Jane Kenyon
I am the stone step, the latch, and the working hinge. I am the heart contracted by joy, the longest hair, white before the rest.-Jane Kenyon
July 18, 2025
From Garden Paths to Ocean Swells, Two Vineyard Legends Retire
Horticulturist Tim Boland, the longtime executive director of the Polly Hill Arboretum in West Tisbury, plans to step down at the end of next summer. And a staple on Vineyard waters for 63 years, the legendary schooner Shenandoah will sail her last season next summer.
Morning Planets and Moon
The best astronomy this weekend isn't after sunset. Mornings, well before sunup, is ideal for looking for the celestial objects of our solar system. Venus commands the best attention in the early morning. It is brilliant and higher in the eastern sky. This weekend, a thinning crescent moon also appears nearby. And since you've found…
Standing Up
Indivisible Martha’s Vineyard, a local pro-democracy group, was criticized for participating in the Edgartown Fourth of July parade in a July 10 letter to the Gazette by Mark McGreenery.
Harum-Scarum
There was a time when I couldn’t remember whether it was nilly-willy or willy-nilly.
Issues of Indigenous Identity Fuel New Memoir
In Joseph Lee’s debut book, Nothing More Of This Land: Community, Power and the Search for Indigenous Identity, he tells the story of Indigenous tribes around the country in an attempt to answer the question of what it means to be Native.
Longtime Polly Hill Director to Retire
Horticulturist Tim Boland, the longtime executive director of the Polly Hill Arboretum in West Tisbury, plans to retire at the end of next summer.
Gazette Chronicle: Action
From the Jul 18, 1967 edition of the Vineyard Gazette: If anyone wants to see a community in action, he really ought to attend a church fair such as that held Wednesday by the women of the West Tisbury Congregational Church Improvement Society.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: July 18
Longtime Vineyard favorite, Prof. Henry Louis Gates is well known for writing and documenting history.
Family Planning Changes Name, Maintains Mission
Friends of Family Planning, the funding arm behind Health Imperatives clinic in Vineyard Haven, is changing its name to better reflect its goals.
Seth Meyers Returns as Host of Possible Dreams
The 47th annual Possible Dreams auction takes place Sunday, July 20 at Allen Farm in Chilmark.
Court Report: Week Ending July 18
The following cases were heard in Edgartown district court.
Vineyard Celebrates Feast of the Holy Ghost
The Portuguese American Club will host its annual Feast of the Holy Ghost this weekend, a two-day event that includes lots of eating and a parade through Oak Bluffs.
Please Adopt Us
The Animal Shelter and the Agricultural Society invite you and your pets, from farm and home, to join us for the Celebration of Pets on Thursday, July 24 from 1 to 3 p.m.
State Gives the Go Ahead to Cut 52 Acres of State Forest Pines
The forest cutting was sought by DCR to restore the globally rare sandplain grassland habitat that has been overtaken by the pines, which were initially planted decades ago as part of an ill-fated lumber industry on the Island.
Time to Ask Questions About Overbuilding
I was inspired to write this after reading the letter submitted by Abigail Higgins of West Tisbury to the Vineyard Gazette and the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.
Featherstone Show Spotlights New American Ceramics
Currents in Contemporary Ceramic Art at Featherstone Center for the Arts brings together new and recent work by 25 clay artists from more than a dozen states.
Steamship GM Clarifies Terms of Summer Terminal Construction
Board members asked for clearer communication from the Steamship Authority general manager, saying he had told them previously that all of the summer work would be contained within the new terminal building.
Hello Yana
Elena and Michael Mendonca, of Vineyard Haven, announce the birth of a daughter, Yana Elle Mendonca, born on July 11 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Welcome Michael
Paulina Capen and Michael Capen, of Oak Bluffs, announce the birth of a son, Michael Andrew Capen Jr., born on July 13 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Donovan Arrives
Kathrine and Peter Medgyesy, of Orlando, Fla., announce the birth of a son, Donovan Watt Medgyesy, born on July 11 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Cozy Corner Cafe Makes Plans for Nighttime Lounge
Cozy Corner Cafe is proposing to stay open until 12:30 a.m. and wants the ability to serve drinks and play music.
Become an Ag Society Member
Become an Agricultural Society member by August 1 for free entry to all four days of the fair.
West Tisbury Town Column: Week Ending July 18
Doing some mental arithmetic the other day, Allen Whiting realized that it has been 55 years since he first exhibited his paintings at the Field Gallery.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Week Ending July 18
A most excellent judgement on the annual Creative Living Award — Rev. Cathlin Baker and Bill Eville are the recipients this year.
Chilmark Town Column: Week Ending July 18
Mid-July. It’s the heart of summer. It pulsates with a distinct rhythm. The air, thick with warmth and humidity, carries the scent of salt air, fresh cut hay and sizzling barbecues.
Chappy Town Column: Week Ending July 18
A celebration of Catboats begins this Saturday, July 19.
Bienvenue Simone
Remy Tumin and Dimitry Lukashov of Oak Bluffs and New York City announce the birth of a daughter, Simone Mila Tumin, born on July 8, at NYU Langone.
Bird Game
This game is a fun way to learn about field marks. The game is a series of photographs of a North American bird.
Fine Fiddlers
French scientist Louis Augustin Guillaume Bosc declined an invitation to be a naturalist on a round-the-world expedition in 1785.
Cucumber Canoes
Because my hometown was located at the top of a mountain, we never experienced floods. The “big city” of Bradford, Pa. was down in the valley.
Winds of Change Come for Historic Shenandoah Schooner
A staple on Vineyard waters for 63 years, the legendary schooner Shenandoah will sail her last season next summer.
Congregational Church Berry Festival Is Tasty Faith
The First Congregational Church of West Tisbury hosts its annual berry festival on Saturday, July 19 from noon to 4 p.m.
Former Disney CEO Goes Back to Summer Camp
The Chilmark Community Center hosts former Walt Disney Company CEO Michael Eisner on Friday, July 18, for a conversation about the 20th anniversary edition of his book CAMP: Life, Leadership, and Why You Never Stop Paddling.
Camp Jabberwocky Celebrates Arrival of New Campers
Camp Jabberwocky campers were greeted on Monday morning at the Steamship terminal by camp counselors wearing feather boas and cymbal tambourines.
Discovering Creative Treasures at Oak Bluffs Arts Stroll
Gallery owners, artists, local vendors, musicians and art lovers celebrated creativity and community on Saturday evening at the first annual Oak Bluffs Arts District Stroll of the season.
Blue Heron Farm Sells for $37 Million
Blue Heron Farm, the Chilmark estate that played host to President Barack Obama and the First Family in summers past, sold last week for $37 million.
Lowell Man Wins $1 Million at Jaws-Themed Game Show
David Ouellette beat out 29 other contestants to win the grand prize at the Massachusetts Lottery-sponsored event in Vineyard Haven Sunday.
Cat Hollow Housing Project Approved at MVC, With Reservations
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission last week approved the Cat Hollow condominium development in Vineyard Haven, where the nonprofit Island Housing Trust plans to build three duplexes with income restrictions on four of the six units.
Wampanoag Author Takes a Journey Through the Seasons in New Book
Carrie Anne Vanderhoop told a crowd at the Aquinnah Cultural Center last week that she hopes her new children’s book, Wôpanâak Seasons, provides more representation for tribal children and introduces more people to the Wôpanâak language.
Going Behind the Scenes of The Bourne Identity
At the Grange Hall on Wednesday night, roughly 75 people sat, popcorn and concessions in hand, watching both The Bourne Identity and being treated to a running monologue of behind-the-scenes tidbits from its director, Doug Liman.
Running With Allyson Felix, on the Track and Off
Four-time track and field Olympian Allyson Felix was the face of Nike for years. All over the world, she was on billboards and store walls, and starring in numerous commercials.
Film Center Provides Double Bill of Laughter and Friendship
Laughter echoed through the halls of the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center on Wednesday night, the product of a double-header comedy show featuring Jimmie “J.J.” Walker and Lenny Clarke.
Bridge Column: July 18
Today has not been lucky. During a session of duplicate bridge, you’ve been dealt two Yarboroughs.
