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We call him Owl Man. Well, I call him Owl Man. And not out loud. Philip Hunsaker leads one of the best activities at Felix Neck, the organized evening owl walk. It begins with people of all ages gathering in the main teaching room to listen to Philip, the resident owl expert, explain the unique characteristics of owls.

“No one with cancer needs to be alone.” This is the mission statement of the Martha’s Vineyard Cancer Support Group. Hosting their Evening Under the Stars event Thursday evening, May 15th, members and supporters mingled, wined and dined at Farm Neck Golf Club to celebrate over 26 years of helping Islanders with cancer get through their challenges.

Another transition new Martha’s Vineyard home owners experience when spending time on island is the role of the ferry. As a vacationer it is almost competitive to acquire the perfect reservations to arrive and depart on Saturdays in August. The Bourne Bridge, the rotaries, the green Steamship Authority signs all trigger the anticipation for the Vineyard… Kids are bouncing in the back seat and parents are smug that they are pulling into the terminal at just the right time, not too early but with time to use the bathroom, pick up a schedule, and buy an ice cream cone.

Another winter ritual on Island is having dinner at the Newes Friday evenings with Mike Benjamin.  Formally called The Newes from America Pub at the Kelly House, this Edgartown pub and restaurant is popular for all the right reasons.  The building is one of the oldest on the Vineyard, built in 1742, and its exposed bricks, warm hearth and colonial character beckon people right in.

The real estate market on Martha’s Vineyard remained essentially flat in 2013 compared with 2012. The number of properties sold in 2013 decreased just 1% to 502, total dollar volume decreased similarly 1.5% to $472mm, and average sales price fell just 0.6% to $941,000.

One of the gratifying aspects of being in real estate on the Vineyard is watching new home owners plunge into island life. Often focused on making changes to their new property, they need recommendations for builders, landscapers, or painters, and have an excited energy in making the property “theirs”.