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
January 8, 2021
The Crescent Moon and Venus
The thin crescent moon appears low in the southeastern sky at dawn this weekend. Saturday morning it will be easiest to see, well above the horizon. The moon will be increasingly difficult to see on Sunday and Monday mornings. On Monday morning, the moon appears right next to the bright planet Venus, both just above…
A Preacher With Rock and Roll Roots
There’s something holy about Sean McMahon. Maybe it’s the Jesus-beard. Maybe it’s the lilting voice that conjures Dolores O’Riordan in Cranberries songs at The Ritz.
Harbor View Hotel Expansion Plan Sees Pushback from Neighbors
A proposal by the historic Harbor View Hotel to continue its long-term, $55 million renovation project and expand its spa is seeing pushback from North Water street neighbors.
Vaccine Rollout Plan Takes Shape Slowly
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage across the country, state and Vineyard, the Island’s public health community is rapidly mobilizing to coordinate the early phases of a broad vaccine rollout.
Walking With Warnock Is a Family Affair
One summer, about nine years ago, when my daughter was three years old and the Rev. Raphael Warnock came for his annual visit, she grabbed him by the hand.
“A Heart-Wrenching Day That History Will Not Forgive”
Excertpts from comments made by our elected representatives on Jan. 6.
Trump Must Go
Wednesday’s insurrection at the U.S. Capitol was the greatest threat to American democracy to take place during my lifetime.
Good Souls
On Saturday, Dec. 19, six cars pulled up to my house and parked.
Safety First
I am praying that Martha’s Vineyard schools make the hard decisions necessary to keep teachers, children and parents as safe as possible.
Peaceful Transition
If only Man would give way/ as peacefully/ as night gives way to day.
With Open Arms
On Nov. 21 our husband and father, Kevin Brennan, fell off a ladder truck and sustained some very serious injuries.
City Lights
From the Jan. 2, 1970 edition of the Gazette: How a quirk of fate brought antique lanterns back to Edgartown.
Learning on His Feet, and on the Job, at TestMV
When the pandemic first hit in early March, Owen Burns, today the operations manager at the Island’s free coronavirus testing site TestMV, was in Chicago looking for a job.
West Tisbury Keeps Emergency Manager as Independent Department
A variety of staffing matters consumed nearly all of the West Tisbury selectmen’s time during their regular meeting Wednesday, held on Zoom.
Chilmark Puts Brakes on North Road Bike Path
Chilmark selectmen put the brakes on a preliminary plan to build a shared-use bike path on North Road, amid a sea of criticism from town residents Tuesday.
Covid Cases Hit Single-Day High on the Vineyard
On a historic day that saw unprecedented events in the nation’s capital, the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage on Martha’s Vineyard, with Island health agents reporting 25 new cases.
Three Islanders Arrested in Falmouth and Tisbury Drug Investigation
Police in Tisbury and Falmouth worked with members of the Cape Cod Drug Task Force and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to arrest three Tisbury residents Tuesday after a two-month investigation, Tisbury police said.
Recent Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending Jan. 1
Chilmark 13 Kapigan LLC purchased 13 Kapigan Road in Chilmark from Joshua A. Muskin, R. Bennett Muskin and Amy Shelton for $2,400,000 on Dec. 29. Edgartown Margaret Rathbone Fowle, Suzanne Charlesworth Fowle and Abigail Taylor Fowle purchased an undivided 1/2 interest in 5 Caleb Pond Lane and 7 Caleb Pond Lane in Edgartown for $1…
A New Year Begins
I have two questions of the reading public this week.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Jan. 6
The water was a brisk 43.9 degrees.
Edgartown Town Column: Jan. 6
The highlight of my New Year’s Eve was watching Anderson Cooper take tequila shots.
Chilmark Town Column: Jan. 6
Ariana Feldberg spotted a muskrat swimming in Turtle Pond the other day.
Chappy Town Column: Jan. 6
I could not help but feel relief and a spark of hope as we turned our sights to what lies ahead.
Aquinnah Town Column: Jan. 6
As we begin the new year, the skies have been grey and overcast, wih occasional showers, a crisp cold in the air and temperatures dipping into sub-freezing during the night.
Kids’ Free Dental Clinics Scheduled
Children aged 9 to 18 are eligible for free dental services at the clinics, Jan. 15 and Jan. 16 by appointment only.
High School Approves $23.5 Million Operating Budget
The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School district committee this week certified a $23.5 million operating budget for the 2022 fiscal year, a 3.51 per cent increase over last year.
Storm Tides Public Meeting Planned
Islanders can share local knowledge and learn more about the Storm Tide Pathways mapping project in a Zoom meeting Jan. 12.
Community Meals-To-Go Begin, With Reservations
The First Congregational Church of West Tisbury begins its 2021 community meals, on a pre-reserved basis for take-out and delivery only, Jan. 13.
Protection Efforts Ramp Up for Right Whales
A public comment period has opened on a slate of new proposed federal lobster and crab pot regulations as a last-ditch regulatory campaign to save North Atlantic right whales continues.
Christmas Bird Count
The 61st annual Christmas Bird Count was held on Jan. 2, but the initial compilation of the data was started the next day when we all gathered via Zoom to review the species we saw in the field.
SSA Vessel Worker Tests Positive
A fourth Steamship Authority employee in almost as many days has tested positive for Covid-19, according to a press release Monday.
Opting for Change, Edgartown Appoints Ted Rosbeck to the MVC
In a surprise change of guard, the Edgartown selectmen unanimously appointed Island builder Ted Rosbeck to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission Monday.
In Post-Holiday Catchup, Island Boards of Health Report 28 Cases
In the first report of the new year, the Island boards of health reported 28 new confirmed coronavirus cases Monday, as well as three new probable cases.
Police Investigate Unauthorized Tree Removal in Ocean Park
Oak Bluffs police are investigating the unauthorized removal of a 35-foot-tall catalpa tree on the corner of Grove and Ocean avenues in Ocean Park.
Edgartown Upper Main Street Properties Change Hands for $2.8 Million
A Newton-based developer has purchased two adjacent quarter-acre Edgartown properties that include the storied Dairy Queen building for $2.8 million.
Christmas Bird Count Takes Note of Avians Sharing Space With More People
Carolina wrens were counted in large numbers during the annual Christmas Bird Count. There were more people too on beaches and trails.
Mystery Washashores: Onions, Squash, Broccoli
There is perhaps a new way for beachcombers to classify their findings during a walk along the shore.
Welcome Abe Courtney, First Baby of New Year
Abe Harold Courtney was born at 4:47 a.m. on Jan. 2 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, the first baby of the new year on the Vineyard. Abe weighed 8 pounds, 9.7 ounces at birth. The proud parents are Cassie Bradley and Patrick Courtney of Chilmark.
Covid Testing Due to Begin in Island Public Schools
After months of planning and debate, comprehensive coronavirus testing is due to begin this week in Martha’s Vineyard public schools.
