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 23, 2009
News Update: Thursday, October 29 – Football Canceled Due to Flu
After 100 Island high school students called in sick on Wednesday — including 10 football players, 10 members of the boys’ soccer team, and the cheerleading coach — Vineyard schools superintendent Dr. James H. Weiss confirmed that Saturday’s football game and the season’s final two boys’ soccer matches would be canceled.
Falmouth Honors
Falmouth Honors
Three of the ten Falmouth Academy students honored by the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program are Martha’s Vineyard residents.
Clea C. Baumhofer is a National Merit semifinalist, and Lily J. Cronig and Lagan Trieschmann are commended scholars.
They earned this recognition because of their high scores on…
Galloping Start for Bay Scallopers Suggests Best Season in a Decade
Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, Chilmark and Aquinnah are all looking forward to a good bay scallop season this fall. With the commercial season still a week or two away or more, depending on the town, fishermen are readying small boats, drags and other gear.
Forecasters, aka shellfish constables, are cautiously optimistic.
…
Oak Bluffs Voters Slash Budget and Approve Sewer Expansion
Despite heated debate and pointed criticism aimed at certain town leaders, Oak Bluffs voters during a standing-room only special town meeting on Tuesday agreed to cut nearly $500,000 from the current town budget and spend $2.4 million for wastewater improvements that will connect the regional high school and new YMCA to the town sewer system.…
Edgartown Voters Face Spending Choices at Special Town Meeting
The time has come for Edgartown to pay its overdue bill to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.
Last spring the town selectmen decided to put the town’s annual assessment to the commission on the April ballot as an override question. It was meant to be a symbolic gesture following some disenchantment in town over…
Swine Flu Vaccine Shortage Hits; Clinic to Cover Seasonal Flu Only
Island health authorities have been forced to cancel a planned clinic to inoculate Island residents against swine flu, after the state was unable to live up to its assurance that it could provide enough vaccine for the job.
The clinic was to have been held on Nov. 11 at the regional high school.…
Secretary Bowles Calls Conflict Understandable
Ian Bowles, secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, certainly would not categorize those who oppose a major wind power development off the shores of the Vineyard as Nimbys.
He prefers more delicate, more bureaucratic, terms than that.
“People have different interests and prerogatives,” he said.
Island Asked to Join Federal-State Task Force on Big Wind
A major wind turbine development near the Vineyard is at best a stopgap measure, and the real energy future lies in federal waters, state energy and environmental officials told Islanders this week.
“The state’s interest, long-term is not in state water,” Deerin Babb-Brott, one of the senior bureaucrats driving the state oceans plan,…
Packer Wins Award
Packer Wins Award
R.M. Packer Co. of Martha’s Vineyard is the recipient of Mutual Oil Company’s Gold Pinnacle Award for Excellence.
The award for sales excellence is given annually to Mutual Oil’s top dealers. Mutual Oil’s executive vice president Steve Shaer and marketing manager Paul LaBrecque presented the awards during ceremonies…
Town Selectmen Tell Workers: Stay Home If Sick This Winter
Bracing for a nasty flu season, Chilmark selectmen voted Tuesday to adopt an influenza pandemic plan, urging town employees to stay home when sick and extending sick days to town workers who have not accrued sick leave.
“We don’t want people to think they should be a good trooper and come to work…
New Cell Phone Plan Up-Island After T-Mobile Shows Interest
American Tower Corporation, the company that wants to build a distributed antenna system (DAS) to improve cell phone coverage in the three up-Island towns, formally submitted revised plans to Chilmark last week that include a letter from the wireless carrier T-Mobile expressing interest in leasing space on the new system.
High School Administrators Scramble to Keep Budget Level
Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School administrators are taking steps to keep the high school budget level with last year: extensive cuts to department supply budgets, a significant decrease in heating fuel costs and the elimination of salary increases in administration are all hallmarks of the draft $16.5 million budget.
But anticipated reductions in…
Kitchen and Bath Gallery Renovates Its Showroom
Supply New England and the Kitchen & Bath Gallery at 25 Eastline Road in the Airport Business Park have completed a significant renovation to their co-located wholesale distribution facility and showroom. The Kitchen & Bath Gallery is now a registered Kohler® showroom, featuring the best in Kohler products for the kitchen and bath. Other brand…
YMCA Executive Jill Robie Named Interim Director
Longtime YMCA executive Jill Robie will relocate from Orono, Me., to become interim executive director of the Martha’s Vineyard Y beginning Monday, Nov. 2.
Ms. Robie will take over from Margaret (Peg) Regan, the retired regional high school principal who has been acting in the role since August. Construction of the 38,000-square-foot center…
Halloween at the Farm
Halloween at the Farm
Chappaquiddick singer-songwriter Kevin Keady will perform a musical rendition of Edgar Allen Poe’s The Raven at noon next Saturday as part of the Farm Institute’s Halloween activities in Katama. Admission is $10 a family ($5 single) for corn maze, hay ride, cider pressing, pumpkin carving and costume prizes.
A Better Health Care Plan
I believe the current approach to a national health program is not well suited to the nation’s needs and times and will likely founder as did the earlier Clinton plan.
Taking Aim at the Dangers of Deer
This fall, Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation will officially allow a restricted amount of bow hunting of deer on certain selected properties. While hunting has occurred on many of our lands over our 50 years, it has not occurred with our sanction. This policy has changed, and the change in policy warrants an explanation.
Cuts Threaten Quality of Public Education
Natural History Education
Editors, Vineyard Gazette:
The following letter was sent to the All-Island School Committee:
For almost 40 years, Felix Neck has been providing generations of Island school children experiences in nature. Through the years, participating in a Felix Neck field trip has been an exciting and important…
Simulated View of Wind Farms
Editor’s Note: Henry Stephenson, a member of the Tisbury planning board, this week prepared a series of simulated images illustrating how proposed wind farms might affect views from the Gay Head Cliffs. The above image, a panorama taken from the Gay Head overlook, shows what turbines placed in planned state and federal areas would look…
Baseball Story Hits Home for Barnes Family
Jim Hickey’s interesting story last spring about baseball, starting with games on the Arctic ice by Vineyard whalers, and moving naturally along to games on Waban Park in Oak Bluffs in the early 1900s, brought exciting memories in the Barnes family.
On the Oceans Plan: Protect MVC First
One of the quintessential Vineyard vistas is the expanse of ocean visible from the Gay Head Cliffs, classified by the U.S. Department of the Interior as a National Natural Landmark, with its lighthouse listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Another branch of the federal government, the U.S. Department of the Interior, classifies the…
Accountable for Learning
Accountable for Learning
So it’s preemptive strike time in the budget season. Every year Vineyard schools superintendent James H. Weiss has the unenviable task of getting his line items in a row before any of the towns write their budgets, meaning Dr. Weiss must plan the Island’s educational spending without knowing how much…
Superior Court Marks 150th
Superior Court Marks 150th
Video for Stutterers
Video for Stutterers
Stuttering is a problem for millions of people, but it can be especially tough on school-age children. Help is available for parents, teachers and speech-language pathologists at the public libraries in Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and West Tisbury, in the form of a DVD designed to help school-age children who stutter.…
Zephrus Opens Its Doors, Cash Drawers to Nonprofits
Zephrus Restaurant is offering the nonprofit community a fund-raising opportunity again this winter: Island groups can partner with Zephrus to raise money by picking and publicizing a specific winter date in which Zephrus shares 20 per cent of the evening’s special menu earnings with the group.
Two local agencies are on the menu…
Tote Bag for Blood Donors During Cold, Flu Season
The American Red Cross is asking all eligible, healthy blood donors to make and keep appointments to donate blood in the coming weeks. As the cold and flu season approaches, the Red Cross hopes to maintain a stable supply of blood to meet hospital needs. Blood donors who have received the seasonal flu shot are…
National Honor for Tisbury Teen at Falmouth Academy
Vineyard Haven resident Clea C. Baumhofer is one of three Falmouth Academy seniors named a semifinalist in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship program.
Clea, the daughter of Kim and Mark Baumhofer, has been at Falmouth Academy since seventh grade. She is a member of the National Honor Society and of the Falmouth Academy…
State Reduces CPA Matching Funds
For the past eight years the Community Preservation Act has provided funding for cash-strapped Island towns looking to preserve historic landmarks, protect open space and create affordable housing.
But in another indicator of the ongoing recession, the state this year has drastically reduced the match paid to towns, who raise their own money…
Old Farm Pond Culvert Reopened
Erosion and a changing shoreline may be a friend to Farm Pond, where a second culvert was opened from the pond to the sea last week.
The culvert, which originally emptied into Harthaven harbor, had been blocked off for about 10 years after erosion had eaten away the barrier beach and left the…
Great Job, Whitney
Great Job, Whitney
Whitney Hyde graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) leader development and assessment course, also known as Operation Warrior Forge, at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash.
A student at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, he is the son of Elisabeth M. Benders-Hyde of Ferry St., Marshfield, and…
Wet Summer Leaves Paucity of Products
The summer of 2009 will be remembered for primarily one thing: rain.
“Summer? It didn’t start until the first week of August,” said James H.K. Norton of Norton Farm in Vineyard Haven. “We had no sun for two months. We planted everything in a timely fashion, but nothing ripened because there wasn’t any…
Boys’ Soccer, Field Hockey Teams Closing in on State Tournament
As the fall athletic season heads into the home stretch, the field hockey and boys’ soccer teams this week moved closer to a berth in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association tournament.
Meanwhile the football team stumbled with a crushing loss to Somerset last Friday, while boys’ and girls’ cross country each posted wins…
Center for Living Holds Annual Meeting
The Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living, formerly the Island Council on Aging, mapped out a plan to strengthen its programs — and locate a permanent home for them — at its annual meeting last week.
Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby Ends With Prizes and Surprises
He won again. William A. Pate of West Tisbury, who spends his summers working at Cutler Bike Shop in Edgartown and his winters working as a carpenter, won the grand prize in the 64th annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby, a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. Three years ago, Mr. Pate won the boat…
In Vineyard Skies
Sunrise Sunset
Fri., Oct. 23 7:02 5:48
Sat., Oct. 24 7:03 5:47
Sun., Oct. 25 7:04 5:46
Mon., Oct. 26 7:06 5:44
Tues., Oct. 27 7:07 5:43
Wed., Oct. 28 7:08 5:41
Thurs., Oct. 29 7:09 5:40
Fri., Oct. 30 7:10 5:39
Oak Bluffs
HOLLY NADLER
508-274-2329
(hollynadler@gmail.com)
It’s heartwarming to see work on the Ocean Park bandstand (some call it the gazebo) progressing. For years now town officials have discussed revamping it — an important consideration when you climb the steps inside and hear your footsteps crunch on the rotting boards like…
Temperatures
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
Oct. 16 50 42 1.51
Oct. 17 49 43 .05
Oct. 18 53 47 .65
Oct. 19 50 40 1.02
Oct. 20 51 33 .01
Oct. 21 62 44 .00
Oct. 22 67 51 .00
…
Please Adopt Us
Please Adopt Us
Tisbury Emergency Services Facility Plan to be Presented
Plans for the new Tisbury emergency services facility will be presented for discussion on Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Vineyard Haven Public Library.
Firefighter Joe Tierney, EMT Jeff Pratt and fire chief John Schilling will outline the design and plans for the new Tisbury Emergency Services Building to be constructed…
Chilmark
JANE N. SLATER
508-645-3378
(slaterjn@comcast.net)
The wind, she blew! That’s the best way I can describe our northeaster on Sunday. Lots of branches and leaves landed in all the yards around town. Fortunately, we didn’t lose our electricity. Funny, but that was the first thing everyone said when asked…
Gazette Chronicle: Seeds Dangling High
Seeds Dangling High
From Vineyard Gazette editions of October, 1959:
Edgartown
KATHIE CASE
508-627-5349
(kathleencase@comcast.net)
I usually start with the weather of the week, so when I saw this post on Facebook by Marcia Valentzas I thought it was only appropriate to use it here: “Don’t knock the weather, as nine-tenths of people could not start a conversation if it…
Announcing Donald 3rd
Announcing Donald 3rd
Eileen Gregory and Donald Gregory Jr. of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Donald William Gregory 3rd, born on Oct. 15, 2009, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Donald weighed 7 pounds, 2.2 ounces at birth.
Welcome Aubrey Rose
Welcome Aubrey Rose
Dianne and Mark Klingensmith of Belchertown announce the birth of a daughter, Aubrey Rose, on August 28 at Cooley Dickerson Hospital in Northhampton. Aubrey weighed 7 pounds 7 ounces at borth and is welcomed by her big sister Avery and big brother Hunter.
Hello, Victor
Hello, Victor
Ariane Lobo and Wallace de Souza of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Victor J. Lobo de Souza, on Oct. 13 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Victor weighed 6 pounds, 4.6 ounces at birth.
Welcome John Paul
Welcome John Paul
Irene Selvine and John Paul Jones of West Tisbury announce the birth of a son, John Paul Jones, born on Sept. 7 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. John Paul weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces at birth.
Kawan Miguel Arrives
Kawan Miguel Arrives
Maria Acosta and Jose Roberto of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a son, Kawan Miguel Acosta Lima, on Sept. 22 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Miguel weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces at birth.
WVVY and Mediterranean Host Halloween Hellraiser
WVVY 93.7 LPFM Community Radio and the Mediterranean restaurant have announced the first annual Halloween Hellraiser, a party to be held at Mediterranean in Oak Bluffs, off Seaview avenue, on Halloween night. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. With music from the Gypsy Sound System and featured WVVY deejays, a buffet dinner, and a costume contest…
It’s All About the Pollinators
Felix Neck and Sharky’s Cantina are working together to educate people about the connection between what they eat or drink and the natural world around us. For example, bats pollinate the cactus and agave plants that tequila is distilled from, so without bats, there would be no margaritas.
Climate Vigil at East Chop Lighthouse
350.org invites Vineyarders to gather at the East Chop Lighthouse to express support for stabilizing Earth’s CO2 level at 350 parts per million (ppm) at a Climate Vigil on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 10 a.m. Some experts claim that Earth’s CO2 level is presently at 387 ppm, and must be reduced to 350 ppm in…
Family Fall Farm Fest
Family Fall Farm Fest
Islander Interview
Islander Interview
Vineyard Haven’s Bonnie Marcus interviews leaders who can help women overcome challenges in her weekly internet radio show Women Mean Business, on VoiceAmerica Talk Radio Network, and this Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 2 p.m. her guest is Marie Wilson, founder and president of The White House Project and leading women’s advocate.
Featherstone Offering Slew of New Classes
The fall season of adult classes at Featherstone Center for the Arts in Oak Bluffs begins this week, and includes three new ceramics classes: Basic Hand-Building and Wheelthrowing to Make Household Items with ceramic artist and teacher Frank Creney is on Wednesday nights, and Washington Ledesma will teach Hand-Building Ceramic Tiles on Tuesday evenings, as…
Classic Carly Simon, It’s Never Been Gone
Even when filtered through telephone lines, Carly Simon’s voice is distinctive; those warm, husky tones laid over bright backgrounds cause a listener to leap immediately to her songs, her albums — you know that voice.
Holly Society of America Washes Ashore
The Holly Society of America, an organization that promotes the use of holly plants in the landscape and research on hollies, is holding its 62nd Annual Meeting on this weekend at the Mansion House in Vineyard Haven. Martha’s Vineyard residents are invited to attend the Society’s informational seminars and/or plant auction on Saturday, Oct. 24,…
Don’t Be Scared
Don’t Be Scared
The 10th annual Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School scarecrow contest is in full swing.
You can see scarecrows all over the Island in front of businesses which have chosen to sponsor the charter school with $75 donations.
Crop Walk Rescheduled
Crop Walk Rescheduled
Vineyard Poets Rhyme the Hard Times in Festival
If you can follow the zigzag path of the second annual Massachusetts Poetry Festival, you could probably make it off the quixotic island featured in the television show Lost without breaking a sweat. It starts with readings in Amherst, roams through Berkshire County, Fall River . . . well, let’s not tax ourselves with geography;…
What’s Stefan Richter’s Point? Top Chef Buys Local, Seasonal
“I went swimming this morning,” announced Chef Stefan Richter to a rapt audience at a cooking demonstration at the Boathouse in Edgartown on Saturday. “I swam across the harbor. I came back and my toes were blue. No wet suit. It took me about 35 minutes to defrost, it was brutal.”
Library Hours
Library Hours
Beginning Nov. 3, Oak Bluffs Public Library will be open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The new schedule, though shorter by one hour, streamlines staffing and provides users two additional evenings of…
Hob Knob Offering Winter Wellness Packages
The Hob Knob, an eco-boutique hotel in Edgartown, is pleased to offer Winter Wellness packages, beginning January 2010. These packages incorporate weekend stays at the hotel with a culinary and exercise program, providing a unique health and wellness experience. Katryn Yerdon, ISSA certified personal trainer and professional chef will offer cooking classes and guided nature…
Bee Eaters to Play Katharine Cornell
Bee Eaters to Play Katharine Cornell
The Vineyard Gardener
By LYNNE IRONS
Fall Storms
Fall storms can raise havoc in harbors as well as on land. The winds of these tempests can bring back birds that have tried to migrate south. This is a treat for birders, but for the birds, not so great. Imagine flying hard to get as far as the Carolinas or Florida just to be…
A Capella
You are seeing stars — and even weirder, I can confirm that the green and red flashes of light in the heavens are not figments of your imagination!
It is not that you bumped your head, nor do you need glasses. And you are not hallucinating traffic lights in the night sky. This…
