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
March 1, 2019
Venus and Crescent Moon
Look outside an hour before sunrise tomorrow morning for the crescent moon appearing near the bright planet Venus. It is essential to have a clear view of the southeastern sky, without trees and buildings in the way. The two are a handsome pair in the zodiacal constellation Capricornus. They aren’t far from where the sun…
Previn Concert Is Homecoming Gift to the Vineyard
It’s a homecoming of sorts, and a kindness to the community.
Public, Elected Leaders React as Construction Begins on Bingo Hall
The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) has officially broken ground on a long-promised gambling facility in the small up-Island town, unleashing a flurry of concern.
Housing Bank Campaign Hits Rough Water in Island Towns
A campaign to establish a Martha’s Vineyard housing bank using revenues from the new short-term rental tax is running into stiff opposition in some Island towns.
With a Growing Need, Boys and Girls Club Looks to the Future
As the census continues to grow, the Boys and Girls Club facility off Robinson Road in Edgartown is no longer adequate to serve the needs.
Rights of All
The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) has been nothing but up front about its intention to build a casino on Martha’s Vineyard, but until earth moving equipment began clearing land last week, it always seemed a remote possibility.
False Forsythia
Many often mistake it for forsythia in bloom.
Hello Jhasmyn
Maria Eduarda Oliveira Maciel and Samuel Meireles Amancio of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Jhasmyn Oliveira Meireles, born on Feb. 25 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Jhasmyn weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces at birth.
Welcome Liz
Paula dos Anjos de Paula and Ruy Emilio da Silva Júnior of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a daughter, Liz Antonella da Silva Paula, born on Feb. 20 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Liz weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces at birth.
West Tisbury
Life first brought me to this place as a boy.
Say No to Styrofoam
I have known for about 50 years that styrofoam is a disaster when it is out in nature, but it is still popular and used widely both in the takeout food business and the boating and fishing industries. Two years ago I discovered thousands of styrofoam pieces in the beachgrass at South Beach, Edgartown. Five…
Grain Enterprise
From the March 5, 1971 edition of the Gazette: Smith, Bodfish, Swift Co., in Vineyard Haven, one of the Island’s oldest concerns, has been purchased by David Flanders of Chilmark, Ralph M. Packer Jr. of Vineyard Haven, and Philip J. Norton Jr., of Edgartown. The more-than-a-century old grain store whose weathered-shingled, maroon-trimmed front with its…
Aquinnah Town Column: March 1
The landscape of Aquinnah is suddenly changing and perhaps not for the better. Those of us who live here have been totally astounded about the clear cutting of four-plus acres at Black Brook Road this past week to allegedly make room for a $12 million bingo hall.
Chilmark Town Column: March 1
As most of you know, Marshall has taken up metal detecting as a hobby. Sometimes he finds neat stuff but most of the time he makes contributions to what he refers to as his box of wonder — as in, “I wonder what this is/was?”
West Tisbury Town Column: March 1
It sure has been like a ghost town all week, largely because it is school winter vacation and many families are on the move. People have left Dodge for a warmer climate while others have gone up north to ski and some to visit family.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: March 1
It’s like a ghost town on the Island with school vacation week. Many families have checked in from Disney World, warmer climates, and some hardy souls from skiing in New England. Open and free bowling remains in place at Barn, Bowl, and Bistro until the end of vacation. Remember our library programs and the Food…
On Chappy: March 1
It is school vacation this week and the Island is noticeably quiet. With many families away on off-Island adventures, Edgartown’s Main street was nearly empty late Sunday afternoon. Only a handful of cars remained parked between upper Main and the ferry, and the sidewalks were void of pedestrians.
Edgartown Town Column: March 1
Wind is the word of the week. Now the cold is setting in and there is a chance of snow. I think we have had it easy so far, so maybe we can handle whatever snow we get. Spring is around the corner.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: March 1
The Martha’s Vineyard Chapter of Association for the Study of African American History (ASALH) is one of many across the country that are celebrating the 2019 theme of Black Migration and recognizing the 400th anniversary of the 1619 arrival of the first slave ships to America that moored in Jamestown, Va.
Neighborhood Convention
The Neighborhood Convention will meet on Tuesday, March 5 at the Federated Church in Edgartown at 11 a.m.
Healthy Aging Forum
Healthy Aging MV will host a housing options forum for elders on Tuesday, March. 5. It runs from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center.
Town Hall Meeting
State Sen. Julian Cyr and state Rep. Dylan Fernandes will host a community conversation on the Vineyard Monday in Vineyard Haven.
Students Build Benches for Sheriff’s Meadow
Winter semester high school students in the carpentry and building class designed and built four benches for the Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation.
Boating Saftey Course Offered
The Edgartown police department will sponsor a free Massachusetts Boating Basics Course this spring.
A Lone Sea Scalloper from Martha’s Vineyard Endures
There are about 700 permits of various classifications issued by the federal government to fish for sea scallops on the East Coast. Sam Hopkins of West Tisbury has one of them.
Butcher Birds
Northern shrikes are perhaps our smallest avian predator, about the size of a mockingbird and with a generally similar gray and white plumage. The shrike is also known as butcher bird for its habit of impaling its prey on thorns and branches.
Across the Spectrum
It would be hard to determine this bird’s better half.
Old Books, New Seedlings
In my opinion, spring has sprung. The chickens are laying, canaries are singing their little hearts out, a few snowdrops are blooming, and there is light in the morning. I finally got motivated on Tuesday. It was chilly but I transplanted some spinach, lettuce, and bok choy in the hoop house. After getting warm inside…
Two Seek Seat to be Vacated by Longtime Tisbury Selectman
Incumbent selectman and board chairman Tristan Israel has confirmed that he will not seek reelection in April after more than two decades of public service. Two businessmen have entered the race.
Boys Basketball Advances in Tournament After Early-Round Upset
The regional high school boys took the lead in the second quarter and never looked back in a 63-53 upset of the Case Cardinals in the first round of the division 3 south sectional tournament Tuesday.
Selectmen Interview Two Finalists for Chilmark Harbor Master
Two former Coast Guardsman are finalists for the Chilmark harbor master job. Ryan Rossi, 31, of West Tisbury, and Robert Decker, 33, of Oak Bluffs, were both interviewed by selectmen Tuesday night.
The Road to Casino Gambling
Here is a timeline of key events in efforts by the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) to offer gambling in Massachusetts: 1870 – Massachusetts incorporates the town of Gay Head over the objections of the Wampanoags. Dec. 1974 – Tribe sues town in U.S. District Court, asserting its rights to tribal land under the…
Sharks Gear Up for New Season, New League
As spring training begins for Major League Baseball, a different sort of preparation is under way for summer baseball on the Island. The Martha’s Vineyard Sharks have switched leagues.
Legacy of Vineyard Deaf Community Endures Today
David Martin, former educator and administrator at Gallaudet, visited Vineyard Haven on Sunday to talk about the legacy of the Martha’s Vineyard deaf community of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Edgartown Police Officer Is Promoted to Sergeant
In a short but heartfelt ceremony Monday, Edgartown police officer James (Jamie) Craig was promoted to sergeant. A nearly 30-year veteran of the force, Sergeant Craig is also a fifth-generation Islander.
The Never Ending Story of an Island Friend
On a Sunday two weeks ago, hundreds of hearts in pieces gathered to say a reluctant farewell to Christopher Svend Laursen.
Track Athletes Make Good Showing at All-States
Regional high school senior Mackenzie Condon hit another milestone Saturday at the All-State indoor track meet in Boston, where she qualified for the New England Championships.
Red Baraat Gets Chilmark Audience Dancing
When The Yard brings a band to Martha’s Vineyard, it’s always a spellbinding show. Friday’s appearance by Red Baraat was another musical breakthrough.
Brown Bat Tests Positive for Rabies
A dead bat found in a Tisbury home tested positive for rabies last week, the town board of health confirmed. Health officials said there is little cause for concern.
Construction Begins on Wampanoag Bingo Hall in Aquinnah
Construction has begun on a large bingo hall planned by the tribe in Aquinnah — and tribal leaders have issued a stern warning to the town and the Martha’s Vineyard Commission to not interfere.
Worried About Climate Change, Island High Schoolers Join Walkout
On Friday morning a group of students walked out of the front doors of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, not to ditch class but to spread awareness of global climate change.
Airport Begins Search for a New Director
The Martha’s Vineyard Airport Commission voted this week to hire a New York-based search firm to help find a new director to replace Ann Richart, who will leave in May.
Wind Hearing Sees Strong Support, and Some Heat
Developers who want to build the nation’s first large-scale wind farm in ocean waters south of Martha’s Vineyard saw strong support and also some criticism at a public hearing before the Martha’s Vineyard Commission Thursday night.
