The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard is grateful to all those pets who brought their people to the Pink and Green Weekend in Edgartown last Saturday. The fashion star was a chihuahua togged out in those colors topped by a stunning hat. The Black Dog mascot showed up, a perfect example of the Labrador breed, to give out balloons to passers-by. The shelter’s fund for a new roof was increased by several donations. Some cookbooks and placemats were sold. The rain held off as well. A successful event in all respects.

James Alley, a lifelong Islander and well known figure on the Vineyard, died late Tuesday in West Tisbury surrounded by his family after a long bat

Play dates at the beach, fresh rhubarb pies, trips to Hogwarts and warm hugs — this Mother's Day, the second and third grade students in Katy Maciel and Mariah MacGregor’s class at the Chilmark School share poems composed for their moms.

The cedar and white oak planks are new, but the design is old. A 28-foot replica of a wooden whale boat that has been under construction at the Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway in Vineyard Haven through the winter months is now nearly complete. Fragrant cedar wood chips, sawdust and assortment of debris and tools that covered the floor beneath the boat are gone. The boat now sits like a museum piece on a clean floor, a boat from another time.

Ah spring! In addition to green grass and blossoming trees it also brings us pets caught in the Vineyard Shuffle of limited rentals. Forced to move to make room for summer visitors, tenants are often faced with having to relinquish their pets due to the no-pet policies of landlords. If in need, the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard stands ready to find new homes for your furry friends. At the moment we have a new mother tabby cat who delivered her five kittens under a house in Edgartown. Mama cat looks sleek and well-fed. She must have been someone’s pet.

For a year and a half, meetings about Island veterans health care drew crowds expressing their outrage at the long wait for on-Island health care. But on Wednesday, about seven months after a contract was finally in place, the tone was quite different: instead of concerns, there was mostly silence, and instead of outrage there was appreciation.