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
December 9, 2016
Opposition to Artificial Turf Proposal Grows
As developers of a proposed athletic complex at the high school prepare for a review, speculation continues around the effect of artificial turf.
To Ignore and Neglect
Why has the Hall family allowed prime commercial properties in Oak Bluffs and Edgartown to become public eyesores?
Anxiety Workshops for Parents and Teens
Anxiety expert Lynn Lyons will lead three free workshops about anxiety and children next week at the regional high school.
Announcing Carson
Karen and Nelson Giannakopoulos of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a son, Carson Alexander Giannakopoulos, born Dec. 6.
Tisbury School Honor Roll
The Tisbury School has announced their honor roll for the first quarter of the 2016-2017 school year.
Please Adopt Us
Doris is a friendly, affectionate three-year-old tortoiseshell.
Cape Air Winter Fare Sale
Cape Air is offering discounted winter fares to Boston for Vineyard residents.
Eva Balboni Inducted into Honor Society
Eva Balboni of Edgartown has been initiated into the Phi Kappa Phi collegiate honor society.
Land Bank Revenues: Dec. 2
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $295,500 for the business week ending on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016.
Edgartown Town Column: Dec. 9
On Friday head to Donaroma’s for the Enchanted Forest event. I like to call it the Grand Opening of Christmas in Edgartown.
Holiday Cabaret
The Vineyard Playhouse is hosting its second cabaret of the season with a holiday show and sing-along on Saturday, Dec. 10.
Book Binding Open House
Mitzi Pratt will hold an open house at her book binding studio on Sunday, Dec. 11, from noon to 5 p.m.
Swinging Jazz at the Library
The West Tisbury Library is hosting a jazz concert on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 3:30 p.m.
Sense of Wonder Holiday Workshops
Sense of Wonder Creations is holding its annual holiday craft workshops benefit Dec. 13, 14 and 15.
Housing Workshops Conclude
The last in a series of three public workshops about affordable housing will take place next week in every town.
Tuesdays in the Newsroom Gets Set to Eat Its Veggies
The Gazette’s monthly discussion series, Tuesdays in the Newsroom, will feature Island Grown Schools on Dec. 13.
Pearl Harbor
A tremor of mixed excitement and dread swept the Vineyard on Sunday.
Theatres, Like Movies, Need Good Stories
Two years ago I led the effort to save and preserve the Vineyard’s unique and iconic historic theatres.
Artificial Turf May Equal Real Litigation
I am writing this letter as a concerned part-time resident of Martha’s Vineyard and an attorney with experience in mass tort litigation.
When Optimism Meets Cynical Truths
I always believed that America’s greatest export was optimism. No country could rival our ability to dust ourselves off and start anew.
Follow a Sustainable Path
Let’s face it; if the character and beauty of this Island is its lifeblood, the second home industry is a form of incremental suicide.
Enough Conservation, More Affordable Housing
The Nov. 25 Gazette carried an article announcing a new record for land bank revenues: $ 1.12 million in one week.
Getting the Boot
One need not have to look to our new Washington regime to witness discussions on second class citizens.
Tree Lighting Thank You
The Tree Lighting “event” in Oak Bluffs burns brightly with music and laughter.
Helping the Holidays Shine Is Grand Gatchell Tradition
For the last 38 years, Robert and Lynn Gatchell have turned their yard on County Road in Oak Bluffs into a holiday extravaganza, lighting up every night to celebrate the season.
In Vineyard Skies: Holly Moon
The gibbous moon is in the zodiacal constellation Pisces Friday night.
Traffic Study Results In for Edgartown Stop & Shop Expansion
Plans to expand the store are proceeding slowly, with the planning board hearing results of a traffic study and an update about potential complications involving a bank branch next door.
Winter Is Coming, Drain the Hoses
The weather has been so beautiful that I’m pretending winter won’t come.
Happy Hummingbirds Linger on Vineyard
Any hummingbird in November or December is newsworthy.
Atlantic Octopus Washes Up at Squibnocket
Last week, Albert Fischer happened upon a dead octopus that had washed up at Squibnocket Beach.
Haiti Benefit Raffle
Martha’s Vineyard Fish Farm Haiti Project has organized a benefit raffle to help victims of Hurricane Matthew.
Glow Time: Christmas in Edgartown Off to Festive Start
Christmas in Edgartown is from Dec. 8 through 11, and the town will be packed with holiday activities.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Dec. 9
If you and the kiddies have missed speaking with Santa on Island this year, plan to be at the Wharf on Sunday for Breakfast with Santa. Proceeds raised will go to Red Stocking.
Aquinnah Town Column: Dec. 9
There has been a damp chill in the air all week. Temperatures in the 40s most days but reaching 60 earlier in the week. Winds continue to howl and the rain has been around for most of the week.
Menemsha Dredging Resumes, but Winter Flounder Season Looms
J-Way Inc. has resumed dredging the Menemsha channel, though town officials are doubtful the job will be finished by Jan. 31.
High School Budget Certified; Athletic Teams to Return to Cape and Islands League
The Martha’s Vineyard regional high school district committee voted Monday to certify a $19.9 million 2018 budget, a 6.68 per cent increase over last year.
Revisiting Pearl Harbor and World War II on the Vineyard, Seventy Five Years Later
On Dec. 7, 1941, William J. Holzapfel Jr., was having a leisurely breakfast at his house on Hickam Field, a half block from Pearl Harbor, when the attack came.
Chilmark Town Column: Dec. 9
Chilmark voters…all 55 of them…turned out for the special town meeting on Monday evening.
On Chappy: Dec. 9
The Chappy Community Center Christmas tea will be Sunday, Dec. 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. Thanks to Joanne Brine for her willingness to host the tea. She will need bakers to make tea sandwiches and/or baked goods.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: Dec. 9
How sickly ironic that the last movie shown at the Island Theatre (August 2012) was named Sparkle, something the building hasn’t seen for a generation. It certainly sparkled in June 1915, when it opened as the Eagle and for 20 cents folks saw the movie David Harum. The 1925 case of Judkins vs. Charette proved…
West Tisbury Town Column: Dec. 9
The seasonable weather has not stopped the festive mood in the air. Outside lights, candles and trees are being put up in the time-honored tradition.
Tribe’s Right to Offer Gambling on Vineyard In Hands of Federal Court
A high-stakes legal battle will ultimately determine whether a bingo parlor can be operated on tribal lands at the western tip of the Vineyard.
New State Road Chef Feels Sense of Place Makes a Meal
During his first visit to the Vineyard, new State Road chef Randy Rucker had something of a religious experience with a 350-pound bluefin tuna in Menemsha.
Sweet Bites Arrives Just in Time to Sugar Up the Holidays
Sweet Bites Bakery opened just before Thanksgiving, and was inundated with orders for holiday cakes and pies. It was the best off-season welcome Valerio and Sonia Destefani could imagine.
Margaret Whitton Specialized in Playing Strong, Sexy Women
Margaret Whitton, a seasonal resident of Chilmark best known for her sultry performance as Rachel Phelps, the showgirl turned team owner in the Major League movies, died at her home in Palm Beach on Dec. 4.
Chilmark Easily Approves Menemsha Projects at Special Town Meeting
Chilmark voters Monday breezed through a special town meeting warrant, approving funding for projects in and around Menemsha and enhanced radio transmission for public safety officers.
Real Estate Transactions: Nov. 28 to Dec. 4
Harlan Kent and Patricia Kent purchased 45 Cottage street in Edgartown from Lucy Whittemore Heywood and Robert Whittemore for $3,400,000 on Nov. 30.
Edgartown Sets Tax Rate
Edgartown selectmen Monday approved a single tax rate of $3.55 for every $1,000 worth of property, a seven cent decrease over last year’s rate.
Cape and Islands DA Named in Public Records Lawsuit
Massachusetts attorney general Maura Healey has sued three district attorneys, including Cape and Islands DA Michael O’Keefe, alleging they failed to comply with the state public records law.
Remembering a Man Who Listened Intently and Left Us Too Soon
This time – his sister said these were his happiest times, just a few years living on Martha’s Vineyard.
Kennedy Center Honors for James Taylor
James Taylor, the singer-songwriter who got his start as a teenager performing at cafes on the Vineyard, was celebrated Sunday as one of five 2016 Kennedy Center medal recipients.
Fate of Historic Oak Bluffs Cottage to Be Decided
The fate of a historic cottage near the Oak Buffs Library will likely be decided early next year. The owner of the 650-square foot summer home wants to tear it down.
Commercial Expansions Occupy MVC
A slate of commercial projects are under review by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, including a plan for employee housing above the Lampost in Oak Bluffs, and a new hotel in Edgartown.
Following the Threads of a Life Led by Generosity
Sandy Pimentel was born into a family of immigrants, Italian and Scottish, and generosity is a theme that runs through her life and memoir. It also informs the meaning behind the title of her book, Blind Acceptance.
Island Theatre Deemed Dangerous by Board of Survey
A board of survey convened to assess the Island Theatre has determined that the building is dangerous, granting the Oak Bluffs building inspector license to order its demolition.
