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
October 18, 2024
Comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS
Comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS C/2023 A3 is now visible an hour or more after sunset in the west. The comet is faint and is easier to see with the help of a pair of binoculars. We and a lot of Vineyarders were able to watch the comet last Tuesday night, and a few saw it the previous…
New High School Could Cost Hundreds of Millions
Projected costs for a new high school range from $223 to $427 million, leading some Island officials to question if the project should be downsized in order to make it past the voters.
Just a Few Casts Remain as 79th Derby Heads for the Finish Line
More than 3,000 fishermen registered this year for the 79th annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby. On Sunday, it comes down to six, as the winners of each category vie for the grand prize boat.
Please Adopt Us: Oct. 18
There are no adoptions to report from this past week, but our featured pet of the week is Nellie, a beautiful 13-year-old, medium hair, torbi cat.
Helping Hero
I have been coming to the Vineyard every summer since 1956.
New Blood
Kudos to Christine Todd, chair of the Dukes County Commission, for publicly speaking out on the deplorable situation at the Steamship Authority.
From Paris, Texas to Martha’s Vineyard
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Kate Altman lived in Los Angeles, in particular the Laurel Canyon area, an epicenter of art and music and film.
Walking to Combat Hunger
The 34th annual Martha’s Vineyard Crop Hunger Walk takes place Sunday, Oct. 20.
Prize Time
From the Oct. 22, 1948 edition of the Vineyard Gazette: The 1948 striped bass derby ended at noon on Friday.
Holding on to the Ties That Bind
One morning recently I stopped in at my favorite morning coffee klatch having noticed a familiar vehicle out front.
Land Bank Revenues: Week Ending Oct. 11
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $409,700 for the business week ending on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024.
Waning Days of the Derby Reflect a Quiet Season
Looking out at the Elizabeth Islands in the distance on Tuesday, derby competitor Max Eagan cast his rod into the rocky waters off Menemsha.
Gather Round the Old Pumpkin
The air is crisp and the leaves are making their journey from green to brown, from tree to ground. Pumpkins dot the landscape as do all manner of gourds, standing proud in their pimply best.
Spooky Happenings at Circuit Arts
In the coming weeks, Circuit Arts will offer a series of events for Islanders looking to celebrate Halloween.
Traven Johnson Weds Andrea Minxha
Traven D’Shaun Johnson, a front desk agent at Mansion House Hotel in Vineyard Haven, and Andrea Minxha, a coffee shop cashier at Behind the Bookstore in Edgartown, were married on July 16.
Plaza That Houses Al’s Package Store Changes Hands Again
The Hajjar family, which owns numerous properties in Edgartown and Oak Bluffs, late last month purchased the plaza on Upper Main Street that contains Al’s Package Store, Wicked Burger and Larry’s Tackle Shop.
Seastreak Cancels Winter Service to the Island
The Seastreak ferry company has pulled the plug on its Vineyard winter commuter service, saying it didn’t have enough passengers to cover the costs.
Peaked Hill Housing Project Narrows Funding Gap with $1 Million Grant
The latest influx of cash will help chip away at the Chilmark project’s current $5 million budget shortfall, and could prompt a special town meeting later this year on the housing proposal.
Excursion Fares May Escape Steamship Rate Hikes
The Steamship Authority has dropped a potential $3.50 to $5 rate increase for excursion fares from the Vineyard and cut a proposed passenger rate hike from $1 to 50 cents, according to a revised draft of the preliminary 2025 operating budget.
Turning Doubt and Hardship into Motivation
Noelle Lambert, who lost her leg in a moped accident on Martha’s Vineyard, spoke to Island students on Wednesday about her long journey from a near-death accident to Paralympian athlete.
In Praise of a Wild and Wonderful Mentor
On a cold April morning in 1970, I stood in the Felix Neck barn with high school students on a field trip.
Record of Cases Heard in Edgartown District Court
Joseph T. Vanderhoop, 25, of Edgartown, was arraigned on Sept. 11 charges in Tisbury marked lanes violation.
Getting Figgy
Fellow fig fan and Greek philosopher Epictetus has some advice that I had no choice but to accept.
Prep Time
I love fall on the Vineyard.
Olden Days
The Oak Bluffs pumping station used to be a go-to site for finding migrating songbirds.
Chilmark Town Column: October 18
October has given us crisp days, glorious sunsets, cool nights, derby fishing and the surprise visit from of a glorious display of colors dancing across the sky.
Chappy Town Column: October 18
The final days of the MV Derby have arrived.
Edgertown Town Column: October 18
The nights are getting cooler, and it is time to bring in your topicals and other house plants.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: October 18
Islanders pull together again.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: October 18
In the Age of Brooke, the Labor Day Weekend was considered by many in the Oak Bluffs village as the final weekend of the summer season.
West Tisbury Fails to Reach Quorum for Special Town Meeting
The special town meeting was planned to start at 6 p.m. at the West Tisbury School but by 6:10 p.m., moderator Caroline Flanders was 39 people short of being able to call the meeting to order.
Vineyard Celebrates the Life and Legacy of Gus Ben David
The Island community turned out Monday for a memorial gathering in memory of Island naturalist Gus Ben David, the original director of Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, who died July 4 at 81.
Crews Attempt to Retrieve Sunken Turbine Blade
GE Vernova, the manufacturer of the blade that doubled over in July and poured down into the sea, had vessels at the malfunctioning turbine Sunday with the goal of retrieving the large pieces of the 305-foot blade.
Going Back in Time at Fossil Day
The history of existence on Earth was on display this weekend at Union Chapel.
Honoring and Educating on Indigenous Peoples Day
The heartbeat of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) rang out through a performance of the Black Brook Singers at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary on Sunday.
From Landowners to Homeless, Islanders Speak Out on State Forest Management
Fears of wildfire, concerns about trail safety and anger over this summer’s unannounced destruction of a homeless camp were the top themes when Islanders spoke to Massachusetts officials in charge of the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest on Thursday night.
Residents Weigh in on the Future of the Chilmark Community Center
A recently formed committee tasked with looking at the management of the Chilmark Community Center held a public forum this week, giving residents a chance to voice their concerns and opinions about the center’s future.
New Grant Aims to Bolster High School’s Cybersecurity
Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School is years overdue for an information technology risk assessment, according to the firm that audits the school’s financial management.
