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 15, 2020
Sputtering Comets
The skies this spring have been full of the mystery of fast moving comets.
Land Bank Revenues: Week Ending May 15
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $130,031 for the business week ending on Friday, May 15, 2020.
Under New Partnership, Comprehensive Testing Set to Begin at End of May
Island health officials have announced a unique, public-private partnership with Quest Diagnostics to make coronavirus testing available for all Vineyard residents.
Gazette Survey Sees Huge Response; Health Worries, Confusion Top Concerns
A Vineyard Gazette survey about the upcoming summer on Martha’s Vineyard tapped a torrent of health worries and confusion.
One New Case Thursday; State Revises Testing Criteria
The Vineyard reported one new positive coronavirus case on Thursday, bringing the Island’s total caseload to just shy of 30, nearly two months into the outbreak.
A Simple Message
There is one strong takeaway from the Gazette’s recent survey on summer plans: people want guidance.
No Spring Sports Leaves Big Hole to Fill for Seniors
Canceling the spring sports season was a blow to many — players, coaches, fans — but no one felt the sting more than the senior athletes.
Elda Berlin
Elda Berlin is a first grader at the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School. “I’m a little bit older than six and three quarters,” she says.
Steve Edwards
Steve Edwards has worked as a bus driver for the Vineyard Transit Authority for eight years.
Dreaming About the Old Days
“Dad, tell me about the old days, when life was normal and we could go out and do things, like play with friends and drive off-Island for adventures.”
New Arrivals
This year’s northward migration is peaking now, but it continues to be about the return of our nesting birds rather than migrants moving through as they head to their more distant nesting grounds.
Purple Power
Purple has always been my favorite color. I don’t need to wait until I am old to wear it.
Rhubard Ruminations
Because it has been oddly chilly for April and May, the spring ornamental bushes and trees are behaving the way they did decades ago.
In the Beginning
From the May 10, 1946 edition of the Vineyard Gazette by Elizabeth Bowie Hough:
Vineyard Haven Town Column: May 15
There is so much time to sit on my back deck and watch spring unfold.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: May 15
Continuing with the book recommendations from last week, let me draw your attention to Oak Bluffs writer and poet Jennifer Smith Turner.
Edgartown Town Column: May 15
We have had some beautiful weather.
Chilmark Town Column: May 15
What’s that saying, “April showers bring May flowers?”
Chappy Town Column: May 15
The grass is beginning to grow, the shad is blooming, the daylight hours are stretching.
Summer Rules for Beaches Down-Island Still Unsettled
As summer approaches, one of the big questions surrounding the Island also happens to surround it literally — the beaches.
Grand Oyster Giveaway Saturday
Thousands of fresh oysters will be distributed to Island families and school children this weekend, thanks to an anonymous benefactor who donated funds to help Island oyster farmers.
Green Room Rides Wave of Cautious Optimism
The Green Room — the Main street Vineyard Haven store that’s become something of an Island institution — is adapting to the new normal.
Pulitzer Prize Winning Opera Resonates With Historical Truth Telling
Pianist and composer Anthony Davis, who grew up summering at his grandparents’ home in Oak Bluffs, has won the Pulitzer Prize for his opera The Central Park Five.
Aquinnah Tightens Parking Rules for Town Beaches This Summer
Aquinnah beaches will be open this summer, but parking will be strictly limited, and town leaders are considering additional rules.
Tisbury Selectmen Ponder Fate of Downtown Tennis Courts
The fate of the public tennis courts off Church street in downtown Vineyard Haven remains undecided, after selectmen agreed Tuesday to ask the town historic commission and open space committee for ideas about what to do with them.
High School Graduation Eyes Move to Fairgrounds
The class of 2020 will graduate at the Agricultural Society fairgrounds this summer, pending approvals from health authorities.
Two New Cases Are Reported; Island Boards of Health Change Methods for Counting
Martha’s Vineyard boards of health reported one new positive coronavirus test and one new positive antibody test among Island residents on Wednesday, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases on-Island to 28.
Built on Stilts Cancels Summer Dance Festival
Built on Stilts, the long-running public dance festival held in August every year at the Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs, will be canceled this year.
Reminder for Dog Walkers
The Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation is reminding trail walkers to keep their dogs leashed as an important safety matter during the pandemic.
Woods Hole Terminal Reopens After Cleaning
The Woods Hole ferry terminal is open again after it was closed overnight for cleaning and disinfecting.
Parade of Thanks for Front Line Workers Stirs Joy
The sound of blaring sirens and horns echoed from Edgartown to Vineyard Haven Tuesday afternoon as a long line of police, fire and rescue vehicles wound through the mostly empty streets. But this was no emergency — it was parade to pay tribute to workers on the front lines of the pandemic.
Summer Book Sale Canceled
The 61st annual West Tisbury Library book sale has been canceled. Sheds at the West Tisbury School are still available for donations
Essay Winners Announced
Leah Cimeno, Charlotte Cramer and Holden Graczykowski are winners of the Edgartown Board of Trade’s annual Mother’s Day essay contest.
Bid Approved for Partial Repairs to Oak Bluffs Ferry Pier
Expedited repairs to the Oak Bluffs ferry pier will begin soon, after Steamship Authority governors approved a $267,000 bid Tuesday for the work, with a June 22 completion date.
Vineyard SSA Governor Blasted by Board Members
Vineyard Steamship Authority governor and freshman board member James Malkin came under harsh criticism from his fellow governors Tuesday.
Windemere Will Undergo Comprehensive Testing for Covid-19
Comprehensive coronavirus testing will take place soon for staff and residents at the Windemere nursing home facility, hospital leaders said Tuesday.
A Timely Tale for Sheltering in Place
While its signature program was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Martha’s Vineyard Film festival is now streaming its opening-night documentary, Spaceship Earth online.
Antibody Tests Up Case Count on the Vineyard; Governor Outlines Reopening
Martha’s Vineyard boards of health reported their third positive antibody test on Monday, bringing the positive Covid-19 case total on Island to 26. Meanwhile, Gov. Charlie Baker presented the bare bones of a reopening plan as cases continued to trend downward statewide.
Edgartown Cancels Fourth of July Parade
The Edgartown Fourth of July parade — one of the Island’s premier summer events — has been canceled, the last in a long line of signature festivities to be cut from the summer calendar.
Police Organize Parade for Front Line Workers
As a gesture to honor medical professionals and grocery store workers on the front lines of the pandemic, Island police, fire and others plan to stage a parade from Edgartown to Vineyard Haven .
In a Time to Be Old
A side by side stroll is a ghost of the past.
SSA Due to Open Bids for Oak Bluffs Pier Work Tuesday
Steamship Authority governors are expected to open bids and award a contract for repairs to the Oak Bluffs pier when they meet Tuesday. Finances are also on the agenda.
Rain, Cold, Repeat: Spring Weather Has Been a Nonstarter
This has been one of the coldest and rainiest springs in recent memory in the Northeast. Now forecasters say get ready for an active hurricane season.
Using 3-D Printers to Help Keep Pandemic at Bay
Islanders with 3-D printers have been manufacturing frames for face shields to protect wearers from infection.
One New Coronavirus Case Reported on the Vineyard Sunday, Bringing Total to 25
The Island boards of health reported one new confirmed coronavirus case Sunday, bringing the Vineyard total to 25. As with the last confirmed case, the new case, a female in her 40s, had an antibody test that came back positive.
No New Confirmed Cases Reported on the Vineyard Saturday
Confirmed cases of Covid-19 stayed at 24 Saturday, with no new cases reported for a second straight day. Statewide, there were positive trends as new cases dropped slightly.
Vineyard Trust Launches Landmarks Campaign
The Vineyard Trust’s new 20 Landmarks in 2020 campaign seeks to replace the funds that would have been raised at its summer events.
Eclectic Beatles Show Ends 12-Year Run on WMVY
Since 2008, Ray Whitaker has hosted a weekly Beatles program on WMVY called Just Four Guys. On Saturday, May 9, his final episode airs at 9 p.m.
Transfer Bridge Mishap Briefly Disrupts Ferry Service
The ferry Martha’s Vineyard was running again Saturday afternoon after becoming stuck in her slip in Vineyard Haven in the early morning when a transfer bridge cable failed.
Confirmed Coronavirus Cases Stay at 24 on the Vineyard
No new coronavirus cases were reported on the Vineyard Friday, leaving the number of positive test results at 24 on the Island. Statewide, there were 1,612 new cases.
Markey, Warren, Keating Seek Federal Aid for Steamship Authority
With the financially strapped Steamship Authority in mind, the Massachusetts Congressional delegation is requesting $3 billion in aid to keep the country’s ferry industry afloat. A letter was sent to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and senate leaders Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer May 7.
Virtual Home Tours Begin for Real Estate Brokers
Real estate brokers and prospective buyers will be able to take live, interactive tours of Martha’s Vineyard homes on Zoom starting Tuesday.
IGI Launches Food Recovery Challenge
A six-week, interactive social media campaign begins next week designed to encourage Vineyard households to limit the amount of food they throw away.
Online Learning Goes On
Martha’s Vineyard public schools will continue with remote learning plans through the end of the school year.
Travels With Walter
What have I done? I’m sitting at my desk, looking at a furiously flapping pigeon that I didn’t think would live through the night.
Ship Surveys Island Waters for Wind Farm
The 151-foot vessel GO Liberty is conducting a geophysical survey of waters east and south of Martha’s Vineyard for Mayflower Wind.
