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
July 9, 2021
Crescent Moon, Venus and Mars
On Sunday night take a look towards the western sky about a half hour after sunset.
Never a Dull Moment When on Point During a Pandemic
Marina Lent, who has served as the Chilmark health agent since 2008, has quickly become a familiar member of the Island health and safety network during the pandemic.
Tisbury and Edgartown Turn 350 Years Young
The towns of Edgartown and Tisbury were born as part of New York Colony, fraternal twins that on Thursday this week celebrated their sesquarcentennial anniversaries.
State Launches Far-Reaching Public Health Initiative for Vineyard, Nantucket
A first-of-its kind public health initiative aims to tackle the work of better documenting and reducing tick-borne illnesses and substance abuse.
Grand Jury Indicts Oak Bluffs Man on 46 Charges, Including Rape
An Oak Bluffs man has been arraigned in Dukes County superior court on 46 charges, including two counts of rape, that stem from a string of alleged incidents over the course of nearly two years.
Please Adopt Us: July 9
This week’s adoption news is that the Springer Spaniel brothers, Captain and Beacon, have an adoption pending.
Tisbury School Principal Is True Shepherd
If you want to find John Custer this summer, head to the ocean.
A Visit from the Past Brings With It a Measure of Peace
Fifty one years ago I returned to my family’s home in Chilmark after spending a year fighting in the Vietnam war.
Not Your Typical Island Adventure
We were so excited for this visit. Like so many, we suffered from the isolation of the past year, missing the little people we love the most.
Eisie’s Eye
From the July 11, 1975 edition of the Gazette:
Hoops History
Oak Bluffs police chief Peter Williamson’s role in the Niantic Park development could have been a story by itself.
Hope and Heartbreak of the Pandemic Fuel Artistic Process
Island painter Kara Taylor is back at her Chilmark gallery after another productive off-season in South Africa. She hosts her first reception of the season on Sunday, July 11.
Confusing Votes
Following the well-attended select board meeting on Wednesday, June 30, I have learned several things.
Documenting the Story of the Tulsa Massacre
Dawn Porter’s career change from attorney to documentary filmmaker was not done for the reason most people leave their jobs.
Capturing the City During Covid
On Tuesday evening Featherstone Center for the Arts opened its summer series of photography salons with a photographic slide show and talk by John Rosenmiller.
Recent Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending July 2
Soraya Zahedi purchased Black Point Beach Lot Parcel 5 in Chilmark from Susan Eckstein and Steven Quirk for $399,000 on July 2.
Hazel Is Here
Christina and Wade Simmons, of West Tisbury, announce the birth of a daughter, Hazel Dorothy Simmons, born on June 29.
Welcome Theodore
Maranda and Ben Post, of Vineyard Haven, announce the birth of a son, Theodore Michael Post, born on July 3.
Announcing Dahlia
Tara Reynolds and Owen Willis, of Chilmark, announce the birth of a daughter, Dahlia Alison Reynolds-Willis. Dahlia was born on June 24.
Hello Edith
Alexandra Baxter and Derek Chrebet, of Edgartown, announce the birth of a daughter, Edith Rebecca Chrebet, born on July 1.
Knox Arrives
Laura Wojtkiewicz and Daniel Koch, of Oak Bluffs, announce the birth of their son, Knox Devereaux Koch, born on June 17.
Land Bank Revenues: Week Ending July 2
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $404,763.60 for the business week ending on Friday, July 2, 2021.
Recent Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending July 2
Soraya Zahedi purchased Black Point Beach Lot Parcel 5 in Chilmark from Susan Eckstein and Steven Quirk for $399,000 on July 2.
Alley’s General Store Will Stay Closed This Summer
Alley’s General Store will likely remain closed throughout the summer, representatives for the Vineyard Trust told the West Tisbury select board Wednesday.
Tisbury Sergeant Is Named Interim Police Chief
The Tisbury select board unanimously approved the appointment of longtime police Sgt. Christopher Habekost as the town’s interim police chief Wednesday, for six months starting July 10.
Sharks Hit Their Stride, Battle for Top Spot in Summer League
With reliable starting pitching, lights-out arms in the bullpen, patient and dangerous hitters at the plate the 2021 Sharks are a team tailor-made for summer baseball.
Summer Institute Speaker Series
The Summer Institute series at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center kicks off its season on July 8 with Michael Sandel, a philosopher and Harvard professor.
Stand Up for Women
Connect to End Violence holds its annual Seawall Stand on Saturday, July 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Vineyard Haven seawall.
Fluke for Luke
The Fluke for Luke fishing tournament takes place this weekend, July 10 and 11, helping to raise funds for the family of Luke Gurney who was killed in a fishing accident in June of 2016.
Chilmark Town Column: July 9
It’s July in New England and the tomato plants have tiny, happy, green tomatoes and I can’t wait until one of my Lydia Fischer sungolds is, well, golden,
West Tisbury Column: July 9
There used to be a sense that you could happen upon anything at Alley’s General Store: a Japanese hand hoe, a rubber chicken, Mexican jumping beans, or a bouquet of fresh flowers.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: July 9
All our kids come home!
Oak Bluffs Town Column: July 9
The Polar Bears opened their 75th season on July 4 at the Inkwell Beach with 25 people in the exercise circle and seven freelance swimmers stroking from jetty to jetty.
Edgartown Town Column: July 9
Fourth of July weekend and some had their heat on. It was damp, raining, and cold.
Chappaquiddick Town Column: July 9
The Fourth came and went with little of the pageantry and fuss of Fourths past. It was still more celebratory than 2020s, though that bar wasn’t set particularly high.
Aquinnah Town Column: July 9
These are the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, mostly hot and humid and interspersed with a few days of rain.
Coming Up
The Fourth of July weather was exactly what I like. However, I do feel for the vacationers and would-be barbequers.
Mushroom Madness
Eighteenth-century British statesman and politician Robert Walpole made a cynical and apt connection between folks and fungus that could be relevant today.
Two Oddities
Here we are in the birding doldrums of early summer and the southward migration just starting with the arrival of the early shorebirds.
Juvenile Arraigned in Oak Bluffs Stabbing Case
Oak Bluffs police have charged a 16-year-old male from Connecticut in connection with a stabbing that occurred in Ocean Park on June 28. According to a press release Tuesday, the juvenile has been charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault with intent to murder.
Trustees Islands Director Will Resign His Post
Sam Hart, Islands regional director at the Trustees of Reservations, will leave his position to start a new job at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School.
Swimmer Will Make Second Try for Nantucket-to-Vineyard Feat
Since Doug McConnell began doing long swims in 2011 he has only failed to complete two — a 17-hour swim between two Hawaiian islands, and a swim from Nantucket to Martha’s Vineyard attempted in August 2019. He hopes to turn defeat into victory this month.
Boat Fire Off East Chop Destroys 38-Foot Pleasure Craft
A 38-foot pleasure craft caught fire off East Chop late Monday afternoon, sending a massive plume of black smoke high above Vineyard Sound and prompting a mass mutual aid response. All passengers were safely evacuated.
Chilmark Softball Is Back, With Special Tribute for Tony Horwitz
Chilmark softball began its 84th season Sunday at Flanders Field, honoring the sometimes short stop, always avid Sunday morning softball evangelist and West Tisbury writer Tony Horwitz.
Soggy Weather Marked Muted Fourth of July
Historically cold and wet weather dampened an otherwise crowded Fourth of July weekend on the Vineyard, with police reporting busy streets, traffic jams, a few fireworks complaints and no major incidents.
At Station Menemsha, Commendations All Around
In a ceremony at the Coast Guard boathouse in Menemsha Friday morning, senior chief Justin Logval moved up to master chief petty officer — the highest rank for an enlisted member in the U.S. Coast Guard.
At the Bridge Table: July 9
Here’s a quiz about what I call specialty bids, drawn from Internet play.
