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
June 13, 2014
Executive Session Set Following Domestic Incident Involving Airport Manager
The Martha’s Vineyard Airport Commission has called a special meeting in executive session for next Wednesday following a domestic disburbance involving the airport manager.
Full Moon for Summer
Tonight’s full moon appears low in the southern sky. It rises in the southeast at sunset and remains to the south, setting tomorrow at sunrise in the southwest. The moon is between the zodiacal constellations Sagittarius and Scorpius, the two southernmost constellations in the zodiac. We give so much attention to the Summer Solstice sun…
Island Conundrum: Medical Marijuana Legal, Transporting is Not
Massachusetts law provides for a medical marijuana dispensary in Dukes County, but the U.S. Coast Guard says under federal law it won’t permit marijuana to be transported to the Island by boat.
Hot for Brazil as World Cup Fever Starts
Coop De Ville is the unofficial headquarters for World Cup fever on the Island. The Oak Bluffs waterfront bar was a colorful scene Thursday during the opening match between Brazil and Croatia.
Veterans Park Celebrates Fifty Years As Memorial Playground
Today is Flag Day. A rededication of Veterans Park in Vineyard Haven begins when the Northeast Navy Marching Band steps off at 11 a.m. from St. Augustine’s Church. The park was bought and built by American Legion Post 257 in 1964.
Thrift Shop Find Turns Out to Be Stolen Painting
Max Moran is still looking for his East Chop Light. John Alley in his top hat and tails, too. But Kelli, a nude painted on Lucy Vincent Beach, turned up at the Edgartown Second Hand Store. The plein air artist had other artwork stolen from his New York studio and is on a search and…
Young Golfers Clinic
Edgartown Golf Club is offering a new junior program on Thursdays to help youth learn to play golf and have fun in the process. The series will be offered by PGA professional Robbie Rush in a group environment.
Ship of History
One day next week citizens of the Island will look out over Vineyard Sound and watch as a striking vestige of our whaling heritage passes by. Whether the whaleship Charles W. Morgan will sail into Tisbury Wharf on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday depends, fittingly, on the seas. Her final ceremonial voyage completes a journey that…
Parched
It’s been a dry spring, so dry that even the handful of rain showers and downpours we’ve had in the past few days can’t wash away the dust and pollen that have been coating cars, kitchen tables and throats in recent weeks. Farmers and landscapers are lugging hoses and irrigation equipment and turning on the…
Bride’s Big Day Is Story of Two Good Men
Saturday my father will walk me down the aisle. We will slow dance to Billy Joel, and as guests eat chocolate glazed donuts, I will witness the wonder through his eyes — brown like mine.
Road Needs More Trees, Not More Pavement
As you can see from this photograph, despite all the badmouthing about Beach Road, it does have its charms. And those charms lay mainly in the trees that provide shade and greenery and enhance the experience of drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.
Art Contest Success Due to Many Angels
We are lucky, whether we call the Island home for a week, a year, or generations at a time. This feeling was refreshed as the Vineyard Conservation Society launched an art contest for high schoolers.
Rock the Boat
Graduates, take this moment to think about the extraordinary people who have helped you along your personal journey. And if you haven’t already, sometime today tell those people how much you appreciate their love and support.
Public Education Plaudits
Today marks our last day in high school, and in my case, the last day in public school as well. After 12 years of being in an “everyman’s school,” an experience I’ve found invaluable, I’ll be heading to private school for the first time this August. While I’m extremely excited about this next step in…
In Praise of Classmates
We live in a special place, but you all know that. I have no cliched advice for you today, no insightful message or sentimental speech about a childhood on this Island. Instead, I’d like to recognize some of the kids who have made this class exceptional.
Advice to Graduates: Don’t Drift Through Life
I didn’t become a teacher till I was 36 years old, and I believe we are never too old to transform ourselves. Life isn’t about finding out who you are or discovering yourself, it’s about making yourself into the person you want to be. Every person is always a work in progress.
For Capt. Dan Purdy
Our dear friend, Capt. Danwin Purdy died today in south Florida. He will be forever missed in our hearts and remembered as a big part of our lives. Our arms reach out to his family and most especially his beautiful bride, Sherry.
With Gratitude
The family of JoAnn deBettencourt would like to thank everyone for the love and support shown to us during the loss of our loved one.
Spirtual Center
With sadness, Bodhi Path Buddhist Centers announced that founder and spiritual leader Shamar Rinpoche passed away suddenly on June 11, 2014, in Renchen-Ulm, Germany. Shamar Rinpoche, who was born in 1952, was the 14th Shamarpa, or Red Hat Lama of Tibet. Until his death, Shamar Rinpoche was the lineage holder of the Karma Kagyu lineage…
Celebrating a Love Story for the Ages
After 62 years apart, Cynthia Riggs and Howard Attebery now live happily and very much in love in West Tisbury. On May 25, they celebrated their one year anniversary as husband and wife.
Inspiration Comes in the Blink of an Eye
According to SQuire Rushnell, 2014 could be the year of the godwink. The term, which Mr. Rushnell coined himself, is used to describe “a coincidence that is so astonishing that it must have come from divine origin.”
Back in the Saddle
It’s that time of year again when Vineyard vacationers are returning to find what ravages the elements and/or little creatures have inflicted upon summer homes we thought were so carefully winter-proofed last September.
Island Grace
On April 27, we received the phone call no parent ever wants to get. Our beloved daughter, Elinor, was critically injured in an automobile accident a very long way from home.
Ring the Bell for Ralph and Ethel
For the first time in a long time there was no bell sounded to signal the start of the West Tisbury Farmers’ Market this past Saturday, June 7.
Outpouring of Love
I wanted to take this opportunity to express sincere gratitude from all of my family for the use of the Chilmark Community Center on Sunday, June 1, to host a fundraiser for my grandfather Ed Colligan.
Something Missing
This has been a remarkable graduation, so many things to be thankful for and yet what I missed about the ceremonies was mention of all the kids who would be moving on to join a family business, the plumbers, the carpenters, electricians-in-training, the landscapers, farmers, oil delivery guys, childcare workers, mechanics, waitresses/waiters, line cooks, checkout…
Island Gives and Gives to Vineyard Students During Class Night Scholarships
Senior graduate scholarships and awards and post-graduate scholarships awarded during class night on June 6 at the Tabernacle.
From School to Wilderness
The Farm & Wilderness Foundation has hired Rebecca Thomas Geary as its executive director. Ms. Geary, currently with Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (BB&N) in Cambridge will join F&W this month. She will become F&W’s sixth executive director since it became a nonprofit organization nearly 40 years ago.
Vineyard Cardiologist Honored by Massachusetts General Hospital
Dr. Timothy Guiney, the well-known Vineyard cardiologist who has been practicing medicine in Boston and on the Island for decades, has been recognized by Massachusetts General Hospital for his distinguished contributions to the field of medicine.
Fishing Pier’s Official Opening
The official opening and ribbon cutting celebration of the Oak Bluffs fishing pier will take place on Thursday, June 19, at 11 a.m.
West Tisbury Selectmen Order Dog Restrained
The West Tisbury selectmen this week ordered the owner of a Husky to restrain her dog after an incident where the dog killed a chicken. At a public hearing Wednesday, the selectmen learned that on May 4 the dog owned by Marina Sharkovitz killed a chicken owned by neighbor Angela Aronie on Otis Bassett Road.…
Ian MacCormack Named to Dean’s List
Ian MacCormack of Oak Bluffs was named to the dean’s list for the spring 2014 semester at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y.
Michael Kendall Graduates
Michael C. Kendall, son of BeeBee Horowitz and Stuart Kendall of West Tisbury, graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., on Sunday, May 25.
Chilmarker Earns Degree
Cody Coutinho of Chilmark recently earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at Merrimack College in North Andover.
Land Bank Revenues: June 6
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $75,276.50 for the business week ending on Friday, June 6, 2014.
Diving Into John Potter Memoir
Normally I don’t like sequels. I often find them to be inferior products. So when John Potter asked me to review On the Track of the Monmouth’s Galleon, I said yes with some dread. The book is a sequel to his autobiographical book My First Nine Lives. It continues Mr. Potter’s story from 1954 to…
Real Estate Transactions: June 2 – June 8
Jan Hulka purchased 7 Wheelhouse Way in Oak Bluffs from Stanley Siede for $426,200 on June 6.
Baby, It’s Cold Outside
Join Terry Appenzellar and John Caldwell as they present a slide show and talk about their trip to Antarctica — just in time for summer. Shots of this scenery will cool off any warm day. The presentation is at the Chilmark Public Library on Wednesday, June 18, beginning at 5 p.m.
Poets’ Collective
Poets and musicians will gather at Featherstone on Thursday, June 19, to commemorate the season. Martha’s Vineyard poet laureate Lee McCormack and Edgartown’s poet laureate Steve Ewing will join poets from Cleveland House and the poets’ collective. Music and dance performances round out the night.
Renaissance House Returns
Renaissance House will once again hold free writers’ salons on Tuesdays, beginning June 17 at 7:30 p.m. with John Hough Jr. and his latest book, Little Bighorn. Renaissance House provides writers and artists with a retreat to focus on their projects. Held at Renaissance House, 31 Pennacook avenue in Oak Bluffs, the salons feature authors…
Dubliners Book Talk
James Joyce’s The Dubliners is the subject of a lecture presented by Philip Weinstein at the Vineyard Haven library at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25. Mr. Weinstein is a professor at Swarthmore College and promises the only homework for the lecture is to carefully read the stories: The Sisters, A little Cloud, Counterparts and…
Sense of Wonder Show
The Sense of Wonder Creations art show is Saturday and Sunday, June 14 and 15, noon to 5 p.m. on both days. The show features the work of students as young as six years old. There will be an opening and closing party and a benefit for the Gecko Orphanage in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Rick…
Looking for Pea Royalty
Morning Glory Farm is bringing a bit of friendly competition to the growing fields. Sure they have farming down, but what about all those homegrowers out there? To inspire more green thumbs, the farm is sponsoring a pea competition. First peas to be brought into the farm from a backyard grower wins a $50 gift…
Baking Bread to Help Alleviate Hunger
Tradition continues this weekend on Saturday, June 14 at 10 a.m. when the Vineyard Committee on Hunger (VCOH) holds its annual bread sale at Bunch of Grapes Bookstore in Vineyard Haven. The bake sale has been going on for 30 years, helping to raise money to feed the hungry and to raise awareness about the…
Youth Leadership Summit
The Martha’s Vineyard Youth Leadership Initiative begins a week-long training event June 21. The intensive workshop is for ages 15 to 21 and helps them envision personal and professional goals. Youth will learn about green projects on the Island, and share best practices and lessons with other Island youth.
Student Debates
Eighth graders from the Oak Bluffs and Edgartown Schools will hold an afternoon of debates on Friday, June 13 beginning at noon at the Oak Bluffs School. The two schools created teams with students from both schools. There will be six debates, each scheduled to last 35 minutes. The audience votes for the winner.
New Graduate
Sadie Dix from Chilmark graduated from Cambridge School of Weston in Weston. She is the daughter of Rebecca Miller and Matthew Dix of Chilmark. She will be attending University of Rochester in September and is the recipient of a Renaissance and Global Scholarship.
Advocate Will Visit Vineyard
Martha’s Vineyard Community Services presents An Evening with Keith Jones on Tuesday, June 17 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Daybreak Clubhouse on State Road in Vineyard Haven.
East Chop Drive Limited to One Lane for Summer
The seaward side of East Chop Drive will remain closed until further notice, as the bluff beneath continues to experience erosion. Selectmen voted this week to restrict traffic on the scenic drive, making this the first time the road has been limited to one lane during the summer.
A Gathering of Tufts Graduates
Three decades of Martha’s Vineyard Tufts University graduates gathered this June — Betty Feldman, class of 1944, Jennifer Marlin, class of 1983, and Julie Pringle, Class of 2013. All three woman are from Vineyard Haven.
Morgan Documentary
In collaboration with Mystic Seaport and SAIL MV, the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center presents The Charles W. Morgan on Tuesday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Dancing to the Beat of Exploration as the Yard’s Season Opens
How does one capture the spirit of Martha’s Vineyard in a way that can live past the present? Or how to recreate the way time feels as the tide ebbs and flows at Stonewall Beach. Or how about the timeless music of the country’s oldest carousel?
Tisbury Debates Town Shellfish Regulations
Following a lengthy and well-attended public hearing last week, Tisbury shellfish regulations remain largely unchanged. A minor change in language regarding area closures was easily approved last Tuesday by the selectmen, along with an update to commercial shellfishing regulations that makes them consistent with state laws. The latter change restricts the number of commercial license…
Please Adopt Us
Two of the cages in the lobby of the Animal Shelter are adorned with blue ribbons. Ruby, the white rabbit with artfully-placed black spots and Twinkie, a large black male guinea pig, won honors at the Celebration of Pets last weekend. Both animals have been hand raised and are gentle and cuddly. So are our…
Vineyard Haven Town Column: June 13
I cannot believe the day is finally here! Time moved so quickly since Edson Rodgers informed us that he had booked the North East Navy Band to come play for us on Flag Day, as we re-dedicate War Veterans Memorial Park tomorrow.
West Tisbury Town Column: June 13
Sprinkle a little salt over your left shoulder before reading today’s column as it is Friday the 13. Well it was a toasty warm weekend with the temperature reaching almost 85 degrees. Leaves are out in full in all the trees and the pollen was and is at a high level.
Maggot Mayhem
One would hope that a long, cold, snowy winter would, at least, put a damper on the bug population. The garden pests are back in force, and the root maggots and flea beetles are enjoying my broccoli, cabbage and kohlrabi. The Colorado potato bug has found my once beautiful potato crop. The cabbageworm is back…
Everything’s Coming Up Rosa Rugosa
Take time to smell the roses. It is perhaps the best display I have seen in a long time. Beach Road is ablaze in blooms of rosa rugosa. Pink, red and white flowers cover the dunes and are putting on quite a fantastic show.
Golden Orioles
So, that handsome orange and black bird that sings a musical song from high in a tree is indeed a Baltimore oriole.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: June 13
The Oak Bluffs Library is clearly the pride of Pacific avenue.
Edgartown Town Column: June 13
I think it is summer. Or at least it was for a few days. We finally got some long needed rain. Now it is suppose to be cooler, so we will see what happens.
West Tisbury Grapples With New Lights, Old Fixtures
The town historic district commission voted this week to save the existing so-called admiral hat fixtures but replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps, striking a balance between preserving the historic look of the town and allowing for more energy efficiency.
On Chappy: June 13
We have received sad news from Florida that Dan Purdy has passed away. That we first heard it from the rod and reel fishermen is very fitting. Dan will be greatly missed. We look forward to Sherry’s return to Chappy.
Aquinnah Town Column: June 13
Okay, Friday the 13th and a full moon – that is fine as the temperatures have reached the 80s over the past week and kept many very happy. Peonies are popping. Graduation parties are nearly over as is the school year.
Concern About Emergency Access to Private Beaches in Aquinnah
With the summer season approaching, the town of Aquinnah is looking to better emergency access to Squibnocket Pond after a recent incident left responders with few options.
New Manager Named for Katama Airfield
George F. Smith 3rd, a pilot, retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel and summer resident, was appointed by the Edgartown selectmen Monday to manage the town-owned grass airfield. Outgoing manager Mike Creato was lauded for his work and legacy at the airfield.
An Old Cape, Still With Wind in Her Sails
Years ago, in the latter part of the 19th and early part of the 20th centuries, some houses were given names in Edgartown. Blow Out Villa on Upper Main Street is one you might have missed.
Broken Records Behind Him, Vineyard Runner Has Miles to Go Before He Stops
In track and field, the 800-metre run is a hybrid, a race that is definitely not a dash but can’t quite be considered an endurance event.
“It’s kind of just a relaxed sprint,” regional high school senior Jeremy Alley-Tarter said last week, in between warming up for a workout.
Announcing Luiza
Justine Shemeth DeOliveira and Paulo DeOliveira of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Luiza Shemeth DeOliveira, born on June 7 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Welcome, Theodore
Cara Elizabeth Lane and Andrew Tenant Reed Jr. of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Theodore Whaler Reed, born on May 27 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Celebrating Dream Keepers at Permanent Endowment Reception
The Permanent Endowment for Martha’s Vineyard celebrated a record-breaking year with a reception Tuesday for scholarship recipients from the past several years.
Search Underway for High School Principal, Superintendent
The search for a new principal at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School is well under way, superintendent of schools Dr. James H. Weiss said Monday. A separate search has also begun for Mr. Weiss’s replacement when he retires in 2015.
Drafted by the Orioles: Night Honoring Tad Gold Has Surprise Ending
An evening set to honor the base-stealing, RBI-hitting lefty and 2009 graduate of the regional high school had an unexpected interruption Saturday. Tad Gold took a call on his cell phone. He had just been drafted by the Baltimore Orioles.
Speed Restrictions to Protect Right Whales Are Working, Scientists Say
Notifying speeding sailors that regulations are in place to protect North Atlantic right whales has been effective in protecting the endangered whales from ship collisions, a new study by NOAA has found.
Whaleship Charles W. Morgan Sails for First Time in Nearly a Century
For the first time in nearly a century, the whaleship Charles W. Morgan had seawater under her hull and the wind billowing her sails as she cast off Saturday from New London for a sea trial.
Praising Island Community, Class of 2014 Celebrates Graduation
Friends, family and the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School class of 2014 filled the Trinity Park Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs on Sunday afternoon. Per tradition for the graduates, the boys wore purple caps and gowns and the girls wore white.
Off the Beaten Path; Cross-Island Hike Is Explorer’s Paradise
The 22nd annual cross-Island hike, hosted by the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank Commission, brought in record numbers, with over 100 walkers starting at Lambert’s Cove at 8 a.m.
Look Ma No Gas; Solar Powered Cars Win the Day
Almost 200 fifth grade students from across the Island gathered at the Boys and Girls Club to race handcrafted solar cars Saturday morning. The event was the conclusion of a nearly two-week long study of sustainability, renewable energy and engineering.
West Tisbury Farmers’ Market Plays to the Beat of Summer
The 40th annual market opened to blue skies and a steady crowd on Saturday at the Grange Hall. Friends inquired about each others’ winters, and farmers were eager to greet old and new customers alike.
