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
January 22, 2016
Screening Begins for Babesiosis in Donated Blood
With tick-borne illness on the rise, health agencies are turning their attention to babesiosis, a disease carried by deer ticks.
Property Taxes Rise, Along With Town Budgets
Property tax bills went out, and while homeowners continue to pay less than those on the mainland, their tax burden will be heavier.
Edgartown Library Set for Next Chapter
In early February, library lovers will be invited to carry the first of nearly 50,000 books and other items to the new Edgartown library building.
Income Inequality, Housing Crisis, Aging Island Top Census
New data show an aging Island with a continuing housing crisis and some of the inequality affecting the rest of the country.
Please Adopt Us
Beauty, our lovely seven-year-old frosted tip long-haired female cat has unfortunately been left at the altar by her gentleman caller.
Land Bank Revenues: Jan. 15
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $414,329.52 for the business week ending on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016.
Snowfall
The author takes a walk in the snow on Martin Luther King’s birthday and reflects on things seen and unseen.
Coast Guard Saves the Crew and Flounder Too
In the stillness of early Friday morning, the crew at station Menemsha received an emergency call.
City of Columbus
Seventy-five years have passed, and the wreck of the City of Columbus stands in marine history and in Island history in a pattern of classic tragedy.
For Lillian
I write this letter with a heavy heart and tremendous sadness. A dear friend, Lillian Kellman, has died.
Lillian Kellman: Vibrant, Engaging, Generous
On behalf of the Chilmark Public Library I would like to pay tribute to Lillian Kellman, a dear friend of the library and the community.
Stolen Whale Bones
Would whoever took the large whale bones from our property please return them to the driveway?
Horse Sense
The Martha’s Vineyard Community Horse Center would like to again express our gratitude.
Vern Laux, Giant in Birding World, Dies at 60
The noted ornithologist who cut a wide swath through the world of birding died in the early morning on Jan. 21 at the Nantucket Cottage Hospital.
Honors for Seabreezes
The 2014-2015 staff of Seabreezes achieved the top tier category in the National Council of Teachers of English competition.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Jan. 22
The temperature dropped. The snow dropped. The kids dropped down the hill at the outlook on all kinds of sleds on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday. Stellar sledder was Piper Murphy’s daughter, Mary Afton, on a new sled painted like a penguin. I have a new project for Mary Afton and all…
Ice Moon and Morning Planets
Saturday’s Ice Moon, a full moon, appears between the zodiacal constellations Gemini and Cancer.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: Jan 22
The last time Oak Bluffs built a town hall was in April 1966. Abandoned in 2000 (as a town hall) it lasted 50 fewer years than the first one on Pequot avenue that became Cottagers Corner. The new hall was vacated after 34 years due to the belief that it was making workers sick.
Edgartown Town Column: Jan. 22
Here we are in the middle of January and we are looking at our first snow storm of the winter coming up the coast. The wind and bitter cold has arrived and we seem to be taking a little longer to get used to it as the weather has been so great up till now.…
Featherstone to Curate Film Center Art Display
The Martha’s Vineyard Film Center has selected Featherstone Center for the Arts to curate art shows.
Filming Sustainability, Here and Abroad
On Jan. 28, filmmakers Liz Witham and Ken Wentworth will screen three short films from their Sustainable Vineyard documentary series.
Spindrift Dances to 1966
Last year Spindrift Studios danced to all things Stevie Wonder. This year’s show focuses on the year 1966.
Fundraiser for Doug Kent
On Friday, Jan. 29, there will be a fundraising event for Doug Kent entitled A Very Special Art Show.
Short Winter Days Call for Some D-fense
Vitamin D is a nutrient that serves many important functions in your body. By helping to absorb calcium, it is vital for bone health.
Caught in the Cold, Scup Wash Ashore on the Lagoon
With a recent cold snap ending a period of unseasonably mild weather, dozens of scup have washed up dead on the shores of Lagoon Pond.
Snow Stops Fall Garden Chores; Seed Catalogs Beckon
It finally happened. Winter is upon us. I admit I was happily going about my fall chores as if nothing would ever change.
Winter Cometh, Fill the Bird Feeders
Winter’s arrival affects birds in many ways. Cold temperatures mean that it will be more difficult for birds to maintain their body temperatures.
Stop & Shop Expansion Puts Spotlight on Edgartown Traffic
A traffic study of Edgartown’s seasonally-congested Upper Main street is the first step in a public review of a planned expansion at Shop & Stop.
Lunch From the Starlite Lounge; Finding It Is Half the Fun
Now appearing at a commercial kitchen near you, the Starlite Lounge is offering lunch to go at the airport business park.
Chilmark Town Column: Jan. 22
Chilmark sends condolences to the many friends and family of Lillian Kellman who died on Tuesday, Jan. 12 following a long illness. Lillian and her husband, Ray, who survives her, were very active residents of Chilmark for many years. Both pursued successful careers before retiring to Chilmark and donating many hours of their retirement to…
Carving Out a Future, One Custom Skateboard at a Time
Avery Miner is trying to turn a passion for skateboarding into a livelihood by creating a new company called Quantum Skate.
Aquinnah Town Column: Jan. 22
Winter is upon us. As I started to write this column early Tuesday morning, the temperature was 24 degrees with a wind chill factor of 8, while the wind is howling outside.
Selectmen Take Up Police Appointments
Edgartown selectmen named 12 police officers to new three-year appointments, at their meeting Tuesday. Chief David Rossi requested the reappointments.
High School Winners in Engineering Challenge
The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School this week announced the winners of the January engineering challenge.
Oak Bluffs Family Wins Right to Buy Affordable Home
Oneil Wilson, Claudia Murillo and their son Alex met all the criteria to buy the home at 42 Richmond avenue for a below-market price of $225,000.
On Chappy: Jan. 22
One day last week the Steamship Authority cancelled most of the trips between the Islands and the mainland due to high winds. There was a rumor going around that the Chappy ferry would be closing down. I can understand why folks would find that plausible. If the wind was so strong that the big ferries…
MVC Keeps Spending in Check With Lean Budget
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission has prepared a $1.42 million budget showing an increase of less than one per cent over last year.
West Tisbury Town Column: Jan 22
We received some snow and frigid cold wind and weather on Monday. It was so cold and miserable it was enough to close the Dumptique until March. The focus for most everyone last Saturday other than the usual dump run was the Patriots football game.
Real Estate Transactions: Jan. 11 to Jan. 17
Peter Sorrentino and Rachel Sorrentino purchased 71 Carls Way in West Tisbury for $2,825,000 on Jan. 15.
Land Bank Revenues: Jan. 15
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $414,329.52 for the business week ending on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016.
With Louisiana Under Flood Watch, New Ferry Moved to Safety
The ferry Woods Hole made her first voyage a little earlier than planned this month in Morgan City, La., where the vessel is nearing completion.
Hello, Ester
Betania and Gerson da Silva of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Ester Garcia da Silva, born Jan. 16 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Douglas Fraser Named to Dean’s List
Douglas Fraser of Edgartown was named to the fall 2015 dean’s list at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Hospital Conducts Survey
The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital is conducting a health needs assessment and quality of life survey beginning this week.
Elmer Hobson DeLoura Scholarships
Vineyard residents attending or planning to attend an accredited two-or four-year college or university or vocational-technical school are eligible.
Young Martial Arts Competitors
On Jan. 9 martial arts eight students aged 7 to 12 participated in a tournament in Boxborough.
Small Grant Applications
The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation is now accepting inquiries for its 2016 small grants program.
Chamber Announces Scholarships
The Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of the 2016 Jim Lambert Memorial Scholarship.
Future Planning at Owen Park
A town committee formed last fall to study enhancements and future planning for Owen Park in Vineyard Haven will host a public meeting Jan. 28.
Solar Canopy in the Works for Up-Island Cronig’s
In a step toward energy independence and following the success of solar panels at their Vineyard Haven location, Cronig’s Market is planning to install a nearly $2 million solar canopy at its up-Island location.
Daniella Gibson Named to Dean’s List
Daniella Gibson, a summer resident of Oak Bluffs, has been named to the fall 2015 dean’s list at Florida State University.
Clare Boland Named to Dean’s List
Clare Boland of West Tisbury has been named to the fall 2015 dean’s list for excellence in scholarship at Cornell University.
Honoring Dr. King by Remembering Words of Love and Justice
Friday night’s Kabbalat service at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center was a celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. The service began with the singing of This Little Light of Mine led by Rabbi Caryn Broitman.
MV Showdown Warms Hockey Hearts With Big League Skills
A full parking lot equaled a packed arena at the inaugural MV Savings Bank Showdown college hockey tournament this weekend. The action on the ice was fierce, but in the stands the climate was more like a community picnic.
High School Principal Candidates Visit the Vineyard
David Williams and Sara Dingledy visited the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School last week, meeting with students, faculty and community members.
From Bow Puppies to Conducting, Strings Concert Displays an Orchestra of Talent
From Scarborough Fair to the Twinkle Twinkle Little Star finale, the All-Island Winter Strings Concert at the Performing Arts Center showcased young musicians from second to eighth grade.
Stories of the Sea and Generosity Fuel Sail MV Winter Lecture Series
Nat Benjamin opened the Sail MV winter lecture series, talking about his 2014 voyage to Haiti aboard his schooner Charlotte to deliver supplies and donations to an orphanage on Ile a Vache, a small island off Haiti.
Drug Task Force Arrests Onset Man on Drug Charges
An Onset man is facing charges including heroin distribution after being arrested Friday afternoon in Vineyard Haven.
Innovative Solution in Sight to Protect Lagoon Pond Waters
The MVC is racing to apply for a major federal grant to fund the installation of permeable reactive barriers, a strategy never before used on the Vineyard.
High School Table Tennis Tournament
Zak Danz was named the winner of the high school’s first table tennis tournament, held Jan. 13.
