Traffic was up, sales were up and spirits were up to match as business owners across the board reported a generally busy Memorial Day weekend and a healthy start to the season this year.

Steamship Authority traffic to the Vineyard between Thursday and Saturday was up four per cent for passenger traffic and two and a half per cent for car traffic over last year. And Saturday alone saw a 19 per cent increase in passenger traffic from the previous year.

As of Wednesday this week, the Steamship Authority was booked solid for seven straight days. With sunny days and warmer weather, traffic already has begun piling up at the Bourne Bridge. "It's a big hurrah for the season," said Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs terminal manager Bridget Tobin. "It's a prime weekend to open houses."

About a week ago, Trudy Russell was sitting at her Olivetti Lettera 25 typewriter with her morning cup of coffee when the phone rang. The woman on the other line introduced herself as M.J. Munafo and told Mrs. Russell that her play, Closure, had been selected for the Vineyard Playhouse spring festival, Island Interludes.

Mrs. Russell had no idea what she was talking about.

About a week ago, Trudy Russell was sitting at her Olivetti Lettera 25 typewriter with her morning cup of coffee when the phone rang. The woman on the other line introduced herself as M.J. Munafo and told Mrs. Russell that her play, Closure, had been selected for the Vineyard Playhouse spring festival, Island Interludes.

Mrs. Russell had no idea what she was talking about.

Notice of Lawsuit Filed on Cape Wind

Town of Barnstable and Citizen Groups Take Formal Steps, Preparing to Sue State Environmental Secretary.

By IAN FEIN