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
March 14, 2014
Brilliant Triangles
The red planet Mars is only a few weeks away from opposition and its brightness can not be missed. The red planet glows above the southeastern horizon two hours after sunset. Mars hasn’t been this bright in almost two years. Once Mars rises higher in the southeast, later in the evening, there is no mistaking…
As Elections Approach Contested Races Are Sparse
For the second year in a row, at least three Island towns are facing an election season without a single contested race. Ballots are set for Chilmark, Edgartown and West Tisbury without any candidates facing opposition — in fact, some positions are lacking any candidates at all.
A True Keeper Who Cast a Wide Net
Louis S. Larsen, one of the last commercial fishermen on the Island, died March 11 at age 88. He was born Nov. 27, 1925 in Menemsha, the child of Norwegian immigrants with deep fishing roots.
Road to Recovery Rocky as New Paths Future Is Uncertain
The Island’s only intensive outpatient substance abuse program, New Paths Recovery, was inaugurated with a five-year grant from the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital in the summer of 2010. That grant is set to expire in 10 months.
Selectmen Host Final Forum on Squibnocket Beach Project
At annual town meeting next month, Chilmark voters will weigh in on a major Squibnocket Beach project. The plans calls for removing the stone revetment, moving the parking lot and building an elevated roadway.
Moving Day: Family Center Settles Into New Home
The Martha’s Vineyard Family Center moved into its new home this week at the renovated Stephen Carey Luce House in Vineyard Haven. The building was formerly part of the Nathan Mayhew Seminars campus.
Real Estate Transactions: March 3 – March 9
David Altshuler and Jill Altshuler purchased 12 Parsonage Woods Road in West Tisbury from Christopher Schaper and Suzanna Schaper for $2,000,000.
Anyone Home?
An ocean buffer, which at times can feel like a friendly moat to keep intruders away, can also have the opposite effect when services are needed and the only place to get them is off-Island.
Louis S. Larsen: 1925-2014
May Louis Larsen’s legacy remind us of the importance of safeguarding our waters, not merely for the aesthetic beauty, but for those without a voice swimming below the surface.
Goodbye Captain, My Captain
Louis S. Larsen’s hands were big. His grip on the affairs of the waterfront was firm and friendly. To shake his hand was to feel affirmation, fellowship and a bit of the strength of one who was always a Menemsha fisherman.
It’s Better to Bowl Than to Fade Away
For my father and my uncle, bowling offered a more athletic alternative to canasta. They joined the men’s bowling league and brought me along for good luck, or practice.
Giving Irish History the Gift of New Life
Through the years, hundreds of young Vineyarders have visited Ireland and have been charmed by its haunting beauty.
Still Marching to the Beat of Justice
Fifty years later, the question is, what changed? Is the South and the country as a whole a better place because of the direct action at that time? The answer is more complicated than a simple yes or no.
Tisbury Selectmen Approve Parking Lot Redesign
A redesign proposal for the parking lot adjacent to the Stop & Shop building featuring 64 parking spaces set at 90 degrees and a multi-use path was approved by Tisbury selectmen on Tuesday.
In Unprecedented Step, MVC Rescinds DRI Decision on Vineyard Haven Building
Following a request from the Island Housing Trust, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission rescinded a DRI decision on a Vineyard Haven building that was never built.
Doing Donuts
From the Vineyard Gazette editions of March 1948: Just as the 11th annual observance of National Doughnut Week, March 8 to 15, gets under way and plans are started to honor the memory of Capt. Hanson Gregory of Glen Cove, Me., for having been credited as being the inventor of the hole in the doughnut,…
Heaven Sent
When people ask me what makes Martha’s Vineyard so special, I only have three words, “zoning, zoning and zoning.”
Bowled Over
After weeks of attending public hearings, writing carefully considered letters and making personal pleas to the MV Commission, our family did not receive any mitigation or consideration with regards to the proposed bowling alley and bar on Uncas avenue. Abutters to the south were taken care of but we to the north were left out…
Beautiful Legacy
Today as we drive by the Mill Pond, a prominent gateway to our town, we can see growth edging out into the pond — little formations of grassy islands. Some of it dies off and falls to the bottom, adding to the pond’s shallowness.
Down Wind
Because of the extreme danger posed to the Cape and Islands should an accident occur at the aging, failing Pilgrim power plant, concerned people are working to place a full page ad in the Sunday Cape Cod Times asking to close Pilgrim now.
Helping Hands
It is a great blessing to live and work in a community where the various religious groups so willingly step up to help each other when it is needed, for which I along with the people of Grace Church am greatly thankful.
Breath of Life
Praise and thanks to two women administering CPR and telephoning for help when I fell unconscious on a walk near Ripley’s Field in Tisbury.
Cleaveland House Poets
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Cleaveland House Poets, it seems an opportune time to thank William Waterway publicly for his role in bringing the poetry group back to life.
Edgartown Selectmen Hear Town Landing Concerns
Town issues, including boats left at town landings and cell phone service on Chappaquiddick, were discussed at the Edgartown selectmen’s meeting on Monday.
Reading the Fine Print on Tisbury Zoning Rules
To protect the character of our community, Tisbury residents should attend a Tisbury Zoning Board of Appeals hearing to protest a controversial, landmark decision by the Office of Building Inspection & Zoning Enforcement.
No Criminal Charges Filed Against Council on Aging Director
Oak Bluffs selectmen voted to request a police investigation regarding the financial activities of the Oak Bluffs senior center and its director, Roger Wey. After three weeks of investigating, police made a decision to close the case for now.
Reality Bites: ABC Family and Martha’s Vineyard Break Up
A spokesperson for the ABC Family show confirmed this week that The Vineyard won’t be renewed for a second season.
Vineyard Sends Several Athletes to All-Star Games
The winter sports season has ended for Vineyard teams, but several individual athletes will compete in all-star games in the coming weeks. Girls’ hockey sent three players to the Southeastern Massachusetts Girls Hockey League All-Star Game last month, with senior co-captain Callie Jackson and juniors Aubrey Ashmun and Olivia Ogden taking the ice for the…
Man Charged with Attempted Murder, Firearms Possession Released on Bail
A Vineyard Haven man charged with attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearms and an explosive device was released on $20,000 bail after a dangerousness hearing Tuesday morning. Bail had been set at $250,000 at a hearing last week.
Overview of Nine Special Education Programs to Be Presented at Parent Meeting
The Island Parents Advisory Council on Special Education will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19, at the YMCA. Phil Campbell, director of student support services, will share plans for the Bridge and Project Headway programs along with Hope MacLeod, intensive needs specialist.
Land Bank Revenues: March 7
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $63,972.17 for the business week ending on Friday, March 7, 2014.
Louis Larsen Was Patriarch of Vineyard Fishing Family
Louis Samuel Larsen of Chilmark died Tuesday, March 11, surrounded by family at the West Palm Beach Hospital in West Palm Beach, Fla. He was 88.
Aquinnah Town Column: March 14
Six deer climbed up the cliffs on Sunday afternoon — a very rare sight. The frost heaves are diminishing and the daffodils are starting to bud. Chilmark Chocolates will re-open next week.
Virtues of a Virtual Yoga Practice
Sherry Sidoti invites individuals and groups inside her yoga studio, Yoga Haven, and beyond. By partnering with StudioLiveTV, Ms. Sidoti is able to offer classes from a fly-on-the-wall perspective,
Outer Glow Magnified From Within
Diane Morgan opened her Chilmark studio 12 years ago. Today, she is known Island-wide for her facials.
Chilmark Town Column: March 14
Chilmark is grieving today for the loss of a very respected and beloved member of the community. Louis S. Larsen died March 11 while at his winter home in Florida.
On Chappy: March 14
This is the height of mud season here on Chappy. There is very little that can be done to economically smooth out a muddy road.
Regional High School Announces Second Quarter Honor Roll
Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School has announced its honor roll for the second quarter of the 2013-2014 academic year.
Video Technology Restores Island Social Security Services
The Social Security Administration announced plans to install a video teleconference terminal at the Oak Bluffs Council on Aging. News of the system reached West Tisbury selectmen last week.
West Tisbury Town Column: March 14
The snowdrops are in full bloom at Betty Knox’s house, Phyllis Meras’ on Music street and Charlie Kernick’s on Edgartown Road. Susan Block reports that she spotted perhaps the first mayflower of the season on Tuesday.
Edgartown Town Column: March 14
Heat off, windows open, out with just a light jacket and a walk on the beach — who could ask for anything better? Of course it is only Tuesday night and there is a nor’easter in the forecast.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: March 14
Finishing touches remain on the new fishing pier. On one hand, I’m disappointed that the railings match the industrial look of the SSA more than the Victorian look of Ocean Park, but on the other hand, I guess it’s all neatly done.
Avian Signs of Spring
It is about time temperatures have soared all the way into the 40s. Maybe now we can start finding some avian signs of the coming spring.
Hoping For Spring Eternally
I managed to kill several flats of onion seedlings. I put them outdoors into an unheated hoop house too early. I can’t decide if I froze them or cooked them.
Transition Begins as Vineyard Nursing Association Closes
The Vineyard Nursing Association officially closed its doors on Tuesday. The Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod now assumes care of Vineyard patients. Officials at VNA said the transition was smooth but Island boards of health officials said they were caught off guard.
Ecotourism Economics
It was on March 14, 1903 that President Theodore Roosevelt established the first federal bird reservation, Pelican Island, a five-acre mangrove island in the Indian River Lagoon on the east coast of Florida near Vero Beach.
Winter Walks In Rare Habitats
Landowners open their properties to the Trustees once a year and now is your chance to see spectacular and rare Vineyard habitats.
Investing in Creativity
Arts Martha’s Vineyard invites the business community, creative economy and all those interested to its annual meeting on Monday, March 31, at 4 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center in Vineyard Haven. Ann Markusen, director of the Arts Economy Initiative at the University of Minnesota, will talk about how to better leverage the Island’s…
Oak Bluffs Restaurant Closes After Seven Seasons
The Sidecar Cafe and Bar has closed its doors after seven consecutive seasons.
The Play’s the Thing
Island Theatre Workshop presents its One Act Play Festival over two weekends beginning Friday, March 21.
West Tisbury Library Opens Door to the World
After a fundraising campaign and four years of planning, the West Tisbury Free Public Library is ready to open. Opening day is Saturday, March 22. The ribbon-cutting ceremony begins at 10 a.m.
Student Stars
Ten student actors will perform Hush, a one-act play written by junior Aaron Teves and senior Alexis Willett, on Friday March 14 at the performing arts center.
Light Your Fire
Sassafrass Earth Education is offering a special workshop for teens and adults on Saturday, March 15, from 1 to 4 p.m.
Mighty, Mighty Horseshoe Crabs
Horseshoe Crabs: A Story of Beach Trysts and Blue Bloods comes to Island libraries.
Island Housing Trust Awarded Community Investment Tax Credits
Island Housing Trust, a nonprofit organization that develops sustainable affordable housing projects on the Island, was one of 38 community organizations awarded Community Investment Tax Credits totalling $3 million. The tax credits will be distributed by the Island Housing Trust to investors in exchange for donations.
Holly Hat Racking Demo
The Polly Hill Arboretum abounds with mature overgrown hollies this time of year. Learn how to tame these beasts on Saturday, March 15.
Bringing the Heat: Copper Wok Opens, Raises Money for Boys & Girls Club
About 600 people attended opening weekend of Vineyard Haven’s newest restaurant Copper Wok. Patrons paid a donation to be the first to sample the cuisine, and owner J.B. Blau raised $8,300 for the Boys and Girls club.
New Oven Brings Positive Change, Any Way You Slice It
An oven building team for the Flatbread Company put finishing touches on a new clay dome inside the Edgartown restaurant. The eatery specializing in all natural wood-fired clay oven pizza is set to open for the 2014 season May 15.
Vineyard Woman Honored for Promoting Women’s Rights
Anita Botti of West Tisbury was honored last month by the Washington, D.C., chapter of the National Organization of Italian American Women as one of that organization’s three Women of the Year. Ms. Botti recently retired from being chief of staff and principal deputy in former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s Office of Global Women’s…
Seeking to Extend Bass Season, State Lowers Daily Bag Limit
On Thursday night the Massachusetts marine fisheries advisory commission set the new commercial striped bass season to open on June 23 this year. Commissioners dropped the daily bag limit from 30 fish to 15 fish per fisherman. Rod and reel fishing permits are limited to two fish per day.
Commission Approves Oak Bluffs Bowling Alley Plan
Architect Reid (Sam) Dunn’s Cottage City Bowling now goes to the town for approvals at the local level. Mr. Dunn agreed to keep sound levels at 62 decibels. The commission said the matter of a full-service bar versus beer and wine will be up to the town selectmen to decide.
Town Submits Application for Ownership of Gay Head Light
The town of Aquinnah moves one step closer to owning the Gay Head Light this week, submitting a comprehensive application for ownership after months of preparation.
