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
June 23, 2023
Supernova
There is a new supernova in the night sky, too dim to see even with most astronomical telescopes. The nova was spotted back in May and it continues to gain the interest of astronomers. The nova is in Ursa Major, a constellation overhead, more familiarly known as the Big Dipper. The nova is in an…
Bridge Column: June 23
Bridge players constantly re-evaluate their hands as the bidding progresses. Here’s a example, with South dealing and North-South vulnerable: NORTH ♠️ A J 9 4 ♥️ A…
Vineyard Haven Town Column: June 23
Well, nothing warmed the cockles of my heart more than seeing the last school bus go by.
Big Easy Comes to Vineyard Haven
The New Orleans jazz funeral gets a celebration of its own with City of a Million Dreams: Parading for the Dead in New Orleans, playing June 23 at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center.
Offshore Wind Energy Takes Root in Local Waters
An entirely new energy industry in the U.S. took a step forward earlier this month when, just 14 miles south of the Vineyard, construction started on the country’s first commercial-scale offshore wind energy farm.
Vineyard Left Out of New State Septic Regulations
Updates to the state’s Title 5 regulations that were originally proposed for the Cape, South Coast and the Islands will now only go into effect on Cape Cod, state officials said this week.
Strawberry Weather
The strawberry festival at Morning Glory Farm last weekend was a rainy affair, but then again it often is.
SSA Audit Is Essential for Freight Ferry Expenditures
At an August 16, 2022 meeting, the Steamship Authority’s five members by unanimous vote authorized general manager/chief executive officer Robert Davis to make an expenditure of $11,275,000 for the purchase of two used oilfield support ships.
Menemsha Mourning Comes to Port
Over a long life I have spent a lot of time — many happy hours — in Menemsha.
Put Me in, Coach, It’s the Little League Championships
This spring, I have found a new rite of passage. The game day car ride.
Old Sayings
Martha’s Vineyard cherishes the memory of many localisms — sayings that were common on the Island in the old days.
Helping Seniors Through Songwriting
A group of musicians will hold a benefit and awareness concert for Island Elderly Housing on Friday, June 30.
Social Justice Curriculum Introduced
On Saturday, author Lynn Ditchfield and artist and illustrator Janice Frame will discuss the newly-released book Borders to Bridges: Arts-Based Curriculum for Social Justice.
Aquinnah Hires New Building Inspector
The Aquinnah select board voted Wednesday to appoint Adam Petkus as the town’s building inspector.
Moped Crash Results in Broken Bones
A woman suffered several broken bones over the weekend after she crashed her rental moped in Oak Bluffs.
Lawmakers Consider Moped Rental Ban
The proposed ban has been put to the state legislature several times in the past seven years and aims to halt the rentals in the name of safety.
Edgartown Considers Purchase of Land Bank Building
This week, the Edgartown select board voted to extend an informal offer on the Land Bank property headquarters at 167 Main street.
Please Adopt Us
Good news! Snort’s adoption is official and we couldn’t be happier.
New Tick Discovered on the Vineyard
Three Asian longhorned ticks were found during yard surveys in Aquinnah and Chilmark earlier in June.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: June 23
The rain, wind and waves that threatened to cancel the broad array of Juneteenth weekend programs conjured up the innovation, determination, ingenuity and sacrifices that our ancestors deployed against almost intolerable living conditions in slavery.
Edgartown Town Column: June 23
We finally got some glorious and much-needed rain.
Tisbury Tests Dog-Friendly Outdoor Dining Program
In order to welcome customers with dogs, restaurants and coffee shops with outdoor seating must apply for the town’s new “Dog Friendly Spaces” variance and follow guidelines the board of health approved last week.
Fast Reaction and Training Save a Life
On Sunday, server Casey Wells saved a life by performing the Heimlich maneuver on a choking customer at The Wharf Pub.
Chilmark Town Column: June 23
Summer didn’t officially join us here in the northern hemisphere until 10:57 a.m. on Wednesday, June 21.
Chappaquiddick Town Column: June 23
The Chappy Point to Point foot race will be run on Sunday, June 25 between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.
Land Bank Revenues
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $245,886.40 for the business week ending on Friday, June 16, 2023.
O’Neill Bids Adieu at VCS Annual Meeting
Surrounded by friends and colleagues, Brendan O’Neill celebrated the conclusion of his 38-year run as executive director of the Vineyard Conservation Society (VCS) at its annual meeting Tuesday.
Recent Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending June 16
Edward M. Parker II and Keelan A. Parker purchased property on State Road in Aquinnah from Paul H. Shands for $1,750,000 on June 15.
Mother Nature’s Gift
I loved last Saturday’s rain. Some major puttering took place in my house.
Sisterhood Is Powerful
Sisters unite and conquer!
Caution, Birds Nesting
The name Little Beach fits; it is 20 acres and is frequently mentioned in this column.
Hello Kaio
Joanna Merritt and Scott Merritt, of Oak Bluffs, announce the birth of a son, Kaio David Merritt, born on June 14.
Welcome Isaiah
Chrysta Moreau and Reeve Moreau, of Chilmark, announce the birth of a son, Isaiah Moreau, born on June 18.
Dershowitz Returns to the Chilmark Library
A small crowd gathered at the Chilmark Library on Tuesday to hear a talk from prominent lawyer, Harvard professor and seasonal Chilmark resident Alan Dershowitz about his new book.
High School Feasibility Study Wins State Approval
The Massachusetts School Building Authority approval is the first state-supported step toward replacing or overhauling the aging school.
New Agreement Adds on-Island Services for Child Assault Victims
Island children who are victims of sexual and physical assault will be able to conduct interviews with trained experts on the Island for the first time under a new agreement between Vineyard and mainland organizations.
Students Say Goodbye in Last Day Sendoffs
The half-day dismissal brought celebrations and reflections from students, teachers and parents alike. Some were nervous about transitions, others thrilled for the end of homework and the start of beach time.
Seaman Sues SSA After Injury
Keith Maxwell filed a lawsuit in federal court against the Steamship Authority on June 9, saying he fractured his right fibula due to the unseaworthiness of the M/V Nantucket.
Creative Living Award Nominations Open
The Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Creative Living Award.
Students Share Civil Rights Research and Art
On Thursday, June 22, Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School students, along with teacher Freedom Cartwright and MV African American Heritage Trail organizer Elaine Weintraub, will share their research and artwork about civil rights activists.
Mariner Gallery Continues the Lineage of John Stobart
When P. Andre Arguimbau was a child he met the revered maritime artist John Stobart. The experience inspired Mr. Arguimbau, and this Friday he opens his Mariner Gallery in the Edgartown location of Mr. Stobart’s former gallery.
Juneteenth Celebrations Recalled the Full Scope of History
Beginning with the arrival of the Amistad into Vineyard Haven harbor Thursday through a gospel brunch in Edgartown on Monday, the Vineyard celebrated Juneteenth with joy and reverence.
Built on Stilts Seeks Participants
Registration is now open for Built on Stilts, the Vineyard’s homegrown community dance and performance festival.
Island Firefighter to Help Fight Canadian Fires
Charles Uchendu will spend the next two weeks working with Canadian firefighters to suppress the more than 100 fires that have been ravaging forests in the province since early this month.
Celebrating the Vineyard Preservation Trust in Style
Under a grand tent on the lawn of Edgartown’s Dr. Daniel Fisher House, Vineyarders feasted on cuisine from the Island’s popular eateries Thursday evening at the 37th annual Taste of the Vineyard.
Chilmark Not Won Over by New Howes House Plan
This week, the West Tisbury board presented a new prospective breakdown for the Howes House renovation, with 60 per cent of the project being paid for by West Tisbury, 30 per cent by Chilmark and 10 per cent by Aquinnah.
Hearing to Ban Mopeds Set for June 20
At the Oak Bluffs select board meeting this week, town administrator Deborah Potter reported there will be a state government hearing on Tuesday, June 20, about an act to ban moped rentals in Oak Bluffs.
Former P.A. Club President Honored at State House
On Tuesday, Tricia Bergeron won the 2023 Heritage Day of Portugal Award, one of 18 honorees across the state.
Chilmark Community Center Hires Summer Director
Los Angeles-based science teacher Troy Lawson will take over as executive director of the Chilmark Community Center summer camp program.
Coast Guard Plane Makes Emergency Landing
A U.S. Coast Guard aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing at the Martha’s Vineyard Airport Thursday, after one of the plane’s engines malfunctioned during a routine drill four miles off the coast of the Island.
Community Foundation Awards Scholarships
The Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation has announced the recipients of its 2023 Scholarship Awards.
