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
August 29, 2025
Land Bank Revenues as of August 22
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $236,960 for the business week ending on Friday, August 22, 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 August 24
Kathleen Montes and John Montes Jr. purchased 7 Whistling Swan Circle in Edgartown from James E. Gubitosi and Meredith M. Gubitosi for $3,515,000 on August 18.
Small Moon
Tonight’s moon is one day short of first quarter but it is also small.
Raise a Glass for Burgers and Bubbles
The second annual Burgers and Bubbles competition, hosted by Vintage MV Wine & Spirits, will take place on the lower lawn of the Daniel Fisher House in Edgartown from 12:30 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 31.
Please Adopt Us: Week Ending August 29
We have no adoptions to report, but our pet of the week is Martin, a fifteen-year-old tabby gentleman whose age you would never guess.
Bridge Column: Week of August 29
Here’s the club holding for you and partner:
Perfect Weather
Last week’s column (which I wrote on Tuesday) spent some time on my complaint about the lack of rain. Then, as luck would have it, we had a decent soaking as a result of a cold front.
Chappy Town Column: Week Ending August 29
The annual U.S. Coast Guard in-the-water safety inspection of the Chappy Ferry boats will take place mid-morning on Tuesday, Sept. 9. Expect delays that morning and please allow more time to get across with a vehicle.
Chilmark Town Column: Week Ending August 29
We all know labor Day weekend should not be about mourning the fun stuff you didn’t have an opportunity to squeeze in, but rather it should offer equal doses of pleasure and despondency.
Edgartown Town Column: Week Ending August 29
I feel like fall weather wants to come as the nights have been quite cool. But the days are at a great temperature and it is pleasant to be outside. I was away for the effects of Erin, but was happy there was not damage with the wind.
West Tisbury Town Column: Week Ending August 29
Whether you are packing up to leave this blessed lump of a rock or you are the Vineyarder on shore waving good-bye, there is a poignancy attached to this weekend, unlike any other kind of new year rotation. Labor Day pangs happen all over, but for obvious reasons the tug is more pronounced here.
A Youthful Glow
From the August 29, 1978 edition of the Vineyard Gazette by Louise Aldrich Bugbee: Sometimes I worry about the state of the world, the nation and the Island, especially the Island.
Jelly Belly
To the trained eye, it was crystal clear that this was something different.
That trained eye belonged to a scientist that studies jellyfish. Dr. Keith Bayha took note of an otherwise common jellyfish called a sea nettle, and observed that it was a bit different than the ones he usually came into contact with.
Stillpoint Hosts Acclaimed Harpist
Lexie Lowell peforms at Stillpoint on Saturday, August 30.
Get Ready to Travel Aboard the International Film Festival
The Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival returns next week for its 20th year.
Remembering the Impact of Michael Loberg
Michael Loberg’s death on August 7 should be noted by everyone on the Vineyard whose life has been impacted by ticks and tick-borne infections.
Flight Friends
We are writing on behalf of the Nantucket Flying Association (NFA) a nonprofit that sponsors general aviation activities including a youth aviation camp that recently completed its 18th year.
Barrington Levy Headlines Sound Festival
The annual Martha’s Vineyard Sound Festival will take place Sunday, August 31 at Island Cove Mini Golf, with Jamaican reggae artist Barrington Levy as the headlining act.
Helping Hands
While the Island was dealing with Hurricane Erin, we traveled off-Island to put down our beloved dog with our off-Island veterinarian.
Ogletree Forum Closes With Book Ban Discussion
he Charles Ogletree Public Forum Series concluded its summer lectures with a discussion about book bans and the subsequent consequences of this growing movement around the country.
A Good Man
From the day I first met Jim Weiss, as his assistant superintendent, I knew he was a good man.
Contract Questions
Robert Davis will be rehired as a senior advisor. His new contract contains remarkably generous terms.
Circuit Avenue Mainstay Will Close Its Doors
Phillips Hardware, a regular stop on Circuit avenue for almost 100 years, will be closing its doors in September.
New School Year, New Principal
The school’s first new principal in nine years, Sean Mulvey already is a well-known member of the MVRHS community. He’s worked in the guidance department there since 2019, alongside his wife, fellow counselor Erika Mulvey.
Steamship Mulls Increase for Islander Excursion Rate
The Steamship Authority has seen the number of full-fare automobile tickets shrink for the last three years on the Vineyard route, leaving ferry line officials wondering if it’s time to overhaul the Islander discount program.
Island Pays Tribute to Legacy of Jim Thomas
Friends, family and choir members gathered at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum on Wednesday to honor Jim Thomas, who founded the US Slave Song Project’s Spirituals Choir.
Oak Bluffs Town Administrator Announces Plans to Retire
Oak Bluffs may soon start to search for a new town administrator after Deborah Potter this week announced her intention to retire from the position. Ms. Potter, who was appointed to the top town government role in 2021, plans to step down as town administrator by the end of her contract, which was extended by…
Circuit Stage Presents Two Stage Readings
Circuit Stage, the performing-arts division of Circuit Arts, is hosting two play readings this week: Circles by Danny Tejera and The Galas by Justine Gelfman.
Chilmark Rekindles Work on Peaked Hill Housing Project
The select board voted last Tuesday to allocate $50,000 to begin designing the utility system for the proposed affordable housing development.
Tisbury Sets Articles for Special Town Meeting
Tisbury’s select board has approved a dozen draft articles for the Sept. 30 special town meeting warrant, which the board will finalize at its Sept. 2 meeting.
Chip Chop Owner Fined for Illegal Clearing, Unpermitted Construction
David Malm has been racking up $300 daily fines from the Tisbury conservation commission since the end of May for unauthorized work at the property he bought from Diane Sawyer in 2023.
Community Roots Guide New West Tisbury Police Chief
Bradley Cortez’s path to the police force began after he graduated from Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School when he joined the army. He did two tours in Afghanistan before deciding he wanted to shift to police work, inspired by officers he encountered as a child.
Trailer Catches Fire During Oak Bluffs Fireworks
No one was injured Saturday after a trailer caught fire aboard the barge used to set off fireworks at the annual Oak Bluffs fireworks show.
Fern and Feather Preschool Closes
The Fern and Feather preschool at Mass Audubon Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary is closing after six years of operation due to staffing shortages.
Island Community Chorus Begins Rehearsals
The Island Community Chorus begins a new semester of rehearsals at the Edgartown Public Library on Monday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m., preparing for its traditional holiday concerts on Dec. 6 and 7 at the Old Whaling Church.
Hutchins Forum Raises Alarms About Current State of Democracy
The central questions at the heart of this year’s annual Hutchins Forum were shorter than in past years — but no less complicated.
Agricultural Fair Is Endless Array of Summer Delights
The Agricultural Fair welcomed one and all to the West Tisbury fairgrounds over the course of four days, marking a high moment of summer for many Islanders and visitors alike.
Construction Shut Down for Wind Farm Off Aquinnah
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Friday halted construction on Revolution Wind, a nearly completed project about 12 miles off of the Island’s western tip, due to national security concerns.
Aquinnah Responsible for All Educational Costs, Attorney Says
After inquiring about the potential of other towns chipping in to pay for the education of children living on sovereign tribal land, the Aquinnah select board learned this week that the responsibility falls solely to the town.
Grand Illumination Lights the Way
The Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association hosted its annual Grand Illumination night on Thursday evening, bringing a festive glow to the historic Camp Ground in Oak Bluffs.
