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
May 1, 2020
As May Arrives, No New Cases on Island; Governor Requires Face Coverings Statewide
The arrival of May was greeted with no new coronavirus cases on the Vineyard Friday. Gov. Charlie Baker instituted new statewide face-covering rules to limit the spread of the virus and local officials strengthened their messaging to seasonal residents as stay-at-home orders continue.
A Big Honey Moon
The moon will dominate our evening skies for the week ahead.
Silent Majority
What should summer on Martha’s Vineyard look like?
Gazette Adds New Saturday Newsletter
The Vineyard Gazette has relaunched its twice-weekly email newsletter as The Broadsheet. The Notebook, a popular anonymous essayist, will continue to appear in a new newsletter.
Confirmed Cases at 19 on Island; SSA Begins Requiring Face Coverings
The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital marked its third day in a row reporting a new case of Covid-19, bringing the Islandwide total to 19 positives.
Please Adopt Us: May 1
At this time, our Island animal shelter remains open for official business and by appointment only.
Oyster Fest Moves to 2021
The Martha’s Vineyard Oyster Fest, originally set to make its debut this year, has been postponed to October, 2021.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: May 1
I know it had to happen, but the saddest cancellation for me is the closing of Camp Jabberwocky for this summer.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: May 1
The nation is facing food insecurity from a broad range of directions that have been exacerbated by the impacts of the Covid-19 virus.
Edgartown Town Column: May 1
We made it through April with the rain and wind, and now we are waiting for the sun and some flowers to show their beautiful colors.
Chilmark Town Column: May 1
Happy May Day! Like many of you, I’ve been taking leisurely strolls down Memory Lane.
Chappy Town Column: May 1
The best news I have heard this week is that Tom Osborn, grader of roads and hauler of loads, is back home on Chappaquiddick.
Aquinnah Town Column: May 1
There was another beautiful sunrise on Wednesday morning after a few days of a cold steady rain.
Cape Air Requires Masks
Starting Monday, Cape Air passengers must wear masks or other face coverings from check-in to deplaning.
Always Ready to Answer When the Road Calls
In these stay-at-home days I am cleaning out my cellar and finding all sorts of interesting memorabilia from a lifetime of writing about travel.
Seeking Courage in Small Moments
I use the mug with the four leaf clovers, butter the bread made with Lost and Found Island flour, lay out the New York Times and Boston Globe near the rain soaked window.
Gratitude Is a Grandmother’s Mantra
My mantra is attitude and gratitude. Attitude for me (I’m 77 years old) is a bit of a shape shifter.
Migration at Night
We have had our share of bad weather in April.
Gloomy Weather
Too bad the weather does not respond to criticism because it’s been getting plenty of it lately.
Stem Structure
Architect César Pelli, who designed some of the world’s tallest buildings, observed: “The desire to reach for the sky runs very deep in the human psyche.”
Capawock, Strand Theatres Go Dark for the Summer
Given the current circumstances surrounding the pandemic, the Capawock and Strand theatres will go dark this summer, owner Mark Snider said Thursday.
All Hail the Incredible, Edible Perennial
Between gray skies and rainstorms, I ventured out and bought two blueberry bushes and two rhubarb plants this week.
Summer Loving
From the May 4, 1973 edition of the Vineyard Gazette by Margaret H. Freydberg:
Banks Field Fresh Flurry for Small Business Relief
With a rush of applicants overloading servers, the second round of the federal small business relief program was off to a rocky start.
Gay Head Light Comes to Public TV
Keepers of the Light, a documentary about the Gay Head Light, will be shown by American Public Television on public stations nationwide.
Early Voting Offered in Chilmark
The town of Chilmark has announced early voting by mail for its annual town meeting in June.
Hazardous Waste Collection Saturday
The Island’s first hazardous waste collection of 2020 is taking place this Saturday, with some new restrictions.
Free Lasagna for Front Liners
The Wharf in Edgartown is offering up to 40 free carry-out meals of lasagna and salad for two to hospital workers and paramedics this Saturday.
Rent Relief Program Aids Struggling Islanders
Islanders needing help with the rent during the pandemic emergency are getting some relief, thanks to a joint program begun this month.
West Tisbury Moves Town Meeting to Tabernacle
West Tisbury selectmen have set June 23 at the date for the annual town meeting, which will be held this year in the Oak Bluffs Tabernacle.
Amy Schumer, Chris Fischer Host Cable Series
Former Martha’s Vineyard restaurateur Chris Fischer and his wife, actress-comedian Amy Schumer, make their Food Network debut.
SSA Is Not Requiring Face Coverings on Board Ferries
Masks or face coverings are now required in most public places indoors and out on the Vineyard. But there is one place where they are conspicuously not required.
Hospital Reports Another New Coronavirus Case, Bringing Total to 18
Covid-19 cases continued to climb on the Island Wednesday, with the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital reporting the third positive coronavirus case in just as many days, bringing the Islandwide total to 18.
Tisbury Settles on Place for Annual Town Meeting
Barring the unforeseen, the Tisbury annual and special town meetings will take place Saturday, June 13 at 1:30 p.m., on the Tisbury school playground to provide for social distancing among voters.
Selectmen Blast Boatline, Press for Speedy Pier Repairs
In a forceful letter, the Oak Bluffs selectmen this week called on the Steamship Authority to make immediate repairs to the summer ferry terminal on the North Bluff.
Poetry Workshop Announced
Island poet KT Herr leads a free, weekly online poetry writing workshop Fridays beginning May 8.
Steamship Authority Steadies Its Financial Ship
The financially woe-begotten Steamship Authority has seen a short-term jump in traffic, general manager Bob Davis announced at the weekly board meeting Tuesday, although he said the long-term picture remains a question mark. Ferry traffic is trending upward again.
There’s No Place Like Home
My sister and I questioned whether or not to go home to the Vineyard to shelter.
Hy-Line Requires Face Coverings
Face coverings are now required aboard the Hy-Line passenger ferry service between Hyannis and the Islands.
Tisbury Requires Face Masks on Public Buses, Mulls Same for SSA
Both riders and drivers aboard Vineyard Transit Authority buses in Tisbury will be required to wear face coverings, following a vote by the town board of health Tuesday.
Hospital, Chamber Retract Message to Summer Residents
In a quick reversal, the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce and Martha’s Vineyard Hospital retracted an open letter to seasonal homeowners after seeing backlash Tuesday.
Builders, Landscapers Go Back to Work, With All Due Caution
Building and landscaping projects stuttered back into gear for the first time in more than a month, as one and two-person crews returned to work under strict guidelines.
Governor Extends Stay-at-Home Order to May 18
Hospital officials confirm the 17th case of coronavirus on Martha’s Vineyard, as Gov. Charlie Baker tells non-essential businesses to remain closed until May 18, saying it is too early to let up on restrictions.
Mental Health Counseling Needs See a Spike on Island
The need for mental health counseling has been on the rise during the pandemic, said Jennifer Vogel, program director for the Island Counseling Center at Martha’s Vineyard Community Services.
Edgartown Moves Annual Town Meeting to June
Edgartown selectmen shifted their annual town meeting and election to mid-June and announced that the Chappy Ferry would return to regular hours.
Governor Demurs on Steamship Authority Bailout
In his daily press briefing Monday, Gov. Charlie Baker was vague about whether the state would help rescue the financially struggling Steamship Authority.
Chilmark Beaches Stay Open, With Limits
Chilmark beaches will open on schedule this summer, but with new safety precautions including limited parking.
Extra Funding Helps Shelter Island Homeless
The problem of homelessness on Martha’s Vineyard is getting extra attention, and resources, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Poetry Writing Class Returns
West Tisbury poet laureate Spencer Thurlow leads another online free-write poetry class on Thursdays starting May 7.
Cheering for Camp Jabberwocky
This past week Camp Jabberwocky announced it was canceling its summer season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Habitat Postpones Mortgage Payments
Habitat for Humanity of Martha’s Vineyard is deferring homeowners’ mortgage payments and absorbing their escrow payments.
Testing Follows Strict Protocols, But Picture Remains Incomplete
The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital has tested more than 350 people for the coronavirus since the outbreak began over a month ago.
Oak Bluffs Author Wins Prestigious Fiction Prize
Jennifer Smith Turner’s recent book Child Bride was named best fiction e-book by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association.
July 4 Inkwell Speech Goes Virtual
The annual July 4 reading of a Frederick Douglass speech at Inkwell Beach in Oak Bluffs will take place online this year.
Sober House Waives Rent
Vineyard House is waiving rent for its residents during the coronavirus pandemic and seeking online donations to make up the shortfall.
SSA Funded Through July
A $12 million injection of federal funding will keep the Steamship Authority going until August 1.
Art Show Helps Island Hungry
An online art show, hosted by Louisa Gould Gallery, is raising funds for the Island Food Pantry.
Island Grown Recognized by EPA
Island Grown Initiative’s food recovery program has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
MVAAFF Skips Island in 2020
The 18th annual Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival will not take place on the Island this year.
SailMV Cancels Regatta, Sailing, Rowing
The 2020 Vineyard Cup regatta has been canceled, along with other SailMV summer programs.
Lunch Ladies Prove Second Place Is Still Mighty Tasty
In the finals of The Great Food Truck Race, the Lunch Ladies of Martha’s Vineyard were edged out by Mystikka Masala of Texas.
A Month Into State Stay-at-Home Order, 16 Covid-19 Cases Here
As a statewide stay-at-home order ended its first month, Gov. Charlie Baker said it was too soon to say when reopening could begin.
Camp Jabberwocky Cancels Summer Programs
Camp Jabberwocky is canceling its summer camp programs, executive director Liza Gallagher announced Friday morning.
Tisbury Names New Fire Chief, Disagrees on Food Trucks
Tisbury assistant fire chief Greg Leland has been tapped to replace chief John Schilling when Mr. Schilling retires at the end of June. Selectmen voted this week to offer Mr. Leland the position.
