A convivial crowd filled the Black Dog Tavern Wednesday night for the first in this season’s Sail Martha’s Vineyard dinner lectures. Capt. Bob Douglas was the man at the microphone.

Herbalist and author Holly Bellebuono published her sixth book last month, An Herbalist’s Guide to Formulary. She will give a talk on Wednesday, Jan. 10, at the Chilmark Library.

The volunteer-powered Houses of Grace winter shelter system has opened for its third season. “If I didn’t have this, I’d be sleeping around a fire, bundled up,” said Derek MacLeod.

The band performed the first winter concert of its nearly 150-year year history Saturday.

After 149 summers of delighting audiences from down-Island bandstands and stages, the Vineyard Haven Band will perform on street level for its first-ever winter concert Dec. 16 at 1 p.m.

Tony Lombardi, the former director of Alex’s Place at the YMCA, died last Friday morning at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. He was 59.

The all-volunteer coalition founded in 2013 to tackle the needs of the Island’s aging population, announced last week a new collaboration.

Wrapping up their 49th year as the elite choral group at the regional high school, the Minnesingers drew packed houses for their winter concerts.

The regional high school Minnesingers return for their Christmas in Edgartown concerts this weekend, with a string of special guests.

The lights were low, the music was funky and party hats were everywhere as Camp Jabberwocky marked its 65th anniversary in Boston last Thursday night.