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
February 11, 2011
Breaking News: Wednesday, Feb. 16 – Coast Guard: Cause of Menemsha Fire Unknown
The cause of the fire that destroyed the Coast Guard boathouse and surrounding pier in Menemsha last July is unknown, a Coast Guard investigative team concluded in a report released early Wednesday afternoon. The cause may have been a lit cigarette left on the pier, or it may have been faulty wiring either in the…
Blanketing the Doppelganger Dad
A few days ago, after we had an argument, my daughter Pickle, age three, announced she had another father. His name, she told me, is Bob Cheeks.
Evidently, this Mr. Bob Cheeks fellow never tells her it is time for bed. He can also read for hours without tiring and loves to be splashed repeatedly…
Back Alley’s Deal Means Takeout in May
After a year of negotiating with the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), the husband and wife team of Daniel Sauer and Wenonah Madison-Sauer signed a lease on Monday to take over Back Alley’s in West Tisbury.
The Sauers plan to operate a counter-service establishment with a focus on homemade, Island-grown food.
Don’t Stop the Music
Don’t Stop the Music
Musicians from the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School last weekend participated in the All Cape and Islands Music Festival held at Bourne High School.
The students were chosen by audition in November; it was the third consecutive year that all the regional high school students who auditioned…
Oak Bluffs Eyes Ways to Save A Million Dollars Next Year
With a special town meeting to cut a quarter million dollars from the current fiscal year budget in Oak Bluffs already scheduled for Feb. 22, on Tuesday selectmen turned their attention to the 2012 budget where the situation is even worse, with a $1.1 million projected deficit.
At the outset selectmen voted to…
So Long, We Won’t Scrap the Memories
This is where old ferries go when they die: to the scrap metal yard.
The ferry Islander, the Vineyard’s favorite diesel ferry that served the Steamship Authority from 1950 to 2007, is now being cut up into pieces somewhere on the New Jersey shoreline.
After she was sold by the Steamship…
Mussel Men With a Waterfront Office
Sometime this summer, Vineyarders will have another opportunity to buy freshly-harvested blue mussels from Vineyard Sound. The forecast is even better for the year 2012, if all goes according to plan for Menemsha fishermen Alec Gale and Tim Broderick.
The two men have big plans. They have been working with the town of…
Delta Set to Fly Nonstop Vineyard-JFK in Summer
Delta Air Lines announced this week it would begin seasonal daily, nonstop service between the Vineyard and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport from May 25 through Sept. 6 this year.
Service will be operated with 50-seat CRJ-200 regional jets.
Delta’s managing director for domestic network planning, Joe Esposito, said…
Debt Plan for School Repairs
Still reeling from the revelation last week that the West Tisbury School will need over $1.5 million in repairs, on Wednesday the selectmen discussed the town’s next steps.
Selectman Cynthia Mitchell, who also serves on the capital improvements planning committee, said that the group had met on Monday to discuss the news in…
A Slippery Sidewalk To Shame in Tisbury For the Unshoveled
None of this year’s snowfalls has amounted to a blizzard, but the town of Tisbury’s response might well qualify as one — a paper blizzard.
The town has decided to get tough on people who do not clear snow from their sidewalks, and in pursuit of the goal of slip-free footpaths has issued…
Jewelry Designer Makes Swimsuit Edition Splash
Playboy, back in its heyday, published some great literature. This helped bring a bit of cover to those buying the magazine.
“Hey, I’m only interested in the articles,” was the standard line.
Next week the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition hits the stands. Although not completely naked, the models just about bare all. And the cover…
Helicopters Close in on Targets: Old Bombs
In a few months gulls will patrol the dunes of South Beach seeking the ill-grasped sandwiches of naive tourists, but on Thursday the deserted area was the domain of “the bird.” That’s what contractor Michael Warminsky calls the extremely low-flying, modified Bell 206 helicopter that began sniffing Vineyard beaches this week for what remains of…
Parsonage History Outweighs Hardship
The West Tisbury historic district commission agreed this week that it will not allow the demolition of the Old Parsonage house in West Tisbury.
Owners Tara and Daniel Whiting have made a preliminary request to tear down the house which dates to the 1600s and overlooks Parsonage Pond on State Road.
…
Town, Land Bank Stake Out Opposite Sides on the Mini-Park
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank Commission is standing firm on a decision not to contribute to a town purchase of the mini-park in downtown Edgartown. And the Edgartown selectmen are not happy about it.
Bidding Begins For Wind Sites
Vineyarders are set to stake their claim for a site for future wind energy generation, as the bidding process begins for wind power leases across a vast swath of federal waters south of the Island.
At a meeting last night of Vineyard Power, the cooperative set up with the aim of securing stable,…
Cancer Society Daffodils: Order for March Delivery
The last day to reserve daffodils from the American Cancer Society Daffodil Days program is Friday, Feb. 25.
For a $10 gift, donors receive a bouquet of 10 fresh daffodil blossoms. Daffodils will be delivered across Martha’s Vineyard on Tuesday, March 15.
Dorothy Bangs, the longtime Daffodil Days volunteer coordinator on…
Ill-Gotten Striped Bass Found But Ten-Ton Poachers Slip Net
In an incident that has reverberated among fishermen up the East Coast, more than 10 tons of illegally caught striped bass were confiscated by environmental police in Maryland over the last two weeks.
That’s What It’s All About
It looks like the way the world should look all the time: It’s noontime on a shivery cold Thursday in February, but inside the community center of Woodside Village in Oak Bluffs, the immense room is awash in light. A tall Christmas tree still holds its full regalia of ornaments, and at the piano accomplished…
Mom, Meet Dad Again
Mom, Meet Dad Again
Just in time for Valentine’s Day weekend, the Martha’s Vineyard Ecumenical Youth Group is hosting a parents’ night out.
The particulars are basic. Tonight, Feb. 11, starting at 6:30 p.m. drop off your kids, ages three and up, at the Federated Church at 45 South Summer street…
Drugs and the Teen Brain
Drugs and the Teen Brain
The Youth Task Force will feature Janina Kean, president and chief executive of High Watch Recovery Center in Kent, Conn., as well as a board member of Vineyard House, as their guest speaker on Wednesday, Feb. 16.
Ms. Kean’s talk is entitled Their Brain Never Had…
Cinderella in Song
Cinderella in Song
There are no sets, costumes or acting and it’s not a play. It is a musical story but director Garrett Brown admits that The True Story of Cinderella is hard to describe. “It’s a very serious voice recital … completely deadpan but very funny.”
Mr. Brown will be at…
Short, Stunning Celluloid
Short, Stunning Celluloid
Short on length but long on talent, the Oscar-nominated short films are usually gems of wonder. Trouble is, no one gets to see them. They don’t play in movie houses and the actual Oscar presentation for these films usually gets cut out of the Oscar telecast.
Talk about…
What Hangs in Vegas
What Hangs in Vegas
Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School junior Shelby Ferry and freshman Sarah Ortlip-Sommers recently became the first high school students to win honorable mentions from the Photo Imaging Education Association. Shelby’s photograph, titled Misconception, was one of 14 chosen from a field of more than 1,400.
Sarah and…
Student Expressions Sweep Awards
What inspires the eye behind the camera? A friend climbing in and out of tree limbs, a close-up portrait of a fellow classmate, or perhaps it is the reflection of teenaged friends playing dress-up in an attic. For Chris Baer’s photography students at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, it doesn’t matter if they take…
Makos Take Their Mark at First Swim Meet
Pictures by Peter Simon
everyone in the pool: On Sunday, Feb. 6 the Makos swim team featuring young Vineyard swimmers took on the Marshfield Swim Club at the YMCA. This inaugural race came not long after the high school team baptized the pool with its first meet.
In both cases the Y…
Town Offers Mortgage Subsidies
A new affordable home buyer program is about to get under way in Edgartown, which if successful may put another dozen Islanders — who have been doing the seasonal shuffle or finding ownership just out of reach — in homes of their own. Administered by the town affordable housing committee and the Dukes County Regional…
Equestrian Triumphs
Robyn Hanover, 26, daughter of Linda Hanover of West Tisbury and Marc Hanover of Oak Bluffs, completed her 2010 season competing in the equestrian sport of eventing with a first place in the adult amateur preliminary division in Area 1 (New York and New England) and a fourth place standing nationally.
For more…
Kellie Bettencourt to Wed
Kellie Bettencourt to Wed
Michael and Maria Bettencourt of Edgartown announce the engagement of their daughter, Kellie Marie Bettencourt, to Jesse James Martin, both of Oak Bluffs. Jesse is the son of Judy Rose and Alan Hasty of Santa Cruz, Calif., and Jim and Geri Anne Martin of Burlingame, Calif.
A…
Love All Around in Tennis Benefit
The Vineyard Tennis Center, Workout and Spa hosted its winter classic tennis tournament on Jan. 22 and 23. Tournament proceeds were donated to Doctors Without Borders for Haiti.
Sharks Feed at Home for Assistant Coach
The Martha’s Vineyard Sharks of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL) have announced that Gary Simmons will be the club’s assistant coach for the 2011 season.
Mr. Simmons has been the varsity baseball coach at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School for the previous five seasons. He also spent five years as the high…
Boys Win Hoops Conference
The Vineyard boys’ basketball team wrapped up the Eastern Athletic Conference (EAC) title in Attleboro on Thursday with a 55-53 squeaker over Bishop Feehan. Randall Jette led all Vineyard scorers with 22 points, with Del Araujo and T.J. VanGervan pitching in 13 and 11 respectively.
The win comes on the heels of another…
Vineyard Bookshelf
BUSING BREWSTER: By Richard Michelson, illustrated by R.G. Roth, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, N.Y. 2010. $16.99, hardcover.
By ROB HAMMETT
Reader Comments from the Web
Editor’s Note: What follows is a selection of comments posted on the Gazette Web site last week in response to the story about a preliminary application by Tara and Daniel Whiting to tear down the Old Parsonage house in West Tisbury.
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Mayhew, Tear Down This Wall
A majority of the citizens decided to secure by peaceful means if possible, a change in the existing form of government and an adhesion to a democratic system of elections of officers. Desiring to spare the aged head of the government any unnecessary personal humiliation, they addressed a letter to him which stated “First our…
Valentine’s Gifts Can Deliver More than Just Sugar High
For Valentine’s Day, an essay about love and something more, first published in the Gazette in February, 2011.
Mini-Park Outside of Purview
Land Bank Position
Editors, Vineyard Gazette:
The following letter was sent to the Edgartown selectmen from the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank.
I am writing regarding the mini-park on Main street. You had asked the land bank to consider contributing to its acquisition.
The land bank commission has…
Letters to the Editor
CALL FOR CANDIDATES
Editors, Vineyard Gazette:
A functioning democracy requires the participation of its citizens.
That is something which we in the United States take for granted.
But the reality is that very few people actually take the time and trouble to take part in their local…
Saving Parsonage House
Saving Parsonage House
The old house is one of those places you drive by — nearly every day if you live up-Island and frequently if you live anywhere else on the Vineyard and come through West Tisbury on State Road. Probably you take it for granted, and that’s the way it is with…
Moon in Taurus
Tonight’s gibbous moon appears in the zodiacal constellation Taurus. The moon is between the star clusters Hyades and Pleiades. The Hyades is one of the largest star clusters you can see in the night sky. It is the mythological head of Taurus, with the bull resembling the letter V. To the right of the moon…
Welcome, Genevieve
Welcome, Genevieve
Stacy and Julian Wise of Chilmark announce the birth of their daughter Genevieve Dorothy Marie Wise on January 27, 2011 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Genevieve weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces. She joins her brother, Henry, and sisters, Ruby and Nina.
Gazette Chronicle: Divided Past
Divided Past
From Gazette editions of February, 1986:
When the Edgartown selectmen proposed a subdivision moratorium last week, they were unaware that just one night earlier the West Tisbury selectmen and members of the planning board had proposed the same thing for their town. It was pure coincidence.
Vineyard Haven
NANCY GARDELLA
508-693-3308
(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)
This is a long-delayed Valentine card to my friends, the manager, Liza Buckley, and the staff at Cumberland Farms. What would I do without these people? They make my every waking day wonderful; visiting in the morning is my social hour, along with the usual…
Oak Bluffs
HOLLY NADLER
508-274-2329
(hollynadler@gmail.com)
Something funny happened on the way to the dentist. Somewhere I read that dental appointments are the most frequently postponed activities in modern life. When you’re all grown up (which most of us aspire to be eventually), if you have any opportunity to delay calling…
Temperatures
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
Feb. 4 30 16 .00
Feb. 5 35 29 .00
Feb. 6 46 34 .20
Feb. 7 47 27 .00
Feb. 8 46 33 .42
Feb. 9 39 15 .05
Feb. 10 33 21 .00
…
Chappy
MARGARET KNIGHT
508-627-8894
(margaret02539@yahoo.com)
Winter is a good time for doing some historical research. Many thanks to Bob Gurnitz, Travis Jacobs, Lindsay Allison, Peter Wells and Edo Potter, who all added pieces to the puzzle of where Litchfield Road got its name. Information also came from Hatsy Potter’s Chappy…
Edgartown
KATHIE CASE
508-627-5349
(kathleencase@comcast.net)
I have been gone for a month and so far we have had rain, snow, sleet, ice, wind and temperatures from 13 degrees to almost 45 last week. As I have said so many times, welcome to New England.
Please Adopt Us
Please Adopt Us
Once again we seem to have an abundance of black cats at the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard — perhaps it has something to do with the cold weather. We have two beautiful black female cats named Hope and Aggie; they are sisters and we would love to see them…
Announcing Ethan
Announcing Ethan
Kara and Jonathan Thibodeau of Edgartown announce the birth of a son, Ethan Silas Thibodeau, born on Feb. 3, 2011, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Ethan weighed 8 pounds, 14 ounces at birth.
Hello Harper
Hello Harper
Niki Deharo and Andrew Kelly of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Harper Mary-Catherine Kelly, born on Feb. 8, 2011, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Harper weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces at birth.
Hello, Gloriannie
Hello, Gloriannie
Martha Carolina Espinoza and Adarlécio Do Amaral of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Gloriannie C. Amaral-Espinoza, born on Feb. 2, 2011, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Goriannie weighed 6 pounds, 10.4 ounces at birth.
Travel to Flower Show
Travel to Flower Show
The groundhog checked out the scene and by not seeing his shadow declared spring is on the way. Perhaps there’s some measure of truth in this seemingly arbitrary tradition. A few days later, rain came and washed away all the snow and ice. Perhaps flowers will be in bloom…
Feeling Fourth Grade
Feeling Fourth Grade
Do you remember who you were, let alone what you thought in the fourth grade? And even if you do, ah, Miss Fenner who yelled so ferociously one day she popped a blood vessel in her eye, Randy Kibler and his new hairdo like a dog with mange and Tammy…
Dogs of Love
Dogs of Love
Chilmark Chocolates is open again just in time for Valentine’s Day. On your way to pick up sweets for your sweet, stop by the Chilmark outpost of Sovereign Bank to check out an art exhibit featuring work by Lisa Vanderhoop.
The wizard behind the Seadogs calendar, Ms. Vanderhoop…
Screenwriting Class
Screenwriting Class
There’s an old adage that character is story. Sounds good. After all, what is a story without a bunch of folks doing stuff to advance the plot. But what then is character? And even more important, how to get someone to care about the characters you invent.
The Yard Names New Artistic Director
The former head of New York’s Dance Theater Workshop, David R. White, last week joined the Yard as consulting artistic director.
High School Musical Has Sweet Tooth
Hold your breath , make a wish, count to three. In the world of Willy Wonka, there is no life comparable to pure imagination. Chocolate rivers, everlasting gobstoppers and candied flowers in a sugarcoated meadow are the norm, a three-course dinner can be served in a piece of gum, and words like snozzwangers and wangdoodles…
A Balm for Mother Earth
A Balm for Mother Earth
It’s never easy being a mother. But imagine being mother to 6,898,909,932 people. And that number of children represents just this exact moment. By the time you finish reading this at least another few million births will be added.
Nothing Ironic About Show Choir
Even after they were done rehearsing the finale last weekend, the performers in MV Glee didn’t want to take off their strappy high-heeled shoes. A group of middle school girls clacked around the Space at the Triangle in between takes of the Lady Gaga’s song Bad Romance to check their cell phones or steal a…
Darwin’s Day
“You care for nothing but shooting, dogs and rat-catching, and you will be a disgrace to yourself and all your family.”
These are clearly not the words of a doting parent nor were they possibly encouraging to a budding scholar and scientist. They are, however, the rantings of Charles Darwin’s father.
Creepers in the Woods
I swear I saw the bark on that oak tree move; can’t be. Wow, it is a tiny bird. It just flew to the base of a neighboring oak tree trunk. The little tyke blends in so perfectly I can’t see where it is located if it stops moving. Now he’s creeping up and around…
Seed Sprinklings
Last weekend’s big melt certainly put me in a spring mood. Too bad there are still so many skating rinks in the driveways and shady sections of the dirt roads.
Alexander Arrives
Alexander Arrives
Nicole Leavitt and Donals Ethier of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a son, Alexander Robert Ethier, born on Feb. 4, 2011, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Alexander weighed 8 pounds, 1.4 ounces at birth. He joins sisters Arienna and Aliyah.
