There is no drought on Martha's Vineyard. While dry conditions may continue in other parts of the Northeast, the Vineyard has had healthy rainfall thus far this year.

But despite spring rains, Vineyard ground water levels are at or near their 25-year low. This has raised concerns that homes in outlying areas, those with wells near the coast, may be vulnerable to saltwater intrusion.

A 46-year-old flyfishing guide drowned in the waters of Eel Pond in the wee hours of Friday morning. Kenneth Schwam, who had recently moved full time to the Vineyard from Pennsylvania and had worked a few weeks at Larry's Tackle Shop, is being mourned by friends and colleagues near and far.

According to police, Mr. Schwam was out fishing late with a customer, Jem Paker from London. The two were wading in deep water when they both found themselves in over their heads.

The Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust set a new record this week when it tallied up the results of its celebrated fundraiser, A Taste of the Vineyard. The private, nonprofit organization's executive director, Christopher W. Scott, announced yesterday morning that the 17th annual Taste, which now includes two separate but related events, a gourmet stroll and patron's dinner, raised $180,000 for the preservation trust.

The Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust set a new record this week when it tallied up the results of its celebrated fundraiser, A Taste of the Vineyard. The private, nonprofit organization's executive director, Christopher W. Scott, announced yesterday morning that the 17th annual Taste, which now includes two separate but related events, a gourmet stroll and patron's dinner, raised $180,000 for the preservation trust.

Public Health Forum Wednesday Precedes August Summit on Care

By JULIA WELLS

Call it a laboratory for learning about health care on Martha\'s Vineyard. Or call it the Foundation for Island Health.

Either way you get the same thing: A young Island foundation aimed at testing a patient-centered, self-funded community health system whose cornerstones are prevention, education and state-of-the-art technology.

Now, two years after it was launched, the outlines for the foundation have begun to take on a little more definition.

Call it a laboratory for learning about health care on Martha's Vineyard. Or call it the Foundation for Island Health.

Either way you get the same thing: A young Island foundation aimed at testing a patient-centered, self-funded community health system whose cornerstones are prevention, education and state-of-the-art technology.

Now, two years after it was launched, the outlines for the foundation have begun to take on a little more definition.