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
March 20, 2026
Venus and Crescent Moon
The bright planet Venus appears fairly close to the setting waxing crescent moon tonight.
Propagation
I like to follow the weather nationwide. Over the weekend Arizona and parts of the Southwest were so hot they issued warnings, four feet of snow was headed to the Upper Michigan Peninsula, tornadoes were brewing down south and we got some impressive wind and rain.
Kong-a-reee
Last week I wrote “When the red-winged blackbirds that nest here arrive, they will sing and establish their marshy breeding territories.” Well, Jeff Bernier reports hearing them at John Butler’s Mudhole on March 9 and Suzan Bellincampi heard them singing at Felix Neck on March 12.
Welcome Nathan
Valquiria Souza Barros De Freitas and David Oliveira De Freitas, of West Tisbury, announce the birth of a son, Nathan Souza De Freitas, born on March 15 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Valentina Arrives
Jessica Silva Cruz and Gabriel Da Silva Amorin, of Vineyard Haven, announce the birth of a daughter, Valentina Da Silva Amorin, born on March 16 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Hello Robert
Julie Rodenbaugh and Matthew Rodenbaugh, of West Tisbury, announce the birth of a son, Robert Matthew Rodenbaugh, born on March 13 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Robert weighed 10 pounds, 4.6 ounces at birth.
Land Bank Revenues For Week Ending March 13
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $303,280 for the business week ending on Friday, March 13, 2026.
Spring Fling
From the March 22, 1963 edition of the Vineyard Gazette: Yesterday was the first day of spring according to the calendar and astronomical calculations.
Oak Bluffs Town Column: Week Ending March 20
As we transition from Black history month to women’s history month I am frequently reminded of the Fabulous Five from West Tisbury. Their determination to activate participatory democracy began on Nov. 22, 1963 when our own President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
Chilmark Town Column: Week Ending March 20
March is like navigating a world where the sky and the sea have blurred into a single, bruised horizon. The mud is a thick and clinging to our boots like the season itself refuses to let go.
Chappy Town Column: Week Ending March 20
Spring is finally arriving on Friday morning at exactly 10:46 a.m. Lots of spring plants have already poked their heads above the winter debris. I saw some daffodils with buds on them.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Week Ending March 20
Whirlwind week. Rain, snow squalls, high winds, canceled boats. The bright spot was the Celtics win on Monday night.
Vineyard Preservation Trust Buys the Old Mill From the Garden Club
In this week's 10-minute wrap-up of the news from the Vineyard Gazette, we look at the Vineyard Preservation Trust’s purchase of the Old Mill in West Tisbury. The property has been home to the Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club since 1942. And we listen to some big band music from the regional high school’s Jazzfest.
Governor Healey Champions Easing Hunting Regulations
On Thursday, Gov. Maura Healey endorsed plans to modernize hunting laws across Massachusetts as part of an effort to better manage the deer herd.
Preservation Trust Buys Old Mill Building
The Vineyard Preservation Trust recently acquired the Old Mill from the Garden Club. The building, purchased for $1, is the Trust’s 20th acquisition, and its first in 10 years.
Gazette Photographer Earns Top Prize
Ray Ewing was honored on March 7 when he was named photojournalist of the year at the New England Newspaper & Press Association awards ceremony.
Freshly Ground Flour Equals Bread Nirvana
It’s simple, really. Grain goes in, flour comes out. Simple, says Matt Pontarelli, head baker at Beetlebung Farm. Just unfamiliar.
Film Festival Celebrates 26th Year
“Think global, act local” is common wisdom for making a better world, but how does one bring that wisdom to life? For the team behind the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival, the answer lies on the silver screen.
New Study Looks to Increase Habitat for Essential Pollinators
Pollinator Pathways, a study from BiodiversityWorks, installed small plots of native plants on eight farms in 2022, and for the next three years made observations on how many pollinators visited the installed strips of goldenrod, asters, butterfly weed and scarlet beebalm.
The Unbridled Joy of Donkey Basketball
Imagine a brisk November night in 1984. Imagine a smooth and shiny MVRHS gymnasium floor. Imagine a bunch of donkeys running back and forth on that gymnasium floor.
School Days
As I read about suggested plans to centralize the elementary schools on the island I was reminded of those days when I would walk or bike to my local school.
A Country Road
Sometimes at night when I can’t sleep, / I close my eyes and envision every step / along a road I’ve walked year after year.
Revolution Wind Begins Delivering Energy
Revolution Wind announced this week that it has started delivering power to New England’s electric grid.
Steamship Reconsiders M/V Governor Sale
The Steamship Authority is taking another look at M/V Governor, amid a public clamor over the prospect of selling the much-loved freighter and keeping only the M/V Sankaty as a backup for the regular fleet.
Finding Housing Hope in Accessory Dwelling Units
New allowances by the state that make it easier to build small apartments or guest houses has gained the attention of Island builders and affordable housing advocates.
West Tisbury Town Column Week Ending March 20
My father-in-law, Tom Maley, has been on my mind lately, and his presence there reminds me of a letter he wrote to his son, Tim, in 1959. Tim was then a freshman at college in California.
Vineyarders Weigh-in on Possibility of Lifting Sunday Hunting Ban
As the books close on another deer hunting season, discussions continue on how best to address the proliferation of deer on the Island and around the state.
Vineyard Gazette Media Group Shines at Awards Ceremony
The Vineyard Gazette Media Group was honored with 32 awards at the New England Newspaper Convention held in Portsmouth, N.H. over the weekend, including 11 first place finishes.
Multi-Generational Jazzfest Draws Cheers at High School
The M.V. Big Band, an 11-member group of students at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, headlined the school’s annual Jazzfest Friday night with a performance that left audience members cheering and toy penguins strewn across the stage.
Vineyard Wind Completes Construction
Vineyard Wind 1 has completed construction of all of its 62 offshore wind turbines.
Select Board Races to Set the Pace for Election Season
The Island will have several new select board members this spring with three incumbents deciding not to run and one resigning mid-term.
Charter School Chooses New Director
The school board announced on Monday that Christopher (Chris) Nace would take the reins starting in July, following the retirement of current director Peter Steedman.
Dukes County Regional Housing Authority Names New Director
The Dukes County Regional Housing Authority has chosen Maria Ventura as its new executive director, stepping into the role following the retirement of David Vigneault.
Cape Air Welcomes New CEO
The company announced earlier this week that Mike Migliore has been appointed president and chief executive officer.
MVC Closes Hearing on Auto Shop in West Tisbury Neighborhood
When the MVC hearing opened last November, commissioners heard a litany of objections from residential neighbors on Vineyard Meadow Farms Road and Waldron’s Bottom Road.
Vessel Speed Reduction Proposal Worries Whale Advocates
The Trump administration’s proposal to cut back on vessel speed regulations that have been in place to protect right whales has come under scrutiny from conservation advocates.
SSA Eyes Sale of Governor Ferry
The Steamship Authority is preparing to part ways with its oldest ferry, M/V Governor, once the new M/V Monomoy joins the fleet this spring.
