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
July 2, 2021
Mars and Venus
The Earth’s two closest neighboring planets, Mars and Venus, will look so close together in the nights ahead. You can see them both low in the southwestern sky after sunset and only for a short time. The two are just above the horizon. Venus is the brighter of the two. Mars is faint enough against…
Main Streets Are Buzzing As Businesses Bounce Back
A year after the pandemic shuttered downtowns, causing ripples of worry about possible lasting impacts on the Island economy, business is bouncing back.
Free Test Site Proved to Be a Game Changer on the Vineyard
It began in the back yard, a regular repartee between an Edgartown summer resident, Steve Rusckowski, and his trusty landscaper, Michael Donaroma.
For East Chop Flag Collector, July Fourth Is a Breeze
Jack Schott flies a new flag every morning on the pole in front of his East Chop home. He travels the summer in historical order, starting with the flag of the Wampanoag people.
Beside the Tiasquam
The Tiasquam snakes across the flats / like a student’s handwriting, / curving and back tracking, in no great hurry.
Arrive by the Fourth of July
Doors open wide / To horizon’s illusions / Of noble ideals / “Independence,” equality,” / “Freedom,” and “justice”
Beach Road With a Slice of Swiss Cheese
Next Friday, the International School of Engineering/Architecture (IEAC) of Cern, Switzerland will continue its preliminary assessment of the causes and remedies concerning the current and common inundations of Beach Road in Vineyard Haven.
Missing Some Pandemic Pleasures
A year ago, it didn’t seem possible but the light is at the end of the pandemic tunnel.
Vineyard Bookshelf: The Sweetest Days
The Sweetest Days by John Hough Jr., Gallery Books, 2021, 352 pages, $27.
Fireworks from a Different Perspective
“The Edgartown Fireworks have been cancelled for the second year in a row,” complained some Island residents.
The Fourth
From the July 4, 1933 edition of the Vineyard Gazette:
Mission Abdication
The mission of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission is twofold:
Teddy Lost, Then Found
Yesterday my two-year-old old son, Harper, lost his favorite stuffed animal dog that we call Teddy in downtown Edgartown.
Spanning Genres, Black Eyed Susans Deliver
When the Black Eyed Susans take the stage the audience rises to the occasion, even if they don’t know exactly who is playing.
Playhouse Heads Outdoors for Summer Season
Opening day at the Tisbury Amphitheatre is July 8 with Scott Barrow starring in the one-character play Every Brilliant Thing.
Neon Lights the Way at Workshop Gallery
A rare show of neon artwork will light up the Workshop Gallery in Vineyard Haven for the first half of July, opening during the town’s First Friday celebration on July 2.
Frederick Douglass Speech
Each year on the Fourth of July, the Edgartown Federated Church hosts a reading of Frederick Douglass’s speech, The Meaning of the Fourth of July for the Negro.
Four-Day Book Festival Is a Page Turner of Events
History buffs, fiction fanatics and those itching to learn the secret history of church ladies will get more than their fill this August when the Martha’s Vineyard Book Festival Summer Series returns.
Please Adopt Us: July 2
The adoption news for this week is that it looks like Summer’s adoption has stuck. Here’s to a happy life.
Recent Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending June 25
Nancy Bard and Donald Baer purchased 37 N. Abel’s Hill Road in Chilmark from William M. Meehan Trs., Laura A. Roebuck Trs. and Meehan-Roebuck Revocable Trust for $3,000,000 on June 25.
Land Bank Revenues: Week Ending June 25
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $504,748.81 for the business week ending on Friday, June 25, 2021.
Rowan Is Here
Rebecca and Taylor Pierce, of Edgartown, announce the birth of a daughter, Rowan Jean Pierce, born on June 27.
Hello Lucas
Taryn and Ben Mckinnon, of West Tisbury, announce the birth of a son, Lucas Pine Mackinnon, born on June 24.
Go Fourth in Your Own Way
If the Fourth of July arrives and there are no Edgartown fireworks or parade will it really count? Of course it will.
Announcing Ayla
Anna and Andrew Jacobs, of Vineyard Haven, announce the birth of a daughter, Ayla Elizabeth Jacobs, born on June 26.
Greetings Noah
Ketlen Eler, of Edgartown, announces the birth of a son, Noah Ravi Siqueira Eler, born on June 26.
Welcome Caolán
Sarah Massey and Michael Mailey, of Vineyard Haven, announce the birth of a son, Caolán Massey Mailey, born on June 17.
Agnes Arrives
Lucia Dillon and Chase Marcella, of Edgartown, announce the birth of a daughter, Agnes Marigold Marcella, born on May 28.
Words and Photos Are Weighty Combination
Friday, July 2, is the last day to check out an exhibit at the Old Sculpin Gallery in Edgartown featuring the poetry of Steve Ewing and the photography of LA Brown.
Select Board Raises Concern About Shuttered Alley’s
Concerned about the shuttered state of Alley’s General Store, the West Tisbury select board said this week it will invite spokesmen for the Vineyard Trust to appear at next week’s meeting.
Vaccination, Mask Policies Stir Debate in West Tisbury
West Tisbury selectmen will continue to require masks in public buildings but opted against mandating vaccinations for town employees after a contingent of senior citizens raised concerns about the town’s Covid policies this week.
Oak Bluffs Man Placed on Probation in 2019 Case Involving Assault, Theft, Vandalism
An Oak Bluffs man was sentenced to 18 months probation this week after pleading guilty to assault, theft and vandalism charges that arose out of a motor vehicle altercation in Oak Bluffs in the summer of 2019.
West Tisbury Column: July 2
Last week boasted the summer solstice, followed by a strawberry moon.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: July 2
As in last year’s Covid restrictions, there will not be an official Fourth of July parade or fireworks this year.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: July 2
Independence Day celebrations are all about family gatherings as we celebrate the red, white and blue and salute the birth of a new nation.
Edgartown Town Column: July 2
Everyone is in a heat wave and it has been warm and humid but we have been lucky to have a nice breeze blowing and keeping it all bearable.
Chilmark Town Column: July 2
If you read the Farmers’ Almanac or any other pamphlet, book or magazine, you may stumble across the words, “If anthills are high in July, the coming winter will be hard.”
Chappaquiddick Town Column: July 2
Rumor has it that Chappy Ferry Capt. Brock Callen will be teaching a U.S. Coast Guard licensing course this winter through ACEMV, the adult and continuing education institution on Martha’s Vineyard.
Aquinnah Town Column: July 2
Summertime heat and humidity have arrived. No more complaining about the chill in the air.
Vexed by Voles
It’s been a few hot and miserable days for us outdoor workers. However, I am trying to put it all in perspective.
Devil’s Hair
Basil should grow with no strings attached. So, it was clearly a string of bad luck that befell an Edgartown gardener when she noticed strange threads on her herbs.
Southbound Already
How quickly the tides turn! In early June we were still talking about birds that were headed to their northern breeding grounds.
Creative Living Award Goes to Capt. Bob Douglas
The legendary former owner of the topsail schooner Shenandoah will receive the prestigious Creative Living Award for 2020-2021, the Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation announced Wednesday.
Recent Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending June 25
Aria Lurie purchased an undivided 20 per cent interest on property on Moshup Trail in Aquinnah from Andrew S. Dintenfass and Ann Vivian Dintenfass for $350,000 on June 25.
District Attorney Declines to Prosecute Ferry Rape Case
The Cape and Islands district attorney’s office has declined to prosecute a Dorchester man charged with two counts of rape that allegedly occurred aboard a Steamship Authority ferry in early June, according to a recent court filing.
Oversand Vehicle Trails Partly Reopened on Chappy
Oversand vehicle trails on Chappaquiddick have been partly reopened after a weekend of closures to protect nesting piping plovers, the Trustees of Reservations announced. All trails to Cape Pogue remain closed to vehicles.
Oak Bluffs Backs Off Approval for Concert Series on the Harbor
After hearing concerns from abutters, the Oak Bluffs select board indefinitely delayed plans for an outdoor concert series on the Oak Bluffs harbor at a brief meeting Monday.
Wampanoag Exhibit Highlights Fresh Perspective of History
A new permanent installation at the Aquinnah Wampanoag Indian Museum museum, Our History in Perspective, had its grand opening on Saturday. It details the over 10,000-year history of the Wampanoag people on the Vineyard.
At Niantic Park, 50 Years of Nothing but Net
The iconic basketball courts in Oak Bluffs marked half a century of hoops Saturday with a group of elite young players and the legendary Vineyard coach who started it all: 79-year-old Jay Schofield.
Agricultural Fair Poster Honors Memory of Emma Hall
The Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society has unveiled the winning poster for the fair this summer honoring Emma Hall, a longtime fair volunteer who died this winter in a motor vehicle accident.
What’s the Rush? Gam Time Is Quality Time
There are a lot of aspects of Island living that aren’t initially apparent to the short-term visitor, or for that matter to the summer resident.
High Bacteria Counts Close Seth’s Pond
Seth’s Pond in West Tisbury has been closed all month due to high bacteria counts, but town health authorities said Monday they are hopeful the popular swimming hole can be reopened soon.
Police Investigate Stabbing Incident
Oak Bluffs police and a state police detective unit are investigating a stabbing that occurred in Oak Bluffs late Sunday night, according to releases from both agencies.
Standing Up By Kneeling Down, Vigils Return to Beetlebung Corner
On Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m., the kneel-in vigils began again at Beetlebung Corner, to honor the many people of color who have been killed or harmed by police violence.
At the Bridge Table: July 2
Driving home last week’s issue of bidding carefully to a minor-suit contract, I give you this OK Bridge hand.
Jabberwocky Campers Joyously Return for Summer 2021
Sunday marked a small homecoming of sorts for Camp Jabberwocky, after a year of no activity at the venerable Vineyard camp for people with disabilities.
AT&T Files Plan to Replace Silos at Katama Farm
AT&T has submitted a plan to the Edgartown conservation commission to tear down two large silos at Katama Farm and replace them with a single silo that would house a cell tower.
Talented Dover-Sherborn Too Much for Boys Tennis Team
On Friday afternoon the boys tennis team’s season came to a close, losing 0-5 to undefeated Dover-Sherborn in the division three south sectionals final.
Boys Tennis Wins Dramatic South Sectional Semifinal Match; Finals Today
The undefeated boys tennis team takes on undefeated Dover Sherborn in the finals today of the division three south sectional tournament. Match begins at 1:30 p.m. at the regional high school courts.
