Twenty-five years ago, there we stood, the four of us, up in the stands at the Fleet Center in Boston: Mike McLaughlin, George Gamble, Tom Mayhew and I.

The following tribute to Charlie Blair was read at the Edgartown annual town meeting on April 8.

This whole thought came from a conversation I had with one of my sons in law when we were discussing the world and technology.

It is a curious practice, tomato pruning. It requires confidence, foremost, surety of hand and volition.

At Island Grown Initiative we work to build a food-secure community here on the Vineyard, where all people can have access to the food they need with dignity for now and in the future.

In preparation for my participation in the April 5 protest on Martha’s Vineyard, I pondered what kind of poster I should carry.