I am not what is generally considered a Y person. However, my recent gluttony over the holidays, spurred by an errant early New Year’s resolution, necessitated some kind of serious intervention. The Y seemed a likely option.

LETTER FROM HAITI

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Did you know that the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School has a Brazilian history class? Well, we do! The whole purpose of this class is to teach students who came to the U.S. at a very young age the main points about their home country. It’s not only about learning history, but the class teaches students to work together and develop a way of showing everyone that Brazilians are not as bad as they think we are. So far, we have been a successful class. We have been on task and have been able to achieve our goals.

By SUSAN KLEIN

Having lived a full life, Barbara Lipke was many things to many people. In addition to wife, mother, educator and author, she was also a storyteller. Her beguilingly gentle telling style would erupt into something bolder and humorous, delighting her listeners and showcasing her considerable skills.

Two Chilmark farms were recently granted permits for large-scale wind turbines under a presumed agricultural use exemption. Abutters have asked the zoning board of appeals to review the permits, calling for more thought and a public process.

Current Chilmark zoning bylaws prohibit the zoning board of appeals from issuing special permits for such turbines over an abutter’s objection — and/or if the turbine does not “preserve and enhance existing . . . natural features as well as vistas, water views and historic locations . . .”