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
June 17, 2016
Land Bank Revenues: June 10
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $354,351.35 for the business week ending on Friday, June 10.
Please Adopt Us
Our wonderful Native American Shepherd Dog, Kyra, is beginning to come out of her shell.
Shaping the Way We See the Island, One Picture at a Time
It’s early on a foggy morning and Alison Shaw is perched in her bright yellow kayak, wearing a blue life vest and snapping photos with her Nikon D810 of in the middle of Sengekontacket Pond.
Ocean Drifters Aid University Study of Currents
A team of scientists and teachers last month deployed a small fleet of devices off Lucy Vincent Beach in the hope of tracking their journey to Narragansett Bay.
New Book Celebrates Artists of the Island, One Essay at a Time
On Tuesday evening, weavers and woodworkers, hair stylists and musicians traveled from all corners of the Island to celebrate the launch of Jane Dreeben’s book, The Urge to Create: 50 Vineyard Portraits.
Tomorrowland
Pieces of what could become a comprehensive plan have begun to take shape for a stretch of Edgartown-Vineyard Haven road.
Welcome, Woods Hole
It’s a truism that Islanders love their ferries. They scrutinize them, fuss over them like children, play favorites with them.
Strawberry Festivals Everywhere
Head to head strawberry festivals arrive on Island this Saturday, June 18.
A Father’s Plate Is Filled With Joy and Sorrow
We were walking down Main street in Vineyard Haven, her mother and I, just where the stores start, where the sidewalk is still a little downhill.
New Ferry Toots a Classic Whistle
Over the past few years, the four largest Steamship Authority ferries have acquired historic steamboat whistles.
Skate Park Jam
On Sunday, June 19, come say goodbye to the old skate park with live music, good food, and a Skate-Safe safety clinic with free helmets for all participants.
Standing and Dancing Together in the Face of Tragedy and Grief
At 2 a.m. on Sunday I was out with friends in the East Village in New York city. It was a hot and sticky night, hard to escape the humidity and heat no matter where we went.
Success Not Just Measured by Sunshine
Olivia Jacobs is the salutatorian for the MVRHS class of 2016. The following is the speech she gave at the graduation ceremony.
At Every Age, Dad Will Always Be Apple of His Daughter’s Eye
My father, Clifton L. Walling, was born in 1886. His lifetime spanned great leaps forward in transportation, communication, entertainment and world events.
Steamer History Is Vineyard History
It is likely that regular boat service between Martha’s Vineyard and the mainland was being operated by 1800.
Gulls in Decline
The past number of years I have noticed a sharp decline in the Island gulls.
Clarifying Rubbish Rules
There have been many questions about rate changes for rubbish service to the town of Tisbury.
Hazard on Middle Road
On the section of Middle Road that was recently resurfaced, there are now steep dropoffs.
Turf Benefits
As an alumni of MVRHS I am ecstatic to hear about the efforts to create a turf playing surface.
In Vineyard Skies: Moon and Saturn
Saturday night, the moon appears near the ringed-planet Saturn. The two appear as a pair in the constellation Scorpius, one of the most southern constellations in the zodiac. The two will shine together for most of the night. Both will set in the east well before sunrise. There is a third bright object, the reddish…
Dangerous Zika
The virus Zika depends on mosquitoes to spread an affliction called microphaly.
Real Estate Transactions: June 6 to June 12
Keisha Lance Bottoms and Derek W. Bottoms purchased 18 Pacific avenue in Oak Bluffs from Reginald M. Browne for $1,010,000 on June 7.
Permanent Endowment Scholarships
The Permanent Endowment for Martha’s Vineyard will administer close to $300,000 worth of scholarships this year.
New Instructors at Vineyard Pilates
Vineyard Pilates Center is pleased to announce the addition of two new instructors: Kyle Schott and Ruthie Pfieffer.
Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School Class Night Scholarships
The following scholarships were presented to students at the high school class night on June 10.
Vineyard Artist Has Many Irons in the Fire
Jamie Rogers is a blacksmith, a silversmith, a painter, a glass artist, a knife thrower and a fire dancer, and that’s not the half of it. A full exhibition of her artistic endeavours will be on display (and for sale) at the Vineyard Artisans Festival, the summer market in West Tisbury.
Taming Wild Things, from Geese to Asparagus
In Vineyard Haven there is a spot where asparagus grows year after year in the unlikeliest of places: the beach.
Savoring a Story with Your Tea
For Polly Simpkins, the Cup of Karma Project is all about telling one’s life story, over a cup of tea.
Kaija Nivala Named to Dean’s List
Kaija Nivala of Vineyard Haven was named to the spring 2016 dean’s list at Wheaton College.
Chilmark Town Column: June 17
Chilmark is looking lush and green with roadsides trimmed and daisies and buttercups blooming everywhere. Where are all those grey branches of yesterday? Our sunsets are striking in color and they occur later now allowing for supper crowds to make it to the beach in time for Mother Nature’s show.
On Chappy: June 17
There was a brush fire on Chappy this past Sunday. The Chappy and Edgartown fire departments were quick to arrive, however, and less than half an acre between two homes burned. We are indeed fortunate to have these very capable volunteers at our disposal. Thank you.
Aquinnah Town Column: June 17
Sunny days abound, the beaches are full despite the coolness of the ocean, rhododendrons are in their glory as are the azaleas. Graduation ceremonies have been held. Schools get out in a week for the summer. Summer is just a few days away.
West Tisbury Town Column: June 17
The weekend weather was swell after some rain. The Father’s Day weather forecast is for a reasonably good day but Dad will relax at least for one day, no matter what the weather is.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: June 17
Well, it happened again. Some jerk managed to pull out all the emotions of disgust, disappointment and dread in us last weekend. Refer to them as jerks, which they are. The word terrorist suggests too much power.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: June 17
Isabel Geraldine Washington Powell (5/23/1908 – 5/1/2007) of Oak Bluffs would have been 99 years old had she lived until her birthday the year she died. Much has been written about her husband Adam Clayton Powell Jr. whom she loved and to whom she was married from 1933 until they divorced in 1945.
Edgartown Town Column: June 17
The wind has been blowing and isn’t that a March thing? So who knows what is next for us, but I know I am ready for a little heat just to help the plants along.
At the Bridge Table: June 17
The Bridge Club of Martha’s Vineyard will open play on Saturday, June 18, at the Tisbury Senior Center.
Calendar for Recovery
Sales of Michael Blanchard’s calendar, Vineyard Serenity: Celebrating New Beginnings, will benefit New Paths Recovery Program. .
Stop and Smell the Rain
Rain really does have a scent, and our ability to smell it might be a holdover from times when rain could mean survival.
Fields of Daisies, Stands of Foxgloves
What a beautiful week. The days are ridiculously long. If only I could stop before dark.
Blooming Art 2016
The Old Mill will be transformed when the Garden Club’s Blooming Art 2016 exhibit opens June 23.
How to Solve Nesting Bird Mysteries
Interpreting bird behavior is like a detective show.
Dean’s List at UMass Boston
Andrew Randall of Chilmark and Maxwell Espindle and Emma Frizzell of Vineyard Haven were named to the spring 2016 dean’s list at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Douglas Fraser Named to Dean’s List
Douglas Fraser of Oak Bluffs was named to the spring 2016 dean’s honor list at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Dylan Josephs Graduates
Dylan Josephs of Edgartown graduated cum laude from Boston College with a Bachelor of Science degree.
Vineyard Girls Are State Tennis Champions Again With 5-0 Win
The Martha’s Vineyard girls tennis team won the state championship Wednesday with a 5-0 win. For the second straight year the Vineyarders completed an undefeated season.
YMCA, Martha’s Vineyard Arena Forge a Partnership
The Martha’s Vineyard Arena and YMCA announced this week that the two nonprofits have formed a new alliance. At the same time a new general manager has been hired for the Island ice arena.
Historic Commission Weighs In Over MVFF Property Purchase
The West Tisbury historic district commission has joined town selectmen and many others in raising concerns about plans by the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival to relocate.
Talking Coasts and Collaboration with State Coastal Zone Management Leaders
Top officials with the Office of Coastal Zone Management, the state’s lead waterfront policy and planning agency, swung by the Island last week.
Ribbon-Cutting for New Edgartown Library
There will be a formal ribbon-cutting at the new Edgartown Library from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 25.
Open for Business, Ready for Summer at Gay Head Cliffs
With the Gay Head Light having completed its historic move last year, and long-term planning underway for Aquinnah Circle, shop owners have a new vision for their town’s commercial and cultural district.
Tisbury Mulls Moratorium on Floating Workshops in Harbor
If it’s floating, it better be for boating. Selectmen are considering a yearlong moratorium on floating workshops and houseboats.
All Aboard: Islanders Welcome, Tour New Ferry Woods Hole
Cameras in hand, at least 30 people gathered at the Steamship Authority slip Monday afternoon to watch the new ferry Woods Hole dock after its ceremonial maiden voyage.
Selectmen Restrict Parking on Property Near Gay Head Light
Aquinnah selectmen agreed last week to restrict parking in front of the Manning-Murray property to town residents.
Aquinnah Named Finalist for National Arts Grant
The town of Aquinnah has been named a finalist for a highly selective arts funding program that could further bolster the new Aquinnah Circle Cultural District.
Undefeated Girls Head to State Championship
First year varsity tennis player Camilla Prata helped send the girls team to their second straight Division 3 state championship final with a big win at third singles on Monday afternoon at North Newton High School.
Airport Will Regulate Ride-Sharing Services
Ride-sharing services such as Lyft and Uber will soon be required to pay fees to operate at the Martha’s Vineyard Airport.
Students and Community Shine During Class Night Scholarships
This year’s Class Night celebration held on Friday night at the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs included 157 scholarships exceeding $1,555,414 to graduating seniors and other Island students.
From Farm to Market, All in One Place
The West Tisbury Farmers’ Market opened its annual season on Saturday morning with 40 local vendors on the grounds of the Grange Hall.
Orders Read and Watch Set, Ferry Woods Hole Arrives in Vineyard Haven
With festive red, white and blue bunting adorning her decks, the Woods Hole sailed into Vineyard Haven Monday afternoon.
Cape Cod Five Donation Funds Telemedicine at MVCS
Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank has donated $4,500 to Community Services to fund a telemedicine grant.
Mercedes Giambattista Named to Dean’s List
Mercedes Giambattista of Oak Bluffs was named to the spring 2016 dean’s list at the University of Rhode Island.
Hello, Hannah
Tristan Colbert and Matthew McCarthy of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a daughter, Hannah Gail McCarthy, born June 9 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Commissioning Ceremony Monday for Ferry Woods Hole
Monday will be a day of celebration for the Woods Hole, the newest ferry to join the Steamship Authority fleet. The ferry arrived in Woods Hole harbor Monday morning. Commissioning ceremonies begin at noon. The ferry travels to Vineyard Haven in the afternoon for an open house.
Caps in the Air, Class of 2016 Celebrates Graduation
As the strains of Pomp and Circumstance floated out of the Tabernacle Sunday, 154 graduates in the class of 2016 marched toward their futures.
Girls Tennis Stays Perfect With South Sectional Championship
The girls tennis team inched closer to their second-straight Division III south sectional championship and perfect season with a 5-0 victory over Ursuline High School.
Megan Buchanan Named to Dean’s List
Megan Buchanan of Vineyard Haven was named to the spring 2016 dean’s list at Westfield State University.
Bri Buchanan Valenti Graduates
Bri Buchanan Valenti of West Tisbury graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in sustainable horticulture from the UMass Amherst Stockbridge program.
