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
June 27, 2025
At Sea
From the June 24, 1949 edition of the Vineyard Gazette: One hundred years ago the character of the Island population was distinctly amphibious. Fishermen-farmers were everywhere and bona-fide seafarers were to be found in every town.
Moon and Mercury
A thin crescent moon appears low in the southwestern sky tonight.
Woods Hole Ferry Terminal Construction
What’s going on at the Woods Hole ferry terminal, and how will it affect your travel plans? And Jaws and Juneteenth shared the weekend with lots of events.
Sailing Into New, But Familiar Waters, For Gannon and Benjamin
Nat Benjamin and Ross Gannon have decided to take a step back from the day-to-day running of their Vineyard Haven boatyard and will hand the business off to the next generation.
Woods Hole Terminal Construction Is Heavy Lift for All Involved
For the first time since the project started, construction on the new Woods Hole Steamship Authority terminal will continue through the busy season, forcing a game of musical chairs for the hundreds of thousands of passengers and motorists coming on and off the ferries.
Please Adopt Us: Week Ending June 27
We couldn’t be more delighted that Guinea pigs Mia and Molly have found their forever home.
Steady Hand at the High School Looks to Next Chapter
As she’s set to take on a new role with the Vineyard public schools, Sara Dingledy reflected on how the high school has changed since she first arrived as principal in 2016.
Local Musicians Step Up to Help Island Seniors
For the past two years, Island Elderly Housing has been raising funds to put automatic generators in every building at Woodside Village, a local senior residence center.
Summer Memories Become a Part of History
Investment savvy as my father was, ownership of a thinly clad, weather-beaten Victorian cottage far from home was not his idea of opportunity.
Dear Friend
You are so on our minds, as we await news that you have crossed into Canada.
A Big Family That Bent But Never Broke
Every time I see this picture, I find myself asking, “Who are these people?”
Yard Opens Season With Wampanoag Collaboration
In a time when venues dedicated to the arts are dwindling, Yard executive director Stephanie Pacheco said she is extremely proud of the programming the organization continues to offer.
A Path Forward
Recent coverage regarding my acquisition of the Chilmark Chocolates name has mischaracterized both the nature of this transaction and my intentions.
Chappy Ferry Looks to Increase Rates
Chappy ferry owner Peter Wells lodged a request for a 12 per cent increase for most fares with the select board last week.
Freed Israeli Hostages Speak at Oak Bluffs Event
Hundreds of people packed the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center in Oak Bluffs Tuesday to hear two freed Israeli hostages describe their time as prisoners in Gaza.
After Slow Start, Sharks Hit the Gas Pedal
After striking out to end Monday’s 10-3 loss to the Bristol Blues, outfielder Dominic Moats slammed his bat into the dirt. On his way back to the dugout, the redshirt freshman snapped it clean over his leg.
Chilmark Hires Firm to Help With Finances
Chilmark is working to catch up on its cash reconciliations in order to move forward with spending that was eyed for a summer special town meeting.
Little Women Theatrical Adaptation Plays the Katharine Cornell Theatre
For the first performance of Theatre on the Blue, a new Island theatre company, founder Heather Capece turned to someone she knows well: her 17-year-old daughter Nicola (Koko). The mother-daughter duo are co-directors of the Little Women adaptation.
Frederick Douglass Descendent Headlines Discussion
Union Chapel will host a discussion Thurdsay with a direct descendant of Frederick Douglass. The event is part of Douglass week, which honors the legacy of noted abolitionist. Frederick Douglass in Massachusetts — A Conversation with the Douglass Family takes place on June 26 and features Kenneth B. Morris Jr., the great-great-great grandson of Mr.…
From Chart Topper to Memoirist
Fred Mollin’s new memoir Unplugged is an inside look at his long career as a record producer and film composer.
Filmusic Festival Plays It Loud at the Film Society
This year marks the 13th year for the FILMUSIC festival, celebrating the convergence of music, culture and film. The festival is hosted by the Martha’s Vineyard Film Society and runs June 26 to 29. It features film screenings, discussions and musical performances all weekend long. Richard Paradise, executive director of MV Film Society, said he…
Windy Times at Edgartown Race Week
It looked as if the M32 multihull Yonder, sailing in this year’s ’Round-the-Island race at Edgartown Race Weekend, might set a record, but a large wind hole near the finish of the 55-mile circumnavigation of the Vineyard put a decisive end to that possibility.
Keep Cool
I could never live in Florida or Arizona. I prefer cold weather any day. A person can always put on an extra layer of clothing or toss another log in the fire.
Land Bank Revenues as of June 20
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $208,574 for the business week ending on Friday, July 20, 2025. The land bank receives its funds from a two per cent fee charged on many Vineyard real estate transactions.
Recent Real Estate Transactions for Week Ending June 22
Margaret L. Wheeler purchased a Quansoo Beach Lot #24 in Chilmark from Highmark Green LLC. for $430,000 on June 18.
Sanitation Pipe Backups Scuttle Freight Ferry Trips
Several trips aboard the Steamship’s newest ferry were cancelled this week after workers discovered a blockage in some of the vessel’s sanitation pipes.
Chilmark Town Column: Week Ending June 27
Memories of 1944 often involve a mix of fear, hope and resilience. It was a pivotal year in World War II, marked by significant Allied advances and the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany.
Chappy Town Columns: Week Ending June 27
Anybody who knows Woody Filley knows that he doesn’t say much but that when he does, listen up. Word for word, I give you an urgent message from Woody.
Edgartown Town Column: Week Ending June 27
If this week’s heat wave is the only one we have I will not be sad. Water was the mainstay of the week — drinking it or dunking your head under the hose and watering the plants.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Week Ending June 27
I promised myself after many cold winters in Chicago and many here I would never complain about the heat. I have kept my word.
West Tisbury Town Column: Week Ending June 27
Surprise! August is suddenly here. With little warning we were hit with full-blown summer crowds, hot weather and traffic jams.
Osprey Cam
There are three new babies in my life.
Stilts Sightings
There are two species with stilt in their name: stilt sandpiper and black-necked stilt. We see small numbers of the former every fall but the latter is a rare vagrant. Both are here now, which is highly unusual.
Wampanoag Leaders Delve into Climate Change’s Effects on Native Tribes
A panel discussion at Stillpoint in West Tisbury on Sunday aimed to consider the Wampanoag perspective on climate change.
Oak Bluffs Works Through Permitting Snag to Help Sengekontacket
The town of Oak Bluffs last week began dredging the Little Bridge channel after a permitting snafu left the project in limbo for months.
Playhouse Premieres Dear Edvard
In Dear Edvard: Munch and His Muses, composer Steven Shoenberg and librettist Richard Michelson weave a captivating musical tale of longing, despair and redemption in a Copenhagen clinic for the mentally unwell.
Bridge Column: July 4
When you open the bidding in one of a suit and partner raises to two, take a long look before you go to the three level.
Taste of Juneteenth Is Delicious Serving of Vibrant Cultures
Education, connection and food were on the menu during the Taste of Juneteenth Sunday afternoon. Hosted by the NAACP of Martha’s Vineyard, the annual event widened its scope this year.
Chilmark Allowed to Start Preschool Construction
The Chilmark select board gave its final approval at a meeting Tuesday after months of back-and-forth to get necessary approvals and documents in order.
Jaws Fans Flock to Martha’s Vineyard for Anniversary
The streets were packed with people sporting Jaws merchandise, Richard Dreyfuss, who played the oceanographic institute scientist Matt Hooper, held court with fans, and just about any way visitors turned, the black eyes of Bruce the shark loomed.
Aquinnah Applauds Lighthouse Work on Anniversary of Move
On Friday, the town gathered to reminisce on the move and celebrate the final step of the preservation project.
Juneteenth Jubilee Celebrates Black Astronaut, Artists and Authors
Reflection and celebration were the focus of the Juneteenth Jubilee Festival this weekend in Oak Bluffs.
After Debate, Chilmark Makes Allowances for Farm Events
The select board voted Tuesday to permit farms to hold three events from June to August after a back and forth with town building inspector Adam Petkus, several farmers and some planning board members.
Oak Bluffs Home Honored as Latest Heritage Trail Site
Dating back to the late 1870s, the Dragonfly House was owned by a staunch abolitionist before becoming a home known for accommodating Black visitors to the Island.
Court Date Set for West Tisbury Building Inspector
The Edgartown District Court issued a summons to inspector Joseph Tierney to appear before the court on July 17 for a charge of assault and battery on a person over 60 or disabled, according to court records.
Plans for New Edgartown Fire Station Unveiled
At an informational meeting Wednesday, Fire Chief Alex Schaeffer introduced the project, which features a 16,500 square-foot station, almost double the size of the current building.
Juneteenth Legacy Is Living History
The past, present and future of Juneteenth was at the heart of a wide-ranging talk on Thursday at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum.
New Beacon Installed at Gay Head Lighthouse
The U.S. Coast Guard installed a new LED beacon into the Gay Head Lighthouse in Aquinnah on Wednesday morning, the last major step in an eight-month long restoration project.
