A small crowd gathered on Edgartown’s Main street Monday morning as a giant crane prepared to put the top back on the Old Whaling Church.

Island planning officials and the Martha’s Vineyard Commission have been taking advantage of a biennial opportunity to improve their relationship, which often swings between gratitude and irritation.

On the eve of the United Nations conference on climate change, a small band of Islanders joined a worldwide call for action in a demonstration Sunday.

Salted lamb, Hanukkah prayers, scary jello rings — many holiday traditions are handed down through generations but for some young Island families, new ones take their place.