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
October 24, 2008
Select Art on Show
Select Art on Show
The Martha’s Vineyard Art Association will be showing selected works from their permanent collection.
These works can be viewed through Oct. 31 at the Chilmark Bank and from Oct. 20 to Nov. 20 at the Louisa Gould Gallery in Vineyard Haven. There will be a reception at…
Hardy Walkers Raise Money for Hunger
The 90 walkers apparently raised $20,000 – plus last Sunday, Oct. 19 when they and at least five dogs (four of them had money pledges riding on them) made the annual crop walk. Tony Peak, in kilts with his bagpipes, led the round-trip march from Vineyard Haven and back, and Tristan Israel was the grand…
Temperatures
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
Oct. 17 67 61 .00
Oct. 18 60 44 .00
Oct. 19 57 47 .00
Oct. 20 52 47 .00
Oct. 21 55 35 .00
Oct. 22 66 37 .00
Oct. 23 50 40 .14
…
From Thailand With Love: A Tribute to Dean Sayre
Our last unforgettable visit to Dean Sayre’s home in Vineyard Haven was on Saturday, August 9. I had called him on Wednesday, August 6 and talked with him about our planned visit with my husband, Mana Sanguansook and the King of Thailand Birthplace Foundation officer, Charles Intha. He recognized me on the phone and we…
Restoring Our Faith in a New Economy
Certain aspects of the Wall Street meltdown are not unlike the great Ponzi scheme foisted on investors by Charles Ponzi who promised a 75 per cent return on investment in 45 days and 100 per cent return in 90 days to investors in Montreal in 1919. Just as the floor fell out from under those…
Who Moved the Cheese? We Did
I have been thinking a great deal lately about a word that is flying around out there. The word is change. It is the buzz word of Obama supporters, a monosyllabic beacon of hope in an ominous, oncoming perfect storm of globalproportions. While the word evokes hopefulness in the hearts of most Democrats, it conjures up suspicion, incredulity,…
October Days
October Days
A screech owl has been trilling outside the farmhouse this week, his voice soft and full of vibrato in the gathering darkness. Late autumn has arrived slowly this year, like a modest young girl at the ocean’s edge, reluctant to shed her terrycloth beach robe. Warm, Indian summer days lured us…
Letters to the Editor
PEACE THROUGH PRAYER
Editors, Vineyard Gazette:
A vote for Sen. John McCain is a vote to give our nation an opportunity to rethink the abortion issue and to have a change of mind and heart. It is not easy in the political climate of the Vineyard today to say, “Vote for…
Words that Are Blowing in the Wind
L ast week, Mother Nature spent a lot of energy reminding us she was around. It was a nagging reminder, omnipresent and persistent. It’s the wind I’m speaking about, of course. Joining with her ally, the moon, Mother Nature nudged the ocean over seagirt Island roads and tossed it over the seawall in Oak Bluffs,…
Luxury Advertising on Wings
Luxury Advertising on Wings
Question: Why does the Martha’s Vineyard Airport need luxury advertising?
Answer: It doesn’t.
Better question: Why does the Martha’s Vineyard Airport Commission believe it should consider luxury advertising as a way to generate extra revenue?
Answer: It shouldn’t.
Jobless
Jobless
The Vineyard has long lived with labor shortages. Help wanted is the usual cry of small business owners here. Even this week, with the swirl of news around the acrobatic stock market, and climbing rates of unemployment and foreclosures across the state and the nation, it is worth noting that employment on…
Museum Lands a Second Grant for Future Permanent Exhibit
Martha’s Vineyard Museum executive director Keith Gorman recently received good news from the National Endowment for the Humanities — the museum has been awarded its second National Endowment for the Humanities grant this year, this one in support of the development of the theme and content in the museum’s future permanent exhibit in its future…
Photographer Michael Zide Speaks at Weekend Expo
Former Vineyard resident, fine art photographer and educator Michael Zide has been asked to speak for Bogen Imaging at the Photo Plus Expo in New York city this October. The expo, held at the Javits Center, is the largest photographic event in the country. Mr. Zide will present his collection of black and white landscape…
School Performance Day
School Performance Day
The members of performing arts classes at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School will be participating in a performance day on Thursday, Oct. 30 from 8:15 to 11:15 a.m. at the high school. Parents and the public are invited to this concert.
Katerina and Karolina
Katerina and Karolina
Twin girls were born to Katerina Vlckova and Ales Fiedler of Vineyard Haven on Oct. 15 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Katerina Fiedlerova weighed 6 pounds four ounces at birth, while her sister Karolina weighed 5 pounds 11.2 ounces.
British Author Talks
British Author Talks
Renowned British author Dr. Brian A. Wren will discuss his new book, Advent, Christmas and Epiphany: Liturgies and Prayers for Public Worship, at Christ United Methodist Church chapel on the corner of Church and Williams streets in Vineyard Haven on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Basic Computer Course
Basic Computer Course
The Oak Bluffs Public Library is offering free, one-on-one computer instruction by appointment. Those wishing to learn how to use e-mail, the Internet, or the library’s online catalogue are encouraged to call 508-693-9433 to make an appointment.
Welcome, Tanner
Welcome, Tanner
Leslie Myers and Tobias Myers of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a son, Tanner Sheridan Myers, born on Oct. 16, 2008 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Tanner weighed 9 pounds, 9 ounces at birth. He joins big sister Lily May.
Peter Boak Organ Recital For Church Steeple Fund
Peter R. Boak will present an organ recital at the Federated Church Meetinghouse, on the corner of South Summer street and Davis Lane in Edgartown on Sunday, Nov. 2, at 4 p.m. Mr. Boak will be performing on the church’s beloved 1895 Hook and Hastings organ.
Following the recital, there will be a…
An Old Fire Engine Comes Home
A stiff, chilly breeze and sunshine greeted the return of a peripatetic 1929 Oak Bluffs fire truck No. 2 last Saturday. With Donald Billings, 77, of Oak Bluffs behind the wheel, the truck rumbled off the ferry Nantucket into Vineyard Haven. Riding shotgun next to Mr. Billings was the Maxim truck’s former owner, Robert A.…
Announcing João
Announcing João
Rogelia Goncalves daSilva and Jonas dos Santos of Edgartown announce the birth of a son, João Victor Santos, born on Oct. 14, 2008 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. João weighed 9 pounds.
Hob-Knobbing as an Art: Inn Launches Fall Series
On Friday, Oct. 24, The Hob Knob, located at 128 Main street in Edgartown will host a cocktail reception to introduce a new cultural series called the Art of Hob Knobbing. Produced by Hob Knob proprietor Maggie White, the series is meant to feature some of the Island’s exemplary culinary, literary and artistic acheivements throughout…
Venus
The bright planet Venus hangs low in the southwestern sky tonight. Venus has appeared nightly in the southwest for weeks now but the show improves. Venus is moving farther from the glare of the setting sun and is easier to spot in darker skies.
Walk to End Violence
Walk to End Violence
Connect to End Violence is holding its first annual domestic and sexual violence awareness walk on Sunday, Oct. 26. Registration will begin at the Edgartown Park and Ride lot behind Edgartown Pizza at 9 a.m. The route is approximately two miles through downtown Edgartown. Registration costs $20 per adult;…
Oak Bluffs
HOLLY NADLER
508-687-9239
(hollynadler@gmail.com)
Feelings of nostalgia are so much a part of the fall that you almost wonder if they shouldn’t be calculated in the meteorological reports: “Sunshine today mixed with clouds; resultant dappled light on the yellow and red trees could trigger memories of long-ago autumns, therefore…
Edgartown
KATHIE CASE
508-627-5349
(kathleencase@comcast.net)
The fishing derby is over; all the signs are down off the junior yacht club, the fishermen are putting the scallop gear on their boats, and town has gone into its quiet mode.
Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past…
Chilmark
JANE N. SLATER
508-645-3378
(slaterjn@comcast.net)
By the sound of the wind outside my window I suspect there will be fewer pretty leaves on the trees by morning. Hope you have had a chance to see the foliage colors on the town roads. Some have been spectacular, but we say…
Anglers Get Their Hooks Into Derby Awards
An architect from Connecticut and a mailman from Westport were the top winners in this year’s 63rd annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby.
On Sunday, Paul C. Harris of Oak Bluffs and Weston, Conn., won a new black Chevrolet 4×4 pickup truck for a 10.75-pound bonito he caught while fishing with…
Youth Basketball
Youth Basketball
Martha’s Vineyard Youth Basketball is accepting registration online for the 2009 season at mvhoop.com. The deadline is Nov. 10. If you have any questions, call 508-693-5341.
Coast Guard Course
Coast Guard Course
The United States Coast Guard Captain’s 100-ton masters course is being offered at the Edgartown School over five consecutive Saturdays from 8:30 a.m to 3 p.m. beginning Oct. 25. The course is open to all, but also provides an opportunity to complete the academic portion of Coast Guard licensing requirements.…
Aquinnah Fails to Muster Quorum of 39; Town Hall is Chilly With Failed Furnace
There was no quorum for an Aquinnah special town meeting Tuesday night, delaying some $25,000 in spending requests and frustrating town leaders.
Town moderator Walter E. Delaney rescheduled the meeting for Nov. 13.
Aquinnah town meetings have been blighted by low attendance this year. Of the seven gatherings to date this…
Morning Glory Farm Wins Wind Turbine Federal Grant
Morning Glory Farm of Edgartown has received a $50,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture which owners Jim and Debbie Athearn plan to use to install a 50-kilowatt wind turbine. Morning Glory is one of 14 farms statewide to share a total of $730,177 in federal grants for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects,…
Sengekontacket Dredging Begins Near Big Bridge
Bend in the Road beach, one of the most popular bathing beaches in Edgartown, will soon grow in size, thanks to a dredging project nearly a mile away in Sengekontacket Pond. The $200,000 beach enhancement project with the Edgartown dredge is expected to take about 10 days to complete. Dredged sand will come from an…
State Cuts Affect Island Health Care
Health and human service agencies on the Vineyard are already feeling the effects of severe state budget cuts made last week by Gov. Deval Patrick and are bracing for more in the months ahead.
State funding to Family Planning of Martha’s Vineyard and Martha’s Vineyard Community Services was slashed in the cuts, while…
Maggie White Stamps Brand On Edgartown
Thirteen years ago, Maggie White packed her things and moved from Colorado to the Massachusetts Island of her childhood summers. She left behind a booming and profitable business to run a small Edgartown inn. She had no experience in the hospitality industry and she knew not a soul on the Vineyard, save the herd of…
State Representative Candidates Battle Over Endorsements
With less than two weeks until election day, an endorsement race has begun between two of the four candidates for the Cape and Islands state representative seat being vacated by Eric T. Turkington. The other two candidates downplayed the significance of endorsements and argued that they can come at a political price.
A…
Bunch of Grapes Bookstore is Sold
The Bunch of Grapes Bookstore will reopen next month in temporary quarters on Church street, after Vineyard Haven resident Dawn Braasch yesterday closed a deal to buy the business from Jon Nelson.
Ms. Braasch has run a multimillion dollar trucking firm, started a successful catering company, taught preschool in Chilmark and South Carolina,…
SSA Won’t Divert Oak Bluffs Ferries
In the face of complaints that it would inconvenience large numbers of customers and potentially damage business, Steamship Authority management will abandon a plan to reduce summer ferry service out of Oak Bluffs.
The plan, which would have cut two inbound and two outbound sailings from Oak Bluffs and run them instead to…
Cause of Plane Crash Unknown
A detailed preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board draws no conclusions on what caused the Cape Air crash which killed pilot Capt. David Willey, a resident of Vineyard Haven, on Sept. 26.
But the full report, according to Luke Schiada, chief investigator of the crash for the NTSB which has involved…
Horticulturist Returns To Polly Hill Arboretum
The Polly Hill Arboretum welcomes back Matt Lobdell who began a yearlong internship in September. As the arboretum’s first collections management intern, Matt will have the opportunity to develop his horticultural skills while gaining an in-depth understanding of the maintenance and management of the living collection. Matt is a certified arborist and brings with him…
Morton Who?
Morton is a mystery man, a gentleman whose identity has been lost in the annals of history and the forgetfulness of an eclectic scientist. Unfortunately, neither I nor you, my good reader, are destined to unravel the mystery of who he was.
The Morton in question is the namesake of a small clam,…
Snow Buntings Coming Soon
One of my favorite sights of the fall is about to occur. I have not yet heard reports of snow buntings, but they will be here soon. These buffy brown, white and black birds will be observed on the beaches as they walk and run around beach grass plants. Woe be to any small bug…
The Vineyard Gardener
By LYNNE IRONS
Harvest Festival
Harvest Festival
Tomorrow is Vineyard Gardens’ annual Harvest Festival, with free crafts, refreshments and information available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the nursery on State Road in West Tisbury. All are welcome for the Saturday demonstrations and instruction on decorating with edible flowers, creating autumn flower bouquets, building pinecone bird feeders…
Mytoi Volunteers
Mytoi Volunteers
Throughout the fall season, volunteers are needed to help Mytoi get ready for the winter. All are welcome; no experience is necessary. Work includes mulching and other light tasks. No preregistration required. Just come to Mytoi on Chappaquiddick anytime before noon. For details, call 508-693-7662.
Island Psychics to Host Bazaar of the Bizarre for the Playhouse
Late October swirls with the supernatural. Dropping temperatures, cheap candy and carved pumpkins all herald the coming of Halloween. Tomorrow, ethereal energies are converging at the Mystic Fair, a healing arts bazaar being held at the Vineyard Playhouse.
Emily Post Blossoms in Biography
EMILY POST: Daughter of the Gilded Age, Mistress of American Manners. By Laura Claridge. Random House, New York, N.Y. October 2008. 544 pages. $30 hardcover.
Crisis Management
Crisis Management
The Martha’s Vineyard Women’s Network will host an evening program, What to Do When Life Happens: Crisis Management from Those Who Have Been There, on Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 at The Old Whaling Church. Moderated by Plum TV’s Guinevere Cramer, the program will feature a panel of…
Alexander Technique Beginners Class Offered
A four-week introductory class in the Alexander technique begins Oct. 27. Certified instructors Sue Collinson and Margaret Knight will lead the class.
The Island Grown Initiative Hosts Local Foods Dinner
The Island Grown Initiative will hold the second annual local foods dinner on Monday, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. in the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School Culinary Arts dining room.
Danielle Dominick of the Scottish Bakehouse will be guest chef, working alongside Jack O’Malley, the high school’s culinary arts program director and his…
Katama Trio Performs
Katama Trio Performs
The Katama Trio, a Vineyard-based, semi-professional chamber ensemble, will perform selections from the baroque and early classical periods at the Vineyard Haven Public Library on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. The event is a part of the library’s Tuesday Evening Lecture Series. Formed in 2005, the Katama Trio includes…
Ghost Stories
Ghost Stories
Holly Mascott Nadler will read spooky excerpts from her new book Vineyard Supernatural: True Ghost Stories from America’s Most Haunted Island, tonight, Friday, Oct. 24, at the Farm Institute in Katama, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. All brave souls are invited to join for a ghostly party, though, due to the…
Chapter 23: Sammy Enderby Is Injured
In this year-long serialized novel set on the Vineyard in real time, a native Islander (“Call me Becca”) returns home after two decades to help her eccentric Uncle Abe keep his landscaping business, Pequot, afloat. Abe has a paranoid hatred of Richard Moby, the chief executive of an off-Island wholesale nursery, Broadway. Convinced that Moby…
Islanders Share Stories of Lives Lived And Lessons Learned in Their Memoirs
J.M. Barrie, the author who gave us Peter Pan, that fictional boy who never aged, knew there was one way in which we all never grow older. “God gave us memories that we might have roses in December,” he wrote.
And at the Tisbury Senior Center last Sunday, the roses of memory were…
