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
November 29, 2013
Sailing Into Reading, the Classic Way
By annual tradition, contributor Ginny Jones offers her picks, some new some old, for maritime reading enthusiasts. This year’s theme is whaling.
Coach, Player and Lifelong Fan of the Game
The long history of the Island Cup game is often cast in tales of football rivalry between the two Islands. But how did the tradition of a shared trophy actually begin? Bob Tankard tells the story. Meanwhile, kickoff is at 1 p.m. today on Nantucket.
Comet Ison
There is a slight chance some viewers may see Comet Ison in the early morning sky the next couple of mornings. Astronomers have been watching this comet for close to a year but for the most part it has been a visual disappointment. On Thanksgiving Day, yesterday, the comet passed close and around the sun…
The Voice of Martha’s Vineyard Football
Ken Goldberg has called Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School football games for 33 years, and will be in the booth again on Nantucket Saturday for the Island Cup game. His prediction: “When you get to the Nantucket-Vineyard game, forget what the season records are.”
Keeping Our Boys and Girls on the Field
High school athletic trainer Tania Laslovich’s job entails being part diagnostician, part clinician, part therapist, part cheering squad and part buzz kill. She says the hardest thing is having to tell an eager athlete they can’t suit up or have to be removed from a game.
Island Cup Series All Even; Who Will Break 17-17 Tie?
This year marks a tipping point in the annual Island Cup rivalry, now in its 35th year. Since 1978, when the familiar silver trophy first commemorated the end-of-season game, the Vineyard has won 17 times. Nantucket, too, has won 17 times. At stake during Saturday’s contest at Vito Capizzo Stadium on Nantucket are bragging rights…
Growing a Business, One Pine Needle at a Time
Twenty years ago Norman Lobb bought too many seedlings and Danny Whiting’s family had a fallow farm field. The mistake turned out to be a business opportunity, and this winter they are selling Christmas trees at L&W Farm in West Tisbury.
Job Requirement: Ability to Juggle Large Vehicles With a Smile
On the job at the Steamship Authority for nearly 40 years, terminal manager Bridget Tobin brightens every day for boat line travelers.
Woods Hole Terminal Plan Revives Discussion of New Bedford Route
As the Steamship Authority embarks on a major reconstruction plan for its Woods Hole terminal, village residents are raising concerns about aesthetics and increased traffic. They want to put New Bedford service back on the table for discussion.
In Public-Private Project, Squibnocket Beach Slated for Makeover
The large, multimillion-dollar project would rebuild the Squibnocket beach and parking lot in Chilmark, where heavy storms and erosion have taken their toll in recent years. Transferring beach land, removing the stone revetment and building a causeway are key parts of the plan.
Public Program Makes Home Repairs Possible
Community block grant money is a little-known program that helps Islanders with affordable loans for home repairs. Cathy Weiss is one homeowner who has benefited.
Vineyard Inside Out: This Voice Keeps Whispering in My Ear
The bouquets are gone from the rickety shelves and wicker chairs at the end of long driveways. Farm stand signs have been taken down. Clusters of people with name tag necklaces are no longer browsing the shops.
Solar Arrays Set for Farms and Landfill Sites
The construction of two new solar arrays is underway after groundbreakings in Edgartown and Vineyard Haven. The Cape and Vineyard Electrical Compact broke ground on an array at the Farm Institute in Katama on the first snowy day of the year.
Aquinnah Town Column: Nov. 29
The weather has drastically changed from autumn to winter already. Most of the leaves have left and we’ve had a few mornings in the 20s. We had blustery winds mid week with boats and airplanes being cancelled.
Named to Realtor Board
Sandpiper Realty Inc. of Edgartown is pleased to announce that Elaine Miller has been elected to the board of directors of the Cape Cod and Islands Association of Realtors and Multiple Listing Service.
Land Bank Revenues: Nov. 22
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $373,182.66 for the business week ending on Friday, Nov. 22, 2013.
Thanksgiving 2013
Indian summer days stretched on this year as if they would have no end: late season swimming practically bumped into early season scalloping but finally the natural world has come to its senses. The last of the leaves blew down early this week with a ferocious wind driven down from Canada on bitterly cold air.
All the Trimmings
Naturally, this being the week before Thanksgiving, the subject was how to make Christmas wreaths. Naturally. This is not quite to be construed as a complaint. Quite the contrary. There may be grounds for grumbling about the onset, just after the regattas and just before Labor Day, of mail-order Xmas season.
Soul Mining With a Bull Rake and Skiff
Robbie Tibbets came to the Island from the small town in Maine where he grew up. He had been sitting on his favorite bar stool drinking Heineken some years ago, which is what he did all summer until harvest time when a news program flashed pictures of a state police helicopter landing in a five-acre…
Picking Up Pearls of Wisdom While Leaving Baggage Behind
On Saturdays when I was nine my mother would get home at five, exhausted and hungry from her job as receptionist at Schultzes Beauty Salon. My job was to have a snack ready for her for our Brookside Boulevard (the ritzy street) ritual.
Mentor Step Ahead in Subversive Tally
He slid my article across his desk right at me. “Not everything’s funny. You want to be a wise guy or a journalist?” he said. “Why can’t I be both?” I snapped.
Medical Marijuana Details Seem to Be in Eye of Beholder
I’m glad Dr. Nieder is not going to be prescribing cannabis as I would never see a doctor that displays such scientific ignorance. Dr. Nieder claims smoking cannabis has only been an issue for 50 years in America. In fact in 1937 the most ridiculous legislation was passed by Congress.
Future of Home Care
If you read the Gazette last week, you learned that the Vineyard Nursing Association is having financial difficulties. The simple truth is that without a reserve or an endowment, we have operated for most of our 30-year history on the narrowest of margins.
Misinformed on Menhaden
The opinion piece by Dick Russell (Conservation is Essential to Save the Striper, Vineyard Gazette Oct. 31) misinforms readers concerning the actions of Omega Protein. His anecdotes and claims regarding the menhaden fishery were clearly not fact-checked, resulting in an error-laden piece on an otherwise important issue — sustainable fisheries management.
JFK Sighting
If anyone has wondered lately when President Kennedy was last in Vineyard waters, our family can report we happened to be in a boat in Edgartown on Labor Day weekend 1963 when the Honey Fitz appeared.
Giving Thanks for the Y
In the spirit of being thankful for what we have and having the opportunity to give back to our community that sustains us here on the Vineyard, I wanted to share our appreciation for the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard as they are in the midst of their annual campaign.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Nov. 29
Get out your pens and checkbooks, here is my annual Black Friday wish list: Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, Martha’s Vineyard Community Services and its Connect to End the Violence program — formerly called Womens’ Support Services — the Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts of America (fill in the memo line “Island scouts,” do the…
Stocking Up
Happy Thanksgiving to all Dukes County employees and friends of Dukes County.
VTA Plans Series of Fare Hikes
The Vineyard Transit Authority has unveiled a multi-year plan to increase fares aboard its buses and vans. The proposal incorporates fare hikes in each type of ridership pass, including multi-day, single-ride and annual passes.
Birthday Surprise
My husband Ronnee just turned 80 years old. We wondered how our fire department knew about that because two very fine firemen arrived at our door on Saturday bearing a large basket of Thanksgiving goodies, including a huge fat frozen turkey. It was truly magic! It was the nicest surprise we could have received. Thank…
Edgartown Town Column: Nov. 29
Can you say Brrrrr? Sunday’s weather definitely drew our attention to the beginning of winter. Of course Monday was cold but the wind was not as bad and the cold did not go through you. But next week the Christmas carols start and at least it will feel like Christmas.
Please Adopt Us
Dogs, dogs, dogs . . . those lucky enough to have one sitting at their feet as they read this must feel grateful for the presence of this ideal companion. Maybe because Islanders treasure their dogs, they are only surrendered to the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard through a drastic change in the life circumstances…
Chappy Town Column: Nov. 29
By the time you read this (and by “you,” I mean the 12 people who read my column), you will have already given all your thanks, and will busy doing things that you may not be as thankful for anymore. But allow me to give my Chappy thanks anyway.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: Nov. 29
By the time those Pilgrims landed and celebrated Thanksgiving at Plymouth back in 1621, Oak Bluffs still belonged to the original people who called it Ogkeshkuppe, part of the Nunnepog Sachemship (or tribe). Back then the 3,000 original people called Martha’s Vineyard “Noe-ope” (Noepe).
Kaitlyn L. Maciel and Ryan Kurth Wed
Kaitlyn L. Maciel and Ryan P. Kurth were married Nov. 9 on the north shore of the Vineyard. The bridegroom’s childhood friend Sam Griswold performed the ceremony. Kaitlyn is the daughter of Heather and Vincent Maciel of West Tisbury, and Ryan is the son of Anne and the late Jeffrey Paul Kurth of Chilmark.
Dylan Morgan and Nili Beth Goldstein Wed
Dylan and Nili Beth (Goldstein) Morgan were married Sunday, Nov. 10 at the home of the bride’s parents, Susan and Sherman Goldstein, on Lambert’s Cove in West Tisbury. Following a welcome address by Josh Goldstein, family friend Stan Hersh conducted the service. The chuppah, the traditional Jewish wedding canopy, was held by the couple’s close…
West Tisbury Town Column: Nov. 29
Well, we had quite the storm on Sunday with lots of heavy wind forcing boat cancellations, a brief power outage and bone-chilling temperatures. We sat in awe as the Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos in what has been billed as the game of the year.
Chilmark Town Column: Nov. 29
Chilmark is ready for the turkey . . . in fact, many live turkeys are wandering around our roads and yards. They are unaware of the fate of their fatter kin. Just as well. By the time you read this you will be down to the sandwich and the pot pie.
Portraying a Life, Often Wild, in Pictures
Visitors to the Simon Gallery in Vineyard Haven often scan the walls covered with famous singers and activists and make some version of the following remark: “Wow, you’ve got all these pictures with all these interesting people in them, you must have amazing stories.”
Contemplative Advent Services
The First Congregational Church of West Tisbury continues its Wednesday evening Advent contemplative services with Healing and Transformation on Wednesday, Dec. 18.
Pre-Thanksgiving Storm Batters Island, Hampering Travel
Ferry service to the Vineyard resumed mid-morning Wednesday after early morning cancellations in a gale-force storm that is lashing the East Coast on one of the busiest travel days of the year.
The Reality Check On Holiday Food Coma
It’s that time of year when it seems everything revolves around food. Thanksgiving dinners, savory crispy latkes sizzling for Hanukkah, Christmas parties, baking, Kwanzaa feasts: this season is full of culinary temptation.
Digging Into Crop Diversity Is Key
In children’s books, the pumpkins all look much the same: round, orange and a bit bigger than a bowling ball. But check out the 71 pumpkin varieties offered by Johnny’s Seeds, or the Seed Saver’s Exchange, or any number of other seed purveyors, and prepare to be amazed.
Eat, Sing, Shop, Shoot and Mozart, Too
There was eating yesterday, of course, but what to do after the big meal? How about walk and talk with the animals, shop for handmade gifts, sing or laugh and party it up with Mozart and Brahms. Perhaps some clarification is in order. Today the Artisans Festival begins at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury.…
Welcome Alexander
Monica Maxim and Florin Gafencu of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a son, Alexander Gabriel Gafencu, born on Nov. 21 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Alexander weighed 8 pounds, 14.2 ounces at birth.
Welcome Ryder
Kathryn Seaton and Robert Seaton III of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Ryder William Leigh Seaton, born on Nov. 22 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Ryder weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces at birth. He is welcomed home by big brother Robbie Seaton.
Cold-Stunned Sea Turtle Rescued on Chappaquiddick
With the help of two ferries and some human rescuers, a cold-stunned sea turtle made its way from a Chappaquiddick beach to the New England Aquarium Monday.
Announcing Willow
Lea Rosbeck and Ted Rosbeck of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Willow Caneel Rosbeck, born on Nov. 23 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Willow weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce at birth.
Ever Grateful
By the time this hits the newsstands, the Thanksgiving festivities will be over and we will be dealing with clean-up and leftovers. I wonder why we have taken this holiday to such an extreme. It’s become all about a big meal. I was determined this whole week to think about things in nature for which…
Gobble, Gobble
It is hard to believe that the turkey that graces our tables at Thanksgiving came to us in a very convoluted fashion. Wild turkeys are originally from Mexico, Belize and Honduras, with populations reaching up into the U.S. These wild turkeys were domesticated by native Americans in the U.S., but more so in Mexico.
Life of Pie
Friday morning is for pie. Though tradition has it that there are seven deadly sins, there are some sins that are more forgivable than others. This time of year, gluttony is on my list of understandable evils. Gluttony is a subject that produces much disagreement.
Real Estate Transactions: Nov. 18-24
Robert Sloane and Mary E. Larsen purchased 25 Basin Road in Chilmark for $975,000 on Nov. 19.
Simon Gallery Celebration
Peter and Ronni Simon celebrate two events at their gallery on Main street in Vineyard Haven on Saturday, Nov. 30 from 3 to 6 p.m.
Peacecraft Benefit Sale
The annual holiday Peacecraft benefit sale begins. Proceeds benefit Martha’s Vineyard Fish Farm Haiti Project.
Fall Shotgun Competition
Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club hosts its annual fall shotgun shoot beginning at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1 at the gun club in Edgartown.
Raw Milk Flows Again at Grey Barn Farm and Dairy
All the cows will come home sometime after the first of the year. But the Grey Barn Farm and Dairy is milking again, albeit with a smaller herd, and raw milk in glass bottles is available for sale again at the farm stand off South Road in Chilmark.
Yoga Grows on the Vine
Yoga on the Vine, a new studio in Edgartown is hosting a grand opening celebration on Sunday, Dec. 1 from noon to 9 p.m. The opening includes yoga class, live music, a vegetarian Thanksgiving buffet and a raffle.
Wreath Relief
The Federated Church of Edgartown hosts a “green” event on Thursday, Dec. 5 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Seventy-five originally designed wreaths for every setting will be for sale at the church’s meetinghouse.
Young Adult Book Launch
Local author Lara O’Brien’s debut fiction novel Chelsea and the Spirit of Grace will be available at online book retailers in both print and e-book formats beginning Dec. 1.
Improv for the Holidays
The acclaimed WIMP/IMPers will be home for Thanksgiving and ready to perform for the home crowd on Friday, Nov. 29 beginning at 8 p.m. at Alex’s Place at the YMCA.
Hanukkah Celebration
Bring your menorah and join the community in celebrating the last night of Hanukkah at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center in Vineyard Haven.
Weekend at the Library
The Edgartown library is the place to be this weekend, besides your dining room of course. Latkes and Applesauce: A Hanukkah Story by Fran Manushkin will be read aloud on Friday, Nov. 29 at 3 p.m. with a little of each tasty treat to go with the story.
Open Casting Call
So you want to be a star? Well, how about we start with baby steps, an extra perhaps. On Dec. 13 and 14, Day 90 Film Production will be shooting a movie in West Tisbury from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. each day.
Neighborhood Convention Welcomes Minnesingers
When the Neighborhood Convention meets this month the Minnesingers will present a holiday program preview. The convention will meet at 11 a.m. on Dec. 3 at Trinity United Methodist Church at the Camp Ground in Oak Bluffs.
Home for the Hardware, Trophy Case Is Packed
For one day every year, the Island Cup trophy sits on the sidelines of a football field, where its home for the next year will be determined. For the other 364 days, the trophy sits in a case.
Scholastic Book Fair
The Tisbury School hosts its Scholastic book fair from Dec. 2 to Dec. 5 in the school’s library. The public is welcome to come browse the sale with part of the proceeds going to purchasing print, audio and video resources for the school.
Judge Denies Injunction to Block Use of CPA Money for Church
A superior court judge has denied a motion from 10 Oak Bluffs residents who are trying to block the town from using Community Preservation Act money to restore the stained glass windows at Trinity Methodist Church.
Age of Man Got You Down, Bivalvify!
In 1991, the American linguist John Algeo wrote: “A community is known by the language it keeps, and its words chronicle the times. Every aspect of the life of a people is reflected in the words they use to talk about themselves and the world around them. As their world changes — through invention, discovery,…
Four Vineyard Finalists for Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
Four Vineyard applicants are among 100 finalists in the race to open medical marijuana dispensaries across the state. Two final applicants are from West Tisbury, and two are from Tisbury.
Five Corners Challenges Even Traffic Planners in Stop & Shop Review
The Five Corners intersection took center stage at the Martha’s Vineyard Commission this week as public discussion began about potential traffic impacts from the planned Stop & Shop expansion in Vineyard Haven.
