They were born and raised on the Vineyard, owned their own homes and had full-time jobs here. Then one day a couple years ago, Sharon Amaral and Shirley Fauteux each arrived at the same decision: Sell their houses, cash out and move to the Cape.

And the Pitch: Cong. Mel Watt Steadies Game in Washington

By JAMES KINSELLA
Gazette Senior Writer

In 1963, a young man named Melvin Watt tried out as a pitcher for the freshman baseball team at the University of North Carolina.

Today, Mr. Watt does not recall the other hopefuls as being appreciably different in playing ability. But there was at least one thing that set him aside from the other players: he was African-American, and the others were not.

Riparian Landowners Grumble at Tribal Aquaculture Venture

By IAN FEIN

A public hearing called by Aquinnah selectmen to discuss the management of Menemsha Pond turned instead this week into a debate about private aquaculture licenses and the Wampanoag Aquinnah Shellfish Hatchery.

Drawbridge Committee Advocates Outside Study

By James Kinsella

Over the objections of the county engineer, the Lagoon Pond Drawbridge Committee on Wednesday recommended that Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs fund an $11,700 study of what, if anything, can be done to prolong the use of the existing drawbridge.

Even on an Island that knows a little something about shark hysteria, the upcoming Boston Big Game Fishing Club Monster Shark tournament is a frenzied event.

Vineyard House Plan Wins Approval Amid Praise for Community Benefits

By IAN FEIN

The Martha's Vineyard Commission last week unanimously and enthusiastically approved a new Tisbury campus for Vineyard House, a grass roots Island program that runs homes for Island men and women in the early stages of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction.

Reviewing the project as a development of regional impact (DRI), commission members said last Thursday that the many benefits Vineyard House offered to the community far outweighed any detriments.