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 1, 2015
Bucking Trend, Oak Bluffs Votes for Superintendent’s Building
Oak Bluffs voters backed the construction of a new school administration building in a single-issue town meeting Thursday evening. The nearly unanimous vote came as a small political victory for the superintendent, but had no legal significance.
High School Honored for Brazilian-American Friendship Lunch
The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School has been recognized as a model school for efforts to create respect and understanding among students.
Squibnocket Beach Work Set to Begin This Spring
The long-planned beach restoration project at Squibnocket Beach is moving forward. Two parcels of land will be purchased by the town to be used for a new parking lot and roadway, selectman Bill Rossi confirmed this week, and he hoped to close the deals this week.
Following Discovery of Rare Plant, Lead in Soil, Lighthouse Move Begins
After more than two years of planning, the Gay Head Light relocation project got under way early this week — and then encountered a new hurdle with the discovery of soil contaminated by lead. Permanently removing the contaminated soil is expected to cost about $600,000, but most of the soil is expected to be removed…
Gallery Show Perfect Image of Artistic Collaboration
Photographer Alison Shaw and her wife and business partner have been guiding students through a nine-month advanced mentorship program.
David McCullough Flies Deep into Wright Brothers’ Story
David McCullough, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and longtime resident of West Tisbury, has long been fascinated with mechanical flight. His newest book, to be released Tuesday, tells the story of Wright Brothers, a lesson in self-reliance, perseverance, family values and hard work.
Town Meetings, Almost a Wrap
Vineyarders have a reputation for being ardent municipalists, preferring to address their problems at the town level.
Spring Brings Out Its Many Charms
Calendars have been telling us since March 21 that spring is here, but most calendars hang on walls or are perched on desks indoors.
A Call for Gay Marriage Foes to Come Out of the Closet
I think we’ve overlooked the practical issue of why my gay brothers and sisters would ever want to hire a caterer or photographer or waiter who objected to being there on religious grounds.
Island Taxi Companies Bring Concerns About Uber to Town Officials
Island taxi drivers appealed to local government this week to address Uber, a ride sharing service they said could dismantle their industry. A letter signed by 11 taxi drivers asked selectmen to “protect the public from unlicensed and unregulated taxis operating within Edgartown.”
Honey Moon
Monday night’s full moon, the Honey Moon, resides in the zodiacal constellation Libra, a constellation we most often associate with summer.
Priceless Pottery and a Legacy of Love
The way Nick chose to live his life makes me take a breath, become more inspired and encouraged not to waste a single moment.
Photos Tell Story of Lifetime Behind Lens
I too had an epiphany about “recording the moment” instead of “being in it.”
Land Bank Revenues: April 24
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $300,055.07 for the business week ending on Friday, April 24, 2015.
Grocery Stories
Mary Ferreira probably worked the longest hours of anyone at the Up-Island Super Market, which she and her husband opened on May 26, 1965.
Not So Stable
A headline in a recent story in the Gazette read: “Oak Bluffs Finds Stable Financial Footing.”
Buy, Grow Organic Plants
I am writing today to encourage landscapers and home gardeners to ask for organic plants and flowers when purchasing them this spring.
Radio Silence
I’m wondering why after warning women to walk in pairs at the state forest there has been silence from the Edgartown police department.
Retiring Her Way
It was a sad day for me and for my family today, reading the announcement that Dr. Judith Fisher is retiring from her practice.
Singing Ambassadors
The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School Minnesingers enjoyed a successful concert tour to southern Spain.
Agricultural Grants
The Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society is accepting applications for its newly reinstated grant program.
Preservation Roundtable
Efforts to protect historic buildings and neighborhoods is the topic of a roundtable discussion next week.
Bringing Vineyard History to Life
Thomas Dresser has completed the manuscript for his most recent book, Martha’s Vineyard: A History.
Shakespeare for the Classes
This weekend, the Bard returns to the stage at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School for the Spring Shakespeare Workshop.
Little League Opening Day Parade
Celebrate the official start of spring with the annual Little League opening day parade Saturday at 10 a.m.
Oak Bluffs Special Town Meeting Thursday
More than two weeks after concluding business at annual town meeting, Oak Bluffs will hold a special town meeting Thursday.
Four-Day Wine Festival Takes Place This Weekend
The third annual Martha’s Vineyard Wine Fest has events in downtown Edgartown for four days, May 7 through 10.
Police: Investigation Into Alleged Assault Remains Unsolved
A four-week-old investigation into an alleged sexual assault in the State Forest remains open and unsolved, Edgartown police said this week.
Chilmark Voters Support Center for Living Facility, Say No to Schools Building
Chilmark voters approved funding for a new Center for Living facility but said no to a new school administration building.
Oak Bluffs Police Cite Loft for Liquor Violations
Within a week of the grand opening of the Loft last month, the Oak Bluffs bar violated nine liquor control regulations, police said Tuesday.
Hello, Hudson
Julia and Ryan Smith of Edgartown announce the birth of a son, Hudson Ryan Smith, born on April 27 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Please Adopt Us
Our newest stray, Loco, has been renamed Logo. Two other tuxedo boys chase each other around the cat room.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: May 1
Oak Bluffs enjoyed its first cruise ship visit last weekend when the 632’ Amadea anchored off of our northeastern coastline.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: May 1
I hope you all rested up during the snow months because the Island offers so much excitement from now on, starting with tomorrow’s annual Bike MS: Ride the Vineyard. The fun, fun ride is brought to you by the New England Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and our own Boys and Girls Club.…
Edgartown Town Column: May 1
It is Tuesday, April 27, as I write and this morning was so cold but by sunset it was 60 degrees. The sun was shining and it seemed that all of a sudden it was very green outside.
Chilmark Town Column: May 1
Chilmark sends April on her way with few regrets . . . a wet, windy and generally unfriendly month this year. However, the early flowers persevered and we have high hopes for a friendly May.
On Chappy: May 1
Once again I was able to scoop the news of the week from my co-columnist Brad and the event occurred practically in his backyard no less!
Aquinnah Town Column: May 1
The forsythia is in full bloom, as are the dogwood trees and magnolias. There are daffodils galore and the Dreamcatcher at Aquinnah Circle is in the process of opening on May 22.
West Tisbury Inaugurates New Solar Array
West Tisbury inaugurated a new three-acre solar array at the capped landfill on Tuesday, but the installation has been up and running since January.
Don’t Let Those Pretty Daffodils Fool You
Aristotle must have felt wealthy in when he saw a profusion of bright daffodils. “Yellow colored objects,” he said, “appear to be gold.”
Life Lessons in the Garden and Beyond
Where does a garden columnist start? There is so much emerging life all around. I think May has been called high spring. It is impossible to keep up.
West Tisbury Wraps Up Annual Town Meeting
Affordable housing took center stage in West Tisbury Tuesday night as voters completed their annual town meeting begun two weeks ago.
Tisbury Voters Elect New Selectman; Turn Down School Building Funding
Tisbury voters elected Larry J. Gomez as their new selectman and voted down funding for a new school administration building.
MVYouth Announces First College Scholarships
Five graduating regional high school seniors have been chosen to receive four-year college scholarships from MVYouth.
Spring Brings First-of-the-Season Bird Sightings
Although we have not had the mildest weather of the month, late April has certainly been favorable for bird migration.
Norton Point Open Again to Oversand Vehicles
With the Norton Point breach now closed, vehicle traffic is again allowed on the barrier beach connecting Edgartown and Chappaquiddick.
Geoff Pease Memorial Scholarship
The Geoff Pease Memorial Scholarship will provide financial support each year to high school graduates pursuing a four-year degree in the visual arts.
After Prom Party
The second annual After Prom Party will be held at the YMCA on May 16 from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
West Tisbury Town Column: May 1
Friday is the first of May when baskets may be hung on your door and Maypole celebrations and dances, once considered a ritual but now largely forgotten, announce the arrival of warmer weather.
Named to Dean’s List
Christopher Blum of Edgartown was named to the fall 2014 semester dean’s list at Tufts University.
Homage to Yeats
Arts and Society celebrates William Butler Yeats with a special evening at the Katharine Cornell Theatre on Saturday, May 2 at 8 p.m.
Homegrown Hops
If you’re contemplating growing your own hops to produce a signature brew, the Farm Institute offers its Garden to Glass Series.
Breakfast Benefit
An all-you-can-eat breakfast to benefit Connect to End Violence and Island homeless will take place Saturday, May 2 at St. Andrew’s Church.
At the Yard This Summer
The Yard has announced its summer 2015 programing schedule. The season runs from May through September.
Announcing Alexander
Griffin Hughes and Morgan Douglas of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Alexander Kai Douglas, born on April 22 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Chilmark Approves Regional Spending, Turns Down School Resource Officer
Chilmark’s annual town meeting this year swung between unanimous agreement and fervent debate. All but seven of the 37 articles passed unanimously.
Gay Head Light Secured as Relocation Project Begins
The Gay Head Light relocation project is under way on Monday morning.
Woman Charged With Breaking and Entering; Police Investigate Possible Sale of Owner’s Belongings
A 44-year-old Wareham woman has been charged with larceny after Edgartown police said she allegedly broke into and resided at an Edgartown home and sold or gave away items in the house.
Federal Assistance for Areas Affected by Storms
Local governments and eligible non-profit organizations are invited to a briefing about federal disaster assistance on May 8.
Welcome, Zoey
Julianne Cummings and Bryan Keats of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a daughter, Zoey Jane Keats, born on April 24 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
New Energy for Vineyard Big Brothers Big Sisters Program
The Big Brothers Big Sisters program started on the Island in 1974 and has ranged in size over the years, pairing as many as 60 children with adult mentors. But the national organization was hit hard by the recession and seemed to fade from Vineyard consciousness.
Real Estate Transactions: April 20 to April 26
Virginia M. Carranza purchased 18 Gamba Road in Oak Bluffs from Lashann Dearcy-Hall for $555,000 on April 21.
Firefighters Contain Chappy Brush Fire
Fire personnel responded to remote Chappaquiddick Friday to fight a brush fire started by a downed power line. Edgartown fire chief Peter Shemeth said the early afternoon fire was sparked in the North Neck area of Chappaquiddick when a tree fell on electrical wires.
Final Hurdle Cleared for Gay Head Light Move
The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife has approved an 11th-hour conservation plan for protecting the endangered broad tinker’s weed near the Gay Head Light, clearing the way for the final phases of the relocation project. Ground-breaking for the project is expected to take place Monday.
Par for this Course? Forty Winks
As the sole groundskeeper for The Royal & Ancient Chappaquiddick Links (yes that is a real place), allow me to offer the following tips on how to best prepare your golf course for the coming season.
The King and I Auditions
Auditions for Island Theatre Workshop’s summer musical The King and I take place this weekend.
