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
May 22, 2020
Venus, Mercury and Crescent Moon
For those looking in the western sky tonight, two planets are side by side.
Pandemic Strands Foreign Workers, Amid Mounting Summer Worries
Travel delays and bureaucratic obstacles caused by the coronavirus are disrupting the influx of seasonal workers who typically begin arriving on the Island around now.
Downtown Business Leader Looks to Build Community Voice
Second-generation entrepreneur Julia Tarka has worked her way from summer jobs in Edgartown shops and restaurants to running three family establishments of her own.
Two Health Agents, One Pandemic, Lots of Sleepless Nights
Tisbury health agent Maura Valley, Edgartown health agent Matt Poole and their colleagues in Oak Bluffs, Chilmark and West Tisbury are working around the clock.
Bethany Hammond
Bethany Hammond is the outreach coordinator for the Up-Island Council on Aging.
Wandering Warblers
The middle of May has come and gone and migration is at or near its peak.
High Spring
We are right in the middle of high spring. All the plants and trees are looking their very best.
Boring Sponge
Even during a pandemic, there is no reason to be bored.
Farm Stands Adapt to New Paradigm
I’m determined to grow more food this year.
Loss of Routine, and the Natives Are Restless
Every evening, on the hill outside my little cabin in West Tisbury, a stupendous spectacle takes place.
Put Down the Swords
The surprising personal criticisms of Jim Malkin, the Vineyard’s recently appointed SSA governor and chairman of the board, by three of the four other governors, do not bode well for righting the listing SSA ship.
Quest for Information
We have owned a house in Vineyard Haven since 2005, we live in a small town in upstate New York similar to MV.
Wandering Wisteria
From the May 24, 1963 edition of the Vineyard Gazette by Joseph Chase Allen:
Vineyard Haven Town Column: May 22
I think with more people showing up to shelter on-Island the turkeys must have more restaurants to stop at.
Edgartown Town Column: May 22
Spring is here. The trees are leafing out, the cherry trees are blooming and the temperature is cooperating.
Chilmark Town Column: May 22
When I stopped at my in-laws, Emmett leaned out the door and handed Kathie a bag and she passed it to me.
Chappy Town Column: May 22
With the assistance of a gigantic crane (by Chappy standards, anyway) the ferry ramp on the Edgartown side was been successfully installed and after some adjustments is functioning well.
Aquinnah Town Column: May 22
Spring weather has arrived at last.
Coronavirus Testing Project Ramps Up on the Vineyard
Quest Diagnostics, Island Health Care, the six Vineyard boards of health and a bevy of volunteers are working tirelessly to put the Vineyard testing project in motion.
Muted but No Less Heartfelt, Memorial Day Festivities Go On
American flags dot the landscape at all the cemeteries around the Island. But Memorial Day festivities will change this year.
Air Traffic Drops Dramatically; JetBlue Delays Summer Service
Some of the Martha’s Vineyard Airport’s largest commercial carriers are now delaying or curtailing their summer service to the Island.
Island Youth Summit Tackles Climate Change
Students, educators and Mass Audubon staff hold their Youth Climate Summit online next week. The event is open to Island students in 5th-12th grade.
Nantucket SSA Employee Tests Positive for Coronavirus
An employee who works at the Nantucket Steamship Authority terminal has tested positive for Covid-19, according to a press release that went out late Tuesday night.
Hospital Leaders Announce Gradual Reopening of Medical Facility
With Covid-19 cases on the Island holding firm, leaders at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital announced their own first steps for reopening the facility at a press briefing Wednesday.
Virtual Brunch Benefits Island Housing Trust
Bob Vila will host the online fund-raiser June 1, according to an announcement from the affordable housing nonprofit.
New Hearing Set for Meeting House Subdivision
Four redesigns later, the slightly-altered 54-acre Meeting House Place subdivision plan is set go before the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.
Tisbury Names New Fire Chief
Tisbury selectmen appointed a new fire chief Tuesday with none of the formality that is customary when the town names a top public safety official. Greg Leland takes the job July 1.
Towns Slash Budgets, Give Up Pay Raises, as Belt Tightening Begins
Faced with the prospect of declining revenues and tax shortfalls, Island towns are putting long-term capital projects on hold and giving up salary increases nearly across the board.
SSA Traffic Keeps Climbing, Deficit Looms
Traffic is climbing and so are revenues, but as Memorial Day approaches the Steamship Authority is still projecting a massive year-end deficit.
Business Community Calls for All-Island Action
As a truncated summer season looms, more than a dozen Vineyard business owners have issued an open letter calling for a public summit meeting with the all-Island selectmen and boards of health.
High School Committee Eyes $1 Million in Budget Cuts
The regional high school district committee voted Monday to cut at least $1 million from the 2021 budget, although where the cuts will come from is yet to be determined.
Chamber Music Season Cancelled
The Martha’s Vineyard Chamber Music Society has cancelled its 2020 summer concert series, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Artisans Festival Goes Virtual
The Vineyard Artisans Memorial Day Virtual Show takes place this weekend.
Roots in Radio Blossom Later in Life
Says You!, the weekly comedy quiz show on National Public Radio, entered its 25th year on the air this spring.
Governor Outlines Slow-Motion Approach for State Reopening
Island restaurant and hotel owners reacted with frustration Monday after Gov. Charlie Baker announced his ultra-slow reopening plan for the commonwealth.
Edgartown Officer, Tween Build Special Bond
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod and the Islands is celebrating the anniversary of an Edgartown police officer and his Little Brother.
No New Cases Sunday; Governor Baker Expected to Roll Out State Reopening Plan Monday
The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and Island boards of health reported no new coronavirus cases Sunday. On Monday Gov. Charlie Baker is expected to announce the much-anticipated details of a four-phase reopening plan for the commonwealth.
One New Case Saturday; Hospital Recognizes Employees
The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and Island boards of health reported one new confirmed coronavirus case on the Vineyard Saturday.
Great Oyster Giveaway Attracts Throngs
Hundreds turned out Saturday morning for the free oyster giveaway at the Agricultural Society fairgrounds.
Community Block Grants Set to Funnel Coronavirus Aid to Island Towns
Island towns are set to apply for approximately $1 million in federal pandemic relief funds to help with rental assistance, forgivable small business loans and homelessness prevention.
Conch Vessel Ousted From Menemsha Harbor After Grounding Incident
The fishing vessel Miss Jenna and her captain have had their docking privileges revoked in Menemsha harbor following the grounding of the vessel Thursday night off Lobsterville Beach in an apparent alcohol-related incident.
Sgt. Matthew Gebo Is Officer of the Year
The West Tisbury police department has named Sgt. Matthew Gebo as the 2019 police officer of the year.
One New Case Friday; Boards of Health Release More Demographics
The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital reported one new case of Covid-19 on the Island Friday, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases to 26 positive tests and four antibody tests.
Delivery Truck Driver Hits the Ditch After Brakes Fail
A delivery truck headed down-Island on State Road in Vineyard Haven crashed and went into a ditch when the brakes failed just before noon on Friday, spilling water bottles and Pepsi products into bordering woods.
Casual Conversation in the Yard Led to Innovative Partnership
Three weeks ago, Steve Rusckowski, CEO of Quest Diagnostics had an idea. He shared it with his longtime landscaper and friend Michael Donaroma.
