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
May 6, 2011
Breaking News: Wednesday, May 11 – Beverly Wright Is Elected
Beverly Wright ousted two-term selectman Camille Rose 124-95 in the Aquinnah annual town election Wednesday. The election saw a high turnout of 225 voters. Ms. Wright is the former chairman of the Wampanoag tribal council.
News Update: Tuesday, May 10 – Aquinnah Debates Ambulance Budget
Aquinnah voters passed a $3 million budget and nearly all 30 articles at the annual town meeting Tuesday night, moving through a 10-article special town meeting session first.
Voters backed the selectmen’s recommendation to fund just $134,000 of the $160,000 requested by the Tri-Town ambulance service, questioning the number of full-time paramedics needed…
Breaking News: Tuesday, May 10 – State Investigating Oak Bluffs Bid Faults
The state attorney general’s office is investigating the town of Oak Bluffs’s bidding processes in connection with contractors’ work done at the old library, the town harbor, and a wastewater project connecting the high school, YMCA and community services to the town sewer line, Oak Bluffs town counsel Ron Rappaport revealed at Tuesday’s selectmen’s meeting.
News Update: Saturday, May 7 – The Early Kid Catches the Fish
Five-year-old Wyatt Nicholson was among the top winners of the 37th annual Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club trout tournament held Saturday morning at Duarte’s Pond in West Tisbury. The young fisherman caught the biggest trout, an 18 ¾ inch rainbow, which put him into first place.
The Oak Bluffs youngster, accompanied by…
Breaking News: Friday, May 6 – Island Fishermen Have Close Encounter With Shark
Three Vineyard fishermen had a real-life Jaws moment on Friday morning when they encountered a great white shark circling a dead minke whale that had become tangled in lobster line in the area known as Devil’s Bridge off Aquinnah.
News Update: Friday, May 6 – MVC Okays New Grocery Store
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission voted without dissent on Thursday night to approve a plan for a large new grocery store on State Road in Vineyard Haven that will consolidate the two businesses owned by Elio Silva, Vineyard Grocer and Tisbury Farm Market. The commission had fast-tracked its review of Mr. Silva’s plan for the property…
Schools Ratify Contracts After Lengthy Negotiations
The All-Island School committee ratified three-year collective bargaining agreements for Vineyard school custodians, paraprofessionals and food service workers at their monthly meeting last week.
All three unions will take no wage increase for the first year of their contracts, which retroactively began in 2010, as well as agreeing to opt out of an…
Tennis Aces, Girls’ Lacrosse Wanes, Track Stalls, and Baseball Splits
Daffodils are blooming, Gio’s has opened for the season, spring is officially here. And high school sports remain in full swing.
Little League Opens
Little League Opens
The Cubs are off to a 3-0 start, taking their most recent win over the Cardinals Monday on a three-hit complete game by Chris Mayhew. Jonas Lukowitz, starting for the Cardinals, struck out seven in three and a third innings.
Michael Habekost of the Tigers had two RBIs…
Good Deeds Get Noticed, Meals On Wheels Volunteer Wins Award
Dorothy Packer was one of 10 volunteers honored with the Volunteer of the Year Award at the 38th annual meeting of Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands, held in Hyannis on Tuesday. The morning meeting was attended by 140 and took place at the Cape Codder Resort and Spa in Hyannis. Mrs. Packer…
Keeping a Trained Eye on the Storm
If you are one of those people who love and are fascinated by hurricanes, northeasters and blizzards, the National Weather Service wants you.
The National Weather Service will host a severe weather spotter training session tomorrow afternoon at the West Tisbury public safety building. The three-hour class begins at 1 p.m. and is…
Early Bluefish
Early Bluefish
The first bluefish of the season was caught by an Oak Bluffs angler at Wasque on Tuesday.
George Moran, 66, was fishing for striped bass with another Oak Bluffs angler, Vincent Frye, in the afternoon, overcast with a hollering wind.
Mr. Moran said they were hoping to…
Clothes Horses: Vineyard Vines Is Official Derby Style
Already put away your royal wedding hat? Well, no matter, because tomorrow when the greatest two minutes in sports occurs at that annual sporting event which is simultaneously a fashion event — that is, the Kentucky Derby — Vineyard style is officially part of it: Vineyard Vines has been exclusively named as the “official style…
Beverly Wright, Camille Rose Vie for Seat
Aquinnah voters will choose between two veteran leaders next week for selectman, both women, one with an extensive record of public service in town, especially in planning, and the other with a long history of service with the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah).
Incumbent selectman and board chairman Camille Rose is seeking…
‘Scary’ Decline In Striper Stocks
A drastic decline in striped bass stocks has state and federal officials scrambling to protect the fish, but many recreational fishermen say the government isn’t moving fast enough.
Aquinnah Voters to Tackle Housing Bylaw
A bare-bones budget, bylaw changes to allow more affordable housing in town and a proclamation to “condemn” the Cape Wind project await Aquinnah voters at the annual town meeting on Tuesday night.
The meeting begins at 6:45 p.m. at the old Aquinnah town hall with a special town meeting preceding the annual session.…
Mr. Keating Talks Martha’s Vineyard and Middle East
The completion of the first 100 days has become an important milestone in the career of a politician. For freshman Cong. William Keating, it has seemed more like 1,000 days, with geopolitical, domestic and even nuclear crises coming in quick succession. For the past two weeks Mr. Keating has been catching his breath, meeting with…
Offshore Area for Wind Development Reduced By Federal Government
Just two weeks after it finished accepting proposals from wind power developments in waters south of the Vineyard, the federal government has more than halved the area in which it will allow wind farms.
Citing concerns from fishermen, the state and others about potential adverse impacts, particularly on fishing and migrating marine mammals,…
Grocery Styled on Trader Joe’s Gets Fast-Track at Commission
Plans for a new grocery store on State Road in Vineyard Haven put forward by Island entrepreneur Elio Silva have been fast-tracked at the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, which was expected to vote on the project last night.
Tisbury Scalds Contractor Over Shoddy Work on EMS Building
Tisbury town leaders and those involved in building the town’s new $7.4 million emergency services building are in the process of vetting a new construction supervisor, after the former one was sacked over the trouble-plagued project.
The former construction supervisor was terminated at the town’s request, in response to a long list of…
Nearly 1600 Pounds of Pure Ringing Power Back in Action
It took a gentle push and a firm pull of many hands to get the 1,590-pound bronze bell back into position. But last Friday, after months of work and preparation, the Old Whaling Church bell was again in its place high above downtown Edgartown.
Coming of Age in the Shadow of 9/11
It was supposed to be like any other Tuesday.
I was 13 years old, sitting outside on the breathtakingly beautiful day in between classes, diligently reading my history textbook, when a teacher told a group of us they were calling an immediate emergency schoolwide assembly.
The actual announcement that terrorists had…
Helping Out Makes the Heart Grow
On the rainy morning of Sunday, April 23, I boarded the Steamship boat and returned to the mainland and my life as I knew it before Camp Safe Haven. I had been gone for only seven days, yet had been so immersed in the experience that I felt a sense of novelty when re-exposed to…
Parallel Parking Sun and Wind Power
Wind turbines get all the negative ink. Noise, vibration, flicker, interruption of beloved views. Big troublemakers, aren’t they?
Solar panels, on the other hand, are considered to be quite benign. The Nantucket Historic District Commission doesn’t like them much, and some people would rather see roofs without them, but by and large they…
Getting Sassy in the Chassis Not Just for Kids
After this long, cold winter, I find myself in a delightfully warm, invigorating spring with a fever I cannot contain.
I’ll explain.
Town Meeting Report Card
Town Meeting Report Card
Vigorous selectmen’s races in three towns. Feisty debates on issues small and large, from streetlights at Katama to beer and wine provisions in West Tisbury to new rules for swimming pools in Chilmark. A financial squeeze caused by shrinking revenues in a stubborn economic recession that keeps hanging around…
Daybreak and Donaroma’s An Award Winning Combo
Reflecting on the award he had just been given by Cape and Islands state Rep. Timothy Madden on Monday, Edgartown selectman Michael Donaroma said winning it was the easiest thing he’d ever done.
The plaque he was presented was recognition of Mr. Donaroma’s involvement with Daybreak’s employment program, in particular 29 years of…
Signal Fuzzy in Chappy Comcast Deal
Chappaquiddick residents, upset over Comcast’s failure to serve them, got cold comfort when they took their case to the Edgartown selectmen this week.
Peter Getsinger, the president of the Chappaquiddick Island Association, was assured by selectmen that getting cable service to their island was the town’s “first, foremost and primary objective” in negotiating…
School Accentuates Positive Behavior
The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School district committee approved changes to the student handbook at their monthly meeting this week that include revised policies on discipline, tardiness and academic honesty.
The new disciplinary section of the handbook reflects how the school wants students to behave rather than what they should not do, assistant…
Shellfishermen and Selectmen Vow Closer Ties in Oak Bluffs
The Oak Bluffs selectmen and town shellfish department vowed to work more closely this week after years of what the department has called neglect by the town.
Booked as a special workshop between the two town boards, Wednesday’s discussion ranged from understaffing on the waterfront to shellfish constable David Grunden’s expanding role in…
Fish Whisperer Shares Secrets of Trade
You want advice about catching trout tomorrow morning?
Cooper A. Gilkes 3rd has a winning starter tip for first-time freshwater anglers: Go early.
Plenty of good fishing techniques will be demonstrated tomorrow morning between anglers, before sunrise at the 37th annual Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club trout tournament which begins…
Parenting Teens
Parenting Teens
The joys of parenting are endless but so are the difficulties. Each year brings new challenges as children grow older and more independent. The teenage years can be the most difficult to navigate.
With this in mind, the Dukes County Health Council and Youth Task Force are sponsoring a…
Minnesingers Encore
Minnesingers Encore
In Paris the audiences screamed oui, oui. In Prague it was prosim, prosim prídavek (yes, yes, encore). And here on the Vineyard we begin by saying, Welcome back to the high school Minnesingers.
After taking Europe by storm, they perform for us this weekend at their annual spring show…
Aquinnah Is All About the Environment
Aquinnah selectmen agreed to take the first steps toward becoming a green community this week, putting the town in line to receive state grant money as well as becoming more environmentally sound.
“We’d be eligible for a good amount of money,” selectman and board chairman Camille Rose said at the selectmen’s meeting Tuesday.…
Board Promotes Police Officer Garrison Vieira
West Tisbury selectmen voted to promote police officer Garrison Viera to the rank of corporal on the recommendation of police chief Dan Rossi on Wednesday.
“I’d be honored to have the position and I look forward to the responsibilities,” said Mr. Viera.
Mr. Viera has been a full-time officer in the…
Oak Bluffs
HOLLY NADLER
508-274-2329
(hollynadler@gmail.com)
When composing a eulogy, sometimes the author must allow time to elapse before a complete, honest and heartfelt homage can emerge. So it is for a personality many of you came to know in my bookstore: Beebe, our Siamese cat, 1991 – 2010, who spent…
Gazette Chronicle: Island Stew
Island Stew
From Gazette editions of May, 1936:
If Martha’s Vineyard people are desirous of adding to the number of deer now on the Island, the opportunity is at hand. Officials of the Rod and Gun Club are in receipt of a communication from Miss Katherine Foote of the Animal Rescue…
Aquinnah
JUNE D. MANNING
508-645-2574
(lthslnks@gis.net)
The Aquinnah annual town meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 10 at 7 p.m. in the old town hall. Your presence will be greatly appreciated to act on the vital matters affecting the town.
On Wednesday, May 11, polls will be…
Please Adopt Us
Please Adopt Us
Temperatures
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
April 29 64 51 .39
April 30 69 50 Trace
May 1 60 41 .00
May 2 58 37 .00
May 3 65 49 .00
May 4 61 52 .00
May 5 64 45 .47
…
Hello Jack
Hello Jack
Anna Cotton and Damon Runyan of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a son, Jack Samuel Runyan, born on May 3, 2011, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Jack weighed 5 pounds, 12 ounces at birth.
Finnegan Arrives
Finnegan Arrives
Megan and Tom McDonald of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Finnegan Charles McDonald, born on April 28, 2011, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Finnegan weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces at birth.
Star Showers
There is a good chance to see a shooting star if you are up and outside tonight, and even more likely if you are outside in the early hours of tomorrow morning. The Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaked yesterday morning but still offers a show. At its peak the Eta Aquarid meteor shower produces as…
Forging an Art Dynasty at High School, Mr. B Heads to China on Third Fulbright
Paul Brissette, chairman of the high school’s art, design and technology department, has been selected to participate in the Fulbright-Hays Seminar Abroad Program to China this summer. He talks about this remarkable honor as an opportunity, not an achievement, which is how he talks about almost everything he’s ever done. As has been true for…
Mother’s Day Celebration
Mother’s Day Celebration
Forget brunch, take Mom to the Native Earth Teaching Farm in Chilmark this Mother’s Day this year. Come for a day of celebration of seeds, with games and crafts, a seed swap, food, activities and demonstrations throughout the day, and a multifarmer seedling sale. Learn about gardening resources and opportunities…
Miles of Memories
Miles of Memories
The Martha’s Vineyard Miles of Memories Walk for Alzheimer’s will be on Sunday, May 15, rain or shine. Registration begins at 11 a.m. at Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs. The two-and-a-half-mile walk begins at noon.
Accepted at Law School
Accepted at Law School
Patrick W. Barrett 3rd has been accepted to Suffolk University School of Law. Patrick is a graduate of Marblehead High School and University of Massachusetts at Boston. Patrick will begin at law school in the fall of 2011. He is the son of T.O. and Shellie Johnson of Edgartown,…
Remembrance Luncheon
Remembrance Luncheon
Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard is holding a remembrance luncheon at the Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown on Sunday, May 22. All attendees are invited to bring a picture of a loved one to be displayed during the meal.
The cost is $15. For more details and to RSVP, call…
Walk to Cure Cancer
Walk to Cure Cancer
This Saturday, May 7, everyone can pitch in to help cure cancer simply by putting one foot in front of the other in the annual MV goes Pink walk.
Beginning at Lola’s on Beach Road and looping around to the Edgartown Lighthouse and back, the walk is…
Art by Wendy Weldon
Art by Wendy Weldon
Wendy Weldon began playing with paint as a young girl in her mother’s art studio on a farm in Indiana. She studied art at Bard College, Silvermine College of Art, Santa Rosa Junior College and the Boston Museum School.
These days she spends her time painting in…
Edey Foundation Grants Spread the Wealth
At its annual meeting last month, the Edey Foundation awarded $71,236 to the following organizations:
BiodiversityWorks, through the Manomet Center, for study of beach nesting birds and associated education and protection;
Friends of Sengekontacket for an upgrade to their Web site;
The Vineyard Conservation Society for natural resource monitoring training;
…
Off the Page, Into the Bloomers, Students Embody History Lesson
Creative drama teacher Phyllis Vecchia has an innovative way to get history across to sixth graders: Rather than talking about suffragettes Amelia Bloomer and Susan B. Anthony, and the abolitionist Henry Stanton, she has them BE Amelia Bloomer and Susan B. Anthony and Henry Stanton. In a rousing half-hour in Amy Reece’s sixth grade class…
Downdogging at Home
Downdogging at Home
Want to do more yoga but schedule’s too full to get to a class? Or maybe the cost of weekly classes has been just too much to bear. But what’s the alternative? Shallow breathing and road rage? Wait, there is another way. How about creating a 21-minute home practice with…
Writers’ Group Unveiled
Writers’ Group Unveiled
On Sunday evenings for the last several years a group of writers has been gathering at the Cleaveland House in West Tisbury, the home of mystery writer Cynthia Riggs. The writers meet to share their work and help critique and inspire each other while traveling down that very solitary road…
Comsog Plant Sale
Comsog Plant Sale
You know that summer is almost here when the Community Solar Greenhouse (Comsog) plant and seedling sale arrives. The sale begins Saturday May 7 and Sunday, May 8 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and runs through Memorial Day weekend. The sale will feature homegrown organic plants, herbs and vegetables,…
Vest Fest
Vest Fest
See you later harbingers of spring, and say hello to summertime sneak peaks, portents, auguries, forerunners, what have you. Tonight the Lampost in Oak Bluffs gets loud with its first live show of the season.
It’s the first annual Vest Fest, kissing cousin to Best Fest. Music is the…
Graceful Exit
Graceful Exit
The West Tisbury Church is holding a community service program entitled A Graceful Exit on Saturday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Rolling in Lobster
Rolling in Lobster
Has your roll felt lonely these past few months? Just a hunk of bread, maybe a bit of mayo and celery. A bit of a wish sandwich of late, really.
Well, your wish is about to be granted and your sandwich runneth over. Starting today and running every…
From Fashion to Flowers, with Tea
From Fashion to Flowers, with Tea
Bigger tent, more tables, supersized teapot? Well, the first two at least as Featherstone Center for the Arts ushers in their second annual Tea Party and Fashion Show on Saturday, May 7 from 2 to 4 p.m.
A Planting of Pears
Michael A. Dirr is the man to whom we refer concerning all things trees and shrubs.
Overnight, Orioles Arrive
This past week was one of those wonderful periods when every day brings new bird species. March, which devoured April this year, finally ended, and with the milder weather came a welcome influx of songbirds.
Spear Me
I want to be stalked.
It might sound like a strange request, but after I tell you about the gifts that I received last week, you will better understand this desire.
There was a time when the tooth fairy was a favorite sprite that magically provided welcome presents. Last week, I…
