For The Love of the Vineyard was the title of a gathering at the Country Club of Brookline last week to discuss the current and future programs of the Martha’s Vineyard Museum.

Bruce Stewart and Gordon Cromwell, friends and fellow museum board members, shared their reasons for supporting the museum over the years before turning things over to executive director Heather Seger. Heather took those assembled through the journey of the small museum location in Edgartown, with four parking spaces and a rather stifled version of the program of a museum. Interviewing at the time to be the director of development she went from less interested to being captivated by the possibilities of moving the physical museum as well as the programmatic museum to Vineyard Haven. She is now the chief executive of this much-larger physical museum.

But most importantly, she has led a transformative and expansive programmatic reach, significantly expanding attendance, participation from Island communities and a new, diverse brand for the museum.

Oak Bluffs residents such as Rob and Sabrina Williams and Colin Redd responded positively to the future vision of a museum as it has grown beyond the pandemic days and seeks to continue to be attractive to Island residents, summer residents, tourist and the various cultures and legacies that make the Island what it is.

Kudos to Flash and Benny Wiley and their close friends L. Duane Jackson and Debbie Jackson for being recognized by the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts for their long-standing commitment to expanding business, cultural and social impact for people and organizations in greater Boston.

Oak Bluffs resident Vivian Beard has been vigilant in updating her neighbors and friends on the status of the plans for redeveloping the former Ocean

View restaurant on Chapman and Wayland avenues. Concerns about the density of the proposed mixed use of housing and the restaurant by immediate abutters, have been shared with planning and permitting authorities from the town.

Debi Crews — patron chair for the Vineyard Preservation Trust fundraiser on June 15 — has pushed out her invitations early this year. The Trust will be raising funds to help with the plans to improve the historic and widely-used Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs. Upgrading the exterior walkways, new ramps, landscaping, renovated bathrooms are among the improvements that will assist in the planned facelift for the interior and exterior of this favorite community and convening location. Make your reservations early it is certain to be a fun time for a very worthy cause.

Deb Medders reports that the League of Women Voters of Martha’s Vineyard will be hosting a candidates forum for both contested and uncontested offices on April 3 at 7 p.m. at the Oak Bluffs library in the Community Room. All are encouraged to attend this in person event.

Paradise on earth is living the Vineyard experience. Enjoy it as time is fleeting. Randall Edward Taylor, rest in peace.