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
February 6, 2015
Tisbury School Building Plan Heads Back to Drawing Board
After a state application to renovate the aging school fell through, members of the town and school community hope to kick start a new effort. The school did not make it onto the funding list for the Massachusetts School Building Authority.
Libraries Forgive Fines, Feed Neighbors
If you’ve been collecting fines on your library card, now might be the time to pay up. Library patrons can pay their late fees with cans of food this month at four Vineyard libraries, in what’s become a regular drive for the Island Food Pantry.
Revised GED Test Has Few Takers on the Vineyard
The Vineyard saw a sharp decline in the number of people who took and passed the high school equivalency test last year, following the replacement of the GED with a new exam. In 2013, 27 people passed the General Education Development (GED) exam. But in 2014, the number fell to four.
New Heart, Same Beats at the Ritz
On most nights, live music greets you at the door of the Ritz Cafe and a friendly bartender fills drinks for a wide sampling of the Island population. New owners Larkin and Jacqueline Stallings have pledged to keep the soul of the place, while bring some new Southern spirit.
Chilmark Backs Plan for Squibnocket
Chilmark voters early this week unanimously backed a plan for restoring Squibnocket Beach, ending a seven-month public review. It was a striking departure from the contentious annual town meeting last April when an earlier plan was rejected.
Market Planned for Edgartown Pent House
A historic downtown Edgartown property that housed a women’s clothing store for nearly three decades has been sold. The new owners said they plan to open a year-round pedestrian food market there sometime this summer.
Vineyard Swimmers Break School Records
The varsity swim teams traveled to Bridgewater State University last weekend to compete in the 20th Bay Colony Conference championship meet, breaking several school records and in some cases earning spots in the South/Central Sectional Championships.
Island Home Back in Service After Repairs
After nearly three days out of service because of repair work to the ship’s service generator, the Island Home will be back in commission starting Thursday evening.
Squibnocket’s Long Road
There are still many details to be worked out, but last week’s special town meeting in Chilmark seems to have put to rest the ugly public squabbling over the Squibnocket town beach project.
High School Artists Are Golden in Art and Writing Competition
Regional honors for the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards were announced this week, with Vineyard students picking up awards in everything from painting to short fiction. A total of 18 regional high school students were recognized for their work, as were five students from the public charter school.
Martha’s Vineyard Sharks to Open Retail Space
The Martha’s Vineyard Sharks, the Island’s summer collegiate baseball team, will be opening a retail store and ticket office in Vineyard Haven.
How the Coyote Tried to Cross the Sound
The recent report of another coyote washing up on the Vineyard’s north shore prompts a few observations on the prospects of the coyote establishing a population here.
Progress on Journey to Energy Independence
While Island kids slid joyfully down snow-covered hills last week, Cape Wind continued to have rough sledding.
Making the Case for This Old (Very Old) House
I have to question some of the statements in the recent Gazette article of Jan. 16 on the Hancock-Mitchell House, now being restored at Quansoo.
A Friend Indeed
I’m writing on behalf of my brother, Neil Welch, more commonly known as Apple. Neil was seriously injured in an accident on Nov. 24, 2014. He is currently in Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlestown.
EMTs to the Rescue
We had a personal emergency just at the end of the storm last week. In minutes after the call to 911 early Wednesday morning, Tisbury police and firemen were here, and soon the EMTs arrived.
The Disappearing Snows of Edgartown
During this snow siege that we have all endured, I began thinking of the Snow family of Edgartown. The name has disappeared from the annals of Edgartown, much as we all wish that this current snow would just up and leave.
Legislating Clean Energy
The cost of our electricity is broken into two separate and distinct parts, supplier charges (around 15 cents) plus delivery charges (around 10 cents) costing us 25 cents for every kilowatt hour of electricity we use.
Goodbye to Alley Cat
To see another fabulous shop say goodbye will deprive Vineyard Haven of brilliant window displays rivaled by none, and unique inventory only Daisy could present with such panache.
Chilmark Considers Change in Beach Permits for Inns
Summer doesn’t officially begin for another 135 days, but Chilmark officials are already preparing for the heavy traffic that clogged the parking lot at Lucy Vincent Beach last July and August.
Scottish Thanks
The Scottish Society of Martha’s Vineyard would like to thank the following for helping make our Burns Night Supper, auction and raffle, such a success.
The Long Winter
From the Vineyard Gazette edition of Feb. 6, 1948 by Joseph Chase Allen: It is probable that not in many a year has a winter excited so much comment as the present one, and all in the same vein.
Family Planning Aid
Friends of Family Planning of Martha’s Vineyard are offering financial assistance for men who are uninsured or underinsured and seeking a vasectomy.
Sarah Antolick Named to Dean’s List
Sarah Antolick of Vineyard Haven was named to the fall 2014 dean’s list at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Justine Tucker Named to Dean’s List
Justine Tucker of West Tisbury was named to the fall 2014 dean’s list at Wheaton College.
Brian Montambault Named to President’s List
Brian Montambault of Edgartown was named to the fall 2014 president’s list at Framingham State University.
Pat Gregory Award Goes to Beka El-Deiry
A Vineyard designer and businesswoman was presented with the Martha’s Vineyard Youth Leadership’s Pat Gregory award at a ceremony last Friday at the Harbor View Hotel.
Please Adopt Us
At last a female feline has joined the boys in the cat room at the animal shelter. And what a girl she is!
Gibbous Moon and Spring Constellations
A gibbous moon will light the night sky in the week ahead. On Friday, the moon appears low in the eastern sky after 8 p.m.
Edgartown Warns of Apparent Phone Scam
Edgartown is warning residents about an apparent scam in which the caller pretends to be from the town and asks for credit card information.
Land Bank Revenues: Jan. 30
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $291,671 for the business week ending on Friday, Jan. 30, 2015.
Announcing Abrahm
Elizabeth Aubuchon and Jacob Aubuchon of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Abrahm Jesse Aubuchon, born on Feb. 3 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
University of Vermont Fall 2014 Dean’s List
The following students were named to the dean’s list at University of Vermont for the fall 2014 semester: Meghan McHugh, Eva Faber, Korrine Altieri, and Kristen Parece, all of Edgartown.
Tisbury Aims to Enforce Clean Harbor Rules
Against a backdrop of strict state and federal rules governing clean water in harbors, Tisbury town officials are wrestling with how to best provide comprehensive pump-out facilities in the Vineyard’s main port town.
Aquinnah Town Column: Feb. 6
Well, our Pats fever has been cured by not only their amazing win but also by the blizzard conditions we have endured for most of the past week with freezing temperatures, to now become afebrile. I had a lot of nice family time watching the storm while watching movies, cooking and baking, making s’mores, having…
Community Services Streamlines Development Efforts
Martha’s Vineyard Community Services recently announced that Jan Hatchard has rejoined the agency in a newly created position of donor relations manager.
Spencer Pogue Wins Edgartown Geography Bee
Seventh grader Spencer Pogue won the Edgartown School’s National Geographic Society 2015 geography bee on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
Revisiting the Charles W. Morgan
As the Sail Martha’s Vineyard winter lecture and dinner series continues this month, Matthew Stackpole will be at the Black Dog Tavern on Feb. 11.
Social Shape Up
If you’re wondering how Twitter works or how to post something on Instagram, make your way to the Harbor View Hotel on Feb. 8 and 9 for the Social Shape Up workshops.
Charter School Open House
Learn more about the charter school at an open house and fill out an application for next year on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 5:30 p.m.
After Strong Season, Tisbury Closes Lagoon to Scalloping
Tisbury ended its scallop season in the Lagoon this week on a strong note. Assistant shellfish constable Donald MacGillivray said 1,980 bushels of scallops were harvested. The pond is now closed on the Tisbury side to protect next year’s scallop crop.
Painting Party
Winter makes for an artful landscape as painters come together at the Portuguese-American Club in Oak Bluffs for a step-by-step painting party.
Corey Perrotta Named to Dean’s List
Corey Perrotta of Vineyard Haven was named to the fall 2014 dean’s list at Coastal Carolina University.
Civil Rights Story Set in St. Augustine
Passage at St. Augustine spotlights civil rights campaigns in the historic Florida city. Vineyarder Esther Burgess is featured in the film, which will be screened this weekend in West Tisbury.
On Chappy: Feb. 6
Norton Point really is just a stone’s throw from its likely reattachment point. Granted you’d really have to give that stone a good throw.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: Feb. 6
Oak Bluffs is one of the rarest of places, a place where many, past and present, have been contributors to American black history.
Edgartown Town Column: Feb. 6
Some people are saying “uncle” with the snow, but after watching what Boston is going through with the snow and snow removal, I think we are pretty okay.
Brush with an Asteroid Named Juno
While we were busy shoveling out, an asteroid did a flyby right over our heads!
Plowing Through Winter’s Icy Days
If my dad could see what I did in my snow-covered driveway, he would roll over in his grave.
Chilmark Town Column: Feb. 6
The severe storms have left their temporary marks on our surfaces but despite the aggravation, 85 voting Chilmarkers travelled to the town meeting on Monday last and voted with speed and decisiveness.
As Temperatures Dip, Fuel Assistance Program Sees Steady Demand
Islanders struggling to pay their heating bills have help available in the fuel assistance program administered through the county and Vineyard Health Care Access.
GPS Course for Boaters
The Vineyard Coast Guard Auxiliary will offer a two-week GPS course for mariners this month. The course will meet on Feb. 11 and Feb. 18 (both Wednesdays) from 6 to 8 p.m. at the regional high school.
Donors Underwrite Hospital Purchase
The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital announced this week that it will begin providing 3D mammography in the spring of 2015, thanks in large part to the generosity of two Chilmark summer residents.
Tisbury’s Vision Planning Rescheduled
The Tisbury planning board has rescheduled its community vision planning meeting, which will now take place on Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Tisbury Senior Center at 7 p.m.
Charter School Open House
The Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School in West Tisbury is a free kindergarten through 12th grade public school with students from every Island town. Learn more about the school at its upcoming open house.
Victoria Segel Named to Dean’s List
Victoria Segel of Edgartown was named to the fall 2014 dean’s list at Becker College.
West Tisbury Town Column: Feb. 6
Well, after an average January that ended with temperatures in the teens and about 30 inches of snow, it seems we are caught in a vicious storm pattern.
Stock Those Snowy Bird Feeders
In this snowy and cold weather, birds depend on your feeders for their survival; the food they get may be that little bit extra that helps them survive.
Oliver Arrives
Myles Thurlow and Laura Marashlian of West Tisbury announce the birth of a son, Oliver Flanders Thurlow, born on Jan. 22 at home.
Remembering Peggy Charren, and Bygone Beach Days at Squibnocket
Before Peggy became Peggy Charren, the children’s television activist, she was just Peggy at Squibnocket Beach with the pigtail down her back and the indescribable accent.
Dean’s List at University of New Hampshire
Local students were named to the dean’s list at University of New Hampshire for the fall 2014 semester.
Bridging Generational Gap, Teens Give Elders Digital Lowdown
About once a month, people over 55 bring their laptops, smartphones and other digital devices to the Island YMCA to take some tips from the Island’s resident technology experts: kids.
Real Estate Transactions: Jan. 26 to Feb. 1
Martin D. Leach and Ezia M. Leach purchased 79 Pennacook avenue in Oak Bluffs from Helen P. Maciolek and Keith A. Maciolek for $535,000 on Jan. 30.
Personal Memories of Rosa Parks and the Civil Rights Movement
Vineyarders gathered at the Unitarian Universalist Church to honor the Civil Rights Movement and the memory of Rosa Parks. The guest speaker was Lucy Hackney.
Eagan Arrives
Talia Rogers and John Gibson of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Eagan Harold Gibson, born on Jan. 25 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Ian Bardwell Named to Dean’s List
Ian Bardwell was named to the dean’s list for the fall 2014 semester at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn.
Welcome, Zachary and William
Katherine Agin and David Agin of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of twin sons, Zachary Robert Agin and William Jonathan Agin, born on Jan. 28 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Announcing Latham
Kaitlyn Kurth and Ryan Kurth of West Tisbury announce the birth of a son, Latham Paul Kurth, born on Jan. 30 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Winter Burger Nights Satisfy Appetites, Spirits
One surefire antidote to the gray days of winter is a taste of summer—a hamburger with all the fixings. Mix that with a dash of Island community spirit, and you have a winning formula.
