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
May 22, 2015
Airport Commission Elects Officers, Vows to Get Back on Track
The embattled Martha’s Vineyard Airport Commission met briefly this week to elect new officers and set a short-term agenda which includes a review of financial affairs at the Island’s only commercial airport.
They Came, They Saw, They Declared it Awesome
On Wednesday night, parents and friends flocked to the regional high school for the annual Evening of the Arts and World Culture Night, a student art showcase. Photography, artwork, home designs and even a paddleboard were just a few of the creations on display.
Education Key to Stop Tick-Borne Illnesses (White Clothes Help Too)
Funding will end this year for the Tick-Borne Illness Reduction Initiative, an Islandwide program that began about four years ago with a grant from the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. But Island health agents plan to continue the efforts, which include school programs and a series of educational videos.
How to Move a Lighthouse? Step One: Dig a Really Big Hole
About 3,500 tons of soil, boulders and clay have been removed from around the Gay Head Light and its new location 129 feet to the east. Contractors are now working to install steel beams underneath the lighthouse. The move is expected to begin in early June.
Invasive Phragmites in Vineyard Ponds, Friend or Foe?
With Island ponds suffering from the effects of development, the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group is looking at an old foe in a new light. The shellfish group has been studying the invasive wetland grass phragmites as a possible means for removing nitrogen from coastal ponds.
Summer Business Outlook Optimistic, But Worker Shortage Called Critical
Vineyard business leaders are showing more than the usual blend of hope and optimism for a profitable summer, as the Island gears up for Memorial Day. But the difficulty in finding seasonal workers is more acute than ever, they say.
Director of Featherstone Wins Tourism Award
Ann Smith, the executive director of Featherstone Center for the Arts, was the recipient of the Tourism Award for Martha’s Vineyard.
Drug Task Force Arrest Involves Prescription Pills
An Oak Bluffs man was arrested last week by members of the Martha’s Vineyard Drug Task Force as part of an investigation into the illegal distribution of prescription pills, police said.
Senior Health and Fitness Day at YMCA
The YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard will be hosting its annual senior health and fitness day next Wednesday, May 27, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Walking in the Envelopes of His Forefathers
Chilmark has a new postmaster. But to call Leigh Vanderhoop new may be misleading, as he’s worked for the post office for 27 years.
Land Bank Revenues: May 15
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $374,857 for the business week ending on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Please Adopt Us
Kitten season has begun at the animal shelter. One black and one tiger male and three tiger females arrived. The list of people who have signed up to adopt one of these little tykes runs to two pages.
Edgartown Library Director to Leave at End of Summer
Edgartown library director Jill Dugas Hughes will be stepping down from the job at the end of August, the library board of trustees announced this week.
Awards for Excellence
Several Martha’s Vineyard Hospital employees have received excellence awards from Partners HealthCare, the hospital’s parent company.
Edgartown Democrats Hold Caucus
Edgartown Democrats will be holding a caucus on Saturday, May 30 at noon at the Edgartown Public Library.
Federated Church Open for Tours
Beyond the usual Sunday services at 10:30 a.m., the Federated Church in Edgartown invites visitors to drop by to see the historic church meetinghouse.
Edgartown Town Column: May 22
What a ride we have been on with the weather. First it is cool and you think you will never pull out the summer clothes but you don’t want to curse it so you leave them where they are. Then Sunday comes along, and it is so hot you need shorter lighter pants, and you…
Oak Bluffs Town Column: May 22
A lot of attention will be paid, no doubt, to the Belmont Stakes in two weeks when bettors handicap the chances of the first Triple Crown contender in years. Horse racing may indeed be the Sport of Kings but in Oak Bluffs all eyes are on the sport of Presidents — bowling at the newest…
Vineyard Haven Town Column: May 22
I know he’s sitting on our shoulders, organizing everything from step off to guest speaker to laying of wreaths to the hanging of flags. Gentleman and patriot Ed Colligan is very much on my mind this Memorial Day weekend, our first without him, he who began the tradition of the Avenue of Flags. He who…
Memorial Day 2015
Spring has arrived this year like a virtual slide show of sound, light and color, overtaking a landscape that the harsh winter had left in tatters.
Building a New Tradition
Prom night was another success both at the Beach Plum Inn and then as the party continued at the YMCA.
Growing a Revolution, One Seed at a Time
Island Grown Schools teamed up with the Massachusetts Farm to School Project, Food Corps, Green Schools and Project Bread to organize the first Farm to School Day at the State House early this month.
Holding the Pain, Preaching to Hope
It is 5:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning. I am drinking a cup of coffee, and my wife Cathlin is having half a cup. Her adrenaline has her mostly wide awake and we don’t want to tip the scales.
Prom Night Success
The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School class of 2016 would like to express our gratitude to the Island community.
Yield for Horses
What follows is a reminder about rules of the road for animals.
Roadside Trash
Wouldn’t it be a great thing to clean up our roads, and not just our beaches?
Unfair Farm Competition
Not only has Island Grown Initiative (IGI) gone into direct competition with local farms by taking away on-Island market share from them, but it is acting as the last word of on-Island farming to the outside world. I have argued repeatedly that IGI’s Thimble Farm should drop its policy of selling its products on Island…
Electronics Disposal Day
We were blessed with another sunny, successful electronics disposal day here at Martha’s Vineyard Community Services.
Good Company
Hardly a person is now alive on our fair and prosperous island who remembers the day when the Gazette made its first bow to the public and took its modest place in the periodicals of this section.
Art of the Question Is Perfect Outcome
Last weekend Craig Miner began spray painting the side of the 1930s house that resides at 6 Water street in Vineyard Haven. The derelict building, sagging and sad, is situated directly across the street from the Vineyard Haven Steamship Terminal. What Mr. Miner will eventually create is anyone’s guess, including his own.
Aging Disgracefully in Witness Protection
The idea for Arnie Reisman’s new play was hatched 10 years ago when he read a New York Times article about a couple living in a witness protection program in a gated Florida community. The result was Not Constantinople, a dark comedy that will have its world premiere next weekend at the Vineyard Playhouse.
Sitting Down at the Table for Change
Ali Berlow founded the Island Grown Initiative a decade ago, wrote The Mobile Poultry Slaughterhouse and was the founding editor and is still the co-publisher of Edible Vineyard. Her most recent book, The Food Activist’s Handbook: Big & Small Things You Can Do to Help Provide Fresh, Healthy Food for Your Community, was published earlier…
A Writer’s Life Needs Quiet and Community
A group of writers recently landed on Martha’s Vineyard to commit the remainder of May to honing their craft. Nine writers will live together and work on their poems, novels and other writing projects for two weeks as part of the Noepe Center for Literary Arts writer’s residency program.
Family Planning Art Show Hosts Local Talent
This weekend the 26th annual Family Planning Art Show transforms the Agricultural Hall into a community art gallery.
Who Lives Creatively?
The Permanent Endowment Fund for Martha’s Vineyard is now accepting nominations for the 2015 Creative Living Award.
More Recycling May Mean Higher Cost for Trash Pickup in Tisbury
The cost of trash pickup may soon go up in Vineyard Haven. At the Tisbury selectmen’s meeting Tuesday the board took up a request for a rate increase from Bruno’s Rolloff Inc, the company that the town contracts with for curbside pickup of trash and recyclables.
Memorial Day Parade, Ceremony Honors Those Who Served
This weekend the country celebrates Memorial Day, and the Vineyard steps up in style, too, in remembering those who fought and died for this country.
Bread and Puppet Arrives on Island
Bread and Puppet Theatre, the legendary troupe from Vermont, is coming to Martha’s Vineyard from May 27 through Sunday May 31.
Celebrating Life and Work of Peggy Freydberg
On Sunday, May 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. there will be a celebration of the life and work of Peggy Freydberg, who died on March 27 at the age of 107.
Breathe Deeply at Tibetan Breathing Yoga Workshop
The Bodhi Path Buddhist Center is hosting a workshop on Tibetan Breathing Yoga with Chumba Lam on Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24.
Memorial Day Show at Louisa Gould Gallery
The Louisa Gould Gallery is hosting its annual Memorial Day Group Show from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 23.
Moon, a Close Neighbor
The moon dominates our evening skies this weekend into next week. It first appears Friday night, crescent.
Spring Strings Concert
On Thursday, May 28, the annual spring strings concert will take place at the Performing Arts Center at the regional high school.
Charter School Honored for Energy Excellence
The Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School has received a first place state award for excellence in energy and environmental education.
As Chappy Ferry Line Grows, Talks Snarl Over Solutions
The Edgartown planning board has begun gathering information and suggestions in the latest attempt to solve, or at least improve the traffic snarl created in the village by cars headed to Chappaquiddick during the summer months.
All-Island Band Wins Top Honors at Festival
The seventh and eighth graders in the All-Island “A” band took home top honors at the Great East Music Festival in Wilbraham on May 1.
Battling Bugs in the Garden
I do not know my caterpillars nor do I wish to! I have the disgusting tiny ones hanging by threads from all my apple trees.
The Wood Anemone, a Truly Fair-Weather Flower
A cloudy day can make anyone blue, but who would have guessed that it could also make a flower frown? Let me introduce you to the wood anemone.
List of Species Observed at 2015 Felix Neck Bird-a-Thon
Here is the complete list of species observed on the recent Felix Neck Bird-a-thon, held May 15 to May 16. Prelimary results showed that birders found 125 species, mostly birds that breed or spend the winter here. This was Mass Audubon's 32nd year of birding competition; the event is a fundraiser for Felix Neck Wildlife…
Migrant Warblers and a Sandhill Crane
The Felix Neck Bird-a-thon began at 6 p.m. on May 15 and continued until 6 p.m. on May 16. Preliminary results are that we found 125 species.
Inspiration in Flocks of Birds and Schools of Fish; Film Center Screens Films of Jacques Perrin
This weekend the Martha’s Vineyard Film Society will host screenings of films by Jacques Perrin, the Oscar-winning producer, actor, director and member of France’s Legion of Honor. Mr. Perrin will travel from France to attend the festival.
Youth Collaborative Breaks Ground for New Building
The fledgling Island Wide Youth Collaborative celebrated a milestone this week by breaking ground for a new building. The building was made possible thanks to a $620,000 grant from MVYouth, a donor fund established last summer.
Announcing Alexia
Tatiara Hauch and Armando Ribeiro of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Alexia Hauch Ribeiro, born on May 18 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Alexia weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces at birth.
Vineyard Haven Man Charged with Indecent Assault on a Child
A Vineyard Haven man was arraigned May 7 in Edgartown District Court on 31 counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14.
New Oak Bluffs Bowling Alley Opens for First Bowlers
Families took to the lanes this week as the Vineyard’s new 10-pin bowling alley welcomed the first eager bowlers for soft opening events. A grand opening is planned in several weeks at the Barn Bowl and Bistro in Oak Bluffs.
On Chappy: May 22
Once again, I’ve been scooped. The most important event of any Chappy spring – the blooming of the shad – took place on Peter’s watch.
Aquinnah Town Column: May 22
Spring has really arrived. The temperatures have hovered in the mid 70s during the week. Beach plum bushes are in full bloom as are the lilies of the valley and the Scottish broom. The Aquinnah Shop Restaurant will be open over the weekend with extended hours.
Chilmark Town Column: May 22
Chilmark was saddened this week to learn of the death of Daniel Mayhew, who left us on Sunday last. He was the son of the late Paul and Priscilla Mayhew of Chilmark and brother of Paul Henry Mayhew. Dan was born on the Vineyard on Sept. 8, 1945. He attended Island schools and served in…
Up-Island School Committee Hammers Out Revised Budget
Board members reached agreement on a revised $10.3 million budget by trimming hours and shifting positions for several employees, and eliminating an education support professional in West Tisbury. The spending plan draws heavily from reserve funds.
Hello, Lila
Patricia Philbin and David Lawrence of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a daughter, Lila Grace Lawrence, born on May 17 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
West Tisbury Town Column: May 22
The long holiday weekend begins Friday and Monday is the Memorial Day holiday. There will be a parade and traditional observances down in Vineyard Haven and the annual town of Tisbury picnic on Monday. Town buildings, banks and the post office will be closed. If the new swans choose to stay in the Mill Pond…
At Waskosim’s Rock, Goats to Replace Mowers
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank has acquired 120 goats, following a two-year pilot program at the Farm Institute, and plans to deploy them as living lawnmowers as early as next week. The goats will take up residency at Waskosim’s Rock in Chilmark.
Real Estate Transactions: May 11 to May 17
Marshall Katzen and Bari Boyer purchased 82 South Road in Chilmark from James J. Leroux for $750,000 on May 15.
Jude Arrives
Ashley Anne Willoughby and Samuel Guy Byrd of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a son, Jude Cutler Byrd, born May 16.
Welcome, Owen
Brooke and Brian Ditchfield of Edgartown announce the birth of a son, Owen James Ditchfield, born on May 15 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Announcing Orion
Allison and Cameron Parry of Chilmark announce the birth of Orion Parry, born on May 14 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Mobile Medical Unit Helps Deliver Affordable Pet Care
Members of a new group called Animal Lovers of MV recently brought nine dogs off-Island to visit Spay Waggin’, a mobile medical unit providing affordable pet care.
Off Course Flyer, Sandhill Crane Enjoys Vineyard Detour
On the evening of May 13 my 12-year-old son Gregory Clark spotted this “huge orange stork-like bird” as we drove past a farm on Middle Road in Chilmark.
Chilmark Warns of Traffic Delays as Road Paving Begins
Paving projects on several Chilmark roads could create delays or detours for drivers over the next few weeks.
Charter School Receives Large Donation to Complete Science Lab
The Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School has received a $100,000 donation from Robert Day through the W. M. Keck Foundation. The grant will help the school complete work on new science and tech labs.
State Grant Aims to Curb Opioid Abuse
The Martha’s Vineyard Youth Task force got word this week that the state will fund the education and prevention initiative with an additional $700,000 grant over the next seven years.
Fishermen Plan to Hold Summer Event at Menemsha
The Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust will host its first ever Meet the Fleet event this summer to showcase the Island’s working waterfront.
Dredging Under Little Bridge Set to Begin Soon
A long-awaited project to dredge a channel that feeds Sengekontacket Pond is set to go this spring, now that Oak Bluffs has awarded a bid for project. Sediment has been piling up at the channel since Hurricane Sandy.
Passing the Gavel: Judge Kirkman Sworn in as New Edgartown First Justice
The Hon. J. Thomas Kirkman was sworn in as first justice of the Edgartown district court Thursday in a crowded ceremony at the Edgartown courthouse. In a series of speeches, court officials welcomed the judge to his new role.
Hello, Nathaniel
Brittney Coulombe and Christopher Borselle of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Nathaniel John Borselle.
