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
September 4, 2020
Moon and Mars
Tomorrow night offers a real treat. The brilliant red planet Mars will appear close to the gibbous moon.
Schooner Shenandoah Set to Sail Under New Captains
Fifty-six years after sailing into the Vineyard Haven harbor for the first time, Shenandoah — the one-of-a-kind, square-rigged topsail schooner — is going to have new owners. Capt Robert Douglas will donate the vessel.
For Main Street Businesses it Was the Summer of Survival
Despite a lost spring and an unprecedented shutdown that forced closures long into the summer, most main street businesses said July and August allowed them to catch up.
Recent Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending August 28
Jonathan Jang Moore and Melissa Moore purchased 19 Robins Nest Road in Edgartown from Carl D. Folta and Molly Lemeris for $822,500 on August 24.
Labor Day 2020
Night comes earlier now, preceded by sunsets that startle the sky with streaks of salmon and violet.
Forever Wild
With real estate prices soaring on the Island, news that two key Vineyard conservation groups have acquired more than 300 acres of rare, unspoiled waterfront property in Aquinnah for public use is especially momentous.
At the Bridge Table: Sept. 4
Here’s a bidding guide for deciding whether to double an opponent’s contract. It’s called the Rule of Nine. It works as follows. Start with the number of cards you hold in opponent’s suit. Add any honors you hold in the suit. Finally, add the level of the contract. If the total is nine or higher, double…
The Tragic Echo of John Hersey’s Hiroshima
The extent of the devastating human toll caused by the bombing of Hiroshima 75 years ago might not have been revealed but for a breakthrough piece of journalism by a Vineyard summer resident.
Saying Goodbye to Angels Among Us
It is difficult not to be depressed at the recent great loss of life in our community.
A Story of Presidential Proportions
U.S. Presidents. Martha’s Vineyard. There’s quite a story here.
Grief and Survival Sit Side by Side
Here is what I have learned about grief after having to cope with it for 11 years.
When Captain Video Calls, You Will Answer
In 1950, six million homes in America had television sets. That included our family, living in a smoky steel town on the Ohio River.
Summer Vacant On
No Fireworks, no Fair, no Illumination. No house too full with each generation.
So Long Summer
From the September 8, 1939 edition of the Vineyard Gazette:
Understanding Racism
My parents brought us up with exhortations to give back and leave the world better than you found it.
Done Wrong
This morning there were surveyors with plans for the Beach Road shared use path that is going in at a cost of over $10 million and after years of contention and with a very unhappy result.
New Vineyarders
During this time of pandemic, the Island has become a new permanent home to many people seeking a safe haven for their loved ones and themselves.
International Film Festival Returns
The Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival returns Tuesday through Sunday, with 12 feature films from as many countries.
Pandemic Walks Lead Jeanne Staples in New Creative Direction
The Granary Gallery in West Tisbury is showing new and recent work by American Realist painter and longtime Martha’s Vineyard resident Jeanne Staples.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Sept. 4
Concerned people gathered at Five Corners Sunday, August 30, to bring attention to Black Lives Matter.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: Sept. 4
Walking into The Mariposa Gallery at 57 Circuit Avenue is a wonderful experience.
Chilmark Town Column: Sept. 4
hey may only call Menemsha home for a couple of years, but the young folks stationed here with the Coast Guard make a conscious effort to become members of the community.
Chappy Town Column: Sept. 4
Most mornings I am up early, often just as the sun begins to rise.
Aquinnah Town Column: Sept. 4
Autumnal temperatures have arrived in Aquinnah and none too soon.
Hungry for the Next Chapter, Dawn Davis Is Ready to Lead Bon Appetit
When publishing powerhouse Condé Nast announced on August 27 that Dawn Davis would be the new editor of Bon Appétit magazine, the veteran book publisher was at home on East Chop.
Land Bank Revenues: Week ending August 28
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $394,521 for the business week ending on Friday, August 28, 2020.
Finding Poetic Power in Early Travelers
Fan Ogilvie, former poet laureate of West Tisbury, is getting ready to publish her latest collection of poems, entitled The Berth.
Beaches Closed to Swimming as Portuguese Man O’ War Wash Up
Beaches along the south shore of the Island were closed to swimming as of early Thursday morning, as unusually large waves of the creatures continued to wash up.
Sheriff’s Meadow, Land Bank Will Buy Kennedy Family’s Red Gate Farm
The two conservation organizations announced Thursday that they will buy 304 acres of undeveloped land at the rare oceanfront estate in Aquinnah owned by the family of Caroline B. Kennedy.
Up-Island Schools Approve Reopening Plan, With Amendments
The up-Island school committee voted Tuesday to approve the public school re-opening plan currently on the table, with two district-specific amendments.
Seasonal Shift
Although Caspian terns often show up in late September and October, their southward migration from Canada to Mexico along the Atlantic Coast is now peaking.
Seeing Red
If, as Bill Blass suggested, red is the ultimate cure for sadness, then it is time to say so long to your sorrows.
Let it Rain
I was happy last week at the possibility of a rainy Saturday.
Sarah Gianni to Wed Nicholas Toscano
Nicholas J. Toscano, nephew of Louis R. Toscano, proposed to Sarah M. Gianni on the rocks at Menemsha Beach.
Welcome Josephine
Indaia Whitcombe and Sebastian Hiatt, of Chilmark, announce the birth of a daughter, Josephine Rae Whitcombe.
Greetings Maverick
Heather and Jeff Majkowski, of West Tisbury, of Vineyard Haven, announce the birth of a son, Maverick Thomas Majkowski.
Hello George
Kathren Noel Hogan and Charles John Metros, of Aquinnah, announce the birth of a son, George Riley Metros.
Please Adopt Us: Sept. 4
Bumpy is looking for his forever home.
Edgartown Cinemas Open with Tenet, Jaws
Closed since March, the duplex on Main street will reopen with the new spy film Tenet, directed by Christopher Nolan.
Dangerous Jellyfish Come Ashore in Large Numbers at Squibnocket
Large swarms of Portuguese man o’ war jellyfish, a highly dangerous variety, have been discovered on the south shore of Chilmark this week, raising concerns over swimming safety.
Tisbury Firefighters Quickly Quell Blaze at Rocco’s Pizza
A minor fire at Rocco’s Pizzeria in the Tisbury Marketplace Tuesday did no damage to the building, Tisbury fire chef Greg Leland told the Gazette Wednesday morning.
Vineyard Voters Back Markey, O’Connor in Senate Primary Race
In an unusual state primary Tuesday, Martha’s Vineyard voters strong backed Democratic incumbent Sen. Edward Markey and Republican attorney Kevin O’Connor over their challengers.
Federal Grant Aids Airport Master Plan
The Martha’s Vineyard Airport will receive $366,016 in grant money from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Tisbury Waterways Announces Awards
Tisbury Waterways, Inc., has announced more than $6,500 in awards for water quality programs and education.
Slow Day at the Polls for State Primary Election Tuesday
A slow dribble of Island voters — readied with masks, hand sanitizer and yoga mats — headed to the polls Tuesday for the state primary election, with tight races for the junior senate seat topping both sides of the ballot. Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. at stations across the Island.
Finding Comfort at the Window’s Edge
As I work at home during the pandemic I’ve become attuned to the rhythm of the neighborhood.
Third SSA Employee Tests Positive in Runup to Labor Day Weekend
A third Steamship Authority employee in the past four days has tested positive for Covid-19, causing reverberations throughout the entire ferry service.
Harbor Homes Celebrates House Opening
On Monday, Harbor Homes of Martha’s Vineyard dedicated their newly opened, six-bedroom home for low income residents.
Beach Road Reconstruction Work Set to Begin Sept. 8
The long-planned reconstruction of a half-mile stretch of Beach Road in Vineyard Haven is scheduled to begin Sept. 8, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation has announced.
Traffic Is Down at Usual Summer Hotspots
New data from traffic counters across the Island shows a notable decline in vehicle activity on the Vineyard this summer — except at the beach.
Back on the Road Again at the Chappy Point to Point Race
Fifteen-year-old Jack Lionette took home the gold in the second annual Chappaquiddick Point to Point race Sunday, finishing in 29:34.7.
Family and Friends Pay Tribute to Life of Bob Dutton in His Own Words
On Friday, the day after Bob Dutton died, friends and family celebrated him with a virtual live reading of his three-act play, The Ivory Door.
Reopening Plan for Public Schools Revised Again
The all-Island school committee voted Thursday to approve a newly revised reopening plan for elementary schools that will put younger students back in the classroom earlier than expected.
