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
April 4, 2025
West Tisbury Town Column: April 4
Politics is in the air this coming week, so buckle up. Voters get out there and make your voices heard.
Explaining the Override
At the upcoming town meeting on April 8 and the subsequent town election on April 10, West Tisbury voters will be asked to decide on a $1,653,835.64 general override ballot question.
Drinking Salt Water?
If we drink salt water we get thirstier. But not birds. Some birds — albatrosses, shearwaters, penguins, gulls and pelicans — can drink salt water!
Cornus Mas
Polly Hill planted one and so did Mermaid Farm’s Caitlin Jones.
No Dumping
I’ve said repeatedly that I wish I had a job as a weather forecaster. They get it right maybe half the time.
Chappy Town Column: April 4
Like it or not, Chappaquiddick is part of Edgartown. Town meeting and town elections are coming up. If you don’t think that your participation matters, witness the chaos emanating from Washington, D.C. which proceeds with the narrowest of margins.
Hello Quint
Jesse and Dennis Michael Jason, of Chilmark, announce the birth of a son, Quint Joseph Jason, born on March 24.
Chilmark Town Column: April 4
It seems like we should be so far removed from the nighttime glow of artificial light, but in reality it surrounds us.
Edgartown Town Column: April 4
April showers bring May flowers.
Tuesdays in the Newsroom Celebrates Gazette Press
Editors note: The event has been postponed.
Recreation Area Tops Edgartown Warrant
Funding for a new recreation center, a potential ban on gas-powered leaf blowers and planning for a sewage system in the Ocean Heights neighborhood will all be put before Edgartown voters at town meeting next week.
Federal Cuts Jeopardize Veterans Counseling Program
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recently chose not to renew a contract with Martha’s Vineyard Community Services for veterans counseling. But newly-appointed community services chief executive officer Dean Teague said on Thursday that the program will continue.
Oak Bluffs Residents to Decide On Pump Station Upgrades
Oak Bluffs voters will weigh in at town meeting next week on money for upgrades to the wastewater pump station, updating the town’s watercraft restrictions and a new drone to aid in emergency situations.
School Feasibility Study on the Agenda in West Tisbury
General overrides, school repairs and new bylaw language will all be decided at the West Tisbury annual town meeting next week.
Three Candidates Seek One Spot on Edgartown Select Board
In Edgartown, two candidates are running for one position on the planning board, and three candidates are running for one position on the select board.
Town Meeting Time
It’s Town Meeting Time! The first of the town meetings are this week, we’ll have a preview of some of the issues including proposed restrictions on jet skis and leaf blowers. And Allen Farm has its first lamb of the season. We’ll celebrate by hearing some sounds of spring.
Recent Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending March 28
Michael Seiman and Destiny Seaman purchased 18 Bold Meadow Road in Edgartown from James G. Gorman Trust and 18 Bold Meadow Road for $4,300,000 on March 24.
Land Bank Revenues: Week Ending March 28
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $144,200 for the business week ending on Friday, March 28, 2025.
New Book About White House Seders to Be Celebrated
Richard Michelson’s latest children’s book, Next Year in the White House: Barack Obama’s First Presidential Seder, tells the story of how Passover became an annual celebration at the White House during President Obama’s administration.
Moon and Mars
Tomorrow Saturday night, the gibbous moon appears in close proximity to the the bright red planet Mars. The two are in the zodiacal constellation Gemini. Mars has lost a lot of its brilliance from just a few months ago. Mars is getting farther away from us, over 100,000 miles away now and that distance is…
Vineyard Students Earn National Medals
Two students at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School won national gold medals at the 2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.
Job Fair Is Boon for Students and Local Businesses
Forty five Island businesses gathered behind tables at the regional high school Wednesday, speaking to students about various job opportunities for the upcoming summer and beyond.
Time
As I walk along a wooded lane worn down by time I wonder:
No Limits
A real estate advertisement which appeared last week read: “Classic Vineyard shingled cottage. Totally restored. Eel Pond location, $375,000.”
Time to Prepare
At a cabinet meeting on Monday, March 24, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that she was “going to eliminate FEMA.”
Bad Decision
The recent decision by the Federal Veterans Administration not to renew the Veterans Readjustment Counseling Contract with the Martha’s Vineyard Community Services (MVCS) will, in my opinion, have serious implications for Island veterans and their families.
Sounds of Silence
There are four very good reasons why we should all vote yes to phase out gas powered leaf blowers, a regulation that will be on the docket this spring at our town meetings.
Finite Fossil Fuels
I would remind those who are opposed to the phasing out of gas-powered leaf blowers of an important fact: the amount of fossil fuels on earth is finite.
Mill Brook Studies
In 2014, our committee was appointed by the West Tisbury select board to meet voter directives.
Preserve the Mill Pond
The Mill Pond is much more than simply a beautiful body of water.
A Bucolic Treasure
Citizens of West Tisbury who stay until the very end of next week’s town meeting will make a decision that is crucial to the character of the town.
Digging Democracy
A big shout-out, more like a loud country holler, to the lady volunteers of the League of Women Voters.
Tisbury to Remove Bus Shelter Benches at SSA Terminal
The Tisbury select board this week agreed to remove the benches from two bus stop shelters across from the Steamship Authority terminal in Vineyard Haven.
Skating Club Presents Nature’s Symphony Show
The earth’s elements will be showcased on ice this weekend, as figure skaters of all ages perform at the Martha’s Vineyard Figure Skating Club for its 36th annual ice show.
Edgartown School Principal Search Nears Decision
The search for the next Edgartown School principal has been narrowed down to three finalists, with a final decision arriving next week.
Employing Sonic Waves to Combat Negative Algae Effects
The Chilmark Pond Foundation received approvals last week to place an ultrasonic buoy in the pond in an effort to beat back cyanobacteria blooms from forming.
Spring Sports Season Opens With a Strong Start
While winter winds still whip across the fields, the Vineyard’s high school athletes are braving the elements and taking on the challenge of spring sports in not-so-springlike weather.
Edgartown House Fire Extinguished
Firefighters quickly put out a fire in the basement of a home on Donalbain Close street in Edgartown on Monday afternoon.
Main Street Construction Begins
Over the next three weeks the Edgartown highway department will be renovating Main street’s drainage and sewer infrastructure. Construction begins Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Edgartown Candidates Draw Full House at Voters Forum
More than 50 Edgartown residents, including a baby or two, turned out Saturday afternoon for a candidates’ forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Martha’s Vineyard. The town election is April 10, following the annual town meeting April 8.
Basketball Tournament to Honor the Spirit of Waylon Sauer
Waylon Madison Sauer loved many things. This weekend, two of his passions will be celebrated in honor of his memory — basketball and giving back to his community.
Gazette Honored at Annual Newspaper Awards Ceremony
The Vineyard Gazette was honored with 28 awards at the New England Better Newspaper Competition held in Portland, Maine over the weekend, including 11 first place finishes.
Caribbean Cuisine Exits Five Corners Restaurant Plan
Caribbean carry-out food will not be on the menu at a new restaurant planned for the former Golden Bull steakhouse in Vineyard Haven, after MVTap owner Anderson Martins streamlined his application to do business at the long-empty Five Corners spot.
Towns Asked to Join Effort to Tackle Homelessness
The manager of the Vineyard’s only homeless shelter has been going to the Island town governments in recent weeks in the hope that they will join Harbor Homes to start a committee or task force aimed at helping the growing homeless population.
Oak Bluffs Residents Hear From Town Clerk Candidates
Gail Barmakian, Benjamin Clark and Amy Del Torto are all running for the position and outlined their relevant professional experience at the League of Women Voters’ candidate forum Wednesday.
Inspiring Stories Lead the Way as Film Festival Begins
The 25th annual Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival opened on Wednesday and Thursday with four documentaries and one drama, with each film setting a hopeful tone.
