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
April 16, 2021
Pileated Woodpecker
A pileated woodpecker was spotted and photographed in Vineyard Haven on April 9.
Crescent Moon and Planets
Tonight the crescent moon appears under the bright red planet Mars. Both are in the zodiacal constellation Taurus. The moon appears above Mars tomorrow night. Looking ahead you might get a glimpse of the brilliant planet Venus now low in the southwestern sky after sunset. Venus is tough to see right now. But if you…
Emma Green-Beach, Jason Balboni Top Select Board Race in Oak Bluffs
Political newcomer Emma Green-Beach and incumbent Jason Balboni were elected to the Oak Bluffs select board Thursday.
Vaccine Rollout Expands; Race Is On Against Virus Variants
Covid-19 vaccine eligibility is set to open for all Islanders 16 and older this weekend, but the number of available appointments remains a moving target on the Vineyard, even as a more virulent strain of the virus has been detected.
Summer Shuffle Is Summer Catastrophe This Year
Stories of fruitless housing searches and expiring leases are not new on the Island. But this year, the perennial challenge of finding season-long summer housing has reached new heights
Vineyard Trust Contracts With LeRoux to Operate Alley’s General Store
The trust announced Thursday that the owners of LeRoux — a kitchen and home-goods store based in Vineyard Haven — will manage the historic general store.
Vineyarders Rally in Humanitarian Relief Effort for St. Vincent
On Martha’s Vineyard, as an ad hoc group of Islanders have rallied to raise money for their sister island thousands of miles to the south in a humanitarian relief effort.
Land Bank Revenues: Week Ending April 9
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $318,316.68 for the business week ending on Friday, April 9, 2021.
Clear Skies at Night, an Islander’s Delight
Years ago we had a fifth grade exchange student from Manchester, England staying with us.
Wharf Wisdom
From the April 15, 1938 edition of the Vineyard:
Critical School Decision
Three years ago, this month, on the eve of a vote for the Tisbury School’s fate, a group of 14 Vineyard Haven residents co-authored a letter to the editor (Opponents Press for Alternative Plan, 4/19/18).
Cleaning Up Roadsides
It is sad to see so much trash along our roads.
On the Big Screen
By now, most of us have been cooped up at home for over a year.
Spidey Sense
Sundays are for spider speculations.
Warm Words
The beautiful warm spring days are few and far between.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: April 16
While doing some much needed cleaning at my house I came across five books I was carrying in a bag in my truck.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: April 16
As the fickle weather glides from warm days to cool days and back again we are reminded of the late spring and early summer to come.
Edgartown Town Column: April 16
After a week of the heat being down since November, I have just turned it back up.
Chilmark Town Column: April 16
April 16 is the day Brooks makes that legal transition from boy to man.
Chappy Town Column: April 16
We have been experiencing an unusually dry spring.
Aquinnah Town Column: April 16
There have been grayy skies for most of the past week with fog overhead in Aquinnah for at least three of those days but the forsythia are in bloom.
Recent Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending April 9
Mister Harry LLC purchased 254 Upper Main street in Edgartown from James R. Walpole Trs., Stuart Walpole Trs. and Charlotte Walpole Realty Trust for $1,025,000 on April 7.
Welcome Eli
Grace and Joshua Cotterill, of Oak Bluffs, announce the birth of a son, Eli Thomas Cotterill, born on April 13.
Jasper Arrives
Jennifer and Taylor Toole, of Arlington, announce the birth of a son, Jasper James Toole, born on March 27 at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge.
Hello Jack
Lauren and Nate Morgan, of Chilmark, announce the birth of a son, Jack Philip Morgan, born on April 12.
Please adopt Us: April 16
Thank you so much to this week’s adopters. Black bunny Peeps is in store for a lifetime of love.
Oak Bluffs Selectmen Clear the Way for Summer Outdoor Dining Again
Outdoor dining is slated to return in Oak Bluffs this summer.
Bay Scalloping Extended in Aquinnah
Bay scalloping will be extended in Aquinnah for another two weeks. Scallop season will now run to April 30.
West Tisbury Board Grills Eversource on Manhole Project
If Eversource wants to add manholes in West Tisbury, it will have to resurface the entire roadway afterward, the town selectmen said at a public hearing Wednesday.
Tisbury Confirms Override for School, Sets Early Voting Day
The select board and school committee voted unanimously this week to seek voter approval of a Proposition 2 1/2 override for up to $55 million to renovate the historic town school.
Firefighters Stamp Out Large Brush Fire Near State Forest
Edgartown, West Tisbury and state firefighters banded together to stamp out a large brush fire near the Pohogonot Farm on Wednesday, battling the blaze throughout the afternoon.
Town Elections Today in Oak Bluffs, West Tisbury
Voters in Oak Bluffs and West Tisbury head to the polls Thursday to take part in the first annual town elections of the season, with a three-way race for two seats on the Oak Bluffs select board topping ballots.
High School Graduation Will be Held on Campus Outdoors This Year
Graduation ceremonies for the class of 2021 will be held outdoors on the varsity baseball field in June, school officials confirmed this week.
State Scraps Shared Use Path in Problem-Plagued Beach Road Project
The reconstruction project was thrown into further turmoil this week after the state declined to pay for relocating town water and sewer lines.
Generator Mishap Shuts Down Edgartown Stop & Shop
Checkout systems and registers at the Edgartown Stop & Shop went down Tuesday afternoon after issues with a store generator.
Covid Community Forum Stresses Vigilance
At Monday’s Covid forum over 15 community leaders gave presentations about the spread of the virus on the Island this spring.
First Vineyard Sighting of a Pileated Woodpecker Confirmed
In a first for the Island, a pileated woodpecker has been spotted on Martha’s Vineyard, causing excitement among bird watchers here.
Martha’s Vineyard Vision Fellowship Backs Wide Array of Projects
Fifteen Island individuals and one nonprofit initiative have been named 2021 Vineyard Vision Fellows, receiving financial support to continue their studies, pursue careers and develop projects that benefit the Island.
Neighbor Dispute With Harbor View Escalates
Heightened tensions between the Harbor View Hotel and its North Water street neighbors around use of a private dock boiled over into the Edgartown selectmen’s meeting Monday.
Oak Bluffs Fireworks Canceled for Second Straight Year
The Oak Bluffs fireworks will be canceled for a second straight summer due to the pandemic, the town firemen’s civic association announced Tuesday.
Cases Stay High; More Vaccine Appointments Open Up
After a recent surge in Covid-19 cases on the Vineyard, health agents reported 73 new positive tests this week — a slight downturn from the week prior.
Football and Track Teams Post Big Wins at Home
The high school football team and indoor track squad were back in action at home Saturday as the Vineyarders bested Monomoy on the gridiron and outpaced Falmouth on the track.
Spring Food Drive Fills Ag Society Hay Wagon With Donated Goods
A community food drive hosted by the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society Saturday collected over 1,00 pounds of food and household items.
Foundation, MVC Team Up for Eelgrass Mapping Project
The Edgartown Great Pond Foundation has worked with the Martha’s Vineyard Commission to produce a first-of-its-kind map of eelgrass in Slough Cove.
First Class Memories Served at the Right Fork Diner
If there is an in-law lottery, I won it. Jamie Langley, the owner of Right Fork Diner, is my sister in law.
New Challenge for Drivers at Five Corners
The everyday test of driving skills that is the Five Corners intersection in Vineyard Haven has gained an extra degree of difficulty for the next few weeks.
Gazette Survey Gauges Outlook for Summer
The Vineyard Gazette has launched an online survey to gain insight about how full-time and seasonal residents and visitors are thinking about their summer plans for 2021, in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Three Finalists Named for West Tisbury Fire Chief
Two West Tisbury firefighters and an officer with the West Bridgewater fire department have been named finalists.
Research Project Looks to Determine the DNA of Aquaculture
Oak Bluffs oyster farmers Dan and Greg Martino are embarking on a research project to create the first eco-label for aquaculture.
Gazette Wins Top Prizes in Annual Newspaper Competition
The Vineyard Gazette won 47 awards in the New England Better Newspapers Competition this week, garnering top honors in numerous categories.
Contagious Virus Variant Detected on Island
A more virulent strain of the Covid-19 virus has been identified on Martha’s Vineyard, hospital officials confirmed Friday, after positive test samples were sent to a state lab for testing.
Commission Effort to Update DRI Checklist Hits Snags
A lengthy effort to update the Martha’s Vineyard Commission’s development of regional impact checklist has stalled again over vague language regarding demolitions and restaurant expansions.
New Firehouse Tops Chilmark Warrant
After making several last-minute additions, the Chilmark select board approved a hefty 37-article town meeting warrant this week. Town meeting is scheduled for May 24.
Tisbury Eyes New Revenue, Warrant Articles
Tisbury’s fortunes are getting a six-figure boost from short-term rentals and a retail marijuana agreement, with more new income streams in the works, town officials said this week.
