Ted Kooser
From high above the squeak and whimper of duck’s wings. How hurried they seem, though the pale blue shell of the sky stays all day long. -Ted Kooser
October 23 2026
New 40B Housing Project Proposed in Edgartown
The developer behind two of the most controversial housing proposals in recent years is coming back to Island officials with a plan to build 40 condominiums on two acres along Edgartown-West Tisbury Road in Edgartown.
Land Bank Revenues: Week Ending Oct. 16
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $1,349,385 for the business week ending on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026.
Healthy Agers Champion Award
Healthy Aging Martha’s Vineyard is inviting the community to nominate individuals for its annual Healthy Agers Champion Award.
Court Report: Week Ending Oct. 16
Kevin Vasconcellos, 53, of Fairhaven, was arraigned on an Oct. 8.
Water Bottle Refill Stations
The Vineyard Conservation Society (VCS) has created several new water bottle refill stations across the Vineyard.
Federated Church Honors Peter Boak
The Federated Church of Martha’s Vineyard is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Peter Boak as its music minister on Nov. 1.
Circuit Arts Welcomes Back Spirits & Spirits
Grange Hall will be transformed into the Orchid Ballroom for this year’s production of Spirits & Spirits.
Finding the Space to Stay Curious
In the night sky there’s a full moon over Squibnocket and I’m thinking about the far future. I can see the Big Dipper pointing to the polestar. I’m not starry-eyed, but I marvel at a sight beheld by virtually every human being who ever lived or ever will.
Seasonal Returns
This week six species returned from their northern nesting grounds. Shea Fee, Nancy Weaver and Luanne Johnson observed five American pipits near the Gay Head Cliffs on Oct. 11, and the next day I found three pipits at Thimble Farm.
No to Question 7
Whatever you think of its goals, understand what a yes vote does: it takes one of the most basic planning decisions away from our towns and hands it to a statewide formula.
Feeling the Love
Editors, Vineyard Gazette; Monday I spent the day at our hospital, first with a nurse practitioner from Dr. Price’s office, then with the office teams in radiology and the lab. My husband Bruce and I were both so impressed by their friendly, helpful behavior, embodying the Island’s happy sense of itself after a satisfying summer.…
Ready to Take Flight
So many insects, so little time. Frost is coming (if it hasn’t hit between the time I write and the time its published) and with it, many insects will go.
Shine On
We are writing to express our heartfelt appreciation for the outstanding success of this year’s Gay Head 10K — Run for the Light — Road Race.
Cross Country Team Hosts League Championship
On Saturday the Vineyard cross country team will host the Cape & Islands League Championship.
West Tisbury Town Column: Oct. 23
I often go along for the ride to the dump on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and many of those days I can’t help but stop off at the Dumptique to see if any nuggets lurk there in the unlit, unheated shed.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Oct. 23
Did you miss me? I missed you. No, I wasn’t sick. But my Mojo Wire, which the young’uns call their device, was compromised.
Edgartown Town Column: Oct. 23
It is an unwritten rule that you don’t turn on the heat until Nov. 1. This week has been a challenge.
Chilmark Town Column: Oct. 23
There are runners who race against the clock, and then there are runners who inspire everyone around them with their spirit.
Edgartown Hires New Police Officer
Officer Miguel Jarillo was sworn in as the Edgartown Police Department’s newest member during Monday’s select board meeting.
Susan Spalding Silva, 83
A celebration of life for Susan Spalding Silva will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Grange Hall in West Tisbury.
Margaret Burke, 56
Margaret A. Burke, of Edgartown, and the wife of David Burke, died on Sunday, Oct. 18 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Nancy Washington, 87
Nancy Washington — a distinguished educator, passionate advocate for education, the arts and equitable healthcare, a devoted mother, grandmother and friend — died on Oct. 12. She was 87.
Julie Ann Robinson, 78
Julie Ann Robinson, an accomplished interior designer and beloved mother, wife, sister, aunt, cousin and boss, died at home in West Tisbury on Oct. 7.
Thomas Peckham, 84
Thomas Peckham, of Pawcatuck, Conn. died on Oct. 5 in Westerly, R.I. He was 84.
Rufus Reid Little, Jr., 82
Rufus Reid Little, Jr., of Vineyard Haven, who for years fought the good fight with dignity and grace, died on Oct. 11 in hospice care at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Janice Lee Aubut, 89
Janice Lee Aubut died in Dartmouth on Sept. 23. She was 87.
Chappy Town Column: Oct. 23
Thistle Jemison lives out at the edge of civilization overlooking the Wasque shoals.
Megan Alley, 90
Megan (Bagley) Alley, a lifelong Island resident and longtime Oak Bluffs resident, died on Oct. 14.
State Police Install Ban on Overnight Guests at Barracks
State police have put a stop to any overnight guests at the police barracks on the Vineyard and Nantucket after a Boston man was arrested for a rape that allegedly took place at the Oak Bluffs barracks.
Sports Teams Compete for Playoff Spots
Playoff season looms as sports team look to bolster their records in the waning weeks. And the golf team captured the Cape and Islands League title.
Steamship Votes Against Resuming Standby
A unanimous Steamship Authority board voted Tuesday against bringing back the standby line for drivers seeking to travel ahead of their ferry reservation times.
New Nature Fund Is on the Nov. 3 Ballot
If passed, ballot question six would establish the Nature for All Fund, which would be sustained by the existing sales tax on sporting goods, recreational vehicles and golf courses.
Former Fire Chief’s Lawsuit Ended for Financial Reasons
Gregory Leland, who led the department for four years until he was put on leave in 2024 and later fired, wrote to the Gazette last week to say he believed his case against the town for discrimination was strong, but ran out of steam for financial reasons.
Calling Tiles and Making Friends
On Saturday, 60 mahjong players (59 women and 1 man) gathered at the Grange Hall in West Tisbury for the first Islandwide tournament.
First-Time Derby Fisherman Takes Home Grand Prize
David Gerhardt, an angler from Louisiana who traveled to Martha’s Vineyard for the first time this month, won the top prize in the annual fishing derby Sunday.
Grants Awarded to Combat Pollution and Climate Change
Nearly half a million dollars in regional environmental grants were awarded on Thursday to three organizations working to manage the impact of climate change, pollution and sea level rise on Martha’s Vineyard.
Community Services Celebrates Opening of New Campus
On Friday, hundreds gathered to help officially open the new Martha’s Vineyard Community Services building.
