HOLLY NADLER

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There are two categories of cottage owners in Oak Bluffs plus a middle ground. The two extremes are people who adore color and people who are virtually allergic to it. The second group is comfortable with homes of gray shingles adorned with white trim. There are plenty of houses that fit this description.

But for those who love color — and I am one — a new color scheme on an old cottage is an occasion for joy. But first the middle ground.

The cottages in the Camp Ground painted a pale buttery yellow invite you to stop and stare in admiration. From my apartment, I enjoy the lupine-blue trim against gray shingles of the L’Elegance building, and its neighbor Cousen Rose with its soft peach clapboard. Beyond that is the sea foam green Thai café. Up the street is Good Dog Goods with a still paler version of buttery yellow shingles, white trim, lavender benches, a lavender double front door, bronze-rose decking and black wicker chair; it’s a Home and Garden gem.

Turning to brighter colors, the first thing that comes to mind are the pink houses in Oak Bluffs. At one point I counted up to a dozen pink cottages, large and small. Since then at least two have changed hands and been toned down in color. Understandable; few people have the grit to live in a pink house, although I’ve always found it fascinating that The Pink House in the Camp Ground has a deed rider that requires its owners to maintain the pink.

This spring we are seeing some radical splashes of color. On the western edge of Ocean Park one cottage is getting a red makeover. Beautiful. And diagonally across the street from me, the old Rollins Respite house, for years a fading mustard yellow, has recently changed hands. A team of painters headed up by my old pal Jimmy LeBarre is redefining the home with raspberry on the third story, an Irish flag green for the second tier and the possibility of raspberry trim below.

I have to say I love it. It’s stunning, and the colors bring out the lovely roof lines. Jimmy told me a woman passed by who called the raspberry color ridiculous. Ever good-natured, he replied simply: “Oh, I’m so sorry you’re unhappy with it.”

And so we carry on, waiting each spring to see which newly painted homes will receive the most attention.

Vineyarders are invited to nominate a young person (ages 15-18) from Martha’s Vineyard to serve as a delegate to the 2011 Youth Leadership Summit for Sustainable Development. It will be held from June 18 to 24. Visit the MVYLI Web site to find the application at mvyli.org.

On April 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the regional high school, the Adult and Community Education Program (ACE MV) will host Dr. Eric Brodheim, who will provide a fascinating seminar titled An Introduction to General Relativity. Once seen as something understood only by scientists, Dr. Brodheim believes the basics of relativity are quite straightforward. Find more details and registration online at acemv.org.