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
December 11, 2015
State Supreme Court Set to Decide Aquinnah Land Use Case
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court heard arguments this week in a widely-watched case that will decide whether rare coastal heathland along Moshup Trail will be opened up for development.
Island Not Immune as Anxiety Issues Increase Among Students of All Ages
Island educators and counselors report that stress among middle and high school students has been trending upward over the years, with a spike in anxiety and depression.
From Whaling Church to Flying Horses, He Has the Magic Touch
The multi-talented Myles Thurlow appears utterly content with his Martha’s Vineyard life as a boat rigger, spar maker, flag pole maintenance man, teacher, amateur musician, Flying Horse fixer, guitar maker, house builder, father and husband.
O Come, All Ye Merry Vineyarders, to Christmas in Edgartown
Christmas in Edgartown arrives this weekend. Consider it three days of holiday fuel to propel you through the season full of hope, cheer and goodwill toward all.
Shana Metzger Returns as Sharks General Manager
The Martha’s Vineyard Sharks have announced that Shana Metzger is returning for a second season as the collegiate baseball team’s general manager.
Starring Role for Grace Hall
Grace Hall of Edgartown will be sharing the lead role of Swanhilda in the Coastal Dance Company production of Coppélia.
Edey Foundation Seeks Proposals
The Edey Foundation, which provides grants to tax-exempt organizations for natural resource conservation, is looking for grant proposals.
Honors for Island Musicians
This year’s All Cape and Islands Music Festival will feature 23 student musicians from Martha’s Vineyard High School.
Seniors Respond to Healthy Aging Survey With Vigor
A researcher for Brandeis University this week presented the first results of a major survey by the Healthy Aging Task Force that will help set the course for Islandwide aging initiatives.
Island Alpacas at the State House
Are alpacas the new reindeer? Two Island alpacas were on hand last week for the annual State House Christmas Tree lighting in Boston.
School Dollars and Sense
This is budget season for the Vineyard public schools, and already two budgets have fairly sailed through the initial approval process.
Culling the Herd
A speck on the quiet side — that is how Bret Stearns described hunting on the Vineyard last week.
In Sea of Christmas Memories, Red Stocking Gifts Stand Out
There was one special responsibility that I was always glad to fulfill and looked forward to each December. “Don’t forget to stop by the school nurse’s office and pick up the Red Stocking.”
Ming the Mollusk Says Embrace Age of Giving
Age does seem to matter and it has been on my mind. As you might now expect from me, let us first consider age from a shellfish perspective.
Going Boldly Into the Belly of the Beast
The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. As I discovered, it’s a very good rule to insure smooth sailing.
It Takes a Village to Clean an Island
There are a number of us cleaning up after others. Like a messy home that needs tending, we notice the garbage strewn along roads and shorelines.
Season of Light
December proceeds in the fashion ordained long, long ago: chill, dampness, wind, but what takes precedence increasingly is the feeling of Christmas.
Schadenfreude, Oh Schadenfreude
The lacings of our democracy are knotted and as we bend our nails picking at them, our favorite entertainment seems to be murder mysteries, true crime dramas or concussive sports.
Mill Pond Rejoinder
This letter is in response to Gus Ben David, who dismissed proponents of the Mill Brook dam removal as “sidewalk biologists.”
Winter Moth Quandry
The winter moths have arrived — boy have they arrived!
Getting Involved
Avaaz.org reports that last weekend’s Global Climate March “broke records as the largest climate mobilization in history.
Simply Spectacular
A small town gathering to celebrate a joyous holiday can bring a community together for all the best reasons.
Affordable Housing Action
Affordable housing is under attack again and it shouldn’t be a surprise to you or me.
Shooting Stars
The Geminid meteor shower takes place on Sunday and Monday nights and is usually the best meteor shower of the year.
Matt Cromwell Is the Top Gun at Fall Shoot; Black Powder Shoot Is Sunday
Matt Cromwell of Edgartown claimed victory in the Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club Fall Shoot.
Walter J. Burke to Receive Marian Award
Walter J. Burke of the Good Shepherd Parish in Vineyard Haven is one of 81 laypersons in the Fall River Diocese to receive the annual Marian Award.
Edgartown Town Column: Dec. 11
It is the second week in December and we are still wearing just a light jacket, no gloves and heavy coats. To some this is good, it makes others nervous that something worse is about to happen. Either way we will take the warm weather as long as we can get it. Of course there…
Please Adopt Us
The shelter has a couple of new residents. Otis is an orange male cat, approximately 12 years old, with a white-tipped tail. He has the softest fur.
Hanukkah Party at Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center
On Friday, Dec. 11, the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center will hold its community Hanukkah party and celebration featuring the Bart Weisman Klezmer Swing Group.
Tisbury School Performs Mulan
The Tisbury school is putting on its annual school play. This year’s selection is Mulan and can be seen on Dec. 11 and Dec. 12, both shows at 7 p.m.
Whaling Logs for Children
On Saturday, Dec. 12, the Martha’s Vineyard Museum offers a kids’ workshop creating journals with stamps and marbleized paper like whalers used.
Scrooge Comes to the Vineyard
Neil McGarry brings his one-man performance of A Christmas Carol to the Katharine Cornell Theatre in Vineyard Haven on Dec. 11 and 12.
Rise Dance Studio Holiday Show
Rise Dance Studio is putting on its annual holiday show, Season’s Greetings VI, this weekend at the Performing Arts Center.
Holiday Meal for Island Veterans
On Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. the American Legion Post 257 is hosting its first annual all-Island veterans’ dinner.
Reflections of Peace Christmas Concert
The United Methodist Church is hosting its annual Reflections of Peace Christmas Concert on Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 p.m.
All-Island Band Concert
The All-Island Band is getting into the swing of the season with a holiday concert on Thursday, Dec. 17, at the Performing Arts Center.
West Tisbury Congregational Choir Christmas Concert
The First Congregational Church of West Tisbury choir will hold their fourth annual Christmas concert at the church on Sunday, Dec. 20, at 4 p.m.
Red Stocking Looking for Wrapping Volunteers
Red Stocking wrap parties take place next week on Dec. 15, Dec 16, and Dec. 17 at Saint Augustine in Vineyard Haven.
Armenia to Stateless in Samoa, It’s a Highly Caffeinated Story
Misha Sebastian’s tale begins in Armenia, ends in Rwanda, stops at detention centers, languishes in Samoa and stars Christiane Amanpour and coffee.
All Aboard the Oyster Safari
Charles Dickens had two out of three right when he spoke of oysters as “secret, and self-contained, and solitary.”
For Purple Finches’ Majesty
Joyce and Hugh McCormick write that on Dec. 3 they observed two dozen dunlin and one dozen sanderlings at Little Beach.
Winter Moths and Pruning Saws
The amount of winter moths is downright alarming. I was driving down a dirt road in Oak Bluffs and it was like being in a snow storm.
Officials Brace for Increased Boat Traffic on Menemsha Pond
As Menemsha Channel is dredged for first time in decades, Chilmark and Aquinnah officials are protecting Menemsha Pond from increased boat traffic.
Lean High School Budget Approved; SPED Director Post Will Be Kept
The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School district committee voted this week to certify an $18.7 million budget for the coming year.
Changing North Bluff Project Becomes Point of Controversy
A $5.6 million project to restore the crumbling North Bluff coastal bank is set to come before the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.
Aquinnah Town Column: Dec. 11
Very warm days over the past week with temperatures nearing the 60s and warm sunshine mixed with a few grey skies. The winterberries are in abundance and decorate the byways. At this rate, it does not look as though we will experience much snow until the new year.
On Chappy: Dec. 11
For a little over a month the ferryboat On Time III has been hauled out of the water in Vineyard Haven for maintenance and Coast Guard inspection. If the weather cooperates, she will be relaunched by the end of this week and she will make the voyage back to Edgartown over the weekend and return…
Chilmark Town Column: Dec. 11
Chilmark knows this is the week that the holiday buzz is here and the best course is to head into it! If you are in my demographic you have been saying it will be a low key year, no rush, no fuss . . . maybe!
Oak Bluffs Town Column: Dec. 11
Tis the season for partying, and since time immemorial Oak Bluffs has earned our prized Honky Tonk reputation. Well, time immemorial may be a slight exaggeration. It was in the 1700’s that our first neighborhood, Edgartown’s Eastville/Farm Neck area, was called the Barbary Coast.
Airport Closed to Allow Deer Hunt Inside Perimeter
A one-day hunt inside the perimeters of the Martha’s Vineyard Airport this week netted two deer, but more remain.
Land Bank Revenues: Dec. 4
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $399,108.19 for the business week ending on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015.
Real Estate Transactions: Nov. 30 to Dec. 6
Joseph D. Wargo and Lisa G. Wargo purchased 124 North Water street in Edgartown for $3,333,333.33 on Dec. 3.
West Tisbury Town Column: Dec. 11
Well the mild weather for this time of year has not stopped all sorts of decorations, wreaths, outdoor lights and Christmas trees, from being put up all around town.
MVC Approves High Point Lane Garage, With Provisions to Protect Tashmoo
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission approved a complex plan for an automotive garage on High Point Lane, with a long list of conditions.
Master’s Degree for Channon Capra
Channon Capra will graduate from Emporia State University on Dec. 12 with a Master of Science degree in health, physical education and recreation.
Taylor Arrives
Melanie Rankow Prescott and Nicholas Prescott of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Taylor Quinn Prescott, born Dec. 5.
Welcome, Wren
Tracy and Nick Briggs of West Tisbury announce the birth of a daughter, Wren Patricia Briggs, born Dec. 2 at home.
Chilmark Regroups Over Land Purchase for Fire Station
Chilmark selectmen are reevaluating options for land to build a new fire station in light of concerns raised by fire chief David Norton.
Community Chorus Opens Holiday Season on Joyful Note
With an emphasis on community, the Island Community Chorus raised voices in a joyous holiday concert at the Old Whaling Church.
Pop-Up Shop Is Draw for Small Artisans
At Martha’s Vineyard Tattoo in the Edgartown Triangle, owner Mark Fuentes locked away his ink and needles to make way for a more social atmosphere.
Refuse District Expansion Comes Under Scrutiny by MVC
A major expansion at the Edgartown transfer station had its first public hearing before the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.
Selectmen Mull Electric Car Charging Station for West Tisbury
Some day soon, West Tisbury could be the next stop for people looking for a place to charge their electric cars.
