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
March 11, 2011
Southern Woodlands Plan Easily Approved
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank envisions a new campground as part of its management plan for its 234-acre Southern Woodlands Preserve. Dan Feeney, the owner of the Vineyard’s only currently operating campground, envisages problems with that.
At Tuesday night’s public hearing to consider the draft management plan, Mr. Feeney emerged as the only…
Wearing Nothing but a Smile
Don’t tell my wife, but lately I’ve been frequent ing a strip joint. It’ll sound even kinkier when she finds out that the joint is a dental center, the stripper is an orthodontist named Michael and his best customer is a patient who happens to be me.
The Dog Who Defied Death Three Times
Her name was Maile Malama Kamehameha. It was a long moniker and it pretty well summed her up. Maile is a kind of Hawaiian vine used as a ceremonial lei and worn mostly by men — she loved ceremonies and always gravitated to male “two-legs” (as she called human beings). Malama means “to take care…
Catching Up on Daylight Saving
Catching Up on Daylight Saving
Daylight Saving Time is upon us again. On Sunday, March 13, most of the United States will spring forward and enjoy an extra hour of daylight at the end of the day. Hawaii and most of Arizona abstain; the Navajo Nation residing in the state observes the tradition.
Sifting Through the Muck
Sifting Through the Muck
Following the rules can start to seem like a fool’s game when many in society begin to tout that regulations — any inconvenient regulations — are an affront to freedom and an obstacle to prosperity. Nevermind that a free market depends on a well-regulated system. This is true whether…
Offshore Energy Too Important to Rush
The following is an edited version of a letter sent to the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy, Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) from state senator Dan Wolf (D-Cape & Islands) and state representative Timothy Madden (D-Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket)
Coast Guard Information
Coast Guard Information
Tomorrow morning, local members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will be hosting an informational meeting at the American Legion Hall in Vineyard Haven. Interested boaters are encouraged to drop by at 9:30 a.m. The meeting runs until noon.
Crafting a Small , Perfectly Formed Vineyard Festival
For many months up-Island has been a place of quiet, windswept beauty, the destination mostly for winter walks or slow drives through the country. This will change next weekend, though, as the Chilmark Community Center becomes the place to be on the Island for three days and nights of nonstop movie watching.
Clearcut Violations At Oak Bluffs Ponds
Three Oak Bluffs landowners on Crystal Lake and Brush Pond have been cited for clear-cutting trees and vegetation in violation of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and the town’s wetlands bylaw. The Oak Bluffs conservation commission has ordered the property owners to carry out restoration work in the coming months to repair the damage.
Town Tries to Fund Field Gallery Buy
In their effort to buy and preserve the Field Gallery and its sculpture garden for posterity, West Tisbury selectmen have singled out one town body in particular for funding. On Wednesday selectman Cynthia Mitchell was blunt with the Community Preservation Committee.
“Essentially what we’re here to ask is, can we have all your…
Ferocious Erosion Sees Shoreline Shapeshifting
Three days ago, The Trustees of Reservations staff removed the last of the big old telephone poles delineating the parking lot at Wasque Point on Chappaquiddick, lest they lose them to the sea.
A week or so from now, the remaining half of the parking lot will probably be gone; the shoreline at…
Bare-Bones Oak Bluffs Budget Lets Voters Add Their Own Extras
In their first meeting since cutting a quarter-million dollars from their fiscal year 2011 budget, Oak Bluffs selectmen turned their attention to next year’s budget and the April town meeting. After a disastrous town meeting last spring which saw voters reject 11 of 12 Proposition 2 1/2 overrides as well as a hotel room tax…
Double Overtime Heartbreaker Ends Hoops Team’s Dream Run
As the weary Vineyard boys basketball team boarded a ferry that had waited half an hour to carry them home on Tuesday night, they looked up to see that the raucous cheering did not end at the doors of the Sandwich gymnasium where they had just suffered an 88-85 point loss to Cardinal Spellman.
Summer Bookings Signal Strong Upturn for Vineyard Economy
If the summer rental market is any indication of the Island economy, Vineyarders can expect a turn for the better this season.
The early summer rental market is already up significantly over last year, with real estate agencies reporting increases between 17 and 30 per cent.
“We’re very excited about the…
Island Photographer Finds Joy, Success by Staying True to Vision
Janet Woodcock, of Tisbury, is one of the Vineyard’s premier black and white photographers. While there are many who have embraced the medium, she is one of the last who still uses film, still goes into the darkroom and under a dull amber light prints her silver gelatin prints.
At What Cost?
At What Cost?
Katharine L. Kavanagh, the director of the Rebecca Amos Institute at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, was invited to present at the National Alternative Education Conference in Nashville, Tenn. Her presentation, At What Cost?, was an analysis of the struggle inherent in alternative education, how to provide quality education while…
Eric Herman
Eric Herman
After publishing an article on the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps in Friday’s paper, the Gazette learned that Eric Herman is among those Vineyarders currently in the Peace Corps. He is in his second year of service in Morazán Yoro, Honduras.
He graduated from Martha’s Vineyard Regional High…
Eggs Order Easy
Eggs Order Easy
Having trouble getting chicks?
Native Earth Teaching Farm is riding to the rescue. First lesson, listen instead of talking. Fine dining helps. And don’t forget to be creative in, well, nevermind.
What we’re really talking about here are chicks that lay eggs.
Candidates Line Up for April Elections in Four Island Towns
Oak Bluffs
Oak Bluffs voters will have a crowded field to choose from next month as six town residents are running for two open spots on the board of selectmen.
Oak Bluffs Fire Destroys A County Road Home
The cause of a Saturday night house fire in Oak Bluffs is still unknown this week but Oak Bluffs fire chief Pete Forend said on Thursday that there was no indication that foul play was involved.
Chief Forend said that about 40 Edgartown, Tisbury and Oak Bluffs firefighters responded to the 79 Linton…
Chilmark Artist Al Hurwitz Wins Award from Educators
Al Hurwitz, a world renowned art educator, has won numerous awards in his lifetime, including a National Art Educator award and a Sir Herbert Read award from the International Society for Education Through Art.
Towns Urge MVC to Scratch Checklist
Down-Island representatives have a simple suggestion for the Martha’s Vineyard Commission as it reviews its checklist for referring developments of regional impact: get rid of it.
Arguing that the commission had outgrown its original chartering legislation, on Monday members of the Edgartown and Oak Bluffs planning boards met with the commission and submitted…
Enrollment Outlook is Steady as High School Gets Healthy
High school enrollment numbers will stay relatively flat in the next 10 years, according to a report from the New England School Development Council released this week. The high school now has 682 students enrolled, and the report expects the number to stay in the high 600 range for some time.
Tisbury Commends Rasmus Sayre Before Readying Spending Articles
A Tisbury youth was honored at the selectmen’s meeting on Tuesday. Rasmus Sayre, 13, who only a few weeks ago rescued a helpless fellow competitor from the waters in Mexico, was called a hero by the selectmen.
Selectmen presented Rasmus with a plaque reading: “On this day, the board of selectmen and the…
Island Assessors Will Begin Recertifying Property Values
The Island Assessors Association announces that all Island towns will be recertifying property values for fiscal year 2012.
Elizabeth Fairchild to Report On Winter Flounder Project
Aquaculture expert Dr. Elizabeth A. Fairchild, the Assistant Research Professor from the University of New Hampshire, will report on the Martha’s Vineyard winter flounder stock enhancement project on Thursday, March 17 at 5 p.m. at the Chilmark Public Library.
Dr. Fairchild is assisting a group of 25 Island fishermen and aquaculturists in a…
Spring Ahead
Turn your clocks ahead before bed on Saturday, for Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday.
Meanwhile, sealovers mark the start of spring with the arrival of alewives, a.k.a. herring; a herring carcass was spotted on the shoreline of the Aquinnah herring run on Wednesday afternoon. When will the osprey return to…
Welcome Callie
Welcome Callie
Michelle Boelsen and William Oteri of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Callie Oteri, born on March 3, 2011, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Callie weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces at birth.
Announcing Myrella
Announcing Myrella
Marilene Baia Coelho and Maquissandro Santos Coelho of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a daughter, Myrella Baia Coelho, born on Feb. 24, 2011, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Myrella weighed 8 pounds, 4.5 ounces at birth.
Aquinnah
JUNE D. MANNING
508-645-2574
(lthslnks@gis.net)
Congratulations to James Taylor upon receiving a National Medal of Arts award presented by President Barack Obama at the White House this past week. James was accompanied by his beloved mother, Trudy Taylor, who must have been beaming with pride. James was certainly well-deserving…
West Tisbury
JOHN S. ALLEY
508-693-2950
(alleys@vineyard.net)
Well, the weekend weather was spring-like with temperatures in the 50s. People have returned from winter break and it feels much busier around town. There was Mardi Gras celebration Tuesday night and an Ash Wednesday service the following day as we now head into…
Vineyard Haven
NANCY GARDELLA
508-693-3308
(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)
Who doesn’t love daffodils? Now is the time. The annual delivery of daffodils and fundraiser for the American Cancer Society will be on Island next week. Volunteers will deliver the presales on Tuesday. The rest of us may pick up beautiful bouquets on Wednesday, March…
Edgartown
KATHIE CASE
508-627-5349
(kathleencase@comcast.net)
I guess we could say that the weather isn’t boring. We are either expecting rain, snow or sunshine but the wind has been the biggest subject. I think there were more boats canceled these past few weeks than this winter during any storm.
Moon and Saturn
Tomorrow night’s first quarter moon appears high in the west in the zodiacal constellation Taurus, soon after sunset. The moon hangs in the western sky for hours.
Oak Bluffs
HOLLY NADLER
508-274-2329
(hollynadler@gmail.com)
Haiti has a way of calling to some of us Vineyarders the way the Shenandoah beams a hidden message every time it glides in or out of the harbor (actually the Shenandoah’s message doesn’t bear looking into, being the reproduction of a Confederate raider and…
Temperatures
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
March 4 34 15 .00
March 5 44 31 .00
March 6 52 43 .00
March 7 56 42 .25
March 8 43 27 .00
March 9 42 30 .00
March 10 43 36 .00
…
Winter Walk Looks for Signs of Spring
Every season of the year the Polly Hill Arboretum offers something of beauty and interest to visitors. On Saturday, March 12 join Arboretum staff for a look at plants of interest in the landscape. Although winter’s grip is slow to let go, by now there is a hint of spring in the air. Thanks to…
Seaworthy Art Ships Out For Manhattan Art Expo
Jeffrey Serusa, a fine art photographer and the proprietor of Seaworthy Gallery on Martha’s Vineyard, has recently been accepted for exhibition at the 2011 International Artexpo in New York city taking place March 25 to 27.
List Full of Artists
List Full of Artists
Professional visual artists living, working or inspired by Martha’s Vineyard are invited to submit contact information to be included in the 2011 Vineyard Fine Art Directory to be published and distributed the first week of May.
The directory is intended to be a resource for art patrons,…
Moments in Between Meets Cultural Mix at Art Exhibit
The art of Marshall Pratt and Inas Al-soqi is now on display at the Vineyard Haven Public Library. The exhibit runs through April 1.
Mr. Pratt’s describes his photography as being about people, in particular the sort of in-between moments in everyone’s lives that may not make the headlines of one’s year but…
Lenten Study Group
Lenten Study Group
A Lenten study group will begin on Wednesday, March 16 at the Federated Church, 45 South Summer street in Edgartown. The group will meet for six successive Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m.
The study will be part discussion and part experiential. Wayne Muller’s book, Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and…
Shakespeare Delighted, Irate By Winter’s Tale Reworking
Shakespeare for the Masses is free. It’s also the quickest way to get your Billy the Bard on. Shows clock in at under an hour. Some thee’s and thou’s, here a sonnet, there a sonnet, hopefully a beheading or two and, of course, love olde English style and then you’re back out on the streets…
While the Ink Is Still Wet
While the Ink Is Still Wet
Reading a book that has already been published is so, well, regular Sunday driving. How about taking a peek behind the creative process and hearing work that is not yet ready for publication? In other words, work that is still evolving.
Cakewalking
Cakewalking
In yet another sign that spring is indeed on its way, the third annual Cake-walk will take place at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury on March 19 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
For the uninitiated, this cakewalk is not a metaphor for easy doings. It’s as near to literal…
Sampling a Bit of History
Samplers are not just another pretty doily.
This evening beginning at 5:30 p.m. the Martha’s Vineyard Museum will host an event entitled Behold the Needle: Samplers in the Education of Schoolgirls in the 18th and 19th Centuries that gives an in-depth look at the remarkable history and uses of samplers in the not…
One-Act Festival Artfully Transforms Quiet Moments into Dramatic Theatre
Everyday life can easily turn into theatre. Political theatre, familial theatre, personal theatre: We encounter it all the time. But good writers and directors can translate that onstage and make the audience connect with a scene they may have never encountered before.
Even better, playwrights, directors and actors can translate it into one-act…
Wasque Away Again
Shoreline change is a dynamic process, especially at Wasque, the southern part of Chappaquiddick, owned and managed by The Trustees of Reservations. This shoreline is very dynamic, sometimes accreting rapidly and sometimes eroding rapidly. Wasque is now eroding rapidly — parking lots have eroded away this winter, leaving an almost unrecognizable beach. What is going…
CPR Classes to Highlight New Emergency Guidelines
This fall, the American Heart Association announced new standards in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for everyone from healthcare professionals to the lay public. Called the 2010 ECC (Emergency Cardiovascular Care) Guidelines, these place a strong emphasis on calling 911 early to activate the Emergency Medical System, initiate early CPR, get an automatic external defibrillator to the…
Clinics, Specialists, Tours, Health Fair is Extravaganza
Everything you always wanted to know about health but were afraid to ask is available on Saturday, March 12 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital’s annual health fair.
Each year the hospital invites health and human services from around the Island to help increase awareness about health issues and…
The Perks of Planning Ahead
Only occasionally have I done a task which serves me in the long run. Last fall, Marie and I (with the help of cousin Mark) put hay on all our raised beds.
By LYNNE IRONS
Only occasionally have I done a task which serves me in the long run. Last fall, Marie…
Finding Strength With Collective Breath
Nine months ago a light bulb went off in yoga teacher Sian Williams’s head. She lived at the West Tisbury Cohousing complex and, as a resident, the common house was available for her to use. Finally, she thought, a beautiful, available space for a yoga collective.
Chancellor’s List
Chancellor’s List
Siobhan Smith of West Tisbury, majoring in psychology at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, has been named to the Chancellor’s List in recognition of earning a semester grade point average of 3.8 or higher of a possible 4.0.
Dean’s List
Dean’s List
Hilary Dreyer, daughter of William and Stephanie Dreyer, has been placed on the fall 2010 William Smith College Dean’s List. William Smith College is located in Geneva, N.Y.
Raining Robins
“Raining robins” was how West Tisbury’s Pat Szucs described the scene in her yard last Sunday morning. A good-sized flock of these popular thrushes turned up there, socializing actively as they fed on juniper berries. Pat noted that robins have been scarce or absent in her yard for many weeks now, and her astute observation…
