If you’re lucky, your Vineyard getaway or year-round home already has a porch or an attached arbor, maybe even both. Each creates a space that is neither indoors or out, a delightfully in-between space where you can savor island breezes, salty scents, and framed views all from within a partial shelter. But if you’re thinking of building, renovating, or adding on, you might want to consider the distinct benefits and tradeoffs of a porch versus an attached arbor.
“Cottage gardens are very personal,” West Tisbury garden designer Mary Wirtz tells me. “There is no wrong way to do them.”
Hallelujah.
Those of you who worship straight lines and sharp angles, you can all shuffle to the other side of the room for now. (Though feel free to eavesdrop and come shuffling back.)
Architectural designer Nicholas Waldman gave his clients an efficient multi-use space—and a maximum view of the surrounding woods—in this treehouse inspired design.
Gardening is big business all over Martha’s Vineyard. To meet this demand, the Vineyard's long-established landscape and garden companies have been joined in recent years by a wave of young gardeners who are willing to work long hours during the season to make a good living.
On Martha’s Vineyard, summer camps abound with options for children of all ages and interests. There are drop-in day camps offering a diverse group of activities guaranteed to delight and tire out even the most enthusiastic child. Weeklong adventures at sea, in the woods, on the farms or on the sports fields help focus attention on a more singular aspect of summer fun.
Beth Kehoe, a lively 86 year old, lives in the Oak Bluffs house built by her late husband. She relies on a variety of local services to assist her each day, from Meals on Wheels lunches to the Vineyard Village volunteers who bring her grocery shopping and to the YMCA, where she swims laps in the pool. Her backstroke is the envy of far younger swimmers.
More than eighty years ago, two Island women knitted six red stockings, filled and distributed them to needy local children, and the Red Stocking Fund was born. Today the fund is still very much a grassroots organization run by volunteers. Every year the Red Stocking Fund provides gifts and warm clothing for 300 to 400 children ages newborn to eighth grade.
Over forty years ago, the Vineyard Gazette fashioned its very first holiday gift guide. An honest-to-goodness mail-order catalogue, the inaugural publication served as a way for Island vendors to advertise special sales and promotions, and connected local goods and services with off-Island consumers leading up to the holiday season. Here we present you with the talents and energies of our Island community in 2016.
