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
November 23, 2018
Gibbous Moon
The bright gibbous moon dominates our evening skies this weekend, making it hard to find the faint stars of winter.
Quick Acting Samaritans Save Loggerhead Turtle
An Edgartown dock worker, a shellfish constable, a naturalist and a Tesla owner helped save a cold-stunned loggerhead sea turtle.
Windemere Endures As Home for Island Elderly
As models for elderly care undergo rapid change both around the country and on Martha’s Vineyard, the Island’s only nursing home is facing challenges.
Stop & Shop Expansion Stalls Due to Appeal
A major renovation and expansion of the Edgartown Stop & Shop, slated to begin this fall, has been stalled by a lawsuit filed by an abutting landowner.
Peter Simon, 71, Chronicled Island With His Camera
Peter Simon, a man who hugged first and talked later, died at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital on Sunday, Nov. 18. The cause was cardiac arrest.
Where Turkeys Fear Not Thanksgiving
For years turkeys have been setting up roost around the Vineyard in record numbers, roaming the fields and rural roads with impunity.
Thanksgiving 2018
Found in a remote farm field last week: a single white aster bravely blooming in the tawny tall grass, as if winter would never come.
One Love
I just heard the news of Peter Simon’s passing. Although I didn’t know him well, he was a casual friend of my family, living close by in Chilmark.
Peter Simon on the Vineyard
I remember Peter Simon when we were freshmen at Boston University in 1965. It was an exciting era, and Peter was right in the midst of the action.
Silent Majority
Both papers seemed to intimate before the override vote that more money for the Oak Bluffs town hall would pass without question.
Fields of Green
At the public forum held last week, we heard Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School students express deep frustration over the unchanged, dismal field conditions.
Oak Bluffs at a Loss Over Town Hall
Following a defeat by voters in the ballot box last week, Oak Bluffs leaders said this week they are uncertain about the next steps for the new town hall building project.
Land Bank Revenues: Nov. 16
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $207,492 for the business week ending on Friday, Nov. 16, 2018.
Aquinnah Town Column: Nov. 23
JUNE D. MANNING 508-645-2574
Chilmark Town Column: Nov. 23
Whether you celebrate Winter Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or another holiday, Thanksgiving sets the tone for giving to and caring about others.
Cassius Arrives
Maryse and Dylan Greene of West Tisbury announce the birth of a son, Cassius Christopher Greene, born on Nov. 16.
On Chappy: Nov. 23
Perhaps, on your way past Slip Away Farm, you have noticed a new structure being built behind the old farmhouse.
West Tisbury Town Column: Nov. 23
JOHN S. ALLEY 508-693-2950
The Vineyard’s Barefoot Ambassador
It’s summer on the Vineyard and the afternoon sun casts shadows across Lucy Vincent Beach in Chilmark. Peter Simon is there in his beachfront office, Pentax in hand.
Sausage Days
Cool, frosty mornings bring most people from their beds with an appetite for breakfast, particularly those who spend their days in the open air.
In Praise of Angels in the Sky
Since 1996, the volunteer pilots from Angel Flight NE have been flying patients and their caregivers from locations in New England, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
The Ballad of the Neighborhood Bunny
From my perch on a park bench I sit and watch my daughter age.
Nature’s Beat Is a Place of Wonder
Suzan Bellincampi has been collecting tales and now she has collected them into The Nature of Martha’s Vineyard, illustrated with photos from Gazette photographer Timothy Johnson.
Where Does a Doctor Go When He Retires? Out to Pasture of Course
Debbie Ware could tell Dr. Michael Jacobs needed help with his wool and yarn when they met at the farmers’ market last spring.
Fall Festival
Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary is hosting its annual fall festival on Friday, Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Song Man McMahon
The West Tisbury Library is hosting a night with musician Sean McMahon on Monday, Nov. 26 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Oak Bluffs Lights the Highest Bough
Christmas arrives in many different ways but a good place to start is Oak Bluffs on Wednesday, Nov. 28 with the annual town tree lighting ceremony.
Sense of Wonder
Sense of Wonder Creations in Vineyard Haven is starting up its 28th year of offering art classes for children ages 6 to 14.
Festival of Wreaths
The Edgartown Federated Church will host its annual festival of wreaths on Thursday, Nov. 29 from 4 to 6 p.m.
A Potent Wizard
Al Pacino, as blind Lt. Colonel Frank Slade, spoke passionately about the scent of a woman. However, it is the scent of Thanksgiving that has me enamored.
Puddle Jumpers
While many of us are thinking Thanksgiving season–it is hard to believe that this year’s celebration is already past.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Nov. 23
The turkeys are definitely on daylight savings time.
Serving Up Island Harvests All Year Long
It’s been a productive year for Martha’s Vineyard farmers and they’re sharing the harvest. Island Grown Gleaning is having a record year.
Selectmen Pledge Pole Removal on Meetinghouse Way
Efforts to replace and move approximately 11 telephone poles off of newly-paved Meetinghouse Way in Edgartown are set to finish up next week.
Stop & Shop Switches From Plastic to Paper
After months of lobbying from the Vineyard Conservation Society, both Vineyard Stop & Shop stores have discontinued the use of plastic bags.
Dry Grass: Photography Show Reception
The Chilmark Library is hosting a photography show of work by Vivian Ewing. The reception is on Saturday, Nov. 24 from noon 2 p.m.
Real Estate Transactions: Nov. 14 to Nov. 20
Lauren Delong and Gary Robert Delong Jr. purchased 29 Pine street in Edgartown from Patrick Ahearn, trustee of the 29 Pine Street Nominee Trust for $1,375,000 on Nov. 16.
Chilmark Backs Menemsha Improvements
Chilmark voters sped through the majority of articles at a special town meeting Monday night, but money for Menemsha improvements and harbor master training saw debate.
Theatrical Time Traveling Knows No Boundaries
From outside, it looked like they were coming for a dinner party — a small group of people arriving in the early evening, hands in pockets as they stepped onto the narrow porch of an Oak Bluffs cottage.
County Road Puddle Slated for Elimination
An environmental engineering firm has submitted a preliminary plan to the town of Oak Bluffs for fixing an enormous puddle that spans County Road.
Joe Sollitto Holds Court in Gazette Newsroom
For 42 years, Dukes County clerk of courts Joseph E. Sollitto Jr. has called the Edgartown superior courthouse to order.
MVC Continues Hearing on Verizon Tower
A public hearing on a plan by Verizon to extend the height of a communication tower continues on Dec. 6.
West Tisbury Sets Tax Rate
West Tisbury selectmen held a hearing on tax rates for 2019 and welcomed a new police officer last week.
For High School Athletic Fields, Grass Vs. Turf Still Unsettled
The question of natural grass versus artificial turf dominated public comment at a meeting called last week to air ongoing plans to overhaul the athletic fields at the regional high school.
The Other Island Cup; Disc Golf Goes for the Gold
While the Vineyarders and Nantucket Whalers battled on the gridiron for the Island Cup Saturday, another Island Cup was on the line just a few miles away at the Nantucket Disc Golf Course.
Vineyard Photographer Peter Simon Dies at 71
The iconic Vineyard photographer whose pictures of people spanned more than half a century, died Sunday night at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Girls Cross Country Earns Fifth Place in State Tournament
The girls cross country team raced to a record fifth place finish in the MIAA All-State meet Sunday morning in Westfield, while the boys team finished ninth.
Bragging Rights Go to Nantucket After Winning Big in Island Cup
The Vineyard team narrowly avoided a shutout in the closing minutes of the Island Cup. Final score: Nantucket 48, Vineyard 7.
At Halftime, Nantucket Is Way Ahead in Island Cup Game
Nantucket struck early and often as it leads the Vineyard 29-0 at halftime.
Stage Is Set for Island Cup as Tradition Resumes
The start of the Island Cup is just minutes away as the Vineyard and Nanucket face off for football bragging rights. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m under very sunny skies.
Kelly Klaren Signs Letter of Intent to Play Tennis at Merrimack College
A signing ceremony was held at Vineyard Youth Tennis where Kelly Klaren was surrounded by family, friends, coaches and teammates.
Whether By Sleigh Or Motorcycle, It’s All About the Kids
Santa Claus is known for riding a sleigh throughout most of world. On Martha’s Vineyard, he rides a Harley and his name is Mike (Panhead) Fuss.
