearly 2,000 people attended that first fair, which was held for one day on October 27, 1858, the traditional harvest season.

Whether gazing at Menemsha fishing shacks or standing outside of her Lambert’s Cove gallery, Ashley Medowski’s artistic inspiration comes from the peace she finds up-Island.

Built on Stilts dance festival opened its 27th year with shows last weekend at Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs. Each night has a different lineup — Saturday night’s show included 12 pieces.

The Cottagers, Inc. of Martha’s Vineyard kicked off a capital campaign last week to restore Cottagers’ Corner in Oak Bluffs with a Sundown Soiree at Featherstone Center for the Arts.

Charlie Ortmans, 18, won the Chilmark Road Race for the second year in a row with a time of 15:14. Marian Johnson was the first female finisher for the sixth time, crossing the line at 17:42.

The Chilmark Road Race arrives on Middle Road for its 46th outing this Saturday. Start time is 10:30 a.m. for the 5K race that has become a tradition for many Island families.

For Andrew Nutton, sailing is more than a lifelong love and vocation. The newly appointed executive director of Sail Martha’s Vineyard credits it with his very life.

The Tanzanian government awarded Precious Projects, an education organization with ties to the Vineyard, with the Uhuru Torch, an annual honor presented to organizations and individuals who make significant contributions to socio-economic progress in the African country.

Rebecca Makkai, whose breakout novel The Great Believers was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, returned with another novel early this year that aims to confront unreliable memories and the consequences of assumptions.