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
June 16, 2023
Night of Summer Solstice
The night of summer solstice could be memorable for those who have clear skie. If you take the time after sunset look towards the west for two planets and a thin crescent moon hugging close to the horizon. Venus is the brightest of the two planets, a treasure and alone a memory. But when the…
Preferring Pools to Beaches Reveals Island Cultural Shift
Once a rare luxury, swimming pools on Martha’s Vineyard have burgeoned in popularity, driven in part by demand from the summer rental market for more amenities.
Looking Back on a Century of Life
Born a century ago on a very different Martha’s Vineyard and having served as a medic in Germany during World War II, Clifton Athearn is a living link to the past. He celebrates his 100th birthday on June 30.
As Food Insecurity Rises, So Do Efforts to Curb It
Food insecurity, once a seasonal issue as Islanders tried to get through the winter when jobs are traditionally scarce, continues to climb, creating what officials say is an acute year-round crisis.
Whales Make a Splash in Local Waters
Several whales and other marine animals were seen off the Vineyard shores this week, a sign that summer is approaching.
Garden Party Is Animal Celebration
Every two years, the site of the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard’s Garden Party fundraiser changes locations.
Farm and Field: Suddenly Springtime
Ever so slowly, little green buds emerge from the oaks, and temperatures tiptoe towards temperateness.
Health Impacts
Climate change is about much more than extreme weather.
The Ghost of Amistad
Black cargo in shackles / The bondage of slaves / Willing to die to be free
Amistad Arrives Signaling Start of Juneteenth Holiday Weekend
Weekend Juneteenth events continue, including tours of the Amistad, a replica of the historic vessel that was the setting of a slave revolt in 1839. The cultural festival, originally scheduled for Saturday in the Tabernacle is now at Union Chapel, beginning at 3 p.m.
Gazette Chronicle: Home History
We are always interested in the destiny of the Island’s old houses, and it is worth comment that the once famous Dr. Tucker cottage in Oak Bluffs has now become the state police barracks.
Aquinnah Passes High School Budget
After narrowly rejecting the budget last month, Aquinnah voters easily passed the town’s $432,432 portion of the budget 39-2.
Survey Queries Beach Accessibility
Healthy Aging MV, the Island Disability Coalition and the Dukes County Commission have launched a survey to determine the level of accessibility at local beaches.
Please Adopt Us
We are delighted to report that Snort, the tri-color Persian cat, is out on a trial adoption.
Birding With 4-H
I had the great pleasure of joining Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation’s Winging It 4-H club for a tour of Quansoo Farm.
Relatively Cool
The weather has been fairly typical for early June: cool at night, very little rain and some summery days.
Gorgeous Groundnut
Folks are getting nuts in Aquinnah.
Hello Huey
Whitney Ryan and Walker Ryan, of Aquinnah, announce the birth of a son, Huey Desmond Ryan, born on June 11 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Land Bank Revenues
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $278,282.50 for the business week ending on Friday, June 9, 2023.
Recent Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending June 9
Adam R. Zaiger Trs. and Deck View Nominee Trust purchased property off Moshup Trail in Aquinnah from James F. O’Brien Jr. for $450,000 on June 6.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: June 16
A replica of the Amistad will be visiting our Island this weekend in honor of Juneteenth.
Edgartown Town Column: June 16
The heat has arrived and so has the fog.
Chilmark Town Column: June 16
One of Tabor House Road’s resident artists, Jennifer Burkin, has decided to take her passion for creativity to another level.
Chappaquiddick Town Column: June 16
Four young Chappaquiddickers graduated from high school last weekend.
After Quorum Struggle, West Tisbury Passes School Budget
Voters overwhelmingly passed the town’s $3.3 million share of the budget, but only after a false start to the meeting
Harborfest Brings the Action to Oak Bluffs
The 31st Annual Harbor Festival, better known as HarborFest, has been rescheduled from Saturday to Sunday due to the rain forecast.
Marta Launch Celebrates Nat Benjamin’s 100th Design
More than 80 people gathered at Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway in Vineyard Haven Saturday for the launch of Nat Benjamin’s 100th design, a custom 26-foot, gaff-rigged sloop called Marta.
Two Dead Whales Found in Two Days
A decomposing humpback whale was seen beached but still in the surf on South Beach Monday, and a second humpback was found on East Beach on Chappaquiddick Tuesday morning.
Bus Driver Union Threatens VTA with Legal Action
The Vineyard Transit Authority’s bus driver union claims the VTA administrator is wrongly been involved in the day-to-day operations of the authority and union’s ongoing contract negotiations.
Oak Bluffs Man Indicted on Rape Charges
Chad Atkinson, 31, was indicted on charges of aggravated rape of a child with force, and kidnapping, according to court documents.
Stone Bank Changes Prompt Further MVC Review
The Vineyard Haven project will need to go to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission for a fifth modification after the developer built a fence and wall that weren’t previously approved by the commission.
Orca Pod Spotted in Waters South of the Vineyard
An aerial survey team of scientists from the New England Aquarium saw a pod of four orcas swimming approximately 40 miles south of Nantucket during an aerial survey on Sunday.
Chicken Alley Holds Open House
Chicken Alley Thrift Shop will hold an open house on Monday, June 26 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Borders to Bridges Book Launches
On Saturday, June 24, the West Tisbury Public Library will hold a book launch for Borders to Bridges: Arts-Based Curriculum for Social Justice.
Boys Tennis Team Loses to Dover Sherborn in Semfinals
The boys tennis team ended its playoff run Monday, losing to Dover Sherborn in the division three state semifinals.
Second Pride Parade Brings Stronger Sense of Community
Oak Bluffs turned rainbow Saturday afternoon as more than 25 regional and Island organizations showed up for the second annual Pride parade.
Whales Wow Beachgoers off South Beach
People on South Beach Sunday were treated to the sight of whales slapping the water close to shore.
Artists and Floral Designers Team Up for Blooming Art
The Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club hosts Blooming Art on June 16 at the Old Mill in West Tisbury, a unique and colorful display of Island talent.
Nelly Long Receives Athlete of the Month Award
Nelly Long was presented with the athlete of the month award Monday for the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association.
Ticks Experts Urge Protection to Prevent Bites, Infections
At a half-day long tick-borne illness symposium put on by several local health groups, experts warned of the ticks’ presence across the island and gave tips on how to keep an eye out for them.
Class of 2023 Celebrated at Graduation Ceremony
Surrounded by cheering friends and tearful family members, the Martha’s Regional High School class of 2023 gathered at the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs Sunday afternoon for a poignant and celebratory graduation ceremony.
Island Community Gives over $1.2 Million to Students at Class Night
The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School kicked off a weekend of celebrations Friday with Class Night, a presentation of scholarship awards to members of the graduating class of 2023.
Boys Tennis Cruises Through Quarterfinals
The boys tennis team swept Medfield High School 5-0 on Friday. They play Dover Sherborn on Monday in the semifinals of the division 3 state tournament.
