In researching the life of King David for her new book, The Secret Chord, Geraldine Brooks traveled to Israel, where she herded sheep on a Samarian hillside, stayed in a goat-hair tent and learned as much about Second Iron Age culture as she could.

A renovation project at the Chilmark School went slightly over budget this summer, leaving not enough cash on hand to address a faulty boiler in the school heating system. Members of the up-Island district committee discussed the problem.

Oak Bluffs selectmen accepted a bid of $5.2 million to repair the crumbling seawall on the North Bluff and build a walkway to connect the Steamship Authority terminal to Oak Bluffs harbor. Construction is expected to begin in December.

A three-day visit to the Vineyard included stops at the Gay Head Light, the Vincent House, the former marine hospital, the Flying Horses and the Vineyard Gazette.

Edgartown selectmen set dates for the 2015-2016 bay scallop season. Recreational scalloping begins Thursday, Oct. 1 in all Edgartown waters, but dragging for scallops is prohibited in Cape Pogue until Oct. 30. The commercial season kicks off Nov. 2 in all waters.

Residents who live near the airport told the town selectmen last week that a voluntary noise abatement program at the airport is not being followed.