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 28, 2014
Heading Out to Sea to Share the Bounty
On the day after Thanksgiving Nat Benjamin and a four-man crew cast off the stern lines of the gaff-rigged schooner Charlotte and set sail for the Caribbean. But it will be more than a cruising adventure.
From Pooh Bear to Graduation Cards, Mardell’s Stocks it All
With everything from candles and cards to jewelry and toys, the Main street Vineyard Haven store has served both year-round and summer customers since 1913.
Thanksgiving 2014
The gleaners have been out in force in recent weeks, scouring the abundant farm fields up-Island and down for sweet potatoes, kale, onions, winter squash and more.
Thanksgiving Day
The storm that cancelled ferries and hampered travelers to and from the Island had blown out to sea by Thursday morning. At Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs the day began with solitary walkers along the beachfront.
Family Is Essential Ingredient in Success of Reliable Market
A few things have changed since the Reliable Market first opened in 1947, but not the family behind its success. The Pachecos have owned and operated the Circuit avenue store from the beginning.
From Dawn to Dusk and Then Some, This Girl Doesn’t Play Games
It’s still early in the morning and Phoenix Russell has decided to spend the first part of the day combing one of her favorite beaches to collect conch and clam shells to make jewelry. She also spends most fall mornings and evenings sitting in a deer stand.
Immigration Order Sees Cautious Reaction on Island
Immigrants around the country and around the Island closely followed President Obama’s speech last Thursday when he unveiled a set of actions on immigration.
Demand for Composting Expected to Grow Here
Massachusetts has become the first state in the nation to put a ban on commercial food waste entering landfills. Larger businesses on the Vineyard are preparing for the changes, and businesses and residents are feeling the need for more composting regulations.
As Cost of Electricity Rises, Islanders Pay More
Islanders can expect to see their electric bills go up this winter, with Cape Light Compact and NStar both announcing increases in electricity costs beginning as early as December. Utility companies said the price increase can be attributed to a growing demand for natural gas paired with pipeline constraints.
Family Reunion
A grand reunion of Irish Jack Russell terriers met on the beach Nov. 21. It was the fourth birthday of five from the second litter of Murphy, owned by Fan and Dog Ogilvie of West Tisbury. Murphy came to the Ogilvies from Ireland when she was seven weeks old, hand carried by Doris Ward, who…
Piercing the Past, Herb Slater Stood Ready at the Helm
Herbert Slater, who died last week, was one of a dwindling group of men who took part in the now largely forgotten harpoon fishery that made Menemsha a major source of swordfish landings on the East Coast in the fifties, sixties and seventies.
When the Main Course Was Testosterone
Thanksgiving when I was growing up always meant a different assortment of extended family members congregating at different homes.
Story of Cod Shows How Outcome of Overfishing Can Be Final
Vineyard fishermen no longer pursue cod in these waters. The fishing boats plying these waters left years ago. Cod are gone.
Held Aloft by Hope, Grounded in Thanks
I really think that fall’s colors were more brilliant this year, the reds and yellows much happier against the deep blue skies. Maybe they seemed that way to me.
Shellfish Funding Cut
The Executive Office for Administration and Finance eliminated funding in FY 2015 legislative appropriation, including funding for shellfish propagation in Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket counties.
Housing Hero
When people think about what they have to be grateful for in their lives here on Martha’s Vineyard, few would argue that a good home is near the top of the list.
Search for MVC Director
Mark London, executive director of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, intends to retire at the end of August 2015, and finding his replacement has become one of the commission’s high priorities.
Beatles on Stage
I am a big Beatles fan. And because of that, I am a connoisseur of good music. The program produced at the Oak Bluffs School was top of the line.
ChapStick, Registered Trademark
President Obama kissed as many as five million illegal immigrants.
Sweet Tradition
It is probably true that civilization is built on tradition. Even if it isn’t, traditions are nice, sweet and sentimental. People like them. They also use them as excuses for doing things that they can’t think of any logical reason for doing.
Advent Evensong
The First Congregational Church of West Tisbury offers its special contemplative Advent series on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. beginning Dec. 3 and continuing through Dec. 17.
Ribbon Cutting for New Facility at Vineyard House
Vineyard House, the Island’s only sober living facility, will soon be opening a new residential campus in Vineyard Haven. The ribbon cutting is Dec. 19.
County Seeks to End Airport Litigation
The most recent dispute between the Martha’s Vineyard Airport and the Dukes County Commission may be one step closer to resolution, following the county’s decision this week to close the record on the latest complaint from the airport.
Land Bank Revenues: Nov. 21
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $215,875 for the business week ending on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014. The land bank receives its funds from a two per cent fee charged on many Vineyard real estate transactions.
Holly Moon
The moon takes charge of our evenings in the coming week. Tonight, the first quarter moon appears high the evening sky, in the zodiacal constellation Aquarius. The distant and faint planet Neptune, not visible to most of us, is nearby. The moon becomes gibbous and gains brightness in the following nights, moving through the zodiacal…
Neighborhood Convention: 120 Years of Fellowship
The Neighborhood Convention celebrates its 120th anniversary this month, and some time was reserved at the November meeting for a bit of reminiscing. The convention was born out of a time of hostility among the Protestant denominations of the Vineyard.
Looking Ahead to Winter Sports
As the fall sports season wraps up with the football team’s win over Nantucket, it’s time to look ahead to winter sports. Tryouts begin next week.
Oak Bluffs Tree Lighting Is Artful Affair
On Wednesday, Dec. 3, Oak Bluffs officially begins the countdown to Christmas with the annual lighting of the tree at Post Office Square. The ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m.
National Book Award Nominee Lets the Music Lead the Words
Fanny Howe, whose latest book of poetry, Second Childhood, was nominated for the National Book Award, suggests that readers not try to understand her poems but rather just listen to the music of the words and images. Her collection centers around “the convergence between old age and childhood.”
With Storm in Forecast, Ferry Cancellations Anticipated Wednesday
The Steamship Authority said they anticipate ferry service disruptions Wednesday because of the weather; a high wind advisory is in effect from 2 p.m. Wednesday until 3 a.m. Thursday. Extra ferry service was added Tuesday for the Martha’s Vineyard route.
Road Trip and Remembrance
My weekend garden activities were cut short this past week. Violet and I took a day trip to Boston. We were privileged to hear a concert at Symphony Hall with Itzhak Perlman.
Drumstick or Thigh?
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, one that commemorates survival through a hard season, friends and family spending time together, communities rallying around and supporting those in need, and food, food, food!
Oak Bluffs Town Column: Nov. 28
While her personage certainly fit the myriad characters of the town of Oak Bluffs and it could have been possible, it’s unlikely chicken lady Nancy Luce ever visited here in person.
Aquinnah Town Column: Nov. 28
Friends of Aquinnah Public Library will have a raffle of a beautiful handmade Advent calendar created by Alexandra Taylor.
Chilmark Town Column: Nov. 28
Sub·sti·tute noun — a person or thing acting or serving in place of another. I graciously ask you to understand that I am not Jane, but I will strive to keep you informed and hope that I am rewarded with your approval.
Getting Hairy for a Cause, Tisbury School Embraces Movember
The chevron, the handlebar, the walrus, the Fu Manchu — these are just a few of the terms that have become part of the Tisbury School lexicon thanks to the movement known as Movember. This year the school used the growing of mustaches as a way to help the Island Food Pantry.
On Chappy: Nov. 28
The Chappy Ferry Captain and Crew appreciation potluck supper will take place at the Chappy Community Center as per tradition on the first Wednesday in December. Appetizers begin at 6 p.m. with the buffet line forming up at 6:30 p.m.
Airport Commission Gets Back to Business, With Tension
Internal debate over how business should be done at the Island’s only commercial airport continued when the airport commission met for the first time since August. The commission tended to a few business items, but much of the meeting was marked by tense exchanges.
Open House at Gay Head Gallery
This weekend the Gay Head Gallery is hosting an open house from noon to 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday. There will be a question and answer session with artist Enos Ray at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Festival of Wreaths is Thursday
The fifth annual Festival of Wreaths at the Federated Church in Edgartown will warm your holiday spirit from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4.
Desert Garden Tour
The Polly Hill Arboretum is offering an exclusive tour of gardens of southern Arizona from March 22 to 26, 2015.
Oak Bluffs Open Market
Island vendors, music and chowder come together as Oak Bluffs kicks off the holiday season with its open market. Dreamland hosts the event on Friday, Nov. 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 508-939-1076.
The Jazzman Cometh
Jazz favorites along with traditional Christmas tunes are on the menu at the Tisbury Senior Center on Friday, Dec. 5, at 4 p.m. as Leslie “J for Jazz” Stark shares his extensive collection of holiday jazz.
Jemima James and Friends Play
Jemima James and Good Night Louise join forces for a musical evening at the Katharine Cornell Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 29, from 8 to 11 p.m.
Oak Bluffs Breaks Ground for New Fire Station
Oak Bluffs officials stood in a semi-circle on Monday, shovels ready, to mark the beginning of a major construction project. They faced a gray structure that’s been home to the fire department since 1973, but will soon be razed to make way for a new station.
Felix Neck Fall Festival Is Friday
Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary gives thanks for the outdoors from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28.
Elder Support
A weekly support group for ages 55 and older meets at Hillside Village on Fridays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. This coming Friday, Nov. 28, includes discussion topics such as early memories of school days, family life, adolescence and adulthood.
Holiday Gifts at Artisans Festival
Holiday gift ideas will fill the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury on Thanksgiving weekend when the artisans festival holds court on Friday, Nov. 28, and Saturday, Nov. 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Small Business Shopping
The best antidote to all that Thanksgiving pie? A walk around town for some small business shopping on Saturday, Nov. 29, might be a good idea.
West Tisbury Town Column: Nov. 28
Most of us will recover after a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner this week shared with family and friends. The day after Thanksgiving is the traditional start of the Christmas season.
High Schoolers Enjoy Symphony in Boston
Twenty-three musicians from the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School attended an open rehearsal of the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Hall on Thursday, Nov. 13.
Winter Greens
Island Grown Farm, a program of Island Grown Initiative, announces its first winter CSA. Shares contain enough salad to feed a family of four for a week.
Cold Winds, Warm Memories at Gay Head Guided Walk
Cold winds deterred some but not all as VCS led a guided walk at the Gay Head Cliffs on Saturday. The location was significant as VCS celebrates it’s 50th anniversary this year, and was instrumental in creating national landmark status for the cliffs in 1965.
Real Estate Transactions: Nov. 17 to Nov. 23
Susan Lieberman Smotrich purchased 14 Tabor Hills Road from Joseph E. Sollitto Jr. and Kathleen D. Sollitto for $1,460,000 on Nov. 19.
Talking Thanksgiving Turkey
Now that you have made many decisions about your Thanksgiving turkey, let me tell you a thing or two about the bird you are going to demolish.
Superintendent’s Budget Clears All-Island School Committee
Vineyard public schools will see a full-time director hired for the English language learners program in the coming year, under a $5.8 million budget for the school superintendent. The all-Island school committee voted 11-3 to approve the shared services budget last Thursday.
Edgartown National Earns High Marks From Regulators
The Edgartown National Bank was awarded the coveted rank of “outstanding” under the Community Reinvestment Act, a rare achievement for an Island bank. Loans and other assistance to affordable housing groups helped to boost the ranking.
Protect Coastal Ponds, Protect Property Values, Cape Commission Advises Vineyard
On Cape Cod ambitious efforts are underway to remediate ponds and estuaries. And when coastal ponds decline, so do property values, the executive director of the Cape Cod Commission, told a meeting at the Katharine Cornell Theatre.
The Island Cup Stays Here; Vineyard Defeats Nantucket in Rivalry Game
The rivalry game between the Vineyard and Nantucket football teams ended in victory for the Vineyarders, who defeated the Whalers 21-7 in a rough, penalty-filled game. Junior running back Jacob Cardoza scored two touchdowns.
Volunteers Give Thanks by Giving Back at Family to Family Program
On Friday afternoon, about a half dozen high school football players arrived at the First Baptist Church in Vineyard Haven. Prayer time before the big game? No, they were there to help distribute food for the Family to Family program which helps local families in need receive a Thanksgiving meal.
