Dylan Thomas
The birds of the winged trees flying my name Above the farms and the white horses I rose in rainy autumn And walked abroad in a shower of all my days. – Dylan Thomas
April 17, 2009
Michael Colaneri Is Reelected Town Assessor
West Tisbury voters returned longtime assessor Michael Colaneri to another three-year term in an annual town election that saw a light turnout yesterday. Mr. Colaneri prevailed 305 to 239 over challenger Jonathan Revere, who came within 10 votes of beating Mr. Colaneri three years ago.
A total of 570 voters turned out, 26…
Edgartown Town Election Has Few Contests This Year
Edgartown voters returned incumbent William Erickson to a three-year term on the town water commission Thursday in an annual town election that was remarkable for its dearth of contested races.
A total of 449 voters turned out, 14.5 per cent of the 3,094 registered.
In an under-the-radar contest for the finance…
Greg Coogan, Kathleen Burton Elected
Incumbent Gregory A. Coogan and challenger Kathleen A. Burton emerged yesterday as winners in a crowded race for two open seats on the Oak Bluffs board of selectmen, while longtime moderator David E. Richardson fended off challenger Jesse (Jack) Law 3rd to hold onto his seat for another year.
Commission Approves Condo Complex
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission last Thursday approved Donald Muckerheide’s plan to build a 12-unit condominium complex on Dukes County avenue in Oak Bluffs. The commission voted 8-1 to approve the project as a development of regional impact (DRI), with Andrew Woodruff casting the lone dissenting vote.
Bradley Square Wins Final Approval
After a long and at times bumpy review process, the Bradley Square housing project cleared its final hurdle last Thursday when the Oak Bluffs zoning board of appeals voted to grant a special permit for the plan.
The board voted 3-0, with two abstentions. Chairman Kris Chvatal and members Jane Lofgren and Peter…
State Cuts Leave Health Care Access Scrambling
Having mandated health coverage for all Massachusetts residents, the state government now is preparing to remove funding from groups dedicated to ensuring it happens, including $50,000 from the Vineyard Health Care Access program.
The $27.4 billion budget proposed yesterday by state lawmakers makes no provision for ongoing funding for the MassHealth Outreach grant…
Edgartown Allows Library Renovations
Trading democratic squabbles for efficiency, Edgartown voters marched resolutely through a 52-article annual town meeting warrant in just over two hours on Tuesday night, stopping briefly along the way to debate the merits of renovations to the free public library and adding a finance director to the town employee roster.
Voters said yes…
West Tisbury Scrimps on Pay Raises
At their annual town meeting Tuesday West Tisbury voters knocked back an article that would let a minority dictate the pace of future meetings, using secret ballot voting. Then as if to prove a point, they dispensed with a 45-article warrant in a little under three and a half hours.
Voters also approved…
Quest for Shellfishing Stimulus Millions
Last month Congress allotted $170 million to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) — an unprecedented funding pool for the fisheries service — with the goal of creating several thousand jobs.
Warren Doty knew he wanted a piece.
“They said, we want jobs,” said the Chilmark selectman and member of…
Tisbury to Petition for Alcohol Sales
Like a drunk stuck in a revolving door, Tisbury voters find themselves going around and around again because of beer and wine.
They have been stuck in that door for four years already, but at the second night of the annual town meeting on Wednesday night, they decided to go around for at…
Oak Bluffs Voters Spend With Caution
In a two-night annual town meeting, Oak Bluffs voters ratified a town budget of $24.1 million, approved a $500,000 dredge for Sengekontacket Pond and rejected a move to cut money from the schools.
Voters were in a generous mood overall, giving thumbs-up to $770,000 in Community Preservation Act projects, substantial pay raises for…
Patriot’s Day
The Vineyard Gazette office will be closed on Monday in observance of the state holiday which commemorates the battle of Lexington and Concord.
Welcome, Madelyn
Welcome, Madelyn
Clare and Jeffrey Crowell of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Madelyn Alice, born on April 10, 2009, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Madelyn weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces at birth.
Prescribed Burn
Prescribed Burn
Working in conjunction with Vineyard fire officials, The Martha’s Vineyard Prescribed Fire Partnership plans to conduct a prescribed burn today at the Long Point Wildlife Refuge in West Tisbury. Smoke may be visible above the south coast of the Vineyard, near the Tisbury Great Pond in West Tisbury.
Clarification
Clarification
Ebba Hierta, quoted in last Friday’s story about cell phone proposals Up-Island, was speaking as a West Tisbury resident.
From Ice Fields to Integration, Islanders Love the Call ‘Play Ball!’
It is a game played by old men and young boys, by professionals and amateurs alike, at the dawn of spring and at the coming of winter. On the Vineyard, the game of baseball has been played by farmers, sailors, fishermen and businessmen, in Menemsha meadows and makeshift diamonds at Waban Park in Oak Bluffs,…
Museum Capital Campaign Is Placed on Hold, Temporarily
The Martha’s Vineyard Museum has temporarily suspended its capital campaign which began six years ago with a price tag of $35 million, as a job search begins to replace executive director Keith Gorman.
He will step down at the end of the coming summer after just over a year on the job.
…
Saturday to-Do List: Don Gloves, Roll Up Sleeves, Go to Beach for Earth Day Event
Flotsam and jetsam have drifted onto Island shores for centuries, although the volume and toxicity of beach trash has increased dramatically during modern times.
Today plastic trash is a blot on beaches, but thankfully it can be reduced simply by rolling up your sleeves and getting to work.
Vineyard Sports Teams Heat Up With Big Wins on Every Surface
As the weather warms, so do high school athletics, and several teams surged out of the gate early this spring, including girls’ lacrosse, girls’ softball, baseball and the ever-steady track team.
Girls’ Lacrosse
Ordinance Cleanup
Ordnance Cleanup
A project to remove old military ordnance at South Beach in Edgartown and Cape Pogue Wildlife Refuge on Chappaquiddick gets under way next week and continues through the month of May.
Cape Pogue was used as a practice target bombing site in the 1940s during the war years. South…
Consumer Price Watch
Gas
Prices for regular unleaded gas as of Apr. 15:
Edgartown
Airport Mobil $2.699 Depot Corner $2.699
Edgartown Mobil $2.759
Oak Bluffs
deBettencourt’s $2.659
Jim’s $2.679
Vineyard Haven
Citgo $2.659
Tisbury Shell $2.699
…
Edgartown
KATHIE CASE
508-627-5349
(kathleencase@comcast.net)
Well, everyone has been rushing to do their taxes and pay the government, but you have to admit the sun is putting a smile on your face.
Riding Nationwide Swell, Surf Film to Rip On Island
Thomas Edison captured the first Hawaiian surfing footage in 1906, but surfing films became part of surfing culture in the the 1960s and ’70s, when classic surfing films used to tour the country. Now California filmmaker Thomas Campbell (The Seedling, Sprout) carries on the tradition, eschewing video to shoot his features in beautifully rich 16…
West Tisbury
JOHN S. ALLEY
508-693-2950
(alleys@vineyard.net)
Trout fishing in the Mill Pond continues to increase each day and should really pick up next week. Monday the town buildings will be closed to observe the state holiday, Patriots Day and Wednesday is Earth Day nationwide. Louis Greene’s old greenhouse near his…
Chilmark
JANE N. SLATER
508-645-3378
(slaterjn@comcast.net)
Chilmark … and the rest of the world … is already halfway through April. We are still waiting for the wind to stop blowing and the air to warm up a little, but we all seem to be out and about and getting things…
Aquinnah
JUNE MANNING
508-645-2574
(lthslnks@gis.net)
The Soloist will premier worldwide on Friday, April 24. It is based on a true story about a homeless schizophrenic pianist who lives on skid row in Los Angeles. He was a professionally trained musician and has dreams of playing at the Disney concert hall…
Oak Bluffs Burn
Oak Bluffs Burn
On Saturday, April 18, beginning around 8 a.m., officials will be conducting a burn of all remaining brush, branches and leaves on the property formerly known as the Leonardo property in Oak Bluffs. The Oak Bluffs wastewater department, highway and fire departments are coordinating the burn, calling it another step…
Moon Amid the Planets
The crescent moon moves amid the planets early in the week, but only early-morning risers will have the best view.
Temperatures
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
April 10 56 36 .00
April 11 61 44 .21
April 12 45 37 .57
April 13 46 33 .01
April 14 53 37 .00
April 15 53 43 .00
April 16 53 40 .00
…
Sophomores Speak Out
This week, our sophomore writers have a lot to say and much of it is about MCAS, though they still have an eye on that outside world and one thing is clear — they love to learn.
— Elaine Cawley Weintraub, advisor.
A Necessary Evil?
By Jessica Kelleher
At Town Meeting, Loud Voices Trump Loud Attire
A man waiting for coffee behind me the other day at the Scottish Bakehouse was wearing a navy pinstripe double-breasted suit and recently shined shoes, and he may as well have been sporting a tutu and a beer hat for the looks he was getting.
You could see the customers’ minds working. He…
Students Make the House Their Own
State Rep. Tim Madden congratulated Andrew McHugh for being elected delegate to represent Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School in the 62nd Annual Student Government Day at the State House in Boston. He joined over 300 of his peers from around the state in participating in a unique hands-on educational opportunity.
Students were assigned…
Earth Day 2009
Earth Day 2009
When Earth Day began, few people had heard of Chernobyl or Bhopal. Instead of cell phones, we had a cold war. Nelson Mandela was in a South African prison, for there was apartheid not wi-fi, or even many personal computers. The Berlin Wall was not yet down, the Clean Air…
Expanding a Business That’s All About Cuts
Oak Bluffs business owner Dana Hughes is fascinated with smart marketing. “Like fantastic window displays, things people will remember … in this economy, you have to have somebody remember you. That’s hard to do,” said the owner of Hair by Dana, one of the anchor year-round businesses on Circuit avenue for 15 years, shortly after…
Girl Talk
Girl Talk
A Goldfish Pond to Some; To Others, A World
There is a nice pond in my backyard garden on Centre street. When I preface the word “pond” with “goldfish“ your mind and eye make an instant adjustment, and from imagining cattails, ducks, pinkletinks, swamp iris and the wildlife that comes to drink at a pond, the reader thinks “oh, goldfish” and sees a few…
Seeking Nominations For Woman of the Year Award
Women Empowered is proud to announce the first Empowered Woman of the Year Award. Nominations are now being accepted for the woman whose attributes and activities improve the lot of others on the Vineyard, either by her deeds or character.
Nomination forms are available at the following locations: Kiddo’s, Martha’s Closet, Alley’s General Store,…
Summer Jobs
Summer Jobs
The West Tisbury parks and recreation department is looking for Red Cross-certified lifeguards, swim instructors and tennis attendants for the summer. There are also openings for beach sticker seller and parking lot attendant. For information and an application contact the department at P.O. Box 278, West Tisbury MA. 02575.
Gazette Chronicle:
“We’re All Done Now”
From Gazette editions of April, 1984:
When Jeff Norton stands up in front of town meeting, something happens. It’s hard to explain, but anyone who has ever been to a town meeting in Edgartown knows that Jeff Norton has the ability to make a town meeting fun. He…
Depression Therapies
Depression Therapies
Nicole Barlett will talk about neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) and how they affect mood, on Tuesday, April 21 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Tisbury senior center. Apart from medication, there are many other ways to support our well-being. All are welcome and there is no charge.
Letters to the Editor
DEMOCRACY IN ACTION
Editors, Vineyard Gazette:
I’d like to thank all the Tisbury voters who attended two long nights of annual town meeting. Town meeting is the forum where major town issues can be debated and decided, and, as the saying goes, the world is run by those who show up.…
Welcome Emily
Welcome Emilly
Michelle and Marcos Aiolff announced the birth of a baby girl, Emilly Barbosa Aiolff, on April 7 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Emilly weighed 6 pounds 8.2 ounces at birth.
Minnesingers Win Bronze Medal at Choral Festival
On April 4, the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School Minnesingers performed at the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association Festival, and despite this being their first return to the festival in ten years and singing pieces of the highest-rated level of difficulty, they excelled, and were awarded by the association a bronze medal. Congratulations go…
Bella: Artist, Philosopher, Musician, Puppeteer
In his 1841 essay Circles, the transcendentalist philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson celebrated the moment when a visionary rises up amongst us. “By a flash of his eye,” wrote Emerson, the artist “burns up the veil which shrouded all things, and the meaning of the very furniture, of cup and saucer, of chair and clock and…
Springtime Surrounds Vineyard Cyclists
Springtime’s probably my favorite season for biking on the Vineyard. The colors and sounds and smells are just the antidote to a long, gray winter; or, if you’re a seasonal resident like myself, it’s a great time to get reacquainted with New England. The weather’s cool enough to pedal fast without overheating, you don’t have…
Chapter 48: Surviving April
In this year-long serialized novel set on the Vineyard in real time, a native Islander (“Call me Becca”) returns home after two decades to help her eccentric Uncle Abe keep his landscaping business, Pequot, afloat. Abe fears and detests Richard Moby, the CEO of an off-Island wholesale nursery, Broadway. Convinced that Moby wants to destroy…
The Vineyard Gardener
By LYNNE IRONS
Roseanne Roseannadanna had it right. If it’s not one thing, it’s another. I am grateful to own a couple of vehicles, but wouldn’t you know, two were on the blink in the same day. Everyone should have such problems! The good news was, however, it forced me to stay home…
Costa Rica Sightings
To see a new species of bird is always fun but particularly if it is in a place where you have birded frequently. Flip and I have been traveling to and birding in Costa Rica since our hair was brown, not gray. Thirty years of bird-watching in Costa Rica should have netted us close to…
Airbrush Retrospective at Featherstone
An artist since the 1950s, Jack Greene recently reached into his archives to retrieve a number of airbrush drawings and paintings he created 30 years ago, and will present a small revival of the retro-artistic style for an exhibition opening at Featherstone Center for the Arts in Oak Bluffs this weekend.
Sky Lights
“Look up, it’s a bird, it’s a plane”
No, it’s not Superman, but it is super-natural. The superheroes of the sky this week will be the Lyrid meteors, showering the night sky with a light show from April 16 to 22.
Oak Bluffs Publisher Will Produce Studio Quarterly
Plymouth Rock Studios, a $500-million film and television studio complex scheduled to open in 2010 in Plymouth, has selected Hurd Publishing of Oak Bluffs to produce the company’s quarterly publication, Plymouth Rock Studios Magazine. The publication will report on studio plans and events and on Massachusetts as an up-and-coming film venue. The first issue is…
Jacobean Poet John Donne Gets Musical, Metaphysical
In celebration of national poetry month, there will be a reading of 17th century metaphysical poet John Donne at the Old Whaling Church at 4 p.m. on April 19. The program will also include the music of William Byrd and other composers from the English Renaissance. Donne’s work will be read by John Ortman and…
