The first we heard about the caper was a call from my brother in law, Ralph Jones, who works at the Vineyard Haven Thrift Shop on Fridays.

Here they come. Three vans full. I’m hot. I’m exhausted. And I’m nervous. Camp Jabberwocky shows up in my meadow every year for a lively session of the Chilmark Writing Workshop.

A campaign by residents to bring high-speed internet service to Chappaquiddick continues this summer. Comcast will provide cable service if 270 homeowners pay an up-front fee of $2,139 and agree to sign on with the provider for two years. While a majority of Chappy people have said yes to the proposal with checks, a number have been silent or noncommittal, and the July 21 extended deadline for sign-up is fast approaching. Campaign callers working phones say they have heard it all.

By the year 2050, Massachusetts needs 52 per cent of the commonwealth to be permanently conserved as open space.

Currently, a quarter of the bay state’s five million acres is developed, a quarter is protected and the rest is up for grabs.