Fire Destroys Landmark Tisbury Inn; Firefighters Prevent Spread of Blaze

The Tisbury Inn was destroyed Saturday night by a fire that started
in mid-evening and wasn't fully extinguished until late afternoon
Sunday. More than 100 firefighters and public safety personnel were
called to the center of the town to fight the blaze at the landmark
hotel.

End of an Era: Scottish Bakery Closes for Good

How many pounds of flour, how many pounds of sugar, how many pounds
of butter have passed through this place in the last 37 years? How many
scones, how many shortbreads, how many jars of beach plum jelly, how
many rhubarb pies?

No one ever counted. And no one ever wrote down the recipes.

New Bedford SSA Maneuvers Fail

New Bedford SSA Maneuvers Fail

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

The Falmouth Steamship Authority governor checked the city of New
Bedford in its own game of ferry chess yesterday, refusing to honor an
11th-hour request from the Whaling City to extend a trial high-speed
ferry project, after the city solicitor abruptly pulled the plug on the
project two weeks ago.

Down Island Golf Club Developers Apply Pressure with Threat of Housing Project

The developers of the Down Island Golf Club turned up the heat on
the Martha's Vineyard Commission last night, hammering home the
threat of a large low-income housing project if the golf club plan is
not approved.

Troubled Times Color Christmas Mood

If you're not feeling quite ready for the holidays, if the
festive mood hasn't grabbed you, don't worry. You're
not alone.

Christmas in Edgartown Draws Throngs to Colorful Festivities

A friend recently said that "Christmas is about getting back to the basics, the basics that are so easily forgotten today."

A reporter was reminded of this walking through the doors of the Federated Church on South Summer street Saturday morning, where an elf workshop was in progress. Oblong tables were crammed with kids bumping elbows and building gingerbread houses. Parents stood behind them chatting with each other. Some leaned over to lend a hand, but they were ignored - so intently focused were the kids on their individual projects.

Party Train Carries Teens in Search for Fun

The gathering started off with just two friends, but there was no chance it would stay that way. The tenth grader had already let it slip, telling another friend the vital piece of information that can spread like wildfire among teenagers.

Vineyard Officials Clash in Fight Over Boat Line Appointment; Political Dialogue Grows Ugly

Vineyard Officials Clash in Fight Over Boat Line Appointment; Political Dialogue Grows Ugly

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

Political chaos broke out across the Vineyard this week in the
aftermath of the surprise vote by the Dukes County Commission last week
to replace J.B. Riggs Parker, the Island Steamship Authority governor
who has presided over the most divisive period at the public boat line
in recent memory.

Meet Kathryn Roessel: New SSA Governor Brings Law to Post

Meet Kathryn Roessel: New SSA Governor Brings Law to Post

By JULIA WELLS

Her name is Kathryn but she goes by Cassie. She is 47 but looks 29.
She wears traditional Vineyard attire: jeans, windbreaker and a silver
scallop-shell necklace. She grew up in Pittsford, N.Y., and her speech
has the flattened O's that are uniquely associated with upstate
New York in general and Rochester in particular. She has a Cairn terrier
named Tugboat.

Housing Crisis Spurs Initiatives

Housing Crisis Spurs Initiatives

Grim Housing Needs Assessment Underscores Important Search to Ease Lack of Affordable Shelter on the Vineyard

By MANDY LOCKE

Twenty-eight million dollars.

It's less than five per cent of the $6 billion Vineyard
housing market. It's only $6 million more than the recent $22
million sale of the former Sharpe house in Edgartown. It's but a
$233 contribution from each seasonal and year-round resident.

Pages