If the purpose of art is to provoke, the positive messages festooning the Vineyard this week have met their objective.

For many, the eleven signs spouting love-oriented phrases are refreshing reminders that we need to be nicer to one another. And that appears to be one of the admirable goals of Julia Kidd, the West Tisbury artist who installed these signs across the Island landscape. “There is so much to love about you” and “I can’t get enough of you” are things most of us like to be told.

The sun fell behind the Chilmark Pond the other day, casting long shadows across the landscape as sheep grazed above at the Allen Farm. It was one of those April days where the spring air felt washed and clean, like a fresh batch of laundry snapping on the line. A brisk wind made little ripples across the pond. And for just a minute it felt like everything was right with the world.

Recently during a meeting with high school seniors to talk about the civil rights movement, I learned their graduation was on May 17.

“Wow,” I exclaimed. “How wonderful to be graduating on such a historic day.” Seated at a round table in front of me, all of the students looked at me quizzically.

“You do know the significance of May 17?” I asked, only to be met with the same uncomprehending looks.

Once again, we wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to all those who have participated in the Martha’s Vineyard pollinator project by helping to inventory the Island’s native bees. We are indebted especially to the volunteers who helped sample bees and generate important data—including the first recorded occurrences of over 150 species from the Vineyard.

MEMO TO COMCAST

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Thank you Pam Dolby, Jennifer Rand, Edgartown selectman and all the other Island town officials that are pushing Comcast to provide service to Chappaquidick. It is amazing to me that Comcast, a major corporation with massive financial and corporate resources, cannot find a way to either make the Chappaquiddick project financially feasible or see it as part of an overall obligation for the right to provide services to Martha’s Vineyard.