Mary Oliver
The wind wags its many tails. And in the evening the piled firewood shifts a little, longing to be on its way. —Mary Oliver
February 16, 2024
Town Talk
From the February 15, 1929 edition of the Vineyard Gazette :Democracy at its best, in the institution of the good old-fashioned town meeting, functioned on the Vineyard this week.
Letting Love Reign, in All its Messy Glory
Everybody here has a gig, sometimes two or three. They are craftsman, artists, master chefs, farriers, healers or visionaries. But what was I?
George Blackwell’s Roses
One winter I rented a house, high on a hill in Chilmark, overlooking the Atlantic. The sun came and went. The ocean changed from grey to green to blue, white caps here and there, now and then.
On the Ballot
Please leave the turf question on the ballot. I
Heartfelt Thanks
In January, my wife and I traveled to the Vineyard to visit family and check on the summer home.
Islanders Go Public With Organ Donor Needs
Jessica Mason’s life hinges on a magic number. It’s the number she gets after a team of medical professionals run a series of tests on her overall health and kidney function.
Evening Unplugged
PathwaysARTS welcomes an unplugged musical night on Friday, Feb. 16 featuring Phil daRosa and Friends, and Isaac Taylor going solo.
A Voodoo Doll That Was Born to Ride
Charlie Giordano is a boxer, a musician, a motorcycle enthusiast and an artist. His latest work of art is a motorcycle he calls Voodoo Doll, which will be on display at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, beginning with an opening reception Friday, Feb. 16 at 5:30 p.m.
Ponds Bear the Saltwater Brunt of Storms
The storms have rung alarm bells about potential environmental hazards, both from the continual undermining of the south shore’s barrier beaches that protect these ponds and from the longer-term effects of more salt water breaching the fresh water environment.
From Tractor to Zamboni, a Steady Hand Behind the Wheel
Jo Douglas spends much of her summer behind the wheel of her pickup truck as part of her Fork to Pork operation. In the off-season, though, she can be seen behind a much different wheel: the Zamboni at the Martha’s Vineyard Ice Arena.
Please Adopt Us
There are no adoptions to report this week, but we are wondering why Astra and Ursa are still here.
Rope Found on Dead Right Whale is From Maine
The rope embedded in the tail of a dead young right whale that washed up on the Vineyard last month is consistent with buoy lines used by trap fishermen in Maine.
All Seems Right
I do love a good snowstorm. Everything is so pretty.
Land Bank Revenues
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $224,644 for the business week ending on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024.
Recent Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending Feb. 9
Amadeus Naumann purchased 11 North Neck Road in Edgartown from Paul F. McDonough Jr. for $3,000,000 on Feb. 9.
Spring Arriving?
Temperatures reached 50 degrees Farenheit on Feb. 10 and 11, so can spring be far behind?
Brilliant Stinkers
Flowers? In February?
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Feb. 16
Years ago it was my idea to have the day after the Super Bowl be a national day off.
Edgartown Town Column: Feb. 16
I am sitting here watching the snow fall, and it is falling fast. It has been a while since we have seen this amount of snow.
Chilmark Town Column: Feb. 16
Last week, Chilmark School kids celebrated 100th Day.
Chappaquiddick Town Column: Feb. 16
No breach!
Grey Barn Receives Nationwide Recognition
The Grey Barn and Farm in Chilmark has been recognized with a 2024 Good Food Award Finalist distinction.
Hello Emmett
Taylor Achin and Philip Martineau, of West Tisbury, announce the birth of a son, Emmett Henry Martineau, born on Feb. 12 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Edgartown Faces Big Wastewater Expenses
Edgartown is weighing the costs of expensive septic changes as the town’s wastewater treatment facility falters and the Island’s water quality continues to decline.
West Tisbury Greenlights Senior Affordable Housing Project
The West Tisbury planning board approved a long-planned affordable housing development at 401 State Road on Monday, one of the project’s final regulatory hurdles.
Finalists Selected for Chilmark School Principal Job
A fourth-grade teacher in the Concord public school system and an Edgartown School third-grade teacher are the final two candidates vying to become the Chilmark School’s first new principal in 15 years.
Storm Blankets Island in Heavy, Wet Snow
About 9 inches of snow fell in parts of the Island yesterday, matching the National Weather Service’s prediction of 4 and 9 inches of snow, before tapering off in the evening.
MVYRadio Celebrates Local Nonprofits
On Saturday, March 16, MVYRadio will hold its fourth annual Night Out for Nonprofits.
Chilmark Farmers Claim They Already Have Right to Host Events
Beetlebung Farm owner Amy Weinberg said that the group believed farms should be allowed to hold events under the current bylaw, which permits “use of premises or structures for…agriculture; or work related directly thereto.”
Traffic Study Requested for Ocean View Rebuild
A subcommittee of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission got its first look Monday at property owner Charles Hajjar’s plans to rebuild the Ocean View Restaurant in Oak Bluffs with 10 apartments upstairs.
Judge Dismisses Aquinnah Ethics Appeal
In a Feb. 5 decision, Judge Mark Hallal dismissed Gary Haley’s attempt to push back on charges that he broke the state’s ethics law when he approved payments for himself for work he had done at Aquinnah Circle.
Tisbury Approves New Aquaculture Rules to Aid Farmers
The Tisbury select board unanimously approved changes to the town’s aquaculture regulations that will allow oyster farmers in Lagoon Pond to grow their crops closer to the water’s surface.
Still Finding Time for a Sailor’s Gam
It doesn’t happen often, at least not away from a harbor, but there are times when chance favors a meeting between well-traveled sailors when they find themselves inland.
High School Science Fair Points to a Bright Future
Island scientists young and old converged at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School on Saturday to hear student presentations at the 25th annual science and engineering fair.
Taxi License Controversy Continues in Tisbury
Island taxicab operators who say they were told in recent years that Tisbury has no cab licenses available are now crying foul over an application to start a new taxi company in the town.
Equity Audit Planned For Island Public Schools
The equity audit and climate survey, which will solicit faculty, parents and students for feedback on school culture and leadership, will go out sometime this April or May.
