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
August 16, 2024
Forty Years of Good Food and Good Times at Coop de Ville
Petey Berndt’s standard greeting when a customer walks into Coop de Ville is not “How many?” It’s “How have you been?”
Full Moon Monday
The full moon on Monday will be big and close And you'll see it rising in the eastern sky right after sunset. We call this moon the Sailor's Moon, the one moon in August that gets plenty of attention. In other places the moon is called The Sturgeon Moon, but we have seldom seen this…
My Father’s Name
There will be a screening of the documentary short, My Father’s Name directed by Susanna Styron, at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center on August 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Agricultural Fair Beckons One and All to West Tisbury
On Thursday, when the 162nd Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair opened at 10 a.m., people streamed through the gates, admiring livestock, pets and poultry of all sizes, enjoying rides, and sipping pickle lemonade.
Two Vie For State Representative Seat
Democrats on the Vineyard, Nantucket and parts of Falmouth will head to the polls on Sept. 3 to cast their primary ballots for the region’s new state representative, choosing between Arielle Faria and Thomas Moakley.
Please Adopt Us: August 16
We’re thrilled to report that the Labrador retrievers Biscuit and Homer’s adoption has been finalized. We’re delighted for everyone involved.
For Reverend and Senator, Keeping the Faith Is Paramount
When Rev. Sen. Raphael Warnock addressed an overflow crowd at the Tabernacle on Sunday, he delivered a sermon steeped in both faith and politics.
Wingfoiling for a Cause
Windsurfing hall of fame inductee Nevin Sayre will undertake the ‘Round the Vineyard Challenge to support Martha’s Vineyard Community Services.
One Dead, Another Injured in Moped Crash
Julie Harris, 41, of Fort Lauderdale, died Thursday after crashing a moped in Oak Bluffs.
Worker Shortage Causes Ferry Cancellations to Pile Up
At the beginning of the summer season, the Steamship Authority decided to cut back on its schedule to reduce the risk of unexpected cancellations due to razor thin staffing margins. And yet, the cancellations keep coming.
Lanterns Light the Way on Grand Illumination Night
On Wednesday evening at dusk, master of ceremonies Bob Cleasby led the traditional community sing in the Tabernacle while the surrounding area began to fill up with visitors for Grand Illumination Night.
Charter School Looks to Build New Arts Wing
The Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School is hoping to raise $5.2 million for the construction of a multi-purpose building focused on the arts.
Lifting Up the Unsung Origins of Country Music
From the origins of the banjo as an African instrument to the first country radio hits being sung by Black men, Alice Randall wants readers to know that country music would not exist without the Black people who shaped it.
Health Care Is Focus of Ms. Foundation Annual Summer Discussion
Reproductive justice and community engagement shaped the annual Ms. on Martha’s annual discussion at the Grange Hall Tuesday evening.
Fighting for Gender Equality on the Sports Beat
Baseball is part of sports journalist Melissa Ludtke’s DNA, starting from the letter her grandfather wrote her mother when Ms. Ludtke was born.
Seth Meyers to Host Chilmark Preschool Fundraiser
The Friends of the Chilmark Preschool will host Emmy Award-winning comedian and late-night host, Seth Meyers, at a benefit show on Wednesday, August 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Oak Bluffs Fire Chief To Retire
Chief Nelson Wirtz, who has served as chief since 2021, said Wednesday he will step down in December, largely to spend more time with his family.
Fair Time
By the time this hits the newsstands, the annual Agricultural Fair will be in full swing.
Land Bank Revenues: Week Ending August 9
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $338,639.90 for the business week ending on Friday, August 9, 2024.
Brooke Arrives
Kylee Willoughby and Bradford Rothwell, of Tisbury, announce the birth of a daughter, Brooke Louise Rothwell, born on August 11 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending August 9
Ann Berdy purchased 7 East Pasture Way in Aquinnah from Andrew Lilienthal and James Feiner for $929,000 on August 9.
Welcome Xolanni
Tilicia and Jovance Richards, of Oak Bluffs, announce the birth of a daughter, Xolanni Monica Richards, born on August 8 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Jonah Crabs
Jonah was on the run.
West Tisbury Town Column: August 16
Visitors come to Martha’s Vineyard in August for the corn.
Avian Abundance
The Island is now reaching the peak of southbound shorebird migration.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: August 16
Sundays in August, Union Chapel is overflowing with Island visitors who come to give thanks for the blessing of being on this historic Island that is welcoming to all.
Chilmark Town Column: August 16
It began last Saturday morning with the 47th running of the Chilmark Road Race and will wrap up Sunday evening when the 162nd MV Agricultural Fair closes its doors.
Edgartown Town Column: August 16
It seems since Debbie has passed us, she took the humidity with her.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: August 16
A whole day dedicated to me and my gang – Tuesday, August 13 is International Left Handers Day.
Chappy Town Column: August 16
The nonprofit organization, Chappy Community Ferry, will provide a public presentation on Saturday, August 17 at 10:30 a.m. at the Chappy Community Center about their proposal for future ownership and operation of the Chappy Ferry.
Former Oak Bluffs Principal Hired As Assistant Superintendent
Megan Farrell, who retired from Oak Bluffs at the beginning of the summer, has accepted a one-year position as assistant superintendent of the Martha’s Vineyard Public Schools system.
MVC Orders Compliance Review at El Barco
A split Martha’s Vineyard Commission has ruled out holding a public hearing on an unauthorized building change at El Barco, Patrick Lyons’s new outdoor tacqueria in downtown Vineyard Haven.
County Considers Future of Community Greenhouse Property
The greenhouse, which has been in operation for 40 years, could end up staying at the county land on New York avenue, but the county plans to offer the property up for short-term basis after the current lease ran out in December 2023.
Noelle Lambert Sets Sights on Paris Podium
Noelle Lambert, who lost her leg in a moped crash on the Vineyard in 2016, will head to the Paris Paralympics next month to compete in the 100-meter dash and long jump.
Amid Investigation, Vineyard Wind Resumes Turbine Construction
A month after its 300-foot long blade folded over and scattered debris across the region, Vineyard Wind this week said a barge would be leaving New Bedford carrying several towers and one nacelle out to the construction site for installation.
Instigators Is a Beantown Bon Mot
Ellen Liman told childhood stories of her son’s early filmmaking efforts at a screening at the Grange hall of Doug Liman’s new movie, The Instigators.
Fight Night Closes African American Film Festival
The Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival held its closing ceremony Saturday night, marking the end to a 10-day celebration of Black filmmakers, actors and entertainment professionals.
Participants Celebrate Inaugural Black Book Festival
Literary talents across genres gathered in Oak Bluffs this weekend for the first Martha’s Vineyard Black Book Festival.
Oak Bluffs Searches for Solutions to Looming Water Shortage
Michael Silvia, the Oak Bluffs Water District superintendent, told the select board last month that if changes aren’t made, the town will not be able to add new homes or other buildings to the water system in the coming years.
Bridge Column: August 16
Just try to explain the concept of unblocking to a football player. Lots of luck!
Boatyard Plan for Oak Bluffs Riles Tisbury Neighbors
At a public hearing, five residents of William Norton Road spoke out against the Martha’s Vineyard Shipyard’s application to build a 2,490-square foot repair workshop and a 5,000-square-foot outdoor boat storage pad at 49 Holmes Hole Road.
Film Fosters Discussion About Reproductive Health
The documentary Me Period, screened at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival, follows two generations of Black women discussing their experiences with menstruation and sex.
Lifting up the Legacy of Hope and Perseverance
Grief, family, race, healthcare and identity were at the center of multiple discussions at the recent Martha’s Vineyard Community, Purpose and Legacy Series.
Ortmans Completes Chilmark Road Race Three-Peat
Charlie Ortmans, 19, won the Chilmark Road Race Saturday for the third year in a row with a time of 15:58. Lilly Tuck was the first female finisher.
Crew Shortage Scuttles Weekend Crossings
The Steamship Authority got off to a rocky start this weekend after the reservation office in Mashpee lost power in a storm and several runs on the Vineyard Route were canceled.
Unpacking the Vote at Charles Ogletree Forum
Voter engagement, democracy and the media’s role in shaping the upcoming Presidential election were highlighted through a Black lens during a recent panel titled When We Vote: Why It Matters.
Peaked Hill Housing Plan Inches Forward
Chilmark may be poised to send out a request for proposals to construct an affordable housing complex off Pasture Road six years after the idea was first hatched.
Community Services CEO to Step Down
After four years as CEO of Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, Beth Folcarelli this week announced her planned departure from the organization.
