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 17, 2010
News Update: Thursday, December 23 – Vineyard-JFK Air Route to Begin
JetBlue Airways, the low-cost airline with a reputation for quality customer service, announced on Thursday morning that it will begin daily nonstop service between the Vineyard and New York city this summer. “During the peak days we’ll operate more than one trip a day,” said JetBlue chief executive officer Dave Barger after a press conference…
If Wisconsin Is Bowl of Cherries What Am I Doing In the Pits?
With Christmas just around the corner, I have been thinking cherries.
With Love for One Taken Too Soon
Dear Heather:
I was thinking about you the other day so I thought I’d write you a quick note.
The first word that always comes to mind when I think of you is feisty! Remember 10 or 15 years ago, the after-work drinks downtown when you were ready to take on…
Paying Fair Share Is True American Way
I am disturbed, and I am old — almost three quarters of a century. What’s disturbing is not my oldness — I don’t feel that most days. It’s our U.S. Congress that disturbs and disappoints, especially those senators who voted on Dec. 4 against better lives for the lower economic classes of our citizens —…
A Mission of Mercy on Low Dunes of Chappy
Dick Jennings works for The Trustees of Reservations on Chappaquiddick. He is their natural history guide there and he seasonally leads tours that introduce people to the extraordinary stretch of coastline that connects Wasque Point at the southeast corner of the Vineyard to the tidal gut that defines the end of the long peninsula arching…
Older Than Airplanes But Still Flying High, Rose Treat Turns 102
L ongevity is in Rose Treat’s genes. Her Polish grand mother lived to be 104.
On Dec. 7, 2010, Rose Treat celebrated her 102nd birthday surrounded by her friends at her home on Sengekontacket, which she shares with two part-time caregivers: Debbie Jewfry and Denise Walsh.
Letters to the Editor
FISHERMEN’S FIGHT
Editors, Vineyard Gazette:
First, I would like to clarify that I am not a lawyer; though my education is in insurance law, there was no way I was going to sit behind a desk. Ever.
Second, thank you for your story about the event that we held…
Martha’s Vineyard Commission’s Lesson
Martha’s Vineyard Commission’s Lesson
With the dust still settling from the Edgartown special town meeting this week, the next task at hand is for the Martha’s Vineyard Commission to ask itself some hard, probing questions, and central among them is this: Has the commission grown out of touch with the Island community?
Young Wrappers
Young Wrappers
The Martha’s Vineyard Ecumenical Youth Group will be providing Christmas gift wrapping on Saturday, Dec. 18, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Edgartown Federated Church, at 45 South Summer street. Relax with a cup of hot cider or hot chocolate and let the wrappers take care of making your presents…
Balmy Tennis Weather the Norm, Inside at Least
World Team Tennis debuted at the Vineyard Tennis Center Workout and Spa on Sunday, Dec. 12. Ladies’ doubles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles were played in a team format.
Dave Larson coached the Sharks and Connie McHugh coached Ray and the Quahogs.
Each division played a full set with no ad…
Flu Shots
Flu Shots
Vineyard Scrips will be offering free flu shots on the following dates:
Tuesday, Dec. 21 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 23 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 24 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Monday, Dec. 27 from 9…
MV Habitat for Humanity Elects New Board President
Habitat for Humanity of Martha’s Vineyard has elected Doug Ruskin as president of its board of directors, replacing Ron DiOrio, who is stepping down after nine years as president.
Mr. Ruskin, a board member since 2007, also has held the positions of vice president of administration, co-chair of the building committee and a…
Boxing Day Yoga
Boxing Day Yoga
Mollie Doyle and Sian Williams Bassett are joining together to celebrate the British tradition of Boxing Day, offering a free yoga class on Sunday, Dec. 26 to benefit the MV Community Services Thrift Shop. Bring your unwanted Christmas gifts or a small donation and they’ll pass them along to the…
Size Matters in Wind Turbine Development; Two Shrink to Fit
In the weeks since the Martha’s Vineyard Commission passed temporary wind turbine regulations requiring any machine over 150 feet to come before the commission for review, two building permits in Chilmark have been approved for turbines that fall just inches short of the new requirement.
In the coming months the owners of the…
Proposals Floated as Oak Bluffs Faces Major Budget Shortfall
Town employees may soon be feeling the effects of the economic downturn as Oak Bluffs continues to wrestle with stark financial projections.
Island Spiritual Leaders Come Together for Human Rights Event
Inherent dignity, equal and inalienable rights, freedom, justice and peace in the world. Whichever religious traditions we may or may not have grown up with, we are taught that these morals are the highest to live by.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights resonates in many forms of religious traditions without mentioning any…
West Tisbury to Bear Brunt Of Higher School Bill Up-Island
With West Tisbury footing the majority of the bill, the up-Island Regional School District committee voted on Monday night to certify an $8.35 million budget for next year, a 2.1 per cent increase over last year.
Discussion centered on the possibility of a new kindergarten-first grade class at the Chilmark School and the…
Honoring One Who Makes a Difference
Emily Bramhall, a longtime business owner on Main street in Vineyard Haven, and for an equal number of years a hardworking volunteer with a number of Island nonprofits, is this year’s recipient of the Spirit of the Vineyard Award, given annually by Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard.
The Yard Reveals Deficit And Leadership Changes
A quiet announcement about a key staff change at the top and a large deficit marked the holiday newsletter that went out this week from the Yard, the Chilmark summer performing arts colony founded by the late Patricia Nanon.
Food Pantry Donation
Food Pantry Donation
Armen Hanjian of the Island Food Pantry received a generous donation of nourishing food from the Church of the Latter Day Saints (Mormon). It was picked up at the Bishop’s Storehouse in Worcester, delivered Saturday evening to the food pantry by Jim Powell and Donna Maurice.
Helpers unloading…
Teen Volleyball
Teen Volleyball
Serve, set, spike: the Martha’s Vineyard Boys’ and Girl’s Club will kick off its teen volleyball league, open to all players from grades eight to twelve, in January.
There will be separate boys’ and girls’ leagues; a coed league will be formed if numbers are not large enough for…
Back to School for Edgartown Library Plan
Back to the drawing board again.
The Edgartown Library building committee voted yesterday to abandon plans for a new North Water street site in favor of demolishing the old Edgartown School and starting anew.
Tom Maley’s Family in Talks To Sell Field Gallery to Town
The Field Gallery’s shapely alabaster lawn figures may in the future be dancing for new owners. Tim and Eileen Maley announced at the West Tisbury selectmen’s meeting on Wednesday that they are in talks to sell the landmark gallery and sculpture garden to the town. The sale would ensure the gallery remains in operation while…
Caregivers Journal Details Resources for Area Elderly
A new book detailing all the resources available to the elderly and those who care for them on the Island is now available. The Dukes County Health Council has released an updated edition of the Caregivers Home Journal: A Resource Guide for Caregivers and Elders on Martha’s Vineyard.
Davy Crockett’s Spirit at Sengie As Black Powder Shooters Fire Up
The first rut was late this year. Perhaps it was the warm weather or just the vagaries of love. But it doesn’t really matter why. What matters is that the second rut has begun.
What a second rut means for the deer is that the does are in heat again, the ones that didn’t…
Who Pays for School’s Million-Dollar Repairs?
In the coming weeks West Tisbury school leaders and town officials will meet to tackle a growing problem with unanticipated repairs to the West Tisbury elementary school whose price tag has now climbed to nearly $1.2 million.
And there is no clear plan yet about who will pay for it — the school…
Brazilian Consul Challenges Students to Be Ambassadors
Can you guess the two biggest countries in the Western Hemisphere that were born around the same time, colonized by Europeans, share a history of slavery and indigenous people, and are both democracies? Here’s a hint: the largest community abroad of one of these countries lives here in New England.
Brazil and the…
Edgartown Rejects Move to Exit MVC
After a heated debate drew passionate pleas from both sides, Edgartown voters said no to leaving the Martha’s Vineyard Commission at a special town meeting Tuesday night, indefinitely postponing an article that would have taken the first steps to withdraw from the regional land use commission.
A total of 305 registered voters packed…
Latest Profile of Vineyard Found in Census Figures Merging Boom, Bust Era
Martha’s Vineyard renters and mortgage-holders are under extraordinary financial pressure, with a majority shelling out more than 30 per cent of their household income on housing, new figures from the U.S. Census Bureau show.
Census figures based on samples taken from 2005 to 2009 were released on Tuesday. The numbers take in both…
Senator Wolf Urges Supporters To Keep Him Honest, Balanced
There was no triumphalism about Dan Wolf’s first visit with the Democratic party faithful of the Vineyard after he won his state senate seat last month. Quite the reverse.
Lunar Eclipse
The first day of winter is next Tuesday, and early morning will see a lunar eclipse. The moon will pass through the earth’s shadow after midnight. The total eclipse, when the moon is completely covered by the earth’s shadow, will be from 2:41 to 3:53 a.m.
Gazette Chronicle: A Scrooge No More
A Scrooge No More
From Art Railton’s Just a Thought, of December 16, 1988:
About this time each December I begin to wonder: Is Christmas worth it? Frazzled and frantic, with a long list of things still undone, presents still not bought, cards still not written, the tree to put up,…
West Tisbury
JOHN S. ALLEY
508-693-2950
(alleys@vineyard.net)
Winter officially begins on Tuesday, and the temperature has jumped around lately almost as much as the Energizer bunny. Warm, spring-like one day, then cold and raw another day. We had a snow flurry Monday morning and the temperature was a frosty 16 degrees…
Oak Bluffs
HOLLY NADLER
508-274-2329
(hollynadler@gmail.com)
When we left off last Friday in this first-ever cookbook cliff-hanger, the Linda Jean’s-sponsored favorite recipes, assembled by Robin Ayers, LJ wait staff and patrons, we’d just finished up with appetizers and soups and salads, and anything could have happened in this intervening week —…
Vineyard Haven
NANCY GARDELLA
508-693-3308
(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)
I know the kind of person who would do this is not intelligent enough to read my column, or, in fact, a newspaper, but thanks a lot to the jerk who dumped a car battery on my Eastville Beach, right at one of the fence…
Temperatures
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
Dec. 10 29 18 .00
Dec. 11 41 27 Trace
Dec. 12 49 31 Trace
Dec. 13 56 40 1.00
Dec. 14 50 29 .13
Dec. 15 31 17 .00
Dec. 16 25 18 .00
…
Please Adopt Us
Please Adopt Us
Chilmark
JANE N. SLATER
508-645-3378
(slaterjn@comcast.net)
Did Chilmark fall into the deep freeze this week? Just 18 degrees this morning (Wednesday) and we all know it isn’t officially winter yet! We feel very lucky to have clear skies and roads when we hear how many other parts of the country…
Edgartown
KATHIE CASE
508-627-5349
(kathleencase@comcast.net)
“Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful!” I hope you have all been keeping warm on these nice, cold days we have been having. Just think, in August we are going to pray for cool. I am still waiting for…
Carter Arrives
Carter Arrives
Valerie Joe Stoyer and James Masselli of West Tisbury announce the birth of a son, Carter James Masselli, born on Dec. 14, 2010, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Carter weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces at birth.
Hello Ellis
Hello Ellis
Tammy and Rick Freer of West Tisbury announce the birth of a daughter, Ellis Alexandra Freer, born on Dec. 13, 2010, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Ellis weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces at birth. Big brother Jack and big sister Auden welcome their baby sister.
Christmas Pageant Focus is Questions Not Answers
As a Witness, a Christmas pageant for the 21st century, will be performed at the Old Whaling Church on Sunday, Dec. 19 and Monday, Dec. 20.
Love Affair of the Local Kind, Trio Hits Road With New CD
It’s quiet out there, at night on the Island this time of year. In town there are a few signs of life. But on the back streets, after the sun goes down and the winter chill takes over, mostly it’s just smoke from a woodstove or a startled rabbit or nothing at all. But looks…
Music and Friendship Highlight Cantautora’s Return to Island
If you’re a fan of Tish Hinojosa, you’re in seriously good company. Who does the beloved cantautora (That’s Spanish for singer-songwriter; Ms. Hinojosa says she loves the romantic lilt of the word.) count among her fans? Well, for starters there’s Linda Rondstadt, who once flew Ms. Hinojosa from Texas to her home in San Francisco.…
Cozy and Sexy
Cozy and Sexy
Trunk show with designs by Stina Sayre is at Sweet E’s at 18 Main street in Vineyard Haven. Shop for soft Merino sweaters lined in silky cotton, whisper thin wools, sexy leather vests, the list goes on.
The holiday shop is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.…
Neither Cold Nor Snow Deters the Sassafras Kids
It’s cold out. Snow flurries have been sighted. Perhaps a big dump is on the way. The more mild-mannered of us, let’s face it, the majority of us, take this as a sign to head indoors each evening to wrap ourselves in a snuggie and sit by the fire.
Wussies. Housecats. City slicker…
Singing Back the Darkness
Singing Back the Darkness
It’s just a few nights before the darkest day of the year, at least in the earthly sense, when along comes this amazing experience, full of light in every way. It’s free buoyancy. It’s a way to put your sense of isolation in isolation. A way to get out…
Christmas Eve Service
The United Methodist Church of Martha’s Vineyard will hold a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7 p.m. with Pastor Richard Rego at the Old Whaling Church on Main street in Edgartown.
For more information, call 508-693-4424.
Gingerly
With ginger, getting to the root of the matter is not the way to go.
The succulent tubular mass that is truly the spice of the season is not a root. It is actually a rhizome, or underground stem. The real roots of this plant creep from the rhizomes into the soil, but…
Tribal Rugs Benefit Sale is Story of Beauty and Love
There is a holiday benefit sale taking place at the Persian tribal rug gallery at 18 State Road in Vineyard Haven just a few doors up from Educomp.
Funny Kids Find Space to Call Home and Strut Stuff
Improv is fun to perform. It’s fun to watch. But improv is not so groovy when looking for a space to strut your stuff. Let’s face it, comedy is tough enough without doing it in the dirt.
So it’s good news that Imp, the Island’s top-notch youth improv troupe, has a new home.…
Haiti Benefit is Community Offering of Kindness and Talent
Martha’s Vineyard may be 2,550 miles from Christ Roi, Haiti, yet the distance will be bridged with the Vineyard’s Haitian Celebration, a gala event that will raise funds to help get the Port-au-Prince neighborhood back on its feet after a series of devastating events. Throughout a ruinous earthquake, cyclone strikes and a cholera outbreak, the…
Holiday Open House
Holiday Open House
Louisa Gould Gallery is hosting a holiday open house on Saturday, Dec. 18, from noon to 4 p.m.
The Small Wonders exhibit is on view with works by Doug Kent, John Holladay, Louisa Gould, Charles Fran Kenney, Laura Roberts, Kathryn Wronski, Maya Farber, Leslie Kenney and Francesa Kennedy.…
Late-Season Carrots
I’ve always loved carrots. Some years are better than others concerning the growing of them. I am loathe to thin anything.
Mystery Birds
A good mystery, whether bird or bush, is rewarding if it is solved. Ginny Jones frequently entertains her grandsons, Everett and Kent, by walking along the shores of Tisbury Great Pond by Tississa. On Dec. 3 the threesome observed a raft of scaup off Sepiessa and a few buffleheads. Then they found a corpse of…
Christmas in Edgartown Is Welcome Gift
Wearing their sashes proudly and standing with their wagons full of cookies, a group of Girl Scouts were waiting with anticipation last Saturday in Edgartown for a Santa sighting.
They watched as dogs in festive wear walked by in the annual Christmas in Edgartown parade, the Vineyard Assembly of God caroled through the…
