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 25, 2025
Island Legend and Black Dog Owner Captain Bob Douglas Dies at 93
Captain Bob Douglas, sailor, teacher, and founder of the Black Dog Tavern and apparel company, has passed away. His impact on the Island will be felt for generations to come. And there’s an explosion of daffodils on the Island.
Southern Pine Beetles Could Slowly Reshape Island Forests
The southern pine beetle has devastated parts of some of the Island’s forests. Conservation groups are in the early stages of fighting back.
School Funding, Leaf Blowers Top Chilmark Town Meeting
Chilmark voters will decide on nearly $750,000 in school overrides, new restrictions on leaf blowers and a raft of changes to town zoning bylaws at the annual town meeting next week.
Tisbury Considers Changes to Town Administrator Role
Voters will decide whether to give the town administrator more power over municipal hiring, finance and information technology at the annual town meeting Tuesday.
Coming Home
The extreme clipper schooner, Shenandoah, Capt. Robert S. Douglas, master, arrived at her home port, Vineyard Haven, during the weekend.
Land Bank Revenues: Week Ending April 18
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $195,756.91 for the business week ending on Friday, April 189, 2025. The land bank receives its funds from a two per cent fee charged on many Vineyard real estate transactions. Much of the land bank revenue last week came from the town of Edgartown, where eight transactions…
Welcome Celine
Talita Destefani, of Oak Bluffs, announces the birth of a daughter, Celine Rose Destefani Silva, born on April 19 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Celine weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces at birth.
Greetings Finnegan
Tara Kaeka and Calvin Kaeka, of Edgartown, announce the birth of a son, Finnegan Calvin Kaeka, born on April 22 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Finnegan weighed 8 pounds, 15 ounces at birth.
Recent Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending April 18
Aquinnah Stig Leschly purchased 476 and 488 Lighthouse Road in Aquinnah from Mary Clair Wall and John Louis Zannini Estate for $749,000 in April 14. Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank Commission purchased Moshup Trail in Aquinnah from Edward Harris III for $35,370 on April 16. Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank Commission purchased Moshup Trail in Aquinnah from…
Alma Arrives
Sonja Josephson and Brendan Crane, of Oak Bluffs, announce the birth of a daughter, Alma Sophia Crane, born on April 21 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Alma weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces at birth.
Robert Douglas, Legendary Shenandoah Captain, Black Dog Owner, Dies at 93
Robert S. Douglas, renowned designer and captain of the topsail schooner Shenandoah — as well as a teacher and mentor and businessman who founded the Black Dog apparel company — died early Wednesday at the family home at Arrowhead Farm in West Tisbury. He was 93.
Eagles Soar
They say a picture is worth a thousand words — but for Nancy Nordin, one photo turned into a once-in-a-thousand bird sighting.
Silent Spring
The 83-foot sea-scalloper Stanley M. Fisher, Capt. George H. Fisher of Oak Bluffs, came up with perhaps the biggest catch of this or any other season last Thursday night, the Navy’s nuclear powered submarine, the U.S.S. Nautilus.
Wild Brambles
Dewberries are difficult.
Chilmark Town Column: April 25
May 1 is more than just the first day of the month.
Chappy Town Column: April 25
The Edgartown Council on Aging, in collaboration with Healthy Aging MV, has launched a new project called Chappy Connect.
Jupiter and Mars
The evening planets available for viewing are Jupiter and Mars. Jupiter is appearing in the western sky after sunset. The planet is in the zodiacal constellation Taurus, the bull. The planet is above the head of the bull and between the bull's horns. Jupiter won't be with us for very long. We've only got a…
Edgartown Town Column: April 25
Spring is really trying to get here, but now we have to go through the fog stage.
West Tisbury Town Column: April 25
Speaking of Paul Revere’s ride and the shot heard around the world, I am remembering the late Jonathan Revere, who replied, in response to the obvious question: “I come from the branch of the family who said, ‘the brutish are coming.’”
Vineyard Haven Town Column: April 25
It was an action-packed week. Many visitors were on Island for Easter, spring break and looking for summer jobs, and the weather has finally taken a nice turn to sunny and warm temperatures.
Hello Summer
Hello Summer Olivia Roberta Gately and Michael Patrick Gately of West Tisbury announce the birth of a daughter, Summer Larsen Gately, on April 6 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Summer weighed 6 pounds, 0.7 ounces.
Spirit of the Vineyard Accepts Nominations
Nominations for the annual Spirit of the Vineyard are now open. The award is given annually to honor those who have volunteered for one or more nonprofit organizations on the Island.
Tisbury Relents on Bus Shelter Seating
After a wave of complaints about the removal of benches from two bus shelters adjacent to the SSA terminal in Vineyard Haven earlier this month, the Tisbury select board agreed Tuesday to replace the benches.
Worker Dies in Construction Site Fall
Officials said that Jorge Marcelo Yanza Riera, of Fall River, was working at a home on 14 Trapps Pond Road and fell from scaffolding between 20 and 30 feet onto a walk-out basement egress area below.
Edgartown Names New School Principal
Vineyard public schools superintendent Richard Smith last week offered the Edgartown job to Kate Campbell, the current Attleboro High School principal.
Aquinnah Select Board Candidates Weigh in at Forum
Gary Haley and Christopher Manning answered questions about rising property taxes, regionalization and civic participation.
Little Lady Readies for Next Chapter
The Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust is working to buy and rebuild the iconic fishing vessel with plans to use it for historical and education programs, including fishing.
Environmental Filmmaker Honored
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum honored Vineyard Haven resident and documentary filmmaker Sandy Cannon-Brown for significant contributions to environmental conservation and regional culture.
Islanders Revel in the Magic of Marathon Monday
Several Vineyarders joined the more than 30,000 people who ran the 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boylston street in the Boston Marathon Monday.
MVC Denies Request to Restart Katama Meadows Review
The developer of a proposed mixed-income subdivision in Edgartown attempted last week to withdraw its application to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, in a bid for better odds from the town planning board.
DeBettencourt Joins Oak Bluffs Select Board
Sean DeBettencourt, a fourth-generation Islander who said he is focused on keeping the Vineyard attainable for families and the middle class, joined the Oak Bluffs select board last week.
Hockey Coach Skates to a Strong Finish
After 27 years of coaching the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School boys’ varsity hockey team, Matt Mincone is retiring. His long career included two state championship wins.
Islanders Celebrate Earth Day with Beach Cleanup
For 33 years the Vineyard Conservation Society has hosted the Island’s largest beach cleanup to honor Earth Day and raise awareness about the dangers of plastics in the ocean.
MV Tap Gets Green Light from Planning Board
A new restaurant in a well-known location got the green light Wednesday from the Tisbury planning board, which voted unanimously — but with conditions — to issue a special permit for MV Tap.
Questions Raised Around West Tisbury Police Detail Fund
Town officials in West Tisbury are trying to figure out if money approved at town meeting for police details can be paid to non-union employees.
