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
July 24, 2015
Three Cheers for Words and Writers; Book Festival Is Almost Here
This year’s Martha’s Vineyard Book Festival takes place August 1 through August 2 and features a mix of fiction and nonfiction authors, including former congressmen and chefs and best-selling authors.
Out of the Cellar
To understand just how outdated is the Massachusetts Public Records law, consider that it was enacted the same year Xerox introduced the Alto.
Truck Carrying Sand Rolls Over on State Road
A portion of State Road in West Tisbury was closed to traffic for a short time Thursday afternoon after a truck carrying sand rolled over after trying to avoid a collision, police said. The driver of the John Keene excavation truck was transported to the hospital but was not seriously injured.
Steady as She Goes on the Vineyard Haven Waterfront
From Owen Park to the Lagoon Pond drawbridge, decades old, family-run businesses pepper the Vineyard Haven waterfront. The architecture is haphazard, but that is perhaps Vineyard Haven’s charm — plus it’s rare for any town today to look much the same as it did 50 years ago.
Public Records Law Overhaul Aims for More Transparency
A bill to reform and significantly strengthen the Massachusetts Public Records Law is attracting midsummer heat on Beacon Hill, as a bipartisan group of lawmakers backing the bill try to strike a compromise with an opposition group that represents commonwealth cities and towns, including on the Vineyard.
Tribal Chairman Smack in Middle of Legal Fight Over Casino
Tobias Vanderhoop is in the middle of a legal fight to determine whether the Wampanoag tribe has the legal authority to convert its community center into a class II gambling facility. He was recently deposed by a cluster of attorneys for a federal lawsuit.
Making Dreams Come True in Spirit of Norman Bridwell
The 37th annual Art Buchwald Possible Dreams Auction will be held on Sunday, July 26 at the Winnetu Oceanside Resort in Edgartown. This year’s auction will celebrate Norman Bridwell, the beloved creator of Clifford the Big Red Dog.
Last Groundfish Permit Stays on Island, Though Unicorn Days Are Numbered
The Nature Conservancy, working with the Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust, has purchased the Island’s last historic groundfish permit. The permit was held by Greg Mayhew, owner of the Unicorn.
Conservation Restriction 20 Years in the Making Is Nearly Complete
The Vineyard Conservation Society is gathering final approvals for a conservation restriction in Chilmark more than 20 years in the making.
Tim Moriarty Joins Firm as Law Associate
Timothy Moriarty has joined the West Tisbury law office of George B. Brush as an associate attorney.
IGI Sees Leadership Shift
Island Grown Initiative announced last week that Sarah McKay, former board president, will be taking over as interim executive director for the next year.
As the Light Guides Others to Safety, Two Guide the Lighthouse
Richard Skidmore and Joan LeLacheur, keepers of the Gay Head Light, have lived by the particular rhythms of the Gay Head Light for 25 years, tending to its mishaps and arranging countless visits with people from around the world.
Good Night But Not Goodbye, Dear Friend
On a snowy Thursday in early March, as another promising storm descended upon a winter-worn Island, the stage lights at the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse were burning brightly in preparation for the rehearsal of a reading of Twelve Angry Jurors.
Monster Mash
What is described as a gigantic sea lizard, estimated to be sixty feet in length, was seen on Devil’s Bridge ledge last Thursday afternoon.
Zoning Violations, Noisy Rooster Complaint Occupy Selectmen
Meeting Wednesday after a two-week hiatus, the West Tisbury selectmen took up a laundry list of items ranging from zoning violations to rooster complaints to fence lines. A second offense zoning violation at State Road restaurant was discussed.
Many Colors, One Human Race
The following won first place in the annual Della Hardman Day essay contest held among juniors at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School.
Generous Bequest
Earlier this week the Chilmark selectmen accepted a conservation restriction on a property along Middle Road.
Stop in the Name of Creativity
The Vineyard should be a refuge from stress, an Island oasis where Islanders and off-Islanders can recharge their batteries.
Reading Rescue
The West Tisbury Library and all the young future firefighters would like to thank Jesse Oliver and the West Tisbury fire department.
Blueberries and More
The First Congregational Church of West Tisbury wishes to extend thanks to the Island community for attending Saturday’s blueberry festival.
Fiddle, Not Fid
It should be noted that a fid is a pointed tool used to separate strands of rope in order to splice.
Fisherman’s Moon
Warm summer nights, far cooler than daytime highs, make astronomy a pleasant hobby. One doesn’t have to put on a coat or dress in any special way. Bug repellant may be needed, but not always if your favorite night time spot is perfect and the bugs are somewhere else. The gibbous moon will dominate our…
At the Bridge Table: July 24
Bridge is so intricate that it’s good to know there are formulas you can fall back on.
Keeping the Airwaves Open at the High School and Beyond
Skip Finley sees a future in radio. And that future begins with the students of Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, who will run a low power radio station out of the school starting in September.
Jazzing Up Chamber Music
Grammy award winner Billy Childs returns to the Island on July 27 and 28 as part of the chamber music festival.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: July 24
The Bermans are back! I have had the pleasure of knowing this wonderful family before any grandchildren were even on the scene. The 18th annual Berman family get-together in Vineyard Haven now consists of all children, grands, and two faithful dogs, Huck and Peanut.
Sustainable Films
Local fillmmakers Liz Witham and Ken Wentworth have been working on a series of short films about local efforts to help the environment.
Savor the Moment at Della Day
NAACP president Cornell William Brooks will be the keynote speaker at the annual Della Hardman Day celebration Saturday in Ocean Park. The day honors the late artist, educator, historian and Oak Bluffs columnist whose favorite phrase was savor the moment.
Vineyard Playhouse Presents Shakespeare, All of It, in One Big Gulp
The Vineyard Playhouse will present The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] at the Tisbury amphitheater, featuring a rapping Othello and a hyper-speed Hamlet, through August 15.
PigPen Theatre Stays Rooted by Getting Messy With Creativity
The PigPen Theatre Co. managed to transport about 50 people on Friday night into a ghostly world where banjos reign supreme and a bear can be so much more than a bear.
Gallery in the Gardens
Vineyard Gardens is getting ready for their annual Gallery in the Gardens series featuring artists showing work at the garden center.
The Next Generation of Music Is Now
The concert We Are The New Generation will be held at The Base at Alex’s Place at the YMCA on Saturday July 25.
Real Estate Road Show
The Real Estate Road Show returns on Friday, July 24 from 9 a.m. to noon at 10 Union street in Vineyard Haven.
Everyone’s Big Yellow Friend
Big Bird is coming to the Island on Thursday, July 30.
Poems from the Pond
On Monday, July 27, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center there will be a celebration of the poetry of Peggy Freydberg.
Junot Diaz at Noepe
Junot Diaz will read and answer questions about his life and work on Thursday, July 30 at Noepe Center for Literary Arts.
Laughing in the Pew
For the third year in a row, Union Chapel welcomes Reverend Susan Sparks to be the guest preacher on Sunday, July 26.
Billy Collins at Featherstone
The poet Billy Collins returns to Martha’s Vineyard on Tuesday, July 28, at Featherstone Center for the Arts.
Sunrise Hiroshima Remembrance
The Martha’s Vineyard Peace Council will hold its annual Hiroshima Day vigil on August 6 at sunrise at the Gay Head Light.
Flukey Winds, Fog and a Rising Tide
Michael Loberg won a HHSA doubleheader on Sunday, July 19, aboard his Morris 36, Masquerade.
Avian Investigation: Atlantic Puffin or Razorbill?
On June 24 a Facebook report claimed several Atlantic puffins were flying into Menemsha Pond up the channel.
Wild Indigo Spreads the Summertime Blues
Wild indigo, known for its blues, is boasting bright yellow blossoms. This full-figured herb, which shows round or globular growth, is now in flower.
Yucca in Bloom and the First Tomato of the Season
There is a lot of time spent in traffic these days. I put the truck in park and try to improve my powers of observation.
The Serious Art of Drawing Funny
Bob Mankoff is The New Yorker’s cartoon editor, and each week he evaluates thousands of cartoons. He is also the subject of the new documentary Very Semi-Serious, which screens Friday at the performing arts center. Mr. Mankoff, a cartoonist himself, will be on hand for a post-film discussion.
Rosabeth Moss Kanter Issues Call to Put Nation’s Infrastructure Back in the Fast Lane
Tired of obstacles to mobility in the United States, Harvard Business School professor and seasonal Edgartown resident Rosabeth Moss Kanter decided to take matters into her own hands with her new book, Move: Putting America’s Infrastructure Back in the Lead.
Oak Bluffs Selectmen Sign Off on Center for Living Agreement
Oak Bluffs selectmen, against the recommendation of a majority of the financial advisory committee, voted last week to become the sixth and final Island town to sign off on an intermunicipal agreement that sets up oversight of the Center for Living.
Chilmark Town Column: July 24
Chilmark is facing midsummer with plenty of sunshine and warmth. The crowds seem bigger than ever and the usual breaks called changeover weekends seem not to be happening this season. We are hoping the of- site parking is helping folks to better enjoy Menemsha.
Off Squibnocket, NOAA Ship Pursues Mission to Survey Sea Bottom
The coastal mapping vessel Ferdinand R. Hassler is nearing the end of a two-month mission to gather data south of the Vineyard. The data will be used to update nautical charts that are based on surveys conducted mostly before 1940.
On Chappy: July 24
The Chappy Community Center has been the real hub of activity on Chappy for the past weeks. I drop my granddaughters off there two mornings a week for sailing. I have to bribe them with boxes of little tiny explosive “party snaps.” When I was a kid these were sold by the Curio Shop on…
Oak Bluffs Town Column: July 24
Oak Bluffs’ legacy as a religious retreat may have started when Jeremiah Pease helped found our city in the woods in 1835 for the Methodists, but the religious tolerance and freedom we enjoy has a typically ironic legacy. In 1641 King Charles’ conflicting religious antics had caused many of his subjects to flee, some of…
Edgartown Town Column: July 24
There is only one word that describes this week’s weather and that is HOT! I personally do not like it this hot. I lived with “Nanuk of the North” for 28 years and learned to like the cold and got used to sleeping with the window open even if it was snowing or less than…
Steamship Authority Discusses Plans for New Freight Ferry
Steamship Authority governors discussed assigning the new freight vessel Woods Hole to the Martha’s Vineyard route, possibly keeping the freight ferry Governor in service, and approved changes in the standby line for Island residents during a meeting Tuesday in Vineyard Haven.
Dean’s List at University of Massachusetts Amherst
Several Vineyard students were named to the spring 2015 dean’s list at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Strong Foundation Is the Theme at Sheriff’s Meadow Fundraiser
Supporters of the Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation gathered Monday night at the Borggaard farm in West Tisbury for a gala to benefit the foundation’s general fund and the organization’s mission to preserve and manage natural habitats on the Island. The event raised more than $320,000.
Real Estate Transactions: July 13 to July 19
Charles C. Fitzsimmons and Mari Elizabeth Fitzsimmons purchased 42 Hagerty Drive in Vineyard Haven from estate of Carol G. Stewart for $590,000.
West Tisbury Town Column: July 24
This past weekend automobile traffic seemed to increase most everywhere and it is busy all around town. The weather was toasty warm most days. Eileen Blake’s pies are no more here as they have gone out of business on the Island. In fact, the house has been torn down!
East Chop Column: July 24
Saturday July 18 was an exciting day at the East Chop Tennis Club. Between sets in the men’s singles finals (Mark Willis eventually defeated Zach Wooster 6-3, 6-4), Court one was dedicated to J. Bushnell Richardson Jr.
Land Bank Revenues: July 17
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $704,113.54 for the business week ending on Friday, July 17, 2015.
MVC Agrees to Modify Old Coach Road as Special Way
Despite clearly-stated concern about future precedent, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission agreed last week to shorten the protected special way in West Tisbury in order to preserve vehicle access for a private property owner.
Midsummer Celebration of Food, Cookbooks and Community at Cook the Vineyard
It’s a rare opportunity to gather in one restaurant and enjoy specialty dishes sourced from the Island by seven distinct chefs. All of which are, by the event’s design, also cookbook authors. And for these cooks, the stories are as important as the recipes.
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Norman Bridwell
Family, friends, and admirers of the late Norman Bridwell, who died in December, gathered at the Federated Church Monday for a memorial service honoring the longtime Edgartown resident and author and illustrator well-known for the Clifford the Big Red dog series.
Hannah Elias and Caleb Gray Graduate
Two Vineyard students graduated this spring from Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I.
Austin Gampfer Graduates
Austin Gampfer of Vineyard Haven has graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a bachelor of fine arts degree in industrial design from the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.
Amy Fligor Named to Dean’s List
Amy Fligor of Edgartown has been named to the spring 2015 dean’s list at the University of Delaware.
Announcing Charles
Laura and Chuck Noonan of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a son, Charles Arthur Noonan 4th, born on July 16 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Wild Weather, Skillful Sailors at Edgartown Regatta
Over the 92 years that boats have competed in the Edgartown Yacht Club regatta, it’s hard to imagine a more competitive fleet than the sailors who filled Edgartown Harbor and Nantucket Sound with sails this weekend.
Lemonade to Help the Lighthouse
Diana and Nicki Masseur of Chilmark and New York city set up a lemonade stand this weekend to raise money for the Gay Head Light relocation effort. All $142 raised from the sale of baked goods, fruit salad, and cold drinks will go toward the lighthouse effort
Tribal Council Elders, Youth Rally Cause Against Casino
Wampanoag tribal elders, families with young children, town officials and others are calling for greater public participation to block efforts by the Wampanoag tribe to build a casino in Aquinnah. A public meeting was held Saturday at the Aquinnah Old Town Hall.
Feast of the Holy Ghost Celebrates Community, Both Past and Present
The Feast of the Holy Ghost parade stepped off from the Oak Bluffs Steamship Authority terminal on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. under a sweltering sun. It was part of the annual two-day Portuguese festival celebrating history, food, music and giving back to the community.
For Art Garfunkel the Show Must Go On
The concert with Art Garfunkel on Saturday night at the Performing Arts Center almost didn’t happen. He seriously considered canceling the concert due to problems with his voice, he told the near sell-out audience. But at the last minute he decided the show must go on.
SSA Governors Meet Tuesday on the Vineyard
The new freight ferry under construction and renovations to the Woods Hole ferry terminal will be topics for discussion when Steamship Authority governors hold their monthly meeting on the Vineyard Tuesday. The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Katharine Cornell Theatre in Vineyard Haven.
Leslie J. Stark, 76, Island’s Beloved Renaissance Man
Leslie J. Stark, advertising man, actor, playwright, proofreader, raconteur extraordinaire and beacon of hope for those with cancer died on Friday, July 17. There will be a memorial service at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center.
David McCullough Helps Make History Soar
More than 100 people gathered in the West Tisbury Grange Hall on Tuesday to hear David McCullough talk about his new book, The Wright Brothers. Tickets sold for $100, with all profits going to the West Tisbury Library.
Prognosis Troubling But Not Hopeless Says Panel of Economists
After years of recession and national economic decline, the audience at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center on Thursday was perhaps hoping for some good news from the three renowned economists speaking that night. There was little to go around.
Dick Carlson Wins Charity Skeet Tournament
Dick Carlson from Oak Bluffs took home top honors at the 18th annual Klays for Kids Charity Skeet Shoot last weekend at the Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club.
PigPen Theatre Company Returns With The Hunter and the Bear
The PigPen Theatre Co. returns to the Vineyard tonight, July 17, with a new take on their first story, The Hunter and the Bear. This week they have been in residence at Vineyard Arts Project and will perform this work in progress tonight at 7 p.m.
Boys & Girls Club Hits the Jackpot at Annual Casino Night
The Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club raised $20,300 at their annual casino night and silent auction to benefit the organization.
