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
March 18, 2016
New State Opioid Law Gives Hope to Island Officials
New state legislation is a positive step forward in overall efforts to curb the spiraling issue of opioid addiction, including heroin use, say those who deal with the issue daily on Martha’s Vineyard.
Businesses Say They Carry the Burden for Plastic Bag Ban
A proposed single-use bag ban has drawn mixed opinions from businesses, with some merchants citing financial concerns. Some other businesses said they would adjust to the changes.
Vineyard Legislators Back Chronic Lyme Treatment Bill
Massachusetts state legislators are strongly backing a bill that would require insurance companies to cover the long-term treatment of Lyme disease, which occurs in high rates on Martha’s Vineyard.
Diving Deep for RMS Republic’s Treasure Is Riveting Tale
Martin Bayerle is the subject of an eight-part series on the History Channel called Billion Dollar Wreck, which chronicles his latest attempt to discover the treasure he is sure awaits aboard the sunken ship RMS Republic.
Connecting the Dots
In his important book Dreamland, journalist Sam Quinones traces the current heroin crisis to a shift that occurred in medicine three decades ago to treat people in pain.
Spring Fever
Sheep accounted for the prosperity once so evident on the Island. Sheep kept many an elderly soul from going on the town.
Upsetting Nature’s Balance
Two times this week people mentioned the threatened road at the end of the seawall, by Farm Pond, and suggested sea level rise as the problem.
Building Community
The charter school was born because a group of parents took up the challenge to create a different type of school as an option for Vineyard families.
Beware Phone Scams
I am writing today because I got not one, but two scam calls regarding the IRS being after me.
In Vineyard Skies: Welcome Spring
Spring arrives on Sunday, March 20 in the earliest hour of the morning, at 12:30 a.m.
Hello, Una
Amy Koenig Da Silva and Rene Da Silva of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a daughter, Una Lucinda Da Silva, born March 15.
Please Adopt Us
Congratulations to Manx cat Tosh. Shelter friends Penny and Max have given him the most wonderful home he could have found.
Land Bank Revenues: March 11
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $80,149 for the business week ending on Friday, March 11, 2016.
Real Estate Transactions: March 7 to March 13
John Corcoran and Kathleen Corcoran purchased 68 The Boulevard in Edgartown from William R. Morgan for $810,000 on March 10.
Chilmark Town Column: March 18
Chilmark should burst into bloom this week after the soaking rains of the last few days. Many daffodils are already in full bloom with buds showing promise. Seems early but I can never remember from year to year what blooms when! I just know we are always eager to have spring arrive.
Edgartown Town Column: March 18
Oh what a weekend we had. The birds were singing, the sun was shining, it was warm, it was a sign of spring. People were working in the yard.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: March 18
Imagine the challenge of establishing an Oak Bluffs Cultural District. Where would one start? In a fascinating place like Oak Bluffs, is such a district a state of mind or place based? We have an Arts District with galleries and food nearby downtown, and soon to be connected by a sidewalk to the harbor.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: March 18
June Manning wants us to know that our Martha’s Vineyard Community Services needs some volunteers for two special projects this month. Offshore Ale is holding a Dine to Donate evening on Thursday, March 24. Your ticket will get you in to enjoy fine food and provide a donation for MVCS.
West Tisbury Town Column: March 18
Well as you have noticed, the days are getting thankfully longer; we now have more than 12 hours of daylight each day and the thermometer has acted favorably. The sun has been wonderful and snow drops are in full bloom in Charlie Kernick’s yard
Aquinnah Town Column: March 18
Spring is almost here! The temperatures have remained in the 40s for most of the week. We enjoyed one day when it was 60 degrees. Lots of blossoms everywhere. Rain to start the week and thick fog on Tuesday.
On Chappy: March 18
During the next four weeks I will continue to remind you about the ferry slip repairs scheduled for the school vacation week in April. For a period of eight days the ferry will only carry passengers.
Tisbury Vision Council Meeting
The council will host an informational session on March 24 to review warrant articles for the upcoming annual town meeting.
Lisa Stewart Joins Sandpiper Realty
Lisa M. Stewart, who has 25 years of experience in real estate on Martha’s Vineyard and established Lighthouse Proerties, will join Sandpiper Realty.
Oak Bluffs Police Department Welcomes Officer James Hagerty
James Hagerty took the oath of office as the newest full time police officer in Oak Bluffs during a swearing-in ceremony Tuesday.
New Mass Audubon Regional Director
Mass Audubon has named Mary Griffin as its regional director for the Southeast, Cape & Islands.
Jacob Ferry Announces Candidacy for State Rep
Jacob Ferry of West Tisbury announced this week that he is running for state representative for the district covering Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket counties.
Vineyard Students Win Science Fair Awards
A Falmouth Academy student from Edgartown earned a first place award at the South Shore Regional Science Fair on March 12.
Dog Adoption Day at Black Dog
The Black Dog Store in Edgartown, in partnership with Angels Helping Animals, will be holding a dog adoption day on Saturday, March 26.
Edgartown Democratic Caucus
Edgartown Democrats will hold a caucus at 10 a.m. on March 26 at the new Edgartown Public Library.
PechaKucha Night Is Back
PechaKucha Night at the Harbor View Hotel is back on Friday, March 18! And yes, you are excited about it, even if that name is unfamiliar to you.
New Museum Director’s Vision Is Both Grand and Intimate
Surrounded by old books and documents in the Martha’s Vineyard Museum library, new executive director Phil Wallis laid out his vision for the coming years, which includes completing a $24 million campaign to relocate to the old Marine Hospital.
Pinkletinks Herald Spring’s Arrival
Pinkletinks are spring peepers, those little frogs with big voices that herald the arrival of spring on our little Island.
Return of the Avian Spring Migrants
Spring migration is underway! This was expected, as we had a stretch of warm days with generally southern winds.
Honeybees in the Hellebores
The beautiful weather raised my level of anxiety somewhat. I wandered around looking for signs of life in the perennial beds.
Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard Names New Executive Director
Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard named Tom Hallahan as the next executive director of the 35-year-old organization which provides end-of-life care for Islanders and their families.
Island Churches Doubling as Homeless Shelters Help Fill Gap in Services
Hospitality Homes, a system of homeless shelters hosted and organized by Island churches, is nearing the end of its first year, with administrators, coordinators and volunteers declaring success.
Neither Snow Nor Rain (Unless It Comes Through the Roof) Will Stay These Couriers
With the roof removed and construction underway on new apartments above the Edgartown Post Office, rainfall has led to two closures of the town post office in the last week.
Ella Arrives
Felicia Williams-Hart and William Hart of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a daughter, Ella Mae Hart.
Monthly Meditation Courses
For years Elliott Dacher MD has hosted meditation classes at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Vineyard Gardens Palm Sunday Open House
Vineyard Gardens is hosting a Palm Sunday open house on Sunday, March 20, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Bowl for Featherstone
Featherstone is throwing strikes for a new type of fundraiser called Bowl for the Arts to be held at The Barn, Bowl, & Bistro in Oak Bluffs.
Master’s Degree for Robert Shaw
Robert J. Shaw has graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a master’s degree in aerospace engineering. Mr. Shaw, a native Islander, is now working at Lockheed Martin in Ocala, Fla. He is the son of Robert and Claire Shaw of Savannah, Ga.
Oak Bluffs School Second Quarter Honor Roll
The Oak Bluffs School has announce its honor roll for the second quarter of the 2015-2016 school year.
Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School Second Quarter Honor Roll
Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School has announced its honor roll for the second quarter for the 2015-2106 school year.
Dean’s List at Colgate University
Julia Cooper of Edgartown and Dana Jacobs of Vineyard Haven have been named to the fall 2015 dean’s list at Colgate University.
New Edgartown Library to Open Its Doors Monday
On Monday, March 21, at 11 a.m. the new Edgartown Library will open its doors to the public. There will be an official opening ceremony later this summer, but as for Monday nothing special is planned beyond the usual coffee and baked goods for patrons.
Town, Trustees Reach Agreement on Katama Farm Lease
The Edgartown conservation commission has reached an agreement on a lease with the Trustees of Reservations regarding Katama Farm, the 186-acre property formerly leased to the Farm Institute by the town of Edgartown.
Oak Bluffs Man Sentenced for Tax Evasion
An Oak Bluffs man was sentenced last week to six months in prison after pleading guilty to theft of public money and tax evasion, U.S. attorney Carmen Ortiz said Friday.
New Course Digs Deeply Into the Art of Film
Robert Dutton, the manager of the Martha’s Vineyard Film Society, is offering a new class called We Are All George Bailey: Living Vicariously Through Film. Audiences will learn how to critically engage with movies and examine the art of storytelling through film.
Water Leak Causes Brief Closure at Edgartown Post Office
The Edgartown post office was closed for a short time Friday morning because of minor flooding related to construction.
When Finding the Way Means Much More Than Learning to Steer
Chad Baybayan stands about five feet, eight inches tall. He has a swimmer’s body, suggesting a capability of delivering powerful strokes and a strong finishing kick.
Ninety Four Year Old Water Commissioner Retires Position, But Not His Opinions
After 30 years of serving the town of Edgartown, John Lovewell attended his last meeting as a water commissioner last week. He was presented with a clock and a model fire hydrant for his service.
Wee St. Patrick’s Parade, Big on Tradition
The luck of the Irish was with the St. Patrick’s day parade Saturday as the sky was clear and the air balmy. Grand marshal John Murray and his assistant Ryan Murray led the shortest parade on the Vineyard, currently in its fifth year.
Airport Commission Faces Funding Shortfall for Rescue Building
Plans for a combined Airport Rescue and Firefighting building at Martha’s Vineyard Airport have been approved, but there is a $3 million funding shortfall.
Blue Economy Initiative Urges Islanders to Look to Ocean
Turning the seasonal economy of the Island into year-round industry could mean looking toward the ocean for a so-called blue economy, representatives from the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce said this week.
Spring Arrives Early, With Sprinkles on Top
Racing to the Dairy Queen in Edgartown on opening day is a time-honored tradition. And the first ice cream cone (or blizzard or milkshake) is as much a marker of spring as the pinkletinks.
Vineyard American Idol Singer Stays in Competition
Martha’s Vineyard seasonal resident Sonika Vaid is keeping her American Idol hopes alive.
