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
December 12, 2008
News Update: Wed., Dec. 17 – Nell Coogan Named Legislative Liaison
Newly elected Cape and Islands state Rep. Tim Madden, who takes office in January, announced late Wednesday that he has appointed Nell Coogan as the Vineyard legislative liaison.
Ms. Coogan, 29, is an Island native and 1997 graduate of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. She has worked as legal counsel to the…
News Update: Monday, December 15 – West Tisbury Man Injured in Car Crash
A Vineyard man is in stable condition following a high-speed car crash just after midnight Saturday on State Road in West Tisbury, according to West Tisbury police.
William Scott, 28, of West Tisbury, was just past the junction of County Road headed up-Island at approximately 12:08 a.m. when he lost control of a…
Elderly Art Show
Elderly Art Show
Island Elderly Housing held its first artists and craftsmen show last week at the Woodside Village II Community Room in Oak Bluffs. The show featured painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, needlepoint, books and cards and other crafts — all work of residents in Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs.
Sarah Arrives
Sarah Arrives
Marcia and Marcos Ribeiro of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a daughter, Sarah Queiroz, born on Dec. 3 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Sarah weighed 9 pounds, 4.8 ounces at birth.
Voters Preserve Money for Bradley Square
A proposal to rescind $400,000 in Community Preservation Act money for the hotly debated Bradley Square project was easily defeated by Oak Bluffs voters during a well-attended special town meeting last night.
The funding was approved by voters at the annual town meeting in April and has already been set aside to pay…
Big Full Moon
Extreme tides are taking place this week, the most tonight and this weekend. The reason is astronomical. The moon is both full and close, closer than at any time since 1993.
Rotary Applications Open For Youth Leadership Post
The Rotary Club of Martha’s Vineyard is actively searching for qualified candidates to attend this year’s Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Conference, which will be held from May 8 to May 10, 2009 at the Cape Cod Sea Camps in Brewster.
The conference will offer outstanding high school juniors an opportunity to live, work…
Citing Need to be Steward, Tribe Explores Wind Turbine Project
Once a month, planner and grantsman for the Wampanoag tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) Durwood (Woody) Vanderhoop drives a sport utility vehicle down to the meteorological test tower on Old South Road, at the site of a salvage yard and an abandoned Long Range Radio Navigation (LORAN) tower. Taking care to ground himself by tapping…
Temperatures
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
Dec. 5 55 36 .00
Dec. 6 41 27 .00
Dec. 7 42 32 .40
Dec. 8 38 18 .05*
Dec. 9 40 14 .00
Dec. 10 58 41 .00
Dec. 11 60 41 .71
…
Three Islanders Arrested After Theft of Salvation Army Can
The holiday spirit was briefly shattered two weeks ago when three men reportedly stole a Salvation Army can full of donated money from the Vineyard Haven Stop & Shop that was meant to go toward helping needy Island families.
But thanks to deft police work by Tisbury police, especially Det. Mark Santon, the…
Sophomores Speak Out
This time of year gets crazy. I think the whole true meaning of Christmas has been forgotten. This Black Friday was even more crazy than in the past. People were killed! It’s disgusting that for the greed of a deal on a gift, a Wal Mart employee lost his life. Considering our economic issues, it…
Softball Commissioner Proclaims Naming of Flanders Field
Editors, Vineyard Gazette:
I was crushed to hear that David Flanders died over Thanksgiving. He was one of my heroes. Not only a man of honor, but the best baseball player Chilmark ever had. He had a try-out with the Boston Red Sox but turned down a lucrative career to play summer ball…
Throwing Away a Good Day’s Work
Fisheries management in New England is broken and here is just one small example of one of its glaring faults.
December Days
December Days
The weather has been nothing short of changeable since the calendar turned to the last month of the year. Bitter cold settled over the Island early this week, creeping into every corner of the house and office and sending us scurrying for extra layers — lots of extra layers. Then suddenly…
What Lies Beneath? Digging For Truth in Ocean Park
The unmentionable odor that wafts from Ocean Park from time to time is being confronted by the town of Oak Bluffs. Whatever it is that is seeping to the surface, the state Department of Environmental Protection is not amused. Recently, wastewater commission chairman Hans von Steiger was quoted in the Gazette as saying, “Remember we…
The Meaning of Cheer
The Meaning of Cheer
At this time, as the holidays approach and the days are at their shortest, almost everyone is feeling somehow battered by economic fallout.
The Garage That Became a House
The Garage That Became a House
Shellfishing Ideas Abound at Aquaculture Conference
On Dec. 3, seven Vineyarders traveled to Portland, Me., for the Northeast Aquaculture Conference and Exposition. The conference is held every two years and brings together leading marine biologists, government officials and commercial aquaculture specialists from Virginia to Maine.
Held in the Eastland Park Hotel in downtown Portland, the three-day conference was packed…
Music and Poetry
Music and Poetry
Rev. Hensley’s 25 Years
Rev. Hensley’s 25 Years
The Grace Episcopal Church in Vineyard Haven is holding a festival celebration of the Holy Eucharist and renewal of ordination vows in honor of the 25th anniversary of the ordination to the sacred order of preists of the Rev. Robert E. Hensley on Dec. 14 at 11 a.m. with…
Chilmark
JANE N. SLATER
508-645-3378
(slaterjn@comcast.net)
I had to travel off-Island on Sunday, and we ran into a mini-blizzard in Wareham and vicinity. Lots of snow, wind and some moments of white-out on the highway. Not fun, and even more bitter when we came home and found it hadn’t snowed…
Announcing Lara
Announcing Lara
Euzelia Menegazzo Silva and Antonio R. Silva of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a daughter, Lara Carolyna Menegazzo Silva, born on Dec. 8 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Lara weighed 9 pounds, 2.6 ounces at birth.
Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank Grants Awarded
This fall, the Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank Charitable Fund awarded $20,250 in grants to 10 nonprofit and community groups, to fund programs in support of the arts, education, the elderly, community affairs, health care and youth programs.
Welcome, Greyson
Welcome, Greyson
Skye Sonnebore and Jon Hartzband of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Greyson Alexander Hartzband, born on Dec. 6 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Greyson weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces at birth.
West Tisbury
JOHN S. ALLEY
508-693-2950
(alleys@vineyard.net)
Well, the weather was brutal over the weekend — numbing cold, high winds and rainwater that turned to ice by Monday morning. It did not stop all sorts of decorations, wreaths, outdoor lights and Christmas trees from being put up and decorated each passing…
Vineyard Haven
NANCY GARDELLA
508-693-3308
(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)
There’s no nicer greeter in the morning to say hello, have a great day, and ring up your cup of coffee than Glenda Medeiros at Cumby’s. Glenda’s son Michael has been quite sick for some time. He is now home from the hospital but requires…
Aquinnah
JUNE MANNING
508-645-2574
(lthslnks@gis.net)
The Aquinnah Public Library will be open with regular hours on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. The Library Trustees, Jennry, Michelle and Natalie are all looking forward to greeting patrons once again and will be serving apple cider and other refreshments at 10 a.m.…
Oak Bluffs
HOLLY NADLER
508-687-9239
(hollynadler@gmail.com)
God only knows how many holiday bazaars we’ve had at the Oak Bluffs School. Something tells me the first one took place after a few white settlers loaded up a wagon and rode west out of the original encampment in Great Harbour — sometime in…
Shooters Win Top Gun, Black Powder Prizes
Steven Carlson of Vineyard Haven won the 2008 Top Gun Award at the Martha’s Vineyard Rod & Gun Club on Sunday, Nov. 30. Mr. Carlson bested other club members in the categories of standing deer and slug turkey. Tom Hanlon of Edgartown captured second place while Steven’s father, Richard Carlson of Vineyard Haven, picked up…
Cold, Windy, Wet Weather Dampens Hunters’ Take
Deer hunting shotgun season ends tomorrow at a half-hour after sunset. The two-week season began strongly and then slowed down this past week with the onset of bitter cold followed by rainy, windy weather. The total count for the three Island check-in stations so far is 352 deer.
Check-in stations are at the…
Great Job, Brianna
Great Job, Brianna
Brianna L. Sylvia of West Tisbury, an accounting major at Western New England College, has been selected for inclusion in this years edition of Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Ms. Sylvia is one of 33 students from Western New England College who have been selected as…
Martha’s Vineyard Savings Announces Corporators
Chris Wells, chief executive officer of the Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank, announced this week the election of Marie Allen, Michael Donaroma, Steve Ewing, Philip P. Hale, Christopher Morse, Peter Rosbeck 2nd, Robert Smith, Berta Welch and Timothy Williamson to the board of corporators. The board of corporators collectively represents the interests of the bank’s customers.
Elephant Art on Display Tonight at New Eco MV
By SUSAN CATLING
Eco MV has moved to a larger, two-story location, allowing the new Bio Store at 151 Beach Road to expand its eco-friendly product line to include more household items and even organic clothing — everything from bamboo sheets to fair trade organic coffee is offered at the store’s grand opening…
Vineyard Football Takes a Hit from Amesbury
The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School football team literally fumbled away the chance for a state championship on Saturday, turning the ball over four times in the first half en route to a 40-19 loss to Amesbury in the Eastern Massachusetts Division 3A Super Bowl at Bentley University.
Winter Band Concert
Winter Band Concert
More than 150 Vineyard musicians, all of them students in the Martha’s Vineyard All Island Band Program, will play in the annual winter concert this Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the regional high school’s Performing Arts Center.
The winter band concert features the fifth and sixth…
Bank, Nursery and Hospice Light Tree of Remembrance
The Bank of Martha’s Vineyard, Donoroma’s and Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard will join together this holiday season to present a Tree of Remembrance to the Island community. The tree will stand on the Tisbury town dock at Owen Park to offer understanding that holidays and other special occasions are often difficult for those who grieve.
Great Chowder for a Good Cause
Tomorrow’s 24th annual great chowder contest is about more than a good cup of steaming, milky soup brimming with clams and potatoes. The contest raises money for The Red Stocking Fund.
The event begins at noon tomorrow at the Edgartown Mini Park.
The committee that organizes the event is still deliberating…
Move Over Lonely Planet: Travel Guide to Christmas in Edgartown
You really need a plan if you’re venturing out this weekend. More than a plan — a strategy. And sustenance — no, on second thought you can just work stops for free snacks into your strategy. But sneakers might be a good idea, for sprinting between events during this, the annual Christmas in Edgartown weekend…
New Directors
New Directors
The Edgartown Board of Trade elected a new board of directors at its recent annual meeting. The new directors are: Bill Brown of Martha’s Vineyard Insurance; Claudia Canerdy of Claudia jewelers; Jim Carter of Clarion Martha’s Vineyard; Janice Donaroma of Donaroma’s Nursery; Thad Hyland of the Harbor View Hotel & Resort; Tim…
$200,000 Grant Awarded To Polly Hill Arboretum
The Polly Hill Arboretum has received a grant of $200,000 from the Foundation Franklinia for 2009. The grant includes $100,000 toward the arboretum’s seeds for the future capital campaign endowment and $100,000 toward operating costs in support of the living collection.
Aquinnah Library Hours
Aquinnah Library Hours
Comission Gives Green Light to Fourth Brazilian Church
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission last week unanimously approved plans to convert the old industrial building next to the Oak Bluffs library on Pacific avenue, formerly used as a trash hauling depot, into a place of worship for the Igreja Evangalica Assemblia de Deus church, whose congregation is predominantly Brazilian immigrants.
Although Island construction…
Up-Island Cellular Reception Set to Improve Without Towers
Frustrated up-Island cell phone users may be getting an early Christmas present this year: a deal is nearing completion with a Boston-based telecommunications company for a series of remote antennas to be built on existing utility poles to enhance cellular reception in Aquinnah, Chilmark and West Tisbury.
Edgartown Voters Approve All Articles
A bare quorum of Edgartown voters ran through a packed warrant at a special town meeting Tuesday night, approving all 20 articles in under an hour, most with little discussion.
At final count 196 voters turned out to the elementary school cafeteria to approve spending for an eminent domain purchase for more town…
Museum to Decide: Old School, West Tisbury or Just Stay Put?
The future setting of the Martha’s Vineyard Museum is the subject of a meeting tonight of its board of directors. The 26-member board will discuss whether to continue with an ambitious $27 million capital plan to relocate the museum to West Tisbury, or to move operations to the Edgartown school. Alternatively, the board could scrap…
Elementary Teacher, EMT Arrested for Pornography
A West Tisbury school teacher was arrested on Tuesday amid charges that he provided alcohol and pornographic materials to minors and hosted underage parties at his Vineyard Haven home.
Daniel K. Johnson, 43, was arrested by Tisbury police at his home on Mariner’s Road and charged with five counts of furnishing alcohol to…
County Funds Run Short Five Months Into Fiscal Year; Budget Cutbacks Loom
The Dukes County treasurer warned this week that with revenue from the registry of deeds sharply down from last year, county department heads will be required to cut their budgets both during the current fiscal year and the following year as well.
Big Brother: Homeland Security Regulations Mean Extra ID for Charter, Ferry Captains
Brad Fligor is a captain who steers the three-car ferry that plies the narrow channel between Edgartown and Chappaquiddick.
He has never considered himself a national security risk.
But under a new set of little-known Homeland Security regulations passed by Congress, Mr. Fligor has had to go through a rigorous background…
Ecologists See a Thousand Acres of Worm-Eaten Trees
Across about 40 acres of forest land at Polly Hill Arboretum, some 40 per cent of the oak trees are dead. Just like tens of thousands of trees on other conservation, town and private land across Martha’s Vineyard.
Maybe enough trees to cover 1,000 acres, if you put them altogether, have died off…
Estuaries Study Now Complete
Edgartown will consider making it mandatory for hundreds of residents in the watershed of the Edgartown Great Pond to hook up to a new town sewer line, following recommendations of a study into pollution of the pond.
The final report of the Massachusetts Estuaries Project (MEP), released this week, finds that most of…
Peace, Hope and Light on a Dark Night
The words come out syncopated, layered, alto over soprano over bass over tenor and all rolling, rolling over you in an overlapping, ethereal echo: “We are the ones, we are the ones, we’ve been waiting for …”
Memoir Workshop
Memoir Workshop
Got the story of a lifetime? The fourth Spice of Life memoir organization and writing workshop led by Susan Klein will run Thursdays, Jan. 8 through Feb. 26 at the Tisbury Senior Center at 34 Pine Tree Road in Vineyard Haven. Hours for the sessions are 1:30 to 4 p.m.
Oak Bluffs Holiday Party
Oak Bluffs Holiday Party
Cookie decorating, holiday music, a visit from Santa and kids’ grab bags (while they last) — it’s all part of the annual Holiday Open House at the Oak Bluffs Public Library on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2 to 5 p.m.
Sinfonietta Concert
Sinfonietta Concert
Quiet, please? Not at the Vineyard Haven Public Library this Tuesday, when the reading desks will be pushed back to make way for a free Holiday Pops Concert with the Vineyard Sinfonietta.
The program includes music composed by Telemann, Gluck, Glazunov, Warlock, Britten, Willson and Gershwin. Playing will be…
Enjoy a Roll in the Mud of the Place
Like Ireland in the past two hundred years, and Concord in the mid-19th century, the Vineyard is known for incubating writers. Some of them set their stories right here on the Island. The most illuminating to come down the pike in a long time — perhaps the most illuminating ever — is The Mud of…
Christmas Jingles Fill Playhouse Airwaves
Behind time and without a budget, Rob Meyers, the Island vocalist best known for his indie-pop band Kahoots, was working up his first radio jingle for Cronig’s. He had nailed the jazzy barbershop harmony, wrapped up the doo-wap top-off. All he needed was the catchy hook. Then, deadline looming, he hit it: (sing along now)…
Chapter 30: The Secret Life of Quincas
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. His staff includes Mott, the big-brotherly general manager, and Quincas, a cute Brazilian. Abe has a paranoid hatred of Richard…
Bonaparte’s Gulls
Bonaparte’s gulls are some of my favorite birds. These birds, unlike their larger cousins, are a delicate small gull, found in the harbors and close to shore in Vineyard and Nantucket sounds and off South Beach. The best place to see the Boneys, as these gulls are called, is along the sea wall in Vineyard…
Edgartown School Fair
Edgartown School Fair
The Edgartown School’s eighth grade will host the 16th annual Christmas in Edgartown Art and Crafts Fair tomorrow, with more than 40 Island artists and craftspeople: it’s in the Edgartown School gymnasium Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is free. There is plenty of parking, and…
Chestnuts There, Roasting Here
Although Jack Frost is nipping at my nose, it is the thought of chestnuts roasting on an open fire that is really getting me in the holiday mood. Thank you Mel Torme and Nat King Cole!
The Vineyard Gardener
By LYNNE IRONS
I devoted a good deal of time last Saturday to cutting the bittersweet from the deer fencing around my vegetable garden. It is so ambitious and is threatening to bring down the fence with its weight. Here is a case of do what I say and not what I do.…
