The year was 1978, and Martha’s Vineyard confronted a big decision about its character. It could take a big step toward becoming part of generic America or fight to maintain its individuality.

A property had come up for sale on Vineyard Haven harbor, and the multi-national purveyor of junk food, McDonald’s, was lined up to build its 5,110th restaurant on it.

Winter is the ideal season when wood shavings fly, drills and sanders sing and Vineyard boat builders assemble and repair boats.

At one of the Island’s smallest boat shops, Rick Brown of Far Cry Boats in Vineyard Haven is working on two. Space is a premium inside his 15 by 36-foot workshop with limited heat. His fragrant shop is at Maciel Marine, next door to John Thayer’s cabinet shop, and has one of the best views of Lagoon Pond. The air smells of fresh-cut oak.