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 14, 2008
Montessori Yard Sale
Montessori Yard Sale
Vineyard Montessori Yard Sale Fund-raiser will take place on Sunday, Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the corner of Tashmoo avenue and Main street, Vineyard Haven. Forty-five families will be donating items for the yard sale. There will also be children’s activities, baked goods and warm drinks.…
Temperatures
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
Nov. 7 68 53 .08
Nov. 8 59 58 .03
Nov. 9 60 55 .32
Nov. 10 59 38 Trace
Nov. 11 57 35 .00
Nov. 12 50 33 .00
Sophomores Speak Out
The Presidential election has been a huge issue in the sophomore class and students have followed every step of the way. This week many of our writers are reflecting on what happens now that we have a new president.
There is an overwhelming sense of hope and excitement among the students expressed best…
Honoring Country With Service of All Kinds
On Veterans Day we rouse ourselves to an unusual patriotic fervor, waving flags, watching the marchers, perhaps even laying a wreath at the grave of a veteran — known or unknown — to give our thanks. Then we go home and resume our daily chores without looking back.
What can we do to…
Copper and Gold
Copper and Gold
The beech trees that heavily populate the North Shore of the Vineyard are showing spectacular foliage this year; their coppery gold canopies refract the late afternoon light which fades all too quickly during the shortened days of late autumn.
Bridges to Here and There
Bridges to Here and There
Like so many of its projects that the Island has seen over the years, the Massachusetts Highway Department’s plan to rebuild the two bridges that span Beach Road between Edgartown and Oak Bluffs is full of hope and promise — and also surprise.
Budgets for Learning
Budgets for Learning
Cape Light Compact to Host Public Hearings
The Cape Light Compact will be hosting a series of public information hearings to discuss a proposed 2009 energy efficiency plan on Monday, Nov. 20 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School Library. There will be a presentation about the plan followed by an informal question and answer session.
Seussian Entertainments
Seussian Entertainments
How the Grinch Stole Christmas is playing at the Wang Theatre, and the Edgartown Council on Aging is sponsoring a trip to see Wholhillation in Boston. Enjoy this Broadway spectacular, an Italian family-style lunch at Vinny T’s and shopping time at Copley Place. The trip is set for Dec. 4. The…
Aquinnah
JUNE D. MANNING
508-645-2574
(lthslnks@gis.net)
Martha’s Vineyard Neighborhood Convention convened at the Tribal Building on Veterans Day. Tobias Vanderhoop presented an overview of the Wampanoag history and culture, followed by a question and answer period. Rev. Robert Hensley, president of the convention, offered a prayer before lunch for the…
Chappy
MARGARET KNIGHT
508-627-8894
(margaret02539@yahoo.com)
At the warm end of last week the trees started taking fall seriously. The oak leaves drifted gently down on still days, making a carpet of brown that covered the green lawns and long patches of the dirt roads. When the leaves first fell, with…
West Tisbury
JOHN S. ALLEY
508-693-2950
(alleys@vineyard.net)
Alan Healy moved his herd of sheep into the land bank field across from Polly Hill late last month, and they have responded by neatly mowing the field. You may have noticed the deer also have been moving around lately, primarily due to the…
Jupiter and Venus
The two brightest planets in our evening sky, are now appearing together. For those with a good view of the western sky, Venus and Jupiter are a pretty sight and it gets better in the nights ahead. By the end of the month, Venus and Jupiter will be the talk of the town, appearing as…
Edgartown
KATHIE CASE
508-627-5349
(kathleencase@comcast.net)
Even though the moon was not full on Wednesday night, the sky was beautiful with the clouds somewhat covering the moon and the planets shining through. It was the sky that reminded you that the weather is still nice but you know it is about…
Announcing CoCo
Announcing CoCo
Kim Wallace and Levon Wallace of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, CoCo Annabelle Wallace, born on Nov. 4, 2008, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. CoCo weighed seven pounds, three ounces at birth.
Announcing Amber
Announcing Amber
Sarah-Lynne Codding and Russell R. Ventura of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a daughter, Amber Elizabeth Ventura, born on Nov. 4, 2008, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Amber weighed five pounds, five ounces at birth.
Hello, Luana
Hello, Luana
Vera and Luiz Dos Santos of West Tisbury announce the birth of a daughter, Luana Clara Dos Santos, born on Nov. 8, 2008, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Luana weighed 8 pounds at birth.
Hello, Hogan
Hello, Hogan
Sybil and Carlos Teles of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Hogan McCoy Teles, born on Nov.10, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Hogan weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces at birth.
Seaworthy Gallery
Seaworthy Gallery
The Seaworthy Gallery on Beach Road in Vineyard Haven will have a grand opening on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 4 to 8 p.m. This new photography gallery features the work of owner Jeffrey Serusa, and is located at 30 Beach Road, next to the Gannon and Benjamin boatyard and across from…
Vineyard Accepted Into Conference
After years of going without a conference affiliation, all but a handful of the athletic teams of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High school finally found a home this week when the Eastern Athletic Conference voted unanimously to accept the Vineyard into its ranks.
The principals and athletic directors of the Eastern Athletic Conference…
High School Athletes Show Strong Effort
Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School girls’ and boys’ cross-country teams capped off another strong season last weekend at the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association division III finals.
The girls finished 14th overall at the division meet held at Franklin Park in Boston, while the boys finished 15th. Only the top five teams advance to…
How Temporary Is Drawbridge? Agency’s Record Raises Doubts
This from the holiday classic Miracle on 34th Street: “Faith is believing in something when common sense tells you not to.”
Memories of War, Hopes for Peace: Heroes March on Veterans Day
World War II veteran Fred B. Morgan Jr. of Edgartown told a gathering of veterans, along with their families and friends on Tuesday that he hopes by next year’s Veterans Day, those serving in the military in Iraq will be home. Standing beneath windblown flags at the World War II veterans memorial at Ocean Park…
Oak Bluffs Holding Special Town Meeting To Decide on Ocean Park; Bradley Square
Oak Bluffs selectmen Tuesday agreed to schedule a special town meeting next month to decide several key issues, including hiring a firm to investigate the source of treated effluent seeping to the surface at Ocean Park and whether to rescind $400,000 in Community Preservation Act funds previously approved for the Bradley Square project.
Cars for a Good Cause
Cars for a Good Cause
Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs in the commonwealth are seeking donations of used cars; money from the sale of the cars supports the programs. Donations are tax-deductible for those who itemize. To donate a car call 1-800-246-0493.
Melinda Loberg Will Be Recipient of 2008 Spirit of Vineyard Award
Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard announced this week that Melinda Loberg of Vineyard Haven has been chosen to receive the annual Spirit of the Vineyard award.
“Melinda Loberg is a woman who can’t say no. As a result, she is very busy. And her work makes a difference to many people in diverse ways,”…
Studies Abroad
Studies Abroad
Alison Carr of West Tisbury, a junior at Farleigh Dickinson University’s College at Florham in Madison, N.J. is spending the fall semester studying overseas at Wroxton College in Oxfordshire, England. She is a theatre arts major.
Fresh Air Fund Puts City Kids in a Summer Place
This November, many Vineyard families are thankful for something special: the gift of friendship with a New York city child. Through The Fresh Air Fund’s Friendly Town program, Island families open their hearts and homes to host inner-city children for up to two weeks during the summer.
One child enthused that during her…
Police Roundup
Oak Bluffs police arrested a Colorado woman last Friday after she reportedly backed into a police cruiser parked on Circuit avenue.
Police are seeking to charge Nicole Miller, 29, of Boulder, Col., with operating under the influence of alcohol. If charged it will be her second subsequent charge for drunk driving. She also…
High School Green Committee Seeks to Reduce Energy Usage
The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School currently lights up the NStar energy grid brighter than any other single client on the Vineyard, but a high school green committee formed this year by students and faculty has a comprehensive plan to dim its glow.
Edgartown Will Consider Trust Fund for Housing
A proposed Edgartown affordable housing trust, which would streamline purchasing and take spending out of voter control and put it into the hands of a seven-member board, is the subject of a public forum set for Tuesday.
The forum, scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Baylies room of the Old Whaling Church, comes…
Brendan O’Neill Has Big Impact On Small Island
Some people, if they shared an award with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. might be pleased to think they’d made it, big-time. Not Brendan O’Neill. He was gratified to think he’d made it, small-time.
Mr. Kennedy, of course, is famous both for his family name and for his record as a crusading and aggressive…
Island Officials Say No to Beach Road Closure Proposal
Spokesmen for MassHighway said this week that a plan to close Beach Road for six months to replace the Big Bridge and Little Bridge will not happen.
Last month, the Acton-based construction firm MIG Corporation filed a detour proposal with MassHighway requesting that Beach Road along Joseph Sylvia State Beach be closed from…
Bay Scallop Fishery on the Rebound
The Vineyard bay scallop season is underway and the news is mostly good for local consumers and commercial fishermen alike. Chilmark is having one of its best seasons in years; Edgartown is having one of its worst. Oak Bluffs and Tisbury are doing fine and on Monday another banner year is set to open in…
Finance, School Leaders Exchange Budget Woes
How to handle a $40 million school budget — ratified months ahead of other annual town budgets — during a recession. That is the vexing question now facing school and finance committee leaders across the Island.
Move the town budget season forward? Push the school process back? Scrap the current budgets and start…
State Cuts Hit Preschool Care
Affordable child care on the Vineyard has been suddenly and severely curtailed due to state budget shortfalls.
Already, no new Island children are being funded; as of Nov. 3, even eligible working parents are being placed on waiting lists indefinitely, Vineyard child care advocates confirmed this week. Because of a multimillion dollar deficit,…
Announcing Cole
Announcing Cole
Linda Mosley Corfield and Eric Corfield announce the birth of a son, Cole William Corfield, born on August 8, 2008. Cole weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces at birth. We is welcomed by sister Grace and Hannah and brother Christopher, as well as by grandparents David and Eleanor Corfield of Edgartown and…
The Vineyard Gardener
By LYNNE IRONS
We have had a series of what the Irish call soft days — warm, foggy, misty and calm. It has been pleasurable to work outdoors. We have a rule in our small gardening company. We don’t work under 20 degrees all day and we go home if it rains up…
Look to Your Laurels
It is a killer.
Not a lady killer, but a livestock killer. The common names of Kalma angustifolia say it all; sheepkill, lambkill and calfkill. With aliases like that, you’d think that this plant definitely has a public relations problem on its hands.
Its common names speak to a characteristic that…
Open-Country Birds
November is the season for a suite of visitors I call the open-country birds. This is a diverse group of species connected not by taxonomy or point of origin, but rather by migratory habits, a tendency to flock in winter, and a preference for austere habitats like beaches, grassland, and large pastures. While some of…
Barnraisers’ Ball at the Ag Hall: Music, Sweets and Dancing Feet
When it comes to the off-season, the Vineyard shines at a couple things. One is dancing. Another is dessert. Last Saturday at the annual Barnraisers’ Ball at the Agricultural Hall, there was plenty of both, set to the music of Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish that kept the barn bouncing.
Island Art Talk
Island Art Talk
Melissa Breese of the Martha’s Vineyard Art Association’s Old Sculpin Gallery and studio school will present a talk about selected works from the Permanent Collection of art made on the Vineyard from 1897 to the present, on Sunday, Nov. 16 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Louisa Gould Gallery…
Housing Rehab Funds
Housing Rehab Funds
Housing Rehab Funds for critical home repairs and energy saving updates are available to Oak Bluffs and Tisbury property owners. Learn more at an information session Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 6:30 pm in the Oak Bluffs Library. Sponsored by the Oak Bluffs Energy Committee, you will learn about deferred…
Arboretum Soup ’n’ Stroll
Arboretum Soup ’n’ Stroll
Chapter 26: Let Abe Beware of Abe
In this serialized novel set on the Vineyard in real time, a native Islander (“Call me Becca”) returns home after years in Manhattan to help her eccentric Uncle Abe keep his landscaping business, Pequot, afloat. Abe loathes Richard Moby, chief of the off-Island landscaping business Broadway. He is irrationally convinced that Moby wants to destroy…
Family Planning Clinic Plans Ribbon Cutting on Sunday
All are invited to celebrate the opening of the new Family Planning of Martha’s Vineyard Clinic, on Sunday, Nov. 16, from 2 to 4 p.m. Friends of Family Planning is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony and invites everyone to visit and tour the new facility, a condo at 517 State Road Condominiums (5 Village Court…
Island Harley Riders Make Season Bright
By ALLEN GREEN
It was a sunny Sunday afternoon in early November, but there, already, was Santa — and riding a motorcycle, too. What’s more, behind him was a line of about 60 more riders, all ready to criss-cross the Island and pick up toys and donations for the neediest kids here. The…
