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
January 27, 2023
Mars and Moon
On Monday night the gibbous moon appears close to the red planet Mars. Both are in the zodiacal constellation Taurus. For those who have watched Mars, the planet has clearly lost its brilliance of a month ago. When Mars was in opposition in early December, it was the brightest it has been in many years.…
Norton Point Breach Proves Again Nature Is in Charge
The Norton Point breach opened on Dec. 27 and followed a series of storms that had battered the south-facing shore of Martha’s Vineyard. The Chappaquiddick summer home owned by Sue and Jerry Wacks stands as a lonely sentinel by the sea these days.
Keeping It Clean on the Island Septic Scene
On a boulder-peppered hill in Chilmark, a septic system is near completion. Tons of dense clay have been excavated and in its place a mess of tubes and concrete boxes now sit. Only one step is left: the septic must contend with Coop.
High PFAS Levels Found in Wells Near West Tisbury Fire Station
A state Department of Environmental Protection investigation found the West Tisbury fire station to be a contributor of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the area’s groundwater supply, affecting nearby wells.
Community Health
The announcement this week that more decision-making for the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and other community hospitals will be shifted to their parent corporation is being billed as an efficiency move that won’t affect patient care.
West Tisbury Committees Seek Volunteers
The town is seeking volunteers to serve as members on a number of municipal groups.
Steamship Authority’s Woods Hole Terminal Construction Comes Ashore
The Steamship Authority’s multi-year reconstruction of its Woods Hole terminal is now fully focused on the land side of the property, where the longtime staging area for Vineyard-bound vehicles was recently demolished.
View from Up North Is One of Allure, Admiration and Concern
I was perusing the Vineyard Gazette recently and read an article, one of those “on this day 51 years ago.”
Warm Musings for a Cold Month
It is still January, the longest, coldest month.
Shared Vision
The West Tisbury affordable housing committee unanimously agreed that the development of the affordable housing land at 401 State Road should help meet the needs of the Island’s aging adults.
CROP Walk Thank You
During 2022, Martha’s Vineyard CROP Hunger Walk raised $26,174.51 through wonderfully generous support from the Island community.
Gossip Guy
From the Jan. 24, 1958 edition of the Vineyard Gazette:
Community of Leaders Key as South Mountain Passes the Torch
Even before John Abrams of South Mountain Company announced his retirement late last year, the question of his successor was highlighted in a plan titled the Avalanche Scenario.
Giving Voice to the Outsiders
On Jan. 28, filmmakers Liz Witham and Ken Wentworth, along with the programmers at PathwaysArts, offer Island residents an opportunity to hear from voices not often heard from in mainstream society.
Windemere Residents Contract Highly Contagious Covid Variant
Symptoms for the 18 residents and eight staff who tested positive for XBB.15. are varied, but no hospitalizations have been required.
Celebrating the New Year of the Trees
To celebrate Tu B’Shevat — the Jewish new year of trees — the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center is presenting an online program about climate change and New England forests.
Edgartown Planning Board Reviews Navigator Homes Project
The Edgartown Planning Board weighed in on proposed Navigator Homes skilled nursing and workforce housing facility this week, seeking to address both town concerns and those of abutters.
Please Adopt Us
Max, the Labrador retriever/husky mix, has found his forever home and it’s a perfect match.
Recent Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending Jan. 20
Tower Lane Collaborative LLC purchased property on Middle Line Road, property on Tower Lane, 27 Tower Lane and 30 Tower Lane in Chilmark for $2,300,000 on Jan. 18.
Flashback
Memories of birding Wasque and Cape Pogue throughout the 1980s and 1990s flashed through my head as I read Shea Fee’s report of seeing 10,000 common eiders and 1,000 black scoters in Muskeget Channel.
Ain’t No Sunshine
Because it has been so rainy and gloomy, there have been endless days of no sunshine.
Mikado Gets Final Approval for Oak Bluffs Location
Mikado is set to open in Oak Bluffs on April 1; Red Cat Kitchen to move into former Oyster Bar 02557.
Lagoon Pond Closed to Shellfishing
Lagoon Pond and just outside of the Lagoon Pond Bridge was closed to shellfishing after a sewer pipe broke at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital Tuesday.
Venerable Vegetable
Call me Porrophagus.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Jan. 27
I don’t want you seasonal residents and summer tourists to think time stands still in the off-season here, waiting for your return.
Edgartown Town Column: Jan. 27
We are lucky the weather has been warm but some sun to go along with it would be nice.
Chilmark Town Column: Jan. 27
One of my favorite birthday-related sayings is “Love the giver more than the gift.”
Chappaquiddick Town Column: Jan. 27
The breach at the southeast corner of Katama Bay is alive and well.
Abbe Burt Wins Tisbury Select Board Race
Abbe Burt is Tisbury’s newest select board member, elected by a narrow margin over her closest competitor in Tuesday’s four-way race to fill the vacancy left when Larry Gomez stepped down.
Three Finalists Chosen for Chilmark Police Chief Position
Candidates to succeed retiring Chilmark police chief Jonathan Klaren have been narrowed to three, with final interviews by the Chilmark select board taking place Tuesday, Jan. 31.
Superior Court Dismisses Hall Suit
A last-ditch effort by Edgartown attorney Benjamin J. Hall to stop the expansion of the Edgartown Stop & Shop was dismissed this week by a Dukes County Superior Court judge.
Mass General Brigham Centralizes Management Structure
Denise Schepici, who was hired as CEO and president of Martha’s Vineyard Hospital in 2018, will become the Island hospital’s president and chief operating officer, reporting to a pair of Mass General Brigham officials.
SSA Website Slows on Opening Day for Vineyard Route
After vowing that Tuesday’s online opening for auto reservations for the Martha’s Vineyard route would run more smoothly than the chaotic Nantucket opening day, the results did not bear out the promise.
Rockland Trust Scholarships Available
Rockland Trust bank has launched its annual scholarship program to support part-time or full-time undergraduate students.
Renaissance House Retreat Applications Available
Applications are available for the Renaissance Retreat for Writers and Artists in Oak Bluffs.
Legislators File Vineyard Housing Bank Bill
Dozens of bills aimed at increasing affordable housing statewide have been filed since the Massachusetts Legislature entered its 193rd this month, including two that would create the Martha’s Vineyard Housing Bank.
Tisbury Holds Special Election for Select Board Tuesday
Voting for the Tisbury Select Board’s interim third member takes place Tuesday from noon to 8 p.m. in the town’s Emergency Services Facility on Spring street.
A Haggis and Haddie Good Time at Scottish Society Tribute
With scotch in hand, David Rhoderick approached the podium in the Baylies Room of the Old Whaling Church Saturday evening, adjusted the microphone and proclaimed the Ode Tae a Haggis.
West Tisbury Looks to Use ARPA Funds for Howes House Project
The town has access to $304,000 in American Rescue Plan Act and a warrant article for the Howes House proposal will be presented at this year’s spring town meeting.
Oak Bluffs Seeks Cover Art
Feb. 17 is the deadline to submit artwork for the cover of the Oak Bluffs 2023 annual town meeting warrant and the 2022 town meeting report.
Southern Tier Housing Plan Faces Scrutiny by MVC
A proposed affordable housing complex in Oak Bluffs has drawn strong opposition from nearby residents and a number of objections from members of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.
MVC Approves New Inn Structure in Oak Bluffs
Owners of the proposed Four Sisters Inn on Narragansett avenue in Oak Bluffs have received unanimous approval from the Martha’s Vineyard Commission as a development of regional impact (DRI).
Explore Independent Education
Vineyard Montessori School and the Cambridge School of Weston will hold an information session about independent, private school options for Island students.
SSA Narrows Name Pool for New Freight Ferry
With the $5.6 million purchase last month of a third offshore service vessel (OSV) from a Louisiana firm, the Steamship Authority has another new ferry to name.
