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 27, 2026
Chilmark Town Column: Week Ending Feb. 27
Before the flakes fall, the sky turns a peculiar shade of blue-gray, a leaden hue that seems to drain color from the world, leaving trees looking barren against the colorless expanse.
Storm Preparedness
Because I have PTSD as a result of Hurricane Bob, I spent most of Sunday preparing for the blizzard and probable loss of power.
Have You Seen Venus?
The brightest planet in our evening sky, Venus now hovers over the west just after sunset.
Electric Restoration Effort Almost Complete
Most of the Vineyard had its power restored by Thursday afternoon after Monday’s blizzard knocked out electricity to more than half the Island.
Island Dancer Graces the Stage at TD Garden
A seasoned professional dancer, Alise Haigazian recently danced backup for Toni Braxton at TD Garden. For the creative director at Island Hip Hop, that kind of thing is business as usual.
A Record-Breaking Storm? Depends on What You’re Counting
It may be cold comfort, but Monday’s blizzard was one of the biggest snow storms in the Island’s recorded history.
It’s Oscar Time
The Oscars are on their way and the Island’s movie theatres are offering a chance to see some of the lesser-known films that are in contention for the golden statues.
Jeffers Home
The Land Bank announced in 2025 that it had purchased the Jeffers farmland at 3 Jeffers Lane on Chappaquiddick and would return the land to its historic use as farmland.
Band of Snow Shovelers
My friend usually plows my driveway, but he’s in the Caribbean. Many other Islanders, some with idle plows on their trucks out of the fight, are soaking up the sun in far-flung vacation spots. We are on our own.
Hoagland’s Writing, and Friendship, Was a Gift
I first met Edward Hoagland on the page, as a reader so smitten I had to get up from my seat, leave the house and take a walk around the block.
Recent Real Estate Transactions for Week Ending Feb. 20
Edgartown
Osbourne Realty LLC. purchased 131 North Water street, Osborne Cottage, Harbor View Hotel Condo, Suite 51 in Edgartown from Osbourne51 LLC. for $1,987,500 on Feb. 19.
Island’s Blizzard Baby is One Chill Kid
The snowstorm had just reached blizzard status Monday morning when Arianna Peters first felt the contractions. Within the next 24 hours, the Island was buried in snow, and the baby she and her husband weren’t expecting for another month had arrived.
Blizzard Postpones Island Playoff Games
The Vineyard hockey teams will now play on Friday and the boys basketball team could play on Saturday.
State OKs $71 Million for High School Building Project
Nearly four years after the Island’s municipal leaders agreed to work together on a new Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) has approved a grant of more than $71 million to renovate and expand the aging facility.
The Art of Keeping Plows on the Road
Plows are strong beasts, capable of moving thousands of pounds of snow an hour. But they can be rendered useless if a single piece is out of place. In these situations, repair people like Ty Rossi and Rachel Jenkinson come to the rescue.
Oak Bluffs Firefighters Battle Two Fires During Blizzard
Oak Bluffs firefighters battled two fires within 24 hours between Sunday and Monday amid the high winds and snow from the week’s blizzard.
Storm Strands Stray Sailboats in Vineyard Haven
Tisbury officials are working to remove boats that were blown ashore in this week’s blizzard. One boat blew into a Steamship Authority slip in Vineyard Haven.
Power Slowly Comes Back to the Island
Several thousand Islanders had their lights come back on in the last 24 hours as the Island’s electricity provider worked to restore power in the wake of this week’s blizzard.
County Reschedules Steamship Board Interviews
Public interviews have been moved to March 3 for three candidates seeking the influential Dukes County seat on the Steamship Authority board of governors.
Eversource Sends More Crews to the Vineyard
The Island’s electricity supplier said Tuesday that it is working to restore power to the thousands of Vineyard residents who remain in the dark after this week’s blizzard, but it could take several days.
Edward Hoagland, Lyrical Chronicler of the Natural World, Dies at 93
Edward Hoagland, a master wordsmith and one of the country’s most esteemed nature and travel writers, died in New York City on Feb. 17 at the age of 93.
Regional High Basketball and Hockey Teams Ready for the Playoffs
The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School boys and girls hockey teams will hit the ice Thursday to start their playoff runs and boys basketball is awaiting their postseason tipoff time. The three teams had a strong regular season and hope to carry that momentum into the playoffs, said Mark McCarthy, the regional high school athletic…
After Blizzard, Island Attempts to Dig Out
Islanders continued to feel the effects of this week’s blizzard Tuesday morning, with power still out for thousands and transportation limited.
Stop & Shop Cited for Health Violations
Grocery store chain Stop & Shop said it has implemented changes at its store in Vineyard Haven after being dinged by the town health department for food safety violations this winter.
Thousands Without Power as Storm Whacks the Vineyard
More than 10,000 people were without power Monday as a blizzard pummeled the Island with strong winds and heavy snow. Gov. Maura Healey also enacted a travel ban for the Island.
SSA Cancels Monday Ferry Service Due to Storm
The ferry line made the announcement on Sunday afternoon, just hours before the blizzard was supposed to drop up to two feet of snow and bring strong winds.
Major Snow Storm Expected to Hit the Vineyard
A blizzard could dump up to two feet of snow on Martha’s Vineyard Sunday into Monday, according to new forecasts.
Two Finalists Picked for High School Principal Job
In a letter to parents Friday, schools superintendent Richard Smith announced that Dennis Mahoney, the former principal at Winchester High School, and Bryan Lombardi, the principal at Stoneham High School, were picked as finalists from the 13 applicants.
Island Cultural Council Distributes $34K
Circuit Arts, the Island Community Chorus and the Chilmark Community Potluck Jam are among more than two dozen Martha’s Vineyard organizations and artists — plus a handful from the mainland — who will share a total of $34,200 in funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council to present public events on the Island this year.
Offshore Eyes Expansion in Oak Bluffs
The owners of Offshore Ale Company in Oak Bluffs announced plans at a select board meeting Tuesday to expand their business into the building next door.
Rico’s Boatyard Approved in Oak Bluffs
The boat yard on the Oak Bluffs-Tisbury line that has been operating for several years unpermitted got a green light from the Oak Bluffs planning board to continue operating with conditions last month.
West Tisbury Signs Off on Jewish Cultural Festival
The select board approved Chabad on the Vineyard’s event permit for the festival with the condition that their attendance not exceed 400 people, rather than the initially requested 475.
Wasque to Close for Tree Cutting
The Wasque Reservation on Chappaquiddick will be closed to the public for selective tree thinning starting Feb. 28.
Rodenbaugh Family Raises Concerns About Court Case
A Dukes County Superior Court judge this week declined to impose a curfew against a babysitter who is awaiting a trial for manslaughter, frustrating the family of the alleged victim who felt the prosecution could be doing more in the case.
