Just as soon as I planned my annual August grab-bag menu challenge, the refrigerator broke. The same day a long-awaited new water heater showed up, along with the installer, who regretted to inform us we’d be without hot water for a day (or two, as it turned out). Our internet and cell service, both of which had been heading towards oblivion all summer, were threatening to expire altogether. This made contacting the fridge repair folks difficult. When the smoke signals finally got through, the message back was clear: You’re on a very long waiting list.

With news this week that the Chilmark Flea Market wouldn’t after all be happening this summer, I felt a wave of gratitude for the West Tisbury Farmers’ Market folks.

Nemo Bolin’s culinary journey has taken him from the Vineyard to Boston, the West Coast and Providence, R.I. Most recently he took first prize in an episode of Chopped on the Food Network

Ten Edgartown restaurants will take advantage of special outdoor dining permits as the town’s fledgling European model for the downtown business district looks to become a reality.