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
January 12, 2018
Starry Nights
We are now into the best of winter stargazing. The moon is in the New Moon phase on Wednesday, which gives us the best of late night and early morning stargazing for the nights ahead. Without interference from the moon, this is a time to look for the Milky Way and the faintest of celestial…
Pilot Detox Program Sees Success
A pilot program begun 14 months ago by Martha’s Vineyard Community Services and the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital to combat substance use disorder has helped steer 111 Vineyard residents onto the road to recovery.
Supreme Court Clears Way for Tribe to Build Bingo Hall
On the heels of the U.S. Supreme Court’s refusal to wade into the Wampanoag casino case, tribal leaders said this week they are ready to move ahead with plans to build a bingo hall on the Island.
Property Values Top $20 Billion Islandwide, But Taxes Stay Low
Property values increased this year on Martha’s Vineyard, topping $20 billion in total assessed value, according to figures from the six towns and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.
Still Marching
The following excerpts are from two essays by Dorothy West.
Land Bank Revenues: Jan. 5
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $79,400 for the business week ending on Friday, Jan. 5, 2018.
Oak Bluffs Faces Budget Shortfall
Facing a budget shortfall for the coming fiscal year fueled by education costs, health insurance and salaries, Oak Bluffs town administrator Bob Whritenour is recommending a $750,000 general override at the annual town meeting in April.
On Chappy: Jan. 12
By the middle of the day last Wednesday the forecast for the storm had become so threatening that we started telling ferry travelers that we probably wouldn’t be able to run at all the next day.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Jan. 12
That was a long four days in the house. If I was the adventurous type I could have kayaked through Five Corners.
Aquinnah Town Column: Jan. 12
Sunny days ahead after a weekend of sub-zero temperatures, steady winds with gusts in the 50s and 60s, and one can only hope the end of winter storms for this year.
Hustle and Thrive Company
India Rose, former founder of CEO Martha’s Vineyard Inc., has launched a new business called The Hustle and Thrive Company.
Chilmark Town Column: Jan. 12
Last week we had just the right combination of New England weather elements to create glassy, zamboni-like smooth pond ice.
West Tisbury Town Column: Jan. 12
Well we had our first significant northeast storm of the year last Thursday. Winds did howl with wind gusts over 65 mph, and boat service and schools were suspended.
Snowy Owl Protocol
Snowy owls need no introduction. They are one of the few birds that can entice a non-birder to go birding.
Harbor View Hotel Changes Hands for $30 Million
The historic Edgartown hotel has been sold to Upland Capital Corporation, a Boston-based asset management and real estate investment firm founded by seasonal resident Bernard Chiu.
Real Estate Transactions Jan. 1 to Jan. 7
Leon Hawksley and Susan T. Fleming purchased 144 Tellette street in Oak Bluffs from Paul Bonetti and Sandra Bonetti for $560,000 on Jan. 3.
Please Adopt Us
Is anyone looking for a young, male, yellow Labrador Retriever?
Celebrating the Life of Tony Lombardi
POSTPONED – On Sunday, Jan. 14 from noon to 2 p.m. everyone is invited to Alex’s Place to remember Tony Lombardi.
College Hockey Tournament
College hockey is coming to the Vineyard this weekend, on Friday and Saturday.
When Edgartown Rolled All Year And Coo Cavallo Held Court
It would be hard for many Islanders today to un derstand that 40 years ago Edgartown was a vibrant year-round village.
Coo
I remember Coo from boyhood summers with his large extended Italian family renting down the street from us
Finding a Voice for War No More
Conscription is part of American history — a distant part. The Selective Service isn’t selecting like it used to.
Green Book’s Safe Passages Still Resonate
When I was teaching in New York city, a fellow teacher told me a story about how his father, an Urban League officer, traveled in the South.
Bingo Hall Rectifies Long List of Wrongs
The Aquinnah bingo hall judgment, final now that the Supreme Court declined to review it, is a welcome affirmation of the sovereignty of the Wampanoag tribe.
Winter Soldiers
The lights of the Baptist parish house in Vineyard Haven, were a beacon in the snow-shrouded streets.
Looking Forward
The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital Concerned Citizens group is writing to publicly recognize Tim Walsh.
Ugly Chatter
It’s no secret there’s been a lot of chatter about Cronig’s and Steve Bernier.
Portraits Gone Missing
While traveling from one end of the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital to the new hospital, I had to comment on the emptiness of the lobby.
Christmas Saved
The following letter was sent to Edgartown fire chief Peter Shemeth.
Food Pantry Thanks
All the volunteers at the Island Food Pantry want to thank individuals and businesses that contributed this holiday season.
Prompt Attention
We would like to thank all the EMTs and crew, and friends who answered our call for help Dec. 14.
Steamship Authority Website Back Up After Ill-Timed Crash
The Steamship Authority website was back up and running Thursday evening after being down for most of the opening day for coveted summer car reservations.
Unexpected Indigo Bunting
Feeder reports can be very exciting. Watching them can lead you to exciting finds.
Cold as Ice
Everyone’s spirits seem to be lifted this week.
Tribe Confirms Plans to Build Bingo Hall on Martha’s Vineyard
In the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision to not review the Wampanoag casino case, tribal leaders in Aquinnah said they are ready to move ahead on plans to build a bingo hall on the Island.
Announcing Jason
Yasmin and Eric Herman announce the birth of a son, Jason Emil Herman, born Dec. 30 at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital in Tallahassee, Fla.
Retail Space, Rental Units Proposed for Edgartown’s Yellow House
Edgartown developer Michael Hegarty and Mark Nicotera of Trademark Services LLC submitted proposals to renovate and lease the Yellow House on Main street in Edgartown.
Osprey Hockey League Helps Girls Soar On and Off the Ice
Last weekend the Osprey hockey league hosted a tournament with a team from York, Me. The free girls league begins in preschool and runs through the eighth grade, helping girls stay invested in the sport until they get to high school.
Honoring Martin Luther King
The Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center, the Martha’s Vineyard Chapter of the NAACP and the First Congregational Church of West Tisbury will host a joint service on Friday, Jan. 12 to honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and his friend Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. The service takes place at the Hebrew Center and begins at…
Deejay Jess Phaneuf Returns to WMVY
The popular deejay Jess Phaneuf will return to Island radio station WMVY late this month, with both on-air and off-air duties and a new title of music director.
Healing With Herbs, a Natural Conclusion
Herbalist and author Holly Bellebuono published her sixth book last month, An Herbalist’s Guide to Formulary. She will give a talk on Wednesday, Jan. 10, at the Chilmark Library.
Internal Turmoil Colors Police Chief Search in Edgartown
With a search now under way for a new police chief in Edgartown, tension inside the department has bubbled to the surface in a town that has long prided itself on having relatively few internal problems.
Big Sendoff for Retiring Edgartown Fire Chief
With the new chief on duty and a line of firefighters cheering him on, former Edgartown fire chief Peter Shemeth rode off into retirement Monday evening — in a ladder truck.
Storm Leaves Severe Beach Erosion, and Plumbers Are Busy
The intense winter storm followed by extremely frigid temperatures caused severe tidal erosion and sent Island plumbers scrambling on frozen pipe calls over the weekend.
Tracking Winter, One Critter at a Time
My favorite season has arrived again and this year with a pleasing vengeance. Animal tracks are everywhere, inviting identification.
U.S. Supreme Court Will Not Hear Casino Case
The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to wade into the legal fight over the Aquinnah tribe’s gaming aspirations, clearing the way for an electronic bingo facility on Martha’s Vineyard.
Ice Rescue: Firefighters Practice for the Real Thing
With temperatures hovering about one degree above zero and a wind chill of 18 degrees below, Oak Bluffs firefighters staged an ice rescue drill Sunday morning on a frozen pond off County Road.
Aurora Arrives
Geneva and Calvin Corwin of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a daughter, Aurora Gwenivere Corwin, born Jan. 4 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Hello, Hazel
Alexandra Wild Baxter and Derek Edward Chrebet of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Hazel Wild Chrebet, born Jan. 3.
Welcome, David
Monica Maria Maxim and Florin Daniel Gafencu of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a son, David Andrew Gafencu, born Jan. 2 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
