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
March 24, 2017
Cool Camps, Hot Fun, Warm Memories
On Martha’s Vineyard, summer camps abound with options for children of all ages and interests. There are drop-in day camps offering a diverse group of activities guaranteed to delight and tire out even the most enthusiastic child. Weeklong adventures at sea, in the woods, on the farms or on the sports fields help focus attention…
Wastewater Concerns Face Oak Bluffs, Tisbury
Voters in Oak Bluffs and Tisbury this year will be asked to move forward on ambitious plans to expand each town’s sewer district, with a common goal of benefitting both local business and coastal ponds.
New Oak Bluffs Town Hall Comes Before Voters
At this year’s annual town meeting, Oak Bluffs voters will decide whether to spend $9.9 million to demolish the old town hall and replace it with a modern structure on the same site.
Edgartown Makes Case for Acquiring Yellow House at Town Meeting
With frustration bubbling over among all parties, Edgartown officials made their case Wednesday for a proposal to acquire the dilapidated Yellow House in the heart of downtown.
Dean’s List at Simmons
Katherine Anne Smith of Chilmark and Sophie Elizabeth Ulyatt of Edgartown were named to the fall 2016 dean’s list at Simmons College.
Dean’s Award at Colgate
Julia Cooper of Edgartown and Dana Jacobs of Vineyard Haven have earned the fall 2016 dean’s award with distinction at Colgate University.
Jeremy Alley-Tarter Named to Assumption Track Team
Jeremy Alley-Tarter of Oak Bluffs has earned a spot on the Assumption College men’s track and field team.
Dean’s List at MCPHS University
Eva Balboni of Edgartown has been named to the spring 2016 dean’s list at MCPHS University.
Steamship Authority Names New Treasurer/Comptroller
The Steamship Authority has announced Terry Cote Vizard as the boat line’s new treasurer/comptroller.
Dress for Success
Anyone who doubts that Oak Bluffs voters should approve a new town hall need only step into the sorry entryway of the current structure.
Goodbye, Old Ice
Last weekend the Martha’s Vineyard Ice Arena hosted its annual figure skating show, Broadway Showstoppers.
Dean’s List at Stonehill College
Emily deBettencourt of Oak Bluffs, Erin Hickey of Chilmark, Megan Hurley of Edgartown, and Charlotte Potter of Vineyard Haven have been named to the fall 2016 dean’s list at Stonehill College.
Now Is the Winter of My Discontent
I do my best to compartmentalize my work and my disappointments after a long winter, but it isn’t always easy.
Moped Concerns
I submitted the first MADAC complaint to Oak Bluffs seven months ago.
Gazette Chronicle: Back to School
Thirty-one school children of Chilmark and two nerve-wrecked school teachers entered the remodelled town school building on Monday with deep signs of relief. Since last June, when the summer vacation began, the school has been in process of remodelling and re-equipping, and when the fall session opened last September, the school was opened in the…
Pro Turf, Pro Environment
I am not your average pro-turf supporter.
Town Hall Disgrace
One critical vote this year is about the Oak Bluffs town hall.
Voting for Experience
I was saddened by Christine Todd’s letter which was published last week.
Surname Switch
I enjoyed the article in the March 10 edition entitled Feeding the Island Community about the Cronig family.
Culture Conflict
Last night I saw the movie Logan.
Land Bank Revenues: March 17
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $132,097 for the business week ending on Friday, March 17, 2017.
Please Adopt Us
Spring has arrived and things are starting to blossom. The residents of the shelter are hoping that means that love will blossom for them as well.
Catch and Release Striped Bass Tournament
It’s time to mark calendars for the 26th annual fly rod striped bass catch and release tournament.
Real Estate Transactions: March 13 to March 19
Sherry L. Countryman purchased 285 Barnes Road in Oak Bluffs from James C. Fox, trustee of B&G Realty Trust, for $1,942,500 on March 17.
West Tisbury Town Column: March 24
As you have noticed, the days are getting thankfully longer; we now have more than 12 hours of daylight each day but the thermometer has not climbed above 46 degrees, in fact the cold persists.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: March 24
I attended the open house back in February at the hand-me-down town hall and while roaming around the sad building curiosity once again got the best of me.
In Vineyard Skies: Spring Constellations
The weather lately may not suggest spring, but spring abounds in the night sky.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: March 24
Could the weather get any crazier? Oops, I shouldn’t ask that because then you know it will.
Hungry, Hungry Hares
Rabbits use their teeth to make a clean cut and are able to eat plants up to 16 inches off the ground
Osprey, Osprey, Wherefore Art Thou Osprey?
No confirmed osprey sightings have been reported as of my writing this column.
Frozen Quince and Spring Artichokes
It is difficult to remain a good sport given the unpredictable nature of our recent weather.
Ritz Cafe Returns as Ritz SoulKitchen and Barbecue
The Ritz Cafe has a new name and new menu, but promises to keep the old vibes. The Ritz SoulKitchen and Barbecue opens Thursday night after being closed since the beginning of March for refurbishing.
The Music Flows When Life and Work Meet in Harmony
Dana Edelman does not have a new album out. “It’s in there,” said the 44 year-old singer-songwriter, pointing at his head, but he’s a little busy right now.
Director of Early Childhood Programs at Community Services to Retire
Chilmark preschool director Heather Quinn will become early childhood programs director following the retirement of long time director Debbie Milne.
Edgartown Town Column: March 24
My crocuses are so happy right now. They have been through rain, snow and lots of wind. They look like delicate little things but they are strong and now very happy to have a little warm weather.
On Chappy: March 24
Six weeks ago a friend plunked a calendar down in front of me and told me to point to the day that I would head out to California to visit my daughter Nearess.
Firefighters Quell Quick-Moving Brush Fire in West Tisbury
A large brush fire off Takemmy Path in West Tisbury was put out Wednesday after an all-out response by firefighters. No one was harmed, though wind blew the flames within 50 feet of a nearby home.
Soil Conservation Grant
The Dukes Soil Conservation District has received a grant to evaluate agricultural nitrogen load
Sam and the Bee, Spelling Champ Looks to National Tournament
Sam Fetters didn’t say his first word, he spelled it. At two years old, he was spelling before he was talking.
Reynolds, Rappaport, Kaplan & Hackney Names New Directors
Reynolds, Rappaport, Kaplan & Hackney, LLC, has named attorneys Kathryn R. Ham and Karen D. Burke as directors of the firm.
Justen Ahren Is New Martha’s Vineyard Poet Laureate
Justen Ahren of West Tisbury has been selected as the 2017-2019 Poet Laureate of Martha’s Vineyard.
Masters Swimming Competes in Short Course Championship
The Martha’s Vineyard Masters Swim Team performed well at the New England Short Course Championships held at Harvard University.
Safety Training for Fishermen
The Fishing Partnership Support Services will conduct two days of safety training for commercial fishermen.
Lagoon Pond Drawbridge Honored
The Lagoon Pond Drawbridge Replacement Project in Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven received a bronze award.
Chilmark Town Column: March 24
Chilmark is looking springlike in spite of the temperatures; fields are green and daffodils are blooming.
Aquinnah Town Column: March 24
Another blizzard bluff with no snow on Sunday despite what was predicted. Now we have fake weather reports.
Vocational Technical Student of the Year
High school senior Gavin Leuenberger is the outstanding vocational technical student of the year.
Jennifer Tseng Reading
Author and former West Tisbury librarian Jennifer Tseng returns to the Island on Saturday, March 25 to read from her new chapbook of poetry.
Spring Meditation Course with Elliot Dacher
Elliott Dacher, M.S. begins his spring semester meditation course on Wednesday, March 29 at 6 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Big Chili Contest Heats Up This Weekend
More than 25 chili makers head for Oak Bluffs this Saturday, March 25, to vie for the title of best chili.
Young King Arthur Is Sharp as Ever in Charter School Play
Charter school students will perform Excalibur, The Story of Young King Arthur, at the Katharine Cornell Theatre this weekend.
Chilmark Swears in New Chief of Police
Surrounded by friends, family and fellow law enforcement officers on Tuesday, Jonathan Klaren was sworn in as the new chief of the Chilmark police department.
Vineyard Bat Tests Positive for White-Nose Syndrome
A northern long-eared bat on the Vineyard has tested positive for white-nose syndrome, a condition that has decimated bat populations on the mainland.
Hearing Scheduled for Oak Bluffs Moped Complaint
As Oak Bluffs selectmen prepare to hold hearings to review licenses of three rental moped companies, their town counsel has advised that effectively banning moped rentals would violate state law.
Hark, It’s Lark
Sydney and Jeffrey LaBell of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a daughter, Lark Elizabeth LaBell, born March 20 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Entangled Seal Set Free in Aquinnah
On Monday the stars aligned for a juvenile gray seal with a considerable amount of commercial fishing net wrapped around its neck and three natural resources officers called to its rescue.
Edgartown Renews Aquaculture License But With Provisions
Edgartown selectmen voted Monday to renew the aquaculture license of Francis (Sandy) Fisher, but with the proviso that his lease will not be renewed if he receives one more citation for violating the town’s shellfishing regulations.
MVC Extends Deadline to Replace Cape Cod Five Modular Building
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission last week plowed through a wide-ranging agenda that included a proposed historic house demolition.
South Water Street Home Damaged in Single-Car Crash
A West Tisbury man will face charges including leaving the scene of property damage, police said, after a crash that damaged an Edgartown home.
Vineyard Vines Moves Into Vineyard Haven
The pink whale is coming to Vineyard Haven. Vineyard Vines will open a new store on Main street Vineyard Haven in the building that once housed Midnight Farm and the Bunch of Grapes Bookstore.
Land Bank Purchases Two Parcels in Vineyard Haven
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank has announced two new land acquisitions in Vineyard Haven for a combined purchase price of $1.1 million.
Announcing Asher
Jennifer Tucker and Alexander Meyer of Edgartown announce the birth of a son, Asher Sean Meyer, born March 16 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Hello, Samson
Kara Shemeth and Thomas Ignacio of Edgartown announce the birth of a son, Samson Shemeth Ignacio, born March 16 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Solomon Arrives
Kathryn Cray and Gregory Rubick of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Solomon Ernest Rubick, born March 15 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Film Festival Brings Community Together for Weekend of Films and Conversation
The 17th Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival celebrated determined souls in a four-day program that brought full houses and standing ovations for Dolores Huerta, Bill Nye and others.
Army Corps Terminates Dredging Contract
With the dredging of Menemsha Channel still unfinished after two years, the Army Corps of Engineers has terminated its contract with J-Way Inc. of Avon, Ohio.
Moped Test Track Waiver Request Rescinded After Icy Reception
Debate about moped rentals and town enforcement flared up again in Oak Bluffs after the owner of a moped rental company asked for a waiver of the town’s requirement for a test track on his properties.
Edgartown and CVEC Reach Compromise Over Budget Gap
Edgartown selectmen have come to an agreement with a regional energy collective after an earlier impasse about how the town would contribute to the organization.
Rep. Bill Keating Pushes Back on Sweeping Federal Budget Cuts
Cong. William Keating, whose district includes Martha’s Vineyard, delivered a sharp rebuke to President Trump’s budget blueprint, which would eliminate Community Development Block Grants.
Welcome, Abigail
Jennifer and Keith Cronin of West Tisbury announce the birth of a daughter, Abigail Rose Cronin, born March 15 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
West Tisbury Seventh Grader Wins Island-Wide Spelling Bee
Sam Fetters spelled pinafore correctly Friday morning to win the Island-wide school spelling bee and a second trip to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. this May.
