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
February 7, 2020
Early Voting Begins Today on the Vineyard
Early voting begins today on Martha’s Vineyard in the run-up to the much-watched Super Tuesday presidential primary day next week. Polling will be held in every Island town running through Friday.
Big Snow Moon
The full moon, the Snow Moon, takes charge of the night sky on Sunday night.
As Firehouse Crisis Deepens, Oak Bluffs Selectmen Scramble
The Oak Bluffs fire and EMS department tumbled through a week of turmoil and transition, beginning with the resignation of fire chief John Rose.
Hoping History Repeats; Derby Moratorium Has Precedent
It was the fall of 1984 and striped bass were in trouble. Along the East Coast, states were beginning to take action.
New Peer Recovery Center Opens
On Monday, a small red house on the campus of the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital begins operating as the Peer Recovery Support Center.
From Meatpacking to Movies, It Pays Not to Cross the Line
Chad Verdi never painted houses. But as executive producer of the Oscar-nominated film, The Irishman, Mr. Verdi helped make it a household phrase.
The Long Goodbye
For months there has been an air of inevitability in Oak Bluffs about John Rose’s eventual departure as chief of the town fire and ambulance department.
Saving the Stripers
What a difference thirty-five years makes.
Ten Candidates Vie for Island Boat Line Governor
On Wednesday afternoon Dukes County commissioners interviewed nine people for the next Vineyard Steamship Authority governor in three and a quarter hours. One candidate was unable to make the meeting.
Julia Wells Named to Newspaper Hall of Fame
Vineyard Gazette editor Julia Wells, who has chronicled the evolution of Martha’s Vineyard over four decades, has been named to the New England Newspaper Hall of Fame.
Land Bank Revenues: Week Ending Jan. 31
he Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $426,400 for the business week ending on Friday, Jan. 31, 2020.
Vineyard Grocer Expands Food Reach
Island grocer and entrepreneur Elio Silva has purchased Bobby B’s Seafood & Pizza and Bernie’s Ice Cream, adding the two Main street Vineyard Haven storefronts to his growing family of business enterprises.
Regional High School Revs Up for Science Fair
Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School will present its 21st annual Science and Engineering Fair on Feb. 7 and 8 at the high school cafeteria.
Student Magazine Earns National Accolades
The National Council of Teachers of English awarded the regional high school magazine Seabreezes its highest award.
Recent Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending Jan. 31
Paul R. Beeson purchased 135 Pennywise Path in Edgartown from Ann B. Floyd for $750,000 on Jan. 31.
Hello Isaac
Carrie and Bastille Lucier, of Edgartown, announce the birth of a son, Isaac Rene Lucier.
Ayla Arrives
Maisa Paula dos Santos Borges and Wesley Daniel A. Borges of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Ayla Danyla dePaula Borges.
Aquinnah Town Column: Feb. 7
There was still no sign of snow as of Tuesday evening with temperatures in the 40s, however that may change. Never mind what Punxsutawney Phil had to say.
Welcome John
Robin and Adam Church of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, John Robert Alden Church.
Chilmark Town Column: Feb. 7
Since 1887 we have relied upon Punxsutawney Phil to reveal to us the just how long winters grasp will hang on.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Feb. 7
Sure, you seasonal residents think we have nothing to do all winter but wait for your return.
West Tisbury Town Column: Feb. 7
Well, it sure has been quiet in town since the holidays. Folks are going away on vacation or making plans to and that is about the size of it.
Chappy Town Column: Feb. 7
About 40 Chappaquiddickers gathered at the Edgartown town hall on Monday afternoon for a meeting with town selectmen regarding the Chappy Ferry.
Edgartown Town Column: Feb. 7
It is February and so far so good.
High School Play Tackles Tale of Epic Proportions
Big Fish, opening Feb. 13 at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, is a 21st-century musical inspired by the enduring tradition of heroic journeys.
Making Art Anchored in Darkness of War
Steve Maxner’s new exhibit at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum combines stunningly beautiful assemblages of shell and sea wrack with his experience in the Vietnam War to create an explosion of emotion.
A Study in Solitude and Samaritans
Inhabiting Chappaquiddick for the month of January, at the southern end of the island near Wasque Point, is a study in solitude.
The Side Door
From the Feb. 3, 1956 edition of the Gazette:
Oscar Screening Party and More
It’s Oscar time again, with the 92nd annual Academy Awards red carpet rolling out on Sunday, Feb. 7.
Michael Vick Documentary
Seasonal Vineyarder and documentary filmmaker Stanley Nelson premiered a new movie on ESPN about the quarterback Michael Vick.
Nonprofit Night Out
The second annual MVY Radio night out for nonprofits takes place on Friday, March 13.
American Bittern
An American bittern is an incredible species.
Pruning Time
My mother died seven years ago at the beginning of February.
Home Worm
Cartoonist Charles M. Schulz gave this sardonic advice: “Decorate your home. It gives the illusion that your life is more interesting than it really is.”
Community Impact Grants
The Martha’s Vineyard Bank Charitable Foundation will provide community impact grants with awards totaling $5,000.
IT Director Is Out at SSA
The Steamship Authority information technology director has left, the boat line confirmed this week.
Six Apply for Three Seats on Airport Commission
Candidates ranging from aviators to landscapers have thrown their hats into the ring to vie for three seats on the Martha’s Vineyard Airport Commission.
High School Committee Puzzles Over Dropout Rate
With the regional high school dropout rate on the rise, principal Sara Dingledy sought to explain the numbers to the district school committee this week.
Federated Church Prevails in Intricate Case Over Parsonage
The Federated Church in Edgartown won a legal victory this week in a knotty case over its ownership of the South Water street parsonage that was willed to the church more than 60 years ago.
Selectmen Send VTA Plan to Commission
Edgartown selectmen voted Tuesday to refer the Vineyard Transit Authority’s redesigned bus terminal at Church street to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.
Chappy Residents Fume About Their Ferry
A crowd of Chappaquiddick residents filled every seat of the Ted B. Morgan meeting room Monday to protest rate hikes.
Boys Track Team Wins Cape and Islands League Championship
The boys track team continued its dominance on Sunday by winning the Cape and Islands league championship. The girls squad placed second.
Martha’s Vineyard Derby Will Remove Striped Bass From Competition
The venerable saltwater fishing contest entering its 75th year, will eliminate striped bass from the competition this fall.
Conservationists Seek Nonbinding Vote on Polystyrene
The Vineyard Conservation Society is calling for the voluntary elimination of polystyrene Islandwide. VCS is asking all six Island towns to vote on a nonbinding referendum this spring.
Tisbury Agenda Mixup Explained
Tisbury town officials erred twice when they posted an agenda for selectmen to meet in Boston Jan. 25.
Vineyard Bookshelf: Universal Love
Universal Love is the new story collection by Alexander Weinstein, the director of the Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing.
Nature Conservancy Sells Its Building to Biodiversity Works
The Nature Conservancy has sold its Lambert’s Cove office to BiodiversityWorks, providing a permanent home for the Vineyard-based wildlife monitoring and research nonprofit.
Hitting the Bullseye of Heart and Humor
Taking place on two continents, with multiple sea battles and four on-stage suicides, Antony and Cleopatra has never been an easy play to follow. Shakespeare for the Masses added charts to the mix.
County Commission Set to Interview 10 for SSA Board Seat
With 10 applicants now vying to represent Martha’s Vineyard on the Steamship Authority board of governors, the Dukes County Commission is set to conduct candidate interviews Wednesday.
Selectmen Meet With Fire Department
In a hastily called emergency session, Oak Bluffs selectmen met Saturday with approximately 35 members of the fire and EMT staff.
Kiosk, Not Meters for Tisbury Parking Lot
There will be no parking meters in the Tisbury-owned parking lot on Beach Road this summer.
As Playoffs Near, High School Teams Stay Competitive
Boys hockey was hot, the swim team held its own in the pool and girls and boys basketball weathered some storms on their home courts. As the countdown nears for playoff season, it was a full week in high school sports.
