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
January 3, 2025
Putter Power
By the time this hits the newsstands, we will be in a New Year.
First of the Year
They say you always remember your firsts (or someone else remembers them for you). It’s true.
Chappy Town Column: Jan. 3
On behalf of the Chappy ferry captains, deckhands and behind the scenes employees, thanks for all of the thoughtful and yummy holiday gifts bestowed upon them by the Island community.
Chilmark Town Column: Jan. 3
Did you know a typical serving of cotton candy contains one ounce of sugar?
Welcome Eliza
Emily Lukins and Joseph Lukins, of Oak Bluffs, announce the birth of a daughter, Eliza Margaret Lukins, born on Dec. 27.
West Tisbury Town Column: Jan. 3
The Scotch pine has gone to its final resting place, sturdy boxes and those jolly, overpriced bags have been broken down, refolded and stashed somewhere.
In a Flash
It did not take long for the 65th annual Martha’s Vineyard Christmas Bird Count to become history. Planning started long ago.
First Baby of the New Year Arrives
Maisie Rose was born on Jan. 1 at 6:26 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, the first baby born on the Island in 2025. Maisie weighed six pounds and six ounces.
Reflecting on the Island Plan 15 Years Later
The Island Plan, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission’s 50-year plan to steer the Island, remains valid but several people involved in the process said implementation has been spotty.
Looking Back on the Year That Was
2024 opened with a severe storm battering the Island, the third in just over a month, each one turning its unwavering attention on the south shore. It closed with the first snowfall of the season, bringing with it a white Christmas.
End of Life Care
With the news on Sunday, Dec. 29 of President Jimmy Carter’s passing, many are learning more about hospice care and the comfort and dignity it provides at the end of life.
The Gazette’s Top 10 Most Read Stories in 2024
From alpha-gal to powerful storms, here are the stories that engaged Gazette readers the most in 2024.
New Year’s Resolution 2025
To live my life/ Like that of a plant/ Is to follow the laws of nature
In Praise of Stocking Elves
How do we thank all the elves near and far, and even those we don’t know who they are?
Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending Dec. 27
Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank Commission purchased Windward Lane in Edgartown from Vineyard Open Land Foundation for $550,000 on Dec. 26.
Too Much at the Tank
Before returning to the Island recently, I stopped in Falmouth to fill up my car’s gas tank.
Land Bank Revenues: Week Ending Dec. 27
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $148,340 for the business week ending on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024.
A Shellfish Delight Is in Sight
Oysters may be the superstars of the shellfish stage, but all shellfish (clams, scallops, mussels, etc.) keep our ponds and bodies well balanced and poised for success.
Chorus Rehearsals
The Island Community Chorus begins a new semester of rehearsals at the Edgartown Public Library at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 13.
Swamped by Rainfall, Seeker Sinks in Lake Tashmoo
Seeker, the wooden scow hand-built on Martha’s Vineyard over more than a decade by owner Ted Box and hundreds of volunteers, sank in Lake Tashmoo earlier this month and remains mostly submerged.
Fog and Rain Can’t Deter Hardy Chroniclers of the Christmas Bird Count
Birders fanned out across the Island in 13 groups Sunday as part of the Christmas Bird Count. The aim was to count as many avian species as they could identify throughout the day.
Loaves and Fishes: the Year in Food
The story of Vineyard food in 2024 was decidedly flaky. And a little bit fishy.
Finding Togetherness at Kwanzaa Gathering
The Martha’s Vineyard branch of the NAACP held a Kwanzaa dinner Saturday for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Not Giving Up on Hope
We met Clivens when he was 10 years old. Our schooner Charlotte was anchored in Port Morgan on Ile a Vache, Haiti.
Chilmarks Enacts Size Limit at Charter Dock
The select board voted 2-1 on Dec. 17 to cap the length of boats at the town charter dock to no more than 36 feet after boat owners cited navigation concerns.
New You
From the January 5, 1951 edition of the Vineyard Gazette.
Edgartown Town Column: Jan. 3
I am in Swansea and we had a slight coating of snow for Christmas.
Hospital Employs New Tech For Breast Cancer Screening
Martha’s Vineyard Hospital is offering a new breast imaging service, providing Islanders advanced screening technology for breast cancer for the first time on the Island.
Oak Bluffs Man Indicted For Child Rape
Luciano Deoliveira, 28, was indicted on Dec. 19 on two counts of aggravated rape of a child and several other charges.
Stillpoint Opens its Doors to Classes, Concerts and Connections
The new West Tisbury nonprofit hopes to foster deeper connections among Islanders from every background through classes, talks and face-to-face conversations.
