Interviews

The Herbalist: An Interview with Heather Thurber

Paula Lyons
A lifelong farmer and Master Gardener, Heather Thurber of Breezy Pines Farm followed her passion for herbs into a thriving business.

Heidi Feldman Gets Salty on Down Island Farm

By Paula Lyons
The Vine catches up with the co-founder of MV Sea Salt, Heidi Feldman, an entrepreneur with a deep love for the Island who found a unique niche in the Island farming economy

The Point B Blogger: An Interview with Guinevere Cramer

By Paula Lyons
Point B Realty's Guinevere Cramer has built a loyal following with her fun, informative, twice-a-week blog.

In Tile Style, An Interview with Annie Bradshaw

Paula Lyons
Annie Bradshaw and her husband created Martha's Vineyard Tile Company in 1996. Today, 21 years later, the bustling business offers a huge variety of tile from 30 vendors, each of whom carry up to 300 lines. That's a lot of tile!

The Barber Is In

Paula Lyons

Blair Hill, owner of Native Cuts, runs so much more than a barber shop. The Vineyard Haven native, part Wampanoag, part African American and 100 per cent in love with what he does, says his shop is a welcome gathering space for all.

In his early days as a barber here, he worked in at Bert’s Barber Shop in Vineyard Haven, Benito’s in Oak Bluffs and finally opened his own place 12 years ago, first on Evelyn Way in Vineyard Haven and now on State Road, next to Lapel’s cleaners.

Staying Fit with Ray Whitaker

Paula Lyons
Ray Whitaker, director of elder fitness at the YMCA, sees the link between physical fitness and mental well-being as inextricable.

O' Come, All Ye Carolers: Choral Directors Peter Boak and Lisa Varno

Paula Lyons
Peter Boak, music director of the Island Community Chorus, now in its 21st season, is well known to Islanders who delight in the three concerts he and his singers perform annually. Lisa Varno, artistic director of the Martha’s Vineyard Children’s Chorus, is a newcomer to year-round living, though her family has deep Island roots. This year they are joining forces for the annual holiday concert at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown on December 3 and 4.

Talking Trends with Tracker Home Decor's John Murphy

Paula Lyons

It took 24 years for John Murphy to find his calling on Martha’s Vineyard; but find it he did when he opened Tracker Home Décor in Edgartown, with partner Helen Koch back in 2010. Tracker Home Décor now has 8 year-round employees and this past summer opened a second shop in downtown Edgartown. We wondered how John viewed modern Vineyard style.

Inn Style: Design With A Touch of Mischief

Paula Lyons

Julie and Marla Accursio-Gibbs, co-managers of two Edgartown inns—the 8-room Sydney and the 15-room Christopher— are passionate about their roles as stewards of these totally updated, boutique properties. Here they talk to The Vine about their new roles, Island hospitality and going the extra mile for their guests.

House Hunting with Ruth McGorty

Paula Lyons
In 1985 Ruth McGorty started the Martha’s Vineyard Real Estate Guide, then just a black-and-white pamphlet. Today the magazine is a full color, glossy Real Estate bible, known to many as The Book of Dreams.

Pages

On the Vineyard, we have a tiny window between winter and visitors. In other places, they call this season spring. For us it’s more like springette. With all the cold, stormy weather this year, it seemed like springette would never come.  

   But now that little window has appeared; time to take advantage of it, perhaps with a small home project. This could be the year you set up your best tomato garden ever with our tips for success. Or maybe this is the year you give up on a big green lawn and devote some of the space to native plants. If you want to give your home décor a boost, get some fresh inspiration from the Nobnocket Boutique Inn.

   Pick one thing, something you can reasonably tackle in the next few weeks. Then when it’s crazy time, you can look around with satisfaction, knowing you did something for your home or garden while you had a chance.