Mary Oliver
The wind wags its many tails. And in the evening the piled firewood shifts a little, longing to be on its way. —Mary Oliver
October 7, 2011
Fishing Derby Enters Last Week
Call it a race to the top for the old pros. With four days left in the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish derby, two well-known tackle shop owners and former derby winners are in first place for shore bluefish and bass.
Cooper A. (Coop) Gilkes 3rd stills holds his spot in first…
Cranberry Day
Today (Tuesday, Oct. 11) the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) celebrates Cranberry Day, an ancient tradition that includes a Wampanoag community harvest of wild cranberries growing in the sandy bogs of this tiny town in the westernmost reaches of the Vineyard. Tribal elders remember the days when oxcarts were used to haul the harvest,…
Sengekontacket Pond Reopened
Sengekontacket Pond reopened for all shellfishing over the weekend. The pond had remained closed to clamming and quahaugging at the outset of the recreational bay scallop season on Oct. 1 after state fisheries officials said additional testing was required. The large saltwater pond spanning the towns of Oak Bluffs and Edgartown has been the subject…
Doctor Pleads Not Guilty To Medicaid Fraud Charges
The owner of Preventive Medicine Associates Inc., whose office in Vineyard Haven closed last month, pleaded not guilty yesterday to all charges alleging he engaged in a kickback scheme that fraudulently billed MassHealth nearly $3.8 million.
Letters to the Editor
DOING HIS JOB
Editors, Vineyard Gazette:
I read in today’s morning news a brief announcement of the summons against Jamie Zambrama.
MVC Approves Roundabout by One Vote
By a single vote, a sharply divided Martha’s Vineyard Commission voted on Thursday night to approve the long-planned roundabout for the blinker intersection in Oak Bluffs.
After a three-hour discussion that was often contentious, the vote was 7-6 in favor of the traffic improvement project.
The roundabout has been on the…
Skunks Not Just a Bad Smell for Birds
Peter Brannen’s article on the State of Birds in the Gazette two weeks ago was interesting and included excerpts from the information gathered over the last 40 years by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, Manomet Bird Observatory and the Massachusetts Fish and Wildlife Department. Vineyard birders can relate to these findings, but there are significant differences…
Temperatures
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
Sept. 30 78 57 .36
Oct. 1 75 66 .30
Oct. 2 75 61 .05
Oct. 3 72 53 Trace
Oct. 4 70 53 .36
Oct. 5 68 56 .07
Oct. 6 67 40 .03
…
Social Security Debate Should Face Facts, Not Misguided Hype
In these highly partisan times, policy debates about irrelevant questions are unhelpful in resolving real issues. This is illustrated by the recent commentary by Robert Landreth in which he takes Rep. Barney Frank to task for comments about the “solvency” of Social Security.
Holding Human Health Over the Coals
Despite the gadgets and technological wizardry that define our era, human beings don’t require much to survive. Yet we’ve manipulated the natural world to the point where our basic needs are at risk. The World Health Organization says it best: “Climate change affects the fundamental requirements for health — clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient…
Gazette Chronicle:
Nest Eggs
From Gazette editions of October, 1936:
George M. Jenks of North Tisbury, at the age of 86, took for his bride Mrs. Elizabeth Hallett Hammett, 71, at the Jenks home on Wednesday evening. Mr. Jenks has renamed his residence the Love Nest. The bride was dressed in dark plum…
Gone Scalloping
Gone Scalloping
The water was so warm you almost didn’t need waders. The October sun glinted off the water in the pond and at Sengekontacket people congregated in small groups, heads bent over their peep sights, long dip nets tucked beneath their arms. Bert Combra had his signature unlit cigar stuck in his…
Journey Together Reaches Greater Depths
My daughter Pickle, age three and half, has been talking a lot about death lately. The other night at dinner she turned to her mother, Cathlin, and said, “Babu and Babshi died.” She was referring to the nicknames of my wife’s parents who both died before Pickle was born.
“Yes,” Cathlin said. “They did.”
“A…
Living on the Edge
Living on the Edge
Every week brings new facts to support what our senses already know. The natural environment around us is changing, and the pace of change is quickening.
We listen as we walk and no longer hear the familiar whistle of the northern bobwhite. We gaze on the water…
West Tisbury
JOHN S. ALLEY
508-693-2950
(alleys@vineyard.net)
Today is the beginning of the Columbus Day holiday weekend. Town buildings, schools and post offices will be closed on Monday. The last farmers’ market and artisans festival will be held this weekend at the Grange Hall. Many outdoor chores were completed including mowing…
Devyn Arrives
Devyn Arrives
Kim and Jack D’Arcy of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a daughter, Devyn Michel D’Arcy, born on Sept. 24 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Devyn weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces at birth.
Playhouse Fall Season
Playhouse Fall Season
The Vineyard Playhouse is starting up its fall season this weekend with a series of short plays entitled Hot Tickets.
On Saturday and Sunday, both nights at 7:30 p.m., the evening will feature The Graduation of Grace by Wendy Kesselman, The Last Appointment by Madge Kaplan, and Slow…
Peace Council Potluck
Peace Council Potluck
The regular monthly meeting of the Martha’s Vineyard Peace Council will be held on Thursday, Oct. 13, at the Nevin residence, 101 Chase Road, in Edgartown. It will be preceded this month by a potluck dinner at 6 p.m.
Connor Welcomes Dylan
Connor Welcomes Dylan
Becky and Paul Beeson of Edgartown announce the birth of a son, Dylan Andrew Beeson, born on Oct. 1 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Dylan weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces at birth. He is also welcomed by big brother Connor.
Oak Bluffs
HOLLY NADLER
508-274-2329
(hollynadler@gmail.com)
This weekend marks the important date, October 12, 1492, when the Indians first discovered Columbus.
Mr. Uranker Works on Eagle
Mr. Uranker Works on Eagle
An Oak Bluffs wood-carver has been commissioned to do repair work on the tall ship Eagle. Later this month, Joe Uranker will depart the Vineyard with his woodworking tools and travel to Baltimore to work on the stern board and the figurehead of the Coast Guard’s 295-foot ship.
Early Detection Curve
Early Detection Curve
Get a mammogram and pay no fee for fitness. That’s the theme at Curves in Vineyard Haven for the month of October. In recognition of breast cancer awareness month and to raise awareness about the importance of early detection, the women’s fitness center will waive the joining fee for members…
Edgartown
KATHIE CASE
508-627-5349
(kathleencaese@comcast.net)
October is here and who can believe that it is Columbus Day weekend already? This is the last weekend for Dairy Queen, so it is now officially fall.
Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out…
Sengie Stays Off-Limits for Clamming
Sengekontacket Pond remains closed to clamming but open to recreational bay scalloping, shellfish constables in Edgartown and Oak Bluffs confirmed yesterday. The constables said they are awaiting word this morning on the state’s latest sampling of the pond done this week. If the results are positive, the pond could be opened to shellfishing today. Both…
Seastreak Family Deal
Seastreak Family Deal
Seastreak Martha’s Vineyard is offering a family deal in which two children under the age of 12 can ride free for each paying adult on the high-speed ferry, from now through the end of November. Parents, grandparents and kids can enjoy the one-hour ferry service between Martha’s Vineyard and New…
Chappy
BRAD WOODGER
508-627-4216
(ibwsgolf@aol.com)
I owe Peter Wells an apology. In last week’s column I reported that he allegedly misappropriated the use of a bicycle. Unfortunately, I may have left out the allegedly. My further error was not in thoroughly vetting the reliability of my source (who will remain…
Algae Bloom Spreads to Lagoon Pond
Cochlodinium, the rust-colored algae bloom that has turned up in Cape Pogue and Sengekontacket Ponds, has now invaded Lagoon Pond, Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group director Rick Karney confirmed this week. The algae was found in the west arm of the Lagoon.
Fishermen Exceed Striped Bass Quota
Massachusetts commercial striped bass fishermen exceeded their quota this summer by over 100,000 pounds. Fishermen landed 1,163,666 pounds or 109.6 per cent above their quota of 1,061,898 pounds.
Welcome Quinlan
Welcome Quinlan
JoEllen and Mark Meuse of West Tisbury announce the birth of a son, Quinlan Joseph Meuse, born on Sept. 27 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Quinlan weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces at birth.
Pumpkin Moon
Last month was the harvest moon, and now another full moon comes on Tuesday. If the weather cooperates, the moon will rise in the east at sunset looking like this season’s favorite jack-o’-lantern. The moon appears in the zodiacal constellation Pisces, not far from the brilliant planet Jupiter, also rising in the east.
Flag Football Begins
Flag Football Begins
The Martha’s Vineyard Boys’ and Girls’ Club held its preseason Flag Football League Skills Challenge on Saturday, Sept. 24 at Nunes Field in Edgartown. More than 50 of the leagues players, ages 8 to 13, competed in four skills challenges including: passing, field goal kicking, 40-yard dash, and an obstacle…
Cross-Country Shines at Invitational
Sports action at the regional high school slowed this week, but the fields will again be busy following the Columbus Day holiday. Golf, boys’ soccer and field hockey all have home games this Tuesday, with golf continuing their home stand on Wednesday. Also on Wednesday, cross-country returns to the Island for a dual meet against…
Down Syndrome Discussed
Down Syndrome Discussed
Martha’s Vineyard Public Schools will host a conversation with Dr. David Stein of Boston Children’s Hospital on the social and emotional development of students with Down Syndrome on Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. All are welcome.
Call for More Bars (DAS) on Chappy
Better cell phone service may be in the future for Chappaquiddick if a plan for a wireless tower presented to the Edgartown selectmen this week becomes reality.
Planning board administrator Georgiana Greenough said the town had hired a consultant to identify potential town-owned land parcels for sites for a tower. A digital antenna…
Solar Music Soothes the Soul, Interactive Art Project a Big Hit
Craig Colorusso is, in his own words, “just a rocker.” His arsenal includes a guitar and a bass clarinet; he’s toured the country with various bands, playing in various capacities.
CROP Walk to Help Global and Local Organizations
The 21st annual Vineyard CROP Walk takes place on Sunday, Oct. 16. The walk, as always, is sponsored by Church World Service, an international charity group, in response to worldwide hunger.
The walk begins at St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church in Vineyard Haven at 2 p.m., and progresses to Trinity United Methodist Church…
Please Adopt Us
Please Adopt Us
Doing Something About Hunger
One day last April 91 Islanders visited the Island Food Pantry. Each person collected their allotted three bags of donated food, which meant 273 bags were distributed in a single day. It was a record in the pantry’s 30-year history.
That number is expected to climb in the coming year, pantry director Armen…
Writing Gag Cartoons No Laughing Matter
Each week for the past 10 years, Paul Karasik completes and sends about 10 cartoons to The New Yorker magazine. For those at home doing the math, that’s around 5,000 cartoons, give or take.
Beer, Wine Forum
Beer, Wine Forum
West Tisbury selectmen will host a public forum on Nov. 2 on the possible sale of beer and wine in town restaurants. The forum will be at 5 p.m. at Howes House. The town voted last spring to petition the state legislature for a home rule amendment to authorize a…
Bail Set in Rape Case
Bail Set in Rape Case
Cash bail was set at $60,000 last Friday for a Vineyard Haven man charged with assaulting his wife and raping a teenage girl in July.
Dean’s List
Dean’s List
Babson College announces the following local resident qualified for the spring semester Dean’s List, which recognizes outstanding student scholarship: Kendall Chaves, a student in the Class of 2012, of West Tisbury.
Doctor Pleads Not Guilty To Medicaid Fraud Charges
The owner of Preventive Medicine Associates Inc., whose office in Vineyard Haven closed last month, pleaded not guilty yesterday to all charges alleging he engaged in a kickback scheme that fraudulently billed MassHealth nearly $3.8 million.
Menemsha Fire Coverage Earns Gazette Top Award
The Vineyard Gazette’s coverage of the Menemsha fire earned the newspaper a Publick Occurrences Award this week from the New England Newspaper and Press Association.
The award, which honors outstanding journalism, was announced Thursday at NENPA’s fall conference in Natick. About 150 publishers, editors and reporters from throughout New England attended the awards…
Steps Begin to Expand Historic District
Reacting to the pending demolition of an early 20th century bungalow, the Edgartown historic district commission began discussing the possible expansion of the historic district this week.
The Morse street bungalow, slated to be torn down and replaced with a three-bay garage, sits just outside the historic district.
Newspaper Reports 2011 Circulation Figures
The Vineyard Gazette’s total paid circulation declined slightly this year, following a trend that has seen newspapers around the country lose circulation.
Tisbury Seeks Recompense From Seaver Construction
Tisbury selectmen voted this week to assess Seaver Construction of Woburn $18,162.50 for liquidated damages incurred on the town’s trouble-plagued emergency services building on Spring street.
Columbus Day
Good morning to all our readers. The Gazette office will be closed on Monday in observance of the Columbus Day holiday. Early copy from correspondents and advertisers is appreciated in the short week that follows.
Barn House Put Up for Historic Register
The historic 17th century Barn House in Chilmark has been approved by the Massachusetts Historical Commission for a nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.
Muppets Choose Vineyard Family For New Special
Last spring Betty Burton received a call from a producer for Sesame Street. One of the most respected television programs for children had been branching out recently, from singing songs and learning how to count with fuzzy Muppet friends, to producing shows that educate kids about some of the bigger, more tragic issues kids face…
Offshore Hurricane Stirs Sound, Disappointing Derby Fishermen
Even though a category two hurricane called Ophelia missed us and passed several hundred miles to the east of Martha’s Vineyard last weekend, local rod and reel fisherman have few kind words to say about it. Though far away, turbulent waves from the storm muddied the waters and have nearly shut down the best fishing…
Deed Restricted for a Farming Future
Lots of roses.
That’s what Simon Athearn and his wife, Robyn, are envisioning for their first spring garden next year in their new house in West Tisbury. The newlyweds are moving into Simon’s great-uncle Leonard’s house off New Lane in the next few months after purchasing it from Simon’s family.
Draft Boathouse Designs Fall Flat
Preliminary designs for a new U.S. Coast Guard boathouse in Menemsha failed to impress the Chilmark selectmen this week.
“It’s mammoth,” selectman and board chairman Frank Fenner said at the selectmen’s meeting Tuesday. “That was the largest structure in the harbor to begin with and this is just increasing it. It was very…
Last Groundfisherman Speaks Out
Greg Mayhew, captain of the 75-foot dragger Unicorn out of Menemsha, is the last Vineyard fisherman still groundfishing on Georges Bank. And this year might be his last on the legendary fishing ground.
“I don’t know if I’m going to even go next year because it might be better just to lease the…
State of Fisheries: Lawmakers Dubious
The outlook for the fisheries is improving, a leading federal administrator told a congressional panel in Boston early this week, but lawmakers were unconvinced.
Mental Health Awareness
Mental Health Awareness
As part of Mental Heath Month, the Vineyard Haven Public Library will have a display case featuring information about organizations helping individuals and families dealing with mental illness to learn more about the illnesses and to provide support. There will be a list of suggested reading materials available. As part…
Autumn Blooms
I want to say that fall might be the whole reason for living on the Vineyard. We have had a series of beautiful days; the humidity has finally lifted, nights are cool for sleeping and I can find parking spaces
By LYNNE IRONS
I want to say that fall might be the…
Chamber of Commerce Picks Winning Bunch of Marthas
The winners of the third annual Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce business awards, the Marthas, have been determined through vote of the membership. And the winners are:
Outstanding personal service: Basics Clothing.
Community hero: Cronig’s Market
Everybody’s favorite: Bunch of Grapes Bookstore.
Repair Extraordinaire: Vineyard Hearth Patio…
Hudsonian Godwit
We lucked out and had a beautiful day for Basil Welsh’s memorial service which was held at Abel’s Hill Cemetery. Basil loved birds and frequently called me when he had an unusual visitor to his pond or yard. He would have been pleased to see the pair of red-tailed hawks circling overhead during the graveside…
Real Estate School Honored
Real Estate School Honored
Dukes Academy has been selected as one of the top three real estate schools in the commonwealth by Banker and Tradesmen, a leading real estate and banking journal. More than 40,000 votes were cast in the balloting.
South African Summer Camp Is Haven for Kids Affected by HIV
The feeling of not wanting summer camp to end is familiar to many — and at Camp Sizanani, even the counselors want it to last forever. Founded in 2003 by Philip Lilienthal, a seasonal resident of Menemsha, the camp’s aim is to educate HIV-at-risk kids, either those who have it or have been affected by…
The Web We Weave
“Will you walk into my parlor?” said the Spider to the Fly; “Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy.”
The webs of funnel web weaver spiders might just be the very prettiest parlors of all, ready for a cricket, ant or grasshopper to drop by for a visit. Announced or…
Music from New Mexico
Music from New Mexico
On Saturday, Oct. 8 at 10:30 a.m. the Chilmark Public Library story hour is taking a journey to New Mexico when musician Jeanie McLerie leads the group. Ms. McLerie hails from Silver City, New Mexico and with her husband, Ken Keppeler, she is one half of the group Bayou…
Education and Art Come Alive at Gay Head Gallery
On Sunday, Oct. 9, from 5 to 7 p.m. the Gay Head Gallery will celebrate Columbus Day weekend with a show to benefit ACE MV, the Island’s Adult Center for Education.
An exhibit of paintings, photographs, and other works of art inspired by the beauty and richness of the Vineyard, and a short…
Pot Luckers Envy No More, Dessert Book Has Wow Appeal
If your idea of a homemade gift of food is a paper plate of chocolate chip cookies (recipe on the package; can’t go wrong with that), bound up in cellophane and tied with a ribbon, then the new book Gourmet Gifts: 100 Delicious Recipes for Every Occasion to Make Yourself and Wrap With Style (Harvard…
Long Putt Nets $10,000
Long Putt Nets $10,000
Stuart Minton’s deft skills on the putting green won him $10,000 after he sank a 40-foot putt in the 12th annual Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank Golf Classic on Monday, Sept. 26, hosted by the Vineyard Nursing Association.
Mr. Minton, part of the Donaroma’s Nursery foursome, became the…
In Mouth of the Beholder Lies Delicious Beauty of Chocolate
Something about a celebration of chocolate calls to mind a French chateau dining room adorned with the glow of a thousand candles. On a long table set with a flowing white linen tablecloth, you’ll find gold serving dishes heaped with chocolate squares, chocolate creams, chocolate brioches, chocolate-dipped strawberries and, rising from the center, to quote…
Block Party Rhythms
Block Party Rhythms
This Saturday, Oct. 8, the Tisbury Business Association is hosting a sidewalk sale from noon to 4 p.m. There will be music by Rick Bausman, outdoor eating and big sales as businesses celebrate both the holiday and say thanks to their Island customers who support them all year long.
John Barrymore Lives
John Barrymore Lives
On Wednesday, Oct. 12, the Tisbury Senior Center will present at 1:30 p.m. a program entitled Barrymore: The Life and Times of the Bad Boy Actor, John Barrymore. There is no charge for this event
Haitian Art Exhibit
Haitian Art Exhibit
For the entire month of October the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library will host an exhibit by artist Wilfrid Dantis as part of their Art in the Stacks program.
Hookers of Rugs
Hookers of Rugs
On Wednesday, Oct. 5, Rosalie Powell began a series of rug hooking classes which will run for eight successive Wednesdays. The first meeting was mostly a matter of preparation, gathering materials and grouping folks together depending on their experience. This means there’s still plenty of time to climb aboard before…
Brushing Back the Years
B rushing Back the Years
The artist Nancy Furino has a healthy attitude toward her work.
“Mainly I paint to please myself, not to think what the public might want,” she says. “If the work sells, all the better.”
This statement coming from a wet-behind-the-ears novice just getting going might…
State of Local Bees Stings a Bit, But Harvest Festival Still Sweet
It’s been five months since Rhode Island beekeeper Everett Zurlinden arrived on the Island to teach prospective beekeepers how to keep hives, and at the Living Local Harvest Festival last weekend he had an apiary report card to share.
There was good news and bad news, Mr. Zurlinden said. The status of the…
The Real Dirt on Art of Goat’s Milk Soap
Emily Fischer sat on the steps of the shed in her front yard at Flat Point Farm in West Tisbury, yellow rubber gloves pulled up to her elbows, hard at work on her latest batch of goat’s milk soap.
