The Martha's Vineyard Times

Margaret Ann Deitrich (Kammerer), 93, of Chilmark, peacefully passed away at the Henrietta Brewer House on Sunday, April 20, 2025.  Born in Orange, N.J., Ann grew up in South Orange, N.J., and graduated from Columbia High School. Always seeking to blaze a new path, Ann attended Allegheny College, where she graduated with a B.S., and […]

Gladys Ruth Segal passed away peacefully in her home on March 15, 2025, at the incredible age of 102. She grew up in North Plainfield, N.J. In her childhood, she was famous for her toughness in defending her twin brother on the playground, and for her resilience after losing her mother, Tillie, when Gladys was […]

A memorial Mass for Victoria A. Anthony will be held at 11 am on Saturday, May 10, at St Augustine Church in Vineyard Haven. Inurnment will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven. A reception will follow at the Portuguese-American Club. Vicki died on August 10, 2024. She was the wife of the late […]

Tisbury has become the fifth town to approve phasing out gas-powered leaf blowers, doing so by a majority vote on Tuesday at town meeting. In the down-Island town, the article bans gas-powered leaf blowers effective March 15, 2028 and limits their use until then. Gathered at the gymnasium of the recently completed Tisbury School, voters […]

The spring concert program of the Island Community Chorus will feature a major work never before performed on the Vineyard: the Misa Criolla, an epic folk mass based on the rhythms and traditions of Hispanic South America. The Misa Criolla, the most famous work of the Argentine composer Ariel Ramírez (1921-2010), was completed in 1964 […]

Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, a Japanese practice of relaxation in nature, has been shown to improve immune response, mental performance, and creativity. With Shanta Gabriel, who has worked in the field of alternative health for 40 years, enjoy an easy, mindful stroll through the beautiful Polly Hill Arboretum environment in West Tisbury. During this forest […]

Do we dare hope for May flowers? Indeed! Be sure to catch the opening reception of a perennial favorite, “The Art of Flowers” exhibit, on May 4, from 4 to 6 pm, in the Francine Kelly Gallery at Featherstone Center for the Arts in Oak Bluffs. Individual, wild, and in gardens and vases, flowers will […]

Join Maranda Post for a fun, energetic, and welcoming fitness and faith experience. This full-body cardiovascular workout, mixed with light weights and stretching, is set to popular praise and worship songs. Appropriate for all ages and fitness levels. Everyone is welcome. Bring a water bottle, towel or yoga mat, and hand weights (optional). Donations appreciated. […]

Edgartown library is offering a fun class focusing on promoting physical health for children aged 1 to 5. Led by Abbey Entner, the kids will start with opening stretches and movement, followed by open play using tumble toys and music. Friday, May 2, 10:30 to 11:30 am.  

Join Kris for a walk around town. Walkers will start at the Oak Bluffs Library’s Pacific Avenue entrance at 8:30 am to stretch and mingle. The walk is between 2.5 and 4 miles, and will take about 60 to 90 minutes. The ground is mainly flat, but it can be uneven in sections. If bad […]

On Sunday, May 4, from 1 to 3 pm, photographer Lynn Christoffers will offer free portraits to all grandmothers, mothers, and families in honor of Mother’s Day. Lynn will take photos in the West Tisbury library’s Children’s Room, and will send you a .jpeg via email. Bring your mother, or grandmother, or children, or whoever […]

Join caregivers in the All Families Touched By Adoption support group. This group meets on the first Monday of every month from 5 to 6:30 pm at M.V. Community Services’ Early Childhood Center in Oak Bluffs. Dinner and childcare are available. Free. Registration is required. Please call 508-687-9182 or email mvfamilycenter@gmail.com.  

Martha’s Vineyard Community Services will break ground Friday on its new hub for mental health and substance use disorder services. The wing will be part of the 13,700-square-foot Main Community Service Center scheduled to be completed in 2026, which will join the Paul & Sandra Pimental Early Childhood Center built in 2021.  Plans for the […]

Heard on Main Street: Have an awesome day, and know that someone has thought about you today. The Minnespringers spring show is called “This Joint Is Jumpin’,” and the theme is songs from stage and screen. There are two performances at MVRHS: Saturday, May 10, at 7 pm, and Sunday, May 11, Mother’s Day, at […]

“Hooray, hooray, the first of May, outdoor fun begins today!” —old Vermont saying May 1in ancient Celtic tradition was called Beltane, and it was celebrated with festivals of fertility and cleansing. Beltane festivals are still popular; many still include the traditional Maypole, with children dancing and colors flying. The Chilmark School celebrates this tradition, to […]

It was a busy morning for the West Tisbury Police Department, who responded to two accidents on Tuesday including one collision that involved four vehicles.  Just before 9 am on Tuesday on Edgartown-West Tisbury Road, police reported that a FedEx truck collided with the back of a pickup truck, and ultimately a vehicle with a […]

There’s no denying it anymore — the month of May has arrived, and with it, Main Street is getting busier, the Edgartown shops are welcoming more visitors, and our local restaurants are expanding their hours already. Events are starting to populate our calendars in a more consistent manner. First up, on Saturday, May 3, from […]

Lambs frolic in the fields. Some are fed by bottle. North Tabor Farm put squash plants in the ground, and they offered free seedling potatoes. Their farm stand is fully stocked, including shiitake pâte. Sunday afternoon, Menemsha filled with the community, friends, and family of Karsten Larsen. It was a gathering he would have loved. […]

Last week was a doozy. It began with Easter Sunday kites flying on the circle, where more than 100 people of all ages enjoyed the sight of dozens of kites floating in the crazy blue sky. Folks were so happy, with people little and big getting their kites up, and then watching in wonder as […]

Early Spring By Warren Woessner I think I have spotted a new sparrow. Until the wind shows me It’s a brown holdout oak leaf That almost made it through the winter The wind tips it over And it’s a brown bowl Ready to be filled with spring. Warren Woessner has authored six books of poetry, […]

Twenty-one members of the Vineyard Cribbage Club met on Wednesday to play our favorite game. The results are below: First, Mary Alice Russell, with a beautiful 11/5 +88 card Second, Andrea Jason, with another beautiful 11/5 +72 card Fourth, Tricia Bergeron with a 9/4 +50 card Fifth, Paul Breen with a 9/4 +29 card There […]

Aquinnah  April 22, Helen Wazner Mays sold land off 0 Moshup Trail to Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank Commission for $2,700. Chilmark  April 24, Mary McN. Callagy sold 2 Squibnocket Road to Jarvis 101 LLC for $9,525,000. Edgartown  April 22, James Haskell Mayo II and Anita D. Stearns Mayo sold 18 Swan Lane to James Mayo […]

Alma Sophia Crane Sonja Josephson and Brendan Crane of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a daughter, Alma Sophia Crane, on April 21, 2025, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Alma weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces.  

Tisbury’s select board has appointed U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Michael Gately to be their harbormaster as the busy summer approaches. The board’s Monday vote was unanimous following an interview with Gately. He will succeed Gary Kovack, who served as Tisbury harbormaster for just under a year before leaving to become Edgartown’s harbormaster. Gately, a native […]

Chilmark voters Monday night voted on budgets, bylaws, and — the most anticipated — a ban on leaf blowers, which passed unanimously although with an amendment that will allow residents to use the equipment in their backyards. Chilmark now joins three other Island towns in passing the bylaw, ensuring that gas powered blowers will be […]

Chilmark voters became the fourth town on the Island to approve a phased-in ban on gas-powered leaf blowers. On the town meeting floor on Monday night, discussion among Chilmark residents lasted about an hour and a half; voters passed three amendments and rejected three amendments. An amendment that passed included an exemption for homeowners to […]

Standing behind the bow of the boat-shaped pulpit in the sanctuary of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. Vincent (“Chip”) Seadale delivered his final sermon as the Edgartown church’s priest on Sunday.  Twenty years after answering the call to serve a higher purpose, Seadale, 64, will be retiring from the Episcopal priesthood this week. As […]

Chilmark and Tisbury voters are set to vote on phasing out the use of gas-powered leaf blowers — possibly becoming the fourth and fifth towns on the Island to do so. First, Chilmark votes at its annual town meeting on April 28 at 7 pm at the Chilmark Community Center. Its leaf-blower ban comes midway […]

Hundreds of long-distance runners looking to challenge themselves were jogging around down-Island Sunday, taking on a marathon or half marathon hosted by a new non-profit aiming to bring the Vineyard’s running community together for the long and arduous race for the first time since 2023.  The MV Spring classic marathon was the second in a […]

Updated April 29 Vineyarders gathered over the weekend for an evening of music and camaraderie to rally around the Island’s veterans.  Martha’s Vineyard Community Services hosted a benefit concert at the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Oak Bluffs on Saturday to raise money for its Readjustment Counseling for War Veterans program following a decision […]

On Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road early Saturday afternoon, a two-car collision resulted in four individuals being transported to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.  Edgartown Police, Fire, and EMS responded to the crash in front of Windsor Dr.,in the early afternoon, rendering aid to those injured, clearing the totaled vehicles from the roadway, and directing traffic away from the […]

The Oak Bluffs select board is considering restricting rented mopeds to be single-rider vehicles, and banning passengers on the back seats.  That suggestion came from board member Thomas Hallahan on Tuesday. He highlighted that the town’s bylaws allow the select board to adopt additional regulations if deemed to be in the best interest of “public […]

Updated   A warrant was issued for David Lee Thrift on Friday at the Edgartown District Court after prosecutors informed Judge Benjamin Barnes that Thrift was allegedly spotted in public alongside a victim, violating a condition of his release. Thrift, 43, registered as living in Hyannis, spent more than a decade in prison after pleading guilty […]

Updated April 28. A dozen Vineyarders spent Earth Day morning at a private home in Edgartown, gathered around a big metal box with flames leaping out. They kept a safe distance from the heat while two experts, in face shields and flame-resistant Nomex clothing, fed yard waste into the dumpster-looking contraption and stomped out any […]

There have been a couple of significant course corrections in my life. Each popped up, out of the blue, and each posed a question. It was a fork in the road with a choice to make – to plunge, or not to plunge. How I answered the question set me off, happily as it turned […]

LEXINGTON — Patriots’ Day weekend is truly one of the great New England rites of spring.  A small army of Islanders marched off to Lexington and Concord to observe the re-enactments and the parades on the 250th anniversary of the “shot heard ’round the world,” when, on April 19, 1775, a ragtag group of armed […]

The restoration effort of a vulnerable coastline in Oak Bluffs may see additional setbacks with the threat that the federal government could cut funding for an over $30 million project that still has a significant budget gap. During the Oak Bluffs select board meeting on Tuesday, assistant town administrator Wendy Brough said a $10 million […]

Following news that a federal contract for a veterans counseling program on Martha’s Vineyard would not be renewed, Islanders have rallied to raise the money themselves.   Dean Teague, CEO of Martha’s Vineyard Community Services and a U.S. Navy Medical Corps veteran, told The Times that more than $40,000 has been donated to the nonprofit over […]

Federal investigators arrested 18 individuals last month as part of a sweeping operation that targeted the illegal trafficking of firearms across Massachusetts, a case they traced back to one of the most violent and notorious gangs in Latin America. As the investigators learned, their far-reaching probe also led them to two suspects with ties right […]

Robert (“Bob”) Douglas, a beloved Island icon who sailed Vineyard seas aboard his tall ship Shenandoah, founded the Black Dog Tavern, and left an indelible mark on the Island, passed away just after midnight Wednesday surrounded by his family and dogs, at his home at Arrowhead Farm in West Tisbury. Douglas, 93, was dealing with […]

Turning 100 is a very big cause for celebration, and Elaine Bart’s family threw her a joyous party on April 16 to honor her century of life. Elaine and her late husband, Roger, first started coming to the Vineyard as seasonal residents 80 years ago. The couple became year-rounders 30 years ago, and Elaine has […]

“Such a Good Mom” is a suspenseful, multilayered beach read with grit and meaning. Outwardly blessed with a healthy newborn and a successful husband from one of Edgartown’s “royal” families, Brynn Nelson should be glowing. However, in her third novel, Julia Spiro once again pulls back the curtain to reveal a nuanced story set on […]

Last summer, while eating a delicious dinner at the Chilmark Tavern, my dining companion asked me if there were any recurring themes that come up in my writing workshops. Without skipping a beat, I said, “Yes, incest and sexual abuse.” He was shocked. I wasn’t. For years, almost every week there are one or two […]

Island Gymnastics was buzzing on Sunday, April 13. Girls ages 6 through 15 were swinging, flipping, and flying through the air with flexibility, courage, and determination as they warmed up before their Spring Fling meet. The nervous energy was palpable among the gymnasts –– and the family members there to cheer them on. Island Gymnastics […]

Up-Island Council on Aging, Howes House 1042 State Rd., West Tisbury 508-693-2896 friendsofupislandcouncilonaging.org There’s always something happening at the Howes House! We are open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4 pm. Mondays 9:15 am, Yoga with Martha Abbott (Zoom). Email spiritmovesyou@gmail.com for sign-in information. 9 am and 9:35 am, Strength and Fitness with Katryn […]

Edgartown Council on Aging, The Anchors The Anchors at 10 Daggett St. 508-627-4368 edgartowncoa.com The Edgartown Council on Aging will be closed on Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day. Weekly Events Monday 9 am: Chair Yoga with Jennifer 12:30 pm: Bridge 2 pm: Walking Group — Meets at Atlantic and Herring Creek in Katama Tuesday […]

Oak Bluffs Council on Aging 21 Wamsutta Ave. 508-693-4509, ext. 3 oakbluffsma.gov/152/Council-on-Aging We are closed on Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day. Coffee and tea all day 9 am to 3 pm daily. Refreshments are served during all of our programs. Bring a friend! Mondays 9 am, Exercise with Patience Campbell and Marilyn Miller, in […]

Tisbury Senior Center 34 Pine Tree Road, Vineyard Haven 508-696-4205 tisburyma.gov/council-aging Weekly Activities Mondays 9:30 – 10:30 am, Line Dancing with Catie 11 am – 12 pm, Chair Yoga with Kat 11:30 am, Bowling at the Barn 1 – 3 pm, Silver Quilters 1 – 3:30 pm, Mah Jong Call on Mondays to make a […]

M.V. Center for Living, the Island’s Dementia and Caregiver Support Network 508-939-9440 lesliec@mvcenter4living.org mvcenter4living.org Volunteers wanted for all interests! Call or email today. M.V. Center for Living will be closed on Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day. Announcement Join us on Saturday, May 17, for a 5K walk to benefit dementia and caregiver services on […]

Healthy Aging M.V. moves to new home on Breakdown Lane As the daffodils bloom and signs of summer emerge across the Island, Healthy Aging Martha’s Vineyard (HAMV) is excited to announce our move to a new location, 29 Breakdown Lane in Vineyard Haven, directly above the Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living. While we felt a […]

Community Programs Volunteer Opportunity Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands seeks volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels. Brighten someone’s day and help to feed your house-bound neighbors. Please call 508-693-4393, ext. 460. MVRHS Senior Luncheon Monthly senior luncheons at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School’s Culinary Arts dining room are every second Thursday. Join […]

SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) Barnstable County Regional SHINE office shine@capecod.gov 774-243-2953 capecod.gov/departments/human-services/initiatives/shine SHINE is providing free health insurance information and assistance for Medicare-eligible adults and their caregivers. Kristina Whiton-O’Brien, LICSW SHINE Program Manager | Human Services  

CORE senior services 508-693-7900, ext. 210 mvcommunityservices.org Counseling, Outreach and Referral for the Elderly (CORE) at M.V. Community Services works with at-risk and mostly home-bound seniors in the community, addressing significant physical, behavioral, social, and case management needs of seniors age 60+ at no cost to the client. The program strives to meet the needs […]

Memorial Day, May 26 Volunteers are needed to help set up the Avenue of Flags at 7:30 am in Vineyard Haven, and take them down at 3 pm. The Memorial March will step off from the American Legion in Vineyard Haven at 10:30 am. Refreshments will be served afterward. Dukes County Veterans Services Phone: 508-693-6887 […]

Updated April 25 A worker from Fall River died Tuesday after falling between 20 and 30 feet from a residential construction site on Trapps Pond Road in Edgartown.  On Tuesday at 2:53 pm, Edgartown Police and Fire departments were dispatched to a report of an individual who had fallen from scaffolding. Upon arrival, they located […]

“The Ballad of Wallis Island” is a quiet film filled with humor, good music, touching moments, and a gorgeous landscape. It opens at the M.V. Film Center on April 25. Director James Griffiths unfolds his tale on a remote island off the coast of Wales, beginning with a small boat approaching but not quite reaching […]

The fickleness of April is well known. So much of spring, and gardening, seems to be holding one’s breath: frosts, varmints, what else could possibly go wrong? This year, ice appeared in the water pans mid-month, just when we were weighing turning on the outside water. How is it possible, after what seemed like too […]

The Vineyard Preservation Trust announces its 50th anniversary season, celebrating five decades of stewardship over the Island’s most beloved historic properties — the heart of Martha’s Vineyard’s community gatherings and seasonal traditions. This milestone year will feature events such as the much-anticipated Taste of the Vineyard weekend in June, along with special art installations and […]

The Aquinnah Variety Show invites people from all walks of life to showcase their unique brand of talents. Given that last year’s show was standing room only, it’s safe to say the Island is filled with a plethora of talented people. It will take place at the Aquinnah Town Hall on Thursday, May 1, at […]

Are your little ones curious about musical instruments? Bring them to the program room at the Edgartown Library to experiment and play with different instruments every week. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Mondays from 10:30 to 11:30 am.  

Interested in growing your own culinary herbs? You’re in luck. Rosemary Confalone will share her knowledge of common (and uncommon) kitchen herbs, provide tips and tricks for starting them from seed, and offer information about succession planting, so you can enjoy homegrown herbs all season long. She will also talk about keeping perennial herb plantings […]

In this service, the Unitarian Universalist Society of Martha’s Vineyard celebrates the ways that animals, both living and deceased, nourish our lives. Animals (including a child’s special stuffed animal toy) who would be comfortable in a church sanctuary are welcome to come to receive a blessing in person. You may bring a photo of animals […]

In honor of Arbor Day, Polly Hill Arboretum is offering a tour of some notable trees in its collection, followed by a tree-planting demonstration. Participants will meet at the Visitor Center. This is a free event. Registration is not required. Friday, April 25, 1 to 2:30 pm, West Tisbury.  

I’m an old dog. There’s no denying it. I like to do things the way I have always done them. But I also like to keep current on the latest practices, and veterinary medicine is always changing. My feline friend Mahatma came to see me recently. Five years ago we discovered that Matty, as I […]

Glory By Cecily Bryant As uncertain as the days may seem, the spring rains do come The pinkletinks chorus on Parsonage Pond is as full-bodied as ever it was And with it the renewed energy of the winter weary embrace one another once again We peer at flower beds to seek signs of emerging life […]

We were treated to a beautiful Easter Sunday after another wet, windy, chilly week. Still, every day brings the appearance of another sign of spring unfolding. The three garden centers in town were filled with all the colorful pots of pansies and bulbs one could desire. They made perfect Easter gifts, or were bought to […]

Heard on Main Street: My dog lets me sleep on the bed. I am so happy for days with bright sunshine, now there is a bit of warmth in the air. All those rainy days made me feel as if winter would never go away. Note that the M.V. League of Women Voters will introduce […]

“You’ll never get ahead by blaming your problems on other people.” —Willie Nelson Willie Nelson turns 92 this month; he’s still playing music with his friends and enjoying life. Willie is one of the most talented and versatile musicians around, of any age. He has played country, blues, jazz, and gospel. His voice is so […]

Hoping Easter was a joyous day for those of you who celebrate. As we await St. Elizabeth’s Church being back up and running, we attended Easter Sunday Mass at St. Augustine’s in Vineyard Haven, and as much as I love the ride to V.H., I cannot wait for the day Sunday Mass is back in […]

Spring is blooming, the snow fence is down in Menemsha, and Larsen’s Fish Market is preparing to open on May 1, their hours will be 10 am to 6 pm. Abe Pieciak dropped off a new work at the Copperworks, and we are impatiently waiting to hear from Iggy’s. The Chilmark School invites us to […]

Well, here I am again. Back to the computer after weeks away dealing with severe carpal tunnel issues. On the morning of surgery on my right hand, the stellar surgical team at M.V. The hospital greeted me and my family promptly, and then gave me back what looks to be a healthy hand. Deep thanks […]

Aquinnah  April 14, Claire Mary Wall and the Estate of John L. Zannini, also known as John Louis Zannini, sold 488 and 476 Lighthouse Road to Stig Leschly for $749,000. April 16, Edward Harris III sold land off 0 Moshup Trail to the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank Commission for $35,370. April 17, Grace Reeves sold […]

Gael Andrade Ferreira Gabriela Andrade and João Ferreira of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Gael Andrade Ferreira, on April 15, 2025, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Gael weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces. Celine Rose Destefani Silva Talita Destefani of Oak Bluffs announces the birth of a daughter, Celine Rose Destefani Silva, on April […]

April 11 Eberson Luiz Goncalves, Edgartown, 42; license suspended operating,  arraigned and released on personal recognizance, continued to pretrial hearing. April 11 Daniel J. Edelbach, Barnegat, New Jersey, 35; assault and battery household member, assault and battery pregnant victim, arraigned and held, bail set at  $500 with potential for revocation, continued to pretrial hearing. April […]

The Edgartown School has a new principal selected for the next school year. Superintendent of Vineyard schools Richie Smith announced that the school offered the job to current Attleboro High School Principal Kate Cambell, who has accepted the post. Campbell has 15 years experience as a principal in three elementary public school districts, Plainville, Attleboro, […]

Tisbury’s select board is reconsidering its decision to eliminate covered benches from the Steamship Authority bus stop in Vineyard Haven after a wave of public complaints. The board voted Tuesday afternoon to have town police and town administrator Joe LaCivita look into new benches for the stop, including a design involving individual seating areas separated […]

Michael E. Amaral, 66, of Vineyard Haven, who died in Boston on Jan. 27, 2025, the son of the late Donald and Mary Amaral, and brother of Brian and the late Stephen Amaral, will have a celebration of life at the Portuguese-American Club on Saturday, May 3, from 1 to 4 pm.

A celebration of the life of Roger Thomas, who died on Feb. 14, 2025, will be held at the Sailing Camp in Oak Bluffs on Sunday, May 4, from 1 to 4 pm.

   SailMV was started in 1992 to give young Islanders a chance to learn how to sail the open ocean. Now, that offering is being extended to locals with significantly limiting physical disabilities through a new wheelchair-accessible vessel and a fleet of SailMobility boats, part of an adaptive program that will allow someone to […]

It is with great sadness that we announce the untimely passing of Simon D. Brooks, 39.  Simon was born in Blackpool, England, on Sept. 21, 1985, and lived in Fleetwood, England, until he moved to America. He passed on April 17, 2025, in Oak Bluffs. He was an avid golfer, and was able to meet […]

There’s unease in the newsrooms of independent radio stations nationally and locally as the Trump administration has proposed rescinding funding from public radio and television — it could represent a significant portion of the budgets for at least two stations in the Vineyard listening area. Earlier this month, national media outlets reported that the administration […]

David Alan Perzanowski, 67, passed away at his West Tisbury home, surrounded by family, on April 19, 2025. David was born on July 13, 1957, to Wesley and Nancy Perzanowski in the back seat of the family’s DeSoto, on the way to the hospital in Springfield. Known affectionately by friends as “the Professor,” David graduated […]

Nominations for the Spirit of the Vineyard Award are now open. This award, given annually, honors those who have volunteered for one or more nonprofit organizations on the Island, and whose work has made a difference to individuals and to the community as a whole.  The criteria for selection include selflessness, the range and depth […]

A memorial service for Gail R. Landers will be held at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Oak Bluffs on Friday, May 2, at 11 am, followed by a reception at the Portuguese-American Club.

Phyllis Marie Smith, who lived in Havenside in Vineyard Haven, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2025, surrounded by friends and family, at the age of 93. A full obituary will follow in a future edition of this paper.

Barbara Dean Hatch Keeling, 84, loving mother, sister, aunt, and great-aunt, passed away on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.  She was born on Jan. 23, 1941, in Oak Bluffs. Prior to living most recently in Abingdon, Va., she was a longtime resident of Naples and West Palm Beach, Fla. Barbara had a career as a dedicated […]

After many spent the first part of the day collecting trash from Island beaches, Vineyarders flocked to the M.V. Museum on Saturday for the third annual Earth Day Festival, a chance to get to know and get involved with local environmental efforts. The all-ages audience, many families with young children, enjoyed arts and crafts with […]

In light of Island nonprofit Harbor Homes closing their winter shelter for the 2025 season, staff and volunteers teamed up on Thursday with the West Tisbury Congregational Church to host a daytime buffet and supplies drive for unhoused individuals and locals who were looking for a warm meal on a sunny spring day.  The event, […]

Island officials have narrowed down preliminary designs for the high school building project to four final concepts, one of which includes a new performing arts center. By June 26, the committee must submit a renovation-only design, an addition and renovation plan, and a totally new construction option to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). The […]

The federal government has ordered a fully-permitted offshore wind farm already under construction off of Long Island to halt operations in a move that could set a new precedent for projects not far from the Island’s coast, creating further uncertainty for the nascent industry.  On Wednesday, U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum posted […]

In one of the more optimistic signs of summer, seasonal restaurants on the Island are beginning to open their doors. That was on full display at El Barco in Vineyard Haven on a sunny Friday as customers lined up to get some tacos for lunch on opening day. “Everyone is very excited that we are […]

Developers of Katama Meadows, a development that could hold nearly 300 bedrooms proposed in Edgartown, sought to withdraw their application with the Martha’s Vineyard Commission on Thursday, only to be rebuffed in a tied vote.  While seeking to withdraw, the developers are still planning to proceed with permitting for the project.  Robert Moriarty, the attorney […]

Ushering in a new era in Edgartown politics, Alex Morrison, a 42-year-old, lifelong resident who campaigned on giving voice to a new generation of Islanders, won a stunning and decisive victory for a three-year seat on the select board over incumbent Michael Donaroma, who held power for more than two decades.  The final tally showed […]

At the Edgartown District Court on Wednesday, David Capato, a 56-year-old Edgartown man who allegedly made a bomb threat at the Vineyard Haven Steamship Authority earlier this year, pleaded not guilty to all six indictments against him. Capato is facing charges of disorderly conduct, improper storage of a firearm, possession of a firearm while committing […]

At the Wharf Pub on Main Street on Wednesday night, the back bar was shoulder to shoulder and buzzing with Edgartown community pride as families, employees, friends, and residents of Edgartown gathered to celebrate the retirement of a number of town employees, many serving the town for decades.  Among the honorees were town accountant Amy […]

The smallest town in Massachusetts has been swept up in a nationwide wave of federal disaster preparedness funding cuts made by the Trump administration.  Gosnold, which encompasses the Elizabeth Islands chain and is a part of Dukes County, lost $75,000 originally earmarked to explore protecting the freshwater supply of Cuttyhunk Island, where most of the […]

Editor’s note: The select board will discuss the issue during a meeting on Tuesday, April 22. The meeting is scheduled for 4:30 pm. Many Islanders and commuters are voicing frustration with the Tisbury select board’s decision to remove covered benches at the Vineyard Haven Steamship Authority terminal bus stop, which was made in order to […]

Amid the Trump administration’s ongoing blitz against climate change initiatives, the Steamship Authority is looking to take time to assess its options for alternative energy.  A discussion Tuesday with the Steamship board was spearheaded by Jim Malkin, Martha’s Vineyard representative, who said that the ferry line should reassess how it can pursue alternative energy in […]

Sergeant Bradley Cortez is the West Tisbury Police Department’s Officer of the Year, now for the third time. Cortez’s colleagues chose him for the award, recognizing his work in community policing, a crime-prevention strategy in which officers regularly meet with local organizations and develop personal relationships with the public. This includes Cortez learning Portuguese. “Sgt. […]

Dozens of friends, family, members of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) and volunteers gathered at Lobsterville Beach on a rainy and windy Saturday to help restore and protect some 10,000 square feet of beach from the elements. The cultural rebuilding effort was part of an annual event that involves planting beachgrass along the […]

Francois the tailor works alone, every day, in his narrow space across from busy Vineyard Haven Harbor on Beach Road. He is the boss, the manager, the customer relations person, and the workforce. He is barely visible when you enter his shop, overmatched by piles of customers’ clothes to be adjusted or repaired, and fabric […]

My ears perked up when Vineyarder Kristy Brooks said, “If there’s less chaos on the outside, we’re likely to feel less chaos on the inside.” She believes that reducing external clutter can lead to inner peace. Since thoughts continually vie for space in my brain, the idea of being able to do something on the […]

Raphael Joseph Fusco, known affectionately to friends and family as Ray, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2025, at the age of 86, in Danvers.  Born on Nov. 3, 1938, in Boston, Ray was a man whose generosity, kindness, and loving nature touched the lives of all who knew him. Throughout his life, Ray was […]

My wife and I have been very excited to try the new bites at Quitsa Kitchen — it’s been on our list for weeks — and we finally found the time to visit. First off, what a wonderful job they did with the dining room. It’s clean, hip, and cozy. We chose a comfy cushioned […]

The exhibition “For the Birds,” a seamless collaboration between Featherstone Center for the Arts and Mass Audubon’s Felix Wildlife Sanctuary, is a balm for the soul. Art and wildlife combine to bring us joy in turbulent times. Felix Neck approached Featherstone Center last summer about coming together to celebrate the art, beauty, and function of […]

Vineyard Conservation Society (VCS) is inviting locals from across the Island to clean the beaches in all six towns this Saturday for its 33rd annual Beach Day Cleanup.  From 10 am to noon, volunteers will be set up at nearly every beach on the Island to pass out gloves and bags to attendees.  “If you’re […]

“The Friend,” by David Siegel and Scott McGehee, explores the nature of love and connection among friends, family, and cherished animals — as well as the complex relationships of grief. The film, which is showing at the M.V. Film Center, is adapted from Sigrid Nunez’s National Book awardwinning novel from 2018. As the film opens, […]

The Martha’s Vineyard Museum will host an Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 19, from noon to 3 pm. The festival will feature more than 20 local organizations working to sustain the Island’s waters, landscapes, and biodiversity. Guests can engage in hands-on activities including touch tanks, seed planting, upcycled crafts, and lawn games, while meeting […]

On Saturday, April 19, from 10 am to 12 pm, celebrate Earth Day by joining together to protect our Island environment. Head out to your favorite beach, and volunteers will be there with bags and gloves for collecting (or bring your own). When you’re done, drop off the trash with the volunteer group leader; let […]

It’s five am. My 15-year-old cat looms over me where I lie in bed, pretending I don’t see her. “Meow,” she says plaintively. I gently shrug her off. “Meee-oooooow,” she insists. She is the last of our cats. At our peak, we had seven, but they passed away, one by one. Now there is just […]

Today’s subject is a bit unseasonable, since the plant I’m discussing doesn’t bloom until the shortening days of early autumn. But like most of our native vegetation, it’s breaking dormancy as you read this. And as the gardeners among you contemplate your spring planting campaigns, this column may serve as a timely recommendation for a […]

Many, many years ago my sister called me on the phone, animated and breathless. She had signed up for a workshop with an organization called “The Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers.” She explained that they were an international alliance of indigenous female elders whose focus was on human rights, the environment, and peace for everyone […]

April 7 marks the 77th anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO), which has saved millions of lives worldwide. The WHO was founded as a specialized agency of the United Nations during a time when there was growing awareness of the plight of developing nations from the devastating impact of diseases around the globe. Malaria, […]

The Martha’s Vineyard Nonprofit Collaborative is hosting a free online workshop titled “Five Strategies for Disrupting Your Unconscious Bias.” Linda Jenkins from the Jenkins Consulting Group will cover the fundamentals of unconscious bias, including its definition and characteristics. Participants will explore tools for identifying their unconscious bias, strategies for disrupting it, and methods to apply […]

Head over to the Chilmark Community Church and partake in an evening of pizza, fellowship, and Bananagrams. Pizza Night at the church is an informal meal where the community at large can gather for camaraderie and food. The evening starts at 6 pm with pizza, potluck salads, desserts, and conversation, followed by Bananagrams for those […]

It’s that time of year again! The Flying Horses Carousel in Oak Bluffs will hold its grand reopening on Saturday, April 19, and Sunday, April 20. Whether you’re a first-time rider or a longtime fan, the carousel is ready to spin you into a world of fun and nostalgia. For April school vacation week, it […]

Hop over to the Trustees’ FARM Institute for an egg-ceptional egg hunt. There will be three separate egg hunts based on age: Ages 2 and under, 3 through 5, and 6 and up, for the more advanced egg-hunt participants. Each age category features one golden egg with a special prize. The egg hunt for ages […]

Join West Tisbury Congregational Church for a community celebration of Easter at the Agricultural Hall. Worship begins in the main hall at 10 am, with activities for children in the entry hall. The service is immediately followed by an Easter egg hunt outside, in back. All are welcome. Sunday, April 20, 10 am to noon. […]

The Carnegie Heritage Center is celebrating spring with a fresh new schedule. Starting Easter Weekend, folks can visit Fridays and Saturdays from 11 am to 3 pm. Explore this historic gem, dive into Martha’s Vineyard’s fascinating past, and enjoy the beautiful exhibits, all in a charming, newly restored setting. 58 North Water St., Edgartown.  

For “Kids Do Dance” at Martha’s Vineyard Museum, youth aged 6 to 12 will get an opportunity to explore the Island’s rich history, investigate exhibits, hear oral histories, and study artifacts to deepen understanding and inspire their own creative expression through dance. Activities include fun movement games, strengthening dance techniques, hands-on arts and crafts, and […]

James Thomas (“Jim”) peacefully passed away in his sleep at home on March 21, 2025, at the age of 86. A native of Humboldt, Tenn., Jim was a distinguished alumnus of Fisk University, where he earned his degree in history and government. His career spanned six decades of service with the American Red Cross, where […]

After a few nice days, we seem to have returned to winter. It was windy and cold much of the past week. Rainy, too. It’s never smart to put away your sweaters and flannel sheets too early in the spring. A large group of family and friends, wet and bedraggled, gathered at the West Tisbury […]

Heard on Main Street: You do know that we could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty, and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all do have to live in the same box. I just finished another book, but it is hard to […]

“To make life a little better for people less fortunate than you. That’s what I think a meaningful life is. One lives not just for oneself, but for one’s community.” —Ruth Bader Ginsberg Our community just lost someone who worked hard to make life better for others. Gail Landers was a natural caregiver who loved […]

One of my fondest memories comes from a sail my family and I did over the summer last year aboard Tigress, captained by Capt. Kurt Peterson. On a bright and sparkly July day, we boarded the catboat in Edgartown Harbor, and spent the next hour and a half with smiles wider than the forecastle (the […]

Family and community showed up in the rain at the West Tisbury cemetery and filled the Grange Hall for Johnny Athearn. A beloved brother, uncle, teacher, and friend with artistic talent, a terrific sense for storytelling and ghosts. So many familiar faces. So many connections. So many memories. Mum has a remarkable memory for people […]

The Rip By Jeffrey Agnoli We thought we knew this sea we all swim within but the sudden and fierce grip of a rip current seized even the most adept swimmers churning the water sickly green and pulling all into dark depths where hungry great whites and poisonous jellies lurk and the horizon ends yet […]

Chilmark  April 8, Peter Flagel, trustee of Menemshovitz Realty Trust, sold 8 Snail Road, 14 Snail Road, and 0 Wooten Bassett Road to SMD Investments LLC for $15,000,000. Edgartown April 11, Patricia M. Norris sold 0 Harborside Inn Condo Unit 310 Week 27 to James A. Ryan Jr. and Lindsay J. Ryan for $17,500. April […]

Chloe Fudulachi Victoriya Feddosenko and Sergei Fudulachi of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a daughter, Chloe Fudulachi, on April 7, 2025, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Chloe weighed 7 pounds, 1.9 ounces.

Oak Bluffs Library director Allyson Malik has created an exciting new endeavor — the Community Library. The initiative arose from her concern about AI-generated information that is not authentic, accurate, or reliable infiltrating the publishing world. In a recent conversation, Malik set the stage: “We acquire new material year after year, and all of it […]

Island fishermen will likely need to pay close attention to their false albacore and Atlantic bonito catches this summer, as Massachusetts regulators, for the first time ever, are poised to set a new, 16-inch length minimum and a combined, five-fish-daily catch total for the two species.  The Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission approved the recommendation in […]

Updated April 22 In a change of plans first publicly presented this week, a developer is now looking to build a hotel in Oak Bluffs at the location of the beloved, now demolished Ocean View restaurant. A restaurant will no longer be part of the proposal, at least one that is accessible to non-hotel guests. […]

Two months ahead of the 50th anniversary of “Jaws,” businesses are finalizing plans for the big summer season, which include a screening with a live orchestra and a to-scale replica of the interior of the Orca boat at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum. The Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce announced some of the top events in […]

Aquinnah will be the only Island town not to vote on a phaseout of gas-powered leaf blowers at its annual spring town meeting this year. The town approved and closed its town meeting warrant at Monday’s select board meeting in preparation for its May 13 annual town meeting. Jeffrey Madison told The Times that he […]

Nikolaj Wojtkielo was sworn in as the new full-time Edgartown patrol officer during Monday’s selectboard meeting in Edgartown.  Wojtkielo, who had been with the West Tisbury Police Department for eight years, was joined at the Edgartown Town Hall by his wife and child, and fellow officers from across the Island in a show of support.    […]

The jobs of two Vineyard health professionals are in jeopardy due to federal funding cuts, which threaten to hold back local public health efforts. The two professionals — case investigator and former emergency room nurse Betsy VanLandingham and epidemiologist Leah Hamner — track diseases on-Island thanks to two contracts totaling $133,000 per year. The funds, […]

Commissioners still have lingering questions for one of the largest housing projects proposed for the Island, and amid the uncertainty, developers of the 100-unit Green Villa development are offering to replace four commercial buildings with housing units instead.  The Martha’s Vineyard Commission made no final decisions over the Green Villa project on Thursday, a proposed […]

The Vineyard’s State House representative has filed legislation that would require a motorcycle license to drive a moped anywhere in Massachusetts, which could end moped rentals on the Island.  Falmouth representative and freshman lawmaker Thomas Moakley filed H.3743 earlier this year as a way to improve the safety of drivers — moped or other vehicle […]

There will be a celebration of life for Fred Pekari, who died on August 9, 2024, on Saturday, April 26, at the Portuguese-American Club, Vineyard Avenue in Oak Bluffs, from 1 to 4 pm. He was the husband of Mary Hart of Chappaquiddick.

A celebration of life for Julie Miguel will be held on Saturday, April 19, at the P.A. Club in Oak Bluffs from 2 to 4 pm.  

Charges that included rape and domestic assault and battery brought against Craig Daley, a sergeant placed on leave from the Dukes County Sheriff’s Office, have been dropped.  In the courtroom on Friday, a prosecutor with the local district attorney’s office said that the plaintiff — who was in a relationship with Daley at the time […]

Please join the family of Ron Rappaport for a celebration of his life and impactful legacy, on Saturday, May 31, at 3pm at the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society, 35 Panhandle Road in West Tisbury. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ronald H. Rappaport Scholar Fund, at mvbank.com/honoring_ron_rappaport.

After a strong indoor season highlighted by several Cape and Island Championship placements, the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School track and field team is ready to stretch their legs on a track double the size and take on some extra events as the outdoor track season kicks off. The season opened in Harwich on Wednesday […]

Oak Bluffs, West Tisbury, and Edgartown are among the first towns in Massachusetts to approve a new “seasonal communities” designation, which will open new tools to address the Island’s housing crunch. All three towns voted the designation through at town meetings on Tuesday with overwhelming support, and they follow just Provincetown, where voters approved the […]

Updated April 14 West Tisbury voters passed a $1.6 million override to fund the upcoming fiscal year operating budget. Voters cast their ballots Thursday at the West Tisbury Public Safety Building for various, mostly uncontested candidate races, and to vote on ballot questions.  One of these ballot questions was for an override to fund its […]

Elizabeth Brady (“Betty”) of Vineyard Haven, a lifelong community builder, mental health advocate, and dedicated executive assistant and office manager, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2025. Born in New York City in 1933, she grew up in the Bronx, child of Irish immigrants William and Anna Shortall. Betty raised a family of five children, […]

With 538 votes, Amy Lee Del Torto ran away with a three-way race to become Oak Bluffs’ new town clerk Thursday, defeating challengers Benjamin Robert Clark (225 votes) and Gail Barmakian (156 votes). Del Torto said that she was ready to get to work. “I’m just overwhelmed right now about the support. It was a […]

In Thursday’s election in Edgartown, 42-year-old lifelong Edgartown resident Alex Morrison beat out incumbent Michael Donaroma in a landslide. The final tally showed Morrison securing 469 votes, followed by Glen Searle with 251, and Michael Donoroma with 200.  “I would just like to thank Mike (Donaroma) for all his hard work,” Morrison told the Times […]

Maura Martin, co-owner of the beloved Oak Bluffs sandwich shop Mo’s Lunch, got a text from her landlord a year ago that many Islanders dread: “I’m going to have to sell the house, are you interested?”  While surprised, Martin feared this day would come — even though she’s rented the same home for 16 years, […]

“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out — because I […]

As a psychiatrist, my job is to help people reduce their pain. In my practice and with family and friends, I am currently seeing people who are experiencing a specific kind of pain: pain caused by fear. We are amid what appears to be a massive shift in how our government operates. The Trump administration’s […]

Aquinnah select board chair Gary Haley will be facing his first electoral rival since he was elected nearly a decade ago.  Chris Manning, Gay Head Lighthouse keeper, is the challenger running for a seat on the select board.  Aquinnah town clerk Kayla Darcy told The Times that Manning is stepping back from his other role […]

Elections are underway in Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and West Tisbury today that are seeing challengers to a longtime incumbent on the Edgartown select board and will result in a new town clerk in Oak Bluffs .  Here is the voting information for each town:  Edgartown  Polls are open until 7 pm at the Edgartown Town […]

Edgartown voters on Tuesday night sat down for a four-hour town meeting, led by moderator Steve Ewing at the Old Whaling Church. Voters passed a leaf-blower phaseout, approved a party bylaw postponed last year, and passed significant funding for town projects. Among the highlights Tuesday, voters passed a bylaw allowing up to five well-attended commercial […]

Updated, April 10 West Tisbury lumbered through a 64-article warrant on Tuesday night, rejecting a number of proposals, including the creation of a new committee aimed at preserving Mill Pond and a request for $700,000 to study the building needs of the West Tisbury School. But it wasn’t all rejections, as voters approved a new […]

Except for some clarifying questions, Oak Bluffs voters mostly blazed through warrants at the special and annual town meeting on Tuesday evening at the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center.  The largest spending project among the warrant articles on Tuesday night was for the replacement of a pump station on Dukes County Avenue for $2.5 million, […]

We hope “April showers bring May flowers,” because it has been damp and chilly this first week of April. Drought status of our region of the commonwealth remains “significant.” Daffodils do not mind the rain and damp, and celebrate spring; it is said that cool springs even prolong their very welcome show. Daffodil Meadow at […]

Flipping through a list of nonprofits recently, I discovered Act Two. I was immediately intrigued by this Vineyard Haven secondhand store, which, filled with alluring previously owned goods, uses funds from its sales to support community theater and arts and education programs across the Island. Act Two is not your grandma’s thrift store. It is […]

Grief is universal, whether the result of losing a person or beloved animal companion, or the aftermath of any trauma. I was particularly interested in Sharing Kindness’ “Grief 101” presentation at the West Tisbury library on March 25. A great deal I heard struck home from my own experience, and from that of others. Director […]

Dear Dogcharmer, We have a 9-month-old pit mix named Crackers, whom we got at 7 months of age, and whom we often refer to as Crackhead. He’s the first dog for both my wife and me, and I think he’s a little crazy. He’s sweet as can be, always, except if he’s got a toy, […]

Locals know it as the Patriot. Some old timers still call it the “Paper Boat.” Officially, it is referred to on the website as the Vineyard Shuttle. Whatever one chooses to call it, the vessel departs Falmouth town dock at Scranton Avenue, starting at 4 am, headed for Oak Bluffs Harbor, Monday through Saturday. A […]

Steven Soderbergh’s new film, “Black Bag,” playing at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center, grips us from the opening shot. The fast-paced espionage thriller unfolds day by day over a week. We follow an unknown man through London streets into a teeming nightclub, where he requests to see Philip Meacham (Gustaf Skarsgard). A minute later, we […]

Children’s book author Richard Michelson has two new picture books that seem meant for these times — either to be read by children or to be banned by the anti-DEI movement. After writing that sentence, I checked in with Michelson, who is a friend, and asked him if he thought it was accurate. “Well,” he […]

Yesterday I was attempting to open a new bag of espresso beans. It was a massacre. This wasn’t my first rodeo, though. I’ve been battling bullheaded packages for years. Last summer I saw an image of delectable-looking veggie kabobs on social media, and got the lofty idea that I’d like to grill, so I bought […]

Passover has always been my favorite Jewish holiday, because it is a time when family and friends gather to enjoy a special meal after we recount the story of our ancestors’ victory over the ancient Egyptians. We will also pray for those who are living under tyranny today. We are fortunate to enjoy special foods […]

I descended the trail. The slope was short and steep. I went side to side for footing in the untouched snow. My heart beat with exhilaration. The crisp cold was welcomed. The heels of my boots squeaked as they compacted winter’s gift. Each step was brought to a comfortable halt. I was in the conglomeration […]

“I’m not such a fool as to not take the moon very seriously.” —Orson Welles If you take the moon seriously, like me, be prepared: The full moon rises on April 12. This moon has many names, as it is an especially important moon. It is the Paschal Moon, which means the first full moon […]

Updated April 9 Voters in Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, and West Tisbury all passed a phased-in ban of gas-powered leaf blowers at their respective town meetings on Tuesday night, starting what could eventually become an Island-wide ban. The deciding vote was closest in Oak Bluffs, where the tally came out 98 in favor and 79 against. […]

Robert M. Sawyer of Tisbury passed away peacefully on Friday, April 4, 2025, at his home on Martha’s Vineyard. He was 87 years old.  Robert was born in 1937 to David and Thelma Sawyer in Brookline, where he was raised with his siblings Jerry Sawyer, Sandra Kurson, and the late Kenneth Sawyer. After graduating from […]

Head over to Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse to catch “Broadway Unbounded,” with musical director David Behnke. Musicians include Peter Boak, Molly Sturges, and Brian Weiland; and singers David Behnke, Molly Conole, Leslie Guzman, Katherine Reid, and Ken Romero, with special guest Aiden Weiland. Friday, April 11, 7 pm, Saturday, April 12, 7 pm, and Sunday, April […]

When you visit a shelter or rescue and meet the available dogs, what criteria are you using to select your new best friend? It is easy to be influenced by what you see, or read, about various breeds, but how do you go into making a decision with an informed mind? In this presentation, participants […]

Attend Vineyard Haven library’s eighth and penultimate lecture in a nine-month virtual series on African art. This month’s topic is “Likeness and Beyond: Portraiture in Iconic African Art.” Traditional African portraits take many forms, from those based on likeness to the highly symbolic. Presenter Jean Borgatti is consulting curator for African, Oceanic, and Native American […]

If you have questions about using your laptop, smartphone, iPad, or other device, you’re in luck. The Edgartown Library is partnering with the Edgartown Council on Aging to provide drop-in technology help every month at the Anchors during its Friday Cafe. You can also stop by the library during open hours for technology help, or […]

This year’s Beach Grass Planting Day will take place on Saturday, April 12, from 9 am to 12 pm, or until planting has been completed. The Natural Resources Department will be offering volunteers refreshments and a meal onsite, provided by Quitsa Cuisine. Volunteer hour certificates will be available upon request. Please dress for the ever-changing […]

The annual “Maritime Memoirs” features all forms of writing by local seafarers, boatbuilders, marine enthusiasts, ocean lovers, and water babies. On the mic this year are Brad Abbot and Nat Benjamin from Gannon & Benjamin Marine Railway; Christina Colarusso, a member of the Tisbury select board; Caitlin Jones of Mermaid Farm, and daughter of recently […]

The Martha’s Vineyard Nonprofit Collaborative is offering a free online workshop called “Gentelligence: Understanding and Leveraging Generational Diversity in the Workplace” with Dr. Megan Gerhardt on April 17, 9 to 11:30 am. Gerhardt will address ways to push beyond lazy stereotypes to understand generational and age differences as a valuable form of diversity; barriers that often […]

On Sunday, April 13, at 2:30 pm, the West Tisbury library is hosting its “Second Sunday Jazz” concert with Jeremy Berlin, Eric Johnson, and Tauras Biskis. Enjoy songs by Paul Simon, James Taylor, Steely Dan, Jimmy Webb, and more. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please email wt_mail@clamsnet.org or […]

Island educators and parents gathered last week to connect through an array of international foods and music, learning about the diverse backgrounds of the students in their care.  The English Learners Parents Advisory Council hosted its first “Flavors of Nations” at Slough Farm on Thursday evening. Shared was food from different students’ cultures, poems from […]

Tisbury officials are warning the Martha’s Vineyard Commission that a controversial development in Vineyard Haven could open the floodgates for similar types of transient workforce housing across the Island. But if commissioners are going to make any changes or modifications to 97 Spring St., they want town leaders and residents to be more specific on […]

A 43-year-old Island man, Edward H. Vargas is facing multiple charges following a series of events last month, including that he allegedly stole a car and attacked a hospital nurse.  Vargas, who is set to be arraigned at the Edgartown District Court next week, has been charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, larceny over […]

The Trustees of Reservations will start selling over-sand vehicle (OSV) permits for Chappaquiddick starting May 1. The price for the Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge and Wasque OSV permit is rising for the first time since 2017, up from $200 to $250. The permit includes vehicle access to Cape Poge and Leland Beach, along with free […]

We are finally getting some much-needed April showers. Daffodils are blooming all over town. There are tiny green leaves showing on the earliest autumn olive and multiflora rose bushes, the first pale blossoms on magnolias and cherry trees. Don’t forget to watch the new trees that were planted on Brandy Brow and around the town […]

Heard on Main Street: Sometimes when I open my mouth, my mother comes out. Spring is here! The forsythia is blooming. April showers are doing their job. Give many thanks to the hands that carefully planted all those daffodils at the Post Office. I had to make an important business phone call. It would not […]

I hate to say it, but April showers bring May flowers, and I hope to all that’s good and holy that this season’s hydrangeas are awardwinning, because this rainy weather is truly putting a dent in my spring plans. Simple plans of walking around town get drenched out from inopportune showers, hikes get postponed due […]

Spring is a time when the fallen trees and branches from winter storms that didn’t require immediate attention become an eyesore. Time to cut them up and clear them out. Time to check fences, sharpen the shovel, and get at the root of things. Digging up and taming blackberries, bittersweet, and wisteria. The seedlings are […]

Updated April 16 Aquinnah  March 31, Karen Van Brakle sold property off 0 Moshup Trail to the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank Commission for $4,275. April 1, Renee Metell sold property off 0 Moshup Trail to the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank Commission for $4,275. Edgartown  April 1, Judith A. Bulman sold 80 North Summer St. to […]

Twenty-one members of the Vineyard Cribbage Club met on Wednesday evening to play our favorite game of cribbage. The results are below: First, Mary Alice Russell with a 12/6 +89 (another Grand Slam!) Second, Ray Lincoln with a 9/4 +32 card Third, Bib Hakenson with a 9/4 +9 card Fourth, Doug Werther with an 8/3 […]

Summer Larsen Gately Olivia Roberta Gately and Michael Patrick Gately of West Tisbury announce the birth of a daughter, Summer Larsen Gately, on April 6, 2025, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Summer weighed 6 pounds, 0.7 ounces. Lucas Azevedo Guimaraes Roseli Guimaraes and Cleidomar Guimaraes of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a son, Lucas Azevedo […]

March 24 Jean Carlos F. Dejesu, Oak Bluffs, 29; operating motor vehicle with suspended license, nontransparent or obstructed window, no inspection sticker, arraigned and held, bail set at $200 with potential for bail revocation. March 27 Edward H. Vargas, Vineyard Haven, 43; disorderly conduct, malicious destruction of property greater than $1,200, arraigned and released on […]

It’s that time of year when any registered voter can sit in the West Tisbury School gym, the Old Whaling Church or the PAC to make their voice heard, amend town budgets, or agree to big spending requests that will reshape their town. And it all begins tonight. Oak Bluffs, West Tisbury, and Edgartown are […]

For 27 years, Matt Mincone has coached the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School varsity hockey team where he worked to instill lessons of discipline, organization, hard work, and sportsmanship into his athletes and the program’s culture.  But last month, it was bittersweet when the Islands hockey community learned of Mincone’s official retirement from the role.   […]

Gail R. (Combra) Landers passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at home, surrounded by her family. She was 71. Born in Oak Bluffs on Oct. 11, 1953, to Philip R. and Anita E. (Rose) Combra, she was the youngest of four siblings. As a hard-working single parent, Gail devoted her life to raising […]

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s proposal to re-establish federal funding for a Vineyard veterans counseling program bracing for federal spending cuts never made it to the Senate floor. According to U.S. Senate staffers who spoke on the condition of anonymity, Senate leaders of both parties — Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, and John Thune, a […]

Edwin J. Griggs passed away peacefully at home on April 2, after a two-month battle with cancer. He was 74.  Ed was born in Belleview, Ill. He grew up in many places, due to his father’s military service. He learned to make friends quickly; a trait that would manifest throughout his life. While in high […]

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Carole J. Sittard, 82, of Oak Bluffs, formerly of Chicopee. Carole passed away peacefully, with her loving husband of nearly 59 years at her side. Born to Wilbur and Irene (Mercure) Simard in Chicopee, Carole graduated from Chicopee High School and Westfield State College. […]

Steamship Authority officials say that a ferry that was sailing on the Nantucket route collided with a concrete dolphin on Saturday, badly damaging the piling.  According to a Sunday statement from the ferry line, the Eagle, a passenger ferry that has sailed on the Nantucket route since 1987, hit the “outermost dolphin” on its portside […]

The week ahead will be a busy one for the civic-minded on the Island, and we know you, our readers, are all in that category.  Tuesday there are town meetings in West Tisbury, Oak Bluffs, and Edgartown where fateful decisions will be made on everything from the proposed ban on noise pollution regarding gas-powered leaf […]

Hundreds of Vineyarders packed Five Corners on Saturday afternoon to protest the Trump administration, a gathering that was part of the nationwide Hands Off! protests. The rallies are fueled by backlash against Trump administration policies and funding cuts, as well as centibillionaire Elon Musk’s role in the federal government. Major news outlets have reported that […]

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is proposing to re-establish federal funding for the Martha’s Vineyard veterans counseling program that recently learned it would lose a decades-long contract with the Department of Veteran Affairs.  On Friday, Warren announced on the U.S. Senate floor her plans to file amendments to a bill of tax breaks and spending cuts […]

West Tisbury voters could set the tone for the future of Mill Pond, and they’ll debate a long-discussed event bylaw — those are just a few of the requests among more than 60 town meeting articles up for approval on Tuesday. A highly anticipated vote will come near the end — article 64 — to […]

The race for one seat on the Edgartown select board will culminate on Thursday, April 10. Two challengers — Alex Morrison and Glen Searle — are up against Michael Donaroma, an incumbent who has been on the board for over a decade. Polls are open from 10 am to 7 pm. We posed the following […]

After spending more than a decade in prison after being convicted of raping a babysitter in Tisbury in 2011, David Thrift is back in trouble with the law across multiple states including the Vineyard. Thrift is facing a new charge of assault with a dangerous weapon after his arrest at a Vineyard Haven apartment last […]

Updated April 9 As anxiety swirls around a looming cut to federal funding for Martha’s Vineyard Community Services’ veterans counseling program, the Island’s congressional representative and Massachusetts’ top elected official are lambasting the decision made under the Trump administration’s Department of Veteran Affairs. Congressman Bill Keating, who represents Martha’s Vineyard in Washington, said that he’s […]

Edgartown voters are facing potential leaf-blower bans, a $2 million request for sewer designs, and the return of the party bylaw in the upcoming town meeting.  Edgartown will be holding its special and annual town meeting on April 8 at the Old Whaling Church at 7 pm. The full warrant can be viewed here.  The […]

Updated, April 3 The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital has decided it will not be renewing the lease for a substance-use recovery and healing center that has helped hundreds of Islanders, a decision based on the hospital’s growing need for specialist services. Management at the Red House have about 10 months left to find a new location, […]

To the Editor: Thank you, Brian and Brooke Ditchfield, and all the staff and numerous volunteers that made this weekend’s 25th anniversary of the M.V. Film Festival wondrous, brilliant, and so much fun. Thank you for stimulating our brains and our hearts as we watched so many good films. Thank you also for giving us […]

Kim Murphy graduated from MVRHS in 1996. She called herself a “bad kid,” meaning that she didn’t get too excited about high school, and really didn’t want to be there. However, thanks to Doug Herr, the assistant principal, and Greg Joannidi, her history teacher, both taking an interest in her, she made it through. However, […]

To the Editor: Picture this: Another lovely Vineyard summer morning. Your house guests have (finally) departed, one of you is pouring the coffee, the other buttering the toast, and you both are looking forward to some peace and quiet — when suddenly the air is filled with VROOMVROOMBRZOOM, the harsh and unmistakable sound of a […]

To the Editor: In 2014, our committee was appointed by the West Tisbury select board to meet voter directives. Our purpose was to collect data to establish a baseline for determining the water quality and general health of the Mill Brook watershed. This data serves as a basis for drafting a Mill Brook watershed management […]

To the Editor: At the upcoming town meeting on April 8, and the subsequent town election on April 10, West Tisbury voters will be asked to decide on a $1,653,835.64 general override ballot question. We are writing here to provide some additional information on this question. Towns in Massachusetts are required by Proposition 2.5 to […]

To the Editor: The Mill Pond is much more than simply a beautiful body of water. To many of us, it is a shining reflection of the soul of West Tisbury, and the beating heart of our town. It deserves to be saved. The latest study of the Mill Brook watershed was released in December […]

To the Editor: A big shout-out, more like a loud country holler, to the lady Vols of the League of Women Voters. The recent gathering at the beautiful Edgartown library meeting room was packed to hear the current slate of candidates for election. Ladies and gentlemen, this is exactly the time and place to pepper […]

To the Editor: Citizens of West Tisbury who stay until the very end of next week’s town meeting will make a decision that is crucial to the character of the town. They will decide the fate of the Mill Pond, which has been the welcoming sight on entering our village for nearly 400 years, and […]

To the Editor: There are four very good reasons why we should all vote YES to phase out gas-powered leaf blowers, a regulation that will be on the docket this spring at our town meetings. First of all, we are falling behind Nantucket. They replaced them with electric models in 2020. If that doesn’t get […]

To the Editor: As a decades-long Vineyard resident and close observer of the SSA, it was with considerable dismay that I finished reading the letter from the “Steamship Authority Citizens’ Action Group Steering Committee”.  It would be helpful to know who is on that ‘Steering Committee’. Otherwise it becomes a self-appointed vigilante group that just […]

To the Editor: Islanders Write was another Vineyard miracle that encouraged me to take my writing to a new level. The slate of accomplished authors and instructors used their skills to extract better prose from the already talented audience attending the workshops. From Nancy Slonim Aronie (our cheerleader) to John Hough, Jr. (the dialogue master), […]

To the Editor: I am compelled to write concerning the Green Villa development before the MVC, for several reasons. The first is the four-unit strip mall commercial component. This is a truly bad idea. I think you are aware that one of the first actions taken by the MVC was to establish the Island Roads […]

To the Editor:  As a group, we had hoped to see more transparency in the process of selecting a replacement general manager for the SSA, the most important position in the operations of our lifeline. We advocated strongly for a community member to be part of the search committee. Frankly, we saw no downside in […]

To the Editor: We are headed toward a recession, and possibly a depression. I hope town departments and agencies are not planning an increase in their budgets. I also hope the voters in the town meetings this spring vote against any request for an increase in taxes. It is already hard enough for homeowners to […]

To the Editor: A proposed housing development, Green Villa, is before the Martha’s Vineyard Commission for review. The commission rarely denies proposed projects. Instead, the 17 commissioners generally approve projects and impose conditions intended to mitigate the project’s detrimental impacts. Fair enough.  Green Villa is one project, however, that should not be approved. It should […]

To the Editor: Driving around lately, I have noticed a number of stands of white pine trees. One in particular, along State Road entering West Tisbury, part of a Land Bank property, has naturalized harmoniously with the native oak forest.  The idea that they are not native seems arbitrary, since they are growing within their […]

To the Editor: Somebody has to advocate for the natural world, I’ve always believed, since it doesn’t have a voice of its own. The environment can’t vote, attend meetings, write letters, or hire a lawyer to intimidate local regulatory boards.  Now, however, Mother Nature has found her voice. She is screaming for help with every […]

To the Editor: I’m writing to draw attention to Article 87 on the town warrant for the Edgartown town meeting. Please consider voting yes on this article. The article will compel the select board to sell the lot at 294 Chappaquiddick Road for conservation, and use the proceeds for affordable housing where appropriate. The three-acre […]

To the Editor: Where would you park for this proposed three-story, 88-parking-spots, 96-bedroom, 10-building prefab complex — called Edgartown Gardens — that is double the height and greater in gross square footage than the newly expanded Stop & Shop? That’s big in size, and will create a number of needs and impact, including parking needs. […]

“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”  –the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Section 1   Ratified in 1868, the 14th Amendment contains several provisions. Recently, one of its most controversial is Section […]

The recent revelations of layoffs at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital are troubling for Islanders, and how we learned about them and the questions we still have about them raise some important questions about transparency and accountability.  Our reporting shows that up to 20 staffers were laid off but it’s still unclear exactly what positions and how […]

A pair of covered benches at the Vineyard Haven Steamship Authority bus stop is set to be removed to discourage loitering, drug use, and people seeking shelter. On Monday, the select board unanimously approved the bench removals following a letter from the Vineyard Transit Authority, the public entity that operates the stop. The letter, addressed […]

A bylaw restricting Jet Ski use, banning gas-powered leaf blowers, and proposing hefty borrowing for a new pump station will be coming before Oak Bluffs voters next week at the annual town meeting.  Oak Bluffs will be holding its annual town meeting on April 8 at the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center at 7 pm. […]

When thrust into a traumatic situation, the human brain shifts gears — raw emotion and sensory-driven details take over, while mundane information is distorted or suppressed.  For police officers, this isn’t a rare occurrence; it’s part of the job.  But what happens when a profession that exposes people to cumulative trauma is lacking a support […]

Updated April 8th.  Chabad on Martha’s Vineyard has nailed down a new location in Chilmark for its annual and popular Jewish Culture Festival held in August, if they’re able to find supplemental parking elsewhere. Chabad said in a recent Chilmark select board meeting, they’re planning to bring their festival to Point Inner Way to an […]

One week, three venues, and 33 screenings later, the 25th annual Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival changed lives this past weekend. There was an overflow crowd for “Prime Minister,” documenting the election of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. There was an intimate screening of “A Man With Sole,” about designer and cultural change agent Kenneth […]

I couldn’t wait to try the Passover Chocolate Almond Cake from Joan Nathan’s new children’s cookbook, “A Sweet Year: Jewish Celebrations and Festive Recipes for Kids and Their Families.” When I bake desserts for company, I often can’t eat them myself because of various food allergies, so I jumped at the chance to try this […]

As a child, I would perch the small, squat, black-and-white television on the kitchen counter and watch Julia Child as I made endless batches of sugar jam cookies with whatever ingredients I could scrounge up in my mother’s cabinets. There must have been children’s cookbooks at the time, but I didn’t have any, and those […]

“Eephus,” at the M.V. Film Center starting April 4, is a quiet feature by Carson Lund. It is ostensibly about a game in the mid-1990s between two New England recreational teams, which face off for one last time before their beloved Soldiers Field is taken over for the construction of a new middle school. We […]

“Finding Our Way Home: The Denniston Family and 11 Masonic Avenue” uses photographs, objects, and archival materials to tell the story of a remarkable man and his family. The immersive show illustrates how the Dennistons created a faith-based community that touched the lives of many, many Islanders beginning in the early 20th century. The show […]

In my last column, I confidently predicted both the species and the approximate timing of my first bee sighting of the season: I expected it would be a honey bee, turning up sometime in mid- or late March. This seemed like an ironclad bet, based on experience. Since I got serious about studying bees about […]

I’m not sure if there was an official “Bring a Kid to Work Day” in 1973, but when I was 8 years old, my dad, Richard Roberts, brought me to the art department of the Democrat & Chronicle (D&C) newspaper in Rochester, N.Y. Dad worked as an artist, and eventually as the art director. I […]

I was just flipping through a few veterinary publications looking for inspiration for this column. Yes, I still get the occasional printed professional journal, as hardcopy seems to be the only way I remember to read them. I often rely on recent cases to provide me with topics. I figure if I need to bone […]

There will be plenty of professional matchmaking opportunities on April 10 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Grange Hall. That evening, approximately 30 organizations and businesses will welcome individuals seeking jobs and volunteer positions at the inaugural Martha’s Vineyard Career and Networking Night. This event marks a first-time collaboration between the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber […]

Roger L. Thomas passed away peacefully on Feb. 14, 2025, at the age of 73, surrounded by his loving family. Roger was born on March 17, 1951, in Providence, R.I., to Ida May (“Holly”) Thomas and Edward (“Ted”) Thomas. In 1964, his family moved from East Greenwich, R.I., to Vineyard Haven, though their love for […]

In the last minutes of the first day of spring, Johnny Athearn peacefully passed away. He had been patiently coping with illness for several years. During that time, he was able to enjoy the devotion of his friends, family, and caregivers, for which he would always show his gratitude. Johnny was born in 1951, in […]

James L. Harrison Jr. passed away peacefully on March 29, 2025, at the age of 93. He was surrounded by his loving family at home in Edgartown, following a long illness.  He was born on Oct. 8, 1931, in New York, N.Y., to James L. and Pauline M. Harrison. Jim was a man of many […]

Dennis J. Beckwith of Oak Bluffs passed away peacefully early on the morning of Monday, March 24, 2025, at Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was 71 years old. Dennis dedicated his life to his work, running a successful electrical business from 1987 until his retirement in 2017. Yet it was his true passion for […]

Starting next week, voters will be asked to impose limitations on one of the largest industries on the Vineyard, when town meeting attendees across the Island decide whether or not to limit and eventually phase out the use of gas-powered leaf blowers completely.  The idea is to cut down on noise and environmental pollution by […]

In a blow to veterans on Martha’s Vineyard, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will no longer be funding an Island veterans counseling service that’s been in operation since the 1980s.  The Martha’s Vineyard Community Services’ program, called “Readjustment Counseling for War Veterans,” received word in mid March that, along with some 500 other similar […]

To the Editor: The recent decision by the Federal Veterans Administration not to renew the “Veterans Readjustment Counseling Contract” with the Martha’s Vineyard Community Services will, in my opinion, have serious implications for Island veterans and their families. This sudden and unexpected change may lead to a disruption in or loss of critically important support […]

The opening reception for “For the Birds” art show at Featherstone Center for the Arts in Oak Bluffs will occur on Sunday, April 6, from 4 to 6 pm. Mass Audubon’s Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary and Featherstone Center for the Arts “flock together” to celebrate the art, beauty, and function of wild birds. Refreshments will […]

Martha’s Vineyard Hospital in Oak Bluffs will be holding its 25th Health Fair on Saturday, April 5, from 8 am to 12 pm. This event will offer free screenings for blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol; balance assessments; and a kickoff of the Island’s Community Health Needs Assessment. This once-every-three-years assessment informs community funding and healthcare […]

Teens are invited to explore the creative world of scrapbooking at the West Tisbury Library on Friday, April 4, from 3 to 4:30 pm. Whether looking to preserve memories, create personalized gifts, or simply to express themselves through art, this fun and interactive workshop is perfect for teens of all skill levels. The workshop will […]

On Sunday, April 6, from 9:30 am to 3 pm, the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society is holding its second annual Homesteader Conference at the Agricultural Hall. Each participant will have the opportunity to attend a keynote lecture and two workshops focused on homesteader skills. Please note that this is a two-part registration process. Once you […]

I was waiting for Iyla at the Chilmark School last Thursday afternoon, watching all the activity, listening to children talking and laughing. Kate was serving snacks at a table, then everyone laid yoga mats on the floor to exercise. Books, games, lots of Legos, and art supplies were all to hand. What a contrast with […]

Heard on Main Street: Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live. I have misplaced a credit card. I have piles of papers for another project covering my kitchen counter and dining table. So now I am forced into sorting through all these papers. But I do have a lovely […]

“Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It’s not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.” —Muhammed Ali For 35 years, the Portuguese-American Club has been providing scholarships for Island students heading off to college. These scholarships give a significant […]

This last month has been packed with conferences and networking events off-Island, which got me thinking about the networking we do on-Island. Sure, we have the MVY Chamber of Commerce, along with business associations such as the Edgartown Board of Trade, but I’m thinking beyond those opportunities, and as we walk deeper into spring, I’m […]

Welcome, April showers. The daffodils are starting to pop, and by this weekend, Joan and Pat Jenkinson’s hillside by the old gas pump on North Road will be resplendent. Many thanks to Beetlebung Farm for offering leftover packets of seeds. We are working diligently on expanding and redesigning our vegetable and fruit garden. Digging up […]

Waiting for Spring By Liz Splittgerber Cozy near the hearth I muse, while storm still rages Winter, like ponderous book Lasts long — hundreds of pages Thoughts take root within me — Thoughts of sunshine warm and bright Tender things fighting earth for air Seeking the needed touch of light New green replacing gray, Brown […]

Aquinnah  March 25, Sylvia Browne sold property off 0 Moshup Trail to the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank Commission for $2,565. Edgartown  March 24, James G. Gromann, trustee of 18 Bold Meadow Road Realty Trust, sold 18 Bold Meadow Road to Michael Seiman and Destiny Seiman for $4,300,000. March 26, John A. Kheary and Karen S. […]

Nineteen members of the Vineyard Cribbage Club met on Wednesday evening to play our favorite game. The results were as follows: First, Mary Alice Russell with a 12/6 +72 card — beautiful Grand Slam Second, Doug Werther with a 12/6 +61 card — another beautiful Grand Slam Third, Tricia Bergeron with a 11/5 +101 card […]

Logan Cristopher Leandro Kara Leandro and Ryan Leandro of Edgartown announce the birth of a son, Logan Cristopher Leandro, on March 23, 2025, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Logan weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce. Quint Joseph Jason Jesse Jason and Dennis Michael Jason of Chilmark announce the birth of a son, Quint Joseph Jason, on March […]

Gail R. (Combra) Landers, 71, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at home, surrounded by her family.  A full obituary and service announcement will follow.

Visiting hours for Renato Faini Jr. will be held at Chapman Funerals in Oak Bluffs on Saturday, April 5, at 10 am, followed by a funeral service beginning at 11 am.

Tisbury Harbormaster Gary Kovack has accepted an offer to become harbormaster in Edgartown and is expected to start on April 9, he told The Times on Tuesday. “I’m looking forward to returning to Edgartown, where I was before,” he said. Kovack, originally from Detroit, has worked as an Edgartown police officer from 2018–2024 as well […]

No one was injured during a structure fire that broke out at a home on Donalbain Close in Edgartown on Monday afternoon, prompting a response from the Oak Bluffs and Edgartown fire departments. The extent of the damage from the fire was contained to one room and the contents within it.  As of Monday afternoon, […]

Kaylee Harnen, a 31-year-old from Pennsylvania, and the driver of a car that first responders found flipped on its hood in Sunset Lake in December, was arraigned at the Edgartown District Court on Monday.  Harnen pleaded not guilty to all charges, including negligent operation of a motor vehicle, operating under the influence of liquor, and […]

  The Martha’s Vineyard Times has been recognized by a regional newspaper association with one of its most coveted awards at an annual convention on Saturday. The Times received first place in the “general excellence” category at the New England Newspaper and Press Association Better Newspaper Competition (NENPA) awards banquet held in Portland, Maine, as […]

Tisbury voters will decide two contested races this year, as well as whether to put a second Martha’s Vineyard Commissioner on the town planning board. The candidates list from the town clerk’s office shows that school committee incumbent Michael Watts will run against Alicia Lesnikowski. Watts is finishing his second consecutive three-year term. Three people […]

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey has signed an act allowing state and local public bodies to continue holding meetings in hybrid or remote format, as well as allowing people to participate remotely in town meetings. The act, first adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent state of emergency, is now in effect through June 30, 2027. […]

A U.S. Coast Guard vessel briefly delayed a Steamship Authority vessel’s departure from Woods Hole Monday afternoon.  Sean Driscoll, Steamship Authority communications director, confirmed with The Times that a disabled Coast Guard vessel blocked one of its ferries, the Woods Hole, from making its trip to Vineyard Haven at 1:35 pm, and led to a […]

The Broadway play “The Shark Is Broken,” a comedy-drama based on the making of the movie “Jaws,” is coming to the Vineyard this summer in celebration of the film’s 50th anniversary. The play is currently touring the U.K. and Ireland, after showing from August to September 2023 on Broadway in New York’s John Golden Theatre. […]

The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School spring sports season is underway, and the boys tennis team kicked things off right under the sun on Thursday with a dominating sweep over Sandwich High School.  The season opener featured three singles matches and two doubles matches, all five won by MVRHS, by a lot.  Senior captain Zak […]

A West Tisbury resident has filed a complaint against an Island fuel provider with the state attorney general’s office, claiming that his and other Islanders’ fuel tanks weren’t adequately filled over the winter. Michael Bellissimo filed the complaint on March 19, stating that AmeriGas, a propane provider, filled tanks with only a week’s worth of […]

An offshore wind development planned off the Vineyard’s coast has been hit with a legal challenge from the Town of Nantucket, where municipal officials are saying federal regulators failed to address the adverse impacts of the project to the town.  Targeting SouthCoast Wind, the town filed an appeal against the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, […]

With elections only a couple of weeks away, three candidates in Oak Bluffs are making their cases to be elected as the next town clerk.  The three candidates are Gail Barmakian, who is ending a long tenure on the town’s select board; Benjamin Robert Clark, who works in finance; and Amy Lee Del Torto, an […]

Updated March 27th. Local boards across the Vineyard are starting to create a town-by-town plan to address housing issues and their next step is hearing from the Island community directly. Planning and select boards, along with affordable housing committees, have been meeting jointly this week, including in Edgartown on Tuesday, March 25th, where members outlined […]

A Nantucket-based group is continuing its fight against offshore wind, this time with the Environmental Protection Agency.  ACK for Whales, an anti-offshore wind group from Nantucket, filed a petition on Tuesday to the federal agency asking it to reassess and possibly revoke Vineyard Wind’s Clean Air Act permit, a requirement to ensure developers comply with […]

A Cape and Islands lawmaker is trying to bridge the growing gap between homeowners and a turbulent insurance market with the introduction of two new legislative bills aimed at providing relief and expanding coverage. But the changes may not have the immediate impact some locals may be hoping for.  State Senator Julian Cyr recently filed […]

Twenty-five years ago on the Island, a group of theater school friends had just finished shooting “The Last Will and Testament of Marlboro Patch,” Vineyarder Brian Ditchfield’s adaptation of the book of the same name by his father Michael Ditchfield. The film follows a man unraveling the mystery of his father’s death, leading him to […]

Updated March 31 New residents won’t begin to move into a 60-unit affordable housing project planned in Oak Bluffs until after Jan. 2027, two years later than initially announced. Tackenash Knoll, formerly called Southern Tier, is an affordable housing project being developed in Oak Bluffs next to the MV Ice Arena by the local nonprofit […]

The Edgartown School is closing in on its search for a new principal, narrowing the initial 12 applicants down to three finalists, two of which are assistant principals for Island schools and one a principal from Attleboro.  The three finalists include Deborah DeBettencourt, current Assistant Principal at Edgartown School and a guidance counselor at Edgartown […]

At a hockey tournament on the Cape earlier this month called the Lobster Pot, two under-eight Martha’s Vineyard Mariner hockey teams brought home first place trophies, in different divisions. Head coach Joe Merry led the Island’s white team to a back-to-back tournament win after winning last year; and the purple team, headed by coach Chris […]

As the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival enters its 25th year, it will host its first-ever world leader — former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who held office from 2017–2023 and rose to prominence for her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Right Honorable Dame will appear for a Friday evening showing of the documentary […]

Get your crayons ready kids, the Steamship Authority’s art contest here.  The ferry line announced its 10th annual “Sail into Imagination” art contest in a Monday press release. The contest is open to all students, kindergarten through twelfth grade, who live on Martha’s Vineyard, Cape Cod, Nantucket, Fairhaven, and New Bedford.  The winning artworks will […]

The band could be heard down Church Street on a recent Sunday night in March. Guitars, drums and a chorus boomed out from Lagoinha MV, a church in Vineyard Haven that has been growing. From the outside, the church’s building is unassuming, except for a black-and-white flag out front boasting the organization’s dove logo. Inside, […]

Spring has sprung! The vernal equinox took place March 20, when daytime and nighttime are the same length. The grass is rapidly greening, and the rain events last week, St. Patrick’s Day rainstorm and then some more, encouraged the delighted pinkletink chorus into a happy hallelujah. Komodo and his flock of free-ranging tick hunters are […]

Making soup is widely considered a comforting act, associated with care and a sense of community. That came across recently as Oak Bluffs Police Chief Jonathan Searle ladled out bowls of steaming hot chicken soup he’d made from scratch. “Food brings people together,” the chief said of the crowd recently assembled at the Oak Bluffs […]

The National Institute of Mental Health defines self-care as “taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical and mental health. This can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy. Even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a […]

March 3 Abraham V. Torres, Vineyard Haven, 58; operating motor vehicle with suspended license, failure to yield at intersection, arraigned and held, bail set at $100, case closed. Jesiel C. Deamorim, Vineyard Haven, 48; operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, marked lanes violation, operating motor vehicle with license suspended, […]

Creativity flows through artist Julia Marden’s veins, and has done so since childhood. Her creations are a direct tie to her Aquinnah Wampanoag heritage. Marden is perhaps best-known for her fine traditional “twined” basketry. She learned to weave baskets while working as an interpreter at the 17th century Wampanoag homesite at the Plimoth Patuxet Museums […]

The least talked-about impact of climate change is its looming effect on the Island economy. I know why we are avoiding it — it is frightening, and we’ve got enough to worry about. Yet every one of us will take a hit. It is better to know what is coming so we can prepare for […]

The other night I was at a friend’s house when she was looking for a corkscrew. A bunch of us were in the kitchen watching the charade, while she was opening cabinets and drawers searching in vain for the darn opener. One of the drawers was like the one everyone has stuffed with the lone […]

Chilmark  March 21, William E.B. Vincent sold 0 Kings Highway to Clarissa M. Allen for $307,000. Edgartown  March 21, JP Morgan Chase Bank NA transferred 56 North Neck Road from James M. Walsh and Mary Anne E. Walsh to JP Morgan Chase Bank NA for $4,300,000. Oak Bluffs March 19, Bethany M. Bongarzone, formerly known […]

Gender fluidity and political intrigue abound in “Boy,” New York Times best-selling author Nicole Galland’s engrossing new novel. However, this is no contemporary tale. Instead, it is thought-provoking historical fiction, nestled in London’s Globe Theater and Elizabethan court. Galland, who excels in cinematographic descriptions, deftly drops us into this world in the first chapter. “On […]

“Between the Mountain and the Sky” chronicles Maggie Doyne’s extraordinary journey from a recent high school graduate in 2005 to the CEO and co-founder of BlinkNow, a Nepali nongovernmental organization and U.S. nonprofit. Currently, the foundation operates a home for at-risk students, a school, a health and wellness program, a women’s center, a program for […]

You might be left wondering who exactly Andy Kaufman was after watching Alex Braverman’s documentary, “Thank You Very Much,” playing at the M.V. Film Center starting March 28. The film examines the career of this iconoclastic American entertainer and performance artist who defies categorization. Perhaps best known for his role as Latka Gravas on the […]

Up-Island Council on Aging, Howes House 1042 State Rd., West Tisbury 508-693-2896 friendsofupislandcouncilonaging.org There’s always something happening at the Howes House! We are open Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4 pm. Mondays 9:15 am, Yoga with Martha Abbott (Zoom). Email spiritmovesyou@gmail.com for sign-in information. 9 am and 9:35 am, Strength and Fitness with Katryn […]

Edgartown Council on Aging, The Anchors The Anchors at 10 Daggett St. 508-627-4368 edgartowncoa.com The Edgartown Council on Aging will be closed on Monday, April 21, for Patriots’ Day. Weekly Events Monday 9 am: Chair Yoga with Jennifer 12:30 pm: Bridge 2 pm: Walking Group, Katama Tuesday 9 am: Yoga with Carol Vega 9 am: […]

Oak Bluffs Council on Aging 21 Wamsutta Ave. 508-693-4509, ext. 3 oakbluffsma.gov/152/Council-on-Aging Coffee and tea all day 9 am to 3 pm daily. Refreshments are served during all of our programs. Bring a friend! Mondays 9 am, Exercise with Patience Campbell and Marilyn Miller, in person or on Zoom, https://us04web.zoom.us/j/732230936?pwd=nTIP11DKUuY; Meeting ID: 732 230; Password: […]

Tisbury Senior Center 34 Pine Tree Road, Vineyard Haven 508-696-4205 tisburyma.gov/council-aging Weekly Activities Mondays 9:30 – 10:30 am, Line Dancing with Catie 11:30 am, Bowling at the Barn 1 – 3 pm, Silver Quilters 1 – 3:30 pm, Mah Jong Call on Mondays to make a lunch reservation for Thursday! 508-744-8618. Tuesdays 8:30 – 9:30 […]

The Dukes County Health and Human Services Department seeks a Veterans Services Officer. The job is 30 hours a week, with benefits. The candidate must be an honorably discharged U.S. veteran. Please email manager@dukescounty.org for more information and a full job description. The Dukes County Veterans Service Department serves the veterans of all seven towns […]

M.V. Center for Living, the Island’s Dementia and Caregiver Support Network 508-939-9440 lesliec@mvcenter4living.org mvcenter4living.org Volunteers wanted for all interests! Call or email today. Regular Programs Monday – Friday: 9 am – 3 pm, Supportive Day Program Every third Thursday (April 17): 10 am – 12 pm, Music & Memory Cafe Fridays: 11 am – 12 […]

MV Connect: Volunteering to keep our Island connected Healthy Aging Martha’s Vineyard (HAMV) is happy to announce MV Connect, a volunteer driver pilot program designed to help older adults on our Island get to scheduled medical appointments, errands, and enrichment activities. This pilot program hopes to build on the success of GoGoGrandparent, which has become […]

Community Programs Easter Dinner Enjoy a meal delivered to your door on Easter Eve, Saturday, April 19. If you are alone, or will be unable to go out, call your local Council on Aging no later than Friday, April 11, to order your holiday meal. Edgartown: 508-627-4368 Oak Bluffs: 508-693-4509 Tisbury: 508-696-4205 Up-Island: 508-693-2896 A […]

SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) Barnstable County Regional SHINE office shine@capecod.gov 774-243-2953 capecod.gov/departments/human-services/initiatives/shine SHINE provides free health insurance information and assistance for Medicare-eligible adults and their caregivers. A new volunteer opportunity is waiting for you! The Cape Cod and Islands Regional SHINE program is seeking volunteers for our 2025 class! We screen, […]

CORE senior services 508-693-7900, ext. 210 mvcommunityservices.org Counseling, Outreach and Referral for the Elderly (CORE) at M.V. Community Services works with at-risk and mostly home-bound seniors in the community, addressing significant physical, behavioral, social, and case management needs of seniors age 60+ at no cost to the client. The program strives to meet the needs […]

On Sunday, March 30, at 2:30 pm, head over to West Tisbury Library for an afternoon of music featuring Missis Biskis. The band will take audiences from Hank (Wiliams) to Hendrix, and Loretta to Lucinda, covering tunes along the American highway. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, email wt_mail@clamsnet.org […]

The Vineyard Haven library will be presenting a virtual program to ensure that the Island community is prepared for the 2025 tick season. At 2 pm on Friday, March 28, Patrick Roden-Reynolds, director of the Martha’s Vineyard Tick-Borne Illness Reduction Initiative (a.k.a. the M.V. Tick Program) and public health biologist for the Inter-Island Public Health […]

If you’re looking for a high-energy comedy show, it’s happening upstairs at the Barn, Bowl and Bistro in Oak Bluffs with TBD Improv’s spring-fling kickoff show. Join the cast of TBD for a lot of laughs. Vineyard-based improvisers from New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia bring the laughs, using their wits and suggestions from the audience. […]

A monthly playwriting series with Jonah Maidoff will run on Saturdays from 12 to 1 pm: March 29, April 26, and June 28. These sessions will meet in-person in the West Tisbury Library’s downstairs large conference room. Please try to commit to all sessions. In this workshop, participants will begin with the fundamentals of theatrical […]

This glazing workshop is geared toward those who are experienced in pottery and interested in learning more about the glazing process. It will cover details of glaze application, different techniques, and the science of glazing, and it’s an opportunity to talk shop. Bring two or three bisque pieces to glaze and experiment with. To sign […]

It’s officially spring now. My first daffodils are blooming. Snowdrops and crocuses are everywhere. After complaining about my eranthis a few weeks ago, I have found patches of it in unexpected spots around the yard. But best of all are the hellebores. Hellebores have become rather the rage the past few years. Most of my […]

Heard on Main Street: Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. I had a sad conversation with an old friend this week. Johanna Robichau had news about her husband, Joe Robichau, an Islander. He is not doing well; he is now living at Sunrise of Newton, […]

“The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.” —Harriet Ann Jacobs Spring comes slowly to Martha’s Vineyard, but we can already feel it in the longer days and the increased warmth of the sun. The daytime temperatures now begin with a 4, or even a […]

This past week seems to have been the pivotal week in feeling like not only is the island defrosting, but so are we. Once again, sunshine is the subject of this column, but after a long, dreary winter, what else do we really want to talk about? On the 28th at 6 pm at the […]

May his memory be a blessing. After a week where we wish we could wrench back time, and undo the unimaginable and heartbreaking death of Frank Edward Rodenbaugh, who would have celebrated his third birthday on May 31. To his parents, Matt and Julie, and his sister, Clare, we offer our condolences, love, and support. […]

The Aquinnah Variety Show now has a firm date. Get out your calendars and mark the evening of May 1. Keep your eye out for details about when the doors open so you can be sure to get there early, as it is likely to be a packed house. Although the show is slated to […]

Twenty-one members of the Vineyard Cribbage Club met on Wednesday evening to play our favorite game of cribbage. The results were: First, Sammi Burns with a 14/6 GRAND SLAM +164 card Second, Richard Clark with a 12/4 +123 card with FOUR skunks! Third, Ed Montesion with a 9/4 +65 card Fourth, Roy Scheffer with an […]

Edgartown has selected Gary Kovack, the current Tisbury Harbormaster, to lead its harborfront.  Kovack was nominated at a Edgartown Selectboard meeting on Monday for the harbormaster post, where he was chosen over two other finalists  Kurt Peterson and Michael Gately.  “It’s a tough decision but it’ll be good to have Kovack back in Edgartown,” said […]

  The Martha’s Vineyard Ice Arena was buzzing with community competition and appreciation on Saturday as the annual Bravest vs. Finest hockey game kicked off, pitting Island police officers against firefighters, first responders, and even doctors and nurses in the lighthearted clash.  The Finest — the boys in blue — claimed an 8-5 victory, but […]

The Steamship Authority has named a new director of engineering and maintenance.  Zachary Lawrence joined the Steamship Authority in October 2019 as an assistant port engineer before being promoted to port engineer. He has oversaw all aspects of vessel engineering, including repairs and dry docks in those roles. “Zach was an outstanding external hire when […]

The Boys & Girls Club of Martha’s Vineyard is proposing to build a new, larger facility to meet what they see as a rising demand.  Meanwhile, some neighbors say the club has not been communicative of their plans.  The Martha’s Vineyard Commission began public hearing for the Boys & Girls Club’s proposed 21,530-square-foot clubhouse on […]

To the Editor: In the space of a day, President Trump upended the offshore wind (OSW) gameboard with two executive orders that freeze plans for new offshore wind development, end the Green New Deal, pause funding under it, and order his new Attorney General and Secretary of the Interior to study federal wind and permitting […]

To the Editor: The Oak Bluffs Public Library would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all those who made our recent Putts & Pints Fundraiser a tremendous success. This event would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our incredible sponsors, volunteers, and the wonderful members of our community. A special thank […]

To the Editor: Last week, on a relatively warm day that had an air of spring in it, I was out in my yard enjoying the day, and admiring the robins as they pulled worms from the earth. Alas, landscapers with leaf blowers arrived in my neighbor’s yard. For more than two hours, the noise […]

To the Editor: It was a pleasure to participate in Islanders Write’s recent winter gathering. Led by the inspiration of Kate Fieffer, supported by Ann Smith of Featherstone and Mat Tombers of Edgartown Books, and promoted by The MV Times, the program is a unique opportunity for aspiring authors to gain experience, training, and camaraderie […]

To the Editor: As a member of the board of health of Oak Bluffs, I must take exception to certain comments in the recent Op-Ed in The MV Times taking our Oak Bluffs board of health to task for not enforcing the plastic bottle ban bylaw passed in 2022 in Oak Bluffs, and by other […]

To the Editor: Growing up on the Island, I’ve seen firsthand how important local farms are to our community. Their crops not only nourish residents, but supply fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables to local schools. At Chilmark and West Tisbury School, local food was a staple of our lunches, fostering my appreciation for nutritious, homegrown […]

Chilmark firefighters extinguished a brush fire Sunday evening on the outskirts of Quansoo Preserve, which local officials believed started from someone burning a Christmas tree on the beach. Chilmark Fire Chief Jeremy Bradshaw said the department responded at about 7 pm, and while a road into the preserve was blocked, two all-terrain vehicles were able […]

The Steamship’s interviews for a new general manager won’t involve the inclusion of a member of the public, at least for now. The ferry line’s board considered a request to include a nonvoting public member in the general manager interview process, but on Friday tabled the matter without debate. The ferry line is looking for […]

As the seasonal shuttering of the Island’s only overnight winter shelter approaches and with no permanent location planned, a call is being made for an Island-wide task force to address homelessness on Martha’s Vineyard.  The idea was discussed by the West Tisbury select board during a Wednesday meeting. Board member Skipper Manter said there should […]

The winner of the 32nd annual Martha’s Vineyard All School Spelling Bee is fifth-grader Juliet Merrill from the Edgartown School and the winning word was jalapeño.  On Friday, the middle school competition at the Performing Arts Center at MVRHS came down to a barn burner of a finale. Merrill squared off with eighth grader Isaac […]

With the Island in the midst of a housing crisis, four large projects — some of the largest developments likely seen on the Island — are before the Island’s regional regulatory board, all combined proposing a total of more than 500 bedrooms. The four include three 40B applications: 132 bedrooms as part of the Green […]

It’s been called the Cranberry Wars, and that conflict offers  lessons that Islanders can learn from today. The period was not long ago, just across the Sound on Cape Cod, when the cranberry industry was moving inland to cheaper land,  residents debated what to do with the vacant but still popular bogs. The wide-open expanses […]

Four Vineyard students from Falmouth Academy have earned top honors at a state science and engineering fair held earlier this month. Maverick Pil ‘26 of Vineyard Haven earned second place at the Region V Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, held March 8 at Bridgewater State University, for his project “Benthic Microbial Fuel Cells: A […]

StillPoint is a community-defined organization in West Tisbury. StillPoint is centered around a beautiful timber structure with an open scissor truss frame and glass sky-window running the length of its ridge.  Functionally, StillPoint is an educational, convening and performance space and organization. This weekend’s lineup reveals much of the community organization Stillpoint’s range and focus […]

The Oak Bluffs woman who is charged with leaving a child unattended in a car for multiple hours is now facing manslaughter after the child died at a Boston hospital on Wednesday. Aimee Cotton, 41, was arraigned at the Edgartown District Court house on Thursday, March 20 after police arrested her on a warrant for […]

Edgartown has finalized a list of candidates to become the next harbormaster, and one is current Tisbury harbormaster Gary Kovack.  The Edgartown select board interviewed three finalists — Kovack, Kurt Peterson, and Michael Gately — on Wednesday afternoon at town hall and are expected to select a candidate on Monday. “We’ve got some great candidates,” […]

Island agencies saw a record number of marine mammal strandings in 2024, responding to more than 40 incidents, the highest in recent Island history. The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head’s Environmental Laboratory team, primary contact for all strandings on the Island, responded to calls about 19 separate marine mammals, and there were 25 other stranding […]

The Martha’s Vineyard Chamber Music Society’s (MVCMS) Artist in Residence Program has touched the lives of many young musicians in our schools. And since last October, 13 professional musicians have come from off-Island to share their expertise with Island students, mentoring them in the schools and giving a free concert for the public. Four more […]

“Muse,” the new show at Featherstone Center for the Arts, is a feast for the eyes — a veritable buffet of creativity. The theme revolves around what inspires artists to create, and since 98 artists are featured, it clearly resonated with many Island artists. “This is our first show of the spring season,” chief executive […]

The Martha’s Vineyard 7th grade travel basketball team — the Vineyard Breakers — capped off an impressive season by winning the New England State Championship’s Silver Division this past weekend, defeating four teams, including in the championship game against Mashpee, a rival from Cape Cod that held second place behind the Breakers throughout the regular […]

Shot in moody black-and-white, we see the silhouette of a man with his back to us, gazing out a window, snow swirling in a cold, wintry cityscape. He says, “It’s not there anymore. It was a dream, and now you wake up, and that’s gone. That was so much happiness … I never thought I […]

Regular readers of this column will know that, in general, I struggle to muster much affection for non-native species, especially ones that may have negative effects on native flora and fauna. To a degree, this antipathy extends to the Western honey bee, Apis mellifera. And yet I’m inclined to cut this insect some slack. The […]

When it comes to living in Aquinnah, there are definitely some perks. One is how close we are to 7a. Sometimes when people hear where I live, they say, “Oh, so you must get 7a a lot.” That would be an understatement. When it comes to breakfast sandwiches on Martha’s Vineyard, there are many places […]

Our primary medical providers are critical to our personal health, and to the health of our community. When we are ill, or are worried, or want to know how to stay well, we turn to primary care providers. Outside of medical emergencies, these primary care physicians and advanced-practice nurses are the first people we ask […]

Edgartown March 12, Bradford E. Pratt and Laura J. Pratt, trustees of Lot 13 S.H.F. Realty Trust, sold 6 Lauras Way to Jaroslav Kral for $750,000. March 12, John Sutton and Jayne Sutton sold 0 Harborside Inn Condo Unit 509 Week 21 to Kieran Brennan and Anne-Marie Brennan for $12,500. March 14, Cynthia Murtha Tanny […]

This coming Saturday, memories will be made at the Martha’s Vineyard Ice Arena as the Islands police officers and firefighters trade badges for blades in the annual “Finest vs Bravest” ice hockey showdown.  More than bragging rights this year, all proceeds will benefit the nonprofit Harbor Homes of Martha’s Vineyard to help the organization, which […]

At the first-ever Islanders Write midwinter celebration of authors, essayists, and journalists who make up the proud legacy of writers on the Island, the Martha’s Vineyard Times shared some big news at Featherstone Center for the Arts in Oak Bluffs about a new initiative to ensure the legacy continues into future generations. A pledge of […]

A large housing development proposed in Edgartown will soon be undergoing the Martha’s Vineyard Commission public hearing process. Nearly 300 bedrooms in a variety of styles of housing are being proposed by Katama Meadow LLC, formerly Meeting House Way LLC.  The developers want to create a new subdivision road called Atlantic Avenue on Division Road […]

An Oak Bluffs woman is facing a felony charge after police report that she left children she was babysitting in her car unsupervised for multiple hours during an incident that left one of the children in critical care. Forty-year-old Aimee Cotton pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and battery on a child with injury […]

The most common insurance plan on the Island, which several thousand locals rely on, has announced a new policy change that will make it possible to fully insure homes worth over a million dollars.  The Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association, also known as the FAIR Plan and that 36.6 percent of Island homeowners use, has […]

Capt. Everett Lee Whorton Jr., 80, of Oak Bluffs, peacefully yet unexpectedly passed away at home on Sunday, March 16, 2025. He was the beloved eldest son of Everett L. and Helen (Santos) Whorton, who affectionately called him “Joey.” Born on Sept. 12, 1944, in Oak Bluffs during the Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944, Everett’s […]

Writers as young as 6 years old gathered at Featherstone Center for the Arts over the weekend to attend The MV Times’ first midwinter Islanders Write. Over the course of two days, 15 workshops focused on the art, craft, fun, folly, and business of writing. Here is a glimpse of some of the lessons that […]

Ted Edward Desrosiers, a man who could fill a room with laughter and make everyone feel like an old friend, passed away on March 11, 2025. He lived with a full heart, a quick wit, and an unshakable love for his family, his friendships, and the Island community that meant so much to him. Born […]

Sean Allen Chalifoux, 49, of Venice, Fla., passed away in front of loved ones, after succumbing to his injuries after being struck by a car, on Jan. 8, 2025.  He was born on March 17, 1975. Sean was a beloved waiter and bartender at several Venice establishments for more than three years. He never met […]

Patsy Shelton Fullin of Vineyard Haven passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on March 14, 2025. She was 74.  Born on May 14, 1950, in Oak Bluffs, she was the daughter of Virginia Shelton of Edgartown. A kindhearted and humorous woman, Patsy had a deep love for her family and friends, always going […]

Karin Magid, former owner of Red Pony Farm, passed away on Feb. 17, 2025. She was born on August 31, 1943, to Maurice Magid and Erika Stolzberg Magid in White Plains, N.Y.  Karin grew up near Scarsdale, studied at Sarah Lawrence College, lived in France, had a film career in England alongside her former husband […]

Eri Seguin, head professional at Edgartown’s Vineyard Golf Course in Edgartown, has been named Gary Philbrick Golf Professional of the Year by the PGA of America’s Cape Cod chapter. The designation is the chapter’s highest annual honor. Seguin’s journey in golf began in Vermont, where he began working at a St. Johnsbury club at the […]

I am writing a late column this week, on Monday morning. Rain is pouring down, and the wind is blowing hard enough to almost flatten light shrubbery and saplings in our woods. Abby wasn’t interested in going out until Mike donned his rain jacket and walked to the door. I can’t imagine she was eager […]

Heard on Main Street: Sometimes all you need is to enjoy nature. With last week’s sunshine and warm days, you could almost think it was spring. When we first came back to the Island, my husband’s elderly great-aunt would ask me on a bright spring day to take her all around the Island “to see […]

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it is those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” —Desmond Tutu I ran into Sarah Omer a few days ago, and after catching up with each other’s news, we started to talk about the state of the world and the upsetting daily […]

Just as I ease into this new job as the Edgartown columnist, it seems that spring season eases into our town as well. The arrival of the spring equinox brings a time of reflection, balance, and renewal — or better yet, of spring cleaning, decluttering, and bringing things to Chicken Alley, Dumptique, or texting friends […]

We are hard workers, and generous with our time and talents. This past weekend, Kate Feiffer and this paper produced an Islanders Write. The summer event is lovely and well-attended, and for some of us, super-hard to get to. Friday’s screening of the film “Rebel With a Clause” and Q and A with star Ellen […]

Driving down-Island last week, we were heartened when we saw the explosion of yellow blooms on the grand forsythia tree in front of Middletown Nursery. It seems to always be the first. Meanwhile, the baby forsythia we planted in the fall is still a timid little stick, but our bulbs have sprouted healthy-looking leaves. It’s […]

Down for the count By Jim Feiner Mucous making sputum spewing I don’t know what my body is doing coughing rasping grasping hacking This darn cold keeps on attacking my nose is runny, red and sore. I’m not sure I can take much more. I’m not the kind that gets real sick when I do, […]

Read more about workshop vignettes from Islanders Write on Saturday and Sunday here.  More than 70 Islanders made their way to Featherstone Center for the Art’s main building on Saturday and Sunday to develop their craft, learn from local authors, and connect to their unique voice. From the 6½-year-old Oak Bluffs School student Isla Katz […]

The Martha’s Vineyard Coast Guard Auxiliary will hold a Safe Boating Class on March 29. This is the first class offered on Martha’s Vineyard since the announcement of the Hanson-Milone Boater Safety Act, which requires anyone operating a powerboat or personal watercraft in Massachusetts to have taken a boating safety course. The comprehensive course is […]

“Membership Down!” has been wowing audiences and embarrassing contestants since 2018. It’s not to be missed, so head over to the P.A. Club to help celebrate the 13th show. The Island’s live, variety game show fundraiser is celebrating a belated St. Patty’s Day with a special leprechaun edition of the show to raise funds for […]

On Sunday, March 23, from 2 to 3:30 pm, a poetry reading featuring members of the community will take place at the Edgartown library. All are welcome to read their own work, recite a favorite poem, or simply come to listen. Each poet will have a maximum of 10 minutes to read. To sign up […]

The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library always welcome new members. All volunteers and those who are interested in knowing more about the Friends meet at 10:15 am on the fourth Saturday of the month. The meeting is in person at the library, but you can contact the library if you need Zoom access. […]

Calling all parents and child caregivers: Guiding Good Choices is a six-week evidence-based program from the M.V. Family Resource Center, about preventing risky behavior and strengthening your relationship with your preteens and young teens (ages 8 to 14). While you participate with other parents, your youth will have the opportunity to join a free equine […]

Nineteen members of the Vineyard Cribbage Club met Wednesday evening to play our favorite game. The results were as follows: First, Tricia Bergeron with a 13/5 +118 card (3rd week in a row) Second, Mary Alice Russell with a 12/5 +87 card Third, Kathy Kinsman with a 10/5 +98 card Fourth,Jack Silvia with a 10/5 […]

Angus Seán McMahon Katie McMahon and Seán McMahon of West Tisbury announce the birth of a son, Angus Seán McMahon, on March 10, 2025, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Angus weighed 8 pounds, 12 ounces.

Oak Bluffs School honor roll Grade 5, High Honors: Spencer Blau, Daniil Brown, Ivy Korba, Eva Li, Nicoly Matheus, Theo Pereira, Piper Thompson. Grade 5, Honors: Kelson Borges, Penelope Carter, Mason Clift, Nathaniel D’Agostino, Bianca DaSilva, Heloisa DaSilva, Matheus DeAssis, Emanuelle De Paula, Clementine deForest, Jackson Gaffey, Christopher Hathaway, Lilian Hayes, Kendall Holway, Frances Hunsaker, […]

As uncertainty swirls around negotiations to possibly end war in Eastern Europe, Vineyarders gathered at Five Corners on Saturday in protest of the Trump Administration, carrying signs and waving the blue and yellow Ukrainian flags. Organized by Indivisible Martha’s Vineyard, up to 70 Islanders gathered at the Tisbury intersection in support of Ukraine and to […]

When heavy rain drenches Martha’s Vineyard, flooding at Five Corners sometimes feels inevitable. But under the elements on Monday morning, the rising water wasn’t the only spectacle in the Vineyard Haven streets. As cars slowly, and partially submerged, drove down Beach Road, 25-year-old Island resident Ben deBettencourt took a more whimsical approach, paddling a friend’s […]

There is support for hunting on Sundays on the Island, at least on private property, according to the results of an online survey distributed by the MV Times earlier this month. In the one-question survey asking if hunting should be allowed on private property on Sundays, about 54 percent of nearly 300 respondents said “yes.” […]

James Stern Zisson, 72, of Palm Beach, Fla., passed away peacefully on Feb. 15, 2025. He is survived by his sons, Ethan (Alessandra) and Alec (Aisa). Jimmy was a summer resident of Chilmark since 1988.   A private graveside service was held in West Palm Beach, Fla. Those who wish to honor his memory may make […]

There’s been some controversy over a fence at the West Tisbury Village Cemetery. The local historic district commission pushed back against a plan to use plastic fencing, and then the town decided to make more temporary changes when wood proved more expensive. Now, there is an idea to host a Day of the Dead fundraiser […]

The Island’s Dairy Queen in Edgartown opened its doors for the first time this year on Friday at 3 pm, drawing in students and families for a taste of summer.  For the Edgartown school, just steps away, the opening of Dairy Queen ignites a timeless tradition among students, the dash from classroom to counter.  This […]

Updated March 15 Local regulators are worried about an increase in traffic from a 100-unit development in Oak Bluffs, some even suggesting that the roundabout might need to be expanded to accommodate an expected increase in congestion. There were also concerns raised over the size of the 132-bedroom Green Villa, which would also include commercial […]

The state’s plan to cut nearly 175 acres of pine plantations in the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest was presented in a small meeting room at the Martha’s Vineyard Commission offices on Wednesday morning, with many Islanders showing up to reiterate their opposition and to call for a pause on the project to allow for […]

Islands Gymnastics took home first place in five different age groups during an off-Island meet this past weekend.  Ranging in ages from ages 8 to 15, gymnasts competed in all four events — bars, vault, floor, and beam — in three different competition levels: silver, gold, and platinum.  Competing against Bourne, Canton, and East Bridgewater, […]

The co-founder of Island Autism has been recognized by a regional entity for her commitment to providing services to Vineyarders with disabilities. The Cape and Islands Citizen Advisory Board awarded Kate DeVane its Joseph Sattler Jr. Award, which honors people for helping the community. The board is part of the state Department of Developmental Services’ […]

Our small Island has produced an outsize and truly extraordinary legacy of celebrated writers through the years.  A question for us to ponder is, How do we inspire a new generation of Island writers to pick up the torch and carry it forward? How do we keep this tradition alive with a fresh new pipeline […]

In another move aimed at offshore wind, the fishing industry is attempting to take its fight against Vineyard Wind to the U.S. Supreme Court.  The Responsible Offshore Development Alliance (RODA), a national coalition of fishing industry associations and companies, and the conservative think tank Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) filed separate petitions last week requesting […]

David Grain graduated from MVRHS in 1980. He entered the high school as a student the same year that I did as a teacher — my, how time flies!  He had been a summer kid until his parents moved to the Vineyard in 1976. He quickly saw that involvement in sports was a big part […]

To the Editor: I am writing this letter to urge DCR to put the brakes on the clear-cutting of the white pine plantations in the Manuel Correllus State Forest on Martha’s Vineyard. While I recognize that many years of discussions between DCR and local officials are at play here regarding fire risk and habitat restoration, […]

To the Editor: We recently learned of the passing of one of our leading faculty members, Barbara Murphy. In the 1980s and ’90s, Presidents George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter each recognized the Regional High School as a national model. Barbara was at the center of this accomplishment. As a principal faculty member, she met […]

To the Editor: The Friends of the Up-Island Council on Aging sincerely thank the Martha’s Vineyard Cultural Council (MVCC) for the grant they gifted the Friends to help defray the cost of our trip to see Hamilton at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC). Many of our seniors rely on the Up-Island Council on Aging […]

The Vineyard Conservation Society (VCS) is a local, member-supported nonprofit land conservation and environmental advocacy organization that has been working since 1965 to preserve the natural resources and community character of the Island. In our role as a voice for the Island environment, and alongside many Island residents and the youth group Plastic Free MV, […]

Read the MVRHS High School View: 3-13-2025 The High School View is staffed and prepared entirely by students from the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, and published on their behalf by the Martha’s Vineyard Times, with generous assistance from sponsors.