Parties are different on the Island in February. There’s an almost imperceptible clouding of the atmosphere; a tincture of desperation underlies the natural sociability of man during this monstrous month.

In the book Bowling Alone, author Robert Putnam described the phenomenon of communities losing the very essence of what made them great, or at least functional, when they acted as vehicles that helped bring individuals together.

Anyone who thinks it is impossible to get things done quickly on Martha’s Vineyard hasn’t met the women behind the Island Wide Youth Collaborative.

I’ll admit this: there have been days of late where I’ve considered telling my baby-to-be to stay put. Don’t come out. You’re better off where you are. Is there room in the womb for me?

I am addicted to snow. Sadly, I missed the best part of it on the Vineyard because I was stranded in Rhode Island by the winds that canceled Vineyard ferries.

In 2014 we rescued more produce than ever before — almost 25,000 pounds! And mild weather kept us gleaning later than ever into December.