It was the beginning of what would be a long day for the then-future president of the United States, Barack Obama. He’d finished up on the campaign trail about 1 a.m., then returned to his hotel to steal a few hours of sleep with Michelle, who had been busy campaigning separately from her husband. Now the two were gearing up for that day’s primary in New Hampshire. Their paths would diverge again that morning, but first there was a 20-minute bus ride, their only chance for some quiet time alone together.

This is a place where bare feet and imaginations run free.

Nesting terns have for quite awhile been under pressure to find appropriate and safe nesting habitat on the beaches of New England. The coastal waterbird program at Mass Audubon and the Island’s management unit of The Trustees of Reservations both dedicate a lot of manhours and resources to the task of protecting tern colonies over the course of the breeding season, roughly from June until now.

Fit to win: Coach Philip Dwayne led the Celtics to a 2-1 victory on Wednesday over Monto Orthopedics in the Martha’s Vineyard Football Association competition. The game, a mid-season championship contest, was hard-fought. Eduardo DaSilva scored on a penalty kick early to put Monto ahead 1-0 at half-time. But the Celtics came back with two goals, both completed by Sam Griswold, in the second half to finish the match. The Island offers friendly and competitive leagues for soccer, softball for men and women, basketball and more, plus open tennis tournaments and a host of fun runs, including one this Saturday and another next.

Few people know their way around the Island links like local wunderkind Tony Grillo. As President Obama settles into a vacation in West Tisbury that is almost certain to include a few rounds, Mr. Grillo leaves for Seattle to compete in the U.S. Amateur Championship. Before leaving, though, he spoke with the Gazette at his home course, Farm Neck, about what the duffer-in-chief can expect on Vineyard fairways.