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
January 29, 2016
Squibnocket History Evokes Glacial Time
On a mild afternoon, a few eiders bobbed up and down in the surf at Squibnocket Beach. Cars came and went from the town parking lot, which now juts out beyond the eroding shoreline on either side.
Goodbye Hairnet, Hello Local Food, Rocking Chef
It is Wednesday, which means pizza day at The West Tisbury School. Head cook Jenny DeVivo put on her hat and Mötley Crüe style headband. This is not your typical hairnet or apron lunch lady.
With Clock Ticking, Tribe Votes to Finish Community Center
Leaders of the Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe have voted to turn away from plans to convert an unfinished community center into a gambling facility.
Cultural Tourism
The Aquinnah Circle has been attracting visitors since before there were paved roads up-Island. The history and culture of the area run as deep as the rich veins of clay in the landmark Gay Head Cliffs.
In Praise of Coast Guard, Past and Present
Beginning Friday there will be special screenings of The Finest Hours, a new movie about the Coast Guard rescue off Cape Cod during a 1952 blizzard.
Fawn on the Roof, Rib Eye on the Dash, and a Man Named Jay
I picked up a hitchhiker last Friday morning while driving down my extremely long dirt road. His name was Jay.
Keeping it Spicy, Till the Very End
I am looking for a shelf big enough in my kitchen to accommodate the Costco size bottle of Sriracha.
Close Encounters with Celestial Beings
When I was growing up in a suburb of New York city, I didn’t realize how average we all were. I don’t mean that in a bad way.
A Heart of Gold and the Joyful Energy of a Tufted Titmouse
The bird is a tufted titmouse. That bird there, which I am observing, is a tufted titmouse. Time to call Vern Laux, the bird man.
All Together
The story comes out of Gay Head, where memories are longer, than in other places, of wall building bees.
If We’re Spared
Be good to/gab again/down on the pier/You could ride old Fergi/through the slurry mist/that spreads like/cotton sheets
Teacher Contracts Approved Amid Praise for Amicable Process
Teachers in Island public schools will see their salaries increase 6.75 per cent over the next three years under a new contract ratified this week by school administrators and union leaders.
Toast to the Scots
The Scottish Society of Martha’s Vineyard would like to thank all who made our Burns night supper and raffle such a success.
Power of Democracy
Just as the threat from jihadism is reaching crisis proportions, the U.S. must elect a new president.
Please Adopt Us
Attention bulldog lovers. Bubbles, a seven-year-old male white-and-brown English bulldog has arrived at the shelter.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Jan. 29
Blizzard? I think we had that one under control. The funniest post I saw on Facebook was a scene of southern drivers slipping and sliding and not handling their four inches of snow very well.
Edgartown Town Column: Jan. 29
Snow, wind and some wet rain makes for a big mess, which is what we got, all in our first big storm of season. Now it is 44 degrees and it is all melting and we are hoping that it does not freeze.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: Jan. 29
It’s not yet apparent that a new town hall will make the cut for voting this April despite how badly it is needed and how much will be saved by getting it done now as opposed to later.
Candidates Vie for Cape and Islands State House Seats
A crowded field of candidates is vying to succeed state Sen. Dan Wolf, who is not seeking reelection. And an Island resident is challenging incumbent state Rep. Tim Madden.
Groundhog Day at Night
Groundhog Day and along with it the start of February has significance for anyone who enjoys milder starry nights.
Helping the Music Play in the Key of Generosity
Flanked by the 12 guitars he donated to Alex’s Place, Ernie Boch Jr. presented a check Wednesday for $6,000 to the teen center at the YMCA.
A Ticket to the Snow Show
Crazy that snow is so simple, yet so complicated. We all know it is just frozen water, but describing it can get much more detailed.
Frozen Carrots and Disoriented Hens
I thoroughly enjoyed last weekend’s storm. I was able to pick quite a bit of food from my garden before the snow started.
2016 Christmas Bird Count Results
The grand total was 22,035 birds and 121 species. Here’s how it all breaks down.
Remembering Vern Laux, 1955-2016
This week’s column would not be complete without mention of the passing of Vern Laux on Jan. 21.
MVC Approves Budget, Conditions for Southern Woodlands Plan
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission last week approved a $1.42 million budget for the coming fiscal year.
Leadership Changes at Vineyard House
Mark Jenkins, who has served as president of the board for 10 years, will step down at the end of January. He will be succeeded by Brian Mackey, a past director of the organization.
Prize for Social Courage
Vineyard Haven resident Nancy Parrish was recently recognized with the 2016 Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage.
Aquinnah Town Column: Jan. 29
The first blizzard of 2016 is over and done with. Weather reports throughout the week were rather misleading, even right up to the day before when it was reported to be perhaps one to three inches. Saturday morning it all began and by early Sunday there was more than a foot of snow in most…
Chilmark Town Column: Jan. 29
Chilmark life is a learning experience . . . even in a blizzard. The appearance of mysterious snow balls caused dogs to bark, photographers to venture out into the storm and the rest of us, to Google! The truth is stranger than anything you could make up. It turns out that their appearance is a rare meteorological…
Aquinnah Circle Wins State Designation as Cultural District
The Aquinnah Circle at the westernmost tip of the Vineyard has been named a cultural and historic district by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Costs on the Rise for Up-Island School Lunch Program
The cost of lunch in the up-Island regional school district is going up next year because of growing popularity.
Land Bank Revenues: Jan. 22
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $764,534 for the business week ending on Friday, Jan. 22, 2016.
Real Estate Transactions: Jan. 18 to Jan. 24
Arthur Yorke Allen, trustee of Athearn House Nominee Trust purchased 50 North Water street in Edgartown for $3,675,000 on Jan. 21.
On Chappy: Jan. 29
The next Chappy potluck is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 3, hosted by Marvene and Bob O’Rourke. Please bring a dish for six. We start filling up on the appetizers at 6 p.m. The atmosphere is very cozy in the community center this time of year with the couches pulled up to the crackling fire.
West Tisbury Town Column: Jan. 29
Well our first real snowstorm came last Saturday. It was beastly; we were pelted with a heavy wet snow and high winds, virtual white out, and gusts that reached 65 miles per hour, about all day and into the night.
University of Rhode Island Dean’s List
Michael Frederick Hill and Mercedes Giambattista, both of Oak Bluffs, were named to the fall 2015 dean’s list at the University of Rhode Island.
Bank Awards Mini-Grants
Cape Cod Five recently hosted its 16th annual educational mini-grants awards and reception at Cape Cod Community College.
Cultural Council Announces Grants
The Martha’s Vineyard Cultural Council recently announced grants totaling $39,086 for cultural programs in each of the six Island towns.
ACE MV Winter Sessions
The ACE MV winter catalogue is out with classes for students of all ages, interests and professions.
Specialty License Plates on the Way
The specialty license plate program begun last year by Martha’s Vineyard Community Services is on its way to becoming reality.
What’s That in the Fields? Blizzard Leaves Rare Snow Rollers
The weekend blizzard left a rare calling card: cylindrical hunks of snow called snow rollers strewn across Vineyard fields.
Announcing Dash
Abigail and Ryan Dillon of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Dash Winter Dillon, born Jan. 22 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Toasts to the Lads and Lassies, Scots Gather for Burns Night Revelry
From kilts to scarves, ties, and tams, attendees at the 29th annual Burns Nicht Supper donned their tartan best Sunday night.
In Life and Art, Going With the Flow Feeds the Creative Soul
West Tisbury painter Doug Kent has taken his work in a new direction. It is larger, more colorful, more abstract.
MVC Will Review Squibnocket Beach Plan
A complicated project to rebuild the Squibnocket shoreline will head to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission for review.
Firefighters Brave Blizzard Conditions to Quell Garage Blaze
Firefighters and emergency personnel faced high winds and driving snow Saturday at a garage fire in Edgartown.
Martha’s Vineyard Digs Out after Blizzard Lashes Island
A blizzard battered the Vineyard Saturday with high winds and heavy snow, causing power outages and ferry cancellations.
Amy Fligor Named to Dean’s List
Amy Fligor of Edgartown has been named to the fall 2015 dean’s list at the University of Delaware.
Dean’s List for Emma Yuen
Emma R. Yuen was named to the fall 2015 dean’s list at Saint Michael’s College.
Susanna van Rooyen Named to Dean’s List
Susanna M. van Rooyen was named to the fall 2015 dean’s list at Saint Michael’s College.
Gage Rancich Named to Dean’s Honor Roll
Gage Rancich of Vineyard Haven has been named to the fall 2015 dean’s honor roll at Oklahoma City University.
Elizabeth Bermudes Named to Dean’s List
Elizabeth Bermudes of West Tisbury was named to the fall 2015 dean’s list at Furman University.
