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
December 13, 2013
Lighthouse Aglow, Christmas in Edgartown Weekend Begins
The lighting of the Edgartown Lighthouse Friday evening launched a weekend of activities sponsored by the Edgartown Board of Trade. Horse-drawn carriage rides through downtown streets and sleighrides to Cape Pogue turn back the clock on Christmas. See more pictures.
Geminid Meteor Shower Visible Before Sunrise Saturday
The Geminid is the biggest meteor shower of the year, even bigger than the Perseid meteor shower. Skywatchers who wish to brave the cold can view the display after 3 a.m. Saturday.
A Poor Hand
If gambling is about winning, it’s hard to see victory for anyone in the lawsuit brought last month by Gov. Deval Patrick against the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah).
Too Close for Comfort
At the risk of playing Scrooge at Christmastime, we feel compelled to question the plan to hold the Oak Bluffs town holiday party next week at a restaurant and bar owned by one of the town selectmen.
Majestic Winter Visitors
They’ve been seen and photographed at Katama in Edgartown, on Beach Road in Oak Bluffs and on windswept beaches from Cape Pogue to Aquinnah. Snowy owls are showing up all over the place on the Vineyard this year, and even the Island birding community, with its considerable depth of knowledge, has been unable to explain…
NStar Says Use of Herbicides Is Essential
The power company resumed an herbicide spraying program last month, reigniting a debate about threats to the environment on the Cape and Vineyard.
Sharing Ideas at Police Chiefs’ Roundtable
Summers are a rush for leaders in law enforcement on the Island. But come winter there is still much to do, as police chiefs tell the Gazette in their monthly gathering for discussion about issues that cross town lines.
Finding Hope in Return to South Africa
Revisiting Johannesburg, South Africa, 50 years after graduating from Witwatersrand (Wits) University, author and photographer Alan Brigish found much had changed. But not everything.
Talking Turkey With Family Goes Down Easier With Outside Help
This is the season for gathering with family and friends, exchanging gifts, attending concerts and worship services and sitting down together for a big holiday meal. But as you pack the car to go off-Island or prepare your home to receive extended family, your anticipation is mixed with apprehension.
When Gates Were to Keep Sheep Safe; Quenames Walk Lingers
Last Sunday, after a quick pit stop at Chilmark Chocolates, I went on a long walk at Quenames, organized by the Vineyard Conservation Society and led by Soo Whiting. Quenames is a low-lying, flat sweep of fields shaped by centuries of sheep farming and patches of woods shaped by winds from the Atlantic, dotted by…
Going Nutty for Christmas Parade
“Guess what? Guess what?” Phil McAndrews, owner of Offshore Ale, shouted from the upstairs office. Phil is a tall, wiry man. He power-walked downstairs and marched toward me. “Guess what?” he asked again.
VNA in Need
Last week we learned that the Vineyard Nursing Association — a critical health care resource for the Vineyard — is struggling with financial difficulties.
How to Catch a Turkey
You might be able to catch the turkey in a large Vari kennel. Put the food all the way back in it and face it away from you so he won’t see you when you reach over to close the door.
Cars, Cargo, Care and Charm
I always look forward to Mollie Doyle’s Gazette series, A Day in the Life. The pieces are invariably well written and interesting, but this week’s report on our Island saint, Bridget Tobin, actually made me weepy.
Checking It Twice
From the Vineyard Gazette editions of December 1921: Queer how few people really believe in Santa Claus. Just about this time of year almost everyone gets worked up into an ecstasy over Christmas spirit and pretends that he believes in Santa.
Gift from Tribe to Oak Bluffs: Stormwater Collector for Harbor
The town selectmen presented a certificate of appreciation to the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) Tuesday for the rare gift of environmental protection.
Minnesingers Holiday Concert
Last spring the Minnesingers high school chorus traveled to Croatia to perform. They have also been to Lithuania and all over Europe throughout the years. And each holiday season they travel, too, but a much shorter distance from the high school — they head to Edgartown to give their annual holiday concert.
Faith In Action Keeps Spirit Alive
The Rev. Mr. Robert Hensley, who has served as rector of Grace Episcopal Church since 2006, celebrates his 30th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood with a special service at 10 a.m. this coming Sunday.
Land Bank Revenues: Dec. 6
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $192,793.34 for the business week ending on Friday, Dec. 6, 2013.
In Step With Edgartown’s Holiday Wonderland
It is approximately 471 strides, done at a leisurely saunter, from the steps of the Harbor View Hotel to the steps of the Edgartown Lighthouse. While this may seem like useless trivia, it is actually a Christmas in Edgartown public service announcement.
West Tisbury Town Column: Dec. 13
Well, sprinkle a little salt over your left shoulder before reading today’s column. The winter season officially begins next Saturday, Dec. 21, and the temperature has been jumping around nearly as much as the energizer bunny. It feels like we are in for a cold snap, with a dusting of snow to make the season…
Aquinnah Town Column: Dec. 13
We escaped the blustery snow, ice and high winds predicted for the east coast this week to awaken to a slight dusting of snow on Wednesday morning. Forsthysia has been blooming over the past two weeks. Nearly 50 deer have been weighed in at the tribal weigh-in station over the past week and a half,…
Stories From Her Childhood Come to Life in Author’s Young Adult Novel
On the northeast coast of Ireland in the small suburb Howth, Lara O’Brien spent her childhood days riding horseback with friends through the hillsides.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Dec. 13
What is with all the moths? My front and back door screens look like a Hitchcock movie. Do you think the latest cold snap has taken care of them? Does this mean a long or short winter and/or a dangerous caterpillar invasion next summer? Keep me informed.
Edgartown Town Column: Dec. 13
KATHIE CASE 508-627-5349 (kathleencase@comcast.net) Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Well, now that we have had the first snow of the season, it is starting to feel like Christmas. Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Isaac Lefebvre and Danielle Meyer, who celebrated…
Oak Bluffs Town Column: Dec. 13
Stuart MacMackin, author of the Martha’s Vineyard Museum’s Intelligencer article I Was a Circuit Avenue Street Kid, includes a map of the businesses on Circuit avenue. Remarkably, at least 28 of 36 stores and shops from 100 years ago are extant today, either in whole or with the same footprint.
Oak Bluffs Town Report Wins First Place in Statewide Contest
Town office administrator Alice Butler, who edits and prepares the report each year, was commended by the selectmen for her efforts.
Burgeoning Oyster Farms in Edgartown Spur Need for More Shellfish Personnel
Town selectmen approved a request from the shellfish committee to add personnel hours, but balked at adding an entirely new employee to the department.
Flowers for Anna
Anna Duarte is currently recovering at Massachusetts General Hospital due to illness. Anna was a nurse at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital into her 80s and has continued to devote much of her time to helping others. Her friend Trina Kingsbury said that Ms. Duarte exemplifies the saying that “if you love people, they love you back.”…
Concert to Benefit Hospice
The Reflections of Peace Christmas Concert will benefit Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard and continue its tradition of celebrating the spirit of the community.
Please Adopt Us
The sweet and friendly cocker spaniel mix, Jackie, is back at the shelter. He would love to have his own hearth to rest by this Christmas.
Help Stock the Pantry
The West Tisbury police department, the West Tisbury fire department and Tri-Town ambulance invite everyone to support the Island Food Pantry by dropping off nonperishable packaged food items to the Public Safety Building across from Conroy’s.
Christmas at Sea
Follow up the Christmas parade with a program of stories and songs about ships at sea with Mark Alan Lovewell on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 11:30 a.m. at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown. Mr. Lovewell is a local folksinger and storyteller who will talk and sing about the way Christmas was celebrated in the…
Student Winter Concert
Students shine at this annual winter concert at the high school which features the concert band, jazz band, string orchestra, freshman and mixed chorus, and vocal ensemble performing music of the seasonal and secular variety.
Jolly Ole Elves Faire
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church is holding an open house on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Besides the refreshments and warm drinks, there will be opportunities to focus on the Christmas turkey drive, Christmas cards for veterans, raising funds for children in the Holy Land and a mission project in El Salvador.…
Giving Back by Getting Fit
Mansion House is putting the “fit” in benefit on Sunday, Dec. 15. The health club at Mansion House will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. for free swimming and workouts and they will donate a pass to Big Brothers/Big Sisters for every visitor they get.
Democrats Meet
Martha’s Vineyard Democrats meet to discuss key issues for candidates to consider in upcoming 2014 elections. The meeting is on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Howes House in West Tisbury.
Christmas Concert
The First Congregational Church of West Tisbury presents its Christmas concert, which includes Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols, on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 4 p.m.
Sleigh Rides on Chappy
Chappy, there really is a Santa. Take a scenic sleigh ride through Chappaquiddick on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14 and 15. The Trustees of Reservations are offering Cape Pogue sleigh rides, and they’ll throw in a warm blanket and a cup of hot chocolate.
Africa in Edgartown
Holiday shopping supports the African Artists Community Development Project with a pop-up store on Main street in Edgartown this weekend. Marsha Winsryg will present a short slideshow illustrating the work of the project. Handmade crafts that benefit disabled and orphaned children in Zambia will be for sale, not to mention homemade chai and cookies.
Seasons Readings
The Chilmark library offers a nearly monthlong book sale just in time for the holidays and maybe a snowy night of reading. The sale continues every day until noon on Dec. 28.
Real Estate Transactions: Dec. 2-Dec. 8
Geoghan E. Coogan, trustee of the SMS Realty Trust, purchased 23 Herring Creek Road in Edgartown for $1,900,000 on Dec. 2.
Lichen Life
Lichens don’t seem to agonize over the question of whether to be or not to be. Living innocuously on many surfaces, they lack the drama, dreams and desires of humans, but nevertheless they have a fascinating existence.
Pondering the Good Life
It’s finally happened. I am still busy with my fall clean-ups of the gardens and Christmas and winter are rapidly approaching. I was dismayed last week to hear about winter storm Cleon dropping three feet of snow on Duluth, Minn.
Whale of a Tale
David Smith and his father Steve Smith, who was visiting from Cape Elizabeth, Me., emailed a note which stated that they had seen and photographed a snowy owl next to the Aquinnah Shop in Gay Head on Nov. 21! That beats the Nov. 29 record and adds to the question: Just how many snowy owls…
Tisbury Connector Road Defeated Again
The long-discussed bypass road system off the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road was rejected for a third time Tuesday during a well-attended special town meeting.
Police Detective Work Leads to Arrest in Copper Theft
An Oak Bluffs man has been charged with stealing more than $5,000 worth of copper wiring from an Island electric company. Edgartown Det. Michael Snowden led the investigation.
High School Hockey Ready for Season
In preseason scrimmages both home and away, the boys’ and girls’ hockey squads have been skating well. The puck drops for the boys’ first home game on Saturday. The girls will not play at home until January.
Chilmark Speeds Through Special Town Meeting
Reduced funding for a new piling project in Menemsha harbor was approved. A new floor for the community center will wait for another day. The meeting lasted just over 20 minutes.
Speed Limits to Protect Right Whales Become Permanent
Announced Monday, the news from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was hailed as a boost to protection efforts for the critically endangered right whales.
Vineyard Brings Some Shuck and Awe to New York City
With the temperature in the low 30s and a wintry mix blowing in off the East River, it was a morning fit for neither man nor beast. And yet a calm but energized feel pervaded as the Beach Plum crew got down to work creating the pop-up restaurant Fish and Rose.
91 Dukes County Avenue, Oak Bluffs
Located in the Oak Bluffs arts district, this condominium most recently housed Dragonfly Gallery and is the home of the gallery owners.
Age of Imagination Knows No Boundaries
The renowned Vineyard painter Allen Whiting set up his easel Saturday at Featherstone Center for the Arts alongside 12 youngters, aged three to 10.
