Clear weather plus a generous gathering of spectators helped make the annual Oak Bluffs Firemen's Civic Association fireworks a booming success this past weekend.

A cloud-free night sky provided the perfect backdrop for the world-class fireworks display, which dazzled the crowd with shell bursts, candle bursts and rockets. On the ground, onlookers stuffed the association's donation bucket, helping to ensure this year's display was a success both technically and financially.

It is an adjective that has likely appeared in almost every news article or story ever told about the Night of Grand Illumination.

While some have described it as whimsical, majestic or even ethereal, it seems as if anyone reflecting on the annual tradition is in some way obligated to use the one adjective which most fittingly captures the essence of the evening.

Magical.

They are two of the most accomplished and respected scholars both in the nation's elite collegiate circles and in the African-American community, but on Wednesday morning Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Dr. Charles J. Ogletree Jr. were preoccupied with one thing - going fishing.

In addition to running against three candidates with considerably more experience in town politics, Mr. DiOrio was a relative newcomer to the Oak Bluffs scene.

On the surface, the four candidates running for the open seat on the Oak Bluffs board of selectmen in next week's special election share the same ideas on most of the major issues in recent town politics.

Herbert A. (Bert) Combra Jr., Kenneth DeBettencourt, Ronald DiOrio and David E. Morris Jr. are all vying for the single seat vacated when former selectman Michael Dutton stepped down to take over as town administrator.

With gasoline prices at an all-time high across the country, the Vineyard stands in the top ranks for prices paid at the pump, as the cost of premium gas climbed above the four dollar mark at most Island stations this week and regular trailed not far behind.