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
June 24, 2016
Gone with the Old Summers
Thirty years ago summer was incomplete without rocking chairs and hammocks.
Islanders Mourn Fisherman, Father and Beacon of Light
Islanders this week mourned commercial conch fisherman Luke Gurney, a father of two who died in a fishing accident Monday. Mr. Gurney was fishing off Nantucket when he became tangled in a line and was swept overboard.
Guided by the Stars, Hokule’a Sails to Martha’s Vineyard
Next week, the 40-foot double-hulled canoe Hokule’a will arrive in Vineyard Haven for a three-day visit, having traveled three-quarters of the way around the world from its home port of Honolulu.
Solidarity on the Water, Wampanoag Tribe Creates Vessel to Greet Hokule’a
The Wampanoag people in Aquinnah are building the muhsh8n (pronounced mishoon) in preparation for the arrival of the Hokule’a on Tuesday.
Schedule of Events for Visit of Hokule’a
On Tuesday, July 28 the Hokule’a will sail into Vineyard Haven Harbor for a three-day visit to Martha’s Vineyard. The goal of the trip is to “weave a lei of hope” by sharing the stories of people working to achieve a sustainable way of life.
Big Houses Plus Evolution of a Filmmaker
One Big Home, director Thomas Bena’s first feature-length film, which took more than a decade to shoot and edit, makes its Island debut Wednesday as part of the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival summer series.
Silent Movie, Live Orchestra Is in a Class by Itself
Berklee College of Music students are once again a part of the Filmusic festival at the film center in Vineyard Haven.
Land Bank Revenues: June 17
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $377,754.26 for the business week ending on Friday, June 17, 2016.
O Captain, My Captain, We Are Adrift
Luke Gurney was a master of pursuit, his energy high and constant. His life was brimming with community and friends, but his family was his core.
Ring, Ring: When Telephones Arrived on Martha’s Vineyard
Only a few years ago everyone who wanted to use a telephone on the Vineyard had to turn the little hand crank on the telephone box.
Lucia Moffett’s Legacy
What I hope will stand as the pinnacle of gun violence in our community was experienced at Lucia Moffett’s memorial service.
Disappointing
It’s disappointing that the Chilmark selectmen would vote on the proposal of MV@Play without including the volunteer proponents.
Ill Conceived
Here is a sampling of some recent and upcoming on-Island events.
Banding Together
Many have asked me why MV@Play, the project to improve and expand the high school athletic fields, is so important to me.
Avery Arrives
Hilary and Patrick Moore of West Tisbury announce the birth of a daughter, Avery Markham Moore, born June 18 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
In Vineyard Skies: Last Quarter Moon
Late Monday night, near midnight, the last quarter moon rises in the east.
Still Sharp After Thirty Years, Cutting Hair Forges Strong Bonds
Patti Linn is no assembly line businesswoman. At her hair salon in West Tisbury, she offers in-house, one-on-one service — some coloring and highlights, but she specializes in simple cuts.
Please Adopt Us
The shelter has one new arrival this week. Precious is a dilute calico cat who is only four years young.
Real Estate Transactions: June 13 to June 19
Tsering Dorjee and Tenzing Youten purchased 16 Maple avenue in Oak Bluffs from George R. Medeiros and Lisa Medeiros for $395,000 on June 13.
Ships in the Night, Covington Joins Port Hunter on Main Street
Vineyard native Chris Fischer will offer only the finest and freshest ingredients when The Covington opens its doors next Wednesday.
Camaraderie and a Cup of Tea, with Words to Chew on Too
For Polly Simpkins, the host of a monthly series of tea talk gatherings, life is like a teacup and we make a choice each day what to put in our cups.
Tisbury Hosts Family Shellfishing Day
Tisbury will host a family shellfishing day on June 25 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Oak Bluffs Mourns Loss of Town Accountant
Arthur Gallagher, the town accountant for Oak Bluffs, died unexpectedly on June 13.
Taking the Plunge on a Creative Journey
Tracey Sylvester Harris’s artwork will be part of the group show Dive In at the Eisenhauer Gallery. An opening reception is Saturday.
At the Bridge Table: June 24
Many bridge players don’t realize it, but the same responses apply to partner’s 2NT opening bid as apply to 1NT.
Art of Hard Work Defined Painter Stan Murphy
Those who knew him say Stan Murphy put a lot more than paint on canvas. A retrospective of the late painter opens at Featherstone.
Union Chapel Summer Series Begins
Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs opens it doors for the summer season this Sunday, June 26, with Reverend Dr. Betty Deas Clark in the pulpit.
Ray Ewing Art Exhibit
On June 21, there was an opening reception at the Oak Bluffs Library for photographer Ray Ewing.
Siren Mayhew in Concert
Siren (formerly Katie) Mayhew will perform with the Cape Symphony at the Tabernacle on June 29 at 6 p.m.
Film and Music Festival
The MV Film Society is hosting a film and music festival (Filmusic) this weekend, through Sunday, June 26.
Black Terns and Breeding Birds
It is close to the peak of the breeding season, and soon the early morning chorus of bird song will start quieting down.
Sheep to Albatross, Let Love Rule
In the animal kingdom, there are more examples of same-sex relations than colors of the rainbow.
Full Bloom in the Garden
Here we are days away from Independence Day. Life flies by, especially as one ages.
East Chop Column: June 24
Saturday afternoon at the tennis club (5:30 to 7 p.m.), East Chop will celebrate the life of Jeff Riotte. There is no better life to honor and remember. As a kid Jeff wowed us with his ability on the tennis courts and at the piano. As an adult, we appreciated most his smile, sense of…
Aquinnah Town Column: June 24
Warm summer days have finally arrived after a rather chilly spring. The harbors are filling with boats, homes are full with seasonal residents with their families and friends, renters are in their rentals, and schools on the Vineyard close today. Summer has arrived!
Edgartown Town Column: June 24
The angels were bowling on Tuesday morning and woke everyone with some greatly needed rain. I am not a thunderstorm fan but was smiling at the thought of the change of weather. Let’s hope we can have more mornings of rain to fill the ponds that need some water along with the plants and trees.
Chilmark Town Column: June 24
Chilmark faced a tough few minutes on Saturday when a sportfishing boat caught fire just outside the jetties. Our harbor master Dennis Jason and his assistant, Glenn DeBlase, went to the rescue.
On Chappy: June 24
The first CIA meeting will be called to order on Saturday, July 9 at 9 a.m. at the Chappy Community Center, with coffee and pastries starting at 8:30.
West Tisbury Town Column: June 24
Father’s Day was wonderful, just perfect for outdoor barbecues, beaches, and all kinds of surprises. School closes Friday for the summer. It is getting busier each day as people continue to arrive for their vacations. The first day of summer was last Monday and it sure did feel like it.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: June 24
As always, the art colony on the Island has spectacular summer seasons. Freshly returned from ultra-hip Greenpoint, Brooklyn and his studio there, our own Colin Ruel is on-Island and exhibiting his wonderful work for the summer.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: June 24
On a frigid day in January 1866, Charles S. Tallman became the sole survivor of the wreck of the schooner Christiana off of Cape Pogue.
Edgartown Selectmen Approve Building Permit Fee Changes
Edgartown selectmen voted unanimously Monday to change the structure of building permit fees. While some permit fees will be lower, many will be substantially higher.
Peapod Announces Grocery Delivery to the Vineyard
Online grocer Peapod has announced that pilot online grocery delivery service to Martha’s Vineyard began June 21.
Martha’s Vineyard Horse Council Spring Fling
Thirty-three riders (and 25 horses) came out June 5 for the Horse Council’s Spring Fling horse show.
Film Festival Buys West Tisbury Property, But Will Resell
The Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival Wednesday took ownership of the Walsh property in West Tisbury, but announced that it would resell the property, possibly to a neighbor group that is a potential buyer.
Announcing Do
Nhi and Dung Do of Edgartown announce the birth of a son, Do Tri Tranh, born June 20 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Skylah Forend Named to Dean’s List
Skylah Forend of Oak Bluffs was named to the spring 2016 dean’s list at Merrimack College.
Chilmark Sends High School Turf Plan to MVC for Review
Following weeks of public debate over a plan to install artificial turf fields at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, the Chilmark selectmen on Tuesday voted to refer the project to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission for review.
MVC Looks to Loosen Reins on Commercial Reviews
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission this summer will consider a number of changes to its primary guidelines for controlling development on the Island — including several that would exclude larger commercial developments from MVC review.
Cape Cod Community College Graduates
Several Island students graduated this spring from Cape Cod Community College.
Museum Celebrations Look to the Future
The past and future will loom large during a week of celebration and the formal launch of a capital campaign for the Martha’s Vineyard Museum.
Restaurant With a View, Garde East on the Harbor Celebrates Sun and Sea
Garde East recently opened in the building that formerly housed The Blue Canoe. Chef Robert Sisca was sous chef at Le Bernard in in New York city and executive chef at Bistro du Midi in Boston.
Albino Norway Rat Found on Vineyard Is First for Massachusetts
A never-before-seen critter surfaced on Martha’s Vineyard the other week: a rare albino Norway rat in Edgartown.
Dinosaur Plants at Polly Hill Arboretum
This summer, Polly Hill Arboretum meets Jurassic Park with their new prehistoric exhibit, open every day from sunrise to sunset.
Women in History Theatre Program
The Creative Drama Women in History theatre program brought history alive for Island youth.
Boater Registration Available on the Vineyard This Weekend
Just in time for summer sailing, boater registration will be available on Martha’s Vineyard this weekend.
Welcome, Victoria
Alessandra and Cilas Batista of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Victoria Batista, born June 17 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
High School Environment Club Recieves Award
The high school was named state senior high school of the year and national senior high school runner up for a sustainability project.
Skate Jam Celebrates Future of Skating on the Island
One foot forward, one foot back. That’s what kids were told by Eliot Coutts at the Skate Jam on Sunday held at the Martha’s Vineyard Skate Park.
Dean’s List at Quinnipiac University
Zoe Listro of Vineyard Haven and Ashlyn Tattersall of Vineyard Haven were named to the spring 2016 dean’s list at Quinnipiac University.
Interim Pastor at Edgartown Federated Church
Rev. Sharon Eckhardt has been named the interim pastor at the Federated Church in Edgartown.
Body of Missing Fisherman Recovered Off Nantucket
The body of a fisherman who went missing Monday morning off the coast of Nantucket has been recovered. Luke Gurney was swept overboard from his vessel No Regrets, police said.
Toron Deluz Gradates
Toron A. Deluz of Vineyard Haven has been named to the spring 2016 dean’s list at Boston University.
Tisbury School Awards
The Tisbury School honored several students at the school’s annual Recognition Day on June 14.
Eli T. Hanschka Named to Dean’s List
Eli T. Hanschka was named to the spring 2016 dean’s list at Colby College.
Coconut Fiber to the Rescue: Island’s First Living Shoreline Installed at Felix Neck
Efforts to curb erosion have taken a step forward with the installation of the Island’s first full living shoreline project.
Seven People Rescued from Burning Boat off Menemsha
Harbor masters from Chilmark and Gosnold rescued seven people from a burning sport fishing vessel just outside Menemsha Harbor Saturday afternoon. There were no injuries.
Draft Nitrogen Tax in Tisbury Draws Heat at Hearing
Tisbury residents took their board of health to task during a public hearing on proposed regulations to protect coastal ponds from future development.
Announcing David
Elenice and Evandro de Souza of West Tisbury announce the birth of a son, David Freitas de Souza, born June 14 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Shifting the Beat, Jumping Headlong Into the Movement
Headlong Dance Theater’s performances at The Yard this week will consist of talented dancers and choreographers from all over the country, including some Island talent.
Looking Good and Eating Well at Annual Taste of the Vineyard Party
The line wound around the block on Thursday evening as 900 ticket holding guests waited to enter the white tents next to the Old Whaling Church for the 31st Taste of the Vineyard party, the annual benefit for the Preservation Trust.
