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
December 1, 2023
Waning Gibbous Moon
The moon will continue to dominate our evening skies over the weekend. The waning gibbous moon moves through the constellations of winter. Tonight the moon is in the zodiacal constellation Gemini. This moon is one day short of being the highest moon in its month long orbit around the Earth. Though past full moon, this…
Town Stewards Toe the Line for History
Depending on one’s perspective, the Island’s historic district commissions are the last stalwarts fighting to preserve the Vineyard’s eroding character or another bureaucratic hurdle for frustrated homeowners.
Bow Hunting Numbers Point to Robust Deer Season
The eight-week bow season showed an increase of 23 per cent in zone 13, which includes the Vineyard and surrounding Elizabeth Islands. Archers pulled in 291 deer this year compared to 236 in 2022.
Fiona Arrives
Zoe Shanor and Daniel Merry, of West Tisbury, announce the birth of a daughter, Fiona Read Merry, born on Nov. 28 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
On Noman’s Land, a New England Cottontail Colony Flourishes
It started with about a dozen rabbits, dropped off on a remote island that was once used by the military for target practice. Four years on, it’s a bunny paradise.
Chappaquiddick OSV Future Remains Uncertain
For decades, the Trustees have sold permits allowing people to drive out to the sandy beaches of Chappaquiddick, a popular destination for swimming, fishing and shellfishing. But the practice has come under fire in recent years.
Charter School Presents Almost, Maine
The drama club of the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School presents Almost, Maine, a play by John Cariani.
Rustin Documentary Benefits NAACP
The Martha’s Vineyard Branch of the NAACP and the Martha’s Vineyard Film Society will present one showing only of Rustin on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 4 p.m.
Land Bank Revenues
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $201,294 for the business week ending on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023.
Students Bring Business Savvy to Holiday Pop-Up Shop
On Edgartown’s North Water street, the Mad Martha’s ice cream parlor is usually dormant in December when brisk winter weather dissuades Islanders from a frozen treat.
Moving Around
The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital will soon be something besides a dream.
Fostering Connection Is Key Step in Combatting Addiction
I am an alcoholic and I quit drinking on my own for good in 2004.
Please Adopt Us
We would like to express our thanks to those who made donations on Giving Tuesday.
An Ode to Menemsha’s Red Shanty
The red fishing shanty in Menemsha is a humble structure.
Chilmark Town Column: Dec. 1
Despite the de-leaved tree silhouettes lining the darkened skies that early December frequently has to offer, folks are making the most of the remaining mild days in 2023.
Edgartown Town Column: Dec. 1
We had snow! There were people that were happy and some not so much.
Chappaquiddick Town Column: Dec. 1
This past Tuesday was Giving Tuesday. It is part of a movement that takes place every year on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving.
Worldwide Popularity
There was no beating around the bush: boxwood was the favorite.
Winter Arrivals
Winter resident waterfowl are continuing to arrive as more northern waters freeze over.
Freeze Frame
What a rude awakening last Sunday. It was our first significant freeze.
Community Chorus Presents Holiday Show
The Island Community Concert takes place at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown, with shows on Saturday, beginning at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, beginning at 3 p.m.
New Bedford Shipper Eyes Vineyard Service
Jonah Mikutowicz, the owner of 41 North Offshore, came to the Steamship Authority board meeting Tuesday to float his new plan after receiving interest from potential customers.
Recent Real Estate Transactions: Week ending Nov. 24
MV Beach Holdings LLC purchased a Black Point Beach lot in Chilmark from Isabelle Lew Trs. and Oyster Nominee Trust for $435,000 on Nov. 20.
Hello Matteo
Janaina Kelly Machado and Maicon Patricio, of Oak Bluffs, announce the birth of a son, Matteo Machado Patricio, born on Nov. 27 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Samantha Gitschier Weds Khalid Dore
amantha R. Gitschier and Khalid L. Dore were married on Nov. 4 at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown.
Chilmark Votes to Raise Building Permit Fees
Construction projects in Chilmark will now face higher permitting costs, after the select board approved a new building department fee schedule proposed by building inspector Adam Petkus.
Oak Bluffs Enacts New Winter Harbor Limits
The Oak Bluffs select board voted Tuesday to eliminate long-term overnight mooring and slip use in the marina during the off-season.
West Tisbury Goes Back to ADU Drawing Board
West Tisbury’s affordable housing committee is redoubling its efforts to fund private affordable housing projects in town after a pilot program was voted down at special town meeting.
Oak Bluffs Approves Residential Tax Exemption
The Oak Bluffs select board voted last week to adopt a 15 per cent residential tax exemption for fiscal year 2024, lowering property taxes on homes that are a person’s primary residence.
Steamship Board Divided Over Sankaty Incident Handling
The handling of the Sankaty incident this summer has fractured the Steamship Authority’s generally unanimous board of governors, who took opposing positions at their regular meeting Tuesday morning in Falmouth.
West Tisbury Debates Short Term Rental Bylaw
West Tisbury residents got a chance to weigh in on a proposed bylaw to regulate short term rentals in town at a joint meeting of the planning board and short-term rental committee Monday, Nov. 27.
Oak Bluffs Board of Health Takes No Action on Turf Moratorium
The Oak Bluffs board of health held off on making a decision about a moratorium that could stall plans for a new artificial turf field at the regional high school.
Island Table Tennis Duo Scores High Marks
Two Vineyard table tennis players competed in the North American Teams Table Tennis Championship and made it to the quarter final round.
Edgartown Board of Health in Favor of Proposed Artificial Turf Moratorium
The Edgartown board of health this week voiced its support for a moratorium on artificial turf fields that is currently under consideration in neighboring Oak Bluffs.
Menemsha Tree Cutting Results in $2.5 Million Settlement
A Menemsha property owner who accused her neighbors of illegally cutting down more than 100 trees on her land in search of better water views won a $2.5 million settlement earlier this year.
Agricultural Society Receives State Grant
The Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society received a $61,882 grant from the state Department of Agricultural Resources this week, part of a statewide effort to promote local agriculture.
A Compassionate Approach to Equine End of Life Care
Misty Meadows Equine Learning Center has an older than average horse age than most organizations, said executive director Sarah McKay, because many of their animals come to them for retirement after reaching an age where owners can no longer care for them.
Rhode Island Preservationists File Offshore Wind Lawsuit
The Preservation Society of Newport County, known for its seaside mansions, is suing the federal government over the permitting process of offshore wind energy projects off Martha’s Vineyard.
A Career in Nursing Gets a Major Acknowledgment
Mary Jane Williams of Oak Bluffs was recently honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Connecticut Nurses Association. Her career began in 1960, and continues today as chair of the Dukes County Health Council.
Shotgun Hunting Season Begins
Shotgun season for deer hunting begins Monday, Nov 27 and continues through Dec. 9.
Parts of the Island Bumped Up a Notch on Plant Hardiness Zone
Gardeners on the Vineyard are experiencing warmer winters on average, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s newly released Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
