Sen. Barack Obama Makes Quiet Appearance Here
Mike Seccombe

Following a frenzied weekend of rallies for two of the 2008 Democratic Presidential contenders, the third of the front runners, Barack Obama. slid quietly into the Vineyard early this week for aclosed-door high-ticket fundraiser and no fanfare.

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Election Day 2008: Vineyard Backs Obama All the Way
Mike Seccombe

Vineyard voters came down decisively on the winning side of history on Tuesday, turning out in record numbers to help elect America’s first black President.

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Business Boost from Presidential Visit Not Immediately Apparent
Jim Hickey

Island merchants this week said it was too early to tell if President Obama’s recent vacation gave a boost to business, which by most account was generally poor this summer.

If there was any direct impact it was in Oak Bluffs, where the President stopped in town on Tuesday night for dinner at the Sweet Life Cafe and briefly the next day for a take-out lunch at Nancy’s Snack Bar.

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After Last Stop at Alley’s, And Storms of All Kinds, First Family Bids Farewell
Sam Bungey

At 4:23 p.m. on Sunday, the helicopters took off from the Martha’s Vineyard Airport, bringing to an end President Obama’s week-long first vacation since winning office, spent on the Island.

As Mr. Obama, his family and entourage took off, the clouds which had dumped some four inches of rain over the previous two days finally broke, and they left in watery sunshine.

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Obama Aides Close In On First Family Home For Likely August Visit
Sam Bungey

Senior White House aides and Secret Service are now considering three Vineyard properties for a planned holiday by President Obama and his family next month.

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The Only Ones Are Not Everyone
Elizabeth Gates

In early October 2008 I was invited to Chicago to sit in the Family and Friends Tent in Bryant Park and witness the possible election of our nation’s 44th President, Barack Hussein Obama.

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First Family’s Vacation Plans Take Shape Around Familiar Chilmark Farm
Sam Bungey

President Barack Obama and the First Family will rent the bucolic Blue Heron Farm off South Road in Chilmark for their vacation during the last week of August.

The 28.5-acre property some five hundred yards down Cobb’s Hill Road, spans the Chilmark and West Tisbury town line and overlooks Town Cove, the westernmost finger of the Tisbury Great Pond.

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Our Messages of Hope to the President
Mark Alan Lovewell

Knowing of course that he is on vacation, what would you say to Barack Obama if you had a moment to speak with him? At the Inkwell Beach in Oak Bluffs, Squid Row in Menemsha and the front porch of the Chilmark Store, the Gazette found a variety of lively responses.

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We’ll Take You On, Mr. President
Jim Hickey

The Obamas will miss what is generally considered the busiest week on the Vineyard, featuring Grand Illumination Night at the Camp Ground in Oak Bluffs, the Oak Bluffs fireworks and the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society Livestock Show and Fair in West Tisbury.

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President Obama is Due to Arrive Sunday; Public, Press Barred from Airport
Mike Seccombe

In sharp contrast to previous Presidential visits, the public will be shut out when Barack Obama and his family arrive on the Vineyard somewhere in a five-hour window on Sunday afternoon.

As the Martha’s Vineyard Airport and later a White House spokeswoman confirmed yesterday, there will be no chance for the media, or, more importantly, Islanders to see the First Family.

“It will be what’s called a closed arrival,” said the airport manager Sean Flynn.

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