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 14, 2020
Two Plastic Reduction Initiatives in Oak Bluffs
Voters will face a choice this spring for how best to reduce the use of plastic: study the issue for a year, or adopt an outright ban on the sale of small-sized plastic bottles.
Selectmen Aim to Keep Town Dumptique
West Tisbury selectmen on Wednesday reiterated their commitment to keeping the town trash and recycling dropoff open, pledging to meet with the regional refuse district.
Last Quarter Moon
The moon appears well after midnight tonight. The moon is last quarter and low in the southeastern sky. The moon is in the zodiacal constellation Scorpius. Scorpius is a constellation we associate with summer. Near the moon you’ll find the bright red star Antares, sometimes referred to as the heart of the scorpion. The waning…
Stranded, Happily, on Music Island
It starts quietly. A few flannel-clad regulars sitting at the bar, sipping on whatever suits their fancy, which, despite it being called the Ritz, is never fancy.
Town, Trustees Clash Over Use of Katama Farm
Tensions over the use of Katama Farm by the Trustees of Reservations came to a head before the Edgartown conservation commission this week.
With Hunger on the Rise, Island Aid Groups Work to Feed the Needy
People on Martha’s Vineyard are receiving food aid in numbers that local agencies have never seen before. In January the Island Food Pantry served more than 1,000 Vineyard residents.
Hunters Take Record Number of Deer
Marking a record year, Martha’s Vineyard hunters took 1,132 deer in 2019, according to state numbers released this week.
February Days
Cold rain, mud and more rain.
Right to Know
Four years after he was lionized for strengthening the Massachusetts public records law, Gov. Charlie Baker has now quietly put forth a stunning proposal to restrict access to records of births, deaths and marriages.
Growing Up Black on Martha’s Vineyard
This month’s Tuesdays in the Newsroom celebrates Black History Month with a conversation with members of the Tankard family, among the very few African Americans living year-round on Martha’s Vineyard in the 1960s.
Land Bank Revenues: Week Ending Feb. 7
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $101,310 for the business week ending on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020.
Hello Sheelah
Bryn and Derek Mahoney of West Tisbury announce the birth of a daughter, Sheelah Faye Mahoney, born on Feb. 4.
County Commissioners Question Candidates for Airport Board
County commissioners met Wednesday to interview the first three of six candidates seeking three seats on the airport commission.
Announcing Oliver
Clerilaine Guimaraes and Rodrigo Costa of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a son, Oliver Guimaraes Leal Costa.
Recent Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending Feb. 7
Joseph Moujabber purchased 16 Kennebec avenue in Oak Bluffs from Theodore R. DeBettencourt Trs., Loretta DeBettencourt Trs and LTTF Realty Trust for $550,000 on Feb. 7.
AquinnahTown Column: Feb. 14
Another week of pouring rain with the temperature hovering around 40 degrees. Still no sign of snow.
Chilmark Town Column: Feb. 14
Although Valentines Day didn’t originate as a Hallmark holiday, for simplicity reasons many of us have allowed it to evolve into just that.
West Tisbury Town Column: Feb. 14
Well, we are heading into a long holiday weekend as Monday is Presidents’ Day so the schools, post office, library and all other town buildings will be closed.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Feb. 14
My favorite thing? Books. Island author John Hough Jr. is about to publish his newest, a novel.
Chappy Town Column: Feb. 14
The next Chappaquiddick Community Center potluck this month is on Wednesday, Feb. 19.
Edgartown Town Column: Feb. 14
I was at the Stop & Shop last week and met up with a customer from Donaroma’s
Inspiring Students With Borders to Bridges Course
With immigration a fact of life for Island children, retired Island teacher Lynn Ditchfield has developed the Borders to Bridges curriculum to teach the subject in the classroom as well.
EMS Course Offered
The Martha’s Vineyard Medical Reserve Corps is hosting a course on how to stop and control bleeding.
Please Adopt Us: Feb. 14
Looks like the fifteen-year old torbi, Striper, found her new home and she has an adoption pending.
Fighting Fire With Fire Does Make Sense
A recent report critical of modern fire management missed some important factors.
Critical Choice
Tisbury and Oak Bluffs selectmen have recently demonstrated an apparent disregard for the voters and taxpayers.
Farmer Brown
From the Feb. 12, 1932 edition of the Gazette:
Keeping Fit in February at the 20-Miler
It’s time once again for the Vineyard’s 20-mile running race, guaranteed to put a spring or cramp in your step.
Book Notes
To walk through time, both the present and the past at one moment, is something we often do unconsciously in our minds.
Sober Bowling Fundraiser
The first annual sober bowling tournament, in partnership with Vineyard House, will take place Saturday, Feb. 15.
Rare on Air
So why was there a great egret in a salt marsh at Tom’s Neck on Chappaquiddick on Feb. 9? I
Blowing in the Wind
It was too rainy and chilly at the beginning of the week to begin the major yard cleanup.
Common Juniper
Common juniper is anything but common on the Vineyard.
With Fire Department in Transition, Oak Bluffs Turns to Neighboring Towns
Oak Bluffs selectmen said this week they have begun networking with other fire department heads, on Island and on Cape Cod, as they map a transition plan for the fire department.
Hospital Opens New Internal Medicine Wing
A red ribbon was cut Wednesday morning, marking the completion of the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital’s new wing.
Rule Change for Catch and Release Tourney
The Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club Fly Rod Striped Bass Catch and Release Tournament will change its rules.
Disability Coalition Hosts Employer Breakfast
The Island Disability Coalition is inviting Vineyard employers to a breakfast meeting Feb. 19.
Community Lunches Return
The West Tisbury Library will again be offering free community lunches during school vacation.
Two-Car Accident Leads to OUI Charges
A West Tisbury man is facing drunk driving charges after a two-car accident on Pilgrim Road in Edgartown early Sunday.
Town Clerks Hold Extended Hours for Voter Registration
Today is the last day to register to vote for the Massachusetts primary, and Island town clerks will hold extended office hours.
Delays at Federal Level Plague Vineyard Wind
Prolonged permitting delays by the Trump administration have thrown Vineyard Wind’s $2.8 billion wind farm south of Martha’s Vineyard further into flux.
Sleuthing With Spenser for Hire
After reading Robert B. Parker’s novel Looking for Rachel Wallace, published in 1980, I fell hard for the creator of Spenser.
Quick-Moving Storm Keeps Island Police Busy
Stormy weather Friday caused downed tree limbs, scattered power outages and ferry cancellations, and kept Island police departments busy.
Fire Chief Compensation Package Released
Former Oak Bluffs fire and EMS chief John Rose will receive around $100,000 in a retirement package that includes a lump-sum payout and other perks.
Reference Librarian Nis Kildegaard Looks to Next Chapter
When Nis Kildegaard started work at the Edgartown Public Library in 2006, he was the first full-time male employee.
Rocket Science to Dinosaur DNA Propel Science Fair
The 21st annual regional high school science fair was held Saturday, with both local and far-reaching conclusions.
Gazette Wins Top Prizes in Newspaper Competition
The Vineyard Gazette won recognition for excellence in journalism by the New England Newspaper and Press Association this weekend.
Divided MVC Allows Takeout Window at Bowling Alley
The Barn Bowl and Bistro’s new takeout window will be about 15 square feet in area. But the small window had outsized implications for the commission.
High Winds Hit the Vineyard; Ferries Cancelled
The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for the Cape and Islands from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
