When Diane Wolkstein’s book, The Magic Orange Tree and other Haitian Folktales was published in 1978, it became a favorite among American storytellers in the early years of a storytelling renaissance in which I have been privileged to participate. Sitting with Diane at a story event in Appalachia in 1981, she insisted I learn the song the way she’d heard it in Haiti, and gave me permission to tell and record the title story.

Diane, folklorist and mythologist and one of the foremost scholars of the contemporary storytelling movement in America, died Jan.

In Brendan Coogan’s classroom at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, student Amy Fligor daintily painted her nails; all fifty of them. “We have a pot, like a deep fryer that we melt wax in,” Amy said. “I stuck my fingers in the wax . . . Now I’m trying to make the fingernails a little more pink.” Amy is one of 33 Martha’s Vineyard Regional High school students who received an award at the Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards competition. Her waxed fingers holding a cup described by her as “holding the world in the palm of your hand,” received an honorable mention.

The hills are alive with the sweet scents of the Secret Garden, this year’s Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School musical, which begins next Thursday, Feb. 14. The play will be performed at the performing arts center at the regional high school with additional shows on Friday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m.. and Saturday, Feb. 16, at 4 p.m.

Tuesday is not just another Tuesday. It’s Fat Tuesday and that means Mardi Gras and pancakes.

On Tuesday, Feb. 12, the West Tisbury Congregational Church is hosting its third annual Mardi Gras pancake supper and party. The pancakes will be made from local ingredients including Morning Glory Farm eggs and Mermaid Farm yogurt. The music is homegrown too. Rick Bausman, Brian Weiland and Hudson Bausman will lay down a Caribbean groove complete with steel drums. Beads and coins, too, naturally.

Slow Food is presenting a brunch and panel of local farmers this Sunday, Feb. 10, beginning at 9 a.m. The program takes place at Focus Center, 450 Lambert’s Cove Road, West Tisbury. Brunch will be prepared by the Slow Food crew and served from 9 to 10 a.m. The panel begins at 10 a.m.