Unofficially the first poet laureate of the Island was Dionis Coffin Riggs, who began hosting a poetry group at the Cleaveland House in West Tisbury in 1960.
Here is Dionis’s poem Wait, Spring, which was published in the April 19, 1996 Gazette:
Photography
The variety of waterfowl that frequent our freshwater ponds during the cold months is impressive.
December 26, 2017
"Heap on more wood!" wrote Sir Walter Scott. "The wind is chill; But let it whistle as it will, We'll keep our Christmas merry still." The poet, in his wisdom, knew the secret of Christmas magic that the child does not yet grasp.
December 24, 2017
December 22, 2017
Over 30 singers performed Christmas favorite, Handel's Messiah at Edgartown's Whaling Church last Saturday. The program was conducted by Wes Nagy. The Messiah was first performed on the Vineyard at Grace Church in 1975 and was revived last year.
December 20, 2017
The first snow fell on the Island this week. At dawn there was only deep quiet and a frosting of white through the windows, and somehow, over a hot cup of coffee while most of the Island slept, all things seemed possible — even peace in the world.
December 17, 2017
The birdbath froze solid this week, as a spell of something like seasonal weather finally arrived on the Vineyard. Suddenly this morning the Island awoke to the first snow. It was only an inch or two, but made the day feel merry and bright.
December 14, 2017
Shoppers bustle along Main street in Vineyard Haven, peering into store windows and reveling in the colorful display.
December 13, 2017
The Minnesingers drew packed houses for their winter concerts during Christmas in Edgartown festivities.
December 11, 2017
The Vineyard becomes a place of light in this season: the single candles in the windows of houses as dusk gathers along Island roads, the lights strung along the lines of a sailboat at Menemsha, the gorgeous multitude of white lights at the Dr.
December 10, 2017
Reindeer, snowmen, Santa himself: a cast of holiday characters marched down Main street Edgartown for the Christmas parade.
December 9, 2017
Hot cups of cider and warm chowder warmed cold hands this weekend as revelers gathered for the annual Christmas in Edgartown weekend.
December 9, 2017
Sponsored by the Edgartown Board of Trade, Christmas in Edgartown spans from Dec.
December 6, 2017
The Vineyard transitions from yellows, ochre and russet to open sky blues, steely wave grays, berry reds and evergreens.
December 3, 2017
Painer Linda Carnegie has also brought beloved literary characters to life in the children's room at the West Tisbury Public Library.
December 1, 2017
Revelers donned red antlers as they drank hot cocoa, visited with friends, listened to the Vineyard Brass Ensemble and waited for Santa to arrive at the annual Oak Bluffs tree lighting ceremony.
November 30, 2017
