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 20, 2015
Oak Bluffs Town Column: Feb. 20
Oak Bluffs has many contributors to history from today and yesterday who are black. One, Dr. Beny J. Primm, just published his first book, The Healer: A Doctor’s Crusade Against Addiction and Aids, at the urging of Oak Bluffs historian Bob Hayden. This is the story, against formidable odds, of how Dr. Primm became a…
Theatre Campaign Sees Pledges Mount Quickly
A campaign to revive two historic movie theatres has raised more than a third of its $1 million goal. Mark Snider, who created a nonprofit to renovate and lease the Strand and Capawock cinemas, said he has collected $350,000 in pledges in one week.
Blizzard of Snow Removal Bills Puts Big Dent in Town Budgets
Mountains of snow and ice have piled up around the Vineyard — in parks and parking lots and along roads — following two major storms that have tested Island plow crews and depleted municipal snow removal budgets.
Culvert Work Critical to Saving Farm Pond
For decades, Farm Pond in Oak Bluffs has been closed to shellfishing. But salvation may not be far off. The town has learned that it’s in the running for major federal funding to widen a culvert under Sea View avenue and restore tidal flushing to the pond.
In Music, Like Life, Past Is Always Present for Mike Benjamin
Mike Benjamin started his musical career playing in Harvard Square and in the subways of Boston. He came to the Vineyard for a summer, planning to go to back to the city. The Vineyard-based Mike Benjamin Band is now often booked every weekend from May to October.
Island Tries to Assess Homeless Numbers
It’s common on the Vineyard to hear of someone couch surfing for a few weeks or struggling through a long transition between rentals, but the exact number of people without homes on the Vineyard remains elusive.
Lights, Action, Cinema
The deplorable condition of the Vineyard’s historic movie theatres and what can be done about them has occupied more than a few dinner table conversations in recent years.
February Days
The roads are more narrow now, the mountainous snowbanks swallowing acreages of asphalt all over the Island.
Sitting a Spell With Mev Good
Meverell (Mev) Good, who served in the 10th Mountain Division in World War II, died on Feb. 9 at the age of 91.
Planets Rule the Night
The crescent moon appears in our western sky tonight, just above the two planets Mars and Venus.
Getting to the Roots of Budding Controversy Over Seed Libraries
Last spring, Ken Greene, the founder of the country’s first community seed library, came to the Vineyard to help lead a seed saving workshop.
Land Bank Revenues: Feb. 13
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $235,190 for the business week ending on Friday, Feb. 13, 2015.
No Fear, Embrace the Egg
It is interesting how we remember things. As a nutritionist, my nostalgic thoughts often turn to food. Was food and nutrition simpler back then, I wonder.
Let the Sun Shine, Let the Sun Shine In
“Snowfall will be above normal in most of the Northeast, although below normal in much of New England.” So said the Old Farmer’s Almanac for the start of 2015. It sounds like a cheap fortune cookie message. Also, it sounds quite off the mark.
Helping Those in Need
This snowy, cold winter has been a trial for most of us. Some of us, who don’t dare walk on icy, slippery terrain, have been housebound for weeks.
Giant Leap Forward
An atmosphere of great celebration prevailed here at the Island Wide Youth Collaborative and Martha’s Vineyard Community Services this week.
Sing Hallelujah!
Like the rest of our Island community, the Island Community Chorus, with over 100 members, was getting restless and frustrated. Weekly snowstorms forced the cancellation of our Monday night rehearsals.
Everyday Hero
The extraordinary beauty of this Island has always enchanted me. I call it one big Japanese garden. The Island is alive with a myriad of landscapes.
Family to Family Report
Now that the winter holiday decorations have come down, but while there’s still plenty of snow on the ground, it’s time to take stock and offer some somewhat tardy thank you’s.
Two Men Arrested in Oak Bluffs Drug Bust
Two Island men were arraigned last week on drug charges after police said they arrived at an Oak Bluffs parking lot to allegedly sell heroin.
Party Time
Parties are different on the Island in February. There’s an almost imperceptible clouding of the atmosphere; a tincture of desperation underlies the natural sociability of man during this monstrous month.
A Year of Reading with Sustainable Book Club
Over the next year, the Sustainable Book Club will read and discuss books about diverse environmental topics. The entire Island is invited to participate. The book club is sponsored by Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary and all six Island libraries, and will meet every over month for the next year at locations around the Island.
West Tisbury Town Column: Feb. 20
Today marks the beginning of the school vacation week for Vineyard students and many families will also take a vacation from the winter boredom.
Oak Bluffs School Principal Tapped for Assistant Superintendent Post
At the recommendation of incoming Vineyard schools superintendent Matthew D’Andrea, the all-Island school committee will ask Richard Smith to replace Mr. D’Andrea as assistant superintendent.
Please Adopt Us
The few remaining cats at the animal shelter have few visitors these wintry days. They have to amuse each other. While sitting at the desk in the lobby, one can watch them fly through the air as they sail from one perch to the next.
Edgartown Mulls Historic District Expansion
The Edgartown historic commission is beginning to test public support for an expansion of the town historic district. A survey has been mailed to 284 people who own property in an area marked for possible inclusion in the district, which would more than double if lines are redrawn as proposed.
MVC Executive Director Search Attracts Strong Interest
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission will choose a new director from a pool of 33 candidates. A nationwide search that concluded last week saw a good response, search committee chairman Doug Sederholm said.
Anna Hughes Named to Dean’s List
Anna (Zen) Hughes of West Tisbury was named to the fall 2014 semester dean’s list at Boston University.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Feb. 20
All the changes in society (Do you text at the table? Can you check your email in front of people at a cocktail party?) means that we need a Miss Manners for this era, and I volunteer.
On Chappy: Feb. 20
You are in luck if you like snow! Our supply gets replenished every few days and is not threatened with melting anytime soon. The glittering of the frozen crystals in the sunlight is very pleasing to me.
Aquinnah Town Column: Feb. 20
Aquinnah endured another blizzard over the weekend with temperatures dipping to dangerous levels at 20 degrees below zero with the wind chill factor.
Chilmark Town Column: Feb. 20
Chilmark prepares for yet another weekend storm. This winter continues to challenge all aspects of Island life. As always, Vineyarders see these moments as a chance to reach out to their neighbors as they always do in adversity.
Edgartown Town Column: Feb. 20
I think Wayne Jackson said it best on Facebook. He said, “I think I just saw a polar bear and penguin go by.” It does seem like we are living in another part of the world with all the white stuff we have on the ground and all the ice floating in the harbors, but…
Samuel Arrives
Jussara and Jackson Silva of Edgartown announce the birth of a son, Samuel Douglas Silva, born on Feb. 13 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Skating to Victory Together, Girls’ Hockey Captains Share Bond Forged on Ice
The Vineyard girls’ hockey team defeated Bourne last week to secure their spot in the state tournament. Senior captains Aubrey Ashmun, Sydney Davies, Erin Hegarty and Olivia Ogden, a tight-knit team that has played on the varsity squad since they were freshmen, led the way.
Mariah MacKenzie Named to Dean’s List
Mariah P. MacKenzie of West Tisbury was named to the fall 2014 semester dean’s list at Boston University.
Hello, Zoey
Becky and Mike Cotrone of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a daughter, Zoey Elizabeth Cotrone, born on Feb. 12 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Zoey weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces at birth.
Ideas Abound for Winter Break
The quietest week on the Vineyard approaches. The one where nearly everyone with a child runs off-Island to take advantage of the winter school break.
Perfect Weather for Poetry
It’s snowy, cold and still getting dark early. Not great for a trip to the beach, but perfect weather for poetry.
Spring is Coming, Baby Lambs are Here
While it may seem like spring is a long way off, nature isn’t always in the habit of waiting for the sun to shine. Out at the Farm Institute the baby lambs are here and it’s time to welcome them.
Measles Virus is Particularly Potent
Morbillivirus is quite a clever virus that has been in the news lately.
Aid for Artists
The Martha’s Vineyard Center for the Visual Arts will accept grant applications from Island artists until April 1.
Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank Awards Grants
The Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank Charitable Fund, a donor-advised fund with the Permanent Endowment for Martha’s Vineyard, announced its grants the final quarter of 2014.
ACE MV Offers Sustainability Classes
ACE MV is collaborating with Northeastern University to offer a series of classes on-Island dedicated to Sustainability: Addressing the Challenges.
Barn Owls to Winter Wrens; Christmas Bird Count Results Are in
This year’s annual Christmas Bird Count participants, 65 in the field and 29 watching their feeders, found more birds than we had in recent years.
Immigration Information
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Edgartown hosts an information session on President Obama’s new immigration policies on Monday, Feb. 23, beginning at 6 p.m.
Focus on Friendships
Jim Ross from the ARC of Massachusetts is the guest speaker at this month’s meeting of the Island Parents Advisory Council on Special Education.
Sledding Weather Invites Reflections
This is the first winter in a while with proper amounts of long-lasting snow to please the young sledding crowd.
Real Estate Transactions: Feb. 9 to Feb. 15
Stephen N. Serio purchased 28 Pine street in Edgartown from Matt Dyroff for $1,410,000 on Feb. 12.
Menemsha Fishmonger Sees Hope for Future in Blue Mussel Farm
The Vineyard’s first offshore blue mussel farm has a new owner with a long-term vision for the local fishing industry. Stanley Larsen, owner of Menemsha Fish Market, recently took over a shellfish grant for the continued operation of the aquaculture farm.
Steamship Authority Plans Special Public Meeting on the Vineyard
In an effort to improve communication with Islanders, the Steamship Authority will hold a special public meeting Tuesday, March 10, at the regional high school’s performing arts center.
Tisbury Regroups, Plans to Reapply for School Renovation Funding
As part of an effort to address a deteriorating school building and a growing student population, the Tisbury school committee will apply again for state funding to renovate the Tisbury school.
Rules Aimed at Protecting Striped Bass Will Hold
Aiming for more uniform management of striped bass fisheries along the Atlantic coast, the state Division of Marine Fisheries will not seek an alternative to new regulations approved last year by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.
Ice Hampers Passage for Chappy Ferry
For the first time since at least 2007, ice in the Edgartown harbor prevented the Chappaquiddick ferry from completing a trip across the harbor Monday morning. Capt. Jeff LaMarche was hampered by thick ice.
Blizzard Trailed by Deep Freeze
The ferocious mid-winter weather that has pummeled the Vineyard with snow, ice, wind and frigid temperatures continued without letup over the weekend as another blizzard roared through. The storm began late Saturday and lasted all day Sunday.
Island Hunkers Down as Winter Storm Brings Heavy Snow, Wind
After a night and morning of steady snowfall, the snow subsided early Sunday afternoon as a winter storm lashed the Vineyard. Ferries to the Vineyard have been canceled for all of Sunday and the Island is a blanket of white after hours of wind-driven snow for the second time in three weeks.
Blizzards Give Pause But Can’t Stop Beauty of Into the Woods
After the curtain fell Friday night on the second performance of Into the Woods, friends and family rushed to the stage offering flowers and hugs to the 25 members of the cast of this year’s musical.
