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 28, 2020
Moon and Venus
The crescent moon appears above the bright planet Venus this weekend. The two are high in the southwestern sky after sunset. The moon is in the first quarter on Monday night and in the zodiacal constellation Taurus. Now we look to March, and the constellations of spring take a prominent place in the evening sky.…
Dumptique Question Goes to Voters
West Tisbury selectmen reluctantly agreed Wednesday to move forward with plans to take back control of the town dump and Dumptique from the regional refuse district.
Homeless Advocacy Group Buys Property
An innovative approach to the problem of homelessness on Martha’s Vineyard moved a step closer to reality Wednesday with the purchase of a six-bedroom home.
A Year Later, Housing Bank Campaign Goes Quiet
The visible public campaign for the housing bank is now relegated to a cohort of devoted activists in working groups.
Dredging and More: Public Works Projects Abound on Island
From massive dredging and beach renourishment in Oak Bluffs and Edgartown to renovations at the Gay Head Cliffs overlook, a number of public works improvement projects are under way around the Island this winter.
At Mansion House, It’s All in the Family
In the mid-1980s, the historic hotel at the head of Main street Vineyard Haven was called the Tisbury Inn, and it had seen better days. The Goldsteins saw an opportunity.
Tribe Plans to Build Public Safety Facility
Asserting its sovereignty, the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) has taken preliminary steps to build its own public safety facility on tribal land.
Super Tuesday
Joining their counterparts across the commonwealth, Island voters will go to the polls Tuesday to cast ballots in the presidential primary. On the same day, primaries and caucuses will be held in thirteen other states around the country.
Winter Oscillations
Shirtsleeves in January. Spring flowers in February. Buckets of rain, but no snow and ice. A single snowy owl. A dearth of sea ducks.
Please Adopt Us
Calling all rabbit aficionados. Tawny is a sweet, friendly, funny, playful bunny that someone must want to give her a loving home. She’s a juvenile, dwarf Dutch bunny who has been spending her time hopping around the hallway, climbing in and out of her cage, and hanging out on a chair. She’s been hand raised…
Land Bank Revenues: Week Ending Feb. 21
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $170,090 for the business week ending on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. The land bank receives its funds from a two per cent fee charged on many Vineyard real estate transactions. Much of the land bank revenue last week came from the town of Tisbury, where three transactions…
Graphic Report: On Ice
Secrets of the Zamboni at the Martha’s Vineyard Ice Arena.
One Fell Swoop
One swallow, as the proverb said, does not make a summer; but red-winged blackbirds are pretty well informed birds.
Not Transparent
To reach a solution we can all get behind, we hope that our educational leadership demonstrates respect for the public review process.
Quick Response
There has been a great deal of negative publicity about the Oak Bluffs fire department recently, so I would like to offer a different perspective.
Recent Island Real Estate Transactions: Week ending Feb. 21
Real estate transactions for the week of Feb. 17-21.
Jenny DeVivo Gets Cooking with FARM Institute Class
West Tisbury DSchool chef Jenny DeVivo is a force of nature, a cheerful dynamo of can-do energy who has transformed the school’s cafeteria into a farm-to-table dining experience that many restaurant patrons would envy. Freshly-caught fish, grass-fed meats and local vegetables are staples of Ms. DeVivo’s menus, which soon will have a much larger audience,…
Gazette Subscribers Help Send $11,000 to Hospice
The Vineyard Gazette’s annual holiday subscription drive has raised $11,085 for Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard.
Free Concert Announced
Waltzes, tangos, café music, baroque solos and classical gems from films are on the program for a free concert in March.
Cuban Dancers Return
A favorite with Martha’s Vineyard summer audiences, Malpaso Dance Company makes its first winter visit to the Island.
Librarian’s Nashville Bound
West Tisbury Library’s Alexandra Pratt attends the Public Library Association annual conference.
Chef Launches Podcast
Private chef Gavin Smith’s Food Minded Fellow Podcast is a new audio series about Martha’s Vineyard food.
Eloise Arrives
Dena and Brian Sullivan of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a daughter, Eloise Mae Sullivan, on Feb. 20 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Welcome Maizey Mae
Ashley and Kraig Mundt of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Maizey Mae Mundt.
Vineyard Haven Library Shows Vintage Edward Gorey Posters
Known for his instantly-recognizable line drawings, the Cape Cod artist Edward St. John Gorey wrote more than 100 picture books and won a Tony award for costuming.
Winter Seedlings and Wanderings
I grew up (or as I like to say grew taller) in the snow belt of western Pennsylvania. We experienced the lake effect snow which came off Lake Erie.
Chappy Town Column: Feb. 28
The next Chappaquiddick Community Center potluck is on Wednesday March 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. Appetizers start at 6 p.m. Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. Please bring a dish to serve six.
Aquinnah Town Column: Feb. 28
Oh, the days are getting warmer and longer as we head into springtime weather in a few weeks. In the meantime, let’s enjoy the last vestiges of winter as we wish them away.
As Capital Needs Pile Up, Selectmen Ponder How to Pay for It All
From the lantern room of the Gay Head Light to the bathrooms at the Circle, Aquinnah has many capital improvement needs.
Tisbury Police Add Portuguese to Basic Training Skills
The Tisbury police department has launched a training program for officers to learn Portuguese.
West Tisbury Town Meeting Preview
On Monday, March 30 at 6 p.m., the West Tisbury Library hosts an informal dialogue about this year’s annual town meeting.
Oak Bluffs Seeks Interim Fire Chief
With a search under way for an interim fire chief, Oak Bluffs town leaders said Tuesday a short-term plan is beginning to take shape.
Tisbury Plans Voter Forum March 5
Tisbury Senior Center is the venue for Thursday’s public discussion of town meeting warrant articles.
Chilmark Town Column: Feb. 28
Shh . . . it’s quiet around town. It’s school vacation week. It seems like nearly everyone has ventured somewhere. Many opted for warmth and a quick dose of vitamin D. Others chose to take advantage of snowy destinations and take to the slopes.
West Tisbury Town Column: Feb. 28
Will March come in like a lion? The old saying is then it will leave like a lamb.
Edgartown Town Column: Feb. 28
We have been smiling. The sun is shining, the temperatures are warm, at least for now. But we will take it.
Uncommon Visitor
By the time Chris Kennedy of The Trustees of Reservations received a report of a seal on Cape Pogue, the harp seal was already dead.
Avian Signs of Spring
It is a bit early in the year for shorebirds to show up on their northward migration. It is still February, after all.
Drumming Up New Hope for Peace in Haiti
When Rick Bausman left the Vineyard last Friday to board a flight to Haiti, he took with him a printer, a laptop, a duffel bag full of instruments and his traveling drum. When he touched down in Port-au-Prince, he was due to set off on his latest mission.
Airport Fitness Owner Attends Pickleball Conference
Connie McHugh, owner of Airport Fitness, recently attended a pickleball registry certification course on Hilton Head island.
After 15 Years, Youth Task Force Grows Its Mission
When the Youth Task Force began 15 years ago, programs for teens and children struggling with substance abuse on Martha’s Vineyard were scarce.
Charlotte Inn Earns Four Stars in Travel Guide
Edgartown’s Charlotte Inn is the only Martha’s Vineyard establishment on the recently-released list of Forbes Travel Guide 2020 Star Awards.
As Hands-Free Driving Law Takes Effect, Island Police Take Note
Island police are issuing warnings, as a new state law takes effect that strictly prohibits the use of hand-held cell phones while driving.
Coronavirus Alert Changes
A passenger on the Westerdam cruise ship who initially tested positive for the new coronavirus may not actually have the deadly disease, according to new reports Monday.
Boys Basketball, Hockey Head to Playoffs
High school winter sports wrapped up its season last week with a celebration of seniors. Meanwhile, boys hockey and basketball geared up for the playoffs.
Turning a Page in the Calendar, Old and New
The ancient Mayan calendar ended in December 2012. Why it ended at that point has been the cause of much speculation.
Is There a Mouse in the House? Not on Island
An unusual story of extinction on Martha’s Vineyard revolves around a humble mouse. To be exact, the house mouse.
Town Reports Win Awards
Martha’s Vineyard towns recently won two of the top three awards in the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s annual town report contest.
Free Lunches This Week in Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, West Tisbury
While Island schools are on vacation this week, free community lunches are being served at two Martha’s Vineyard libraries through Friday.
Red Cat Demolition Plan Sparks Debate
The MVC last week grappled with a proposal to demolish the historic building that houses the Red Cat Kitchen restaurant.
From Zero to Infinity, Numbers Star in Featherstone Art Show
Count on Featherstone Center for the Arts in Oak Bluffs to come up with an intriguing concept for its first group show of 2020.
County Commission Interviews Final Airport Candidates
Dukes County commissioners interviewed the final three candidates for three seats on the Martha’s Vineyard Airport Commission at their meeting Wednesday.
Island Disability Coalition Courts Local Employers
The Island Disability Coalition hosted a gathering for Island employers as part of its continuing outreach to the Martha’s Vineyard community.
Regional High School Honor Roll
Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School Second Quarter Honor Roll
