MV Times June 4, 2026

Pride and progress: Grapevine celebrates June B2

‘Colin Ruel: The Light Is Returning’ B14

Volleying to be champs

MVC fights to keep power over affordable housing reviews

With its authority to review housing developments in flux, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC) is attempting to reverse the ruling that reduced its power in court.

In Dukes County Superior Court, the MVC and the Edgartown zoning board of appeals jointly filed a challenge against the Massachusetts Housing Appeals Committee (HAC) and Edgartown Gardens LLC, the company backed by Falmouth-based developer William Cumming that proposed building a 60-unit project for seniors near the Edgartown Triangle, on May 19.

The 25-page complaint from Vineyard officials pushes back against a ruling from April made by the state agency that deemed

the MVC a “local board,” and prohibited the regulatory body from reviewing projects proposed under Chapter 40B, a state statute that allows developers to more easily bypass local zoning if at least a quarter of the project consists of affordable units.

A new school for the next generation

The $333 million building project passes in an historic, landslide vote that will take a generation to pay off.

BY SARAH SHAW DAWSON

After years of administrative meetings and an historic Island-wide vote, the long-awaited Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School building project, with an addition and renovation price tag of $333.5 million, passed in a landslide with the promise to transform the campus for future generations and address much-needed issues. All six towns showed their overwhelming support for the project, with 3,448 people, or 84 percent, voting yes, despite qualms about the high price tag, which taxpayers across the Vineyard will be paying for over the next 30 years, and the prospect of a five-year period of construction set to begin next summer. School committee members, teachers, and administrators who were part of the planning process gathered at the PortugueseAmerican Club in Oak Bluffs on Tuesday night as the votes rolled in. Just 45 minutes after the polls closed, MVRHS committee chair Amy Houghton announced the decision was decisively in favor of the new school.

Chapter 40B was created in 1969 to bolster the development of affordable units amid a national housing shortage, an issue that persists. Amid a housing crisis on the Island, the MVC also acted as a shield against potential overdevelopment, and worked to preserve the character of the Island.

“The HAC’s ruling, if upheld, would undermine the MVC’s ability to fulfill its 50-year statutory mandate to protect the unique natural, historical, ecological, scientific, and cultural resources of Martha’s Vineyard, and would give developers a mechanism to circumvent the MVC’s regional review authority entirely by allowing local deadlines to lapse

Amid a smattering of applause, Houghton announced to the crowd, “The voter turnout was amazing. It showed that people felt that their votes really counted.”

Also in attendance was MVRHS Director of Operations Sam Hart, who spearheaded much of the planning. He told The Times that he’s proud of the community and excited for the next chapter in building a school that will serve future generations, and that will finally repair a building that has long been in decline, and created conditions that threaten the health of students and teachers alike. Hart said to The Times, “We’re going to bring forth a modern, clean, energyefficient, breathable space for you to

The lawsuit challenges a ruling made by a state agency in April. BY EUNKI SEONWOO

Thursday, June 4, 2026

MARTHA’S VINEYARD TIMES

Laina Dubin of the undefeated girls’ tennis team as they head to state quarterfinals, one step closer to a championship win. Other teams at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School have also made playoff runs. Boys’ tennis played Newburyport High School yesterday at 4 pm, after our print deadline, in the round of 16. The varsity baseball team lost to Falmouth High School in Falmouth 1–0 at the bottom of the ninth, and were eliminated from the playoffs Monday. And don’t forget, the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks start their season today against the Yankees’ scout team. See full sports coverage on A16.

Superintendent of Schools Richie Smith and school committee chair Amy Houghton embrace at the Portuguese-American Club.

ELLA MUNNELLY

A map of the layout of the proposed Edgartown Gardens project.

Mako shark mascot chosen, but school committee tables vote

Elongated, stark white teeth, blue-gray fins, and a past as a target of the Oak Bluffs Monster Shark Tournament: All of these are qualities of the potential new mascot for Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) sports teams.

At a MVRHS school committee meeting on Monday night, sophomores Madison Curelli and Charlotte Cramer, who founded the school’s Spirit Club at the start of the school year, presented the results of an ongoing vote for a sports mascot. By a slim margin, MVRHS students and teachers chose the mako shark to represent their teams. At about 54 percent of votes, compared with nearly 46 percent who voted for the osprey, the shark won out. The tide was the other mascot option initially, but due to low support for the oceanic push and pull, it was removed from the ballot for this most recent round of voting.

Engine fire engulfs truck in West Tisbury

Nobody was injured after a truck caught fire in West Tisbury on Tuesday night.

According to a West Tisbury Police report, first responders received a call at 8:54 pm of a vehicle engulfed in flames, a Ford F-150 parked in front of the Field Gallery on State Road.

Police closed off the State Road intersections on Music Street and Edgartown–West Tisbury Road while the fire was extinguished by West Tisbury firefighters.

Eversource was also called to the scene to assess nearby utility lines, and to determine whether electricity needed to be cut off.

The report states the truck belonged to Oak Bluffs resident Ricardo Carr, who told police he pulled over after experiencing engine troubles. Carr contacted the Dukes County Regional Emergency Communications Center after he saw flames in the engine compartment when he opened the hood.

“Carr and his passenger, Abbigayle Anglin, attempted to remove as much of their belongings from the truck before the fire engulfed the entire vehicle,” the report reads. “Carr had multiple tools inside the vehicle that suffered damage from the fire as well.”

The truck, which police say had “extensive damage” from the fire, was towed away by JWL Transport Tuesday night.

Emergency management group pushes for Island-wide coordination

Over the winter, the Vineyard was battered by a historic nor’easter that dumped snow across the Island and caused power outages. Now county officials are pushing for better coordination for emergencies that hit the Island.

The Olson Group, an emergency management consulting firm hired by Dukes County, proposed the creation of an Island-wide emergency management coordinator position and a multi-agency coordination center (MACC) during a presentation on Thursday.

About 20 people gathered in the Oak Bluffs library to learn about the Island-Wide Emergency Management Strategic Plan, a proposed strategy to address crisis preparedness and response on Martha’s Vineyard and Gosnold. It comes after a winter of harsh storms that the firm said showed a lack of emergency planning by the six Island towns.

Olson Group President and founder Kyle

The mako shark was introduced by Spirit Club members as a resilient goal-setter with planned navigation and athletic stamina behaviors, an adaptable thinker with a large brain-to-body ratio, and a mindful communicator that uses unique body language and electrosensory organs to create a social hierarchy. Mako sharks are found in the waters off the Island; the largest, at 1,221 pounds, was caught in 2011 during the shark tournament, and a replica now hangs at Nancy’s Restaurant in Oak Bluffs.

Despite the fact that a popular vote chose a mascot months after the idea was officially introduced, the school committee members decided to table a final vote to officially induct the mako shark.

“There’s not an official policy about the adoption,” Superintendent of Schools Richie Smith said at Monday’s meeting.

Olson said that the emergency management coordinator would be responsible for facilitating communication among the towns to better prepare for and respond to Island-wide disasters.

“This position would support Island-wide preparedness and recovery activities, and act as an integration hub for the towns and the agencies that are involved in this,” Olson said.

Olson highlighted how regional coordination makes securing aid from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) an easier process compared with that of towns making individual grant requests.

“The documentation for an entire county that is organized and coordinated and has all the information assembled in the same way, in the same flavor, is going to be readily acceptable to FEMA,” Olson said. “You’re building critical mass, and you translate that into your reasonable request for what you are entitled to, because you stepped up and saved the day for some people who might otherwise not be with us.”

Although how the position’s salary would be funded is unknown, county officials said utilizing a combination of money from grants and the towns is possible.

Meanwhile, the MACC would be a centralized physical, virtual, or hybrid hub to consolidate resources, public information, and documentation for crises resulting in Islandwide infrastructure damage and significant reimbursement needs. The center would be staffed by current town officials.

Olson underscored the simplicity and importance of the MACC.

“It doesn’t need to be a physical center with a lot of TVs,” Olson said. “Those six different towns are each putting out their own messaging. It would make sense to make sure that they’re all sending out the same messages.”

The proposed plan comes after a historic nor’easter struck New England in February, blanketing the Island in more than 20 inches of snow and leaving 10,000 people without power or heat for several days.

Plus, there’s already technically a mascot, so members were unsure whether the mascot would be an added mascot, or if they were voting to eliminate the previous option. Committee member Skipper Manter remembered the other mascot, a fisherman, which made it onto a few jackets, but was mostly abandoned.

“Will we have two mascots? Will we have one mascot? How do we formalize whatever we want to move forward with, and ensure that it’s adhered to?” Rizwan Malik, school committee member, asked, “because this will be for our whole high school, not just for sports.”

Committee members questioned why the mascot search was started if a fisherman was already the existing totem of sports teams. “What was the point of this, if we had a mascot?” Amy Houghton, school committee member, asked.

According to the committee, students wanted a mascot that would involve a costume, potential merch, and a voice in the process. The prospect of a new mascot was discussed at several other meetings, and the school committee gave permission to students to start collecting votes. But the details still have to be hammered out by the school committee, members said.

Olson said that the Island-wide response to the snowstorm wasn’t calculated enough in advance.

“There was sharing of information, but it was very much ad hoc, and that can get you in trouble for a big event of sustained duration,” Olson said. “The strategic plan, therefore, is all about putting together a coordinated architecture. It’s about pulling people together to work together more effectively.”

Olson said that he hopes all six towns approve the plan by 2027, and it’s fully implemented by 2031.

The next step is for the towns’ emergency management directors to discuss the plan, before recommending its adoption to their select boards.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrates new bus shelter in Aquinnah

Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA) and Aquinnah officials commemorated the completion of a VTA bus shelter at the Cliffs with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday morning.

Around 20 people took in speeches by community leaders and shelter designer Tim Laursen before the ribbon was cut by Laursen and several VTA officials.

Made of black locust and cedar, the shelter was solely financed by the VTA through funding from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

VTA administrator Angie Gompert emphasized the importance of town and regional collaboration.

“This is the definition of how Island towns can work together with your regional partners, and your regional partners work with state partners,” Gompert said. “You guys know your communities best, and we’re happy to help in the financial sense.”

Aquinnah VTA advisory board member Jay Macleod described the shelter as “the jewel in the crown.”

“This is a great addition to the gateway to the [Aquinnah] shops,” Macleod said.

Macleod also highlighted Laursen’s choice to cover the bolts with wampum shells, a homage to the Wamponoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah). “It’s part of the detail that we all should appreciate,” Macleod said.

Laursen, who also designed the shade structure in front of the Cliff Shops, expressed his love for Aquinnah and its community. “It’s a real strong community up

The options included the tide, osprey, and mako shark. BY SARAH SHAW DAWSON

A mockup of the potential mascot costume.

A Ford F-150 truck fully in flames in West Tisbury.

COURTESY JIM FEINER

Founding executive of Island Housing Trust to retire

The founding executive of the largest affordable housing developer on the Vineyard announced his retirement this weekend after two decades of leadership.

In a press release, the nonprofit Island Housing Trust (IHT) announced that Philippe Jordi, the chief executive officer (CEO) who founded the company, will be stepping down by the end of March 2027. The 14-member IHT board has hired a Boston-based search firm called Isaacson, Miller to lead the process of replacing Jordi. The announcement comes as IHT celebrates its 20th anniversary.

In the two decades since Jordi founded IHT, the housing landscape on the Vineyard has changed, and so have efforts to provide accommodations for the Island community. The entire mission of IHT was started by Jordi as an answer to the question of housing availability back in 2005, when he was the executive director of the Dukes County Housing Authority.

“It was pretty clear at that time that we needed a new nonprofit to actually develop real estate to create housing — both ownership and rental — for folks here on the

Island,” Jordi told The Times in an interview. Jordi learned about the community land trust model that IHT still uses today, where a nonprofit invests in land, and residents are able to purchase or rent the buildings on that land. By 2006, IHT was born.

IHT, under Jordi’s leadership, became the primary developer of affordable homes and rentals on the Vineyard at a time when year-round residents and seasonal workers were already citing difficulty finding lodging. Over the past 20 years, the issue has increasingly affected the Island’s summer economy and the sustainability of life here.

“A lot of our [year-round] housing stock is being sold to seasonal or investment property interests,” Jordi said. He estimated that out of the “220 homes that we’ve [IHT] created, we’ve lost probably that, or more, over the past decade.”

More than half of Island homes are seasonally owned and lived in for two months or less, and year-round rentals are few and far between because of the short-term rental market in the summers. As for the year-rounders who find housing, nearly one in two of them report being

cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than half of their paycheck on their rent or mortgage.

While development proposals are increasing across the Island to meet housing demand, some year-rounders have said they make either too much money to qualify for the affordable units or too little to afford the market-rate ones. IHT frequently uses an affordability window that resonates with the income of the community more than the towns’ or states’ affordability restrictions. But many locals fall through the cracks, and are referred to as the “missing middle,” a term for middleincome earners who miss the eligibility mark for affordable initiatives. Some IHT homes and rentals address that group directly, while others are available to low-income residents. The units are consistently sought-after, according to IHT’s data.

“Demand for housing on Martha’s Vineyard continues to exceed supply, with roughly 10 applicants competing for every [IHT-developed] home,” the IHT press release stated. Jordi said the permanent affordability of IHT projects is a crucial part of their mission. Under his tenure, the

group partnered with Harbor Homes to secure shelter for unhoused people, advocated for the creation of a housing bank to fund affordable housing initiatives, focused on energy efficiency and sustainable builds, and proposed veterans’ housing in Oak Bluffs.

“I’m extremely proud of all that we’ve been able to accomplish,” Jordi said. He added that the partnerships with the towns, other nonprofits, the local banks, Boston-based affordable housing consultancy and development firm Affirmative Investments, and the state have been “tremendous.”

The nonprofit works with the six Island towns and the state, and fundraises with private donor campaigns to build units. So far, $140 million has been raised by IHT, and nearly 300 permanently affordable homes will be completed by the end of 2027. In addition, the nonprofit’s affordable rentals provide for about 400 Vineyard residents. Most recently, IHT cut the ribbon on Meshacket Commons, a project developed in partnership with Edgartown made up of four homes and 36 apartments.

“It’s been really heartening to see families get the keys to their new homes, and to bring

donors on tours of the properties to share what they helped to build,” Jordi said in the release. “Our employees, our board, our partners, and our donors made this all possible. The hard work, focus, and dedication of staff and board members make IHT a model for others to emulate.”

By 2030, IHT hopes to build 200 more permanently affordable homes and rentals, using a strategic plan that Jordi spearheaded. “This is a permanent or perpetual promise that we’ve made to the community, and that, I think, is really powerful,” Jordi told The Times.

The impact of the affordable housing that has already been built, and that is already in construction or the planning stage, has a huge impact, Jordi said, “not just today, but for future generations.”

“Philippe’s leadership has shaped the Island in profound and lasting ways,” IHT board chair Pamela Craven stated in the press release. “We wish Philippe and his family the best, and are grateful as he leaves IHT exceptionally well-positioned to continue its mission of creating and stewarding permanently affordable homes for year-round residents.”

news in brief Continued from

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here. I felt invigorated every day working on this,” Laursen said. “Everyone I talked to in the planning felt like a friend.”

Aquinnah Community Preservation committee member Beth Green said she appreciates the VTA’s dedication to funding the expenses and aesthetics of the project.

“It looks beautiful, and I particularly appreciate that the VTA paid for it because that would have been a big challenge for the town otherwise,” Green said. “They made such a quick and easy commitment to having such a positive impact on the town. They could have just put up something unattractive and said, ‘That’s the way it goes.’”

VTA systems engineer Andrew Grant said that the shelter is “a quintessential Vineyardlooking bus stop.”

“It would be nice if we could have more of these [bus shelters] to show our Vineyard character,” he added.

Chilmark plans special town meeting to cover costs

Chilmark is asking voters to return for another round of voting, just weeks after its five-hour-long annual town meeting, in order to cover certain costs in the town budget. The town scheduled a special town meeting for June 29 at 7 pm at the Chilmark Community Center to cover various pieces of funding. The decision was made during the Chilmark Select Board meeting on May 26.

Chilmark Town Administrator Tim Carroll said while the town does have the funds needed to cover the necessary “current and projected costs,” not all of it is accessible

until approved during a town meeting. “The opportunity to do that is limited by the fiscal year calendar and election calendar laws,” Carroll said.

Voters will be asked to consider a fund transfer and various expenses:

• $120,000 for the legal budget over a denied permit for a proposed development of a building lot on Menemsha Pond (Carroll said this “is driving the shortfall in our budget.”)

• $62,105 for snow and ice from the storms in the winter (Carroll said, “The town has ways to cover that expense under normal situations,” and wouldn’t have triggered a special town meeting alone.)

• $9,000 for damages at the town cemetery (Carroll said it would normally be covered by the reserve fund, which is overseen by the Chilmark finance advisory committee.)

• Addition of $200,000 to the current reserve fund of around $61,000. (Half of the additional funds are being transferred from the remaining certified free cash and the other half from “an old warrant article that is no longer needed and was going to be closed out on June 30,” according to Carroll. But Carroll said the town might not end up spending all of the $200,000 “if all town departments are successful in saving 10 percent of their remaining expense balances.”)

If approved, Carroll said the reserve fund will “either be used in the first two weeks of July to cover shortfalls, or closed out and returned to the town’s undesignated fund balance on July 15 to eventually become certified free cash again in the fall.”

Shelley Edmundson to chair state fisheries advisory group

The Island’s own Shelley Edmundson, executive director of the Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust, was elected May 28 as the new chair of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission (MFAC).

Edmundson, who holds a Ph.D. in zoology and marine biology from the University of New Hampshire, has been a member of the MFAC since 2020, and will now lead the nine-member group to advise the state Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) on marine fishery issues and commercial and recreational fishery regulatory changes.

“I am honored to serve as chair of the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission, and I am thankful for this opportunity. Marine fisheries play a vital role in both the culture and economy of our state, and I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively to protect and strengthen these resources for future generations,” Edmundson said in a MFAC press release.

Edmundson studied channeled whelk, which supports one of the Island’s largest commercial fisheries, while in school, but her love of marine biology started in her youth as she explored the Island’s shores on her grandfather’s boat, the Seabird, the press release stated.

The MFAC was formed in 1960 as a group appointed by the governor to advise the state on marine fishery issues. It was made permanent in 1962, and continues to assist DMF in fisheries management in Massachusetts.

“Shelley’s experience in promoting waterfront issues on the Vineyard along with her science background will make her an extremely effective leader of the commission,” said DMF Director Daniel McKiernan.

Chilmark group launches summer programming at the Yard

The Chilmark Community Trust is launching a summer series of free family and community events at the Yard, a longtime Chilmark performing arts nonprofit.

“Summer at the Yard with the Chilmark Community Trust” will consist of family programming on Tuesday evenings and a Friday lunch series in July and August.

Currently, seven family-oriented events are confirmed for this summer, including live music, a ghost story night, and a movie night. The lunch series will center around conversations about Chilmark’s history, culture, and lifestyles. Attendees can buy food from an array of yet-to-be-announced Chilmark vendors, or bring their own.

Last September, the Yard announced that it was taking a yearlong hiatus due to the impacts of state and federal grant cuts. However, an itinerary for the organization’s Kids Do Dance camp for this summer is advertised on its website.

According to the Trust’s website, the group “exists to foster connection, belonging, and shared experience through programs offered for all ages that reflect the spirit, values, and traditions of Chilmark.” For more information on the events lineup, visit https://chilmarkcommunitytrust.org/ events.

The nonprofit’s board has started the process to replace outgoing CEO Philippe Jordi. BY SARAH SHAW DAWSON

SAM MOORE

IHT CEO Philippe Jordi announced his retirement this week.

EDITORIAL

MVC needs room to navigate to avoid overdevelopment

On the surface, the beauty of the Island is unparalleled anywhere in the world, in our humble opinion, and it is clearly a worldclass draw for the hundreds of thousands of tourists who flock to the beaches each year.

But not always visible to those who don’t live here is the deep undercurrent of inequity and the struggles that the yearround population of 20,000 faces in finding affordable housing and trying to keep their families afloat.

This is an issue that can feel as old and steady as the tides, but in recent years many new initiatives and innovative approaches have been launched to help Islanders continue to live on the Island they call home. For example, many affordable neighborhoods have been built by Island Housing Trust over the past two decades. Not only did these homes provide needed affordable housing, the developers were mindful to design and build living space that architecturally aligned with the character of the Island.

For the past half-century, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC) has carefully guided the Island through the waters of development and managed to avoid the dangers of overdevelopment.

To successfully move through it all, the MVC must strike a delicate balance. In its role as a regulatory body, it reviews projects deferred to it by town zoning boards of appeals deemed to have a regional impact. In many ways, the MVC had acted as a steward for the Vineyard, particularly in avoiding overdevelopment and in protection of natural resources and the Vineyard’s character, including protection of the environment on an Island that places great

LETTERS

Reject the Ocean View Hotel proposal

To the Editor: Dear Copeland Plan District Review Board, Please deny the Ocean View Hotel rebuild proposal, passed by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC) in December. It shuns replacing the Ocean View Restaurant, and is a misguided attempt to bring the Victorian era back to the neighborhood, whose longstanding residents are opposed. A three-story hotel feet from these neighbors compromises the community’s character and aesthetics, and dwarfs the previous beloved gathering spot regarding views, size, parking, traffic, activity, and noise. The Ocean View neighborhood falls within the Copeland Plan District, designated a district of critical planning concern by the MVC. At its hybrid commission meeting on Dec. 4, 2025, some commission members said the MVC is not bound by a change to Oak Bluffs regulations regarding the Copeland Plan District. Per a Vineyard Gazette article of Dec. 5, 2025, “While town meeting voters had approved language that would prohibit buildings that block views

value on conservation. After all, preservation of the Vineyard is what led the MVC to be established by an enabling act in 1977.

But the MVC’s navigation of these complex waters has recently faced a new challenge. The Massachusetts Housing Appeals Committee made a determination in April that the MVC is a “local board.” This designation means, according to the ruling, the MVC doesn’t have authority to review projects proposed through Chapter 40B, which is a state statute developed in 1969 to bolster development and meet a housing shortage. It runs counter to previous court decisions that upheld the MVC’s authority to oversee these projects, and so the MVC is challenging the latest

The ruling from the state concerns a 40B proposal called Edgartown Gardens, which the MVC had unanimously denied in October. The project is led by Vineyardraised, Falmouth-based developer William Cumming, who had successfully challenged the MVC’s authority over 40B projects in the Housing Appeals Committee.

Although there are legal battles still pending, Cumming is proceeding as if the project has been approved, and making assurances that his team will work with towns. He has illustrated that through another Cumming project, Green Villa. That is a 116unit 40B project slated for construction in Oak Bluffs. In this project, 29 units are reserved for affordable housing while 66 units are for

We believe the MVC needs to find a way for the Island to have more affordable housing, but we also recognize that it has earned the Island’s trust over the past 50 years as a reliable navigator to help us chart a course forward.

ruling in Dukes County Superior Court.

For the sake of the Island continuing its path toward careful development, the MVC’s role as a regional body should be preserved. We believe the MVC needs to be given a license to steer the ship.

While 40B projects are meant to fill the desperately large gap in housing, only a quarter of units in a proposed project need to be affordable to actually qualify under this designation. That is a tradeoff in land available for affordable units. Additionally, the statute can circumvent some local zoning bylaws for easier development, such as restrictions on density.

If the ruling is sustained, most Island towns don’t have the affordable housing stock required to block 40B proposals. Only Aquinnah meets the threshold of having at least 10 percent of its housing stock count as affordable in the state Subsidized Housing Inventory.

from existing homes, that change was never approved by the MVC, hearing officer Doug Sederholm said.” Apparently the MVC’s failure to approve the language approved by voters was a clerical, procedural error, and otherwise it would have been approved, in line with the town meeting vote.

To wit: a document on the MVC website, date-stamped Nov. 04, 2025, titled in part “Decision Designating the Copeland Plan District as a DCPC.” This must have been missed by the commissioners, but the failure to approve is an invalid reason for their decision, especially if due to an unintentional oversight not substantive to the issue itself. Crucially, it was approved by town meeting voters.

This large structure opposed by many displays little regard for the impact on the land and its neighbors. Although the site may be designated for commercial use, the MVC’s determination that the plan is “appropriate but not essential” contradicts the neighbors’ belief in its notable inappropriateness.

Gretchen Mayher Oak Bluffs

those who make up to 150 percent of the area median income, including middle earners whose salary level disqualifies them for affordable housing but who are certainly not wealthy. The project plans were approved by the MVC after multiple sessions with the Oak Bluffs zoning board of appeals, and following a remand to the town board. It was a grueling process that illustrates that Cumming can indeed work with people.

But there is no guarantee that the next developer who makes plans for the Island will be as willing to listen. And without the MVC, towns would have to run legal battles on their own, expending more taxpayer dollars. We believe the MVC needs to find a way for the Island to have more affordable housing, but we also recognize that it has earned the Island’s trust over the past 50 years as a reliable navigator to help us chart a course forward.

The red fox solution?

To the Editor:

Thank you to Claire Seguin and Jacob Lemieux (“A new public health threat is emerging — and we can still get ahead of it,” May 28) for focusing attention on the ongoing urgency of finding solutions to the decadesold prevalence of tick-related illness here. Alpha-gal is the latest, but there are others which local physicians have confessed that the medical profession has yet to identify.

I wanted to bring attention to a potential solution that a friend, Tom Sullivan, now passed, brought to light back in 2017. He was scientifically inclined, did some research, and found an article dated June 18, 2012, from the National Academy of Sciences, “Deer, Predators, and the Emergence of Lyme Disease.”

The article states, “Reductions in small-mammal predators can sharply increase Lyme disease risk … particularly the decline of a key small-mammal predator, the red fox.” Tom said that a fox population had existed on the Island that was killed off in the 1950s. Red foxes are a key predator of rodents, and it is the white-footed mouse that is a critical host in infecting ticks with

the Lyme disease bacterium in the first place.

He suggested we “consider a pilot program using sterile, radiomonitored red foxes as a temporary biological control to bring our overabundant, infectious-diseasecarrying rodent population back into ecological balance.”

I dislike overblown clichés as much as logos on clothing, but it really is getting to an existential tipping point as far as quality of life.

We Islanders are weary of arming ourselves for battle in order to work in our gardens, tired of being fearful of accidentally brushing up against beach grass, saddened that we can’t allow our toddlers to tumble in the grass. We are sick of being sick. We have been ground zero for these maladies for more than 40 years now. I am not a scientist, but I join with many who have suffered the challenging effects of these illnesses to entreat those in the scientific community to prioritize finding a solution, to think outside the box, and to explore all options in mitigating this ever-advancing plague among us.

Susan Puciul Chilmark

ESSAY

Teaching our history to the next generation

BY ELAINE WEINTRAUB

It is the mission of the African American Heritage Trail to uncover and document our community’s complex and interesting stories. Authentic history is often hiding in plain view. It’s in dusty old documents carefully preserved for hundreds of years. It’s locked in cabinets that no one opens. It’s in old stories and strategies, and secrets that could never be shared.

The history of our Island community is not part of a “one size fits all” triumphalist story, but it is a story of those who walked the roads we know. It is a story of memory and place, and the Trail organization tells the stories of our past to honor and include those who went before us. A vital part of that mission is to encourage our young people to think critically and to personalize the experience so that they gain empathy and insight into the experience of others.

One important story uncovered by the Trail was that of Rebecca, the Woman from Africa. The name that her family in Africa would have known her by is not known. She was given the name Rebecca when she survived the Middle Passage and began her life of enslavement. Despite her circumstances, she did contract a marriage with a man named Elisha Amos, a member of the Wampanoag tribe. Upon his death, she inherited property for her lifetime. Her story

ESSAY

A roof of her own

BY JOHN MERROW

Our black Lab made the connection, the way dogs always seem to do. Henry went right up to the stranger, wagging his tail, and she began petting him. The child, who looked about 10 years old, was nicely dressed and waiting quietly outside our thrift store, where my wife was inside, searching for treasures. I assumed the little girl was a summer resident, perhaps from Greenwich, Conn., or some other wealthy town, and that her mother, like my wife, was also inside. As she was petting our dog, I struck up a conversation based on those (erroneous) assumptions. When I asked her where she lived, she told me they were moving in a few days because the owners were coming to the Island. Before long, I learned that her mom worked at the thrift store, part-time, to supplement their income, and that her family moved as many as five times every year because they couldn’t afford a home or apartment.

This happened 12 or 13 years ago, but I still remember being shocked, because to my way of thinking, every child needs and should have a room of their own, a place they can decorate with favor-

is memorialized at the Native Earth Teaching Farm, where a sculpture depicting Rebecca created by local artist Barney Zeitz stands guard.

This was the story shared with the graduating seniors from the Martha’s Vineyard Charter School when they came to the farm on May 19 to clean and decorate the sculpture as part of their community service. These young people about to embark on their lives as young adults undertook the job with enthusiasm. They washed and polished until Rebecca gleamed in the bright sun, and then

began the beautification. Flowers were gathered to create a crown for the woman whose life had probably not included crowns, rings made from yellow flowers adorned her fingers, and multicolored ribbons covered her. The students worked hard to give Rebecca the recognition of her beauty and her worth as a human being through decorating her as a queen.

The value of community was apparent as Barney Zeitz explained his creative process to the students, one of whom was his mentee, Jack Baer.

This young man has worked with Barney for three years, and he listened attentively while Barney spoke of why he made the sculpture with only one visible arm, explaining how he had visualized Rebecca, and why he had researched Yoruba symbols to decorate her, commenting, “I saw her as a woman from Africa. I wanted her to have some symbolism that she may have understood.”

The relationship between the Heritage Trail organization and the Charter School is a long one. In 2021, the Charter School was dedicated as a site on the African American Heritage Trail in honor of the remarkable work done by the fifth and sixth grade classes in researching the stories of children enslaved on the Vineyard. The student historians concluded that the worst aspect of the loss of freedom was losing one’s own name. Their work is honored at the school as the “Nameless Trail,” memorialized by a bronze plaque mounted on a rock outside the school.

Reflecting on the partnership between the African American Heritage Trail and the Charter School, Director Peter Steadman noted, “Our students have gained a glimpse not only into the painful African American experience on Martha’s Vineyard, but also the heroic ability of people to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The story presented to Charter School students is one of hope. We really value this partnership.”

Elaine Weintraub is a historian and co-founder of the Martha’s Vineyard African American Heritage Trail.

ite posters and keep their special stuff, a place they can retreat to. I told my wife about it, we did some digging, and we were shocked to learn that Martha’s Vineyard had a housing crisis. That’s when we got involved with the Island Housing Trust, a remarkable organization. And while IHT has built homes for several hundred essential workers and their families over the past 20 years, the need is greater than ever. Housing prices continue to soar, as off-Islanders bid up prices. The “affordability gap” between what a median-income household can afford and the median home price is now a staggering $1.5 million.

Just one year ago, about 40 percent of units were available for year-round rental, but unfortunately more and more units are now being rented to tourists by the week, removing them from the reach of year-round residents. One consequence is housing insecurity at almost all income levels. Fire departments, law enforcement, emergency management, public safety, wastewater treatment, public works departments, town halls, and our public schools struggle to attract and retain employees. For example, our hospital reports that about 20 percent of staff positions are unfilled because potential hires cannot find housing.

It’s estimated that 40 percent of year-round Island households are forced to spend excessive amounts on housing, with a majority spend-

ing more than 50 percent of their income. Perhaps as many as 100 Islanders are homeless; many others have month-to-month leases, or are crashing with friends, and lots of essential workers commute daily from the Cape.

Joan and I have been through this before, during the first tech boom in the early 2000s. We were in its epicenter, Palo Alto, Calif., and real estate went through the roof. Houses that were listed for, say, $400,000 ended up selling for three times that amount. Apartment rents doubled and tripled, and suddenly some of the men and women whose services kept Palo Alto running smoothly were forced to relocate to cheaper apartments two or more hours away from their workplaces. Some workers even took to sleeping in their cars during the week, parked on Palo Alto’s side streets, to avoid the four-hour commute.

Palo Alto is not an island, of course, and eventually things settled down. But here on Martha’s Vineyard, we are eating our seed corn when we fail to make certain that essential workers can afford to live here.

A partial solution is an Islandwide Housing Bank, into which 2 percent of every sale price over a certain amount is deposited, money that then becomes available for building affordable, attainable housing. That bill is in front of the Massachusetts legislature now. You can

voice your support for the bill at ccmvhb.org/testimony#11, the website of the Coalition to Create the MV Housing Bank.

I’ve often wondered what happened to that young girl, who would be in her early 20s now. Did she ever have a room of her own? Was she able to grow up here, or was her family forced to leave for the mainland?

It’s too late to help that young girl, but you can help IHT build hundreds more homes for our essential workers. When you make a pledge to IHT, it’s not simply charity. It’s also in your self-interest, because organizations like IHT that help year-round Islanders achieve the American dream of a home of their own actually protect your investment in your vacation home and the wonderful lifestyle that Martha’s Vineyard offers you and your family. This is an Island, and without essential workers, it will eventually grind to a halt. If we fail to invest in affordable, attainable housing, we will be forcing many more essential workers to commute by ferry every day. Ergo, expect serious limitations on all sorts of essential services. Or, eventually, no service at all. It’s our choice.

Edgartown resident John Merrow will soon be “biking his age” once again to raise money for the Island Housing Trust. To contribute to IHT, go to igtmv.org.

M.V. Public Charter School students clean and decorate a statue on the African American Heritage Trail.

COURTESY ELAINE WEINTRAUB

A changing of the guard

Menemsha Coast Guard celebrates promotion of Petty Officer Tyler Vanderhaden and transfer of former Officer in Charge Nicholas Sedberry.

Under the beaming May sun at U.S. Coast Guard Station Menemsha, the duty of overseeing and protecting boaters in the historic fishing town and the waters around the Island was passed to Chief Petty Officer Tyler Vanderhaden in a ceremony on Friday morning.

Vanderhaden has been a chief petty officer in Menemsha for two years. He told The Times he’s familiar with the town and Island community, and is look-

Stephen Alan Bell

Stephen Alan Bell passed away peacefully at home on May 9, 2026, at the age of 75. He lived a life of loving service to his family, friends, and country. Stephen was born in Philadelphia, Pa., the son of the Rev. Richard Dudley Bell and Ruth Elizabeth Reese Bell. He served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard, and was honorably discharged as a disabled veteran after sustaining injuries in service.

A graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University, Stephen built an accomplished career in operations and construction

BY SARAH SHAW DAWSON

ing forward to contributing more. Vanderhaden takes the position previously held by Nicholas Sedberry, who became the officer in charge in Menemsha nearly a year ago after serving in Alaska and Maine. Sedberry will be promoted to the position of warrant officer, and transferred to Washington, D.C.

“Being immersed in the community already, already having the community connections, and being able to establish continuity between the outgoing of-

management. His professional skill and engineering mind did not stop at work. At home, it showed up in elaborate treehouses, arc-welded lawnmower repairs, basement projects, ambitious Christmas decorations that could rival Clark Griswold’s, and science fair projects that were flagged for “significant parental involvement.” He believed in hard work, doing things yourself, and teaching his children along the way.

Stephen had a wide-ranging curiosity, and knew just enough about almost any topic to be dangerous. He enjoyed a good debate, and was usually convinced he was right. He loved to spar with his grandchildren about history, paranormal events, and whether there might really be treasure buried on Oak Island. He approached life’s challenges with a light heart and a sense of humor. Music was one of the gifts he passed down to his children and grandchildren. Even after years away from the guitar, he could pick one up and find the songs again. Movies and Philly sports were his cho-

ficer in charge and myself is extremely important,” Vanderhaden said in an interview after the ceremony. “It means a lot to me.”

In the past, the ceremony tended to occur in late June or early July. When asked by The Times whether the ceremony on Friday had any link to the recent arrests of Rogerio da Silva Lima and his son, 15-year-old Nycolas de Al Varenga Lima, who were transported to Woods Hole from Menemsha by the Coast Guard last week

and handed over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Vanderhaden said there was no connection.

“This has been set in motion since February,” he said. Officers on Friday lined up next to one another to observe the proceedings, standing tall at attention. At the end of the ceremony, they individually saluted Vanderhaden. A seafood boil sat atop a plastic table covering, the children of officers wore their Friday best, and local police congratulated the Coast Guard’s transfer of leadership. Many of the police officers who attended have worked with Vanderhaden before.

As Vanderhaden told The Times, it’s unusual that a petty officer be promoted from the same location and unit. Usually, that officer

obituaries

sen escapes, and his extensive collection reflected both his love of stories and his habit of making small things big.

Stephen rarely did anything halfway, which resulted in LobsterFest dinners, impulsebuying a sailboat while on vacation, and bringing home two puppies when his wife approved only one. Some of his happiest memories were of visiting the Vineyard. Stephen was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, the Rev. Philip Bell and Charles Bell. He is survived by his dear wife of nearly 50 years, Mary Ellen Bell of Stow, Ohio; his son, Jonathan Bell (Katie) of Hudson, Ohio; his daughter, Madeline Ann Bell of Warwick, R.I.; his sister, Lois Elaine Mayhew of Martha’s Vineyard; and five grandchildren. Memories and condolences may be shared at waitefuneralhome.com.

Kevin H. Johnson

Kevin H. Johnson, 67, of Oak Bluffs, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 25, 2026, at Faulkner Hospital in Boston, surrounded by his family. He was born on June 5, 1958, in Brockton. Kevin went on to study biology at Old Dominion University, and earned a master’s in marine biology at Southeastern Massachusetts University, where he met his future wife, Anne O’Hara Johnson.

Kevin’s love of water followed him throughout his entire life. He was a lobster culturist for 15 years at the Massachusetts State Lobster Hatchery, where he raised lobsters. Anne followed him to Martha’s Vineyard, where they were married in St. Elizabeth’s Parish on May 3, 1986. Kevin built a pool and spa caretaking company with Anne at his side, leveraging their love of chemistry and water yet again.

Kevin was an active member of the community, working as the water commissioner for Oak Bluffs for 24 years, and then superintendent for seven years. He was also an avid golfer, and a member of Farm Neck Golf Course since moving to the Island. Finally, he was a loving father and husband, having just celebrated his 40th wedding anniversary with Anne.

If you asked Kevin what time it was, he was the type of person who would tell you how to build a clock. He was

would be reassigned elsewhere, and a new officer in charge would be transferred in from another station.

“It means the world that my family gets to stay here on the Island that they’ve come to love so much, and my kids get to continue to stay in their school. So I’m eternally grateful to the sector commander, Captain Youngmee [“Mimi”] Moon, for endorsing me for the job,” Vanderhaden said.

Captain Moon is the commander of Sector Southeastern New England for the U.S. Coast Guard.

Chilmark Police Chief Sean Slavin said he was glad to show his respect for the change in command.

“I wanted to show my support,” Slavin told The Times. “They do a lot for our community.”

always teaching others and having great conversations.

Kevin will live on through Anne; his daughter, Katie; and son, James, as well as James’ wife, Stephanie, and two beautiful children, Oliver and Jack. He was predeceased by his son, Kevin Johnson II.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, June 6, from 1 to 3 pm at Chapman Funerals and Cremations, at 56 Edgartown Road in Oak Bluffs. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to MedFlight, online at bostonmedflight. org/make-a-gift, or to the 5K for KJ, online at bit.ly/ RSU_5kForKJ_donate.

Mildred Scott

Mildred (Welch) Scott, 91, of Oak Bluffs, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2026, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.

She was born in Oak Bluffs, and met Robert Scott at a young age. They married when he returned from the war. He was the love of her life. They lived in Oak Bluffs, where they raised their children and ran their business, Scotty’s TV. Bob and son Tom worked together while she helped out at home. Bob passed away in March of 2011, and her life was never the same.

Mildred enjoyed bingo and traveling to Foxwoods with friends. In the ’70s she worked at the Kelly House in Edgartown, where she met so many members of the “Jaws” crew. After Bob passed, she moved to Woodside Village, where she lived for many years; she had recently moved to Navigator Homes after a fall.

Members of Station Menemsha work closely with law enforcement in the Island towns. Many police officers from Chilmark and Aquinnah were in attendance on Friday. The Menemsha Coast Guard crew is made up of 24 members. They patrol the waters of Martha’s Vineyard and 50 nautical miles offshore.

The change of command ceremony is a tradition of the naval service, and is customarily conducted by officers of the Coast Guard and other branches of law enforcement.

The ceremony “marks a significant milestone in one’s career, and reflects the dedication of free men and women serving their nation proudly,” the pamphlet from the days’ events stated.

Her biggest and most special time was taking care of her grandchildren, and then her great-grandchildren. She is survived by her sons, Michael Scott of Newport, R.I., and Tom Scott (Debra) of Edgartown; and her daughter, Sally Scott of Vineyard Haven; her grandsons, Brian (Elsie), Chris (Kelly), and Tim (Lauren); her greatgrandchildren, Lincoln, Alina (Brian), Henry, and Brody (Chris); and several nieces and nephews.

There will be a service for Mildred in the fall.

Cindy Colaneri

There will be a graveside service for Cindy Colaneri on Saturday, June 13, at 11 am, at Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven. Enter by the State Road entrance, bottom of the hill on Plum Avenue. The service will be followed by a reception at the P.A. Club. Cindy is survived by her husband, Jon, formerly of Vineyard Haven, and her son, Richard, both now of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; her brother, Michael, from Carbondale, Ill., and her brother, Robert, of Kingsport, Tenn.

Capt. Andy Ferranti

Capt. Andy Ferranti, former Steamship Authority employee, passed away at Charlton Memorial Hospital on May 8, 2026. Full obituaries appear in the Bristol, R.I., Phoenix and East Bay newspapers. He was an excellent captain and a great human being. I sailed with him; I have no complaints. Fair winds and following seas; we have the watch.

Margaret Price Williams

A celebration of the life of Margaret Price Williams will be held at 11 am on Thursday, June 11, at Union Chapel, 55 Narragansett Ave., Oak Bluffs. A repast immediately following the celebration will be held at the Portuguese-American Club, 137 Vineyard Ave., Oak Bluffs.

Chilmark School adjusts curriculum to meet high enrollment

Tradition remains a high priority for town officials and community members.

BY SARAH SHAW DAWSON

The principal of Chilmark School announced a shift in class structure as a response to a near doubling of enrollment in the past decade, but the town’s select board and community members are concerned that the change is contrary to tradition.

In an April letter, Principal Kate Squire said the Chilmark School, which serves grades K-5, will be transitioning from multiage classrooms to single-grade-level classes. The previous structure, where first through fourth graders were often learning lessons and working on projects together, was a standard at the up-Island elementary school for generations.

“Please know that this decision was not made lightly. Classroom teachers were unanimous in their belief that this change is in the best interest of student learning. I am of the same belief,” Squire wrote in the letter, which was sent to parents of enrollees at the Chilmark School, dated April 15.

Since then, the letter was sent to residents in the Chilmark town. It eventually made its way to the select board, and was on the agenda for the board’s weekly meeting Tuesday night. The agenda is created by the town administrator, Timothy Carroll, and chair of the select board, Jeffrey Maida.

“The select board arguably doesn’t have direct jurisdiction, but this is a really big change for the Chilmark School,” Matthew Poole, select board member, told The Times before the meeting on Tuesday. “This is the first

time ever that Chilmark’s had single-age classrooms.”

According to Poole, the topic was on the agenda because the select board wasn’t notified of the switch, and wanted to give community members who don’t have children in the school a chance to discuss it.

Superintendent Richard (“Richie”) Smith, who retires July 1, was present at the

meeting on Tuesday night, and he said the conversation about the school was representative of how much people in the town care about their students and education.

He’s been overseeing the curriculum transition because it’s part of a larger initiative to merge lesson plans across the Island towns so that students are set up for equal success

when they eventually go to the same regional high school.

“We need to support our kids better with common programming,” Smith said of the change. He added that it’s a requirement from the Department of Secondary and Elementary Education that class content is in alignment with state standards for learning. The initiative must be completed in all Massachu-

setts schools by the 2027–28 school year. “We’re ahead of the curve,” Smith said.

A parent of two current students at the Chilmark School, Colin Ruel of the Ruel Gallery in Menemsha, who is also on the school’s advisory committee, stated that he believes that “the change is absolutely in the best interest of the kids’ education” and added that the teachers agree.

“I think the beauty of having such a small school is that we can change nimbly when the situation and time dictate. Those who are reacting out of nostalgia to a time that was a ‘one-room schoolhouse,’ [or] ‘smaller’ number of students, should leave the shaping of the school in the capable and vested hands of those of us who have kids in the school currently,” Ruel said.

But as the letter that Squire sent to parents circulated over the past two months, some community members spoke out asking for more of a voice in the decision.

Among them is Katie Carroll, a recent candidate for the Chilmark Select Board and owner of the Menemsha Texaco, who told The Times that the multiage classrooms were an asset to her children when they attended the local school. Her kids graduated a few years ago, but she said she wants a voice in the matter because single-grade learning is new territory for the school that many Chilmarkers consider the “centerpiece of the town.”

“There should have been some sort of transparency in the community that this was happening,” Carroll said.

“The Chilmark School was built and designed to be a multiage-classroom school. That was what made the Chilmark School so unique.”

The Chilmark School was known for its multiage and project-based structure. But that curriculum was introduced “when enrollment was quite low,” Squire stated. The school building

was historically a two-room schoolhouse, and multiage classes were commonplace for smaller student populations. But Squire said this practice is no longer a reality for students, who often have to split into singlegrade levels for math, reading, and writing anyway. She added that the whole school recess, morning circle, and reading buddies practices will remain for all grades to mingle together.

“The genuine multiage classrooms of long ago are not what students currently experience, and are no longer feasible given the expectations of evidence-based sequential curricula,” Squire wrote.

In 2017, Chilmark School, the smallest elementary school on the Island, had just 44 students. But a huge spike in the Island’s population (about 25 percent) after the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in more young families in the up-Island town. Enrollment at the school has risen ever since, with 74 students attending this school year.

Squire said the decision to switch learning styles was the “most difficult” decision of her tenure as an educator. In Chilmark, maintaining tradition is a high priority, from select board meetings to housing to education. Veering away from past models of classroom management, she said, is an important but a tough call.

“When I came to Chilmark, I heard from the community about the ardent desire to uphold high academic standards and also preserve the deep sense of tradition. The best scenarios are those that keep both in balance,” Squire wrote. “What I have observed day-to-day this year and in listening to teachers, I am convinced that this shift is necessary … While I believe that this is in the best interest of students, it also represents a painful loss to many of us in our school community.”

The first day of school in Chilmark in 2023.

DENA PORTER

Anewschoolforthenextgeneration

be the best teachers of the world that you are.”

The high school project has been in the works for years, with repairs and needed fixes culminating in the design. In September, The Times toured the school and saw belowstandard classroom sizes, mold, leaks, and floods.

Last week, in another walk-through, The Times interviewed teachers and students who said they were experiencing health issues from the asbestos under the floor tiles and the lack of central air. Some of those teachers were in the P.A. Club on Tuesday, celebrating with their colleagues.

“To all the teachers and staff who work in that building: Your days of working in substandard air, substandard heat, substandard AC, substandard water, those days are numbered,” Hart said in an interview.

The air of excitement continued in the school Wednesday morning after the news that the project had passed. But there was also a sense of wariness from

some students. Parts of the school will be affected more than others by construction, such as the track, which will be removed completely and rebuilt. The effort, while necessary, could impact students who place in states or nationals, or who simply enjoy the sport.

Enzo Reis, a junior and a track and cross-country athlete, said he’s just missing the construction, but current freshman and sophomores could be affected by the removal: “[They] might not have a track for a whole entire year, if not longer, so that might really affect their performances.”

But he added that the athletes need a new one.

“The track is really bad. A lot of our runners this year … have had injuries because of the track, because of how bad it is. Shin splints are a very common occurrence,” Reis told The Times.

Students mostly expressed support for the building project on Wednesday, along with hopes for the future generations who will potentially benefit from a new

to that school,” he told The Times in an interview on Wednesday morning. “They didn’t take care of it.”

space. Many of them are just missing the start of construction, or will see the first few years. None of the young Islanders enrolled in MVRHS classes will go to school on the fully finished campus.

Thauan De Souza, a sophomore at MVRHS,

Barnes also had concerns about the high price tag, one that taxpayers are slated to pay for during the next 30 years. While school committee members say they understand concerns about the cost, they have consistently countered that a vote in favor of the project not

to officially retire on July 1, said the culmination of the efforts of the past decade from administrators, school committees, staff, and teachers felt like a monumental achievement.

Smith was driving to Oak Bluffs from a Chilmark Select Board meeting on Tuesday night when he called Mark Friedman, school business administrator and finance officer at MVRHS,

“Thank you to everybody who voted for the project, it’s going to be a great one.”

Sara Dingledy, the former principal of MVRHS who led the school through much of the project, said the new building will benefit the entire community. Dingledy is the new chair of the board for ACE MV, and pointed to the night classes and programming that happen in the high

MARTHA’S VINEYARD REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

went to elementary and middle school in Tisbury, and studied through the building project that happened there. “The only thing I hope is that we don’t get separated from the main building, and that we have our own space,” De Souza told The Times on Wednesday as he headed to the cafeteria.

Some community members, however, were not in support of such an expensive undertaking. Clarence (“Trip”) Barnes helped construct the 1959 regional high school, and one of his children was in the graduating class of 1960. He was on the front lines of the original project, culling bricks with his own two hands, and has been outspoken about his views on the plan that was in front of voters. His main issue, he said, was that maintenance was not kept up with, and he isn’t confident that a new building would address that. “My children and my grandchildren went

only ensures construction can move forward but that MVRHS can also retain state reimbursement funds. The Massachusetts School Building Authority accepted MVRHS a few years ago, after seven failed applications, and has awarded the

who excitedly told him the news. “I literally teared up,” Smith said. “Happy tears,” he assured us.

“I’m just grateful this Island always supports our schools,” Smith told the Times Tuesday night. “We are largely in the 70 percent

"We're going to bring forth a modern, clean, energy-efficient, breathable space for you to be the best teachers of the world that you are.”

-MVRHSDIRECTOROFOPERATIONSSAMHART

project up to $75 million.

A no vote from the Island community would have squandered that reimbursement, but many of the repairs would still have been necessary. The cost for those upgrades, without the current design and reimbursement from the state, would have likely well-exceeded the plan on the table.

Superintendent Richard (“Richie”) Smith, who is set

to 80 percent yes in all of the towns. I don’t know when we’ve had that level of overwhelming types of votes here … This is the happiest I’ve been in a very long time.”

Interim principal of the school Sean Mulvey, who has seen the peak of progress for the school building project in the year leading up to the June 2 vote, said he’s very grateful for the support:

school after hours — not to mention the shows, performances, and town meetings that happen in the Performing Arts Center through the summer.

“This is a huge win for the Island,” Dingledy told The Times.

Some current teachers attended the school as students themselves, and said the plan for a new building couldn’t have come soon enough. They saw dilapidated conditions when they attended school, and now work in the same layout, but with worsened mold, flooding, and a few more wet floor signs than in years prior.

“This is something that’s been in the works for so long … not only for the kids but the community as well. It’s going to be a community building,” Jack Pachico, an MVRHS culinary arts teacher, told The Times. “Coming from being a student and now as an

there, it’s about time.”

At the P.A. Club, MVRHS administrators, teachers, and school committee members celebrated the building project approval by voters.

Sam Hart, MVRHS director of operations, Amy Houghton, school committee chair, and Sean Mulvey, interim principal, at the moment votes came in on Tuesday.

PHOTOS: ELLA MUNNELLY

Federal department announces millions of dollars in tick initiatives

The Wampanoag Tribe is part of the effort to enhance research and data on tick-borne conditions. BY

HAYLEY DUFFY

Just before last weekend, U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a series of initiatives to combat Lyme disease and other tick-borne conditions, including alpha-gal syndrome. The Island is no stranger to issues caused by ticks; there is a higher incidence of illness in Dukes County than in the rest of the state, and in recent months, there’s been a concerted focus by both local and state officials on the small arachnids. Now the severity of the problem has reached the national stage, and the federal department reaffirmed a goal to reduce Lyme disease cases by 25 percent by 2035; a press release from the department said 476,000 people in the U.S. receive a Lyme disease diagnosis each year, and emergency room visits for tick bites recently have reached a decade-level high across the country. At a press conference in New Hampshire on Friday, Kennedy announced that HHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plan to pilot a multimillion-dollar program on tick control to develop

and deploy strategies to target ticks that feed on wildlife before they can spread diseases, an HHS press release stated. The department also secured funds for researchers at the National Institutes of Health on alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy to mammalian products like red meat and dairy, triggered by a lone star tick bite.

The release said that the program starts through researchers at the New England Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases in Amherst, and includes collaboration from the Indian Health Service and the Wampanoag Tribe in Massachusetts.

Kevin Devine, chairman of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), said in a message to The Times that they “will be collaborating with HHS, and will share details after we schedule follow-up meetings.”

Devine said that the tribe is excited to work with HHS on important tick research, and added that its health department and natural resources department have extensive experience. The hope is to collaborate with other agencies, departments, and universities that also conduct research and

ing for action, and we are now seeing mobilization at the community, state, and federal level,” Virginia Barbatti, executive director of Tick Free MV, said in a statement to The Times. “Having some of the highest levels of government and some of the best researchers in the country working toward possible breakthroughs in tick control is a very positive development.”

positive results.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health recently announced in March that alpha-gal is a reportable condition to the state as of April 1, which local officials said allows more information about the allergy, such as about the severity of symptoms, to be systematically collected.

studies on ticks, he said.

“This collaboration will help us enhance our understanding of the research and data, enabling us to make wellinformed recommendations and practical solutions to this challenge,” Devine said.

In an Island-wide aerial deer survey, which was commissioned by the nonprofit Tick Free MV to understand the extent of the herd that ticks latch onto, drone surveyors found that between Feb. 17 and March 19, there were

533 deer in Aquinnah, and for a 5.3-square-mile area, that means there are 101 deer per square mile. The state’s target is 12 to 18 deer per square mile. Other towns on the Island saw between 19 and 85 deer per square mile.

Plans for deer management and tick reduction are also underway at the local level, and after its aerial survey, Tick Free MV is actively seeking input from Vineyarders about next steps.

“The Island has been call-

before MVC review is complete,” the complaint reads.

The housing appeals committee’s ruling not only essentially stripped the MVC’s power to review these types of projects, it also clashed with a 2003 Massachusetts Superior Court ruling that determined the MVC, and not a local board, had jurisdiction over 40B projects. The committee’s ruling also worked in favor of the Edgartown Gardens development, and gave the developers constructive approval, because the Edgartown zoning board of appeals failed to hold a hearing for the project within 30 days after a comprehensive permit application was submitted in 2024. That develop-

ment was approved despite the MVC’s unanimous rejection of the proposed development in October.

Housing is a balancing act on the Island. While the Vineyard faces one of the toughest housing markets for year-round residents, with more than half of units empty during the winter, regulators are careful to prevent overdevelopment. The issue is magnified for an area with limited resources, like land, and lingering questions of how many people can actually be supported through the available land and infrastructure.

Zeb Landsman and Johanna Schneider, attorneys representing the zoning board and the MVC respectively, argued that the state

erred in its ruling. They said in the complaint that the MVC is empowered by its 1977 enabling act to review issues and projects that impact the Island on a regional level, which they say is “inconsistent” with the municipal-level functions of a local board. The complaint also argues that while the act omits mention of whether the MVC is a local board, the piece of legislation is “akin to other statewide regulatory programs — such as the Wetlands Protection Act, Title V, and MEPA [Massachusetts Environmental Protection Act] — that coexist with Chapter 40B without being subsumed by it. The HAC lacks authority to override laws passed by the legislature or regulations

validly promulgated by commonwealth agencies.”

The attorneys also stated that the constructive approval should not have been given by the HAC. Considering the longstanding practice of the zoning board of appeals on the Island referring projects with regional impact to the MVC, the 30-day deadline was put on pause, the complaint read. The attorneys cited a 1990 Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling that upheld this practice.

The attorneys called the housing appeals committee’s ruling “arbitrary, capricious, and an abuse of discretion,” since it allegedly dismissed the various past court rulings that the

She added, “While it’s still unclear exactly what these federal initiatives will mean on the ground for Martha’s Vineyard, we are eager to better understand what resources, partnerships, and opportunities may become available. The status quo is unacceptable. Too many people are getting sick, and we need to keep moving toward meaningful solutions.”

The federal department also plans to dedicate up to $2.5 million to “innovation challenges,” the release stated, as well as funds for NIH research on alpha-gal, and a public-private collaboration to connect patients to experienced providers.

The CDC estimates that nearly 500,000 people in the U.S. suffer from alpha-gal, “though emerging evidence suggests the true number may be significantly higher,” the HHS release said. The Island’s number is just as unclear, but local data show a spike in cases. In 2020, the hospital’s emergency department performed nine tests for alpha-gal, which resulted in two positive cases. In 2025, tests increased to 1,632, and there were 724

MVC used to review Chapter 40B and other projects. They also alleged that Edgartown Gardens had not provided all the requested materials to the MVC.

“The HAC has no specialized expertise in construing the MVC Act, and no deference is owed to its legal conclusions about the MVC’s status under that act,” the complaint states.

Jay Talerman, the attorney who represented Edgartown Gardens, said the developers plan to proceed as if the approval is active. Under this approach, according to Talerman, the developers will primarily be working on approvals from the state. He said the project isn’t sited near any wetlands, and there is enough wastewater, so the only item that would remain under local jurisdiction is a building permit from Edgartown.

“It’s disappointing that they aren’t accepting reality and

Claire Seguin, president and COO for Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, and Jacob Lemieux, an infectious diseases physician at Mass General Brigham, recently wrote an essay for The Times that said the hospital’s allergist has already seen more than 400 patients with alpha-gal this year.

The HHS release said, “NIH has preliminarily identified promising products that may help protect individuals from developing alpha-gal syndrome following a tick bite.”

“Millions of Americans battling Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses have spent years searching for answers, treatment, and support,” Kennedy said in the release. “Today, the Trump administration is launching one of the most ambitious federal efforts ever to combat Lyme disease, by accelerating research, expanding innovation, and improving care for patients and families. We are going after this disease at its source, driving faster diagnostics and new prevention strategies, and delivering the urgency and action Americans deserve.”

not working with us,” Talerman said, adding that the commission is “clinging to an archaic process.” Talerman said talks occurred with Island officials between the HAC’s ruling and when the most recent complaint was filed, although the parties haven’t been able to come to an agreement on the project’s conditions. Talerman emphasized that despite the ruling, not every project should be pushed through, and that his client wants to work with Vineyard officials.

“If all the MVC wants to do is fight, fight, fight, then that’s their bed,” Talerman said. Meanwhile, there are still pending cases for projects in which Cumming is involved. There are ongoing lawsuits in Massachusetts Land Court over Edgartown Gardens and Green Villa, a 116-unit project proposed in Oak Bluffs that received approval from the MVC in late April.

rendering of what the south facade of Edgartown Gardens looks like.

A rendering of Green Villa.

RENDERINGS COURTESY MVC

Patrick RodenReynolds, public health biologist and director for the Martha’s Vineyard Tick Program, does a yard survey for ticks last July.

HAYLEY DUFFY

AdministrativeAssistant

IslandElderlyHousingislookingfor afulltimeadministrativeassistant forourPropertyManagementteam. Thispositionprovides administrativesupportforallrental andtenant-relatedactivities.This positionrequiresworkingwith tenants.Candidateshouldhave strongorganizationalandtime managementskillsandstrong writtenandverbalcommunication skills.Experi ence/proficiencywith computerentryanddatabase systems.Formoreinformation about IslandElderlyHousing,visit ourwebsite,www.iehmv.org.Please sendresumetoleller@iehmv.org

DRIVERS WANTED: We are looking for people for full time/ part time. All shifts available. Applicants must possess a Massachusetts Driver’s License and have at least 2 years driving experience. Any questions please call BOB @ HARBOR TAXI 508-693-0037.

HELP WANTED AD

Looking for Laborer for Some Small Tree Business 774-563-5614. Call after 4 pm.

AtlantisHardscapeLLChas openpositionsondifferent crews.

•LandscapeMaintenance Foreman-managedaytoday operations,identifyandprune plantmaterial,abilitytospeak withclientswhenneeded.

•ExperiencedStoneMason

•LawnMowingCrew-experience withlargecommercialmowers.

SS#,validMAdriverslicense required.

Text774-563-0181

Emailnwatlantismv@gmail.com

CHRISTMAS COTTAGE

THE ISLANDS ONLY CHRISTMAS SHOP

Santa is looking for a couple of part time elves to help out this Summer. We’re celebrating our 54 Anniversary of spreading Christmas cheer to islanders and visitors alike. If you would like to join us this summer we’d love to talk with you. Add something a little different to your week and make some $ at the same time. Perfect for retirees and anyone else who loves Christmas. We’re located overlooking Oak Bluffs harbor (best view in town). If you’re interested please give us a call at 508 693-6731 or 800 227-8444

CIRCULATION ASSISTANT AT THE WEST TISBURY LIBRARY

The West Tisbury Free Public Library is hiring! We are looking for a full time (40 hours) Library Circulation Assistant. This position will have hours that will include weekends and some nights.

The ideal candidates will have excellent customer service skills, an enthusiasm for learning, and strong knowledge of computers and new technologies. Work involves standing, stooping, carrying, lifting up to 30 lbs. Previous library experience and Associate’s degree or higher strongly preferred. Starting wage is $27.69 an hour. Submit resume and Town of West Tisbury application (available at the library or on the Town of West Tisbury website) to Alexandra Pratt, Library Director, West Tisbury Free Public Library, 1042 State Road, Vineyard Haven MA 02568 or by email at apratt@clamsnet.org by June 5th, 2025. Equal Opportunity Employer.

COUNSELOR NEEDED FOR CULTURALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS CREATIVE ARTS CAMP.

Must love children, be spontaneous, kind and creative. For more information

DUKESCOUNTYSHERIFFS'OFFICE PUBLICSAFETYTELECOMMUNICATIONSOFFICERS **$500MonthlyHousingStipend forFullTimeIslandResidentTelecommunicators** Areyoulookingtokick-startyour career,whilehelpingtheIsland Community?

Dutiesinclude,butnotlimitedto receiving,processing,transmitting and/ordispatching emergencyandnon-emergencycalls forpolice, fire,emergencymedical, andotherpublicsafetyservicesvia telephoneandothercommunication devices. Effectiveoralandwritten communicationsskills,sensitivityto workingwithconfidential material; flexibilityandwillingnessto adapttochangingenvironmentand priorities;positiveattitude,integrity and,excellentjudgment. Workscheduleincludes assignmentstotheday,eveningand night,weekend,andholidayshifts. Paidon-sitetraining,aswellas off-islandAcademytrainingupon completionofprobationaryperiod. Full-timepositionwithagenerous benefitpackage,includingpaid leave,insuranceand retirement.Fulltime Tele-Communicator-In-Trainingpay rangeis$71,140.94$78,545.22annually,plus$500 monthlystipend.Applicationsand jobdescription availableatdukescountysheriff.com/ careers

FULL TIME YEAR ROUND ATTENDANT

The Martha’s Vineyard Refuse District is seeking a Scale Attendant / Recycling Attendant to work at one or more of our District’s local drop off areas. Assisting and directing the public in proper disposal of waste and recycling materials. This position is a full time 40 hr per week and participates in the CCMHG benefits program and Dukes county retirement system. Starting pay rate is $28.41 Please stop by the office or email us to pick up an application during our regular business hours. M.V. Refuse District located at, 750 Edgartown West Tisbury rd. Edgartown Ma. 02575 or email to mvrefuse@comcast.net. 508-627-4501

ART TEACHER, ELEMENTARY GRADES MVPCS

The Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School has an opening for a 3 daysper-week (.60 FTE) Art Teacher for grades K to 6 to start September 1, 2026. Must hold a BA/BS; teaching experience preferred. Competitive salary and full benefits provided. Please email a resume and letter of interest to Peter Steedman, School Director, at psteedman@mvpcs.org and complete an application on our website, www. MVPCS.org. Please call 508 693 3142

ISLAND LAW FIRM SEEKS INDIVIDUAL FOR FULL-TIME SECRETARIAL OR PARALEGAL POSITION. Will train and promote qualified Island resident. Email letter & resume to: info@bfmlegal.com.

JOB POSTING PROGRAM CO OR DI NA TOR

The West Tisbury Free Public Library seeks organized, technology-savvy, creative and charismatic candidates for our Program Coordinator position. This position is responsible for all development, planning, coordinating, promoting and execution of adult library programs and use of the library’s social media accounts. High School Degree required, Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree preferred; 2 - 4 years of experience in event planning; experience working with computers; experience working with the public and responding to customer service requests or any equivalent combination of education and experience. The ideal candidate would have strong familiarity with public event planning, building and maintaining local relationships, confidence with social media, Google Suites, Canva etc, and excellent customer service and communication skills. Nights and weekends required. This is a benefited F/T position (35 hrs/week, $33.50/hr), beginning July 1, 2026. Submit Town of West Tisbury application and resume to Alexandra, Library Director, West Tisbury Free Public Library at apratt@clamsnet.org by June 5th. Applications and job description are available at the Library or online at the town of West Tisbury website: https://www.westtisbury-ma. gov/391/Employment-Committee-Openings EOE.

LANDSCAPER / GROUNDSKEEP ER. Bilingual candidates preferred. Seasonal position. Year round position for the right candidate. Competitive pay, based on experience. Work is on one large property. Please email landscapeadmv@gmail.com

LAWN MAINTENANCE

Established Landscape Design and Build Company has an opening in our Lawn Maintenance Dept. Knowledge of machines helpful.

Must have legal working papers, speak uent nglish, and have a valid driver’s license. Please email info@ indigofarm.com

LOOKING FOR PICKUP OR SUV WITH TRAILER HITCH TO MOVE SMALL TRAILER AND MAKE DE LIV ER IES. Part time,$40 hr plus gas pay daily. 508-277-8689.

MANUFACTURING CUSTOM

WOODEN DOORS AND WINDOWS. Milling, woodworking, sanding, finishing, assembly, gla ing and installations. Mostly shop work, some site work. Chilmark. Cameron508-560-1017.

MARTHA’S VINEYARD REGIONAL

HIGH SCHOOL

Performing Arts Center Assistant

Part-time (.4) Year Round Position

Assist in all aspects of running the P C e able to work e ible work hours as needed; Work alongside and fill in for P C Director as needed nowledge of lighting sound mi ing, and carpentry Ability to lift and move heavy objects, Ability to work in high places; Strong technical theater background a plus Application of Support Staff can be found at: www. mvyps.org under “Employment forms or at the ffice of the uperintendent of Schools, 4 Pine Street, Vineyard Haven, 02568

508-693-2009

Return completed application to the uperintendent s ffice Deadline: June 1, 2026

Starting immediately

No person shall be excluded or discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

EOE.

MARTHA’S VINEYARD REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

seeking applicants for the following: Varsity Girls Head Coach- Ice Hockey Assistant Girls Coach- Ice Hockey Application of Support Staff can be found on our website at www.mvyps. org under mployment forms or at the ffice of the Superintendent of Schools, 4 Pine Street, Vineyard Haven, 02568 508-693-2009

Return completed application to the uperintendent s ffice Deadline: Until Position is Filled o person shall be e cluded or discriminated against on the basis of race, color, se , age, religion, national origin, se ual orientation, gender identity, or disability EOE

MARTHA’SVINEYARD COMMUNITYSERVICESIS

SEEKINGTHE FOLLOWINGPOSITION:

ProgramDirector–IslandWide YouthCollaborative(IWYC) ($73,000-$88,000/year).

TheProgramDirectorwillleadthe IWYC,aMassachusettsFamily ResourceCenter.Responsibilities includeprogramoversight, designingandplanningtheIWYC program,supervisingstaff,working withLeadershiptodevelopprogram budgets,managingstateand federalcontractcompliance,and collaboratingwithcommunity partners.Someeveningand weekendhoursarerequired.SignOnBonusavailabletoemployeesin goodstanding!

Qualifications:Bachelor’sdegree required(relevant fieldpreferred) and1–3yearsofnonprofitprogram managementorleadership experience.Strongcommunication, leadership,andorganizationalskills required.Passionateabouthelping familiesthrive?Weencourageyou toapplyat: mvcommunityservices.org/ employment

MARTHA’S VINEYARD TRANSIT AUTHORITY (VTA)

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Mobility Manager / Transportation Coordinator – Full Time

Salary Negotiable

The Martha’s Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA) is seeking a motivated, community-focused individual to assist with transportation education and outreach services for the island community, older adults, and people with disabilities. The ideal candidate must enjoy talking to people and have strong problem-solving skills. Applicants should be comfortable with technology and Microsoft ffice, able to work both independently and collaboratively, and demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills. perience in training, travel training, outreach, customer service, education, or human services is preferred.

VTA is willing to consider splitting the role into two part-time positions if a full-time candidate cannot be secured.

Please send resume and cover letter to: Lauren Thomas, Deputy Administrator, info@vineyardtransit.com

MILKWEED FARM IS HIRING SEASONAL FARM CREW MEMBERS IN CHILMARK.

Full and part-time positions available now through October. Outdoor physical work including harvesting, planting, weeding, and washing produce. Positive attitude and strong work ethic required. Competitive pay based on e perience. mail mallory@milkweedfarm-chilmark. com to apply.

FREE 22 FOOT HUNTER SAILBOAT Clean painted bottom, clean cabin,new roller furling sail, 9.9 outboard motor, ready for water, no trailer. 508-627-2139. FREE 30 gallon electric water heater Perfect for a guesthouse or apartment! A O Smith Proline Commercial grade lowboy. new June 2025, used 3-months. 508-627-0260 FREE KAYAK. 8’. Red. Fully functional, with very slow minor leak that is fi able by someone with know how. Te t 585-781-0301 FREE Vibrating hockey game table. 508-627-3744. FREE! ffice or student desk. 5 3

MVCSDISABILITYSERVICES EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIES:

FamilySupportCenter ProgramManager

($63,000-$78,000peryear)

We’relookingforacompassionate, culturallyresponsiveleaderwho honorsfamilieslivedexperiences, diversity,andculturalvalues.Inthis role,you’lldirectprogrammingand supportfamiliesinnavigating complexsystems,accessing resources,andexploringselfdirectedoptionsacrossthelifespan. Experiencepreferredbutpaidonthe jobtrainingmaybeprovided.SignOnBonusavailabletoemployeesin goodstanding!Applyat: mvcommunityservices.org/ employment

FamilySupportCenter ServiceNavigator

($23.07-$27.40perhour)

Doyoulovehelpingfamiliesthrive?

We’reseekingacompassionateand resourcefulServiceNavigatorto supportfamiliesinidentifying resources,solvingproblems,and buildingstrongcommunity connections.Joinateamthat valuesfamilystrengths,diversity, andself-directionacrossthe lifespan.Experiencepreferredbut paidonthejobtrainingmaybe provided.Sign-OnBonusavailable toemployeesingoodstanding! Applyat:mvcommunityservices.org/ employment

MVPCS LEARNING FACILITATOR

The Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School has an opening for a Learning Facilitator in our special education department starting September 1, 2026. Please email resume, letter of interest, and completed application to Peter Steedman, Director, psteedman@mvpcs.org. Applications can be found on the school website: mvpcs.org

MVPCS SCHOOL ADJUSTMENT COUNSELOR

The Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School has an opening for a parttime School Adjustment Counselor (LCSW, LICSW or LMHC) for the 2026-2027 school year. Please email resume, letter of interest, and completed application to Peter Steedman, Director, psteedman@mvpcs. org. Applications can be found on the school website: mvpcs.org MVPCS

SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER

The Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School has a part-time opening for a Special Education Teacher. Applicants should hold a MA teaching license in Moderate Disabilities or have a degree in special education. Please email resume, letter of interest, and completed application to Peter Steedman, Director, psteedman@mvpcs.org. Applications can be found on the school website at MVPCS.org.

30 High. White painted wood with Formica top. file drawer may be dismantled for transport. 508-3604125. MATCHING LEATHER SOFA AND LOVESEAT, FABRIC RECLINER AND SMALL TV STAND. Low price negotiable. Please call 267-614-0203. WHITE, GLACIER BAY, VANITY COMBO, 18”W, X16” D, X 32” H. ink is . 5 . Contact DM Allen, davidmiltonallen@gmail. com.

JIGSAW PUZZLES SCRABBLE, PARCHEESI, ETC. Good/ cellent condition. 3- . 508-693-7472 -Call anytime, 7:30am-12:30pm is best.

OFFICESTAFFPOSITION

JohnKeeneExcavation,Inc.is lookingforamotivated individualtojoinouro cestaff.The roleincludesclerical work,assistingcustomers,and othero ce-relatedtasks. Thisisayear-roundpositionwith excellentbenefits. Pleasestopbyouro ceoremailus ato ce@johnkeene.comforan application.

ON-SITEMOBILEREPAIRINC.IS

LOOKINGFORANAUTO/DIESEL

MECHANICTOJOINOURTEAM.

Needstohaveatleast5years experience,hasowntoolsandthe willingnesstoworkwithothers. Startingpay@44-58/hour dependingonexperience.Paid vacationandholidays.(508)6879792.Jobs@onsitemv.com

PROJECTFINANCEMANAGER

Supportthe financialcoordinationof constructionprojectsatSouth MountainCompany. You'llensureproject financesare accurate,organized,andaligned fromearlyestimatingthroughbilling andcloseout. WorkingcloselywithourDirectorof Construction,DirectorofFinance andProjectLeads,you'llmaintain clearrecords,supportdecisionmaking,andkeepprojects financiallyontrack. Weofferanexceptional, family-friendlycompensation package,includingmedical/dental/ visioninsurance(SMCocoversthe fulldeductible),profitsharing,401k, andthepotentialforownership. Learnmoreaboutthisposition,how toapply,ourcompensationpolicy, andourcultureathttps:// southmountain.com/meet/ ROSEWATER MARKET IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR A FULL-TIME YEAR-ROUND FRONTOF-HOUSE POSITION. For consideration, e-mail jared@ rosewatermv.com with a resumé and availability.

SAVATREEISLOOKINGFORTREE CLIMBERS,LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCESPECIALISTS, LANDSCAPECONSTRUCTION SPECIALISTSANDGROUND OPERATIONSTREECREWSFOR OURWESTTISBURYLOCATION! Allexperiencelevelsneeded. Wehavehousingoptionsavailable torentonislandaswellassignon bonuses!!!! Pleasereachoutto Lchabot@savatree.comortextto 774-218-9355.

SeasonalGardener

PHAseeksaseasonalgardener whoenjoysworkingoutdoors, appreciatesplantsandvaluesbeing partofacollaborativeteam. Responsibilitiesincludeplanting, maintaininggardenbeds,pruning, wateringandengagingwithgarden visitors.$25/hour.Great opportunitytolearnandbuild horticulturalskills.Application foundatpollyhillarboretum.org.

STILL LOOKING FOR HELP WITH RUNNING ERRANDS, POST OFFICE, FOOD PREP/COOKING.

Janice (508) 696-8976

TEACHER’S ASSISTANT MVPCS

The Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School has an opening for a full-time Elementary Teacher’s Assistant to start September 1, 2026. We are looking for a creative, enthusiastic individual wishing to e plore or advance a career in education within our project-based learning curriculum. Competitive salary and full benefits provided. Please email a resume and letter of interest to Peter Steedman, School Director, at psteedman@mvpcs.org and complete an application on our website, www.MVPCS.org.

TOWN OF EDGARTOWN | HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT

The Town of Edgartown Highway Department is looking to fill the following temporary position for the Summer 2026 Season: Highway/Cemetery Laborer –$22.00-$26.77/hour Applications, position requirements, and full job descriptions are available at edgartown-ma.us or in the Human Resource ffice. Please send completed applications to HR@edgartown-ma.us or P. . o 5 3 TT Human Resources, Edgartown, MA 02539. The Town of Edgartown is an equal opportunity employer. Positions are open until filled.

TOWN OF TISBURY

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE POLICE CHIEF

The Town of Tisbury is looking to fill the position of ecutive Assistant to the Police Chief. This is a Management and Professional Position, Grade M-1, step 1 $39.02 or commensurate with e perience. Generous benefits package including retirement. Provides administrative support to the Police Chief, Some duties include but are not limited to; Payroll, Answering phones, assisting the public, Invoicing , Turnover, and Assisting with the budget processes. For full job description please visit the town website https://www. tisburyma.gov/human-resource/ pages/employment-opportunities. Town of Tisbury is EOE. Applicants should submit online application found on the Town website www. tisburyma.gov under Human Resources Department employment application, resume and cover letter. Position open until filled.

TOWN OF TISBURY IS LOOKING FOR AN ASSISTANT ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER.

Must be able to work weekends. Part time unbenefited position pay rate $26.33- $27.87 commensurate with e perience. nder general supervision of the nimal Control officer. Some duties include Enforcing state and local Animal Control laws, issue warnings and citations, Aide and or transport injured animals, respond to complaints. Please submit an application found on the town website https://www.tisburyma.gov/ human-resource. open until filled. Town of Tisbury is an EOE.

TOWN OF TISBURY SHARED FIRE DEPARTMENT, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services Department –Administrative Secretary. Town of Tisbury seeks individual to perform secretarial and administrative duties. Administrative support for the activities and operations of the Fire Department including Emergency Management and Emergency Medical ervices Department. pecific e amples of work include answering phones, budget e penditures, correspondence, payroll and data entry. Full-time (40 hrs/weekly) year-round, Grade 3 step 1 $33.67 per hour or commensurate with e perience, generous benefits package under union contract including retirement. Application available on website under Human Resources. ualified applicants should submit an application and resume.

VINEYARDGARDENSISSEEKING ENERGETIC,MOTIVATED INDIVIDUALSFOROURNURSERY ANDLANDSCAPECREW. Openings:Cashier,Landscape Foreman,GardenDesigner, IrrigationSpecialist,StoneMason, andGroundskeeper.Eligible positionsincludehealth/pension benefits. Applyonlineat www.vineyardgardens.netoremail yourresumeto mv@vineyardgardens.nettoday!

VINEYARDHAVENYACHTCLUB TAKEOUTKITCHENHELP FunworkwiththebestviewofVH Harbor!Breakfast/Lunchtakeout counterkitchenhelpneeded. Experienceinfoodpreppreferable, butnotrequired.Competitivepay. Contactgalley@vhyc.com.

VINEYARD SCRIPTS IS HIRING! WE ARE LOOKING FOR A PARTTIME/FULL-TIME PHARMACY CASHIER. PLEASE STOP BY FOR AN APPLICATION OR SEND YOUR RESUME TO VINEYARD.SCRIPTS@ GMAIL.COM. 117 BEACH RD., VH WEARELOOKINGTOADDTO OURTEAM! Thefollowingthreepositions availableare: *SiteSupervisor/Experienced MachineOperator–CDLlicensea plus* *Laborer* *CDLClassAorBTruckDriver* Thesepositionsareyear-round andincludeexcellentbenefits! Pleasecallouro ceat(508)6935975or emailusato ce@johnkeene.com

$1,245,000MARILYNMOSES617462-0381OCEANPARKREALTY, OAKBLUFFSCLASSICCAPE

Charmmeetsmoderne ciencyin

thismove-in-ready3-bedroom home.Thoughtfullymaintainedand beautifullypresented,thehome featuressun-filledlivingspaces,an updatedkitchen,andcomfortable bedroomsdesignedforeasy everydayliving.Enjoyyear-round comfortwithenergy-e cientminisplitsystemsprovidingbothheating andairconditioning,offeringcosteffectiveclimatecontrolinevery season.The finishedbasement addsvaluablebonusspaceidealfor amediaroom,homeo ceor workoutroomgivingyouthe

flexibilityto fityourlifestyle. Outside,aprivateyardoffersthe perfectsettingforrelaxingor entertaining.Awonderful opportunityforayear-round residence,vacationgetaway,or investment...thisclassicCape blendstimelessstylewithmodern upgrades.

IMPROVEDPRICE:$1,795,000** CONTACTMARILYNMOSESAT

617-462-0381FORMORE DETAILS!

OCEANPARKREALTY

Discoverthebeautyof**THE PRESERVEatTHEWOODLANDS** inthehighlycovetedOakBluffs community!Thisisyourchanceto ownoneofthelastremaining buildinglotsinthisprimelocation, justmomentsawayfromtown, beaches,harbor,ferryports,andthe FarmNeckGolf&TennisClub. Undergroundutilitiesarealreadyin place,makingthisrareoffering perfectfordevelopingyourdream familycompound.Enjoyapeaceful andprivatesetting,surroundedby conservationlandandtrailsidealfor hiking,walking,andbiking. Don’tmissoutonthisincredible opportunitytoembracetheOak Bluffslifestyle!

$2,250,000MARILYNMOSES OCEANPARKREALTY 617-462-0381 NEWCONSTRUCTION

WelcometoLagoonRidge,Oak Bluffs’newestandmostsoughtafterneighborhood.Buildyour3bedroomdreamhomeinthis elevatedenclave,set95feetabove LagoonPondandcapturing sweepingskyviews,colorful sunsets,andrefreshingsea breezes.Thisexceptionalhomesite representsoneofthe final opportunitiesinthisthrivingnew community.Tobebuilt—The Naushon—features3bedrooms, 3.5bathrooms,andover2,400 squarefeetofthoughtfullydesigned livingspace.Agrandwrap-around coveredporchprovidesawelcoming entryandtheperfectplacetoenjoy morningcoffeeorcoolevening breezes.Inside,theopen-concept floorplanconnectsthechef’s kitchenwithspaciouslivingand diningareas,idealforentertaining familyandfriends.Eachbedroom suiteincludesatileden-suitebath withcustomizable fixturesand finishes,andthesecond-floorsuites mayofferprivatebalconiesfor addedrelaxation.ClassicOakBluffs cottagearchitecturemeetsmodern comfortandenergye ciency, makingTheNaushonanidealyearroundorseasonalretreat.Lagoon Ridgeoffersdirectaccessto conservationlandswithwalkingand bikingtrails,andnearbyLagoon Pondinviteskayaking,sailing,and shell fishing.Allutilities—electric, townwater,andaprivate,state-ofthe-artAmphidromewastewater system—arelocatedatthestreet. Thisinnovativesystemservesthe entireneighborhood,providing convenienceandpeaceofmind. LagoonRidgeisacovenantprotectedcommunitywith architecturalreviewand professionalmanagementbyFirst PropertyManagementCo.This beautifulhomesiteisreadyforthe constructionofyourVineyarddream home.Elevenlotshavesold—only tworemainavailable.Callfor details!

Real Estate

OAKBLUFFSWATERVIEWLOT

FORSALE

$1,200,000

CALLORTEXTReneBenDavid's Cell508-847-4864

OCEANPARKREALTY

Welcometo#0TemahiganAve& DoverStreet,OakBluffs.BuildYour Martha’sVineyardDreamHome. Rareopportunitytoownalevel, clearedcornerlotindesirableOak Bluffs,withpavedroadsbordering twosides,readyforconstructionof yourMartha’sVineyarddream home.Approvedforupto6 bedrooms,thisexceptionalproperty includesanapproved6-bedroom septicdesign,withroomfora possiblefuturepool.Locatedinthe sought-afterEastvillearea,where manyhomesenjoybeautifulwater views,thislotoffersthepotentialto capturestunningviewsofVineyard Soundandbeyondfroma thoughtfullydesignedhome.Create a customresidencethatembraces allthebeautyandlifestyleMartha’s Vineyardhastooffer.Enjoyashort walktoEastvilleBeach,whereyou cantakeinspectacularsunsets, watchtheferriescomeandgo,and experiencethecharmofisland living.Justashortdriveaway,you’ll haveaccesstoeverythingthat makesOakBluffssospecial— additionalbeaches,shellfishing, swimming,boating,andthevibrant energyofCircuitAvenue,featuring boutiqueshopping,diverse restaurants,andconvenientferry servicetoandfromtheislandvia theiconicOakBluffsHarborand nearbyports.Thisismorethanjust land—it’sanopportunitytocreate somethingtrulyspecial.Don’tjust dreamit—makeitreality.Owninga pieceofMartha’sVineyardisan investmentinalifestyleyou’llnever regret.Pleaseincludeapreapproval orproofoffundswithoffer.Selleris offeringabuyersbroker consideration.

PRICEIMPROVEMENT

46KENNEBECAVENUE

OAKBLUFFS,MA

$$1,495,000

CALLORTEXTALANSCHWEIKERT 508-221-1708ORMICHAEL SCHWEIKERT774-563-9112

OCEANPARKREALTY

ThisexquisiteVictorianhome, lovinglypreservedbythesame familyforoverageneration,stands inoutstandingconditionandis perfectlysituatedinthevibrant heartofOakBluffsCenter.Enjoythe convenienceofbeingjuststeps awayfromthePublicBeach, SteamshipAuthority,OakBluffs Harbor,asupermarket,andavariety ofcharmingrestaurantsandshops thatcontributetoOakBluffs'allure asapremiersummerdestinationon Martha'sVineyard.Thisdelightful three-seasoncottagehasbeen carefullymodernizedovertheyears, offeringarareinvestment opportunity.Locatedwithinthe highlysought-afterB1Zone,this residencehasbeencherishedasa familyhomewhilealsoprovidingthe potentialforcommercialendeavors. Thepropertyfeaturesawelldesigned floorplanthatincludes fourbedrooms-oneconveniently locatedonthe first floor-alongwith a fullbathroom,twohalfbathrooms, a laundrystoragearea,aneat-in kitchen,andacozylivingroom.The homeisadornedwithstunning wood flooringthroughout,brightand airyroomswithoriginalwindows,a newhotwaterondemandsystem, andacharmingfrontporch,perfect forleisurelyafternoons.Withits fourbedroomsandprimein-town location,thispropertyoffers substantialrentalpotential,making itanexceptionalopportunityfor bothpersonalenjoymentand

SALEPENDING NEWLISTINGINOAKBLUFFS

$999,000 ALANSCHWEIKERT OCEANPARKREALTY 508-221-1708

OakBluffs:HomeSweetHome Situatedonoveraquarteracreof beautifullylandscaped,level groundswithcolorfulperennial plantingsandmaturetrees,this sun-filledranchoffersaperfect blendofcomfortandcharm.The openkitchen,dining,andliving areasfeaturecathedralceilings, classicverticalknottypinewalls, andacozybrick fireplace.Enjoya convenient first-floorbedroomanda spacioussecond-floorprimary bedroomwithaprivatedeck.The finishedbasementprovides additionallivingorhobbyspace. Updatesincludea2017oilburner andRothoiltank.Aninviting outdoorshowercompletesthiswellmaintainedhome,offeredfurnished andreadyforyourpersonal touches. Locatedinaquietresidential neighborhoodclosetoallthatOak Bluffshastooffer.

PRIVACYMEETSCONVENIENCEIN

OAKBLUFFS

JAYNEISFORD|203-962-4317

$1,795,000

Chilmark

May 28, Robert L. Green, trustee of Allerton Farm Realty Trust, sold 116, 122, and 124 Old Farm Road to William Bihrle, Jacqulyn Bihrle, Joshua Johnson, and Marian Johnson for $3,700,000.

Edgartown

May 26, Maria Thibodeau, trustee of Newton Thibodeau Family Trust, sold 44 Plantingfield Way to Byron Lynn and Lindsay Lynn for $3,400,000.

Oak Bluffs

May 26, Megan W. Holbrook sold 14 East Side Road to Amy M. Holbrook for $1,595,000.

May 26, Reginald A. Nunnally, Kathlean Nunnally, Dawn Nunnally, and Ashley Nunnally sold 3 Elmwood Ave. to Robert Ridley and Kimberly Ridley for $660,000.

May 29, Anthony Mottola and Nicole Gullotta sold 56 Garvin St. to Felicia Everett Blake and Bruce Blake for $1,235,000.

Tisbury

May 29, Anna Nivala and Bryan Wood sold 151 Tashmoo Ave. to Michael A. Irizarry and Carla N. Paizante Irizarry for $2,000,000. May 29, Clifford Estrella sold a portion of 0 Lye Lane to Summers & Santos LLC for $525,000.

Nestledattheendofaquietstreet, thisroomyandspaciousCape-style homeoffersprivacyand conveniencejustashortdistanceto theOakBluffsSchool,towncenter, andwithinwalkingdistancetothe Lagoon.

Sun-filledmainlevelwithopen floor plan,largewindows,andagenerous kitchenwithamplecounterspace, openingtothediningarea.Sliders leadtoabackdeck,yard,and bluestonepatio..perfectfor entertainingorrelaxing. Radiantheated floorsintheprimary suiteandlower-levelplayroom.Twocargaragewithbonusspaceabove. Beautifulstoneworkdriveway. Updatedfurnace(2020)andwater heater(2024).

SALEPENDING PRICEADJUSTMENT,NOW $2,600,000 COMMERCIALB-2OR RESIDENTIAL OFFEREDBYRENE’BENDAVID/ REALTOR®,OCEANPARK REALTYINC. 23CircuitAveExtension Cell508-847-4864 3bedrooms/1bathroom,Rare OpportunitywithEndless Possibilities–UnmatchedHarbor& VineyardSoundViews.Location, Location,Location!Atrulyrare offeringintheheartofOakBluffs, wherepropertieslikethisseldom becomeavailable.Positioned directlyacrossfromtheiconicOak BluffsHarbor,thispropertyboasts unobstructedharborviewsand sweepingvistasofVineyardSound— asettingthatcapturestheverybest ofislandliving.Fromyourfrontyard, watchferriescomeandgo,boats driftthroughtheharbor,andenjoy thestunningbackdropofopen waterstretchingtowardVineyard Sound.Thisisapropertythatputs yourightinthemiddleofeverything, whilestillofferingthecharmand characterofaclassicislandhome. ZonedB-2Commercial,the opportunitiesaretrulyendless. Continuethelegacyofasuccessful tourist-orientedbusinesslikethe longtimeAndersonBikeRentals, createanewcommercialventure,or reimaginethepropertyasyour personaldreamhome.Whetheryou renovatetheexistingstructureor buildfromthegroundup,you’ll benefitfromoneofthemostvisible andvibrantlocationsinOakBluffs. Walktoeverything—ferries,beaches, themarina,restaurants,movies, shopping,OceanParkconcerts,the OB fishingpier,andthebelovedOak BluffsFireworks.Thisisamust-see, legacypropertywithrarepotentialin alocationthatcan’tbebeat.Very easytoshow.Pre-approvalorproof offundsrequiredwithalloffers.

SOLD&CLOSEDIN30DAYS

$1,995,000CALLORTEXT

MARILYNMOSES617-462-0381

HOUSE&STUDIOABOVE GARAGE~ Welcometo26TiaAnnaLane!This exquisiteresidenceisimmaculate, stylish,andfullyrenovated,readyto welcomeitsnewowners!Situated onabeautifullylandscaped0.30acrelotadornedwithvibrant plantings,thehomeboastspristine conditionsbothinsideandout, featuringnewerHardiPlanksiding. Theinvitingfarmer'sporch, completewithMahoganydecking, setsthetoneforthischarming property,whilealovelypergola gracesthebackofthehouse.Upon entering,youarewelcomedbya whitewashedwoodwithhighceiling thatenhancesthewarmambiance. The flooringthroughoutthehomeis first-growthSouthernPine, meticulouslycraftedwithpegged andbungeddetails.Theexpansive entranceleadsintothelivingand kitchenareas,whicharebathedin naturallight,creatinganairy atmosphere.Uncoverthecharmof thewood-burningstovenestledin thefamilyroom,equippedwitha circulatingfanaddswarmth, e ciencyandfocalpointfor gatherings.Culinaryenthusiastswill appreciatethekitchen,whichis outfittedwithstainlesssteelGE CafeSeriesappliances,attractive quartzcountertops,walkinpantry andamplecabinetspacetostoreall yourcookingessentials.The screenedporchoffersanideal settingforentertainingguestsor enjoyingapeacefulmorningcoffee amidstthelushsurroundings.All bathroomsinthehomehavebeen meticulouslyrenovated,ensuring moderneleganceandfunctionality, whilecustomwindowtreatments elevatetheaesthetic.Additional updatesinclude,ahotwaterheater (installedin2020),pull-downstairs toafullyinsulatedattic(upgraded in2021),energy-e cientheatand airconditioningwithmini-splits,in groundsprinklersystemforeasy maintenanceandaforcedhotwater boilerforoptimalcomfort throughouttheyear.Thebeautifully landscapedyardprovidesample spaceforoutdoorenjoyment,and deededaccesstotheLagoonfrom GullLandingopensupopportunities forkayaking,swimming, fishing, boating,clammingorsimply savoringthepicturesquewaterfront scenery.Callnowforyourprivate tour!

YOUCANAFFORDTOBUILDON

MARTHA'SVINEYARD

Save1/3offconventionbuilding methods.Newhomesand additions.High-endhomeshellsare customdesigned,constructedina controlledenvironment,and deliveredtoyourMVsiteforabout $135/sq.ft.(Estimatedpricefor finishedhouse:$550/sq.ft.) Packagesinclude:Customdesign, postandbeams,roofandwalls, doorsandwindows,sidingand trim,insulationand floors.Thepreconstructionwallandroofpanels goupinab out3weeks.Viewmodel inAquinnahbyappointment.(508) 645-3572Brokerparticipation invited Posner@MVPostAndBeam.com

HOUSES-OAK BLUFFS HOUSES-OAK BLUFFS HOUSES-OAK BLUFFS

HOUSES-OAK BLUFFS

HOUSES-OAK BLUFFS HOUSES-OAK BLUFFS

CELL508-847-4864

$1,250,000

11ONONDAGAAVE,OAKBLUFFS OPENHOUSE

ComfortableIslandHomeona QuietDead-EndRoadinOakBluffs: Welcometo11OnondagaAvenue, thesecondhomeontheleftona short,quietdead-endroadinawellestablishedOakBluffs neighborhoodenjoyedbybothyearroundandseasonalresidents.This well-cared-for3-bedroom,2.5bathroomhomeoffersspace, comfort,andatrulyinvitingisland lifestyle—justashortwalktothe OakBluffsSailingCampParkand beach,wherebeautifulsunsetsover thewaterawait.Inside,theopenconceptlayoutconnectsthekitchen anddiningareatothelivingroom, creatingabrightandfunctional spaceperfectforbothentertaining andrelaxeddailyliving.Aninviting deckoffthediningroomextends yourlivingspaceoutdoorsintoa serenelandscapedsettingidealfor enjoyingmealsinthefreshVineyard air.Thehomeissetonapeaceful lotwithbothfrontandbackyards offeringasenseofseclusionand spacetoenjoy.Upstairs,theprimary bedroomfeaturesanensuitewitha shower,providingacomfortableand quietretreat.Twoadditional bedroomsandafullbathcomplete theupperlevel,andahalfbathwith washer/dryerisconveniently locatedonthemain floor.Thefull basementincludesbothindoorand outdooraccess,offering flexibility andadditionalpotential.A finished roominthebasementisreadyfor yourcreativetouch—whetherasa mediaroom,homeo ce,playroom, orguestoverflow.Thepropertyalso includesaspaciousstorageshed andadrivewaythateasily fitsthree tofourcars.Anewroofinstalledin 2023addspeaceofmindandvalue. Locatedminutesfromdowntown OakBluffs,localbeaches,ferries, andallthecharmtheVineyardhas tooffer,thishomeisreadytobe yourislandgetaway,year-round residence,ornextinvestment.

Real Estate

SOLD COASTALCHICCONDO

PRICEIMPROVEMENT$1,149,000

SENGEKONTACKETWATERFRONT COMMUNITY|MARTHA’S VINEYARD

Stylish,sunlit,andsuperblylocated thisarchitecturallydesignedendunittownhouseoffers2bedrooms, a flexiblethird-floorloft,and1.5 bathsacross1,323sq.ft.Enjoya sleekchef’skitchenwithstone countertops,custombuilt-ins,anda 288sq.ft.privatedeckidealfor entertaining.

Withupgraded flooring,windows, systems,andasuccessfulrental history,thispropertyisperfectfor year-roundlivingorasastrong investment.

Communityamenitiesinclude: Accesstofresh&saltwaterponds Oceanaccessdock+boatramp Clubhouse,tennis/pickleballcourt s • Kayakstorage+potentialmooring MinutestoFarmNeck,bikepaths & beaches

Offered$1,149,000

Exclusivelyby:MarilynMoses| REALTOR® 617-462-0381| marilyn@oceanparkmv.com

SOLDFULLPRICEIN5DAYS!!

$895,000CALL ORTEXTMARILYNMOSES

617-462-0381

Charmingyear-roundrenovated Victoriancottageinthehistoric Martha’sVineyardCampMeeting Association,locatedintheheartof WesleyanGroveinOakBluffs.This 3-bedroom,1-bathhomefeatures shiplapwalls,knottypineceilings, originalwood flooring,andsun-filled interiorsthroughout.Theupdated kitchenoffersquartzcountertops,a farmhousesink,stylishlighting,and newerenergy-e cientappliances. ImprovementsincludeMarvinwood windows,anewerroof,hotwater tank,andenergy-e cientheat pumpsforACandheat.Enjoya welcomingfrontporchwithcolorful gardensandaslatepatiowith fencedgardenspaceforoutdoor diningandrelaxing.Juststepsto CircuitAvenue,OakBluffsHarbor, andnearbybeaches.

SOLD$2,400,000MarilynMoses 617-462-0381,Michael Schweikert774-563-9112,Alan Schweikert508—221-1708

15MainStreetVineyardHaven

$2,900,000

PrimeCommercialBuilding–Main Street,VineyardHavenExceptional opportunityintheheartof downtownVineyardHaven.This well-maintainedmixed-useproperty offersover3,100sqftofversatile space,featuringtwoground-floor retailstorefrontswithexcellent streetvisibilityandtwoupdated1bedroomapartmentsabove—ideal forstaffhousingorrentalincome.A fullbasementprovides flexible storageorutilityspace,anddeeded rearaccessallowsfordeliveriesand logisticalease.Recentupdates includeplumbingimprovementsand a fullyrenovatedapartment. Whetheryou'reaninvestorseeking steadyincome,abusinessowner lookingfora flagshiplocation,ora developerexploringmixed-use potential,thispropertydelivers exceptionalvalueinoneofMartha’s Vineyard’smostdesirable commercialcorridors.

VINEYARD HAVEN MOORING

1300+SF OF PRIME RETAIL SPACE!

Rare opportunity to rent this high visibility location on bustling Main St in Vineyard Haven. Beautiful high ceilings and large picture window invite customers in. Available 8/1.

Possiblity exists for 7/1. Y/R preferred, pop-up may be considered. Call Amy (510) 559-0222

FUR NISHED OFFICE SPACE VH

FT. uitable for office use only. Includes conference room, 2 offices reception area. tilities not included. Includes 2 parking spaces. 508-221-0858.

SUMMER RENTALS

SUMMER RENTAL

3 bedroom 2 bath, outside deck, grill, outside shower, big yard, across from bike path. In Katama.

$2,000-$4,000/week, June to middle of August. 774-563-2806.

VACATION RENTALS

HARBORSIDE INN WEEK 23 -

AVAILABLE FOR RENT

Milton House / Edgartown

Starting Sunday to Saturday This June 7th-13th. Harbor-view, first floor w/porch, king bed, courtyard. (734) 358-8202 dtatarian@icloud.com

APARTMENTS/ROOMS

ROOM SHARE BEDS

Available $250 per person per week. 3 weeks = $750 upfront to move in. Must be kind, clean and quiet. Email story/details to pacnwest1@ yahoo.com

STUNNING NON TOXIC (NO CARPET/NO MOLD)

GARAGE SALE SAT 6/6

RAIN OR SHIN. 1 Vickers Way Katama 9am-12pm Bedroom and outdoor furniture, linens, mattresses, zodiac with engine, kayaks, home goods, ower bo es, fans, much more.

YARD SALE. 11 NORTH BOG, EDGARTOWN Housewares, clothes, books, etc. Cash and Venmo accepted. Saturday, une th, - . o early birds. Please be mindful of neighbors and park responsibly, thank you! BOAT SALES

MARSHALLSANDERLING18’ SAILBOAT–CLASSIC CENTERBOARDCATBOATWITH TILLER. Sailsbeautifullyinshallowwater andcanbebeached—the quintessentialCapeCod/Martha’s Vineyardboat.Includestrailer,sail, cushions,lifevests,bronzestep— fullyequippedandreadytoenjoy. Storedundertarp;needswashand freshbottom/cockpitpaint.$6,400 OBO.Vineyardsalepreferred.Must pickup;sellercannottransport.Text fordetails(407)625-1475

COMPLIMENTARY/MEDICAL/ OR OTHER RETAIL SPACE.

Rare opportunity to purchase a transferable, deeded Lagoon Pond parcel, allowing you to have your own mooring. *Parcel is not buildable. $299,900. M ales Rentals 508-423-1443

HOUSES-WEST TISBURY WALK TO LAMBERT’S COVE BEACH

From the lush setting of this 3-bdrm main house with a delightful 2-story guest house. Rinse off at nearby Seth’s Pond before dinner at the Inn...treasures of the island a short stroll away. $1,400,000. Tashmoo Realty 508364-5061 hollyalaimo@gmail.com

2000 sq.ft. West Tisbury across from Cronigs. Two full baths. laundry. Three offices and huge central space where 10 work spaces could fit. ew appliances in itchen. Ample parking (15 cars) Coy pond. Outdoor space. $6,500 per month or share 4500 with single doctor. Text Lisa 310-213-5472.

PETS & LIVESTOCK

HORSES FOR HALF LEASE TO GOOD RIDERS ONLY

tunning oating gaits. ovable and gorgeous chestnuts both. Enzo: Dressage/jumper- famous sire in Olympics! Indoor arena and out door ring. Also his friend Diamond. For trails and light ring work much less expensive. Text Lisa 310-2135472.

WEST TISBURY ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

On Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 5:15pm the ZBA will hold a public hearing at the Town Hall- nd oor meeting room on an PP filed by Joshua Gothard on behalf of Eleven Music LLC of the April 23, 2026 determination made by the uilding Inspector and requests a Special Permit after the fact for the alteration of a pre-existing non-conforming, non-habitable detached accessory structure (studio) that does not meet setback requirements. Applicant also requests a Special Permit to relocate an e isting shed from the property line to .5 from the property line. Both are requests under sections 11.1-3B, 4.2-2D4 and 11.2-2 of the West Tisbury oning ylaw at 11 Music St., Map 32 Lot 60, in the VR district. The Appeal is made under M.G.L. c.40A §§8 and 14. Interested parties are invited to send comments via email to: zba@westtisbury-ma.gov or mail comments to: Zoning Board of Appeals, PO Box 278, West Tisbury, MA 02575. Please call 508696-0107 for information on the application.

LEGAL NOTICES OAK BLUFFS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING RE: Brice Appeal

Eugene D. Brice 25 Circuit Ave. Extension Map 8 Parcel 292

The Oak Bluffs Zoning Board of Appeals will hold an In-Person Public Hearing on Wednesday, June 17,

2026 at 6:00PM in the Oak Bluffs Town Hall Downstairs Meeting Room, 56 School Street, on the application of the referenced petitioner seeking:

A Special Permit within Oak Bluffs Zoning By-Law Section 3.5.5, or any action related thereto, to: construct addition/renovation including rebuilding existing decks and exterior stairway on a pre-existing non-conforming structure on a pre-existing non-conforming lot.

Relevant documents and/or proposed plans will be available on the Town of Oak Bluffs’ web site: https://www.oakbluffsma.gov/443/ ZBA-Regular-Meetings

Written correspondence can be addressed to the Board of Appeals via email: zbaadmin@oakbluffsma. gov or mailed to: PO Box 1327, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING RE: Hurwitz Appeal

Jarrett Hurwitz 119 Alpine Ave. Map 22 Parcel 40

The Oak Bluffs Zoning Board of Appeals will hold an In-Person Public Hearing on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 6:00PM in the Oak Bluffs Town Hall Downstairs Meeting Room, 56 School Street, on the application of the referenced petitioner seeking:

A Special Permit within Oak Bluffs Zoning By-Law Section 4.2.7, or any action related thereto, to: add two small roof coverings over two front doors in the R1 District.

Relevant documents and/or proposed plans will be available on the Town of Oak Bluffs’ web site: https://www.oakbluffsma.gov/443/ ZBA-Regular-Meetings

Written correspondence can be addressed to the Board of Appeals via email: zbaadmin@oakbluffsma. gov or mailed to: PO Box 1327, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557

LEGAL NOTICES EDGARTOWN ON WEDNESDAY JUNE 10, 2026 AT 4:30 PM THE EDGARTOWN CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Will hold a public hearing via Zoom on a Request for Determination of pplicability filed by hearwater Construction on behalf of Denise Mulica under the Edgartown Wetlands Protection ylaw and the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act. The applicant is seeking a determination regarding the expansion of a garage footprint to accommodate an ADU. The expansion is 11 linear feet and within the buffer of a great pond and within the F M ood one. For a copy of the application or for questions related to participating in the meeting via Zoom, please contact: conservation@edgartown-ma.us

ON WEDNESDAY JUNE 10, 2026 AT 4:35 PM

The dgartown Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing via Zoom on a Request for Determination of pplicability filed by chofield Barbini & Hoehn, Inc on behalf of Drew imberly Conway under the Edgartown Wetlands Protection ylaw and the Massachusetts Wet-

lands Protection Act. The applicant is seeking a determination regarding a proposed garage expansion and brick patio and relocation of a brick parking area within a F M ood zone.

The property is located at orth Water Street (AP Map 20D-292.1) For a copy of the application or for questions related to participating in the meeting via Zoom, please contact: conservation@edgartown-ma.us

ON WEDNESDAY JUNE 10, 2026 AT 4:40 PM

The dgartown Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing via Zoom on a Request for Determination of pplicability filed by chofield arbini Hoehn, Inc on behalf of yster aks C under the Edgartown Wetlands Protection ylaw and the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act. The applicant is seeking a determination regarding the development of a currently vacant property. The plans include a dwelling, D , pool, gym, driveway, parking, septic system, landscaping and view channels.

The property is located at yster Watcha Road (AP Map 40-1.11) For a copy of the application or for questions related to participating in the meeting via Zoom, please contact: conservation@edgartown-ma.us

ON WEDNESDAY JUNE 10, 2026 AT 4:45 PM

The dgartown Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing via oom on a otice of Intent filed by MV Engineering & Design on behalf

of Sara Wells, Tr of The Katama 2 ominee Trust under the dgartown Wetlands Protection ylaw and the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act. The applicant is seeking permission to remove existing wood stairs to a pier and construct a new set of stairs and a 10’x20’ viewing platform on a coastal bank.

The property is located at Green Hollow Way ( P Map - 3 . For a copy of the application or for questions related to participating in the meeting via Zoom, please contact: conservation@edgartown-ma.us

PUBLIC NOTICES

DRAFT FFY 2027 UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM (UPWP)

The Martha s ineyard Commission (M C oint Transportation Committee ( TC has released the Draft FF nified Planning Work Program ( PWP for -day public review and comment period at its May th , , TC meeting.

UPWP SUMMARY: The FFY 2027 UPWP describes and provides budgetary information for the transportation planning tasks and activities, which are to be conducted in the region during the coming year. The PWP is a federally required certification document, which must be prepared and endorsed by the Martha s ineyard TC, prior to the start of the planning program. Please send written comments to Michael Mauro by une th , via email at: mauro@mvcommission.org

Michael Mauro

Transportation Program Manager

Martha s ineyard Commission

P.O. Box 1447

Oak Bluffs, MA 02557

SERVE ON THE UP-ISLAND REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE

The Up-Island Regional School District is currently seeking candidates to serve on the school committee. If you believe you can make a meaningful impact on the future of our schools, this is your chance. chool committee members play an important role in the oversight of the island s schools. s a member, you would:

•Set the district’s vision and policy, establishing long-term educational goals in alignment with state law, while leaving day-to-day operations to the superintendent

•Oversee the Up-Island Regional School District and other budgets, reviewing and voting on annual spending, allocating resources, and approving payroll and accounts payable

•Hire and evaluate the superintendent, including participation in collective bargaining with teachers and staff

•Represent the community, advocating for the district’s needs, with a primary obligation to the students we serve omination papers are available at the uperintendent s ffice at Pine treet in ineyard Haven, and must be submitted for certification no later than 5:00 PM on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. If you have any questions about the role or time commitment, please contact the Superintendent’s office at (5 3- .

BECOME AN MV TIMES MEMBER

Join The MV Times as a member today and make the pledge to support independent local journalism. Choose any of our three tiers of membership and become a valued part of our community-supported news organization. Each level includes an opt-in to receive the weekly print edition and/or access to our daily online coverage.

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√ Access to four monthly newsletters such as The Grapevine / Islanders Write / Voices / MV SportsLetter

√ Opportunity to provide comments and feedback to stories

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√ Digital access 24/7 to mvtimes.com

√ Ability to add digital access for 3 other people of your choice

√ The Minute newsletter delivered daily to your inbox

√ Access to four monthly newsletters such as The Grapevine / Islanders Write / Voices / MV SportsLetter

√ Opportunity to provide comments and feedback to stories

√ Special invitation to attend Islanders Write and our 2026 Speaker Series

$250/YEAR

√ Weekly on-island delivery of print edition

√ Digital access 24/7 to mvtimes.com

√ Ability to add digital access for 5 other people of your choice

√ The Minute newsletter delivered daily to your inbox

√ Access to four monthly newsletters such as The Grapevine / Islanders Write / Voices / MV SportsLetter

√ Opportunity to provide comments and feedback to stories

√ Special invitation to attend Islanders Write and our 2026 Speaker Series

√ VIP Access to our 2026 Speaker Series

√ Admission to our newsroom to join our 2026 quarterly readers’ forum ADVOCATE

fishing report

Shakespeare, Mark Twain, fishermen, and fly-fishing

BY LISA BELCASTRO

Ididn’t know what to expect at the 34th annual Martha’s Vineyard Rod & Gun Club Fly Rod Striped Bass Catch and Release Tournament awards ceremony on Sunday. The tournament had started at 7 pm on Saturday with winds gusting up to 40 mph, which was an improvement over the 60 mph winds in 2025.

I am a novice, rank beginner, fly-fisherman. Winds over five mph send me back to the truck for my spin rod. I couldn’t imagine casting in high winds, but I knew Coop Gilkes, Abe Pieciak, Jared Stobie, Tom Neadow, Liz Packer, and all the other skilled flyfishermen would know where to fish and how to fish.

The biggest question was, Were the fish feeding and biting during the storm?

I ran into Mark Wrabel in the parking lot, who described the beautiful night sky and the chill in the air even after the wind dropped, but didn’t mention any fish.

I took a seat next to Tom Neadow and asked how he’d fared. Tom said simply, “I got one.” As I listened to conversations around me, it sounded as if Tom might be the only person who landed a fish. Just before the ceremony was to begin, we heard rumblings of another fish.

Nelson Sigelman, who co-founded the tournament with Cooper Gilkes, picked up a microphone and began,

“Welcome to the 34th NoCatch, No-Release Breakfast Tournament.”

The crowd of fishermen laughed under a gorgeous sunny blue sky, and Nelson continued, “There’s about 100 people here, and I know you didn’t come here to catch a fish.” More laughter and many nods. “You went fishing in 40 mph gusts.

Normal people wouldn’t understand that.”

Nelson then asked if anyone had ever acted. One hand went up down front, and Nelson wrangled the fellow and three of his friends up to the award area. Fake crowns and swords were passed out, along with a couple of pages of scripts.

Shakespeare. “Henry V,” no less.

It wasn’t Shakespeare in the Park, but there on the lawn of the Rod and Gun Club, we were all treated to an impromptu, modified version of “Henry V.” One should note that Sunday’s performance was the third time in the history of the tournament that Nelson’s rewritten comedy was staged. With the applause still ringing in the air, an official announced that Abe Pieciak, renowned fly-fisherman, fly tyer, and artist, had overslept, and was, as we clapped for “Henry V,” driving from Aquinnah to Edgartown. We now knew who landed the second fish.

Edgartown

Nelson called up Daisy Neadow, and then called for her father, Tom. Nelson, with tongue in cheek, awarded 8-year-old Daisy a plaque for being the daughter of the secondplace winner. Nelson then handed Tom a plaque and congratulated him on being the father of the daughter whose father had caught the second largest bass.

“Abe is the GOAT. If I’m second to the GOAT, I’m doing good,” said Tom.

Last year, Tom and his teammate Joe Uva took home the Roberto Germani Trophy, given to the team that reaches its fish quota at the earliest time. This year, with only two fish caught and released, no team reached their quota. Tom found fish, but only hooked the one. “I saw two fish at Menemsha that were decent, but as soon as I put my fly in front of them, they disappeared. Around 1 am, I had a hit. Then I hooked that one,” said Tom. “There were fish around, but they were in a weird bait and feeding pattern.”

Tom showed me the gorgeous black fly he caught his bass on. “For this tournament, I made all my own flies. The fly-tying part is one of the best parts for me. This one is deer and a couple of chicken feathers,” said Tom.

After Tom’s award, there were many spur-of-themoment awards given out, all with plaques, jokes, and chuckles, and numerous raffle items drawn, as we waited for Abe. The abundance of laughter made up for the missing fish. There was also a bit of line dancing, and an apropos version of “Jeopardy.”

Question: Who wrote, “Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it”? The answer, known by all three contestants: Norman Maclean.

Question: Who wrote, “There is no use in walking five miles to fish when you can depend on being just as unsuccessful near home”? The contestants struggled to come up with Mark Twain. Nelson, however, noted that it was the perfect quote for this year’s tournament.

Finally, the man of the hour arrived. Abe walked up to the microphone, joked that he normally gets eight hours of sleep, and he went to bed late. Abe accepted the Sonny and Joey Beaulieu Trophy for the largest fish. If you know Abe, or know of him, you know he’s a hardcore fisherman. He’s tenacious, he’s tactical, and he’s talented, very, very talented.

“It wasn’t too bad,” said Abe. “I was looking at the weather, and it was gonna be six- to seven-foot swells.

Martha’s Vineyard tide table

6/4/2026Thu3:18 AMH

6/4/2026Thu9:06 AML

6/4/2026Thu 4:18 PM H

6/4/2026Thu9:12 PML

6/5/2026Fri1:12 AMH

6/5/2026Fri 10:00 AM L

6/5/2026Fri5:06 PMH

6/5/2026Fri 10:06 PM L

6/6/2026Sat2:00 AMH

6/6/2026Sat10:48 AML

6/6/2026Sat5:48 PMH

6/6/2026Sat11:00 PML

6/7/2026Sun2:48 AMH

6/7/2026Sun11:30 AML

6/7/2026Sun6:30 PMH

6/7/2026Sun11:48 PML

6/8/2026Mon3:36 AMH

6/8/2026Mon12:12 PML

6/8/2026Mon7:12 PMH

6/9/2026 Tue 12:42 AML

6/9/2026

6/9/2026

6/9/2026

6/10/2026

6/10/2026

6/10/2026

6/10/2026

Gay Head

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Then it dropped to three-, four-foot swells. We ended up with no swell.”

While most people were looking for spots out of the wind, Abe knew his plan. “I went to the same spot I’ve been fishing for 15 years.

The conditions matter. The tide matters, but there’s usually always fish there,” said Abe, who was hoping, and had stated so on Facebook, that his teammate Jared Stobie would win this year.

I asked Abe why he fishes. He’s a successful artist who not only works in multiple mediums, but he’s successful in every medium he works in. What is about fishing that draws him to the water day and night?

“I fish alone 95 percent of the time. Fishing frees my mind. I get away from the world. It frees my crazy ar-

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tistic brain,” said Abe, who donated a dozen or more prints as prizes for the tournament.

By the end of the award ceremony, at least half of the people there had won a raffle item or a plaque for something or other — first tournament, first time competing with spouse, mother/ daughter, mother/son, mother/daughter/son. Though the fish were scarce, the reasons to celebrate were abundant. Perhaps the weather will be better next year; perhaps there won’t be a full moon and very high tide; and perhaps the fish will show up hungry. One factor is a given: The fly-fishermen will return in early June. I plan to be among them. I hope to see you on the beach, and I hope the winds are in our favor.

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Vineyard Haven Harbor

LISA BELCASTRO

Abe Pieciak holds the fly he tied and used to catch the winning bass.

Take me out to the Shark Tank

The Martha’s Vineyard Sharks’ season starts this week, with one Islander on the roster. BY

The unmistakable crack of the sweet spot on a wooden bat filled the afternoon air on Tuesday at the Shark Tank as the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks held their first practice of the 2026 New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) season.

Eager to build on a strong championship run last summer, where the Sharks lost to the Keene SwampBats in the NECBL championship 16–7, the team is back with a fresh roster full of talented newcomers, including one proud Chilmark local.

A brief team meeting and thorough warm-up in the outfield, including elastic resistance-band movement, dynamic stretching, and a light toss to loosen up the arms, kicked off the Sharks’ first gathering at the diamond. The squad then split into two groups, some taking swings off a pitching machine while others threw in bullpen sessions. Players wasted no time showing off their pop during batting practice, launching bombs into the outfield and beyond.

As is typical for NECBL summer ball, rosters are made up of players from top Divi-

sion 1 baseball programs across the country, and every year, the mix of new faces seamlessly grows into a tightknit squad. At least that’s the goal, said Head Coach Payton Fuller after practice on Tuesday.

“It’s difficult,” said Fuller. “We’ve got 40 guys from 40 different schools, 40 different places, but they’re all here for the same reason — they want to get better, and they want to play … It helps them when they go back to school, and hopefully, one day move onto professional baseball.”

This year’s roster includes some returning players, including rising junior left fielder from Northeastern University Carter Bentley, lefthanded rising junior pitcher from Oberlin College Warner Gearhart, and rising junior center fielder Will Hampton from Vanderbilt University. For the players, summer ball can be the best part of the year.

“It’s a different format,” said Fuller. “You’re not in the classroom all week long. It’s pretty much just baseball, and the guys love that. This is a great spot to be. There’s a lot of stuff to do, and

it’s just a great opportunity for all these guys.”

One new player that locals and Sharks fans should keep an eye out for this season is Martha’s Vineyard native Bryan Sornas of Chilmark. Sornas is a rising sophomore infielder at Holy Cross University, and said coming home and playing for the Sharks is a lifelong dream.

“Ever since I committed to play college, it’s kind of been in the works,” said Sornas after practice on Tuesday. “They gave me the opportunity to play here, and now that I’m finally here, it’s gonna be a great summer.”

Sornas recalled being 11 years old, watching the Sharks back when they were part of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL) from 2010 to 2018. “I watched the organization grow,” said Sornas. Sornas, who played youth on the Island, credited local coaches and mentors like Gary Simmons, a former MVRHS baseball coach who was instrumental in constructing what is known to locals as the Vineyard Baseball Park in 2008.

“All those guys, including Russ [Curran] here too, gave

Undefeated girls’ tennis command state playoffs

The Martha’s Vineyard varsity girls’ tennis team has been in the spotlight over the past couple months for its undefeated season, and in the past week, the girls took another step in their playoff journey. They tacked two more wins onto their record after beating both Auburn High School and North Reading High School in their first two rounds of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic

Association (MIAA) playoffs. They’re now 18–0 as they head to quarterfinals.

Their next match will be determined by the winner of a game on Wednesday, after our print deadline, between Wilmington High School and Falmouth High School. At the earliest, the Vineyarders will play on Friday.

Last Thursday, the Vineyarders controlled the pace of play from the start of the sec-

ond round of playoffs against Auburn; the girls’ team bypassed the first round. At the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) Ned Fenessy Courts, Auburn put up solid volleys, but MVRHS athletes earned wins across the board in singles and doubles for a final 5–0 score.

The victory brought the girls’ undefeated record to 17–0.

“It was a good start to the tournament,” Vineyard Head

NICHOLAS VUKOTA

me the perfect opportunity and a pathway to follow to get to where I am today,” Sornas said.

He added that this summer ball season, he hopes to win the championship and keep improving every day. “I’m really excited. We’ve got a good group of guys here so far, so it should be a great year,” he said.

James Beasley, a rising sophomore pitcher from Princeton University, threw a bullpen session on the first day of practice and said the Sharks were his first choice for summer ball, and he’s excited to play on the Island.

“Martha’s Vineyard was my top choice,” Beasley said. “It was the team I reached out to first, and I was hoping to get here and play.”

Beasley’s goal for the season is to win a championship, but also to throw strikes and get outs.

“Hopefully we win the league,” said Beasley. “It seems like that’s pretty much the standard around here.

“I’m looking forward to the vibes, the people, the fans coming to the game, of course, and enjoying the beach and enjoying the community,” Beasley added.

Coach Bill Rigali said after the match. “Auburn’s got a nice team. They got the ball back in play, and our girls handled it well.”

Rigali had said that the next round, against No. 16–ranked North Reading High School, would be tough, but that the team was taking each round “one at a time.”

After the match last Thursday, Rigali said the girls just needed to keep playing their game by “mentally being prepared to play.”

And that they did.

In the third round of playoffs on Monday at home, the Vineyarders continued to charge through and defeated North Reading High School, 4–1. All the matches finished relatively quickly, besides the game played by the Vineyard’s senior captain Laina Dubin, who battled through two sets and a 10-point tiebreaker that lasted almost two hours, before losing the close match.

Assistant Coach Ed Stahl said the Vineyarders overall played well, and that despite the close loss for Dubin, who was playing through a knee injury she had picked up earlier in the match from a fall, her resilience had inspired the rest of the team, and her confidence is the key to moving forward.

“Overall, the girls play great,” said Stahl. “Today was a tough match for Laina, but I feel like she could have had that match, and I think she’s

Griffon Crain, a rising junior center fielder at University of Louisville, was assigned to the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks after his coach connected with Sharks General Manager Russ Curran. It’s his first time on the Island, and he said he looks forward to the Island atmosphere.

“I’ve heard the crowds are insane,” said Crain. “Summer ball is more of a fun environment, so I’m fired up to play in front of some people and have some fun games.”

As they enter the season, the Sharks play the Yankees’ scout team on Thursday at 5:15 pm at home. The Sharks’ first official home game of the season is on Friday at the Shark Tank at 6:35 pm against a league rival, the Mystic Schooners, who the Sharks beat in the semifinals of playoffs last season. They also play the Newport Gulls on Saturday at 7:05 pm, also at home.

“It’s a cool little deal,” Fuller said about the game against the Yankees’ scout team. “Before we actually play our first game, we see these guys out here, get them comfortable. I think a couple of our players from last year are playing on that team now, so it’ll be good to see them, too. But opening night, Friday night, I’m looking forward to it.”

Curran thanked the Island towns who’ve supported the major renovation project to address safety concerns and playing conditions at Vineyard Baseball Park, which was opened in 2008, at town meetings this spring. The project has so far raised $350,000 of its $500,000 goal, with renovations expected to begin in October. Donation links are set up around the stadium for fans who wish to help close the remaining funding gap.

feeling confident, and that’s what we need.”

Stahl added that the girls have a few things they are going to work on in the coming days before their next match, including honing the doubles chemistry and mentally preparing their singles players.

“For the doubles teams, they’re playing great. They got to keep working as a team and not play points individually out there, that’s important.

Tessa [Schultz] and Bella [Schilling] did that really well today,” he said after the match.

“As for the singles girls, they’re all playing great, and I feel like it’s just a matter of them believing that no matter what happens, they can do it.”

At the match on Monday, the Island’s Ned Fennessy Courts were swarmed by MVRHS and Vineyard Family Tennis friends, family, and

coaches. The Island’s tennis programs are as strong as they are, Stahl said, because of a dedicated network of family and community members that teach the sport to the Island’s youth.

“I’m just really happy the whole community came out,” said Stahl. “Everybody who comes adds a little something.”

Another Island team also had a playoff game Monday. The MVRHS varsity baseball team lost to Falmouth High School in Falmouth 1–0 at the bottom of the ninth and were eliminated from the playoffs. And the result of a Monday match between Newburyport and Nantucket boys’ tennis teams, which Newburyport won, means that MVRHS plays them away Wednesday at 4 pm, after our print deadline, in the round of 16.

The Vineyarders defeat Auburn and North Reading ahead of quarterfinals BY NICHOLAS VUKOTA

NICHOLAS VUKOTA Charlotte Marshard moves across the court for a return on Monday.

NICHOLAS VUKOTA

Martha’s Vineyard Sharks pitchers throwing bullpen at the first practice of the summer.

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2026

Colin Ruel’s elegy for a circle of Island life.

‘THE LIGHT IS RETURNING’

June is here, and with it comes the beginning of another Martha’s Vineyard summer. The ferries arrive a little fuller each day, Circuit Avenue begins buzzing late into the evening, and the Island starts to really feel the energy of the season. But beyond the return of the Island Queen ferry and the hum at Donovan’s Reef of blending Dirty Bananas, June on the Vineyard has also become a season of celebration rooted in something far deeper, as we honor LGBTQ Pride and Juneteenth all month long.

This year, Pride Month and Juneteenth once again bring a powerful lineup of events to Martha’s Vineyard, particularly in Oak Bluffs, a town whose history has long been tied to both Black cultural legacy and creative selfexpression. Together, these celebrations reflect the evolving spirit of the Island itself, which is increasingly intentional about honoring the communities that helped shape it. For many visitors, Martha’s Vineyard is associated with nostalgia and tradition. But some of the Island’s most meaningful traditions are those centered around progress and creating spaces where everyone should feel like they belong. Pride Month and Juneteenth both embody that spirit.

Over the past several years, Pride on Martha’s Vineyard has transformed into one of the Island’s most vibrant early summer celebrations. What began as a grassroots effort has evolved into a full weekend of parades, performances, parties, and community programming centered primarily in Oak Bluffs.

Pride and progress

June on Martha’s Vineyard: Celebrating Pride, Juneteenth, and community.

BY JENNA SYLVIA

This year’s Oak Bluffs Pride celebrations are expected to once again bring people together for a colorful and energetic weekend in June. Festivities kick off with parties and community gatherings throughout town before culminating in the annual Pride Parade through downtown Oak Bluffs on June 13.

The parade itself has quickly become one of the most visually joyful events of the Island summer season. Marchers, musicians, performers, local organizations, businesses, and community members gather near the Island Queen ferry terminal before making their way through Oak Bluffs along Seaview Avenue and Circuit Avenue before concluding in Ocean Park.

But behind the music, dancing, rainbow-covered storefronts, and packed sidewalks is an extraordinary amount of coordination and community effort.

For Sofie Green, director of the Oak Bluffs Association and organizer of Martha’s Vineyard Pride, the celebration represents far more than simply an event weekend.

“Hosting Pride in Oak Bluffs is deeply important to me, because I want queer people on the Island to feel seen, celebrated, and loved,” Green said. “I want LGBTQ Islanders, locals, and visitors to have a

weekend that truly represents our community and creates a sense of belonging and joy. I feel so grateful to be a part of creating that experience and watching the community come together each year.”

That sense of belonging is part of what makes Vineyard Pride feel unique. Unlike larger city Pride celebrations, Oak Bluffs Pride maintains an intimacy and warmth that feels distinctly Martha’s Vineyard. Businesses decorate storefronts with Pride flags, restaurants host themed events and cocktail specials, musicians perform throughout town, and Islanders of all ages participate.

“There’s so much that happens behind the scenes to make M.V. Pride come together each year,” Green explained. “It involves countless town meetings, regular planning sessions with our Pride committee, coordinating police escorts, organizing parade sign-ups, and managing all of the moving parts on Parade Day itself.”

In addition to organizing the parade and entertainment, Green and the Pride committee also work closely with Island organizations to create spaces focused on LGBTQ wellness, support, and community resources.

“We spend a lot of time sourcing

queer entertainment and working closely with organizations like Community Services and QueerHub on our incredible resource tent, which focuses on LGBTQ health, wellness, and support,” she said.

Fundraising also plays a major role in bringing Pride Weekend to life each year, though according to Green, the Island community consistently shows up in support.

“Honestly, that’s one of the easier parts, because this Island is so supportive and generous,” she said.

“Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, Yoga Barn, the Ritz, and CB Stark Jewelers have been incredibly generous donors year after year. We also offer an ‘Islanders Ally’ sponsorship tier for $275, and so many businesses from towns across the Island continue to sign up and show their support.”

Green emphasized that the event’s success is deeply collaborative. “I truly couldn’t do it without my Pride committee, the Oak Bluffs Association, the town of Oak Bluffs, and our police department,” she said. “Everyone works so hard together, and I really love that sense of community and collaboration.”

This year’s festivities will also include one of Pride Weekend’s most anticipated additions: a Drag Brunch, now hosted at

Black Joy Kitchen, with two seatings scheduled for Sunday, June 14, at 11 am and 2 pm.

Still, Green says the heart of M.V. Pride remains as the feeling people leave with after the weekend ends.

“I want people to feel happy, free, and connected during Pride,” she said. “I’ve heard people say it’s the happiest day in Oak Bluffs, and I honestly believe that. Parade Day especially has such incredible energy; everyone is smiling, laughing, dancing, and ‘kiki-ing’ around town together. If you haven’t experienced it yet, you’re truly missing out on something magical.”

That magic is perhaps what defines Pride on Martha’s Vineyard most clearly. Beyond the parties and performances, Pride Weekend has become an opportunity for the Island to actively demonstrate what hospitality and inclusivity can look like in practice, creating spaces where people feel welcomed exactly as they are.

Less than a week after Pride celebrations conclude, the Island shifts into another deeply meaningful period of reflection and celebration: Juneteenth. Across the country, the holiday honors Black freedom, resilience, creativity, and culture. On Martha’s Vineyard, Juneteenth carries particular significance.

Oak Bluffs has long served as one of the most historically important Black communities in the U.S. For generations, Black families built traditions here during a time when many vacation destinations remained segregated or inaccessible. The Vineyard became not simply a place of leisure, but a place

Dr. Lorna Chambers-Andrade addressed the crowd at the Tabernacle.

Community spirit was alive at the Juneteenth celebration at the Tabernacle.

Pride Parade participants in a festive mood despite the rain.

Lilly Rose Valore performed to Lady Gaga's "Abracadabra" for the crowd.

JEREMY DRIESEN

NICHOLAS VUKOTA

NICHOLAS VUKOTA

DENA PORTER

After 18 years as a resident of Vineyard Haven, Irish author Lara O’Brien returned to live in her hometown of Howth, a little fishing village north of Dublin. When she went, she took much of the Vineyard with her — nothing material, but a deep education earned through writing workshops and arts-based community building. That background has led to her recently becoming a best-selling author, who in turn nurtures other budding writers.

“Twenty years ago, I began prompt-writing in Nancy Aronie’s Chilmark Writing Workshop, which was a transformative experience. Then I joined John Hough Jr.’s writing workshops, and spent years learning about craft and storytelling by listening to others. I attended as many workshops and book conferences as I could at Noepe [Center for Literary Arts] while raising four kids. In 2016, I received my first grant

from the Martha’s Vineyard Cultural Council to host a writing workshop at Featherstone. That little acceptance allowed me to begin my own workshops,” O’Brien recently told me. She also attended Pathways’ winter series, at which writers present their work, reading at the microphone. From there, O’Brien became a board member on the Arts Council, representing Tisbury. She believes this was the education she needed to experi-

ence how a little encouragement goes a long way.

“The encouragement of my writing mentors and the financial nod from the Cultural Council gave me the wings to start my own writing workshop,” O’Brien explained.

Celebrating Our MVRHS Grads

Mike Joyce

Paying it forward and bringing it home.

BY MARGE HARRIS

Mike Joyce, class of 1986, had a good high school experience. He always felt it had a family feel about it, sort of a larger community. Both his mom and dad were in service occupations, dad in education and mom a nurse, and so Mike grew up feeling comfortable in a school environment. He also played three sports, and was in both Minnesingers and band. Going to college was expected in his family, so he attended Trinity College in Connecticut, where he majored in biology. He had always been drawn to science, and he figures that was influenced greatly by his love of and closeness to nature, growing up on Martha’s Vineyard.

At Trinity, Mike participated in an Upward Bound program. The Upward Bound program prepares low-

Author Lara O’Brien

From Ireland to the Vineyard and back.

BY ABBY REMER

though, as a policy, it had officially ended. Due to a lack of interracial socialization, students did not know one another due to separation by race, even though they sat next to each other in his class. It was a wake-up call for Mike, one that he would never forget. After a few years in North Carolina, he moved on to West Springfield, where he continued to teach.

income, first-generation high school students for college by offering academic tutoring, financial aid advice, college tours, and intensive summer programs, working in the Hartford public schools, getting much-needed experience in teaching. During the summers, he usually came home to the Island to work, earning money for his tuition. After graduation, he substituted in the Island schools for a year or so, but realized that if he was serious about teaching, he needed to get his teaching certification, and he did so through a master’s program at Westfield State.

However, Mike wanted to get experience beyond the Vineyard, so he ventured to the North Carolina public schools, where he would teach in a very poor school that was overcrowded, without needed resources or supplies. He also experienced segregation up close even

One spring break, he was visiting Martha’s Vineyard and bumped into Doug Herr, the assistant principal at MVRHS, who told him of a position in science that was opening. Mike applied, and has been teaching in the science department ever since — for more than 28 years. He has also coached basketball and golf for those years. Mike feels strongly that connecting with students outside the classroom as a coach or as a spectator at their events is an important aspect of creating rapport and a more meaningful relationship with the students. It has been a good fit for Mike, bringing his valuable teaching experience to us, and is a good fit for us having such an educator come home. Thanks Mike!

Marge Harris was a teacher at MVRHS for 27 years. You can contact her at margeharris@comcast.net. This column appears twice a month.

Then, on her return to Ireland in 2019, she started Howth Writing Workshops. It wasn’t long before her fledgling writers in Howth were writing to prompts and developing stories. They came back with her to the Vineyard on writing retreats — as well as to New York and Cork, Ireland — and flourished under her guidance. “They were completing memoirs and short stories,” she said. “Some even ventured into murder mystery.”

Looking around her hometown, O’Brien decided the stories generated in her workshops needed a home. Inspired by the Pathways winter reading series, she created “Hooks and Reels,” evenings of story and song, which supported emerging writers and local musicians. These events were immediately popular. “It’s a reminder of the age-old Irish tradition of gathering over storytelling,” says O’Brien.

Last month, O’Brien, who previously self-published the middle school novel “Chesca and the Spirit of Grace,” published her first nonfiction book, “The Power of the Prompt.” Buoyed by the enormous community she had created, the book sold quickly and went straight onto the Irish Times Bestseller list. “The Power of the Prompt” is both a memoir

and writing guide, full of evocative personal prompts, reflecting a particularly Celtic sensibility. Readers are encouraged to write, join, or start a workshop; those engaged with their local arts scene may be inspired to bring their community together under the traditional Irish banner of gathering for story and song.

“I couldn’t have dreamed the book would make such a splash,” she says, “but nearly 200 members of the community came out to rally for launch sales, and we had the best night. Stories, song, and a book launch! There was a lot of goodwill, nurtured from the Hooks and Reels event. People were delighted to now read about something they were part of growing,” O’Brien smiled.

Nicole Galland will be interviewing O’Brien at Stillpoint on Saturday, June 13, from 3 to 5 pm, about her remarkable journey, both personal and writerly, from Howth to the Vineyard and back. There will be music by Violet Southwick (cello and fiddle) and Aiden Weiland (fiddle and song), as well as stories by local authors Beth O'Connor and Sherry Sidoti. O’Brien will also be signing books on the porch of Edgartown Books on Sunday, June 14, from 2 to 4 pm.

COMMUNITY NOTES

‘Reimagining King Philip’s War’ King Philip’s War (1675–1678) is most commonly told through the lens of settler-colonials. “Reimagining King Philip’s War” will explore the war from a Wôpanâak/Wampanoag lens. Participants will delve into the historical forces that shaped this period — including Indigenous resistance to English encroachment, the role of colonial courts, and the broader regional and global context of the conflict.

Led by Aquinnah Wampanoag educator Brad Lopes, this program invites participants to reconsider familiar narratives and engage with history through Indigenous perspectives rooted in place. Brad Lopes is an Aquinnah Wampanoag citizen and life-

long educator working within the traditional homelands of the Wampanoag Nation. He serves as education manager for the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribal Education Department, and as education and outreach coordinator for the Aquinnah Cultural Center on Nôepe (Martha’s Vineyard).

June 10, 5 to 6 pm. Arrive early — join us at 4 pm in the First Light Café for drinks and light bites.

MVM members $15; nonmembers $25. Martha’s Vineyard Museum, 151 Lagoon Pond Road. Register at mvmuseum.org/registration-06-10-26.

Aquinnah Summer Solstice celebration

Celebrate summer solstice by listening to music and enjoying delicious bites

in Aquinnah. Music from Aquinnah performers, as well as Dave Willis and the Down Island Band. Treats from Cliffhangers, Aquila, and the Gay Head Store. Saturday, June 21, from 4 to 7 pm. Aquinnah Circle.

Island Autism fundraiser

Enjoy an evening of drinks and bites, and support autistic individuals on Martha’s Vineyard. With the Island community’s generosity, Island Autism is building futures, fostering independence, and strengthening community. The evening will include canapés, a silent auction, and live music. Cocktail attire encouraged.

Friday, June 19, 5 to 9 pm. 515 Lambert’s Cove Road, West Tisbury, islandautism.org/gala.

AISLING LEON

TOWN COLUMNS

Tisbury

By Taylor Stone tisburycolumnist@gmail.com

Iused to have a favorite tree in town. It would bloom these magical bunches of flowers that seemed to defy gravity, and I looked forward to welcoming it back to life every spring. I asked the internet what kind it was, and my treeloving network of friends answered: a chestnut tree. But just a few years later, it was cut down. Now walking up that incline of Spring Street, you pass a large stump instead. I can still feel its spirit when I pass by.

Then last week walking one street over on Center, I noticed another beautiful old chestnut blooming with pride. Flower petals strewn across the ground. Clearly there for many years as well, but in my love of its cousin on Spring I never even noticed it. I guess I now have a new favorite tree. Tomorrow, June 5, is the inaugural First Friday in Vineyard Haven for 2026. If you didn’t know, I’m one of the coordinators who make these events happen, so I am

Edgartown

By Marnely Murray marnely@gmail.com

First week of June, and once again I’m in shock. I just can’t seem to grasp how time moves so fast, and I’m not even on-Island as I type this. I’m in Madrid for my niece’s first communion, and back next week, which I know will be the biggest shock. Who leaves the Island Memorial Day weekend and comes back in June? Me, a self-proclaimed recovering hospitality worker who never had MDW off for more than a decade. Thankfully, that life is no longer mine.

But enough about me. Can we talk about John Merrow and how he’s turning 85 next month? He will once again be "biking his age" to raise funds for the Island Housing Trust. He’s managed to do this for the past 15 years, which is de-

nervously anticipating the chaotic force that comes with “the first event of the season.”

You can expect the Daytime Market to return to Beach Street Extension, with accompanying live music from 10 am to 2 pm. Businesses along Main Street will be offering sidewalk sales, with music and other surprises peppered through the afternoon. Then, the portion in Owen Park begins with raising the Pride Flag at 4:45 pm, before the celebration begins in full at 5 pm: food

vendors open for business, a market with activities on the hill, and live music on the beach until switching to a Silent DJ Party around 9 pm. I’m particularly looking forward to the community seeing the brand-new dock, finished just in time for its summer debut. We’re welcoming back the Tisbury Firefighters Association as a food vendor this month, and our June tie-dye is returning as usual too. Bring your own items, or buy a new 2026 First Friday T shirt to dye right in the park.

Full details, music lineup, food and artist vendors, and more at firstfridayvh.com.

After the Memorial Day Picnic was canceled due to weather, this is a great opportunity for locals and visitors alike to enjoy Tisbury at the start of the season.

In tick news, the Vineyard Haven library is hosting an expert panel: 6 pm at the Katharine Cornell Theatre on Tuesday, June 9. In collaboration with the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, expect answers to all sorts of tick-themed

We’re welcoming back the Tisbury Firefighters Association as a food vendor this month, and our June tie-dye is returning as usual too.

serving of a round of applause right there. He emailed asking me to put this in the column because he would be happy to have others join him for the ride, or some part of it. A text to 646-373-3034 will make the connection, as will email to john.merrow@gmail. com. The absolute best birthday present you can give him is a tax-deductible contribution of $85 to IHT. You can do it online at ihtmv.org/donate, or you can mail a check directly to Island Housing Trust, P.O. Box 779, West Tis-

bury, MA 02575. Good luck, John, I’ll be rooting for you! News from Chappy: Roberta Miceli let me know that they have morning and afternoon tee times available for the third annual Chappy Classic Golf Tournament on Saturday, June 20. Tee off at 10 am or 1 pm to qualify for prizes, have fun, and play on the best golf course on Chappy! Lunch is provided, and top teams will compete in a playoff at 3:30 pm. Go to chappycommunitycenter. org/golf-tournament to

Can we talk about John Merrow and how he’s turning 85 next month? He will once again be "biking his age" to raise funds for the Island Housing Trust.

Oak Bluffs

By Joanne Lambert joannelamber@gmail.com

“The demand for equal rights in every vocation of life is just and fair; but, after all, the most vital right is the right to love and be loved.”

–Emma Goldman

June is Pride Month, a time to honor the right to love. So many came before and fought the battle for freedom and equal rights, and the battle continues today. We take the

time to celebrate our LGBTQ community, and Oak Bluffs will have a weekend full of celebrations to bring people together over June 12 to 14. The Pride Parade is on Saturday, starting at the harbor, winding joyously through town and landing in Ocean Park for a party with music and guest speakers. The Red Cat will be hosting the Drag Brunch on Sunday, always a sell-out. O.B. Library Book

Drive is on June 6. Please donate your books in GOOD to EXCELLENT condition from 11 am to 2 pm. This will be the last drive before the book sale, July 23 to 25. If you cannot make it, you can bring up to 12 books to the library during regular hours or schedule larger donations at libraryfriendsob@gmail.com.

The first West Tisbury summer Farmers Market is Saturday, June 6! Support local farmers and food vendors, get some plants for your garden, flowers for your house, and grab some

Stony Hill pizza, plus everyone’s favorite pierogis and egg rolls!

Music in the Park on Sunday, June 7 features the BlackEyed Susans from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Bring your chairs and your dancing shoes!

Nomans is in full swing, with music almost every night from 6 to 9 pm. Check out the schedule at nomansmv.com.

Circuit Arts has launched its year-round live music series. The next performance at the Strand will be June 12, featuring recording artist

sign up, or contact Tina Humber-Floyd at chappyccenter@gmail.com.

On a similar note, because I know how much caddies love grabbing a seat at the bar at Town Bar & Grill, I should let everyone else know that it’s my second season as menu consultant for them, and we just launched the spring and summer 2026 menu. I may have sworn I would never go back into the kitchen. But as a consultant who shows up for a few days of menu development and launch dates? I don’t hate it. The best part of this is that every dish is something I love and want to eat. I love them all equally (Is this what having kids feels like?). But if I absolutely must pick favorites: the whipped feta with hot honey, the chicken katsu sandwich, the chili crisp riga-

Emily King at 8 pm. There will be more shows there, and also at the Grange Hall and M.V. Playhouse. See the schedule, and check out the summer Drive-In Movie list, at circuitarts.org. The life of Marcelle BenDavid will be honored with a funeral Mass on Saturday, June 6, at St. Augustine’s Church at 10 am, followed by an evening gathering at Menemsha Beach at 6 pm.

The community is invited to join the family to remember and celebrate her life.

Happy birthday to Bert

O.B. Library Book Drive is on June 6. Please donate your books in GOOD to EXCELLENT condition from 11 am to 2 pm. This will be the last drive before the book sale.

questions including preventing bites, seeking medical treatment, alpha-gal syndrome, community action, and new research efforts. Very happy birthday wishes go out to Abby Bender on June 6, and Leandra Seward on June 7: I hope both of you celebrate with much dancing and merriness by all. Do you have something you want shared in a future Tisbury column? Email me at tisburycolumnist@gmail. com with your own stories of our town, favorite memories from Kay’s past columns, and anything coming up that you want spotlighted here. I certainly don’t want to miss anyone’s rightful “big bunches of birthday balloons,” or the next best event not to be missed in our corner of the Island.

toni alla vodka with Parmesan basil crunchies, the Peruvian chicken with fried yuca, and the swordfish piccata. I cannot pick just one, I refuse. Go try it out, and email me at marnely@gmail.com any feedback! I’d love to hear about your Town experiences and share with their team. Hoping everyone here has a delicious and relaxing birthday: Meg Mercier, artist extraordinaire, who has supported so many local charities with her masterpieces, celebrates her birthday on Wednesday, June 3; she was born on 6/3/63! Happy 63rd, Meg; celebrate your special day! Kate Conde Foster (June 4), Margery Meltzer (June 5), Joan Hawkins Burden (June 9), and Joshua Robinson White (June 10)! Cheers to you all!

Combra on June 4! Dolores Borza and Laura Hayden celebrate on June 5. On the 6th we send birthday hugs to Sandi Santinello, Jennifer Robinson, and Amelie Loyott. June 7 is the day to celebrate Janet Howard, Ray Moreis, Leandra Seward, and Zoe Thompson. On June 8, we send many happy returns across the water to expat Jude Sanches! Jude shares the day with Scott Robinson, Bob Murphy, Alan Slatas, and Frank Lloyd Wright. Balloons go to Brie Sylvia Olender on June 9. Michael J. Fox and Brooke Leahy also celebrate on the 9th. Lisa Williston celebrates on the 10th, along with Maggie Pacheco, Haley Hines, and Sasha Obama — AND happy anniversary to Will and Sue deBettencourt! Send me your news!

A Monthly Newsletter from your local Councils on Aging and the Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living

Samuel Borzan Brito

Graciela Brito and Fabio Brito of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a son, Samuel Borzan Brito, on May 30, 2026, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Samuel weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces.

TOWN COLUMNS

Chilmark

By Claire Ganz cganz@live.com

It is a pleasure to receive emails. Larry Weiss sends news that grandson Tanner Weiss of Andover and Chilmark graduated Friday from Lawrence Academy in Groton. Tanner will be working at the FARM Institute in Edgartown this summer before heading to George Washington University in D.C. in the fall. Congratulations. I graduated from GWU, and appreciated the breadth and depth of the offerings by professors and instructors

who were actively involved in the application of knowledge and explicitly taught us to listen and learn, question and challenge assumptions, and seek to better understand — appreciating everything is evolving, and

improvements come when we stand on knowledge as the base from which we will learn more.

The instructor who first opened my eyes and gave me a strong foundation was Phil Wirth. It is a pleasure to notice he is currently professor of decision sciences and of psychological brain sciences at the GWU School of Business.

Soon the softball games will resume.

The water and waves are calling, and so is the land.

Thank you to Polly Simpkins for brightening the winter and spring by offering her Cup of Karma at Stillpoint. Thanks to Albert Fischer for sharing your stories from the hysterical interaction with a cat, to the historic checking a house after a blizzard and finding the the door had blown off and drifts covered the couch and TV (“worst caretaker ever”); this winter my own storm door was ripped off its hinges.

Polly’s next Cup of Karma event at Stillpoint will be Au-

School is almost out, and the Tabernacle will host students and families on Friday for the awarding of prizes and scholarships; Sunday is graduation.

West Tisbury

By Hermine Hull hermine.hull@gmail.com

Iam writing on an early morning, looking out at our rain-washed woods. It has been raining on and off for days, and the thick greenery has the appearance of stones or seashells in a glass jar full of water, their colors brighter than when left to dry.

Last week, on an afternoon when it wasn’t raining, Kathy Logue and I sat on the deck of her family house in Chilmark, eating our sandwiches, and looking at the view. The marshes were golden, with watery rivulets cutting dark channels in and out of the marsh grass. The shapes of trees in the hedgerow and the sloping lawn leading out to Chilmark Pond were comfortable

views, familiar sites of parties and paintings and long friendship.

Of course, our conversation touched on the political state of our country. I commented that it is difficult to w rite a weekly column, deciding whether to mention it or not. Here we are in our peaceful lives. I write about lovely gardens, town events, visits with friends, house repairs, good books, and good art. If I never read a newspaper, or watched television news, life would feel much as it always has.

Then a father and son were taken off a fishing boat by dreaded ICE. Right here at our Island. There was outrage, and demonstrations

with placards called for their return. Thankfully, they are safely home, but tens of thousands of families, rightly or wrongly, have vanished across the country. The U.S. government has sent people to camps of questionable safety and care, traumatized adults and children, terrorized neighborhoods, and obscured any information about their actions.

I went on and on in this vein for several outraged paragraphs that I have since deleted. I will only say that every day brings some new cruelty, example of venality, and inour-face destruction of whatever we grew up believing

were our limits, and values. Stupid tariffs and policies have made everything more and more expensive. I watched a so-called economic advisor this morning say that the economy is humming, evident because people are spending more on their credit cards. Forgive me for keeping the following paragraph in; it’s too ridiculous to delete: We can no longer rely on our government, institutions, or news media for trustworthy facts. Anyone who remembers Kelly Ann Conway’s statement about “alternative facts,” made in the president’s first administration, is watch-

gust 9, honoring three magnificent creative visionaries, Kate Taylor, Susie Middleton, and Margot Datz, who tell stories of those who inspired their creative journeys. Polly is also a DJ on WMVY, Saturdays, 6 am to noon, and Sundays, 11 am to 3 pm.

Beach passes go on sale this week.

Coast Guard Station Menemsha changed command last week. Congratulations, Chief Tyler Vanderhaden. We are thrilled for us and happy for his family. It is rare and wonderful to have someone from the station promoted to the top. Nick Sedberry’s promotion and next venture is in Washington, D.C.

I hope we can say every town voted for the renovation of the high school.

ing the apotheosis of this nuttiness in every press conference or post. Now, back to West Tisbury: The Farmers Market opens for the season this Saturday, June 6, and Wednesday, June 10, 9 am to noon, at the Ag Hall. There will be an artist’s reception honoring Linda Zeigler at the West Tisbury library this Friday afternoon, June 5, from 3 to 4 pm. Her monoprints, pastels, and paintings will be on view through June. On Saturday, model railroad enthusiasts will meet at 3 pm, and Emergency Management Director Jennelle Gad-

There will be an artist’s reception honoring Linda Zeigler at the West Tisbury library on Friday, June 5, from 3 to 4 pm. Her monoprints, pastels, and paintings will be on view through June.

School is almost out, and the Tabernacle will host students and families on Friday for the awarding of prizes and scholarships; Sunday is graduation. The new bus shelter at the Cliffs in Aquinnah is magnificent. It was funded by t he Martha’s Vineyard Transit Authority, built by Tim Larson, and championed by Jay Macleod. Congratulations to Molly Conole and Mark Alan Lovewell on the release of your new CD, “Home, Land and Sea.” They live up to their “making music, sharing joy.” To find out more and to book them for your next fun event, contact Molly Conole at 407-376-5273, or Mark Alan Lovewell at 508-560-0747. Email molly@ mollyandmark.com.

owski will present another program in her series on “Community Preparedness” at 3:30 pm. Writers Read will meet Monday evening at 7 pm, both in person and on Zoom; preregister at gaia1muse@gmail.com. Book buddies will meet Thursday afternoon at 3:30 pm; at 4:30, former Vineyard teacher Judith Bailow Hemphill w ill discuss her new book, “Teaching: The Inside Story: Why Is Educating Our Children So Complicated and Controversial?”

Our town picnic this year will be on Saturday, June 13, from noon to 2 pm. It will be held at the Grange Hall, with the option to go inside if it is raining. Bring your picnic lunch, and a blanket or chairs. There will be games, music, horse and carriage rides, and friends to share the time with. Come and enjoy.

Celebrate the mostly good weather and the calm before July.

MVRHS: Art, awards, and graduation

Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) announces a number of upcoming spring events. Members of the public are welcome to these celebrations of student achievement and creativity.

CLASS NIGHT

Class Night takes place on Friday, June 5, and runs from 6 to 9 pm, at the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs. Class Night honors graduating seniors who are receiving local scholarship awards. Students in this year’s graduating class have received more than 400 scholarships, with the total amount to be determined. Each year, each scholarship awarded is an

investment that creates an opportunity for a student.

GRADUATION

MVRHS celebrates its 67th commencement on Sunday, June 7, honoring the class of 2026 at the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs. The ceremony begins promptly at 1:30 pm, and seating will open at 12:30 pm. Guests are asked not to arrive before that time. To help ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone, saving seats prior to 12:30 pm is prohibited. We look forward to celebrating this exciting milestone with our graduates, families, and friends.

All graduation information, updates, and details can be found on the MVRHS website at mvrhs.org/mvrhsgraduation.

Circuit Arts presents Emily King

Circuit Arts is expanding its focus on live music with a new, year-round, Island-wide series that brings performances into a range of venues and community spaces. Four-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Emily King brings her unmistakable silky vocals to the Strand Theatre. Born and raised on New York City’s Lower East Side, King began her career in Greenwich Village before being signed by Clive Davis at just 19 years old. Since then, she has built a celebrated career defined by genre-blending artistry and critically acclaimed songwriting. King has toured interna-

tionally and collaborated with artists including Norah Jones, Jacob Collier, Robert Glasper, and Jon Batiste. Her albums “Seven,” “The Switch,” and “Special Occasion” have earned widespread acclaim, including a Grammy nomination for Best R and B Album. She continues to evolve her sound through her independent label while captivating audiences worldwide.

Friday, June 12, at 8 pm. Strand Theatre, Oak Bluffs. Tickets: $45 in advance, $50 day of.

Tickets and more information are available at circuitarts.org/emilyking. More information about Emily King can be found at emilykingmusic.com/info.

By Kathie Olsen aquinnahcolumn@gmail.com

Kathie's column will return next week.

War in the time of war

Four years ago, Circuit Arts began an experiment called Locals: an off-season weekend for local performing artists to try out new projects in front of a friendly audience. Most of the participants were creating material from scratch. But

Lagan Love, directed by Kather-

The Grapevine

Continued from B2

of cultural preservation, entrepreneurship, artistry, and communitybuilding. That history remains deeply woven into the Island today, and Juneteenth celebrations across Martha’s Vineyard continue to reflect both remembrance and joy.

This year’s Juneteenth programming spans multiple days and includes concerts, educational events, panel discussions, family programming, church services, cultural festivals, and community gatherings.

One of the weekend’s central events will be the Juneteenth Jubilee Freedom and Joy Cultural Festival at Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs on June 20. Organizers describe the event as a day dedicated to “trailblazing stories, inspiring music, and special guests,” continuing a tradition that has become one of the Vineyard’s signature Juneteenth gatherings.

play a third time, now on the Patricia Neal Stage at the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse. “I love that this was a piece brought to us by a member of our local theater community and that we’ve been able to shepherd it from just an idea, through the process of trying it out, to it coming to full fruition as a mainstage production,” says Brooke Hardman Ditchfield, artistic director of the Playhouse. “That’s what I hoped Locals would facilitate when we began it.”

The character in “An Iliad” is a quasi-immortal poet, tasked with telling the wrenching, all-consuming story of the Trojan War. Tasked, more specifically, with repeatedly telling the story of the Trojan War for as long as humankind conducts warfare. As the beleaguered poet makes plain, all wars, in a sense, are the Trojan War.

tion at Locals was, ‘Well, when are you going to do the rest?’ It took a minute before [local theater-maker, dancer, and comedian] Abby Bender went to bat for us to make it happen [at the Grange last year]. It took me the time between Locals and the show to memorize the script. That was two years.”

The script is compelling, and Love is compulsively watchable.

Additionally, the storytelling is enhanced by a haunting soundscape.

“The music is a huge element in the play,” says Love. “It is the personification of this muse that he calls upon for inspiration, in that ancient Greek tradition of ‘singing the tale.’”

There is an intricate interplay between sounds and words. The play’s professional debut, with

ine Reid, did an excerpt from a preexisting play: “An Iliad,” by Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare. The 20-minute performance made such a powerful impression that two years later, Circuit Arts gave Love and Reid the stage upstairs at the Grange to do the whole play. It received standing ovations.

This weekend, “An Iliad” will

Camp Meeting Association grounds on June 19, as well as a Juneteenth church service at Union Chapel on June 21 featuring the Rev. Willie Bodrick II of Boston’s Twelfth Baptist Church. Following the service, attendees will participate in the annual Walk to Water Ceremony from Union Chapel to Inkwell Beach.

The Walk to Water Ceremony feels especially meaningful on

Love is a longtime admirer of the play: “Fifteen years ago, I had the privilege of seeing the debut performed by [co-writer] Denis O’Hare, and also Stephen Spinella — they did it in tandem. It really stuck with me. It was the most singular thing I had seen, and it became a question of: Can I do that? Am I capable of climbing that mountain? And it stayed in the background until Locals came up. Then the idea occurred: Well, what if I did a section of it? If I can do a part, maybe I can do the whole. I wanted company along the way. Katherine and I had worked together a few times, and she’s one of my favorite collaborators. We volley back and forth well. And she has a great love of Greek mythology. She had some doubts about, funnily enough, being a woman offering a perspective that is so about the boys who go to work. But Lisa Peterson, the co-writer, is also a woman.”

Love stresses that this one-person show is not a solo journey. “Katherine really did push me to the height that that play requires. So the reac-

hold a celebration in honor of Juneteenth on the 19th, featuring games by the Lazy Frog, kayak and paddleboarding by Island Spirit Kayak, and, according to organizer Kathleen Crowley, “family fun and community celebration for all.”

Educational and family-focused programming plays a major role in the Vineyard’s Juneteenth celebrations. The Oak Bluffs library will host Juneteenth crafting events, chil-

“I think the play does a lot to humanize what people at war feel and go through, and really, to tell the story of people who don’t come home, or do come home very changed.”

–LAGAN LOVE

O’Hare and Spinella, had a live bass player in the rafters, which may have made it easier to get the timing right than relying on technology. But, Love says, “for our purposes, we’re using a recorded soundtrack. My muse is Leandra Seward [in the stage manager’s booth], who presses the button when I need her to.” Otherwise,

featuring Boston-based R&B singersongwriter Andrew Sue Wing performing on the library lawn. Music remains a central part of the celebration. The NAACP’s Martha’s Vineyard branch will hold the Taste of Juneteenth on the 21st at the Portuguese-American Club. Held in honor of Black culture, cuisine, and celebration, the event will feature music while showcasing the talents of local black chefs.

the play is largely free of theatrical flourishes. “It’s about the text and the challenge of not having a lot to work with, and still telling the story anyway,” says Love. Love’s father is a Vietnam war veteran, which was a contributing factor in her interest in doing the play. “It was sort of a way to understand him more — that was always in the background, and he was tightlipped about it. But I was touched, because I asked if I could interview him as part of the process, and he agreed, and I got to learn exactly what it was that he went through,” she says. “He lost a very dear friend; it’s a bit of an understatement to say he went through a lot. I think the play does a lot to humanize what people at war feel and go through, and really, to tell the story of people who don’t come home, or do come home very changed. And it’s a play that, unfortunately, continues to be very relevant.”

It is so painfully relevant, in fact, that one of the most cited parts of the script requires a footnote. The poet begins to recite a list of wars, beginning in ancient Sumera and going through the present day. Because “the present day” is not static, the footnote empowers the actor to add new wars as they arise. Love’s list is already longer than it was a year ago.

“An Iliad” takes the audience down into deep places of grief, loss, and longing. But it also lifts them up. To Love, the most important takeaway is, “Catharsis. It is a chance to gather as a community and grieve and laugh, and perhaps even hopefully become inspired to action.”

“An Iliad” plays at the M.V. Playhouse June 11 to 14, Thursday through Saturday at 7, Sunday matinee at 2 pm. Running time is 90 minutes. Pay what you can, with a suggested donation of $30. 24 Church St., Vineyard Haven, circuitarts.org/iliad.

surrounding freedom, visibility, and belonging.

Martha’s Vineyard, where

itself carries

cultural and historical importance within the

tions,

The weekend’s programming also includes a Juneteenth flagraising at the Martha’s Vineyard

For

and a

of

belonging on the Island.

The historic beach will also

dren’s activities, and the Marie B. Allen Juneteenth Creative Arts Contest awards ceremony, where Island students in grades seven through 12 are invited to explore the theme “What freedom looks like, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, the Edgartown library will host a Juneteenth concert

What makes Juneteenth on Martha’s Vineyard feel particularly special is the balance between celebration and education. The events are joyful — filled with music, art, food, storytelling, and gathering — but they also encourage reflection on the Island’s own history and the broader ongoing conversations

Inclusivity and the power of gathering with intention are two ways Pride and Juneteenth are connected. This month serves as a reminder that Martha’s Vineyard’s significance stretches far beyond its postcard-perfect charm — beyond the hydrangeas, harbor views, and ice-cream cones — rooted instead in the people, histories, and communities that continue to shape the Island culture.

The moments created by the events this month represent the true meaning behind who we are and how far we have come. They remind us that joy can be meaningful, visibility matters, and hospitality is about more than aesthetics or tourism.

And perhaps especially now, during a time when so many people feel isolated, overwhelmed, or disconnected, spaces built around community feel more important than ever. They remind us that the communities who shaped this Island deserve to be celebrated not just historically, but actively and visibly in the present day.

Inkwell Beach

deep

Black community.

genera-

the beach has served as both a gathering place

symbol

Black joy, resilience, and

The timeless monologue, “An Iliad,” returns to Circuit Arts. BY NICOLE GALLAND

A queen puts on a display in the Pride Parade.

Jamie Harris read a poem about staying strong in the face of hard times and fighting for what's right.

JEREMY DRIESEN

NICHOLAS VUKOTA

Lagan Love DANIELLE MULCAHY

Event spotlight for the week of 6•5 — 6•11

FRI 6/05 SUN 6/07

Art reception for Linda Ziegler

Linda Ziegler's work will be displayed in the West Tisbury library’s Community Room throughout the month of June. The exhibit, “Looking Back, Moving Forward,” is a retrospective featuring past work in monoprints, pastels, and plein air oil paintings, as well as current work in acrylics. From 3 to 4 pm, West Tisbury library, 1042 State Road.

SAT 6/06

‘Sourdough Baguettes for Beginners’

Join Teri Culetto, the Vineyard Baker, for a hands-on class focused on making sourdough baguettes. You’ll learn shaping techniques, and how to form freehand baguettes. Teri will guide you through the sourdough process — from mixing and fermentation to maintaining and feeding your starter. Each participant will leave with a baguette and their own sourdough starter. Preregistration is required for all FARM Institute cooking classes. Please contact Lindsay with any allergy or

food restriction questions at lbrown@thetrustees.org, and/or if you would like to attend but are unable to pay. Class is $40 for members, $50 for nonmembers, 10 am to noon. FARM Institute, 14 Aero Ave., Edgartown. Register at thetrustees.org/ event/447559.

Brunch & Bouquets with Fire Cat Farm

Join Fire Cat Farm at the Pawnee House for an afternoon of flowers and food.

Create your own bouquet and enjoy a four-course brunch prepared by Chef Debbie, with wine pairings by Currently Wine Co. There will also be a special appearance from Top Shell Oyster Farm.

From noon to 2 pm. 20 Kennebec Ave., # H, Oak Bluffs. Reservations: thepawneehousemv.com /reservations.

TUES 6/09 MON 6/08 WED 6/10

Writers Read

WM.V. Shellfish Group 50th Anniversary

Community Potluck Pride Dinner

riters Read, led by Niki Patton, features community members reading short original prose pieces. Both fiction and nonfiction are welcome. Each reader is allotted eight minutes. A critique is optional. Free and open to the public. Email Niki to be a reader or listener at this event, and to learn if the group is meeting at the library or online via Zoom: gaia1muse@ gmail.com. 7 pm, West Tisbury library, 1042 State Road, West Tisbury.

THURSDAY, JUNE 4

Virtual Kripalu Flow Yoga

7:30 am, West Tisbury Library. On Zoom with Yogijay. Sign up for free by emailing wt_mail@clamsnet.org. 508-693-3366, wt_mail@clamsnet.org. Mindfulness & Meditation

Open Practice Group

8-9 am, Aquinnah Town Hall. Mindfulness & meditation practice group, open to anyone interested in being more intentional and practicing with others. 413-575-0110, ruthfolchman@me.com.

Kaiut Yoga

8:30-9:30 am, Peaked Hill Studio, Chilmark. Kaiut Yoga works through chronic pain and injuries, general aches and stiffness, and is good for the inflexible, hyper flexible and the aging body. 774-563-8282, valerie@peakedhillstudio.com.

Balletics

9-10 am, Up Island Council on Aging, West Tisbury. Total body conditioning, learning body’s strengths & weaknesses, how to prevent injury. coa-staff@ westtisbury-ma.gov, 508-693-2896.

Kayak & Stand Up Paddle Board Quest

9 am-3:30 pm, Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, Edgartown. Enjoy Sengekontacket on this self-guided kayak tour. Clues lead you through the pond. Call to reserve for up to 3 hours; returning the boats by 3:30. 508-627-4850, felixneck@massaudubon.org. Alida O’Loughlin Photography 9 am-5 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Community Television, Oak Bluffs. The Show, “Forms, Shapes and Patterns” allows for many sights unseen in Nature and in Daily Life. 508-560-2648, alidamv@comcast.net.

Exhibit: Margot Datz: Recreator 10 am-3 pm, THE CARNEGIE HERITAGE CENTER, Edgartown. This exhibition highlights the creative process of muralist Margot Datz, whose work transformed the Old Whaling Church and Flying Horses Carousel. 774-549-9107, THECARNEGIE@mvpreservation.org.

Seaweed art

11 am-5 pm, Aquinnah Seaweed Art Gallery. Colorful, natural seaweed art made on handmade paper by local artist Corinna Kaufman. Victorian art form. Open till 7/15. Private showings available. ken@newlivingexpo.com.

Celebrate the M.V. Shellfish Group's 50th anniversary. Enjoy treats, beverages, displays, and demonstrations. Additionally,

see the short eight-minute film celebrating MVSG's 50 years of impact on the island. Free, 5 to 7 pm, Grange Hall, 1067 State Road, West Tisbury.

Events

Tech help

11 am-1 pm, Up Island Council on Aging, West Tisbury. Free tach help 508-6932896, coa-staff@westtisbury-ma.gov. Family Yoga Play 11-11:30 am, West Tisbury Library. Playful, fun yoga for littles & their caregivers. Rec. for ages 0-5! Free and no registration needed. 508-693-3366, hburbidge@clamsnet.org. Spring Spectacular Show

11 am-4 pm, Louisa Gould Gallery, Vineyard Haven. Annual Spring Group Show: Sean Roach, Christie Scheele, Teek Eaton-Koch, Juliean Jarreau, and Paul Beebe. 508693-7373, louisa.gould@gmail.com.

Tick Talk Thursdays: Community Q&A with the Martha’s Vineyard Tick Program 12-1 pm, Vineyard Haven Public Library. Open office hours: ask questions, share experiences, and learn more about ticks and tick-borne diseases. Register on VH Library event calendar. 508-696-4211, vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org. Red Dragon Mah-Jong 1-3 pm, Oak Bluffs Library. Come join us for a fun weekly Mah-jong meetup! Bring your board or use one of ours, subject to availability. 508-693-9433, cphelan@clamsnet.org.

Community Knitting Circle 1-3 pm, Chilmark Library. A relaxed afternoon of knitting in the Martha’s Vineyard Room. Our knitters love to share their knowledge and beginners are welcome! 508-645-3360, chil.programs@gmail.com. Chair Yoga

2:30-3:30 pm, Up Island Council on Aging, West Tisbury. Chair Yoga 508-693-2896, coa-staff@westtisbury-ma.gov. Wings of Fire Book Club

2:45-3:30 pm, Edgartown Library. Come read and discuss the Wings of Fire books with other kids who love the series! 508-6274221, programs@edgartownlibrary.org. Lego and Magna-tile Club 3-5 pm, Oak Bluffs Library. Drop in anytime between 3 to 5pm. For kids ages 5-11. Duplos, Magna-tiles, and a huge quantity of legos will be provided. 508-693-9433, mlynch@clamsnet.org. Tick Talk: Tick Center Info Session with MV Medical 3-4 pm, Edgartown Library. Join us for an informational presentation with Martha’s Vineyard Medical 508-627-4221, programs@edgartownlibrary.org.

Attend the fourth annual Community Potluck Pride Dinner. Everyone is welcome, especially our LGBTQ community members, as well as friends, allies, or supporters of the LGBTQ community. Seating is limited. Please RSVP to fccowtpride@gmail.com by Friday, June 5, with the number in your party, any dietary needs, and what you'd like to bring. Food that is gluten-free, alphagal friendly, and vegan is especially appreciated. Free (donations accepted), 6 to 8 pm. First Congregational Church, 1051 State Road, West Tisbury, wtcongregationalchurch.org.

Ukulele Jam

3:30-5 pm, West Tisbury Library. All ages and abilities. The library has ukuleles to borrow, or bring a guitar or banjo, or come to sing. wt_mail@clamsnet.org, 508-693-3366.

The Giving Garden: Summer Tour, Taste, and Take-Home with Roxanne Kapitan 4-5:30 pm, MV Public Charter School, West Tisbury. Learn how to turn your backyard into a food forest! 508-6939549, programs@mvagsoc.org.

Anime and Manga Club 4-5 pm, Oak Bluffs Library. For kids and tweens is grades 4th-7th Come talk about your favorite anime and manga! Draw and snack. Take a look at our manga collection. 508-693-9433, mlynch@clamsnet.org.

Table Tennis

5 pm, Tisbury Senior Center, Vineyard Haven. Table tennis for all ages and skill levels. 508-728-5898, raeobmv@gmail.com. Pilates Flow with Camille Beauzile 5:30-6:30 pm, Stillpoint, West Tisbury. This upbeat Pilates class blends preventative medicine, mind-over-matter focus, and joyful movement info@stillpointmv.org.

Remember the 90s Bingo 6:15-7 pm, Oak Bluffs Library. Remember the 90s Bingo! 508-6939433, cphelan@clamsnet.org.

Jazz at Sweet Life with Jeremy Berlin

6:30-8:30 pm, Sweet Life, Oak Bluffs. Jeremy Berlin plays jazz piano every Thursday at the Sweet Life starting at 6:30 617-835-3756, emhaggerty@gmail.com. Live Blues Trio at The Pawnee House on Thursday Nights from 6:30–8:30 PM 6:30-8:30 pm, The Pawnee House, Oak Bluffs. Live Blues Trio at The Pawnee House Every Thursday Night from 6:30–8:30 PM 508-338-2770, thepawneemv@gmail.com. MV Sound Series at the Strand Theatre 7:30-10:30 pm, Strand Theatre, Oak Bluffs. Martha’s Vineyard Sound Series is a weekly celebration of the island’s creative pulse info@mvsoundfest.com.

‘Tuner’: Creating harmony out of chaos

BY ABBY REMER

Given its title, it’s not surprising that music is key in Daniel Roher’s new film “Tuner,” playing at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center starting on Friday, June 5. The stellar ensemble cast is pitchperfect. In addition, the film has something for everyone: humor, crime, suspense, drama, and romance. And while there are many moving pieces, somehow the combination just works. The offbeat indie opens on a light note as we meet Harry Horowitz (Dustin Hoffman), an aging, ornery, funny, hard-of-hearing piano tuner, and his earnest young apprentice, Niki (Leo

Continued from B7

FRIDAY, JUNE 5

EFF’n Move Series with Tuni 9-10 am, Stillpoint, West Tisbury. EFF’n Move is a mindful, low-impact training approach focused onwhy you move, not just what you do. info@stillpointmv.org.

Kayak & Stand Up Paddle Board Quest

9 am-3:30 pm, Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, Edgartown. Enjoy Sengekontacket on this self-guided kayak tour. Clues lead you through the pond. Call to reserve for up to 3 hours; returning the boats by 3:30. 508-627-4850, felixneck@massaudubon.org.

Alida O’Loughlin Photography

9 am-5 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Community Television, Oak Bluffs. The Show, “Forms, Shapes and Patterns” allows for many sights unseen in Nature and in Daily Life. 508-560-2648, alidamv@comcast.net. Carnegie Heritage Center Opening Weekend

10 am-3 pm, the carnegie heritage center,

Woodall). Niki quietly and lovingly endures Harry’s idiosyncrasies as they go from appointment to appointment, calibrating pianos for uberwealthy New Yorkers, who more often than not also ask them to help fix the toilet or reset their routers, dismissive of the men’s specialized skills. We learn that Niki was a brilliant child prodigy at the piano but had to give it up because he suffers from hyperacusis, a rare, debilitating disease that makes him intensely sensitive to loud sounds. Niki has to walk through life with earplugs and noise-canceling headphones. However, his heightened hearing and perfect pitch make him an excellent piano tuner, as he can detect even the slightest deviation from a note.

Love comes into the mix when, on a job to tune the piano at an A-list music school before a big performance, Niki meets Ruthie (Havana Rose Liu), a promising composition student with big ambitions. With some urging on Harry’s end, the two end up very much in love … although, as in any good love story, not without complications. And things do indeed get complicated when Harry has a heart attack that lands him in the hospital. Niki learns that he and his wife, Marla (Tovah Feldshuh), are in serious debt. Loving Marla and Harry like parents, Niki succumbs to the wishes of criminals who will reward him handsomely for using his talent for tuning high-end

pianos to open the safes of the obscenely wealthy.

Although Niki tries to keep his participation in the heists separate from where his heart lies with Ruthie, Harry, and Marla, seams start to burst, consequences become more dire as one event ricochets off another, and Niki’s life starts to unravel.

The soundtrack is integral to “Tuner,” not simply in the background. It includes classical, jazz, and popular music (including excellent original compositions by Marius de Vries), as well as a portrayal of what it sounds like in Niki’s head when things get way too loud.

The commingling of film genres and musical styles is resonant of a moment in the narrative. Early on, Niki re-

Events

Edgartown. Carnegie Heritage Center reopens Easter weekend, Friday and Saturday, 10 AM – 4 PM. Admission: $5 (ages 12+). vineyardtrust.org/events/ 774-549-9107, thecarnegie@mvpreservation.org. Exhibit: Margot Datz: Recreator 10 am-3 pm, THE CARNEGIE HERITAGE CENTER, Edgartown. This exhibition highlights the creative process of muralist Margot Datz, whose work transformed the Old Whaling Church and Flying Horses Carousel. 774-549-9107, THECARNEGIE@mvpreservation.org. Kid’s Music Class 10:30-11 am, West Tisbury Library. Sing fun songs and play instruments with friends! Ages 0-5 508-693-3366, hburbidge@clamsnet.org. Seasonal Crafting 10:30 am-4 pm, Oak Bluffs Library. Craft projects for ages 3-11. Fresh craft each week! Drop in. 508-693-9433, mlynch@clamsnet.org. Mini-Maker Craft Club 10:30 am-2 pm, Edgartown Library. A different-themed craft will be offered every week, drop in and get creative! 508-6274221, programs@edgartownlibrary.org.

Seaweed art

11 am-5 pm, Aquinnah Seaweed Art Gallery. Colorful, natural seaweed art made on handmade paper by local artist Corinna Kaufman. Victorian art form. Open till 7/15. Private showings available. ken@newlivingexpo.com. Spring Spectacular Show

11 am-4 pm, Louisa Gould Gallery, Vineyard Haven. Annual Spring Group Show: Sean Roach, Christie Scheele, Teek Eaton-Koch, Juliean Jarreau, and Paul Beebe. 508-693-7373, louisa.gould@gmail.com. Toddler Time 11-11:30 am, Chilmark Library. We’ll read classic and current children’s literature, and sing, move, and play together. Ideal for preschool ages. chilmarklibrarykids@gmail.com 508-6453360, chilmarklibrarykids@gmail.com. Online Balance with Kanta Lipsky 11:30 am-12:30 pm, West Tisbury Library. To strengthen our connection to Earth and maintain balance. To sign up, email wt_mail@clamsnet.org. 508-693-3366. Book Donations Welcome! Friend of the WT Library

1-2 pm, Friends Book Donation Shed at West Tisbury School, West Tisbury. Book Donations accepted for the annual Friends of the West Tisbury Library summer book sale. 617-543-7898, kjskin@comcast.net. Art Reception: Linda Ziegler

3-4 pm, West Tisbury Library. On display through the month of June. 508-6933366, wt_mail@clamsnet.org

Renee Balter Retrospective Show

3-5 pm, Oak Bluffs Library,. Renee Balter Retrospective Show 508-693-9433, cphelan@clamsnet.org. Plein Air Painting: Keeping it Simple with Liz Taft - Three Day Workshop

4-6 pm, Featherstone Center for the Arts, Oak Bluffs. This workshop is for people who know something about painting and want to learn more about painting outdoors in nature! 508-693-1850, featherstone@featherstoneart.org. Magic the Gathering: Gaming Club

6-9 pm, Oak Bluffs Library. All skill levels are welcome. You can bring food and drink. Under age 14 should be with an adult. mdaniels@clamsnet.org, 508-693-9433.

Pathways SILENT DISCO on Owen Park Beach

9-10:30 pm, Owen Park Beach, Vineyard Haven. 3 channels of dance beats DJ KB Free, DJ 1Love & Radio Silence. Free Headsets w/ ID. (Reggae, R&B, Soul, Disco, Electronic) This follows live music. 508-627-2516, tanya4pathways@gmail.com.

“Tuner” screens at the M.V. Film Center starting on Friday, June 5. For tickets and information, visit mvfilmsociety.com.

pairs Ruthie’s piano, and she compliments him, saying it’s now perfect. He responds, “One key might sound perfect, but it might not in relation to the 87 others. Tuning a piano is about creating harmony out of chaos.” And as we follow the film’s twists and turns, they flow seamlessly from one to another in beautiful harmony.

SATURDAY, JUNE 6

Loving Kindness and Mindfulness Meditation: A 90-Minute Journey 8:30-10 am, Stillpoint, West Tisbury. This class offers a blend of loving-kindness meditation, mindfulness practice, and shared experiences through personal reflection info@stillpointmv.org. Pruning Spring-Blooming Woody Plants with Ian Jochems

9-11 am, The Polly Hill Arboretum, West Tisbury. 508-693-9426, pollyhillarboretum.org. Pruning Spring-Blooming Woody Plants with Ian Jochems

9-11 am, The Polly Hill Arboretum, West Tisbury. Take the fear out of pruning! Join PHA Director of Grounds and Facilities, Ian Jochems, to learn how to properly care for your spring-blooming shrubs. 508693-9426, info@pollyhillarboretum.org. Greenhouse Soil Therapy!

9-11 am, Community Greenhouse of MV, Oak Bluffs. Get your hands in the soil and help the community greenhouse. Seeding, transplanting, and harvesting; gardening chats and advice are a bonus! 774-563-8417, smiller8690@gmail.com. Vinyasa Power Yoga

9-10 am, Edgartown Library. Therapeutic and creative, with elements of strength building. programs@edgartownlibrary.org, 508-627-4221.

Kaiut Yoga

9-10 am, Peaked Hill Studio, Chilmark. Kaiut Yoga is works through chronic pain and injuries, general aches andstiffness, and is good for the inflexible, hyper flexible and the aging body. 774-563-8282, vsonnenthal@gmail.com. Barnyard Buddies

9:30-10:30 am, Farm Institute, Edgartown. Spend your Saturday morning exploring the farm and meeting our friendly animals in this program for families! For ages 2-5, pre-registration required. 508-627-7007, thefarminstitute@thetrustees.org.

Tyke Hikes

9:30-10:30 am, Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, Edgartown. Skip, waddle, or walk with your little ones alongside a Naturalist as you explore a new habitat on this one-hour program. 508-627-4850, felixneck@massaudubon.org. Community Greenhouse Plant Sale! 10 am-3 pm, Community Greenhouse, Oak Bluffs. Get your annual and perennial plants! Beautiful herbs and flowers. Discounts for members and memberships available on site. 774-563-8417, smiller8690@gmail.com.

Carnegie Heritage Center

10 am-3 pm, the carnegie heritage center, Edgartown. Friday and Saturday, Admission: $5 (ages 12+). vineyardtrust.org/events/ 774549-9107, thecarnegie@mvpreservation.org.

Exhibit: Margot Datz: Recreator 10 am-3 pm, THE CARNEGIE HERITAGE CENTER, Edgartown. This exhibition highlights the creative process of muralist Margot Datz, whose work transformed the Old Whaling Church and Flying Horses Carousel. 774-5499107, THECARNEGIE@mvpreservation.org.

Sourdough Baguettes for Beginners with Vineyard Baker

10 am-12 pm, Farm Institute, Edgartown. Join Teri Culetto for a hands-on class on making sourdough baguettes for beginners! Each participant will leave with a baguette & sourdough starter! 508-627-7007, lbrown@thetrustees.org.

Plein Air Painting: Keeping it Simple with Liz Taft - Three Day Workshop

10 am-3:30 pm, Featherstone Center for the Arts, Oak Bluffs. This workshop is for people who know something about painting and want to learn more about painting outdoors in nature! 508-693-1850, featherstone@featherstoneart.org.

Linocut Pet Portrait with Ann Meleney 10 am-1 pm, Featherstone Center for the Arts, Oak Bluffs. Turn your favorite pet photos into expressive works of art in this beginnerfriendly linocut printmaking class using your own images as inspiration. 508-693-1850, featherstone@featherstoneart.org.

Pilates Flow with Camille Beauzile 10:30-11:45 am, Stillpoint, West Tisbury. This upbeat Pilates class blends preventative medicine, mind-over-matter focus, and joyful movement info@stillpointmv.org.

Mini-Maker Craft Club 10:30 am-2 pm, Edgartown Library. A different-themed craft will be offered every week, drop in and get creative! 508-627-4221, programs@edgartownlibrary.org.

The Light of Awareness: Meditation Workshop with Jonathan Herrick 10:30 am-12:30 pm, Edgartown Library. Jonathan Herrick has been in the private psychotherapy field for over 40 years 508627-4221, programs@edgartownlibrary.org.

Seaweed art 11 am-5 pm, Aquinnah Seaweed Art Gallery. Colorful, natural seaweed art made on handmade paper by local artist Corinna Kaufman. Victorian art form. Open till 7/15. Private showings available. ken@newlivingexpo.com.

Spring Spectacular Show 11 am-4 pm, Louisa Gould Gallery, Vineyard Haven. Annual Spring Group Show: Sean Roach, Christie Scheele, Teek Eaton-Koch, Juliean Jarreau, and Paul Beebe. 508693-7373, louisa.gould@gmail.com. Library Friends Book Drive 11 am-2 pm, Oak Bluffs Library. Library Friends Book Drive 508-6939433, cphelan@clamsnet.org. Sensory-Friendly Barnyard Buddies 11 am-12 pm, Farm Institute, Edgartown. Spend your Saturday exploring the farm and meeting our friendly animals in this dedicated hour with a reduced number of guests & quieter environment. 508-6277007, thefarminstitute@thetrustees.org Wonderful Weeds with Rebecca Gilbert 12-3 pm, Native Earth Teaching Farm, Chilmark. Weeds have long been the enemy of a quintessential lawn, but a Vineyard Lawn welcomes them! Learn how weeds are healthy for you and your yard. 508-6939588, lucas@vineyardconservation.org. Pokemon Club 1-2 pm, Oak Bluffs Library. Bring your Pokémon cards to show to others! This is a club to talk about Pokémon, look at cards, and draw! There is no trading allowed. Ages 5-11. 508-693-9433, mlynch@clamsnet.org. All Ages Chess Club 2-3:30 pm, Oak Bluffs Library. Join us in a fun and welcoming environment. oakb_mail@clamsnet.org, 508-693-9433. Model Railroad Group

3 pm, West Tisbury Library. Share ideas, tips, projects, and more! This group is led by long time model railroad enthusiast Rick Fischer. 508-693-3366, wt_mail@clamsnet.org. Simply Schumann Concert

3 pm, Stillpoint, West Tisbury. Simply Schumann features David Behnke and David Rhoderick performing Schumann to support MVCMS Education Programs 508-426-9825, mvcms@vineyard.net. Author Talk: Belle Burden — Strangers 3-5 pm, Winnetu Oceanside Resort, Edgartown. Join us for an intimate conversation with Belle Burden about her memoir, Strangers -- with a reception to follow. info@mvbookfestival.com.

Continued from B8

Irish History 101: Presentation with Sean Murphy 3-4 pm, Edgartown Library. Join us for a presentation on the long and fascinating history of Ireland 508-627-4221, programs@edgartownlibrary.org.

Pet Preparedness: How to keep your pets safe in an emergency 3:30-4:30 pm, West Tisbury Library. Presentation- National Pet preparedness for emergencies. 508-693-3366, wt_mail@clamsnet.org.

SUNDAY, JUNE 7

“Honoring & Celebrating our Magical and Bright Souls with PRIDE” 10 am, Unitarian Universalist Society of Martha’s Vineyard, Vineyard Haven. Please join us on Sunday! uu.society.mv@gmail.com.

Community Greenhouse Plant Sale!

10 am-3 pm, Community Greenhouse, Oak Bluffs. Community Greenhouse Sale! Get your annual and perennial plants! Beautiful herbs and flowers. Discounts for members and memberships available on site. 774-563-8417, smiller8690@gmail.com.

Plein Air Painting: Keeping it Simple with Liz Taft - Three Day Workshop

10 am-3:30 pm, Featherstone Center for the Arts, Oak Bluffs. This workshop is for people who know something about painting and want to learn more about painting outdoors in nature! 508-693-1850, featherstone@featherstoneart.org.

Seaweed art

11 am-5 pm, Aquinnah Seaweed Art Gallery, Aquinnah. Colorful, natural seaweed art made on handmade paper by local artist Corinna Kaufman. Victorian art form. Open till 7/15. Private showings available. ken@newlivingexpo.com.

Spring Spectacular Show

11 am-4 pm, Louisa Gould Gallery, Vineyard Haven. Annual Spring Group Show: Sean Roach, Christie Scheele, Teek Eaton-Koch, Juliean Jarreau, and Paul Beebe. 508693-7373, louisa.gould@gmail.com.

Sunday B-Side Brunch

11 am-2 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Museum, Vineyard Haven. Sunday B Side Brunch: 11–2 at First Light Café. Great food, views, and soulful vinyl by DJ Vincent Patricola. Free and open to all. 508627-4441, rpierce@mvmuseum.org. Brunch & Bouquets with Fire Cat Farm at The Pawnee House 12-2 pm, The Pawnee House, Oak Bluffs. Brunch & Bouquets with Fire Cat Farm at The Pawnee House on Sunday, June 7th • 12–2 PM 508-338-2770, thepawneemv@gmail.com. Local Off-Season Contra Dance with live music by The Flying Elbows! 4 pm, Unitarian Universalist Society of Martha’s Vineyard, Vineyard Haven. Join the MV Ballroom Dancers for a live Contra Dance at UUSMV’s Steven’s Chapel. Come to dance or just to listen. Everyone is welcome! 508-696-4211, vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org.

Cleaveland House Poets with Rose Styron

4-5 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Museum, Vineyard Haven. 9 members of the 63-year old Island institution read from their work after the esteemed poet, Rose Styron. In the Garden followed by tea and cake. 508-627-4441, frontdesk@mvmuseum.org. The Island Table with North Tabor Farm 4 pm, North Tabor Farm, Chilmark. A locally sourced, multi-course dinner showcasing the connection between the seasons, farmers, fishers and island community, with guest farmers islandtablemv@gmail.com.

MONDAY, JUNE 8

Virtual Chair Yoga with YogiJay

7:30-8:30 am, West Tisbury Library. Accessible to all levels and ages. Sign up for free by emailing wt_mail@clamsnet.org. 508-693-3366, wt_mail@clamsnet.org. Greenhouse Soil Therapy! 9-11 am, Community Greenhouse of MV, Oak Bluffs. Get your hands in the soil and help the community greenhouse. Seeding, transplanting, and harvesting; gardening chats and advice are a bonus! 774-563-8417, smiller8690@gmail.com.

Kayak & Stand Up Paddle Board Quest

9 am-3:30 pm, Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, Edgartown. Enjoy Sengekontacket on this self-guided kayak tour. Clues lead you through the pond. Call to reserve for up to 3 hours; returning the boats by 3:30. 508-627-4850, felixneck@massaudubon.org. Alida O’Loughlin Photography

9 am-5 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Community Television, Oak Bluffs. The Show, “Forms, Shapes and Patterns” allows for many sights unseen in Nature and in Daily Life. 508-560-2648, alidamv@comcast.net. Seaweed art

11 am-5 pm, Aquinnah Seaweed Art Gallery, Aquinnah. Colorful, natural seaweed art made on handmade paper by local artist Corinna Kaufman. Victorian art form. Open till 7/15. Private showings available. ken@newlivingexpo.com.Spring Spectacular Show

11 am-4 pm, Louisa Gould Gallery, Vineyard Haven. Annual Spring Group Show: Sean Roach, Christie Scheele, Teek Eaton-Koch, Juliean Jarreau, and Paul Beebe. 508693-7373, louisa.gould@gmail.com. Online Balance with Kanta Lipsky 11:30 am-12:30 pm, West Tisbury Library. To strengthen our connection to Earth and maintain balance. To sign up, email wt_mail@clamsnet.org. 508-693-3366. Book Donations Welcome! Friend of the WT Library 1-2 pm, Friends Book Donation Shed at West Tisbury School, West Tisbury. Book Donations accepted for the annual Friends of the West Tisbury Library summer book sale. 617-543-7898, kjskin@comcast.net. Drop-in Mah Jongg 1-3 pm, Edgartown Library. Mats, tiles, and cards provided. No formal instruction. programs@edgartownlibrary.org, 508-627-4221. 508-627-4221, programs@edgartownlibrary.org. Switch Games for kids and teens 3-5 pm, West Tisbury Library. Switch club Mondays from 3-5pm in the Community Room 508-693-3366, lhearn@clamsnet.org Writers Read 7 pm, West Tisbury Library. Led by Niki Patton. Meets in-person at the library or on Zoom. Email Niki for info: gaia1muse@gmail.com. 508-693-3366, wt_mail@clamsnet.org. Vineyard Haven Town Band Rehearsal 7:30-9 pm, Martha Vineyard Sailing Camp, Oak Bluffs. Join us! Bring your instrument and love of playing! We have music and stands. 508-889-9621, jschilling4@msn.com.

TUESDAY, JUNE 9

Kaiut Yoga

8:30-9:30 am, Peaked Hill Studio, Chilmark. Kaiut Yoga works through chronic pain and injuries, general aches andstiffness, and is good for the inflexible, hyper flexible and the aging body. 774-563-8282, valerie@peakedhillstudio.com. 90-Minute Vinyasa Flow with Camille Beauzile

9-10:30 am, Stillpoint Martha’s Vineyard, West Tisbury. This practice offers the space to move with intention, depth, and presence. info@stillpoint.org. Kayak & Stand Up Paddle Board Quest

9 am-3:30 pm, Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, Edgartown. Enjoy Sengekontacket on this self-guided kayak tour. Clues lead you through the pond. Call to reserve for up to 3 hours; returning the boats by 3:30. 508-627-4850, felixneck@massaudubon.org.

Alida O’Loughlin Photography

9 am-5 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Community Television, Oak Bluffs. The Show, “Forms, Shapes and Patterns” allows for many sights unseen in Nature and in Daily Life. 508-560-2648, alidamv@comcast.net. Little Naturalists

9:30-11:30 am, Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, Edgartown. Let curiosity lead the way in this playful program for children and caregivers. Explore nature through free play, sensory activities and time outdoors 508-627-4850, felixneck@massaudubon.org.

Botanical Printing for Concertina Book 10 am-1 pm, Seastone Papers, West Tisbury. Create botanical monotype prints that will be incorporated into a concertina book. 508-693-5786, sandy@seastonepapers.com.

Events

Play Kitchen and Store 10 am, Oak Bluffs Library. Come enjoy watching your kids be creative and solve problems! For ages 2-6. Drop in between 10am-noon. 508-693-9433, mlynch@clamsnet.org.

Exhibit: Margot Datz: Recreator 10 am-3 pm, THE CARNEGIE HERITAGE CENTER, Edgartown. This exhibition highlights the creative process of muralist Margot Datz, whose work transformed the Old Whaling Church and Flying Horses Carousel. 774-5499107, THECARNEGIE@mvpreservation.org.

Spring Spectacular Show

11 am-4 pm, Louisa Gould Gallery, Vineyard Haven. Annual Spring Group Show: Sean Roach, Christie Scheele, Teek Eaton-Koch, Juliean Jarreau, and Paul Beebe. 508-693-7373, louisa.gould@gmail.com. SQUAD FITNESS with Triva Emery • BeWell-MV 11 am-12 pm, Oak Bluffs Library. SQUAD FITNESS with Triva Emery • BeWell-MV 508-693-9433, cphelan@clamsnet.org.

Balance with Kanta Lipsky

11:30 am-12:30 pm, Stillpoint, West Tisbury. This is a one-hour class based on the gentle, flowing movements of Qigong (Chi Kung) info@stillpointmv.org.

Lego Club

2:45-4 pm, Chilmark Library. Kids Lego Club 508-645-3360, chilmarklibrarykids@gmail.com. Drop in for our Teen and Tween Art & Craft Class

3:30-4:30 pm, West Tisbury. Teen and Tween Art & Craft Class. Ages 10-18, supplies provided. 508-693-3366, lhearn@clamsnet.or.g.

The Revolutionary Plate: Forgotten Foods of the 18th Century 4-6 pm, Oak Bluffs Library. The Revolutionary Plate: Forgotten Foods of the 18th Century 508-693-9433, cphelan@clamsnet.org.

Music Class for Littles

4-4:45 pm, Oak Bluffs Library. Come join us for Ms. Sarah’s music class! The class includes a combination of songs, rhythmsand movement. For 2-5 year olds. 508-693-9433, mlynch@clamsnet.org. ASL Practice Group

4:45-5:45 pm, Oak Bluffs Library. Want to learn ASL? Come drop in on our conversational practice group! No experience necessary. 508-693-9433, sschofield@clamsnet.org.

MV Shellfish Group 50th Anniversary Party & Short Film Premier

5-7 pm, Grange Hall, West Tisbury. Watch our short anniversary film premier, learn some shellfish science, eat snacks & cake, play in the touch tanks! Free for all ages. 508-6930391, mvshellfishgroup@gmail.com.

Knitting Group

5-6 pm, West Tisbury Library. Creativity and conversation. Use supplies provided or bring your own. Adults and teens. No sign-up. wt_mail@clamsnet.org, 508-693-3366. 5

Table Tennis

5 pm, Tisbury Senior Center, Vineyard Haven. Table tennis for all ages and skill levels. 508-728-5898, raeobmv@gmail.com. Lecture: The Effects of Salmon Farming in Patagonia w/ Alex Bocconcelli

6 pm, Stillpoint, West Tisbury. In this free lecture, oceanographer Alex Bocconcelli will talk about his experience in Chilean Patagonia. info@stillpointmv.org. Panel: Ticked Off? What You Need to Know!

6 pm, Katharine Cornell Theatre, Vineyard Haven. Expert panel on preventing tick bites, seeking medical treatment, alpha gal syndrome, community action, and new research efforts. 508-696-4211, vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10

Library Walking Group

8:30-9:30 am, Edgartown Library. Join Library Director Lisa Sherman for a walk around town!

508-627-4221, programs@edgartownlibrary.org.

90-Minute Vinyasa Flow with Camille Beauzile

9-10:30 am, Stillpoint Martha’s Vineyard, West Tisbury. This practice offers the space to move with intention, depth, and presence. info@stillpoint.org. Play Reading at Tisbury Senior Center 9 am-12 pm, Tisbury Council on Aging, Vineyard Haven. Play Reading for Artistic, Literary and Dramatic Pleasure 201-2077568, monahennessy1@gmail.com.

Greenhouse Soil Therapy! 9-11 am, Community Greenhouse of MV, Oak Bluffs. Get your hands in the soil and help the community greenhouse. Seeding, transplanting, and harvesting; gardening chats and advice are a bonus! 774-563-8417, smiller8690@gmail.com.

Kayak & Stand Up Paddle Board Quest 9 am-3:30 pm, Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, Edgartown. Enjoy Sengekontacket on this self-guided kayak tour. Clues lead you through the pond. Call to reserve for up to 3 hours; returning the boats by 3:30. 508-627-4850, felixneck@massaudubon.org. Alida O’Loughlin Photography 9 am-5 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Community Television, Oak Bluffs. The Show, “Forms, Shapes and Patterns” allows for many sights unseen in Nature and in Daily Life. 508-560-2648, alidamv@comcast.net. Acrylic Painting with John Holladay 9 am-12 pm, Featherstone Center for the Arts, Oak Bluffs. Perfect your painting techniques and learn how to improve your composition, and use more dynamic color to give your work depth. 508-6931850, featherstone@featherstoneart.org. Exhibit: Margot Datz: Recreator 10 am-3 pm, THE CARNEGIE HERITAGE CENTER, Edgartown. This exhibition highlights the creative process of muralist Margot Datz, whose work transformed the Old Whaling Church and Flying Horses Carousel. 774-5499107, THECARNEGIE@mvpreservation.org.

Outside Storytime 10:15-10:45 am, Oak Bluffs Library. Join us for a fun-filled storytime with stories, songs, scarves, and a parachute. All ages are welcome. We’ll be inside with poor weather. 508-693-9438, mlynch@clamsnet.org. Farmer’s Market Storytime 10:30-11 am, Agricultural Hall, West Tisbury. Silly stories, fun songs and a good time for all! 508-693-3366, hburbidge@clamsnet.org. Spring Spectacular Show

11 am-4 pm, Louisa Gould Gallery, Vineyard Haven. Annual Spring Group Show: Sean Roach, Christie Scheele, Teek Eaton-Koch, Juliean Jarreau, and Paul Beebe. 508693-7373, louisa.gould@gmail.com. Community Meeting 12:30-1:30 pm, The Red House PRSC, Vineyard Haven. An opportunity for members to stay informed and share ideas. 508-6932900, jtau@mvcommunityservices.org. Mah Jong

1-3 pm, Up Island Council on Aging, West Tisbury. Come join us for Mah Jong every Wednesday from 1-3:00 @ The Up Island Council on Aging 1042 State Rd West Tisbury 508-6932896, coa-staff@westtisbury-ma.gov. Book Donations Welcome! Friend of the WT Library

1-2 pm, Friends Book Donation Shed at West Tisbury School, West Tisbury. Book Donations accepted for the annual Friends of the West Tisbury Library summer book sale. 617-543-7898, kjskin@comcast.net. Exploring Printmaking with Allison Doherty

1-4 pm, Featherstone Center for the Arts, Oak Bluffs. These one day studio classes are for all levels and introduce linoleum block printing, dry-point etching, monotype,and mixed-media processes. 508-693-1850, featherstone@featherstoneart.org. Watercolor Wednesday 2:45-4 pm, Chilmark Library. Watercolor painting at the library 508-645-3360, chilmarklibrarykids@gmail.com. Virtual Reality for Tweens & Teens

3-5 pm, West Tisbury Library. For ages 10-18. Each participant’s time depends on the turn-out. lhearn@clamsnet.org, 508-6933366. 508-693-3366, lhearn@clamsnet.org. Drop-in Knitting Group with Cindy Bonnell

3-5 pm, Edgartown Library. All levels are welcome to bring their projects for support and inspiration. programs@ edgartownlibrary.org, 508-627-4221. Fit Camp with Bonnie Kingsbury 3-4 pm, Edgartown Library. This fun afterschool youth fitness program 508-627-4221, programs@edgartownlibrary.org.

Música Do Circulo/Music of the Circle 5-6:30 pm, Peaked Hill Studio, Chilmark. MÚSICA DO CIRCULO is: playful, singing, improvisation, games, rhythm, melody, harmony, connection, movement, fun, FREE and JOYFUL! Led by Roberta Ki 774-563-0318, roberta@bewellsing.com.

Best of the Vineyard 2026

5:30-7:30 pm, Farm Neck Golf Club, Oak Bluffs. eventbrite.com.

Quilting Circle

6-7:30 pm, West Tisbury Library. All are welcome. For details, email Wendy at wgnierenberg@yahoo.com or call the library at 508-693-3366. wt_mail@clamsnet.org.

Community Potluck Pride Dinner

6-8 pm, First Congregational Church of West Tisbury, West Tisbury. Community Potluck Pride Dinner - Come Celebrate with LGBTQIA+ friends & allies 508-693-2842, fccowtpride@gmail.com.

Homegrown Club Meeting

6-7 pm, Agricultural Hall, West Tisbury. Learn from neighbors and share your knowledge! 508-693-9549, programs@mvagsoc.org.

Free English Classes

7-8 pm, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints, Vineyard Haven. Free English Classes offered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Basic conversational classes offered. To register text 774-563-0460. brentbrown81@gmail.com.

Pride Dinner & A Movie at The Pawnee House on Wednesday, June 10th • 7pm 7 pm, The Pawnee House, Oak Bluffs. Pride Dinner & A Movie at The Pawnee House on Wednesday, June 10th • 7pm 508338-2770, thepawneemv@gmail.com.

THURSDAY, JUNE 11

Virtual Kripalu Flow Yoga

7:30 am, West Tisbury Library. On Zoom with Yogijay. Sign up for free by emailing wt_mail@clamsnet.org. 508693-3366, wt_mail@clamsnet.org.

Mindfulness & Meditation

Open Practice Group

8-9 am, Aquinnah Town Hall. Mindfulness & meditation practice group, open to anyone interested in being more intentional and practicing with others. 413-575-0110, ruthfolchman@me.com.

Kaiut Yoga

8:30-9:30 am, Peaked Hill Studio, Chilmark. Kaiut Yoga works through chronic pain and injuries, general aches andstiffness, and is good for the inflexible, hyper flexible and the aging body. 774-5638282, valerie@peakedhillstudio.com.

Balletics

9-10 am, Up Island Council on Aging, West Tisbury. Total body conditioning, learning body’s strengths & weaknesses, how to prevent injury. coa-staff@westtisbury-ma.gov, 508-693-2896.

Kayak & Stand Up Paddle Board Quest

9 am-3:30 pm, Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, Edgartown. Enjoy Sengekontacket on this self-guided kayak tour. Clues lead you through the pond. Call to reserve for up to 3 hours; returning the boats by 3:30. 508-627-4850, felixneck@massaudubon.org. Alida O’Loughlin Photography 9 am-5 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Community Television, Oak Bluffs. The Show, “Forms, Shapes and Patterns” allows for many sights unseen in Nature and in Daily Life. 508-560-2648, alidamv@comcast.net.

Exhibit: Margot Datz: Recreator 10 am-3 pm, THE CARNEGIE HERITAGE CENTER, Edgartown. This exhibition highlights the creative process of muralist Margot Datz, whose work transformed the Old Whaling Church and Flying Horses Carousel. 774-5499107, THECARNEGIE@mvpreservation.org. Seaweed art

11 am-5 pm, Aquinnah Seaweed Art Gallery. Colorful, natural seaweed art made on handmade paper by local artist Corinna Kaufman. Victorian art form. Open till 7/15. Private showings available. ken@newlivingexpo.com. Tech help

11 am-1 pm, Up Island Council on Aging, West Tisbury. Free tach help 508-6932896, coa-staff@westtisbury-ma.gov. Family Yoga Play 11-11:30 am, West Tisbury Library. Playful, fun yoga for littles & their caregivers. Rec. for ages 0-5! Free and no registration needed. Thursdays. WT Library 508-693-3366, hburbidge@clamsnet.org.

Spring Spectacular Show

11 am-4 pm, Louisa Gould Gallery, Vineyard Haven. Annual Spring Group Show: Sean Roach, Christie Scheele, Teek EatonKoch, Juliean Jarreau, and Paul Beebe. 508-693-7373, louisa.gould@gmail.com. Tick Talk Thursdays: Community Q&A with the Martha’s Vineyard Tick Program 12-1 pm, Vineyard Haven Public Library, Vineyard Haven. Open office hours: ask questions, share experiences, and learn more about ticks and tick-borne diseases. Register on VH Library event calendar. 508-696-4211, vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org.

Foreventsforthefullweekscancode orvisitmvtimes.com/things-to-do.

Edible beauty

BY CATHERINE WALTHERS

Ipulled into the Bend in the Road parking lot and immediately noticed the wild roses, their pink and white blossoms spilling over the dunes. Rosa rugosa bushes thrive in sandy soil, flowering each spring before producing vitamin-packed rosehips later in the season. I gathered a few handfuls of petals, and tucked them in a container on my front seat, letting their delicate fragrance gently perfume the car. I proceeded with my walk down State Beach, dog in tow, and noticed a light breeze carried the faint rose smell to my nose. In tandem with the sun shining as waves lapped and sparkled to one side, it was glorious. Beach roses beckon me every spring. We’re here, they seem to say. And I respond. Sometimes I place a pile of petals in small open paper bags, or in boxes in a bedroom drawer, or by my bedside, to appreciate the fragrance. A handful in the bathroom offers a subtle, natural air freshener. The

petals themselves are beautiful — soft, delicate, and almost heart-shaped. They’re edible, too. All roses, unsprayed, are edible. This weekend, they adorned a fruit pavlova I made. I re-

member a wedding brunch I catered, where befittingly, rose petals went into a salad and topped a fruit and granola parfait. Another time, friends who owned a cocktail company came to give a mixology class in my cooking school kitchen. I had prepared a rose syrup for them to experiment with. On the spot, they created a cocktail

using the rose syrup, along with cucumber, lime, gin, and club soda. The drink took on the rosy pink hue of the syrup, and we floated a single petal on top for garnish. We called it “the Vineyard Rose.” Rose syrup works beautifully in nonalcoholic drinks, too. Rose lemonade, anyone?

Nature never ceases to amaze me. Rosa rugosa requires little care, and returns year after year with remarkable reliability. Of course, I’m far from the only admirer.

Join us July 15 for our kick-off event at 7:30 pm and all day July 16 at Featherstone Center for the

Roses have symbolized love, beauty, purity, and devotion throughout human history. The cultivation of roses dates back roughly 5,000 years to ancient China. In Greek mythology, the flower is associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Persian cultures perfected the art of distilling a rose fragrance. Shakespeare mentioned roses more than 50 times in his plays and sonnets, giving us the famous line from “Romeo and Juliet,” “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”

In more recent history,

many Americans think of the White House Rose Garden, redesigned during Jacqueline Kennedy’s tenure as First Lady, or the dozen roses exchanged on Valentine’s Day. In 1986, Ronald Reagan signed legislation making the rose the floral emblem of the U.S. If there isn’t already a coffee-table book devoted entirely to the many stories, symbols, and uses of the rose, there ought to be.

It was in the Middle Eastern countries, though, that roses became woven into culinary traditions. Rose

water and rose syrup have long flavored desserts and drinks, and have been used to garnish festive dishes. Today, a rose syrup may still be drizzled over baklava, stirred into beverages, or used to sweeten custards. In our own kitchens, a handful of petals transform a dessert into something memorable. Scatter them over cakes, strawberries, raspberries, or whipped cream. Freeze them in ice cubes for a touch of elegance in summer drinks. Try making the rose syrup recipe below, and experiment with your own creations. Or explore Mediterranean and Middle Eastern recipes for further inspiration. Once beach roses have finished blooming, other edible flowers can carry the season forward. Calendula, borage, bachelor’s buttons, nasturtiums, and lavender, among others, bring color, flavor, and beauty to the table. And for those interested in expanding their knowledge of wild edible foods, a new foraging club may be starting next fall at the Chilmark library. Keep an eye on the adult programming announcements for updates. Meanwhile, please, stop to smell the roses.

ROSE SYRUP

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

1½ cups rose petals

Add water and sugar to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from the burner and add the rose petals to steep. Let cool. Pour the syrup with the rose petals into a quart-size Mason jar. Store in the fridge for three to four weeks.

Cribbage Club results

BY SAMANTHA BURNS

The ACC Grass Roots 2026 season is officially in the books, and Tournament No. 36 marks our final weekly showdown before the summer league begins.

Bill Russell already secured his first-place trophy weeks ago, but apparently decided that winning the whole thing was not enough. No, Bill showed up this week and stuck it to everyone with a full-blown Grand Salami, winning all six games and skunking one unfortunate player along the way.

As the summer crew continues to sail in, 24 people gathered to play our

favorite game!

The results of the night were as follows:

First, Bill Russell with a 13/6 +108 card

Second, Kathy Kinsman with an 11/5 +94 card

Third, Tim Hurlburt with an 11/5 +94 card

Fourth, Collin Evanson with a 10/5 +33 card

Fifth, Bob Fynbo with an 8/4 +69 card

Sixth, Mary Alice Russell with an 8/4 +40 card

There were only two 24-point hands, dealt to Tim Hurlburt and Merrily Fenner. In addition to grabbing third place and a 24-point hand, our own Clemson Tiger band director also snagged the infamous FLUSH CRIB! Five skunks were suffered Wednesday night. We regularly meet on Wednesdays at the American Legion in Katama; if you like cribbage, please come join us! We have a potluck every week at 5:30 pm, and we start playing at 6 pm SHARP.

If you’d like more info, feel free to email, call or text Mary Alice Russell at maonmv@mac.com or 508-524-1220.

The wild rose.

Fruit Pavlova adorned with Rosa rugosa petals.

Rosa rugosa at Bend in the Road Beach.

PHOTOS: CATHY WALTHERS

If you’ve never been to a First Friday celebration, you’re in for a treat. And if you have participated in those in Vineyard Haven, you can rest assured this summer will be hopping once again.

Vineyard Haven’s First Friday, a free celebration of art, music, food, and fun activities, is all about community. “We want to eliminate any barriers to art,” says one of the organizers, artist Taylor Stone. “We highlight visual art, music, culinary arts, and the nonprofit community.” You’ll find year-round residents, seasonal visitors, and day-trippers mingling and enjoying themselves.

The tradition originated in 2017, when Vineyard-born artist Althea Freeman-Miller attended a Tisbury Business Association meeting, and the discussion turned to what sorts of events the town might host. Having attended First Fridays while living in Vermont, Freeman-Miller proposed doing them here: “I was thinking of an event where artists could do a pop-up, and it would be on Friday, when visitors would be arriving off the Steamship.”

That first year, Freeman-Miller asked stores on Main Street if they’d host an artist pop-up. “There were about 20 artists inside and outside businesses,” she recalls. Today, the daytime art market is held on Beach Street Extension, which is closed to traffic. Local artists from across the Island share and sell their work and offer demos from 10 am to 2 pm.

Throughout the day, participants can also stroll through the galleries and artist studios that dot the town. From 2 to 5 pm, enjoy a stroll down Main Street, where businesses offer specials, live music, and other performances.

From 5 to 11 pm, the focus shifts to Owen Park, where live music comes to life at the beach. Musician Andy Herr has organized

ART IS FOR EVERYONE

The annual First Fridays begins. BY ABBY REMER

it since the beginning: “My responsibility is booking all the music and providing sound equipment and being a stage manager on the day.” Herr enjoys his job, and the chance to perform with a few of the groups throughout the evening. Freeman-Miller notes, “It’s pretty amazing to have a band right on the water. Having people be able to enjoy the Vineyard Haven waterfront, which is walkable from the Steamship, feels important to me.”

You’ll also find vendors on the Owen Park hill, along with local nonprofits such as Clothes to Go and Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, which highlight their various branches, and the Vineyard Haven library, of-

fering kid-friendly activities, such as drawing and making sticker books. At 9 pm, you can dance the night away at the silent disco party on the sand hosted by Pathways Arts, which includes headsets and live DJs. Freeman-Miller recalls how the inventive spirit of First Friday flourished during COVID. “We had to figure out how to create distance from the people for the band, so we thought, ‘Oh, let’s put the musicians on a boat,’ and we said, ‘OK, let’s try it!’”

At Owen Park, you’ll also find a variety of dinner options and sweets. Stone says, “From dine-in to takeout, Vineyard Haven has many choices for food every day. During our event,

“We highlight visual art, music, culinary arts, and the nonprofit community.” —TAYLORSTONE

we raise the bar by bringing local food popups to town once a month. From food trucks to food carts, we have a great selection to choose from, so always come to town hungry and plan to leave full.”

First Friday runs from June through October, with a theme each month. Pride will be the focus on June 5, with the Pride Flag raised at 4:45 pm, QueerHub MV in residence, and a rainbow T shirt tie-dyeing activity. The theme for July 3 is Art Big and Small, with plans for mural artists to create large-scale, interactive works. On August 7, Miss Molly Dazzle, a fire dancer, will return, walking down Main Street in the afternoon and performing at Owen Park in the evening, with a brand-new original set with epic choreography in which she twirls HulaHoops ablaze and sends flames whirling through the sky, all set to powerful music.

Themes for Sept. 4 and Oct. 2 aren’t set yet. As in the past, Vineyard Haven First Friday will collaborate with a town organization during Tisbury’s “’Tis the Season” celebration, which starts on Dec. 4. Last year, they organized an art market in the lobby of the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse, which had previously been hosted by the Martha’s Vineyard Museum.

Asked what has kept him involved over the past nine years, Herr says, “I love the town and people having a good time and a sense of community. The community part of it is really important.” He continues, “We’ve been able to keep it free so that you can enjoy it with your family all day. It’s a multigenerational mixer, with representatives from throughout the community. First Friday is a way to enjoy the place in new ways.”

For more information, visit firstfridayvh.com.

Miss Molly Dazzle Lindberg performs with fire, to the amazement of a large audience at First Friday in Owen Park.

1. Adam Petkus and a face-painted future performer. 2. Amanda Zoref and child enjoying the evening's entertainment. 3. Alex Karalekas providing a beautiful melody.

PHOTOS: BEN MCHALE

World War II and the Vineyard

A global conflict comes to the Island.

BY ABBY REMER

With Memorial Day just passed, and the 250th Independence celebration soon upon us, I realized D-Day is squeezed in between. This made me wonder how folks here felt about the global conflict during that momentous period. How was the Island touched, if at all?

I discovered that the Vineyard was not so far from the madding crowd after attending a talk by the M.V. Museum’s research librarian, Bow Van Riper. Apparently, keeping the world at bay on the Vineyard was not possible during World War II.

If you have been to Peaked Hill or seen the signs about the bombing ranges at Long Point or other beaches on the Island, you know that there was a military presence on the Vineyard. But the small remnants don’t hint at the extent to which the war impacted the Island.

One of the most significant impacts was bringing people to our somewhat sleepy little shores who had never been here before. Van Riper notes, “Military camps sprouted up across the Island. Tents were pitched on the top of Peaked Hill in Chilmark for a radar station; the keeper’s house at the Cape Poge Lighthouse was taken over by the Coast Guard beach patrols that spent the war marching up and down East Beach on Chappaquiddick and watching for r ubber rafts coming ashore from German submarines.”

There is no official documentation on the subject, but a lot of folklore exists about Germans coming ashore from U-boats. Van Riper recalls one story in which a woman returning home from running errands found that the pie she left on the windowsill was gone. However, there was a package of German cigarettes on the kitchen table. The idea of a German presence on our shores is central to Martha Hall Kelly’s recent novel, “The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club,” which is mostly based on her mother’s childhood memories of the Vineyard during World War II.

t he U.S. Navy Auxiliary Air Field Martha’s Vineyard. The airfield was a smaller branch of the main one at Quonset Point in Rhode Island. It was used to train naval pilots, dive bombers, torpedo bombers, and fighter pilots. Pilots from Quonset Point flew over the water to the Vineyard, practicing navigation along the way, firing at targets on East Beach in Chappaquiddick and Long Point on the south side of the island, as well as at the gunnery range at Katama. In addition to pilots, hundreds of personnel supported these

the war, turning out barges, launches, and utility craft that did the unglamorous work that kept the fighting fleet operating,” Van Riper explains. “The shipyard workers, who had spent decades building yachts and fishing boats, were now tasked with constructing barges to deliver supplies between shoreside depots and ships anchored offshore.”

“The shipyard workers, who had spent decades building yachts and fishing boats, were now tasked with constructing barges to deliver supplies between shoreside depots and ships anchored offshore.” –BOW VAN RIPEN

activities by working at refueling stations, aircraft hangars, and touch-and-go landing areas on the runways.

Even our steamships were called into action. Two of the four vessels in the fleet at t he time, the Naushon and the New Bedford, were requisitioned by t he Navy in 1942, carried troops across the Atlantic, and remained in the European theater for the next t hree years. The Naushon was in the heart of it, outfitted as a hospital ship, and stood by off the invasion beaches on D-Day to receive wounded soldiers.

Vineyard gradually wound down. Van Riper says, “The gunnery and bombing ranges fell silent, although people would be digging unexploded ordnance out of the sand for decades to come. The production line for barges and launches at the shipyard was shut down, and the barbed wire fences around Peaked Hill were rolled up and hauled away.”

The center of our Island was a center for military activity. The Navy cleared a section of what is now the State Forest to build

The Vineyard, however, didn’t just host military personnel. Civilian workers who had long made a living on the waterfront were thrust into the war effort. The U.S. government commissioned the Martha’s Vineyard Ship Building Co. (now the Martha’s Vineyard Shipyard at 164 Beach) to build wooden vessels to assist in the conflict. “The shipyard worked two shifts a day throughout

Van Riper’s family played a significant role in the war effort. His grandfather’s Van Ryper ship model shop, near what is now Gannon & Benjamin Marine Railway, was asked to produce, among other things, exact scale models of the entire German navy, followed by those of the Japanese and Italian navies. These models were designed as recognition tools that proved vital for training American pilots, including those here, to identify enemy ships from various angles from 10,000 feet in a plane loaded with bombs.

After V-J Day on Sept. 2, the war on the

Within a year, the Naval Auxiliary Airfield was turned over to Dukes County and became the Martha’s Vineyard Airport, where today thousands of visitors pour in every summer. The barracks that had served the naval aviators at the airfield was initially used as the headquarters of the Martha’s Vineyard Youth Hostel. Van Riper recounts, “The gunnery range at Long Point has long since returned to nature. The one at Katama was mostly bulldozed, and where there had been barracks and equipment sheds, the Katama Shores Motor Inn was built. Mary Jo Kopechne and her friends stayed there on the ill-fated July weekend in 1969 when Ted Kennedy’s black Oldsmobile went off Dyke’s Bridge.”

Interestingly, one of the remaining remnants of the war is the ArtCliff Diner, founded in 1943 by two guys named Art and Cliff to feed shipworkers and employees at the model shop. But as Van Riper reflects, “In a diminishing number of Vineyarders, you can still find memories of what it was like between 1941 and 1945, when a very small Island became involved in a global war.”

Workers at shipyard.

Naval Air Field FDR memorial formation.

Army camp at Peaked Hill.

Launching at M.V. Shipyard.

Naval Air Field personnel.

PHOTOS COURTESY MARTHA’S VINEYARD MUSEUM

Colin Ruel’s elegy for a circle of Island life.

‘THE LIGHT IS RETURNING’

Menemsha artist Colin Ruel’s immersive exhibition “The Light Is Returning” evokes sorrow for those who have struggled to remain on the Vineyard after many generations, or who have been forced to leave the home they love. The show, in the Waggaman Community Gallery at the M.V. Museum through August 16, navigates the tension between continuity and fracture. “We’re not just losing generational Islanders,” Ruel says, “we’re losing generational connection and culture.”

Ruel steers clear of didactic messaging. Instead, he fills the room with his art, his grandfather’s boat models and other carved items, family photographs, audio recordings, old home movies, and recent video footage that subtly compare Ruel’s life and work in Menemsha beside that of his grandfather. Capt. James Douglas Morgan was a family man, a fisherman until he was 81, and a folk artist who continued carving, drawing, and painting long after retiring.

Ruel writes in his introductory label, “As a child, I slept in the same bedroom he had grown up in, with a window facing, as it did for him, the turning beam of the Gay Head Lighthouse — a navigational beacon in the darkness. I’d watch the light disappear and return: a visible circle, a promise of recurrence.”

But Ruel poignantly continues, “This collection of work laments that the circle has been broken. It speaks to the attempt to navigate by an old light in an ocean that has changed. Once, rural life here offered a path: a cycle of birth, childhood, labor, home, parenthood, death … and birth again. Today, that continuity is destabilized. Housing is unattainable for working families. Rural identity is aestheticized and sold, while the people who formed it are displaced. What

once required endurance and community now requires capital.”

Ruel elaborates when sharing about the show’s origins: “It comes from my rising frustration with what’s happening for so long, as far as lack of affordable housing

and wealth inequity and the pushing out of old generational Islanders, and losing their stories and culture. I want to show those who just moved here or are summer residents what this place really was. In my grandfather’s time, you could buy a house;

the year-round community was so thriving and intertwined and had these ties that went back forever.”

Ruel conveys his message without maps, statistics, or diagrams. Instead, he draws us close to his life and his family’s through several generations: “Rather than telling a vast, sweeping story, I can tell this really personal one, and hope it helps people feel it.” He intersperses paintings from his life with items from past generations that, through inference, speak to change over time. For example, displayed on the wall is his grandfather’s old carved wooden model of his beloved fishing boat, Mary & Verna, its actual wheel, which is all that remains of the vessel, and Ruel’s contemporary painting of the same boat motoring off into the sunset. Sound is essential to the exhibition, both in the overall soundtrack heard in the gallery and the conversations you can hear on headphones at the listening stations. In one recording, you hear Ruel’s grandfather speak about how, in his day, you could work for a week, and that would be a down payment for a house. Ruel says, “He talks about how during the Depression, he didn’t know he was poor because everyone was a fisherman

Colin Ruel and his grandfather Jimmy Morgan.

Colin Ruel

COURTESY MORGAN FAMILY ARCHIVES

LARRY GLICK

and took care of each other. You also hear my mom talking about how hard it is now for young people to have a house. And my youngest son talks about his worry that we were going to have to move off the Island.”

Speaking about the loss of generational culture, Ruel gives an example of how, in the past, someone driving by in Menemsha would wave at him. “I would know them because I grew up with them, and they would know my mom. Their grandfather was a fisherman with my grandfather and great-grandfather. All that is a web of connections.”

Today, Ruel runs his gallery in the same building in Menemsha that was once his great-grandfather’s garage, and later became the shop where his grandmother sold items she made, including Raggedy Andys and quilts, as well as his grandfather’s ship models. But while there is generational continuity here, Ruel says that not having stable housing is terrifying: “And that pressure, the constant anxiety it produces, is so overwhelmingly hard.” He conveys these feelings in a painted image of seagulls flying, slowly dissolving into the distance. “They represent the shame around wanting to provide for my family, but I couldn’t work hard enough to afford anything. Like seagulls, we’ve been made into beggars. We work hard and want to afford a house, but can’t. When we were younger, you could find a garden shed to live in in the summer. Then in the winter, you could live somewhere. But now winter rentals are astronomi-

cal. And if you find one, I don’t know where you’re going to go in the summer.”

The second-to-last painting is a powerful image of Ruel’s family on their boat looking back at the Island on fire. He says, “It’s the death of this place we love.” Yet the last work, a diptych, is one of hope. Two houses perched on a piece of land overlooking the ocean have wisps of smoke arching between their chimneys. “I made this for my kids so that when they get older and go off on their own, the picture will only be complete when they are together. The smoke is an ethereal bond, a prayer that I hope keeps them together. It’s about hope for the future.”

Of his show, Ruel says, “I want people to see that there is a culture here beyond the superwealthy. There are still some of us who are trying to hold on. And if they do have houses here, to see the pain and struggle many people go through. They can love visiting this place in the summer. Still, it pales compared to the connection I’m talking about — the fear of losing the continuation of year-rounders’ stories, generational connection, and community.”

“Colin Ruel: The Light Is Returning” is on view through August 16. For more information, visit mvmuseum.org.

Island organizations working on affordable housing initiatives

Island Affordable Housing Fund, islandaffordablehousingfund.com

“How to Create a Homesite Lot in Chilmark,” bit.ly/CHC_HomesiteLot

Island Housing Trust — affordable homes and rentals, ihtmv.org/affordable-homes-rentals

The Resource Inc., theresource.org/p-a-l-s-martha-s-vineyard Dukes County Regional Housing Authority, housingauthoritymarthasvineyard.org

Chilmark Lease-to-Locals program (soon in West Tisbury as well), bit.ly/CHC_LeaseToLocals

Build or convert existing ADUs into year-round rentals, bit.ly/MAHAC_ADUFinancing

MVC, “Who’s Who of Vineyard Housing,” mvcommission.org/who-s-who-housing-vineyard

James (“Jimmy”) Douglas Morgan was a fisherman, a folk artist, and a painter.

Ruel’s exhibit displays art from both himself and his grandfather Jimmy.

Ruel’s exhibit insists on attention to community, to labor, and to memory.

Looking through the window in the exhibit, visitors can watch generations of Ruel’s family on film.

PHOTOS: ELLA MUNNELLY

BY ABIGAIL HIGGINS

It springs forth. It seems we have barely left the frost age, but are now catapulting into summer.

Almost all gardens are blooming with something: stately foxglove spires, irises, rhododendrons, wisteria, poppies, columbines, clematis, Solomon’s seal, or perhaps just a carpet of golden buttercups or dandelions. It all springs forth, and is wonderful.

Just part of nature And speaking of wildflowers (a.k.a. weeds) emerging in the lawn, such as dandelion and hawkweed: For the past 10 years, a serendipitous clump of pink-flowered erigeron has sprouted in our lawn in May. We mowed around it, just to see how this plant would develop.

Now, whether due to NoMow May or mere dilatoriness, the plant continues to emerge, nestled among grasses and other minor blooms that supply a great deal of insect support.

Spiders, small green caterpillars, and chewing insects abound. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for caterpillars that are lepidopteran; diatomaceous earth and ground limestone for earwigs and other nocturnal chewing insects. The cool spring weather favors them. Neem sprays and insecticidal soap are your friends, as are healthy populations of resident birds given nearby water, houses, or cover.

In the garden, a closer look reveals clusters of newly hatched orb weaver spider-

lings. Those pictured, however, hatched on the back of a truck! All will be working hard before long, creating intricate webs and catching insects. The ground-dwelling wolf spiders carry their babies on their backs after hatching as they run along, even bringing them to water resources.

Counterintuitively, a recent post from Homegrown National Park (HNP) and Doug Tallamy points to the importance of protecting the pupation sites for caterpillars (bit.ly/HNP_SupportCaterpillars). HNP and Tallamy want caterpillars on our trees! Caterpillars are a major source of baby birds’ insect protein. Parent birds know how to catch and transport them to the waiting mouths of their young. Interfering with baby birds’ insect protein is a way of starving baby birds. Who wants to do that?

Boxwood anxiety

Boxwoods remain a concern of gardeners. The season of the almost endemic boxwood psyllid (Psylla buxi) is marked by whitish, waxy squiggles these small leafhopper-like insects produce. It provokes concern among boxwood owners and those who tend boxwood. The problem, however, is not as severe as some fear. Missouri Botanic Garden has this information: bit.ly/ MBG_PsyllidsOnBoxwoods. Many boxwood plants are due for shearing or a trim; the result is the psyllid-affected growth is removed. Or treat it with neem, insecticid-

already, which multiply like crazy. Instead I have been fantasizing and mentally putting together a bulb order of tulips and other spring-flowering bulbs to place early, to avoid disappointment. Somehow the Dutch bulb growers continue to keep on doing it, and somehow we gardeners continue to be kept in thrall to these addictive, enticing flowers — rabbits, chipmunks, and deer be damned.

In the garden

Not a moment to spare, everything is happening fast now.

The weekend Northeast blow plastered wads and gobs of oak tassels, pollen, leaf tatters, and tree-seed debris on the ground, in gutters, windowsills, and any other likely corner. Compost it all.

al soap, or horticultural oil.

More concerning are other, more recent fungal blights that afflict boxwood. Stress induces various forms of response in a plant. Below is my personal take. In the case of boxwood, tight regular shearing produces thousands of cut leaf surfaces. The shearing creates stress for the plant, and produces a “shell” on its outer surface: whippy, bare limbs topped by dense “lion’s tail” tufts of foliage.

The leaf cuts may become entry points for disease organisms. Close burlapping

over winter may also reduce airflow and create environments inside the shrub conducive to fungal disease.

I was introduced to the practice of boxwood plucking (sometimes also referred to as “punching”) a decade ago, and practice this way of promoting good culture and boxwood care (bit.ly/ EB_plucking). It involves removing as much as onethird of the length of twigs or branches, leaving the outer surface with “holes” in the surface outline. More light and air penetrate the interior; the plant rear-

ranges itself, and subsequent growth quickly mends the “holes,” producing renewed interior growth.

In lieu of burlapping, shrubs may be supported against snow load by light tying with twine. Boxwoods are plants with a network of fine roots not far below the soil surface; side-dress crowns lightly with compost or composted manure to support the plant’s health.

Spring bulb fantasies

Bulb catalogues are arriving. I should have been out digging and dividing daffodils

Apply once-a-month sidedressing of low number soil food to roses. Pinch (“Chelsea chop”) perennials and annuals, to produce bushy, stocky plants that require less staking and also to retard flowering slightly. This includes zinnias, asters, phlox, dahlias, euphorbia, platycodon, and Montauk daisies, and much more. Do not pinch bulb lilies, daylilies, or other plants whose physiognomy cannot sprout additional axial or flowerbud growth.

Deadheading early perennials, container plants, and annuals such as pansies, petunias, and pelargoniums keeps them looking and performing better. Bleeding heart may be cut down entirely once it has begun to yellow; plants resprout after an interval. Peony season coincides with rain, usually: Stake them. Strawberries are throwing runners. Decide where you want plantlets to be located, or remove runners entirely. Keep garlic, onions, and strawberry beds weeded. Allow self-seeding of herbs that are now beginning to bolt: cilantro, mache, chervil, parsley, also leeks. They provide the busy, or lazy, gardener’s next crop. Squash/cucurbit family members like it really warm, conditions that have so far eluded the Island. Hotkaps or gallon plastic milk jugs with bottoms cut off may engineer those conditions for young plants.

Tick check: Don’t scratch — investigate!

Siberian irises hold less rainfall and need

support than tall bearded irises.

Pinch perennials. Here, phlox has been Chelsea-chopped.

Peony season coincides with rain; stake them.

PHOTOS: ABIGAIL HIGGINS