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Summer brings spike in missing pets on Martha’s Vineyard
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 […]
‘Light & Form’: Dual exhibition by Gwen Marcus and Sean Roach
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 […]
Elizabeth Whelan’s ‘In Character’ captures actors in their favorite roles
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 […]
Kara Taylor: 25 years of creation
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 […]
Starts with a bang
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 […]
Eyes on equity in education
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 […]
Births
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, […]
Aquinnah
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 […]
Wild Side: Wet sand biodiversity
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 […]
Edgartown
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 […]
MVC gets state grants to clean Island ponds
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 […]
Real estate transactions: June 30 – July 4
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 […]
Oak Bluffs
“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 […]
Feat of clay
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 […]
‘Colonization and the Wampanoag Story’ book group
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 […]
Cribbage Club results
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 […]
‘The Mesopotamian Riddle’
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 […]
Father-and-daughter art show at the Eisenhauer Gallery
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, […]
World’s oldest carousel inspires Edgartown’s favorite float
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 […]
A fusion of art and science
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 […]
Tisbury
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 […]
The Wanting Window
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 blueprint for Island’s housing crisis
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 […]
Island plays host to “Jaws”-inspired lottery game
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 […]
Launching MV Times membership for community-supported news
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 […]
Hospital reports rise in tick bites
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 […]
A birthday fair for Tisbury
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.
Soccer travel teams earns silver in league championship
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
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 […]
Nancy Wood
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
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
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
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 […]
‘Farm dinners’ dispute still simmering in Chilmark
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 […]
Vineyard providers working to decrease patient waitlist
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 […]
Police investigating noose hung in Oak Bluffs
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 […]
Land Bank expands Norton Farm
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 […]
Life aboard the whaling ships
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 […]
Islanders Talking about Writing
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 […]
I love driving on the Vineyard in the summer
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 […]
Wear your bike helmet correctly
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, […]
Grateful for support for Democracy Forward
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 […]
Traffic: The fly in the ointment of Vineyard summer
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, […]
The Court’s emergency docket and immigrants’ fate
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. […]
Schedule – Panel Discussions 2025
*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 […]
Putting our people on the page
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 […]
Writing Prompts
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, [...]
Aquinnah proudly boasts its red, white and blue
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 indicted over tattoo parlor investigation
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 […]
Retiring judge celebrates 50 years
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 […]
Biplane makes emergency landing, takes off from Chappy beach
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 […]
Edgartown celebrates Fourth with 181st parade
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 […]
How to celebrate the Fourth
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 […]
Fishermen’s Trust to lease vacant Chilmark fish plant
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 […]
Tisbury sued over alleged discrimination in police department
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 […]
Green crab: Redefining the catch
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 […]
Ag Fair changes ride vendors
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 […]
Judge dismisses Spring Street ‘civil conspiracy’ lawsuit
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 returns to perform on the Island
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 […]
Boch Park opens to the public
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 […]
New faces at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center
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 […]
Keeping the lights on
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 […]
‘Bad Shabbos’: What’s the worst that could happen?
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 […]
‘The Shark Is Broken’
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 as time machine
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 […]
Slicing through social pretense
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 [...]
The Life and Time of Dolores Allen Littles
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 […]
A peaceful place
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 […]
Garden Notes: aftereffects of heat
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 […]
Generations Picnic at the Daniel Fisher House
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 […]
Global Rhythms Summer Concert Series
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 […]
Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation invests $200,000
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 […]
MVCMA Tabernacle project awarded
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, […]
Active Arts Summer Camp launches on M.V.
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 […]
Cribbage Club results
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 […]
Births
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, […]
Court Report: June 2 – June 20
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. […]
Real estate transactions: June 23 – 27
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 […]
Tisbury
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. […]
Oak Bluffs
“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 […]
Edgartown
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 […]
Chilmark
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
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 […]
Steamship to hold closed-door interviews for GM candidates
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 […]
A change of guard for Station Menemsha
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 receives regional grant
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 […]
Israeli hostages recount harrowing experience
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 […]
Filing points to longer delay for offshore wind power contracts
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
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
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 […]
Former sheriff’s officer arrested for child pornography possession
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 […]
Standing one person away from history
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 […]
Aquinnah
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 […]
Health advisory issued for Seth’s Pond
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 […]
MVC awarded funds to improve water quality
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 […]
Fauci, Pulitzer winners headline Institute series
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 […]
Singing for the Island’s elders
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 […]
Islanders gather for reproductive rights on Dobbs anniversary
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 […]
Tisbury Great Pond positive for blue-green algae
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 […]
Commission approves controversial Spring Street development
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 […]
Preschool breaks ground in Chilmark
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 […]
Montessori school hopes to double infant childcare options
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, […]
‘From survivor to advocate: Why ferry safety can’t wait’
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 […]
Third annual Sharks game to benefit the MVCS veterans outreach program
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 […]
Be respectful of federal officials
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, […]
A letter to the Island
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 […]
Losing — and fighting for — the soul of Chappaquiddick
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 […]
‘Jaws,’ capitalism and Fidel Castro
“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 […]
Molding an appreciation for preservation
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 […]
Brazil consul general: ‘Our work has intensified’
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 […]
Superior court judge keeps warrant active on ICE detainee
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 […]
Hospital sees uptick in heat-related emergencies
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 […]
Tariffs push Tisbury to lock in on fire truck price
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 […]
Support for wider access to epinephrine
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 […]
Fishing for shark on Chappy on the 50th
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 […]
Housing committee members support amended Edgartown development
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 […]
The Maker: Pasta Shop & Cafe
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 […]
Community and cuisine at Black Joy Kitchen
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, […]
DJ Smooth B unites Martha’s Vineyard through music
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 […]
Filmusic Festival at M.V. Film Center
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 […]
World premiere of National Geographic ‘Jaws’ documentary
“‘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 […]
Nisa Mars exhibit at Feldman Family Artspace at the MV Film Center
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 […]
Wild Side: Breeding Bird Survey
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 students present shark conservation work
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 just keeps going
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 […]
Writing from the Heart: Marry a mensch
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, […]
Half Gallery presents artwork by Tommy May
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 […]
Musician Fred Mollin’s memoir ‘Unplugged’
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 […]
Tabernacle to host three congregations under one roof
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 […]
Sharks in the parks, oh my!
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 […]
‘Our Bodies, Our Power, Our Future’ rally
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 […]
Unity Weekend: A celebration of community on Martha’s Vineyard
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 Volunteer Day and Potluck
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 […]
A group of visionaries: Film screening and discussion
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, […]
‘Contemporary Ceramic’ show opens at Featherstone
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 […]
Conversation with Martha Hall Kelly on her new novel
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 […]
Amity Sand Castle Competition
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 […]
Fourth of July events
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’ by artist Elizabeth Whelan
“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
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
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 […]
Shark art for kids
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 workshop
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 […]
Island Elderly Housing fundraiser
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’ world premiere at M.V. Playhouse
“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, […]
Services Wednesday for Anne E. Metell
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: July 2025
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: July 2025
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: July 2025
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 Council on Aging: July 2025
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: July 2025
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: July 2025
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 […]
Veterans’ Corner: July 2025
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: July 2025
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
Noteworthy 55+: July 2025
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: July 2025
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 […]
‘Jaws’ inspired generation of shark researchers
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 […]
Edgartown race weekend celebrates 88
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 […]
Rate hike proposed for Chappy Ferry
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 […]
Aquinnah celebrates new lighthouse beacon, a decade since move
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 […]
Midseason, Sharks players still looking for housing
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 […]
Vineyard man arrested for violating conditions of release
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 […]
Cribbage Club results
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 […]
Celebrating MVRHS Grads: Kate (Mitchell) Dyer
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 […]
West Tisbury Town Column
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 […]
Tisbury Town Column
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 […]
Edgartown Town Column
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 […]
Chilmark Town Column
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 […]
Aquinnah Town Column
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 […]
Real Estate Transactions: June 16 – 20, 2025
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. […]
Birth
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.
Court Report: May 27 – June 12, 2025
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 […]
‘A foundation for the future’
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 […]
‘Jaws’ celebrates 50 on Martha’s Vineyard
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 […]
Newest Steamship ferry curbed by sanitation issues
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.” […]
Honoring the legacy of a safe space
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, […]
Teachers union, schools finalize three-year contract
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 […]
The Amity Island of 1974
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, […]
Building inspector disciplined, facing assault charge
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, […]
Island police to parents: Electric dirt bike use not legal
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 […]
Healthy doses of vitamin B: Bass, bluefish, or … June bonito?
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 […]
Blowin’ in the Wind
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.” […]
Raising freedom
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 […]
Old West Tisbury landfill still PFAS source
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 […]
MV Times launches ‘Voices’ newsletter
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 […]
Immigration odyssey: ICE detainees deported to Brazil, one fights to stay
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, […]
Island gears up for ‘Jaws’ 50th
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 […]
Land Bank acquires Chappy land for agriculture use
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 […]
Former Steamship ferries to carry freight for Martha’s Vineyard?
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 […]
Garden Notes: Looking at dogwood options
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 […]
Contemporary portraiture at Floating Gallery
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 […]
An Islanders Write ask
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 […]
Cut underway at Edgartown Great Pond
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 […]
The filming of ‘Forever’
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 […]
Climate Connections: The connections are everywhere
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 […]
Senior movement workshop
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 […]
Fishing boat Orca returns
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 […]
Drive-in movies from Circuit Arts & YMCA
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 […]
2025 Summer Institute at M.V. Hebrew Center
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 […]
‘Shark Summer’ mystery novel
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 […]
‘Robert Shaw’ by Christopher Shaw Myers
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 […]
‘Jaws’ with live orchestra
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 […]
Visit Amity Library
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 […]
Steamship Authority, unions reach accord
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 M.V. Film Center
“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 […]
Creativity for community
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 […]
Empowering through theater
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 […]
Working for Your Health: Are you safe in your home?
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 […]
Island first graders honored at State House
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 […]
Poet’s Corner: ‘Ode to My Mother’ by Luisa Matarazzo
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 […]
Cribbage Club results
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, […]
West Tisbury Town Column
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 […]
Tisbury Town Column
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 […]
Oak Bluffs Town Column
“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 […]
Edgartown Town Column
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 […]
Chilmark Town Column
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 […]
Aquinnah Town Column
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 […]
Real Estate Transactions: June 9 – 13, 2025
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 […]
The Orca returns to Amity Island
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 […]
Steamship Authority advances replacing reservation system
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. […]
First turtle stranding across region reported on Island
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 […]
Veterans housing project awarded $2.1 million
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 […]
Red Cat Kitchen’s Drag Brunch brings down the house
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 […]
Rain or shine: Island Pride Parade marches on
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 […]
Celebrating MVRHS Grads: Tony Del Valle
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 […]
What we have is not working
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 […]
Militarizing deportations
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
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, […]
Girls tennis run ends at state championship
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
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 […]
‘No Kings:’ Islanders join protests nationwide
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” […]
DA investigating death at Island hotel
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 […]
Before lawmakers, Vineyard woman pleas for epinephrine access
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 […]
Island vibes are strong at Taste of the Vineyard
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 […]
Father’s Day celebration events and activities
“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 […]
A fantastic walk of shame
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 […]
Federal funding cuts reach Vineyard libraries
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 […]
New waffle shop opens in Vineyard Haven
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 […]
Gannon and Benjamin set sail on a new voyage
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 […]
Girls tennis headed to state championship, boys fall in semis
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 […]
Ebba Hierta to retire as Chilmark library director
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 […]
State reduces initial phase of forest cutting plan
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 […]
Infant, toddler care severely lacking on Island
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 […]
Wild Side: Distraction display
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 […]
Juneteenth: walking with our ancestors
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’s exhibit at MV Salads
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 […]
‘Embrace MV’ exhibit at Featherstone
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 […]
‘Love’ at Martha’s Vineyard Film Center
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 […]
Writing from the Heart: ‘An Iliad’
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 […]
‘Jaws’ exhibit at Martha’s Vineyard Museum
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 […]
Climate Connections: Coastal flooding
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 […]
Water Balloon Fight: Kids vs. Librarians
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.
‘Our Golden Hours’ exhibit
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 […]
‘Vineyard Vignettes’ photography exhibit
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
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.
Can you dig it (quahog)?
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 […]
Taste of the Vineyard
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
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 […]
Tour de France: Up close and personal
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 […]
Film screening: ‘Conscious Light’
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 […]
‘Blooming Art’ by Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club
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 […]
Benefit concert for Island Elderly Housing
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
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 […]
West Tisbury Town Column
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, […]
Tisbury Town Column
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 […]
Oak Bluffs Town Column
“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, […]
Edgartown Town Column
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, […]
Chilmark Town Column
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 […]
Aquinnah Town Column
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 […]
Celebrating MVRHS Grads: Ken Romero
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 […]
Real Estate Transactions: June 2 – 6, 2025
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 […]
Court Report: May 16 – 30, 2025
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. Healey praises Navigator Home project during Island visit
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 […]
No Kings Rally planned for Five Corners
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 […]
Islanders Write Update
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. […]
Vineyard love story
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 […]
The shoes are your lede
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 […]
Island Charter school celebrates two graduates
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, […]
Alleged Five Corners racer arrested
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 swears in first Portuguese-speaking officer
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, […]
First cyanobacteria bloom of season detected in Chilmark
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 […]
Latest high school estimate at roughly $250 million
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 […]
Can woke and MAGA coexist on Martha’s Vineyard?
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 […]
Celebrating the ‘mighty’ class of 2025
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 […]
Let’s stand together with the Brazilian community to uphold the rule of law
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 […]
Speak out for democracy
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 […]
If they can come for the undocumented, they can come for you
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. […]
Due process has been followed
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
Diversity group grieving in wake of ICE raid
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
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.
A growing need for volunteer drivers
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 […]
Local clerk magistrate approved as court justice
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 […]
Aquinnah Tribe, fishermen file new wind lawsuit
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 […]
During an age of division, Federated Church celebrates 100 years together
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 […]
Vineyard tennis teams dominate, advance to semifinals
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 […]
From inside detention facility, Vineyard Brazilian immigrant shares story of his arrest
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 pursuing $30 million well, storage tank
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 […]
Play ball! Sharks host home opener
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 […]
Chilmark won’t implement paid leave for new families
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 […]
News director laid off from local NPR station
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 […]
Garden Notes: Rainfall and spring bloomers
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 […]
Community lunch program brings Chilmark students together
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. […]
Striking mixed-media art of Janice Frame
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 […]
‘Beauty in the Weeds’ art and poetry exhibit
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 […]
Midnight Taco hosting community poetry nights
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 […]
‘Ocean with David Attenborough’ at M.V. Film Center
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 […]
In the Kitchen with Marta Azzollini
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 […]
Decadent and delicious dishes at Sweet Life Cafe
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 […]
New novel by T. Elizabeth Bell
“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 […]
Oak Bluffs Open Market
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 […]
Book Talk: ‘Dust is the Only Secret’
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 […]
Open Studio: Artist Barney Zeitz
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.
Author talk with ‘Coach Scho’
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 community event
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.
Author of ‘The Book of Quint,’ a ‘Jaws’ prequel, visits Island
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 […]
Replica of Chief Brody’s Chevy Blazer from ‘Jaws’
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 […]
Red Cat’s Annual Drag Brunch
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, […]
Archaeology I.D. Day at West Tisbury Library
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 […]
Cribbage Club results
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, […]
Poet’s Corner: ‘Five Haiku’ by Joshua Sabatini
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 […]
Panel discussion on measles
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.
West Tisbury Town Column
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. […]
Tisbury Town Column
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 […]
Oak Bluffs Town Column
“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 […]
Edgartown Town Column
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, […]
Chilmark Town Column
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 […]
Aquinnah Town Column
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, […]
Births
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 […]
Real Estate Transactions: May 26 – 30, 2025
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 Smith
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 […]
Girls tennis grit it out through tense round two battle
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,” […]
Local Meals on Wheels bracing for budget cuts
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 […]
Matt Poole: new to the select board, not to Chilmark
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 E. Williams
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 […]
Where there is no will, there is no way
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
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 […]
ICE, pressed by Congressional rep., still mum on details
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 […]
Vineyard tennis advances to quarterfinals
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 […]
Building inspector accused of shoving elderly man
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 […]
New scholarship to honor Rappaport
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 […]
Hundreds gather to remember Ron Rappaport
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 […]
Vineyard athletes recognized as all stars
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 […]
Temporary agreement reached for Cape Poge gate
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 […]
Tennis teams advance to sweet 16
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
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 […]
Tennis smashes through round 1 of state playoffs
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 […]
Federal agent’s tattoo stokes fear
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 […]
Commitment day: Vineyard athletes to compete at collegiate level
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, […]
Covering their faces, and no arrest warrants
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 […]
Photos, video from ICE raid
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 [...]
Brazil Fest postponed by ICE fears
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 […]
Island health group faces staffing cuts
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 […]
Five Vineyard sports teams earn playoff spots
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 […]
Healey to ICE: ‘We need answers’
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, […]
Island faith leaders decry ICE detentions
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 […]
Vineyard faith leaders decry Island detentions
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 […]
Dill-brined fried chicken and maple-roasted carrots
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 […]
Wild Side: Peak time for interesting bee species
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 […]
Approaches to build executive function
“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. […]
A modern adaptation of the ‘Iliad’
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’ plays at M.V. Film Center
“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 […]
Writing from the Heart: Thank your mentors
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 […]
The journey to Precious
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 push back on ICE detentions
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 […]
Vineyard ICE detainee given option to leave country
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 […]
Visiting Vet: Home emergency care
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 […]
Lunches at Wampanoag Tribal Community Center
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: June 2025
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: June 2025
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: June 2025
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 Council on Aging: June 2025
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: June 2025
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 […]
Healthy Aging Martha’s Vineyard: June 2025
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: June 2025
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: June 2025
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 […]
Noteworthy 55+: June 2025
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 […]
Veterans’ Corner: June 2025
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 […]
Federated Church of Martha’s Vineyard: 100th anniversary
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 […]
‘Our Queer Elders’ with singer Katie Castagno
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 […]
Real Estate Transactions: May 19 – 23, 2025
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 […]
Works of wonder by artist Jack Ryan
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 […]
Walking tour on ghosts and gossip
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.
Concerts in Ocean Park
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. […]
Tour of Food Forest
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. […]
Children’s printmaking class
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 […]
Community Clothing Swap
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., […]
Cribbage Club results
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 […]
Celebrating MVRHS Grads: Dulcie Rutherford
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 […]
Poet’s Corner: ‘Stefan’ by Laura D. Roosevelt
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 […]
West Tisbury Town Column
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 […]
Tisbury Town Column
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 […]
Oak Bluffs Town Column
“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 […]
Edgartown Town Column
It’s the second year in a row that I skipped Memorial Day Weekend on Martha’s Vineyard, this time trading in New England island time for Caribbean island time, as I flew down to the Dominican Republic for some quality family time (and dental work) for a week. I won’t make you too jealous, but I […]
Chilmark Town Column
This week marks the beginning of the summer season, and more doors are open near town hall, the Chilmark Tavern and Chilmark Store. We deeply appreciate the Menemsha Fish Market and Menemsha Texaco for staying open all year, and are excited to note the opening of the Galley, Pandora’s Box, Homeport, and Ruel Gallery. Iggy’s […]
Aquinnah Town Column
Last Friday, Charley and I were moved as we watched a big parade of students from Tisbury School march through downtown Vineyard Haven. Some wore big beautiful red, white, and blue hats. Some carried flags. The school band sang out a marching cadence with their drums and horns. They were marching to put flowers into […]
Randall Jette to coach with New York Jets
Oak Bluffs’ Randall Jette, MVRHS class of 2011, has been been hired by the New York Jets as the Bill Walsh minority intern assistant special teams coach for the upcoming season. Jette was the first MVRHS football player to earn a full-ride football scholarship to a Division 1 Football Bowl Subdivision program, at UMass. Redshirted […]
Island seasonal artist honored for Betty White stamp design
Illustrator and seasonal Vineyard resident Dale Stephanos was the man of the hour at Nobnocket Boutique Inn on Saturday, signing a recently released and popular line of U.S. Postal Service stamps that he designed featuring iconic actress Betty White. Though Vineyard Haven postmaster Emily Texeira presented Stephanos with a plaque of the design and gave […]
Vineyard boys, girls tennis teams sweep league titles
Both the Martha’s Vineyard regional High School boys and girls tennis teams swept the Atlantic Cape Cod League championships, finishing both with undefeated 10-0 league records, and 15-1 overall seasons. The two squads secured their Championship titles early, outpacing competitors and accumulating a point-total that was impassable for the other teams to reach before the […]
Truck rolls over on Beach Road
A Bruno’s Rolloff truck traveling down Beach Road rolled over and took out a utility pole near Vineyard Scripts Pharmacy in Tisbury on Memorial Day, leading to traffic delays. Tisbury Fire Chief Patrick Rolston said the incident happened a bit after noon on Monday. He said it took roughly four hours to deal with the […]
Elizabeth Ann Knight
Elizabeth Ann Lassen Knight died peacefully, in her home, surrounded by her loving husband and five children on Monday, May 5, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She will always be remembered as nurturing, humble, forgiving, spirited, generous, kind, and poised. Ann truly was a lady of grace. Born in Needham, on Oct. 6, 1939, […]
Hundreds of Islanders celebrate young boy’s life
Hundreds attended a celebration of life on Saturday afternoon for Frank Edward Rodenbaugh, the two-year-old Vineyard boy who lost his life in March. Islanders filled into the M.V. Ag Hall in West Tisbury, where dozens of photos of Rodenbaugh with his family were displayed, as well as home videos and a slideshow. The celebration took […]
Honoring the Vineyard’s fallen
Dozens of Islanders marched with veterans and members of the armed services in Monday’s annual Memorial Day Parade, which kicked off at the American Legion Post 257 in Vineyard Haven and traveled to the nearby Oak Grove Cemetery. The stormy weather from the end of last week broke and a beaming sun came to greet […]
ICE agents detain 20 people on Vineyard during Islands sweep
Updated, May 28 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, along with assistance from other federal agencies, detained at least 20 people on the Island Tuesday morning. MV Times reporters and eyewitnesses saw officers, wearing masks and vests that read “FBI,” “DEA,” and “Police,” detaining people across the Island, though the specifics for why each individual […]
Questions of transparency swirl around Vineyard Wind
Just a fraction of Vineyard Wind’s planned offshore wind turbines are in operation despite nearly three years of construction, and the company is staying silent on what is slowing production down and when it’ll actually finish the project. First reported by the State House News Service, Vineyard Wind 1 — an offshore wind farm 15 […]
Accessibility issues make good citizenship almost impossible
I am sure 1857 was a really good year to build a courthouse. But nearly 170 years later, it is time to admit that the Dukes County courthouse is no longer a public building — no air conditioning, no modern electronic communication systems, and most importantly, failure to ensure that it is an accessible public […]
Island students march to the sea for fallen soldiers
Hundreds of students and faculty of the Oak Bluffs School paraded toward Inkwell Beach Friday morning with flowers in their hands and with an emergency services escort as part of an Island tradition known as March to the Sea — an honoring of Island veterans and everyone who gave their life in the name of […]
Nominations live for Creative Living Award
The Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation is accepting nominations for the 2025 Creative Living Award. This award was established in 1983 to recognize outstanding members of the Vineyard community who embody Ruth Bogan’s spirit of courage, intelligence, and love for the Island, and who have contributed significantly to the quality of life on the Vineyard. Bogan […]
Late-season nor’easter dumps five inches of rain, cancels ferries
Ahead of Memorial Day weekend, a rare May nor’easter dumped more than five inches of rain in some areas, and knocked out power for more than half the Island. High winds and seas disrupted travel plans ahead of one of the busiest weekends of the year. There were also reports of minor coastal flooding around […]
Veterans services planned for Memorial Day
As Memorial Day approaches, the Island is preparing to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the U.S. military. On Monday of Memorial Day weekend, American Legion Post 257 will host its century-old Memorial Day parade, starting at 10:30 am from the Legion Hall parking lot in Vineyard Haven. The […]
Chilmark to consider paid parental leave for town workers
Most families across Massachusetts who work for municipalities aren’t eligible for paid family leave after having a baby, and must instead take unpaid time off to care for their newborn. But a Chilmark resident is trying to change that on Island, one town at a time. In a Chilmark select board meeting on Tuesday, Vicki […]
Edgartown clerk nominated for judge position
Five new Massachusetts attorneys were nominated by Governor Maura Healey Wednesday for Associate Justice positions in Massachusetts District Courts, and one of the nominees is long-time Island resident, Edgartown Court Clerk Magistrate Liza Williamson. Currently a resident of West Tisbury, Williamson has served as the Clerk Magistrate of the Edgartown District Court for over 20 […]
Ahead of Memorial Day, Island braces for summer of ‘Jaws’
Visitors streaming out of Steamship Authority ferries in Vineyard Haven this weekend will likely notice a gift shop window clustered with apparel commemorating the 50th anniversary of “Jaws,” the 1975 summer blockbuster classic. A gray banner printed with “Jaws” T shirts hangs above a large window of Neptune’s Sea Chest, along with shark-themed clothes and […]
Wire-fraud scam hits Tisbury town hall
The Town of Tisbury was hit with a wire fraud scam this month, ultimately losing taxpayers a small sum of money. Just over $16,000, originally intended to pay for a dredge survey completed by CR Environmental, was wired to a fraudulent account on May 5 by town employees after a hacker compromised the email of […]
Garden Notes: Evergreens, caterpillars, and ticks
It is not for nothing that some call the May full moon the Flower Moon. Scarcely have lilacs’ soft shades become passé when azaleas’ and rhododendrons’ color splashes and trusses outshine the more delicate flowering crabs and cherries. My flower love, however, belongs to the ancient order of magnolias, whose wonders are, for yet another […]
Dogcharmer: We got a puller
Dear Dogcharmer, We have a pit mix, Della, about 65 pounds, that pulls like crazy. We have her on a prong collar, but she still pulls hard, seems to feel no pain. Somebody mentioned a head halter, and another person said get an Easy Walk harness. Your thoughts? Jeff and Pat Dear J and P, […]
Author Martha Hall Kelly transports readers in time
New York Times best-selling author Martha Hall Kelly, known for her historical fiction, takes us back to a time when world history touched our Island’s shores. Kelly’s new novel, “The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club,” is rooted in her ties to the Island, which began when her great-grandparents, who were farmers here, arrived in […]
‘Secret Mall Apartment’ at M.V. Film Center
“Secret Mall Apartment” at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Society is a deep dive into a unique art project. Director and producer Jeremy Workman combines original footage and contemporary commentary to take us on a journey with eight Rhode Islanders who created a secret apartment in the mammoth Providence Place Mall in 2003. At the time, […]
Art and spirituality merge at the Hebrew Center
Both art and spirituality can be transcendent, and four artists will share how these intertwine for them at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center. The program is the brainchild of Linda Vadász, who, with a strong background in art history, will facilitate the panel. Spirituality and religion have been central to art throughout history, in medieval […]
A ‘victim’ from ‘Jaws’ lives to tell his story
Call it fateful irony. In 1974, the Voorhees family had just moved to Martha’s Vineyard, and (by Island standards) weren’t even real Islanders, at least not yet. Then, as fate would have it, the middle child, Jeffrey, 12, was chosen to be cast in a role that was, ironically, intended for a classic “Island kid.” […]
‘Jaws’ Broadway play on Martha’s Vineyard
The Broadway play “The Shark Is Broken,” a comedy-drama based on the making of the movie “Jaws,” is coming to the Vineyard this summer in celebration of the film’s 50th anniversary. The play is currently touring the U.K. and Ireland, after running from August to September 2023 on Broadway in New York’s John Golden Theatre. […]
‘Jaws’ events at Martha’s Vineyard Museum
As the 50th anniversary of the first summer blockbuster approaches, the Martha’s Vineyard Museum is bursting with exciting programming for its “Jaws at 50: A Deeper Dive” exhibition. Director of programming Laurel Redington reflects on devising the lineup: “You can easily and quickly become overwhelmed by the tidal wave of options and ideas,” she said. […]
The summer of ‘Jaws’ tchotchkes
Martha’s Vineyard is buzzing with anticipation of celebrating the 50th anniversary of “Jaws” on the Island, where the blockbuster was mostly filmed. A whole range of events is planned, including interviews with cast members and local extras, documentaries, and plenty of “Jaws” art installations — including a replica of the Orca. But what about that […]
‘Jaws’ 50th anniversary events
Thursday, June 19 Amity Sharks vs. Quint Navigators 6:50 to 9:50 pm Celebrate the “Jaws” 50th with a baseball game just like the cast and crew used to! Buy your limited-edition Quints Navigator jersey or Amity Shark jersey, and don’t forget your ticket! Visit mvsharks.com. Friday, June 20 Visit Amity Library 10 am to 5 pm Stop by the […]
Commemorating Dale Stephanos, creator of Betty White postage stamp
The Vineyard Haven USPS postmaster Emily Texeira will present a commemorative plaque to seasonal Martha’s Vineyard visitor Dale Stephanos in recognition of his “Betty White” postage stamp. Stephanos is an award-winning illustrator who has been creating art in one form or another since 1982. His work has appeared in nearly every major national publication, including […]
Great Pond Foundation open house
The Great Pond Foundation (GPF) team invites the public to an open house and tour of its new laboratory. Discover the life within Island waters and be a scientist for a day. Attendees will look at samples under a microscope, analyze the biology and chemistry of pond waters from across the Island, and learn about […]
Seawall Stand: Raising awareness about substance abuse
On Saturday, May 31, at 11 am, community members will gather at Eastville Beach in Oak Bluffs for the Seawall Stand, a youth-led event to raise awareness about substance use disorder and to stand in solidarity with those affected by addiction. The Seawall Stand is presented by Vivian Baxter and Bella Levy of Stepping Up, […]
Louisa Gould Gallery is celebrating 22 years
The Louisa Gould Gallery in Tisbury is celebrating 22 years of business with a summer season kickoff party and opening artist reception. Five artists will be in attendance: Kate Huntington, Teek Eaton-Koch, John Holladay, Kathleen Tackabury, and Linda Besse. Sunday, May 25, from 5 to 7 pm for both the Springtime Show and the Sail […]
Lazy Frog celebrates 20 years of fun
Jake and Sarah Gifford announce the 20th anniversary of their game and toy shop, the Lazy Frog. Their 20 Years of Fun celebration includes in-store promotions and giveaways to take place over Memorial Day weekend. Founded in 2005, the Lazy Frog is a game and toy store located in Oak Bluffs. In the past 15 […]
Island towns discuss housing strategies
From allowing duplexes and multifamily buildings to keeping young families on the Vineyard, Islanders have begun to weigh in on how to lift the community out of a housing crisis and build plans for moving forward. The first and second rounds of community meetings aimed at gathering public feedback on each town’s housing production plans […]
Potter pushes back on ‘discriminatory’ performance evaluation
Oak Bluffs town administrator Deborah Potter pushed back on a recent performance evaluation that called her difficult to approach, even asserting that some of the points highlighted by town officials were sexist. The Oak Bluffs select board presented its annual performance assessment of the town administrator last week, which had been compiled by the town’s […]
Vineyard softball suffers tough home loss
The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School Softball team faced Sturgis Charter School East last week in a high-scoring clash. Despite falling to a final score of 21-14, the Vineyarders showed tenacity, scoring more than 10 runs later in the game before falling just short of a complete comeback in the last inning. “Historically, one bad […]
Vineyard Artisans Festivals
Don’t miss the Vineyard Artisans Festivals, a summer tradition and the only weekly juried art show where the public can meet Island artisans and buy directly from them. The festival includes demonstrations, weaving, fine furniture, pottery, stained glass, oil paintings, pastels, mixed-media, sculpture, wampum jewelry, quilts, clothing, sea glass windows, handmade books, and much more. […]
‘Play Kitchen and Store’ at Oak Bluffs Library
Play is the primary way kids learn and express themselves. Through play, they also learn how to problem-solve, socialize, and invent. Bring them over to the Oak Bluffs Library and enjoy watching them learn, grow, and create. Ages 2 through 6. Drop in on Tuesdays through June between 10 am to 12 pm. 56R School […]
Memorial Day picnic
Gather your friends and families and enjoy a Memorial Day picnic. Bring your own food and beverages. Some refreshments, as well as grills, will be provided. Also enjoy rowboating, children’s games, music by the Flying Elbows and others, chalk art, tours of the historic building, and more. Monday, May 26, 12 to 3 pm. Free. […]
Friday night public forums
Stillpoint is hosting several public forums, where participants can explore topics in a public-square setting. Each forum will be led by a professional facilitator. Learn from different perspectives, gain understanding regardless of differences, and build a stronger community. The events are free, but RSVPs are required. The first forum is Friday, May 23, from 7 […]
Annual Edgartown sidewalk sale
Don’t miss the Edgartown show-stopping sales from local clothing stores in one convenient location. Participating stores include Nell, Sea Legs, Suka, Botanical Beauty, Boneyard, Island Outfitters, and more. Bring cash, as some vendors will not be able to process credit cards or accept checks. Saturday, May 24, 10 am to 4 pm at the Edgartown […]
Panel on spirituality and art
Four Jewish Vineyard artists, Barney Zeitz, Hermine Hull, Jeanette Demeestere, and Elizabeth Langer, will discuss spirituality in their work at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center. The discussion will be moderated by Linda Vadász, and there will be a reception to follow. Sunday, May 25, 4 to 6 pm. Free, but registration is required. To sign […]
A whaling history of the Vineyard
Though most Islanders know that whaling was central to the Island’s past, how much do we really know about its lasting impact? Join Martha’s Vineyard Museum research librarian Bow Van Riper for a deep dive into the history of whaling and the many ways it shaped (and continues to shape) life on Martha’s Vineyard. Catch […]
Real Estate Transactions: May 12 – 16, 2025
Chilmark May 12, Sarah Kuh, Joanna Kuh, Elizabeth Kuh, and Daniel Kuh sold 7 Loon Lane to Willa Small Kuh for $670,160. Edgartown May 12, Manuel R. Jardin sold 68 Sixth St. North to Deborah A. Hills for $275,000. May 14, Division St. Properties LLC sold 69 Division Road to Ricoto LLC for $4,762,500. May […]
West Tisbury Town Column
I love every minute of this time of year, especially the illusion of living in a Wolf Kahn painting as I observe the leaves emerging in our woods. Colors change every day, and light moves across and through thickets of branches. Pink, lavender, an orange-tinged green, finally a bright, almost-chartreuse that contrasts with the bits […]
Tisbury Town Column
Heard on Main Street: Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance. Tomorrow’s annual March to the Sea by the schoolchildren to fill the harbor with memorial flowers is a most beautiful and appropriate event. The kids will appreciate your attendance at their parade. They leave the school at 12:15 pm. […]
Oak Bluffs Town Column
“Don’t just teach your children to read. Teach them to question what they read. Teach them to question everything.” —George Carlin Memorial Day is here! This holiday gives us time to acknowledge and honor those who have fought and died while serving in the U.S. military. I read somewhere that instead of mourning their death, […]
Edgartown Town Column
I’m writing this, and it just hit me that Memorial Day weekend is here. Isn’t it the biggest lie when we’re told we have time? Truthfully, we do but we don’t, and I feel like the earlier we can come to terms with that sentiment, the easier life will unfold. I’ll take a note from […]
Chilmark Town Column
The leaves are bursting, and you can see the changes on the main roads. Cooler spots have branches tinged with light green, and the warmer spots are now tunnels enclosed by large, dark green leaves, making high beams important at night. Purple and pink wisteria, flowing, small, white-blossomed spirea, rhododendrons and azaleas are blazing like […]
Aquinnah Town Column
Last week was a time of change here in Aquinnah. We suffered the loss of a woman who has long been an integral part of our community. Roxanne Ackerman was a mother, a grandmother, our town constable, and our representative to the School Committee. So many are grieving her loss. Rest in peace, Roxanne. Thank […]
Cribbage Club results
Eighteen members of the Vineyard Cribbage Club met on Wednesday evening to play our favorite game of cribbage. The results are below: First, Roy Scheffer with an 11/5 +72 card Second, Jack Silvia with a 10/5 +37 card Third, Mary Alice Russell with a 9/4 +66 card Fourth, Louis Larsen with a 9/4 +43 card […]
Births
Roman Anthony Agreste Ana Irwin and Anthony Agreste of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Roman Anthony Agreste, on May 12, 2025, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Roman weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces. Caleb Rodrigues de Souza Rafaela de Souza and Tiago de Souza of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, […]
Originally suspended by executive branch, Empire Wind construction resumes
Updated 1:05 pm Over a month after the Trump administration ordered a fully permitted offshore wind project to halt construction, the order has been lifted. Equinor announced on Monday evening that construction for its Empire Wind project, expected to provide renewable energy for 500,000 homes in New York, can resume construction after the stop-work order, […]
Jacqueline Grace Jenoure
Jacqueline Grace Jenoure, 93, transitioned peacefully, surrounded by family, on May 9, 2025, in Beverly Hills, Calif. She was an avid adventurer, animal activist, lifelong learner, beloved educator, and, most importantly, a loving mother and grandmother. Jacqueline led a full and illustrious life, teaching science and math at the elementary school level for three decades. […]
David Sherwood Ashe
David Sherwood Ashe, 69, of Edgartown, and Beverly Hills, Mich., passed away peacefully due to complications of his Type 2 diabetes in his Martha’s Vineyard home on May 11, 2025, with his beloved dog and best friend, Brady, by his side. David Ashe was born on Jan. 21, 1956, in Southbridge, to Frank and Eileen […]
Jim Stevens
James Gay Argyll Stevens, devoted husband of pianist Delores Stevens, passed away peacefully at the age of 97 at home in Pacific Palisades, Calif., on April 30, 2025. He was born on July 4, 1927. For many decades, Jim and Dee were cherished members of the Martha’s Vineyard summer community, where they became deeply entwined […]
Services for Roxane Ackerman on Tuesday
Roxane Ackerman, 76, died on Thursday afternoon, May 15, 2025, at home in Aquinnah. A memorial potluck service will be held on Tuesday, May 20, at 6 pm at the Aquinnah Town Hall. A complete obituary will appear in a later edition of this paper.
Louise C. Yapp
Louise C. Yapp of Vineyard Haven passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loved ones on May 18, 2025, at the age of 99. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert J. Yapp, and is survived by her son, Robert W. Yapp and his wife, Debra, of West Tisbury, and son Mark G. Yapp […]
Porchfest brings the fun in Edgartown
From Rosewater to the Eisenhauer Gallery, porches were covered on Saturday with live and local bands. Willy Mason, Darby and Sam, and the Dock Street Fight Club were just a few of the bands playing. Porchfest in Edgartown was inspired by a similar event that started two decades ago in Ithaca, N.Y., but has popped […]
Endurance athlete swimming around Vineyard to benefit sharks
British-South African Lewis Pugh was the first person to swim across the North Pole and complete an endurance swim in every ocean of the world. Now, on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the iconic film “Jaws,” he is in the midst of swimming the 60-mile circumference of Martha’s Vineyard in an effort to […]
Rodenbaugh family launches new nonprofit for Island playgrounds
The family of Frank Rodenbaugh, the 2-year-old Islander who died tragically in March, launched a fundraising campaign earlier this month to rebuild a playground at the Oak Bluffs School in his honor — and within days, all of the requested funds had been raised through more than 800 donations. Frank’s parents, Julie and Matt Rodenbaugh, […]
Island recovery court graduates first members
Four Island residents celebrated their journey to sobriety Wednesday inside a packed Edgartown District Court, the first four to do so in the Island’s newly established recovery court program. Friends, families, community leaders, and court and state officials took in the ceremony with big smiles and occasional tears. “It was one of the best things […]
Edgartown middle school volleyball champs
The Edgartown Eagles soared to victory in the middle school volleyball championship last week, defeating the West Tisbury Hawks in a competitive, best-of-five showdown at the Edgartown Schools gymnasium. The match drew a lively crowd of parents, teachers, and families, filling the stands with supportive and invested cheers. The Eagles clinched the title after a […]
Fishing: The jig is up
Signs of spring abound. Ospreys circle the Island. Flowers are blooming. The days are getting warmer. Spring is truly spring, though, when squid swim through nearshore rips to spawn. Following those squid are striped bass and bluefish, eager to feast on their own version of squid sushi. Avid Vineyard fishermen who love stripers, blues, and […]
Term limits at SSA are needed to right the ship
The Steamship Authority is the Island’s lifeline, but in recent years it has been unreliable, inefficient, and downright frustrating to anyone trying to make a reservation on its flawed website. Longtime Islanders and passenger advocates alike are sounding alarms, and calling for reforms to address a growing list of problems, particularly as the summer season […]
The Aquinnah makes a grand entrance
With the blare of its horn, the much-anticipated Aquinnah — the second of three sister freight boats to join the Steamship Authority fleet, and slated to join the Vineyard–Woods Hole route soon — was met by Vineyarders with celebration on Friday morning. The new vessel was welcomed with fanfare at the Oak Bluffs terminal during […]
High school to look for new principal
Sara Dingledy, Martha’s Vineyard Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) principal for the past nine years, will be stepping down for a role in the district’s front office. Dingledy hasn’t told The Times the specific reasons she is leaving this post for a new one, but district administrators and school committee members said that she applied […]
Information about the Islanders Write Pitch Panel
This is an opportunity for five writers to pitch their book project and get feedback from four publishing professionals — a publisher/editor, a literary agent, an author, and a publishing executive – live at Islanders Write. It is also a terrific opportunity for audience members to listen to the live pitches and the critiques, and […]
Chris Manning elected as next Aquinnah select board member by five votes
More than half of Aquinnah residents turned up to the polls to vote for the next select board member at Thursday’s town election, which turned into a tight race between two candidates. Challenger Chris Manning, an Aquinnah Wampanoag and Tisbury police officer, defeated incumbent Gary Haley, an electrician who had held the seat for three […]
Grey Barn to hit ‘pause’ after summer
The owners behind a staple in the Chilmark farming community and producer of famous cheeses, the Grey Barn, have announced that they will be hitting pause after the summer season, stating that the current business “model is no longer viable.” Molly and Eric Glasgow, proprietors of the Chilmark farm, said in a message to local […]
Vineyard Haven medical center to remain open
Some patients had an inkling that Vineyard Medical Care might not be shuttering after all when they could still make doctor’s appointments for May, the month the primary care provider’s lease was set to expire. Now, a thousand Islanders can breathe a sigh of relief — the continuation of the health service is official. Under […]
2025 Ag Fair poster released
The new poster for the 163rd annual Agricultural Fair was released today, featuring a colorful design by local artist Abe Pieciak, and an initial peek into one of the busiest weeks of the year on the Island. “[Pieciak’s] poster captures what makes the fair and the Island special, from flowers to farm animals, to — […]
Cape Poge residents push back on gate lawsuit
Cape Poge residents are pushing back on the assertion that they illegally installed a gate blocking The Trustees of Reservations (TTOR) from accessing critical habitat at Cape Poge Wildlife Reserve in Edgartown. In a statement shared with The Times, the defendants in the lawsuit dispute that the recently installed gate is completely blocking the Trustees’ […]
Steamship starting renewable-fuel pilot program
Top Steamship Authority officials are enthusiastically backing a plan to start using alternative fuels to operate their vessels, which would cut down on the ferry line’s carbon footprint. During a joint meeting on Thursday last week, both the Steamship board and Port Council voted unanimously to support the purchase of enough RD99 fuel — a […]
Accessory dwelling units: An intergenerational tool for housing challenges
Updated May 15th. A new building bylaw — signed by top Massachusetts officials and recently approved by towns on the Island — allows a tool that could play a significant role in addressing the Island’s housing struggles: accessory dwelling units, or as they’re more commonly referred to, ADUs. From a small cottage apartment to a […]
Residents surprised by Trustees’ lawsuit
To the Editor: We, the undersigned Cape Poge residents named as defendants in the recent legal action initiated by the Trustees of Reservations (TTOR), appreciate the opportunity to address the public regarding this matter. We were surprised to learn of this lawsuit through a press release, particularly given our generations of good-faith collaboration and historical […]
100 days of the Trump administration and us
Many people on the Vineyard may be astonished by the sheer number and fast pace of executive orders issued from the White House over the first 100 days of the Trump administration. But it’s possible to judge three key domestic issues to determine their impact on Islanders and all Americans: immigration, government cuts, and the […]
Aquinnah selectman challenger promises new voices
Candidates for Aquinnah’s select board spoke their minds at a public forum last month, addressing housing worries and whether to regionalize a short-staffed police department. First-time Aquinnah select board candidate Chris Manning is set to challenge three-term incumbent Gary Haley for the only contested position in the May 15 election. Manning, keeper of the Gay […]
Woods Hole terminal a safety hazard
To the Editor: The dangerous situation at the Woods Hole terminal must be addressed immediately. Vehicles, pedestrians, and the lack of adequate staff to direct traffic in the parking lot combine to make the area confusing and unsafe. Buses, cars, and trucks are all trying to navigate the entrances and exits from the parking lot […]
Thank you for the peace and quiet
To the Editor: Sunday, May 11, was a beautiful day in West Tisbury — a great day to be outside. A perfect day to take walks with the dog, work in the garden, or just sit in an Adirondack chair or whatever. There are, of course, many beautiful days to be outside in West Tisbury […]
Thank you to Offshore Ale
To the Editor: On behalf of the Friends of the Up-Island Council on Aging, I would like to thank Sue and Dave at Offshore Ale Co. for so generously hosting our Dine-to-Donate event last Tuesday. It was lots of fun, and we were able to raise funds to help offset some of the financial challenges […]
Thankful for the birds
To the Editor: A heartfelt thank-you to the wonderful crew at Featherstone Center for the Arts and the more than 100 artists who collaborated with Mass Audubon Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary to present “For the Birds.” It was a joyful celebration of the beauty of nature, captured in paint, clay, fabric, metal, wood, and photography. […]
Celebrating MVRHS Grads: Sam Mitchell
Sam Mitchell graduated from MVRHS in 1996 as a well-rounded student with a wide range of academic and extracurricular interests. Whether music, sports, or the camaraderie of his peers, he embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm. He was truly a pleasure to know and to teach. After high school, Sam attended Wesleyan University, where he majored […]
William Luers, diplomat who backed Czech Republic’s first president, dies at 95
William H. Luers, a summer Island resident across four decades, career diplomat, and former president of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, died Saturday at his home in Washington Depot, Conn. He was 95. Luers, born and raised in Springfield, Ill., dedicated his life to advancing democracy, arts, and culture. Through a […]
The world in tapestry with Julia Mitchell
Julia Mitchell’s tapestries embody how she experiences the world. Like the artist herself, her works have substance. The weight of the yarns contributes to the tapestry’s heft and varied surface textures, while their visual impact evokes a response deep within. Mitchell roots her images in realism, but stretches their boundaries toward abstraction. We step back […]
‘Art of Flowers’ show at Featherstone
Just when I thought that spring would never come, the forsythia and daffodils are out, and tender green leaves are beginning to sprout from the long, bare branches. However, nothing signals the change of the season like Featherstone Center for the Arts’ annual “Art of Flowers” exhibition. The show is a longstanding tradition that started […]
A popular Brazilian show host visits the Island
Aluísio Ferreira de Sousa, the host and reporter of a popular online show among the Brazilian community, had heard a lot about Martha’s Vineyard over the past few years — the stories of life as an immigrant, the struggles, and the accomplishments. But he had never visited the Island before. Last month, he was able […]
Blending history with theater at Tisbury School
Sixth graders at the Tisbury School eagerly entered Sean DeBettencourt’s social studies classroom for the second session of Phyllis Vecchia’s Women in History Program. Her learn-by-doing approach had their artistic juices flowing as they participated in a play about the Salem witch trials of 1692–93. Vecchia facilitated the class with aplomb, bringing 37 years of […]
Home is where the paws are
Humans love their animals. As a matter of fact, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 68 percent of U.S. households have a pet. The NIH states that interacting with pets decreases cortisol levels, lowers blood pressure, reduces loneliness, and boosts our moods. Those of us with pets can attest. Nearly all of my […]
M.V. Film Society’s Environmental Film Festival
The beauty of Martha’s Vineyard (Noepe) is sacred to the Wampanoag, and attracts many to its shores. Concern for the environment abounds, and numerous organizations across the Island work to address the challenges to our waters and land. There is the Vineyard Conservation Society, the Trustees of Reservations, the Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation, Felix Neck Wildlife […]
Vegan Lobster Rolls, anyone?
I stopped dead in my tracks when I came upon a recipe for Pawnee House Vegan Lobster Rolls while flipping through Julia Blanter’s exquisite “Martha’s Vineyard Cookbook.” Jocelyn Filley’s luscious photograph of the dish is a mouthwatering culinary still life. The lumps of “lobster” sprinkled with fresh chives immediately made my eyes jump to the […]
Visiting Vet: Is it edible? Ziggy thinks so.
Remember the old television series “Little House on the Prairie”? Harriet and Nels Oleson owned the local general store, a classic white clapboard building where they worked on the ground floor and lived upstairs with their children. I often think about “Mom and Pop” businesses like this, where the kids grow up running around their […]
Wild Side: Evolution is especially creative
The easiest and most rewarding group of flies for amateurs like me to study is the family Syrphidae — that is, hoverflies or flower flies. True to the latter common name, adult flies in this family almost universally visit flowers for pollen and nectar, making them relatively easy to find. And by and large, flies […]
Writing from the Heart: ‘You don’t look Jewish’
“Is it time to leave?” I started asking my husband when the white supremacists in Charlottesville chanted, “Jews will not replace us.” He didn’t say “Nance, you’re being paranoid,” but I heard it in his voice. Then when the gunman killed 11 people in a Pittsburgh synagogue, I asked again, “Would you leave?” This time, […]
Working for Your Health: Loss of information that matters to you
Our federal government collects health data. These data form the basis of information important to you. If you follow this column, you may recall reading about the importance of data in healthcare. Recent reductions in federal support and massive layoffs are reducing the amount and quality of information that propels advances in clinical medicine and […]
Community education event on elder abuse prevention
Martha’s Vineyard Bank, in collaboration with the Dukes County Sheriff’s Office and community organizations, will host an educational program focused on elder abuse prevention and response. According to the National Council on Aging, approximately one in 10 Americans ages 60 and up have experienced some form of elder abuse, with some estimates suggesting that only […]
Community Family Fun Day at Boys & Girls Club
On Saturday, May 17, from 11 am to 1 pm, enjoy a fun family day filled with food, music, and activities, hosted by the Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club. Create your own treat at the $5 Make-Your-Own Sundae Station, devour some delicious hot dogs and hamburgers, and dance to the sounds of live music […]
Guided trail walks for families
Join the Martha’s Vineyard Family Center and Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation for a fun and educational walk. See the M.V. Family Center Facebook page or contact the center for locations. Please arrive a few minutes early at the trailhead. It’s on Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 am, weather permitting. Event contact: Ava Castro, mvfamilycenter@gmail.com, 508-627-9182.
Fiber & Felt workshop with Mary Beth Daniels
At a Fiber & Felt workshop with Mary Beth Daniels, you’ll be introduced to the ancient craft of needle felting, involving pushing, pulling, and combining fibers using a barbed needle. Needle felting can be used to create 2D images or 3D objects. Class size is limited to eight people. To reserve your spot, visit fiberandfelt.com. […]
Community Sing with Roberta Kirn
Sing easy-to-learn songs from around the world with Roberta Kirn of Be Well Sing. It’s on Monday, May 19, from 5 to 6 pm at Slough Farm, 60 Slough Road, Edgartown. For questions, email roberta@bewellsing.com or call 774-563-0318.
Annual plant sale at Community Greenhouse
Finally! It’s time to plant those gardens. Head over to Community Solar Greenhouse for its annual plant sale, and discover a vibrant selection of annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, herbs, vegetables, and more. It’s on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 3 pm until June 22. 114 New York Ave., Oak Bluffs. For more information, […]
5K walk for M.V. Center for Living
Take a walk in Oak Bluffs with Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living to support dementia and caregiver services. Participants will meet at the Little Bridge along State Beach and walk to the “Jaws” Bridge and back. Register at interland3.donorperfect.net. There is a $30 suggested donation. Kids walk for free. It’s on Saturday, May 17, from […]
Vineyard Montessori School’s Big Night Out
Vineyard Montessori School closes its online auction at the 28th annual Big Night Out Party, held at the Portuguese-American Club in Oak Bluffs. It will take place on Saturday, May 17, from 7 to 11 pm. For questions, email Rhiannon Fernandes at admin@vineyardmontessori.com or call 508-693-4090.
Aquinnah approves borrowing for building repairs
Voters at Aquinnah annual town meeting approved borrowing to fund repairs at town buildings, and voted to place on the ballot a debt exclusion for the regional school district. At town hall on Tuesday night, Tom Murphy, town select board and infrastructure committee chair, advocated for borrowing $135,000 to improve town offices. After funds previously […]
Benefit for Island Children’s School
It’s time for the second annual Harmony and Heritage Night, benefiting the Island Children’s School. There will be a silent auction, catering by Mo’s, and music by DJ Dern. It’s on Friday, May 16, from 6 to 9 pm at the Portuguese-American Club, 137 Vineyard Ave., Oak Bluffs. For questions, email islandchildren@comcast.net or call 508-693-5815. […]
Poet’s Corner: ‘Ocean View’ by Sharisse Scott-Rawlins
Ocean View By Sharisse Scott-Rawlins Inhale — like the sea rising to meet the shore. Let the air drift in, cool and clean, as if the sky cracked open to pour calm into your chest. The breeze weaves through your hair like silk, brushes your skin like it’s waited all day just to touch you. […]
Cribbage Club results
Twenty members of the Vineyard Cribbage Club met Wednesday evening to play our favorite game. The results were as follows: First, Collin Evanson with a Grand Slam (winning all games) 12/6 +80 Second, George Giosmas with a 10/5 +76 card Third, Tricia Bergeron with a 10/5 +67 card Fourth, Jack Silvia with a 10/5 +21 […]
West Tisbury Town Column
I’m looking out my windows, not wanting to miss a moment as spring changes from its early subtlety to the thickness of summer. We have had just the right combination of sunny days and rainy days to make new leaves appear overnight through our woods, and everything seems to bloom in a rush before it […]
Tisbury Town Column
Heard on Main Street: True friends leave footprints on your heart. It is a very good feeling to welcome back our summer neighbors. While we may keep in touch over the winter, it is so much better to have them nearby. This Sunday, May 18, is the next to last of the “Local Off-Season Music […]
Oak Bluffs Town Column
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.” —Mark Twain I did a little travel last week — just down to the Florida panhandle for a week at the beach. We met up with Renee Nolan and Steve Grace, and Renee’s sister Diane Beckwith […]
Edgartown Town Column
When I took on this job as your Edgartown columnist, my first question was if I could make it into a food column, to which the powers that be answered, No can do. Which is understandable, as this is a general town column, but when said town’s local coffee shops and restaurants reopen for the […]
Chilmark Town Column
The crush to get things done before June 1 can be hard to push away. Somehow tasks that seem simple can often lead to uncovering something else that needs attending to. It is helping to think about life as a Rube Goldberg machine made up of a series of jigsaw puzzles. We are up to […]
Aquinnah Town Column
Due to deadline realities, I am writing several days before our town meeting, and then the election, so I obviously can’t give you any details on who and what got elected. I don’t yet know. That said, I have been a registrar here for several years now, and I can guarantee you how it went. […]
Real Estate Transactions: May 5 – 9, 2025
Chilmark May 6, Martha E. Solinger transferred 18 Trustees Lane to Martha E. Solinger, trustee of Martha E. Solinger Lifetime Trust, for $1. May 6, Cheryl Grella sold 0 Harborside Inn Condo Unit 506 Week 35 and Unit 508 Week 36 to Bradford Coleman, trustee of Bradford Coleman Family Trust, for $25,000. Edgartown May 6, […]
Births
Levor King Jr. Shanalee King and Levor King of Edgartown announce the birth of a son, Levor King Jr., born on May 7, 2025, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Young Levor weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces. Cedar Michael Sharp Rebecca Sharp and Heather Sharp of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Cedar Michael Sharp, […]
Court Report: April 25 – May 5, 2025
April 25 Manoel M. Silva, 47, Edgartown; operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, marked lanes violation, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, arraigned and held, bail set at $300 with potential for bail revocation. May 5 Elias C. Silva, 55, Edgartown; operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation […]
Olive Tomlinson
Olive Tomlinson died peacefully at her home in the Oak Bluffs Highlands on May 9, 2025. She was 87. Olive was born in the Bronx, New York City, on Jan. 22, 1938, to William and Olive (“Cutie”) Bowles. She was an engaging and humorous person who seemed to hear straight lines wherever she went. This […]
Aileen Alma Jackson
Aileen Alma Schultz Jackson passed on Nov. 24, 2024, at the age of 75. She was born on May 30, 1949, in Portland, Maine. Throughout her childhood, she grew up in many different places, from North Vassalboro, Gilford, and Sangerville in Maine to Charlottesville, Va., Sarasota, Fla., and Philadelphia. Her family eventually settled on Martha’s […]
Martha Mary Sullivan
Martha Mary Sullivan, 80, died on Friday afternoon, May 9, 2025, at her home in West Tisbury. She was the wife of Jim Bishop. Her service will be held at a later date, and a complete obituary will appear in a later edition of this paper. Visit chapmanfuneral.com for online guestbook and information.
John Lolley
John Lolley died at his home in Oak Bluffs on May 6 after a short illness. John was born in Portland, Maine, on Jan. 4, 1949. He grew up in Sanford, Maine, and graduated from Sanford High School in 1967. John’s father had a private pilot’s license, and from a young age John spent hours […]
Trustees takes Cape Poge residents to court over obstructive gate
Updated May 14 The Trustees of Reservations is suing a group of Cape Poge property owners in order to eliminate a barrier to a conservation area that is restricting its ability to monitor endangered wildlife. The Trustees filed a lawsuit in Massachusetts Land Court on Tuesday requesting a gate it said was built by Chappy […]
Doreen Flora Kinsman
Please join the family to celebrate our beloved Mother, Nana, and friend, Doreen Flora Kinsman, on May 17 at 1 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Society, 238 Main St. in Vineyard Haven. A gathering for afternoon tea and stories will follow at Mom’s house, 278 Main St. in Vineyard Haven.
MVYouth awards nearly $1 million in scholarships
MVYouth announced it has awarded nearly $1 million in scholarships to Island students. A Tuesday press release from the organization states the awards are for college, healthcare, education, and workforce development. Over the past 11 years, the nonprofit has awarded more than $8 million in college and technical training scholarships, to 113 students. Lindsey Scott, […]
Sources say quarter of NOAA Northeast fisheries staff gone
Updated 3:17 pm The Trump administration’s continued onslaught against the federal workforce is leading to percolating rumors of further cuts in the halls of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s Woods Hole laboratory — the nation’s oldest marine research station. WCAI first reported that the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, a research arm of NOAA Fisheries that […]
Aquinnah to decide town building repairs, playground renovations
Aquinnah residents will gather at 7 pm at town hall on Tuesday to vote on two dozen articles at annual town meeting, including a request to spend over $135,000 to repair town buildings. Officials have noted that town offices need work, while other articles are for $40,000 to resurface town parking lots (article eighteen) and […]
In the beginning was the POV
When a writer sits down to begin a work of fiction, one of the most important decisions is what narrative voice to use. There are so many ways to tell a story, and sometimes you can find the right approach only after some false starts. For those struggling with “first/third person” or “past/present tense,” here’s […]
The Vineyard Novel
Both girls had yet to jump off the Jaws Bridge, the one famous for being in the movie. As some of you know, it’s a rite of passage for all the island kids and vacationers. Both girls were scared to do it but would keep trying, thinking next time they would actually jump. The defendant […]
My job was to be a kid
By Jill Orluskie Thanks to my father, I couldn’t have asked for a better summer job on Martha’s Vineyard from 1982 to 1985. Although my father’s job at Bell Atlantic had him work on the Island only for the summers, I got the real deal of being a kid on Island time. That was my […]
A tulip Mother’s Day tradition is born
A new Mother’s Day tradition is blooming from within the Island’s charming gingerbread village in Oak Bluffs. In the day’s leading up to the Sunday holiday, Laurie DeJongh — a mother of two and steward of the pink-and-white gingerbread cottage at 7 Central Ave. called the Sea Shrimp — invited Islanders to pick tulips from […]
Lesnikowska defeats school committee incumbent in Tisbury
Updated, May 15 At the annual Tisbury town election Tuesday, voters selected Alicia Lesnikowska in a close race over incumbent Mike Watts for a three-year term on the School Committee. Lesnikowska secured 120 votes to Watts’ 108. For the Board of Health, George A. Santos Jr. took the seat decisively with 190 votes over William […]
Environmental police investigating dead alligator found on Island
Updated, May 14 In a moment that will likely enter local wildlife lore, an Island resident stumbled upon the carcass of an American alligator lying in a coastal nature reserve in West Tisbury. Massachusetts Environmental Police are investigating along with the West Tisbury Animal Control office. Local town officials have so far been mum […]
“The New York Trilogy” adapted by Paul Karasik
West Tisbury resident and New Yorker cartoonist Paul Karasik’s new book, a graphic novel adaptation of Paul Auster’s classic “The New York Trilogy” (Penguin Random House), is racking up rave reviews. Released in April 2025, Publishers Weekly called the book a “spectacular graphic adaptation.” But even more noteworthy was The Guardian review by Rachel Cooke, […]
Vineyard drought status improves
While the Island’s drought status is improving, the state is still asking residents to limit their water usage. According to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental affairs, Martha’s Vineyard is in a mild drought as of April 1. The state had classified the Island as being in a “significant drought” since January. The […]
Money earmarked for bike path repairs, ferry improvements
Updated May 12 State Sen. Julian Cyr announced on Friday morning that more than $2 million in funding has been earmarked for ferry improvements and the Martha’s Vineyard Commission. If added to the final Fair Share supplemental budget, funding would go locally to bike path repairs in the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest and dock […]
Airport terminal renovation gets MVC green light
Martha’s Vineyard Airport’s plans to renovate its outdated terminal got the endorsement from the Island’s regional planners. On Thursday, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission completed its rapid review of the airport’s proposed renovations to its terminal, unanimously voting to approve the project deemed “appropriate and essential.” Airport officials had requested the commission expedite its review process […]
Mincone to retire as West Tisbury Police Chief
After eight years serving as the Chief of Police, and over 30 years of service to the town, West Tisbury Police Chief Matthew L. Mincone has informed the town that he will retire on Oct. 3. Mincone, who began his career with the West Tisbury Police Department in 1991 and became a full time officer […]
No dogs allowed: Chilmark passes new town hall pet policy
Dogs, cats, parrots and any pet in between will not be allowed in the Chilmark Town Hall building after June 1st following an animated policy discussion at the Select Board meeting on Tuesday. While many municipal employees are known for their canine counterpart joining them at work, the policy has been updated to reflect the […]
Island community rallies around Rodenbaugh family
The family of Frank Rodenbaugh, the 2-year-old Islander who died tragically in March, launched a fundraising campaign late last week to rebuild a playground at the Oak Bluffs School in his honor — and within days, all of the requested funds had been raised through more than 800 donations. Frank’s parents, Julie and Matt Rodenbaugh, […]
Frank Edward Rodenbaugh
It is with broken hearts that we share the passing of our beloved son, Frank Edward Rodenbaugh, who left this world far too soon on March 19, 2025, at the age of 2. Frankie was a joyful force of nature — equal parts mud-splashed mischief and pure-hearted love. He was the treasured son of Matthew […]
Dukes County supports Steamship term limits
Dukes County Commissioners have unanimously supported a state bill for term limits on Steamship Authority board members. The bill, filed by Dylan Fernandes, the state Senator for Plymouth and Barnstable, would limit board members to a trio of three-year terms and has gained support from action groups in Falmouth and on-Island calling for change. County […]
Vineyard baseball gets some Red Hawk revenge
The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School baseball team staged a mid-game comeback to defeat the Barnstable High School Red Hawks at the Island’s Shark Tank on Wednesday. The win improves the team’s record to 4 and 7 on the season. It wasn’t looking good to start the game. Barnstable’s first two batters roped back-to-back bombs, […]
Newest freight vessel coming to Martha’s Vineyard
The Steamship Authority announced on Thursday morning that its newest freight vessel, the Aquinnah, will be commissioned this month. The ferry line will be holding a public celebration on Friday, May 16, at the Oak Bluffs Terminal at 9:30 am that will include self-guided tours. MarineTraffic, a vessel-tracking site, shows the Aquinnah departed from Morehead […]
Garden Notes: Supporting plants in the spring
The cardinal, the latest of a lineage that has been signaling from the tallest tree in the garden for generations; the delicacy of the shadbush that blooms in an eyeblink; earlier-than-ever lilacs perfuming quiet streets and backyards; cries of circling ospreys overhead, flinging themselves into brisk air currents. Life does go on; the only constant […]
A Mother’s Day memory: Angel tea
Kindergarten. And I couldn’t wait for the end of each day. If my friend and waking companion, Allyson, dawdled, I’d leave her in the dust. Darting out of Johanna Perrin School in Fairport, N.Y., where I grew up, I’d run up James Street, past Potter, Dewey, and Miles, until I reached Briggs Avenue and raced […]
Sequan: Transitioning into healing and growth
Spring is upon us, and for the Wampanoag, “sequan” is the name for spring, or what they regard as the start to a new year, when everything is awakening and coming to life. “This is true of many Indigenous people, marking that transition into a period of healing and growth and life since time immemorial,” […]
“The New York Trilogy” presentation by Paul Karasik
West Tisbury resident and award-winning cartoonist Paul Karasik comes to the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center on Thursday, May 15, at 7:30 pm to celebrate his latest book, the long-awaited “The New York Trilogy.” The approximately one-hour show will open with Karasik’s favorite cartoon: The 1931 short film “Bimbo’s Initiation,” featuring Betty Boop and a dog […]
Vision fellowships aim to preserve, enrich Island life
The Martha’s Vineyard Vision Fellowship and Vision Scholar has announced the latest recipients of its 2025 awards. Among the projects receiving an award is a teacher aiming to reduce the dropout rate of Brazilian youth in Vineyard schools, nurses helping address mental health issues on the Island, and Islanders improving food security. The Martha’s Vineyard […]
Circuit Arts: Vineyard Dance Film Festival
Anyone who has ever moved to the rhythm of the beat — or simply enjoyed watching others do so — knows that dance can affect us on a visceral level, evoking something deep within. Circuit Arts is gifting us with three shows during its second Martha’s Vineyard Dance Film Festival, at the Grange Hall on […]
‘The Penguin Lessons’ at M.V. Film Center
“The Penguin Lessons,” by Peter Cattaneo, showing at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center starting Friday, May 9, will tickle your funny bone and touch your heart. Tom Michell (Steve Coogan) plays alongside a real-life penguin costar with deadpan earnestness in this comedy drama. Although full of humor, “The Penguin Lessons” is a poignant film, perhaps […]
Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse: 2025 season
MJ Bruder Munafo, artistic and executive director at the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse, is excited about this season’s productions. And this year’s lineup is quite robust. Productions on the Patricia Neal Stage begin with public readings on May 15, 16, and 17 of “American Artist Loïs Mailou Jones.” The internationally known artist spent summers on the […]
Catboat Coffee
Many people were first introduced to the presence of Lebanese culture on Martha’s Vineyard through Bravo’s “Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard,” where cast member Amir Lancaster quickly became a breakout star. But the influence of the Lebanese community on-Island runs far deeper than reality television. Long before the show’s debut in 2022, Lebanese families and traditions […]
Calls intensify for SSA term limits
Amid escalating complaints from the public over disrupted service, mismanagement, and a faltering website, advocacy groups for passengers on and off the Island are ramping up their calls for term limits on the main board that manages the Steamship Authority, and elected officials are getting behind the calls. Vineyarders, Falmouth residents, and state legislators have […]
Business owner faces harassment allegations
A prominent business owner on the Island is facing allegations of harassment filed by a former employee. Suehellen Motta Rochel, a former employee at Bobby B’s in Vineyard Haven, received a year-long harassment prevention order against Elio Silva, owner of the Vineyard Grocer and Bobby Bs, following a hearing at the Edgartown District Court at […]
Student newspaper receives top awards
The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School’s newspaper, the High School View, received two prestigious awards from the New England Scholastic Press Association (NESPA) awards ceremony held last Friday at Boston University. The student-run newspaper earned first place in the All–New England award category for print newspaper from schools with fewer than 750 students, highlighting the […]
Kids Do Dance program
Six young dancers, ages six through nine, skipped, twirled, and leaped away as I entered the classroom at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum. They were warming up for an informal performance, part of the Yard’s Kids Do Dance (KDD) program that took place over their spring break. The program’s focus is not to create little ballerinas, […]
State needs to pause pine forest restoration plan
To the Editor: This letter was shared with the editor, and sent to officials at the state Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). We are writing to ask that you initiate a pause on the logging project proposed for Manuel Correllus State Forest on Martha’s Vineyard, the home of the signatories. Our concern is the […]
Disappointed in editorial decision
To the Editor: We were disappointed by both the headline “Brazilian immigrant charged in gun ring linked to Island” (April 24) and the associated article’s emphasis on the status of the people involved in this story. Both are unnecessarily provocative in tone, given the times in which we are living. Of course, it is disturbing […]
Airport working to meet grant deadline
To the Editor: One might infer from this week’s article concerning the Airport Terminal Renovation project (“Wary of federal cuts, MVY looks to fast-track new terminal project,” posted May 2) that the urgency to get the MVC’s approval is due to the current turmoil in the federal government. The need for fast-track consideration is due […]
Demonstrating and the law
To the Editor: I have just returned home from the Five Corners area, where I planned to join the demonstration. I arrived at 4:48 and, assuming the Post Office would close at 5 pm, I parked my car in the Post Office lot. Within a few minutes, the Postmaster came out and told the group […]
Moped licenses need thorough review, for public’s safety
To the Editor: The renewal of moped licenses will be discussed at the upcoming Oak Bluffs Select Board meeting on Tuesday, May 13. I was a member of the Mopeds Are Dangerous Action Committee in 2016. We did our best to make the roads of Martha’s Vineyard safer by suggesting changes to the operation of […]
Such a dis-service
To the Editor: Each year, when I taught at MVRHS, Tom Bennett would bring a group of Vietnam veterans he was counseling into our U.S. History classrooms. We wanted our students, as well as teachers, to see and hear up close and personal the impacts of war on those who serve. We heard directly from […]
Chris Menne Golf Tournament a huge success
To the Editor: I am writing to express my deepest gratitude to the Martha’s Vineyard community for supporting the first annual Chris Menne Memorial Golf Tournament, held at Mink Meadows on April 26. The tournament committee was composed of five amazing individuals, Kyle Fiore, Mike Roan, Jeremy Scheffer, Corey Hoehn, and Glen Field. These friends […]
Concern for urbanization of Vineyard
To the Editor: The following comment was also submitted to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission. Please do the numbers. This Island is a finite piece of ground. Before you, in the aggregate, are proposals to add at least 500 bedrooms to the finite Island. (Yes, we know about the housing crunch. These units are not designed […]
Earth to DCR: The forest doesn’t need fixing
To the Editor: The Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) proposal to clear-cut more than 15,000 white pine trees from Manuel Correllus State Forest is a bureaucratic solution looking for a problem. This forest stands as a vital component of the Island’s natural resource infrastructure. To replace 175 acres of lush green forest with perpetually […]
Town meeting is a beautiful thing — so let’s keep quorums strong
Town meeting is a wonderful if sometimes grueling form of democracy. The wonder of it is the way it represents one of the truest forms of democracy. Where else can you stand up to a microphone, speak directly to your elected and appointed representatives, the people you pay to provide services, and advocate, argue, and […]
Brush fire extinguished at Chilmark unhoused campsite
Updated, May 8 Fire officials in Chilmark are reporting that an unhoused person accidentally started a small brush fire at their campsite in April that quickly got out of control, engulfing his site and personal items in flames, but it was extinguished before spreading further. Fire Chief Jeremy Bradshaw told the Chilmark select board at […]
Public comments largely oppose State Forest cutting plan
If there was a vote on whether or not to clear the State Forest of 175 acres of white pine plantations, it would likely be a landslide against the proposal, at least according to public comments recently submitted. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) received more than 100 written responses to the controversial […]
V.H. Harbor Cultural District preseason meeting
Vineyard Haven Harbor Cultural District (VHHCD) is holding its final open meeting until the fall. Here is a list of what will be covered at the meeting: Very first call for art With a “Jaws”-themed art show taking place this June, the district is currently creating a list of interested artists in order to better […]
A night of music at the Strand
Join MV SOUND LLC on Saturday, May 10, at 8 pm at the Strand Theatre in Oak Bluffs for a night of music, with performances by Ben and Isaac Taylor, Reed Foehl with Putnam Murdock, Jodie Treloar Sampson with Sneakytown, and Jared Salvatore. The musical styles range from folk/Americana to singer-songwriter, with a little pop […]
ACE MV awarded grant to support Island immigrant communities
The Martha’s Vineyard Social Justice Leadership Foundation (MVSJLF) provided a grant of $5,000 to Adult and Community Education Martha’s Vineyard (ACE MV) to support their commitment to equity and inclusion programming and community outreach, with specific and immediate attention to supporting immigrant communities on Martha’s Vineyard. ACE MV is committed to serving the diverse populations […]
Hannah’s Bananas scavenger hunt
Fun for kids: Tiny toy bananas are hidden all over the West Tisbury Library this month. Find as many as you can and bring them to the Children’s Room to add your name to the scoreboard. At the end of the month, the winner will be crowned as the Banana Champion and awarded a grand […]
Growing and using lavender
Sarah Richards will host a hands-on “Introduction to Lavender” workshop. Raised on the Vineyard and the former owner of a thriving lavender farm on Whidbey Island, Washington, Richards brings over two decades of expertise, including the distilling of lavender essential oils and hydrosol. She will share knowledge on growing lavender, its uses, and even distillation […]
‘Springtime’ art exhibit
“Springtime,” new and existing work by Island-based visual artist Ed Schulman, is on display at the M.V. Playhouse Artspace on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 2 to 4 pm through May 16.
Diagnosing neurocognitive disorders
Dr. Nicole Absar, who provides neurocognitive and Alzheimer’s disease services to the Island community, will give a talk through the Vineyard Haven Library on the various diseases that can present with memory and cognitive dysfunction. Cognitive deficits are often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s. Precise and early diagnosis is important, as specific treatments can be tailored to […]
Aikido demonstration
Attend a demonstration of aikido, a Japanese martial art that enhances your mind, body, and spirit, on Sunday, May 11, from 10 am to 12 pm at West Tisbury Dojo, 90 Elias Lane. This event is free to attend.
Joan Frances Chavez
On Feb. 15, 2025, Joan Frances (Wilkinson) Chavez, 67, passed away peacefully with her husband by her side, at her home in Vineyard Haven, on the Island of Martha’s Vineyard, a place she loved so much. Joan fought hard and never gave up, but succumbed to the aggressive nature of pancreatic cancer. Joan was born […]
Services for William Yearwood
A celebration of life is planned for William Yearwood (“Al”), who died on Jan. 9, 2025, on Saturday, May 17, at the Oak Grove Cemetery, on Pacific Avenue in Oak Bluffs at 3 pm, followed by a small family gathering.
Sara E. Wenner
The world brightened on August 3, 1942, when Sara E. Wenner (a.k.a. Rolfe’s wife, Mom to Jeanene and Brent, Grannie to Alex and Leah, sister and friend to all) was born. On Dec. 29, 2024, the stars in heaven above got brighter when she peacefully passed away with Rolfe by her side. Sara was born […]
The Rev. Richard E. Olson
A graveside service for the burial of ashes of the Rev. Richard E. Olson, who died on Dec. 15, 2024, will be held on Saturday, May 17, at 11:30 am in the New Westside Cemetery, on Robinson Road in Edgartown.
Ann Knight
Ann Knight died peacefully at her Oak Bluffs home on May 5, 2025. She was surrounded by her loving family, including Fritz, her husband of 65 years, and her children, Lisa, Pam, Peter, Kristen, and Laura. A full obituary will appear in a later edition of this paper, with details regarding a celebration of life.
West Tisbury Town Column
I am writing on my first day out after being sick. It’s a lovely spring day, pleasantly warm, with no wind. Mary Bohan was here from Old Saybrook, showing her brother and sister-in-law, Micky and Chris Kelly, around the Island for a few days, and having a little time with James, Steph, and Iyla. Blue […]
Tisbury Town Column
Heard on Main Street: One or two bumper stickers say a lot about the car owner; too many suggest that the owner is not sure who he is. This week I had a lovely reminder from an old friend. Years ago in D.C., we enjoyed many special times. We even lobbied in Congress for Capital […]
Edgartown Town Column
Living in a seasonal destination like New England truly makes time move at a completely different, and utterly fast, speed. When I used to live in the Dominican Republic, it was an endless summer, year-round. As spring wakes up in Edgartown, gone are the slow days of winter, when the start of the season seems […]
Chilmark Town Column
Pausing to sit has rewards. Noticed a chickadee bringing tufts to a hole in a tree, perhaps building a nest. Allergies and ticks are a hard combination, but working the soil feeds my soul. Wishing everyone a happy Mother’s Day, so grateful you were born. Grateful to all the women who show up in so […]
Aquinnah Town Column
Last week I wrote about the kite-flying that took place on Easter Sunday at the Aquinnah Circle. I described it lovingly as “a community at play.” It was certainly that, but this week our community outdid itself on the “play” with its sparkling presentation of the second ever Aquinnah Variety Show at Town Hall. The […]
Poet’s Corner: ‘Augustan Sunset’ by Fan Ogilvie
Augustan Sunset: The Masters; A Homage to Marianne Moore By Fan Ogilvie I too dislike it Reading it however With a perfect contempt for it One discovers in it A place for the comma, A genuine pause in the verse Borrowed from the birds Who can’t sing throughout The hours of the Masters Without an […]
Cribbage Club results
Eighteen members of the Vineyard Cribbage Club met on Wednesday evening to play our favorite game of cribbage. The results are below: First, Jack Silvia with a 10/4 +50 card Second, Doug Werther with a 9/4 +70 card Third, Sarah Belanger with a 9/4 + 42 card Fourth, Bob Hakenson with a 9/4 +36 card […]
Real Estate Transactions: April 28 – May 2, 2025
Edgartown April 28, Randall L. Gibbs and Gail H. Gibbs sold 32 Boldwater Road to David Willbrand and April Virginia Boise for $7,926,400. April 29, Darlene Walter sold 0 Harborside Inn Condo Unit 502 Week 42 to Susan E. Bigley, Timothy M. Bigley, Michael T. Bigley, and Robert J. Bigley for $2,500. April 29, Marta […]
Births
Luke Alexander Mercer Tilly Alexander and Kyle Mercer of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a son, Luke Alexander Mercer, on April 26, 2025, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Luke weighed 8 pounds, 11 ounces. Eloá Fesseira Costa Natalia C.C.S. Oliveira and Agrimax Da Silva Costa of Martha’s Vineyard announce the birth of a daughter, Eloá […]
Court Report: April 13 – 25, 2025
April 13 Stephen P. Bennett, 58, Onset; false statement under penalty of perjury, intimidation of a witness/juror/police/court official, arraigned and released on personal recognizance, continued to pretrial hearing. April 17 Julia C. Gardner, 44, Vineyard Haven; uninsured motor vehicle, operating motor vehicle with suspended registration, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, arraigned and held without […]
Kids’ fishing tournament: The early bird catches the trout
Who wants to get up at 4 am on a Saturday morning? Simple answer: The child who wants to put a worm on his or her hook and catch the biggest fish in the M.V. Rod and Gun Club 51st Kids’ Trout Tournament. When I arrived at Duarte’s Pond around 4:45 am last Saturday, the […]
New freight vessel makes first Vineyard voyages
There’s been a new ferry horn blaring in the Vineyard Haven and Woods Hole ports the past few days. For the first time, the new freight vessel, the Barnstable, has been switched onto the Vineyard route. The Steamship Authority christened the new boat in December in Hyannis, and it has since served on the Nantucket […]
Massachusetts attorney general sues Trump over wind orders
In a move to disrupt President Donald Trump’s anti-wind agenda, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell and colleagues from across the country are suing the Trump administration over its efforts to block the offshore wind industry. The lawsuit, filed on Monday in federal court, is a collaborative effort by the attorneys general from multiple states against […]
Harbor Homes director resigns
Harbor Homes, a nonprofit that runs the Island’s only homeless shelter, will have a new interim director with the resignation of its current executive director, Dr. Brian L. Morris. Morris resigned from his position effective April 30, less than a year since he took the job. Morris was named executive director in August 2024. West […]
Community Foundation awards 126 students with scholarships
Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation has announced the latest scholarship cycle, awarding $375,000 to support 126 talented Islanders in pursuing their education. This is the largest amount of aid and the highest number of students who received scholarships since the foundation’s inception in 1982. Paul Schulz, executive director, stated in a press release that they are […]
After Pope Francis, who will carry his legacy?
As Pope Francis was laid to rest in Rome this week, and the Vatican prepares for a historic conclave to elect a new pope, the world is left to ponder what it means to have lost such a committed champion for the poor, an advocate for displaced migrants, and a voice of compassion in a […]
Community Services breaks ground on new Styron building
Updated, May 6 With more than a dozen blue hardhats, a shovel for every hand, and standing in front of a pile of dirt, the Islands community gathered on Friday for the Martha’s Vineyard Community Services (MVCS) celebratory groundbreaking of a new facility on their campus, which will be named after two prominent Islanders. A […]
Island rep earmarks $3.8 million for Navigator Homes
State Rep. Thomas Moakley, who represents the Island on Beacon Hill, announced in a Monday afternoon press release that he has successfully earmarked $3.8 million in the state budget for Navigator Homes, and $70,000 for Island Elderly Housing. The funding will be used to purchase generators for Elderly Housing, and will help the Navigator project […]
Stars and starts at Aquinnah Variety Show
It was standing room only at the second ever Aquinnah Variety Show on Thursday, as locals from across the Island welcomed the spring with community, artistic expression, and unexpected talent. Organized by musicians Laura Jordan and Kate Taylor as a showcase of skill and unabated joy, the show was exactly as Taylor described it in […]
Wary of federal cuts, MVY looks to fast-track new terminal project
Martha’s Vineyard Airport is trying to push forward terminal renovation plans years in the making so it doesn’t lose a $15 million federal grant set to expire this summer. On Thursday, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission held its first public hearing on the airport’s proposed terminal renovations, a project aimed at modernizing and building an indoor […]
Support Sunday deer hunting to reduce tick-borne illness
It’s that time of year again. The sun is starting to shine brighter, the leaves are slowly unfolding, daffodils are blooming, and one of the Island’s biggest public health enemies is returning: the tick. In early April, dog ticks emerge, and increase in numbers as we fade into May. Soon it’ll be their more dangerous […]
No safe harbor in Oak Bluffs as Green Villa skirts legal challenge
Oak Bluffs’ failed appeal against the Green Villa blew more wind into the sails of the developers behind a 100-unit residential development planned on 7.78 acres near Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. The Massachusetts Housing Appeals Committee ruled on April 24 that Oak Bluffs did not have safe harbor, a status that allows municipalities to […]
Chilmark passes school funding, elects new finance committee member
At Chilmark’s Town Elections on Wednesday, voters elected a new Chilmark select board member who was running uncontested, there was a tight race between two candidates for a new Finance Advisory Committee member, and three tax-related ballot questions were approved. New select board member Matt Poole, who received a total of 184 votes from the […]
Minke whale found deceased on Chilmark beach
The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) and federal marine researchers are investigating the cause of death of a minke whale that washed ashore on a private beach in Chilmark recently. Aquinnah Wampanoag natural resources director Bret Stearns said he and other tribal officials responded to the report of the dead whale on Sunday, April […]
A final ride: Little Lady sets sail for restoration
From the fishing docks in Menemsha that have been her home for decades, an iconic, intergenerational fishing vessel set sail across the chop of Vineyard Sound on its way to Vineyard Haven Harbor last Thursday morning. With a warm May sun gleaming down on her deck, this was a meaningful journey for the Little Lady, […]
Obamas’ former vacation rental hits market for $39 million
The Chilmark property that the Obama family stayed in for a number of summers is up for sale for nearly $40 million. The Wall Street Journal first reported earlier this week that a high-end New York City real estate broker is listing the sale of the Blue Heron Farm for $39 million. Former President Barack […]
Tisbury wraps up town meeting, approves new positions
Tisbury wrapped its second and final night of its spring town meeting Wednesday after falling below quorum in the middle of approving the warrant on the first night. Overall, voters approved 52 articles in town meeting. According to moderator Deborah Medders, this year’s town meeting presented the lowest number of articles in Tisbury’s modern history. […]
Vineyard tennis teams undefeated, ranked number 1
The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School boys and girls tennis teams are both on heaters. The two are both undefeated about midway through the spring season, both ranked number 1 in Massachusetts in their division. But it was the girls team that was shining on Wednesday as they took down Falmouth under a hot sun. […]
Tisbury town meeting denies municipal housing renovations, returning for a second night
Tisbury will need to finish off its annual town meeting on Wednesday after attendance fell below quorum on Tuesday night about halfway through the warrant. Before filing out of the new Tisbury School gymnasium, voters did manage to update the town administrator’s job description, restrict funding for new moorings, and turn down renovations at a […]
Attempted murder suspect sentenced to five years
A Bourne man has been sentenced to five years in county jail after pleading guilty to charges of assault to murder after an incident last year in West Tisbury. Joseph J. Feliciano, 27, has already spent nearly a year in the Dukes County House of Corrections following an incident in May last year when he […]
West Tisbury man sentenced to two years in car break-in spree
The Island man charged in December with a series of car break-ins across the Island was sentenced to two years in a county house of corrections after pleading guilty to 18 of his indictments at a Dukes County Superior Court hearing in Edgartown on Tuesday. Eric Juna Johnson, 25, from West Tisbury, who initially pleaded […]
Questions linger over second Edgartown worker death
Last week, an emigrant from Ecuador living in Fall River was working high up on a residential home in Edgartown when he fell 20 to 30 feet to his death. It is the second time this year that a man from Ecuador has died after falling at a construction site in the down-Island town, and […]
‘The Way, My Way’ at the M.V. Film Center
“The Way, My Way” is all about the journey, not the destination. The film by Bill Bennett is based on his memoir of the same title about a man walking the 500-mile Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in Spain. Bill, played in the film by Chris Haywood, first got the idea when he and Jen, […]
Have paint, will travel
It is only May, but we feel summer’s heat and cool breezes in Rebecca Everett’s paintings at the Feldman Family Artspace, curated by Featherstone Center for the Arts. Everett’s gemlike landscapes convey her lifelong love affair with the Vineyard. The 26 oil paintings in the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center lobby infuse the space with light […]
In the Kitchen with Nina Mae Levin
For this month’s “In the Kitchen with,” I met with Nina Mae Levin, owner of Stoney Hill Pizza and Ophelia’s Pastry Trailer. Stoney Hill Pizza is in its sixth season. “I opened it after working in the industry for 10 years,” said Levin. “We opened during COVID, which was a little intense. But it was […]
The Island’s U.N. of recipes
Julia Blanter’s “The Martha’s Vineyard Cookbook” is a scrumptious love letter to our Island community and all who bring its flavors to life. With its mouthwatering recipes and glorious photographs, the book is an armchair journey through the Vineyard’s culinary delights. Blanter, who moved to the Vineyard full-time five years ago with an impressive career […]
‘The Summer Before’ by Dianne C. Braley
“The Summer Before” by Dianne C. Braley is a powerful tale of a dear childhood friendship gone sour for the most tragic of reasons. Madeline and Summer had been closer than sisters, sharing their days, nights, laughter, and adventures on Martha’s Vineyard. “I’d never been closer to anyone in my life than to her. She […]
This Was Then: The rich stories gravesites tell
In the Old Westside Cemetery on Robinson Road, just behind Edgartown School, stands a grave marker like no other. Amid stately rows of traditional granite, marble, and slate headstones, cordoned off with no-nonsense iron pipe railing, this one stands out like a sore thumb — if the thumb belonged to a giant green metal robot, […]
Writing from the Heart: A new religion based solely on love
One of my closest friends died last Wednesday night, and I hadn’t had any time to process or participate in any ritual to grieve her death. Then I remembered, by coincidence (although I don’t believe in coincidences), another good friend had invited me to a special service called Tenebrae at the Congregational Church in West […]
Wild Side: Very Definitely Spring
This spring is the 26th I’ve spent on Martha’s Vineyard. From the very start of that run, Correllus State Forest established itself as my favorite place for spring naturalizing. And the third week of April likewise emerged as one of my favorite points in the season. These preferences emerged from my relatively narrow interests back […]
Margaret Ann Deitrich
Margaret Ann Deitrich (Kammerer), 93, of Chilmark, peacefully passed away at the Henrietta Brewer House on Sunday, April 20, 2025. Born in Orange, N.J., Ann grew up in South Orange, N.J., and graduated from Columbia High School. Always seeking to blaze a new path, Ann attended Allegheny College, where she graduated with a B.S., and […]
Gladys Segal
Gladys Ruth Segal passed away peacefully in her home on March 15, 2025, at the incredible age of 102. She grew up in North Plainfield, N.J. In her childhood, she was famous for her toughness in defending her twin brother on the playground, and for her resilience after losing her mother, Tillie, when Gladys was […]
Victoria A. Anthony
A memorial Mass for Victoria A. Anthony will be held at 11 am on Saturday, May 10, at St Augustine Church in Vineyard Haven. Inurnment will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven. A reception will follow at the Portuguese-American Club. Vicki died on August 10, 2024. She was the wife of the late […]
Leaf-blower ban receives near Island-wide support
Both Chilmark and Tisbury voted this week to phase out gas-powered leaf blowers, becoming the fourth and fifth towns to do so on the Island. In Tisbury on Tuesday night, town meeting voters approved its article, banning gas-powered blowers in three years and limiting their use until then. In Chilmark, a similar ban passed unanimously, […]
Island Community Chorus features epic folk mass
The spring concert program of the Island Community Chorus will feature a major work never before performed on the Vineyard: the Misa Criolla, an epic folk mass based on the rhythms and traditions of Hispanic South America. The Misa Criolla, the most famous work of the Argentine composer Ariel Ramírez (1921-2010), was completed in 1964 […]
Forest bathing
Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, a Japanese practice of relaxation in nature, has been shown to improve immune response, mental performance, and creativity. With Shanta Gabriel, who has worked in the field of alternative health for 40 years, enjoy an easy, mindful stroll through the beautiful Polly Hill Arboretum environment in West Tisbury. During this forest […]
Reception: ‘The Art of Flowers’
Do we dare hope for May flowers? Indeed! Be sure to catch the opening reception of a perennial favorite, “The Art of Flowers” exhibit, on Sunday, May 4, from 4 to 6 pm, in the Francine Kelly Gallery at Featherstone Center for the Arts in Oak Bluffs. Individual, wild, and in gardens and vases, flowers […]
Faith and fitness unite in ‘Praise and Sweat’
Join Maranda Post for a fun, energetic, and welcoming fitness and faith experience. This full-body cardiovascular workout, mixed with light weights and stretching, is set to popular praise and worship songs. Appropriate for all ages and fitness levels. Everyone is welcome. Bring a water bottle, towel or yoga mat, and hand weights (optional). Donations appreciated. […]
‘Big Little Muscles’ class for kids
Edgartown library is offering a fun class focusing on promoting physical health for children aged 1 to 5. Led by Abbey Entner, the kids will start with opening stretches and movement, followed by open play using tumble toys and music. Fridays, 10:30 to 11:30 am.
Oak Bluffs Library walking group
Join Kris for a walk around town. Walkers will start at the Oak Bluffs Library’s Pacific Avenue entrance at 8:30 am to stretch and mingle. The walk is between 2.5 and 4 miles, and will take about 60 to 90 minutes. The ground is mainly flat, but it can be uneven in sections. If bad […]
Mother’s Day portraits
On Sunday, May 4, from 1 to 3 pm, photographer Lynn Christoffers will offer free portraits to all grandmothers, mothers, and families in honor of Mother’s Day. Lynn will take photos in the West Tisbury library’s Children’s Room, and will send you a .jpeg via email. Bring your mother, or grandmother, or children, or whoever […]
All Families Touched by Adoption
Join caregivers in the All Families Touched By Adoption support group. This group meets on the first Monday of every month from 5 to 6:30 pm at M.V. Community Services’ Early Childhood Center in Oak Bluffs. Dinner and childcare are available. Free. Registration is required. Please call 508-687-9182 or email mvfamilycenter@gmail.com.
Community Services to break ground on new wing
Martha’s Vineyard Community Services will break ground Friday on its new hub for mental health and substance use disorder services. The wing will be part of the 13,700-square-foot Main Community Service Center scheduled to be completed in 2026, which will join the Paul & Sandra Pimental Early Childhood Center built in 2021. Plans for the […]
Tisbury Town Column
Heard on Main Street: Have an awesome day, and know that someone has thought about you today. The Minnespringers spring show is called “This Joint Is Jumpin’,” and the theme is songs from stage and screen. There are two performances at MVRHS: Saturday, May 10, at 7 pm, and Sunday, May 11, Mother’s Day, at […]
Oak Bluffs Town Column
“Hooray, hooray, the first of May, outdoor fun begins today!” —old Vermont saying May 1in ancient Celtic tradition was called Beltane, and it was celebrated with festivals of fertility and cleansing. Beltane festivals are still popular; many still include the traditional Maypole, with children dancing and colors flying. The Chilmark School celebrates this tradition, to […]
Pileup reported in West Tisbury
It was a busy morning for the West Tisbury Police Department, which responded to two accidents on Tuesday, including one collision that involved four vehicles. Just before 9 am on Tuesday on Edgartown–West Tisbury Road, police reported that a FedEx truck collided with the back of a pickup truck, and ultimately a vehicle with a […]
Edgartown Town Column
There’s no denying it anymore — the month of May has arrived, and with it, Main Street is getting busier, the Edgartown shops are welcoming more visitors, and our local restaurants are expanding their hours already. Events are starting to populate our calendars in a more consistent manner. First up, on Saturday, May 3, from […]
Chilmark Town Column
Lambs frolic in the fields. Some are fed by bottle. North Tabor Farm put squash plants in the ground, and they offered free seedling potatoes. Their farm stand is fully stocked, including shiitake pâte. Sunday afternoon, Menemsha filled with the community, friends, and family of Karsten Larsen. It was a gathering he would have loved. […]
Aquinnah Town Column
Last week was a doozy. It began with Easter Sunday kites flying on the circle, where more than 100 people of all ages enjoyed the sight of dozens of kites floating in the crazy blue sky. Folks were so happy, with people little and big getting their kites up, and then watching in wonder as […]
Poet’s Corner: ‘Early Spring’ by Warren Woessner
Early Spring By Warren Woessner I think I have spotted a new sparrow. Until the wind shows me It’s a brown holdout oak leaf That almost made it through the winter The wind tips it over And it’s a brown bowl Ready to be filled with spring. Warren Woessner has authored six books of poetry, […]
Cribbage Club results
Twenty-one members of the Vineyard Cribbage Club met on Wednesday to play our favorite game. The results are below: First, Mary Alice Russell, with a beautiful 11/5 +88 card Second, Andrea Jason, with another beautiful 11/5 +72 card Fourth, Tricia Bergeron with a 9/4 +50 card Fifth, Paul Breen with a 9/4 +29 card There […]
Real Estate Transactions: April 21 – 25, 2025
Aquinnah April 22, Helen Wazner Mays sold land off 0 Moshup Trail to Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank Commission for $2,700. Chilmark April 24, Mary McN. Callagy sold 2 Squibnocket Road to Jarvis 101 LLC for $9,525,000. Edgartown April 22, James Haskell Mayo II and Anita D. Stearns Mayo sold 18 Swan Lane to James Mayo […]
Birth
Alma Sophia Crane Sonja Josephson and Brendan Crane of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a daughter, Alma Sophia Crane, on April 21, 2025, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Alma weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces.
Tisbury selects new harbormaster
Tisbury’s select board has appointed U.S. Navy Reserve Lt. Comm. Michael Gately to be their harbormaster as the busy summer approaches. The board’s Monday vote was unanimous following an interview with Gately. He will succeed Gary Kovack, who served as Tisbury harbormaster for just under a year before leaving to become Edgartown’s harbormaster. Gately, a […]
Chilmark approves leaf-blower ban for contractors, supports Little Lady restoration
Chilmark voters Monday night voted on budgets, bylaws, and — the most anticipated — a ban on leaf blowers, which passed unanimously although with an amendment that will allow residents to use the equipment in their backyards. Chilmark now joins three other Island towns in passing the bylaw, ensuring that gas powered blowers will be […]
Chilmark passes leaf blower ban
Chilmark voters became the fourth town on the Island to approve a phased-in ban on gas-powered leaf blowers. On the town meeting floor on Monday night, discussion among Chilmark residents lasted about an hour and a half; voters passed three amendments and rejected three amendments. An amendment that passed included an exemption for homeowners to […]
Retiring from a call from God
Standing behind the bow of the boat-shaped pulpit in the sanctuary of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. Vincent (“Chip”) Seadale delivered his final sermon as the Edgartown church’s priest on Sunday. Twenty years after answering the call to serve a higher purpose, Seadale, 64, will be retiring from the Episcopal priesthood this week. As […]
Chilmark, Tisbury to vote on leaf-blower ban
Chilmark and Tisbury voters are set to vote on phasing out the use of gas-powered leaf blowers — possibly becoming the fourth and fifth towns on the Island to do so. First, Chilmark votes at its annual town meeting on April 28 at 7 pm at the Chilmark Community Center. Its leaf-blower ban comes midway […]
Vineyarders compete in new Island marathon series
Hundreds of long-distance runners looking to challenge themselves were jogging around down-Island Sunday, taking on a marathon or half marathon hosted by a new non-profit aiming to bring the Vineyard’s running community together for the long and arduous race for the first time since 2023. The MV Spring classic marathon was the second in a […]
Hit by funding cuts, concert raises funding for Island vets
Updated April 29 Vineyarders gathered over the weekend for an evening of music and camaraderie to rally around the Island’s veterans. Martha’s Vineyard Community Services hosted a benefit concert at the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Oak Bluffs on Saturday to raise money for its Readjustment Counseling for War Veterans program following a decision […]
Four sent to hospital following Edgartown collision
On Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road early Saturday afternoon, a two-car collision resulted in four individuals being transported to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Edgartown Police, Fire, and EMS responded to the crash in front of Windsor Dr.,in the early afternoon, rendering aid to those injured, clearing the totaled vehicles from the roadway, and directing traffic away from the […]
Oak Bluffs considers restricting moped passengers
The Oak Bluffs select board is considering restricting rented mopeds to be single-rider vehicles, and banning passengers on the back seats. That suggestion came from board member Thomas Hallahan on Tuesday. He highlighted that the town’s bylaws allow the select board to adopt additional regulations if deemed to be in the best interest of “public […]
Thrift, released, violates parole
Updated A warrant was issued for David Lee Thrift on Friday at the Edgartown District Court after prosecutors informed Judge Benjamin Barnes that Thrift was allegedly spotted in public alongside a victim, violating a condition of his release. Thrift, 43, registered as living in Hyannis, spent more than a decade in prison after pleading guilty […]
Burning for Mother Nature
Updated April 28. A dozen Vineyarders spent Earth Day morning at a private home in Edgartown, gathered around a big metal box with flames leaping out. They kept a safe distance from the heat while two experts, in face shields and flame-resistant Nomex clothing, fed yard waste into the dumpster-looking contraption and stomped out any […]
Shenandoah’s Master RIP
There have been a couple of significant course corrections in my life. Each popped up, out of the blue, and each posed a question. It was a fork in the road with a choice to make – to plunge, or not to plunge. How I answered the question set me off, happily as it turned […]
On the 250th anniversary of the “Shot Heard ’Round the World,” what does it mean to be a patriot?
LEXINGTON — Patriots’ Day weekend is truly one of the great New England rites of spring. A small army of Islanders marched off to Lexington and Concord to observe the re-enactments and the parades on the 250th anniversary of the “shot heard ’round the world,” when, on April 19, 1775, a ragtag group of armed […]
$10 million for East Chop Bluff restoration at risk
The restoration effort of a vulnerable coastline in Oak Bluffs may see additional setbacks with the threat that the federal government could cut funding for a more than $30 million project that still has a significant budget gap. During the Oak Bluffs select board meeting on Tuesday, assistant town administrator Wendy Brough said a $10 […]
Over $40,000 raised for Vineyard veterans counseling program
Following news that a federal contract for a veterans counseling program on Martha’s Vineyard would not be renewed, Islanders have rallied to raise the money themselves. Dean Teague, CEO of Martha’s Vineyard Community Services and a U.S. Navy Medical Corps veteran, told The Times that more than $40,000 has been donated to the nonprofit over […]
Brazilian immigrant charged in gun ring linked to Island
Federal investigators arrested 18 individuals last month as part of a sweeping operation that targeted the illegal trafficking of firearms across Massachusetts, a case they traced back to one of the most violent and notorious gangs in Latin America. As the investigators learned, their far-reaching probe also led them to two suspects with ties right […]
Capt. Robert Douglas, waterfront legend, dies at 93
Robert (“Bob”) Douglas, a beloved Island icon who sailed Vineyard seas aboard his tall ship Shenandoah, founded the Black Dog Tavern, and left an indelible mark on the Island, passed away just after midnight Wednesday surrounded by his family and dogs, at his home at Arrowhead Farm in West Tisbury. Douglas, 93, was dealing with […]
Centenarian Elaine Bart
Turning 100 is a very big cause for celebration, and Elaine Bart’s family threw her a joyous party on April 16 to honor her century of life. Elaine and her late husband, Roger, first started coming to the Vineyard as seasonal residents 80 years ago. The couple became year-rounders 30 years ago, and Elaine has […]
New novel by Julia Spiro
“Such a Good Mom” is a suspenseful, multilayered beach read with grit and meaning. Outwardly blessed with a healthy newborn and a successful husband from one of Edgartown’s “royal” families, Brynn Nelson should be glowing. However, in her third novel, Julia Spiro once again pulls back the curtain to reveal a nuanced story set on […]
Writing to heal
Last summer, while eating a delicious dinner at the Chilmark Tavern, my dining companion asked me if there were any recurring themes that come up in my writing workshops. Without skipping a beat, I said, “Yes, incest and sexual abuse.” He was shocked. I wasn’t. For years, almost every week there are one or two […]
Island Gymnastics: Spring Fling
Island Gymnastics was buzzing on Sunday, April 13. Girls ages 6 through 15 were swinging, flipping, and flying through the air with flexibility, courage, and determination as they warmed up before their Spring Fling meet. The nervous energy was palpable among the gymnasts –– and the family members there to cheer them on. Island Gymnastics […]
Up-Island Council on Aging: May 2025
Up-Island Council on Aging, Howes House 1042 State Rd., West Tisbury 508-693-2896 friendsofupislandcouncilonaging.org There’s always something happening at the Howes House! We are open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4 pm. Mondays 9:15 am, Yoga with Martha Abbott (Zoom). Email spiritmovesyou@gmail.com for sign-in information. 9 am and 9:35 am, Strength and Fitness with Katryn […]
Edgartown Council on Aging: May 2025
Edgartown Council on Aging, The Anchors The Anchors at 10 Daggett St. 508-627-4368 edgartowncoa.com The Edgartown Council on Aging will be closed on Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day. Weekly Events Monday 9 am: Chair Yoga with Jennifer 12:30 pm: Bridge 2 pm: Walking Group — Meets at Atlantic and Herring Creek in Katama Tuesday […]
Oak Bluffs Council on Aging: May 2025
Oak Bluffs Council on Aging 21 Wamsutta Ave. 508-693-4509, ext. 3 oakbluffsma.gov/152/Council-on-Aging We are closed on Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day. Coffee and tea all day 9 am to 3 pm daily. Refreshments are served during all of our programs. Bring a friend! Mondays 9 am, Exercise with Patience Campbell and Marilyn Miller, in […]
Tisbury Council on Aging: May 2025
Tisbury Senior Center 34 Pine Tree Road, Vineyard Haven 508-696-4205 tisburyma.gov/council-aging Weekly Activities Mondays 9:30 – 10:30 am, Line Dancing with Catie 11 am – 12 pm, Chair Yoga with Kat 11:30 am, Bowling at the Barn 1 – 3 pm, Silver Quilters 1 – 3:30 pm, Mah Jong Call on Mondays to make a […]
M.V. Center for Living: May 2025
M.V. Center for Living, the Island’s Dementia and Caregiver Support Network 508-939-9440 lesliec@mvcenter4living.org mvcenter4living.org Volunteers wanted for all interests! Call or email today. M.V. Center for Living will be closed on Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day. Announcement Join us on Saturday, May 17, for a 5K walk to benefit dementia and caregiver services on […]
Healthy Aging Martha’s Vineyard: May 2025
Healthy Aging M.V. moves to new home on Breakdown Lane As the daffodils bloom and signs of summer emerge across the Island, Healthy Aging Martha’s Vineyard (HAMV) is excited to announce our move to a new location, 29 Breakdown Lane in Vineyard Haven, directly above the Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living. While we felt a […]
Noteworthy 55+: May 2025
Community Programs Volunteer Opportunity Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands seeks volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels. Brighten someone’s day and help to feed your house-bound neighbors. Please call 508-693-4393, ext. 460. MVRHS Senior Luncheon Monthly senior luncheons at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School’s Culinary Arts dining room are every second Thursday. Join […]
SHINE: May 2025
SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) Barnstable County Regional SHINE office shine@capecod.gov 774-243-2953 capecod.gov/departments/human-services/initiatives/shine SHINE is providing free health insurance information and assistance for Medicare-eligible adults and their caregivers. Kristina Whiton-O’Brien, LICSW SHINE Program Manager | Human Services
CORE Senior Services: May 2025
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 […]
Veterans’ Corner: May 2025
Memorial Day, May 26 Volunteers are needed to help set up the Avenue of Flags at 7:30 am in Vineyard Haven, and take them down at 3 pm. The Memorial March will step off from the American Legion in Vineyard Haven at 10:30 am. Refreshments will be served afterward. Dukes County Veterans Services Phone: 508-693-6887 […]
DA identifies Edgartown worker who died
Updated April 25 A worker from Fall River died Tuesday after falling between 20 and 30 feet from a residential construction site on Trapps Pond Road in Edgartown. On Tuesday at 2:53 pm, Edgartown Police and Fire departments were dispatched to a report of an individual who had fallen from scaffolding. Upon arrival, they located […]
‘The Ballad of Wallis Island’ at M.V. Film Center
“The Ballad of Wallis Island” is a quiet film filled with humor, good music, touching moments, and a gorgeous landscape. It opens at the M.V. Film Center on April 25. Director James Griffiths unfolds his tale on a remote island off the coast of Wales, beginning with a small boat approaching but not quite reaching […]
Garden Notes: Gardeners exchange ideas
The fickleness of April is well known. So much of spring, and gardening, seems to be holding one’s breath: frosts, varmints, what else could possibly go wrong? This year, ice appeared in the water pans mid-month, just when we were weighing turning on the outside water. How is it possible, after what seemed like too […]
Vineyard Preservation Trust celebrates 50th anniversary
The Vineyard Preservation Trust announces its 50th anniversary season, celebrating five decades of stewardship over the Island’s most beloved historic properties — the heart of Martha’s Vineyard’s community gatherings and seasonal traditions. This milestone year will feature events such as the much-anticipated Taste of the Vineyard weekend in June, along with special art installations and […]
Limitless Island talent at Aquinnah Variety Show
The Aquinnah Variety Show invites people from all walks of life to showcase their unique brand of talents. Given that last year’s show was standing room only, it’s safe to say the Island is filled with a plethora of talented people. It will take place at the Aquinnah Town Hall on Thursday, May 1, at […]
Musical Instrument Petting Zoo
Are your little ones curious about musical instruments? Bring them to the program room at the Edgartown Library to experiment and play with different instruments every week. All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Mondays from 10:30 to 11:30 am.
Growing herbs and edible flowers
Interested in growing your own culinary herbs? You’re in luck. Rosemary Confalone will share her knowledge of common (and uncommon) kitchen herbs, provide tips and tricks for starting them from seed, and offer information about succession planting, so you can enjoy homegrown herbs all season long. She will also talk about keeping perennial herb plantings […]
Blessing of the animals
In this service, the Unitarian Universalist Society of Martha’s Vineyard celebrates the ways that animals, both living and deceased, nourish our lives. Animals (including a child’s special stuffed animal toy) who would be comfortable in a church sanctuary are welcome to come to receive a blessing in person. You may bring a photo of animals […]
Arbor Day celebration
In honor of Arbor Day, Polly Hill Arboretum is offering a tour of some notable trees in its collection, followed by a tree-planting demonstration. Participants will meet at the Visitor Center. This is a free event. Registration is not required. Friday, April 25, 1 to 2:30 pm, West Tisbury.
Visiting Vet: Diabetes in cats
I’m an old dog. There’s no denying it. I like to do things the way I have always done them. But I also like to keep current on the latest practices, and veterinary medicine is always changing. My feline friend Mahatma came to see me recently. Five years ago we discovered that Matty, as I […]
Poet’s Corner: ‘Glory’ by Cecily Bryant
Glory By Cecily Bryant As uncertain as the days may seem, the spring rains do come The pinkletinks chorus on Parsonage Pond is as full-bodied as ever it was And with it the renewed energy of the winter weary embrace one another once again We peer at flower beds to seek signs of emerging life […]
West Tisbury Town Column
We were treated to a beautiful Easter Sunday after another wet, windy, chilly week. Still, every day brings the appearance of another sign of spring unfolding. The three garden centers in town were filled with all the colorful pots of pansies and bulbs one could desire. They made perfect Easter gifts, or were bought to […]
Tisbury Town Column
Heard on Main Street: My dog lets me sleep on the bed. I am so happy for days with bright sunshine, now there is a bit of warmth in the air. All those rainy days made me feel as if winter would never go away. Note that the M.V. League of Women Voters will introduce […]
Oak Bluffs Town Column
“You’ll never get ahead by blaming your problems on other people.” —Willie Nelson Willie Nelson turns 92 this month; he’s still playing music with his friends and enjoying life. Willie is one of the most talented and versatile musicians around, of any age. He has played country, blues, jazz, and gospel. His voice is so […]
Edgartown Town Column
Hoping Easter was a joyous day for those of you who celebrate. As we await St. Elizabeth’s Church being back up and running, we attended Easter Sunday Mass at St. Augustine’s in Vineyard Haven, and as much as I love the ride to V.H., I cannot wait for the day Sunday Mass is back in […]
Chilmark Town Column
Spring is blooming, the snow fence is down in Menemsha, and Larsen’s Fish Market is preparing to open on May 1, their hours will be 10 am to 6 pm. Abe Pieciak dropped off a new work at the Copperworks, and we are impatiently waiting to hear from Iggy’s. The Chilmark School invites us to […]
Aquinnah Town Column
Well, here I am again. Back to the computer after weeks away dealing with severe carpal tunnel issues. On the morning of surgery on my right hand, the stellar surgical team at M.V. The hospital greeted me and my family promptly, and then gave me back what looks to be a healthy hand. Deep thanks […]
Real Estate Transactions: April 14 – 18, 2025
Aquinnah April 14, Claire Mary Wall and the Estate of John L. Zannini, also known as John Louis Zannini, sold 488 and 476 Lighthouse Road to Stig Leschly for $749,000. April 16, Edward Harris III sold land off 0 Moshup Trail to the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank Commission for $35,370. April 17, Grace Reeves sold […]
Births
Gael Andrade Ferreira Gabriela Andrade and João Ferreira of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Gael Andrade Ferreira, on April 15, 2025, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Gael weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces. Celine Rose Destefani Silva Talita Destefani of Oak Bluffs announces the birth of a daughter, Celine Rose Destefani Silva, on April […]
Court Report: April 11 – 14, 2025
April 11 Eberson Luiz Goncalves, Edgartown, 42; license suspended operating, arraigned and released on personal recognizance, continued to pretrial hearing. April 11 Daniel J. Edelbach, Barnegat, New Jersey, 35; assault and battery household member, assault and battery pregnant victim, arraigned and held, bail set at $500 with potential for revocation, continued to pretrial hearing. April […]
Attleboro principal selected to lead Edgartown School
The Edgartown School has a new principal selected for the next school year. Superintendent of Vineyard schools Richie Smith announced that the school offered the job to current Attleboro High School Principal Kate Cambell, who has accepted the post. Campbell has 15 years experience as a principal in three elementary public school districts, Plainville, Attleboro, […]
Tisbury reconsiders bench removals
Tisbury’s select board is reconsidering its decision to eliminate covered benches from the Steamship Authority bus stop in Vineyard Haven after a wave of public complaints. The board voted Tuesday afternoon to have town police and town administrator Joe LaCivita look into new benches for the stop, including a design involving individual seating areas separated […]
Services for Michael E. Amaral
Michael E. Amaral, 66, of Vineyard Haven, who died in Boston on Jan. 27, 2025, the son of the late Donald and Mary Amaral, and brother of Brian and the late Stephen Amaral, will have a celebration of life at the Portuguese-American Club on Saturday, May 3, from 1 to 4 pm.
Services for Roger Thomas
A celebration of the life of Roger Thomas, who died on Feb. 14, 2025, will be held at the Sailing Camp in Oak Bluffs on Sunday, May 4, from 1 to 4 pm.
Island group christens new adaptive sailing vessel
SailMV was started in 1992 to give young Islanders a chance to learn how to sail the open ocean. Now, that offering is being extended to locals with significantly limiting physical disabilities through a new wheelchair-accessible vessel and a fleet of SailMobility boats, part of an adaptive program that will allow someone to […]
Simon D. Brooks
It is with great sadness that we announce the untimely passing of Simon D. Brooks, 39. Simon was born in Blackpool, England, on Sept. 21, 1985, and lived in Fleetwood, England, until he moved to America. He passed on April 17, 2025, in Oak Bluffs. He was an avid golfer, and was able to meet […]
Local radio stations nervous over proposed cuts
There’s unease in the newsrooms of independent radio stations nationally and locally as the Trump administration has proposed rescinding funding from public radio and television — it could represent a significant portion of the budgets for at least two stations in the Vineyard listening area. Earlier this month, national media outlets reported that the administration […]
David Alan Perzanowski
David Alan Perzanowski, 67, passed away at his West Tisbury home, surrounded by family, on April 19, 2025. David was born on July 13, 1957, to Wesley and Nancy Perzanowski in the back seat of the family’s DeSoto, on the way to the hospital in Springfield. Known affectionately by friends as “the Professor,” David graduated […]
Spirit of Vineyard nominations open
Nominations for the Spirit of the Vineyard Award are now open. This award, given annually, honors those who have volunteered for one or more nonprofit organizations on the Island, and whose work has made a difference to individuals and to the community as a whole. The criteria for selection include selflessness, the range and depth […]
Service for Gail R. Landers
A memorial service for Gail R. Landers will be held at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Oak Bluffs on Friday, May 2, at 11 am, followed by a reception at the Portuguese-American Club.
Phyllis Marie Smith
Phyllis Marie Smith, who lived in Havenside in Vineyard Haven, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2025, surrounded by friends and family, at the age of 93. A full obituary will follow in a future edition of this paper.
Barbara Dean Hatch Keeling
Barbara Dean Hatch Keeling, 84, loving mother, sister, aunt, and great-aunt, passed away on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. She was born on Jan. 23, 1941, in Oak Bluffs. Prior to living most recently in Abingdon, Va., she was a longtime resident of Naples and West Palm Beach, Fla. Barbara had a career as a dedicated […]
Earth Day: crabs, crafts, and trash
After many spent the first part of the day collecting trash from Island beaches, Vineyarders flocked to the M.V. Museum on Saturday for the third annual Earth Day Festival, a chance to get to know and get involved with local environmental efforts. The all-ages audience, many families with young children, enjoyed arts and crafts with […]
‘A Day of Hope’ for unhoused Islanders
In light of Island nonprofit Harbor Homes closing their winter shelter for the 2025 season, staff and volunteers teamed up on Thursday with the West Tisbury Congregational Church to host a daytime buffet and supplies drive for unhoused individuals and locals who were looking for a warm meal on a sunny spring day. The event, […]
High school project down to four final designs
Island officials have narrowed down preliminary designs for the high school building project to four final concepts, one of which includes a new performing arts center. By June 26, the committee must submit a renovation-only design, an addition and renovation plan, and a totally new construction option to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). The […]
Newest federal decision chilling for wind industry
The federal government has ordered a fully-permitted offshore wind farm already under construction off of Long Island to halt operations in a move that could set a new precedent for projects not far from the Island’s coast, creating further uncertainty for the nascent industry. On Wednesday, U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum posted […]
Opening Days, for Vineyard restaurants
In one of the more optimistic signs of summer, seasonal restaurants on the Island are beginning to open their doors. That was on full display at El Barco in Vineyard Haven on a sunny Friday as customers lined up to get some tacos for lunch on opening day. “Everyone is very excited that we are […]
286-bedroom Edgartown project seeks temporary withdrawal
Developers of Katama Meadows, a development that could hold nearly 300 bedrooms proposed in Edgartown, sought to withdraw their application with the Martha’s Vineyard Commission on Thursday, only to be rebuffed in a tied vote. While seeking to withdraw, the developers are still planning to proceed with permitting for the project. Robert Moriarty, the attorney […]
A new generation of leadership in Edgartown
Ushering in a new era in Edgartown politics, Alex Morrison, a 42-year-old, lifelong resident who campaigned on giving voice to a new generation of Islanders, won a stunning and decisive victory for a three-year seat on the select board over incumbent Michael Donaroma, who held power for more than two decades. The final tally showed […]
Terminal bomb scare suspect pleads not guilty
At the Edgartown District Court on Wednesday, David Capato, a 56-year-old Edgartown man who allegedly made a bomb threat at the Vineyard Haven Steamship Authority earlier this year, pleaded not guilty to all six indictments against him. Capato is facing charges of disorderly conduct, improper storage of a firearm, possession of a firearm while committing […]
Edgartown honors longtime harbormaster, town retirees
At the Wharf Pub on Main Street on Wednesday night, the back bar was shoulder to shoulder and buzzing with Edgartown community pride as families, employees, friends, and residents of Edgartown gathered to celebrate the retirement of a number of town employees, many serving the town for decades. Among the honorees were town accountant Amy […]
Gosnold loses federal funding for drinking water protections
The smallest town in Massachusetts has been swept up in a nationwide wave of federal disaster preparedness funding cuts made by the Trump administration. Gosnold, which encompasses the Elizabeth Islands chain and is a part of Dukes County, lost $75,000 originally earmarked to explore protecting the freshwater supply of Cuttyhunk Island, where most of the […]
Tisbury faces backlash over bench removals
Editor’s note: The select board will discuss the issue during a meeting on Tuesday, April 22. The meeting is scheduled for 4:30 pm. Many Islanders and commuters are voicing frustration with the Tisbury select board’s decision to remove covered benches at the Vineyard Haven Steamship Authority terminal bus stop, which was made in order to […]
SSA reassesses electrification amid Trump era
Amid the Trump administration’s ongoing blitz against climate change initiatives, the Steamship Authority is looking to take time to assess its options for alternative energy. A discussion Tuesday with the Steamship board was spearheaded by Jim Malkin, Martha’s Vineyard representative, who said that the ferry line should reassess how it can pursue alternative energy in […]
Cortez named officer of the year
Sergeant Bradley Cortez is the West Tisbury Police Department’s Officer of the Year, now for the third time. Cortez’s colleagues chose him for the award, recognizing his work in community policing, a crime-prevention strategy in which officers regularly meet with local organizations and develop personal relationships with the public. This includes Cortez learning Portuguese. “Sgt. […]
For the love of Lobsterville
Dozens of friends, family, members of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) and volunteers gathered at Lobsterville Beach on a rainy and windy Saturday to help restore and protect some 10,000 square feet of beach from the elements. The cultural rebuilding effort was part of an annual event that involves planting beachgrass along the […]
A perfect fit with tailor Francois Delphin
Francois the tailor works alone, every day, in his narrow space across from busy Vineyard Haven Harbor on Beach Road. He is the boss, the manager, the customer relations person, and the workforce. He is barely visible when you enter his shop, overmatched by piles of customers’ clothes to be adjusted or repaired, and fabric […]
Anchors Away MV helps people to downsize
My ears perked up when Vineyarder Kristy Brooks said, “If there’s less chaos on the outside, we’re likely to feel less chaos on the inside.” She believes that reducing external clutter can lead to inner peace. Since thoughts continually vie for space in my brain, the idea of being able to do something on the […]
Raphael Joseph Fusco
Raphael Joseph Fusco, known affectionately to friends and family as Ray, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2025, at the age of 86, in Danvers. Born on Nov. 3, 1938, in Boston, Ray was a man whose generosity, kindness, and loving nature touched the lives of all who knew him. Throughout his life, Ray was […]
Quite the bite at Quitsa Kitchen
My wife and I have been very excited to try the new bites at Quitsa Kitchen — it’s been on our list for weeks — and we finally found the time to visit. First off, what a wonderful job they did with the dining room. It’s clean, hip, and cozy. We chose a comfy cushioned […]
‘For the Birds’ exhibit at Featherstone
The exhibition “For the Birds,” a seamless collaboration between Featherstone Center for the Arts and Mass Audubon’s Felix Wildlife Sanctuary, is a balm for the soul. Art and wildlife combine to bring us joy in turbulent times. Felix Neck approached Featherstone Center last summer about coming together to celebrate the art, beauty, and function of […]
Earth Day celebrations start Saturday
Vineyard Conservation Society (VCS) is inviting locals from across the Island to clean the beaches in all six towns this Saturday for its 33rd annual Beach Day Cleanup. From 10 am to noon, volunteers will be set up at nearly every beach on the Island to pass out gloves and bags to attendees. “If you’re […]
‘The Friend’ is not just a buddy film
“The Friend,” by David Siegel and Scott McGehee, explores the nature of love and connection among friends, family, and cherished animals — as well as the complex relationships of grief. The film, which is showing at the M.V. Film Center, is adapted from Sigrid Nunez’s National Book awardwinning novel from 2018. As the film opens, […]
M.V. Museum hosts third annual Earth Day Festival
The Martha’s Vineyard Museum will host an Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 19, from noon to 3 pm. The festival will feature more than 20 local organizations working to sustain the Island’s waters, landscapes, and biodiversity. Guests can engage in hands-on activities including touch tanks, seed planting, upcycled crafts, and lawn games, while meeting […]
Earth Day cleanup with Vineyard Conservation Society
On Saturday, April 19, from 10 am to 12 pm, celebrate Earth Day by joining together to protect our Island environment. Head out to your favorite beach, and volunteers will be there with bags and gloves for collecting (or bring your own). When you’re done, drop off the trash with the volunteer group leader; let […]
Visiting Vet: Old, loud cats
It’s five am. My 15-year-old cat looms over me where I lie in bed, pretending I don’t see her. “Meow,” she says plaintively. I gently shrug her off. “Meee-oooooow,” she insists. She is the last of our cats. At our peak, we had seven, but they passed away, one by one. Now there is just […]
Wild Side: The indestructible seaside goldenrod
Today’s subject is a bit unseasonable, since the plant I’m discussing doesn’t bloom until the shortening days of early autumn. But like most of our native vegetation, it’s breaking dormancy as you read this. And as the gardeners among you contemplate your spring planting campaigns, this column may serve as a timely recommendation for a […]
Writing from the Heart: A letter to my grandchild
Many, many years ago my sister called me on the phone, animated and breathless. She had signed up for a workshop with an organization called “The Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers.” She explained that they were an international alliance of indigenous female elders whose focus was on human rights, the environment, and peace for everyone […]
Working for Your Health: The World Health Organization
April 7 marks the 77th anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO), which has saved millions of lives worldwide. The WHO was founded as a specialized agency of the United Nations during a time when there was growing awareness of the plight of developing nations from the devastating impact of diseases around the globe. Malaria, […]
‘Disrupting Unconscious Bias’ workshop
The Martha’s Vineyard Nonprofit Collaborative is hosting a free online workshop titled “Five Strategies for Disrupting Your Unconscious Bias.” Linda Jenkins from the Jenkins Consulting Group will cover the fundamentals of unconscious bias, including its definition and characteristics. Participants will explore tools for identifying their unconscious bias, strategies for disrupting it, and methods to apply […]
Community pizza night
Head over to the Chilmark Community Church and partake in an evening of pizza, fellowship, and Bananagrams. Pizza Night at the church is an informal meal where the community at large can gather for camaraderie and food. The evening starts at 6 pm with pizza, potluck salads, desserts, and conversation, followed by Bananagrams for those […]
Flying Horses opening weekend
It’s that time of year again! The Flying Horses Carousel in Oak Bluffs will hold its grand reopening on Saturday, April 19, and Sunday, April 20. Whether you’re a first-time rider or a longtime fan, the carousel is ready to spin you into a world of fun and nostalgia. For April school vacation week, it […]
FARM Institute egg hunt
Hop over to the Trustees’ FARM Institute for an egg-ceptional egg hunt. There will be three separate egg hunts based on age: Ages 2 and under, 3 through 5, and 6 and up, for the more advanced egg-hunt participants. Each age category features one golden egg with a special prize. The egg hunt for ages […]
Community Easter service and egg hunt
Join West Tisbury Congregational Church for a community celebration of Easter at the Agricultural Hall. Worship begins in the main hall at 10 am, with activities for children in the entry hall. The service is immediately followed by an Easter egg hunt outside, in back. All are welcome. Sunday, April 20, 10 am to noon. […]
Carnegie spring opening
The Carnegie Heritage Center is celebrating spring with a fresh new schedule. Starting Easter Weekend, folks can visit Fridays and Saturdays from 11 am to 3 pm. Explore this historic gem, dive into Martha’s Vineyard’s fascinating past, and enjoy the beautiful exhibits, all in a charming, newly restored setting. 58 North Water St., Edgartown.
‘Kids Do Dance’ for school vacation week
For “Kids Do Dance” at Martha’s Vineyard Museum, youth aged 6 to 12 will get an opportunity to explore the Island’s rich history, investigate exhibits, hear oral histories, and study artifacts to deepen understanding and inspire their own creative expression through dance. Activities include fun movement games, strengthening dance techniques, hands-on arts and crafts, and […]
James Thomas
James Thomas (“Jim”) peacefully passed away in his sleep at home on March 21, 2025, at the age of 86. A native of Humboldt, Tenn., Jim was a distinguished alumnus of Fisk University, where he earned his degree in history and government. His career spanned six decades of service with the American Red Cross, where […]
West Tisbury Town Column
After a few nice days, we seem to have returned to winter. It was windy and cold much of the past week. Rainy, too. It’s never smart to put away your sweaters and flannel sheets too early in the spring. A large group of family and friends, wet and bedraggled, gathered at the West Tisbury […]
Tisbury Town Column
Heard on Main Street: You do know that we could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty, and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all do have to live in the same box. I just finished another book, but it is hard to […]
Oak Bluffs Town Column
“To make life a little better for people less fortunate than you. That’s what I think a meaningful life is. One lives not just for oneself, but for one’s community.” —Ruth Bader Ginsberg Our community just lost someone who worked hard to make life better for others. Gail Landers was a natural caregiver who loved […]
Edgartown Town Column
One of my fondest memories comes from a sail my family and I did over the summer last year aboard Tigress, captained by Capt. Kurt Peterson. On a bright and sparkly July day, we boarded the catboat in Edgartown Harbor, and spent the next hour and a half with smiles wider than the forecastle (the […]
Chilmark Town Column
Family and community showed up in the rain at the West Tisbury cemetery and filled the Grange Hall for Johnny Athearn. A beloved brother, uncle, teacher, and friend with artistic talent, a terrific sense for storytelling and ghosts. So many familiar faces. So many connections. So many memories. Mum has a remarkable memory for people […]
Poet’s Corner: The Rip
The Rip By Jeffrey Agnoli We thought we knew this sea we all swim within but the sudden and fierce grip of a rip current seized even the most adept swimmers churning the water sickly green and pulling all into dark depths where hungry great whites and poisonous jellies lurk and the horizon ends yet […]
Real Estate Transactions: April 7 – 11, 2025
Chilmark April 8, Peter Flagel, trustee of Menemshovitz Realty Trust, sold 8 Snail Road, 14 Snail Road, and 0 Wooten Bassett Road to SMD Investments LLC for $15,000,000. Edgartown April 11, Patricia M. Norris sold 0 Harborside Inn Condo Unit 310 Week 27 to James A. Ryan Jr. and Lindsay J. Ryan for $17,500. April […]
Birth
Chloe Fudulachi Victoriya Feddosenko and Sergei Fudulachi of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a daughter, Chloe Fudulachi, on April 7, 2025, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Chloe weighed 7 pounds, 1.9 ounces.
Oak Bluffs Library’s Community Library
Oak Bluffs Library director Allyson Malik has created an exciting new endeavor — the Community Library. The initiative arose from her concern about AI-generated information that is not authentic, accurate, or reliable infiltrating the publishing world. In a recent conversation, Malik set the stage: “We acquire new material year after year, and all of it […]
State setting new albie, bonito restrictions
Island fishermen will likely need to pay close attention to their false albacore and Atlantic bonito catches this summer, as Massachusetts regulators, for the first time ever, are poised to set a new, 16-inch length minimum and a combined, five-fish-daily catch total for the two species. The Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission approved the recommendation in […]
Hotel proposed for Ocean View location
Updated April 22 In a change of plans first publicly presented this week, a developer is now looking to build a hotel in Oak Bluffs at the location of the beloved, now demolished Ocean View restaurant. A restaurant will no longer be part of the proposal, at least one that is accessible to non-hotel guests. […]
Live orchestra, Orca replica part of ‘Jaws’ 50th celebrations
Two months ahead of the 50th anniversary of “Jaws,” businesses are finalizing plans for the big summer season, which include a screening with a live orchestra and a to-scale replica of the interior of the Orca boat at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum. The Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce announced some of the top events in […]
Aquinnah won’t vote on leaf blower ban
Aquinnah will be the only Island town not to vote on a phaseout of gas-powered leaf blowers at its annual spring town meeting this year. The town approved and closed its town meeting warrant at Monday’s select board meeting in preparation for its May 13 annual town meeting. Jeffrey Madison told The Times that he […]
Edgartown swears in new police officer
Nikolaj Wojtkielo was sworn in as the new full-time Edgartown patrol officer during Monday’s selectboard meeting in Edgartown. Wojtkielo, who had been with the West Tisbury Police Department for eight years, was joined at the Edgartown Town Hall by his wife and child, and fellow officers from across the Island in a show of support. […]
Federal cuts jeopardize Island disease research
The jobs of two Vineyard health professionals are in jeopardy due to federal funding cuts, which threaten to hold back local public health efforts. The two professionals — case investigator and former emergency room nurse Betsy VanLandingham and epidemiologist Leah Hamner — track diseases on-Island thanks to two contracts totaling $133,000 per year. The funds, […]
Oak Bluffs development could grow to 136 units
Commissioners still have lingering questions for one of the largest housing projects proposed for the Island, and amid the uncertainty, developers of the 100-unit Green Villa development are offering to replace four commercial buildings with housing units instead. The Martha’s Vineyard Commission made no final decisions over the Green Villa project on Thursday, a proposed […]
Legislation would require motorcycle license for mopeds
The Vineyard’s State House representative has filed legislation that would require a motorcycle license to drive a moped anywhere in Massachusetts, which could end moped rentals on the Island. Falmouth representative and freshman lawmaker Thomas Moakley filed H.3743 earlier this year as a way to improve the safety of drivers — moped or other vehicle […]
Fred Pekari
There will be a celebration of life for Fred Pekari, who died on August 9, 2024, on Saturday, April 26, at the Portuguese-American Club, Vineyard Avenue in Oak Bluffs, from 1 to 4 pm. He was the husband of Mary Hart of Chappaquiddick.
Julie Miguel
A celebration of life for Julie Miguel will be held on Saturday, April 19, at the P.A. Club in Oak Bluffs from 2 to 4 pm.
Charges dropped against Sheriff’s Office sergeant
Charges that included rape and domestic assault and battery brought against Craig Daley, a sergeant placed on leave from the Dukes County Sheriff’s Office, have been dropped. In the courtroom on Friday, a prosecutor with the local district attorney’s office said that the plaintiff — who was in a relationship with Daley at the time […]
Ron Rappaport
Please join the family of Ron Rappaport for a celebration of his life and impactful legacy, on Saturday, May 31, at 3pm at the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society, 35 Panhandle Road in West Tisbury. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ronald H. Rappaport Scholar Fund, at mvbank.com/honoring_ron_rappaport.
High expectations for Vineyard track and field season
After a strong indoor season highlighted by several Cape and Island Championship placements, the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School track and field team is ready to stretch their legs on a track double the size and take on some extra events as the outdoor track season kicks off. The season opened in Harwich on Wednesday […]
Island towns among first accepting ‘seasonal communities’ designation
Oak Bluffs, West Tisbury, and Edgartown are among the first towns in Massachusetts to approve a new “seasonal communities” designation, which will open new tools to address the Island’s housing crunch. All three towns voted the designation through at town meetings on Tuesday with overwhelming support, and they follow just Provincetown, where voters approved the […]
Budget override passes in West Tisbury
Updated April 14 West Tisbury voters passed a $1.6 million override to fund the upcoming fiscal year operating budget. Voters cast their ballots Thursday at the West Tisbury Public Safety Building for various, mostly uncontested candidate races, and to vote on ballot questions. One of these ballot questions was for an override to fund its […]
Services Thursday for Elizabeth Brady
Elizabeth Brady (“Betty”) of Vineyard Haven, a lifelong community builder, mental health advocate, and dedicated executive assistant and office manager, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2025. Born in New York City in 1933, she grew up in the Bronx, child of Irish immigrants William and Anna Shortall. Betty raised a family of five children, […]
Del Torto wins Oak Bluffs clerk race
With 538 votes, Amy Lee Del Torto ran away with a three-way race to become Oak Bluffs’ new town clerk Thursday, defeating challengers Benjamin Robert Clark (225 votes) and Gail Barmakian (156 votes). Del Torto said that she was ready to get to work. “I’m just overwhelmed right now about the support. It was a […]
Morrison elected over longtime Edgartown incumbent
In Thursday’s election in Edgartown, 42-year-old lifelong Edgartown resident Alex Morrison beat out incumbent Michael Donaroma in a landslide. The final tally showed Morrison securing 469 votes, followed by Glen Searle with 251, and Michael Donoroma with 200. “I would just like to thank Mike (Donaroma) for all his hard work,” Morrison told the Times […]
Island towns redouble housing planning effort
Maura Martin, co-owner of the beloved Oak Bluffs sandwich shop Mo’s Lunch, got a text from her landlord a year ago that many Islanders dread: “I’m going to have to sell the house, are you interested?” While surprised, Martin feared this day would come — even though she’s rented the same home for 16 years, […]
With the death of due process and the rule of law, no one is safe
“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out — because I […]
What we have to fear is fear itself
As a psychiatrist, my job is to help people reduce their pain. In my practice and with family and friends, I am currently seeing people who are experiencing a specific kind of pain: pain caused by fear. We are amid what appears to be a massive shift in how our government operates. The Trump administration’s […]
Aquinnah incumbent faces first electoral challenger
Aquinnah select board chair Gary Haley will be facing his first electoral rival since he was elected nearly a decade ago. Chris Manning, Gay Head Lighthouse keeper, is the challenger running for a seat on the select board. Aquinnah town clerk Kayla Darcy told The Times that Manning is stepping back from his other role […]
Voting underway in Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and West Tisbury
Elections are underway in Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and West Tisbury today that are seeing challengers to a longtime incumbent on the Edgartown select board and will result in a new town clerk in Oak Bluffs . Here is the voting information for each town: Edgartown Polls are open until 7 pm at the Edgartown Town […]
Edgartown passes expanded ADUs, party bylaw
Edgartown voters on Tuesday night sat down for a four-hour town meeting, led by moderator Steve Ewing at the Old Whaling Church. Voters passed a leaf-blower phaseout, approved a party bylaw postponed last year, and passed significant funding for town projects. Among the highlights Tuesday, voters passed a bylaw allowing up to five well-attended commercial […]
Mill Pond preservation group rejected in West Tisbury
Updated, April 10 West Tisbury lumbered through a 64-article warrant on Tuesday night, rejecting a number of proposals, including the creation of a new committee aimed at preserving Mill Pond and a request for $700,000 to study the building needs of the West Tisbury School. But it wasn’t all rejections, as voters approved a new […]
Oak Bluffs voters approve ADUs, sewer upgrades
Except for some clarifying questions, Oak Bluffs voters mostly blazed through warrants at the special and annual town meeting on Tuesday evening at the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center. The largest spending project among the warrant articles on Tuesday night was for the replacement of a pump station on Dukes County Avenue for $2.5 million, […]
Garden Notes: Blooms in early spring
We hope “April showers bring May flowers,” because it has been damp and chilly this first week of April. Drought status of our region of the commonwealth remains “significant.” Daffodils do not mind the rain and damp, and celebrate spring; it is said that cool springs even prolong their very welcome show. Daffodil Meadow at […]
Act Two Secondhand Store supports the community
Flipping through a list of nonprofits recently, I discovered Act Two. I was immediately intrigued by this Vineyard Haven secondhand store, which, filled with alluring previously owned goods, uses funds from its sales to support community theater and arts and education programs across the Island. Act Two is not your grandma’s thrift store. It is […]
Cultivating grief literacy on the Cape and Islands
Grief is universal, whether the result of losing a person or beloved animal companion, or the aftermath of any trauma. I was particularly interested in Sharing Kindness’ “Grief 101” presentation at the West Tisbury library on March 25. A great deal I heard struck home from my own experience, and from that of others. Director […]
Dogcharmer: Building trust
Dear Dogcharmer, We have a 9-month-old pit mix named Crackers, whom we got at 7 months of age, and whom we often refer to as Crackhead. He’s the first dog for both my wife and me, and I think he’s a little crazy. He’s sweet as can be, always, except if he’s got a toy, […]
The duty of the Patriot boat
Locals know it as the Patriot. Some old timers still call it the “Paper Boat.” Officially, it is referred to on the website as the Vineyard Shuttle. Whatever one chooses to call it, the vessel departs Falmouth town dock at Scranton Avenue, starting at 4 am, headed for Oak Bluffs Harbor, Monday through Saturday. A […]
Depth and drama in ‘Black Bag’
Steven Soderbergh’s new film, “Black Bag,” playing at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center, grips us from the opening shot. The fast-paced espionage thriller unfolds day by day over a week. We follow an unknown man through London streets into a teeming nightclub, where he requests to see Philip Meacham (Gustaf Skarsgard). A minute later, we […]
Richard Michelson launches new children’s books
Children’s book author Richard Michelson has two new picture books that seem meant for these times — either to be read by children or to be banned by the anti-DEI movement. After writing that sentence, I checked in with Michelson, who is a friend, and asked him if he thought it was accurate. “Well,” he […]
Sometimes we need a little humor: The Hope Diamond
Yesterday I was attempting to open a new bag of espresso beans. It was a massacre. This wasn’t my first rodeo, though. I’ve been battling bullheaded packages for years. Last summer I saw an image of delectable-looking veggie kabobs on social media, and got the lofty idea that I’d like to grill, so I bought […]
Passover celebration
Passover has always been my favorite Jewish holiday, because it is a time when family and friends gather to enjoy a special meal after we recount the story of our ancestors’ victory over the ancient Egyptians. We will also pray for those who are living under tyranny today. We are fortunate to enjoy special foods […]
On My Way: Ramble Trail and Brightwood Park
I descended the trail. The slope was short and steep. I went side to side for footing in the untouched snow. My heart beat with exhilaration. The crisp cold was welcomed. The heels of my boots squeaked as they compacted winter’s gift. Each step was brought to a comfortable halt. I was in the conglomeration […]
Oak Bluffs Town Column
“I’m not such a fool as to not take the moon very seriously.” —Orson Welles If you take the moon seriously, like me, be prepared: The full moon rises on April 12. This moon has many names, as it is an especially important moon. It is the Paschal Moon, which means the first full moon […]
Leaf-blower ban passes three town meetings
Updated April 9 Voters in Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, and West Tisbury all passed a phased-in ban of gas-powered leaf blowers at their respective town meetings on Tuesday night, starting what could eventually become an Island-wide ban. The deciding vote was closest in Oak Bluffs, where the tally came out 98 in favor and 79 against. […]
Robert M. Sawyer
Robert M. Sawyer of Tisbury passed away peacefully on Friday, April 4, 2025, at his home on Martha’s Vineyard. He was 87 years old. Robert was born in 1937 to David and Thelma Sawyer in Brookline, where he was raised with his siblings Jerry Sawyer, Sandra Kurson, and the late Kenneth Sawyer. After graduating from […]
Wicked Good Musical Revue
Head over to Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse to catch “Broadway Unbounded,” with musical director David Behnke. Musicians include Peter Boak, Molly Sturges, and Brian Weiland; and singers David Behnke, Molly Conole, Leslie Guzman, Katherine Reid, and Ken Romero, with special guest Aiden Weiland. Friday, April 11, 7 pm, Saturday, April 12, 7 pm, and Sunday, April […]
Adding a dog to your life
When you visit a shelter or rescue and meet the available dogs, what criteria are you using to select your new best friend? It is easy to be influenced by what you see, or read, about various breeds, but how do you go into making a decision with an informed mind? In this presentation, participants […]
Virtual African art
Attend Vineyard Haven library’s eighth and penultimate lecture in a nine-month virtual series on African art. This month’s topic is “Likeness and Beyond: Portraiture in Iconic African Art.” Traditional African portraits take many forms, from those based on likeness to the highly symbolic. Presenter Jean Borgatti is consulting curator for African, Oceanic, and Native American […]
Drop-in technology help at the Anchors
If you have questions about using your laptop, smartphone, iPad, or other device, you’re in luck. The Edgartown Library is partnering with the Edgartown Council on Aging to provide drop-in technology help every month at the Anchors during its Friday Cafe. You can also stop by the library during open hours for technology help, or […]
Lobsterville beach grass planting
This year’s Beach Grass Planting Day will take place on Saturday, April 12, from 9 am to 12 pm, or until planting has been completed. The Natural Resources Department will be offering volunteers refreshments and a meal onsite, provided by Quitsa Cuisine. Volunteer hour certificates will be available upon request. Please dress for the ever-changing […]
Maritime Memoirs: Stories, Yarns, and Shanties
The annual “Maritime Memoirs” features all forms of writing by local seafarers, boatbuilders, marine enthusiasts, ocean lovers, and water babies. On the mic this year are Brad Abbot and Nat Benjamin from Gannon & Benjamin Marine Railway; Christina Colarusso, a member of the Tisbury select board; Caitlin Jones of Mermaid Farm, and daughter of recently […]
Generational Diversity in the Workplace
The Martha’s Vineyard Nonprofit Collaborative is offering a free online workshop called “Gentelligence: Understanding and Leveraging Generational Diversity in the Workplace” with Dr. Megan Gerhardt on April 17, 9 to 11:30 am. Gerhardt will address ways to push beyond lazy stereotypes to understand generational and age differences as a valuable form of diversity; barriers that often […]
Second Sunday Jazz
On Sunday, April 13, at 2:30 pm, the West Tisbury library is hosting its “Second Sunday Jazz” concert with Jeremy Berlin, Eric Johnson, and Tauras Biskis. Enjoy songs by Paul Simon, James Taylor, Steely Dan, Jimmy Webb, and more. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please email wt_mail@clamsnet.org or […]
A feast of cultures
Island educators and parents gathered last week to connect through an array of international foods and music, learning about the diverse backgrounds of the students in their care. The English Learners Parents Advisory Council hosted its first “Flavors of Nations” at Slough Farm on Thursday evening. Shared was food from different students’ cultures, poems from […]
Angst continues over Spring Street review
Tisbury officials are warning the Martha’s Vineyard Commission that a controversial development in Vineyard Haven could open the floodgates for similar types of transient workforce housing across the Island. But if commissioners are going to make any changes or modifications to 97 Spring St., they want town leaders and residents to be more specific on […]
Island man facing felony larceny charge
A 43-year-old Island man, Edward H. Vargas is facing multiple charges following a series of events last month, including that he allegedly stole a car and attacked a hospital nurse. Vargas, who is set to be arraigned at the Edgartown District Court next week, has been charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, larceny over […]
OSV permit sales go live May 1
The Trustees of Reservations will start selling over-sand vehicle (OSV) permits for Chappaquiddick starting May 1. The price for the Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge and Wasque OSV permit is rising for the first time since 2017, up from $200 to $250. The permit includes vehicle access to Cape Poge and Leland Beach, along with free […]
West Tisbury Town Column
We are finally getting some much-needed April showers. Daffodils are blooming all over town. There are tiny green leaves showing on the earliest autumn olive and multiflora rose bushes, the first pale blossoms on magnolias and cherry trees. Don’t forget to watch the new trees that were planted on Brandy Brow and around the town […]
Tisbury Town Column
Heard on Main Street: Sometimes when I open my mouth, my mother comes out. Spring is here! The forsythia is blooming. April showers are doing their job. Give many thanks to the hands that carefully planted all those daffodils at the Post Office. I had to make an important business phone call. It would not […]
Edgartown Town Column
I hate to say it, but April showers bring May flowers, and I hope to all that’s good and holy that this season’s hydrangeas are awardwinning, because this rainy weather is truly putting a dent in my spring plans. Simple plans of walking around town get drenched out from inopportune showers, hikes get postponed due […]
Chilmark Town Column
Spring is a time when the fallen trees and branches from winter storms that didn’t require immediate attention become an eyesore. Time to cut them up and clear them out. Time to check fences, sharpen the shovel, and get at the root of things. Digging up and taming blackberries, bittersweet, and wisteria. The seedlings are […]
Real Estate Transactions: March 31 – April 4, 2025
Updated April 16 Aquinnah March 31, Karen Van Brakle sold property off 0 Moshup Trail to the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank Commission for $4,275. April 1, Renee Metell sold property off 0 Moshup Trail to the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank Commission for $4,275. Edgartown April 1, Judith A. Bulman sold 80 North Summer St. to […]
Cribbage Club results
Twenty-one members of the Vineyard Cribbage Club met on Wednesday evening to play our favorite game of cribbage. The results are below: First, Mary Alice Russell with a 12/6 +89 (another Grand Slam!) Second, Ray Lincoln with a 9/4 +32 card Third, Bib Hakenson with a 9/4 +9 card Fourth, Doug Werther with an 8/3 […]
Births
Summer Larsen Gately Olivia Roberta Gately and Michael Patrick Gately of West Tisbury announce the birth of a daughter, Summer Larsen Gately, on April 6, 2025, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Summer weighed 6 pounds, 0.7 ounces. Lucas Azevedo Guimaraes Roseli Guimaraes and Cleidomar Guimaraes of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a son, Lucas Azevedo […]
Court Report: March 24 – 31, 2025
March 24 Jean Carlos F. Dejesu, Oak Bluffs, 29; operating motor vehicle with suspended license, nontransparent or obstructed window, no inspection sticker, arraigned and held, bail set at $200 with potential for bail revocation. March 27 Edward H. Vargas, Vineyard Haven, 43; disorderly conduct, malicious destruction of property greater than $1,200, arraigned and released on […]
Leaf blowers, sewer funding, Mill Brook up for town meeting debates
It’s that time of year when any registered voter can sit in the West Tisbury School gym, the Old Whaling Church or the PAC to make their voice heard, amend town budgets, or agree to big spending requests that will reshape their town. And it all begins tonight. Oak Bluffs, West Tisbury, and Edgartown are […]
Mincone hangs up coaching skates
For 27 years, Matt Mincone has coached the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School varsity hockey team where he worked to instill lessons of discipline, organization, hard work, and sportsmanship into his athletes and the program’s culture. But last month, it was bittersweet when the Islands hockey community learned of Mincone’s official retirement from the role. […]
Gail R. Landers
Gail R. (Combra) Landers passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at home, surrounded by her family. She was 71. Born in Oak Bluffs on Oct. 11, 1953, to Philip R. and Anita E. (Rose) Combra, she was the youngest of four siblings. As a hard-working single parent, Gail devoted her life to raising […]
Warren veteran amendment nulled before Senate vote
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s proposal to re-establish federal funding for a Vineyard veterans counseling program bracing for federal spending cuts never made it to the Senate floor. According to U.S. Senate staffers who spoke on the condition of anonymity, Senate leaders of both parties — Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, and John Thune, a […]
Services Tuesday for Edwin J. Griggs
Edwin J. Griggs passed away peacefully at home on April 2, after a two-month battle with cancer. He was 74. Ed was born in Belleview, Ill. He grew up in many places, due to his father’s military service. He learned to make friends quickly; a trait that would manifest throughout his life. While in high […]
Carole J. Sittard
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Carole J. Sittard, 82, of Oak Bluffs, formerly of Chicopee. Carole passed away peacefully, with her loving husband of nearly 59 years at her side. Born to Wilbur and Irene (Mercure) Simard in Chicopee, Carole graduated from Chicopee High School and Westfield State College. […]
Steamship vessel strikes, sinks Nantucket concrete dolphin
Steamship Authority officials say that a ferry that was sailing on the Nantucket route collided with a concrete dolphin on Saturday, badly damaging the piling. According to a Sunday statement from the ferry line, the Eagle, a passenger ferry that has sailed on the Nantucket route since 1987, hit the “outermost dolphin” on its portside […]
Vote!
The week ahead will be a busy one for the civic-minded on the Island, and we know you, our readers, are all in that category. Tuesday there are town meetings in West Tisbury, Oak Bluffs, and Edgartown where fateful decisions will be made on everything from the proposed ban on noise pollution regarding gas-powered leaf […]
Hundreds say ‘Hands Off!’ at Vineyard rally
Hundreds of Vineyarders packed Five Corners on Saturday afternoon to protest the Trump administration, a gathering that was part of the nationwide Hands Off! protests. The rallies are fueled by backlash against Trump administration policies and funding cuts, as well as centibillionaire Elon Musk’s role in the federal government. Major news outlets have reported that […]
Warren amendment could preserve Island vet funding
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is proposing to re-establish federal funding for the Martha’s Vineyard veterans counseling program that recently learned it would lose a decades-long contract with the Department of Veteran Affairs. On Friday, Warren announced on the U.S. Senate floor her plans to file amendments to a bill of tax breaks and spending cuts […]
W.T. warrant covers Mill Pond, budget override
West Tisbury voters could set the tone for the future of Mill Pond, and they’ll debate a long-discussed event bylaw — those are just a few of the requests among more than 60 town meeting articles up for approval on Tuesday. A highly anticipated vote will come near the end — article 64 — to […]
Meet the candidates running for Edgartown select board
The race for one seat on the Edgartown select board will culminate on Thursday, April 10. Two challengers — Alex Morrison and Glen Searle — are up against Michael Donaroma, an incumbent who has been on the board for over a decade. Polls are open from 10 am to 7 pm. We posed the following […]
Convicted felon facing new assault charge
After spending more than a decade in prison after being convicted of raping a babysitter in Tisbury in 2011, David Thrift is back in trouble with the law across multiple states including the Vineyard. Thrift is facing a new charge of assault with a dangerous weapon after his arrest at a Vineyard Haven apartment last […]
Top elected officials fire back over VA funding cuts
Updated April 9 As anxiety swirls around a looming cut to federal funding for Martha’s Vineyard Community Services’ veterans counseling program, the Island’s congressional representative and Massachusetts’ top elected official are lambasting the decision made under the Trump administration’s Department of Veteran Affairs. Congressman Bill Keating, who represents Martha’s Vineyard in Washington, said that he’s […]
Edgartown to consider sewer designs
Edgartown voters are facing potential leaf-blower bans, a $2 million request for sewer designs, and the return of the party bylaw in the upcoming town meeting. Edgartown will be holding its special and annual town meeting on April 8 at the Old Whaling Church at 7 pm. The full warrant can be viewed here. The […]
Hospital dropping Red House lease
Updated, April 3 The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital has decided it will not be renewing the lease for a substance-use recovery and healing center that has helped hundreds of Islanders, a decision based on the hospital’s growing need for specialist services. Management at the Red House have about 10 months left to find a new location, […]
Thank you to the M.V. Film Festival
To the Editor: Thank you, Brian and Brooke Ditchfield, and all the staff and numerous volunteers that made this weekend’s 25th anniversary of the M.V. Film Festival wondrous, brilliant, and so much fun. Thank you for stimulating our brains and our hearts as we watched so many good films. Thank you also for giving us […]
Celebrating MVRHS Grads: Kim Murphy
Kim Murphy graduated from MVRHS in 1996. She called herself a “bad kid,” meaning that she didn’t get too excited about high school, and really didn’t want to be there. However, thanks to Doug Herr, the assistant principal, and Greg Joannidi, her history teacher, both taking an interest in her, she made it through. However, […]
Let’s get rid of gas-powered leaf blowers
To the Editor: Picture this: Another lovely Vineyard summer morning. Your house guests have (finally) departed, one of you is pouring the coffee, the other buttering the toast, and you both are looking forward to some peace and quiet — when suddenly the air is filled with VROOMVROOMBRZOOM, the harsh and unmistakable sound of a […]
Support Mill Brook
To the Editor: In 2014, our committee was appointed by the West Tisbury select board to meet voter directives. Our purpose was to collect data to establish a baseline for determining the water quality and general health of the Mill Brook watershed. This data serves as a basis for drafting a Mill Brook watershed management […]
Information on West Tisbury’s override proposal
To the Editor: At the upcoming town meeting on April 8, and the subsequent town election on April 10, West Tisbury voters will be asked to decide on a $1,653,835.64 general override ballot question. We are writing here to provide some additional information on this question. Towns in Massachusetts are required by Proposition 2.5 to […]
Preserve the Mill Pond
To the Editor: The Mill Pond is much more than simply a beautiful body of water. To many of us, it is a shining reflection of the soul of West Tisbury, and the beating heart of our town. It deserves to be saved. The latest study of the Mill Brook watershed was released in December […]
Appreciative of League forum
To the Editor: A big shout-out, more like a loud country holler, to the lady Vols of the League of Women Voters. The recent gathering at the beautiful Edgartown library meeting room was packed to hear the current slate of candidates for election. Ladies and gentlemen, this is exactly the time and place to pepper […]
Preserve Mill Pond
To the Editor: Citizens of West Tisbury who stay until the very end of next week’s town meeting will make a decision that is crucial to the character of the town. They will decide the fate of the Mill Pond, which has been the welcoming sight on entering our village for nearly 400 years, and […]
Ban gas-powered leaf blowers
To the Editor: There are four very good reasons why we should all vote YES to phase out gas-powered leaf blowers, a regulation that will be on the docket this spring at our town meetings. First of all, we are falling behind Nantucket. They replaced them with electric models in 2020. If that doesn’t get […]
Blaming Malkin on SSA issues not productive
To the Editor: As a decades-long Vineyard resident and close observer of the SSA, it was with considerable dismay that I finished reading the letter from the “Steamship Authority Citizens’ Action Group Steering Committee”. It would be helpful to know who is on that ‘Steering Committee’. Otherwise it becomes a self-appointed vigilante group that just […]
Thank you for Islanders Write
To the Editor: Islanders Write was another Vineyard miracle that encouraged me to take my writing to a new level. The slate of accomplished authors and instructors used their skills to extract better prose from the already talented audience attending the workshops. From Nancy Slonim Aronie (our cheerleader) to John Hough, Jr. (the dialogue master), […]
Vote down Green Villa
To the Editor: I am compelled to write concerning the Green Villa development before the MVC, for several reasons. The first is the four-unit strip mall commercial component. This is a truly bad idea. I think you are aware that one of the first actions taken by the MVC was to establish the Island Roads […]
Disappointed with SSA vote
To the Editor: As a group, we had hoped to see more transparency in the process of selecting a replacement general manager for the SSA, the most important position in the operations of our lifeline. We advocated strongly for a community member to be part of the search committee. Frankly, we saw no downside in […]
Town financial advisors, be wary of recession
To the Editor: We are headed toward a recession, and possibly a depression. I hope town departments and agencies are not planning an increase in their budgets. I also hope the voters in the town meetings this spring vote against any request for an increase in taxes. It is already hard enough for homeowners to […]
Commission should deny 100-unit Oak Bluffs development
To the Editor: A proposed housing development, Green Villa, is before the Martha’s Vineyard Commission for review. The commission rarely denies proposed projects. Instead, the 17 commissioners generally approve projects and impose conditions intended to mitigate the project’s detrimental impacts. Fair enough. Green Villa is one project, however, that should not be approved. It should […]
Trim, don’t clear-cut pine plantations
To the Editor: Driving around lately, I have noticed a number of stands of white pine trees. One in particular, along State Road entering West Tisbury, part of a Land Bank property, has naturalized harmoniously with the native oak forest. The idea that they are not native seems arbitrary, since they are growing within their […]
Support leaf-blower ban
To the Editor: Somebody has to advocate for the natural world, I’ve always believed, since it doesn’t have a voice of its own. The environment can’t vote, attend meetings, write letters, or hire a lawyer to intimidate local regulatory boards. Now, however, Mother Nature has found her voice. She is screaming for help with every […]
Stop affordable housing on Chappy lot
To the Editor: I’m writing to draw attention to Article 87 on the town warrant for the Edgartown town meeting. Please consider voting yes on this article. The article will compel the select board to sell the lot at 294 Chappaquiddick Road for conservation, and use the proceeds for affordable housing where appropriate. The three-acre […]
Parking problematic with proposed Edgartown development
To the Editor: Where would you park for this proposed three-story, 88-parking-spots, 96-bedroom, 10-building prefab complex — called Edgartown Gardens — that is double the height and greater in gross square footage than the newly expanded Stop & Shop? That’s big in size, and will create a number of needs and impact, including parking needs. […]
Birthright citizenship and our Brazilian neighbors
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” –the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Section 1 Ratified in 1868, the 14th Amendment contains several provisions. Recently, one of its most controversial is Section […]
Hospital should answer on layoffs
The recent revelations of layoffs at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital are troubling for Islanders, and how we learned about them and the questions we still have about them raise some important questions about transparency and accountability. Our reporting shows that up to 20 staffers were laid off but it’s still unclear exactly what positions and how […]
Covered benches at Steamship stop to be removed
A pair of covered benches at the Vineyard Haven Steamship Authority bus stop is set to be removed to discourage loitering, drug use, and people seeking shelter. On Monday, the select board unanimously approved the bench removals following a letter from the Vineyard Transit Authority, the public entity that operates the stop. The letter, addressed […]
Oak Bluffs considers Jet Skis, $2.5 million pump station
A bylaw restricting Jet Ski use, banning gas-powered leaf blowers, and proposing hefty borrowing for a new pump station will be coming before Oak Bluffs voters next week at the annual town meeting. Oak Bluffs will be holding its annual town meeting on April 8 at the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center at 7 pm. […]
A call for help
When thrust into a traumatic situation, the human brain shifts gears — raw emotion and sensory-driven details take over, while mundane information is distorted or suppressed. For police officers, this isn’t a rare occurrence; it’s part of the job. But what happens when a profession that exposes people to cumulative trauma is lacking a support […]
Exclusive Chilmark property to host Jewish Festival
Updated April 8th. Chabad on Martha’s Vineyard has nailed down a new location in Chilmark for its annual and popular Jewish Culture Festival held in August, if they’re able to find supplemental parking elsewhere. Chabad said in a recent Chilmark select board meeting, they’re planning to bring their festival to Point Inner Way to an […]
A quarter-century of film, conversation, and change
One week, three venues, and 33 screenings later, the 25th annual Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival changed lives this past weekend. There was an overflow crowd for “Prime Minister,” documenting the election of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. There was an intimate screening of “A Man With Sole,” about designer and cultural change agent Kenneth […]
Joan Nathan’s Passover Chocolate Almond Cake
I couldn’t wait to try the Passover Chocolate Almond Cake from Joan Nathan’s new children’s cookbook, “A Sweet Year: Jewish Celebrations and Festive Recipes for Kids and Their Families.” When I bake desserts for company, I often can’t eat them myself because of various food allergies, so I jumped at the chance to try this […]
Festive recipes for young families
As a child, I would perch the small, squat, black-and-white television on the kitchen counter and watch Julia Child as I made endless batches of sugar jam cookies with whatever ingredients I could scrounge up in my mother’s cabinets. There must have been children’s cookbooks at the time, but I didn’t have any, and those […]
Life is a game in the sports film ‘Eephus’
“Eephus,” at the M.V. Film Center starting April 4, is a quiet feature by Carson Lund. It is ostensibly about a game in the mid-1990s between two New England recreational teams, which face off for one last time before their beloved Soldiers Field is taken over for the construction of a new middle school. We […]
A vision of inclusion and service
“Finding Our Way Home: The Denniston Family and 11 Masonic Avenue” uses photographs, objects, and archival materials to tell the story of a remarkable man and his family. The immersive show illustrates how the Dennistons created a faith-based community that touched the lives of many, many Islanders beginning in the early 20th century. The show […]
Wild Side: Early bees
In my last column, I confidently predicted both the species and the approximate timing of my first bee sighting of the season: I expected it would be a honey bee, turning up sometime in mid- or late March. This seemed like an ironclad bet, based on experience. Since I got serious about studying bees about […]
Memories from Bring a Kid to Work Day
I’m not sure if there was an official “Bring a Kid to Work Day” in 1973, but when I was 8 years old, my dad, Richard Roberts, brought me to the art department of the Democrat & Chronicle (D&C) newspaper in Rochester, N.Y. Dad worked as an artist, and eventually as the art director. I […]
Visiting Vet: Adventurous veterinarians
I was just flipping through a few veterinary publications looking for inspiration for this column. Yes, I still get the occasional printed professional journal, as hardcopy seems to be the only way I remember to read them. I often rely on recent cases to provide me with topics. I figure if I need to bone […]
Martha’s Vineyard job fair
There will be plenty of professional matchmaking opportunities on April 10 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Grange Hall. That evening, approximately 30 organizations and businesses will welcome individuals seeking jobs and volunteer positions at the inaugural Martha’s Vineyard Career and Networking Night. This event marks a first-time collaboration between the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber […]
Roger L. Thomas
Roger L. Thomas passed away peacefully on Feb. 14, 2025, at the age of 73, surrounded by his loving family. Roger was born on March 17, 1951, in Providence, R.I., to Ida May (“Holly”) Thomas and Edward (“Ted”) Thomas. In 1964, his family moved from East Greenwich, R.I., to Vineyard Haven, though their love for […]
John Nickerson Athearn
In the last minutes of the first day of spring, Johnny Athearn peacefully passed away. He had been patiently coping with illness for several years. During that time, he was able to enjoy the devotion of his friends, family, and caregivers, for which he would always show his gratitude. Johnny was born in 1951, in […]
James L. Harrison Jr.
James L. Harrison Jr. passed away peacefully on March 29, 2025, at the age of 93. He was surrounded by his loving family at home in Edgartown, following a long illness. He was born on Oct. 8, 1931, in New York, N.Y., to James L. and Pauline M. Harrison. Jim was a man of many […]
Dennis J. Beckwith
Dennis J. Beckwith of Oak Bluffs passed away peacefully early on the morning of Monday, March 24, 2025, at Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was 71 years old. Dennis dedicated his life to his work, running a successful electrical business from 1987 until his retirement in 2017. Yet it was his true passion for […]
Voters to mull gas-powered blower ban
Starting next week, voters will be asked to impose limitations on one of the largest industries on the Vineyard, when town meeting attendees across the Island decide whether or not to limit and eventually phase out the use of gas-powered leaf blowers completely. The idea is to cut down on noise and environmental pollution by […]
VA won’t renew Vineyard veterans contract
In a blow to veterans on Martha’s Vineyard, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will no longer be funding an Island veterans counseling service that’s been in operation since the 1980s. The Martha’s Vineyard Community Services’ program, called “Readjustment Counseling for War Veterans,” received word in mid March that, along with some 500 other similar […]
Disappointed, surprised by VA decision
To the Editor: The recent decision by the Federal Veterans Administration not to renew the “Veterans Readjustment Counseling Contract” with the Martha’s Vineyard Community Services will, in my opinion, have serious implications for Island veterans and their families. This sudden and unexpected change may lead to a disruption in or loss of critically important support […]
‘For the Birds’ art show reception
The opening reception for “For the Birds” art show at Featherstone Center for the Arts in Oak Bluffs will occur on Sunday, April 6, from 4 to 6 pm. Mass Audubon’s Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary and Featherstone Center for the Arts “flock together” to celebrate the art, beauty, and function of wild birds. Refreshments will […]
Martha’s Vineyard Hospital Health Fair
Martha’s Vineyard Hospital in Oak Bluffs will be holding its 25th Health Fair on Saturday, April 5, from 8 am to 12 pm. This event will offer free screenings for blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol; balance assessments; and a kickoff of the Island’s Community Health Needs Assessment. This once-every-three-years assessment informs community funding and healthcare […]
Teen scrapbooking workshop
Teens are invited to explore the creative world of scrapbooking at the West Tisbury Library on Friday, April 4, from 3 to 4:30 pm. Whether looking to preserve memories, create personalized gifts, or simply to express themselves through art, this fun and interactive workshop is perfect for teens of all skill levels. The workshop will […]
2nd Annual Homesteader Conference
On Sunday, April 6, from 9:30 am to 3 pm, the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society is holding its second annual Homesteader Conference at the Agricultural Hall. Each participant will have the opportunity to attend a keynote lecture and two workshops focused on homesteader skills. Please note that this is a two-part registration process. Once you […]
West Tisbury Town Column
I was waiting for Iyla at the Chilmark School last Thursday afternoon, watching all the activity, listening to children talking and laughing. Kate was serving snacks at a table, then everyone laid yoga mats on the floor to exercise. Books, games, lots of Legos, and art supplies were all to hand. What a contrast with […]
Tisbury Town Column
Heard on Main Street: Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live. I have misplaced a credit card. I have piles of papers for another project covering my kitchen counter and dining table. So now I am forced into sorting through all these papers. But I do have a lovely […]
Oak Bluffs Town Column
“Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It’s not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.” —Muhammed Ali For 35 years, the Portuguese-American Club has been providing scholarships for Island students heading off to college. These scholarships give a significant […]
Edgartown Town Column
This last month has been packed with conferences and networking events off-Island, which got me thinking about the networking we do on-Island. Sure, we have the MVY Chamber of Commerce, along with business associations such as the Edgartown Board of Trade, but I’m thinking beyond those opportunities, and as we walk deeper into spring, I’m […]
Chilmark Town Column
Welcome, April showers. The daffodils are starting to pop, and by this weekend, Joan and Pat Jenkinson’s hillside by the old gas pump on North Road will be resplendent. Many thanks to Beetlebung Farm for offering leftover packets of seeds. We are working diligently on expanding and redesigning our vegetable and fruit garden. Digging up […]
Poet’s Corner: Waiting for Spring
Waiting for Spring By Liz Splittgerber Cozy near the hearth I muse, while storm still rages Winter, like ponderous book Lasts long — hundreds of pages Thoughts take root within me — Thoughts of sunshine warm and bright Tender things fighting earth for air Seeking the needed touch of light New green replacing gray, Brown […]
Real Estate Transactions: March 24 – 28, 2025
Aquinnah March 25, Sylvia Browne sold property off 0 Moshup Trail to the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank Commission for $2,565. Edgartown March 24, James G. Gromann, trustee of 18 Bold Meadow Road Realty Trust, sold 18 Bold Meadow Road to Michael Seiman and Destiny Seiman for $4,300,000. March 26, John A. Kheary and Karen S. […]
Cribbage Club results
Nineteen members of the Vineyard Cribbage Club met on Wednesday evening to play our favorite game. The results were as follows: First, Mary Alice Russell with a 12/6 +72 card — beautiful Grand Slam Second, Doug Werther with a 12/6 +61 card — another beautiful Grand Slam Third, Tricia Bergeron with a 11/5 +101 card […]
Births
Logan Cristopher Leandro Kara Leandro and Ryan Leandro of Edgartown announce the birth of a son, Logan Cristopher Leandro, on March 23, 2025, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Logan weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce. Quint Joseph Jason Jesse Jason and Dennis Michael Jason of Chilmark announce the birth of a son, Quint Joseph Jason, on March […]
Gail R. Landers
Gail R. (Combra) Landers, 71, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at home, surrounded by her family. A full obituary and service announcement will follow.
Services for Renato Faini Jr.
Visiting hours for Renato Faini Jr. will be held at Chapman Funerals in Oak Bluffs on Saturday, April 5, at 10 am, followed by a funeral service beginning at 11 am.
Kovack accepts Edgartown harbormaster job
Tisbury Harbormaster Gary Kovack has accepted an offer to become harbormaster in Edgartown and is expected to start on April 9, he told The Times on Tuesday. “I’m looking forward to returning to Edgartown, where I was before,” he said. Kovack, originally from Detroit, has worked as an Edgartown police officer from 2018–2024 as well […]
Edgartown basement fire contained to one room
No one was injured during a structure fire that broke out at a home on Donalbain Close in Edgartown on Monday afternoon, prompting a response from the Oak Bluffs and Edgartown fire departments. The extent of the damage from the fire was contained to one room and the contents within it. As of Monday afternoon, […]
Sunset Lake driver pleads not guilty
Kaylee Harnen, a 31-year-old from Pennsylvania, and the driver of a car that first responders found flipped on its hood in Sunset Lake in December, was arraigned at the Edgartown District Court on Monday. Harnen pleaded not guilty to all charges, including negligent operation of a motor vehicle, operating under the influence of liquor, and […]
Times receives ‘general excellence’ award
The Martha’s Vineyard Times has been recognized by a regional newspaper association with one of its most coveted awards at an annual convention on Saturday. The Times received first place in the “general excellence” category at the New England Newspaper and Press Association Better Newspaper Competition (NENPA) awards banquet held in Portland, Maine, as […]
Two contested races in Tisbury
Tisbury voters will decide two contested races this year, as well as whether to put a second Martha’s Vineyard Commissioner on the town planning board. The candidates list from the town clerk’s office shows that school committee incumbent Michael Watts will run against Alicia Lesnikowski. Watts is finishing his second consecutive three-year term. Three people […]
Healey extends hybrid and remote public meetings
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey has signed an act allowing state and local public bodies to continue holding meetings in hybrid or remote format, as well as allowing people to participate remotely in town meetings. The act, first adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent state of emergency, is now in effect through June 30, 2027. […]
Disabled Coast Guard vessel blocks SSA boat
A U.S. Coast Guard vessel briefly delayed a Steamship Authority vessel’s departure from Woods Hole Monday afternoon. Sean Driscoll, Steamship Authority communications director, confirmed with The Times that a disabled Coast Guard vessel blocked one of its ferries, the Woods Hole, from making its trip to Vineyard Haven at 1:35 pm, and led to a […]
‘Jaws’ Broadway play coming to the Island
The Broadway play “The Shark Is Broken,” a comedy-drama based on the making of the movie “Jaws,” is coming to the Vineyard this summer in celebration of the film’s 50th anniversary. The play is currently touring the U.K. and Ireland, after showing from August to September 2023 on Broadway in New York’s John Golden Theatre. […]
Boys tennis dominates in season opener
The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School spring sports season is underway, and the boys tennis team kicked things off right under the sun on Thursday with a dominating sweep over Sandwich High School. The season opener featured three singles matches and two doubles matches, all five won by MVRHS, by a lot. Senior captain Zak […]
Complaint filed with AG against Island fuel supplier
A West Tisbury resident has filed a complaint against an Island fuel provider with the state attorney general’s office, claiming that his and other Islanders’ fuel tanks weren’t adequately filled over the winter. Michael Bellissimo filed the complaint on March 19, stating that AmeriGas, a propane provider, filled tanks with only a week’s worth of […]
Nantucket files legal challenge against SouthCoast Wind
An offshore wind development planned off the Vineyard’s coast has been hit with a legal challenge from the Town of Nantucket, where municipal officials are saying federal regulators failed to address the adverse impacts of the project to the town. Targeting SouthCoast Wind, the town filed an appeal against the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, […]
Oak Bluffs clerk candidates make their cases
With elections only a couple of weeks away, three candidates in Oak Bluffs are making their cases to be elected as the next town clerk. The three candidates are Gail Barmakian, who is ending a long tenure on the town’s select board; Benjamin Robert Clark, who works in finance; and Amy Lee Del Torto, an […]
Island towns diving into housing production planning
Updated March 27th. Local boards across the Vineyard are starting to create a town-by-town plan to address housing issues and their next step is hearing from the Island community directly. Planning and select boards, along with affordable housing committees, have been meeting jointly this week, including in Edgartown on Tuesday, March 25th, where members outlined […]
Nantucket group not giving up on offshore wind fight
A Nantucket-based group is continuing its fight against offshore wind, this time with the Environmental Protection Agency. ACK for Whales, an anti-offshore wind group from Nantucket, filed a petition on Tuesday to the federal agency asking it to reassess and possibly revoke Vineyard Wind’s Clean Air Act permit, a requirement to ensure developers comply with […]
Finding solutions for turbulent insurance market
A Cape and Islands lawmaker is trying to bridge the growing gap between homeowners and a turbulent insurance market with the introduction of two new legislative bills aimed at providing relief and expanding coverage. But the changes may not have the immediate impact some locals may be hoping for. State Senator Julian Cyr recently filed […]
Film Festival celebrates 25 years
Twenty-five years ago on the Island, a group of theater school friends had just finished shooting “The Last Will and Testament of Marlboro Patch,” Vineyarder Brian Ditchfield’s adaptation of the book of the same name by his father Michael Ditchfield. The film follows a man unraveling the mystery of his father’s death, leading him to […]
Construction starting in June for 60-unit housing project
Updated March 31 New residents won’t begin to move into a 60-unit affordable housing project planned in Oak Bluffs until after Jan. 2027, two years later than initially announced. Tackenash Knoll, formerly called Southern Tier, is an affordable housing project being developed in Oak Bluffs next to the MV Ice Arena by the local nonprofit […]
Three finalists announced for Edgartown principal
The Edgartown School is closing in on its search for a new principal, narrowing the initial 12 applicants down to three finalists, two of which are assistant principals for Island schools and one a principal from Attleboro. The three finalists include Deborah DeBettencourt, current Assistant Principal at Edgartown School and a guidance counselor at Edgartown […]
Island youth teams claim tournament wins at Cape’s Lobster Pot
At a hockey tournament on the Cape earlier this month called the Lobster Pot, two under-eight Martha’s Vineyard Mariner hockey teams brought home first place trophies, in different divisions. Head coach Joe Merry led the Island’s white team to a back-to-back tournament win after winning last year; and the purple team, headed by coach Chris […]
Former prime minister coming to film festival
As the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival enters its 25th year, it will host its first-ever world leader — former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who held office from 2017–2023 and rose to prominence for her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Right Honorable Dame will appear for a Friday evening showing of the documentary […]
SSA art contest submissions open
Get your crayons ready kids, the Steamship Authority’s art contest here. The ferry line announced its 10th annual “Sail into Imagination” art contest in a Monday press release. The contest is open to all students, kindergarten through twelfth grade, who live on Martha’s Vineyard, Cape Cod, Nantucket, Fairhaven, and New Bedford. The winning artworks will […]
A growing home for Brazilian faith community
The band could be heard down Church Street on a recent Sunday night in March. Guitars, drums and a chorus boomed out from Lagoinha MV, a church in Vineyard Haven that has been growing. From the outside, the church’s building is unassuming, except for a black-and-white flag out front boasting the organization’s dove logo. Inside, […]
Garden Notes: Spring is here
Spring has sprung! The vernal equinox took place March 20, when daytime and nighttime are the same length. The grass is rapidly greening, and the rain events last week, St. Patrick’s Day rainstorm and then some more, encouraged the delighted pinkletink chorus into a happy hallelujah. Komodo and his flock of free-ranging tick hunters are […]
Community policing reaches older adults
Making soup is widely considered a comforting act, associated with care and a sense of community. That came across recently as Oak Bluffs Police Chief Jonathan Searle ladled out bowls of steaming hot chicken soup he’d made from scratch. “Food brings people together,” the chief said of the crowd recently assembled at the Oak Bluffs […]
Beauty is more than skin-deep
The National Institute of Mental Health defines self-care as “taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical and mental health. This can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy. Even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a […]
Court Report: March 3 – 13, 2025
March 3 Abraham V. Torres, Vineyard Haven, 58; operating motor vehicle with suspended license, failure to yield at intersection, arraigned and held, bail set at $100, case closed. Jesiel C. Deamorim, Vineyard Haven, 48; operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, marked lanes violation, operating motor vehicle with license suspended, […]
Knowledge weaver Julia Marden
Creativity flows through artist Julia Marden’s veins, and has done so since childhood. Her creations are a direct tie to her Aquinnah Wampanoag heritage. Marden is perhaps best-known for her fine traditional “twined” basketry. She learned to weave baskets while working as an interpreter at the 17th century Wampanoag homesite at the Plimoth Patuxet Museums […]
Climate Connections: Facing cost on Martha’s Vineyard
The least talked-about impact of climate change is its looming effect on the Island economy. I know why we are avoiding it — it is frightening, and we’ve got enough to worry about. Yet every one of us will take a hit. It is better to know what is coming so we can prepare for […]
Writing from the Heart: Universal catchall
The other night I was at a friend’s house when she was looking for a corkscrew. A bunch of us were in the kitchen watching the charade, while she was opening cabinets and drawers searching in vain for the darn opener. One of the drawers was like the one everyone has stuffed with the lone […]
Real Estate Transactions: March 17 – 21, 2025
Chilmark March 21, William E.B. Vincent sold 0 Kings Highway to Clarissa M. Allen for $307,000. Edgartown March 21, JP Morgan Chase Bank NA transferred 56 North Neck Road from James M. Walsh and Mary Anne E. Walsh to JP Morgan Chase Bank NA for $4,300,000. Oak Bluffs March 19, Bethany M. Bongarzone, formerly known […]
‘Boy: A Novel,’ by Nicole Galland
Gender fluidity and political intrigue abound in “Boy,” New York Times best-selling author Nicole Galland’s engrossing new novel. However, this is no contemporary tale. Instead, it is thought-provoking historical fiction, nestled in London’s Globe Theater and Elizabethan court. Galland, who excels in cinematographic descriptions, deftly drops us into this world in the first chapter. “On […]
‘Between the Mountain and the Sky’ at M.V. Film Festival
“Between the Mountain and the Sky” chronicles Maggie Doyne’s extraordinary journey from a recent high school graduate in 2005 to the CEO and co-founder of BlinkNow, a Nepali nongovernmental organization and U.S. nonprofit. Currently, the foundation operates a home for at-risk students, a school, a health and wellness program, a women’s center, a program for […]
Documentary on Andy Kaufman
You might be left wondering who exactly Andy Kaufman was after watching Alex Braverman’s documentary, “Thank You Very Much,” playing at the M.V. Film Center starting March 28. The film examines the career of this iconoclastic American entertainer and performance artist who defies categorization. Perhaps best known for his role as Latka Gravas on the […]
Up-Island Council on Aging: April 2025
Up-Island Council on Aging, Howes House 1042 State Rd., West Tisbury 508-693-2896 friendsofupislandcouncilonaging.org There’s always something happening at the Howes House! We are open Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4 pm. Mondays 9:15 am, Yoga with Martha Abbott (Zoom). Email spiritmovesyou@gmail.com for sign-in information. 9 am and 9:35 am, Strength and Fitness with Katryn […]
Edgartown Council on Aging: April 2025
Edgartown Council on Aging, The Anchors The Anchors at 10 Daggett St. 508-627-4368 edgartowncoa.com The Edgartown Council on Aging will be closed on Monday, April 21, for Patriots’ Day. Weekly Events Monday 9 am: Chair Yoga with Jennifer 12:30 pm: Bridge 2 pm: Walking Group, Katama Tuesday 9 am: Yoga with Carol Vega 9 am: […]
Oak Bluffs Council on Aging: April 2025
Oak Bluffs Council on Aging 21 Wamsutta Ave. 508-693-4509, ext. 3 oakbluffsma.gov/152/Council-on-Aging Coffee and tea all day 9 am to 3 pm daily. Refreshments are served during all of our programs. Bring a friend! Mondays 9 am, Exercise with Patience Campbell and Marilyn Miller, in person or on Zoom, https://us04web.zoom.us/j/732230936?pwd=nTIP11DKUuY; Meeting ID: 732 230; Password: […]
Tisbury Council on Aging: April 2025
Tisbury Senior Center 34 Pine Tree Road, Vineyard Haven 508-696-4205 tisburyma.gov/council-aging Weekly Activities Mondays 9:30 – 10:30 am, Line Dancing with Catie 11:30 am, Bowling at the Barn 1 – 3 pm, Silver Quilters 1 – 3:30 pm, Mah Jong Call on Mondays to make a lunch reservation for Thursday! 508-744-8618. Tuesdays 8:30 – 9:30 […]
Veterans’ Corner: April 2025
The Dukes County Health and Human Services Department seeks a Veterans Services Officer. The job is 30 hours a week, with benefits. The candidate must be an honorably discharged U.S. veteran. Please email manager@dukescounty.org for more information and a full job description. The Dukes County Veterans Service Department serves the veterans of all seven towns […]
M.V. Center for Living: April 2025
M.V. Center for Living, the Island’s Dementia and Caregiver Support Network 508-939-9440 lesliec@mvcenter4living.org mvcenter4living.org Volunteers wanted for all interests! Call or email today. Regular Programs Monday – Friday: 9 am – 3 pm, Supportive Day Program Every third Thursday (April 17): 10 am – 12 pm, Music & Memory Cafe Fridays: 11 am – 12 […]
Healthy Aging Martha’s Vineyard: April 2025
MV Connect: Volunteering to keep our Island connected Healthy Aging Martha’s Vineyard (HAMV) is happy to announce MV Connect, a volunteer driver pilot program designed to help older adults on our Island get to scheduled medical appointments, errands, and enrichment activities. This pilot program hopes to build on the success of GoGoGrandparent, which has become […]
Noteworthy 55+: April 2025
Community Programs Easter Dinner Enjoy a meal delivered to your door on Easter Eve, Saturday, April 19. If you are alone, or will be unable to go out, call your local Council on Aging no later than Friday, April 11, to order your holiday meal. Edgartown: 508-627-4368 Oak Bluffs: 508-693-4509 Tisbury: 508-696-4205 Up-Island: 508-693-2896 A […]
SHINE: April 2025
SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) Barnstable County Regional SHINE office shine@capecod.gov 774-243-2953 capecod.gov/departments/human-services/initiatives/shine SHINE provides free health insurance information and assistance for Medicare-eligible adults and their caregivers. A new volunteer opportunity is waiting for you! The Cape Cod and Islands Regional SHINE program is seeking volunteers for our 2025 class! We screen, […]
CORE Senior Services: April 2025
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 […]
Missis Biskis concert at West Tisbury Library
On Sunday, March 30, at 2:30 pm, head over to West Tisbury Library for an afternoon of music featuring Missis Biskis. The band will take audiences from Hank (Wiliams) to Hendrix, and Loretta to Lucinda, covering tunes along the American highway. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, email wt_mail@clamsnet.org […]
Information session: Tick season has arrived
The Vineyard Haven library will be presenting a virtual program to ensure that the Island community is prepared for the 2025 tick season. At 2 pm on Friday, March 28, Patrick Roden-Reynolds, director of the Martha’s Vineyard Tick-Borne Illness Reduction Initiative (a.k.a. the M.V. Tick Program) and public health biologist for the Inter-Island Public Health […]
Comedy with TBD Improv
If you’re looking for a high-energy comedy show, it’s happening upstairs at the Barn, Bowl and Bistro in Oak Bluffs with TBD Improv’s spring-fling kickoff show. Join the cast of TBD for a lot of laughs. Vineyard-based improvisers from New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia bring the laughs, using their wits and suggestions from the audience. […]
Playwriting workshop with Jonah Maidoff
A monthly playwriting series with Jonah Maidoff will run on Saturdays from 12 to 1 pm: March 29, April 26, and June 28. These sessions will meet in-person in the West Tisbury Library’s downstairs large conference room. Please try to commit to all sessions. In this workshop, participants will begin with the fundamentals of theatrical […]
Glazing techniques with Sabrina Kuchta
This glazing workshop is geared toward those who are experienced in pottery and interested in learning more about the glazing process. It will cover details of glaze application, different techniques, and the science of glazing, and it’s an opportunity to talk shop. Bring two or three bisque pieces to glaze and experiment with. To sign […]
West Tisbury Town Column
It’s officially spring now. My first daffodils are blooming. Snowdrops and crocuses are everywhere. After complaining about my eranthis a few weeks ago, I have found patches of it in unexpected spots around the yard. But best of all are the hellebores. Hellebores have become rather the rage the past few years. Most of my […]
Tisbury Town Column
Heard on Main Street: Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. I had a sad conversation with an old friend this week. Johanna Robichau had news about her husband, Joe Robichau, an Islander. He is not doing well; he is now living at Sunrise of Newton, […]
Oak Bluffs Town Column
“The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.” —Harriet Ann Jacobs Spring comes slowly to Martha’s Vineyard, but we can already feel it in the longer days and the increased warmth of the sun. The daytime temperatures now begin with a 4, or even a […]
Edgartown Town Column
This past week seems to have been the pivotal week in feeling like not only is the island defrosting, but so are we. Once again, sunshine is the subject of this column, but after a long, dreary winter, what else do we really want to talk about? On the 28th at 6 pm at the […]
Chilmark Town Column
May his memory be a blessing. After a week where we wish we could wrench back time, and undo the unimaginable and heartbreaking death of Frank Edward Rodenbaugh, who would have celebrated his third birthday on May 31. To his parents, Matt and Julie, and his sister, Clare, we offer our condolences, love, and support. […]
Aquinnah Town Column
The Aquinnah Variety Show now has a firm date. Get out your calendars and mark the evening of May 1. Keep your eye out for details about when the doors open so you can be sure to get there early, as it is likely to be a packed house. Although the show is slated to […]
Cribbage Club results
Twenty-one members of the Vineyard Cribbage Club met on Wednesday evening to play our favorite game of cribbage. The results were: First, Sammi Burns with a 14/6 GRAND SLAM +164 card Second, Richard Clark with a 12/4 +123 card with FOUR skunks! Third, Ed Montesion with a 9/4 +65 card Fourth, Roy Scheffer with an […]
Edgartown selects Kovack for harbormaster post
Edgartown has selected Gary Kovack, the current Tisbury Harbormaster, to lead its harborfront. Kovack was nominated at a Edgartown Selectboard meeting on Monday for the harbormaster post, where he was chosen over two other finalists Kurt Peterson and Michael Gately. “It’s a tough decision but it’ll be good to have Kovack back in Edgartown,” said […]
Fun on the ice for annual first responder head-to-head
The Martha’s Vineyard Ice Arena was buzzing with community competition and appreciation on Saturday as the annual Bravest vs. Finest hockey game kicked off, pitting Island police officers against firefighters, first responders, and even doctors and nurses in the lighthearted clash. The Finest — the boys in blue — claimed an 8-5 victory, but […]
Steamship names new engineering, maintenance director
The Steamship Authority has named a new director of engineering and maintenance. Zachary Lawrence joined the Steamship Authority in October 2019 as an assistant port engineer before being promoted to port engineer. He has oversaw all aspects of vessel engineering, including repairs and dry docks in those roles. “Zach was an outstanding external hire when […]
Boys & Girls Club proposes 21,000 square-foot clubhouse
The Boys & Girls Club of Martha’s Vineyard is proposing to build a new, larger facility to meet what they see as a rising demand. Meanwhile, some neighbors say the club has not been communicative of their plans. The Martha’s Vineyard Commission began public hearing for the Boys & Girls Club’s proposed 21,530-square-foot clubhouse on […]
Wind fight is not over
To the Editor: In the space of a day, President Trump upended the offshore wind (OSW) gameboard with two executive orders that freeze plans for new offshore wind development, end the Green New Deal, pause funding under it, and order his new Attorney General and Secretary of the Interior to study federal wind and permitting […]
Putts & Pints event a success
To the Editor: The Oak Bluffs Public Library would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all those who made our recent Putts & Pints Fundraiser a tremendous success. This event would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our incredible sponsors, volunteers, and the wonderful members of our community. A special thank […]
Transition away from gas leaf blowers
To the Editor: Last week, on a relatively warm day that had an air of spring in it, I was out in my yard enjoying the day, and admiring the robins as they pulled worms from the earth. Alas, landscapers with leaf blowers arrived in my neighbor’s yard. For more than two hours, the noise […]
Thanks for Islanders Write
To the Editor: It was a pleasure to participate in Islanders Write’s recent winter gathering. Led by the inspiration of Kate Fieffer, supported by Ann Smith of Featherstone and Mat Tombers of Edgartown Books, and promoted by The MV Times, the program is a unique opportunity for aspiring authors to gain experience, training, and camaraderie […]
Health board willing to find solution on bottle ban
To the Editor: As a member of the board of health of Oak Bluffs, I must take exception to certain comments in the recent Op-Ed in The MV Times taking our Oak Bluffs board of health to task for not enforcing the plastic bottle ban bylaw passed in 2022 in Oak Bluffs, and by other […]
Save the bees, ban neonic-coated seeds
To the Editor: Growing up on the Island, I’ve seen firsthand how important local farms are to our community. Their crops not only nourish residents, but supply fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables to local schools. At Chilmark and West Tisbury School, local food was a staple of our lunches, fostering my appreciation for nutritious, homegrown […]
Burning Christmas tree leads to Quansoo brush fire
Chilmark firefighters extinguished a brush fire Sunday evening on the outskirts of Quansoo Preserve, which local officials believed started from someone burning a Christmas tree on the beach. Chilmark Fire Chief Jeremy Bradshaw said the department responded at about 7 pm, and while a road into the preserve was blocked, two all-terrain vehicles were able […]
Steamship declines public member for manager search
The Steamship’s interviews for a new general manager won’t involve the inclusion of a member of the public, at least for now. The ferry line’s board considered a request to include a nonvoting public member in the general manager interview process, but on Friday tabled the matter without debate. The ferry line is looking for […]
All-Island task force considered to tackle homelessness issues
As the seasonal shuttering of the Island’s only overnight winter shelter approaches and with no permanent location planned, a call is being made for an Island-wide task force to address homelessness on Martha’s Vineyard. The idea was discussed by the West Tisbury select board during a Wednesday meeting. Board member Skipper Manter said there should […]
‘Jalapeño’ for the win at Island spelling bee
The winner of the 32nd annual Martha’s Vineyard All School Spelling Bee is fifth-grader Juliet Merrill from the Edgartown School and the winning word was jalapeño. On Friday, the middle school competition at the Performing Arts Center at MVRHS came down to a barn burner of a finale. Merrill squared off with eighth grader Isaac […]
Commission weighing projects with over 500 bedrooms
With the Island in the midst of a housing crisis, four large projects — some of the largest developments likely seen on the Island — are before the Island’s regional regulatory board, all combined proposing a total of more than 500 bedrooms. The four include three 40B applications: 132 bedrooms as part of the Green […]
Restore Mill Brook
It’s been called the Cranberry Wars, and that conflict offers lessons that Islanders can learn from today. The period was not long ago, just across the Sound on Cape Cod, when the cranberry industry was moving inland to cheaper land, residents debated what to do with the vacant but still popular bogs. The wide-open expanses […]
Falmouth Academy students win at science fair
Four Vineyard students from Falmouth Academy have earned top honors at a state science and engineering fair held earlier this month. Maverick Pil ‘26 of Vineyard Haven earned second place at the Region V Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, held March 8 at Bridgewater State University, for his project “Benthic Microbial Fuel Cells: A […]
StillPoint Early Spring – Community Lineup
StillPoint is a community-defined organization in West Tisbury. StillPoint is centered around a beautiful timber structure with an open scissor truss frame and glass sky-window running the length of its ridge. Functionally, StillPoint is an educational, convening and performance space and organization. This weekend’s lineup reveals much of the community organization Stillpoint’s range and focus […]
Charges against baby sitter elevated to manslaughter after child dies
The Oak Bluffs woman who is charged with leaving a child unattended in a car for multiple hours is now facing manslaughter after the child died at a Boston hospital on Wednesday. Aimee Cotton, 41, was arraigned at the Edgartown District Court house on Thursday, March 20 after police arrested her on a warrant for […]
Tisbury official vying for Edgartown harbormaster spot
Edgartown has finalized a list of candidates to become the next harbormaster, and one is current Tisbury harbormaster Gary Kovack. The Edgartown select board interviewed three finalists — Kovack, Kurt Peterson, and Michael Gately — on Wednesday afternoon at town hall and are expected to select a candidate on Monday. “We’ve got some great candidates,” […]
Aquinnah tribe documents record number of marine strandings
Island agencies saw a record number of marine mammal strandings in 2024, responding to more than 40 incidents, the highest in recent Island history. The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head’s Environmental Laboratory team, primary contact for all strandings on the Island, responded to calls about 19 separate marine mammals, and there were 25 other stranding […]
M.V. Chamber Music Society inspires students
The Martha’s Vineyard Chamber Music Society’s (MVCMS) Artist in Residence Program has touched the lives of many young musicians in our schools. And since last October, 13 professional musicians have come from off-Island to share their expertise with Island students, mentoring them in the schools and giving a free concert for the public. Four more […]
‘Muse’ art show at Featherstone
“Muse,” the new show at Featherstone Center for the Arts, is a feast for the eyes — a veritable buffet of creativity. The theme revolves around what inspires artists to create, and since 98 artists are featured, it clearly resonated with many Island artists. “This is our first show of the spring season,” chief executive […]
Vineyard travel team wins New England championship
The Martha’s Vineyard 7th grade travel basketball team — the Vineyard Breakers — capped off an impressive season by winning the New England State Championship’s Silver Division this past weekend, defeating four teams, including in the championship game against Mashpee, a rival from Cape Cod that held second place behind the Breakers throughout the regular […]
‘Champions of the Golden Valley’ at M.V. Film Festival
Shot in moody black-and-white, we see the silhouette of a man with his back to us, gazing out a window, snow swirling in a cold, wintry cityscape. He says, “It’s not there anymore. It was a dream, and now you wake up, and that’s gone. That was so much happiness … I never thought I […]
Wild Side: Giving the Western honey bee some slack
Regular readers of this column will know that, in general, I struggle to muster much affection for non-native species, especially ones that may have negative effects on native flora and fauna. To a degree, this antipathy extends to the Western honey bee, Apis mellifera. And yet I’m inclined to cut this insect some slack. The […]
7 am at 7a Foods
When it comes to living in Aquinnah, there are definitely some perks. One is how close we are to 7a. Sometimes when people hear where I live, they say, “Oh, so you must get 7a a lot.” That would be an understatement. When it comes to breakfast sandwiches on Martha’s Vineyard, there are many places […]
Working for Your Health: Primary care is vital for our health
Our primary medical providers are critical to our personal health, and to the health of our community. When we are ill, or are worried, or want to know how to stay well, we turn to primary care providers. Outside of medical emergencies, these primary care physicians and advanced-practice nurses are the first people we ask […]
Real Estate Transactions: March 10 – 14, 2025
Edgartown March 12, Bradford E. Pratt and Laura J. Pratt, trustees of Lot 13 S.H.F. Realty Trust, sold 6 Lauras Way to Jaroslav Kral for $750,000. March 12, John Sutton and Jayne Sutton sold 0 Harborside Inn Condo Unit 509 Week 21 to Kieran Brennan and Anne-Marie Brennan for $12,500. March 14, Cynthia Murtha Tanny […]
Police, fire to benefit unhoused in rivalry hockey game
This coming Saturday, memories will be made at the Martha’s Vineyard Ice Arena as the Islands police officers and firefighters trade badges for blades in the annual “Finest vs Bravest” ice hockey showdown. More than bragging rights this year, all proceeds will benefit the nonprofit Harbor Homes of Martha’s Vineyard to help the organization, which […]
A gift to the next generation of Island writers
At the first-ever Islanders Write midwinter celebration of authors, essayists, and journalists who make up the proud legacy of writers on the Island, the Martha’s Vineyard Times shared some big news at Featherstone Center for the Arts in Oak Bluffs about a new initiative to ensure the legacy continues into future generations. A pledge of […]
Nearly 300-bedroom Edgartown project to start MVC hearing
A large housing development proposed in Edgartown will soon be undergoing the Martha’s Vineyard Commission public hearing process. Nearly 300 bedrooms in a variety of styles of housing are being proposed by Katama Meadow LLC, formerly Meeting House Way LLC. The developers want to create a new subdivision road called Atlantic Avenue on Division Road […]
Woman charged after child found in critical condition
An Oak Bluffs woman is facing a felony charge after police report that she left children she was babysitting in her car unsupervised for multiple hours during an incident that left one of the children in critical care. Forty-year-old Aimee Cotton pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and battery on a child with injury […]
FAIR Plan insurance creates workaround on $1 million cap
The most common insurance plan on the Island, which several thousand locals rely on, has announced a new policy change that will make it possible to fully insure homes worth over a million dollars. The Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association, also known as the FAIR Plan and that 36.6 percent of Island homeowners use, has […]
Capt. Everett Lee Whorton Jr.
Capt. Everett Lee Whorton Jr., 80, of Oak Bluffs, peacefully yet unexpectedly passed away at home on Sunday, March 16, 2025. He was the beloved eldest son of Everett L. and Helen (Santos) Whorton, who affectionately called him “Joey.” Born on Sept. 12, 1944, in Oak Bluffs during the Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944, Everett’s […]
Islanders Write: Workshop Vignettes
Writers as young as 6 years old gathered at Featherstone Center for the Arts over the weekend to attend The MV Times’ first midwinter Islanders Write. Over the course of two days, 15 workshops focused on the art, craft, fun, folly, and business of writing. Here is a glimpse of some of the lessons that […]
Ted Edward Desrosiers
Ted Edward Desrosiers, a man who could fill a room with laughter and make everyone feel like an old friend, passed away on March 11, 2025. He lived with a full heart, a quick wit, and an unshakable love for his family, his friendships, and the Island community that meant so much to him. Born […]
Sean Allen Chalifoux
Sean Allen Chalifoux, 49, of Venice, Fla., passed away in front of loved ones, after succumbing to his injuries after being struck by a car, on Jan. 8, 2025. He was born on March 17, 1975. Sean was a beloved waiter and bartender at several Venice establishments for more than three years. He never met […]
Patsy Shelton Fullin
Patsy Shelton Fullin of Vineyard Haven passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on March 14, 2025. She was 74. Born on May 14, 1950, in Oak Bluffs, she was the daughter of Virginia Shelton of Edgartown. A kindhearted and humorous woman, Patsy had a deep love for her family and friends, always going […]
Karin Magid
Karin Magid, former owner of Red Pony Farm, passed away on Feb. 17, 2025. She was born on August 31, 1943, to Maurice Magid and Erika Stolzberg Magid in White Plains, N.Y. Karin grew up near Scarsdale, studied at Sarah Lawrence College, lived in France, had a film career in England alongside her former husband […]
Vineyard Golf Club’s Seguin named PGA Cape Cod’s Pro of the Year
Eri Seguin, head professional at Edgartown’s Vineyard Golf Course in Edgartown, has been named Gary Philbrick Golf Professional of the Year by the PGA of America’s Cape Cod chapter. The designation is the chapter’s highest annual honor. Seguin’s journey in golf began in Vermont, where he began working at a St. Johnsbury club at the […]
West Tisbury Town Column
I am writing a late column this week, on Monday morning. Rain is pouring down, and the wind is blowing hard enough to almost flatten light shrubbery and saplings in our woods. Abby wasn’t interested in going out until Mike donned his rain jacket and walked to the door. I can’t imagine she was eager […]
Tisbury Town Column
Heard on Main Street: Sometimes all you need is to enjoy nature. With last week’s sunshine and warm days, you could almost think it was spring. When we first came back to the Island, my husband’s elderly great-aunt would ask me on a bright spring day to take her all around the Island “to see […]
Oak Bluffs Town Column
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it is those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” —Desmond Tutu I ran into Sarah Omer a few days ago, and after catching up with each other’s news, we started to talk about the state of the world and the upsetting daily […]
Edgartown Town Column
Just as I ease into this new job as the Edgartown columnist, it seems that spring season eases into our town as well. The arrival of the spring equinox brings a time of reflection, balance, and renewal — or better yet, of spring cleaning, decluttering, and bringing things to Chicken Alley, Dumptique, or texting friends […]
Chilmark Town Column
We are hard workers, and generous with our time and talents. This past weekend, Kate Feiffer and this paper produced an Islanders Write. The summer event is lovely and well-attended, and for some of us, super-hard to get to. Friday’s screening of the film “Rebel With a Clause” and Q and A with star Ellen […]
Aquinnah Town Column
Driving down-Island last week, we were heartened when we saw the explosion of yellow blooms on the grand forsythia tree in front of Middletown Nursery. It seems to always be the first. Meanwhile, the baby forsythia we planted in the fall is still a timid little stick, but our bulbs have sprouted healthy-looking leaves. It’s […]
Poet’s Corner: Down for the count
Down for the count By Jim Feiner Mucous making sputum spewing I don’t know what my body is doing coughing rasping grasping hacking This darn cold keeps on attacking my nose is runny, red and sore. I’m not sure I can take much more. I’m not the kind that gets real sick when I do, […]
Islanders Write draws locals of all ages, styles, and skills
Read more about workshop vignettes from Islanders Write on Saturday and Sunday here. More than 70 Islanders made their way to Featherstone Center for the Art’s main building on Saturday and Sunday to develop their craft, learn from local authors, and connect to their unique voice. From the 6½-year-old Oak Bluffs School student Isla Katz […]
Coast Guard Auxiliary offers new ‘Safe Boating Class’
The Martha’s Vineyard Coast Guard Auxiliary will hold a Safe Boating Class on March 29. This is the first class offered on Martha’s Vineyard since the announcement of the Hanson-Milone Boater Safety Act, which requires anyone operating a powerboat or personal watercraft in Massachusetts to have taken a boating safety course. The comprehensive course is […]
‘Membership Down!’ at the P.A. Club
“Membership Down!” has been wowing audiences and embarrassing contestants since 2018. It’s not to be missed, so head over to the P.A. Club to help celebrate the 13th show. The Island’s live, variety game show fundraiser is celebrating a belated St. Patty’s Day with a special leprechaun edition of the show to raise funds for […]
Community poetry reading with Claudia Taylor
On Sunday, March 23, from 2 to 3:30 pm, a poetry reading featuring members of the community will take place at the Edgartown library. All are welcome to read their own work, recite a favorite poem, or simply come to listen. Each poet will have a maximum of 10 minutes to read. To sign up […]
Friends of Vineyard Haven Library meetings
The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library always welcome new members. All volunteers and those who are interested in knowing more about the Friends meet at 10:15 am on the fourth Saturday of the month. The meeting is in person at the library, but you can contact the library if you need Zoom access. […]
Guiding Good Choices for families
Calling all parents and child caregivers: Guiding Good Choices is a six-week evidence-based program from the M.V. Family Resource Center, about preventing risky behavior and strengthening your relationship with your preteens and young teens (ages 8 to 14). While you participate with other parents, your youth will have the opportunity to join a free equine […]
Cribbage Club results
Nineteen members of the Vineyard Cribbage Club met Wednesday evening to play our favorite game. The results were as follows: First, Tricia Bergeron with a 13/5 +118 card (3rd week in a row) Second, Mary Alice Russell with a 12/5 +87 card Third, Kathy Kinsman with a 10/5 +98 card Fourth,Jack Silvia with a 10/5 […]
Birth
Angus Seán McMahon Katie McMahon and Seán McMahon of West Tisbury announce the birth of a son, Angus Seán McMahon, on March 10, 2025, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Angus weighed 8 pounds, 12 ounces.
Academic honors
Oak Bluffs School honor roll Grade 5, High Honors: Spencer Blau, Daniil Brown, Ivy Korba, Eva Li, Nicoly Matheus, Theo Pereira, Piper Thompson. Grade 5, Honors: Kelson Borges, Penelope Carter, Mason Clift, Nathaniel D’Agostino, Bianca DaSilva, Heloisa DaSilva, Matheus DeAssis, Emanuelle De Paula, Clementine deForest, Jackson Gaffey, Christopher Hathaway, Lilian Hayes, Kendall Holway, Frances Hunsaker, […]
Vineyarders rally in support of Ukraine
As uncertainty swirls around negotiations to possibly end war in Eastern Europe, Vineyarders gathered at Five Corners on Saturday in protest of the Trump Administration, carrying signs and waving the blue and yellow Ukrainian flags. Organized by Indivisible Martha’s Vineyard, up to 70 Islanders gathered at the Tisbury intersection in support of Ukraine and to […]
Kayaker paddles over submerged Beach Road
When heavy rain drenches Martha’s Vineyard, flooding at Five Corners sometimes feels inevitable. But under the elements on Monday morning, the rising water wasn’t the only spectacle in the Vineyard Haven streets. As cars slowly, and partially submerged, drove down Beach Road, 25-year-old Island resident Ben deBettencourt took a more whimsical approach, paddling a friend’s […]
Survey: Islanders open to Sunday hunting, on private land
There is support for hunting on Sundays on the Island, at least on private property, according to the results of an online survey distributed by the MV Times earlier this month. In the one-question survey asking if hunting should be allowed on private property on Sundays, about 54 percent of nearly 300 respondents said “yes.” […]
James Stern Zisson
James Stern Zisson, 72, of Palm Beach, Fla., passed away peacefully on Feb. 15, 2025. He is survived by his sons, Ethan (Alessandra) and Alec (Aisa). Jimmy was a summer resident of Chilmark since 1988. A private graveside service was held in West Palm Beach, Fla. Those who wish to honor his memory may make […]
Day of the Dead event proposed to fund cemetery fence
There’s been some controversy over a fence at the West Tisbury Village Cemetery. The local historic district commission pushed back against a plan to use plastic fencing, and then the town decided to make more temporary changes when wood proved more expensive. Now, there is an idea to host a Day of the Dead fundraiser […]
Sweetness: DQ is open
The Island’s Dairy Queen in Edgartown opened its doors for the first time this year on Friday at 3 pm, drawing in students and families for a taste of summer. For the Edgartown school, just steps away, the opening of Dairy Queen ignites a timeless tradition among students, the dash from classroom to counter. This […]
Commissioners wary of 100-unit Oak Bluffs development
Updated March 15 Local regulators are worried about an increase in traffic from a 100-unit development in Oak Bluffs, some even suggesting that the roundabout might need to be expanded to accommodate an expected increase in congestion. There were also concerns raised over the size of the 132-bedroom Green Villa, which would also include commercial […]
Questions still linger on State Forest cutting plan
The state’s plan to cut nearly 175 acres of pine plantations in the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest was presented in a small meeting room at the Martha’s Vineyard Commission offices on Wednesday morning, with many Islanders showing up to reiterate their opposition and to call for a pause on the project to allow for […]
Island gymnasts snag gold at weekend meet
Islands Gymnastics took home first place in five different age groups during an off-Island meet this past weekend. Ranging in ages from ages 8 to 15, gymnasts competed in all four events — bars, vault, floor, and beam — in three different competition levels: silver, gold, and platinum. Competing against Bourne, Canton, and East Bridgewater, […]
Island Autism co-founder recognized
The co-founder of Island Autism has been recognized by a regional entity for her commitment to providing services to Vineyarders with disabilities. The Cape and Islands Citizen Advisory Board awarded Kate DeVane its Joseph Sattler Jr. Award, which honors people for helping the community. The board is part of the state Department of Developmental Services’ […]
A drumroll for the next generation of Island writers …
Our small Island has produced an outsize and truly extraordinary legacy of celebrated writers through the years. A question for us to ponder is, How do we inspire a new generation of Island writers to pick up the torch and carry it forward? How do we keep this tradition alive with a fresh new pipeline […]
Fishing groups raise Vineyard Wind case to Supreme Court
In another move aimed at offshore wind, the fishing industry is attempting to take its fight against Vineyard Wind to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Responsible Offshore Development Alliance (RODA), a national coalition of fishing industry associations and companies, and the conservative think tank Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) filed separate petitions last week requesting […]