At the end of last July, my husband and I realized summer was passing us by. Like many who live on the Island year-round, we had a lot happening in our lives to distract us. Sure, we had taken a few moments to savor the season. But it wasn’t enough. We don’t live here for just a few moments.

We figured recognizing the problem was the first step. And sure enough, the rest of our summer really felt like summer. This year we’re hoping to prioritize better. Of course, with summer comes many expectations. Going to the beach, biking, visiting with family and friends. Working in the office, on the house, in the yard. Those are definitive. The key is to explore more of what we don’t know and haven’t seen around the Island. This magazine is full of inspiration.

As you read some of the stories, you may feel like an insider. Perhaps you’ve followed the college a cappella group the Vineyard Sound for years (page 50). Or you’ve already been tubing off the back of a motor boat out of Oak Bluffs or crossed Menemsha harbor on the bike ferry (page 80). Or maybe you haven’t. Frankly, it doesn’t matter how long you’ve lived on the Vineyard or how long you’ve been visiting this place. Many of us get stuck in our little worlds with our families and friends, in our towns, at our jobs.

We’ve tried to make it our job at the magazine to help you explore more about the Vineyard. So, by all means, do what defines summer in your mind – but try something new too. I’m definitely going crabbing for blue claws (page 68).