Sections

9.1.08

From the Editor

Last weekend on a bike ride by Farm Pond, an osprey soared overhead, clutching a freshly caught fish. I slowed down to make sure of what I was seeing. And there was definitely a fish wriggling in-flight, its body flapping from side to side.

There was a strange stillness to the moment, despite the fish’s obvious fight. I couldn’t hear anything, and the osprey seemed completely calm as it flew to its nearby nest. Others on the bike path seemed unaware of what was happening just above them. Alone on my ride, I just kept pedaling as the osprey floated out of view. Further along, I caught a quick glimpse of the nest, with a couple of birds in it – and presumably lunch.

This kind of sighting isn’t uncommon, but that doesn’t mean it’s not appreciated. Small moments like this one are what make many of us love this place.

This edition of the magazine makes a point of appreciating the Island – its nature, its resources, its people. I was surprised to read how many birds you can spot from the ferry (page 24) and how many yoga classes are taught on-Island (page 36). Two profiles of Vineyarders reinforce that common refrain about the interesting stories behind people who live here: Dockbuilder Steve Ewing is a salty gem (page 26), and Harvard freshman and golfer Tony Grillo is downright sweet (page 42).

The biggest event of the fall is the Derby, so we take an in-depth look with a photo essay on page 56. If you’d like to see your handiwork in next August’s magazine, we’ve launched our first readers photo contest; details are on page 79. I wish I’d had a camera when I saw that osprey who’d gone fishing.