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
September 18, 2015
Wastewater: Plumbing All the Alternatives
A few hundred alternative systems are installed on Martha’s Vineyard, mostly in Edgartown and Oak Bluffs. The technology could help achieve nitrogen mitigation in Island coastal ponds.
Veterans Battle HealthNet System
A U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs program intended to create better access to health care for veterans in remote locations, including on Martha’s Vineyard, has instead left them angry and frustrated.
In Formal Step, Airport Commission Puts Manager on Paid Leave
Airport manager Sean Flynn has been placed on administrative leave with pay, following a Friday morning closed-door session with the Martha’s Vineyard Airport Commission.
Short Runway
There’s a decided air of neglect about the Martha’s Vineyard Airport that has nothing to do with the Island’s casual vibe.
Sweet Smell of Autumn
Good fences make good neighbors, the old adage goes, but surely flowers along fence lines are among the prettiest sights.
Spirited Debate About Alcohol in Chilmark
A proposal to allow beer and wine sales at restaurants in Chilmark came under fire at a selectmen’s meeting on Tuesday. Several longtime residents gathered to speak out against the idea.
On the Trail of Whitey Bulger, from Page to Screen
Dick Lehr began covering Boston mob boss James (Whitey) Bulger in 1988, and later coauthored a book about Whitey. This week he saw the work transformed into a major motion picture.
High School Works to Keep Attendance Up
Facilities planning, early intervention for attendance problems, junior varsity sports policies and the search for a new principal all occupied the regional high school district committee at its first meeting of the new school year.
Edgartown Defers on Life of Shade Trees
After a somewhat testy hearing Monday, Edgartown selectmen deferred a decision on whether to allow two shade trees to be cut down on Cooke street. Contractor Norman Rankow wants permission to remove the two trees from a property at 140 Cooke.
Spirit of the Vineyard Nominations Sought
Nominations are being accepted for the annual Spirit of the Vineyard Award.
Please Adopt Us
On Sept. 10 the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard, as a member of Friends of the Animals, conducted another successful spay/neuter clinic.
Real Estate Transactions: Sept. 7 to Sept. 13
Kevin M. Brady and Deanna T. Brady purchased 4 Tabor House Road in Chilmark from David B. Rossi, William N. Rossi, Daniel R. Rossi, and Patricia Rossi for $1,000,000 on Sept. 9
At the Bridge Table: Sept. 18
The Bridge Club of Martha’s Vineyard concluded its 2015 season at the Tisbury Council on Aging the morning of Sept. 12, and it was quite a show.
Edgartown Town Column: Sept. 18
Who could complain about this weather? Yes we had the much needed rain, and with the cool nights and the warm sun shining days, how can we be upset.
Tivoli Day Arrives in Oak Bluffs
Tivoli Day marks the beginning of a slower pace on the Vineyard, but it does it in energetic style. Circuit avenue is closed to cars, and foot traffic of all kinds takes over.
Aquinnah Town Column: Sept. 18
Monday night Alpha 11, otherwise known as Paul Manning, was called to respond to a lock out at 81 Lighthouse Road. Most of you may recognize that address as the Outermost Inn. Alpha 11 responded from Menemsha Texaco, where he happened to be fueling up the cruiser, to a surprise birthday party hosted by his…
Black Uhuru Live!
On Thursday, Sept. 24, Black Uhuru plays the Vineyard, for the first time ever.
Chilmark Town Column: Sept. 18
Chilmark is a unique town. I have been thinking about the upcoming town meetings and the Chilmark voters who will turn out. They are a serious bunch who see red flags when certain words and phrases come into the discussions. I am thinking of a few that always meet the red flag of hesitation. “All…
Crescent Moon Is a Guide
The crescent moon appears near the ringed planet Saturn Friday low in the southern sky.
Follow the Photo for a Reunion of Memories
Two years ago I wrote a Gazette column about the boxes in my basement — or to be more precise (and pathetic), the boxes in our basements.
Perking Up By Putting Down the To-Do List
Every year I say the same thing to my husband, “I’d love to take a vacation . . . on Martha’s Vineyard.”
Last Day Blues Always Part of Magical Vineyard Summers
I’ve got last day blues. They are as blue as the waves crashing on Squibnocket when I flash my beach pass for the last time.
What Nice Teeth, Fox Said to the Sharks
I was dreaming away on our back deck in Menemsha when the first drops arched over the railing.
Learning to See in the Dark Places
Walking into my first college class at the age of 38 I should have known my world was about to expand.
Vineyard Bookshelf: Recollections of Summers at Pohogonot Farm
Judy Flynn Palmer recently published a book telling of the summers she and her sister and their cousins spent at the family farm.
The Big One
Indian summer weather greeted the opening of the 1952 seventh annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass Derby.
Airport Embarrassment
I have noticed how dirty and unkempt the airport is. I am ashamed that this is the first thing visitors see when they land on our beautiful Island.
Wetland Cutting
I just noticed that the town of Oak Bluffs (or someone) has cut the wetland grasses and cattails on South Circuit avenue alongside Farm Pond.
Airport Improvements
Having written several letters critical of the unkempt, rundown appearance of the Vineyard airport, I write now a compliment.
Best Fest Marches On
I’d like to publicly thank all those who helped make the sixth annual Best Fest a success.
Search for Designer
I have for 40 years been interested in the unusual bungalow-style building on Beach Road between the gas station and bike rental place in Vineyard Haven.
Home Away from Home
As the summer closes its doors for a long sleep, my family and I return to the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple.
Mystery Recovery
What did a young man and woman do when they found a lady’s purse on a street in Edgartown last Saturday night?
Meditation Helps Heal from Within
A new key to happiness exists where one might expect it least — the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. On Sept. 30, the hospital welcomes back Meditation and Mindfulness, an eight-week class directed by Dr. Elliott S. Dacher MD, now in its eighth year.
Lia Kahler Benefit Performance
Mezzo-soprano Lia Kahler performs on Sunday, Sept. 20, at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown as a benefit for homelessness and veterans.
Kids’ Derby Day Rules Steamship Wharf
This years kids’ derby is Sunday, Sept. 20, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Just a short window of time, before the ferries roll in and take over.
Hard Cider Is Apple of His Eye
This August, the first bottles from Rob Hale’s Martha’s Vineyard Cider Co. were delivered to Island restaurants. The inaugural cider is called Hard A Lee, named after a wooden boat that has been in the Hale family, which owns the Martha’s Vineyard Shipyard, for more than 90 years.
Pat West Gaff Rig Race
The 27th Pat West Gaff Rig and Schooner Race is this Saturday, Sept. 19. The race honors Francis (Pat) West Jr., and is a benefit for Sail Martha’s Vineyard.
Happy Sunflower Has Many Facets
Symbolizing adoration, loyalty and longevity, sunflowers invite happiness as well as inspire poetry.
Songbird Identification 101
On some lucky days, especially after northwest winds, it seems that songbirds are all over the place. But identifying them can be a problem.
In Praise of Rain and Heptacodium
I was so grateful for last Thursday’s downpour. It started off slow enough to prepare the ground.
Museum Executive Director to Step Down
David Nathans will step down early next year, the Martha’s Vineyard Museum announced Wednesday. He has strengthened programs; a capital campaign at the old marine hospital remains incomplete.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Sept. 18
Just after I saw the sad news last Monday on the Martha’s Vineyard Poetry Society Facebook page of William Waterway’s death last Monday, just after I had read the beautiful tribute poem Barbara Pope Peckham wrote in Bill’s honor, just after all this, I could not get Walt Whitman’s 1865 poem for Abraham Lincoln out…
Beatrix Arrives
Jocelyn Filley and Graham Houghton of West Tisbury announce the birth of a daughter, Beatrix Haven Houghton, born on Sept. 14 at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
West Tisbury Town Column: Sept 18
Well, Wednesday is the first day of the fall season. We are thankful for all of our summer memories as September is slipping away as quick as you can say Jack Frost! We know he is waiting just around the corner, but it doesn’t seem possible with the late summer weather we are enjoying. Colleen…
Oak Bluffs Town Column: Sept 18
Last week’s jubilant concert and parade by the Extraordinary Rendition Band certainly reinforced Best Fest’s title as, well, the Best Fest. Some, seeing the joyfully unrestrained band in action for the first time, were delighted to see Oak Bluffs’ downtown area so alive so soon after the season’s traditional Labor Day ending. The finale at…
On Chappy: Sept. 18
We are saddened to hear of the passing of T. Curry Jones of Wasque Farm. He was quite a character. He had the good fortune to marry one of the Turnbull sisters, which made him a member of a vast group of summertime Chappaquiddickers. Like many of his in-laws he eventually made Chappy his year-round…
Hospital CEO Timothy Walsh Will Retire
The president and chief executive officer of the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital announced his retirement Tuesday. Mr. Walsh told his staff that he plans to retire next April.
UMass Boston Graduates
UMass Boston Graduates Marco Daniels of Vineyard Haven and Aislinn Weintraub of West Tisbury graduated in May from the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Land Bank Revenues: Sept. 11
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $154,911 for the business week ending on Friday, Sept. 11, 2015.
No Wind, No Matter; Moffett Race Is End of Season Delight
Skipper Stephen Besse in Apres, his J/120, won the 38th Moffett Cup on Saturday, sponsored by the Holmes Hole Sailing Association. A small edge in tactics helped him overcome a stifling handicap, to cross the line first, and score best on corrected time.
Welcome, Marie
Yuliya and Dillon Bilzerian of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a daughter, Marie Nicole Bilzerian, born on Sept. 11 at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Announcing Lucien
Caroline and Todd Murtha of West Tisbury announce the birth of a son, Lucien Fidel Rahiti Douglas Murtha, born August 21.
Film Festival Celebrates Art of Storytelling from Around the World
Now in its 10th year, the festival featured 20 films from all over the world over the course of four days.
MVC Will Review Plan to Demolish Old Edgartown Home
Unable to agree on whether a 125-year-old house at the edge of the Edgartown Historic District qualifies as a historic property, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission on Thursday voted narrowly to review a building demolition proposal at 2 Beach street as a development of regional impact (DRI).
Activist, Musician, Writer; William Waterway Led from the Heart
The Vineyard poet, writer and environmentalist whose lifelong passion to promote clean water inspired him to change his name, died over the weekend at his Katama home in Edgartown.
Town, Tribe Ponder Future for Unused Lots at Aquinnah Circle
With the Aquinnah Shop the only restaurant open at the cliffs this fall and at least two shops shuttered this summer, town leaders and shop owners are discussing the next steps. Lots at the Circle are traditionally leased only to tribal members.
Charlayne Hunter-Gault Continues the Conversation About Race
Three years ago, with a grant from the Ford Foundation, Charlayne Hunter-Gault began speaking with experts around the country who could shed light on the problem of racism in America. Race Matters, a new PBS NewsHour series that grew out of her efforts since 2012, premiered last Tuesday.
Opening Bell Rung, First Fish Weighed In: Derby is Underway
At the stroke of 12:01 a.m. Sunday, no one turned into a pumpkin, but a whole lot of people turned into obsessive, superstitious and sometimes secretive competitors in the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby.
Oak Bluffs Hears Results from Climate Change Study
An crowd of about 60 people turned out last week to hear preliminary results of a study predicting how climate change will affect the town of Oak Bluffs, which included precautionary measures that can be taken.
West Tisbury Selectmen Discuss Emergency Shelter, James Pond Management Plan
With hurricane season under way and winter storm season on the way, West Tisbury selectmen heard from the town emergency manager this week about preparedness and ongoing efforts to operate an Islandwide emergency shelter during severe storms.
Sengekontacket Closed to Shellfishing
Sengekontacket Pond is closed to shellfishing after the heavy rainfall on Thursday, Sept. 10. The pond is scheduled to reopen on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at the earliest.
Hello, Simona
Branimira Milkova and Petar Belchev of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a daughter, Simona Petrova Belcheva, born Sept. 8 at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
