Community Shorts

Published: June 19, 2008

Something in the air

This coming Wednesday, ecologist Luanne Johnson will speak at the Chilmark Library from 5:30 to 6:30 pm about one of the Island's most despised critters: skunks. In "They Came While We Slept: A Natural History of Skunks on Martha's Vineyard" Ms. Johnson will share what she knows about costal skunks, including their diet, home ranges, and seasonal habits. She will also show how she uses radio-telemetry to study skunk habits, and provide information on how to reduce individual skunk problems. Admission is free, and the event is sponsored by The Friends of the Chilmark Public Library. For more information, call 508-645-3360.

New season for fun

The Polly Hill Arboretum invites the community to their fourth annual Summer Solstice Celebration on Saturday, June 21, from 3 to 7 pm. The event will include music, dance, puppet-theater, storytelling, food, tours, and a scavenger hunt throughout the Arboretum's magical landscape. Admission is free. Parking is at the Ag Hall with a shuttle service provided. For more information, call 508-693-9426.

A milestone for cancer

Thirty-three teams participated in the fifth annual Relay for Life, a fundraiser for The American Cancer Society, which occurred over Father's Day weekend. The nonstop 21-hour relay around the track at the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School was an occasion to honor, support, and remember those who have been touched by cancer. This year's event was the most successful to date, raising over $100,000, which will go towards cancer research.

Cancer survivors took a lap before the rest of the participants joined in on Friday, June 13.
Photos by Lynn Christoffers

The teams gathered to begin a 21-hour walk-a-thon at the fifth annual Relay for Life.

With Shane Metters pulling the wagon, a crew of children placed decorated lanterns dedicated to loved ones along the track at the regional high school.