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
August 7, 2020
Permanent Endowment Grant Deadline Nears
Sept. 15 is the application deadline for grants from the Permanent Endowment for Martha’s Vineyard.
SSA Shuffles Ferries, Schedule After Second Employee Tests Positive
Two Steamship Authority employees have now tested positive for Covid-19 in as many days — including one who worked a Vineyard route — prompting the boat line to cancel trips and make other schedule changes beginning this week, as well as institute mass testing among employees and temporarily close reservations.
Recent Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending July 31
GHT A1 LLC purchased 243 Edgartown Vineyard Haven Road in Edgartown from Sebastian M. Pattavina for $440,000 on July 27.
Steamship Extends Kids’ Art Contest
Sept. 30 is the new deadline for young artists in kindergarten through 12th grade to enter their work in the Steamship Authority’s Sail Into Imagination art contest.
Gibbous Moon and Red Planet Mars
On Sunday night the gibbous moon rises late in the evening near the red planet Mars. Both are in the zodiacal constellation Pisces.
Eyewitness to Nature’s Ebb and Flow Hangs Up His Khakis
Chris Kennedy, the gatekeeper to Wasque, is retiring from the Trustees of Reservations after being on the job since 1988.
Tradition Rules for Chilmark Road Race
About 1,550 runners will be “running together apart” in the organization’s first-ever, pandemic-friendly virtual race.
All Virtual Roads Lead to the Fair
The Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society will hold its annual August fair virtually this year in an online event the weekend of August 20.
Character Issue
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission did exactly what it was created to do.
Land Bank Revenues: Week Ending August 7
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $400,327.20 for the business week ending on Friday, July 31, 2020. The land bank receives its funds from a two per cent fee charged on many Vineyard real estate transactions. Much of the land bank revenue last week came from the town of West Tisbury, where three…
Savoring the Beauty of Summer, One Step at a Time
This walk is my single determined effort to take part in the Vineyard landscape, to tap into that beauty.
Playhouse Reprises Crumbs from the Table of Joy
The cast and director of a powerful Playhouse production from 2016 are reuniting for a virtual staged reading of the play.
Drew Dixon Goes On the Record
Drew Dixon’s Vineyard memories are rich with the kind of details a summer kid treasures all winter long.
Compassionate Care
• Compassionate Care Editors, Vineyard Gazette:
Lasting Legacy
John Lewis would want to shake everyone’s hand.
Risky Expansion
The Newport Beach, Calif. private equity firm that owns the Hob Knob Inn is trying to double the inn’s size.
Man of Kindness
In addition to all the fine qualities attributed to Richard Knight Jr. in his obituary last week, I want to add one word: Kindness.
A Wonderful Life
Martha’s Vineyard lost a true Island treasure when Stephen W. (Stevie) Rose died on Saturday.
Register to Vote!
Register to Vote! Editors, Vineyard Gazette: A year ago the League of Women Voters of Martha’s Vineyard held committee meetings to create a plan for celebrating the 100th anniversary of the enactment of the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution giving women the power of the vote. Events, speakers, parades and sashes were created. Then…
A Life Dedicated to Justice and Dignity
Earlier this week I listened to three former American Presidents eulogize John Lewis.
At the Bridge Table: August 7
The traditional opening lead against a NoTrump contract is fourth from the top card in leader’s longest suit. Subtract that number from 11 to establish the number of higher cards in the other three hands.
Margot Datz Hosts Annual Art Show
Island artist Margot Datz, renowned for her murals and fanciful paintings, hosts her annual one-day show and sale at Grange Hall on Saturday.
Gallery Show Helps Island Causes
The Winter Street Gallery in Edgartown has a new online/in-store exhibition with work by many Island artists, with partial proceeds to benefit local causes.
African Monarch to Join Oak Bluffs Library Event
His Majesty Tatabong Alexandre of the Lenale Ndem chiefdom in Cameroon is the special guest for the library’s virtual Sankofa festival Friday.
Redesigns for a New Tisbury School Take Shape
A redesigned, expanded Tisbury School is taking shape on the desktops of Boston-based Tappé Architects; conceptual designs will be shared with the public beginning next week in a monthlong series.
Fourth Case in a Single Week Reported Thursday
The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital reported its 40th positive Covid-19 test on Thursday, as case numbers continue to steadily climb on the Island.
Paper Lanterns and Peace Cranes
In May 2018, I saw a documentary called Paper Lanterns. It tells the story of Shigeaki Mori’s research to identify 12 American soldiers who had died when the first atomic bomb devastated Hiroshima.
Please Adopt Us
Everyone needs something good for the soul.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: August 7
For a year full of bumps and errors I must say I had the best birthday of my life.
Tropical Storm Causes Severe Erosion, Temporarily Closing Chappy Beaches
Norton Point and Wasque Reservation beaches have been temporarily closed after tropical storm Isaias swept past the Vineyard Tuesday.
Aquinnah Town Column: August 7
Thankfully, tropical storm Isaias merely made a brief visit to Aquinnah on Tuesday afternoon.
Salt and Wind
Hurricane Bob is etched in my memory.
Holding Hands With History
When award-winning author Erik Larson sets out to write historical nonfiction, he allows the characters to be his guide.
Untamable Gallery Embraces Wildness of the Creative Spirit
The walls of Lucy Dahl’s new Edgartown art gallery are lined with photographs she has taken over the years, many created under the tutelage of Island photographer Alison Shaw.
A Clever Ruse
The blue mud dauber wasp is a striking, metallic blue insect.
Katama Neighbors Raise Fresh Complaints Over Compost Site
A longstanding grievance by abutters over the use of a Katama property leased by Donaroma’s Nursery simmered over into the Edgartown selectmen’s meeting Monday.
Hospital Cuts Administrative Staff
The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital announced Tuesday that it had cut 11 administrative staff positions in an effort to save costs due to financial challenges presented by the pandemic.
Chilmark Town Column: August 8
This is the week we would have had the opportunity to enjoy the sixth-annual Meet the Fleet.
After the Storm
We are forecast to experience tropical storm Isaias sometime from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning.
Chappy Town Column: August 7
Keep doing your rain dances, all.
Edgartown Town Column: August 7
Members of the League of Women Voters of Martha’s Vineyard are focused registering 100 per cent of the eligible voters on Island.
From Sibling Skirmishes to Pandemic Pals
Back in early March, my two boys, Owen and Rye, were doing the typical sibling stuff. You know, sharing backseat snacks and squabbling over whose turn it was to set the table.
Salutations John
Elisana Da Fonseca Belussi and Gwann Belussi Da Silva, of Vineyard Haven, announce the birth of a son, John Da Fonseca Belussi.
Edgartown Library Expands Pick-Up Hours
The Edgartown Library now offers contactless pick-up six days a week from noon to 4 p.m.
Man Airlifted to Boston With Injuries After Jumping from Little Bridge in Oak Bluffs
A 20-year-old male was airlifted to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston with serious injuries Monday after from the Little Bridge in Oak Bluffs, town fire chief Martin Greene confirmed.
At Post Offices This Summer, It’s Hurry Up and Wait
Long lines and a backlog of packages have been the main story at Island post offices this summer, as postal workers scramble to keep up with unprecedented demand.
One New Case Reported Monday; Numbers Creep Up Around the Region
The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital reported one new positive Covid-19 case Monday as the Vineyard entered the month of August. Cases are creeping upward regionally.
Lark Wins Round the Island Race
Former Secretary of State John Kerry aboard Lark took home the Verona trophy for the best overall corrected time in the spinnaker division of the Edgartown Yacht Club’s Round the Island race.
Goodbye Vietnam
On August 2, 1970, I boarded a Pan American passenger jet with over 100 other combat troops. We were waiting for takeoff from Danang airbase, Vietnam.
Isaias Brushes Past Island, Bringing Gusty Winds, Rough Seas, Rainbow
Tropical storm Isaias blew through the Vineyard late Tuesday, bringing gusty winds choppy seas and some ferry cancellations. By early evening the storm was on a fast track to northern New England.
Housing Assistance Application Posted
A single application allows year-round Island and Cape Cod residents to seek rental and mortgage assistance from multiple funding programs.
Brown Shark Tagging on the Vineyard Aids National Research Efforts
A small group of Vineyard fishermen are participating in a brown shark tagging operation as part of a longstanding national study.
Four Rescued After Boat Sinks West of Cuttyhunk
A family of four was safely rescued from their boat near Sow and Pigs reef west of Cuttyhunk on Sunday afternoon, after a Mayday call signaled the boat was sinking, the Coast Guard said.
Hello Leonardo
Nina Ferry and Matthew Montanile, of West Tisbury, announce the birth of a son, Leonardo Dale Montanile.
Sebastian Arrives
Alexandra and Jonathan Carrier, of Vineyard Haven, announce the birth of a son, Sebastian Jay Carrier.
Greetings Treyden
Kayla and Joey Fournier, of West Tisbury, announce the birth of a son, Treyden Walter Fournier.
Welcome Crystal
Maria Wiliane dos Santos and Johnatan Silva, of Edgartown, announce the birth of a daughter, Crystal dos Santos A. Silva.
Round the Island Race Sets Sail in Ideal Conditions
It was near perfect weather Saturday morning as 46 boats in seven different groups set off for the 2020 Round the Island race.
Selectmen Gripe About Dinghies at Owen Park Beach
Tisbury select board member James Rogers has taken aim at the proliferation of dinghies on the beach at Owen Park.
Strict Out-of-State Travel Order Begins Saturday
An out-of-state travel order from Gov. Charlie Baker requires visitors from most of the country to fill out a Massachusetts Travel Form before travel and quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.
Draft Reopening Plan Unveiled for Island Public Schools
Martha’s Vineyard school leaders finally offered a first look at a reopening plan for the fall semester on Thursday.
Author Series Opens to Virtual Acclaim
On Thursday evening, Sarah Broom addressed a crowd of 558 virtual participants to discuss her memoir The Yellow House at the opening event to this summer’s Martha’s Vineyard Author Series.
Museum Medals Honor Vineyarders Who Give Back
This year’s recipients of the Martha’s Vineyard Museum medals are Skip Finley, Juliana Germani and Steve Bernier. They were presented with their medals at a ceremony earlier this week.
Coast Guard Officer Earns Promotion, Top Rank
Coast Guard first class petty officer Nathan Dlabaj was promoted to the rank of chief in a ceremony Friday morning.
SSA Audit Shows Financial House In Order
The annual financial audit for the Steamship Authority turned up no irregularities and showed the boat line has been on solid financial footing.
Not Afraid to Go to the Dark Places
Liz Garbus has made a career of telling true stories. And the world has listened. Her roster of awards and distinctions includes multiple Emmy and Peabody awards and Oscar nominations since the late 1990s.
Housing Trust Wastewater Project Funded
The Island Housing Trust will receive $250,000 in state funding for a planned 20-unit affordable development in Tisbury.
Commission Denies Meeting House Way Subdivision, 10-4
In a historic 10-4 decision the Martha’s Vineyard Commission voted Thursday night to deny the Meeting House Place subdivision.
