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
July 17, 2020
Rev. Susan Sparks Returns to Union Chapel Series
On Sunday, July 19, Rev. Susan Sparks leads the service at Union Chapel.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: July 17
There was lots to celebrate among our postal workers.
I’m Your Venus
The brightest planet in the morning sky is Venus and it is not alone.
Hospital Reports One New Case Thursday
The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital reported a new positive Covid-19 test on Thursday — the third likely symptomatic patient to test positive in the past week.
The New Detectives: On the Case of Contact Tracing
Three months into the pandemic, contact tracing has completely changed, as case numbers rise.
New Community Services CEO Looks to Connect
More than three weeks before she starts her job as the new chief executive officer at Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, Elizabeth Folcarelli is already forging local alliances.
Vineyard Turns in Top Testing Rates in Region
Since the pandemic began, Martha’s Vineyard has tested 6,579 residents for the virus, more than any town on the Cape, including Barnstable, despite having a much smaller population.
Look! Up in the Sky; It’s Comet NEOWISE
Comet NEOWISE was visible over Vineyard skies on Wednesday night after weeks of waiting.
Oak Bluffs Adopts Mandatory Mask Rule
Following close on the heels of Edgartown, the Oak Bluffs board of health voted to adopt a mandatory mask rule for a wide swath of the downtown area Thursday.
Jessica Gianetti Weds Kristopher McCabe
Jessica Lyn Gianetti and Kristopher Patrick McCabe were married Oct. 26, 2019 in Providence R.I.
Timothy McNerney Marries Paulo Silva
Timothy McNerney and Paulo Silva were married on June 21 at sunset on Menemsha Beach in Chilmark.
Very Vineyard
I felt like a celebrity; everyone stopped for me. How weird that was.
Tick Report Gives Peace of Mind
Discovering an engorged tick on your body while taking a shower is the Vineyard version of the shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho.
Farmers’ Market Rises to the Moment
Early on in the pandemic, farmers’ markets were declared essential business. Right away, planning began for a new West Tisbury Farmers’ Market.
The Duke of Dukes County
Early this year, just before the dark ages began, I was at the Dumptique looking for a picture frame for my “clown on black velvet” masterpiece.
Traveling Through the Thickets of Memory
In a normal time, when summer arrives vacation plans roll in. But since this is not a normal time our plan this summer is to go nowhere.
West Tisbury Residents Call for Mandatory Mask Rule
West Tisbury selectmen came under pressure Wednesday from residents calling for the town to enact a mandatory face mask rule.
At the Bridge Table: July 17
The Count was one of my favorite characters on “Sesame Street.” Little did I know that another count — the bridge count of opponents’ points and distribution — would give me equal pleasure later in life. In the spring issue of the American Bridge Association Bulletin, Vince Wilmot presents a pairing and an auction: …
Johannes Arrives
Heather and Patrick Hofer, of Edgartown, announce the birth of a son, Johannes Calvin Hofer
SSA Tightens Its Policies on Face Coverings
After experiencing issues of non-compliance, the Steamship Authority said it was tightening up its own ship with regard to mask-wearing on Wednesday.
Museum Announces Vineyard Medal Winners
Grocer Steve Bernier, author Skip Finley and community chronicler Julia Germani are this year’s recipients of the Martha’s Vineyard Medal.
Tisbury Eyes Higher Rubbish Fees, Expands Outdoor Dining
Between a collapsed market for recyclables and rising expenses for collection, Tisbury is paying more than $100,000 a year to dispose of refuse — costs that are supposed to be paid for by user fees.
Hospital Is Fully Open for Business
All services have resumed at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital after nearly four months of pandemic-related closures, as phase three reopening kicks into high gear.
Hollows and Hollers
There is a very nice mimosa in bloom at the mailbox area at the head of Snake Hollow.
Chappy Town Column: July 17
The grey seal that we normally see in the cooler months is still lolling around in the harbor.
Aquinnah Town Column: July 17
The humidity has at last dissipated in Aquinnah, with the temperature in the 60s and a cool ocean breeze.
Amid Uncertainty, High School Begins Planning for Fall
With an uncertain fall ahead for public schools, Vineyard schools superintendent of schools Matthew D’Andrea announced early this week that a task force has been formed to develop a reopening plan.
Recent Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending July 10
Carol P. Kosse and David A. Kosse purchased 70 Plum Bush in West Tisbury from Roberta Leibman 2012 Family Trust and Leonard S. Leibman Trs. for $3,775,000 on July 6.
Postcard 33
Traveling down the spur lines of history can be pleasant and exciting for anybody with gumption.
Royal Phenomenon
The second royal tern of the season was found by Matt Pelikan on July 12 on Norton Point Beach.
Young Voices Send Strong Message
Children and toddlers from around the Island community gathered with their parents at Ocean Park on Tuesday evening for a kid-friendly Black Lives Matter rally.
North Atlantic Right Whales Now Red-Listed
The North Atlantic right whale has officially been red-listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature — an ominous step for a species that has long teetered on the brink of extinction.
Stay Away
It is a dangerous world out there.
Commercial Kiteboarding Comes Under Scrutiny in Edgartown
Commercial kiteboarding appears to face some choppy waters in Edgartown this summer, after selectmen received a recommendation from the town’s marine advisory committee not to renew any commercial licenses.
Kara Taylor Continues to Explore the Creativity of Change
With Reciprocity, her new show at Kara Taylor Gallery in Chilmark, the artist explores timely themes of race and ecology in a series of paintings.
Chilmark Town Column: July 17
Driving around town can be a challenge with increased vehicular traffic, trucks towing trailers, mopeds, joggers, dog walkers and bicycle riders.
Edgartown Town Column: July 17
I don’t know about other towns on the Vineyard but Edgartown has been hot and gray.
Sheriff’s Meadow One-Day Photo Project Announced
The Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation invites anyone walking one of its properties on Monday to snap and share a photo.
Case Counts Climb as Summer Crowds Swell, and Testing Keeps Pace
A recent uptick in Covid-19 case since the Fourth of July has the Vineyard on edge as high summer arrives, with nine individuals testing positive for the virus and two business closures over the past week.
Remembering Two Vineyard Matriarchs
Two Vineyard friends died recently — Betty Eddy on June 30, eight days after she turned 100, and Phronsie Conlin on July 9, the day before her 101st birthday.
Round the Island Race Set for August 1
Sailors from around New England are expected to convene for the Edgartown Yacht Club’s annual Round the Island race on August 1.
Neighborhood Is Quiet, but Oak Bluffs Arts District Stays Vibrant
Several galleries in the Oak Bluffs Arts District stayed open late on Saturday, welcoming visitors until 7 p.m. in the first arts stroll of the summer. And while the neighborhood was generally quiet, the galleries’ artwork seemed even more vibrant and essential than ever.
Two New Cases Reported Saturday for Fourth Straight Day
A recent jump in Covid-19 cases on the Vineyard continued Saturday, with Island boards of health reporting two new positive test results for the fourth day in a row.
Vineyard Men Take a Stand Against Domestic Violence for Ninth Year
Vineyard men of all ages lined the seawall in Vineyard Haven Saturday afternoon to take a stand against domestic violence in the Island’s ninth annual demonstration, marking a pandemic milestone for the community.
Airport Commission Examines Subletting in the Business Park
The Martha’s Vineyard airport commission has begun examining sub-leases in the airport business park.
Medical Marijuana Grow Facility Clears Final Approvals from State
The state Cannabis Control Commission has approved a final medical marijuana license for Patient Centric of Martha’s Vineyard, clearing the way for cultivation.
Tisbury Officer Commended After Fire Rescue
A Vineyard Haven woman and three young children are safe after a Tisbury police officer rescued them from a second-floor apartment that was on fire.
Lambert’s Cove Inn Approved for Outdoor Dining
West Tisbury selectmen gave the Lambert’s Cove Inn permission to serve food and alcohol outdoors this summer.
Bourne, Sagamore Bridge Projects Shift to State Level
State and federal leaders announced a memorandum of understanding that will shift the project to replace the Bourne and Sagamore bridges to the state level.
Two New Cases Reported Friday for Third Straight Day
For the third day in a row, Island boards of health reported two new coronavirus cases Friday — marking six new cases in the past three days and seven in the past week
Flying Horses Grounded for 2020
The Flying Horses carousel in Oak Bluffs will remain closed this season, to protect the historic carved horses from sanitizer damage.
Youth Summit Envisions a World Without Exploitation
On Wednesday, youth and teens from around the country will tune in to World Without Exploitation’s third annual Youth Summit on sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
Hearing Opens on Hob Knob Inn Expansion
A proposal to double the capacity of the boutique Hob Knob Hotel saw pushback at the Martha’s Vineyard Commission Thursday, as neighbors voiced concerns about traffic and other issues.
Drive-In Opening Night Celebrates Legacy of John Lewis
The Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival in conjunction with the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard kicked off their summer of drive-in movies Wednesday night with the showing of John Lewis: Good Trouble.
New Species of Brown Snake Discovered on Island
Wildlife specialist Gus Ben David has been looking for Dekay’s Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi) on the Vineyard since he was a boy.
Summer Debut for Winter Street Gallery
A new gallery in Edgartown is opening a window on the contemporary New York and Los Angeles art scenes.
