The Christmas tree in the corner of the room may not be the tallest, grandest or most elaborate, but for Melissa Peters and her daughter, Ashley, the five-foot pine is perfect. With its twinkling lights and gleaming ornaments, the tree symbolizes more than just the coming of the holidays; it also marks a new era of Christmas at the Peters's house.

Rather, make that the Peters's home.

There are the reverberating smacks of the basketballs bouncing off the wooden floors, the squeaks of rubber soles starting and stopping in tandem,

Tapping the town's stabilization fund, Aquinnah voters approved eight of nine funding measures presented by selectmen at a special town meeting last night, effectively ending over six months of fiscal turmoil.

"I think this chapter is finally closed," selectmen chairman Carl Widdiss said after the voting. "I think the townspeople wanted to resolve this, and for the most part they did tonight."

Up until two years ago, Willy Mason had never played a gig off-Island.

Revised plans to replace the storied Big and Little Bridges along Beach Road in Edgartown and Oak Bluffs were unveiled this week, and Massachusetts highway officials say they are confident the design will fit the character of the Vineyard. County engineer Steve Berlucchi presented the plans to Edgartown selectmen at their regular meeting Tuesday afternoon. "I think we have a much better design that Island residents will appreciate," Mr. Berlucchi said. "Everybody who has seen it so far is on board."

For the first time in 13 years, there will be a new chairman of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah). Donald Widdiss, the first chairman to lead the tribe after it gained federal recognition in 1987, returns to the top post after ousting incumbent Beverly Wright, 132-105, in the tribe's annual election on Sunday.