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 7, 2023
Venus and Mercury
The two closest planets to the sun appear in our western sky in the evenings ahead. Venus is the easiest to spot, the brightest of all celestial objects in our night sky. Mercury is not far below, but nowhere as near as bright. Mercury reaches greatest elongation from the sun on Tuesday night. That means…
Island Towns to Weigh in on High School Feasibility Study
Town meetings across the Island will consider funding a feasibility study for the replacement or reconstruction of the regional high school.
Earth Day Clean-Up
Vineyard Conservation Society is hosting its 31st annual Earth Day Beach Clean-Up on Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Library Repairs Top Pared-Down West Tisbury Warrant
West Tisbury residents will be asked Tuesday to vote on a variety of spending measures, including urgent repairs to the West Tisbury Public Library heating and ventilation system, and $415,000 in pay raises for town staff.
Town Meeting Time
Sixteen new trees for the historic district and a bylaw to restrict noise on Sundays in West Tisbury.
What’s the Plan?
It’s been five years since independent consultants at HMS in Seattle, Wash. issued their detailed management study of the Steamship Authority following an unprecedented series of breakdowns on ferries.
Oak Bluffs Town Meeting to Tackle Spending Requests, Nip Ban
Voters in Oak Bluffs will decide on a handful of funding questions at their annual town meeting Tuesday, with articles on projects ranging from repairs to the East Chop bulkhead to ongoing work to restore the health of Farm Pond.
Edgartown Voters to Decide on New Fire Station, North Wharf Repairs
When Edgartown voters gather at the recently-restored Old Whaling Church Tuesday for town meeting, they will weigh in on issues ranging from a new fire station to a proposed ban on miniature liquor bottles.
Support School Funding
We are writing to urge the community to support two warrant articles that will be voted on at our upcoming annual town meetings this spring.
Last Heath Hen
The world’s last heath hen on his rambles over his scrub oak preserve on the great plain of Martha’s Vineyard is now wearing two tiny bracelets, one aluminum and one copper.
Kids Trout Tournament Is Saturday
Forty-nine years ago Cooper Gilkes and friends organized the first Kids Trout Tournament.
Edgartown Allows OSV Access on Chappaquiddick
The Edgartown conservation commission conditionally approved The Trustees of Reservations application to sell OSV permits on Trustees property from Wasque to the Jetties.
Flying Horses Opens
Opening day for the Flying Horses is Saturday, April 8, with the familiar Oak Bluffs carousel music starting up at 11 a.m. and running to 4:30 p.m.
Witch’s Princess
The Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School’s production of The Witch’s Princess takes place this weekend at the Grange Hall.
Candidates Meet the Voters in Edgartown Forum
There was only one contested race to discuss at Tuesday’s Edgartown candidate forum in a ballot otherwise full of uncontested incumbents.
Imagined Gardens
PathwaysArts hosts its Imagined Gardens and Landscapes event on Friday, April 7 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Spring Sports Teams Hit the Ground Running
Spring sports are back in action at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School as the tennis, baseball, softball, lacrosse, track and sailing teams open their sessons.
Riva Arrives
Jessica Bollinger and Alex Moh, of Edgartown, announce the birth of a son, Riva Gunnar Moh, born on March 29 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Hello Henley
Emily Weedon Monteiro and Joseph Monteiro, of Edgartown, announce the birth of a daughter, Henley Elizabeth Monteiro, born on Sept. 24, 2022.
Welcome Giovanni
Madeline Conover and Francis Guido, of West Tisbury, announce the birth of a son, Giovanni, born on March 30 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Land Bank Revenues
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $134,506.25 for the business week ending on Friday, March 31, 2023.
Recent Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending March 31
Northeast Native Network of Kinship and Healing Inc. purchased 759 State Road, 761 State Road and 765 State Road in Aquinnah from Douglas O. Dowling Trs and 366 Setoff Trust for $1,670,000 on March 30.
Raven Review
We do not know where common ravens are nesting this year, as their only known nest site from previous years — the Verizon telephone tower in Vineyard Haven — is unoccupied.
Past Mistakes
Nothing stops the march of spring.
Ventifacts
Jake Matijevic was a rock star and a star rock.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: April 7
The Island police departments did not disappoint with the April Fools jokes they posted.
Edgartown Town Column: April 7
We have had a buffet of weather this week.
Chilmark Town Column: April 7
After a lot of rescheduling because of various obstacles, Marshall and Bob Hungerford road-tripped to West Cornwall, Conn.
Chappaquiddick Town Column: April 7
The annual Town Meeting is next Tuesday, April 11. One of the articles pertains to the Chappy Ferry and should be of interest to all Chappaquiddickers.
Felix Neck Expands Accessibility
Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary in Edgartown is expanding its programming and support for people who are differently able.
Oak Bluffs Will Move Up Last Call this Fall
The town’s select board voted Tuesday to move up last call for businesses with alcohol by 30 minutes, matching Oak Bluffs with Edgartown.
RFP Process Continues for Peaked Hill Pastures Development
The Chilmark planning board will send out a request for proposals for the Peaked Hill Pastures affordable housing project approved at town meeting last year.
Vineyard Students Enjoy a Variety of Post-Graduate Options
Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School seniors are pursuing a variety of goals after they graduate in June, with college joining a mix of other choices, director of guidance John Fiorito said.
Restaurant at Historic Inn Goes Seasonal
The Terrace and the Charlotte Inn in Edgartown have historically been open year-round, but the restaurant has faced staffing challenges throughout the pandemic.
Chilmark Select Board Candidates Make Their Bids for Open Seat
Chilmark select board candidates Marie Larsen and Russell Maloney laid out their priorities for the town at a packed League of Women Voters candidate forum Monday.
Steamship Sets Special Meeting for Conversion Contracts
The Steamship Authority board of governors is expected to vote Thursday on a shipyard contract to convert two of the boat line’s three recently-purchased service vessels into freight boats.
Aquinnah Tribal Member to Join Harvard’s Native American Program
Jordan Clark was tapped to be the new assistant director of the Harvard University Native American Program.
Racial Equity Grants Available
Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation, Inc. has opened the application process for its Racial Equity Grant Program.
School Committee Votes to Continue Funding Turf Appeal
A divided Martha’s Vineyard Regional School committee voted Monday to dedicate additional money to the district’s lawsuit against the Oak Bluffs planning board over the town board’s denial of an artificial turf playing field at the school.
Vineyard Writers Receive Book Awards
Geraldine Brooks and Charlene Hunter-Gault are among the winners of the annual Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards.
The Fish Tavern
In the Greek fishing village of Nea Kios, where I traveled recently, there is a Psarotaverna, a fish tavern, that reminded me of home on the Vineyard.
Vineyard Plays Starring Role in New Jaws Exhibit
Titled Creating Amity Island, the new exhibit at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum brings together behind-the-scenes photos and collectibles from the now-historic 1974 production that made the Vineyard famous to millions of viewers around the world.
West Tisbury Tax Jump Due to Billing Quirk
While the average payment in West Tisbury would have increased around eight per cent on each bill if spread across all four quarters, residents had to contend with the entire year’s increase in just the final bill.
Edgartown Town Administrator Celebrated for Military Promotion
Edgartown town administrator James Hagerty traded his business suit for military fatigues Saturday to commemorate his promotion from major to lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves.
Sheet Metal Expertise Is A Key Piece of the HVAC Puzzle
Sheet metal licensure is generally necessary for anyone who wants to move air in the state of Massachusetts, from the smallest bath fan to the largest heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
Ferries Now Event Makes Case for Move to Electric Ferry Boats
Electric ferry operators from Denmark, Maine and Washington state shared their experiences Friday in a half-day public conference aimed at encouraging the Steamship Authority to begin reducing dependency on fossil fuel.
Tisbury Hears Plans for Outdoor Taqueria
Longtime summer resident and restaurateur Patrick Lyons appeared before the Tisbury planning board this week to present his proposal for a Mexican restaurant at the Stone Bank property in Vineyard Haven.
Mansion House Welcomes General Manager
The Mansion House Inn has hired Sam Tyree as its new general manager.
Police Aren’t Seeking Charges in Alleged Dog Stabbing
Tisbury police said they responded to the power line trails behind the department of public works building on Wednesday morning after the owner of an Australian shepherd said his dog had been stabbed with a knife by another dog walker.
Pitch Perfect Top Prize Goes to Aquila Cafe
Pickle lovers, dog treat bakers, oyster shuckers and more took the stage this week at the Strand Theatre in Oak Bluffs for Pitch Perfect, a business pitch competition hosted by the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce.
West Tisbury Select Board Takes No Action in Ethics Violation
The West Tisbury select board decided against disciplinary action on an ethics violation by three members of an advisory board.
Edgartown Zoning Board Approves Harbor View Expansion Plans
In a step forward for a project more than 15 years in the making, the Edgartown zoning board of appeals approved the Harbor View Hotel’s plans for a new guest house and spa.
Girls Hockey Falls to Norwood In Tournament Play
The Vineyard girls hockey team season ended sooner than planned Thursday, with the girls losing 5-2 at home to Norwood. The Mustangs came charging out of the gate and rattled the Vineyarders early with two goals in the first six minutes. Having played each other in the final regular season game, the Vineyard girls were…
