The Martha's Vineyard Times

July is National Lost Pet Prevention Month, and new national data reveals that pets are nearly twice as likely to go missing during the summer months. As the Island fills with visitors and families, local pet owners are urged to take extra precautions to keep their fur buddies safe. More than 200,000 missing pet reports […]

The Louisa Gould Gallery is proud to announce its summer exhibition, “Light & Form,” featuring more than 40 works of fine art by sculptor Gwen Marcus and realist painter Sean Roach. The show will open with a public artists’ reception on Saturday, July 12, from 5 to 7 pm at the gallery’s location, 54 Main […]

Seven new portraits by Elizabeth Whelan are featured in her show “In Character,” at the M.V. Playhouse through July 18. “I’ve painted local actors in their favorite roles,” she says. The show includes sketches that were the initial concepts for the paintings. “These sketches are on display along with the 30- by 40-inch paintings, and […]

This season, Kara Taylor is celebrating her 25th year as a professional artist. Taylor opened her first gallery in 2000 at Nip ’n’ Tuck Farm when she was 25 years old. After three locations, and a quarter of a century later, Taylor is pleased to invite the public to view a special body of her […]

Wes Anderson’s quirky new film, “The Phoenician Scheme,” showing at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center starting July 12, starts with a bang — a big one. The protagonist, loathsome international business tycoon Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro), barely survives this sixth assassination attempt. But not to worry, there will be plenty more to come. In […]

On July 16, Circuit Arts will screen “We Don’t See Color (1996–2013)” as part of its summer film series. This provocative episode is the fifth in the six-part “Eyes on the Prize III: We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest, 1977–2015,” which continues Henry Hampton’s groundbreaking 1987 documentary series “Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights […]

Willow Arya Sanfilippo Tonya Thomas and Matthew Sanfilippo of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Willow Arya Sanfilippo, on June 19, 2025, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Willow weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces.   Noah Billings Piland Samantha Piland and Anthony Piland Jr. of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Noah Billings Piland, […]

Last Thursday we joined a gathering of about 40 people under the pergola at the Cliffs to greet friends, eat the great takeout from Cliffhangers, and listen to the joyful music given out by Missis Biskis. Kids ran around, dogs sniffed each other, sea gulls kept a sharp eye out for untended snacks, and the […]

Ranking high among the Vineyard’s ecological treasures are our great ponds — those shallow basins, fed by groundwater and penned in by barrier beaches, that line the Island’s southern shoreline. Of great scenic, recreational, and economic value (oysters!), these idiosyncratic water bodies also support a rich and unusual mix of wildlife. Part of the secret […]

From Jaws 50th anniversary weekend, we went straight into Fourth of July weekend, and you all might have felt the shift in energy in town. The summer crowds are here, and with that, the boost our Island tourism survives on: Rentals are booked, dinner reservations are made, Main Street shopping is done, and we fall […]

The Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC) has received two state water quality grants from the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to clean Island ponds. The grants are administered through MassDEP, with funding through Sections 604(b) and 319 of the federal Clean Water Act. The 604(b) grant of $280,000 and the 319 grant of $100,000 will be […]

Chilmark  June 30, Linda Ludwig, Bank of America NA, U.S. Trust Co. of New York, and the Estate of Anna Glen Butler Vietor sold 0 North Road to Timothy Broderick for $60,000.  July 3, Richard B. Osterberg, trustee of Virginia F. Poole Revocable Trust, and the Estate of Everett H. Poole sold 10 Basin Road […]

“Don’t worry if you’re making waves just by being yourself. The moon does it all the time.”  –Scott Stabile The July full moon rises on July 10. It’s called the “Buck Moon” for the new-growth antlers on male deer that emerge in July (they are beautiful to see, but I wish they would stay out […]

Clay is a malleable art medium. With skill, talent, and experience, you can shape it into an endless variety of forms. The 25 artists in Featherstone Center for the Arts’ new exhibition, “Currents in Contemporary Ceramic Art,” reflect an immense diversity of expression.  Walking into the stunning show, on view through July 20, can take […]

The Aquinnah Cultural Center will present a series of conversations and activities at Stillpoint tied to Linda Coombs’ book, “Colonization and the Wampanoag Story.” Participants will engage in intergenerational dialogue and activities. There are two group sessions being offered, one in July and one in August. It is recommended that participants either read the book […]

Eighteen members and guests of the Vineyard Cribbage Club met to play our favorite game. Here are the results:   First, Sammi Burns with a PERFECT grand slam card 13/6 +149 Second, Doug Werther, also with a PERFECT grand slam card 12/6 +86 Third, Byram Devine with a 11/5 +82 card Fourth, Ed Montesion with […]

If names like Nineveh, Persepolis, Babylon, or Noah and Nebuchadnezzar ring faint bells or spark your imagination even a little, you’ll be in for a great read with “The Mesopotamian Riddle: An Archeologist, a Soldier, a Clergyman, and the Race to Decipher the World’s Oldest Writing.” The author is Joshua Hammer, a longtime seasonal visitor […]

The Eisenhauer Gallery will be showcasing “Summer Raised,” an exhibition of artwork by Paul and Laina Norwood, a father-daughter visual artist duo with Martha’s Vineyard roots. Paul Norwood is a landscape and figurative artist. Originally based in the Bay Area, Paul Norwood has been painting on the Island for more than 20 years. His daughter, […]

As visitors flocked to Edgartown for the annual Independence Day parade, families lined the streets, teeming with anticipation for creative, hand-decorated floats.  Among the highlights was the crowd-favorite float from Pond View Farm, which once again took home the coveted title of “Best Float,” marking the fourth year in a row that Pond View has […]

On the southwest end of the Elizabeth Islands chain, Penikese Island is a 75-acre piece of land that remains almost untouched by time, offering a rare glimpse into what coastal Massachusetts looked like centuries ago. This year, the Island celebrates 150 years of botanical surveys, a scientific legacy that has quietly shaped some of the […]

Heard on Main Street: Being kind is more important than being right. Is it me, or is the world going mad? Our Congress is cutting money for hospitals and healthcare. Elephants in Zimbabwe are killing tourists seemingly for no reason. Warehouses of fireworks exploded around the U.S. before the Fourth. And the horrible flooding with […]

You came into my dream last night for the first time in so many years. You were a little girl again,  tumbling yellow curls,  eyes washed clean with clemency. You asked, “Can I sleep with you? Just for tonight?”  I already knew you couldn’t stay longer. As I lifted back the covers,  I noticed, through […]

A new collection of housing reports is highlighting significant wealth disparities seen across the Vineyard, an increase in housing insecurity, and how substantially the short-term rental market is impacting year-round residents looking for rentals.  The reports — about 70 pages for each town — also provide goals to help address housing issues like identifying existing […]

Add it to the list of fanfare surrounding the “Jaws” 50th anniversary on the Island: The Mass Lottery is hosting what they are calling a live game show where one of 30 participants will walk away with $1 million. The event will be held Sunday, July 13 at the M.V. Film Center and concludes the […]

We are thrilled to launch our new MV Times membership program. this means you, our readers, can join our community in a more tangible way, and be part of the public service that is independent, local news.  And on top of supporting local, independent journalism, you’ll also be receiving new membership perks.  So what’s the […]

Martha’s Vineyard Hospital is reporting an increase in tick-related visits to the emergency room to start the summer season, which correlates with a trend seen across the Northeast.  Between June and July so far, the hospital saw more tick-related visits to its emergency department week by week this year compared with 2024. Between June 1 […]

The Tisbury Street Fair lit up Main Street Vineyard Haven Tuesday night, heralding the 354th anniversary of Tisbury’s official incorporation back in 1671.  The annual celebration that started in 1971 brought thousands of people this year to browse local vendors selling clothing and trinkets. There was also live music, games, artwork, and other entertainment.

Two of Martha’s Vineyard United’s youth summer soccer teams headed off to Lancaster to compete in the Massachusetts Tournament of Champions (MTOC) last month, earning respectable placements.  The boys seventh- and eighth-grade team represented the Island well, earning second place in the state tournament after falling to a tough Framingham team. Based on competing in […]

Sandra L. Healy, 84, of Dartmouth, formerly of Vineyard Haven, died unexpectedly at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford on July 3, 2025. She was the mother of Elexis Wildanger and Glenn Pachico, and was predeceased by her daughter, Carla Furtaw, and son, Bradford.  A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 26, at […]

A celebration of life for Nancy Wood, who died on June 10, 2025, will be held at the Unitarian Church in Vineyard Haven on July 19 at 2 pm. Please consider a donation to the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard, online at animalshelterofmv.org/donate, in lieu of flowers.

Margaret Ann Deitrich (Kammerer), 93, of Chilmark, who died on April 20, 2025, will have a memorial service at the Chilmark Community Church, 9 Menemsha Road, Chilmark, on Saturday, July 19, at 11 am. 

Fredrick W. Huss (“Fred” or “Rick”) died peacefully in his home in the Campgrounds on June 23, 2025, at the age of 80.  He was born in Hartford, Conn., and grew up in Putnam, Conn. Fred moved to Alamosa in 1971, and worked for both Safeway and then the Rio Grande Water Conservation District until […]

Ency Fokos died peacefully in the early hours of May 23, 2025, at her home in Chilmark, surrounded by her children. She was 87. Ency was born in the picturesque town of Késmárk, Czechoslovakia (now Kežmarok, Slovakia). Though she enjoyed the hunting lodge her mother’s family had in the Tatra Mountains, it was Budapest, with […]

Chilmark officials are still trying to settle a years-long discussion about how to regulate and limit the number of community dinners at up-Island farms. The Chilmark select board is proposing allowing three events per farm over the summer and fall months, while local farmers say that the rules would be too restrictive, and would impact […]

With a snip of giant red scissors last week, officials with Martha’s Vineyard Medical cut the ribbon symbolizing the transfer of the Vineyard Haven medical facility to its new owners. Surrounded by family and supporters, Jeff Levy, owner of Martha’s Vineyard Medical, said Tisbury residents Michael and Melinda Loberg opened and nurtured a practice over […]

Oak Bluffs police are investigating after a noose was recovered hanging in the front yard of a residence at the end of June, which is raising alarms for the homeowner.  According to the Oak Bluffs police report filed June 27, “there was a frayed rope, about 1/2 in in diameter, which appeared to be old […]

A little over three acres of West Tisbury woodlands have been added to the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank’s conservation lands, helping to move forward a plan that’s been two decades in the works.  The Land Bank purchased two lots, one from Christopher Brooks and another from Mary-Louise Williams, totaling 3.3 acres for $800,000 on June […]

It’s 1842. Most of the crew of a whaling ship sets out in smaller boats to pursue their prey. Only four crew members are left behind, plus their tyrannical, often violent captain. When the crew returns from their pursuits that night, they discover the three men left behind have mutinied and the captain has been […]

While compiling the “Reading and Writing Around the Rock” section for this newsletter, I was struck by the sheer number of literary events happening on the Island during the upcoming month. There are author talks, book signings, writing workshops, book groups, and the MV Book Festival. Looking further ahead to August, there is the second […]

To the Editor: My wife and I have been coming to the Vineyard every summer for 20 years. We love our summers on the Vineyard. I even love driving on the Vineyard in the summer. It’s true, there are a lot of cars on the road, and sometimes you’re sitting in a long line of […]

  To the Editor: While walking along Edgartown–West Tisbury Road bike path with my dog this morning, I saw a road cyclist going in the opposite direction. He was wearing all the appropriate gear. However, his helmet wasn’t positioned properly over his forehead. It was completely exposed. Since I didn’t think it would be helpful, […]

To the Editor: June 28 and 29, on the porch and in the backyard at 140 North William St. in Vineyard Haven, patrons purchased useful items to benefit Democracy Forward. Our cashiers were energetic teenagers. They helped design the signs, and understood the meaning of the fundraiser. Democracy Forward is working day and night to […]

To the Editor: I very much enjoyed my first visit to the Island recently, for me and my wife to spend time with her oldest friend. Martha’s Vineyard is a lovely place, and everyone we met was welcoming. The fly in the ointment, unfortunately, was the traffic. Unless you carefully planned your route and timing, […]

According to The MV Times, the destination or fate of the 40 undocumented immigrants picked up by U.S. Immigration and Enforcement (ICE) on May 27 is still unknown, except for that of two who self-deported back to Brazil, and one who is challenging his detention. But here is what we do know about some destinations. […]

*Bios for all these amazing speakers will be posted soon! Sunday, Aug 17th 7:30 pm Politics and the Press, Censorship and Coverage Mara Liasson E.J. Dionne Patricia J. Williams Richard North Patterson Charles Sennott – moderator Monday, Aug 18 8:45 Welcome to Islanders Write 9:00 – 9:50 am Truth and Lies: The Unreliable Narrator James […]

One hard truth I learned along my bumpy path as a published memoirist is that people-pleasing is not exactly part of the equation. Despite my best efforts to write with multidimensionality, love, and integrity, I still received pushback from some of my favorite people.  I couldn’t figure out where I went wrong.  I did the […]

June’s writing prompt –– Vineyard horror stories –– was not popular. Since we didn’t receive any submissions, we’ll share an essay by Brae Eddleston from the previous month’s prompt, which was “Vineyard love story,” as well as an essay written by Deb Dunn during the Thursday Morning Pages group at the West Tisbury library. Admittedly, [...]

A blown-up bald eagle riding the roof of a pickup truck, antique vehicles and firetrucks, and a sprinkle of resistance were on display for the 24th annual Aquinnah Fourth of July parade on Friday. The parade kicked off at Old South Road and Moshup Trail, and led up to the Aquinnah Cliffs. Locals of all […]

Three individuals facing firearm and drug-related charges following a Chilmark Police investigation into an illegal tattoo parlor in February were indicted last week.  Kamari Clements, 18, from West Tisbury, was indicted for knowingly having in his possession a large-capacity weapon, or large-capacity feeding device. Kamel Timmons, 20, from Vineyard Haven, as well as his father […]

A portrait of Dukes County Judge Corneilius Moriarty 2nd was unveiled during an intimate ceremony on Wednesday at the Dukes County Courthouse in Edgartown attended by the judge’s family and friends to commemorate his retirement.  Moriarty’s legal career spanned 50 years across various courts throughout Massachusetts; he ruled on cases in Dukes, Hampden, and Plymouth […]

Updated July 7 A local pilot is getting praise from his passengers, airport officials, and emergency responders after safely and remarkably landing a biplane on a thin strip of beach on Chappaquiddick Island on Sunday. According to local and federal officials, Island pilot Michael Creato, with two passengers on board, was forced to make an […]

Thousands of spectators donning red, white, and blue washed over downtown Edgartown on Friday for the town’s 181st annual Fourth of July parade. The procession of floats, antique cars, and marchers traveled down Main Street, throwing candy and beaded necklaces that children and families on the sidewalks hungrily gathered up. The parade is a joint […]

The Fourth of July is here, the official beginning of summer on the Island. From the Aquinnah parade to First Friday in Vineyard Haven, there are plenty of opportunities to take in the festivities. Here are the main events: Little ones parade Be sure to catch the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association’s Children’s 4th of […]

The Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust (MVFPT) will have a new home in Menemsha after the purchase and impending renovation of 10 Basin Road, the former Poole’s Fish Plant and Chilmark Chandlery, a marine supply and ship equipment store. Sarah Bernard, and her husband, James Seppala, Chilmark homeowners who have been coming to the Island […]

Updated 7:52 pm A former Tisbury police officer is suing the town and two police personnel over allegations of a hostile work environment, discrimination, and retaliation, becoming at least the third officer in five years to come forward with similar complaints in the department.  Julia Levesque, who worked for the Tisbury Police Department for four […]

Eighteen-year-old Tegan Gale, wearing a Larsen’s Fish Market long-sleeve, stood at the wheel of his 15-foot Boston Whaler on a recent summer day and took a left out of Menemesha Basin from Dutcher Dock to the pond, on the hunt for an invasive pest. As a young boy, Gale retold how he used to haul […]

A somewhat-new amusement provider is taking over production of this year’s Agricultural Fair, after the vendor of a half-century is moving on.  The Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society, which hosts the yearly fair and is celebrating its 163rd anniversary, signed a five-year contract with Fiesta Shows June 30, after the previous carnival provider, Cushing Amusements decided […]

A Dukes County Superior Court judge is dismissing a lawsuit brought by the developer behind a workforce housing development on Spring Street that claimed town officials were conspiring to attack his reputation and property rights.  Developer Xerxes Aghassipour filed the complaint earlier this year that Tisbury officials violated his procedural due-process rights, and asked the […]

Livingston Taylor is performing at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center on Sunday, July 6th and Thursday, August 14th. A beloved musician with Island ties and multiple chart-hitting tracks, he’ll be performing two shows this summer to the local community where he’ll showcase familiar folk favorites and original songs — and he said he’s excited to […]

Ernie Boch Jr. swung open the gate on a newly renovated waterfront garden park on Beach Road in Vineyard Haven that his family has owned for decades on Wednesday.  After many years of vacancy, back-and-forth squabbles with town officials, and being locked and off-limits to visitors, the three-quarter-acre “Boch Park” officially opened on Wednesday morning […]

Each year the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center (MVFC) selects a small group of students pursuing careers in film or media, and provides them with real-world experience on how a film organization and arts nonprofit runs.  Introducing the 2025 MVFC students: Nick Anderson, from Holliston, is a 22-year-old senior at Merrimack College majoring in humanities with […]

Community and collaboration sit at the very heart of Circuit Arts. Working together, the organization’s 35-member team brings diverse artistic experiences to the Island community year-round. It provides an avenue for a rich array of local talent, while also showcasing those with international fame, continually feeding Vineyarders’ thirst for the arts.  Circuit Arts’ origins are […]

In the 1960s and 1970s, a memorable television commercial aired with the tagline, “You don’t have to be Jewish to love Levy’s real Jewish Rye.” The ad featured people from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds enjoying Levy’s rye bread. The same line is appropriate for the new and very amusing film by David Robbins, “Bad […]

It begins with sounds in the dark: that familiar, urgent theme music — then seagulls, creaking boats, the background bustle of men and machines, the creaking and clanking of some kind of work being done on some kind of mechanical object. That object has a name: Bruce.  Bruce is the shark that was famously, endlessly […]

The Vincent House, one of the oldest residences on Martha’s Vineyard, was built in 1672 using traditional techniques that date back to medieval England. Walk inside this summer, through August 30, and you’ll be in for a delightful surprise. Visiting artists William Pettit and Candice Smith have explored time, transforming the colonial setting into a […]

On Monday, July 14, humor writer David Sedaris is coming to the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs. Sedaris is often referred to as a satire king, best known for his autobiographical, often self-deprecating stories, tales of family dynamics, and honest social commentary. His humor is not flashy or raucous. It sneaks up behind you and taps [...]

  At the age of 10, flipping through issues of Life magazine at the library every week, Dolores Allen Littles knew. “I loved photographs that told stories,” she told The Times. News stories in particular caught her attention. “I remember thinking to myself, ‘The world would be a better place if people could read and […]

While being interviewed upstairs at The MV Times office in Vineyard Haven, retired U.S. Air Force Chaplain David Berube noted that he could sit with his back to the doorway. It’s not something worth pointing out for most people, but to some veterans, it’s a testament to years-long endeavors to overcome symptoms of post-traumatic stress […]

The summer swings into full flourish with the Glorious Fourth. And gardens swing into full flower and fruitfulness post-solstice, with heat and lots of daylight; so does crabgrass. In fact, there is so much going on that it is hard to choose where to start. Important to be aware of are the consequences of the […]

The Vineyard Preservation Trust will be hosting the Generations Picnic, a “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”-themed community fundraiser filled with music, dancing, games, and catered food, treats, and beverages, all in support of preserving the historic landmarks that define the Island. Community members can get involved by sponsoring, donating, or purchasing tickets.   Friday, July […]

Martha’s Vineyard Museum will again be hosting its concert series, Global Rhythms, this summer. Presented in partnership with MVY Radio, the Island’s independent, nonprofit radio station, this series brings world-class musicians to the Bodman Courtyard at the museum on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer. Catch these artists as they take the stage and share their […]

The Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation awarded $200,000 through grants to Island Housing Trust and the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard. The grants will support initiatives focused on youth programming, community engagement, and housing insecurity.  The Island Housing Trust Corporation received a $100,000 grant to support Bellevue Veterans Community, a neighborhood of 12 affordable housing rental apartments […]

Preservation Massachusetts celebrates its 40th anniversary by honoring four nominated individuals and 26 exemplary historic preservations across the commonwealth. The Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association (MVCMA) Tabernacle is a recipient of the 2025 Menino Legacy Award. The Mayor Thomas M. Menino Legacy Award celebrates projects that are transformative, are catalytic, embrace the community, create partnerships, […]

As the need for accessible early childhood programs grows, Active Arts Summer Camp provides a nurturing space where children ages 3 to 5 can explore art, music, movement, and outdoor play, led by licensed and experienced educators.  “Young children, especially those under 5, deserve engaging and locally rooted activities,” says Jenna Robichau, founder and certified […]

Twenty members of the Vineyard Cribbage Club met on Wednesday evening to play our favorite game of cribbage. The results are below:   First, Tricia Bergeron with an 11/5 +82 card Second, Mary Alice Russell with a 10/5 +18 card Third, Noah Scheffer with a 9/4 +29 card Fourth, Bill Russell with an 8/4 +47  […]

Baby Sanfilippo Tonya Thomas and Matthew Sanfilippo of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter on June 19, 2025, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. The youngest Sanfilippo weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces.   Willa Spiro Elliston Julia Spiro and Casey Elliston of Chilmark announce the birth of a daughter, Willa Spiro Elliston, on June 24, 2025, […]

June 2 Gabriel Lima, 22, West Tisbury; unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, license not in possession, no inspection sticker, arraigned and held, bail set at $100, continued for payment.   June 12 Angelica R. Pearl, 41, Oak Bluffs; assault and battery on family/household member, arraigned and released on personal recognizance, continued to pretrial hearing. […]

Chilmark  June 27, Donald L. Wertlieb and Arnold Polinger, trustee of Lorre Beth Polinger Family Trust-1012, sold Quansoo Beach Lot and Lot 36 (between Tisbury Great Pond and the Atlantic Ocean) to Frederick L. Weiss and Margaret Read-Weiss for $430,000.    Edgartown  June 23, Stephen Gardner Patt, trustee of Patt Family 2013 Revocable Trust, sold […]

Heard on Main Street: The best things in life are not things. I was enjoying a visit with a friend who had brought lunch, when an old memory came to me. I don’t know what triggered it, but I had to share it. I have a number of small pieces of china in the room. […]

“America is a tune. It must be sung together.”  –Gerald Stanley Lee   I looked for a quote for the Fourth of July, during this time of so much division and stress in America. There is a real sense of the fragility of our democracy, as can be seen by the millions of people marching […]

Every year, I tell myself, “Marnely, keep your Fourth of July plans simple. You’ve done the parade and fireworks for years in a row -— do you really need to do them all over again?” And somehow every year, I end up watching the parade and loving every minute of it. Last year, I perched […]

Summer is in full swing, and the Fourth of July 4th is Friday. It is always a challenge on a sunny day when the clock strikes three, because we have to if we are staying quiet in Chilmark, and watching sunset and fireworks accompanied by rumbly booms through binoculars. Depending on where you go on […]

Robert Perullo, a longtime resident of Oak Bluffs, died on May 29, 2025, at Massachusetts General Hospital. He was 73 years old. Born April 10, 1952, in Boston to Frank and Grace Perullo, he spent his childhood in Braintree, and graduated from the University of Massachusetts as a philosophy major. After a year in an […]

As the Steamship Authority works to find a new general manager, the committee tasked with finding the new ferry line leader has decided it will conduct interviews with candidates behind closed doors. And that, for a position that has been under heavy public scrutiny, has raised questions of transparency for some Vineyarders.  The Steamship Authority […]

Coast Guard members, Island police, local families, and Island mariners gathered at the Coast Guard Station Menemsha in celebration on Tuesday morning to say goodbye to the outgoing master chief and welcome in the new senior commander, in a transfer of power. Chief Nicholas Sedberry, who is from New Jersey, reported to duty as the […]

Harbor Homes, a nonprofit that aids individuals experiencing homelessness on the Island, announced Tuesday that they were selected as a 2025–2026 Community Impact Partner and were awarded an $8,000 grant by the Cape and Islands United Way. The funds will support the non-profit’s Homeless Outreach Program, which offers critical services to low-income individuals and those […]

In front of a packed audience at Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center last week, Chabad on the Vineyard hosted a conversation with two survivors of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, both of whom were held hostage in tunnels under Gaza for months, and who described the harrowing events that led them there. Sasha Troufanov […]

The next round of offshore wind power projects for Massachusetts moved even further out of reach Monday when state officials got word that project developers and utilities will not meet Monday’s already-delayed target for finalizing contracts and might not submit contracts for state approval until 2026. Massachusetts selected 2,678 megawatts of offshore wind power spread across three […]

Patricia D. Philbin-Lawrence, 53, died unexpectedly of a heart attack on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Patty was a graduate of Clinton High School, class of 1989, and Providence College, class of 1993. Patty spent a lifetime of summers on the Island, and made the move permanently just a few years after college. She spent many […]

Barbara Joan Callahan (née Kay) passed away on June 23, 2025, at the age of 87. She was a resident of West Tisbury (formerly of Bonita Springs, Fla., Huntington, N.Y., and Great Neck, N.Y.). Barbara was the first in her family to attend college. She graduated from Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y., in 1959. During […]

A former deputy for the Dukes County Sheriff’s Department was indicted Monday by a grand jury for possession of child pornography. Patrick Doran, 29, from Hyannis, who held an entry-level position at the local Island jail in 2023 and 2024, was arrested Monday afternoon after a months-long investigation involving multiple state law enforcement agencies that […]

The descendant of two of the most iconic civil rights advocates in American history was front and center of a discussion hosted on-Island this past week. Last Thursday the Union Chapel hosted Kenneth B. Morris Jr., the great-great-great grandson of abolitionist Frederick Douglass and the great-great grandson of Booker T. Washington. Morris spoke in conversation […]

On the last Wednesday of every month, the Up-Island Council on Aging hosts a free lunch gathering for seniors at the Town Hall. It is offered as a vehicle to combat the isolation that frequently comes with retirement age. On the last Wednesday in June, it was scorching hot outside as I took myself up […]

The town of West Tisbury has issued a health advisory for Seth’s Pond off Lambert’s Cove Road for high readings of bacteria. The town’s parks and recreation department and health department posted the advisory on Thursday after detecting enterococci, an indicator organism for safety standards in bodies of water. Enterococci is a waste bacteria, and […]

The Martha’s Vineyard Commission announced Friday that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection awarded two grants totaling $380,000 to the commission’s water resources department. The funds will be allocated towards preparing watershed management plans, conducting water quality analysis, and increasing capacity-building opportunities, according to the Martha’s Vineayard Commission (MVC). Out of the Island’s 15 major […]

The Summer Institute, now in its 26th year, will present a series of speakers from the frontlines of science, politics, and the arts on Thursdays throughout the summer, starting on July 10, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center in Vineyard Haven.  The series includes immunologist Dr. Anthony Fauci; Michael Steele, cohost of “The Weekend” on […]

Singer-songwriters with Island ties debuted new music and lulled the audience with familiar tunes for a cause on Friday night: a benefit for elder locals to raise money for their continued care and self-sufficiency.   Around 350 tickets were sold for attendance to the show, called the “Songwriters for Island Elder Housing,” the third in […]

Close to the three year anniversary since Roe V. Wade was overturned, dozens of people of all ages, hoisting colorful signs, rallied at Five Corners Saturday — advocating for women’s rights, better healthcare, and for no criminalization for abortions.  The rally was organized by Indivisible Martha’s Vineyard, Feminist Action Team, and Family Planning of Martha’s […]

The West Tisbury and Chilmark Boards of Health issued a cyanobacteria bloom advisory for several regions of Tisbury Great Pond after samples taken Wednesday came back positive for the potentially toxic algae. The blooms were mostly isolated to the northern regions of the pond, while areas closer to the beach and main body of the […]

The Martha’s Vineyard Commission on Thursday gave its approval to 97 Spring Street, a nine-bedroom project in Vineyard Haven intended for workforce housing that’s been a lightning rod for criticism from neighbors and town officials over the last few years. The commission narrowly approved the project by a 7–5 vote, also finding that its benefits […]

Behind the Chilmark school’s jungle gym on the Beetlebung campus Friday morning, early childhood education stakeholders were joined by Island families and friends to break ground on a new building that will house the future of the Chilmark Preschool. The existing preschool currently operates out of a leased classroom on the Beetlebung campus, and with […]

One local private school has taken steps to address the acute shortage in infant and toddler care on the Island, but while everything is in place according to their head of school, they’re short $4.8 million — and they’ve been trying for three years.  Vineyard Montessori, located along the residential side streets of Vineyard Haven, […]

To the Editor: As someone who has dedicated much of my professional life to the ferry industry, I feel compelled to speak up after reading the recent letter titled “Woods Hole terminal a safety hazard” (May 14). I deeply appreciate the attention being drawn to the unsafe conditions that currently exist. These warnings are not […]

To the Editor: Thursday, July 3, the Vineyard Sharks will, again, be honoring Vineyard veterans at the 7:05 pm game. Proceeds from the game will be donated to our Vineyard veterans through the Martha’s Vineyard Community Services (MVCS) Veterans Outreach Program.  Proceeds will go into the Veterans Grant Fund, and will support and honor our […]

To the Editor: I never knew that enforcement of our federal immigration laws was “despicable,” since I write as one whose grandparents were all immigrants, as well as my father, who came to this country at the age of 6. However, my grandparents came here legally, and respected the laws of their soon-to-be adopted country, […]

To the Editor: Twenty years you’ve held me through thick and thin, season after season. You have been here to nurture me through life’s traumas and joys, held me in healing as I’ve navigated unexplored shores. As my days dwindle and I sidle up to your tides, pass my neighbors’ cattle grazing roadside, see newborns […]

To the Editor: After yet another town meeting last week, where private landowners repeated the same tired, and frankly boring, narrative, I found myself reflecting on what’s been gained and what’s been lost. Over the past few years, a small group of private landowners on Chappaquiddick has pulled off what many feared: a quiet takeover […]

“It was 1975, and Fidel Castro was reading ‘Jaws.’”  Wendy Benchley shared that complex shard of history with me. She’s the widow of Peter Benchley, who authored the best-selling novel that would inspire the Hollywood blockbuster that this week celebrated the 50th anniversary of its release. It was hard to miss all the hype and […]

At the Carnegie Heritage Center in Edgartown on Tuesday, the Vineyard Preservation Trust — in the midst of celebrating fifty years — honored five Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) students for art and writing relating to the trust’s historical landmarks.  The celebration was the culmination of the Trust’s inaugural Island Inspiration Contest, which invited […]

BOSTON — On a recent Saturday, the Brazilian consulate was filled with parents and their children — babies to toddlers, to 10-year-olds — picking up their Brazilian birth registration documents. Since the Trump administration came into office, the consulate has seen a fivefold increase in parents requesting the document, which will grant dual citizenship to […]

A Dukes County Superior Court judge is keeping an arrest warrant active for a suspect charged with the rape of a child, despite the 28-year-old being detained by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement earlier this spring. Luciano Pereira Deoliveira, a man with multiple charges including the rape of a child, had a warrant for his […]

Updated, June 26 Visitors and residents on the Island endured sizzling temperatures that peaked at 93 degrees this week as part of a larger heatwave striking the entire East Coast.  The high temps caused an uptick in patients visiting Martha’s Vineyard Hospital’s emergency department, according to health officials. “We have seen a noticeable uptick in […]

Tisbury is looking to buy a new fire truck, but tariffs are pushing the town to lock in on a $1.1 million price tag before federal import taxes lead to price spikes.  Last Tuesday, Tisbury Fire Chief Patrick Rolston told the town’s select board that he’s found a “basic fire engine” for just over $1 […]

The life of Megan Shai Brown, a Vineyard woman and mother of two, changed in an instant in the fall of 2023.  Her husband, Mike Brown, was playing in a charity golf tournament in Edgartown, helping to raise money for first responders, when he was stung by a wasp. Even though he had no prior […]

What did you do last weekend? Did you celebrate the 50th anniversary of “Jaws” with the thousands of tourists who visited the Island? Everywhere you went, there were shark shirts, shark drinks, shark bites, shark ice cream, and I even saw a shark-shaped popcorn bucket that had a working jaw for the lid. So many […]

Edgartown housing officials are putting their full support behind a controversial and expansive housing development after builders submitted a completely new and significantly reduced project because of pushback from the community. A revised Katama Meadows plan — which was once expected to lay the groundwork for nearly 300 bedrooms, and has since been amended to […]

Located at 339 State Road in Vineyard Haven, replacing what used to be the Little House Cafe, is a new eatery that serves dinner as well as selling fresh, housemade pastas and other prepared foods. The Maker: Pasta Shop & Cafe features seasonal, coastal-inspired dishes with a focus on fresh and local ingredients, and held […]

Chef Ting is a visionary with a passion for food, community, and connection. These ingredients come together in her Black Joy Kitchen, located across from Tony’s Market in Oak Bluffs. Opened earlier this year, the 79-seat fine-dining restaurant celebrates cuisines of the Black diaspora, introducing flavors and ingredients that traveled from Senegal, Ghana, and Nigeria, […]

On Martha’s Vineyard, when you hear music filling the room, chances are DJ Smooth B is behind the turntables. Sterling Bishop, affectionately known as DJ Smooth B, isn’t just the Island’s go-to DJ — he’s a vibrant part of the community’s rhythm. With more than two decades of experience, his ability to seamlessly mix everything […]

For all who enjoy the rhythm of the beat, June 26 through 29 is filled with enticing screenings for this year’s Filmusic Festival at the M.V. Film Center. Feature films, a musical performance, and an author talk will celebrate the convergence of music, culture, and film throughout the long weekend. Richard Paradise, founder and executive […]

“‘Jaws’ is not a Hollywood movie, ‘Jaws’ is a Martha’s Vineyard movie.” That’s how Steven Spielberg delivered the opening message to “‘Jaws’ @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story,’ a new National Geographic documentary that had its world premiere this past weekend. On Friday, June 20 — 50 years to the day after “Jaws” premiered in […]

You can almost feel the warm, moist air and the alluring scent of the tropics when you enter Nisa Mars’s new exhibition, “‘Okika.” The word translates from Hawaiian as “orchids,” and the show runs through July 13, curated by the Featherstone Center for the Arts at the Feldman Family Artspace within the Martha’s Vineyard Film […]

For more than 20 years now, I’ve covered a route on Martha’s Vineyard that is part of the U.S. Geologic Survey’s Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) project. Now 60 years old, this continent-wide, long-term monitoring program includes about 3,000 routes, each 25 miles long and consisting of 50 three-minute stops spaced a half-mile apart. The vastness […]

West Tisbury teacher Lauren Serpa’s third-grade class recently presented a project on white shark conservation to a room full of proud parents and museum staff. The kids’ presentation, “Respect the Locals,” in the Morgan Learning Center at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, is part of the children’s section of the museum’s “Jaws” exhibit. “I think the […]

Patricia Moore is sensitive, even vulnerable, and very human. But she doesn’t give up, she keeps going. Paddy Moore is Patricia Moore, but everyone knows her as Paddy. And Paddy is all about getting things done. “Resilience (noun): The capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.” Paddy Moore, no relation to the […]

This August my husband and I will celebrate our 59th anniversary. When we are asked what our secret is, my immediate and maybe too glib response is: Marry a mensch. But if they really want a serious answer, I’ll say he gets mad at me when I don’t screw the tops back on jars properly, […]

On Sunday, July 6, from 3 to 7 pm, Half Gallery, based in New York City, will present a new series of paintings by artist Tommy May that depict Martha’s Vineyard landscapes. The exhibit will be on display at Tashmoo Spring Building in Vineyard Haven. May’s parents currently live in Vineyard Haven, and May grew […]

Grammy-nominated, Juno Award-winning producer and composer Fred Mollin announces the release of his highly anticipated memoir, “Unplugged: Stories and Secrets from a Life of Making Records, Scoring Film, and Working with the Legends of Music.” Mollin will be at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center for an author reading, discussion and book signing on Sunday, June […]

The Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association (MVCMA) invites the community to join in a special interdenominational Sunday worship service, co-hosted with Oak Bluffs neighbors Union Chapel and United Methodist Church of Martha’s Vineyard. This collaboration is an event designed to rejuvenate the spiritual sphere in their shared home of Oak Bluffs, with an officiant representative […]

Just when you thought you’d seen every “Jaws”-inspired event, 25 Island artists have brought us something more. Each has applied their artistic vision to a four-foot shark. These bedazzled marine wonders will be mounted on posts throughout the parks of Oak Bluffs through July 4. The nonprofit arts organization GalaxyGalleryMV, which provides public opportunities for […]

Indivisible Mass Coalition: Feminist Action Team and Family Planning of Martha’s Vineyard will hold a rally on Saturday, June 28, 11 am to noon, at Five Corners. On the second anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, community members, advocates, and leaders will rally for bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom […]

The Martha’s Vineyard Diversity Coalition, in partnership with the Aquinnah Cultural Center, the Yard, the Unitarian Universalist Society, and the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center, invites the Island community to join in a vibrant Unity Weekend celebration. Unity Weekend addresses hate with love, misinformation with truth, and fear with joy, and honors the multiracial, multiethnic, and […]

Island Autism invites the public to join in celebrating and thanking the West Chop Foundation for its generous support, which has allowed the nonprofit to get solar panels on the barn and open its farmstand. Island Autism is seeking volunteers to help out any time between 12 and 4 pm on Friday, June 27. (Volunteers […]

On Saturday, July 5, at 2:30 pm, the West Tisbury library will host a screening of the film “There Is Another Way,” followed by a discussion. “There Is Another Way” tells the story of a group of visionaries who refuse to surrender to violence and injustice. Combatants for Peace, nominated for two Nobel Peace Prizes, […]

Featherstone Center for the Arts presents “Currents in Contemporary Ceramic Art,” an exhibition curated by Jen Gandee, a ceramicist and owner of the Gandee Gallery in Fabius, N.Y. The exhibition showcases diverse ceramic art from across New England (including the Island) and the U.S., and highlights various approaches, including utilitarian, sculptural, figurative, and abstract. “Featherstone […]

The Vineyard Haven library will welcome New York Times bestselling author Martha Hall Kelly for an intimate conversation about her new novel, “The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club,” inspired by her mother’s family, the Smiths, who settled on Martha’s Vineyard in 1891. Kelly, along with her sister, Polly Simpkins, will explore the intricacies of […]

Island Spirit Kayak is hosting a sand castle competition. There will be three categories: group, individual, and junior. Participants within each category will have 90 minutes to build their sand castle, and then three judges from Island Spirits will pick the winners and hand out prizes. The event will take place on the Sengekontacket side […]

This Fourth of July, head to Edgartown for a parade followed by a fireworks show over Edgartown Harbor. The parade will begin at 5 pm, and include floats, a marching band, classic cars, and plenty of beads and candy. The fireworks will follow shortly after the parade, beginning at dusk. For info on parade participation […]

“In Character” is a theatrically themed painting exhibit by Island-based artist Elizabeth R. Whelan. The display will be up on weekdays through July 18 from 2 to 5 pm at Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse, 24 Church Street, Vineyard Haven. For questions, email info@mvplayhouse.org or call 508-696-6300.  

Edgartown Village Market is a biker- and pedestrian-friendly open-air market in the heart of Edgartown’s historic downtown. Get farm-fresh produce, flowers, provisions, and unique artisanal goods. It’s on Tuesdays from 10 am to 2 pm at Daniel Fisher house, 99 Main Street. For questions, email edgartownvillagemarket@gmail.com.  

Vineyard Artisans Festival is a summer tradition and the only weekly, juried art show where the public can meet and buy directly from Island artisans. There will also be demonstrations of many fine art techniques. It’s on Thursdays and Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm at Grange Hall, 1067 State Road, West Tisbury. For […]

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of “Jaws,” kids ages 6 and up can make an 8-foot white shark with artist DiVitto Kelly. It’s on Saturday, June 28, from 2 to 3 pm at West Tisbury Library, 1042 State Road. Event contact: Hannah Burbidge, hburbidge@clamsnet.org, 508-693-3366.  

Movement Speaks with Naomi Goldberg Haas is a daily workshop series for the dancer coming back to the studio seeking improved mental and physical health and social interaction. Emphasis on correct alignment, articulation, and connected movement. Registration is encouraged. It’s on Monday, June 30, through Thursday, July 3, and Saturday, July 5, from 11 am […]

Join Island Elderly Housing for a musical fundraiser at the Tabernacle with live performances by Rose Guerin, Lilah Larson, Willy Mason, and more. It’s on Friday, June 27, from 7:30 to 9:30 pm at 80 Trinity Park, Oak Bluffs. Event contact: Marianne Sebastian, msebastian@iehmv.org.  

“Dear Edvard,” running at the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse through July 5, is an expansive multimedia experience. The blend of genres — music theater, performance art, and gallery installation — interweaves seamlessly to create something truly unique. Inspired by Edvard Munch’s life and art, the performance begins with an elderly nurse, exquisitely performed by Carlyn Connolly, […]

Anne E. Metell, 96, of Waitsfield, Vt., died on Friday, June 20, 2025, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.  She was predeceased by her husband, Henry Metell, and is survived by her son, Michael Metell and wife Diane, and her daughter, Diane Thompson and husband John.  A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, June 25, […]

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 1 pm, Parkinson’s Support Group, July 14 and 28. A support group providing an opportunity for people with Parkinson’s to share experiences, […]

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 Friday, July 4, for Independence Day. Weekly Events Monday 12:30 pm: Bridge 2 pm: Walking Group — Meets at Atlantic and Herring Creek in Katama Tuesday 9 am: Yoga with Carol Vega […]

Oak Bluffs Council on Aging 21 Wamsutta Ave. 508-693-4509, ext. 3 oakbluffsma.gov/152/Council-on-Aging We are closed on Friday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. Happy holiday to you and your family. Beverages and snacks all day 9 am to 3 pm daily. Refreshments are served during all of our programs. Bring a friend! Mondays 9 […]

Tisbury Senior Center 34 Pine Tree Road, Vineyard Haven 508-696-4205 tisburyma.gov/council-aging Tisbury Council on Aging will be closed on Friday, July 4, for Independence Day. Weekly Activities Mondays 9:30 – 10:30 am, Line Dancing with Catie 11 am – 12 pm, Chair Yoga with Kat 1 – 3:30 pm, Mah Jong Call on Monday to […]

Healthy Aging Martha’s Vineyard welcomes Rep. Moakley for new office celebration Healthy Aging Martha’s Vineyard (HAMV) is excited to welcome State Rep. Thomas Moakley to our new office at 29 Breakdown Lane in Vineyard Haven on Friday, June 27, from 4 to 6 pm. This housewarming celebration is open to the public, and will include […]

M.V. Center for Living, the Island’s Dementia and Caregiver Support Network 508-939-9440 lesliec@mvcenter4living.org mvcenter4living.org Announcements Volunteers wanted for all interests! Call or email today. M.V. Center for Living and the Shopping Shuttle will be closed on Friday, July 4, for Independence Day. M.V. Center for Living is hiring a Supportive Day Program special assistant. Call […]

Surviving veteran’s spouse and family During certain times of the year, we take time to honor and celebrate our veterans with longstanding traditions of remembrance and gratitude for their service. During my conversations with veterans, the topic that is most important to them is caring for their spouse and family. Surviving veteran spouses and family […]

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. Visit our website or contact us by email or phone for more information. Kristina Whiton-O’Brien, LICSW SHINE Program Manager | Human Services  

Community Programs Emergency Food Program As a member of the Greater Boston Food Bank, M.V. Center for Living coordinates the delivery of food to local Councils on Aging and Serving Hands Pantry at the First Baptist Church in Vineyard Haven, for distribution to Islanders in need. For information, contact your local Council on Aging, or […]

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 […]

This past weekend was flooded by “Jaws” and shark fanatics driven to the Island to celebrate five decades of the film. Hype around “Jaws” hasn’t waned since opening weekend in the summer of 1975, and much of the Island that served as the backdrop to the classic summer blockbuster looks unchanged as when filming was […]

If you meandered down State Beach Road this weekend’s windy Saturday, then you probably rubbernecked to see a collage of colorful sails maneuvering far off the coast. It was Edgartown’s 88th annual ’Round-the-Island Race Weekend that was tacking and jibing the attention of drivers cruising the Island’s favorite squall-ridden road.  Edgartown Race Weekend is a […]

The operator of the Chappy Ferry is proposing to increase fares by 12 percent, but so far there’s been resistance to the idea.   Peter Wells, owner of the ferry service, proposed raising the hikes for all fares except the $5 round trip for walk-on passengers and the early morning trip fees ($60 at 5 am […]

A crowd of around 50 Islanders gathered at the Aquinnah Cliffs on Friday to mark the restoration of the iconic Gay Head Light, a decade since it was moved from the eroding edge and out of harm’s way — described by some as the “greatest” civil engineering project of the Vineyard.  The mostly Aquinnah-residents crowd […]

From the perspective of many, Martha’s Vineyard may be a picturesque spot to play summer baseball, but the Island’s New England Collegiate baseball team, the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks, are not immune to one of the most pressing challenges on-Island: finding reliable housing.  In the summer season, the Sharks have always relied on a system that […]

Macaleer Schilcher, a 40-year-old Island man who was indicted by a grand jury on four counts of rape in December of 2024, was arrested for violating a condition of his release at the courthouse on Wednesday last week.  According to an Edgartown police report, the court room was mostly empty for a hearing when Schilcher […]

Seventeen members of the Vineyard Cribbage Club met on Wednesday to play our favorite game. The results are as follows: First, Bo Picard with a beautiful 11/5 +64 card Second, Roy Scheffer with a 10/4 +102 card Third, Suzanne Cioffi with a 10/4 +36 card Fourth, George Giosmas with a 8/4 +48 card There were […]

Kate (Mitchell) Dyer graduated in 1999 and was excited for what was to come next, but she was also sad to leave the Island behind. However, the University of Richmond proved to be a great experience. Having taught Kate over 25 years ago and talked with her recently, I see her pattern of using whatever […]

The first haying has begun. Golden-green runnels of cut hay lie in lines through the fields, drying in the hot sun, waiting to be gathered into bales or rolls. I love the smell of newly cut hayfields, one of my two favorites. The other is the salty sea smell that surrounds our Island. I guess […]

Heard on Main Street: I want to be what you see in me … Saturday, June 28, is Tisbury Family Shellfish Day at Lagoon Pond, from 9 to noon. Call 774-563-1279 to report how many of your family will be there. If you are income-eligible: Vineyard Power will explain how you sign up for savings […]

So much leading up to the “Jaws” 50th anniversary, and in the blink of an eye, it’s mostly over. But fear not, because Amity Week runs until the 29th, and to celebrate, the Edgartown Board of Trade will be hosting events through the 29th. Enjoy moments like stopping by Rosewater Wine & Spirits from 3 […]

Have you seen the fireflies? Have you seen the honeybees? Have you seen the daisies in Flanders Field? Have you seen the sunsets, and sparkling morning dew and fairy hammocks? The garden is starting to yield cucumbers, peppers, and squash. Monarchs were checking out the flowers. A quick final walk before bed for the dog […]

The Gay Head Light is now fully put together, lights shining again in the beloved three-whites-one-red series that for so long gave sailors comfort, and a community a sense of home. Last Friday about 100 people gathered at its feet to celebrate. The undertaking to move the lighthouse to safety from the edge of the […]

Chilmark  June 18, Highmark Green LLC sold 0 Quansoo Beach Lot 24 to Margaret L. Wheeler for $430,000. Edgartown June 17, Michael B. Iacobucci and Elizabeth A. Iacobucci sold 0 Harborside Inn Condo Unit 204 Week 40 to Mirella Grangenois and Steven Holmes for $5,000. Oak Bluffs June 17, Paul Bettencourt sold 17 Front St. […]

Loretta Lorane Hitchings Abigail Hitchings and Todd Hitchings of West Tisbury announce the birth of a daughter, Loretta Lorane Hitchings, on June 17, 2025, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Loretta weighed 5 pounds, 10 ounces.  

May 27 James Dillon II, 29, Oak Bluffs; bomb/highjack threat, disorderly conduct, arraigned and held, continued to pretrial hearing. May 29 Lucas Waldman, 20, Vineyard Haven; assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, arraigned and held, continued to pretrial hearing. June 2 Fabricio R. Desouza, 28, Oak Bluffs; operating motor vehicle with […]

Updated, June 24 In a landmark moment for the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, and drawing attention from state and local representatives, the ribbon was officially cut on a multi-unit workforce housing project on the same grounds as a planned assisted-living facility on Edgartown–Vineyard Haven Road.  The housing project, which is adjacent to Navigator Homes skilled nursing […]

Fifty years ago, the Vineyard, unknowingly to anyone at the time, became the stage of what would become the original summer blockbuster and the launch pad for the career of one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. “Jaws” not only changed the film industry and Steven Spielberg’s career, it helped put the less than […]

A day after its debut, the Aquinnah had to cancel several trips on the Vineyard route on the much anticipated “Jaws” 50th anniversary weekend.  In a Sunday morning social media post, the Steamship Authority announced that its newest freight ferry, the Aquinnah, had to cancel trips because of a “blockage in the vessel’s sanitary system.” […]

On Friday, the African-American Heritage Trail on Martha’s Vineyard designated a home in Oak Bluffs rich in history and a long legacy as a safe gathering space for Black travelers as its 41st historical site, as part of the local Juneteenth celebrations.  Dozens gathered at the Dragonfly House, a Victorian home with golden dragonfly accents, […]

Public schools across the Island have reached an agreement for a new, three-year contract for teachers and other union staff, which includes higher salaries and, for the first time, paid family leave.  The contract, which is expected to go into effect on July 1, and last until the summer of 2028, was reached through negotiations […]

A version of this article was first published in Vineyard Visitor It’s been 50 years since Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” took over Martha’s Vineyard and transformed it into Amity Island. June 20th is the official anniversary of the film that helped put the Vineyard on the map. But what would “Jaws” be without Islanders? Back then, […]

Updated June 23 West Tisbury building inspector Joseph Tierney will be disciplined for allegedly shoving an elderly man at the annual town meeting in April. He is also scheduled to appear in Edgartown District Court on July 17 for the charge of assault and battery on an individual 60 and over or disabled.  On Wednesday, […]

Electric dirt bikes are trending among teenagers and young adults on the Island. They are frequently spotted zipping along roadway shoulders, down bike paths, and even along ancient forest pathways — sometimes with riders pulling off wheelies and other tricks.  But while their ease of access, relatively low price, and operational simplicity might make them […]

  I’ve been trekking out to Chappy for a few hours here and there over the past week. There have been bluefish, not in abundance, but certainly enough to be worth the ferry ride and airing down the tires. (Who am I kidding? Chappy is always worth the effort!) A week ago, I went out […]

  When Bob Dylan sang, “The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind,” I don’t believe he was referencing fly-fishing. But if you asked the hundred-plus people gathered at the M.V. Rod & Gun Club on Sunday morning what they’d been doing the night before in the 60-mph winds, the answer was definitely, “fly-fishing.”  […]

The Martha’s Vineyard Camp Association (MVCA) commemorated Juneteenth with its fourth annual ceremonial flag raising outside of the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs on Thursday morning, kick-starting a series of celebrations throughout Martha’s Vineyard.  About 60 people took in speeches from community leaders before the Juneteenth flag was hoisted. “Today offers an important opportunity for us […]

Chemical compounds that take prohibitively long to break down continue to be detected at West Tisbury’s closed and capped landfill.  Two testing wells at the former Old Stage Road facility, which was identified as a PFAS source last year, had recent readings that exceeded the state limit of 20 parts per trillion. One well tested […]

Amid Island-wide celebrations of the Juneteenth holiday, the MV Times is today launching a new monthly newsletter that will be covering the vibrant voices of diversity on the Island and will be arriving at the inboxes of members of our online community starting today.  The newsletter is authored by MV Times columnist and head of […]

Editor’s note: So what happened after the Brazilian immigrants of Martha’s Vineyard were rounded up by federal agents and ferried off the Island in chains, as part of the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration policies?  With federal officials not releasing details, it is still hard to answer that question for the vast majority of those detained, […]

Fifty-two-year-old Andrew McCann, decked out in a “Jaws” poster–inspired T shirt and matching baseball hat, has had a lifelong passion for the classic blockbuster ever since he was 8 years old, when he begged his mother to let him see the film at a dingy cinema. “I just came out absolutely mesmerized,” he told The […]

The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank is purchasing more than 12 acres of land on Chappaquiddick Island, with plans to eventually restore it to farmland. The acquisition adds to the Land Bank’s already extensive list of holdings on the remote Island, and the property is connected to a man with history on Chappaquiddick.  The Land Bank […]

Operators of a service proposing to transport recyclables off Nantucket say expanding the service to Martha’s Vineyard isn’t off the table.  Harwich-based Offshore Tug and Transportation came before the Steamship Authority board last Tuesday to make a push to establish a route for itself transporting recyclables — including tires, plastics, and electronics — from Nantucket […]

A possible narrative for the past two weeks: swapping pollen for mosquitoes? The rain and damp conditions suggest checking everywhere for standing water, even small amounts. For a mosquito, a teacup is sufficient. On the other hand, fireflies, the beloved, magical flying beetles, are also linked to damp conditions; in their case, accumulations of damp […]

A new exhibition has docked at 100 Lagoon Pond. “Your Face Is a Clock: New Portraiture” is a group show of different contemporary artists featuring a wide variety of media, including watercolor, photography, oil painting, and sculpture and video work. The show features work from the owner and director of the gallery, Marion Wilson, alongside […]

In 2014, The MV Times invited writers and publishing professionals with ties to the Vineyard to take part in a day of discussions about the art, craft, and business of writing. We decided to call the event Islanders Write, and make it free to attend. We said, “Come for an hour, or stay for the […]

At first glance, the channel carrying rushing water from the Edgartown Great Pond into the Atlantic looks like it might be pulling the pond into the sea, but this tradition that dates back centuries is crucial to keep the brackish ecosystem thriving. On June 8, the town of Edgartown used an excavator to open a […]

Judy Blume fans of a certain age likely recall where they were when they read her groundbreaking coming-of-age novel “Forever …,” first published in 1975. (I was in my childhood bedroom on Lambert’s Cove Road, and the moment I finished the book I slipped it to my best friends. Such was the way with Judy […]

This is my last Climate Connections column. I am retiring from my job with M.V. Commission as a climate change coordinator at the end of the month. It’s time for me to rest and for someone with more energy and new ideas to take on the challenge. I can’t explain it, but for the past […]

The Yard will present a senior movement dance workshop with Naomi Goldberg Haas at the West Tisbury Library on Thursday, July 3, at 1 pm. Naomi Goldberg Haas is the founder of Dances for a Variable Population, a multigenerational dance company and educational organization committed to promoting strong and creative movement among older adults of […]

A striking replica of the fishing boat Orca, seen in “Jaws,” will be returning to the Island as a tribute to the cinematic icon. The Orca will dock in Oak Bluffs Harbor for a viewing at Nancy’s on Friday, June 20. The event, sponsored by Michael Fulcher and Narragansett Brewery, will include “Jaws”-themed cocktails and […]

Circuit Arts and the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard are announcing the sixth season of the Vineyard’s Drive-In at the YMCA. What began as a response to the challenges of 2020 has become a beloved summer tradition, bringing families together for fun evenings under the stars. “I am thrilled to welcome the community back to the […]

Beginning on July 10, the Summer Institute presents a series of six speakers from the frontlines of science, politics, and the arts, on Thursdays at 7:30 pm at the MV Hebrew Center. This summer’s program also includes the Jewish Film Series, five films screened in the Hebrew Center’s Harriet B. Freedberg Learning Center on Sundays […]

Celebrate Amity Week with a journey through the making of “Shark Summer,” a kid-friendly mystery story by awardwinning graphic novelist Ira Marcks. Set on the Island in the summer of 1974, the story follows an aspiring documentarian and her new friends as they set out to record the Vineyard’s secret history, while a Hollywood film […]

Christopher Shaw Myers, nephew of “Jaws” star Robert Shaw, will visit Edgartown Books to present his newly published biography, “Robert Shaw: An Actor’s Life on the Set of ‘Jaws’ and Beyond,” an up-close and personal account of his uncle, the actor, playwright, awardwinning novelist, and family man. It’s on Sunday, June 22, from 2 to […]

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of “Jaws” with a screening at Winnetu Oceanside Resort, where your viewing experience will be accompanied by the Cape Symphony playing the film’s original score. General admission is $179.50. It’s on Saturday, June 21, from 6 to 11 pm at 31 Dunes Road, Edgartown. Purchase tickets at ticketleap.events/tickets/mvychamber/jawsinconcert. Event contact: Martha’s […]

Have a “Jaws”-some time in the children’s room at the Edgartown Library and become fully immersed in Amity, the film’s fictional setting. The library team will welcome you with a fun “Jaws”-themed craft, and kids can get their picture taken in the big “Jaws” chair. It’s on Friday, June 20, from 10 am to 5 […]

Updated June 18 After lengthy and fraught negotiations, a new contract agreement has been reached between the Steamship Authority and its mariners — nearly a year since prior contracts expired.  On Tuesday, after coming out of an executive session, the Steamship Authority board unanimously approved a contract with the ferry line’s licensed engineering officers. The […]

“Life of Chuck,” playing at the M.V. Film Center starting June 20, is a perplexing film. There is mystery, humor, love, and a streak of horror mixed in, which isn’t surprising, since it is based on a Stephen King 2020 short story of the same title. The film, directed by Mike Flanagan, begins chronologically at […]

The Yard’s 2025 summer season is bursting with dynamic dance performances, residencies, classes, and pop-up discussions centered on climate activism, indigenous empowerment, collaboration, and equity. The Yard’s history began in 1973 when Patricia Nanon, founder and choreographer, envisioned it as “a playground without walls, a place to explore, to experiment, construct … a space in […]

Heather Capece, who teaches theater at the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School, started her youth-centered nonprofit, Theatre on the Blue, last summer. Their first teen-centered and performed production, on June 26, 27, and 28 at the Katharine Cornell Theater will be “Little Women,” adapted and co-directed by her daughter, Nicola. Capece says, “One of our […]

We all want to feel safe. For most of us, being at home comes with a sense of safety. We may be far less safe than we think. We know that 55 percent of serious injuries occur in the home, and that another 25 percent occur just outside. In 2023, according to the National Safety […]

Theodora Houghton and Willow Keating did something that would intimidate most adults: speaking at the Massachusetts State House. The West Tisbury School first graders were honored in the Senate Document Room of the State House on Wednesday, as two of ten winners of the 16th “My Ideal School” contest. The contest typically receives thousands of […]

Ode to My Mother By Luisa Matarazzo I want to go back to 1947. Tell my mother, It’s OK, she was too tired with seven kids to never have sung me a lullaby, Never went to a PTA meeting. Never signed my report cards. When my second-grade teacher called me a Mexican jumping bean and […]

This was the first week of the summer league, and 24 members of the Vineyard Cribbage Club met on Wednesday to play our favorite game. The results are as follows: First, Sammi Burns with a 11/5 +90 card Second, Bill Russell with a 11/5 +73 card Third, Alan Michaels with a 10/5 +72 card Fourth, […]

Despite the rain on Saturday, good spirits prevailed, and the town picnic proceeded without a hitch. Attendees moved inside the Grange Hall for pizza, popcorn, and hot dogs served by Skipper Manter, and lots of games and amusements for kids. My source for the above is Tara Whiting-Wells, who attended with her husband, Peter. Tara […]

Heard on Main Street: A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. Looking for some special cards? Don’t forget the free art show at the Howes House tomorrow from noon to 4 pm, and Saturday, 9 to 2. Some of the watercolor paintings and cards are for sale. My refrigerator is only a […]

“Stand, you’ve been sitting much too long. There’s a permanent crease in your right or wrong.” —Sylvester Stewart, a.k.a. Sly Stone I had to quote the late, great Sly Stone, who passed away last week at 82. His pioneering music in the ’60s and ’70s was transformative for my generation. It was joyful, funky soul […]

This is the moment I recall trying to write this column in the middle of February, and stressing about what I would write about, because barely anything was happening in Edgartown. Fast-forward to the middle of June, and it seems that I can’t keep up with all the fun, interesting, and thoughtful events happening all […]

Welcoming summer includes reaching for kindness while dusting off communication and decisionmaking skills. I appreciate group gatherings that are pulled together via text, because it fosters connection and gives me examples of how to say I can’t and wish I could. Lately I’ve been squeezing things into the space between commitments by ducking in at […]

As I write this, it’s Sunday morning, the day after the joyfully defiant No Kings Day demonstrations that took place in almost every corner of our beautiful country. Here in little Aquinnah, a crowd of about 75 to 100 people gathered at the Circle, in the rain, carrying homemade signs. I loved the one that […]

Aquinnah  June 10, John William Poduska Sr. and Susan M. Poduska sold 25 Oxcart Road to Stig Leschly for $2,750,000. June 11, Beverly Wright MacDiarmid sold property off 0 Moshup Trail to the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank Commission for $2,160. June 13, Susan Kane, formerly known as Susan Walkush, as an individual and trustee of […]

Many likely remember the tragic sinking of the fishing boat in the 1975 classic blockbuster “Jaws.” And although the original vessel was destroyed by a 25-foot shark, a striking replica returned to the Island on Monday as a tribute to the cinematic icon and celebration of 50 years.  The Orca — its name emblazoned on […]

After an exhaustive, months-long process, the Steamship Authority has chosen a company to revamp its outdated reservation system, and is hopeful a new system could be in place by next spring.  On Tuesday, the Steamship Authority board unanimously approved entering into a contract with E-Dea, an Italian software company specializing in vessel and port operations.  […]

The first turtle stranding reported across the Cape and Islands this year occurred in Aquinnah on Saturday, the second year in a row that the Vineyard reported the first stranded turtle in the region. The endangered female leatherback, which weighed around 700 pounds, was discovered deceased east of Red Beach in Aquinnah. The Wampanoag Tribe […]

Over $2 million has been awarded to a 12-bedroom veterans’ affordable housing project poised to be completed in Oak Bluffs by the end of 2026.  State officials announced on Monday $40 million in funding to eight supportive housing projects across Massachusetts, developments that provide access to supportive services like addiction treatment or those struggling with […]

Drag shows are very popular these days, from the movie “A Star Is Born,” with performances by drag queen Shangela, to “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” a reality show in which drag queens compete for money. Drag isn’t a new concept, however. According to the Hill, “The first drag queen may have been a former slave named […]

Despite the rain this weekend, the Island came alive with a variety of events geared towards acknowledging and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community. And that was not more vividly on display for  the Fourth annual Pride Parade in Oak Bluffs.  Before the parade officially began, crowds arriving to town hid from the rain at local businesses […]

Tony Del Valle graduated in the class of 1981. When Tony talks about high school, he mentions that he was able to learn from Nick Marathas, of Nick’s Lighthouse, and Chef Pierre, the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School culinary arts teacher, cooking skills that would prove useful in his post grad life. Tony worked during […]

Dear Editor:  Let us start by clearly and loudly stating: What we have now is not working on many levels with the Steamship Authority. Currently, there are no requirements for the SSA board of five members to have prior management or maritime experience to be appointed to this essential role. Even worse, because of the […]

Make no mistake, events in Los Angeles with 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines (as of this writing) facing off against those demonstrating against the arrest and detention of undocumented immigrants will occur in Massachusetts. And as we have seen, on Martha’s Vineyard. President Trump nationalized the California Guard, leading Gov. Gavin Newsom […]

Nancy Wood said goodbye to family and friends on June 10, 2025.  Born on April 14, 1928, in Fall River, she was the daughter of Leroy and Ruth Wood. Nancy grew up in Tiverton, R.I., where she spent an idyllic childhood sailing and racing boats around Narragansett Bay. In 1922, her grandfather, T. Elton Wood, […]

The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School girls tennis team, for the first time in six years, were on the doorstep of a state championship, but they came up just short in the finals on Sunday. The Vineyarders fell to a tough Dover-Sherborn Raiders team on the hardtop of MIT’s duPont Tennis Courts, losing the first […]

Louise Costa Yapp of Vineyard Haven passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones, including her beloved caregiver and friend, Martha Feurtado, on May 18, 2025, at the age of 99. Louise was the second of four children of John and Margaret Costa. Louise was Island-born, and as a matter of fact, was […]

Despite the rain, Islanders showed up in force in Vineyard Haven and Aquinnah on Saturday to join protests across the country in one message: “No Kings” for the United States of America. At Five Corners, where rally organizers estimated that over 1,000 protesters were present, Islanders carried signs denouncing President Donald Trump — “No Kings” […]

A 40-year-old man was reportedly found dead at the Edgar Hotel Friday, prompting an investigation by the Cape and Islands District Attorney’s office. D.A. Robert J. Gilibois confirmed to the Times Friday evening that a body was found, but didn’t provide further information. The Edgartown Police Department is reportedly looking into the incident, but details […]

A Vineyard woman whose husband died after being stung by a wasp during a golf charity event less than two years ago gave powerful testimony in front of state lawmakers this week, advocating for more widespread access to epinephrine — the medication that can counteract an allergic reaction. Megan Brown testified in front of the […]

A good indication that summer is near is a line wrapped around the Old Whaling Church, with attendees in a mixture of floral dresses and sharp-looking suits, all of whom are anxious to enter the two huge tents next to the Dr. Daniel Fisher House in Edgartown. They’re all there for one reason –– to […]

“When you’re young, you think your dad is Superman. Then you grow up, and you realize he’s just a regular guy who wears a cape.” —Dave Attell My Dad is 92 years old. He can’t walk for long stretches anymore, he can’t hear well — I yell a lot when we talk — and he […]

When 26-year-old Devon Metters suggested that this year’s fantasy football league punishment should be loser walks across the Island — from the Aquinnah Cliffs to the Chappy Ferry to be precise — he was maybe a little cavalier to believe he wouldn’t be the one forced to make the nearly 20-mile trek. Alas, Metters came […]

In the wake of cuts under the Trump administration, libraries on Martha’s Vineyard are feeling the hit of a statewide, indefinite suspension of databases that students and professionals have relied on. Due to federal funding cuts, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC), a state agency, announced in May it will discontinue freely providing 21 […]

Simone’s Belgian Waffles, a new gourmet waffle shop located in Vineyard Haven, opened its doors on Memorial Day weekend. Tucked inside of Ice Box ice cream shop in Tisbury Marketplace, Simone’s serves Liége Belgian waffles with ice cream and a variety of toppings, coffee, and tea.  The shop’s sky-blue walls, white accents, and floor-to-ceiling windows […]

Updated June 13th.  Two old friends, Ross Gannon and Nat Benjamin, sat side by side on a weathered bench against their shingled, well-worn boatbuilding workshop on Beach Road in Vineyard Haven on a recent Friday, sharing lunch with a few members of their staff as they looked out over the water, as they have most […]

The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High Schools girls tennis team is headed to the state finals. The girls defeated a tough St. John Paul II High School Lions team on Wednesday, 3 – 2, to punch their ticket to the championship. If weather permits, the girls are planning to head up to MIT this Saturday to […]

After nearly two decades of leading the Chilmark Free Public Library, Ebba Hierta will be retiring as the up-Island library’s director.  According to a Wednesday press release from the library, Hierta will be retiring on July 1, and handing over the reins to Ruth Konigsberg, a reference librarian at the Vineyard Haven Public Library. “It’s […]

The state Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has filed an official forest cutting plan to begin removing white pine plantations in the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest that could begin at the end of the year, despite criticism from some Islanders. While the proposal still needs approval, state officials have shrunk down the area […]

There is a significant lack of childcare on Martha’s Vineyard for toddlers and infants that is leaving many families scrambling for accommodation. And even when there is space, costs can be a significant burden.  With the summer season approaching — the height of the year for families to earn a living — the need for […]

The killdeer, an interesting and atypical plover that nests in coastal open areas with sparse vegetation, is one of my favorite birds. I devoted a column to this species back in March 2021. So when Tanya Stum, a frequent walker around the Oak Bluffs waterfront, notified my employer on May 12 of a killdeer behaving […]

This summer, Martha’s Vineyard is buzzing with energy as we approach the 50th anniversary of “Jaws.” But amid the Hollywood nostalgia and all the hype approaching the shores of this Island, there’s a story that runs deeper — one that also deserves space in our collective consciousness: Juneteenth. To be clear, there’s room for both […]

Emmai Alaquiva is a man with a great many talents — directing, photography, visual art, and music among them. Once homeless, Alaquiva is now a four-time Emmy award-winning creator who delivers cutting-edge art, specializing in transforming ideas into experiences using multimedia.​ Visitors to MV Salads in Oak Bluffs will have the opportunity to experience Alaquiva’s […]

Embracing our Island is at the core of Featherstone Center for the Arts’ new exhibition, “Embrace MV,” on view through June 22. Ninety-eight artists have filled the Francine Kelly Gallery with their arresting odes to the Vineyard and the Island community. However, Featherstone and the artists are not just expressing their love visually, but also […]

Norwegian novelist and filmmaker Dag Johan Haugerud explores “Love,” “Sex,” and “Dreams” in his three independent features, collectively known as the “Oslo Trilogy.” The first installment, “Love,” currently playing at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center, explores different aspects of human connection, desire, and nonconventional intimacy. “Love” is a slow build that unfolds over the course […]

Last week, my husband and I went to a one-man show at Circus Arts at the Grange. These days we have become almost hermit-like, but I received five different emails and texts from people, and all five messages said the same thing: Do not miss this performance. And boy, am I grateful that I did […]

It wasn’t only “Jaws” that burst onto the big screen in 1975, but the Vineyard itself. Moviegoers traveled to our shores from their seats in cinemas around the world. To honor the phenomenon of this first summer blockbuster, the M.V. Museum has devoted nearly its entire space to “‘Jaws’ at 50: A Deeper Dive,” running […]

We have a problem. We live on an Island, and the sea is rising. Sea-level rise increases the height of storm waves, and thus causes more coastal flooding. A two-foot rise is predicted by the year 2050. That’s a lot of water. The Island towns are in the process of updating their floodplain and wetlands […]

Celebrate the start of summer with a kids-versus-librarians Water Balloon Fight. Balloons will be provided. Kids under 8 years old must be accompanied by an adult. It’s on Wednesday, June 18, at 1:30 pm at the West Tisbury Library, 1042 State Road. For questions, email hburbidge@clamsnet.org or call 508-693-3366.  

Join Norah Van Riper for “Our Golden Hours,” the artistic transformation of Martha’s Vineyard’s oldest home, where history inspires creativity in an immersive visual journey through American living. By artists Candice Smith Corby and William Pettit. On Tuesdays from 10 am to 2 pm, Vincent House, 99 Main St., Edgartown. For more information, email sissy@mvpreservation.org […]

See 50 years of capturing the Island’s essence and beauty at “Vineyard Vignettes” by photographer Larry Glick. It begins on Sunday, June 15, from 12 to 3 pm at Carnegie Heritage Center, 58 North Water St., Edgartown. For questions, email sissy@mvpreservation.org or call 508-627-4440.  

Nomans Night Market will be held all summer on Monday evenings, from 4 to 8 pm. Shop from talented Island vendors showcasing their work, and enjoy a great night with your friends and family. Live music begins at 6 pm. 15 Island Inn Road, Oak Bluffs. For more information, email info@nomansmv.com or call 508-338-2474.  

Do you want to learn how and where to harvest local shellfish? Join Edgartown’s shellfish department at Katama Landing to learn techniques. You don’t need a shellfish license to attend, but you do need one for hands-on experience and to take home quahogs. You can buy a license online at bit.ly/EDG_ShellfishLicenseApp, or in person on […]

The Vineyard Preservation Trust will be hosting its Taste fundraiser on Thursday, June 12, followed by a patrons’ party on Saturday, June 14. This annual event not only celebrates some of the best food and drink the Island has to offer, but also raises money for the trust’s mission to restore and preserve historic Island […]

Pride Weekend in Oak Bluffs will include a parade, to take place on June 14. The parade will start at the Island Queen ferry and make its way up Seaview Avenue before marching down Circuit Avenue and circling back to Ocean Park. The parade will take place from 3 to 4 pm, and conclude with […]

The Vineyard Haven Library will welcome Robin Rivera, former Emmy-winning producer and programming executive for ABC Sports, for a presentation on the Tour de France. With the 2025 Tour around the corner, Robin’s presentation is timely, and will be filled with photographs from her personal archive. She will also share some of the many unique […]

On Thursday, July 17, at 1 pm, the West Tisbury Library will host a free screening of the film “Conscious Light,” presented by Tisbury resident Steven Shapiro. The film features the life and teachings of Avatar Adi Da Samraj, and his work to establish a way of ultimate spiritual realization for everyone. It draws on […]

The “Blooming Art” exhibit, this year’s annual event from the Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club, will be held from June 14 to 16 at the club’s historic summer home, the Old Mill in West Tisbury. Founded in 1924, the club is the Island’s first conservation organization. It continues to promote horticulture, conservation, and the protection of […]

The third benefit concert to raise much-needed funds for Island Elderly Housing will take place at the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs on Friday, June 27, at 7:30 pm. The lineup of talented musicians includes Lilah Larson, Willy Mason, Kit Orion, Jessie Pinnick, Lexie Roth, Colin Ruel, Caroline Sky, Isaac Taylor, Nina Violet, Elisha Wiesner, and […]

Amity Homecoming weekend is a five-day celebration honoring the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s iconic “Jaws” and the Island that brought the film to life. Beginning on Thursday, June 19, the Martha’s Vineyard Museum will host exclusive talks, special guest appearances, live events, and behind-the-scenes insights into the making of the film. The celebration will […]

Kousa dogwoods are at their peak of bloom and beauty. Linda Vadász and I took a walk at the Polly Hill Arboretum last week to walk along the kousa allée. It’s something I try to do every June. There is something magical about being enveloped in leaves and branches and flowers, green and creamy white, […]

Heard on Main Street: Don’t talk to me about wildlife. The Vineyard Haven library welcomes “Le Tour de France: Up Close and Personal” with former ABC Sports producer Robin Rivera on July 1. This is an event I would love to see, though not a common choice for me. For years our neighborhood has been […]

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” —Martin Luther King Jr. June 19 is Juneteenth, the day we commemorate the official end of slavery in the U.S. On the Juneteenth flag, there are three symbols: Bhe star represents freedom for every Black American, the burst around the star symbolizes a new beginning for all, […]

This past week, I spoke on a panel at the Bloom conference in Rhode Island, and had a conversation with Nicole Austin, senior public relations director at vineyard vines, where we spoke to a room of creators and influencers about digital marketing and working with brands and destinations. I mention this because as we spoke, […]

The sweet honey locust blossoms are huge and lovely this year. Recent rains helped the garden, and though I am allergic to grass pollen, I love the scent of newly mown fields and how swallows swoop around the tractor. Wearing a good mask helps tremendously. It is impossible to note graduation without feeling the absence […]

Summer is surely heating up. This means the weather, of course, but also the rise in numbers of cars on the roads and folks flooding off the ferries. Summer residents are back. Shops and restaurants are open again. The streets are shaded by trees in full green leafy splendor, and flowers are blooming. The number […]

Ken Romero graduated from Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School in 1986. His strongest positive memories of high school were having Barbara Murphy for both homeroom and Spanish, and Bob Nute for music. He has some harsh memories of being bullied. Ken tells me that others saw him differently than he saw himself, as he was […]

Aquinnah June 3, Cynthia V. Akins and Douglas Vanderhoop, trustees of Akins Vanderhoop Realty Trust, sold property off 0 Moshup Trail to the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank Commission for $8,055. Edgartown  June 3, Lisa A. Poore sold 0 Harborside Inn Condo Unit 411 Week 35 to Paul Cucchiaro for $17,000. June 3, James O. Howell […]

May 16 Lucas L. Bento, 27, Marlborough; operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, marked lanes violation, arraigned and released on personal recognizance, continued to pretrial hearing. May 19 Roger V. Goncalves, 19, Edgartown; two counts breaking and entering a boat for nighttime felony, three counts larceny from a boat, […]

Gov. Maura Healey visited the Vineyard on Monday, and highlighted local efforts to bring housing for healthcare workers and nursing home residents to the Island.  During the governor’s afternoon trip, Martha’s Vineyard Hospital leadership also voiced fears over potential cuts from the Trump administration and their impact on local healthcare services. The focal point of […]

On Saturday June 14 at 11 am, local activists are holding a “No Kings Rally” at Five Corners as part of a wider movement across the country.  The local event is co-organized by Indivisible Martha’s Vineyard, the Unitarian Universalist Society of MV, and Showing Up for Racial Justice on MV. Demonstrations are planned across the […]

A few days ago I was listening to Willy Mason’s song “Oxygen,” playing it over and over again, fixating on one line then moving on to contemplate another. I’ve found that music — along with walks on the beach and a good book — is a great retreat from the smash-and-crash headlines of the day. […]

I grew up feeling a strong connection with Georgia O’Keefe and believed I would be home, feel rooted, the day I set foot in Abiquiu, N.M. What happened was, the day I disembarked the fast ferry from Quonset, R.I., with my youngest son who was nine, and climbed into an open-air Jeep to stay with […]

Thomas Jefferson, who used only 1,320 words in the Declaration of Independence to set the world afire, was no slouch when it came to concise writing. “The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do,” he once advised.  Mark Twain offered more caustic counsel. “Substitute ‘damn’ every […]

Beneath a white tent draped with colorful fabrics, cheers and applause erupted from the crowd gathered outside of the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School (MVPCS) as graduates Morgan Caruso and Quinn Floyd proceeded to the stage in bare feet, with ABBA’s “Slipping Through My Fingers” announcing their entrance.  Donning white, flowy dresses and flower crowns, […]

Justin Chin of Tisbury has been arrested and charged for allegedly racing a car through Five Corners in Vineyard Haven at over 60 miles an hour early Sunday morning .   Livestream footage from a nearby camera from Sunday, owned by Go Martha’s Vineyard, showed two cars speeding down Beach Road into Five Corners at 1:55 […]

Edgartown held a special ceremony to swear in and promote officers within the local department and front and center was naming the first Portuguese-speaking officer for the town. Gabriel Brito, who has been a summer officer the past three years, was sworn in as a patrol officer among two other officers that were promoted. Brito, […]

The Chilmark Board of Health issued a cyanobacteria bloom advisory for Squibnocket Pond Friday after samples collected came back positive for the potentially toxic bacteria. It’s the first bloom reported this season in an Island pond. With the advisory, health officials recommend against recreational activities like swimming, wading, and fishing, as well as drinking the […]

School officials have narrowed down plans for the Island’s regional high school building project, and estimates for the renovation and new additions come in at around a quarter of a billion dollars.  The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) project has been a contentious talking point for the past three years as it’ll be one […]

To the Editor: Can there be peaceful and respectful conversations between people who support Trump and those who don’t? Can woke and MAGA coexist? These are important questions. Everyone knows and feels the stress of living where cultural wars are the case –– where it appears that there is no common ground, no common understanding […]

    Under sunny skies, families, friends, and the Island’s broader community filled the Tabernacle’s benches in Oak Bluffs on Sunday, overflowing onto the surrounding fields to celebrate the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School’s class of 2025. Students, donning white gowns and hats with colorful stoles, representing Island, national, and academic pride, hanging around their […]

Donning masks and Kevlar vests loaded with tactical gear, a platoon of armed federal agents in unmarked vehicles landed on our shores last week, and swept the community looking to detain and then deport immigrants, as part of the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration policies. The agents pulled over vans packed with construction crews and landscaping […]

To the Editor: After the arrival of the despicable ICE agents, my friend told me that the actions of this administration reminded her of her father moving the family out of their home in Europe before the Nazis invaded. I urged her to write about it and send it into The Times. She refused. I […]

To the Editor: Some of my family were illegal immigrants to this land. In 1620. They arrived unannounced, and there was no one to stop them from getting off their ship and settling in. Thirteen generations later, my father was a soldier in World War II in the Eighth Army Air Force, stationed in England. […]

To the Editor: If you have broken the law by coming here, staying here, working here, stealing government services, and you do not respect the sovereignty of this country, its borders, its immigration laws, then your due process is deportation.  Michael Fontes West Tisbury  

To the Editor: Let’s be clear. On Martha’s Vineyard, we are happy to have friends from different backgrounds, because they bring culture and talent to our community, and they are our good neighbors. While diversity brings challenges, it has made the Vineyard a better place to live, and we believe that we should do everything […]

Barbara Ann Maciel of West Tisbury passed away peacefully on June 6, 2025, at the age of 82.  A full obituary and service announcement will follow in a later edition of this paper.

Bari Boyer gets fulfillment as a driver for Vineyard Village at Home. Every week, she hops in her all-electric Kia, picks up an Island elder at their home, and takes them to and from wherever they want to go — maybe it’s a doctor’s appointment, the YMCA for some exercise, food shopping, or perhaps a […]

Clerk-magistrate at Dukes County District Court Liza Williamson was unanimously approved to become an associate justice following a vote on Wednesday.  Members of the Massachusetts Governor’s Council, after pressing Williamson for about an hour of questioning, gave praise to her dedication and to the fairness she has shown defendants and attorneys throughout the two decades […]

The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), along with environmental groups and fishing charter businesses, filed a new lawsuit last week against federal agencies that approved two offshore wind projects 20 nautical miles south of the Island. Concern over impacts to the marine environment and mammals, especially the North Atlantic right whale, as well as […]

In 1925, the Baptist and Congregational churches were a short walk away from each other in Edgartown. While different denominations, both faced similar obstacles — declining worshippers and finding ordained ministers.  For logistical reasons, the two churches decided to come together, merging into the Federated Church of Martha’s Vineyard. However, the change was reluctant, with […]

  The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School boys and girls tennis teams are both moving on to the final four in the MIAA state tournament after big wins last week. The boys defeated the Medway High School Mustangs and the girls beat out the Newburyport High School Clippers immediately after, both in commanding wins on […]

For Luciano Dacol, last Tuesday began as just another day at work. A Brazilian immigrant who works on the Island, he took the ferry from Falmouth in the early morning, as he does most days, joining a small army of laborers who make the crossing to work as carpenters, landscapers, housecleaners, and in other services.  […]

Oak Bluffs voters approved a request to pursue a $30 million loan to help increase the water supply on Tuesday. A small number of Oak Bluffs voters gathered on Tuesday afternoon at the office of the Oak Bluffs Water District, an independent public water system, for a special meeting similar in format to the annual […]

The Martha’s Vineyard Sharks kicked off their summer season at the Island’s Shark Tank Tuesday evening against the top-seed in the New England Collegiate baseball league, the Vermont Mountaineers.  Despite the Sharks falling by one run in the ninth inning for a 4-3 final, hundreds of Vineyarders showed up in cheerful spirits to enjoy a […]

In a divisive vote Tuesday night, Chilmark select board members decided against moving forward with a proposal that would have given town employees paid family leave. The proposed bylaw — introduced by finance committee member Vicki Divoll at a prior select board meeting in May — pointed to a lack in funding and workplace support […]

Amid cuts across the board for one of New England’s largest media groups, the managing editor of news and familiar voice of the Cape and Island’s NPR station was laid off on Monday. Steve Junker — known for hosting the “News Roundup” program every Friday that incorporates the top news stories from the Cape and […]

The leafy woods surround us with pleasant soughing; the soothing sound contrasts with whistling and moaning of wintry winds in bare trees. And then come these spring windstorms! Many trees with windage of new leaves and unbalanced for power-line clearance suffer grave damage. Our power lines should be underground, just like sewer lines. Congratulations to […]

Kindergarteners through 5th grade students jostled into the Chilmark Community Center midday on Friday and excitedly bounced around in their seats. Before them: fritattas made with eggs from Slough Farm, bright green salads fresh from Vineyard gardens — served by teachers and parents — and local bread.  And, very visibly, students were having a ball. […]

Janice Frame, a renowned artist and longtime Island resident, conveys the radiance and strength of African people, as well as the importance of community, in her arresting new works at the Eisenhauer Gallery this summer. Standing before Frame’s mixed-media art is a visceral experience. Their stunning colors, textures, and images lift the spirit. Each one […]

When is a weed just a weed, and when is it something more? The Vineyard Conservation Society (VCS) selected “Beauty in the Weeds” as the topic for this year’s student art and writing contest. The resulting exhibition is on view through June 15 at the Feldman Family Artspace, curated by the Featherstone Center for the […]

You know that saying about assuming things (“It makes an a__ out of you and me”)? Theoretically I agree. But I’d be willing to bet that for most people, poetry isn’t the first thing that comes to mind while eating tacos. Yet I recently learned that poetry readings are soon to be added to the […]

Celebrated filmmaker David Attenborough guides us through a remarkable documentary about oceans, screening on Sunday, June 8, at the M.V. Film Center, in honor of World Oceans Day. At nearly 100 years old, Attenborough explains why a healthy ocean is crucial for maintaining the stability and flourishing of the entire planet. This is the perfect […]

Marta Azzollini, owner of Marta’s Kitchen M.V,, has been in the food business since 2015. One might say the love for food runs in her blood. “Before my time, my grandfather owned Blue Point in Hoboken, and my parents met and worked at the River Café in New York, and then opened their own place […]

On a recent Thursday evening, my friend and I arrived at the Sweet Life in Oak Bluffs, to be greeted by host Erin Ryerson, who led us to our table on the porch. My late husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary at Sweet Life several years ago at the very same table, and I […]

“Sheepish: A Martha’s Vineyard Novel” is a story full of fun and romance (and an adorable sheep, Dandelion, and her canine best friend, Beau). T. Elizabeth Bell hits the mark again in this, her third novel, which is another ode to our Island. The story begins not in the heat of summer, but on a […]

At the Oak Bluffs Open Market, enjoy local shopping, including artisans, specialty food, plants, cut flowers, vintage dealers, produce, and more. Plus music by John O’Toole. It happens every Sunday at Washington Park in Oak Bluffs from 10 am to 2 pm in June, 9 am to 1 pm in July and August, and 10 […]

Poet Fan Ogilvie, author Ursula Goodenough, and editor Janet Holladay will discuss Ogilvie’s trilogy, “Dust is the Only Secret — Assent to Life” at the West Tisbury Library. Each chapter includes passages from Ursula Goodenough’s “The Sacred Depths of Nature.” Ogilvie’s paintings can be found throughout the work. Fellow lovers of biology, spiritual questioning, and […]

The studio of local artist Barney Zeitz is open every Wednesday from 4 to 6 pm. The work includes art glass, welded sculpture, lighting, and drawings. Stop by and see his latest work, including art glass, welded sculpture, lighting, and drawings, at 67 Deer Hill Road in Vineyard Haven. For more information, visit barneyzeitz.com.  

Jay (“Coach Scho”) Schofield, former physical education teacher at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, will discuss his latest book, “Shout Praise, Whisper Criticism.” Schofield, a Basketball Coach Hall of Fame inductee, started the women’s soccer program and coached the boys’ basketball team. It’s on Tuesday, June 10, from 6 to 7:30 pm at the […]

First Friday is a community event in Vineyard Haven that happens on the first Friday of every month from June to October, and in December. Come for art, live music, shopping, a silent disco, and more. It’s from 10 am to 11 pm at Owen Park and Main Street. For more information, visit firstfridayvh.com.  

Ryan Dacko, author of “The Book of Quint,” a prequel to “Jaws,” will be on-Island during Amity Week. Dacko’s novel provides details and backstory to enhance the performances in the original movie. In the book, Quint survives the greatest naval tragedy in history with the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. A number of events bring […]

The “Jaws” 50th anniversary blowout wouldn’t be complete without Marty, the replica of Chief Brody’s Chevy Blazer in the film. Marty is proudly owned by Gabe DiSaverio, founder of the Spicy Shark, who will be making special appearances in honor of the anniversary celebration. Friday, June 20, 6:30 to 9:30 pm Catch Marty at the […]

On Sunday, June 15, Red Cat Kitchen and the Oak Bluffs Association will host their Annual Drag Brunch during Pride Week 2025. This high-octane celebration of love, inclusivity, and self-expression offers two showtimes — 11 am and 2 pm. This year’s brunch will feature an all-star lineup of drag performers, lots of glitter, delicious food, […]

On Saturday, June 14, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm, the West Tisbury Library will host its sixth annual Archaeology I.D. Day. If you have any artifacts, bring them for expert identification and discussion. On hand for the event will be archaeologists Dr. Jim Richardson, Richard Burt, Duncan Caldwell, and Bill Moody. They will be happy […]

Eighteen members of the Vineyard Cribbage Club met last Wednesday evening to play our favorite game of cribbage. The results are below. First, Collin Evanson with an 11/5 +43 card Second, Louis Larsen with a 9/4 +49 card Third, Tricia Bereron with a 9/4 +45 card Fourth, Jack Silvia with an 8/4 +46 card Fifth, […]

Five Haiku By Joshua Sabatini 6. Tern hovers above Joyous silver fish flashes Breakfast tastes so good 10. Monarch wings in wind Observer takes note from beach Soul takes flight to it 39. Kayak moves along To the rhythm of the strokes Outgoing tide helps 40. The crickets’ day tune Is nothing like their night […]

Join an expert panel for a frank conversation about what measles is, its history, and public health approaches, including the development of a vaccine. It’s on Monday, June 9, at 7 pm via Zoom. Register through the Vineyard Haven Library at bit.ly/VHPL_MeaslesPanel. For questions, email vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org or call 508-696-4211.  

Last week was all wind and rain. The much-needed rain brought out any remaining leaves in a flush of greenery. I urge everyone to take the time to appreciate the subtleties and variations of greens that predominate our springtime landscapes. It’s such a short time before summer darkens those greens, or turns them brown altogether. […]

Heard on Main Street: Welcome to our summer neighbors. Did you see that “warmer waters seem to be shrinking Nemo”? As ocean temperatures rise, some fish, like the orange and white clownfish, are responding by getting smaller. They were seen to shrink in 2023 when waters heated up. “They’re actively changing their size and making […]

“Rights are won only by those who make their voices heard.“ —Harvey Milk Harvey Milk was a trailblazer and a visionary. He was the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California, in 1977. He was assassinated for sponsoring a bill that was signed into law by the mayor of San […]

If you know me, you know I spend a lot of time on the Internet. You could say it’s part of my job, but the reality is I also enjoy some corners of it. Recently, while browsing the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website, I came across Bill H.3409. You might be wondering, […]

I want to give a shout-out to Dippin Donuts. We had them at the Easter sunrise and Blessing of the Fleet Memorial weekend services in Menemsha. Not only are they delicious, the jelly-spilling, belly-bomb doughnuts reminded many of much-missed Humphrey’s, but Karla Freeman went above and beyond in rectifying a young human’s mistake, offering to […]

The Aquinnah Select Board is looking for people willing to volunteer for service on any of the 23 committees that advise or govern various aspects of our community life. If you are a registered voter here in Aquinnah, please email townadministrator@aquihhah-ma.gov to get a list of vacancies, and then apply by June 20. On Tuesday, […]

Lucy Ellis Karalekas Ashley Killian and Brendan Karalekas of West Tisbury announce the birth of a daughter, Lucy Ellis Karalekas, on May 27, 2025, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Lucy weighed 5 pounds, 9.1 ounces. Vera Margaret Sawyer Nevena Sawyer and Nicholas Sawyer of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a daughter, Vera Margaret Sawyer, on […]

Chilmark  May 29, Irene E. Ziebarth, trustee of Irene E. Ziebarth 2017 Trust, sold 3 Tennis Lane to Central MA Cardiovascular Physicians Inc. for $3,722,500. May 29, Harrison P. Kisiel and Caitlin G. Kane sold 10 Rumpus Ridge Road to Amanda Zoref for $1,050,000. Edgartown  May 30, John W. Magnuson and Barbara M. Phillips sold […]

Phyllis Marie Malatesta Smith passed away peacefully on April 17, 2025, at her home in Havenside, with her devoted daughter Kerin O’Brien and son-in-law Michael Duffey by her side. She was 93 years old.  Phyllis’ journey in life began in Medford, as the firstborn daughter of Jeanette (Doran) and Albert A. Malatesta in 1931. Her […]

The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School girls tennis team had a showdown with the Boston Latin Academy Dragons on the Island’s Fennessy courts Tuesday afternoon in the round of 16. In a fiery clash, the Vineyarders triumphed in a match that came down to the final singles set. “The team is comfortable in tight situations,” […]

Coordinators for a popular food delivery program for elders on Martha’s Vineyard are preparing for possible funding cuts from the federal government that could require them to pull back on deliveries. Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands, which coordinates Meals on Wheels, has already decided to make fewer deliveries on the Cape in […]

Matthew Poole is a familiar face to many in the town of Chilmark. He was born and raised in the up-Island town, and has observed the municipal process and local efforts his entire life. And in the past few months, he has brought his understanding of the community he knows and loves to a different […]

Sarah Williams (“Sally”) died peacefully in her sleep on May 9, 2025, in her home in Oak Bluffs. Sally had a long, fun life. Born on August 2, 1934, to Helen Hobart Williams and the Rev. John Paul Williams, she graduated from Brown University with a Ph.D. in history, and taught history in Brookline. Sally […]

Editor’s note: This is the second installment of a two-part series from Susan Silk looking into accessibility issues at the Dukes County Courthouse. Dukes County Commissioner Don Leopold is “horrified” by the description in The MV Times of the conditions in the Dukes County Courthouse, especially as they impact people struggling with physical challenges. Commissioner […]

Jeffrey T. Spear, who died on July 22, 2024, will have a celebration of life on Friday, June 27, at 11 am at the Cuttyhunk Methodist Church and Meeting House.  A water shuttle will be provided from Menemsha at 10 am, with a return at 2:30 pm, with a limited number of people. Please RSVP […]

Congressman Bill Keating, a House Democrat who represents the Vineyard in D.C., is demanding that federal immigration officials provide more information on the surge of detentions that they have made in Massachusetts, a week since masked federal officials detained some 40 people on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.  In a June 2 letter to top Trump […]

The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School boys tennis team breezed through round two of states with another sweep, 5-0, taking down the Groton-Dunstable Regional High School Crusaders on Monday afternoon.  They now advance to the quarter finals.  The win follows up from another sweep in round one of the playoffs on Friday, when the boys […]

A court hearing will soon determine whether an accusation against West Tisbury’s building inspector that he shoved a man at town meeting earlier this year will proceed as a criminal case.  Thomas Orr, an attorney representing West Tisbury resident and former Dukes County Commissioner Leon Brathwaite, sent a letter, dated May 16, to the town […]

A new scholarship fund, created in memory of Ronald Rappaport — a celebrated Islander and an esteemed lawyer who passed away unexpectedly in 2024 — has reportedly raised over $1.5 million so far. Established by Rappaport’s family and the Martha’s Vineyard Bank Charitable Foundation (MVBCF) with support from MVYouth, the memorial fund was created to […]

Ron Rappaport, the prominent local attorney and Island native who passed away unexpectedly last summer at the age of 74, was remembered by hundreds of Vineyarders and nearly a dozen speakers at a celebration of his life at the Agricultural Hall on Saturday.  Family, friends, and colleagues described Rappaport as “the closest thing to a […]

As some teams as part of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School’s spring season head into round two of the state tournament this week, a number of Island athletes have been recognized as all-league stars for the season.  Golf Piper Blau, senior Callie O’Teri, eighth grade    Girls Lacrosse  Ellie Tompkins, senior    Honorable Mention  […]

Following a dispute over a gate on Chappaquiddick that restricted access to conservation lands, the Trustees of Reservations and a group of Cape Poge property owners have reached a temporary agreement.  Under the stipulation issued by Massachusetts Land Court on May 29, the gate — a single chain with a padlock connected to two wooden […]

The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School’s girls and boys tennis teams are looking to build on home-turf momentum after both teams cleared round one of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) state championship tournament at home over the weekend.  Now, both teams are gearing up for round two on Island, with both scheduled to play […]

Charles Francis Tucy III, 76, passed on April 5, 2025, in Boston. He’s gone home to be with his beloved dog, Stanley.  To us, his family, he was Chippy. Kind, thoughtful, and loving, my uncle was the most interesting, unique, and stubborn man I’ve ever known. There is no one like him, and I’m sure […]

The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School tennis team stormed through the first round of the state championship playoffs, delivering a crushing shutout to the Gloucester High School Fisherman, 5-0 on the High School’s Fennessy courts on Friday.  In singles play, senior captain Zak Potter set a steady tone, controlling the pace of play for a […]

A federal immigration enforcer’s tattoo that matches the description of a symbol used by white supremacists has caused some Vineyarders to sound alarm bells.  Islanders reviewing a video posted on social media by Charlie Giordano — who confronted federal agents while they detained immigrants on Martha’s Vineyard — have pointed to a tattoo of three […]

Five senior student-athletes from Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School signed commitment letters Thursday afternoon in the high school’s gymnasium, accompanied by their families.  Camille Brand, Felicity Lepine, Elaina Cacchiotti, Kaua De Assis, and Lily Haynes celebrated their achievments to compete in track and field, field hockey, swimming, and lacrosse, at the collegiate level.  For Brand, […]

The first time we saw it, for many of us the images were startling: The videotaped arrest in Somerville of Tufts graduate student Rümeysa Öztürk last March outside her home. Wearing black clothes and black masks, Immigration agents whisked her away in a waiting black vehicle, eventually to a Louisiana deportation center. The Trump administration […]

1 of 9 9:00 a.m.,, Islanders swarmed a parked work van by the roundabout in Oak Bluffs after two workers were taken by federal agents. —Nicholas Vukota 9:30 a.m., One of Tuesday's arrests. —Nicholas Vukota 9:30 a.m., One of Tuesday's arrests. —Nicholas Vukota 9:30 a.m., One of Tuesday's arrests. —Nicholas Vukota 10:36 a.m., Jane Katch [...]

Citing an atmosphere of fear after masked federal officials arrested Island immigrants, organizers have postponed a celebration of Brazilian culture and heritage.  The Martha’s Vineyard Mediation Center announced in a press release that the second Brazil Fest, called Festo do Brasil in Portuguese, will be indefinitely postponed. It was originally scheduled to be held on […]

For the past two and a half years, a Massachusetts nonprofit with funding from the federal government has been providing access to special nutritional services for vulnerable families and infants on the Island.  The program, called the Women’s, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, had a local liaison who interfaced with Islanders in need of greater […]

The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School’s spring sports had successful seasons, with at least five programs poised to make a run for state championships.  On the lacrosse field, both the boys and the girls teams qualified for the state tournament. The girls  lacrosse team is scheduled to face off in the first round against the […]

Top Massachusetts officials are denouncing the sweeping arrests made by federal authorities on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.  During a press conference Wednesday, Gov. Maura Healey criticized the recent operations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations that saw the arrest of some 40 individuals, 20 from Martha’s Vineyard. She highlighted that of the 40 arrested, […]

Twenty faith leaders from across Martha’s Vineyard have signed a letter denouncing the actions of masked federal law enforcement officials who reportedly detained some 40 people on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket in a regional sweep on Tuesday. The leaders, who sent the letter to local media on Wednesday evening, write that they are disturbed by […]

To the Editor: We, leaders in the Martha’s Vineyard faith community, are deeply disturbed by the actions taken Tuesday by masked representatives of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and by other Federal agencies on the Vineyard. We view their tactic of pulling work vans over and detaining individuals as shameful and as a fishing expedition […]

Well, my hungry readers, it’s time to share a recipe, as requested. Which makes sense — as the owner of Fire Catering, I should be sharing some fire food with the Island community. The other night, my wife Vika and I made fried chicken drumsticks with my maple-roasted carrots. I don’t even have to tell […]

The second half of May is peak season for one of the Vineyard’s most interesting bees, Colletes thoracicus, sometimes called the red-backed cellophane bee. Not exactly rare on the Island, the species certainly isn’t common, either. And my own interactions with this bee have left me with more questions than answers. Fairly large as bees […]

“Executive Function guides your behavior for most everything you do,” says Noel Foy, a former classroom teacher and learning specialist. In her new book, “Executive Function: Strategies to build underdeveloped skills, maximize learning, and unlock potential,” we learn that, at its essence, executive function refers to the skills that govern planning, self-regulation, and goal-directed behavior. […]

Two of the Island’s own have partnered to offer a one-person show about the timeless toll of war that is sure to set your hearts and minds afire. Katherine Reid will direct Lagan Love in a modern adaptation of the “Iliad,” one of the oldest works of Western literature. Circuit Arts and Circuit Stage are […]

“Jane Austen Wrecked My Life,” which opens at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center on Friday, May 30, is not a period piece. It is a lovely contemporary story, part romance, part comedy, that stands on its own, simultaneously enhanced by familiarity with Jane Austen and the numerous movie adaptations of her novels. In this bilingual […]

The other night, my friend Rick and I were talking about how many teachers had influenced our lives. He had five. I had four. My first great one was my mother. She had learned English at age 11, fresh off the boat from Germany. Education in Hartford, Conn., in 1930 must have been exemplary, and […]

NSHUPU, Tanzania – The KLM flight out of Logan Airport is beginning its descent, over the snow-covered peaks of mountains and then down over a lush African canopy of trees, before coming in for a landing at Kilimanjaro Airport. As we fly in, I am remembering the very first time, nine years ago, that I […]

Islanders, for months, have protested the Trump administration’s immigration policies and its aggressive tactics in deporting undocumented immigrants.  But Tuesday, Island residents pushed back in new ways against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who descended upon the Cape and Islands with their faces concealed by masks, and refused to answer basic questions.  One […]

At least one of the immigrants who was detained by federal officials on Tuesday was given the choice to either leave the country on his own or be deported.  Chris Miller, owner of Miller’s Professionals in Oak Bluffs, said one of his workers was detained by immigration enforcers on Tuesday. Miller said he heard from […]

I am writing from my mother’s bedroom in Connecticut. Three years ago, my mom fell down the stairs and broke her hip. She had already been experiencing memory loss and dementia, but the injury and ensuing surgery exacerbated these dramatically. She initially fought her way back to walking with a walker, but eventually age and […]

Love and respect for elders, community, reciprocity, and good food are abundant at Relationship Lunches, held tri-weekly at the Wampanoag Tribal Community Center. Juli Vanderhoop and Chef Ting have teamed up since March to provide delicious sustenance and hold the space for something very special to occur. My partner in journalism, photographer Dena Porter, and […]

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 1 pm, Parkinson’s Support Group, June 9 and 23. A support group providing an opportunity for people with Parkinson’s to share experiences, […]

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 Thursday, June 19, for Juneteenth. 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 9 […]

Oak Bluffs Council on Aging 21 Wamsutta Ave. 508-693-4509, ext. 3 oakbluffsma.gov/152/Council-on-Aging We are closed on Thursday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. 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, […]

Tisbury Senior Center 34 Pine Tree Road, Vineyard Haven 508-696-4205 tisburyma.gov/council-aging Tisbury Council on Aging will be closed on Thursday, June 19, for Juneteenth. Weekly Activities Mondays 9:30 – 10:30 am, Line Dancing with Catie 11 am – 12 pm, Chair Yoga with Kat 1 – 3 pm, Silver Quilters 1 – 3:30 pm, Mah […]

M.V. Center for Living, the Island’s Dementia and Caregiver Support Network 508-939-9440 lesliec@mvcenter4living.org mvcenter4living.org Announcements Thank you to everyone who joined us or contributed to our first annual walk to benefit dementia and caregiver services on M.V.! If you missed it, it’s never too late to support a great cause. Please visit donorperfect.com/walkforMVCL to make […]

Lost in the digital world? We’ll be your guide! Remember when “cookies” were just for eating, and “the cloud” was something you watched drift across the sky? If you’ve been feeling like technology is moving faster than your ability to keep up, you’re not alone! Our 2021 survey of older adults on Martha’s Vineyard revealed […]

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. Visit our website or contact us by email or phone for more information. 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 […]

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. Emergency Food Program As a member of the Greater Boston Food Bank, M.V. Center for Living coordinates the delivery of food […]

New Dukes County Veterans Services officer Dukes County Manager Martina Thornton has appointed George Pimentel to serve as the county veterans services officer. George will start on April 15, and will help veterans throughout the county access financial, medical, and other key state and public benefit programs offered to them and their families. George was […]

On Sunday, June 1st, at 10 am, the Federated Church of Martha’s Vineyard is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Congregational and Baptist Churches of Edgartown worshiping together. The church partnership began in 1925, when both congregations were struggling to find and maintain ordained ministers. Eventually, the congregations grew closer, and incorporated as one united […]

In celebration of Pride Month, the Vineyard Haven Library is pleased to welcome singer, songwriter, and storyteller Katie Castagno for “Our Queer Elders in History and Song.” Through storytelling and original songs, “Our Queer Elders” celebrates the people who have queered social and gender norms throughout history. At a time when queer history and voices […]

Aquinnah  May 19, Lawrence B. Evans sold 0 Moshup Trail to Star Corner LLC for $4,000. May 19, Lawrence B. Evans sold 0 Moshup Trail to Star Corner LLC for $429,000. May 19, Lawrence B. Evans sold 1 Moshup Trail to One Moshup LLC for $814,600. May 19, Stephen A. Evans, trustee of Aquinnah State […]

At the exhibit “Jack Ryan: Heart of Art,” see work by artist Jack Ryan, a master of the pen-and-ink stippling technique. The art is on display on weekdays from June 2 through July 21, 8 am to 3 pm, at the Tisbury Council on Aging, 34 Pine Tree Road, Vineyard Haven. For questions, email Anne […]

Enjoy a lighthearted and gossip-filled walking tour of Edgartown with Elizabeth Villard. She will share a little town history, including four scandals and four ghost stories. Tuesdays and Fridays from 7 to 8:15 pm, starting at 58 Dock St. in Edgartown. For questions, email evillardmv@gmail.com or call 508-627-2529.  

Sundays in the Park concerts at the Ocean Park Bandstand run weekly until Oct. 12, made possible by the Oak Bluffs parks and recreation department. The local musicians this summer include the Vineyard Haven Band. These celebrations of music and the season begin in late afternoon or early evening. Off Beach Road in Oak Bluffs. […]

Wouldn’t it be fun and cost-effective to make a salad from plants you grow in your own backyard? Take a tour of the Food Forest at the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School with Roxanne Kapitan of Garden Wisdom. You’ll learn about perennial foods you can grow at home. Classes are free and open to all. […]

This class will introduce young artists (ages 9 and up) to printmaking techniques, and encourage them to find their artistic voices. Safe use of tools and materials will be covered. All supplies will be provided. Mondays from 1 to 3 pm at Featherstone Center for the Arts, 30 Featherstone Lane, Oak Bluffs. Sign up at […]

If you’re bored with your wardrobe and want to update your look, head over to the Oak Bluffs Library for a free Community Clothing Swap. All ages, sizes, and genders of gently used, clean clothing are appreciated. You don’t have to bring clothes to participate. Friday, May 30, 3 to 5 pm, 56R School St., […]

Twenty members of the Vineyard Cribbage Club met on Wednesday to play our favorite game. The results are as follows: First, Alan Michaels with a grand slam (winning all games) 13/6 +126 Second, Roy Scheffer with a 11/5 +74 card Third, Sharon Barba with a 10/4 +98 card Fourth, Andrea Jason with a 9/4 +55 […]

As a Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School student, Dulcie Rutherford particularly liked the arts, and focused on design. After graduation in 1988, she attended UMass Amherst, and earned a degree in apparel marketing. With her college degree and retail experience from Vineyard summer jobs, Rutherford secured work at Ann Taylor in Connecticut. She credits the […]

Stefan By Laura D. Roosevelt Because my “Sometimes salad makes me sad” socks gave him the giggles, I wore them a lot. But now, how to thank someone who’s gone? I mean dead, but I hate naming it with Stefan, whose hands healed my aches, whose wisdom echoes in my head, a man so animated […]

After the previous week’s springlike weather, this past week had me bringing out the turtlenecks, sweaters, and socks I thought would rest undisturbed until October. My quilt went back on the bed. We even had a little fire in the woodstove to take the chill off during those rainy, raw days. The Thursday storm that […]

Heard on Main Street: You’re not lost. You are here. I have received such a wonderful treat these past few weeks. For over a year I could not find a carpenter who would even look at my small deck. I thought it had a couple of boards that needed to be replaced. Turns out I […]

“I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where it was always June.” —L.M. Montgomery We survived the nor’easter of May ’25! That was really quite a storm, giving the Island a tree-trimming, and powerwashing the streets. They say we had 5 inches of rain, and I think the grass might […]