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
April 29, 2016
Synthentic Turf Proposal for High School Stirs Debate
About 100 people attended a public forum Wednesday to discuss a proposal to create a synthetic turf field as part of the high school’s athletic facilities.
Faulty Construction Found at Edgartown Post Office Building
Records for the project at the Triangle show a pattern of mistakes and faulty construction since work began this winter. The building was closed abruptly on April 1 due to water damage.
Seeds of Change: Ancient Grains Make Island Comeback
The Island’s only commercial grain crop represents a growing interest in traditional grain on Martha’s Vineyard, where rye, oats and barley were once widely cultivated.
Nova Airs Documentary Film About Gay Head Light Move
Next week the PBS science series Nova will air Operation Lighthouse Rescue, a film documenting the effort to relocate the Gay Head Light.
Residents File Complaint Over Chappy Ferry Traffic
Edgartown selectmen responded to a threatened legal claim for damages from residents of Simpson’s Lane, who charge the town has created a nuisance and has taken their property rights by allowing the street to be used for the Chappaquiddick ferry waiting line.
Buy Your Own, Bring Your Own
Like it or not, the Island is still very much a town-by-town place — slow to embrace change, defiantly independent.
Titanic Sinks
The world’s greatest steamship disaster — the sinking of the great White Star liner Titanic.
Welcome, Jackson
Carrie and Bastille Lucier of Edgartown announce the birth of a son, Jackson William Lucier, born April 25.
Safe at Play
I write regarding the current proposal by MV@Play to upgrade the athletic facilities on the high school campus.
Turkeys Yes, Turtles No
I was appalled to read Chris Fischer’s article advocating the hunting of our snapping turtles.
Blues for Birds at The Ritz
A Blues for Birds fundraiser to benefit Felix neck will take place at the Ritz on Saturday, April 30 at 10 p.m.
Bodhi Path Program
Bodhi Path Buddhist Center is hosting Transitions Throughout Life and Death: A Buddhist Perspective.
Red Planet Mars
Take a peek outside around 10 o’clock Friday night and the bright red planet Mars is rising in the east.
Chilmark Elects New Library Trustee, New Selectman
Chilmark voters elected Carol (Candy) Shweder to the library board of trustees in the only contested race on the ballot for Wednesday’s annual town election.
Healthy Kids Day at YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard
Healthy Kids Day is on May 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the YMCA.
Please Adopt Us
Kitten season has arrived and kittens are everywhere at the shelter.
Aquinnah Herring Cam Offers Fish’s Eye View of Underwater Action
Since installing the Island’s first underwater herring cam, scientists have had a fish’s-eye view of herring, otters, cormorants and other species making their way through a historic herring run in Aquinnah.
Little League Parade and Opening Day
The Little League opening day parade beings at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Oak Bluffs police station.
Beetlebung Farm Cookbook Wins James Beard Award
Chris Fischer’s cookbook, published last spring, was honored this week with a James Beard Award for American Cooking.
Broadway Stars Come to Martha’s Vineyard
Some of Broadway’s big names will be coming to the Vineyard this summer for the inaugural Broadway at the Performing Arts Center concert series.
Earth Day Continues with Volunteer Beach Clean-Up
On Saturday, April 30, the Vineyard Conservation Society hosts a cleanup day held at beaches all over the Island.
All About Azaleas, from A to Z
Though plants can’t be political, if there was an election the popular vote would go to azaleas, a species which isn’t on my landscape list.
No Place Like Home
Let me start right off with “There’s no place like home.” This is regardless of a lovely 12 days in Italy.
Edgartown Town Column: April 29
While working the other day, we were talking about how the weather was cool, then warm, then back to downright cold, and now it was back to flip flops and T-shirts while watering the plants that were dry from all this activity.
Arbor Day Ceremony Honors Herbert Hancock
Arbor Day is April 29, and Tea Lane Nursery will be donating and planting a tree at the Chilmark Community Center between 9 and 10 a.m.
Chilmark Town Column: April 29
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. In academics, a substitute teacher is a person who temporarily teaches class when the regular teacher is unavailable. I’m not exactly sure if there’s a coined term for a substitute writer but, if there is, it’s defined as Katie Carroll this week.
On Chappy: April 29
The next Chappy Community Center potluck will be hosted by Leslie Floyd on Wednesday, May 4. Appetizers begin at 6 p.m. with the dinner bell ringing at 6:30. Please bring a dish to serve six.
Two Seek Open Selectman’s Seat in Aquinnah
Macey Dunbar and Gary Haley will vie for a three-year term as selectman in the Aquinnah annual town election May 11.
Aquinnah Town Column: April 29
The pinkletinks are still in full chorus each night. The skunk cabbage is in abundance along the roadsides. Lawns are really green and even a few dandelions are in bloom. Morning Glory Farm opens Friday!
Oak Bluffs Police Chief to Town Meeting Critics: We Hear You
Responding to criticism about the police department at the annual town meeting, Erik Blake plans initiatives to improve community relations.
Tisbury Voters Approve School Funding
Tisbury voters backed an $825,000 feasibility study toward a new town elementary school at the annual town election Tuesday, which saw low turnout and no contested races.
Barred Owls and Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds
Four different sightings of barred owls within one week is totally unexpected.
Coast Guard to Conduct Air Drill South of the Vineyard
Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod is planning to conduct an extensive mishap response drill Wednesday south of Martha’s Vineyard.
Inaugural Summer Concert Series Plans Star-Studded Lineup
The Martha’s Vineyard Concert Series will feature, among others, Alan Cumming, Erin Brockovich, Paula Poundstone and the return of David Sedaris. Adam Epstein is the producer.
School Spending Dispute Rears Its Head Again Up-Island
Tension over spending at the Chilmark School resurfaced this week, when the up-Island regional school committee revisited the topic of how to pay for heating system repairs at the school from last fall.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: April 29
Oak Bluffs’ Hiacoomes was the first “Christian Indian and Minister on Martha’s Vineyard” as attested by the Reverend Experience Mayhew (1672 – 1758).
West Tisbury Town Column: April 29
Sunday is the first of May, when baskets may be hung on your door and May pole celebrations and dances announce the arrival of warmer weather and send old Jack Frost on vacation.
Real Estate Transactions: April 18 to April 24
James Dario 3rd and Kerry Dario purchased 15 Massabesic avenue in Vineyard Haven from Frank Banister and Barbara Hamill for $1,480,000 on April 19.
Land Bank Revenues: April 22
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $89,800 for the business week ending on Friday, April 22, 2016.
Unitarian Minister to Be Installed
The Rev. William L. Clark will be installed as minister of the Vineyard’s Unitarian Universalist congregation on May 22.
Free Kick: M.V. United News
The spring season is in full swing for M.V. United teams, and seven teams took to the pitch last weekend.
Red Cross Blood Drive
The American Red Cross will host a blood drive on May 5 and May 6 on the Vineyard.
Vineyard Montessori’s Big Night Out
The Vineyard Montessori School will host Big Night Out, a fundraiser for the school, from 7 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, May 7 at Lola’s.
Controlled Burns Begin
The Nature Conservancy and The Trustees of Reservations will be conducting late spring prescribed burns on Martha’s Vineyard.
Chilmark Says No to Beer and Wine, Yes to Plastic Bag Ban
Chilmark has become the fourth Island town to adopt a ban on single-use plastic bags, and will remain the last town on the Island not to allow beer and wine to be sold in restaurants.
Labyrinth at Felix Neck
The newest addition to Mass Audubon’s Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary is a labyrinth built by an Americorps crew and other volunteers.
Blooming Art Becomes Annual Event
The Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club’s Blooming Art Show, which pairs flowers and artwork, will become an annual event.
Finding the Power in That Purple Rain to Hold Nothing Back
At the college radio station where I worked, the poster hung on the wall. Prince hadn’t broken wide when his song Controversy found WPRK.
Falmouth Nonprofit Assumes Stewardship of Nobska Light
Nobska Light in Falmouth, a familiar landmark on the ferry route between Woods Hole and the Vineyard, is being transferred to the town of Falmouth and the care of a new nonprofit group, Friends of Nobska Light.
Tisbury Town Election Is Tuesday
Tisbury voters head to the polls Tuesday for the annual town election, which includes a ballot question to approve funding for a feasibility study toward a new Tisbury school. Polls are open from noon to 8 p.m. in the emergency services building.
Town Seeks Court Action Against West Tisbury Trash Hauler Over Violations
The West Tisbury building inspector will seek action in court against a local trash hauler for repeated violations that have gone unanswered.
Temporary Chappy Cell Tower Clears Final Approval
The Edgartown planning board unanimously approved a temporary mobile telephone tower on Chappaquiddick, clearing the way for greatly expanded coverage for AT&T cell phones beginning this summer.
Ketch Ayuthia Makes Maiden Passage Beneath New Lagoon Pond Drawbridge
Ayuthia, an 80-year-old wooden sailing vessel, made the first official passage through the new Lagoon Pond drawbridge Saturday morning.
Tisbury Works to Repair Drainage Problems at Old Landfill
Problems at the capped landfill will be repaired soon, town officials said this week after it came to light that runoff has been coming onto the new Vineyard House campus nearby.
Strong in Local Spirit; Introducing Martha’s Vineyard Distilling Company
In a converted barn with a view of tree-topped hills, Ryan Shea and Nick Peters are making vodka, gin and rum with their new business, MV Distilling Co.
Announcing Abigail
Sarah and Knolls Ward of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a daughter, Abigail Joan Ward, born April 20 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Vineyard Student Athletes Stay Busy Over Spring Break
It may have been spring break, but athletes on the sailing, boys lacrosse and baseball teams spent part of the week in intense competition.
Heard but Not Seen: Barred Owl Pays Rare Visit to the Vineyard
A barred owl was last seen on Martha’s Vineyard on Nov. 8, 1948, almost 68 years ago. But now a fourth barred owl has been confirmed.
