The buzz in the basement of the Old Whaling Church on Friday afternoon came from the members of the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust, gathered for their annual meeting and luncheon. But the main topic of conversation was unbeknownst to a key member of the group. In honor of Christopher Scott’s 20th year as executive director, the Edgartown selectmen and the Edgartown historic district commission presented Mr. Scott with the Edgartown historic district preservation award.

Last weekend, brightly-colored rides and parts of the ferris wheel began to appear on the Agricultural Society field in preparation for the annual fair starting this Thursday, August 16. Also on Saturday morning in Vineyard Haven, Tim Laursen put the finishing touches on another piece of fair-bound machinery: his hand-welded pig smoker.

This is Mr. Laursen’s and friend Everett Whiting’s third year at the fair doing business as Local Smoke, serving up pulled pork sandwiches from their Island-raised pigs.

After a seven-month hiatus, Very Vineyard has re-opened with a brand-new, very transformed look. The first floor of the 30 South Summer street building, originally divided into four subunits, has now been opened up into one large, open space. The women’s clothing store is owned by Carol Lattmann; it has been in business for 27 years. For more information visit veryvineyard.com.

With each shout of “Pull!” came a loud crack as the competitors tried to find their target at the Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club’s annual skeet shooting championship Sunday. With guns loaded, ear plugs in and glasses on, Bill Damora, Brian Reed, Laurence Clancy, Bill Shanok and Brian Welch hoped they had luck on their side as they sought glory in the competition’s first flight.