Jane Kenyon
I am the stone step, the latch, and the working hinge. I am the heart contracted by joy, the longest hair, white before the rest.-Jane Kenyon
November 13 2026
Welcome Sofia
Layse Vicente Flores and Lindolfo Coelho Dos Santos, of Edgartown, announce the birth of a daughter, Sofia Dos Santos Flores, born on Oct. 28 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Sofia weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces at birth.
Ezra Arrives
Margaret Anne Moton and Quinten Moton, of West Tisbury, announce the birth of a son, Ezra James Moton, born on Nov. 6 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Ezra weighed 8 pounds, 12 ounces at birth.
Recent Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending Nov. 6
Chilmark Jennifer Chun and Daniel Kim purchased 28 Black Point Road and Black Point Beach (Lot 26) in Chilmark for $2,850,000 from Jackbo LLC on Nov. 6. Edgartown 37 Plain Field Way LLC purchased 37 Plain Field Way in Edgartown for $5,300,000 from Christopher D. Charles and Meghan C. Charles on Nov. 5. Brandon Willett…
West Tisbury Town Column: Nov. 13
I remember what I was wearing 50 years ago. Unlike this year, with its balmy bright fall days, the season I recall was exceptionally chilly on the Vineyard and we were bundled up in woolly winter gear.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: Nov. 13
Halloween on Circuit avenue around 1 p.m. was full of big kids and little kids in costumes, strollers and wagons parading in and out of stores and businesses offering a variety of packaged candies, lollipops, popcorn and welcome greetings from merchants.
Edgartown Town Column: Nov. 13
Once again, our week was sunny and warm during the day. But when the sun goes down it is best to have a jacket or sweatshirt available.
Chilmark Town Column: Nov. 13
Santa is beginning the process of checking his list twice, and Chilmark has some wonderful news to report to the North Pole. Thanks to a mini baby boom, our community has been fortunate to welcome several sweet new faces this year. Lucky us.
Chappy Town Column: Nov. 13
The “Final Trip” gathering to remember Clarence A. Barnes III will be held on Saturday, Nov. 21 starting at 4 p.m. at the Ag Hall in West Tisbury. Bring a potluck and Trip stories to share.
Elizabeth Allen, 91
Elizabeth F. Allen, 91, of Vineyard Haven died on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026 at the Navigator Homes in Edgartown. She was predeceased by her husband, Stewart Allen in May of 2008. Elizabeth was born on April 3, 1935 in Boston, the second daughter of Francis Joseph Turcotte and Alice Mary Whittier. Her older sister Therese…
Virginia Gonsalves, 96
Virginia “Ginny” “Figa” Cecilio Gonsalves, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026 at age 96. She was predeceased by her beloved daughter, Paula, and her husband, Frank “Chuck” Gonsalves. Born and raised in Tisbury, Virginia was the second youngest of nine children. She graduated from Tisbury School as the valedictorian of her class, with strong aspirations of…
George Willoughby, 86
George A. Willoughby, 86, of Fort Myers, Fla., died peacefully on Oct. 26, 2026 at Pondella Residential Care in Cape Coral, Fla., with his son by his side. George was born on May 28, 1940, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. He was the son of Marjorie (Shea) from County Kerry, Ireland, and Emery A. Willoughby.…
James Booth, 97
James Edward “Jamie” Booth died on Oct. 27, 2026, at the age of 97. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Joan; his son Stephen; and his siblings Herschel, William, and Nancy. He is survived by his son Jeb (Lisa) Booth; his grandchildren Cole and Rylee Booth; his siblings Jerry and…
Clarence A. “Trip” Barnes III, 83
Clarence A. “Trip” Barnes III, 83, died at home in West Tisbury on Sept. 1, 2026, having lived all nine of his lives in his own way, leaving behind a legacy of generosity, ingenuity, friendship, many trucks and a lifetime of stories that will be told on Martha’s Vineyard for generations to come. Born in…
Heart of the Derby
Being new to the Island — having lived here for just one year — and participating in my very first Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby was an amazing experience.
A Chance Meeting With a Future Governor
Everybody seems to have a Keisha Lance Bottoms story these days. As I watch the celebrations surrounding her historic election as the nation’s first Black woman governor, I find myself remembering mine.
Bringing Cattle Teams Back to the Vineyard
In a typical “Island Shuffle,” two more calves have moved to the Vineyard.
Double Decker
From the November 10, 1950 edition of the Vineyard Gazette: The old sail loft, commonly known as the Double Decker, at the head of the Vineyard Haven wharf, was auctioned Wednesday afternoon to Henry Cronig, whose high bid of $250 was believed an almost infinitesimal price for the historic two-story structure.
Lovely Lilacs
Last weekend’s rain set everything right in garden world. I was beginning to get into some serious fretting.
Winterish
As October has rolled over into November, the bird life we are seeing now is looking more like wintertime.
Breadcrumb Sponge
It is a lot to absorb. The breadcrumb sponge is simultaneously simple and complicated.
Jane Kenyon
I am the stone step, the latch, and the working hinge. I am the heart contracted by joy, the longest hair, white before the rest.-Jane Kenyon
Vineyard Wind and Revolution Wind Reach Complete Buildout
Vineyard Wind and Revolution Wind announced last week that all 127 of their combined turbines are now operational, bringing the promise of enough electricity to supply hundreds of thousands of homes in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.
Tisbury Eyes New Options for Town Hall
Tisbury officials got their first look Tuesday at a new potential solution to the chronic lack of adequate space for town offices, which now are scattered among multiple buildings in different neighborhoods.
Short-Term Rental Regulations Headline Oak Bluffs Special Town Meeting
The proposed bylaw, one of 12 articles at the Dec. 1 special town meeting at the high school performing arts center, seeks to codify the lucrative rental industry hosted on platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo in the zoning regulations while also imposing restrictions on owners who rent their properties.
Ocean View Hotel Faces Historic Hurdle
A controversial plan for a new hotel in Oak Bluffs faces an uncertain future after a town historic committee refused to give it its blessing last month.
Edgartown Adopts Residential Tax Exemption
The select board voted unanimously Monday in favor of enacting a 5 per cent residential tax rate exemption.
Vineyard Thanks Service Members on Veterans Day
Thirty veterans and first responders marched in the annual Veterans Day parade in Oak Bluffs Wednesday.
Lesser Charges Against Cotton Dropped
The district attorney is no longer pursuing the manslaughter charge against Aimee Cotton given the superseding murder indictment.
After Receiving a Helping Hand, Mike Sisco Gives Back
Mike Sisco washed ashore on the Vineyard 16 years ago in the midst of a life-threatening battle with drug and alcohol addiction. Now he is running his handyman services with the goal of helping others.
Keeping the Arts Alive All Winter Long
Pathways Arts is kicking off another season of winter cheer with a slate of events, from Poetry & Prose Tuesdays to dance parties and musical performances, all taking place at the Chilmark Tavern.
Boys & Girls Club Welcomes New Executive Director
Brittany Giles-Jones, who has Island ties and a deep history in theatre, is starting a new act as the executive director of the Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club.
Island to Honor Service Members for Veterans Day
Edgartown and Oak Bluffs will host Veterans Day ceremonies this week to honor the Vineyard’s military service members.
Small Fire Extinguished in Oak Bluffs
Oak Bluffs firefighters were called to 22 Kennebec avenue at 1:36 p.m. after the people at the home found smoke in the basement.
Gazette Alumni Headline Tuesdays in the Newsroom
The next Tuesdays in the Newsroom event will feature four Vineyard Gazette alumni who have gone on to journalism careers in New York City.
Girls Soccer Falls to Ludlow in Playoff Opener
The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School girls soccer season came to an end last week after losing to Ludlow High School 2-0.
Housing Lot Ballot Question Rejected
A ballot question that would have made it easier to build homes on traditionally undersized lots split voters on the Vineyard and ultimately failed by the slimmest of margins at last week’s midterm election.
Capturing the Timeless Beauty in What Glaciers Leave Behind
Photographer Mariana Cook’s newest exhibition, entitled Out of Place — Out of Time, begins and ends on the Vineyard.
Aquinnah Police Chief Retires
After 34 years with the Aquinnah police department, chief Randhi Belain retired Friday in a tearful ceremony at town hall.
