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
October 9, 2015
Gazette Is Named Distinguished Paper
For the second year in a row, the Vineyard Gazette has been named a distinguished newspaper by the New England Newspaper and Press Association. The award was given to the paper at the press association’s fall conference held in Natick on Oct. 8.
Commission on the Status of Women To Host Hearing, Panel Discussion
The Cape Cod and Islands Commission on the Status of Women will hold a public hearing and discussion next week on the Vineyard.
Registration Open for Boys & Girls Club Third and Fourth Grade Basketball
Calling all third and fourth grade basketball players: it’s time to register for the Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club basketball league.
Honors for Island Alpaca
Island Alpaca had a strong showing last week at the 99th annual Eastern States Exposition held in West Springfield.
Edgartown Leads the Way as High End Real Estate Sales Rise
Continuing an upward tick in high-end real estate sales on the Vineyard this year, a single-family home at Crackatuxet Cove in Edgartown sold last week for $21 million. The sale marks the third transaction north of $20 million in the past 10 months, all in Edgartown.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Golf Tournament Is a Success
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Martha’s Vineyard hosted their annual MV Big Golf Fore Kids tournament, sponsored by Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank and Mink Meadows Golf Club, in blustery weather on Oct. 4.
Restoration Follows Relocation For Gay Head Light Project
The Gay Head Light will close on Monday until next spring, marking the end of its first season in a new location and the beginning of a multi-year restoration project for the historic brick-and-masonry tower and its surroundings.
Delayed Airport Master Plan Could Impede Improvements
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials plan to meet with Martha’s Vineyard Airport management and airport commissioners next week to discuss the status of the airport’s master plan project, a planning exercise more than two years behind schedule.
Beach Road Plan Twists and Turns While Clock Ticks
In a change of direction on the Beach Road Project, Tisbury selectmen Tuesday to support a so called “hybrid-hybrid” plan with both a shared-use path and a symmetrical design. Last week selectmen had voted for a completely symmetrical plan.
North Bluff Bid Process Questioned
Oak Bluffs selectmen reversed a decision made two weeks earlier and voted unanimously to reject all bids to restore the failing North Bluff coastal bank and seawall after a protest from one of the companies which bid on the project.
In Vineyard Skies: Fishermen Catch Planets
On Sunday morning as dawn unfolds, fishermen who are walking the beach early will see an impressive assembly of stars, planets and the waning crescent moon in the southeastern sky.
Chilmark Formalizes Central Feature in Squibnocket Project
Chilmark selectmen on Tuesday signed a lease agreement with the Squibnocket Homeowners Association, formalizing a central feature of a project to restore Squibnocket Beach.
Fossil Day Is Coming; Roar Like a Dino
Did you know the state fossil of Massachusetts is fossilized dinosaur tracks? Wait — did you even know that Massachusetts had a state fossil?
Niantic Park Renovation Is a Community Affair
Work is almost done on a $819,000 overhaul project at Niantic Park. Beginning Wednesday, hundreds of volunteers will take part in a five-day build to complete a separate, privately-funded children’s playground.
On Chappy: Oct. 9
My Auntie Babs, Barbara Fynbo, passed recently. She was 93. The youngest child of my great-grandfather Frank Marshall, she never seemed young to me — probably because I entered into her life rather late in the game. But she also never seemed old to me. Babs was not an old lady, even in her nineties.…
DCLA Drops in Again
DCLA plays this weekend with two Falmouth groups, Crooked Coast and the Taxidermists, to help out a couple of local skateparks.
Sweet Art of Chocolate
This weekend Featherstone celebrates its 12th chocolate festival with tasty chocolate concoctions made by Island bakers, artists and chocolate lovers.
Wild Food Challenge: Go Loco for Local Foods
The Wild Food Challenge, now in its sixth year on the Island, is Sunday, Oct. 11, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Portuguese-American Club in Oak Bluffs.
Changing of the Guard
For long stretches Island life can feel stable, then change seems to come all at once. We fail to notice the gradual process of erosion all around us until a few dramatic storms force us to look at what has been altered.
Martha’s Vineyard Food and Wine Festival Is Almost Here
The annual fall festival that embraces all things wine and all things delicious returns to the Vineyard on Thursday, Oct. 15 through Sunday Oct. 18.
Seeking Shelter from the Storm
My wife Cathlin and I were married 14 years ago, on Oct. 6 in New York city, just a few weeks after 9/11. We were married in Judson Church.
Busy Beach Road Needs a Shared Use Path
Beach Road along Vineyard Haven harbor is one of the busiest and most critical transportation corridors on the Vineyard.
Sailing With the Ancestors, Guided by Nature’s Compass
On Feb. 26, 2000, we departed Tahiti, bound for the big Island of Hawaii. As we sailed beyond the reef and into the deep ocean, the sea turned azure.
Fish On!
The nightly scene at the weighing-in station in Oak Bluffs, is an aspect of the annual bass derby that has never been adequately described.
Milkweed
At each summer’s end, my mother would take care to throw the seed of every milkweed pod she passed.
WUMB Radio Hosts Member Concert
On Saturday, WUMB 91.9 FM is coming to the Island to host its first even member concert here, held at The Loft in Oak Bluffs.
Resolving Air Traffic Noise Problem
I am cautiously optimistic that upcoming meetings will result in an acceptable resolution to the much-discussed airport noise situation.
Hurricane Relief
Menemsha Blues has created a campaign to donate to the people of Long Island, Bahamas who have survived the devastating effects of hurricane Joaquin.
Island to Island
I would like to thank The Mailroom, Trader Fred’s, Peggy Post, and Stop & Shop.
Gun Sense
These terrible and terrifying incidents involving guns recently are causing misery all over this country. Where do these shooters get their weapons?
Lemonade Learning
On August 29, a fabulous group of local kids displayed their creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, dedication to service and hard work.
New Kids in Town
An Island-style thank you to Peter Simon for his no hesitation generosity in allowing his classic musicians photos to be shown at the WUMB concert.
Golf for a Cause
The inaugural Vineyard Charity Classic Golf Tournament took place on Monday, Sept. 28 at the Vineyard Golf Club.
Lost, Found
My wife and I were visiting Edgartown on the afternoon of Sept. 27. We bought fudge, and later, a gift at the bookstore.
Lone Dentist to the Rescue
I’m writing to publicly appreciate and recommend Dr. Karen Gear, a Vineyard endodontist (the only endodontist on the Island).
Derby Fever Keeps Burning Up-Island
All along Lobsterville Beach one morning this week, about a dozen anglers stood in waders, casting into the surf. On any given day during the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby, Lobsterville and neighboring Menemsha are hotspots for surfcasters and fly fishermen of all ages.
Real Estate Transactions: Sept. 21 to Oct. 4
S. Fain Hackney TRS, 65 Moshup Trail Trust, purchased 65 Moshup Trail in Aquinnah from Michael Dourmashkin, et al. for $2,100,000 on Sept. 25.
Please Adopt Us
The cat room has one lone resident. Miss Kitty is an approximately one-year-old affectionate black and grey tabby..
Hot Sauce, Cool Fall Nights
Several days of rain last week put me right. I finally was able to attend to some indoor projects.
Shining a Light on All Those Bulbs
Nick Holonyak Jr., had a bright idea. This American engineer invented the LED (light emitting diode) in 1962 while working for General Electric (GE).
Shorebirds Weather the Storm
I had hoped to be able to report about seabirds being seen close to the Vineyard after the windy and wet weather we had between Sept. 30 and Oct. 5.
Edgartown Town Column: Oct. 9
Okay, so people are asking me if I am satisfied now that we got the well needed rain. So I say yes, and as my friend Jan Norton always says, “The ponds are full, now winter can come.” However, listening to the weather reports, it is going to be in the 60s for the next…
Oak Bluffs Town Column: Oct. 9
Andrea Bocelli’s Con Te Partiro would be the best theme song for the disappearance of Farm Pond’s sea serpent, Vanessa, last week, signaling to all that the busy 2015 season has ended. It’s only natural that Oak Bluffs, built from the two Hansel and Gretel-like storybook neighborhoods of the Camp Ground and Cottage City, would…
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Oct. 9
Many of you native Islanders have had the pleasure I just experienced, so rare off-Island. About four of my childhood friends, ladies that I was in kindergarten through eighth grade with, arrived at our house for an impromptu reunion.
Chilmark Town Column: Oct. 9
Chilmark seems to be still in summer mode. A leaf here and there is showing signs of red and yellow but the temperatures are still warm. A few of us are eager to show off our fall fashions but need to be in our warm weather gear still. The coming holiday weekend will be a…
Aquinnah Town Column: Oct. 9
Condolences to the Mahoney family, Jim, Melissa, Aileen, and Seamus, on the loss of their pup, Boru. He was, according to Melissa, a loving, kind, protective, loyal, and steady member of their family for 11-plus years. Boru, the one in a million dog, will be deeply missed.
Land Bank Revenues: Oct. 2
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $649,339 for the business week ending on Friday, Oct. 2, 2015.
Norton Point Breached Again, Closure Becomes a Guessing Game
A storm last week sent ocean surf rushing over the narrow barrier beach, severing Chappaquiddick from the rest of the Vineyard once again. The question now is how long the opening will last, and few are willing to venture a guess.
Hello, Norah
Tara Edge Schoenfeld and Marc Schoenfeld of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a daughter, Norah June Schoenfeld, born Oct. 5.
High School Turns in Strong Performance on SATs
Last year’s graduating class scored fourth highest on the SATs in school history, director of guidance Michael McCarthy said this week. The class of 2015 outperformed their peers on a state and national level.
Edgartown Selectmen Ponder Uses for Tax Lots
Selectmen are considering what to do with 28 buildable lots now owned by the town, identified after an exhaustive inventory of tax possession properties. Most of the lots were taken for failure to pay property taxes.
West Tisbury Town Column: Oct. 9
The weather last Saturday was cold and windy with a few showers mixed in. The much-need rain started last Thursday and more than two inches of rain fell, however it was delightful on Sunday, sunny but still cool and many outdoor chores were completed. More than 250 people attended the harvest festival at the Agricultural…
In a Sea of White, a Yellow House Stands Tall
The yellow house at the head of Camp street at William street is not for sale, has not been neglected and is not in need of restoration. It is that rare object: a house that has been cared for all of its long, long life.
Oak Bluffs Librarian Sondra Murphy Begins New Chapter
She organized an 18-hole mini golf course starting at the circulation desk and ending at the children’s library upstairs.
Lucas Arrives
Leni M. Goncalves and Celio M. De Oliveira of Edgartown announce the birth of a son, Lucas Goncalves Oliveira, born on Sept. 24.
Tisbury Sets Scallop Season Dates
Tisbury selectmen this week set dates for the bay scalloping season. Recreational scalloping opens Oct. 17 outside ponds and in the Vineyard Haven harbor; the commercial season begins in those areas on Oct. 19.
Announcing Zuri
Aretha Brown and Keron Brown of Chilmark announce the birth of a daughter, Zuri Elizabeth Brown, born on Sept. 26 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Land Bank Revenues: Sept. 25
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $517,610.67 for the business week ending on Friday, September 25, 2015.
Beach Road Project Likely to Miss State Bid Deadline
No matter what the Tisbury selectmen decide when they meet Tuesday night on the Beach Road project, it is now unlikely the project will be included in the 2017 funding cycle, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation told the Gazette Monday.
Community Build at Niantic Park
A community build for the playground at Niantic Park will be held from Wednesday, Oct. 14 through Sunday, Oct. 18.
In Contest of Tenacious Defense, Lone Field Goal Looms Large
The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School varsity football team lost 3-0 on Sunday afternoon to Bishop Feehan. The game was rescheduled from Friday night and came at the tail end of a stormy weekend with rain and wind.
Olga Hirshhorn, Energetic Art Collector, Founded Chicken Alley Art Show
Olga Hirshhorn’s Chicken Alley art show raised large sums for Martha’s Vineyard Community Services through the years. She was 95.
Rugged Gay Head 10K Helps Keep the Light On
More than 100 runners braved chilly, blustery winds and a hilly course to compete in the third annual Gay Head Light 10K Sunday. Rene Da Silva of Vineyard Haven blew the field away, finishing with a time of 36:45.
Earth Education, Food, Music; Living Local Festival Plants Seeds
After days of drenching rain, the skies didn’t fully clear over the Agricultural Hall but the annual festival that celebrates all things sustainable and local still drew a crowd.
