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
October 14, 2016
State Supreme Court Rules Against Land Bank in Aquinnah Dispute
Two hiking trails, both leading to a bluff overlooking the ocean in Aquinnah, cannot be connected to create a single loop trail, the state’s highest court ruled in a unanimous decision this week.
Martha’s Vineyard Commission Election Attracts Crowded Field
Fourteen Island residents are vying for nine open seats on the Martha’s Vineyard Commission this year — a larger field than usual in recent years for the regional planning agency.
Fish On: Derby Hits the Home Stretch
Every minute on the water counts as the last few days of the derby slip by. As the weather finally turns fair, those on the leader board will hope their fish will hold up until the weigh station door closes at 10 p.m. Saturday night.
Losing the Boy Next Door, Working to Shatter Stigma
Carter Berardi died two and a half years ago from a heroin overdose, just a few days out of rehab. The shock waves still reverberate with enormous intensity among family, friends and acquaintances.
Saltwater Challenge: Heroes at Home, and on the Water
Dawn broke pink over Menemsha harbor as the water rippled softly. Aboard the fishing boat Mary Sea, Captain Jonathan Boyd drove fisherman Brian Curry and veteran Tommy Elliot out to Quick’s Hole in search of bluefish.
Election Central
In Dukes County there is strong interest in elected office this year, with a robust slate of candidate races.
October Days
Mild and slightly fishy. This has been the story of October so far with balmy fall temperatures and derby days stretching on.
When the News Arrived With Bells On
Back in October, 1964 when I was a young spunk at Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism, we were instructed about the wonders of wire machines.
Pumpkin Festival
Tis the season when big orange pumpkins take over the Morning Glory farmstand.
Dock Boy to Man: Lessons from Summer at the Boatyard
I wonder if you remember me. About 50 years ago, I worked at your boatyard in Edgartown.
Welcoming Wood Stoves of Winter
The wood stove became a member of our family some time in the mid-seventies. We are on our fourth stove.
Charter School Vote Is About Children
The reality is that Question 2 is not about our school district, but rather a question of supporting our greater commonwealth.
Locked Out at the Cliffs, Key in Hand
I have never had a warm and friendly relationship with cars. I know only there are red cars, green cars, gold cars, two-door or four-door cars.
Counting Sheep
Surprising, even perplexing historical facts are to be found in the census for Martha’s Vineyard for 1850
Cautionary Turf Tale
As members of Grass Fields for Safe Sports, we would like to share the experience we had with a public/private partnership.
Post Office as Usual
I went to the Edgartown post office, and expected the worst, and they delivered!
Change the Rules
Dick Johnson’s op-ed piece pointed to the one simple way to reduce tick-borne diseases: reduce the number of deer.
Runaway Success
The Gay Head 10K committee would like to thank everyone who helped to make the fourth annual Gay Head 10K a success.
Dare to Scream
I want to shout out to all those who still celebrate Halloween in Oak Bluffs, which has become a ghost town (pardon the pun).
Arts Meet Fishing, Happily Ever After
Jesse Keller and Dennis Michael Jason of Chilmark were married on Saturday, Oct. 8, becoming forever forward #JasonPartyofTwo.
Aquinnah Town Column: Oct. 14
We fortunately missed a visit from hurricane Matthew. Tuesday it was back to the 60s and sunshine all day. A great day for the cranberry harvest. The Bite has now closed for the season.
Lauren Petkus, Marc Brosseau Are Wed
Lauren Petkus of West Tisbury and Marc V-Brosseau of Gatineau, Quebec, were married on Sept. 24 at Black Point beach in Chilmark.
Edgartown Town Column: Oct. 14
Wind, rain, and sun has been the story of the week. We had all watched Matthew come up the coast and were relieved that the hurricane was not coming our way, however, we did get some rain and wind.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: Oct. 14
Some of Oak Bluffs’ whaling captains who financed the Oak Bluffs Land and Wharf Company moved their business to San Francisco. The price of whale oil went into a tailspin when it was found more expedient to dig oil from the ground. So whalers hunted bowhead whales for baleen in the north Pacific.
Veterans Town Hall Forum
Representatives from the VA will host a town hall meeting for veterans and their families on Tuesday, Oct. 18.
Death Cafe Meets
The West Tisbury library hosts the Island’s first Death Cafe, a comfortable atmosphere for conversation about death, dying, and bereavement.
Land Bank Revenues: Oct. 7
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $132,263.50 for the business week ending on Friday, Oct. 7, 2016.
Real Estate Transactions: Oct. 3 to Oct. 9
Michael J. and Lynne C. Crawford purchased 124 Tiahs Cove Road in West Tisbury from David, Sydell, and Arnold Rabin for $685,000 on Oct. 6.
Guided by That Old Vineyard Magic
Holly Hodder Eger’s debut novel, Split Rock, follows a stay-at-home mom who moves to the Vineyard for the summer.
Hunting Season Begins
Archery season begins Oct. 17 and runs through Nov. 26, followed by shotgun season from Nov. 28 to Dec. 10.
Candidates Forum
The League of Women Voters will host a candidates forum on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 3 p.m. at the Oak Bluffs library.
West Tisbury Welcomes New Animal Control Officer
Impressed by her lifelong experience with animals and dedication to the town, West Tisbury selectmen Wednesday appointed Prudence Fisher as the new town animal control officer.
In Vineyard Skies: Pumpkin Moon and Fish
This weekend we have the Pumpkin Moon, a full moon rising in the east on Sunday night.
Island to Island: Haiti Relief Effort Springs from Vineyard
Pam Benjamin of Vineyard Haven is working to aid the people of Île-à-Vache after Hurricane Matthew smashed through southwestern Haiti last week. “This is the worst storm that has ever hit them,” said Ms. Benjamin.
Chilmark Town Column: Oct. 14
Chilmark is facing up to the inevitability of the upcoming national election. Town clerk Jennifer Christy has posted the early voting hours and dates for Chilmark.
Federated Church Potluck
The Federated Church in Edgartown invites the community to a potluck dinner on Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. at the Parish House.
Science Behind Autumn’s Palette
Adding to the wonder of October is the changing foliage. Leaves have begun to show their true fall colors
Changing Weather, Overlooked Onions
I’m loving the change in the weather. I spent all of last rainy Sunday organizing my greenhouse. It is full of geraniums, mandevillas and begonias hardening off before a winter spent indoors.
Western Warbler Pays a Visit
A male black-throated gray warbler was found Oct. 8 near Squibnocket Pond. It is the sixth time this species has been observed on the Vineyard.
West Tisbury Town Column: Oct. 14
Pumpkins and Halloween decorations now grace many front lawns around town and it is about time to shut off the outside water taps and put garden hoses away for the winter. The leaves have already begun to turn but not with brilliant colors, as we have seen in past years, more than likely because of…
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Oct. 14
I have known Mike Jacobs of Chilmark since he was a teenager. I am so pleased to see how he has grown into a man and a concerned citizen, especially mindful of sustainable energy problems and solutions both on and off Island. Mike is involved with the Vineyard Energy Project’s formation in 2009 of the…
On Chappy: Oct. 14
The next Chappy Community Center potluck supper will be hosted by Sue and Chris Phinney on Wednesday, Oct. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. Please bring a dish or dessert of your choosing to serve six.
Paula Lyons Honored for Distinguished Broadcast Career
Paula Lyons, a retired broadcast journalist and well-known Vineyard Haven resident will be inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame this week.
Hello, Blaise
Coral and Tom Shockey of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a son, Blaise Peter Shockey, born Oct. 9 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Ryder-Elizabeth Arrives
Kurstin and Dayce T. Moore of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Ryder-Elizabeth Moore, born Oct. 11 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Announcing Gino
Nerissa and Daniel Marshall of Aquinnah announce the birth of a son, Gino Daniel Marshall, born Oct. 2 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Welcome, Kira
Kelley DeBettencourt and Ezra Agnew announce the birth of a daughter, Kira Wren DeBettencourt Agnew, born Oct. 8.
Walk-In Medical Clinic Eyes Oak Bluffs New Location
Vineyard Medical Care wants to relocate from State Road Vineyard Haven to the Oak Bluffs property owned by chiropractor Dr. John Campbell. But selectmen say the town’s home-business bylaw does not allow for the change.
Renovations Begin on 18th-century Edgartown Home
One of the oldest homes on Martha’s Vineyard was sold this summer and is undergoing an extensive renovation. The former Achelis house on Cooke street will retain its historic appearance.
From Sengie to Cooke Street
I have seen many people, both residents and tourists, checking out the excavation at 37 Cooke Street.
Oak Bluffs Solar Project Stalls Before MVC
A planned solar array on land owned by the Oak Bluffs water district remains in the slow lane as developers prepare to return to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission later this month.
Selectmen Interview Animal Control Officer Candidates
West Tisbury selectmen heard from five finalists in the running for town animal control officer at their meeting last Wednesday.
State Shellfish Closure Extends to Vineyard
A state-ordered shellfish closure due to toxic algae blooms was extended to Martha’s Vineyard late Sunday. All Island ponds and harbors are closed to shellfishing — except for bay scalloping.
Raising Domestic Violence Awareness One Step at a Time
More than 30 people and their pets took part in Saturday’s Domestic Violence Awareness Walk from Edgartown’s Park and Ride to the harborfront and back.
Hello, Tanner
Martha Vancour Shiels and Christopher Shiels of Clovis, Calif., announce the birth of a son, Tanner Dermot Shiels, on Oct. 3.
Gazette Wins Top Award for Coastal Pond Series
The Vineyard Gazette’s series on coastal ponds was recognized with an award for outstanding journalism this week by the New England Newspaper and Press Association. Alex Elvin was the principal reporter on the series.
