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 26, 2024
Talking Turtles at Sense of Wonder Camp
Sy Montgomery has always felt more at home with animals than people. And as the author of three dozen books on animals ranging from hummingbirds to orangutans, animals clearly feel at home with her, too.
Venus
Venus, the brightest planet in the evening sky is getting easier to see. Have you seen it yet? Venus sets almost an hour after the sun. It is so close to the setting sun, you need a clear view of the horizon and maybe some luck. Look only after the sun has set, perhaps almost…
Fascination Fuels Prolific Filmmaker
Circuit Arts recently honored Dawn Porter with its inaugural Icon Award for a lifetime of achievement in film. The organization has shown nine of the seasonal Vineyarder’s films.
Harbor Homes Eyes New Oak Bluffs Shelter Location
The Vineyard’s only homelessness prevention nonprofit is under agreement to buy 112 Dukes County avenue, where — if local and regional authorities approve — it plans to build a permanent winter shelter for up to 25 guests.
Remembering to Savor the Moment
This year’s Della Hardman Day celebration takes place on July 27 in Ocean Park, beginning at 4 p.m. Dr. Clarence B. Jones, a former colleague of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, will be the featured speaker.
After Broken Blade, Wind Energy’s Future Debated
While the head of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), fishermen and many Nantucketers are calling for a complete halt to offshore wind energy construction, others maintain that the nascent industry is essential in the fight against climate change.
Celebrating HBCU Legacy on the Island
For Bethany Lynn Williams, Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Legacy Week on the Vineyard is the sweetest time of the year.
Tick-Borne Alpha-Gal Syndrome Continues to Soar
A new support group on the Island hopes to offer community and medical support to the growing population of Islanders diagnosed with alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-borne allergy that leaves people unable to digest red meat.
Womanists Celebrate Faith in Sisterhood
This year’s theme of the second annual Womanists at the Inkwell conference is Just a Sister Away: Cultivating and Celebrating Sister Circles.
Oak Bluffs Considers New Taxi Rules
The select board began to review taxi regulations after Jacqueline McGillicuddy, the owner of MV Harbor Taxi, asked the board to support local taxi services against out-of-town companies that operate in Oak Bluffs.
Deja New
The Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse presents a staged reading on July 29 of Deja New, a new play by Kate Feiffer, as part of their Monday Night Specials series.
Putting Documentaries Center Stage
A variety of perspectives will be showcased next week as Martha’s Vineyard Film Society hosts its 10th annual Documentary Week from July 29 to Aug. 2.
Court Report: Week Ending July 19
The following cases were heard in Edgartown district court.
Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending July 19
Marcio Gomes Pereira, Maria Avansini Pereira and Erlande Rodrigues Diniz purchased 11 Anthiers Way in Edgartown from Richard Boyd, Michael Boyd and Elizabeth Margaret Boyd Estate for $1,300,000 on July 15.
Broken Vineyard Wind Blade Had a Manufacturing Defect
GE Vernova CEO Scott Strazik told investors Wednesday that there was a “manufacturing deviation” in the Vineyard Wind blade that broke off and fell into the ocean.
Hello Lillian
Lorrane Menezes and Josh Potter, of Oak Bluffs, announce the birth of a daughter, Lillian Grace Potter, born on July 20 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Announcing Ella
Miranda and Ben Post, of Vineyard Haven, announce the birth of a daughter, Ella Martha Post, born on July 17 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Driver’s Seat
Aced the driver’s test —
Clashing and Melding on the Ticking Road
My worst nightmare is to shop for ticking, a tightly woven and heavy fabric, used for upholstery and initially used for mattresses.
Waltzing Matilda
You can still waltz in Oak Bluffs’ nightspots, and you can still hear some good piano, but from now on you won’t be able to boogie or rock and roll in drinking places.
Saving a Working Waterfront Is an Essential Lifeline
I’m an architect from Florence, Italy and a Vineyard summer resident since 1994.
Access for All
Your short piece on new access at the James Pond Preserve caught my attention.
Bookish!
On July 18, 19 and 20 the Library Friends of Oak Bluffs welcomed our neighbors of all ages to the library and town hall for our annual summer book sale.
Deep Reservations
We learned recently that any new reservation system for the Steamship Authority is unlikely until after 2026, with no end date in sight.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: July 26
There are Lots of visitors to welcome this time of year.
West Tisbury Town Column: July 26
“Never let a good crisis go to waste,”
Oak Bluffs Town Column: July 26
Family, friends, neighbors and colleagues came to Chilmark this past Saturday afternoon to celebrate the 90th birthday of Connie Williams.
Chilmark Town Column: July 26
My hiking partner, also known as my daughter Bradley and I overpacked our bags “just in case.”
Edgartown Town Column: July 26
I think we are all thankful that the heat and humidity finally let up. I love to open my windows.
Towns Grant Police Harbor Patrol Designation
A boat crash on Chappaquiddick earlier this year prompted two Island police departments to designate more officers to harbor patrols to better enforce the law on the water.
Chappy Town Column: July 26
The Chappaquiddick Island Association annual meeting will be held at the community center on Saturday, August starting at 9 a.m.
Chamber of Commerce Raffle
The Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce will host a raffle to benefit local nonprofit organizations.
Weather Window
Tuesday was my favorite weather day.
Budding Scientist Encounters Rare Seahorse
Pipefish, stripers, hermit crabs, minnows, even pufferfish: Bodhi Favreau, 8, of Easton, had seen all these before. But on Sunday at State Beach, he he discovered a rare and magical ocean denizen: Hippocampus erectus, a lined seahorse.
July Surprise
A white-throated sparrow had never been seen before in July.
A Sense of Sennet
There are other fish to fry. That might have been the guidance given when a small fish appeared in a net on a recent educational outing in Sengekontacket Pond.
Second Gentleman Headlines Vineyard Presidential Fundraiser
Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, will be visiting the Vineyard next week, taking the place of First Lady Jill Biden at a campaign fundraiser.
Harbor Homes Benefit Art Show
Harbor Homes hosts its fourth annual Give Me Shelter art show and sale on July 30 and 31 at the Grange Hall in West Tisbury.
MVC Considers “Missing Middle” Subdivision
A new subdivision plan in Edgartown could help Islanders who make too much money to qualify for affordable housing but don’t earn enough to afford the Vineyard’s sky high real estate prices.
Native Artisans Festival Lifts Up the Art of Tradition
Wampanoag artisans from all over New England gathered Saturday at the 17th annual Native Artisan Market and Festival.
Coast Guard Seeks New Naushon Lighthouse Caretaker
The Tarpaulin Cove Lighthouse is up for transfer, and the U.S. Coast Guard hopes to permanently sign care of the lighthouse to a government agency or nonprofit that will preserve the Naushon island landmark for generations to come.
Variety Is Key When Thinking About Food Sustainability
At a panel discussion Saturday titled A Sustainable Harvest: Past, Present, and Future, farmers, chefs and foodies spoke about the importance of biodiversity in everyday lives and culinary choices.
In the Studio With Mac Young
Mac Young wears several hats for the current production of Much Ado About Nothing, including a literal straw one to ward off the sun during long rehearsal days outdoors.
Auction Aids Community Services Dream of a New Campus
The 46th Possible Dreams raised more than $500,000 for Martha’s Vineyard Community Services after auctioning a lunch with Larry David, tickets to Fenway and a taping of Seth Meyers’ talk show.
Marching With Tradition at the Holy Ghost Parade
The Feast of the Holy Ghost parade set Sunday morning, cheered on by the Island community as it made its way up Circuit avenue, towards the town cemetery and on to the Portuguese American Club.
Blessed Are Those Who Gallop, Slither, Bleat and Bark
Rev. Mark Winters of the Federated Church of Edgartown had never blessed a horse before. That all changed on Saturday, when he blessed five horses, along with over a dozen dogs, two alpacas, one young goat named Arrow and even a gecko.
Dogs Allowed Back Onto Norton Point
The Dukes County Commission Wednesday approved Edgartown’s request to allow dogs on parts of the beach free of shorebirds as long as they are on a leash or lead.
Bridge Column: July 26
In last week’s column I laid the groundwork for evaluation of 16-point 1NT openers when partner invites game.
President Biden Bows Out of Race, Local Democrats Lift Up His Legacy
Vineyard Democrats also threw their support behind Vice President Kamala Harris, a longtime Vineyard visitor.
Turbine Debris May Have Washed Up at Wasque
The Trustees of Reservations reported Friday that potential debris had come ashore on Wasque and the nonprofit was working with the offshore wind energy company to retrieve any pieces of the broken fiberglass.
Hospital Hit in Global Software Outage
Martha’s Vineyard Hospital canceled all non-urgent surgeries and other medical visits Friday after a global Microsoft software outage.
First Lady to Host Vineyard Fundraiser
First Lady Jill Biden will make a visit to the Vineyard later this month to campaign for her husband, President Joe Biden.
