Continued

Winter is summer's alter ego. The beaches go cold, and the familiar faces reappear. This is the time of consistency, hard work, cerebralism, and daily routines. The yearly pumpkin harvest makes the front page of the local newspaper. This dichotomy defines Island life as both free and loose, but also puritanical.

Trying to fit all that into one word with any specificity is impossible. Capturing what truly is the Island takes more than a day, more than a year. It takes an appreciation of every opposing personality - liberal and conservative, diligent and easygoing, urban and rural. After all, former presidents and the destitute call it home.

Duncan Pickard is the winner of the Vineyard Style-John D. Morelli essay contest. In addition to publishing his essay, Vineyard Style awarded Duncan a $500 prize. So taken were we with his talent and drive, we hired him for the summer. Duncan will attend Tufts University.