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
September 4, 2015
Permanent Endowment Restructures Grant Program
The Permanent Endowment Fund for Martha’s Vineyard has restructured its grants program. Instead of offering biannual grant cycles, it has shifted to one annual grant in the fall of each year.
Please Adopt Us
Vacationers on Chappaquiddick found a stray cat on the porch and brought it in to the shelter.
WMVY Upgrade
Thanks to a newly-upgraded FM signal, mvyradio is now broadcasting to all corners of the Island and other parts of southeastern Massachusetts.
Talks Begin Over Terms for Airport Manager’s Departure
Attorneys for the Martha’s Vineyard Airport Commission and embattled airport manager Sean Flynn met this week in Boston in an effort to negotiate the terms of Mr. Flynn’s exit.
Land Bank Revenues: August 28
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $84,009.91 for the business week ending on Friday, August 28, 2015.
Lone Star Ticks Found to Be Breeding on Chappy
The discovery of hundreds of lone star tick larvae on Chappaquiddick this summer confirms that the southern species is now breeding on the Vineyard, Island biologist Richard Johnson said.
Up-Island School Choice Debate Focuses on Crowded Kindergarten
Overcrowding in West Tisbury kindergarten classes for this year led to brief discussion last week among school committee members about capping the number of kindergartners coming from Aquinnah.
Scientists Use Katama Bay for Detailed Study of Oysters and Vibrio
As Katama Bay oyster farms remain closed because of Vibrio illness tied to raw oysters, scientists are using the bay as a testing ground to understand more about the bacteria and how it interacts with oysters.
Labor Day 2015
The Vineyard was the place to be this summer, or so it appeared.
Aquinnah to Revisit Leases for Commercial Lots at Circle
With two commercial lots at Aquinnah Circle going unused, the selectmen have called for a meeting with the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) to discuss revising a lease agreement that currently gives the right of first refusal to the tribe.
Nothing Scary About Gift of Loving Deeply
The outpouring of love, respect and admiration for Wes Craven from colleagues and fans has been so heartening for our family.
New Superintendent Looks to the New School Year
Summer break is coming to an end and Vineyard schools will be back in session on Tuesday. This marks Matthew D’Andrea’s freshman year as superintendent of the Island public school system.
One Way the Other Way in Union Street Traffic Experiment
Traffic on Union street in downtown Vineyard Haven will be reversed for one month beginning Sept. 13 and running through Columbus Day weekend. A traffic committee advised the experimental reversal to see if it improves traffic flow in the downtown Vineyard Haven area.
Right Fork Diner Is Runway Success
On summer weekends, the Right Fork Diner at the edge of Katama airfield is a small circus, with kids, music, food and a chance to see the Island from the seat of a classic biplane.
We Can’t Say Chimneys Anymore
Hearth and chimneys remained/when the remote cottages succumbed/to unreachable fire and scouring salt./Stout, alone, together, they stood,/sentinels on the sandy tail of the island.
Building a Foundation for a Better Life
Editor’s Note: What follows is an edited version of opening remarks delivered by the author at the annual Hutchins Forum at the Old Whaling Church.
Spreading the Joy of Literature Is Recipe for a Life Well Lived
In the 11th grade at a decent public high school in Memphis, I ran into extraordinary good luck. A brilliant young man in his mid-twenties, named Hazelwood, had arrived on our scene.
Name Game
The name of Mayhew is prominent in all Island annals: in politics, industry, religion and virtually all pursuits.
Airport Complaints Are Easy; To Really Help It’s Time to Step Up
Our airport has been mired in a sticky, sordid, struggle for some time now. It has persistently provoked people for years.
Mill Pond Mired in a Sea of Algae
The summer season is coming to another end, and with it, the increasing evidence of an ominous threat to our historic landmark.
Happy Anniversary from Afar
My parents Mike and Brenda Canha of Oak Bluffs are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on Sept. 10.
Wes Craven Remembered
We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, support and admiration for Wes. It soothes our broken hearts to know that you loved him as much as we did. >
Crack of the Bat
Thank you for the coverage of my retirement party at Chilmark Sunday softball. My only regret is that there are few youngsters playing the game today.
Light Shines On
With the relighting of the Gay Head Light on Tuesday, August 11, the monumental task of saving the Gay Head Light has come to an amazingly successful conclusion. Based on the relocation of the structure to its new location, 180 feet back from the cliff face, U.S. Geologists predict that another move won’t be needed…
Finding a Better Way
The subject of the shared use path on Beach Road is a topic that I have written about, drawn diagrams of, made paintings and photographs of to illustrate my point.
Kindness in Evidence
A big thank you and shout out to the West Tisbury police department, the West Tisbury fire department and the West Tisbury animal control.
Dancing, Singing, Living to Their Own Beat
Lila’Angelique and Thoth formed the group Tribal Baroque, and they return to Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs to perform Esh and Ee-ay, Tribal Baroque’s latest opera, produced and commissioned by Sarah Kernochan.
At the Bridge Table: Sept. 4
A crossruff is a means of scoring trump in both hands. It works when you have — or create — a void on each side of the board.
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Wind Festival Blows into Town
The festival runs from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5 at Ocean Park. You can even make your own kite if you don’t have one handy.
Art Reception for Dan VanLandingham
On Friday night there will be a reception for young Vineyard artist Dan VanLandingham at Mikel Hunter’s fashion store, art gallery, cool place to hang out — it is all of the above.
Free Guitar Lessons
Free guitar lessons are headed your way care of Steve Maxner. The 20-week course begins on Sept. 22 and runs until April 16 at the West Tisbury Library.
Moon in Taurus
If you step outside late Saturday night and look to the stars, you’ll see a sign of autumn rising in the east. The zodiacal constellation Taurus is low in the southeast sky. It rises near midnight. There will be no problem finding it too. The last quarter moon appears in the constellation. Taurus is the…
With Humor, Irony and Some Gore Too, Wes Craven Defined a Genre
Wes Craven, known worldwide for his horror films and on the Vineyard for his low key style, humor and thoughtfulness, died on August 30 in Los Angeles at the age of 76. The cause was brain cancer.
Getting Strong Now, WVVY Punches Up the Wattage
The motto of WVVY radio used to be “You Never Know What You’re Going to Hear Next.” And now, following the station’s recent signal boost, you may even be able to hear whatever’s next in Falmouth.
On the Water, School Is in Session
The annual HHSA race to Chappaquiddick was held on August 30, another picture perfect Sunday. Fourteen boats made the trip.
Real Estate Transactions: August 24 to August 30
Yvette D. Bright purchased 8 Mayhew Way in Oak Bluffs from Elizabeth Zanetti for $1,345,000 on August 28.
September is Songbird Migration Time
The southward migration of songbirds has started. They may be wherever you are, in the woods, fields or even along the shore.
A Summer Harvest of Beautiful Eggplants
I’m ready for the season to change. Spring and fall are my favorite garden times. I am completely over this summer.
What Happens After Insects Ingest: A Look at Frass
What goes in, must come out. While all animals live by this law of digestion, there is one group whose evacuations now have my attention.
West Tisbury Town Column: Sept. 4
Friday is the start of the long holiday weekend. Labor Day is on Monday and so is the end of the high summer season. All municipal buildings and the post office will be closed. It was excellent, weather-wise, all summer, but all good things must come to an end and school starts on Tuesday.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: Sept. 4
On Sept. 7, 1956 the Vineyard Gazette reported that folks sang and danced at Church’s Pier the night after Labor Day accompanied by fireworks signifying that autumn had begun. It was a revival of a long-held celebration in Cottage City some 70 years past when volunteer performers supplied the dancing music Monday afternoon and evening…
Edgartown Town Column: Sept. 4
Someone turned up the heat again. The humidity has been on and off but the heat has been definitely on. I am still wishing for rain. It can rain at night just as long as it rain. Of course with all this begging I don’t know if the faucet would come on and then not…
On Chappy: Sept. 4
The moon was full last Sunday and has made for a whole week of no flashlights needed at midnight. The moon was also in perigee. Which means that it was at its closest point of approach in its cock-eyed orbit around the earth.
Chilmark Town Column: Sept. 4
Chilmark’s old houses are getting some respect these days. Last week a good number of interested people joined Adam Moore of Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation for a tour of the Mayhew Hancock Mitchell house at Quansoo sponsored by the Chilmark Historical Commission. The house is undergoing extensive restoration and is currently under an enormous tent that…
Film Festival Helps Create a Community of World Travelers
Whether traveling aboard a wooden sloop, laden with climbing gear or carrying traditional aboriginal spears, films from around the world are about to arrive on the Vineyard. The 10th annual Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival officially begins on Thursday, Sept. 10.
Island Photography Finds a Digital Home at the Kelley House
Four new flat screen televisions hanging in the lobby of the Kelley House showcase Vineyard photography. The Vineyard’s first digital photo gallery features 11 photographers with strong Vineyard ties. Some 200 photos are featured, approximately 20 from each photographer.
Katama Bay Oyster Farm Closure Extended
Katama Bay oyster farms will remain closed for another week following additional confirmed cases of Vibrio illness tied to the area, a state Department of Marine Fisheries official said Tuesday afternoon. Chris Schillaci told oyster farmers that handling is not the problem.
Vandalism Suspected at Alpaca Farm
A break in at the Island Alpaca Farm in Oak Bluffs last week left one alpaca injured and several fences damaged, the farm’s owner said on Tuesday. Oak Bluffs police are investigating the incident.
Police Investigating Theft of $50,000 Worth of Jewelry in Edgartown
Edgartown police are investigating the reported theft last week of $50,000 worth of jewelry belonging to reality TV star Kelly Killoren Bensimon.
New Gallerists Embrace Art as a Medium for Adventure and Justice
The former Dragonfly Gallery returned this summer as Gallery Josephine, purchased by Nyama Wingood and Bryan Daigle, new to the art business and the Island. The owners said they hope the gallery has a part in broader social justice conversations.
Welcome, Olivia
Dragana and Peter Davis of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Olivia Zora Davis, born August 28 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
East Chop Column: Sept. 4
Last week was exciting. On Sunday (August 23) Lyn and I went to the opening of Sarah Moore’s art show at Homes on Martha’s Vineyard located in Post Office Square in Edgartown. The show featured two dramatic paintings of the ocean and six pen and ink drawings of trees.
Hospital, Neighbors Clash Over Windemere Road Access
Responding to oversights in a major expansion project that broke ground eight years ago, the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital is taking steps to restore public access to Windemere Road. The road issue has been a longstanding sore point with neighbors.
Cutting Edge in Chilmark; Filmmakers Expand Their Reality
The future is closer than it appears in Chilmark where a group of film visionaries, including director Doug Liman, recently tested out new technology to begin work on a virtual reality web series.
