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
February 20, 2026
Extreme Flexibility
Mallards are one of the most abundant ducks in North America, ranging as far north as Atlantic Canada in the winter, so they can withstand cold climates.
Recent Real Estate Transactions for Week Ending Feb. 13
8 High Street Exchange LLC. purchased 8 High street in Edgartown from Frederica L. Carpenter Trust and Joseph G. Imbriani Trust for $3,600,000 on Feb. 12.
Hello Mallie
Carolaine Pereira and Magno DeFreitas, of Vineyard Haven, announce the birth of a son, Mallie Francino DeFrietas, born on Feb. 12 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Greetings Camden
Jennifer and Mark Kokoszka, of Oak Bluffs, announce the birth of a son, Camden Neary Kokoszka, born on Feb. 15 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Welcome Helena
Jessica Medeiras and Necmias Carlos, of Vineyard Haven, announce the birth of a daughter, Helena Medeiras De Sa, born on Feb. 12 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Glen Arrives
Faren and Oliver Osnoss, of West Tisbury, announce the birth of Glen Arthur Osnoss, born on Jan. 31 at Mass General Hospital. Glen weighed 9 pounds, 6 ounces at birth.
Land Bank Revenues as of Feb. 13
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $360,100 for the business week ending on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.
Please Adopt Us: Week Ending Feb. 20
We are delighted to report that tabby boy, Professor Sugar, has found his forever home. We’re delighted for him and his new family.
Chilmark Town Column: Week Ending Feb. 20
It is a bit ironic that in an era where we have more access to global flavors than ever before, our own kitchens have become quieter.
Chappy Town Columns: Week Ending Feb. 20
This is the longest that snow has stayed in recent memory. Our solar panels were inactive for 17 days. There was more than a half a foot of snow stuck to them starting on Jan. 25.
House History
From the February 23, 1945 edition of the Vineyard Gazette:
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Week Ending Feb. 20
Schools will be out for winter break for the last week in February. Keep this in mind when you are driving.
Edgartown Town Column: Week Ending Feb. 20
The mountains of snow are slowly melting into hills. We can see brown grass in spots, and I did not think I could get excited about seeing the leaves that did not get raked showing themselves in spots in the garden.
West Tisbury Town Column: Week Ending Feb. 20
“The sun is shining! The snow is melting!” is an observation that rose from the crevasses of my memory this week. The passage is from about 45 years ago, when I read Frog and Toad aloud to my daughter so many times.
Moon and Pleiades
It may not feel or look like it, but winter is coming to a close.
Public Safety
Recently I have become more aware of the immense amount of pine tree death that is occurring around the Vineyard.
Retirement, Vineyard Style
It’s been a year since husband Bruce and I retired from raising beef to sell at our New Hampshire farm, but we still have a small herd of 18 cattle.
Bill, Unhoused
Such an anomaly / A homeless man found dead in Chilmark / In a job lot amongst the most expensive real estate in the world / His car was his home / He slept under layers of blankets / Alone.
Living Life at Luge Speed
From the elegance of figure skating to the brilliance of downhill and the awesome giant slalom, the 2026 winter Olympics showcases the tremendous skills of many of the finest athletes in the world.
Playing the Long Game for Success
The regional boys basketball team took the Cape and Islands league title last week with a win over Falmouth. But the on court-chemistry didn’t start this year. It goes all the way back to third grade, when several of the teammates first started playing together.
Oak Bluffs Tennis Club Set to Return This Summer
A new effort is underway to revive the Oak Bluffs Tennis Club, which started in 1959 as an impromptu round-robin tennis tournament in Niantic Park and grew to be a centerpiece for the Black summer community.
Steamship Looks at 2025 Income
The Steamship Authority had a net operating income of $9.5 million in 2025, falling $1.1 million short of its budget goals, according to preliminary year-end numbers.
SSA Board Interviews Set for Next Week
Three candidates with varied backgrounds are all vying to be the next Vineyard board member for the Steamship Authority as the ferry line approaches critical junctures on several major projects.
Island Theatre Owner Says He’s Open to Idea of Sale
After the Oak Bluffs select board last week floated plans to purchase or take Circuit avenue’s vacant Island Theatre by eminent domain, Ben Hall Jr. has come forward to say he’s willing to negotiate.
New Steamship General Manager Outlines Improvement Plan
Steamship general manager Alex Kryska said this week that he wants to help restructure the ferry line’s financial controls, develop long-term planning strategies and clarify the authority’s governance.
Snowbound
As of Tuesday when I write, we still have tons of snow cover. It is a continuing bother to get around.
College Fair
Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School will host a college fair on Saturday, March 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the regional high school gymnasium.
Bret Stearns Takes on New Role as Chilmark Police Officer
After over 30 years as director of the natural resources department for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head in Aquinnah, Bret Stearns is stepping away from his role to join the Chilmark police department full-time.
Islanders Encouraged to Apply for New Deer Permits
Officials from MassWildlife gave a presentation last week on a permit that allows landowners to hunt deer as pests on their property outside the bounds of normal hunting regulations.
State Forest Cutting Postponed Due to Lack of Bidders
Plans to cut 52 acres of pine trees in the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest have hit a snag after the lone bid for the work came in well over the state’s budget.
Island Flavors Unleashed
The Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce is bringing back Island Flavors Unleashed, following a successful launch last year.
Swim Team Has Successful State Tournament
The boys swim team placed 12th in the Division 2 MIAA State Championships, the highest result for the team in its history.
West Tisbury Eyes Larger Police Budget
The 19.5 per cent increase, which still needs town meeting approval, includes funding for a new patrol officer position to keep up with public safety demands as the town’s population grows.
Vineyard Winter Pushes County Out of Drought
The Vineyard’s wet winter has pushed the Island out of a drought, according to state officials.
High School’s Hadestown Wows Island Audiences
A door to the underworld has closed for good at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, after four triumphant performances of Hadestown last weekend.
Time Traveling With a Humpback Whale
Seventy-five years after they were produced, scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution have recently rediscovered the earliest known recordings of humpback whale songs.
Charter School International Baccalaureate Program Sets the Pace
The Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School hosted its annual showcase Thursday night. Front and center were the seniors, presenting their work from the last two years in the International Baccalaureate program.
Boys Basketball Wins Cape and Islands League Title
In the nail-biting finale to a dominating season, the Martha’s Vineyard Boys Basketball team defeated Falmouth High School 44-42 Friday night, securing the top spot in the Cape and Islands League.
Katama Meadows Draws Criticism from Islanders
The subdivision proposal in Edgartown drew condemnation Thursday night from members of the public who worried about the project’s potential to add extra traffic, further degrade Edgartown Great Pond and continue to push development on the Vineyard.
School Committee Chooses Next Island Schools Superintendent
Jaime L. Curley will be the next superintendent of schools on Martha’s Vineyard, assuming successful contract negotiations, following a marathon meeting of the all-Island school committee Thursday night.
Tisbury Eyes Higher Tax for Short Term Rentals
Tisbury select board chair Roy Cutrer said Tuesday he is developing a town meeting warrant article that would add a 3 per cent additional tax on short-term rentals.
