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
January 24, 2014
Saved from a Florida Wrecking Ball: Funny Clips With a Vineyard Tie
An architectural salvage expert in Tampa was charmed to discover a scrapbook full of cartoons by the late Denys Wortman, renowned syndicated cartoonist in his day and a Vineyard resident.
Moon and Planets
A thin crescent moon will appear in the morning sky near the planet Saturn this weekend and near Venus next week. Much has changed in our evening sky.
Builder Going Out of Business, Fate of Town Solar Projects Unknown
Broadway Electrical Co. Inc., based in Boston, will shutter its business operation, a spokesman for the Cape and Vineyard Electrical Cooperative (CVEC), confirmed yesterday.
Charles W. Morgan Whaleship Brings History to Life
Nearly 173 years after she first set sail, the Charles W. Morgan has survived to earn a new distinction. She is the last surviving whaling ship and this spring she sets sail once again.
Keeping the Lights on, NStar Installs New Undersea Cable
New NStar undersea cable is expected to add redundancy to Vineyard power system and make service more reliable. The cable stretches 29,000 feet from Falmouth to West Chop.
Student Support Services Director Praises Quality of Programs
Philip E. Campbell, former director of pupil services in the Auburn schools, took over as the new director for student support services in November. Islandwide, 450 students receive special education services.
Second Big Snowstorm of Season Hits Island
An overnight coastal blizzard swept up the East Coast late Tuesday forcing schools, businesses and government offices to close for a day in the middle of the week. Then the thermometer plunged to single digits.
High Bids for Katama Farm Barn Are Rejected
Edgartown rejected three bids for work on the Katama Farm Barn. The lowest bid came in at $57,600, the next lowest bid was $89,548 and the highest bid was $186,000.
Police Arrest Two for Prescription Drugs
Two Vineyard residents were arraigned on drug charges last week after a police investigation into the sale of prescription drugs.
Food Pantry Wants to Fill SNAP Funding Gap
Last November, a temporary stimulus to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) expired, leaving 480,000 Massachusetts residents with fewer funds to stretch throughout the month.
Homeless On the Vineyard
Unfortunately, not everyone has the opportunity to enjoy winter at arm’s length. As reported in the last edition of the Gazette, there are approximately one hundred and sixty homeless people on the Vineyard.
Capturing the Purity of Life, Moment by Moment
These are the moors that tumble from our hilltop to the little shell and stone washed beach. Our golden dog, weaving a ribbon of orange silk through the beach plum and huckleberry bushes, scares to flight a family of quails and a berry nibbling gull.
Deer Me, Grandma’s Pants Do Get Around
The woman in her late 50s or early 60s who excused herself and wore a colorful, handcrafted felt hat was speaking to a woman in her 80s who had a bubbliness of someone half her age, wore what I can only describe as a bonnet, looked familiar to me and spoke audibly and loud enough…
Drawn to Storytelling Like a Moth to a Flame
I have long been a devotee of The Moth Radio Hour that airs on WCAI (and is also produced there), where people tell true stories from their lives with no notes or props of any kind.
Apple a Day
From the Vineyard Gazette edition of Jan. 25, 1985:
The computer age has come to the Edgartown Free Public Library.
Actually, it arrived quietly in the last weeks of 1984. Head librarian Linda Norton explains:
Friend, Mentor Inspired Career
The Island has lost the original dog whisperer with the death of George (Sonny) Jackson.
Run for Office? No Contest
Last year there were no contested offices in any of our six towns on the Vineyard during the spring elections. Now is the time for people to start thinking about serving on a local board or committee for the coming year.
Better Living, Vineyard Haven
Now that we are in the new year, let’s think about how to make things different and better for living in Vineyard Haven in the summer. Let’s get a discussion going about traffic mitigation measures.
Opening Soon
At this point it’s silly to offer an opening date. That said, if it isn’t in February, we will donate $1,000 to the Martha’s Vineyard Boys’ and Girls’ Club. If it isn’t March, we will donate $10,000. April? They can have the restaurant.
Quick Response
Wow! Gratitude and thanks to the fabulous response from the Tisbury police, the Tisbury fire department and NStar when a large plume of smoke appeared at the electrical wiring junction outside our house.
Real Estate Transactions: Jan. 13 – 19
Chilmark Anne Hotchkiss Ganz purchased North Road in Chilmark from Henry Washington Hotchkiss for $11,000 on Jan. 13. New Property MV LLC purchased 34 Brickyard Road in Chilmark from Great Rock Bight LP for $1,900,000 on Jan. 15. Edgartown Thomas G. Vaughan and Margaret B. Vaughan purchased 6 Norcross Drive in Edgartown from Linda H.…
Land Bank Revenues: Jan. 17
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $292,454.30 for the business week ending on Friday, Jan. 17, 2014. The land bank receives its funds from a two per cent fee charged on many Vineyard real estate transactions.
West Tisbury Town Column: Jan. 24
The weather has been all over the map. First it’s bitter cold with some snow and then mild with a generous amount of rain. If the unusual weather pattern this winter holds, now it’s time for another frigid blast and snow.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: Jan. 24
You can probably imagine how excited I was about Ivy Ashe’s story in the Gazette last week about the new, old barrel piano acquired by the Preservation Trust for the Flying Horses. The original Catalonian hand-cranked piano manufactured in Spain is apparently similar to the original one used over a century ago, which the trust…
Edgartown Town Column: Jan. 24
Last week we had 40 degree weather and as I sit here it is a blizzard outside and the thermometer is at 13 degrees. So, I guess that means that winter is not over.
Chappy Town Column: Jan. 24
The erosion at Wasque continues unabated. If the Schifter’s buildings had not been moved, the guesthouse and pool would have fallen over the bluff this week. For the moment the Wacks house seems to have been granted a reprieve.
Chilmark Town Column: Jan. 24
The media have convinced me that another storm of great proportions is heading for us and that we must brace ourselves for its severity. I am not making light of things but I am remembering the days before there were all these people watching out for us.
Aquinnah Town Column: Jan. 24
Well, the polar vortex visited once again. Freezing temperatures have returned, but the blizzard that was supposed to be really was not that bad after all.
Chili Contest Serves Up Hot Stuff
The 28th Annual Big Chili Contest, a major fundraiser for both the Red Stocking Fund and the Portuguese-American Club, begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the P.A. Club in Oak Bluffs (snow date is Sunday).
Aquinnah Library Cooking
A two-part series sponsored by the Aquinnah library begins with a documentary that explores the benefits of eating a plant-based diet on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 5 p.m. Then, they will follow up the movie with a potluck based on recipes from the cookbook published from the documentary. The potluck is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb.…
Nighttime is Right Time for Nocturnal Animals
For bats and other nocturnal animals, nighttime is the nicest time. These animals prefer not to see the light of day, and have adaptations that make their night life shine. Bats are just one group of animals that can do it all in the dark.
Walking Blues No More, the Cobbler Shop Returns
The Cobbler Shop is back in business. Owner Nancy MacMullen officially reopened last Tuesday after a long hiatus, and her to-do list was full right away.
Coastal Blizzard Delivers Lingering Winter Blast
The storm will gradually subside after bringing more snow and high winds, the National Weather Service in Taunton said. Schools and government offices are closed. Roads are mostly cleared but drivers are urged to use caution.
Heavy Snowfall at Nightfall; Schools, Government Offices Close
The fast-moving coastal winter storm is expected to last through mid-day Wednesday, with the Cape and Islands receiving snow accumulations of eight to 14 inches. Frigid temperatures will follow.
Passport Help
The West Tisbury Library wants to help you travel. The library is taking appointments for help with applying for a passport or renewing an old one.
Daybreak Clubhouse Open House
Daybreak Clubhouse, a program of Martha’s Vineyard Community Services that supports the integration of persons diagnosed with mental health conditions into the community, is hosting an open house Monday, Jan. 27.
Black History Month Breakfast
The League of Women Voters hosts the annual Black History Month Breakfast at Howes House in West Tisbury on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 9 a.m. Island resident and commentator Shelley Christiansen will present This Harmonious Island, Warts and All. Ms. Christiansen will explore the Vineyard’s history of race relations. The buffet breakfast is open to…
Biscuit Visits Island Libraries
Biscuit, the beloved yellow puppy familiar to readers of the children’s books by Alyssa Capucilli, will visit the Island the last week of January.
Acting Bug Bites
If the acting bug hasn’t yet bitten you, then try your hand as a playwright instead or as student director, perhaps.
Albatross Aloha
We were off to another adventure, this time to our 50th state, Hawaii.
Strawberry Yields Forever
Last week I was tempted by a plastic container of absolutely perfect organically grown in the U.S.A. strawberries. Granted, the price tag should have included a picture of an arm and a leg, but they were beautiful.
Actor, Activist Found Humor in Theatre of Small-Town Life
West Tisbury mystery writer remembers Jonathan Revere as a friend to many and a man unafraid to speak his mind, especially on workings of town government. Mr. Revere died on Jan. 19 at the age of 74.
Jonathan Revere, 74, Was Political Watchdog
The longtime West Tisbury resident wore many hats but was best known in recent years for his role as a self-appointed watchdog of Island politics, especially in his home town.
Chilmark Gets New Fire Tanker Truck
Chilmark’s new fire truck can carry 3,000 gallons of water and pump 1,500 gallons a minute. It was custom made by Bulldog Fire & Emergency Apparatus of Woodville.
Pledge from Copper Wok to Community: Opening Soon
Vineyard businessman apologizes for delays in opening new Asian restaurant at the Mansion House in Vineyard Haven, but promises it will be worth the wait.
Boys’ Hockey Stellar in League Play, Girls’ Team Hangs Tough
The boys’ hockey team beat Bishop Stang 8-2 on Friday and blanked Bishop Feehan 5-0 on Saturday. The girls’ hockey team placed third in the Nan Rheault Tournament.
Hoot, Hoot Goes There on Full Moon Owl Prowl
On Friday night a few dozen people gathered in silence for a Felix Neck Big Moon Owl Prowl. They walked paths lit by a full yellow moon rising above Sengekontacket while listening and looking up in the sky and trees.
Special Needs Advisory Group Looks to More Active Future
On Thursday evening, over 20 parents of children with special needs gathered at the YMCA to learn about the Island Parents Advisory Council, the bylaws that govern its functioning and a plan to get it back on its feet.
Edgartown Investigates Traffic Accident Involving Police Officer
A West Tisbury police officer has been placed on paid leave after being cited for a drunken driving in a Thursday night car crash.
Flying Horses Make Room in Stable for Tiny Catalonian Piano
A barrel piano provided the musical accompaniment to the carousel when it was first moved to the Vineyard in 1884 from Coney Island. This one came from Barcelona and is 100 years old.
