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
February 10, 2017
Study Bolsters Theory That Shellfish Remove Nitrogen from Ponds
As communities on the Island and across the region look to shellfish as a possible strategy to restore the health of coastal ponds, a study on the Cape provides numbers to back up their work.
Island Preschools Look to Mother Nature
With strong demand for preschool education across the Island, more programs are being planned, including a nature-based preschool at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary in Edgartown.
Litigation Over Breath Test Puts Some Drunken Driving Cases on Hold
At least a dozen drunken driving cases pending in the Edgartown district court are on hold as a case about breath test accuracy works its way through the state court system.
Police Chief Still Walking the Beat on Moped Debate
Retired Chilmark police chief Timothy Rich is back on the job again, serving as acting chief and continuing a long battle against moped rentals on the Island.
Please Adopt Us
Leo is our featured valentine’s pet. He is a white and dark orange cat with an orange heart shaped birthmark on his face.
Romancing the Oyster
It’s time for the annual Romancing the Oyster event at the Harbor View Hotel.
Fine Recognition
The Massachusetts Seaport Council grant in the amount of six hundred and eighty thousand dollars awarded to Tisbury last week is much deserved.
February Days
Some years we must wait until February for the clear, sunny days that are the greatest asset of the cold season.
Promotion Benefits School Gardens
The Vineyard Gazette will donate $11,000 to the Island Grown Initiative on behalf of more than 700 readers who responded to a subscription campaign.
Announcing Luke
Lindsay and Rahmale Hopkins of Edgartown announce the birth of a son, Luke Steven Hopkins, born Feb. 2 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Chappy Town Column: Feb. 10
On Tuesday morning Brad Fligor’s voice came over the ferry radio asking somebody to call the police quickly.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Feb. 10
I have no words for last Sunday night.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: Feb. 10
Another Oak Bluffs man of moment was C.B. Powell.
West Tisbury Town Column: Feb. 10
Sunday night was the most exciting Super Bowl game ever.
Chilmark Town Column: Feb. 10
Chilmark greets us with wind and rain this morning and promises to turn into a winter northeaster tomorrow.
Aquinnah Town Column: Feb. 10
Another northeaster is predicted for Thursday.
The Ballad of Horse Rossin
I picture Horse Rossin as a large avuncular man.
State-licensed Preschools on Martha’s Vineyard
The following is a list of state-licensed preschools on the Vineyard.
In Vineyard Skies: Partial Lunar Eclipse
Friday night’s full moon, the snow moon, will be shaded slightly by the Earth.
Dredging Delay In Menemsha Is Deja Vu
Last week marked the arrival of winter flounder in Menemsha Pond, and the end (for now) of a tumultuous dredging project that began in 2015.
Oak Bluffs Barn Destroyed in Fire
An Oak Bluffs barn was destroyed in a large fire Wednesday night that brought an all-out response from firefighters. Officials said there were no injuries, and it appeared all animals are safe.
Cold Moves In, Island Digs Out After Winter Storm
Martha’s Vineyard woke up to a cold, white world on Friday, the day after a winter storm that pounded the Northeast brought heavy, wet snow and wind, causing widespread power outages.
Where’s Winter?
I have accepted the fact that we are not having a proper winter. The ground has yet to freeze, I have snowdrops a nanosecond away from blooming, crocuses up three inches and weeds to write home about. I am a crazy person already starting seedlings. Both the onions and leeks are ready to be separated…
Looking Back at the Birds of 2016
A review of all the sightings mentioned in this column shows that we observed 264 species of birds on Martha’s Vineyard in 2016.
Matters of the Heart
February is time for matters of the heart.
Gazette Chronicle: Town Meetings
It will probably come as a greater satisfaction than ever when the voters of Martha’s Vineyard find themselves on the floor of town meeting this year.
Turf Concerns
I am a resident of Martha’s Vineyard and very concerned about the use of artificial turf.
Tick Virus
Deer tick-borne Powassan virus types one and two exist on our Island, certainly in Chilmark.
Good Friends Reminder
I’m not sure why I’m writing this letter. Perhaps it’s a reminder that cherished friends are to be visited more often.
Working With Nature
If you believe nature is against us, let’s not just shoot all our deer, let’s wipe out the bunnies, chipmunks, and skunks while we’re at it.
Beach Memories
I recently read an article by Skip Finley referring to Inkwell Beach mentioning it had been called that since the 1800s.
High School Musical Rolls the Dice With Guys and Dolls
Cast and crew at the regional high school are busy transforming the performing arts center into a sultry Havana nightclub for next week’s production of Guys and Dolls. The show opens Feb. 16.
Hello, Lucille
Maggie and Walter Morrison of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Lucille Marie Morrison, born Feb. 7 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Chilmark to Take Up Beer and Wine Question Again
Chilmark voters will take another swing this year at a rule to allow the sale of beer and wine in restaurants. A petition asking for the change was delivered to town hall in January with 34 signatures.
Transit Authority Unveils Plan to Go Electric
The Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA) is moving full-speed ahead to transform its bus fleet to electric battery-powered buses, administrator Angela Grant told the Edgartown selectmen Monday.
Oliver Arrives
Angie Weir and James Fournier of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a son, Oliver Wyne Fournier, born Feb. 7 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Welcome, Mina
Caitlin Foote and Cristian Lopez of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a daughter, Mina Elizabeth Lopez Foote, born Feb. 6 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Forum Focuses on Addiction Prevention, Removing Stigma
With opioid addiction on the rise, the head of the state Department of Public Health stopped by the Vineyard last week to shed light on her department’s efforts to respond.
Vineyard Dogs Will Compete at Westminster
An Edgartown rottweiler and a Cavalier King Charles spaniel from Vineyard Haven will be among 3,000 dogs competing next week in the 141st annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Prowling for Snowy Owls Can Be a Chilly Business
It was a hardy and eager bunch who showed up Saturday morning armed with scarves, mittens, boots and binoculars ready to prowl for snowy owls at Norton Point.
Shellfish Farmers Look to Kelp as Possible New Business
Island-sourced kelp salads could soon join farm-raised meat or Chilmark mussels on Vineyard plates, with the state’s first two commercial seaweed permits issued this winter to Island shellfishermen.
Jim Lambert Scholarship Winners
Three Island students will receive $1,000 scholarships through the Chamber of Commerce Jim Lambert Memorial Scholarship.
Seeking Freedom
There is a phrase Hart Crane, the difficult but magnificent American poet, uses to interpret the relationship between the ocean and the sky, in a most penetrating manner: “Infinite consanguinity.”
Vineyarders Air Concerns on State, National Issues
Health care, immigration, universal preschool and the Pilgrim nuclear power plant were all topics for discussion Sunday when an overflow crowd turned out for a talk with Cape and Islands state legislators.
Real Estate Transactions: Jan. 30 to Feb. 5
Mark and Rena Fortier purchased 3 Sunset Way, Lot 3B in Aquinnah from Charles Hajjar, trustee of Sunset Way Realty Trust, for $2,475,000 on Feb. 1.
Daffodil Days
Martha’s Vineyard Cancer Support Group volunteers are taking orders for bouquets of daffodils until Feb. 17 for their annual fundraiser.
Housing Surveys Paint Picture of Island Under Pressure
A series of recently-completed housing plans show a year-round population straining under the weight of rents and mortgages amid prohibitive building costs and the pressures of a seasonal real estate market.
We Stand Together Group to Hold Conversation on Policy
On Sunday, Feb. 5, We Stand Together will host newly elected state Sen. Julian Cyr and Rep. Dylan Fernandes in a “conversation on policy” at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center.
Commission Will Review Santander Bank Roof Work
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission voted unanimously Thursday to review the replacement of a Spanish tile roof on the historic Stone Bank in Vineyard Haven.
State Seaport Grant Will Allow Overhaul of Tashmoo Landing
The Seaport Economic Council this week awarded $680,000 to the town of Tisbury for a long-planned overhaul of the Lake Tashmoo landing ramp. It was the second largest grant in a $5 million package.
Lucas DeBettencourt Signs College Football Letter of Intent
Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School senior Lucas DeBettencourt has signed a letter of intent to play football next year at Bentley University.
