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
November 10, 2023
Autumn and the Milky Way
You got to love the crisp, clear nights of autumn. Now that we are in the time of Standard Time, and put Daylight Savings time away, we get an early dose of evening. Trips home from work are dark. Step outside before the dinner hour and the brightest of stars are already overhead. To those…
Setting the Table
The Island Food Pantry’s proposed new food distribution center in Oak Bluffs appears to be on a glide path after the project won unanimous approval last week from the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.
School Census Shows Slight Decrease from Record High
This year’s state-mandated student census, held annually at the start of October, showed a slight dip in enrollment across nearly all Island schools.
Navy Origins Anchor Island Airport
Eighty years ago, while World War II was raging in Europe, the military carved 683 acres out of the state forest on the Vineyard to create the United States Naval Auxiliary Facility.
From Chicken Alley to Sotheby’s, All Thanks to an Artful Eye
Last spring a Chicken Alley Thrift Shop volunteer found an important work by Nigerian artist Ben Enwonwu among a large pile of donations. Last week the painting sold for $10,000 at a Sotheby’s auction.
Fiddling Helps Historic Home Stay in Tune With the Times
The Alison Boylston Piazza house has sat in its location on Upper Main street in Edgartown for 175 years and for much of its life has embraced a musical legacy that continues today.
Enter the Dragon Room: Taylor Stone’s Art Casts a Spell
Island artist Taylor Stone’s first-ever solo show is really three exhibitions in one, all infused with her love of the magical and fantastic.
In Praise of Jerry Kohlberg and His Long Service to Veterans
Jerome Kohlberg and his wife Nancy were well known for their Island philanthropy. A lesser-known story involved Mr. Kohlberg’s commitment to veterans.
Gazette Chronicle: Weather Vanes
From the November 8, 1974 edition of the Vineyard Gazette by Polly Woollcott Murphy: There was a time in West Tisbury when weather vanes were as ubiquitous as the television antennae that now adorn the roofs of the town.
Wicked Good
The first Wicked Good Musical Revue of the season begins this weekend at the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse.
Edgartown Town Column: Nov. 10
I could not tell which was worse on Sunday: me getting on a new sleeping schedule and dinner routine, or the dog and cat looking at me at their regular feeding time and thinking I am never going to feed them again.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Nov. 10
We got through spooky season very well.
Chappaquiddick Town Column: Nov. 10
The next Chappaquiddick Community Center potluck supper is on Wednesday, Nov. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Chilmark Town Column: Nov. 10
I’ve felt a bit like a small child buckled into the back seat of the family car on a road trip, asking every five minutes, “Are we there yet?”
Hello Tara
Gordana Mladovic and Nikola Stalovic, of Oak Bluffs, announce the birth of a daughter, Tara Stalovic, born on Nov. 8 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Please Adopt Us
We have two adoptions to report this week. The young tabby and white girl, Sparkle, is moving on to her new home, and bunny brothers Peter and Teddy have an adoption pending. Best wishes to everyone.
West Tisbury Town Meeting to Decide on New Housing Program
West Tisbury voters will weigh in on an initiative to promote private affordable housing in town at their fall special town meeting next week, along with deciding on a series of minor funding articles.
Land Bank Revenues
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $980,467.50 for the business week ending on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023.
Recent Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending Nov. 3
Barry P. Sullivan, Patrick Sullivan and Donna Sullivan purchased 7 Tar Barrel Road in Aquinnah from Ezra Palmer and Jane H. Hammerslough for $1,800,000 on Nov. 2.
Benign Neglect
We finally had a freeze here in Vineyard Haven.
Travel Time
Hell-bent for leather is how Dick Landon described the departure of a very large turtle.
At the Cliffs
The Gay Head Cliffs strike again.
Chilmark Potluck Jam to Go Forward Without Alcohol
The Chilmark Potluck Jam, a series of community food and music events held at the town community center for the last 15 years, will proceed this year with a new zero-alcohol policy, after select board members raised concerns about underage drinking during the festivities.
Oak Bluffs Breezes Through Special Town Meeting
Voters passed all 12 articles at special town meeting Tuesday in under 30 minutes.
Gift Show Opens For Holidays
The Holiday Gift Show at Featherstone Center for the Arts is part art exhibit, part artist market — and all holiday cheer.
School Committee Addresses Issue of Accepting Anonymous Donations
A legal opinion, written to clarify the legitimacy of anonymous cash donations to Island schools, instead sowed more dissension at this week’s meeting of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School committee.
School Superintendent Contract Renewed
The All-Island school committee voted unanimously last week to renew Dr. Richard Smith’s contract as Martha’s Vineyard superintendent of schools.
Trustees Say Town Should Seek State Money For Dike Bridge
In a letter sent to the board Monday, Trustees attorney Dylan Sanders reiterated the organization’s longstanding position that the Dike Bridge is not under Trustees’ ownership, and therefore it is not responsible for funding any repairs.
Honoring Veterans Day Around the Island
The annual Veterans Day parade kicks off at 10:45 a.m. Saturday from Nancy’s Restaurant on Lake avenue and winds its way up to Ocean Park. There, a ceremony honoring the country’s veterans will begin at 11 a.m.
Longtime Up-Island Council on Aging Director to Retire
The Up-Island Council on Aging board met to discuss planning and priorities Monday, the first in-person meeting since the body was reconstituted following a review of the board’s internal bylaws. High on the list will be to find a replacement for director Joyce Albertine.
Developer Proposes 100 Apartments in Oak Bluffs
A new neighborhood of 100 apartments for low to moderate income Islanders, served by four stores with employee housing, has been proposed for eight acres on Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road in Oak Bluffs, just east of the future Southern Tier affordable housing complex.
Seasonal Resident Files Vineyard Wind Appeal
Thomas Melone, who owns a home on the Vineyard and is the president of a solar energy company, filed a legal challenge to the offshore wind energy project’s federal approvals in appeals court Monday.
Library Hosts Signed Language Discussion
A signed language discussion with ASL interpreters takes place Wednesday, Nov. 8 at the Oak Bluffs Library.
For Cape Pogue Beach Management, Status Quo Is a No Go
My extended family takes pride in our enduring ties to the Vineyard and the Chappaquiddick community.
Girls Soccer Ends Playoff Run; Football Soundly Defeats Falmouth
The girls soccer team lost 3-0 to fourth seeded Norwell in Sunday’s second round playoff game, finishing a strong season with 12 wins, 2 ties and 6 losses.
MVC Considers YMCA Expansion Plans
Officials from the YMCA presented their application to build a 39,000-foot addition, adding an indoor basketball court, exercise studios, indoor track and a golf simulator to the existing facility.
Food Pantry Relocation Approved by MVC
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission this week unanimously approved the Island Food Pantry’s plan for a permanent move to 114-116 Dukes County avenue in Oak Bluffs.
Unified Basketball Team Recognized by Special Olympics
Members of the Special Olympics organization bestowed “national banner recognition” status this week on the regional high school’s unified basketball program, started in 2019 by Ryan Kent.
