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
September 25 2026
Land Bank Revenues: Week Ending Sept. 18
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $884,468 for the business week ending on Friday, Sept. 21, 2026. The land bank receives its funds from a two per cent fee charged on many Vineyard real estate transactions.
Ceramics and Banjo Master Shares His Skills
Whether through ceramics or music, nature is the predominant character in Akira Satake’s work.
For Billy Collins, Poems Are a Mix of Clarity and Mystery
Billy Collins returns to Featherstone Center for the Arts this weekend in partnership with PathwaysArts to give a reading from his latest book of poems Dog Show and to lead a poetry workshop.
Northeaster Scuttles Ferry Trips
With winds expected to gust up to 55 miles per hour, all of the Island’s ferry operators announced cancellations on Friday.
Farm and Field: Squash Season
Last October, when flying home from Boston after my summer of farming on the Island, my bag got stopped at security.
Charlotte Potter Weds Kevin Leonord
Charlotte Potter of Oak Bluffs, daughter of Robert and Deborah Potter, and Kevin Leonard of Glen Rock, N.J., son of Anne Marie and Bill Leonard, were married in June of 2026, at Ocean Edge Resort in Brewster on Cape Cod.
Real Estate Transactions: Week Ending Sept. 18
Peter Goldberg purchased 6 Trails End in Chilmark from New Red Hat LLC for $2,700,000 on Sept. 16.
Dark Skies
From the September 27, 1940 edition of the Vineyard Gazette:
Embracing the Change of Season
The end of summer marks my favorite time of the year. It is bittersweet, yes, but when I start to feel autumn’s bracing weather, which lifts the spirit and brings the rush of sweet cool air in the morning, I know that I am in the midst of the best days of the year.
Shenandoah Defined a Way of Life
The schooner Shenandoah left Tarpaulin Cove on Friday with an escort of sail and motor boats, along with her last group of students from the Chilmark School on board.
SSA Reservation System
It is somewhat encouraging to see a member of the SSA board raising questions about the new reservation system’s readiness. It is more than disappointing that all members appear not to be interested in discussing this further.
Ruby-Throated
Hummingbirds are still around. Cynthia Bloomquist spotted one at her home on Sept. 13 and three on both Sept. 15 and 16.
Sandhopper
Erratic, off-putting, controversial, hasty and an outcast are not any terms by which one wants to be remembered by their nearest and dearest.
Fall Crops
I wish I could stop myself from watching weather forecasts. By the time this hits the newsstands we should be in the throes of a northeaster.
Superintendent of Schools Looks to Learn
Jaime Curley started at the Vineyard public schools superintendent in July and is spending her first months getting to know the district, its schools and students.
Island Starts New Extended Hunting Season to Thin the Herd
A new early hunting season for the Vineyard started this week as part of an overarching effort to cut down the deer population on the Island in the name of public health.
Farm and Field: Squash Season Is a Time of Heavy Lifting
Squash comes sooner than you would expect. It’s ready to harvest in late August and early September, although many varieties need to cure for a few weeks for their starches to turn to sugars.
Ancient Way Plan Winds Its Way to Select Board
A controversial plan for a path in Katama is headed this fall to the Edgartown select board for consideration.
West Tisbury Signs off on Deer Processing Facility
A new deer processing facility aimed at helping hunters cut down the Island’s high deer population received the green light from West Tisbury officials this week.
For Island Realtors, Ticks Are a Hot Topic
Real estate agents on Martha’s Vineyard are used to answering a lot of questions. But a new line of inquiry has crept in recent months: ticks.
Orange Peel Bakery Files for Bankruptcy
Juli Vanderhoop, the owner of Orange Peel Bakery, filed for bankruptcy in March. With those proceedings underway, the bakery, which was known for its idyllic roadside stand and outdoor pizza nights, is now closed, Ms. Vanderhoop’s attorney said last week.
West Tisbury Town Column: Sept. 25
Voters by now have received their little red pamphlets that explain the ballot questions for the up-coming election.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Sept. 25
Poetry rules the night! Billy Collins will perform at Featherstone this weekend.
Edgartown Town Column: Sept. 25
The weather has been filled with fall temperatures
Chilmark Town Column: Sept. 25
The true measure of a community lies not in how it navigates a single season, but in its capacity to simultaneously harbor the full spectrum of human emotion.
Chappy Town Column
Dana Gaines reports that the Katama opening is still wide and deep.
Community Invited to Commemorate Shenandoah’s Final Sail
Shenandoah will depart Tarpaulin Cove on Naushon around noon on Friday, and boats of every kind are invited to accompany her home in a parade of sail.
West Tisbury Bans Tree Planting in Cemeteries
The West Tisbury select board last week banned planting trees, shrubs and bushes in all town cemeteries.
Cannon Salute Marks End of Shenandoah’s Career
On Saturday evening, more than 200 people gathered on the Black Dog wharf in Vineyard Haven to celebrate the life and legacy of the Shenandoah
Shining a Light Into the Darkness
Members of the Martha’s Vineyard community gathered before sunrise on Saturday at State Beach to participate in the ninth annual Darkness Into Vineyard Light walk, an event that raises awareness about suicide prevention.
Vineyard Steamship Member Calls For Reconsideration of Reservation Launch
Martha’s Vineyard Steamship board member Ted Gavin said the new reservation system is far from complete and proposed terminating the consultant firm that has been overseeing it.
VTA Drivers Ratify Bus Contract
Bus drivers at the Vineyard Transit Authority begrudgingly ratified a contract offer from management Thursday after weeks of threatening to strike, according to the drivers’ union.
Huge Albie Tops State Record
Sherry Countryman caught a 19.9-pound false albacore while fishing the 81st Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby from a boat with her teammates. The fish is the heaviest albie in Massachusetts history and rocketed Ms. Countryman to the top of the derby leaderboard.