Dylan Thomas
The birds of the winged trees flying my name Above the farms and the white horses I rose in rainy autumn And walked abroad in a shower of all my days. – Dylan Thomas
April 17, 2020
Chilmark Town Column: April 17
Yesterday felt like a bit of a low point for me. Doesn’t really matter why and it was nothing major.
Land Bank Revenues: Week Ending April 17
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $86,500 for the business week ending on Friday, April 17, 2020.
Planets
Change is coming to our evening sky. The bright planet Venus now captivating viewers is going to drop out of view in the next month. Venus is high in the western sky after sunset, as high as it will get in the evening sky. Pay attention and you’ll notice each night ahead. It will appear…
Fire Inspections, North Bluff Update Occupy Oak Bluffs Selectmen
In his first report to the Oak Bluffs selectmen this week, interim fire chief Martin Greene outlined a plan to begin business inspections later next month.
High School Athletes Win All Star Honors
Vineyard high school athletes on the ice, the hardwood, the track and in the pool all received all-star nods from the Boston Globe this week.
Land Bank Revenues: Week Ending April 10
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $99,030 for the business week ending on Friday, April 10, 2020.
Land Bank Revenues: Week Ending April 3
he Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $155,630 for the business week ending on Friday, April 3, 2020.
Plotting a Course
It has been clear for some time that summer 2020 would be different, but the picture came into sharper focus this week with the announcement that the Agricultural Fair has been canceled.
Vineyard Trust Cancels Summer Events
The Taste of the Vineyard Gourmet Stroll and Patron’s Party and Auction in June and the Generations Picnic in July have been called off this year.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: April 17
The police were in my neighborhood last week investigating the deaths of three turkeys.
Edgartown Town Column: April 17
I am sitting here listening to the wind whip through the trees.
Aquinnah Town Column: April 17
There have been gray days and rain around Aquinnah with a couple of sunny days and temperatures in the 50s.
Chappy Town Column: April 17
It is another blustery, rainy day here on Chappy.
More Arrivals
Thirty or more years ago snowy egrets were more abundant than great egrets, but things change in nature over time.
Nature Lives Large
Monday’s nearly perfect spring day had folks out puttering in their yards.
More Than Muscle
American Chef and restaurateur Tom Colicchio shared this bit of food wisdom.
Asparagus, Ready or Not
I always jump the gun — never been good at sitting still for long.
Night Watchman
From the April 20, 1945 editions of the Vineyard Gazette:
Vineyarders Go Virtual With John Prine Tribute Concert
Chrysal Parrot has organized a virtual concert on Monday, April 20 to pay tribute to John Prine who died on April 7.
Vineyard SSA Governor Pledges Speedy Repairs to Oak Bluffs Ferry Terminal
Pledging a “quick fix,” James Malkin told the county commission that mistakes were made over the Oak Bluffs ferry terminal.
Gift Certificates Boost Businesses
Discounted gift certificates are now available to help Island businesses get through the Covid-19 pandemic.
Agricultural Society Cancels the Fair
The 159th Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society Livestock Show and Fair will be canceled this summer, the society announced on its Facebook page.
Prine Concert Postponed
The John Prine virtual tribute concert by Martha’s Vineyard musicians, originally scheduled for Friday, has been moved to April 20.
New Date for West Tisbury Annual
June 23 is the tentative new annual meeting date, and June 25 is the tentative new date for the annual town election.
Throughout History, Islanders Stand Strong Together
When I went to the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital for a blood test for my annual physical, I was met with a locked front door and two tents adjacent to the emergency room.
Lunch Ladies Continue to Devour the Competition
Team Lunch Ladies, a trio of Martha’s Vineyard cooks led by West Tisbury School chef Jenny DeVivo, are heading to the finals in The Great Food Truck Race.
With Domestic Disputes on the Rise, Police, Advocates Work to Foster Awareness
Stay-at-home orders now in effect Islandwide are posing are new risks for people stuck at home with a physically or emotionally abusive partner.
Up-Island, Down-Island Split Over When Construction Can Resume
A tense conference call between Island town leaders and the head of the hospital over relaxing the construction ban split the Island along geographic lines.
Free Seeds Friday
The Martha’s Vineyard Community Seed Library has a seed giveaway outside the West Tisbury library April 17.
Field Grant Awarded
The Field Fund has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Soccer Foundation to buy parts for an irrigation upgrade at the West Tisbury School field.
Airport Lands Federal Grant, Offers Rent Relief to Business Park Tenants
The Martha’s Vineyard Airport is getting a small share of about $10 billion in grants distributed by the Federal Aviation Administration as part of the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act.
Gallery Goes Online
Featherstone Center for the Arts has posted its latest group show, Here Comes the Sun, with works by 78 Island artists taking the color yellow as their theme.
All Towns Extend Property Tax Deadlines
Property tax filing deadlines have been extended to June 1 in all six Island towns.
Main Stage to Outdoor Amphitheater, Summer Season Goes Dark
With this summer’s season canceled at the Vineyard Playhouse, the Island loses more than a series of evenings at the theatre.
Beginning Guitar Classes
A free, five-week series of beginning guitar classes with instructor Andy Herr starts April 18 online.
Tisbury Annual Postponed
Tisbury selectmen voted Tuesday to postpone, for a second time, the annual town meeting, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Towns Mull Guidelines Aimed at Allowing Limited Construction to Resume; Hospital Objects
Three Island towns were presented with a plan Tuesday to take steps to get some construction workers back on the job, but there were mixed reviews, and all paused after hearing strong objection from Martha’s Vineyard Hospital president and chief executive officer Denise Schepici.
When Nature Takes Center Stage
The autumn here arrives late and glows well into November.
No Increase in Covid-19 Cases for Ninth Straight Day
The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 remained unchanged on Martha’s Vineyard on Thursday, even as the statewide numbers continued to surge.
Emergency Child Care
The Chilmark Preschool is offering emergency exempt child care services for all eligible emergency workers, essential workers and vulnerable families, seven days a week.
Turkey Hunting Update
The Covid-19 pandemic has led to some temporary changes in state turkey hunting rules, while new regulations approved last year are now in effect.
Coronavirus Cases Stay at 12 for Sixth Day; Hospital Warns Islanders to Stay Home
Confirmed cases of Covid-19 on Martha’s Vineyard held steady at 12 for a sixth straight day Monday, but hospital leaders warned Islanders to not become complacent.
Hospital Donations Matched
Cape Cod 5 is matching donations of up to $125,000 to Cape and Islands hospitals.
Online Meditation Training
Elliot Dacher, M.D., who teaches meditation at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, has announced a cost-free weekly session.
Selectmen Lambaste SSA Over Proposal to Close Oak Bluffs Ferry Terminal
Oak Bluffs selectmen had strong words of criticism for the Steamship Authority Tuesday after learning that the boat line terminal in their town might not be ready to open in time for summer.
Rental Relief Available
A new rental relief fund aims to assist Island tenants who are suddenly unable to meet their rent payments due to Covid-19.
Hearing Is Believing: An Easter Sunday Sermon
A transcript of the Easter Sunday sermon delivered by podcast from the pastor of the Federated Church in Edgartown.
MVYouth Adds $500,000 to Coronavirus Relief Effort
Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, the Island Food Pantry, Island Grown Initiative and the YMCA of MV are among those receiving relief from the community fund.
Island Inn Provides Emergency Housing During Pandemic
The Island Inn in Oak Bluffs opened this week to provide emergency residence for Islanders who are at high risk of exposure during the pandemic and may need to be isolated from family or other household members.
A View from Ireland
I traveled from the Vineyard to Ireland on March 1, to my village of Crossmolina in County Mayo.
Nothing Is Routine About the New Routine
I have lost track of time yet I’m more scheduled. My days are full and yet there is more time for a walk.
John Prine and Me
On my walks in the woods not far from home there is another beauty fallen across my path.
Vineyard Schools Cancel April Vacation
Martha’s Vineyard public schools will forgo April vacation, and the Island school year will end on Monday, June 22, the all-Island school committee decided Friday.
Chappy Ferry Begins Running Hourly
The Chappaquiddick ferry will begin running on the hour in order to protect the captains during the pandemic.
Edgartown Extends Tax Filing Deadline
Edgartown selectmen voted Friday to extend the property tax filing deadline to June 1.
Drunk Driving Charges Follow One-Car Crash
A Vineyard Haven woman is facing drunk driving charges following a one-car crash in Oak Bluffs early Thursday morning.
Easter Brings No New Cases of Covid-19, As Total Holds at 12 for the Fifth Day
Easter Sunday marked the fifth day of no new confirmed cases of Covid-19 on Martha’s Vineyard. The Island hospital reported only three tests were still outstanding, and no one is hospitalized with the coronavirus.
MVC Approves Red Cat Kitchen Demolition, With Conditions
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission voted Thursday to approve a project to demolish and replace the old building that houses the Red Cat Kitchen in Oak Bluffs, with conditions.
West Tisbury Extends Property Tax Deadline
West Tisbury became the second Island town this week to extend the property tax filing deadline to June 1.
