Recently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced new fisheries measures that would encourage the use of sector management whenever possible in the New England region in an effort to restore depleted stocks such as cod, flounder and pollock.

A severe coastal storm that spread snow from Virginia up into Maine, a day before the first official day of winter, shut down the Vineyard for most of Sunday with gale winds and heavy freezing snow. Chappaquiddick went without electricity for nearly a full day, and Martha’s Vineyard Airport remained closed until Tuesday afternoon.

Gale winds began Saturday afternoon; snow arrived before midnight and didn’t let up until midday Sunday.

A total of 292 deer were taken during the two weeks of shotgun season on the Vineyard, which ended on Saturday, Dec. 12. Hunters were successful and the numbers are close to what was expected, despite weather conditions that were less than ideal.

“The weather was not that great,” said John Scanlon, state wildlife biologist. Mr. Scanlon operated the deer check-in station at the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest during the first week of the hunting season. He checked in 137 deer.

With plenty of room, food and no predators (other than humans behind a gun or steering wheel), deer, skunks, squirrels, rabbits and raccoons on the Vineyard enjoy a level of sanctuary to be envied by their mainland counterparts, allowing their populations to grow to considerable size.

Denys and Marilyn Wortman of Hines Point were honored on Friday as the joint recipients of this year’s Spirit of the Vineyard award, given annually by Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard. The Wortmans’ work and community support was praised, and their sense of humor celebrated, by their friends and associates who made the atmosphere a jovial one at the celebration in the regional high school’s culinary arts room.