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 23, 2014
Memorial Day Weekend Meteor Shower
If you have time tonight, take a walk outside and look to the heavens. Comet 209P/LINEAR is passing by and the earth is traveling through a portion of the comet’s orbit. It could be a bold and beautiful night. Or it could be a bust. Such is the story of backyard astronomy. Comet 209P/LINEAR is…
Cooking Up a Life Together is Tasty Journey
Justin Melnick doesn’t care much for blenders. He likes to mix pasta dough with a fork, crushes tomatoes by hand, bursting them like little stress balls, and spends three days creating tagliatelle Bolognese. “It’s a real labor of love,” he said the other night inside the Terrace at the Charlotte Inn, where he has run…
MVC Review of Stop & Shop Marked by Many Twists, Turns
In many ways the 10-month review of the grocery chain’s expansion plan followed a normal course for a development project in front of the MVC. But emails obtained by the Gazette show the process was unusual in other respects.
Off the Beaten Path, but Still Plenty of Life to Go Around
History is hidden all over the Vineyard. Forgotten gravesites still turn up in backyards. Graves are often discovered when homeowners embark on renovations, or casually turn over a stone that’s always been on the property, finding on the other side a small record of a life once lived.
Athletes Shine at Track and Field Meet
Senior co-captain Jeremy Alley-Tarter and freshman Livy Smith turned in winning performances Tuesday as the track and field squads traveled to Attleboro for the Eastern Athletic Conference championship meet.
Smiles Everyone, Smiles; Dockside Is Host of the Town
John Tiernan has the talk of a salesman, the walk of a local and the passion and energy to dream big for Oak Bluffs, which is perhaps why the Dockside Inn has flourished since he bought it in 2012. “I have a vision that Oak Bluffs should be that grand seaside resort it once was,…
Vineyard Grieves After Tragic Death of Beloved Islander
The Vineyard was flooded with expressions of grief and mourning this week over the loss of F. Patrick Gregory, the longtime West Tisbury town moderator and Vineyard Haven businessman who was fatally shot on a remote hiking trail in northern California a week ago today.
Creating Peace, One Sip at a Time
The Humanity Initiative aims to end war by January 2020. It begins with something universal and easy: the ancient, relaxing tradition of coming together to sip tea.
Snowdrops Are Nice, but Herring Are Heart of a Fisherman’s Spring
The ocean may still be as blue as it was in January, but there is a new fragrance that goes with a warming ocean. Is it too soon to think of a bluefish blitz at Wasque?
Parading Around
There was never a fairer Memorial Day than Monday when Vineyard Haven stirred to music now martial, now solemn on the clear air, and stood with bared head to do reverence to veterans of old wars and of new.
Four-Legged Friends are Path to the Past
A prize-winning pig named Wendy, along with a sheep named Ida from the Farm Institute in Katama and a litter of newly born kittens add up to a fun visit for Windemere residents.
Three Friends Capture Vineyard’s Place in World War II
Authors met on Thursdays for lunch and their friendship led to writing a book on the Vineyard’s place in history during World War II.
Sowing Seeds of Change; On Screen, At the Dinner Table and On the Farm
Film producer and environmental advocate Laurie David has a new message: cook or be cooked. Her latest documentary, Fed Up, was produced with longtime news anchor Katie Couric.
Welcome, Marques
Elizangela Marcal and Eneias Marcal of Edgartown announce the birth of a son, Marques Marcal, born on May 20 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Anna Hughes Named to Dean’s List
Anna (Zen) Hughes of West Tisbury was named to the dean’s list at Boston University.
Martha’s Vineyard Hospital Ranked in Top 20
Martha’s Vineyard Hospital has been ranked one of the top 20 highest critical access hospitals in the country, according to the National Rural Health Association.
Land Bank Revenues: May 16
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $158,390 for the business week ending on Friday, May 16, 2014.
Visions of Art Around the Island
Memorial Day weekend marks the opening of most art galleries across the Island. Artists have busied themselves all winter with the creative process and now they’re ready to share.
Memorial Day Opens Season and Hearts
Traditions will be kept this Memorial Day weekend as the Vineyard honors veterans and celebrates the coming summer. As in years past, events begin Friday with students at the Tisbury and Edgartown schools marching to the sea to lay flowers in the water.
Former Island Teacher Director of Farm & Wilderness Foundation
The Farm & Wilderness Foundation has hired Rebecca Thomas Geary as its executive director.
High School View Wins Top Honors
The High School View won the highest achievement award in scholastic editing and publishing (Class III), according to a press release from faculty advisor and English department chairman Dan Sharkovitz.
West Tisbury School Hosts Rummage Sale
The West Tisbury School will be hosting a huge rummage sale to raise funds to rebuild the school’s playground on May 31 and June 1.
Real Estate Transactions: May 12 – May 18
Matthew Lichtenberg TRS, Leonard Blum TRS and Pasture Way Realty Trust purchased 14 Marjos Way in Chilmark from Deborah Lomas, Steven Hoxsie, Mary Ann Hoxsie EST, Russell S. Hoxsie EST, Deborah Lomas TRS, Steven Hoxsie TRS and Russell S. Hoxsie Trust for $1,725,000 on May 15.
West Tisbury Town Column: May 23
Let’s not forget what Memorial Day is really all about and take some time out from all our busy activities to remember those who have gone on before us.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: May 23
If you read this paper before noon today, hustle on down to Main street to watch the Tisbury School students in their annual march to the sea, the commemoration of all our military services.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: May 23
You may have forgotten how blue the sky can get. Fresh paint in the hot sun smells great, unless you’re the one with the brush of course. And then comes the rainbow colors of cars parked at State Beach.
Chilmark Town Column: May 23
Cheers from here for a happy holiday weekend with friends and family and we will all keep in our hearts the memory of those innocents who have fallen to violent acts of all kinds.
On Chappy: May 23
Spring on Chappy means new beginnings — beach plums and shad bloom their weddingish flowers. Previously unseen and unheard creatures appear as if someone was having an art opening with free food.
Aquinnah Town Column: May 23
Pat Gregory: a loving family man, a peaceful soul, an inspiring educator, a community leader, a generous man, always with his assuring smile. The passing of Pat has touched every corner of the Vineyard.
Auditors Say Council on Aging Funds Were Mismanaged
Although there was no personal gain, director Roger Wey may have violated more than one state law in his handling of the Quilting Fund, a special report released this week found. Mr. Wey remains on paid leave.
Town Will Remove Poor-Quality Sand from Inkwell Beach
Following an outpouring of criticism, selectmen announced Tuesday that the dredge spoils deposited at Inkwell this spring will come off before summer. A small group of protesters had picketed at the site one day earlier.
Tisbury Limits Anchorage in Lagoon, Tashmoo, Harbor
Effective June 1, boaters in Vineyard Haven waterways will be restricted to three days on an anchor. The Tisbury selectmen unanimously voted to approve an amendment to the town anchoring regulations after a public hearing Tuesday.
Wind at Her Back, Full Sail Ahead
Casey Blum, 24, is about to embark on her first season as captain of Alabama. She’s the first woman to captain the 90-foot schooner, and the youngest captain to sail Alabama since the ship began its second life on the Vineyard.
Please Adopt Us
A special thanks to the AmeriCorps volunteers who visited the shelter on Saturday, cleaning, weeding, mowing and getting us ready for the upcoming season. Thank you!
WMVY Back on the Dial
Vineyard radio station WMVY is back on the airwaves, about 15 months after losing its radio signal and changing to an online-only format. The popular independent radio station began broadcasting on 88.7 at about 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Getting Rid of The Talk, Starting a Conversation
There’s no such thing as the talk anymore. And the awkward puberty book — that’s gone too. A new sex education pilot program at the West Tisbury School emphasizes normalizing the conversation about sexual health.
Two Lacrosse Players Selected for State Team
Two Martha’s Vineyard Youth Lacrosse players have been selected for the Mass Bay Colonials Lacrosse team, and they will compete at the World Lacrosse Championships this summer.
Bird-a-thon 2014: Searching for the Pharalope
Early last week the members of five bird-a-thon teams and feeder watchers watched in horror at the weather predictions. “We better not have rain Friday and Saturday — it will kill the birding!” was the cry.
West Tisbury Town Column
Monday is Memorial Day and there will be a parade and traditional observances. There will be a road race in Oak Bluffs on Sunday and the annual Tisbury town picnic on Monday. Ginger Duarte reports that the supportive day program benefit bike ride scheduled for tomorrow has been cancelled. If the swans choose to stay…
Vineyard Student Wins Congressional Art Contest
Regional High School student Isabelle Crawford was named “best in show” in the 2014 Congressional Art Competition. Her photograph of an oak tree in North Tisbury will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol.
High School Courts Renamed in Honor of Ned Fennessy
In a ceremony Saturday, the regional high school tennis courts were named after the coach for his 23 years of service. Mr. Fennessy retired following the 2013 season, after he helped the tennis team to its second straight division three state championship.
Chilmark Artist Opening in Maryland
Chilmark artist Jay Lagemann, perhaps best known on the Island for the swordfish harpooner sculpture at Menemsha Beach, has opening reception coming up in Easton, Md.
Sacred Sounds
Local musicians will perform classical and sacred music every Friday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. beginning May 23 at Trinity Worship Center at the Camp Ground in Oak Bluffs.
Gifts From Nature
New creations of wampum, abalone, conch and moon snail are filling Joan LeLacheur’s studio at 42 Old South Road in Aquinnah. Her studio opens Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, May 24.
Vineyard Montessori School Takes Flight
The Vineyard Montessori School is all about aviation on May 31 and June 1 as it hosts Flyin’ MV and, for the grown-ups, a Fly Me to the Moon fundraiser.
Dance the Mytoi Garden
This time around the Yard is coming to the garden. Dancers will entertain visitors to the Mytoi Japanese Garden on Chappaquiddick with pop-up performances from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 31.
Lighthouses Open, Signaling the Season
Memorial Day weekend is open season for Gay Head Light and Edgartown Light. East Chop Light opens for sunsets in June.
Asparagus Love Is in the Air
I’ve been eating asparagus like a mad woman. One picking is a significant amount of food. My original patch is easily 30 years old and covered in my arch nemesis mugwort, but is still producing like crazy.
Birds Take Backseat to Botany
Wild geraniums are making a splash in our woodlands. While they are absolutely of the plant persuasion, they have a strong bird connection and might even be able to catch the attention of those upward-looking birders.
Superintendents Rekindle Idea of Single School District
At a talk sponsored by the League of Women Voters, former superintendent Peter Palches and current superintendent Dr. James H. Weiss spoke of the need to regionalize administrative functions in Island schools . Mr. Palches has asked the League to make a study of the issue.
High School Sailors Head to National Invitational
After qualifying for the Fritz Mark trophy race in Hyannis last weekend, the Vineyarders thought they had missed the chance to move on to the national invitational, despite a hard-fought comeback at the end. Now another team has dropped out and Island sailors will race in Cambridge this weekend.
Edgartown Police Investigating Alleged Hate Crime
Edgartown police are searching for two or three men allegedly involved in an assault Saturday night that is being considered a hate crime, police said Monday.
Heads Up! Forensics Project Helps Student Chart Future Path
Last week, days before she was to present her senior project presentation and less than a month before the regional high school seniors graduate, Mariah Campbell looked unflappable, walking from a science classroom to an art lab while carrying a head named Henry under her arm.
No I in Team; On the Field Or in the Editing Room
Clifton (Paul) Robinson, a two-sport varsity athlete at the regional high school, came off the field for his senior project to do a sports documentary with the help of mentors at MVTV.
Fact Meets Fiction at State Road Speakeasy
The sign outside State Road Restaurant last Wednesday night said Go Bruins. The parking lot was overflowing and yet upon entering there was no hockey to be found. Instead, there was a crowd of people talking about writing and literature.
Island Stunned by News of Death of Pat Gregory
Throughout the weekend the Vineyard mourned the loss of the longtime West Tisbury moderator and well-known Islander, who was the victim of a robbery and homicide on a remote hiking trail in northern California Friday. Mr. Gregory was 69.
Root Beer and Dive Boats at Public Safety Open House
Beneath a clear blue sky, children scrambled up the steps of fire trucks and parents peeked inside police cruisers at the West Tisbury public safety building open house on Saturday.
Charles W. Morgan Departs Mystic Seaport Saturday
The Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaling ship in the world, departs from Mystic Seaport Saturday for her 38th voyage. In about a month, the Morgan will be docking in Vineyard waters, part of a three-month journey that will bring the whaling era back to life.
