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
February 2, 2024
Extreme High and Low Tides
The tides in the week ahead will be more extreme, higher than usual and lower too. The reason is two astronomical events happening at the same time. The moon will be at perihelion next Thursday, which means it will be closest to us in its regular orbit around the Earth. Add to that another aspect:…
Free Dental Cleanings for Islanders
A portable dental service will offer free teeth cleanings to Island adults during select dates in February and April.
Vineyard Gazette Media Group Names New Publisher
Monica Brady-Myerov, a journalist and digital entrepreneur, will take the reins of the media group effective March 11, succeeding Jane Seagrave, who is retiring after more than a dozen years with the publishing company.
Whale Carcass Towed to Tribal Land for Further Study
The journey to Aquinnah was two-fold: a tow by sea to the Martha’s Vineyard Shipyard in Vineyard Haven, and then a land transport up-Island.
Aquinnah Takes Aim at Algae Invader
Its scientific name is Codium fragile, but for many beachcombers across the Island the invasive macroalgae goes by a more ominous title: dead man’s fingers.
Vineyard Artist’s Work Chosen for Black History Month Stamp
This year’s Black History Month stamp, honoring judge Constance Baker Motley, is the work of an acclaimed Vineyard artist who divides his time between the Island and Atlanta.
Can We Talk About Managed Retreat?
Three bad storms, back-to-back. Severe erosion. Major flooding. It’s time to start talking about managed retreat from the coast.
A Voice for Nature
This letter of disgust and despair has been stewing since last May, when the site of the proposed nursing home in Edgartown on the Edgartown/Vineyard Haven Road was clear cut seemingly overnight. Recently, an article in the Martha’s Vineyard Times praising trees and an article in the Vineyard Gazette reporting on perhaps a forward motion…
Dune Breach
After the storms of the past month I would like to comment on the general destruction at Squibnocket beach. The issues neatly divide into two, the turn around at the end of the town road and the breach of the dune just west of there. Several years ago Chilmark rearranged and rebuilt the beach access…
Cold Snap
From the Feb. 2, 1968 edition of the Vineyard Gazette: One person who was not particularly impressed by the cold spell that had the Vineyard pretty solidly frozen in last month is Mrs. Arthur C. Vincent of Edgartown.
Finding Inspiration in a James Cagney Way of Life
Many people under the age of 50 have never heard of him, yet in the 1930s and ‘40s, Jimmy Cagney was one of Hollywood’s biggest box office stars.
Preschool Thank You
The Friends of the Chilmark Preschool would like to express our profound gratitude to the Chilmark voters who unanimously supported our new preschool building project on January 22.
Hello James
Kelly Bowes and Ted MacInnes, of Edgartown, announce the birth of a son, James Arthur MacInnes, born on Jan 30 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Catboat Association Honors Service
Mark Alan Lovewell received the Dolphin Award at the 62nd annual Catboat Association annual meeting, held in Groton, Conn. last weekend.
Leaping Into an Artful Month
Featherstone Center of the Arts bings its 2024 season with an exhibit called Love Laugh Leap Live! An opening reception takes place Sunday, Feb. 4 from 4 to 6 p.m.
For Oak Bluffs Pastor, God’s Call Came as a Surprise
Nearly two years after receiving her master’s degree in divinity from the Boston University School of Theology, Rev. Joanne Hus still marvels at the fact she’s wearing a clerical collar.
Harbor View Renovation in Holding Pattern as Lawsuits Continue
The Edgartown zoning board signed off on the Edgartown hotel’s plans to update three cottages and build a new guest house and spa in March of 2023, but that approval was appealed by neighbor Lynn Allegaert a few months later.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Feb. 2
They might call January a month but in my opinion it lasts two years.
Chilmark Town Column: Feb. 2
For some, a birthday is just a day on the calendar and an occasion to indulge in cake.
Edgartown Town Column: Feb. 2
As I am writing this, we have not seen the sun in a very long time.
Chappaquiddick Town Column: Feb. 2
This weekend is about as close as we get to the dead of winter nowadays.
Please Adopt Us
We are happy to report that the young black cat Ralphie has found his forever home.
Land Bank Revenues
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $99,530 for the business week ending on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.
Recent Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending Jan. 26
Bruce Eric Graham and Jennifer L. Graham purchased lot 57 on Blue Heron Drive in Gosnold from John P. Downing Jr. Trs. and John P. Downing Jr. Revocable Trust for $870,000 on Jan. 26.
A Tolerant Tree
Stanley Leaming was a Chilmark character in the 1930s who remains remarkable for stories of his droll donkeys and his predilection for peculiar plants.
At an Impasse
It’s a good thing I do not have seasonal affective disorder.
Owls Missing?
The nesting season is starting for great horned owls.
Welcome Alden
Anna Perry and Robert Perry, of Oak Bluffs, announce the birth of a son, Alden Robert Perry, born on Jan. 29 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Vineyard Election Season Kicks Off
Vineyarders will have four different elections this year. The presidential primary takes place on March 5, annual town elections start in the spring, state primaries are on Sept. 3 and the general presidential election on Nov. 5.
Coast Guard Reschedules Safe Boating Class
The Coast Guard Auxiliary on Martha’s Vineyard has rescheduled its new boating safety class called Suddenly in Command to Saturday, Feb. 10.
Cultural Council Awards Local Grants
The Martha’s Vineyard Cultural Council has announced its 2024 grants to support projects that improve quality of life for Island residents by promoting excellence, access, education and diversity in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences.
Governor Pitches New Municipal Bill
Titled the Municipal Empowerment Act, the governor’s bill would allow towns to enact a new motor vehicle excise surcharge, raise the local hotel and home rental tax from its current limit of 6 per cent to 7 per cent, as well as increase the local option meals tax.
Contra Dance for the Grange Hall
Vineyard Preservation Trust will hold an evening of contra dancing at the Grange Hall in West Tisbury on Saturday, Feb. 10.
Island Towns Step Up Planning to Restore Beaches
The state Department of Environmental Protection Monday granted Edgartown emergency authorization to dredge Katama Bay, clearing the way for a project intended to help restore the storm-battered South Beach.
Squibnocket Pond Reservation Opening Delayed
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank does not expect to fully open the Squibnocket Pond Reservation until 2025 due to the long permitting process.
Boys Swim Team Wins League Championship
The regional high school boys swim team wrapped up its regular season Saturday by winning the Cape and Islands League championship.
Toasting the Bard and Embracing the Haggis at Annual Burns Nicht Supper
Haggis, a savory pudding made of lamb organs and barley, was the first dish of the night — avoided by some but devoured by many — at the 37th annual Burns Nicht celebration.
Dead Right Whale Found in Cow Bay
Scientists have yet to determine the cause of death as of Monday afternoon, but the dead calf represents another blow to the critically endangered whale species, which has dwindled to fewer than 360 individuals in recent years.
Planning Board Drops Turf Appeal
The planning board’s withdrawal now lifts one of the major obstacles for the high school, which has been talking about overhauling its athletic facilities since 2016.
Island Gets Aid in Pine Beetle Battle
Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation this week received a $75,000 grant from the state to help combat an invasive beetle infestation in the Phillips Preserve forest in Tisbury.
JetBlue Halts Vineyard-White Plains Route
The airline notified Martha’s Vineyard Airport last week that the flights to and from Westchester County, which ran about once a day in the summer, would be discontinued in 2024, said Geoff Freeman, the airport director.
