Introducing Cyrus

Chelsea Pennebaker and Ali Hedin of West Tisbury announce the birth of a son, Cyrus Pennebaker Hedin, born on Jan. 22, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Cyrus weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces at birth.

Isaac Arrives

Pollyanna M. Silveira and Reginaldo A. Da Silveira announce the birth of a son, Isaac M. Da Silveira, on Dec. 28 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Isaac weighed 7 pounds 4 ounces at birth.

Whether it’s the economy, the First Lady’s inspiration or just a hunger for fresh, really local food, home gardening across the country is up 40 per cent and seed source businesses are booming. According to food writer Michael Pollan, for an investment of about $80, you will get $600 worth of local, delicious produce in a typical home garden.

But what if you don’t have enough space or for a backyard garden? Consider community gardening.

There are eight plots still available at Native Earth Teaching Farm, along North Road in Chilmark.

Honoring Mr. Bannister

The African American Heritage Trail of Martha’s Vineyard will honor Quinton Bannister, the first African American teacher at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, for his 32 years of service as a history teacher at the school. A plaque honoring Mr. Bannister’s service and quoting Dr. Martin Luther King — “The time is always right to do what’s right” — will be unveiled in the main entrance of the school on Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 2.15 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

Mature Workers

For Islanders aged 55 years or older on limited incomes who want to get back to work, the Mature Workers Program of Elder Services and the Islands, Inc. is introducing a new program: Bridge Back to Work. The program offers paid work experience and training opportunities within the community for income-eligible seniors. For details on the program, call 508-394-4630, or 1-888-394-4630, to speak with Mary at extension 543, Gloria at extension 542, or Evie at extension 544.

A plan to build a two-story commercial building on a wetland at the edge of the Lagoon Pond in the Tisbury Marketplace is still in the early stages, but so far it has not found much favor from the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.

Sam Dunn, the developer of the marketplace some 20 years ago, wants to build a 7,050-square-foot building with three retail units, two offices, one apartment, and one marine-related unit on the grassy area that abuts Lagoon Pond.