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
June 28, 2019
Richard Thompson Raises the Rafters at Old Whaling Church
Richard Thompson played his first Martha’s Vineyard concert Thursday night, more than half a century after beginning his career in the British band Fairport Convention.
Astronomy and Fireworks
The Fourth of July offers those of us who love fireworks an opportunity to appreciate the night skies over Martha’s Vineyard.
Funding for Tick Program Runs Out; Tick Spread Marches on
The Martha’s Vineyard tick-borne illness reduction initiative has run out of funds, and barring an influx of money will have to shut down after this summer, program director Richard Johnson confirmed.
Rides for Seniors to Doctor Appointments Could End
A grant-funded program that offers affordable transportation for seniors with medical appointments on Cape Cod may end in October if new funding cannot be found.
On the Cusp of the Fourth
In a large field in West Tisbury a farmer mows hay.
Vineyard Gears Up for Fourth of July
The Fourth of July will be packed with activities on the Vineyard. Highlights and information about holiday events follow.
Buoyed by Student Lobster Permits
At seven o’clock on a Sunday morning, most students would still be asleep. But Otto Osmers and Chris Mayhew were wide awake and eager to pull their 25 lobster pots obtained on a state student lobster permit.
Old Friendships Require No Editing
I was the editor of my high school newspaper in Denver, Colorado — the East High Spotlight.
Poem: Independence Day
In our land of many origins, the celebration of Independence Day signals a contradiction.
Vineyard Bookshelf: Emperors of the Deep
Since it’s 2019, you’ve already heard some of the facts and statistics that underlie conservationist William McKeever’s new book Emperors of the Deep.
Tennis Success Still Leads Back to One Man’s Vision
Summer days at Vineyard Family Tennis are filled with the sounds of kids learning the game.
Senatorial Session
From the June 29, 1962 edition of the Vineyard Gazette: In the midst of the Vineyard’s summer population is a man who may well be the next attorney general of Massachusetts, although to see him in the yard of his Oak Bluffs home, one would never guess it.
Long Report Falls Short
It was a bold move on the part of Steamship Authority senior staff last Tuesday evening.
Reviewing Education
The Charter School would like to express our gratitude to Stop & Shop for their generous donation.
Field Fund Honored
We are pleased to report that The Field Fund was honored at the Massachusetts State House for the second year in a row by UMass Lowell’s Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI).
On the Road to Plastic Free
As an Island community the health and safety of marine wildlife and maintaining the cleanliness of our beaches and oceans is a primary concern.
Letter to the Island from Caroline Kennedy
After a great deal of thought, our family has decided to sell Red Gate Farm. This may come as a surprise to members of the Island community, so we wanted to share our reasoning.
Kennedy Property, One of Last Unspoiled Tracts on Martha’s Vineyard, Goes on the Market
The historic, ecologically rare oceanfront estate in Aquinnah owned by the family of Caroline B. Kennedy is for sale; the asking price is $65 million.
Frederick Douglass Readings
As per tradition, the Vineyard will hold two readings this week of the Frederick Douglass speech The Meaning of the Fourth of July for the Negro.
Land Bank Revenues: Week Ending June 21
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $233,205.77 for the business week ending on Friday, June 21, 2019.
Real Estate Transactions: June 17 to June 21
Edgartown: Osei A. T. Rubie purchased 5 Westminster Court in Edgartown from Thomas R. Kelley and Cheryl A. Kelley for $684,000 on June 17.
Dwight & Nicole to Light Up Alex’s Place
Dwight & Nicole are playing Alex’s Place on Monday, July 1.
MV Concert Series
The MV Concert series continues this week with Black Violin performing at the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs on Sunday, June 30 beginning at 8 p.m.
Chappy Five Miler
On Sunday, visit Chappaquiddick — by foot.
Davis House Gallery
The Davis House Gallery will hold its annual welcome summer gallery opening on Sunday, June 30 from 5 to 7 p.m.
House of Bones, Ten Years Later
In 2009 Victoria Campbell’s film House of Bones premiered at the Tabernacle. The documentary positions the family home on West Chop as a lens into her family and a way of life.
A Gallery Opening
The A Gallery opens its summer season with a reception on Saturday, June 29 for artists Chris Wright, Whitney Cleary, Richard Erickson and Jennifer Joanou.
Westerners Outlast Sharks in Game That Saw Heat
Baseballs took a beating, tempers flared, and there were enough stolen base attempts to alert the authorities as the Sharks fell 8-7 to division foe Danbury Wednesday night.
A Dueling Duo, Drawing at Ten Paces
In the late summer of 1953, the artists Thomas Hart Benton and Denys Wortman sat for each other in Benton’s Chilmark studio for what became a dual portrait session, dubbed “the Battle of Beetlebung Corners” (sic) by Collier’s magazine that October.
Granary Gallery Opens Summer Season
No matter how many times you may have visited the Granary Gallery in West Tisbury, you’ve never seen it like this.
Go Big, Go Bold, Go With Pride, Not Prejudice
Betty Bootleg led a heels dance class on Wednesday morning, just one of many activities taking place during the Yard’s sixth annual pride festival.
Please Adopt Us
Thank you to everyone who attended and/or volunteered at our annual Garden Party last Monday.
Union Chapel Preaching Season Begins
Union Chapel opens its season on Sunday, June 30 with the Rev. Cathlin Baker delivering a sermon entitled How Deep is Your Love? — Dr. King’s Levels of Love and Today’s Climate Emergency.
Oak Bluffs Town Column
The Ascot racetrack just outside of London was founded by Queen Anne in 1711 and hosts the Royal Ascot races every June, which is attended by the Queen.
Chilmark Town Column
As I sat down to my computer to write it occurred to me that this week marked the 25th anniversary of a dear friend’s death.
Vineyard Haven Town Column
Twenty-two years and counting! Allan and Michele Berman are back on Hines Point and ready to celebrate their 55th anniversary with family and friends.
On Chappy
Give yourself a little extra time when making plans for this coming Sunday morning.
West Tisbury Town Column
The crunch is upon us as some folks got a head start on the long holiday weekend.
Edgartown Town Column
We predicted it a while ago, but the weather went from 50 to 75 degrees in one day.
Aquinnah Town Column
Another week of torrential rain, especially on Tuesday.
Calling All Blackbirds
Well, there are black birds (birds that are black) and then there are blackbirds (a distinctive family of birds).
What in the Whorled?
I have been waiting and watching a group of plants grow in my yard since spring, wondering if they were friend or foe.
Welcome Sara
Diana Guimaraes and Celio Guimaraes Filho, of Oak Bluffs, announce the birth of a daughter, Sara Joy Guimaraes, born on June 21.
Announcing Joseph
Andrea Medina and Lenin Jose Liriano, of Edgartown, announce the birth of a son, Joseph Lenin Liriano, born on June 24.
Hello Josephine
Courtney and John Tau, of Vineyard Haven, announce the birth of a daughter, Josephine Lee Tau, born on June 18.
Sharks Battle Through Early-Season Games
Sharks pitcher Will Warren retired the first 17 Mainers he faced at Saturday’s game on the Vineyard home field. And then lightning bolted across the sky.
Edgartown Selectmen are July Fourth-Ready
The Edgartown Fourth of July parade will take place on Independence Day as usual. Some things never change, but this year Col. Ted Morgan will be missing.
Contract Talks Stalled, VTA Drivers Set to Strike Friday
With contract negotiations at a standstill and tensions running high, full-time drivers for the Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA) are due to walk off the job beginning Friday.
Man Critically Injured in Weekend Motor Vehicle Mishap
A 21-year-old Edgartown man was medically evacuated from the Island Sunday evening with a serious head injury after he rolled off the roof of a car, police said.
Language of Drumming Knows No Barriers
On Saturday Rick Bausman’s band Tracing Infinity performed at Union Chapel as part of their CD release party. Two days later he headed to Haiti to drum.
Commercial Striped Bass Season Opens, Amid Concerns About Fishery
By the end of the day Monday, the first day of the commercial striped bass season, the Menemsha Fish House had brought in 297 filleted pounds of the elusive — and profitable — fish.
Two Boats Destroyed in Fire at Lake Tashmoo
Two boats were destroyed in a fire at Lake Tashmoo Sunday morning at about 3:10 a.m., Tisbury fire chief John Schilling said. Both vessels, a 32-foot Pursuit and a 28-foot Cape Dory, were a total loss.
Farm and Field: Reviving an Old Farm, and a Column
It is with great pleasure that I am taking on the revived Farm and Field column this summer.
Camp Jabberwocky Has Its Joyful Homecoming
Jabberwocky campers got their yearly jubilant welcome back to the Island on Saturday morning at the Steamship Authority terminal in Vineyard Haven.
MVC Revamps, Strengthens Affordable Housing Policy
Spurred by heightened conversation around the Island’s housing shortage, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission has taken steps to overhaul its affordable housing policy.
Diamond Days All Around at Little League Championships
On Saturday, families, coaches and players gathered for the minor and major league championships. For the majors, the day ended with the Cubs on top, defeating the Pirates 13-9.
As VTA Contract Talks Drag On, Tensions Escalate With Threat of Strike
As contract talks drag on with no apparent end in sight, bus drivers held a public meeting at the high school Saturday to inform residents about what to expect in the event of a strike.
Fast-Moving Summer Storm Startles With Hail, Thunder, Lightning
A series of thunderstorms took Islanders by surprise Saturday, dropping hail and featuring a dramatic lightning show. After a sunny, summery day, the storm swept in from the northwest.
With No Students Left, Cuttyhunk Plots New Course for Its School
With their school now empty, educational leaders on Cuttyhunk plan to host visiting middle school student groups who will learn about the island ecology and environment.
Hooked on the Lure of Summer at Harborfest
Festival-goers crowded the walkway Saturday between the Oak Bluffs Harbor and East Chop Drive to enjoy food, shop, listen to music, and get free tickets to see their favorite collegiate baseball team.
Impressive Showing at Nationals Caps Track Star’s High School Career
Mackenzie Condon finished her high school career last weekend in spectacular fashion by placing 11th in the nation in the heptathlon at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals.
