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
April 21, 2017
Tisbury Voters Face Big Spending for Beach Road Work
Sewer expansions and spending to bury utility lines on Beach Road top the agenda when Tisbury voters convene for their annual town meeting.
Town, Taxpayers Will Fight Casino Ruling in U.S. Court
Facing long odds, the town of Aquinnah and a community group this week officially decided to fight to overturn an appellate court’s ruling that a gambling hall can be located on tribal land at the Island’s western edge.
Chilmark to Decide Question on Beer and Wine Sales Again
At their annual town meeting Monday, voters in Chilmark will revisit a number of issues from previous town meetings, including a request to allow the sale of beer and wine in restaurants.
All Rise: a Day in Court with Joe Sollitto
Superior court clerk Joseph E. Sollitto Jr. is taking names. It is 9 a.m. on a rainy April morning, and 65 jurors are crowded into a basement room at the Edgartown courthouse.
Organizations Merge
Women Empowered Inc. and CEO, Inc., two organizations dedicated to empowering women on the Vineyard, have merged.
State Representative Visits Charter School
State Rep. Dylan Fernandes was one of many state legislators to visit farm to school programs last week.
New Faces in Government
Voters in three Vineyard towns went to the polls last week and spoke for change, electing newcomers over incumbents.
Reggae Beat Leads to Island Memories
As April Fool’s Day came and went recently, I remembered that Jimmy Cliff was born on that day in 1948.
Rain May Come, Seize the Day and the Sable
Use it or lose it is an old adage, tried and true, that can be applied to a craftsman’s legerdemain, pasture lands or legal stratagems.
Poor Little Hearts
Every year at this time, I get to thinking about Nancy Luce.
Happy Birthday, I.M. Pei
I.M. Pei, the famous architect of great buildings all over the world, will turn 100 on April 26.
Revitalizing Main Street
There needs to be incentive for a more sustainable restaurant culture, and this begins with a vote to allow full liquor licenses.
Scott’s Grove Financing
I would like to share information on West Tisbury warrant articles for the construction of rental apartments at Scott’s Grove.
No on Hard Liquor
Hard drinking is not the type of vibrancy we need in Vineyard Haven.
Restaurant Survival
Please consider a yes vote at the annual town meeting on Monday allowing restaurants in Chilmark to sell beer and wine.
New Book Shines Light on Vineyard’s Hidden History
In his most recent book, Hidden History of Martha’s Vineyard, Thomas Dresser invites us to explore who we are as a community.
Please Adopt Us
Sweetie is a two-year-old calico who loves to play.
Edgartown Town Column: April 21
Spring was here for a few days and now back to reality of rain and low temperatures. However, the days we did have to spend outside were a great tease.
Chilmark Town Column: April 21
Chilmark looked good to me last week when Dianne Smith and I returned from a mind-blowing trip to Budapest and back.
Aquinnah Town Column: April 21
There is still a slight chill in the air but most days have been filled with sunshine, with a touch of fog over the weekend.
More Messiah
Part III of Handel’s Messiah will be performed this Sunday, April 23 at 4 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in Vineyard Haven.
Arbor Day at Polly Hill
Polly Hill Arboretum will celebrate Arbor Day on Friday, April 28 with an afternoon of tree-themed activities.
LGBTQ Film Festival Aims for All Ages
The Spectrum Film Festival, at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center April 27 through April 29, is the Island’s first cultural celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender experiences.
Judge Upholds Airport Commission in Gas Station Lease Dispute
A superior court judge has ruled in favor of the Martha’s Vineyard Airport Commission in a dispute over the commission’s decision last month not to renew the lease for the Airport Mobil station.
Tisbury Selectmen Renew License for Island Adventure Rentals
Tisbury selectmen this week voted to renew the lone moped rental license in town, with a few stipulations.
In Vineyard Skies: Lyrid Meteor Shower
Meteor showers offer a pleasant change for those who like to look at the stars and planets at night.
Fallout from State Drug Lab Scandal Includes Vineyard Cases
A total of 58 criminal cases on Martha’s Vineyard will be dropped as a result of the statewide drug lab scandal that unfolded four years ago involving Annie Dookhan, the former state chemist who mishandled evidence in thousands of drug cases.
Earth Day Beach Cleanup Turns Silver
The Vineyard Conservation Society’s annual Earth Day beach cleanup celebrates its 25th anniversary today. People from around the Island will gather this morning to scour the shoreline for litter. The event begins at 10 a.m.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: April 21
Woodrow Wilson was President in April 1917 when we declared war against Germany and Oak Bluffs was 10 years old following our secession.
The Mouse That Bit
It’s been difficult knowing how to dress. It seems most of the day is spent putting on and/or taking off layers of clothing.
Black-necked Stilt Makes Rare Appearance on Martha’s Vineyard
Completely unexpected is a sighting of a black-necked stilt on April 8. It is a vagrant on the Atlantic Coast.
Town Obtains Legal Go-Ahead on Yellow House
Edgartown has the legal right to move forward with acquiring the Yellow House, a Boston attorney representing the town said this week.
Welcome Golden Glory of Spring
Out with winter and in with more yellow. Forsythia flourished and dandelions bloomed, beckoning the buzzy bees, all in their golden glory.
Uncovering the Truth About Fake News
Journalist and educator John Kennedy discussed the origins and implications of fake news, and offered a prescription for how to stay afloat in a sea of often misleading online information.
Sweeping Bylaw to Regulate Rentals in Tisbury Is on Hold
Saying it had not received enough public airing, Tisbury selectmen voted last night to pull a bylaw from the town meeting warrant that would regulate rental properties in town.
Real Estate Transactions: April 10 to April 16
Robert and Paula Craft purchased 109 William street in Vineyard Haven from William Norton Road Nominee Trust for $1,800,000 on April 14.
On Chappy: April 21
The Edgartown Highway Department has opened the gravel portion of the parking lot at the ferry point.
Land Bank Revenues: April 14
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $264,262.58 for the business week ending on Friday, April 14, 2017.
MVC Grills Homeowner Over Historic Renovation
A plan to rebuild a historic home in Vineyard Haven has come under scrutiny from the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, which has asked developers for more information.
West Tisbury Town Column: April 21
It was a great weekend. People seemed to be everywhere. The weather, Passover, Easter, Patriots Day and school vacation were wrapped in one.
Writing Awards
Nelson Sigelman of Vineyard Haven received two awards from the New England Outdoor Writers Association.
Earth-Friendly Farming Discussion
On Friday the Dukes Conservation District hosts a discussion about how farmers can remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Recycling Bins for Oak Bluffs
Oak Bluffs will have 12 new recycling bins this summer, thanks to a grant to the town park department.
Hello, Naomi
Melissa and Tim Benoit of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a daughter, Naomi Peyton Benoit, born April 17 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Odin Arrives
Emma Green-Beach and Isaiah L. Scheffer of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Odin Beach Scheffer, born April 13 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Study Aims to Protect Right Whales South of the Vineyard
With three wind farms planned for south of Martha’s Vineyard, the New England Aquarium has launched a yearlong study of the effects on right whales.
Aquinnah Honors Old Town Line
A new town line was drawn between Aquinnah and Chilmark earlier this year. In a quiet ceremony late last week, a handful of Aquinnah residents marked the moment.
Two-Time Girls Tennis Champs Hoping to Keep the Streak Alive
With the spring sports season under way, the two-time state champion girls tennis team is back on the courts. In their third game of the season last Thursday, the girls faced Sandwich, and the winning streak continued.
Need to Find a Dragon? Deborah MacInnis Can Help
Deborah MacInnis has worked in libraries since she was in the eighth grade. And the biggest part of that work has been 40 years as children’s librarian in Edgartown.
Shellfish Group Bestows Surprise Honor on Retiring Director
The hatchery on Lagoon Pond that has spawned a valuable shellfish industry on the Vineyard will be renamed the Richard C. Karney Solar Hatchery.
Oak Bluffs, West Tisbury Elect New Selectmen
Voters in Oak Bluffs and West Tisbury elected new selectmen, Edgartown voters said yes to purchasing the Yellow House, and Oak Bluffs approved a new town hall at elections Thursday.
