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 25, 2011
Trustees Shift Focus to Seasonal Staffing
The Trustees of Reservations announced this week that a major staff restructuring will take place around the management of their Vineyard properties with a shifting emphasis toward more staffing in the summer months and less year-round.
Moon and Venus
The moon hasn’t disappeared though you can’t find it after the dinner hour. It is merely a resident of the early morning sky this weekend. For those who rise early, the moon appears low in the southeast in the crescent phase.
Legal Eagle
Legal Eagle
Todd J. Araujo has joined the law office of Baxter, Bruce and Sullivan in Juneau, Alaska as an associate attorney.
Mr. Araujo has served as deputy director for the Office of Tribal Justice in the U.S. Department of Justice and as a staff attorney for the National Indian Gaming…
Shark Bite
Shark Bite
The Martha’s Vineyard Sharks continue to beef up their lineup.
Recently, they signed pitchers David Bergin and Noah Piard, third baseman Anthony Boix and outfielder Sam Munson, all from Tennessee Wesleyan College. Sean Ryan, an outfielder from Wheaton College, who previously played for Shark’s Coach Ted Currle at Norton…
Stabilization Fund Off the Table, Oak Bluffs Votes for Budget Cuts
Oak Bluffs voters agreed this week to slash the town’s 2011 budget by a quarter of a million dollars, wiping out a deficit that has frustrated town officials since the start of the new year.
“Here we are again,” said town administrator Michael Dutton at the opening of the special town meeting on…
Ancient Ways Protection Plan Stalls
A longstanding effort by the town of Edgartown to protect five ancient byways suffered a setback last week when a superior court judge sent a district of critical planning concern (DCPC) designation back to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission for another review.
The five paths are Middle Line Road, Ben Tom’s Road, Pennywise Path,…
Correction
Correction
A story in last Friday’s Gazette about bees and the pollinator crisis provided the wrong date for a talk by Beekeeping for Dummies author Howland Blackiston. Mr. Blackiston will speak at the Wakeman Center in Vineyard Haven on March 15. The Gazette regrets the error.
Boys’ Basketball Come-From-Behind Victory Sets Stage for State Sectionals Tournament
If coach Michael Joyce’s varsity boys’ basketball team hopes to make any noise in the state tournament in the coming weeks it will likely come down to which team shows up: The one that went into halftime against Norton on Wednesday with their tails between their legs down 38-19, or the second half team…
Young Windsurfer Saves Life in Selfless Rescue
Eighteen-year-old Nicole Level, one of Mexico’s top junior windsurfers from Cancun, is alive today because of the quick thinking of 13-year-old Rasmus Sayre from Vineyard Haven.
The rescue took place last Saturday during a world-class windsurfing championship in Cozumel. The young teenage female sailor was found adrift amid four and five-foot seas, far…
Deadline Delayed for Leases on Wind Farms Off Vineyard
Wind, tides and sun are intense subjects for discussion on the Island these days and it’s not all talk about the weather. Alternative energy projects are under way on so many fronts, both private and public, that it is sometimes hard to keep track of them all. But the Vineyard is moving ahead on three…
Chappaquiddick Still Waiting on New Cable Conduit
A major public works project to install new power cables deep beneath the Edgartown harbor to Chappaquiddick must start over, a spokesman for the electric company NStar confirmed this week.
NStar spokesman Mike Durand said three of the four conduits beneath the harbor have collapsed and must be installed again. The project, which…
Cost of Gas is Legally High
Sky-high gasoline prices on Martha’s Vineyard — a universal truth here and an unending point of annoyance among Islanders of every stripe who pay dearly at the pump — are not the result of price-fixing, the United States Court of Appeals has found.
Education Opportunities Come Alive This Spring
The Adult and Community Education Program (ACE MV) announces a new session of 38 courses and seminars for the spring session from March 8 to April 10, with professional development classes ending in June. Enrichment classes meet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Registration begins now online; early registration is strongly advised. There is one…
Drama Competition Preview
Drama Competition Preview
Every year the Massachusetts Education Theater Guild holds a statewide drama competition. For the past six years running Martha’s Vineyard has been represented at this festival, going all the way to the final round once.
This year the first round matchups take place on March 5 at Joseph…
No Mercy for Victims is Pure Pleasure for Fairstein’s Fans
To us Islanders Linda Fairstein is, first and foremost, one of our best known summer Chilmark residents. To the rest of the world, she’s the best-selling author of the Alexander Cooper series, featuring Assistant D.A. Cooper of the Special Victims Unit in Manhattan.
In actual life Ms. Fairstein served as the Assistant D.A.…
Have Legs Will Travel and Travel
It’s called the MV 20 Miler and it was started 14 years ago by Bill Brown as an opportunity for runners to tune up for marathons and — no less important — to raise funds for Martha’s Vineyard charities. It’s also a huge boost for Vineyard businesses. “We get people from all over the country,…
Dandelion Gone to Seed
Dandelion Gone to Seed
A sphere of silvery transparency,
at the top of a silvery stem.
Perfect in its static death.
But the next wind will blow it into seedlings,
will sing every tiny seed of it into a cloud
that drifts to…
Nails and Hair Today, Hospital Tomorrow
I had to get my hair done. After six months on the Vineyard, serious hair repair was going to be necessary to get my flaxen mane back on track. Unlike on the Island, where I go to a simple establishment with an equally simple price tag, in Palm Beach the more high-end professional job is…
Letters to the Editor
INSPIRING TEXT
Editors, Vineyard Gazette:
A word of appreciation to James H.K. Norton for his Commentary Page piece titled Mayhew, Tear Down This Wall. He inspired us with the quest for liberty that characterized some of our early Vineyard citizens, connecting their proud story to our challenging times.
Jerome…
The Sound of Shared Purpose
The Sound of Shared Purpose
Last week’s Gazette carried a story about marine scientist Jesse Ausubel. Near the end of the piece there was a reference to a project Mr. Ausubel is about to undertake: An international effort to halt all forms of man-made noise in the ocean for a few hours.
…
Elegy for Swans
Elegy for Swans
New Finance Director
New Finance Director
David M. Espindle has been appointed finance director of Island Elderly Housing (IEH).
Mr. Espindle brings more than 30 years of executive management experience in the financial services industry to IEH. Before moving to the Island, his most recent position was executive vice president, chief operating officer, and…
Local Boy, Global Talent
On Saturday, March 5 KCT Concerts opens up its 2011 season with Willy Mason performing at the Katharine Cornell Theater.
KCT Concerts has a history of bringing to the Island incredible musical acts including last year’s headliners Paddy Keenan, Oisin MacDiarmada and Richie Stearns, to name just a few.
Of course,…
Riding Very High on the Wind and Waves
The 295-foot long cutter Eagle will visit Vineyard waters this summer. That news was shared by the executive officer of the nation’s largest working square-rigger, who spoke on Wednesday night before an audience of some 60 people at the Black Dog Tavern.
University Degrees, Dean’s List Honors
Graduate
Tara Reynolds of Edgartown recently graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Ms. Reynolds earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in illustration.
Dean’s List
Caitlin Crossland of Edgartown has been named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Coming Together for Art, New Group Sees Strength in Numbers
Artists can be known for isolating themselves from the outside world, but sometimes the best art is made with help from others.
In a seasonal economy where it’s everyone for themselves, the founders of the new Martha’s Vineyard Arts and Culture Collaborative are hoping the group will bring together all Island artists to…
Oak Bluffs
HOLLY NADLER
508-274-2329
(hollynadler@gmail.com)
We’ve raised an adventurous generation of kids on the Island, judging by the wild antics of the MacLean girls, Kate, 26, and Fiona, 24. I ran into their mom, Bree, where the elite meet and greet — on Circuit avenue — a couple of days…
Aquinnah
JUNE D. MANNING
508-645-2574
(lthslnks@gis.net)
The Aquinnah Public Library will enjoy coffee hour on Saturday morning from 10 to noon with hot beverages and a snack. Story time is 3 to 3:30 p.m. for toddlers and their parents. Welcome back to library director Cathy Thompson who has returned from…
Chappy
Margaret Knight
508-627-8894
(margaret02539@yahoo.com)
Capt. Bob Gilkes has arranged for another osprey pole to be put up on Chappaquiddick. This one will be up on the flat top of the Gardner property, just up from the ferry overlooking the inner harbor. The conservation commission has given the go ahead…
Gazette Chronicle: Saving Graces
Saving Graces
From Gazette editions of February, 1911:
Capt. Samuel Jackson, of Cuttyhunk, a brother of Capts. Levi and Robert Jackson of this place, did gallant rescue work with his boat and crew, participating with another boat in the saving of 20 lives — a life saving crew whose boat had…
West Tisbury
JOHN S. ALLEY
508-693-2950
(alleys@vineyard.net)
Well, unlike last year, February has brought us very little snow. Families of school children will be heading off-Island today and tomorrow as it is the start of school vacation week. It will seem empty and deserted around town all week long. Tuesday is…
Temperatures
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
Feb. 18 53 37 .00
Feb. 19 49 38 .00
Feb. 20 42 18 .00
Feb. 21 35 23 .04*
Feb. 22 33 16 .05*
Feb. 23 32 21 .00
Feb. 24 40 16 .00
…
Edgartown
KATHIE CASE
508-627-5349
(kathleencase@comcast.net)
First I must apologize for not having a column last week. I must remember when I send the draft to the office I have to hit the send key. Oh well, let’s see if I do better this week.
I know the temperature…
Please Adopt Us
Please Adopt Us
Greetings Griffin
Greetings Griffin
Parents Julia Stunkel and Glenn Stalgren, along with brother Grady, of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a son, Griffin Ellis Stalgren, born on Feb. 21, 2011, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Griffin weighed 6 pounds, 1 ounces at birth.
Announcing Otho
Announcing Otho
Meirilucia Nunes and Fabio Nunes of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Otho Highley De Paula Nunes, born on Feb. 17, 2011, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Otho weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces at birth.
Sprung Free, Still Shackled Somewhat Gentle Eruption
On Saturday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. the Martha’s Vineyard Film Society will screen A Somewhat Gentle Man at the Katharine Cornell Theatre at 54 Spring street in Vineyard Haven.
The movie stars Stellan Skarsgård in a comedy, of sorts, about a convict named Ulrik who has served the last 12 years in…
Documenting Deception
Documenting Deception
As a lead-in to their festival during the weekend of March 18, the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival is holding a screening of the documentary Inside Job on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. at the Capawock Theatre in Vineyard Haven.
Extra Helpings for High School Musical
The program for last weekend’s high school production of Willy Wonka included this director’s note: What could be more apropos in February than a musical about becoming the owner of the most magical chocolate factory on earth? Yes, the perfect antidote for cabin fever on the Island, extra helpings of dessert.
And there…
Time to Walk Squibnocket
Time to Walk Squibnocket
Down on the far southwest side of the Vineyard, Chilmark and Gay Head come together on the map in the form of what looks like a shadow puppet; a calf’s head comes to mind. Look closely, the image is possible. The ear, if you will, curves back around along…
Quiet Please, Library Hosts Michele Jones Art Exhibit
The art of Michele Jones is now on display at the Oak Bluffs Library Meeting Room. The subject of her work is Martha’s Vineyard; however it is by no means parochial. Her use of color, in particular, gives each painting a universal quality, almost as if she has found a way to render emotions on…
Haiti Slide Show
Haiti Slide Show
Harvey Beth and Jeanne Staples have just returned from Haiti and will be showing slides of their trip at the Vineyard Haven Public Library on March 1 at 7 p.m. These are not your typical home movies.
These slides tell the story of Haiti in 2011 as it…
Health Fair
Health Fair
The annual Martha’s Vineyard Health Fair takes place Saturday, March 12 from 8 a.m. to noon. There will be screenings and exhibits designed to increase awareness about health issues, promote healthy lifestyles and highlight all of the health services and medical programs available on and off the Island.
For…
Cooking Up the Next Generation
What to have for lunch — grilled hamburgers or cafeteria food? It was an easy choice for the culinary arts students at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School on Tuesday late morning before they started prep work for a dinner function that night. Ethan Himmel flipped burgers in the kitchen while Carlos Guzman toasted bread…
White-fronted Geese
On Feb. 19, Flip and I were in the Florida Everglades with our old birding friend, Paul Bithorn from Tropical Audubon, coleading a birding trip for Audubon of Martin County. We were leaving the Anhinga Trail where we had seen both dark and light morph short-tailed hawks and purple gallinules when I received a call…
Bulb Bewilderment
I have been living with an imposter.
After seven years, it was a bit of a shock. I was betrayed by a bulb. Not just any bulb: I thought that this was the one the perfect mate that would bloom year after year with a long, lanky stem and a large stunning flower…
No Snail’s Pace in the Garden
I take a bit of a walk early in the morning. I always take the same route. Every day there is some tiny sign of impending spring.
