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
June 4, 2010
Ruin My Life? Not This Mom’s Play
The following journal chronicles Vineyard author Kate Feiffer’s experience on the making of the new play My Mom Is Trying to Ruin My Life, which is having a workshop production at the Vineyard Playhouse on June 11, 12, 18 and 19. M.J. Bruder Munafo, who is also directing, adapted the book to stage.
…
Reader Comments from the Web
Editor’s Note: The following is an edited selection of reader comments from the Gazette Web site on the story that appeared Tuesday about Brazilian-born seniors at the regional high school who were told they may not wear scarves in their birth country’s colors over their gowns at graduation. Many comments were posted, but the vast…
Lifeless Utility Path in Tisbury Raises Herbicide Questions
The following letter was sent to the Tisbury board of health:
With all the spring foliage in full array, it is evident that much of the plant life along the utility company’s right of way through our town is dead. All of the oak, pine, sassafras, and chokecherry are without leaves or buds.…
Rite of Spring in the Camp Ground
By PEGGY STURDIVANT
When we closed the Camp Ground cottage for the winter 40 years ago, it was serious business. The braided wool rugs were rolled, the refrigerator was cleaned and propped open, the water had been turned off and the pipes flushed, the delicate glass pane windows nailed shut. An official sign…
Saying Goodbye to the Girl of My Wonder Years
Alison Smith was so many firsts for me. She was my first dance, my first crush, and one of my very first friends. She would have been my first date at the sixth grade dance too, but I chickened out. If I was Kevin Arnold, then she was my Winnie Cooper, and those were indeed…
Letters to the Editor
FALSE AND MISLEADING
Editors, Vineyard Gazette:
I write in regards to comments made by Mr. Nixon, principal of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, in the Vineyard Gazette May 28 article, “Parents Appeal in School Marijuana Case.”
Pond Sense
Pond Sense
Sengekontacket Pond is in trouble again, only this time around it appears to be less about water quality and more about a state bureaucracy whose chief virtue is an uncanny ability to tie itself up in knots.
From Teacup Request to Tempest
From Teacup Request to Tempest
Marine Hospital, Summer Camp, History for Sale
An important piece of Island history is for sale.
The old Marine Hospital in Vineyard Haven has been placed on the market by the St. Pierre family, which has owned the property since the 1950s.
Built on a hill overlooking the Vineyard Haven waterfront in 1895, the hospital treated soldiers and…
Please Drive Around Potholes: Oak Bluffs Coffers Are Empty
Potholes in roads will go without repairs, town beaches will have no lifeguards, more dogs may be running loose and fewer police officers will be directing traffic this summer in Oak Bluffs, as the town begins to feel the effects of bone-deep budget cuts from this spring.
In April town voters rejected 11…
Cause Determined In 2008 Plane Crash
The long investigation into the cause of the September 2008 plane crash which took the life of Cape Air pilot and Vineyard Haven resident David D. Willey is over, its findings summarized in two words: “spatial disorientation.”
No Powering Cafe Moxie This Summer
Cafe Moxie, the Tisbury restaurant destroyed by fire on July 4, 2008, seems sure to remain closed for a third summer season, its owner says.
Paul Currier said he now saw no way the rebuilding could be completed before the anniversary of the blaze, which also severely damaged the adjoining Bunch of Grapes…
Severe Coastal Erosion Collapses Cliff, Creating Hazards at Lucy Vincent
As the Atlantic Ocean continues its assault on the south-facing shoreline of the Vineyard, Lucy Vincent Beach in Chilmark has been turned into a hazard zone, its once-broad sweep of sand now chewed away by ocean waves and littered with pieces of collapsed cliff.
“The conditions are extremely dangerous, even for an experienced…
New Threat is Loving Vineyard Forests to Death
The reforestation of the eastern United States is widely seen as one of the greatest environmental success stories of this nation. And nowhere has the positive change been more dramatic than in New England.
Over about 100 years, forest cover re-established itself on about nine million acres of land. New England is now…
Building Pizza Oven With 20 Tons of Clay
By MEGAN DOOLEY
Islanders are invited tomorrow for a roll in the clay with the owners of the new Flatbread pizza restaurant, which will share a building with Nectar’s nightclub at the airport this summer. They’ve already laid the foundation for the 20-ton clay oven that will fire their gourmet pizzas, but they’re…
Giordano’s Celebrates 80 Years in Business
A wide circle of friends showed up Tuesday night for an 80th summer celebration at Giordano’s Restaurant in Oak Bluffs. The anniversary party brought out more than 100 well-wishers over the course of the evening.
Five Islanders to Graduate From Falmouth Academy
Vineyard residents who will graduate from the Falmouth Academy on Saturday, June 12, are:
• Clea C. Baumhofer, the daughter of Kim and Mark Baumhofer of Vineyard Haven, who will enter Johns Hopkins University this fall.
• Lily Cronig, the daughter of Jo Weinberg of West Tisbury and Donald Cronig of…
Vineyarders Merit Selection In National Honor Society
Four Martha’s Vineyard students were among the 26 Falmouth Academy seventh and eighth graders inducted into the junior National Honor Society on Sunday, May 16.
They are Eli Hanschka, the son of Nancy Tutko and Whit Hanschka; Nathaniel Horwitz, the son of Geraldine Brooks and Tony Horwitz; and Jackie Menton, the daughter of…
Regional High School Awards Honors
What follows is the list of awards given to Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School students at the annual Honors Night ceremony, held last night at the high school performing arts center.
Departmental Awards: Faculty
Art : excellence in drawing and painting: Patrick Lampart and Lonni Phillips; excellence in photography and graphics:…
Author, Editor Frances Tenenbaum Named Outstanding Garden Writer
By PHYLLIS MERAS
Longtime Aquinnah seasonal resident Frances Tenenbaum was lauded last week in the Boston Globe’s Gardening Column as “one of the 20th-century’s outstanding American garden book editors.” Columnist Carol Stocker described the former Houghton Mifflin garden book editor as one “who helped elevate garden writing by American authors instead of following…
Lacrosse Teams Roll Into Next Round
It was hard to say what was more threatening Tuesday, the gray and imposing skies hanging over the athletic field at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, or the boys’ and girls’ lacrosse teams, who both rolled over their opponents in back-to-back games during the first round of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic tournament.
Sophomores Speak Out
This is our last Sophomores Speak Out, and first we would like to thank the Vineyard Gazette and all of our readers, and then we want to wish everyone a safe and happy summer. Our thoughts this week are on what we have learned this year and all the people who played a part in…
Solar Car Race
Solar Car Race
Check out the speed of light at the annual model solar car race on Saturday, June 5, at the Boys’ and Girls’ Club in Edgartown.
Nearly 220 fifth and sixth graders from all Island schools will race their model solar cars beginning at 11:30 a.m. While working to…
Nurse Mongillo Williams
Nurse Mongillo Williams
The Southern Connecticut chapter of the Black Nurses Association celebrated its 18th annual scholarship and awards luncheon recently in North Haven.
Among the award winners was Vineyard summer resident Mary Jane Mongillo Williams, RN, PhD, who won the Nursing Leadership Award. She is chair of the department of…
Boot Camp
Boot Camp
Nisafit’s Boot Camp and exercise classes have a new location at the Vineyard Fitness Center at the Triangle in Edgartown. Those who join monthly morning boot camp do not have to pay additional gym membership. For afternoon exercise classes, punch passes or pay as you go options are available.
…
Fly Rod Fishermen Ready For Weekend Competition
The Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club will host its 16th annual Fly Rod Striped Bass Catch and Release Tournament this weekend, June 5 and 6.
To confirm entry anglers must check in on Saturday between noon and 3 p.m. (officials will go over the rules at 3 p.m. sharp) at the Martha’s…
Federal Forum
Federal Forum
Cong. Bill Delahunt will host an informational forum on the Vineyard today to discuss the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s rural development programs.
Hosted by the Dukes County Commission, the forum will be held at 10 a.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Transit Authority meeting room in the airport business park,…
Rape Charges Stem From Party With Exotic Dancer
Three men, two from the Vineyard and one from Bourne, were charged with rape and indecent assault last week following an incident in early April when they allegedly attacked and sexually abused an exotic dancer from Maine who was paid to perform at a party in Oak Bluffs.
William J. Bernard, 39, of…
Chilmark Okays Home Port Lunch Hours, Not New Fuel
Menemsha may have a new lunch option this summer, after the Chilmark selectmen approved an innkeeper and common victualler’s license for Dennis Barquinero, the new general manager of the Home Port, Beach Plum Inn and Menemsha Inn, with the understanding that Mr. Barquinero may open the Home Port’s take-out window for lunch.
West Tisbury Voters to Meet Tuesday
At a special town meeting Tuesday, West Tisbury voters will consider whether to spend money to hire a part-time administrative assistant in the town hall, and whether to grant the selectmen authority to sell three affordable lots in the Bailey Park subdivision off Old County Road.
The special town meeting — the first…
Spirituals by the Shelves
Spirituals by the Shelves
James (Jim) Thomas, president of the U.S. Slave Song Project Inc., will direct the Spirituals Choir in performance on Wednesday, June 9 at 7 p.m. at the Vineyard Haven Public Library.
Mr. Thomas has earned the American Red Cross’s National Diversity Award and President’s Award for Leadership.…
Assistant Principal Search Begins Anew
By MEGAN DOOLEY
The search for a new assistant principal at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School will continue, after the school officials decided this week that neither of the two final candidates were a good fit for the position.
“No one was chosen,” said school superintendent Dr. James H. Weiss…
Nine to Graduate on Saturday From Public Charter School
They studied ancient Roman attire, wrote a series of memoirs, documented leaving the family business for the first time and excelled in photography.
And now this small group of distinguished artists, writers and self-directed learners will graduate this weekend from the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School. Known for their enthusiasm and creativity, the…
Health Plan Options
Health Plan Options
Massachusetts residents with health insurance through the Commonwealth Care health insurance program can change their health plan for any reason between June 3 and June 22, according to Network Health, one of five local health plans with a Commonwealth Care product. Any health plan changes become effective July 1, 2010.
Oak Bluffs
HOLLY NADLER
508-274-2329
(hollynadler@gmail.com)
Location, location, location equals Lemonade, Becca Rogers’s new accessories boutique, just opened over Memorial Day weekend. This sleek and cheerful shop sits between Linda Jean’s and Mary’s Linen and two doors down from Sharky’s. Everybody visiting Oak Bluffs for the first time saunters at least…
Vineyard Haven
NANCY GARDELLA
508-693-3308
(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)
Welcome to the Island, Ashley Sheping! Ashley’s folks have had a home here for 30 years; her dad and I reminisced about talking to their neighbor, noted columnist and author, Nelson Coon. Ashley has arrived today and is looking for her on-Island friends but doesn’t…
Chappy
Margaret Knight
508-627-8894
(margaret02539@yahoo.com)
Summer made its initial appearance last weekend as, all at once, people, cars and bicycles arrived and filled the roads. The sidewalks of town looked just as crowded as a summer day. The weather was perfect for the beach, and the ferry line on Sunday…
Please Adopt Us
Please Adopt Us
Please be sure to watch this column next week for two very special cats that have just come to the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard to find new homes. They are not quite ready to be adopted yet, but they will be soon, and we are sure they won’t stay at…
Temperatures
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
May 28 69 48 Trace
May 29 72 52 .00
May 30 72 58 .07
May 31 78 61 Trace
June 1 73 57 .00
June 2 74 62 .07
June 3 69 56 Trace
…
Chilmark
JANE N. SLATER
508-645-3378
(slaterjn@comcast.net)
Chilmark enjoyed a holiday of perfect proportions with long sunny days and lovely sunsets. Many families and friends gathered for ceremonies honoring the memories of our cherished servicemen followed by picnics, reunions and celebrations of togetherness. The Chilmark Community Church conducted a blessing of…
Edgartown
Kathie Case
508-627-5349
(kathleencase@comcast.net)
Well, what a beautiful weekend we had — perfect for barbecues, picnics, parades and even some traveling.
Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Niccolas Cardoza, who celebrated his day May 29, Michelle Herrick…
Hello, Oscar
Hello, Oscar
Caroline and Frank Flanders and big sister Jean of West Tisbury announce the birth of a son, Oscar Read Flanders, born on May 22, 2010, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Oscar weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce at birth.
Jacob Joins Us
Jacob Joins Us
Jennifer and Kyle Gatchell of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Jacob Kyle, born on May 22, 2010, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Jacob weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces at birth, and joins sister Alison.
Light Years Away
The bright red planet Mars appears high in the western sky tonight, near the brilliant star Regulus. The two are a tight pair in the zodiacal constellation Leo. This is a good time to watch the movement of the planets.
May 28: Bright Sunny Day
Friday, May 28: Bright sunny day. Temperature in the 60s. A brisk breeze on the water. Edgartown children march down to Memorial Wharf, many carrying flowers. Under deep blue skies, they tossed flowers into the harbor. The sound of Taps can be heard along Dock street.
Saturday, May 29: Thick fog in Edgartown.…
Family Fishing
Island fishermen gathered for a dinner meeting at the Home Port Restaurant last week. The guest speaker was Niaz Dorry, a director with the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance, based in Windham, Me.
She compared the plight of the small-town commercial fisherman to that of the family farm, and as with small farming, she…
Reviving Island Spirits, Business With Preaching and Other Idols
A spiritual awakening is coming to the Vineyard this weekend. And Squire Rushnell, author, comedian and part-time resident of Edgartown, is poised to prove it through a five-day event dedicated to inspirational message, comedy and song at this year’s Inspiration Weekend.
“Our whole quest was to do something that would lift the spirits…
The Lighthouse Challenge: Five Stops in One Saturday
The Vineyard hosts its third annual Lighthouse Challenge on Saturday, June 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In cooperation with the United States Coast Guard, the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, and The Trustees of Reservations, lighthouse enthusiasts are encouraged to visit all five Island lighthouses on Saturday.
The Lighthouse Challenge includes…
Sheldon Hackney Presents Classic World War II Films
World War II, which shaped the 20th century and produced what’s been called the greatest generation, also inspired many classic films — and a selection of the best is being presented on Island with special introductions by American history scholar Sheldon Hackney.
The series begins on Monday, June 7, with The 49th Parallel,…
Flame Juggler, Craft, Music: Sense of Wonder Art Show
Pam Benjamin’s Sense of Wonder Creations organization will host a student art show on June 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. and June 13 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the studio at 23 Grove avenue in Vineyard Haven
The show will close with a reception with music, a Czechoslovakian flame juggler, food,…
Kids Get Creative
Kids Get Creative
Phyllis Vecchia Creative Drama will teach for three weeks this summer: July 5 to 9, July 26 to 30, and August 9 to 13. Classes are from 9 to 11 a.m. for children ages four and a half through nine years old. Preregister online at mvrhs.org or call 508-696-8738
Island Grown Dinner
Island Grown Dinner
Island Grown Initiative is holding a fundraiser for Island Grown Schools at the Sailing Camp in Oak Bluffs, on Wednesday, June 9, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
There will be taco bar by Cardoza’s, dance music by DJDi, a silent auction including art works made on Island, and…
Making It Up as They Go: IMP Brings Chicago Home
Just back from their performances and workshops in Chicago, the IMPers, the Island’s teen professional improv troupe, will perform their improvisation games and skits based on audience suggestions on Saturday, June 5, at 8 p.m. at Katharine Cornell Theater on Spring street in Vineyard Haven.
This troupe has been honored three times by…
Art in the Stacks
Art in the Stacks
All this month, the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library will host an exhibition featuring the work of more than 20 Vineyard artists.
A reception will be held on Tuesday, June 8, from 5 to 8 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.…
Bilingual Puppets
Bilingual Puppets
Bella’s Musical Puppet Show presents Arakataka’s Chorus Band/Coral do Arakataka, where everyone is invited to join in singing the American and Brazilian folk songs, on Sunday, June 6 at 11:30 a.m. in the makeshift theatre in a warehouse behind 56/58 Main street in Vineyard Haven.
Mangia, Mangia!
Mangia, Mangia!
Il Tesoro at the Terrace is having a summer opening party on Wednesday, June 16, from 7 to 9 p.m.
All are welcome to meet chef/owner AJ Black as he introduces some of his new recipes
Please RSVP for this event at 508-939-3840 or by e-mail to…
Around the Vineyard in Eight Hours
Around the Vineyard in Eight Hours
Dancing Into Your Heart: Two Troupes To Premiere End-of-Year Extravaganzas
By HOLLY NADLER
It’s dress rehearsal for the fairies in I Do Believe in Fairies — Journey to Never Never Land, one of two student dance recitals set to dazzle this weekend (the other one is so out of this world, it’s titled Outer Space in 12 Movements).
A gaggle of…
Humpback Requiem
Last week, for a change, Sunday was hump day.
Though it wasn’t the middle of the week, it was definitely hump day for the whale watchers who were called to a secluded south shore beach.
The Vineyard Gardener
By LYNNE IRONS
Taking the bad with the good is the nature of life. I was enjoying my morning tea in the garden while watching robins. Suddenly I realized they were unearthing my newly planted and mulched cucumbers in their search for worms. Every one had to be replanted. Why can’t they eat…
Breeding Season
The breeding season makes birds do things they wouldn’t normally do.
D.A.W.
D.A.W.
Daniel Waters’ latest collection, Life Lesson, has just been released.
Volume three of The Verses of D.A.W. can be ordered online from indianhillpress.com.
