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
November 20, 2015
After 35-Year Hiatus, Volunteer Coast Guard Flotilla Is Back
Coast Guard members from around the region gathered in Menemsha Thursday morning to inaugurate the Island’s first volunteer flotilla in 35 years. Timothy Carroll is the commander of the 18-member volunteer flotilla 11-9.
Benjamin Hall Sr. Jailed, Released in Tense Contempt of Court Dispute
The senior Mr. Hall was jailed briefly Friday and released later the same day after money was paid to settle a court dispute that dates back for 13 years.
Cultural District Wants a Logo
The Vineyard Haven Harbor Cultural District (VVHCD) is launching a contest to develop a logo that will represent the district.
Big Game, Last Game; Do it for the Hermanator
On Saturday, the Vineyarders will take on the Nantucket Whalers for the 37th time in this storied rivalry for the Island Cup.
Judge Rules Tribe Gave Up Rights to Build Casino in Aquinnah
The decision on Nov. 13 by U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor 4th was a sweeping legal victory for the town of Aquinnah, the state and the Aquinnah/Gay Head Community Association, which argued that the tribe must submit to local and state gambling prohibitions.
Learning to Speak Across the Ages with Wampanoag Language Program
The Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project, based in Mashpee, plans to co-launch a language immersion preschool next fall, a major milestone in its efforts to revive the language.
Please Adopt Us
The shelter residents have not changed in the past week.
Start Thanksgiving with Turkey Trot
The annual Thanksgiving day Turkey Trot 5K race begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Oak Bluffs Police Station.
Farewell—and Thanks—to a Coach
Don Herman brought Friday Night Lights to the Vineyard. Not the book or television series, or the cliche of how much a team means to a community.
A Door Opens
The Wampanoag Tribe’s misguided drive to open a gaming hall in Aquinnah hit a legal derailment last Friday.
It’s Not the Meal, It’s the Memories
I’ve never had turkey for Thanksgiving. Growing up, only my dad really liked turkey and we never would get one for this family and food-centric holiday.
Talking Turkey
You “pick up” a turkey with the explanation that you have to have something for dinner, so it might as well be turkey — it being Thanksgiving.
Dark Days Ahead
Regarding the story in the Gazette last week about the bill to overhaul the public records law: We used to be a nation of laws but are not anymore.
Throwing Heat
The obituary of Danny Kaeka noted that he had played fast pitch softball, and Islanders who remember his pitching stated that “no one could hit off him.”
AKA Lady Godlophin
I managed to take a therapeutic dip in the sea recently just to hold my record. Kind of a spur-of-the-moment thing.
Real Estate Transactions: Nov. 9 to Nov. 15
Daniel S. Reale and Sarra Reale purchased 12 Bold Meadow Lane in Edgartown from Chris A. McWilton for $870,000 on Nov. 9.
Edgartown Man Allegedly Wanted for Murder in Brazil
An Edgartown man taken into custody this week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers is allegedly wanted for murder in Brazil, Oak Bluffs police said.
Aquinnah Town Column: Nov 20
There is still a slight chill in the air, despite the sunshine each day. Windy conditions over the weekend with more leaves falling and branches or twigs everywhere. We have experienced a little frost with temperatures falling before freezing. Saturday at the Aquinnah Public Library there will be lots of fun things going on for…
Chilmark Town Column: Nov. 20
Chilmark is still under mostly warm and sunny skies but the feeling of suspense is present as we try to enjoy the day and not think about what is in the wind for us!
Honors for Martha’s Vineyard Screenprinting
MV Screenprinting/Midway Signs Designs won third place in the signshop vehicle category in a national vehicle graphics contest.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Nov. 20
Call them what they are, jerks. Terrorist is a well-worn word that ascribes too much recognition, exactly what the bully on the playground wants. Don’t publish their names, no pictures. Just say this jerk did this, that jerk did that.
Edgartown Town Column: Nov. 20
The Federated Church of Edgartown will hold its sixth annual Festival of Wreaths on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, from 5 to 7 p.m., in the parish house on 45 South Summer street, Edgartown.
Island Alpaca Open House
Island Alpaca is hosting a Thanksgiving day and weekend open house from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily.
Golf As Appetizer for Turkey Day
The first annual Sir Reg/Timothy Turkey Celebrity Scrambled Scramble will be held on Thanksgiving Day; tee off at 10 a.m. sharp.
Featherstone Holiday Gift Show
Featherstone is helping you get a jump on the holiday season with its annual Holiday Gift Show Preview Party on Friday, Nov. 20, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Chamber Music Society Thanksgiving Concert
The Chamber Music Society is hosting a concert on Saturday Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown.
Vineyard House Workshop
Vineyard House, with ACE MV, is hosting a one-day workshop about care of children and families affected by alcoholism and addiction.
Proposed Plastic Bag Ban Gets Support from West Tisbury Selectmen
The West Tisbury selectmen became the second town board this week to back an initiative seeking a ban of single-use plastic bags.
MVC Will Decide Whether to Review North Bluff Project
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission will decide whether to review a long-planned project to repair the deteriorating North Bluff coastal bank after the Oak Bluffs planning board referred the project to the regional planning and regulatory agency.
Embracing the Ghost of Emily Dickinson
For the past year, author Holly Nadler has been on an adventure with poet Emily Dickinson.
In Vineyard Skies: Bay Scallop Moon
We’ve got a full moon next Wednesday and we call it the Bay Scallop Moon, to honor one of the Vineyard’s most appreciated bivalves.
Public Records Bill Clears House Before Session Adjourns
The Massachusetts House this week passed a bill overhauling the state public records law, but advocates of reform decry amendments they say has watered it down. The Senate is not expected to consider the bill until next year.
Polly Hill Arboretum Named to National Historic Register
The internationally recognized North Tisbury arboretum has been named to the National Register of Historic Places.
Selectmen Sign to Buy Land for New Chilmark Fire Station
Following a long search, the Chilmark selectmen on Tuesday signed a purchase-and-sale agreement for a property behind town hall where the town hopes to build a new fire station. Voters will be asked to approve at a special town meeting next month.
Early Scallop Closure Looms on Tisbury Side of Lagoon Pond
Lagoon Pond and the Vineyard Haven harbor may soon be closed to scalloping if the Tisbury selectmen agree to follow the recommendation of the town shellfish department.
Changing the World, Starting with All Those Balloons
Constance Messmer, along with others, is taking a stand against balloons.
As the Fish Crow Flies
There were easily 250 fish crows perched in the trees at Five Corners in Vineyard Haven shortly after dawn on Nov. 15.
Gardener on the Road
I do not do well with travel. It has given me the opportunity, however, to observe different things, not all of which are related to gardening.
Putting on the Scrubs at High School’s Newest Vocational Offering
Transcending the traditional vocational model, the career and technical options at the regional high school are integrated with the academic education, not a separate path or back up plan. The most recent addition to the curriculum is the health assisting class, which provides hands on nursing experience.
Aquinnah Selectman Back Plastic Bag Ban
The selectmen on Tuesday strongly backed a proposed bylaw to ban the use of single-use plastic bags in town. The idea will be voted on at the annual town meeting.
Potential Delayed Arrival for New SSA Ferry Woods Hole
The Louisiana shipyard building the new hybrid ferry Woods Hole has notified the Steamship Authority that delivery of the new vessel, expected to start making trips next spring, could be more than two months late.
Collaboration and Staying Current Are Keys to Success for High School Nurse
In October, high school nurse Linda Leonard traveled off-Island to receive updates on medical technology for children with special needs, and stocking nasal Narcan at the schools.
West Tisbury Voters Make Short Work of Short Warrant
Quelling quorum doubters, West Tisbury voters turned out 156 strong Tuesday night to approve a short list of items, including expanding an affordable housing initiative and money to repair a section of the ailing town cemetery fence.
Oak Bluffs Quickly Approves Spending, Changes Town Hall Hours
Oak Bluffs voters zipped through a 15-article special town meeting warrant Tuesday evening with surprising speed, passing every measure with little or no dissent and a bare minimum of debate. The meeting lasted less than 22 minutes.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: Nov. 20
A bike ride a few years back helped me spot the small graveyard alongside the Vineyard Haven-Edgartown Road near the County Road Oak Bluffs Next Right sign across from Dodger’s Hole. I’ve remained transfixed on the story of Sarah Wilbur whose headstone (April 15, 1792 to March 20, 1875) is the only one marked.
On Chappy: Nov. 20
Chappy decided that we really didn’t need our storm door after all, so she enlisted the help of the wind and had it ripped completely off its hinges. A lot easier to get in and out of the house with groceries now.
West Tisbury Town Column: Nov. 20
Can you believe that there are just 34 shopping days remaining before Christmas! Also remember the shotgun season for deer starts soon and will last for two weeks, so wear bright-colored clothing if you walk in or near the woods.
State Votes to Adopt Hybrid MCAS-PARCC Test
The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted Tuesday morning to adopt a hybrid test, to be administered in spring of 2017. The new test will be the first overhaul of standardized tests in nearly two decades.
Up-and-Down Recovery Continues for Striped Bass
As striped bass begin their annual to migration to the Chesapeake Bay, fishermen can look forward to another few years of decent fishing. But a sudden drop in the number of juveniles in 2012 will eventually reverberate up the coast.
Edgartown Approves Commercial Oystering in Sengie
Edgartown selectmen Monday established a commercial oyster season beginning Dec. 1 for Sengekontacket Pond, the welcome consequence of an oyster propagation project that proved wildly successful.
Anastasia Arrives
Heather Yvonne Solá and David Solá of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a daughter, Anastasia Maria Solá, born Nov. 13 at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Island Rallies Around Vineyarder Whose Son Was Injured in Paris Attacks
Vineyarders have offered support this weekend for Oak Bluffs resident Yann Meersseman. His son, Arnaud Meersseman, was shot and wounded that night but is expected to recover.
Sharing His Recipe for Success, Johnny Cupcakes Encourages the Stranger the Better
The crowd at the Loft on Sunday wasn’t playing darts or pool. They were intently listening to entrepreneurial tips from Johnny Earle, aka Johnny Cupcakes, who sells T-shirts out of a mock bakery.
Spirit of the Vineyard Honors Patricia Bergeron, Heart and Soul of PA Club
Patricia Bergeron and the Portuguese American Club accepted this year’s Spirit of the Vineyard award Sunday in a ceremony marked with laughter, love and a few tears.
Planning Leaders Track Statewide Zoning Reform Initiative
A major overhaul of the state zoning, planning and subdivision laws is gaining support from Island planning board members and members of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission. The changes would bring the state more in line with national standards.
Court Denies Tribe Rights to Pursue Gambling on Martha’s Vineyard
Wampanoag tribal leaders reacted with disappointment and casino opponents with relief following a ruling by a federal judge Friday denying the tribe the right to build a casino on tribal land in Aquinnah.
With Manager Still on Leave, Airport Presses Ahead on FAA Punch List
Two months after the Martha’s Vineyard Airport Commission placed airport manager Sean Flynn on paid administrative leave there is no outcome regarding his employment, according to the commission chairman.
