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 2, 2015
Islanders Gather for All Lives Matter March
Bundled up against the wind chill and holding handmade signs, more than 80 Vineyarders gathered at Five Corners on New Year’s Day for a march of solidarity. The event was organized by the Martha’s Vineyard chapter of the NAACP.
Town’s Ban on Herbicides in Squibnocket Pond Upheld in Legal Action
A two-year effort by a group of Chilmark landowners to use herbicides to combat phragmites in Squibnocket Pond came to an end this week. The Hon. Gordon H. Piper on Monday vacated his own ruling from last January that had found a Chilmark bylaw banning herbicides on the pond was not valid.
Aquinnah to Address Big Budget Shortfall
How to make up for a major budget shortfall discovered last month will be the topic of a special town meeting next week in Aquinnah.
Big Shoes to Save, Islanders Give Draft Horse Gift of New Life
Rescued from the auction block last week and leaving his working life behind, a 15-year-old Belgian draft horse named Charlie has found a new home on the Vineyard.
Your Passport to Immigration Reform
Island attorney Rebecca McCarthy is working to clarify some of the confusion around President Obama’s executive order, which was part of an initiative to address the country’s immigration issues. At a recent informational forum, nearly every seat was filled.
Community Helps Family After House Fire
The Vineyard community is rallying around a Vineyard Haven family after a weekend house fire left the family uninjured but destroyed all their belongings.
Offshore Winds
While reading a series of Gazette editorials ruminating on the New Year over the years, the eye catches on one written in 1942 in the middle of World War II.
Trying to Get Health Insurance Is Hard on Your Mental Health
Dear Governor Baker: throw away the Massachusetts Health Connector website and start all over again.
Collaboration Key for Nonprofits
Collaboration is a buzzword in the nonprofit world that elicits varied reactions. Donors and foundations encourage it because they believe it makes their gifts have more impact and they see it as a solution to a glut of nonprofits.
Nothing but Net in the Coaches Corner
It’s basketball season, and Maureen Hill is on the move. This year is her first as head varsity coach for the regional high school girls’ basketball team, but she’s still coaching the middle school girls’ travel team that last year went 23-2 and made the state tournament finals. Afternoons are packed with basketball practices as…
Maybe It’s Time to Stop Spreading the News
Over the years people have asked in that incredulous voice, how are the winters out there? Isn’t it freezing? You get away for a few months, right?
Keeping the Compact
The 70 per cent increase in the electricity supply rate being experienced by Cape Light Compact (CLC) is being felt by all NSTAR customers, not just CLC.
Girls’ JV Hockey Numbers on the Rise, but Boys See a Decline
Most high school sports feature a trickle-up effect, in that athletes begin playing their sport before reaching freshman year, and have gained the skills needed to succeed at the higher level of play. Some sports, like hockey, require a bit more specialization, making the trickle-up even more important. And this year, participation gaps at the…
Attention Should Be Paid
Bob Jackson’s obituary appearing last week said simply that: “he was active in land conservation projects on Martha’s Vineyard.” This is a classic understatement if ever there was one.
Commission Kudos
As a summer visitor to the Vineyard for over a quarter-century I have always noticed the changes on the Island, but the character and the beauty of the Island have remained intact and I never thought of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission’s role.
Fresh Start
From the Vineyard Gazette edition of Jan. 7, 1972: What of 1972, upon the track of which we have so freshly started?
Revisiting Affordable Homesite Guidelines
In light of questions surrounding the recent lottery for affordable homesites at Nab’s Corner, the Chilmark housing committee has begun the process of revising the town’s homesite guidelines.
Chilmark Considers Safety Building Site
Picking up on efforts that began more than a decade ago, a committee in Chilmark is taking another stab at finding a location for a new fire station.
Please Adopt Us
The animal shelter’s record of placements continues. Princess, an elderly female that we thought would continue to be our tenant, was adopted last week and now has a cozy place to put her paws up for her remaining days.
Comet Lovejoy
There is a comet in our evening sky you may be able to see this month. Comet Lovejoy has resided in the Southern skies, and has been watched with interest in the lower latitudes since it was discovered last August by Terry Lovejoy, for which it is named. Vineyard stargazers haven’t had an easy comet…
Winter Lobster Rolls
Grace Church in Vineyard Haven offers a winter treat on Sunday, Jan. 4, from noon until 2 p.m. when they host a winter lobster roll luncheon.
Coyote Washes Up on Lambert’s Cove Beach
A dead coyote was found washed ashore early this week on Lambert’s Cove Beach, the second coyote to wash up in that location this year. An Island naturalist said the coyote likely came from Naushon, which hosts a large population of coyotes, and drowned.
Grackles Abound, Dovekies Delight
Onshore winds raised havoc with one of my favorite pelagic species, the dovekie. This little squirt, only eight inches long, is cousin to puffins and razorbills.
Vineyarders Plan New Year’s Day March
On Thursday, Jan. 1, beginning at noon, a march will be held in downtown Vineyard Haven to draw attention to violence against African Americans as well as police officers. “People will be holding both signs: ‘All Lives Matter’ and ‘Black Lives Matter,’” said Erik Blake, Oak Bluffs chief of police.
Mansion House Staycation
To celebrate 30 years of ownership and to thank the Island community, Mansion House is once again offering a great staycation for Island residents during the month of January.
West Tisbury Town Column: Jan. 2
The traffic in town last Saturday morning could be counted on the fingers of one hand. People stayed at home with family, watched bowl games and relaxed.
Edgartown Town Column: Jan. 2
We did not have a white Christmas, but it was a warm Christmas. I hope you all had a good one and were able to spend time with some family.
Chilmark Town Column: Jan. 2
And I thought nothing terribly noteworthy would transpire during the days between Christmas and New Year’s. Well, I was proven terribly, terribly wrong. Are you wondering what on earth I am finding so darn exciting?
On Chappy: Jan. 2
Warning: the following column is rife with half-truths, ridiculous exaggerations, and general flights of the author’s fancy (in other words, pretty much like all his columns).
Aquinnah Town Column: Jan. 2
Christmas has come and gone, unless you observe Orthodox Christmas. The tree is still standing despite the cats and the ornaments.
New Year, New Beginnings
This week between Christmas and New Year’s might be my favorite time of the year. All the crazy preparations of Christmas are behind us. The New Year looms fresh ahead with no foreseeable problems of its own.
Leaping Into a New Year
Walking on water is a feat that only a select few prophets can accomplish. However, there is another of God’s (or nature’s) creations that can achieve the same miracle.
Potluck Jam
To keep the New Year party going all weekend, there will be a potluck jam at the Chilmark Community Center on Saturday, Jan. 3, beginning at 5 p.m.
Feast With Friends
To provide food, warmth and community during the long Vineyard winter, faith communities around the Island are once again offering free community suppers.
Winter Wisecracking
The WIMP comedy improv troupe is home on winter school break and are doing a one-night-only Vineyard performance on Saturday, Jan. 10.
Poet Steve Ewing Guest at Neighborhood Convention
The January meeting of Neighborhood Convention will be held at the Federated Church, 45 South Summer street, Edgartown, on Tuesday, Jan. 6, beginning at 11 a.m.
ACE MV Offers Scholarship
Thanks to a grant from the MV Local Cultural Council to Adult and Community Education of MV (ACE MV), there will be scholarship funds available for students enrolled in arts, education, and social justice.
Welcome, Nicholas
Renee Clermont and David Parent of Edgartown announce the birth of a son, Nicholas Robert Parent, born on Dec. 28 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Making Sure the Science in Science Fiction Gets Its Due
Marshall Highet’s love of writing and reading came early. Both of her grandmothers were writers. Her paternal grandmother was Helen MacInnes, the popular Scottish writer of espionage books, who died when Ms. Highet was only eight.
Land Bank Revenues: Dec. 26
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $104,584.80 for the business week ending on Friday, Dec. 26, 2014.
Real Estate Transactions: Dec. 22 to Dec. 28
Joseph M. Gelormini and Lisa C. Gelormini purchased 17 Brushy Lane in Edgartown from Theresa White and Theresa E. White for $637,000 on Dec. 22.
Community Celebrates a Man Who Can’t Say No
John G. Early, a longtime West Tisbury selectman and volunteer on many committees and organizations across the Island, has been honored with the Spirit of the Vineyard award. The community room at the West Tisbury Library was overflowing as friends and supporters listened to one speaker after another praise Mr. Early.
Digging in the Dirt of Chicken Alley
The roots of Chicken Alley in Vineyard Haven, otherwise known as Lagoon Pond Road, go back to the days when chickens and pigs mingled on dirt roads with dirty-kneed children on their way to go fishing.
Carina Arrives
Keri L. Thomas and Delmar Dwayney Thomas of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a daughter, Carina Maria Thomas, born on Dec. 23 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Water Main Break Stalls Traffic in Edgartown
Traffic on upper Main street, Edgartown, was interrupted this morning after a water main broke in front of Sharky’s Cantina. Police, fire, highway department crews, along with members of the water department, responded at 9:59 a.m.
