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
August 18, 2017
Oak Bluffs Fireworks Set for Sunday
The rescheduled fireworks are set to go off at dusk on Sunday, August 20, over Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs.
State Forest Walk Rescheduled for Thursday
Eclogists will lead a tour of the state forest on Thursday — rescheduled from Wednesday due to rain in the forecast. The tour begins at 9 a.m. at forest headquarters.
Agricultural Fair Is Timeless Nod to Tradition
On opening day of the 156th annual Agricultural Fair, a small crowd gathered before the ticketers had arrived.
Solar Eclipse Monday Attracts Skywatchers Wearing Glasses
On Monday a total solar eclipse will cover a wide strip of the country in darkness. While the Vineyard is a long way from the path of totality, Islanders can witness a partial eclipse.
Lone Star Ticks Are on the Move
Island biologist Richard Johnson has been documenting an apparent spread of lone star ticks inland from Aquinnah and Chappaquiddick this summer.
VTA Moves Forward with Electric Bus Plans
The Martha’s Vineyard Transit Authority is moving forward with plans to go electric, with an order placed for four battery all-electric buses.
After Back and Forth, Post Office Beautification Project Gets Okay
A volunteer beautification project at the Vineyard Haven post office can remain, but no more donations will be accepted, U.S. postal officials said this week.
Monument to Healing
Martha’s Vineyard can look with pride on its Civil War statue, built to express an aspiration as urgent today as it was in 1891: to heal a nation’s deep divisions.
Land Bank Revenues: August 11
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $72,942 for the business week ending on Friday, August 11, 2017.
Camp Ground Shines for Grand Illumination
The Camp Ground lit up for the 148th Grand Illumination Wednesday. Before the lanterns were turned on, crowds packed the Tabernacle for a concert by the Vineyard Haven Band and a community sing.
Please Adopt Us
We have a wonderful four-month old gray kitten that could be a Russian blue.
Real Estate Transactions: August 7 to August 13
Elizabeth Lunbeck and Gary L. Gerstle purchased 80 State Road in Chilmark from John J. Atkins and Jamie N. Atkins for $920,000 on August 10.
HomeGrown Tours Wins Award
Dolores Borza of HomeGrown Tours MVI is a winner of the 2017 American Small Business Championship hosted by SCORE.
East Chop Town Column: August 18
I ran into Ben Cornell at his parents’ 60th birthday party. The last time I had seen him was at his wedding to Adriana three years ago. I learned that a lot of amazing things have been going on in their lives. Eighteen months ago they moved to Karen, Kenya, a suburb of the capitol…
Oak Bluffs Town Column: August 18
The Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts is senior pastor at Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York city. His presence at Union Chapel on Sunday, August 20 at 10 a.m. connects several important dots that tell a historical narrative about life in Oak Bluffs.
Skeet Championship
Brian Welch was the champion in the Rod and Gun Club’s 2017 skeet championship.
Edgartown Town Column: August 18
I felt sorry for any bride getting married this past Saturday with the rain, but they always say that if it rains on a bride it is good luck.
On Chappy: August 18
A mere two weeks remain until Labor Day weekend. Joyous news for some, dismal news for others.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: August 18
I usually end my column with birthdays but here is one so special I want you to smile as I begin my column. Marguerite McDonough, a resident at Havenside, will be 100 on August 24.
Tango Dancers Statue
A stainless steel sculpture by Jay Lagemann has found a new home at the Field Gallery Sculpture Garden in West Tisbury.
West Tisbury Town Column: August 18
It is hard to believe the summer season is fast becoming history. The fair is in full swing. It seems everyone is entertaining house guests.
Chilmark Town Column: August 18
Some of the most noteworthy highlights of summer on the Vineyard take place this week.
Aquinnah Town Column: August 18
This is perhaps the busiest week of summer on the Vineyard — Illumination night on Wednesday, the Agricultural Fair began Thursday, and the Oak Bluffs fireworks on Friday.
Eclipse Is Much More Than a Glimpse
Martha’s Vineyard will experience a partial solar eclipse Monday. The first order of business is safety.
Blue Ribbons Never Go Out of Style
My mother called me the other day nearly breathless. “I have an idea for another fair entry,” she said.
Fair Dinkum
The day was hot. There hung the smell of peanuts, soda and cigars, except where the cattle stood.
Refusing to Hate
White supremacy? How pathetic anyone with integrity would anoint him or herself with such a despicable title.
Our Hospital, Our Community
The 2017 annual report of Martha’s Vineyard Hospital is entitled “Caring for Our Community,” which is a great title.
Anti-Dog Nuisance
Suddenly dogs aren’t allowed, even on a leash, in a number of conservation areas on the Island.
History Repeats
While on my recent trip to Martha’s Vineyard I visited many friends, including an old friend in West Tisbury.
Peachy Keen
On behalf of the First Congregational Church of West Tisbury, we extend deep appreciation and gratitude.
A Fish Tale
Starting a business on the Vineyard is a daunting task.
A Gentleman in West Chop: Roots of a Writer Reside in Vineyard Soil
When he was 10 author Amor Towles put a note in a bottle that read something like “if this makes it to China . . . please write back.”
Documentary Captures Melancholy Mood of a Vineyard Winter
Susanna Styron’s 1976 film Suspended Sentence will play on Wednesday, August 23, at the Chilmark Community Center.
A Flight of Fancy Landing at Deep Insight
With cheers, laughter and sighs, Billy Collins was welcomed back to Featherstone Center for the Arts Tuesday.
When the Gallery Is Also a Work of Art
Light and the vibrancy shine through Ashley Medowski’s collection Summer Nights + Sea Life, running through Labor Day in her Lambert’s Cove gallery.
Ragamala Dance Company at The Yard
The Yard goes to India, or rather it is bringing a piece of India to Chilmark.
Rev. Calvin O. Butts at Union Chapel
August 20 the Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts 3rd will be the guest preacher at Union Chapel.
Field Gallery Artists
Abstract painter Tommy May will debut his work at the Field Gallery, with a reception on Sunday, August 20 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Black Violin Concert Rescheduled for Summer 2018
Wilner Baptiste and Kevin Sylvester, known on stage as Black Violin, originally hoped to achieve fame behind the scenes.
Potters Bowl at Featherstone
What goes best with soup? Art, of course.
Surface Encounters at Sargent Gallery
The Sargent Gallery in Aquinnah will host a reception on August 20 for its last exhibit of the season.
Syzygy Time: Solar Eclipse Is on the Way
A total solar eclipse will be visible across the continental United States on August 21, 2017.
Bobolink Beginning and Glossy Ibis
Dick Jennings and Antone Lima found a juvenile glossy ibis in a salt marsh on Cape Pogue on August 11.
Time Grows Fast
I was enjoying my coffee in a lawn chair last week watching the sprinkler go back and forth. A hummingbird was darting in and out of the mist.
Moonless Nights Ideal for Stargazing
Clear night skies in August are always wonderful and offer an opportunity to see plenty.
Verizon Aims to Go Higher With Tower
Verizon Wireless wants to raise its communication tower in Vineyard Haven from 77 to about 130 feet out of concern for trees that could block sightlines.
At the Bridge Table: August 18
Robert S. Todd teaches bridge, gives playing lessons, runs duplicate play on cruises, you name it. Oh, and he’s also an expert player.
Fishermen’s Trust Marks First With Lease of Sea Scallop Quota
The Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust completed a deal to lease a sea scalloping quota to West Tisbury fisherman Sam Hopkins.
Edgartown Selectmen Award Three Affordable Housing Lots
Three residents won the right to buy half-acre lots on 6th street North for $75,000. The lottery was part of the town’s affordable housing program.
West Tisbury Man Arrested on Drug Charges
A West Tisbury man was arrested Saturday on drug-related charges after police executed a search warrant at his Skiff’s Lane home.
Announcing Izabella
Karulene Santos e Silva and Alberone Rodrigues da Silva of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a daughter, Izabella Silva, born August 13.
Hello, Crew
Nina and Dana Kiendzior of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Crew Primo Kiendzior, born August 10 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Museum Honors Contributors and Curators of History
Kate Hancock, Jim Richardson and Chris Scott were honored at the annual Martha’s Vineyard Museum Medal ceremony.
Grand Old Time at Illumination Night
The 148th Grand Illumination is tonight at the Camp Ground in Oak Bluffs. At sundown, the gingerbread houses will glow with the light of thousands of lanterns, part of a summertime tradition dating to the 1860s. Events begin at 7:30 p.m.
Artists Take Viewers on Tour at North Water Gallery
Wendy Weldon’s latest collection of acrylics on display at North Water Gallery is plucked from her beach walks with her dog Lillie Belle.
A Beauty to Behold, 12-Metre Sailing Race Is Classic Competition
A field of eight 12-metre sailboats wrapped up three days of racing Sunday with an awards ceremony at the Edgartown Yacht Club.
Blue Ribbons Ready: Agricultural Fair Opens Thursday
Four-days of fun are in store at the 156th Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society Livestock Show and Fair, which takes place from Thursday, August 17 to Sunday, August 20.
Countdown to Bargains: Chicken Alley Sale Is Annual Crowd Pleaser
The queue began forming at 6:30 a.m. Sunday for the annual Chicken Alley Thrift Shop Art and Collectibles Sale. By most accounts, the sale this year did not disappoint.
Charlottesville Casts Shadow Over Debate
A panel debate Sunday at the Union Chapel over how economic issues play into the social justice movement shifted quickly.
Charles Ogletree Honored With Morehouse College Award
More than 200 people gathered at the Oak Bluffs home of Dr. Louis Sullivan for a presentation of the Lux award to Mr. Ogletree.
Crab Corner Will Stay Closed
The area known as Crab Corner in Menemsha will remain closed for the rest of the summer, Chilmark selectmen decided last week.
For MV Mycological, Vineyard Weather Equals Shiitake Splendor
Tucker Pforzheimer and Truman French are mushroom farmers with tents full of logs and a passion for shiitakes. They are the brains, heart, sweat and soul behind MV Mycological.
Featherstone’s Art Barn Opens; Let the Creativity Shine On
More than 500 people came to see the opening of Big, the inaugural show of pieces by nearly 70 Vineyard artists at the newly opened Art Barn.
High Spirits, Quick Feet at 40th Annual Chilmark Road Race
Rain stopped just before the start of the annual road race Saturday. Benjamin Bosworth, 22, was the fastest runner of the day. Sheridan Wilbur won the women’s division for the fourth year in a row.
Arts on Display
As Island artists ferried their works into the new Art Barn at Featherstone, one paused to talk to about the arts on Martha’s Vineyard.
