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 28, 2023
Meteor Shower Season
We are approaching the best time of year to watch for meteors, also known as shooting stars. We've got both mild summer nights and at least two meteor showers to look for. This weekend marks the radiant period of the Delta Aquarid meteor shower. And mid-August we've got the ever so popular Perseid Meteor Shower.…
Freight Ferry Breaks Loose From Woods Hole Dock
The Sankaty broke loose around 5 p.m. and drifted into the neighboring Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution dock, the Steamship Authority said.
Closing the Notebook
It has been a reliable companion and has had an unmistakable effect on me.
Community Thank You
Island Elderly Housing would like to thank everyone that helped make our June 30 Songwriters for Island Elder Housing concert an incredible success.
Della Hardman Day Helps Savor the Moment
On the last Saturday of July each year, the town of Oak Bluffs celebrates the life and spirit of late resident Della Hardman — educator, artist, writer and force for good.
The Car Ferry Attendant Yelled at Me
Granted, I probably shouldn’t have been on the phone while I was pulling in to the ferry.
As Needs Increase, So Do Services at Boys and Girls Club
With a capacity of just 100 people and an increasing demand for its services, the Martha’s Vineyard Boys and Girls Club has outgrown its current facility. Now an ambitious plan to expand the clubhouse seems within reach.
Wind Power Key to Combating Climate Crisis
Gov. Maura Healey recently announced her administration’s intention to “go big” on offshore wind.
Cyanobacteria Reaches Red-Grade Status in Four Ponds
MVCyano, a coalition of local boards of health and the Great Pond Foundation, has issued “red-grade” cyanobacteria bloom advisories in Chilmark Pond, Tisbury Great Pond, James Pond and a pond at Mink Meadows.
Island Community Is There for Each Other
Since the first time I stepped onto this Island, or was rather carried, I was thrust into strong arms bonded by love.
Gazette Chronicle: The Nine Wonders
From the July 27, 1982 edition of the Vineyard Gazette by Stan Hart: Softball may really be the national pastime.
For Jakob Dylan, Performing Is About Connecting in the Moment
Jakob Dylan and the Wallflowers are at the Performing Arts Center on Saturday, July 29 as part of the Martha’s Vineyard Concert Series.
Piglet Party
Upon approaching the pigpen at North Tabor Farm, a visitor will encounter two sensations: the faint ammoniac smell of swinish manure, and the cacophonous duet of squeaks, chirps and hisses of the farm’s two defense geese, Lucy and Lorenzo.
Book Festival Brings the Page to Life
The biennial Martha’s Vineyard Book Festival takes place August 5 and 6 on the Chilmark Community Center grounds, with an opening event on August 4 hosted by comedian Seth Meyers and journalist Kara Swisher.
Documentary Week Presents Five Films
What do a high school mariachi band, regenerative farming and Cirque du Soleil have in common?
Mark Miller Performs Union Chapel Concert
Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs brings composer, organist and music director Mark Miller to play on its newly-restored organ for a free concert on Friday, July 28.
Officials Discuss Concerns Over Goat Herd’s Health
Questions about the wellbeing of the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank goat herd were raised at a meeting this week between land bank staff, Island animal control officers and the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society.
Bridge Column: July 28
In a competitive auction when your partner hasn’t supported you, rebidding or jump-rebidding can be “deep and dangerous” in Shakespeare’s words.
Please Adopt Us
Teddy desperately needs a home; he has been here far too long.
Land Bank Revenues
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $314,457.52 for the business week ending on Friday, July 21, 2023.
Recent Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending July 21
Benjamin Carotta purchased 12 Eagles Nest in Edgartown from Hwa Hsieh Trs. and Vineyard Five Realty Trust for $1,300,001 on July 17.
Place to Be
The New York Times is loaded with stories about the extreme heat.
Inchworms Everywhere
Duck and run.
Osprey Citizen Science
Rob Bierregaard has been conducting his annual survey of the productivity of our many osprey nests this week.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: July 28
What a passel of beautiful but very warm days we are having!
Edgartown Town Column: July 28
We should all be happy for sea breezes, cool nights and air conditioning.
State Suspends Company Behind Edgartown Fireworks
The state fire marshal’s office suspended the man who managed the Edgartown town fireworks display on July 4 after several undetonated fireworks washed up on Chappaquiddick.
Chilmark Town Column: July 28
A friend and somehow distant relative — I’ll need to get my mom Diana Lees, the family genealogist, to make the exact connection — recently turned 90.
Chappaquiddick Town Column: July 28
At the recent annual meeting of the Chappaquiddick Island Association, the assemblage agreed that there should be single-issue meetings throughout the summer.
Hello Lucy
Cecelia DeGregorio and Andrew McElhinney, of West Tisbury, announce the birth of a daughter, Lucy Rose McElhinney, born on July 21 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Oak Bluffs Keeps an Eye on Donut Lines
Dozens of people packed the Oak Bluffs select board meeting Tuesday after the business last week sent out a petition claiming a neighbor was trying to put a halt to the late-night tradition.
Bird Walk Led by Christian Cooper
On Saturday, August 5, The Trustees of Reservations and the Martha’s Vineyard Book Festival will host a bird walk led by Christian Cooper at Long Point Wildlife Refuge.
Shearer Cottage Gives Up Expansion Plans
The historic Oak Bluffs Inn surrendered its approvals from the Martha’s Vineyard Commission last week, essentially ending any renovation plans before they started.
Museum Medals Honor Islanders Who Make a Difference
At the Martha’s Vineyard Museum’s 100th annual meeting Monday, the organization honored three Islanders with the museum medal: Lisa Belcastro, Richard Taylor and Craig Dripps.
Island Housing Trust Proposes School Employee Housing
Martha’s Vineyard public school employees could receive preference in applying to rent eight apartments Island Housing Trust is planning to build in West Tisbury, if the nonprofit is able to fund the project.
Making College Accessible to the Incarcerated
Bard Prison Initiative is showing the world what can happen when incarcerated people are given an opportunity to earn a college degree. On Saturday, a screening of College Behind Bars at the Grange Hall highlighted the program.
Gusty Winds Shorten Edgartown Regatta
The 100th annual Edgartown Yacht Club Regatta wrapped up earlier than planned the weekend of July 15, when heavy winds Sunday morning led the race committee to abandon the final day of competition.
Vineyard Leaders Meet With Nantucket To Talk Housing, Staffing Shortages
Municipal employee housing, wastewater management and town hall staffing shortages were all discussed at the inter-island meeting last week.
VTA Bus Hits Van in West Tisbury
A Vineyard Transit Authority bus sideswiped a minivan on Lambert’s Cove Road in West Tisbury Saturday afternoon.
Car Flips on South Road Saturday
A 2019 Honda Civic grazed a roadside pole on South Road in Chilmark and flipped onto its roof on Saturday after the driver fell asleep at the wheel.
Possible Dreams Raises $795,000 for Community Services
The Possible Dreams live auction held Sunday at the Winnetu Oceanside Resort and an ongoing silent online auction raised $795,000 for Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, the near-record amount adding over $100,000 from last year’s total.
Housing Project Proposed Again on Uncas Avenue
The Oak Bluffs zoning board of appeals referred a proposed mixed-use development that hinges on a controversial home demolition to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission at a public hearing on Tuesday.
Lifting Up the Heroes and Heartaches in Ongoing Opioid Crisis
Journalist and author Beth Macy believes two things are key to solving America’s overdose crisis: hope and help. On Thursday she gave a talk as part of the Summer Institute Speaker Series at the Hebrew Center.
Pilot Makes Emergency Landing in State Forest
Shortly before 11 a.m. Sunday a single-engine plane went down in an area about a mile west of Martha’s Vineyard Airport. The pilot, who was the only one on board, was uninjured during the emergency landing.
Pilot in Vineyard Airport Plane Crash Dies
Randolph Bonnist, the 79-year-old man who had a medical emergency while flying the small private plane Saturday, died at Boston Medical Center on Thursday night.
High School Accepts Donations For Turf Legal Bills
The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School committee will use donated money to pay the attorney who has been handling its ongoing artificial turf litigation against the town of Oak Bluffs.
West Tisbury Weighs Housing Committee Conflict of Interest
Ongoing deliberation over a possible ethics violation on the West Tisbury affordable housing committee flared up once again at a town select board meeting Wednesday.
