The Martha’s Vineyard Commission conducted a proper review and acted within its authority when it approved the roundabout traffic project earlier this year, the commission said in a formal response to a lawsuit seeking to block the decision.

The response, dated Dec. 23, was filed in Dukes County superior court, where the towns of West Tisbury and Edgartown sued the MVC earlier this month.

In a story about a Vineyard Haven resident’s efforts to protect the view from the Tashmoo Overlook (Citizen Campaigns to Save Tashmoo View, Nov. 18), the Gazette misstated the ownership of a parcel of land visible from the road. The land is owned by Payette Vineyard Realty Trust, not Thomas and Ginny Payette. The Gazette regrets the error.

Please Adopt Us

Sadly, Santa wasn’t able to find homes for any of the animals at the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard, and now our cages are filling up quickly.

After seven months of efforts to create a stable future for the Thimble Farm property, the fate of the prime farmland is still in flux, leaving the owner disappointed but not discouraged.

Reached by telephone this week, property owner Eric Grubman said he has not given up on an Island coalition of farmers and conservation agencies formed to explore alternatives for the property, but he’s seen little progress to reassure him there is enough interest from the community to take the farm out of private ownership.

New Year’s Celebrations

This New Year’s Eve there are options from the glitz and glam to the low key, plus walking out to the Edgartown Lighthouse in your pajamas.

In Oak Bluffs, the Martha’s Vineyard Chowder Company is preparing a prix-fixe, five-course meal with seatings at 5, 7:30, and 10 p.m. Jeff Davis, who sings everything from Sinatra to Elvis, serenades and at midnight there is a champagne toast.

Agricultural Fair Photos

The Martha’s Vineyard Museum is hosting two agricultural fair photo collection days to help with a new book being created by Susan Klein and Alan Brigish. The authors are on a quest to find a variety of images taken at the fair over the years for inclusion in the upcoming book. Photos will be scanned and returned immediately.

The collection days will be held on Friday, Jan. 6, from noon to 1 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. and again on Saturday, Jan. 7, from noon to 3 p.m. Both dates take place at 59 School street in Edgartown.