MV Times June 25, 2026

Behind the Band: Musical Monday begins B2

Aggressive plan to harvest the herd

On fishing and freedom

The father and his son had always been knotted together through a shared love of fishing, a narrative throughline from their homeland in Brazil and throughout their journey as immigrants to America. When his son was just a little boy, the

father provided him with a bamboo pole to go for tilapia in the pond near their hometown of Colatina, Espírito Santo, in Brazil. Later they fished with bobbers along the banks of the Charles River in Boston, where they applied for asylum;

FIFA fever spreads as World Cup knockout rounds approach.

BY MARTHA’S VINEYARD TIMES

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout rounds right around the corner, fans across the Island are packing local restaurants and bars to cheer on Team USA and other favorite teams. In what too often feels like a deeply divided time, World Cup fever seems to be uniting us all, especially on Martha’s Vineyard. On an Island that celebrates its diversity, with immigrants from Brazil, Cape Verde, Croatia, Haiti, and other qualifying countries, there are World Cup watch parties on screens in crowded bars and family-packed basements from Oak Bluffs to Aquinnah. Among the most boisterous of fans are the Scottish, who’ve been stopping by to take in the Island’s beauty before making their way to a match at Foxborough, and the Brazilians, who are part of a thriving community here on the Island that sees a devotion to the national team that is perhaps more akin to a religion than just a sporting event. But it seems there is no team that has won more hearts than the dramatic underdog Cape Verde, or “Cabo Verde,” to use the local pronunciation. On Friday, the small, relatively poor country of Cape Verde will face the oil-rich kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is a much-anticipated Continued on A3

and they stepped up their fishing gear to go surfcasting for striped bass off Chappaquiddick’s Wasque Point on Martha’s Vineyard, where they embedded in the Island’s vibrant Brazilian community. Continued on A8

As fear of ticks continues to rise, some suggest “harvesting” 70 percent of deer.

BY ELLA MUNNELLY AND EUNKI SEONWOO

While expanding the hunting season remains an important if methodical part of culling the Island’s overabundance of deer, who serve as a vector for a growing Island infestation of ticks, the wider usage of a relatively new state-run program has become a pivotal part of a Vineyard group’s efforts to be more aggressive in culling the Island’s deer population by 70 percent.

Tick Free MV, a local nonprofit whose mission is to mitigate the harm from tickborne conditions, has been making efforts to expand the deer-harvesting capacity of the Island. To that end, the nonprofit says Deer Damage Permits (DDP) need to become a central part of the Island-wide effort to reduce tick-borne illnesses by killing off deer, who otherwise have no natural predator on Island. These permits, issued by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), allow agricultural property owners, such as working farms, conservation land, and some large private estates, to call in hunters to treat deer as pests on their property, outside the regulated deer hunting season. In short, it allows the Island to recognize a growing public health crisis and to work more quickly to reduce the spread of tick-borne illnesses, particularly a sudden rise in what is known as alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy to meat and dairy caused by a bite from the lone star tick.

This program started in 2024, and the Island has received 12 DDP permits approved this year. However, state officials say they are not releasing the exact property location for the state permits to the public. Gov. Maura Healey was on the Island Wednesday to speak about this aggressive effort. To be effective, supporters say DDP permits will need to be issued on conservation lands, such as those belonging to Sheriff’s Meadow and the Trustees of Reservations, and will likely face pushback. In an interview with The Times on Wednesday afternoon

Continued on A7

A Brazilian father talks about the ICE arrest of himself and his son, and thanks the Island for support. BY PAULA MOURA

ROBYN TWOMEY

England fans celebrate at El Barco.

ELLA MUNNELLY

‘Freedom is not free’

The Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association (MVCA) commemorated Juneteenth with its fifth annual ceremonial flag-raising outside the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs on Friday morning, kick-starting a series of celebrations throughout Martha’s Vineyard.

About 60 people took in speeches from community leaders before the Juneteenth flag was hoisted.

The Rev. Joanne Hus, pastor of the United Methodist Church of Martha’s Vineyard in Oak Bluffs, emphasized the flag’s symbolic significance. “Let this flag rise as a symbol of remembrance, celebration, and hope for a future where freedom is fully realized, where dignity is protected, where truth is honored, and where all people may live in peace, in unity, and in respect,” Hus said.

Juneteenth memorializes when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned about the abolition of slavery on June 19, 1865. The news came two years after the Emancipation Proclamation’s passage. In 2021, former President Joe Biden signed a bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday.

Oak Bluffs Select Board member Sean deBettencourt highlighted the persistence and survival of African Americans during the span of time between the Emancipation Proclamation’s passage and the full abolition of slavery.

“Juneteenth isn’t just a date on the calendar,” deBettencourt said. “It’s about the gap between a promise being made and a promise being kept, and about the people who held on through that gap who never stopped demanding better.”

He acknowledged the historical legacy of Oak Bluffs as a safe gathering place for African Americans. “This celebration belongs in Oak Bluffs,” he said. “This town has long held a place for African American families. It was a

Back Door earns No. 4 in the country

Back Door Donuts, one of the Island’s favorite bakeries, known for its fresh doughnuts and late-night lines, has been named No. 4 Best Donut Shop in the country in the 2026 USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

The annual awards honor top locations, restaurants, and attractions nationwide. A panel of industry experts chooses nominees, and winners are chosen by a public vote. Back Door Donuts placed No. 5 in 2025.

Back Door Donuts has been a fixture on the Island since the late 1940s, serving customers through its signature back door since 1971. The shop draws crowds of locals and visitors alike for late-night apple fritters, jelly doughnuts, and other classics, with guests often forming a long line for their favorites.

Back Door Donuts is located at 5 Post Office Square in Oak Bluffs. The doughnut shop also has a pop-up location at Loretta’s Last Call at 1 Lansdowne St. in Boston.

Aquinnah Police shore up roster

After months of dealing with a shortage of officers, the Aquinnah Police Department recently added a new member.

The Aquinnah Select Board appointed Krystle Anderson as a full-time police officer on June 11.

Anderson previously worked as a purchasing and travel agent for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and prior to that, she worked for Amazon as a security and loss-prevention specialist.

The Aquinnah Police Department put out an advertisement for a patrol officer recently, and received three applications for the position. A police interview committee was appointed by the select board, made up

place to come back to, to breathe a little easier, to see familiar faces, and to be part of a community.”

Shawn Ramoutar, president of the Martha’s Vineyard chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), underscored the necessity of activism to enact change. “Freedom is not free. It is paid for by the courage of our ancestors,” Ramoutar said. “It was carried forward by families, churches, schools, civil rights leaders, veterans, workers, and everyday people like yourselves who believe that America could be better than it has been and is currently.”

Ramoutar called for communitybuilding amid national division. “Here on Martha’s Vineyard, we know the power of community. We know that when people come together across race, background, neighborhood, faith, and generation, we can build something stronger than fear,” he said.

Dr. Lorna Chambers Andrade, a member of the Martha’s Vineyard branch of the NAACP and the Cottagers, a nonprofit in Oak Bluffs, asked for audience members wearing red, a color symbolizing the sacrifices made for freedom, to stand up. “The reason I’m having you do this is because of our slave ancestors, and the blood that was shed,” Andrade said. “Now think about that in terms of the current president. I want you all to remember to organize, and in your churches, have a civic altar call. Faith without work is dead.”

Following the speeches, Hus led the crowd in a singing of James Weldon Johnson’s hymn “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often called the Black national anthem. The raising of the Juneteenth flag followed.

As the flag ascended, the crowd was awe-

news in brief

of Aquinnah residents Ken DiPietro, Tom Murphy, Sarah Thulin, Howard Goldstein, and Durwood Vanderhoop, who interviewed two of the applicants on June 4.

The hiring follows efforts by Aquinnah to shore up its police department, which was losing members from retirements. The town received help from Massachusetts State Police and the Dukes County Sheriff’s Office to cover shifts as well.

After interviews, the committee, alongside Aquinnah Chief of Police Randhi Belain, unanimously recommended Anderson. Although she has no prior training as a police officer, Anderson will be working as a traffic officer for the summer months, and she is planning to apply to attend the Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) recruit officer class in Falmouth in October this year, with an anticipated graduation in April 2027.

Earlier this year, Belain, alongside Aquinnah town officials, asked the Chilmark Select Board for help providing overnight, on-call police shifts in Aquinnah, but due to Chilmark having its own staffing needs, it was not approved.

Since as early as November last year, Aquinnah has offset its understaffed department by paying State Police and Dukes County Sheriff’s officers to patrol the town through the night at a hefty price — as much as $700 a night.

Belain said having a female officer who lives in town will benefit the department in many ways. He added that they still need some help, and were going to interview for the sergeant position.

“We have two Island applicants and one applicant from off-Island,” said Belain. “Whoever it is, hopefully we have them on board by mid-July.”

Belain also said that he plans to retire in November.

1. The Juneteenth flag was raised along with the American flag in variable wind conditions.

2. Dr. Lorna Chambers Andrade shared some of the history of the Cottagers with the crowd.

3. Martha’s Vineyard NAACP Director Shawn Ramoutar reminded the crowd that “freedom delayed is freedom denied.” 4. Families and friends turned out for the flag-raising ceremony at the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs.

struck by a rainbow in the sky.

Sally Dagnall, a retired fourth-grade teacher at Munroe Elementary School in Tallmadge, Ohio, admired the unity at the flag-raising.

“The camaraderie and the whole atmosphere is something that we should spread out,” Dagnall said.

Federal blizzard relief available for Island orgs

Businesses and nonprofits on the Island may be able to get relief from damages caused by the brutal blizzard that hit the Island in February.

On Wednesday, Gov. Maura Healey announced the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved her request for federal assistance for businesses and private nonprofit organizations that experienced economic loss from the February blizzard, a storm that blew powerful winds, caused power outages and dangerous road conditions, and covered the Vineyard under 20 inches of snow, according to conservative estimates. Businesses across the Island were forced to close during the storm.

Now, low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans will be made available to eligible businesses and nonprofits located in eight Massachusetts counties, including Dukes. Loans of up to $2 million can be “used to help pay for working capital and operating expenses that could not be met because of the storm’s economic impacts,” the announcement reads.

“The February blizzard forced many businesses to close for days, and disrupted economic activity across Southeastern Massachusetts,” Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said in the announcement. “This assistance will help businesses and nonprofit organizations recover from those losses and move forward stronger.”

Eligibility can be determined by filling out the online form at sba.gov/disaster. Applications for the Economic Injury Disaster Loans are due by March 12, 2027. For more information on the SBA’s disaster assistance, applicants can also contact the federal agency’s

Juneteenth flag-raising honors Black liberation from slavery. BY SARA CREATO

PHOTOS: DENA PORTER

Aworldofgood

Continued from A1

match here on Martha’s Vineyard, which has a deep historical connection to Cape Verde that dates back to whaling ship days.

Scottish supporters were spotted earlier this month in kilts before Scotland’s June 13 matchup against Haiti at Foxborough, while El Barco in Vineyard Haven drew a spirited crowd of England fans waving flags during their team’s 4-2 victory over Croatia. A small crowd of Croatian supporters added to the rivalry with their own cheers.

The Island is home to various communities rooting for countries beyond the U.S. The Vineyard is home to a large population of Brazilian immigrants. A smaller community on the Island, Cabo Verdeans, are watching an underdog story take place as the national team are becoming defensive stars against some of the topranked teams.

Brazil fans have made places like Vineyard Grill and the Barn, Bowl and Bistro their homes for the international tournament.

The manager at Vineyard Grill, Marcus Nascimento, said the restaurant is actively inviting the Brazilian community to their restaurant to watch

games, but all are welcome.

“It’s been very rewarding seeing a full house of people watching games,” said Nascimento. “We promote mostly Brazilian games, but we have other games on the TV for people to watch, and people do call when France is playing or when Argentina is playing. They want to see it on the big screen.”

The Vineyard Grill has an 85inch television for games, and is in the process of constructing an outdoor viewing setup on the front patio for upcoming games.

Another prevalent group of fans on the island is the Serbian community. While Serbia did not qualify for the World Cup, the neighboring country of Bosnia and Herzegovina has found itself in a must-win situation to advance to the elimination rounds starting next week.

L, it needs to defeat Ghana on Saturday, June 27, at 5 pm in Philadelphia.

“Almost all Serbians are rooting for Bosnia,” said local Serbian bartender Milica Arizankowska in an interview.

Bosnia needs to defeat Qatar

foreign-born population data for 2026 World Cup nations and created a “World Cup Diaspora Support Index.” Cabo Verde topped the Massachusetts list, with 33,278 foreignborn residents.

Cabo Verde is the “Cinder-

champion team, on June 21 in Miami. Their next match is against Saudi Arabia on June 27 in Houston, Texas. The match will likely determine whether Cabo Verde makes it into the single-elimination round of 32.

at 3 pm Wednesday in order to advance to the elimination rounds. The match takes place after our print deadline.

Croatia, another neighbor to Bosnia and Serbia, also has a strong chance of advancing to elimination rounds; currently ranked third in Group

customer service center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Applicants can also receive in-person assistance at business recovery centers, which the SBA is hosting at various locations in coordination with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and local governments.

On the Island, these centers will be hosted at Edgartown library on Saturday, June 20, from 10 am to 2 pm, and at the Oak Bluffs library from Wednesday, June 24, through Friday, June 26, from 10 am to 5 pm, and on Saturday, June 27, from 10 am to 2 pm.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and our communities, and many are still feeling the effects of the Blizzard of 2026,” Gov. Healey said in the announcement. “These loans will help businesses recover from lost revenue, keep their doors open, and continue serving their communities, and we encourage eligible businesses to apply.”

Cynthia Mitchell recognized as ‘outstanding CEO’

Island Health Care (IHC) announced that founder and CEO Cynthia Mitchell received the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers’ 2026 Outstanding CEO Award. The league formally presented the award to Mitchell on Friday, June 12, at its annual Awards Gala in Boston; this year’s theme: “Courage to Care.” The theme was created to celebrate the bravery and education required for healthcare providers to serve their communities, according to the league.

Mitchell told The Times that receiving the award from her peers on the league’s board of directors felt humbling. “It was particularly touching to be honored by them,” she said. Mitchell, whose husband was raised on the Island, moved to the Vineyard from San Francisco more than 40 years ago. A West Tisbury resident, she chairs the town’s select board, and has served the town for 29 years.

Mitchell’s interest in community healthcare first sparked after she volunteered to serve on the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital’s board of di-

While Brazil and Bosnia are drawing strong local support, a recent study done revealed that there’s another nation with an impressive presence in Massachusetts: Cabo Verde. Covers.com analyzed

rectors in 1990 as a representative of an Island select board. Mitchell then went on to chair both the hospital board and the Dukes County Health Council.

In 2004, Mitchell founded Island Health Care, a community health center in Edgartown that provides primary medical, dental, nutritional, and behavioral healthcare to all residents and visitors of the Island, regardless of the patient’s ability to pay, the release said. The center, which began as Massachusetts’ first rural health center (RHC) with a staff of eight employees, currently employs more than 60 people.

IHC became the Vineyard’s only federally qualified health center (FQHC) in 2013. Unlike an RHC, the FQHC designation allows the center to operate in both rural and urban areas and to provide services beyond primary and dental care.

Mitchell said that IHC became more prominent on the Island during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which the center administered vaccinations and organized a drive-through virus-testing center. “It more or less put us on the map locally,” she said.

Looking to the future, Mitchell underscored that IHC hopes to continue growing its services, particularly in primary care, wellness and nutrition, and dentistry.

“Our primary goal in the next few years is to expand to serve more people,” Mitchell said.

Hunting provisions pass in House environmental bill

In a turn of events, after the state House of Representatives removed provisions to expand hunting access across Massachusetts proposed by Gov. Maura Healey in a budget bill earlier this month, legislators passed those same allowances in another bill Wednesday night.

Healey originally filed a supplemental bill that included a reversal of the law that prohibits hunting on Sundays, an expansion of access to crossbows, and a reduction of the setback limit, or distance from a dwelling, for bowhunting — from 500 to 250 feet. The supplemental budget passed by the state House on June 17, which

ella story” of the 2026 World Cup. It had a major upset against Spain on June 15 in Atlanta, Georgia, holding the tournament favorite to a 0-0 draw despite Spain recording 27 shots on Cape Verde’s goalkeeper, Josimar José Évora Dias, known to fans as “Vozinha.” They then beat Uruguay, a two-time world

Cabo Verdeans, hailing from the archipelago of volcanic islands off the coast of West Africa, first came to Martha’s Vineyard in the 19th and early 20th centuries during the whaling and fishing boom. Last year, the 50th anniversary of Cape Verdean independence was held at the M.V. Museum in September.

now goes to the state Senate for consideration in the coming weeks, didn’t include the provisions on hunting.

The House, however, passed an environmental bond bill Wednesday night that included the provisions.

“The bill updates Massachusetts’ hunting laws by permitting Sunday hunting, expanding legal crossbow use, modernizing archery regulations, and reducing certain huntingsetback requirements near occupied dwellings,” a press release from the House stated.

State Rep. Thomas Moakley said that the strategy was to align each bill, and the hunting provisions were “thematically in line” with the environmental bond bill rather than the supplemental bill.

The Senate already passed its version of the environmental bond bill, so the version that includes the hunting provisions goes to conference between the House and Senate. The final results, Moakley said, will be voted on again by the state legislature.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrates reconstruction of Owen Park Pier

Officials from the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce and town of Tisbury commemorated the reconstruction of Owen Park Pier with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the morning of June 10, after a decade of planning.

About 50 people clustered together by the park’s shore to take in speeches by community leaders before the ribbon was cut.

The planning and execution of the project was a decadelong process spanning the tenures of three Tisbury harbormasters. The reconstruction process took three months and implemented improvements, including increased width and height, new dinghy floats, and more accessibility.

The $1.2 million project was primarily funded by a $1 million grant from the Massachusetts Seaport Economic Council. The remainder of the expenses were paid through the Waterways Improvement Fund, revenue generated from Steamship Authority passenger

As the knockout round approaches, Islanders and visitors alike will be gathering to watch the U.S. in the knockout stages. The team secured its first game in the knockout stage of the tournament beginning July 1, after beating Australia 2-0 on Friday, June 19, in Seattle. Although they don’t have an opponent yet, the U.S. team’s first knockout round will be played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. England and Brazil have not clinched their round-of-32 spots yet, but England sits atop Group L with four points, and Brazil needs to draw or win against Scotland on Wednesday, June 24, in order to secure its position in the next round. After our deadline, a watch party for the Brazil – Scotland game is being hosted at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High Schools (MVRHS) Performing Arts Center (PAC). Other popular places local and nonlocal fans can go to watch the games include Towne and the Wharf in Edgartown, as well as the Ritz Cafe, the VFW, and Red Cat Kitchen in Oak Bluffs.

tickets known as the Embarkation Fund, and Tisbury taxpayers. These sources of local funding actually generated a surplus of about $50,000.

Tisbury Town Administrator Joseph LaCivita praised the reconstructed pier. “Owen Park is going to be transformational as we go forward, because this pier allows us to expand a lot more than what we had in the past,” LaCivita said.

Tisbury Harbormaster Michael Gately said that the pier’s purpose as a conduit between people and the harbor remains since its initial 1938 construction.

“This pier has evolved alongside our harbor for nearly a century,” he said. “Today, this new pier is ready to continue that mission for generations to come. It will serve fishermen, local boaters, beachgoers, visitors arriving by water, and the countless residents and tourists who come here simply to enjoy Vineyard Haven Harbor.”

Gately reflected on the longstanding traditions perpetuated by the pier.

“When this project began, some of the kids spending their summers crabbing off this pier were still in elementary school. By the time this new pier reaches the end of its service life, many of them may be bringing their own grandchildren here to crab off the same waterfront,” Gately said. “That’s what projects like this are really about — not just replacing timber and pilings, but preserving a place where traditions are passed from one generation to the next.”

Musician Andy Herr, a co-founder of First Friday, a monthly arts and culture event that takes place in Owen Park, was in attendance at the Wednesday ceremony. With the reconstructed pier, he hopes that First Friday can resurrect its practice of hosting live music on a floating barge.

“My thoughts are maybe we could bring the barge back,” Herr said. “An unforeseen consequence of having music on the barge was that a lot of people congregated on the old dock, and the old dock was maybe not so ready to handle that.”

England fans at El Barco.

NICHOLAS VUKOTA

ESSAY

Ticks have always been a problem. The narrative has become the bigger problem.

BY JEFF LEVY

If you follow national news, you’d think that stepping outside on Martha’s Vineyard is a brush with death. The frenzy began last summer when the New York Times likened the impact of the lone star tick to the great white shark. Then the Boston Globe, NBC News, NPR, and CNN all descended on the Island to cover the “alpha-gal syndrome epidemic.” One bite, the headlines warned, and you may never eat a burger again. A man in New Jersey died. RFK Jr. invoked the Vineyard by name at a major press conference on AGS. Tick season, it seems, has become the new shark week. You can understand why these stories get traction. They’re dramatic, and they contain a kernel of genuine public health importance. Though I’m not a doctor, a researcher, or an epidemiologist, after a year in the trenches at Martha’s Vineyard Medical, it’s clear to me that the fear these stories have generated is doing more harm than good, and that they are based on a sensationalized view of actual risk. What Islanders and visitors need is not more

alarm but better information.

A tick bite is not a death sentence. A lone star tick bite can trigger the production of antibodies to a sugar molecule called alpha-gal, which is found in red meat and other mammalian products. Researchers estimate that in heavily tick-exposed populations, somewhere between 15 and 35 percent of people carry these antibodies. Martha’s Vineyard almost certainly sits at the high end of that range. But carrying the antibody is not the same as having AGS.

Several studies suggest that only 1 to 8 percent of individuals with alpha-gal antibodies develop clinical symptoms. Together with researchers from Yale and Harvard, we are preparing to study exactly this question on the Vineyard, and our hypothesis is that most people who have been bitten, even more than once, may never be affected.

Since 2020, Martha’s Vineyard Hospital has recorded a total of 1,516 positive alpha-gal tests. In a community that swells to 150,000 people each summer, that works out to 1 percent of our annual peak population. A positive test is not the same as a diagnosis (the hospital has treated approximately 400 patients with AGS), and a diagnosis is not the same as a serious reaction. When you start to dig in, the real risk of a life-altering AGS reaction is far smaller than the headlines suggest.

Most AGS looks nothing like the headlines. The cases that make national news involve hives, throat swelling, and anaphylaxis. Those cases are real, and they are serious. On the Vineyard, we are prepared for the worst. Thanks to the efforts of Island advocate Megan Shai Brown, whose husband Michael died of anaphylactic shock after a wasp sting, Island first responders now carry EpiPens. But based on what we see in our patients, and in the published literature, cases involving anaphylaxis represent the minority. The more common presentations are quieter: abdominal pain after a steak dinner, recurring nausea, diarrhea that off-Island may get misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome. Here, we know what to look for.

The ER is not where this story ends. The fear-driven narrative implies that an AGS reaction inevitably means a 911 call and an epinephrine injection. For a small number of patients, that is true, and those patients need to be identified, educated, and equipped. But most people with AGS manage their condition through dietary changes, watchful awareness, and the kind of coordinated care that a good primary care practice can provide.

The Island does not have an epidemic of tick-induced anaphylaxis. It has an epidemic of unasked and unanswered questions.

That realization is part of what led us to create the Tick Center this spring. Our goal is not to add to the alarm. It is to replace alarm with competence: rigorous diagnosis, and a care model that goes beyond “avoid red meat” to include nutrition guidance, medication safety review, acupuncture, mindfulness, and the kind of honest conversations patients often never get about what their test results actually mean for their lives.

Tick awareness matters. Wearing proper clothing, using repellent, checking for ticks after time outdoors, knowing the symptoms of AGS and Lyme: These are reasonable, proportionate precautions for anyone spending time on the Vineyard. They are not reasons to stay inside.

Our Island is extraordinary. The outdoors — the trails, the beaches, the farms — is part of what makes it such a special place to live and visit. The ticks are real. The risk, for most people, is manageable. And the difference between fear and readiness is exactly what accurate information and good medicine are supposed to provide.

Jeff Levy is the owner of Martha’s Vineyard Medical, a primary care and urgent-care practice in Vineyard Haven, and the founder of the Tick Center, the Island’s first practice dedicated entirely to tick-borne illness and alpha-gal syndrome.

Support legislation to expand deer hunting

To the Editor:

This letter was also sent to Cape and Islands Sen. Julian Cyr.

As a full-time resident of Martha’s Vineyard and a native of this island, I urge you to support S.3064!

I write as a former law enforcement officer, volunteer firefighter, and also as one who has suffered the effects of tick-borne diseases.

It is well-known by those who are permanent Vineyard residents that there is not just a deer problem here, but what could accurately be called a deer infestation!

As a member of the West Tisbury Fire Department Rescue Squad, I have been at the scene of numerous car-versus-deer accidents, and was in such an accident myself, which involved $4,000 worth of damage to a vehicle that was, at the time, just 3 months old.

I know that game can safely be taken

by archery even in thickly settled areas, and it is in these areas that deer are regularly seen at all hours of the day.

I am also convinced that this situation is directly related to matters of public health, since the spread of diseases carried by ticks is in turn related to a very large deer herd being a major vector.

Thank you for your time and consideration!

Michael F. Fontes West Tisbury

Oak Bluffs should deny Green Villa

To the Editor:

This letter has also been sent to Oak Bluffs’ zoning board of appeal and planning board.

Please deny the Green Villa development proposal. Despite our urgent need for affordable housing, the project is overly dense and large, especially

located adjacent to Tackenash Knoll, which includes affordable and workforce housing. Those two developments will look like a downtown city block, especially as situated to the main road.

The scope of the project exceeds assisting Islanders find housing. In addition, the development will destroy more of a small but intact forest that is currently absorbing nitrogen.

To quote Martha’s Vineyard Commission member Michael Kim, “The scars on our built environment and Island character will be permanent.”

The architectural massing of this project affords nothing regarding spatial dynamics and aesthetic appeal.

Gretchen Mayher Oak Bluffs

Stop spraying your yards

To the Editor:

We need to stop spraying these so-called safe oils on yards to get rid

of ticks. They are killing all the insects, not just ticks. All these landscape companies are advertising that it only kills ticks; they kill a lot more than just ticks. People need to take precautions to keep the ticks off themselves, not spray insect-killing oils all over their yards. I have not seen anywhere the number of insects, especially flying insects in my yard and the adjacent woods. Just remember sprays that kill ticks are harmful to other insects as well, and it’s happening everywhere. There has been a 75 percent reduction in flying insects throughout the world. I remember when in summer, if you drove down any road on the Island, you would notice insects hitting the windshield of your car. That is food for the birds as well; now you don’t see that like previously. Stop spraying your yard, please. You live in the country where insects also live. You need to accept that fact and learn to live with it.

Chas de Geofroy Chilmark

Charles M. Sennott • Publisher

NICOLE JACKSON

The legacy of Charlie Blair

Edgartown Yacht Club and M.V. Community Foundation announce new legacy scholarship fund in his name. BY HAYLEY DUFFY AND SARAH SHAW DAWSON

Charlie Blair grew up summering on the Vineyard, where he spent most of his days sailing through the waters off the Vineyard coast. His most frequented haunt was the Edgartown Yacht Club (EYC), where he learned to sail at the age of 8.

More than 65 years later, on Friday morning, in that same club where he learned to tack and jibe as a young boy, Blair was honored with a community breakfast officially announcing a legacy scholarship fund in his name, meant to serve the next generation.

“For the club to actually do this is just a tremendous way to give back to the Is-

Christopher Franklin Barritt

Christopher Franklin Barritt, 72, of Mount Airy, Md., passed away unexpectedly on June 13, 2026, only two and a half months after the death of his beloved wife of 53 years, Eleonore.

He was born on Sept. 22, 1953, to Clay and Maxine Barritt. Chris lived a life defined by curiosity, craftsmanship, determination, and an enduring love of adventure. We find comfort in imagining him cycling into the sunset, reunited with Eleonore and the many beloved dogs who shared their lives over the years.

His love of machinery and movement began early in life. At age 11, he asked to work on the schooner Shenandoah, and Capt. Bob Douglas brought him aboard as a cabin boy. The following summer he was the galley boy, and for the next three summers he was a full deck hand. He would effortlessly scale the rigging to the top of the mainmast and wrap Bob’s white and blue “D” flag around him like a cape. He was a fearless climber. Capt. Douglas helped shape his lifelong appreciation for hard work, selfreliance, and adventure.

Chris retired from MercedesBenz after a long and accomplished career as a respected mechanic. Blessed with an extraordinary ability to understand how things worked, he

land,” Blair, who served as Edgartown harbormaster for three decades, told The Times after the breakfast.

“Charlie believes in showing up, helping others, and investing in the next generation,” Katie Kidder, EYC trustee and co-chair of the fund, said. “Through this fund, we hope to carry that spirit forward by creating opportunities for Islanders who demonstrate those same values, and for pursuing education, training, certifications, and career pathways that strengthen our community.”

The scholarship is funded by the Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation (MVCF) and is dedicated to

could diagnose, repair, build, or improve just about anything he could get his hands on. Whether in his workshop or helping family and friends, he was often greeted with the familiar question, “Hey Dad (Chris), how do I fix …?” He always had an answer, and willingness to help.

Chris loved everything with wheels, but especially those with only two. For many years, he rode motorcycles to and from work, and across the U.S. and parts of Canada, often with Eleonore on the back. He served his community as a volunteer firefighter with the Mount Airy Fire Department, and helped maintain readiness of emergency vehicles.

In later years, he traded the motorcycle for a bicycle, bringing the same passion and a competitive spirit to cycling. He qualified for and competed in time-trial events at five U.S. Senior Olympic Games, won numerous races throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, and was a proud member of the Chesapeake Wheelmen.

Beyond the medals and accomplishments, what Chris treasured most were the friendships formed through cycling. He loved spending hours riding virtually with friends around the world, and cherished every mile ridden with the Chain Gang.

Chris is survived by his children, Christina (Barritt) McNeill and Bryan Barritt; grandchildren, Madeline, Ross, Connor, and Brayden; his siblings, Theresa and Tim; his faithful black Lab, Magic; and many extended family members and friends whose lives were made better by knowing him. He leaves behind a legacy of craftsmanship, perseverance, generosity, and countless projects built with his own hands. More importantly, he leaves behind lessons learned through example: Work hard, help others, stay curious, and never stop moving forward.

Island youth and residents committed to settling on the Island year-round and serving in fields like maritime and waterfront operations, public safety and first responder roles, trade and technical careers, and community service and Island care. It can include coverage of college tuition, trade or vocational school, professional certifications, like a captain’s license or EMT course, or other career pathways.

Blair said that teaching the younger assistant harbormasters over the years, people who were often at the start of their careers in the maritime industry,

MVTIMES

seen a scholarship fund grow as quickly as this one. Kidder said that the community fund will give 4 percent to the scholarship recipient each year, and so far, they’ve raised more than $100,000.

Members of the committee asked those at the breakfast, who included town officials, law enforcement, and other Island leaders, to think of good prospects for this award. The application opens in January through MVCF, and is due in March. Committee members make the recipient selection in April.

“was the real joy of the job.” Watching those same assistants grow up, have a life of their own, and bring their children back to the harbor where they started, Blair

obituaries

We wish him fair winds, following seas, open roads, and majestic landscapes. May his journey continue alongside the love of his life, with the horizon forever stretching before them.

Judith R. Birsh

Dr. Judith R. Birsh, 90, died on June 17, 2026, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, after a brief illness.

A longtime resident of West Tisbury, first as a summer visitor, then, since 2020, as a year-round resident, she was an active and generous community member. Dr. Birsh served on the West Tisbury Library Foundation board and, for many years, contributed her expertise as a dyslexia and learning disabilities educator to those in need of help on the Island. She was an active member of the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center, and was especially grateful for its book group focused on antiracism. Her 90th birthday, on Oct. 21, 2025, was a gala celebration hosted at Granary Gallery on Old County Road, near Dr. Birsh’s home. A recent passion of hers was Zentangle Method, a relaxing, meditative art form that requires a steady hand and a good eye. She also regularly hosted exercise classes for friends in her swimming pool. A graduate of Vassar College with a doctorate from Teacher’s College–Columbia University, Dr. Birsh’s passion and scholarship centered on training teach-

ers in the science of reading. Long an officer of the International Dyslexia Association, Dr. Birsh also trained teachers of reading in a variety of venues. Her most recent co-authored publication is “Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language Skills,” fourth edition. She served as a longtime curricular consultant to the Garvey School in Bronx, N.Y.; the school recently named its resource center for students after Dr. Birsh.

Dr. Birsh is survived by her children, Andrew, Philip, and Joanne Hope Birsh; six grandchildren and their spouses; and two great-grandchildren. A memorial gathering will be held later in the year.

Services Saturday for Otis P. Jeffers III

Otis P. Jeffers III (“Peter”) passed away on June 18, 2026, at the age of 66, surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with mesothelioma.

Born in Oak Bluffs to the late Otis P. Jeffers II and Barbara Jeffers, Peter lived life with energy, humor, and a deep appreciation for a good time. He had a gift for making people laugh, bringing people together, and turning ordinary moments into unforgettable memories. Whether he was on the golf course, at a Bruins game, out on the water, or dancing in the kitchen, Peter’s presence was impossible to miss and difficult to forget.

An electrician for more than

said, was monumentally meaningful.

Elizabeth Bennet, MVCF program manager, was in attendance at the breakfast, and said that she’s never

50 years, Peter took tremendous pride in his work and helped bring countless homes to life across Martha’s Vineyard. Beginning at just 12 years old, he developed the skill, determination, and work ethic that would define him for decades. He believed in doing things the right way; earning the respect of colleagues, customers, and friends.

Peter loved coaching youth sports, listening to music, dancing, boating, Bruins hockey, and spending time with family and friends. His beloved Friday golf group affectionately called him “the Commish,” a title he wore proudly.

Most of all, Peter loved being surrounded by the people he cared about, and in the end, he was. He leaves behind countless stories, inside jokes, and memories that will continue to bring laughter and comfort to those fortunate enough to have known him. The world is a little quieter without him, but the stories will never stop being told.

Peter is survived by his beloved wife, Rita Jeffers, whose unwavering love, strength, and care carried him through the most difficult chapter of his life. He is also survived by his daughter, Meaghan Jeffers, whom he shared with his first wife, Karen Dutton; his son and daughter-in-law, Mason and Ally Jeffers; his daughter, Mia Jeffers; and his loyal companion Rosco; along with his brother and sister, David and Jackie Amaral; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 27, at 1 pm at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Oak Bluffs, followed by a celebration of life at Farm Neck Golf Club in Oak Bluffs.

For those wishing to honor Peter’s memory, the family is establishing a scholarship for students entering the skilled trades — a fitting tribute to

“We receive about 140 to 150 applications each year, but we think that that’s going to expand because of this award specifically, and we hope that everyone in this room will help to make this fund known, and to encourage the type of applicants who have the kind of spirit that Charlie has in mind,” Bennett said.

a man who dedicated his life to his craft, believed in the dignity of hard work, and took pride in helping others build their futures. Donations may be made to Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation, Attn: Peter Jeffers, P.O. Box 243, West Tisbury, MA 02575.

Eileen Patricia Willett

Eileen Patricia (née Lipkowski) Willett, 81, of Edgartown, passed away on June 17, 2026, in Oak Bluffs, with her family by her side.

Born on April 3, 1945, to parents Louise (Gorlewski) and John Lipkowski, in Chicago, Eileen was a dedicated special education teacher, touching the lives of hundreds of students in the Chicago area. She loved reading, drawing, gardening, and spending time with her grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, and brothers Richard Lipkowski and John (Zelfa) Lipkowski. She is survived by her children, Rosemarie Willett and Linda Willett; her grandchildren, Julian Willett and Alexis (Dennis) Malloy; and her greatgrandson, Connolly Malloy. Her intelligence, curiosity, and sense of humor will be missed by all who knew and loved her. No services will be held, as Eileen requested.

Charlie Blair, right, brought the next harbormaster, Gary Kovack, onstage.

West Tisbury at odds with Island health boards over tick data

Ticks are small in stature, but their effect on the Vineyard community is larger than ever.

While they may be more common up-Island, the arachnids are present all across the landscape, which has put regional public health efforts at the forefront in recent months. Most, if not all, of those include the work of the Island’s only tick epidemiologist, Lea Hamner.

But the collaborative, regional aspects of Hamner’s job came into question at a contentious West Tisbury board of health meeting on Tuesday night. Sarah Toste, the West Tisbury assistant health agent, had pulled access to the primary source for the town’s share of regional health information from Hamner, citing a lack of transparency.

“For the past year I’ve been saying we need some sort of scope of work, a position, a budget, and a collective decision. I’ve seen nothing,” Toste said at the board of health meeting. “Nobody talked to me about anything.”

West Tisbury was the only town to revoke Hamner’s access to the statewide infectious disease database, called the Massachusetts Virtual Epidemiological Network, or MAVEN. As a result, Hamner couldn’t see data from West Tisbury residents regarding tick-borne conditions. Toste, who is the voting representative for her town in county health matters, was the only one to opt out of collaborating with Hamner on the work she does with the Inter-Island Public Health Excellence Collaborative, which includes

health representatives from all Island towns.

Representatives from the other town health boards showed up on Tuesday to support Hamner and advocate for continued data sharing with the epidemiologist. Some of them referenced the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of regional efforts in the face of a health threat that doesn’t abide by town lines. Several health agents said they’ve been navigating the soaring fear that the small arachnids have sparked from both year-round and seasonal residents.

“This is not the time to splinter off and isolate yourself from the rest of the Island,” Brice Boutot, the Edgartown health agent, said. “You have to ask yourself:,‘Does this help the community?’”

But Toste was concerned that Hamner hadn’t been communicative about her work. She also said the current memorandum of understanding, an agreement with Hamner through each town’s board of health, was no longer relevant. The contract was signed by all six towns, but Toste said five of those six agents have since retired. Toste said the entire situation has brought up “significant ethical concerns” for her, and that “this process needs to start from the beginning.”

Toste questioned Hamner at the meeting: “Who are you working for? Who’s asking you to provide this information?” Toste said in order to comply with state standards this year, the West Tisbury

board of health hired the Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod–Martha’s Vineyard (VNA), which has an epidemiologist of its own to assist with public health matters, such as ticks.

“I think ticks and tickborne diseases are the scourge of this Island,” Hamner said in defense of her position. “I am determined to be involved in the solution, and I uniquely bring the skill set of doing 10 years of this type of job.”

As the only tick epidemiologist on the Island, Hamner works with both private and public groups across the Vineyard, such as towns and organizations like the Martha’s Vineyard Tick Program, which was started by Dick Johnson, and Tick Free MV, founded by Jeff Levy. Understanding demographics, age ranges, and specific areas on the Island where people live or have been bitten by a tick, are all a part of that process. The primary way she gathers that information is through MAVEN.

The other town health board representatives in the room — from Chilmark, Tisbury, Edgartown, and Aquinnah — said that Toste’s decision to revoke Hamner’s access to MAVEN put the entire health system in jeopardy.

Tisbury Health Agent Drew Belsky said the data through MAVEN are important for Hamner “so she can follow the trends and document alpha-gal,” a mammalian allergy from lone star tick bites that he said is rising at alarming rates. Also a concern of health representatives is the fear that accompanies the tick-borne conditions on the

Island, which is threatening the primary economic driver for the community: tourism.

The funding for Hamner’s work has been up in the air for the past year, so she started efforts to expand the sources she pulls from. She was recently awarded the Martha’s Vineyard Vision Fellowship, she works with nonprofits, and she started a GoFundMe fundraiser, and still has a few days left of funding from a COVIDera federal grant. That grant was nearly pulled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) last year, which put the Island’s only infectious disease investigator, Betsy VanLandingham, and Hamner, on uneven footing at the time.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is over, and HHS will no longer waste billions of taxpayer dollars responding to a nonexistent pandemic that Americans moved on from years ago,” the federal department said in a statement in April 2025 about its decision to halt the funding.

However, multiple states sued the federal government for trying to rescind the grant before its end date, and the funding remained. But it officially runs out on June 30, 2026, at which point Hamner will be reliant on the public and private funds she’s collected thus far.

Toste said the private and public conglomeration of funding sources raises additional concerns.

“So, the Inter-Island Public Health Excellence Collaborative is going to partner with a nonprofit?” Toste said, and again questioned Hamner:

“Who do you work for?”

A physician’s assistant from Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, Aubrey Stimola Ryan, who has been active in the regional efforts against a rise in tick-borne conditions this year, was present at Tuesday’s meeting, and expressed support for Hamner. Ryan said there are six towns, but when it comes to disease and illness, “we’re one unit.” She also wondered aloud why there was tension about the topic.

“It’s not contentious,” Toste said.

“It feels contentious,” Ryan replied.

“This sounds like a bureaucratic boondoggle here,” West Tisbury board of health chair Erik Lowe interjected at the meeting after a back-and-forth between Toste and other health representatives. “We were obligated by the state to have an entity that did disease contact tracing for the town. and we made the decision to go with the VNA.”

Lowe added that he felt there was simply a miscommunication.

Johnson chimed in and said there have been a lot of accomplishments in tick research, and that one of the strengths of the program he initiated, which helps fund Hamner’s research, is its regionality.

The Chilmark board of health agreed. In a letter to the West Tisbury board, it wrote, “Disease investigations do not stop at town boundaries, just as our schools, hospitals, emergency services, and conservation efforts do not — public health surveillance must work the same way.”

Toste said she felt as though she hadn’t properly been looped into the process, and pointed out that the inter-Island efforts go both ways. “It’s clear there’s been a lot of conversations going on outside of the boards,” she said. “Clearly you all talk to each other, but nobody talked to me.” Then she turned to address Aquinnah health agent Marina Lent: “Except for your vitriolic text messages.”

“I did overreact when I heard that we [the towns] are now excluded from West Tisbury access, because of the value I see in acting like a shared community when it comes to disease,” Lent said. She added that she worked intensively with MAVEN during the COVID pandemic, and it was “invaluable” in that case. Getting the whole picture, she said, mattered then, and it matters now.

The West Tisbury board of health was ultimately swayed from its decision. Lowe put forward a motion to give Hamner emergency access to MAVEN until the end of her contract with the county, at which point the board would meet again and re-evaluate the details of the arrangement. All representatives underscored that communication between towns when it comes to an Island-wide issue is of the utmost importance, especially when it comes to the health and safety of the residents.

“This is not the time to undo a collaborative process, it’s the time to start one,” Boutot, the Edgartown health agent, said.

When the West Tisbury board of health pulled data access from epidemiologist Lea Hamner, other towns urged them to reinstate it. BY SARAH SHAW DAWSON

COURTESY LEA HAMNER

The Island’s only tick epidemiologist, Lea Hamner.

Aggressive plan to harvest the herd

Continued from A1

before the roundtable discussion at the Ag Hall, Healey stated that she was in support of the effort to use DDPs to more aggressively cull the herd. “I’m interested to see what people have to say at the roundtable, but my philosophy is that we’ve gotta be doing anything and everything to deal with this,” said Healey. “I know the problems are not limited to deer, we’ve got mice and other things, but it’s a serious public health issue; that’s why I’m here.”

As for the large conservation groups on-Island, Healy said, “They have control of the land where a larger percentage of the deer are, so we gotta all be working together here.” Deer are a primary host of adult ticks, which feed on the mammals’ blood and use them as vehicles, so reducing the herd has been a critical tick-mitigation issue. This winter, extensive mapping of the Island deer population was conducted in what is considered the most extensive survey of the herd ever done. Drone pilots counted exactly 4,681 deer. It is important to note that this survey was conducted at the lowest herd count of the year — both after 934 deer were harvested this fall and winter and before the birth of fawns in May and June.

“The number we targeted is 1,500 or less,” Virginia Barabatti, executive director of Tick Free MV, told The Times. That sharp cut to the herd is based on MassWildlife’s goal of having a density of 12 to 18 deer per square mile.

Toward this end, Barabatti said informational sessions on the damage permits were held in February, which she said helped boost applications.

“It’s distinct from regulated hunting, and it’s a special permit that allows the removal of deer,” Barbatti said.

Martin Feehan, MassWildlife deer and moose biologist, underscored that the permit was not open season for deer hunting, as has been assumed by many people. Only licensed hunters can be subpermittees, with the property owner’s permission. And Feehan said while hunters can take up to two deer under the regulations, the rest of the deer need to be donated to the local processing facility.

While Feehan said DDPs can’t be the sole method of reducing the deer population, he highlighted them as an important part.

The increase in permit recipients is also a statewide phenomenon. Feehan said 100 permits have been issued across the state this year, quadruple the amount given in 2025. In turn, there are expectations of a similar increase in the number of deer killed last year under the program, which was 52.

“In the case of the Island, everything has been donated,” Feehan said.

So far this year, only two deer have been taken under the permits currently on the Island. But Feehan said “deer damage permit usage tends to increase during the summer,” around July through September. Last year, the Island had no permits awarded due to a lack of a processing center, according to Feehan.

But Feehan declined to identify the Vineyard properties that have permitted this year, saying that would expose “personally identifying information.” He referred The Times to the state’s public records request form.

Hunters like Brian Athearn, founder of the Martha’s Vineyard Hunt Club, are the equivalent of frontline troops in an offensive to address the crisis and cull the Island’s expansive herd of deer; however, they cannot reduce the population to the size necessary in the hunting season alone. Athearn told The Times that this is the first year the hunt club has been involved, and that in the past four months, the club has only harvested two deer, with Athearn himself harvesting one of them.

Glory Farms was encouraged to apply for a DDP after hearing Feehan at the Agricultural Hall this past February, presenting the solution to the overwhelming damage done by the deer population.

“We’d have a single crop of sweet corn where we could quantify the damage over $20,000 in a single year on

planning phase for a coldstorage and processing facility and that they even received a $50,000 grant from the West Chop Community Fund for this effort. Barabatti also said her group has been in contact with conservation groups on the Island to gauge interest in pursuing DDPs.

One group was the Trustees of Reservations. Mary Dettloff, Trustees communications director, said the conservation group allows seasonal hunting

Deer reproduce at an exponential rate. “The hunting regulations are 10 percent of the solution, but the deer damage permits are maybe 90 percent,” said Levy.

Levy believes that if they applied, all Island groups would qualify. “If you’re really trying to cull the herd, the deer damage permit seems to me to be the single most important piece of the puzzle, and so I think it’s really, really important for as many people

there’s more alpha-gal in Arkansas and Kentucky and Missouri than here,” said Levy. “Zero people have ever died on this Island from alpha-gal. We’ve had ticks on this Island for decades, we’ve always dealt with ticks as part of living here, and yes, alpha-gal is not pleasant, but it’s not a death sentence.”

In addition to the tickmitigation benefit, under the deer damage permit you have to give the deer to Share the Harvest, a program that provides an outlet for hunters to donate venison to residents facing food insecurity.

one planting,” said Dan Athearn. “We have one or two fields where we still aren’t fenced and experienced terrible damage, where we considered even stopping farming in that field.”

Athearn emphasized that the Island needs to come together for this program to be a success. “We want to respect the animals, we want to respect the community, and we want to respect the hunters,” he said. “The difficulty is that where the DDP permits are in fields that are already fenced in. We need to have permission to harvest where we hunt, and right now we can’t do that,” said Athearn. “If we can get the Land Bank and Sheriff’s Meadow to get DDP permits, then that’s a different story.

“The MV Hunt Club would like to be a central part in the organizing of the hunting of Martha’s Vineyard, and if we can get these nonprofits under one umbrella, then we can use hunting as a tool so that we can effectively send hunters into the places where the territories are dense with deer,” said Athearn.

While the Island alone might not have enough hunters to cull the population by 70 percent, hunters from across New England travel to the Island, especially because the season here is longer, and with these permits added, Athearn is confident that the hunters will come. “People have been reaching out; these people are coming down anyway — let’s have them come down and have them in an organized fashion,” he said.

Dan Athearn of Morning

While as a farmer Dan Athearn already held the legal right to kill deer on his land, now with the DDP he as a permit holder is allowed subpermittees, of which he currently has 12, many of whom are enlisted from the MV Hunt Club.

“It’s important to never call it hunting. It’s not hunting, it’s deer removal,” added Morning Glory’s Dan Athearn.

Dan Athearn’s son is a subpermittee holder, but the irony is not lost on him that his son is still hesitant to harvest the deer in the woods due entirely to the ticks. “He got all excited about it, and went to move a deer stand, [and] just came out covered in ticks,” said Athearn. “If he shoots a deer, he doesn’t want to track it into the woods, so there’s still that hesitation.”

Dan Athearn encouraged all farmers on the Island to get the permit, saying “there’s no downside.”

“If you have a big estate and there’s significant horticulture going on there, and there’s significant damage, that can count,” he added.

To make the deer elimination more effective, the Island needs to increase its processing capacity. The only deer processor on the Island is currently operated by the Martha’s Vineyard Hunt Club. Barabatti said her organization has partnered with the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society in the

on four Vineyard properties: Menemsha Hills, the Brickyard, Long Point, and Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge. While they still need to review the permits with their ecology staff, Dettloff said the organization has been in contact with Tick Free MV about the DDP permits and is supportive of their effort.

“When you have an overpopulation of deer, they can cause both landscape and disease issues. Hunting is one of the most effective methods of population control for deer,” Dettloff said.

The state has also provided support toward the issue.

In a bill passed Wednesday, June 17, hunting provisions were expanded in an effort to make a dent in the deer population and combat the tick crisis. “The bill updates Massachusetts’ hunting laws by permitting Sunday hunting, expanding legal crossbow use, modernizing archery regulations, and reducing certain hunting setback requirements near occupied dwellings,” a press release from the House stated.

While legislative changes do have an important impact, Jeff Levy, the CEO of Martha’s Vineyard Medical who’s been active in tick mitigation, believes that “the deer damage permit has much more potential to impact our ability to cull the herd than these legal changes. Legal changes are great, but all they’re doing is impacting the hunting season, which even at its new extended level for the Vineyard is only three months or three and a half months.”

This is not a problem that can be solved in a season.

as possible who qualify to apply for these.”

There is a fine line between fear-mongering and acknowledging the issue at hand, and Levy believes that we have to take half a step back while talking about ticks and tick-borne illnesses. “Ticks are not a Martha-s Vineyard–only problem.

Ticks are all over the world;

“My overall belief is this is going to be a long, hard road, but the great news is that so many different parts of our Island are focused on this, and we have the best chance that we’ve ever had of really getting the tick situation under control,” said Levy. “It’s for sure the biggest single vector in controlling ticks, because most ticks breed on the deer. It’s not the panacea, it’s not a silver bullet, it’s not going to solve the problem in and of itself. It’s the one thing we can do above all others that will have the biggest impact.”

As for the hunters, Levy said, “You’re no longer hunting. It’s not subject to hunting regulations; it’s really sort of akin to pest removal.”

3D Scanning & Modeling

NICHOLAS VUKOTA

On fishing and freedom

Continued from A1

But the one thing they had not had a chance to do was to fish from a boat. From the shore, they looked at fellow anglers in boats and always wanted to fish like them. So on May 18, they were up early, full of excitement for their first fishing experience out on the water, through the invitation of a friend. Stripers were in, and the excitement of a new fishing season was in the air. Father and son left home around 5 am to help their friend launch his skiff in Menemsha, with the promise of some fishing time together after getting the boat in the water.

“We had wanted to fish on a boat on the sea for a long time. So we took the time to do it this summer, to enjoy it a bit, since I had worked a lot lately,” said Rogério da Silva Lima, 42, the father of Nycolas de Alvarenga Lima, now a 5-foot,11-inch teenager, who was 15 years old and just about to celebrate his 16th birthday. Their fishing dreams turned into something closer to an immigrant’s nightmare when the U.S. Coast Guard pulled up alongside the craft and began asking questions, and looking for IDs. The Coast Guard would circle back, stopping them two more times. The first stop occurred less than half an hour after they had pushed off the dock in Menemsha. They had barely gotten their lines in the water and hadn’t even caught any fish — and, as it turned out, they wouldn’t. The last of the Coast Guard stops resulted in officials boarding their vessel, and the father and son were transferred to the Coast Guard boat, motored to Woods Hole, and handed over to U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) agents, who shackled their hands and feet.

“It was a traumatic experience,” Da Silva Lima said. Their arrest sparked action among Vineyard activists, who were fast to organize legal support. That same evening, they contacted an attorney who was able to file an emergency habeas corpus petition that night so father and son wouldn’t be sent to Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas, where immigrant families have denounced mistreatment, including to children.

Habeas corpus is a legal

procedure with roots that go back to the 13th century’s Magna Carta, and it is enshrined in the Article I of the U.S. Constitution, allowing people who have been detained by the government to challenge their detention in court, according to the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University. “Habeas corpus” is Latin for “that you have the body”; it requires a court to evaluate anyone detained, and if found to have been detained “without sufficient cause,” it allows them to challenge their detention. This right now lies at the center of the legal strategy used by immigration attorneys and advocates for immigrants in an effort to stop the Trump administration from carrying out unlawful detention, and as a way to prevent the illegal deportation of their clients.

The Coast Guard, in a statement at the time of the arrest, said they received a report of a vessel possibly in distress south of Martha’s Vineyard on the morning of May 18, and explained that was why they first approached the fishing boat. The Coast Guard said it boarded the vessel around 10 am, and identified individuals who reportedly required “additional immigration status verification.” After checking with ICE, the Coast Guard determined that one passenger was a Brazilian national, and another was a minor traveling with his father. The Coast Guard said they worked with ICE “to ensure the family remained together” as they transferred them to ICE custody.

ICE officials said the agency transported Rogério Da Silva Lima and his 15-year-old son, Nycolas, to Woods Hole before transferring them to ICE custody on the mainland. Court records indicated the government intended to transfer them to Texas from there. The court records revealed that the father, two of his sons, and their mother had all appealed, but lost their case for asylum in 2023, and had stayed in the country without documentation for more than two years, so their deportation seemed an inevitability. But immigration advocates from the Island banded together to fight for the father and son to be returned to the Island, and to at

“As

an immigrant, you can feel rejected sometimes, but then you realize that most people are rooting for you despite a few who don’t. Most people support your goal to give a better life to your children.”

Photo of when the father and son were being taken from Menemsha.

ROBYN TWOMEY M.V. TIMES

least have a chance at a day in court. The Island community also came together to stage a protest in Menemsha in front of the Coast Guard station, and students led a walkout at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, where Nycolas is a student.

The Island solidarity had an impact. Nycolas was released after four days, then Da Silva Lima after nine days. Da Silva said he and his family say they are grateful.

“I don’t have words to thank everyone for all the care for my family, then and now,” Da Silva Lima said.

“People who didn’t even know us used their time to protest and try to help. As an immigrant, you can feel rejected sometimes, but then you realize that most people are rooting for you despite a few who don’t. Most people support your goal to give a better life to your children.”

“I thought they would separate us,” Nycolas said. “I can’t thank everyone enough; we were able to get out because of them. It was hard, but I didn’t expect it would get so much attention, that the school would protest. It helped to know people are supporting us.”

People who recognize Da Silva Lima and Nycolas on the street have stopped to say hello and celebrate their return to the Island. Among Brazilians, Da Silva Lima senses apprehension: “They are scared because of what happened to me, they feel there’s no safe place ICE can’t go. They tell me, ‘How come you can’t even go fishing anymore?’”

In Woods Hole, father and son were handed over to ICE agents by the Coast Guard, and drove in separate cars to the ICE Processing Center in Burlington. There they reunited and spent the night in a small cell, where they got slim mats to sleep on, and small meals.

“Nycolas was crying, saying, ‘My dream is over now,’” the father said.

There in Burlington, Da Silva Lima made one phone call to his other son, Nayran, 17, who lives in Boston. “I told him I was going to be deported.”

In the meantime, U.S. District Court of Massachusetts Judges Indira Talwani and Julia E. Kobick ordered they remain in Massachusetts. Because minors cannot be held at the processing center, ICE agents brought father and son to a hotel. They stayed for three nights, sharing a bed, watching TV, and being constantly monitored by agents taking turns. “We couldn’t leave or use our phones,” Da Silva Lima said. Nycolas was released on May 22, and returned to the Island. Da Silva Lima was transferred to Plymouth County Correctional Facility, where he shared a cell with four other immigrants. There were a lot of Brazilians, Jamaicans, Mexicans, and other Latin Americans,

he said: “That place is huge. There are a lot of people.”

He spent five nights in the facility he called “hell.”

“They take your freedom, put you in a cell with four people you don’t know, the bathroom is an open toilet with no privacy,” he said.

Da Silva Lima was transported to Burlington again on May 27, to be released with an ankle monitor.

The Lima family immigrated to the U.S. in 2021, but later the boys’ mother left the country. Initially, they lived in Boston, but in the past two years, the father has worked as a carpenter and painter on the Vineyard — first taking the ferry from Cape Cod, then moving to the Island with Nycolas. They had applied for asylum in 2023, but the case was rejected, as well as their

“They feel there’s no safe place ICE can’t go. They tell me, ‘How come you can’t even go fishing anymore?’”

–ROGÉRIODASILVALIMA

appeal to the U.S. Board of Immigration Appeals.

When Da Silva Lima was still in detention, he said, family and friends were not hopeful that he would be released. But after the judge’s decision, their mood improved. When the father received a call from Nycolas in Plymouth saying he would soon be released, he couldn’t believe it. “I said,

someone called the LUCE hotline. That’s how they were able to act so quickly,” the MV LUCE member said, on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.

“The first thing I did was hug my son,” Da Silva Lima said.

With his father returned home, Nycolas celebrated his birthday along with his brother Nayran and friends.

In general, these orders include check-ins and a conduct rule. If ICE gathers the travel documents to demonstrate that there is now a so-called “significant likelihood of removal in the reasonably foreseeable future,” or somebody violates the terms of their order, then they can be redetained.

“Some might say I’m playing the victim, but I don’t

“I don’t think I’m a victim. I came here to fulfill my dream and my family’s dream. But, unfortunately, all this happened... I know I have to leave.” –ROGÉRIODASILVALIMA

‘Don’t play games with me,’ and then broke down crying. I melted.”

The day he was released, he had only a note with the number of an MV LUCE Immigration Justice Network member in hand. As he left Burlington, Da Silva Lima met a swarm of dozens of people protesting outside the facility. It was Wednesday, the day activists and organizers usually protest against ICE there. Despite not knowing the person he should look for, he asked the help of a protester to call the MV LUCE member, who picked him up.

The Vineyard chapter of LUCE was created after the ICE raid of May 2025 that took 20 people on the Island. The group gathered funding and found an attorney who could file a petition that day. Many others in the community also helped: “A couple of hours after they were taken,

At school, he shared the happiness of his classmates at his reappearance: “They thought they would never see me again.”

Besides fishing, father and son usually go out for lunch, dinner, or just for coffee and talk. Da Silva Lima describes Nycolas as calm and respectful, and a teenager who likes swimming and playing soccer. But he feels his son’s smile is not the same as before. “You can tell his smile feels heavier,” he said.

Judge Talwani ordered that Da Silva Lima be released on an order of supervision. This type of order doesn’t give permission to remain in the U.S., but allows ICE to do the logistical work for removing somebody without detaining them during that process, explains Amelia Lynn Ritenour, the attorney from Haven Immigration Law who represented the Limas.

think I’m a victim. I came here to fulfill my dream and my family’s dream. But, unfortunately, all this happened,” Da Silva Lima said. In moments of difficulty, he turns to the Bible, especially Psalm 23, which he recited by heart during the interview: “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing ... Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

He said it’s challenging to think about the future, as his plans changed so much and that it’s unfortunate there are so few avenues for immigrants to stay in the U.S. legally: “This is a situation I can’t solve the way I want, the way I imagined. I know I have to leave.”

Maria Barros contributed reporting for this story.

Nycolas de Alvarenga Lima, right, with his brother, Nayran.

Rogério da Silva Lima fishing on Chappaquiddick.

Rogério da Silva Lima and Nycolas de Alvarenga Lima.

Rogério da Silva Lima and Nycolas de Alvarenga Lima.

ROBYN TWOMEY

ROBYN TWOMEY

Join the Martha’s Vineyard Bank Team!

Martha’s Vineyard Bank, a local community bank, has an exciting opportunity available for an Office Coordinator. This role facilitates HR administrative processes, assists with MV Bank Charitable Foundation initiatives, coordinates internal/external events, and handles general clerical operations.

Please visit www.mvbank.com for detailed information or to apply. We offer an exceptional benefits package, growth opportunities and a competitive compensation package based on experience.

**NON-CDLDRIVERSAND LABORERS** Bruno'sRolloff,Inc.iscurrently seekingfull-timeandpart-time NON-CDLDriversandLaborersfor bothyear-roundandseasonal positions.Applicantsmustbe availableforearlymorningshifts andseasonalovertime.Weoffer competitivewages,excellent benefits,andyearlybonuses. Applicationscanbepickedupatour o ceat11EastLineRoad, Edgartown,orrequestedby emailingadmin@brunosmv.com. Forfurtherinquiries,pleasecontact usat(508)693-5454.

BOOKKEEPER-PARTTIME IslandElderlyHousingislookingfor abookeepertowork32hoursper week.Thispositionisresponsible forthebookkeeping,accounting andpayroll.Musthave3-5yearsof accounting/bookkeeping experienceandbeproficiencywith computeraccountingsystems.For moreinformationaboutIsland ElderlyHousing,visitourwebsite, www.iehmv.org.Pleasesend resumetoleller@ iehmv.org

The Town of Tisbury (population 4,740) is seeking to fill the position of Conservation Agent. Candidate should have strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Must be able to work collaboratively with governing board, Management, all departments, and the public. Bachelor’s degree preferred in Environmental Science or related field and two years of related experience or any equivalent combination. Must have Valid Massachusetts driver’s license. Some duties include review all applications, site visits, Enforce state and local environmental laws and regulations, . Salary M2 step commensurate with experience. $95,317.20-101,497.68 +/-. Interested candidates should send a town application available on the town website www.tisburyma.gov, cover letter, and resume to Pam Bennett at pbennett@ tisburyma.gov by July 9th by 4:00 PM. Open until filled.Contact Human Resources for job description.

CIRCUIT ARTS SEEKS AN EXPERIENCED MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER TO LEAD STRATEGY, CREATIVE PRODUCTION, AND AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT ACROSS YEAR-ROUND ARTS PROGRAMS Full-time, in-person role on Martha’s Vineyard. 4+ years experience required. circuitarts.org/jobs

ISLANDALPACA

ENTHUSIASTSWANTED!

Seekingpositive,outgoing individualforapart-time positionasbarn&farmassistant/ host. Tellusaboutyourself.Torequest anapplication,emailus: info@islandalpaca.comorstop bytopickup!

CONSTRUCTIONFINANCE

MANAGER

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/

DUKES COUNTY IS SEEKING A RELIABLE INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR TO PERFORM PROPERTY AND BUILDING MAINTENANCE TASKS AND MANAGEMENT AS NECESSARY

Duties include basic facility upkeep, light repairs, general maintenance tasks, and troubleshooting across county buildings. Prior experience required, construction license preferred. Applicants should be dependable, able to work independently, and capable of occasional physical tasks. Please send a letter of introduction, including proposed hourly rate and references, via email to manager@ dukescounty.gov

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

TheHumanResourcesGeneralistwillperformthedaily functionsoftheHumanResources(HR)departmentincluding interviewingandhiringstaff,administeringpay,benefits,and leave,andenforcingcompanypoliciesandpractices.

TheHumanResourcesGeneralistwillperformthedaily functionsoftheHumanResources(HR)departmentincluding interviewingandhiringstaff,administeringpay,benefits,and leave,andenforcingcompanypoliciesandpractices.

UndertheDirectionoftheDirectorofHumanResources,key responsibilitiesinclude: HRAdministration&Compliance Onboarding Payroll&Recordkeeping

HEALTH CARE ACCESS SPECIALIST- BILINGUAL PREFERRED The Health Care Access Specialist provides public health insurance application and enrollment services for state and federal systems including MassHealth and Medicare. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills required. Proficiency with office equipment, MSO 365 and requisite software programs, ability to input/ manage data, and maintain confidentiality required. Must be able to work independently and be a positive team member in our busy multicultural Health Care Access office. 40-hour/ week position, Portuguese- and or Spanish-speaking helpful. Benefits include a competitive salary; health insurance; discounted dental plan; and a full retirement package based on years of service. Dukes County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Full job descriptions and job application available at https://www.dukescounty.gov/employment-opportunities Send letter of interest to manager@ dukescounty.gov

HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR

UndertheDirectionoftheDirectorofHumanResources,key responsibilitiesinclude: HRAdministration&Compliance Onboarding Payroll&Recordkeeping

Bachelor’sdegreeinHumanResources,Business Administration,orarelatedfieldrequired;equivalentrelated experiencemaybeconsidered.Thispositionisfull-time,40 hours/week,withasalaryrangeof$65,000-$75,000/year. Sign-OnBonusavailabletoemployeesingoodstanding!

Forfulljobresponsibilitiesandtoapplyplease checkourwebsiteorscantheQRcode: mvcommunityservices.org/employment

Bachelor’sdegreeinHumanResources,Business Administration,orarelatedfieldrequired;equivalentrelated experiencemaybeconsidered.Thispositionisfull-time,40 hours/week,withasalaryrangeof$65,000-$75,000/year. Sign-OnBonusavailabletoemployeesingoodstanding! Wearelookingfora

The Town of Oak

CONSERVATION AGENT

TOWN OF TISBURY

a bachelor’s degree in human resources, public administration, or a related field and a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible human resources management experience. Municipal and union labor relations experience is strongly preferred. Thorough knowledge of employment law, personnel administration, labor relations, and HR best practices required.

Salary Range: $47.72–$57.60/hour, DOQ, plus an excellent municipal benefits package. For a complete job description and application instructions, visit oakbluffsma.gov/jobs or contact Human Resources at wbrough@ oakbluffsma.gov.

Application deadline is July 2, 2026, at 4:00pm. Oak Bluffs is an EO/ AA Employer.

The ideal candidate must enjoy talking to people and have strong problem-solving skills. Applicants should be comfortable with technology and Microsoft Office, able to work both independently and collaboratively, and demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills. Experience 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

MVCSDISABILITYSERVICES

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIES:

FamilySupportCenterService Navigator($23.07-$27.40 perhour)

MVCSISLANDWIDEYOUTH COLLABORATIVEEMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

ProgramDirector($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!

application to Peter Steedman, Director, psteedman@mvpcs.org. Applications can be found on the school website at MVPCS.org.

NOW HIRING MEDIA ACCOUNT

EXECUTIVE: JOIN OUR AWARD-WINNING TEAM!

We are seeking a driven, community-minded Account Executive to support our ad sales and marketing efforts. Help local businesses grow while supporting exceptional local journalism. Part-time (20 hrs/wk) with potential for full-time advancement. Primarily in-person with remote flexibility. $25/hr ($26k/ yr) plus bonus and commission potential. 1-2 years of sales or marketing experience preferred. To apply, email your resume to sean@ mvtimes.com.

ROSEWATER MARKET IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR A FULL-TIME YEAR-ROUND FRONT-OF-HOUSE POSITION

For consideration, e-mail jared@ rosewatermv.com with a resum and availability.

FUR NISHED OFFICE SPACE VH

600 S FT.Suitable for office use only. Includes conference room, 2 offices & reception area. Utilities not included. Includes 2 parking spaces. 508-221-0858.

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) COMPLIMENTARY/ MEDICAL/ OR OTHER RETAIL SPACE.

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

18'ZARSLUXORYINFLATABLE RIGIDHULLW/DEEPV2012 8'BEAM,SEATS10,ETEC115HP, TOPEND40MPH,GPS,STEREO, TABLEFORSALEBYOWNER,ON ISLAND,TEXT617-803-2220.

LIBRARY CLERK - SEASONAL

The Edgartown Public Library is accepting applications for a seasonal Library Clerk position, July through Labor Day, up to 20hrs per week. Duties include shelving books and materials, cleaning and maintenance of the children’s room, and providing program support. $20.34/hour. Full job description and application available at edgartownlibrary.org. TOE is an EOE. Send Town of Edgartown application to Lisa Sherman at director@edgartownlibrary. org or Edgartown Public Library, 26 West Tisbury Rd, Edgartown, MA 02539. Job description and application are available at edgartownlibrary.org. Applicants with previous library experience will be given priority. TOE is EOE.

LOOKING FOR PART-TIME HELP FOR 75 YR OLD FAMILY MEMBER WHO RECENTLY LOST ABILITY TO DRIVE

Seeking help to run errands together, garden, take walks, cook together and companionship. Pay is negotiable and hours are too, ideally 10-12 hrs a week, year-round. Please contact summerhelpinfo@yahoo. com to schedule an interview.

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.

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

StaffGeneralistatDaybreak Clubhouse($23.00-$27.60per hour)

Lovesupportingothersasthey grow,learnandconnect?We’re lookingforadynamicteammember toprovidevocational,educational, andsocialsupporttomembersin ourDaybreakClubhouse.Wevalue livedexperienceandstrongly encourageindividualswithpersonal experienceofmentalhealthillness toapply.Applyat: mvcommunityservices.org/ employment

LOOKING FOR RESPONSIBLE FULL-TIME TEAM MEMBER.

Starting pay based upon experience with regular raises with new learned skills. Valid driver’s license, the ability to show up on time, follow directions and communicate are necessary. Potential housing available. Call 508-863-9956 THE UPS STORE IS HIRING FOR SEASON AND POSSIBLY YEAR ROUND Customer service star in a fast-paced environment. Retail experience a plus but will train. Please forward your info to Mike at miketfb@aol.com

STILL LOOKING FOR HELP WITH RUNNING ERRANDS, POST OFFICE, FOOD PREP/COOKING. Janice (508) 696-8976

Qualifications:Bachelor’sdegree required(relevant fieldpreferred) and1–3yearsofnonprofitprogram managementorleadership experience.Strongcommunication, leadership,andorganizationalskills required.Passionateabouthelping familiesthrive?Weencourageyou t oapplyat: mvcommunityservices.org/ employment

SchoolLiaison($23.00-$28.50/ hour)

TheSchoolLiaisonwillserveasa resourcetofamilies,schools,and thecommunity,connectingfamilies experiencingCRA-relatedissues withservicesandsupports. Responsibilitiesincludeproviding referrals,helpingdevelopFamily SupportPlans,maintainingfamily servicedata,meetingregularlywith Islandschools,andassistingwith IWYC/FRCprogrammingand events.Someeveningandweekend hoursarerequired. Qualifications:Backgroundinsocial servicesoramentalhealthsetting preferred.Strongcommunication, organization,confidentiality,and collaborationskillsrequired.Valid MassachusettsDriver’sLicenseand reliabletransportationrequired. 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 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

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 explore 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.

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.

ESTATESALE

LifelongCollectionofAntiques, Vintage,Collectibles,Furniture, Tools,Dolls,China,Glassware, Kitchenware,Clocks,Artwork, SomethingforEveryone Sat/Sun6/27&6/2810a-2p 105SpringSt-VH Noearlybirdsplease 850-293-4345

ESTATE SALE7 FAWNDALE RD VH Saturday, June 27th 9-5 Rain or Shine. Furniture, dishes, kitchen wares, home decor, outdoor furniture and more! YARD SALE JUNE 27TH SATURDAY 9 AM -1 PM RAIN DATE: JUNE 28TH SUNDAY 9 AM -1 PM

Clothes, furniture, Outdoor Summer items, artwork, etc 9 Coffins Field Road, Edgartown MA 02539

ARTICLES FOR SALE

EXTERIOR/INTERIOR AUTOMATED STAIRLIFT.

200” (16’8”) long, can be shortened. Gray. Brand new, unused. Built by Staying Home Corp. Legacy II Stairlift Model SL19. Can be seen at www. stayinghome.com. $500 or best offer. Allan 617-676-8160

SKIP THE SPA. BRING IT HOME Premium Platinum Spas hot tubs and cold plunges, now available on MV. Relax. Recover. Recharge. uality construction, premium components, delivery included, and local support from Vineyard Pool & Spa. 508-693-6636

Your best vacation might be in your own backyard.

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 LOST & FOUND LOST SILVER BEADS In tan canvas pouch. June 11 - Edgartown $200 reward. 508-939-0347 SERVICES MY

FREE LARGE SOLID WOOD SHELVING UNIT. 87”;hx37.5wx18.5”;d. For photo, leave callback number at 508-6935865. Great for storage or kitchen. FREE PINE CONES, NEARLY 3 DOZEN Great for Xmas decorations or other crafts. Pick them off branches on my ground. 508-627-8438. FREE: GE DOUBLE OVEN GLASS TOP Model JB850DFWW in excellent working condition. Small chip in glass top - doesn’t affect use. Driveway pickup 617-821-9170

SEALY TWIN PILLOW

Top mattress like new $100 and matching box spring $100.

Comfortable Upholstered burgundy rocker/ recliner with arms $100. call/text 413-530-1234. THULE HULL-A-PORT KAYAK CARRIER FOR 1 OR 2 KAYAKS One brand-new; the other lightly used. Pick up in Chilmark. $100. 310-467-4480.

WET SUIT, 6 MM THICK, LIKE NEW, SIZE SMALL Jacket and overalls. Great shape. $60/pair. 774-563-0050. West Tisbury

Real Estate

$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.

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

IMPROVEDPRICE:$1,795,000**

CONTACTMARILYNMOSESAT 617-462-0381FORMORE DETAILS!

OCEANPARKREALTY

PRICEIMPROVEMENT

46KENNEBECAVENUE

OAKBLUFFS,MA

$$1,495,000

SOLD&CLOSEDIN30DAYS

$1,995,000CALLORTEXT

MARILYNMOSES617-462-0381

MAINHOUSEPLUSGUESTAPT WITHROOMFORAPOOL!

OPENHOUSE SUNDAY6/28, 12:00-1:30,44TIFFANYDRIVE

ClassicVineyardcharmmeets modernluxury.Seton1.38private acres,thisbeautifullyrenovated4BR/ 4.5BACapeoffersover4,000sq.ft. oflivingspace,agourmetkitchen, multipleentertainingareas,a screenedporch,andaseparateonebedroomguestapartmentabovethe garage.Allnewappliances, windows,mini-splits.Listedfor $3.095M,contactPerryPatterson, Realtor,MVLuxuryHomes,973-7891264

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 Transactions

June 15 – 19, 2026

Edgartown

June 16, James Howell and April Howell sold 0 Harborside Inn Condo Unit 509 Week 22 to Cheryl Petitpas, Ronald French, Adrianna Petitpas Ouellette, Max Petitpas, and Jake Petitpas for $13,000.

June 17, Michael A. Jampel, as an individual and trustee of Nevin Square Trust, sold 0 Nevin Square Condo Unit 5 and 0 Winter St. to Detente LLC for $5,000.

June 17, Doris H. Keniston Swain and Robert W. Swain sold 0 Harborside Inn Condo Unit 453 Week 20 to Laurie A. Dickey, trustee of Tutu Family Trust, for $2,400.

June 17, Doris H. Keniston Swain sold 0 Harborside Inn Condo Unit

508 Week 20 to Faith A. Clarke, trustee of Faith A. Clarke Trust Agreement, for $2,600.

June 17, Julie M. Murray and Edward J. Murray III, trustees of Murray Family Security Trust, sold 0 Harborside Inn Condo Unit 411 Week

20 to James Marlow, Ellen Marlow, Casley Marlow, Drew Marlow, and Emily Brosnan for $3,000.

June 18, Isabelle Lew, trustee of Havencrest Realty Trust, sold 4 Hye Lane to Kira Pole-Ramirez Omari for $1,700,000.

June 18, Gary A. Scheller, Jeffery W. Scheller, and Jennifer S. Rako,

trustees of Susan W. Stevenson 2005 Family Trust, sold 35 Mariners Way to Angela Knapp and Gregory P. Knapp for $1,600,000.

Gosnold

June 18, Grantley Schenck and Catherine Ford sold 16 Bayview Drive to Grantley Schenck and Catherine E. Ford, trustees of Schenck-Ford Living Trust, for $1. Oak Bluffs

June 15, Heidi Boudreau sold 309 Barnes Road to Amahoro LLC for $2,875,000.

June 15, Art Woo and Susan J. Woo, trustees of Woo Revocable Trust, sold 56 Holmes Hole Road to Jason H. Kenney for $450,000.

June 18, Kathryn R. Ham, trustee of Oak Grove Realty Trust, sold 10 Winthrop Ave. to Candice Raynor for $1,195,000.

Tisbury June 16, Janis J. Sylvester sold 0 MV Harbor Landing Condominium Unit 47 Week 22 to Janis Jean Sylvester and Erica J. McGuire for $600.

West Tisbury

June 15, Sophia J. Mazza, formerly known as Sophia J. Abrams, and John Mazza, sold 1 Red Arrow Road to Lisa Magnarelli-Magden and Laura Love Denman-Magden for $1,550,000.

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!

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.

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

PRIVACYMEETSCONVENIENCEIN

OAKBLUFFS

JAYNEISFORD|203-962-4317

$1,795,000

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).

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

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!

SOLDFULLPRICEIN5DAYS!!

$895,000CALL

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 NEWLISTINGINOAKBLUFFS $968,750 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.

SOLD 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.

HOUSES-OAK BLUFFS HOUSES-OAK BLUFFS

BLUFFS

BLUFFS

BLUFFS

Real Estate

OFFICE FOR RENT IN VINEYARD HAVEN.

1,200 sqft Beach Road location for office use only. Call 508-627-2750. HOUSES-VINEYARD HAVEN

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 afullyrenovatedapartment. Whetheryou'reaninvestorseeking steadyincome,abusinessowner lookingfora flagshiplocation,ora developerexploringmixed-use potential,thispropertydelivers exceptionalvalueinoneofMartha’s Vineyard’smostdesirable commercialcorridors.

HOUSES-WEST TISBURY

OPENHOUSE 10:00AM-12:00PM

145VINEYARDMEADOWFARMS

NEWLISTING$1,399,000 CallorTextMarilynMoses 617-462-0381 Coastalcontemporaryresidenceis locatedonaprivate1.60-acrelotin WestTisbury,withconvenient accesstoLongPointWildlife Refugeandaccessto"Coveted" Lambert'sCoveBeach.Thehome featuresfourbedroomsandtwofull bathrooms.Onthe first floor,you'll findtwobrightbedrooms,a modernizedbathroom,andsliders fromthelivingareathatleadtoa newAZEKdeckandenclosed fencedgardens,perfectforoutdoor enjoyment.Theopen floorplan includesattractivebeadboard ceilingsthatcreateasenseof spaceandlight.Recentupgrades featurearemodeledkitchenwitha tiledbacksplash,granite countertops,andanLGinduction stovealongwithmatching stainless-steelappliances.The firstfloorbathroomhasbeenfully renovatedwithatiledshowerand glassdoor,tiled floor,newtoilet, vanity/mirror,rainfallshowerhead, andallnewhardware.Additional updatesincludeanewerroof,Azek windowtrim,anoutdoorshower enclosure,andgutterswithleaf guards.Thebasementhasa9-foot ceilingwithfourwindows,providing potentialforfurther finishingwith townapproval.Otherimprovements includeupdatedplumbingand electricalsystems,anewwell pressuretank,newCulliganWater FiltrationandConditioningsystem, andaGeneracwhole-house generatorinstalledin2022.

WESTTISBURY

NEWLISTING$1,399,000

CallorTextMarilynMoses 617-462-0381

Coastalcontemporaryresidenceis locatedonaprivate1.60-acrelotin WestTisbury,withconvenient accesstoLongPointWildlife Refugeandaccessto"Coveted" Lambert'sCoveBeach.Thehome featuresfourbedroomsandtwofull bathrooms.Onthe first floor,you'll findtwobrightbedrooms,a modernizedbathroom,andsliders fromthelivingareathatleadtoa newAZEKdeckandenclosed fencedgardens,perfectforoutdoor enjoyment.Theopen floorplan includesattractivebeadboard ceilingsthatcreateasenseof spaceandlight.Recentupgrades featurearemodeledkitchenwitha tiledbacksplash,granite countertops,andanLGinduction stovealongwithmatching stainless-steelappliances.The firstfloorbathroomhasbeenfully renovatedwithatiledshowerand glassdoor,tiled floor,newtoilet, vanity/mirror,rainfallshowerhead, andallnewhardware.Additional updatesincludeanewerroof,Azek windowtrim,anoutdoorshower enclosure,andgutterswithleaf guards.Thebasementhasa9-foot ceilingwithfourwindows,providing potentialforfurther finishingwith townapproval.Otherimprovements includeupdatedplumbingand electricalsystems,anewwell pressuretank,newCulliganWater FiltrationandConditioningsystem, andaGeneracwhole-house generatorinstalledin2022.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

SUPERIOR COURT DEPARTMENT

CASE NO. 2574CV00003

ORDER OF NOTICE

TO: Margaret D. Andrews and to all persons entitled to the benefit of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, 50 U.S.C. c. 50 §3901 (et seq):

Santander Bank, N.A. claiming to have an interest in a Mortgage covering real property in Oak Bluffs, numbered 62 Pondview Drive, given by Margaret D. Andrews to Santander Bank, N.A., dated October 10, 2020, and recorded with the Dukes County Registry of Deeds, in Book 1547, page 613, has/have filed with this court a complaint for determination of Defendant’s/Defendants’ Servicemembers status.

If you now are, or recently have been, in the active military service of the United States of America, then you may be entitled to the benefits of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. If you object to a foreclosure of the above-mentioned property on that basis, then you or your attorney must file a written appearance and answer in this court at 81 Main Street, Edgartown, MA 02539 on or before August 3, 2026 or you may lose the opportunity to challenge the foreclosure on the grounds of noncompliance with the Act.

Newspaper: Martha’s Vineyard Times

City/Town: Oak Bluffs

Witness, Michael D. Ricciuti, Esquire, Chief Justice of said court on June 15, 2026

/s/T. George Davis Clerk

MARTHA’S VINEYARD COMMISSION

PUBLIC HEARING

The public is invited to a public hearing concerning the following Development of Regional Impact #783 Jordan’s Nursery

Applicant: Bayes Norton Farm, Inc.; Michael Donaroma; Doug Hoehn (Agent)

Location: 218 Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, Oak Bluffs. Map 40, Lot 12 (approximately 17 acres).

Proposal: Creation of a retail and commercial nursery

Date & Time: Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.

Place: Hybrid Meeting MVC Office

- 1 st Floor, 33 New York Ave, Oak Bluffs, MA and Zoom Meeting ID: 878 2830 8183; Password: 475306

The application and plans are available on the MVC website. Written testimony may be submitted prior to or during the hearing. Check for updates on the online calendar.

MARTHA’S VINEYARD COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING

The public is invited to a public hearing concerning the following Development of Regional Impact #784 Aquinnah Headwaters

Applicant: Northeast Native Network of Kinship & Healing; Matt Coffey (Agent) Location: 759, 761 & 765 State Road, Aquinnah. Map 9, Lots 150, 149 & 148, respectively (approximately 7.76 acres)

Proposal: Development of a safe living facility comprised of three participant residences, a caretaker residence, a food hub building and a healing center building.

Date & Time: Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 6:35 p.m.

Place: Hybrid Meeting MVC Office

- 1 st Floor, 33 New York Ave, Oak Bluffs, MA and Zoom Meeting ID: 878 2830 8183; Password: 475306

The application and plans are available on the MVC website. Written testimony may be submitted prior to or during the hearing. Check for updates on the online calendar.

Legal Notices

whether or not reference to such restrictions, easements, improvements, liens or encumbrances is made in the deed. TERMS OF SALE: A deposit of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) by certified or bank check will be required to be paid by the purchaser at the time and place of sale. High bidder to sign written memorandum of sale upon acceptance of the high bid. The balance of the purchase price is to be paid by certified or bank check at Friedman Vartolo LLP, 1325 Franklin Avenue, Suite 160, Garden City, New York 11530, within thirty (30) days from the date of the sale. Deed will be provided to purchaser for recording upon receipt in full of the purchase price. In the event of an error in this publication, the description of the premises contained in said mortgage shall control. Other terms, if any, to be announced at the sale. U.S. Bank Trust National Association, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Trustee of LSF10 Master Participation Trust, Present holder of said mortgage by its Attorneys, Friedman Vartolo LLP 1325 Franklin Avenue, Suite 160, Garden City, New York 11530

Cottage City Historic District Commission NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Wednesday July 8, 2026 at 5:15 PM

RE: Naushon Park Map 17 Parcel 34-1, Map 11 Parcel 100, Map 11 Parcel 101

This is a HYBRID meeting with both in person & Zoom participation available. The meeting will be held in the downstairs meeting room at the Oak Bluffs Town Hall, 56 School Street, Oak Bluffs MA or Join Zoom Meeting https://oakbluffs.zoom.us/ j/82682453302?pwd=7ds7miF18CNaIJbJwlHRDlqJy1A8za.1

Meeting ID: 826 8245 3302

Passcode: 397196

Naushon Park - Map 17 Parcel 34-1, Map 11 Parcel 100, Map 11 Parcel 101

Antone Lima, Chair Parks & Recreation

Installation of a split rail fence on all four sides of each parcel

Proposed plans are on file in the Building Department at Town Hall. Written correspondence can be addressed to: Cottage City Historic District Commission Attn: Lee Ann Tavares, PO Box 1327, Oak Bluffs – 02557 email: buildingadmin@oakbluffsma.gov

LEGAL NOTICES W. TISBURY

WEST TISBURY ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

On Thursday, July 2, 2026, at 5:15pm the ZBA will hold a public hearing at the TOWN HALL-2 nd floor meeting room on an application for a Special Permit from Anne Ronella Holmes to allow the construction of a non-habitable accessory structure (barn) over 676 sq. ft on a pre-existing non-conforming lot in front of a primary dwelling requiring 23 feet of front yard setback relief under Sections 11.2-2 and 4.2-2D4 of the West Tisbury Zoning Bylaw at 16 Looks Pond Way, Map 32 Lot 46, in the RU district. 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 508-696-0107 for information on the application.

WEST TISBURY ZONING

BOARD OF APPEALS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE OF SALE, NOTICE OF MORTGAGEE’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE, Premises: 42 Kaeka Lane, West Tisbury, Massachusetts 02575, By virtue and in execution of the Power of Sale contained in a certain mortgage given by Dwight K. Kaeka, Elizabeth M. Kaeka, Shirley G. Kaeka and Daniel Kaeka to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Capital One Home Loans, LLC, dated July 10, 2007, and recorded with the Dukes County of Deeds in Book 1128, Page 757, of which mortgage the undersigned is the present holder by assignment of mortgage from Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. to Bank of America, NA, successor by merger to BAC Home Loans Servicing LP FKA Countrywide Home Loans Servicing LP, dated December 11, 2012, and recorded with said Registry in Book 1301, Page 540, and by assignment of mortgage from Bank of America, NA to GreenTree Servicing LLC, dated June 20, 2013, and recorded with said Registry in Book 1322, Page 546, and by assignment of mortgage from Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc as nominee for Capital One Home Loans, LLC to Bank of America, NA, Successor by Merger to BAC Home Loans Servicing LP FKA Countrywide Home Loans Servicing LP, dated October 12, 2018, and recorded with said Registry in Book 1479, Page 794, and by assignment of mortgage from Ditech Financial, LLC FKA GreenTree Servicing LLC to US Bank Trust, NA as Trustee for LSF10 Master Participation Trust, dated October 12, 2018, and recorded with said Registry in Book 1479, Page 796, and by assignment by Judgment to US Bank Trust N.A., as Trustee for LSF10 Master Participation Trust, dated April 8, 2025, and recorded with said Registry in Book 1709, Page 61, for breach of the conditions of said mortgage and for the purpose of foreclosing the same will be sold by Public Auction at 12:00 o’clock P.M. on the 8th day of July, 2026 at the mortgaged premises located at 42 Kaeka Lane, West Tisbury, Dukes County, Massachusetts, all and singular the premises described in said mortgage, To wit: THE LAND SITUATED IN WEST TISBURY, COUNTY OF DUKES COUNTY, COMMONWELTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, BOUNDED AND DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEING LOT NO. 3 AS SHOWN ON “A PLAN OF LAND IN WEST TISBURY, MASS., PREPARED FOR DANIEL K. KAEKA III, SCALE: 1” = 100”, APRIL 15, 1981, SMITH & DOWLING, ENGINEERS, SURVEYORS, PLANNSERS, STATE ROAD, POST OFFICE BOX 1087, VINEYARD HAVEN, MASS. 02568” RECORDED WITH DUKES COUNTY REGISTRY OF DEEDS IN WEST TISBURY CASE FILE NO. 207A, TO WHICH PLAN REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE FOR A MORE PARTICULARL DESCRIBED AND CONTAINING 1.67 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, ACCORDING TO SAID PLAN. TAX ID#: 30 14 BY FEE SIMPLE DEED FROM DANIEL K. KAEKA, III AND SHIRLEY G. KAEKA AS SET FORTH IN DEED BOOK 558. PAGE 717 AND RECORDED ON 6/6/1991, DUKES COUNTY RECORDS. THE SOURCE DEED AS STATED ABOVE IS THE LAST RECORD OF VESTING FILED FOR THIS PROPERTY THERE HAVE BEEN NO VESTING CHANGES SINCE THE DATE OF THE ABOVE REFERENCED SOURCE. Premises to be sold and conveyed subject to and with the benefit of all rights, rights of way, restrictions, easements, covenants, liens or claims in the nature of liens, improvements, public assessments, any and all unpaid taxes, tax titles, tax liens, water and sewer liens and any other municipal assessments or liens or existing encumbrances of record which are in force and are applicable, having priority over said mortgage,

AMENDED 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, July 15, 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 Sections 3.5.5 and 8.1.5.2, 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 in the Floodplain Overlay 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

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

RE: Gloria A. Hickey Trust Appeal

Gloria A. Hickey Trust 27 County Rd. Map 7 Parcel 12

The Oak Bluffs Zoning Board of Appeals will hold an In-Person Public Hearing on Wednesday, July 15, 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 Sections 8.1.5.1.5: Septic Upgrade in FPOD; 8.1.5.2.1: Construction of Dwelling in FPOD; 8.1.5.2.4: Construction of Garage in FPOD; and 9.1.A(7)(a)(i): Height Relief Within Coastal District, or any action related thereto 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

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

RE: Zarba Appeal

John Zarba and Susan Lemoie-Zarba 2 East Side Rd. Map 13 Parcel 7 The Oak Bluffs Zoning Board of Appeals will hold an In-Person Public Hearing on Wednesday, July 15, 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 9, Section XVIII(1)(A)(6)(a)(i)for alterations to buildings and additions to existing residential structures, provided that such additions or alterations shall not result in additional sewage flow or sewage capacity if said building or structure is served by onsite sewage disposal facilities. 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 PUBLIC NOTICES COUNTY FUEL OIL BID ADVERTISEMENT The County of Dukes

On Thursday, July 2, 2026, at 5:45pm the ZBA will hold a public hearing at the TOWN HALL-2 nd floor meeting room on an application for a Special Permit from Schofield, Barbini & Hoehn Inc. on behalf of Natalie Penicaud Volcko to allow the construction of an accessory structure (garage with ADU) over 676 sq. ft on a pre-existing non-conforming lot under Sections 11.2-2 and 4.2-2A3 of the West Tisbury Zoning Bylaw at 170 Waldrons Bottom Rd., Map 37 Lot 35.1, in the RU district. 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 508-696-0107 for information on the application.

Man charged with attempted murder after alleged Tisbury knife attack

Aman was charged with attempted murder after a domestic violence i ncident in Tisbury on Sunday night.

Tisbury Police, assisted by Massachusetts State Police, arrested Brandao Geraldo Alves Caldeira, 38, for an alleged knife attack against a female victim at a Cook Road home.

Tisbury Police Chief Chris Habekost said in an initial statement that the suspect was charged with “multiple violent felonies including attempted murder and assault a nd battery with a dangerous weapon.”

At the Edgartown District Courthouse on Monday, Caldeira was arraigned for attempted murder, assault and battery on a household member, threatening to commit crime, intimidation of a witness, juror, police, or

court official, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and malicious destruction of property valued over $1,200.

Caldeira entered the Edgartown courthouse escorted by a court officer in chains on Monday afternoon, wearing shorts and a white shirt that seemingly had dried blood stains around the collar, shoulders, and chest area. At the courthouse, Caldeira pleaded not guilty on all charges. Judge Benjamin Barnes ordered Caldeira to remain in custody at the Dukes County House of Corrections in Edgartown with no bail and to stay away from and have no contact with the alleged victim.

According to Tisbury police, the call of an attack came in around 10:45 pm on Sunday. Habekost said

the knife allegedly used to attack the victim was recovered at the scene.

“The female victim was taken to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital with serious injuries and was in stable condition as of this morning,” Habekost said in the statement. “This is all the information that I can provide to t he public at this time.”

District court documents show Caldeira was born in Brazil, and he required a Portuguese translator at his arraignment on Monday. His immigration status is unclear at this time, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement has not immediately responded to requests for comment.

According to a statement of facts filed in Edgartown District Court, other individuals at the apartment building located on Cook Road reported that Caldeira

Second man sentenced for Oak Bluffs fight

At the Edgartown Courthouse on Monday, a man who was involved in a fight outside the Ritz Café in Oak Bluffs in 2024 that resulted in the victim being permanently blinded in one eye will serve six months at the Dukes County House of Corrections.

Devante Santiago, 31, pleaded guilty in Dukes County Superior Court on Monday to all of his indictments, including vandalizing property, intimidating a witness, disorderly conduct, assault and battery causing serious bodily injury, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. After Santiago, who had

previously pleaded not guilty, changed his plea, Superior Court Judge Maureen Hogan walked him through a plea colloquy, a process that ensures a defendant is willingly, knowingly changing a plea. But before she sentenced Santiago, Robb Moriarty, the local defense attorney representing Santiago, made an earnest statement about his client’s character, and made a recommendation for his sentencing, followed by an apology by Santiago.

Moriarty highlighted that Santiago had accepted responsibility for his actions and shown remorse ince he was arraigned in

June 2024. This is also his first violent offense, and Moriarty said Santiago had followed all conditions.

Moriarty recommended that Santiago receive a threeyear sentence at the house of corrections, suspended over a one-year probationary period. Under that decision, Santiago wouldn’t serve any jail time, but would have a three-year sentence imposed if he failed to follow all probationary conditions.

Santiago also apologized for his actions from the incident outside the Ritz Café, and said his actions that night were fueled by his father’s death.

“That night was probably

attacked the victim with a knife and threatened to kill others on the scene.

Officers arrived on scene and found the victim covered in blood and semiconscious, according to the statement of facts. Caldeira was also covered in blood, according to the report.

The report states officers observed Caldeira with his arms around the victim, speaking into her ear while officers gave him commands.

The report states that Caldeira only released the victim after he was physically separated from her by officers. The victim did not answer any questions at the scene. According to the report, officers discovered a deep laceration and stab wound on the inside of the victim’s left arm after freeing her from Caldeira. The report states that according to other indi-

viduals officers spoke to at the Cook Road location, the incident started with an argument between Caldeira and the victim that compelled an upstairs neighbor to call the police. Officers were told by witnesses, the report states, that Caldeira then grabbed the victim by the hair with a knife in the other hand. The report states Caldeira then brought the victim upstairs, busted down a neighbor’s door, and swung the knife at them, causing the residents to fall back on a table. The re-

the worst night of my life. I was trying to drink to get away and ignore what was happening in my life. I was watching my father die,” said Santiago in the courthouse.

Santiago also said that he had not ingested any alcohol or drugs since that night.

Judge Hogan said she recognized all of the efforts Santiago has made to make amends for the damage he had done by following his conditions and showing remorse since the beginning

of his arraignments in 2024 in district and superior courts. But Hogan said jail time was justified.

During the 2024 incident, witnesses saw Santiago stomping on the victim’s head after he fell to the ground.

“I have watched the video so many times; I understand the fight, I understand the punch, but I don’t understand the stomp,” said Hogan on Monday. “Punishment by incarceration is still needed, because the public

port reads that Caldeira then grabbed the victim again and returned downstairs while threatening to kill the victim and several witnesses. The report also listed damage to doors that were completely removed, holes in a wall, and other property damage.

Caldeira was held at the Dukes County lockup and was arraigned at Edgartown District Court on Monday. A detention hearing is scheduled for him on Friday, June 26, at the district court.

needs to understand that there is some real punishment for what happened.”

Ultimately, Judge Hogan sentenced Santiago to a split sentence at the house of corrections of two years and six months, with a three-year probationary period. This means Santiago will serve six months in the house of corrections, then begin his threeyear probationary period. If he violates any conditions during the three-year period, he will be sent back to the house of corrections to serve the remaining two years. Judge Hogan also previously sentenced Frank Mogavero in December to one year in jail. While Mogavero and Santiago were sentenced separately, their crimes stem from the same 2024 incident. Mogavero was also seen in a video from that night punching the victim as he lay motionless on the ground.

“I can’t bring his sight back, but I can give him some justice,” said Hogan in the courtroom on Monday.

Devante Santiago will serve six months in jail, with three years of probation. BY NICHOLAS VUKOTA

NICHOLAS VUKOTA

Brandao Geraldo Alves Caldeira, arraigned at the Edgartown District Courthouse in a white T shirt with what look to be blood stains.

MV TIMES

The Edgartown Courthouse.

Brandao Geraldo Alves Caldeira was arraigned in Edgartown District Court on Monday. BY NICHOLAS VUKOTA AND EUNKI SEONWOO

Shellfish departments adapt after a slow season for bay scallops

BY PAUL BAGNALL

Shellfish departments across the Island are making efforts to adapt to several environmental factors that hampered last season’s bay scallop harvest. At the forefront of that effort is the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group (MVSG), which just celebrated 50 years of preserving and promoting the Island’s shellfish stock.

The MVSG raises and distributes bay scallop seed to the town’s shellfish departments from late July to the end-of-summer hatchery season, with different ponds seeded for optimal water flow, where the grown scallops can eventually be accessible to shellfishers and the public. Both scallops and oysters are typically placed in spat bags, single-use mesh totes that help them grow, but these bags can be used only once and are hard to clean. Spat, juvenile shellfish, are just visible to the naked eye.

As environmental conditions contributed to a smaller harvest this past season, Island officials are reconsidering how

they will seed the ponds this summer, or rather, through what vehicle.

Bay scallops were harder to catch this past commercial season, which runs from November to the end of March, than the previous year, but the price was actually better, at an average of $28 per pound over the average of $14 the previous year, according to David Berube, who’s shellfished in Edgartown for the past 56 years. Gus Leaf of Menemsha Fish Market said the wholesale price for bay scallops on the Island was $30 on average for last season’s haul. The fishermen’s price was between $25 and $32, Menemsha Fish Market owner Stanley Larsen said. He blamed the harvest downturn on pollution and a lack of eelgrass. The scallop beds were not as thick as in the previous year, Berube said. But he could still hit his limit of three bushels of scallops a day by fishing for a couple of extra hours. Seed stock for this next season is looking more positive, he said, because Edgartown has fairly

decent scalloping seasons compared with other towns on Island.

Bay scallops grow from seed to harvestable size in the span of two years, and the shellfish departments won’t know what this year’s crop of seed will look like until after the summer.

In order to help propagate a better season for this fall and winter season, the Tisbury shellfish department built a tidal upweller — a floating dock containing 16 mesh boxes of shellfish in the water at higher densities than in a spat bag — over the winter at the Edgartown shellfish department offices on Meetinghouse Way. It’s used to more efficiently grow bay scallops, oysters, and quahogs. It is part of the town’s attempt to move away from using spat bags, which are typically single-use and can be degraded by other marine life.

According to Edgartown shellfish constable Robert Morrison, the town’s shellfish department added another upweller over the winter, to

Vineyard Montessori opens new infant care center

Amid an ongoing need for infant care on the Vineyard, a small dent has been made with a programmatic expansion at the Vineyard Montessori School.

Early Monday morning, the early education center swung open the small wooden gate to its new infant care classroom and added another seven spots that provide parents access to licensed caretakers.

Over 150 babies are born each year on the Island, but only an estimated 10 spaces exist for licensed infant care. Due to the state requirements for licensure, which require a strict 1-to-3 ratio of providers and infants, caring for babies 15 months and younger is more pricey for centers and family childcare at homes. As a result, there are just a few home providers and centers who offer the service.

The necessity for trusted yet affordable childcare continues to be a top concern for parents, teachers, and administrators in the industry. That concern is accentuated by two alleged cases of child endangerment active in

Dukes County Superior and District Court. In one incident, the alleged negligence of the babysitter led to the death of a toddler.

“We know we need safe and healthy infant care for our babies here on the Island, so we’re really grateful to get going on this for families that need it,” Deborah (“Debbie”) Jernegan, the head of the Vineyard Montessori School, said.

The sound of babbling babies could be heard from the playground outside of Vineyard Montessori on the first day the center opened. Inside the classroom, seven wooden cribs lined one wall, with a play center on the carpeted floor on the other. One baby wondered at his reflection in a mirror, while another kicked her feet and waved her hands on a small pillow as an instructor prepared a bottle.

“They’re our most vulnerable population of children,” Jernegan said. “They can’t speak for themselves. They can’t walk. They can’t talk.”

Young parents face their own vulnerability in the process. Waitlists for toddlers and

preschoolers are so long that providers advise new parents to sign up as soon as they know they’re pregnant.

“For many Island families, the lack of infant care has created difficult choices betweenemployment, financial stability, and safely caring for young children,” a press release about the new center stated.

Even if a spot is secured, the cost is the next hurdle. Affordability has become out of reach for parents across the state, according to data collected by Boston researchers Pamela Joshi and Abigail Walters. The pair found that the average Massachusetts resident spends 12 percent of their wage on childcare.

At Vineyard Montessori School, care for one infant is $28,000 a year, a comparable rate to that on the mainland, where the average cost is over $26,000 annually. At the only other center-based infant care provider on Island, Martha’s Vineyard Community Services (MVCS), the cost is $80 per day, which comes in at around $29,000 annually for seven-day-a-week care.

Still, there are efforts to ease

total three for its shellfish aquaculture projects. In 2025, Oak Bluffs also installed a new upweller that saw immediate biological benefits, according to the annual town report for the shellfish department.

The hope is that these tidal upwellers help stem the downturning tide of the bay scallop population. MVSG executive director Emma Green-Beach said the conditions were not perfect for growing baby scallops, or there may have been a die-off over the winter.

According to the 2025 Chilmark shellfish department report, there were very few adult scallops available for harvest, as the shellfish propagation program had very low survival rates. This past scalloping season, Edgartown harvested approximately 3,000 bushels, while the previous year, the town totaled a little more than 10,000 bushels, according to Morrison.

The bay scalloping season for Tisbury was also not a great year, and the town had to close its season early, in mid-

financial burdens. Jernegan said families can fill out forms available at the center that are used to assess families’ financial needs and structure the tuition accordingly. Grants through the state and through local organizations, including the Slough Farm Foundation, can help mitigate high costs for parents. Jernegan also said the school had “been given money to help support families that need it” by the West Chop Community Fund and private donors.

Combined, MVCS’ infant care center and Vineyard Montessori’s new space care for 14 babies under 15 months. There are also multiple family childcare programs on the Island, some of which take in infants, such as Courtney Fitzgerald’s home in Vineyard Haven.

“I am so grateful that there are now two center-based programs on the Island serving infants. Montessori’s new classroom will help to meet a critical need,” Heather Quinn, director of MVCS’ early childhood program, told The Times in a statement. “The demand continues to be the highest for infants and toddlers. Our infant classroom has been fully enrolled since we opened.”

Jernegan said the infant care center at Vineyard Montessori wouldn’t have been possible without donors and funding sources. Just one year ago, Vineyard Montessori had plans to open an infant care center,

January, according to Danielle Ewart, shellfish constable of Tisbury. Ewart said, however, that the juvenile scallops made it through the icy winter in the ponds with a healthy amount of seed stock. Last season, there were 47.5 total bushels, compared with 201 bushels in 2024, according to a Tisbury shellfish department report.

Other challenges for healthy propagation include disease.

A kidney parasite called bay scallop Marosporida (BSM) was present in some bay scallops on the Island, according to a 2024 Chilmark town report. There is some evidence, however, that now the Island’s bay scallops may be more resistant, with cold winters making it harder for the parasite to spread, Green-Beach said.

The MVSG has been working with Stony Brook University Marinetics Endowed

but was $4.8 million short.

The Mimi and Peter Haas Fund, West Chop Community Fund, Slough Farm Foundation, and Carol B. Kenney, founder of Pathways4Health, were some of the primary supporters of the center this year.

And on opening day at Vineyard Montessori, spirits were high, although teachers were intentionally calm inside the classroom. During a midday visit, the lights were dimmed while some babies napped. Ella Jernegan, the

Professor Bassem Allam and the Cornell Cooperative Extension to research the BSM parasite and why some bay scallops remain productive despite infection.

“There are a lot of stages in which they die, and so our job is to keep growing the seed for the towns to plant out to help increase those numbers of adults that will have the chance to spawn the following year,” Green-Beach said. The seed set also depends on the larger regional weather and climate conditions, as well as the food quality for the bay scallops, Green-Beach added. Shellfish are not always linear, and not always easy to predict, due to the natural cycles of each season.

“A lot can go right and a lot can go wrong between now and October, when the family season opens, or November, when commercial season opens,” said Morrison.

infant program director, told The Times that the first day of the new infant care classroom started with her instructing each parent to turn their babies toward providers when handing them off. She said the purpose of the movement is so the babies can see where they’re going instead of where they’ve been; it’s a rhythm that she’ll replicate all year round.

“I love working with babies,” Ella Jernegan said in a hushed tone as she rocked an infant to sleep.

Bay scallops face a host of environmental challenges as M.V. Shellfish Group starts propagation efforts.

The space makes a small dent in the Island’s dire need for licensed care providers.

BY SARAH SHAW DAWSON

TISBURY SHELLFISH DEPARTMENT

The new upweller for the Tisbury Shellfish Department floats in Lagoon Pond in Vineyard Haven.

If you read this column, you know I love to fish. As much as I enjoy casting a line and landing a fish, I truly love teaching children and watching children fish. This past week I had the pleasure of volunteering with the Martha’s Vineyard Surfcasters as we taught the Edgartown School’s seventh-grade class to fish on Wednesday, June 17, and Cub Scout Troop 90 on Saturday, June 20.

This year marked the fifth year the students and Surfcasters, along with Cooper Gilkes and staff from Coop’s Bait and Tackle Shop, have met at the Edgartown Lighthouse to fish on a June morning.

“It’s a rising-class tradition,” said Lindsay Morgan, a seventh- and eighth-grade teacher in Edgartown School. “We bring them when the eighth graders are gone [graduated]. They bring their lunch. We spend half a day here at the lighthouse.”

“It started with Michael Waters. He was from a fishing family, and he wanted to fish. He talked to Michelle Pilkor, who was a teacher then, and she reached out to Coop,” said Morgan.

The idea was a great one. Coop reached out to Donald Scarpone, president of the Surfcasters, and a very fun tradition began. Last Wednesday, we waited for the kids on the dirt drive to the lighthouse with two pickups loaded with rods, gear, and lots of squid for bait. At nine, 30 students snaked down the path, a few with rods. The others each picked out a rod from the trucks, and we made our way to the bowl and point on the harbor side of the lighthouse.

Squid, even squid that Coop and his crew had already cut up, is messy and slippery. Many of the students wanted to learn how to bait their own hooks. A few opted to have a friend or one of the Surfcasters put some squid on their hooks. You could tell who baited their own by their ink-stained fingers and clothes. True fishermen in the making.

Schools and scouts

As lines were cast, the chatter of who would catch the first fish ran up and down the beach between students and teachers. We didn’t have to wait long. The sky was blue, the air was warm, and the fish were biting.

Rod tips were jiggling as fish nibbled on the bait, but it was Veyda Pearl, a student in the homeroom of Hannah VanDerlaske, who goes by Miss V, reeled in the first fish. Veyda was all smiles as she held up a decent-size scup.

Quick side note: I should now be calling the scup a golden sea bream after the U.S. Food

and Drug Administration recently approved the rebrand. I guess some folks will order golden sea bream on a menu, but would pass over scup. Got to chuckle over that one.

While scup are cute, the loudest shouts were heard when someone had a shark on their line. If you’re thinking Jaws, think smaller. Much, much smaller. The students were catching dogfish, and pretty small dogfish at that. But it was still super-fun to watch them get so excited about seeing and handling a shark.

Maya Nascimento reeled in the coolest catch of the day, a small fluke. Surfcaster Jared Stobie taught Maya and her nearby friends interesting tidbits about fluke while he extracted the hook. When Jared put the fluke back in the water, he told Maya to tap the tail gently. Maya did, and we all watched as the fluke skated over the sand and blended into the ocean floor. The kids thought it was awesome, and I totally agree.

The Cub Scouts had a windier and chillier day for fishing. They still caught fish, and shared plenty of squeals and laughter. The absolute cutest and most excited young fisherman was 8-year-old Jaylen Sola. Jaylen had never caught a fish before, which she told me twice so I understood how much she wanted to catch a fish. Jaylen didn’t quit. She kept casting. We walked around the bowl, hoping a change of location, whether 10 or 100 feet, would connect her line with a fish. She missed a couple, reeling in too quickly before the hook set.

Patience and determination paid off. Jaylen cast once more and held the rod, waiting through the nibbles, shuffling her feet and pushing sand with one foot over her other foot. Finally, her little rod bent over. She reeled, listening well to directions, but expressing all her enthusiasm. When her scup hit the beach, Jaylen couldn’t wait to hold it up for a picture. After we released her fish, Jaylen asked, “Can we walk back down by my mom so she can see me catch my next fish?” Cuteness beyond words!

We walked down to her mom, and Jaylen proudly showed her mom how to land a second fish.

I hope to see you on the beach, and maybe we’ll chat about the benefits of golden sea bream over scup.

BY

olmes Hole Sailing started its official season on Sunday, a perfect summer day, with an ambitious race across Vineyard Sound to Cape Cod. Wind gusts peaked at 25 to 26 knots, whipping up whitecaps across the water. Eleven boats came out for the start, but three decided against it (one because of a torn mainsail). The race route was course No. 5 in reverse, which required a brisk dash on a screaming reach to Falmouth R16, then to Green Pond R14, and back to Vineyard Haven Harbor. The tide was flooding all afternoon, which presented an added challenge as the

fleet beat its way back. Although miles ahead, Steve Besse’s Apres won the cup by just 50 seconds over Beck Colson’s Silhouette, after calculating each boat’s handicap. Mo Flam on Penelope took third place. We welcome all interested sailors to join Holmes Hole. Go to holmeshole. org to sign up! Races are held every Thursday evening at 5 pm and Sunday afternoons at 2 pm. Any monohull boat within reach is welcome for the entire season or just one race. Ratings are updated after several races, based on performance relative to the group.

STORY AND PHOTOSBY LISA BELCASTRO

HOLLY RODGERS WESCOTT

1. Maya Nascimento holding her catch. 2. Jaylen Sola was the happiest person on the beach when she reeled in her first fish ever. 3. Shanoiya Coke looked pretty in pink as she proudly showed off her catch. 4. Veyda Pearl caught the first fish of the day during the Edgartown seventh-grade class fishing trip. 5. Eli Graves was all smiles when he reeled in his catch of the day. 6. Gaby Ribeiro was thrilled to catch and hold a shark.

THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2026

Mike Benjamin and Jodie Treloar Sampson

Local legends play together and put their audience at ease.

BY SARAH SHAW DAWSON

On the patio at Noman’s on a recent Tuesday afternoon, local musician Mike Benjamin strolled in with his shades on, his steps assured, back and forth from a van full of instruments. A few minutes later, vocalist Jodie Treloar Sampson sauntered over to join him, a wide smile on her face as she prepared for their gig. It’s a meeting they’ve had many times over the years, and many days a week in the summers.

The pair were preparing to play with their band, Mike Benjamin and the Keepers. Other band members set up drum sets, amps, and a keyboard behind them, cracking jokes and talking about their set list.

“I feel really lucky that I get to play music a lot,” Benjamin, who sings lead vocals and plays the guitar, said as he unloaded his equipment. The show they played at Noman’s was one of five gigs that week. With the Keepers, Benjamin plays public and private gigs, and the group specializes in weddings, parties, and seasonal gatherings.

At Noman’s, the sun was glaring and the clock was ticking, with 30 minutes to go before their start, but Benjamin, Sampson, and their band members, as always, were cool. Their professionalism as musicians is backed by a grounded Vineyard

Taylor and Laurie David. Sampson said she loves learning about metaphysical topics, and has found a way to incorporate her deep interest in the world around her with the art she pursues. “I was in biology and studying nature, and now I do five-element acupuncture, which is also super-close to nature, but it's also close to that ethereal, esoteric part of being, and spirit and consciousness,” Sampson said.

On an average summer day, Sampson could be walking her dog, Clause, in between acupuncture patients, as Benjamin tends to the bees he keeps near the flourishing garden at his home before meeting up at an event, such as Tuesday’s Noman’s show.

Benjamin’s ability to balance decades’ worth of fret work on a guitar with a laid-back vibe has kept him booked and busy over the years, and Sampson’s vocal ability and passionate pursuit of music has made them a formidable team. They met in 2016, and have been playing together ever since. As a result of their cohesion and symbiotic match, they’re in a few bands together besides the Keepers.

For instance, the pair are in Sampson’s band, called Jodie Treloar Sampson and Sneakytown, which features her original music — indie,

a few years ago and now owns the Oak Bluffs store Curio, had a career in tech and owned a recording studio in Scituate. He was also one of the founding members of Entrain, a local band he and Benjamin were known for in the 1990s and 2000s.

“We’ve been active together musically for more than 35 years,” Loyot said of his and Benjamin’s musical background.

The entire band said Wes Nagy was the most storied of them all in the music world. He has played with big names like Mick Taylor of the Rolling Stones, produced film and television scores, and even performed in Broadway shows. Nagy is in multiple local bands, and sits in with even more, plus he plays the piano at Grace Church in Vineyard Haven on Sundays and at events like the Aquinnah Variety Show.

The drummer at Nomans, Igo, just graduated from Berklee College of Music, and plays with Benjamin in a few groups. And another drummer in the band, Hudson Bausman, started playing in gigs with Benjamin when he was just 13 years old. He learned the drums as a child (he’s the son of Rick Bausman, legendary local drummer), joined the school band, and became an astounding talent early on.

charm; they enjoy the shows as much as the crowd does. Their band is a joining of multiple longtime musicians: Steve Tully and Rob Loyot groove in the horn and percussion section, Wes Nagy rocks the keyboard, and the band features rotating drummers, including Hudson Bausman, Jeremy Driesen, and Cam Igo. All of the members have their own histories, are featured in other bands, and boast decades of experience at their craft. And the onlookers

on Tuesday were waiting to hear the familiar tunes; a toddler in the crowd was ready to go, his parents holding his small hands as he kicked his feet to the band’s sound check. Benjamin said he learned at a young age that he could make a career out of his passion, and that it was “really intriguing.” Since then, he’s worked with all manner of musicians, and experimented with different genres. As a full-time musician, he keeps especially

busy during the summer. Sampson, on the other hand, has a career as an acupuncturist. “I have a private practice in my home, and I've been at it for, well, all together, on the Island treating patients probably for eight or nine years,” she said. While formerly a marine biologist, Sampson was pulled toward holistic work, and often meets with clients at her practice during the day, then heads to a gig in the late afternoon. She plays with Benjamin and other groups, which include the band the Outskirts with lead Jessie Leaman, and the Uku-Ladies, a ukulele gathering with Kate

singer-songwriter tunes with descriptive lyrics and catchy melodies. They also play as an acoustic duo at events like Porchfest in Edgartown. Benjamin leads multiple other groups, like Mike Benjamin and the Bend in the Road Band, which tours nationally with his own original songs. These include a blend of influences from bluegrass, folk, rock, and a full range of instruments.

A few of the other members in Mike Benjamin and the Keepers have been playing together for years, honing their sound. Rob Loyot, a multi-instrumentalist who moved full-time to the Island

“After a number of years, I just kept doing more and more gigs with him and started playing with Jodie as well in the wedding and event band pretty consistently,” Bausman said. “It’s a great group of musicians to play with, and a really nimble band. Everyone in the band is very musically flexible … there’s a lot of room for improvisation and experimentation.”

While their schedules are packed to the brim, the band members flow with one another. Their comfort and love for the songs are almost palpable, and put their audience at ease as well.

1. Mike Benjamin and Jodie Treloar Sampson at Porchfest this year. 2. The whole band plays at Noman's, with Mike Benjamin and Jodie Treloar Sampson leading the group.

3. Mike Benjamin's band, Kitch ’n Sync, around 1981. From left, John Murdock, Beck Towery, Mike Benjamin, and Willy Haigh.

COURTESY MIKE BENJAMIN

SARAH SHAW DAWSON

NICHOLAS VUKOTA

Constance Messmer might be the only spiritual healer whose work is influenced by investigative journalism. The yearround Vineyard resident is a graduate of the University of Iowa’s journalism program, with a degree in mass communication. She went in a different professional direction — becoming a Reiki master — but she found that “while doing hands-on healing work, I looked deeper, went deeper, like a journalist, and there was usually a story to investigate that explained people’s symptoms. And as I worked with them, I realized their challenge could be from a situation in their life, or sometimes in their childhood, and then sometimes even a pastlife experience. So the handy part about having studied journalism is that it helps you consider the source, and it really refined my approach.”

This approach — call it investigative self-awareness — strongly informs her recent book, “Soul Yoga.” We’ll get to the book in a moment.

But first: How did Messmer’s focus shift from journalism to spiritualism? Actually, spiritual awareness has always been a part of her life. Her first memory is of “talking to the dog and hearing the dog talk,” she says. “I would see people in the house we lived in — not living people. It was an old house, so they probably belonged with the house. When we had family gettogethers, I was the quiet kid who would just listen, and I would hear things not said.” With these formative experiences, perhaps it’s understandable that rather than

going into journalism, she decided in her mid-20s to study the Japanese alternative healing tradition of Reiki. The word reiki, coined in 1920, means “miraculous life-force,” and consists in part of clearing energy blocks along the chakras by a laying-on of hands.

Chakra roughly translates to “wheel” in Sanskrit, and refers to energy centers at certain spots along the spine. Reiki hadn’t hit the Vineyard yet.

“I was the first one,” she recalls. “In 1997, I brought it to the Vineyard as a teacher, and taught many here.”

She continued, “I realized in doing the energy work that while it was important for me to help balance energy fields, it was far more impactful when I gave [my clients] insight as to what their energy blocks were about. So I started doing Reiki with insight — and more people wanted the insight than the bodywork. I kept the bodywork because it’s such a beautiful adjunct. But every time I would give people information on their chakras, they would say, ‘Please write about this.’

Messmer, who is married to MV Times owner Steve Bernier, began a podcast in 2023, teaching about chakras, and having amassed 158,000 YouTube subscribers, she says, “God was calling me to teach. I

BOOKS A journalistic journey to self

‘Soul

Yoga’ by Constance Messmer. BY NICOLE

GALLAND

realized there was a lot out there already, but I wanted to bring my own force.” To focus on teaching, she gradually phased out her handson healing that year.

The actual writing of

“Soul Yoga” “was definitely a labor of love,” Messmer explains. “It started like a 20-page eighth-grade report, and I thought, ‘This will be really easy, maybe a couple of days,’ but it took a

COMMUNITY NOTES

‘Managing Food Allergies with the FIG App’

The Vineyard Haven library welcomes Max Rebarber, cofounder and CEO of the FIG (Food Is Good) website and app, for a Zoom presentation about this popular platform among those with alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) and broader food allergy communities. FIG helps users identify potential allergens through barcode scanning, ingredient analysis, recipe tools, and peer-shared information about allergy-friendly restaurants. The app was designed to help people navigate the complicated reality of food allergies. This session will include a live demonstration of the app, a conversation about the story behind FIG and its development, and practical tips for using the platform to navigate AGS and

other food allergies. Audience questions and participation are encouraged. Tired of seeing people told what they couldn’t eat, Max Rebarber and fellow co-founder Andrew Hollar created FIG to show people everything they could eat. Max brings years of experience building and leading health-tech startup teams to this endeavor. He believes food is an underutilized resource in treating chronic disease, resulting in billions of dollars of unnecessary medical spending each year. Through the FIG app, Max is working to fill this gap in care and help millions feel their best through food. As a new resident of San Diego, he enjoys learning to surf the waves in his downtime. Max will be in conversation with Lea Hamner of the Martha’s Vineyard Tick Program. Lea Hamner, MPH, is a

public health epidemiologist specializing in tickborne diseases, AGS, and community-based public health systems. She works with the Martha’s Vineyard Tick Program, local boards of health, and the Inter-Island Public Health Excellence Collaborative, focusing on disease surveillance, public education, healthcare collaboration, and tick-borne disease prevention. With 10 years of experience in local public health epidemiology, Hamner is recognized nationally for her work on AGS surveillance and advocacy.

Hosted in collaboration with the Martha’s Vineyard Tick Program and the Martha’s Vineyard Alpha-Gal Syndrome Support Group, this virtual program will be held at 2 pm on Tuesday, June 30, via Zoom. Interested patrons may register

couple of years.” She created her own publishing company, c.a.m.p.s. Shorts press. “I am a channel, so it comes really fast, and as much as I wanted to get it into mainstream publishing, the turnaround is too slow,” she explains. “So that’s a bummer, but I have this series of lessons I want to teach.” “Soul Yoga,” the first of those lessons, came out earlier this year.

Hinduism and Buddhism say that there are seven

chakras, or energy centers, along the spine, corresponding to the colors of the rainbow. While working on her clients, Messmer noticed that there were energy centers both below their feet and even more so above their heads. She’s found 12 chakras, and her book is “more of a reference book,” she says, both for people who are practitioners, and also for those who are actively engaged in an inward journey.

“Soul Yoga” is structured as a user-friendly how-to manual, leading the reader through an exploration of clearing and balancing each of the 12 chakras. There’s a chapter for each chakra, and they are organized consistently: First is a comprehensive description and list of what the chakra is associated with, including physical and mental imbalances; then Messmer shares what colors, musical notes, healing stones, mudras (sacred hand gestures) and yoga poses are associated with it. After a more in-depth overview of how the chakra works energetically,comes the “chakra contemplation”: Seated comfortably, the practitioner is encouraged to work through a series of self-reflections, questions, visualizations, and affirmations. There are blank pages for writing whatever thoughts or impressions arise during this segment (there is a companion journal with more blank pages).

“Like regular yoga class, don’t do it all in one fell swoop,” Messmer advises. “Take it in chunks. But it is a practice. People want a magic wand with their intuition. I took years sitting with my intuition to get there; I was a Reiki master for 30 years before I could write it. Mostly, it’s a journey. I don’t make it up, it comes to me. The book is not a one and done, it’s a resource, it’s a practice, it’s a journey.”

“Soul Yoga” is available at books.org, Amazon, Bunch of Grapes, and as of late July, Edgartown Books.

on the Vineyard Haven library’s event calendar. For more information, please contact the library at vhpl_ programs@clamsnet.org or 508-696-4211.

‘36 Meditations: Kayak Dreams at Sea Level’

Mitch Gordon’s ‘Sea Level’ art exhibit is a firstperson drift along the coastal plains. The sensuous rhythms of dunes, bluffs, and beaches extend far beyond the borders. Gordon shows 36 16- by 20-inch canvases, displayed in three rows of 12 panels. Each canvas is a complete work, a separate meditation, and each grouping tells a story, growing to symphonic scale.

Opening July 3, Turpentine Gallery, 554 State Road, Tisbury. mitch@turpentinegallery.art.

A Summer Without Prufrock

By Kate Feiffer

This summer on our busy rock: Cocktails served with no Prufrock. Will its absence be discussed Along with politics and disgust? While we rage against traffic and ticks And rising prices that tariffs don't fix, While we complain about war and hackers, What will we use to coat our crackers?

(With thanks to editor and poet Laura D. Roosevelt)

Kate Fei er is a writer and illustrator, and the director of Islanders Write at e M.V. Times.

Poets with a connection to Martha’s Vineyard are encouraged to submit poems of 120 words or fewer to m@mwest.com. Please also include a two- to threesentence bio at the end of your poem.

Constance Messmer RANDI BAIRD

TOWN COLUMNS

Tisbury

By Taylor Stone tisburycolumnist@gmail.com

Have you ever been to one of the Open Mic Nights in Tisbury?

Well, last Tuesday, I was able to catch the tail end of the final one hosted at the Katharine Cornell Theater. The Vineyard Haven library has been hosting these community events inside the historic theater on Spring Street, sitting above our Tisbury Town Hall. For those of you who have never walked into the Katharine Cornell Theater, you enter and are engulfed on each side by beautiful painted murals. Painted by Stan Murphy, these paintings depict four Martha’s Vine-

yard scenes: the Wampanoag Vineyard creation story, a whaling scene, a day at the beach, and a view of Menemsha in wintertime. The ceiling even boasts another painting, with seagulls soaring above the audience’s heads in the sky. What started as a “make it work” moment of needing a new location once Island

Music closed its doors has turned into a really special experience for anyone who wanders in to be inspired to perform and share their special talents. With comfortable chairs for the audience, a raised stage, lighting and sound equipment, along with a Steinway grand piano for musicians to use, these Open Mic Nights have really found a welcome new home. However, with summer booking conflicts coming up, June 16 marked the last of this event (until further notice). Andy Herr, who has been organizing these biweekly events since 2016, talked to the attendees at

the end of Tuesday night, highlighting the importance this space holds for so many performers on Martha’s Vineyard: “This, for a lot of people, was an early performance space for them … plays, music events, First Night, and even the Wintertide rotating coffee house performances on occasion.” While on a break for now, I hope I will be writing here again soon saying these unique opportunities for our community to share songs, poems, jokes, or whatever else they’re brave enough to get up onstage and perform are back up and running, either in this beautiful theater

or elsewhere. In other arts news, the M.V. Playhouse art gallery is currently showing “Portraits: Black and African Countenance,” with multimedia collages by Janice Frame and black-and-white photographs by W. Leo Frame Jr. (both retired art teachers at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School). This show will be up through June 27, and can be viewed Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 4pm. I also want to shout out Vineyard Haven Harbor Cultural District president, local artist, and close friend Althea Freeman-Miller.

For those of you who have never walked into the Katharine Cornell Theater, you enter and are engulfed on each side by beautiful painted murals. Painted by Stan Murphy, these paintings depict four Martha’s Vineyard scenes.

Edgartown

By Marnely Murray marnely@gmail.com

Don’t blink or you’ll miss it. Summer solstice happened last week, meaning, somehow, already?! The days are getting shorter, and I’m truly sorry to be the bearer of bad news in the first three seconds of this column. The loss of daylight is almost imperceptible at first (losing just a few seconds a day), but gradually accelerates through the summer and fall. But don’t despair, this is to be taken more so as a reminder to make sure your summer days are filled to the brim (or not) with whatever you’re hoping to accomplish this summer. Whether it’s having your business be really profitable this season so

Oak

you can take the winter off to travel, or maybe tackling your kid’s summer bucket list, which probably includes ice cream on a daily basis — that’s it, that’s what our lives are made up of. Here’s what’s happening this week that you can add to your calendar: Last week I attended one of these “Music in the Square” events, where Eisenhauer Gallery, Vineyard Square Hotel, and Chesca’s Restaurant come together to present live, local music in the Vineyard Square every Thursday all summer long. This week they are welcoming back Mike Benjamin and the Keepers! It’s a fun community night that starts at 6 pm,

Bluffs

By Joanne Lambert joannelamber@gmail.com

“It’s all happening!”

– Penny Lane, Almost Famous”

It certainly feels like it’s all happening in Oak Bluffs!

The Harbor Festival kicked off summer last Saturday. It was a great time; thanks to all who put it together!

Be sure to check out the new community art installation by Galaxy Arts MV.

The theme for “Art In The Park 2026” is housing, and the artists were asked to celebrate the architecture of

the Oak Bluffs cottages. The result is 45 unique pieces, dotting the walking path around Sunset Lake. The art is stunning, and you can bid on each piece through an online auction which will benefit Harbor Homes. The art is up through July 4, and the auction ceremony will

and is completely free! Saturdays are back with Vinyasa Power Yoga classes from 9 to 10 am at the Edgartown library. This type of yoga is therapeutic, creative, and powerful. Vinyasa incorporates elements of strength-building, making it a dynamic experience. That same day, June 27, a sound bath with Trish Ginter takes place at 11:30 am. Two great ways to start your weekend. Both these programs have been generously funded by the Friends of the Edgartown Free Public Library, and I like to make sure to mention that — the work the Friends do is admirable, and if you’re looking to vol-

unteer, connect, or donate your time (and/or money), they would love to have you! Reach out to my friend Ann at annmtyra@gmail.com.

On June 26, Morning Glory Farm is hosting a Livestock Tour (2:30 pm) and a Vegetable Tour (4 pm). You’ll get to meet the Morning Glory cattle and pigs at their homes at Katama Farm, and learn more about how they use animals to feed our community and improve the land over time, as well as get a behind-thescenes tour of the vegetable fields at Morning Glory Farm and learn how they grow produce! You do have to register for both of these

online at bit.ly/MVAS_ MorningGloryTours.

On June 29 at 7 pm, bestselling author Emma Brodie will talk about her new novel, “Into the Blue,” an instant N.Y. Times bestseller, with “Today” cohost Jenna Bush Hager at the Old Whaling Church. Tickets are on sale and can be found at bit.ly/BrodieHagerBookTalk.

Last but not least, I met the team doing the Swim Across America - Martha’s Vineyard Open Water Swim recently, and their work is incredible and worthy of support. The charity swim will be held at Menemsha Beach on Saturday, July 18.

Her studio, Althea Designs, is located across the street from the ArtCliff Diner. She has recently expanded her outdoor patio space with a shaded seating area, just waiting for anyone to come and sit, draw, read, and explore through artmaking. On Friday and Saturday mornings, 10 am to noon, Althea hosts weekly “art hangs,” where everyone is invited to stop in and join the fun: sketching, coloring, experimenting, or whatever creative act you’re drawn to! Bring your own sketchbook, or use Althea’s supplies onsite. Free and welcome to all, with donations appreciated. Do you have an upcoming birthday or something you want shared in a future Tisbury column? Email me at tisburycolumnist@gmail. com with your own stories of our town, or upcoming events you’d like to see spotlighted here.

They welcome swimmers of all ages and skill levels, and volunteers, to help fight cancer with Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital! More information on how to get involved online: bit.ly/SOA_enter. Birthday shout-outs go out to so many amazing community members: Larry Glick and Debbie Phillips on June 25, Antoniya Sabeva on June 26, Kelley DeBettencourt and Katya Akimenko on June 27, Sam Decker on June 28, Mike McCourt on June 29, Jennifer Devivo on July 1, and Tresa LovioSlattery and Cay Mangione on July 2!

On June 29 at 7 pm, bestselling author Emma Brodie will talk about her new novel, “Into the Blue,” an instant N.Y. Times bestseller, with “Today” co-host Jenna Bush Hager at the Old Whaling Church.

be on July 5 at the P.A. Club from 5 to 7 PM.

Truth and Joy Celebration is June 27, from 5 to 7 pm at the MVRHS Performing Arts Center.

This year, our superintendent of schools, Richie Smith, will receive the “Friend and Leader Award” from the M.V. Diversity Coalition for his commitment to Vineyard students and teachers. The winners of the Marie B. Allen Creative Arts challenge will also be honored, including Alex Wilson of Oak Bluffs. There will be music, dance, refreshments

and more. Go to mvdiversitycoalition.org for more info. Clothes to Go presents its third annual Fashion Show on June 27. Local models will showcase the unique secondhand styles available at its lovely center, where they have been providing free clothing for 17 years. Don’t miss this free event at 7 pm at the Tabernacle.

Tom Dresser is launching his new book, “Vineyard Vanguards,” with a party on June 30 from 1 to 3 pm at 7 Meadow Ave., Oak Bluffs. This is a collection of short biographies of Vineyarders

who have left their mark on the Island. It’s a party; all are welcome!

Sunday Concerts in the Park presents the Vineyard Haven Band on June 28, 5:30 to 7:30. Kids of all ages are invited to march and/or dance around the bandstand!

Our June full moon is the Strawberry Moon, the first full moon of summer. When this moon rises just before sunset, it makes for the sweetest summer evening!

A great place to see the full moon will be on the lawn at Featherstone, as “Musical Mondays” on June 29 pres-

Sunday Concerts in the Park presents the Vineyard Haven Band on June 28, 5:30 to 7:30. Kids of all ages are invited to march and/or dance around the bandstand!

ents one of my favorites: Jon Zeeman and Joanne Cassidy. The music starts at 6:30 pm. Get your tickets the Monday before at featherstoneart.org. Happy birthday to Jack Law on June 25! He shares the day with Kristen Coogan and Carly Simon. We remember and miss Patty Philbin Lawrence. Birthday hugs to Donna Getty on June 26. Happy anniversary to Joyce and Tom Dresser on June 27, and sending birthday balloons to Pat Ingalls. Happy birthday to Ashley Rebello Andrews on the 28th. We wish a sweet birthday lullaby to author Stacy Hall on June 29. Donna Leon blows out the candles on June 30. On July 1, we send birthday wishes to Catherine Doiron and Madeline Alley. Send me your news!

TOWN COLUMNS

Aquinnah

By Kathie Olsen aquinnahcolumn@gmail.com

Last Saturday we were treated to what promises to be the first of what may become the annual Aquinnah Summer Solstice celebration. Shops on the Cliffs were crowded with visitors, as they are every summer weekend. Food was available up there, and crowds of people could be seen sitting at the picnic tables happily munching, while the seagulls hovered hopefully above. Meanwhile, on the Aquinnah Cultural Center lawn, a parade of musicians entertained and uplifted an audience of locals and visitors

alike. The backdrop was a beautiful sunny day, sparkling sea, blue skies, and puffy clouds. The magic of drumming, of harmony, of kindness and community filled the air. A huge thank-you goes to the staff of the Aquinnah Cultural Center and to the Wampanoag people for their welcoming spirit, and to the musicians for sharing their neighborly joy. The advent of summer is marked on our property by the noted absence of our teenage grandchildren. Emmett is off in Wyoming mountaineering and rock climbing, while Tillie is

Chilmark

By Claire Ganz cganz@live.com

The weather is beautiful. Native Earth Teaching Farm is open from 10 am to 6 pm on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Randy Ben David and Rebecca Gilbert have plenty of guinea fowl eating ticks and other insects. They, along with the goats, ducks, chickens, and geese, welcome summer with yellow and orange St. John’s wort blossoms and fields of daisies.

Architect turned abstract watercolor painter Ken MacLean’s paintings are going up in the Chilmark library.

The opening is Saturday, June 27, from 3 to 4:30 pm. Congratulations to all. The Chilmark School’s graduation ceremony was magnificent. Their teacher, Jackie Guzalak’s personal remarks included a lesson on Gen Alphaisms, which gave us a hint at the depth

off at the beach, happily reunited with returned summer friends. It is also marked by life now lived mostly outside on our porch. There, two catbirds trustingly and forcefully hop close to us daily, searching for cracker bits. There we tend to dozens of pots of herb, flower, and tomato plants. And there we spend long, lazy evenings as we admire flowers and trees and watch light changing in the sky. We are filled with gratitude for it all.

While growing up, every year our kids looked forward to the library summer reading program that offered small prizes in recognition of books read. Vineyard librar-

ies are kicking off the summer reading program this Saturday, June 27, at the M.V. Regional High School from 3 to 5 pm. There will be music, face painting, hair tinsel, a bounce house, and games. Children can sign up for the reading program there, or at our own Aquinnah library. The libraries are looking out for the adults as well with their “One Book, One Island” program. This year, in a salute to the 250th anniversary of our country, everyone Island-wide is invited to read “1776,” by David McCullough, and then join a discussion of the book on July 11 at 3 pm at the West Tisbury library. The discussion will be led by Jack

Fruchtman, and promises to be lively and germane.

This week marks the beginning of the Aquinnah Flea Market. Happening every Thursday, from 10 am to 4 pm, at the Baptist Church, it is an opportunity for artisans and vendors to display and sell their goods, and for all of us to partake of the bounty. Those who wish to sell should contact Pastor Mike at 508-5604726 or gilmanjeffers@ gmail.com. Vendors are asked to pitch in $10 weekly if they’re over 18, but it’s only $5 for anyone under 18. Buyers and browsers enter for free, of course.

The prolific Thomas Dresser has another book

out. This one, “Vineyard Vanguards,” is a collection of dozens of short biographies of Vineyarders who left their mark on the Island over the past four centuries. You’ll recognize the names of most of them, including current Islanders. With a foreword by Guinevere Cramer and sharp images by Joyce Dresser, it has a lot to offer. On Tuesday, June 30, from 1 to 3 pm, Tom is hosting a launch party for the book at his home, with all welcome. If you wish to attend, please RSVP or text 508-627-2393.

Let’s honor the birthdays of Lyle Vanderhoop on June 30, and Diotima Vanderhoop and Meg Bodnar on July 1.

A huge thank-you goes to the staff of the Aquinnah Cultural Center and to the Wampanoag people for their welcoming spirit, and to the musicians for sharing their neighborly joy.

and poise of these students: Leyawin Mayhew Blows Up — successful effort. Taeko Thomson is Extra, as in over the top. Phoebe Esposito is Fire — her ideas are great and stand out in a positive way. Virginia Wallace Slays — does things really well and puts in the effort. Orion Persinki rides the Thin Line — outside the box, Independent, not social norms, an AI guy. Orion Parry Ate and Left No Crumbs — nothing left on the table. Golden Vanderhoop embodies Big Brain — stroke-of-genius energy. Estelle Mason has

Main Character Energy — the star of her own life. Andres Mason is a Rizzler — exceptional charisma along with his musical, athletic, and artistic talents. Hazel Stahl has the Vibe of a Distant Moon — epic world-building energy. Rivee Rykowski, the GOAT — greatest of all time, not just on hockey skates. Teddy Foran has Aura — charisma or swagger earned as a measure of things done. I hope someone recorded the students’ remarks, because they were outstanding. We are lucky they are

Architect turned abstract watercolor painter Ken MacLean’s paintings are going up in the Chilmark library. The opening is Saturday, June 27, from 3 to 4:30 pm.

West Tisbury

By Hermine Hull hermine.hull@gmail.com

Pink roses are blooming in my garden. Along the south side of the fence is a good-sized shrub, ‘Heritage,’ a David Austin rose with tightly curled petals and a lovely fragrance. The other is the old-fashioned climber, ‘New Dawn,’ ubiquitous on Vineyard fences, that envelops my porch in a pink cloud every June.

Julia Humphreys called the other day asking for my already read New York Times. She had taken hers to be recycled, having forgotten that she was having guests for a lobster dinner on her porch, and needed

newspapers to cover the table. Usually I would be a reliable source, but Mike had taken our newspapers to recycling the previous Sunday. I gave her the couple of days’ worth of papers I had, and suggested she try the library, which keeps newspapers for free kindling. They still had plenty. Julia’s party was saved. She had invited Croatian friends who were here on holiday. She took them on the Island tour, then to her house for clams, lobster, French bread, salad, barbecued chicken, and a berry pie from Morning Glory.

None of it suited the children, who only ate potato chips, but the adults enjoyed their dinner, and the day was a success.

The weather has been incredible, perfect for Island tours, perfect for those of us who live here to go about our regular days. The breeze has kept it pleasantly cool, although with no rain, the ground is very dry. Be extravigilant about fire danger.

Wishes of continued happiness together to Bill and Shirley Wilcox, who celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on June 19.

Laura Coit is retiring from her duties at the library at the end of June. She doesn’t

want a party, but I know we all will want to stop by to see her before she leaves, and that will be much appreciated. She promises to fill in occasionally, but it just won’t feel the same without her regular presence. I wish her well with great affection and gratitude.

A Vineyard Sinfonietta concert will be held on Sunday, June 28, 3 pm, at Howes House. The program will include pieces by Mozart, Handel, Brahms, and the Beatles, and polka music. Admission is free, but donations are always welcome.

The Program Room at the library was filled last Saturday afternoon for a recital by Maureen

in this world.

The Chilmark Flea Market starts Saturday, June 27. The market is held Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 9 am to 2 pm at 142 North Road, near the old gas pump. Wednesdays the Chilmark Community Church will have a treasure table.

Tuesday night Lobster Rolls at the Chilmark Community Church, 9 Menemsha Crossroads, start on June 30, 4:30 to 6:30 pm.

Jean Hay wrote that MV for Palestine, Olive Branch, and Expanding the Conversation are sponsoring a showing of a film that follows a Palestinian family from 1948 to the 2020s, “All That’s Left of Me,” at the Strand Theatre in Oak Bluffs on Sunday, June 28, at 6 pm. Donations of $20 are requested, but no one will be turned away.

Fischer’s piano and voice students. Students performed solo and duet compositions, mostly popular and classic tunes. Fischer gave brief explanations about the structure and complexity of the different types of music, skills needed to master them, and her teaching methods. It is obvious that she loves encouraging her students to experiment, as several performers played or sang their own improvisational jazz jams. They were terrific. I have attended several of these recitals, and enjoy seeing the progress made from year to year by these young musicians.

The weather has been incredible, perfect for Island tours, perfect for those of us who live here to go about our regular days.

The Chilmark Song By Kathryn Baptiste Stewart (1925-2015)

Chilmark, Martha’s Vineyard, my home beside the sea. Where the fishermen rest, when the sun’s in the west, before they sail to sea. There are sand and dunes on the south side, where the surf pounds the shore. There are rolling hills for the hunters, and trout in the pond once more. Where the beetlebung trees sway in the breeze, turning crimson in the fall.

Where the people walk and talk, along the Dutcher Dock, We love you, Chilmark, best of all.

The Climate Book Club will meet on the library porch on July 19 to discuss “Historic Storms of Martha’s Vineyard,” by Tom Dresser. Copies of the book are available at the library.

I was sad to learn that Judy Birsch died last Wednesday. She was an amazing intellect and an appreciator of the arts. She had celebrated her 90th birthday last summer with a party at the Granary Gallery. My condolences to her family and friends.

Fran Bradley’s passing on June 2 is another loss to our West Tisbury community. I knew Franny’s skill as an EMT saved many lives, and her compassion reassured folks that they were in good hands. Condolences to Danny, their family, and so many whose lives she touched. Enjoy these perfect beach days, summer friends, and dinners on the porch.

Little worlds, expansive stories

Nancy Slonim Aronie at the Granary Gallery. BY

ABBY REMER

Here on the Vineyard, Nancy Slonim Aronie is most associated with the written word. She is a prolific writer with a career as a journalist, with a bimonthly column in The MV Times, and three published books, and she has inspired countless participants to pen their truth through her Chilmark Writing Workshops.

But for the past 25 years, Aronie has also pursued another art form. “When I was 8, and my sister was 12, I said, ‘I’m going to be an artist.’ And she said, ‘No. I’m going to be an artist. You have to be a writer.’ I did become a writer, but I also became an artist.”

Aronie’s keen wit, incisive commentary on the world around us, and sense of playful joy all intertwine in her compelling small artworks. Each is a tiny world unto itself, with visual clues that encourage us to create stories, thereby becoming collaborators in her mixedmedia pieces: “I love that people bring stories to them. I wouldn’t presume to tell them what they are.”

Unsurprisingly, Aronie has a way with her titles. These often come after she creates the art, which can feel intuitive, as if the muse flows through her. She builds little scenarios we take in at a glance, such as the tough, overall-clad woman sitting on an enormous, modern, Mondrian-like chair, legs spread, holding a power tool in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Aronie’s title immediately says it all: “First He Tells Me He Wants Blue. Then He Tells Me He Wants Red. Then He Says, ‘OK, Add a Little Bit of Yellow.’ I Swear He Drove Me Back to

a bright blue helicopter lands just outside Rapunzel’s empty house, and a hard-hatted man seems to be informing the pilot he’s missed his chance to rescue the damsel in distress.

The artist creates wry literary allusions with her “Cats on a Hot Tin Roof,” in which three bathing beauties sun themselves on the corru-

a piece of Lucite, which evokes Aronie’s past. She and her husband Joel, who sometimes helps with the physical construction of the work (such as the metal poles in “Remington Writer”), ran a Lucite business together, fabricating bath accessories and furniture. During this time, Aronie says, “I made Lucite boxes,

“Sorry

“We

gated tin roof of an old bird feeder. A bit of a drama queen himself, no doubt Tennessee Williams would have gotten a kick out of the witty reference to his searing play.

Aronie’s way with words can be seen as well in the little bits of text she includes on the back or bottom of her pieces. Turn over “Remington Writ-

and I’d put small dolls or other small items in them, giving them away as birthday presents.”

“I almost never hesitate. They seem to tell me where they want to be,” Aronie says of the elements in her artwork. She collects one-ofa-kind items that catch her eye at antique stores, from

“I almost never hesitate. They seem to tell me where they want to be.”

–NANCY SLONIM ARONIE

Smoking.” Aronie remarks, “I love her power. She’s tough, sexy, and beautiful, and she knows how to take care of herself. She doesn’t need a husband to do it.”

Aronie creates an immensely amusing small diorama in an old wooden cheese box in “Sorry — Rapunzel Just Left.” Here,

er,” in which a gray-suited man stands, looking off into the distance next to a typewriter, and a smile will come to your lips when you read her line: “The problem isn’t that I can’t think of where to begin; the problem is they’ve discontinued the damned typewriter ribbon!”

This little scene is set atop

friends, on Etsy, at tag sales, and even on the ground. We see the latter, for instance, in her solo bathing figures in quahog shells. Sometimes something speaks to her when she acquires it: “I had an elephant phase where I bought a bunch of them.” In “A Blessing on Your House,” for instance, an ornate brass

Indian elephant on a Lucite stand faces a red-haired man. The creature, with trunk raised, is blessing the gentleman with gold glitter that has rained down around him.

“I have a bunch of items, and maybe the first thing I’ll do is fingerpaint on a piece of wood or on Lucite, and then look for a person to go with it. Or sometimes I imagine the whole thing. I picture it and know what I want,” Aronie explains about her process. This is the case for her series, “The Last Gasp,” in which she affixes a tiny male figure, back to us, onto a board painted in shades of gray, white, and black. The vast monochromatic sea overwhelms the human form. “I called it ‘The Last Gasp’ because I think these angry, angry guys just know that it’s over. They are doing every mean, horrible thing to the world … to keep hold of their power. I have a little compassion for them, like if they would just turn

around, I could take care of you. I would be happy to be nice to you. These guys are lost, and just don’t know how to be real, loving, and vulnerable. And they think if you’re a guy, you must man up and be tough. It’s so much pressure.”

Sometimes, an incident in Aronie’s life serves as inspiration, such as with “Sister Mary Margaret Promises Not to Cut Off Your Ponytail.”

Here, a nun is set against a simple, abstract landscapelike composition rendered in a Santa Fe–colored palette.

“I’ve had a lot of Catholic friends who take my writing workshop, and one of them wrote a story about a nun cutting her ponytail off right in class. Still, I lived near a

convent and got to know a few of the women, and I feel very connected to them somehow.”

Aronie’s poignant piece featuring a female and male tennis player in the middle of a game, “We Stopped Keeping Score Because Love Is All There Is,” reflects the artist’s warm, open heart and the large impact her small, delightful artworks can have.

Nancy Slonin Aronie’s

will be on view, along with works by

and

from June 26 to July 8

in

the

For more information and images of Aronie’s

visit bit.ly/GG_NancySAronie.

art

Cindy Kane, Whitney Cleary,

Marthe Rowen,

at

Granary Gallery

West Tisbury.

art,

COURTESY THE GRANARY

“A Blessing on Your House”

“First He Tells Me He Wants Blue. Then He Tells Me He Wants Red. Then He Says, ‘OK, Add a Little Bit of Yellow.’ I Swear He Drove Me Back to Smoking”

Stopped Keeping Score Because Love Is All There Is”

— Rapunzel Just Left”

Event spotlight for the week of 6•26 — 7•1

FRI 6/26 SUN 6/28

Moth Ball

The Martha's Vineyard Atlas of Life and the Trustees present Moth Ball. People of all ages are invited to explore the Long Point Wildlife Refuge and participate in the fifth annual BioBlitz. This family-friendly event includes crafts and an insect-themed costume contest. Attendees will meet a moth expert, and there will be caterpillars on display. Moth enthusiasts are encouraged to stay late to enjoy

mothing under the stars. Festivities begin at 7 pm. Late night moth survey begins at 9 pm. This is a partially outdoor event, so please dress accordingly. Long Point Wildlife Refuge, Deep Bottom Road, West Tisbury. This event is free, but registration is encouraged. https://mval.biodiversityworksmv.org/events.

SAT 6/27

Clothes to Go annual Fashion Show

Clothes to Go presents its third annual Fashion Show. Local models will showcase unique secondhand styles. This is a family-friendly free event to celebrate Clothes to Go, which has been

providing free clothing for the past 17 years. It’s become an important safety net and shopping option for the Vineyard community. 7 pm, Tabernacle, 80 Trinity Park, Oak Bluffs. instagram. com/mvclothestogo.

29th annual Vineyard Artisans Festival

The Vineyard Artisans Festivals brings together fine art and fine craft with the community, while pro-

moting Island artists and artisans. 10 am to 2 pm, the Grange, 1067 State Road, West Tisbury. vineyardartisans.com.

TUES 6/30 MON 6/29 WED 7/1

Musical Mondays with Jon Zeeman and Joanne Cassidy

Catch Musical Mondays, featuring performances on Featherstone Center for the Arts’ outdoor stage. Enjoy music while supporting musical artists and the nonprofit art center. Tickets are $20 per person, with 50 percent of proceeds going to the musicians. Tickets go on sale to the public at noon a week prior. 6:30 to 8 pm. Featherstone Center for the Arts, 30 Featherstone Lane, Oak Bluffs.

THURSDAY, JUNE 25

Dance Fitness and Strength

Training with Kris Martin

7-8 am, Airport Fitness, West Tisbury. A creative blend of rhythmic resistance, cardio conditioning, manageable mobility and core strength exercises all set to crazy-FUN music. 508-696-8000, workout568@aol.com.

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.

Morning Pages Mornings

8-9 am, West Tisbury Library. Meets on the library porch. Writing prompts and inspiration with Kate Feiffer. No sign up required. 508-693-3366, wt_mail@clamsnet.org.

Early Birders Walk

8-10 am, Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, Edgartown. The early bird gets the worm, and early birders, the binoculars. Walk with our birders to listen to and observe the sanctuary’s avian residents. 508-6274850, felixneck@massaudubon.org.

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. 508627-4850, felixneck@massaudubon.org. Zinnia Wellness Baby Painting Class

9:15-9:45 am, West Tisbury Library. A stress relief painting activity for caregivers and babies. No registration needed. WT Library 6/25/26 9:159:45am 508-693-3366, hburbidge@clamsnet.org. Docent-Led Arboretum Tours 9:30-10:30 am, The Polly Hill Arboretum, West Tisbury. Learn about the incredible history, people, and plants that make the Polly Hill Arboretum a local and global landmark. Free with admission! 508-693-9426, info@pollyhillarboretum.org.

Book talk:

‘250 Great American Things’

Bunch of Grapes welcomes the editors of County Highway and contributors to its new publication, “250 Great American Things: A Semi-Quincentennial Celebration.” In the spirit of Mark Twain, County Highway is honoring the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by gathering a raft of some of America's finest essayists, humorists, fiction writers, and other prose stylists and wiseasses to remind us of what

makes America great. Free. 7 to 8:30 pm. Bunch of Grapes Bookstore, 23 Main St., Vineyard Haven. bit.ly/C_250GreatThings.

Events

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, 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. 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 11:00-11:30 WT Library 508-693-3366, hburbidge@clamsnet.org. Tech help 11 am-1 pm, Up Island Council on Aging, West Tisbury. Free tach help 508-6932896, coa-staff@westtisbury-ma.gov. Portraits: Black & African Countenance 11 am-4 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse, Vineyard Haven. Portraits: Black & African Countenance 508-696-6300, boxoffice@circuitarts.org.

Summer Show

11 am-5 pm, Louisa Gould Gallery, Vineyard Haven. New works by: Carol Caradimos, Wooley Dutton, Nadia Mahfuz, Joseph McCarthy, Donna Nyzio and Nick Paciorek. 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. 508696-4211, vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org. Farmer for a Day – Child Drop-Off Program

1-3 pm, The FARM Institute, Edgartown. Spend the afternoon on the farm with this hands-on program. 508-627-7007, thefarminstitute@thetrustees.org.

Chef Look Cooks - Patron Favorites: Basil & Beef Stir-fry

2-3:30 pm, Edgartown Library. we’re taking herb use to the extreme and making them the centerpiece of our meal. 508-627-4221, programs@edgartownlibrary.org.

Ice Cream Making on the FARM

Ice cream fan? Head over to the FARM kitchen and create your own ice cream. Participants will explore every step of the ice cream process, from mixing the cream and sugar to churning the base. At the end of class, participants will leave with a pint of ice cream. Please bring a cooler. This event is geared for ages

4 and up, with a kid-friendly recipe. Member adult/ child pair, $32; Nonmember pair, $40. 3:15 to 4 pm. FARM Institute, 14 Aero Road, Edgartown. explore. thetrustees.org.

Natural Dyeing with Foraged

Plants with Katama Murray

2-5 pm, Featherstone Center for the Arts, Oak Bluffs. In this hands-on workshop, learn the process of creating handmade natural dyes and inks using plants and natural materials! 508-693-1850, featherstone@featherstoneart.org.

Adult Cow Connection at The Farm Institute

2:15-3 pm, The FARM Institute, Edgartown. Come meet, cuddle, brush, and walk with our cows at The Farm Institute! 508-6277007, thefarminstitute@thetrustees.org. Chair Yoga

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

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.

Community Knitting Circle 3-4:45 pm, Chilmark Library. Join us for a relaxed afternoon of knitting. Our

knitters love to share their knowledge and beginners are welcome! 508-6453360, chil.programs@gmail.com. Book Buddies

3:30-4:30 pm, West Tisbury Library. High schoolers reading to kids! 2nd and 4th Thursdays 3:30-4:30 WT Library 508-693-3366, hburbidge@clamsnet.org. Naptime with David Stanwood 3:30-4:30 pm, Stillpoint, West Tisbury. Experience the calming effect of harmonic vibration, with pianist and acclaimed piano technician David Stanwood. info@stillpointmv.org.

Drop-in Tabling Session: Home Energy Assistance with Vineyard Power

3:30-5 pm, Edgartown Library. Vineyard Power will be offering a drop-in tabling session at the library 508-627-4221, programs@edgartownlibrary.org. Learn to needle felt 4-5 pm, West Tisbury Library. Needle felting class for ages 12-adult-class size is limited, please email or call to register. 508-6933366, lhearn@clamsnet.org.

‘Music and culture through film’: FilMusic Fest

The 14th annual FilMusic Festival, running from June 25 through 28 at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center, is an exciting long weekend of feature films and musical performances celebrating the convergence of music, culture, and film. Martha’s Vineyard Film Society founder and executive director Richard Paradise notes, “The inspiration to create FilMusic was that music documentaries, especially those profiling the extraordinary lives of bands and musicians we love, have been on the rise for the past 15 years.”

Referring to two of the films on the docket, Paradise continues, “Unless a filmmaker dives deep into their subject, how else are we to know what inspired our favorite musicians and music creators to fame? How did bands like Earth, Wind & Fire get their start, and what are the secrets of their longevity? Or the influence that someone like John Prine had on so many other singer-songwriters of his time and still today?”

The festival begins on Thursday, June 25, at 7:30 pm with the Emmynominated “We Want the Funk,” followed by a discussion with co-director Stanley Nelson. The film, which will have you dancing in your seat, if not the aisle, opens with reflections from musicians, historians, music curators, and professors on the genre’s definition: Funk may not be describable, but you know it when you hear it. And most important, when you hear it, you feel it. You indeed feel the funk throughout the film, which traces its earliest roots to James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, and Parliament-Funkadelic. It examines the symbiotic relationship between the explosion of funk music from the Midwest and the political and

BY ABBY REMER

racial dynamics in 1970s inner-city America. “We Want the Funk” also examines its permutations within Afrofuturism and its influence on musicians such as Elton John and David Bowie, among others.

On Friday, June 26, at 4 pm is “Earth, Wind & Fire,” by producer, director, and musician Ahmir (“Questlove”) Thompson. The documentary relates the story of the legendary, ninetime Grammy awardwinning band Earth, Wind & Fire. It traces its genesis through founding member Maurice White, chronicling the band’s evolution and relevance from the 1970s to the present day, while exploring the deep philosophical and spiritual meaning behind the band’s message and music. Drawing from Earth, Wind & Fire’s rich visual, sound, and written archives, including never-before-seen footage, the film plays like an experiential kaleidoscope of images, colors, and music, transporting viewers to the vibrancy of live performances that have electrified fans from the past and today.

That night at 7:30, the short concert film “Robby Ameen Live at the Poster Museum” will be followed by a live performance from the master drummer and bandleader Ameen and friends, as well as a discussion with Ameen and director Nelson Hume. During COVID, Ameen used a decades-old poster shop to record, teach, rehearse, and eventually present a weekly series in its expansive storefront, replete with the world’s largest collection of vintage posters. With his longtime band members in tow, Ameen created an intimate neighborhood salon, overflowing with fiery, original Afro-Cuban music that has deep strains of contemporary hard bop and funk.

On Saturday, June 27, at 4 pm, is Paris Barclay’s music biopic, “Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It.” The documentary

chronicles the extraordinary life and six-decade career of Grammywinning keyboardist Billy Preston, whose signature sound shaped the work of the Beatles, Ray Charles, Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, the Rolling Stones, Barbra Streisand, Sly Stone, Eric Clapton, and countless others.

That night at 7:30 pm is Michael John Warren’s “You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine,” followed by a Q and A with the musician’s widow and the film’s producer, Fiona Whelan Prine. The documentary captures a star-studded tribute in October 2022. It features admirers and collaborators such as Bonnie Raitt, Brandi Carlile, Tyler Childers, Lucinda Williams, Dwight Yoakam, Jason Isbell, and Bob Weir, among many others, performing on the Ryman stage in Nashville for this special celebration of his life and music. Throughout the film, the audience’s enthusiasm is palpable. Fiona says of her husband’s 50-year career, “His fans were, and remain, loyal and devoted in a unique way, many of them having followed him since the beginning of his career in the folk clubs of Chicago in the late 1960s.” About the concert, she adds, “Artists from every genre and generation spent two unforgettable nights together. We laughed, cried, shared stories, and sang the songs.”

Sunday, June 28, at 1 pm is “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert,” directed by Baz Luhrmann. The documentary, which focuses on the early 1970s, features recently found footage from his Las Vegas residencies and tours between 1970 and 1972, revealing the King as the master musician and performer he was. (See the full MV Times review at bit.ly/MVT_EPiC.)

On Sunday, June 28, at 4 pm, awardwinning director-producer Madeleine Hetherton-Miau’s “Mozart’s Sister,” a musical mystery exploring Maria-Anna Mozart, the famous composer’s older sibling, is

Continued from B7

Artists’s premiere: Nancy Aronie, Cindy Kane, Marthe Rowen, Whitney Cleary 4-6 pm, Granary Gallery, West Tisbury. Artists’s premiere of new work by Nancy Aronie, Cindy Kane, Marthe Rowen, Whitney Cleary. 508-693-0455, info@granarygallery.com. FILMUSIC Festival

4-9:30 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Film Center, Vineyard Haven. The MV Film Society presents a long weekend of feature films that celebrate the convergence of music, culture, and film. JUNE 25-28, 2026 774-392-2972, rich@mvfilmsociety.com.

Artists’s Premiere: Elise Phillips, Carol Maguire, Brandon Newton

4-6 pm, North Water Gallery, Edgartown. 4-6 PM - Artists’s premiere of new work by Elise Phillips, Carol Maguire, Brandon Newton. 508-627-6002, info@northwatergallery.com. Table Tennis

5 pm, Tisbury Senior Center, Vineyard Haven. Table tennis for all ages and skill levels. 508-728-5898, raeobmv@gmail.com. What Happened Off Monomoy: The Pendleton Rescue

5-6 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Museum, Vineyard Haven. Against all odds: the legendary 1952

For tickets and more information, visit

presented. Hetherton-Miau’s approach is multifaceted. She uses re-enactments to transport us to the 18th century, revealing the close relationship between the two child prodigies. The film also features excerpts from their letters, and interviews with contemporary music historians, a forensic handwriting specialist, conductors, and actress and playwright Silvia Milo, who wrote and performed the acclaimed one-woman play “The Other Mozart.” We follow Maria-Anna from performing for royalty when she was as young as 10 years old; the life she faced after age 15, when it was no longer respectable for her to play in public; and the choices she had to make as a woman in her time to survive. Ultimately, the tale is one of triumph, and inspires an immensely articulate and talented young classical composer, Alma Deutscher, whom we also follow throughout the film as Maria-Anna’s contemporary doppelganger. The weekend’s final film, Bill Lichtenstein’s “The Airwaves

Events

Pendleton rescue story. 508-6274441, events@mvmuseum.org. Art and Fashion Fundraiser Show for the Preservation Trust 5-8 pm, Kin and the Village Green, Edgartown. Tickets are now available for our 4th annual Art & Fashion Show. The theme this year is Rough Around the Edges. Let’s share an evening together! 508-627-1977, njbrownie37@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. Community Sound Bath 5:30-6:30 pm, Oak Bluffs Library, Community Sound Bath 508-6939433, cphelan@clamsnet.org. Cook with Pride: Plant Dyed Pasta with MV Pasta 5:30-7 pm, The FARM Institute, Edgartown. Learn how to make your own fresh pasta from scratch. 508-627-7007, thefarminstitute@thetrustees.org. Beginning Sewing – Make Your Own Hair Towel 6-7:30 pm, Oak Bluffs Library. Begin-

ning Sewing – Make Your Own Hair Towel 508-693-9433, cphelan@clamsnet.org. Music in the Square - Mike Benjamin & The Keepers 6-8 pm, Eisenhauer Gallery, Edgartown. Eisenhauer Gallery presents “Music in the Square” with Mike Benjamin and the Keepers 508-627-7003, eisenhauergallery@gmail.com.

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.

Belonged to the People: WBCN and the American Revolution,” screens on Sunday, June 28, at 7:30 pm, followed by a discussion with executive producer Robert Sennott. The newly rereleased documentary recounts how a Boston rock radio station helped ignite the cultural and political revolution of the late 1960s and beyond. During an era of profound social turbulence in America, WBCN abandoned standard radio formats to become a powerful, independent platform for progressive news, the antiwar movement, civil rights, women’s rights, and the LGBTQ liberation movement. The film highlights how the station merged rock ’n’ roll with revolutionary politics, giving voice to a countercultural generation ignored by mainstream media. Reflecting on the festival’s importance, Paradise says, “Music as a part of our American experience is significant. It is a popular film genre we sit and watch, reliving our memories.

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.

Dakar 2000: A Staged Play Reading 7 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse, Vineyard Haven. https://circuitarts.thundertix.com/events/265717 508-696-6300, boxoffice@circuitarts.org.

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.

FRIDAY, JUNE 26

Barre Fusion with Kris Martin 7-8 am, Airport Fitness, West Tisbury. Ballet styled flows, barre work, balance and weights incorporating disks, loop bands and Bender balls. Come with sneakers, barre sox, or bare feet. 508-696-8000, workout568@aol.com. Pumped Up Intervals with Maria McFarland

8:30-9:30 am, Airport Fitness, West Tisbury. A class alternating cardio intervals and weight work intervals using heavier weights, body bars, loops bands, and weighted balls. 508-696-8000, workout568@aol.com. 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.

Papermaking with Seaweed

9:30 am-1 pm, Seastone Papers, West Tisbury. Create one-of-a-kind seaweed inspired handmade papers. 508-6935786, sandy@seastonepapers.com.

[Off-site] Can You Dig It: Quahog Harvesting Edgartown Shellfish Department

9:30-10:30 am, Katama Landing, Edgartown. You will get a chance to learn techniques for harvesting shellfish 508-627-4221, programs@edgartownlibrary.org.

Farm Day: Go behind the scenes at island farms!

10 am-5 pm, Various farms around the island, West Tisbury. Farm Day: Go Behind the Scenes at Island Farms with Farmer Led Tours

508-693-9549, programs@mvagsoc.org.

Artists’s premiere: Nancy Aronie, Cindy Kane, Marthe Rowen, Whitney Cleary

10 am-5 pm, Granary Gallery, West Tisbury. Artists’s premiere of new work by Nancy Aronie, Cindy Kane, Marthe Rowen, Whitney Cleary. 508-693-0455, info@granarygallery.com.

Polly Hill Arboretum Staff-Led Botanical Spotlight Tour

10-11 am, The Polly Hill Arboretum, West Tisbury. Learn more about the Arboretum and its plant collections on guided walks led by PHA collections staff. Free with admission. 508-693-9426, info@pollyhillarboretum.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.

Carnegie Heritage Center

Opening Weekend

10 am-3 pm, the carnegie heritage center, 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.

Artists’s Premiere: Elise Phillips, Carol Maguire, Brandon Newton

10 am-5 pm, North Water Gallery, Edgartown. 4-6 PM - Artists’s premiere of new work by Elise Phillips, Carol Maguire, Brandon Newton. 508-627-6002, info@northwatergallery.com.

Seashore Discovery

10-11:30 am, Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, Edgartown. Head to the edge of Sengekontacket Pond to net, catch, and release marine life and discover the coastal creatures that live in local waters. 508-627-4850, felixneck@massaudubon.org.

Landscape Sketching with M Colleen Harrigan

10 am-1 pm, Featherstone Center for the Arts, Oak Bluffs. This class for all levels from beginners to more advanced participants. The goal is to guide students through basic technique develop their skills. 508-693-1850, featherstone@featherstoneart.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! 508-627-4221, programs@edgartownlibrary.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.

Portraits: Black & African Countenance

11 am-4 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse, Vineyard Haven. Portraits: Black & African Countenance 508-696-6300, boxoffice@circuitarts.org Summer Show

11 am-5 pm, Louisa Gould Gallery, Vineyard Haven. New works by: Carol Caradimos, Wooley Dutton, Nadia Mahfuz, Joseph McCarthy, Donna Nyzio and Nick Paciorek. 508-693-7373, louisa.gould@gmail.com.

ITS OUR BIRTHAY

11 am-10 pm, Nomans, Oak Bluffs. You are invited to Nomans 7th Birthday Party!!!

508-338-2474, events@nomansmv.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. Book Donations accepted for the annual Friends of the West Tisbury Library summer book sale. 617-543-7898, kjskin@comcast.net. Book Signing: ‘Back to the Cape’ by Judy Lannon 2-4 pm, Edgartown Books. Award-winning authorJudy Lannon, a Cape Cod resident, will be visiting the bookstore to sign copies of her new novel, ‘Back to the Cape’. 508627-8463, info@edgartownbooks.com.

Botanical Eco Printing with Katama Murray 2-5 pm, Featherstone Center for the Arts, Oak Bluffs. Eco printing is the process of using natural materials to transfer pigments onto fabric or paper. Create a tote bag, bandana, and linen cloth! 508-693-1850, featherstone@featherstoneart.org

Grace Church Lobster Rolls 3-6 pm, Grace Episcopal Church, Vineyard Haven. Grace Church Lobster Roll Fundraiser 508-693-0332, rector@graceepiscopalmv.org. FILMUSIC Festival

4-9:30 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Film Center, Vineyard Haven. The MV Film Society presents a long weekend of feature films that celebrate the convergence of music, culture, and film. JUNE 25-28, 2026 774-392-2972, rich@mvfilmsociety.com.

Fifth Annual Long Point Wildlife Refuge BioBlitz!

5-10:30 pm, Long Point Wildlife Refuge, West Tisbury. 5th Annual BioBlitz: explore the Long Point Wildlife Refuge, record sightings of wildlife active both during the day and at night! All ages welcome! mpelikan@biodiversityworksmv.org.

Friday Nights with Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish

6:30-8 pm, Featherstone Center for the Arts, Oak Bluffs. Join us and Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish this summer for Friday night musical performances on our outdoor stage under the trees! 508-693-1850, featherstone@featherstoneart.org. Moth Ball!

7-10:30 pm, Long Point Wildlife Refuge, West Tisbury. Join us for a family-friendly Moth Ball. There will be crafts, an insect-themed costume contest, meet a moth expert and survey for nocturnal insects. mpelikan@biodiversityworksmv.org. Dakar 2000: A Staged Play Reading 7 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse, Vineyard Haven. https://circuitarts. thundertix.com/events/265717 508-6966300, boxoffice@circuitarts.org.

SATURDAY, JUNE 27

Fifth Annual Long Point Wildlife Refuge BioBlitz!

8 am-5 pm, Long Point Wildlife Refuge, West Tisbury. 5th Annual BioBlitz: explore the Long Point Wildlife Refuge, record sightings of wildlife active both during the day and at night! All ages welcome! mpelikan@biodiversityworksmv.org. Morning Brews & Yoga

8:30-10 am, Island Autism Group, Hub House Porch, Vineyard Haven. Support mental differences, get your yoga on, connect with community and enjoy your favorite morning beverages all in one! 860-682-3753, info@wholesomemv.com Dance Fitness with Kris Martin

8:30-9:30 am, Airport Fitness, West Tisbury. A creative blend of rhythmic resistance, cardio conditioning, manageable mobility and core strength exercises all set to crazy-FUN music. 508-696-8000, workout568@aol.com. Chilmark Flea Market

9 am-2 pm, Flea Market Field. Chilmark Flea Market 508-645-3100, chilmarkflea@gmail.com.

Events

The Art and Science of Pressing Plants 9 am-12 pm, The Polly Hill Arboretum, West Tisbury. Learn about the history of herbaria, get a tour of PHA’s herbarium, and learn the art of labeling and gluing pressed plants. Register online. 508-693-9426, 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. 508-627-4221, programs@edgartownlibrary.org.

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.

Rachael Cassiani, Susie White, James Carter & Kenneth Pillsworth

10 am-4 pm, Field Gallery, West Tisbury.

Artists’s Premiere: Rachael Cassiani, Susie White, James Carter & Kenneth Pillsworth

508-693-5595, info@fieldgallery.com.

Artists’s premiere: Nancy Aronie, Cindy Kane, Marthe Rowen, Whitney Cleary

10 am-5 pm, Granary Gallery, West Tisbury. Artists’s premiere of new work by Nancy Aronie, Cindy Kane, Marthe Rowen, Whitney Cleary.

508-693-0455, info@granarygallery.com.

Misty Meadows Saturday Pony Rides

10 am-12 pm, Misty Meadows Equine Learning Center, West Tisbury. Enjoy a 15 minute Pony Ride on our beautiful property! Each child must be booked into a separate time slot for a ride, and our weight limit is 150lbs. 508-338-7198, info@mistymeadowsmv.org.

Meditation Workshop: The Light of Awareness with Jonathan Herrick 10 am-12 pm, Katharine Cornell Theatre, Vineyard Haven. Meditation workshop with combining two powerful, pragmatic approaches: the Ancient Art of Zen Meditation and the 21st-Century Work of Byron Katie 508-696-4211, vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org. 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.

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.

Carnegie Heritage Center

Opening Weekend

10 am-3 pm, the carnegie heritage center, 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.

Art Exhibition: Poehler and O’Callaghan 10 am-5 pm, Old Sculpin Gallery, Edgartown. Art Exhibition: Poehler and O’Callaghan 508-939-4092, art@oldsculpingallery.org.

Artists’s Premiere: Elise Phillips, Carol Maguire, Brandon Newton

10 am-5 pm, North Water Gallery, Edgartown. 4-6 PM - Artists’s premiere of new work by Elise Phillips, Carol Maguire, Brandon Newton. 508-627-6002, info@northwatergallery.com.

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. 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.

Portraits: Black & African Countenance 11 am-4 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse, Vineyard Haven. Portraits: Black & African Countenance 508-696-6300, boxoffice@circuitarts.org. Summer Show

11 am-5 pm, Louisa Gould Gallery, Vineyard Haven. New works by: Carol Caradimos, Wooley Dutton, Nadia Mahfuz, Joseph McCarthy, Donna Nyzio and Nick Paciorek. 508-693-7373, louisa.gould@gmail.com.

Book Signing: ‘Dear Martha’s Vineyard’ by Gisela Clausen-Diaz 11 am-1 pm, Edgartown Books. Vineyard Resident and Teacher Gisela Clausen-Diaz signs copies of her bi-lingual children’s book, ‘Dear Martha’s Vineyard/ Querida Martha’s Vineyard’ 508-627-8463, info@edgartownbooks.com. 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. Storytime 11-11:30 am, Chilmark Library. We’ll read classic and current children’s literature, and sing, move, and play together. Ideal for ages 3-6. adubno@clamsnet.org, 508-6453360, chilmarklibrarykids@gmail.com

Sound Bath with Trish Ginter 11:30 am-12:30 pm, Edgartown Library. Registration required. Sign up at edgartownlibrary.org. 508-627-4221, programs@edgartownlibrary.org. Summer Saturdays at the Aquinnah Library 12-3 pm, Aquinnah Library. Join us for drop-in outdoor games and activities for kids and families! 508-645-2314, gwilbur@clamsnet.org. Partner Dance Class with Ellen Brodsky 1-2:30 pm, West Tisbury Library. All ages and experience levels are welcome. Come with or without a partner. Dancing is fun, so please join us! 508-693-3366, wt_mail@clamsnet.org. FILMUSIC Festival

1-9:30 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Film Center, Vineyard Haven. The MV Film Society presents a long weekend of feature films that celebrate the convergence of music, culture, and film. JUNE 25-28, 2026 774-392-2972, rich@mvfilmsociety.com. All Ages Chess Club

2-3:30 pm, Oak Bluffs Library, Oak Bluffs. Join us in a fun and welcoming environment. oakb_mail@clamsnet.org, 508-693-9433. What is a Vineyard Lawn: Presentation with Vineyard Conservation Society

2-3:30 pm, Edgartown Library. Learn about why a low-maintenance, chemical-free lawn is better for yo 508-627-4221, programs@edgartownlibrary.org.

Enameling on Copper Workshops with David Kuchta

2-5 pm, Featherstone Center for the Arts, Oak Bluffs. Learn to sift, stencil, stamp and appliqué enamel to create a one-of-a-kind piece. This class is suitable for all levels! 508-693-1850, featherstone@featherstoneart.org.

Jazz Film Screening

3 pm, West Tisbury Library,. A documentary screening and discussion hosted by MVY Radio’s Dave Kish. This month, we will be screeningArt Farmer – Live In ’64. 508-693-3366, wt_mail@clamsnet.org. Summer Reading Kick Off Party 3-5 pm, MVRHS, Oak Bluffs. Free party to celebrate summer! Sat 6/27 3-5pm. Bounce Houses, face painting, live music, crafts and games 508-693-3366, hburbidge@clamsnet.org. Rachael Cassiani, Susie White, James

Carter & Kenneth Pillsworth

4-6 pm, Field Gallery, West Tisbury. Artists’s Premiere: Rachael Cassiani, Susie White, James Carter & Kenneth Pillsworth 508-693-5595, info@fieldgallery.com. Colors of Summer

5-7 pm, Louisa Gould Gallery, Vineyard Haven. New oil paintings of Martha’s Vineyard by Ryan Black, saggar fired ceramics by Suzanne Hill, and floral expressions by Mary Parkman 508-693-7373, louisa.gould@gmail.com. Fourth-Saturday Dance w/ MV Ballroom Dance Group & PathwaysArts 7-8:30 pm, Stillpoint, West Tisbury. Please join us for this once-monthly dance event brought to you by the Martha’s Vineyard Ballroom dance group info@stillpointmv.org. Dakar 2000: A Staged Play Reading 7 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse, Vineyard Haven. https://circuitarts. thundertix.com/events/265717 508696-6300, boxoffice@circuitarts.org. Clothes to Go 3rd Annual Fashion Show

7 pm, MVCMA Tabernacle, Oak Bluffs. Clothes to Go’s 3rd Annual Fashion Show- local models showcasing unique, second-hand styles. Fun, family-friendly event. Don’t miss this amazing show! 508-693-4424, mvclothestogo@gmail.com.

SUNDAY, JUNE 28

The Rev. Steven Bonsey 9-10 am, Trinity Episcopal Church on Ocean Park, Oak Bluffs. Former Canon Pastor at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul Boston 508-566-9755, trinityoceanpark@yahoo.com. 29th Annual Vineyard Artisans Summer Festival 10 am-2 pm, The Grange Hall, West Tisbury. The Vineyard Artisans Festivals provide an important link between the community and the Arts. artisan02557@yahoo.com. “Five Weeks in Palestine: A Personal Journey” withEd Zlotkowski 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. 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. Rachael Cassiani, Susie White, James Carter & Kenneth Pillsworth

11 am-4 pm, Field Gallery, West Tisbury. Artists’s Premiere: Rachael Cassiani, Susie White, James Carter & Kenneth Pillsworth 508-693-5595, info@fieldgallery.com

Artists’s premiere: Nancy Aronie, Cindy Kane, Marthe Rowen, Whitney Cleary

11 am-4 pm, Granary Gallery, West Tisbury. Artists’s premiere of new work by Nancy Aronie, Cindy Kane, Marthe Rowen, Whitney Cleary. 508693-0455, info@granarygallery.com. Summer Show

11 am-5 pm, Louisa Gould Gallery, Vineyard Haven. New works by: Carol Caradimos, Wooley Dutton, Nadia Mahfuz, Joseph McCarthy, Donna Nyzio and Nick Paciorek. 508-693-7373, 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.

Sunday B-Side Bites

11 am-2 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Museum, Vineyard Haven. Sunday brunch, vinyl music, waterfront views, and community gathering. 508-627-4441, events@mvmuseum.org.

Artists’s Premiere: Elise Phillips, Carol Maguire, Brandon Newton

11 am-4 pm, North Water Gallery, Edgartown. 4-6 PM - Artists’s premiere of new work by Elise Phillips, Carol Maguire, Brandon Newton. 508-627-6002, info@northwatergallery.com.

Art Exhibition: Poehler and O’Callaghan 12-6 pm, Old Sculpin Gallery, Edgartown. Art Exhibition: Poehler and O’Callaghan 508-939-4092, art@oldsculpingallery.org.

FILMUSIC Festival

1-9:30 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Film Center, Vineyard Haven. The MV Film Society presents a long weekend of feature films that celebrate the convergence of music, culture, and film. JUNE 25-28, 2026 774-392-2972, rich@mvfilmsociety.com.

Featherstone’s 30th Anniversary Open House

1-4 pm, Featherstone Center for the Arts, Oak Bluffs. Join us onSunday, June 28thto celebrate 30 years on our campus! Come explore Featherstone at our30th Anniversary Open House! 508-593-1850, featherstone@featherstoneart.org. Sound Bath with Anna Marden 4-5 pm, Stillpoint, West Tisbury. Experience a sonic journey featuring the ambient percussive sounds of multiple gongs, crystal singing bowls and more info@stillpointmv.org. Artist Reception: Poehler and O’Callaghan 4-6 pm, Old Sculpin Gallery, Edgartown. Artist Reception: Poehler and O’Callaghan 508-939-4092, art@oldsculpingallery.org 15th Anniversary Photo Salon Show with Guest Curator Michael Johnson 4-6 pm, Featherstone Center for the Arts, Oak Bluffs. Join us for the opening of The 15th Anniversary Photo Salon Show with Guest Curator Michael Johnson! 508-6931850, featherstone@featherstoneart.org

All that’s left of you 6-9 pm, The Strand Theatre , Oak Bluffs. All That’s Left of You - a Palestinian family from 1948 to the 2020s Rotten Tomatoes 100% Strand Theatre, Oak Bluffs Sunday, 6/28 6 pm. $20 donation 774-563-3083, olivebranchfairtrade@gmail.com. Radio show - More vintage/traditional music from around the world 7:30-9:30 pm, WVVY - MV Community Radio, Vineyard Haven. Radio show “It’s a Big World, Open Yer Ears”. This week: more vintage/traditional music from around the world. Good stuff. 96.7 lpfm or www.wvvy.org 617-676-8160, egik_egak_egoogimak@yahoo.com.

MONDAY, JUNE 29

SoulStrength with Kris Martin 7-8 am, Airport Fitness, West Tisbury. A creative blend of rhythmic resistance, cardio conditioning, manageable mobility and core strength exercises all set to crazy-FUN music. 508-696-8000, workout568@aol.com. 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. Core Stability, Strength and Balance with Alyson Parker 8:30-9:30 am, Airport Fitness, West Tisbury. Core stabilization, strength and balance, targeting all the major muscle groups with some intermittent cardio. Have fun and go at your own pace! 508-696-8000, workout568@aol.com. Misty Meadow Summer Camp 9 am-2 pm, Misty Meadows Equine Learning Center, West Tisbury. Misty Meadows Equine Learning Center offers a horsemanship camp for ages 6 to 12, running Monday to Thursday, 9am to 2pm. 508-338-7198, info@mistymeadowsmv.org.

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF COLLECTIVE CREATIVITY

Featherstone Center for the Arts' milestone anniversary. BY ABBY REMER

“I think people come to Featherstone to learn a craft or see art, and yet they leave finding a community,” says Executive Director and CEO Ann Smith. Featherstone Center for the Arts has, in fact, been a major contributor to the Vineyard’s arts offerings for 30 years. It all began in 1996, when Meetinghouse Center for the Arts came to life; a small group of artists and art enthusiasts purchased 6.5 acres of Featherstone Farm from Mary Stevens and her family. The very first gallery shows took place in the horse barn stalls, while various buildings on the property were renovated to create an arts center.

“From the beginning, they wanted a multi-arts organization,” says Smith. Over the next decade, the farm buildings were converted into studios for painting, drawing, printmaking, weaving, pottery, stained glass, woodworking, and photography. Offices, classrooms, and galleries were retrofitted from existing structures, and the fields and paddocks were transformed into spaces for exhibits, concerts, a weekly flea market, and outdoor events of all sorts, including the ever-popular Musical Mondays.

In 2002, Meetinghouse for the Arts officially changed its name to Featherstone Center for the Arts to honor the horse farm location. The organization has continued to grow over the decades. Key milestones include the first poetry reading by former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins in 2007, which preceded the establishment of its thriving Literary Arts program in 2019,

led by Mathea Morais. Billy Collins has now visited and regaled the audience with his poetry multiple times, and will return on Sept. 26. Michael Johnson founded the Photographers Salon in 2011, a summer staple where photographers and art enthusiasts gather weekly to hear featured photographers discuss their work, participate in Q and As, and find inspiration.

Ceramicist Debbie Hale, who took her first pottery class at Featherstone and now teaches the medium she adores, reflects on all the arts center offers: “I think Featherstone does such a great job of providing so many different mediums, not just in the world of ceramics. And I love how they support local artists, and host shows that allow people in the early stages of their development to share their work and take pride in it. Not all places do that.”

Artist and instructor Bricque Garber feels similarly:

“Featherstone is so welcoming and nonthreatening. It gives you that soft place to fall. You can go into a class where you don’t know how to do anything, and leave with something you adore because you have all this wonderful support from all these creative people.” She continues, “There is nothing like it from the moment you turn up that driveway. You fall into this little, special place. You don’t think of anything else other than you have your hands in the clay or your knitting, or writing, or the jewelry you’re making, or hearing the many special guest speakers.”

Featherstone expanded significantly in 2017, with the opening of its large new pottery studio and the 6,200-square-foot Art Barn, which includes two classrooms, a library conference room, office space, and the gorgeous, light-

Events at Featherstone often spill out onto their generous, wraparound deck.

filled Francine Kelly Gallery, featuring monthly community shows and curated summer exhibitions.

Dedicated to a multidisciplinary arts approach, Featherstone has hosted dance, theater, and chamber music over the years. Smith says, “We have this glorious campus. When we’re not using the stage or gallery, I feel it’s our gift to the community to invite others to connect in our space and create incredible, artful experiences.”

She also feels strongly about Featherstone’s youth programs, saying, “I think the children are the future and the vitality of our community.” Although there had previously been programming, it was under Smith’s mother, Francine Kelly, the first paid executive director, that Featherstone established its wildly popular summer camp in 2006. Artist and instructor Rory Valentine, who teaches both adults and campers today, speaks of working with the youth: “These are my people. Offering all sorts of ways to create joy is the center of it for me as a creative person.”

In 2008, students from MVRHS began a tradition of displaying their work in gallery shows, thanks to a partnership between the arts department and Featherstone. The gallery also serves as a learning environment for visiting Charter School students. And in 2022, during the pandem-

“ENGAGING IN THE CREATIVE ACT WHILE IN COMMUNITY IS JUST VITAL.” –ARTIST AND INSTRUCTOR RORY VALENTINE

ic, Garden Gate Child Development Center, which had long maintained a relationship with Featherstone, relocated to the organization’s campus and now thrives with its artsand nature-based curriculum.

Debbi Alves, Featherstone board chair, reflects on the board’s dedication to Featherstone’s strategic plan for the next 30 years, which directly relates to young people: “Our future is bright because we are focused on enriching our children’s arts education offerings. And we want to expand our children’s campus. After all, watching the kids explore the grounds and enjoy being in the gallery and painting — that’s Featherstone.”

Smith says, “I love our multigenerational communal aspect, with grandparents coming to pick up their kids and walking through the gallery and talking about art. And then there are

the seniors from the Center for Living who come and have ‘artmaking’ and ‘art-viewing’ experiences. That’s why we’re here; to collectively appreciate what the arts have to offer.”

Valentine agrees, “Art is for everyone here. There are so many different, dynamic, and accessible entry points for people. And Featherstone really offers an opportunity for everyone on the Island to come together, share space, and be creative. Engaging in the creative act while in community is just vital.”

Smith speaks to the importance of everyone who contributes to the organization’s collaborative and shared purpose: “Featherstone is nothing without the instructors, the administrative team, the strong board, and the students and patrons who come here. It is all about people. We are fortunate to have this beautiful campus, but if we don’t have excellent instructors, programming, and a strategic vision, we won’t want to be here for the next 30 years. It’s about keeping our pulse on the community and understanding what they want, and we can continue to meet their needs best — to create belonging and personal growth.”

Featherstone Center for the Arts is open daily from noon to 4 pm. To learn more, visit featherstoneart.org. Visit the campus during the 30th Anniversary Open House on June 28 from 1 to 4 pm.

The Francine Kelly Gallery at Featherstone is a delightful space to show art and host events.

The "Anonymous Art" show is a wildly popular annual event hosted by Featherstone.

The Blue Yonder Band is one of the bands invited to perform at Featherstone in the summertime.

PHOTOS: DENA PORTER

Continued from B10

Featherstone chair of the board of directors Debbi Alves.

Mixed-media artist Delita Martin, right, worked with Vineyard artists at Featherstone's studios to teach them some of her printing techniques.

Mary Holmes, Executive Director • 508-939-9440 maryh@mcventer4living.org • mvcenter4living.org

A monthly newsletter from your local Councils on Aging and the Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living PO Box 1729, Vineyard Haven, MA Tel: 508-939-9440. By Mary Holmes

July 2026 - Vol. 30, Issue 7

SHINE NEWS

A great volunteer opportunity awaits!

The Cape Cod & Islands Regional SHINE program is now recruiting volunteers for our 2026 training class. No prior experience with health insurance is required

— we provide comprehensive screening, training, and certification so you can become a Medicare expert.

As a SHINE volunteer, you can make a real difference by

• Counseling individuals one-on-one

• Speaking to community groups

• Providing office support

We’ll help you find the role that fits your skills and interests. All you need is integrity, a willingness to learn, and a desire to help others.

Medicare can be confusing. If you’ve navigated the enrollment process yourself, you know how challenging it can be. Now, you can guide others through their first enrollment, help them compare plan options, or troubleshoot issues.

CORE

Join the SHINE team and become a trusted resource in your community!

You know your community and neighbors best, that’s why your involvement matters. SHINE volunteers are highly trained and certified to assist with

• Original Medicare (Parts A and B)

• Medicare Advantage (Part C)

• Prescription drug coverage (Part D)

• Medicare supplement (Medigap)

• Programs that help reduce healthcare costs

Make a meaningful impact.

Become a SHINE volunteer today!

Please call the Cape Cod & Islands Regional SHINE Program Manager Kristina Whiton-O’Brien at 508375-6762, and choose option No. 2 to sign up!

Ann Baird • 508-693-7900, ext. 210 • mvcommunityservices.org

Counseling, Outreach, and Referral for the Elderly (CORE) at M.V. Community Services works with at-risk and mostly homebound seniors in the community,

addressing significant physical, behavioral health, social, and casemanagement needs of seniors age 60-plus, at no cost to the client.

Supportive Day Program

Mary Holmes, Executive Director Program hours:

Announcements

• The Center is welcoming volunteers for all interests! Call or email today.

• MVCL will be closed, Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day.

Regular programs

Mon-Fri: 9 am – 3 pm, Supportive Day Program

Wed: Memory Support Group, 10 am – 11:30 am

Thu: Every third Thursday (July 16), 10:30 am- to noon, Music & Memory Cafe Fri: 11 am to noon, Open House Fri: 10 – 11:15 am, Dementia Caregiver Support Group on Zoom. Call for a link!

Services

Fees may apply. Call for more information.

• Supportive Day Program: Activity and social program

• Respite Innovations: Home visits

• Dementia coaching: To make home life easier

• Support groups: Professionally led for both caregivers and those experiencing memory changes

• Resources and education: Remove stigma and learn strategies

The Supportive Day Program (SDP) is a daily program for older adults who may experience memory challenges or disability. Enriching activities and a family-style lunch create a day of community engagement, purpose, and meaning. Equally important is the respite provided for caregivers. When a caregiver has time for rest and self-care, the quality of life for both the caregiver and care recipient im-

proves. Call Stacey Northrop (ext. 102) to learn about registration.

Respite Innovations

Respite Innovations brings person-centered engagement into the home, and affords caregivers time to take care of themselves. Call Ann Baird at MVCL if you are a caregiver who would benefit from a break! 508-9399440, ext. 105.

Resources and education

• The Family Caregiver Support Program advocates for caregivers, providing memory screenings, family meeting facilitation, ongoing Alzheimer’s and dementia education, and referrals to programs that can support your caregiving efforts. Our services at MVCL provide meaningful tools and tips for a better caregiving experience. We support any caregiver living on Martha’s Vineyard, or who is caring from afar for someone living here.

• Caregiver counseling

We can help you navigate the system of public and private care for the best plan to meet your needs. Consultation can be provided in the home, at our office, or over the phone. We can meet with caregivers individually or as a family.

• Dementia Friends

Dementia Friends USA is part of a global movement that is changing the way people think, act, and talk about dementia. By providing a free, one-hour Dementia Friends Information Session for your staff, you are helping the community better serve our neighbors. Contact Mary Holmes, Dementia Friends champion, at maryh@mvcenter4living.org, or 508-939-9440, to arrange a free session today.

Emergency Food Program

For emergency food, please contact your local Council on Aging.

M.V. Mediation

Serving our community by providing education, outreach, mediation, conflict coaching, facilitation and related services to help prevent and resolve conflicts. mvmediation.org, 508-693-2999.

HEALTHY AGING MARTHA’S VINEYARD

Cindy Trish, Executive director • 508-618-5134, ctrish@hamv.org

Everyone Deserves a Beach Day

Going to the beach may not be possible for everyone, but everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy it. At some point in life, many people experience changes in mobility or physical ability that can affect the activities they once loved. For Islanders, beaches are more than destinations; they are part of lifelong memories, traditions, and community connections.

Many Martha’s Vineyard residents grew up exploring the shoreline, swimming, fishing, and searching for treasures in the sand.

Healthy Aging Martha’s Vineyard (HAMV) recognizes the importance of ensuring beaches remain accessible to people of all abilities and at every stage of life.

Over the past year, efforts have been made to identify and highlight beaches with improved accessibility features, including wheelchair access points and designated parking. Community members are also encouraged to support continued accessibility improvements to help make the Island’s shoreline welcome to everyone.

Bend in the Road Beach, Edgartown

This section of Joseph Sylvia State Beach includes two accessible parking spaces located beside the beach pathway and bike racks. The spaces are marked on the pavement, although accessible parking signs are not currently present.

Lucy Vincent Beach, Chilmark

Access to Lucy Vincent Beach is limited to Chilmark residents with a beach sticker. The beach parking lot includes four designated accessible parking spaces. Two of the spaces were recently relocated to improve accessibility.

Owen Park Beach, Vineyard Haven

Owen Park Beach offers two designated accessible parking spaces within its 25-space parking lot, providing easier access for visitors with mobility needs.

To learn more, visit hamv.org/accessiblebeaches. Healthy Aging Martha’s Vineyard encourages community members who are passionate about the Island’s beaches to continue advocating for accessibility improvements so everyone can enjoy the beauty of the Island for years to come.

UP-ISLAND COUNCIL ON AGING

Bethany Hammond, Director • 508-693-2896

Mondays

Strength and Fitness, 9 and 9:35 am *Virtual Yoga, 9:15 am *Virtual Balletics, 9 am Parkinson’s Support Group, second and fourth Mondays at 1 pm Tuesdays

Strength and Fitness, 9 and 9:35 am *Virtual Keeping the Balance, 10 am Duplicate Bridge, 1 pm Wednesdays

Attorney Conni Baker (second Wednesday), by appointment only Yoga, 9:15 am *Virtual Fitness with Margarita, 10 am Aging GREATfully (first and third Wednesdays), 10 am Mah Jong, 1 pm Thursdays

Strength and Fitness, 9:00 and 9:35 am *Virtual Balletics, 9 am Tech Pro Help (first and third Thursdays), 11 am to 1 pm Weekly Lunch, 12:30 pm Sign up by the Monday before.

Wellness Clinic with VNA nurse: Third Thursday, 12:15 to 1:15 pm Karaoke! 1:15 pm Chair(ish) Yoga, 2:30 pm: Fabulous chairoptional yoga.

Fridays

Strength and Fitness, 9 and 9:35 am *Virtual Yoga, am *Virtual Keeping the Balance, 10 am Fitness with Margarita, 10:30 am Watercolor Art Group, 1 pm

** SPECIAL PROGRAMMING**

• Aquinnah Luncheon, Wednesday, July 29, at noon at Aquinnah Town Hall. Delicious homemade lunch — alpha-gal options available! Call 508-693-2896 to sign up.

• Office Hours with Outreach Coordinator Rocy Turner: Friday, July 10, at 10:30 am at Chilmark library, and on Wednesday, July 15 at 10:30 am at Wampanoag Tribe. Call for an appointment: 508-693-2896.

• Music and Mocktails on the patio! Date TBD — call 508-693-2896 for updates!

• Karaoke, Thursdays in July, 1:15 pm. Lots of fun and laughs!

TISBURY COUNCIL ON AGING

Catie Blake, Director • 508-696-4205

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

Mondays

• 8:15 am, Tai Chi with Shaka

• 9:30 - 10:30 am, Line Dancing with Catie

• 11 - 12 noon, Chair Yoga with Kat

• 1 - 2:30 pm, Chair Volleyball

• 1- 3 pm, Mah Jong

• Call on Monday to make a lunch reservation for Thursday: 508-693-4393, ext. 466.

Tuesdays

• 8:30 - 9:30 am, Earlybird Fitness

• 10 - 11am, Fitness with Catie

• 11:05 - noon, Chair Volleyball

Wednesdays

• 8:30 am, Town Walkers (meet at the Riverhead Frisbee Park on Barnes Road)

• 9 am, Play Readers with Discussion

• 1 pm, Shredding with Cynthia (Living Room)

• 1 pm, Ukulele Players

• 1 pm, Pick-up Ping Pong (lower level)

• 12 noon, Knitting Studio

Thursdays

• 8:30 - 9:30 am, Earlybird Fitness

• 10 -11 am, Fitness with Catie

• 11:05 - noon, Cornhole

• Lunch at Noon. Reservations are to be made on the prior Monday. Call Nicole at 508-6934393, ext 466. $4 suggested donation.

Fridays

• 9 - 9:50 am,Yoga with Kat

• 10 - 11 am, Chair Yoga with Kat

• 11:15 - 12:15 am, Chair Volleyball

• 1 pm, Tai Chi with Shaka

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Visit our website, tisburycoa.com.

• Free Legal Advice with Atty. Bergeron Thursday, July 9. Please call 508-696-4205 for an appointment.

• Blood Pressure Check, Friday, July 17, at noon (third Friday of each month).

• Food Rescue. every M-F, 9:45 am Please call 508-696-4205 to borrow or donate medical equipment. We have a large supply! Before you buy, check with us.

• Call for information on legal help, the home modification program, shopping assistance, and more.

EDGARTOWN COUNCIL ON AGING

Lyndsay Famariss, Director • 508-627-4368

The Anchors is closed on Friday, July 3rd for Independence Day.

Weekly events

Monday

12:30 pm: Bridge

2 pm: Katama Walk

Tuesday

Edgartown Shopping Shuttle; call the Anchors to register.

10 am: Knitting

12 pm: Tuesday lunch

1:15 pm: Mah Jongg

Wednesday

12:30 pm: Bridge

Thursday

11 am: Ladies Coffee 12-1 pm: Souper Thursday. Free! 2-4 pm: Canasta

Friday

9-11 am: Men’s Group

12 pm: Friday Cafe 1:15 pm: Mah Jongg

July calendar

Please visit edgartowncoa.com for more information on programs & services. All are welcome! Register for programs in advance by calling 508-627-4368. Tues and Fri lunches: Meals served at noon. Call by noon the day before to register. Visit edgartowncoa.com for our menu.

VTA/ECOA Shuttle on Tuesdays. The bus will pick up residents at their homes, take them to Stop & Shop, pharmacy, Post Office, and/or the ECOA, and then take them home. Please sign up by Friday at noon for Tuesday shuttle.

July 6 and 7: Cuts for Seniors by Dee Dee. By appointment only. Call the Anchors.

Cuts for $20 or Cut and Blow Dry $30.

July 7: Wellness Clinic and blood pressure checks during lunch. Drop-in, 12-1 pm. July 8: Hearing checks with Shawn Woodbrey of At Home Hearing. Call for an appointment. Shawn is here on the second Wednesday of the month.

July 9: Amy Houghton of Martha’s Vineyard Hospital will present the latest survey results, and answer questions about the hospital.

July 10: Drop-in Tech Help with Rizwan Malik.

July 13: 1-3 pm, Sight Loss Support Group at the Anchors. For the months of July and August, please call Sight Loss Services at 508-394-3904 and you will receive a phone conference dial-in number. Inperson meetings will resume in the fall. July 14: 11 am, Coffee with a Cop. Come learn what’s new at the EPD.

July 15: SHINE virtual consultations with Bill Redmond at the Anchors.

July 17: 8:30 am, ECOA board meets at the Anchors.

July 24: 12 pm, Birthday Cafe to celebrate June birthdays.

July 24: 9:30 am, Meeting of the Friends of Edgartown Council on Aging. All are welcome!

July 30: 12-1:30 pm. A Celebration of Animation Presentation: “The Greatest Cartoon Characters of All Time.” Join us for a complimentary soup and enjoy this fun, intergenerational offering. Perfect for bringing your grandkids. Awardwinning author and pop culture historian Marty Gitlin hosts this fun and enlightening presentation based on his book by the same name. Please call to register.

OAK BLUFFS COUNCIL ON AGING

Rose Cogliano, Director • 508-693-4509

WELCOME JULY 2026!

We are closed on Friday, July 3, 2026 in observation of Independence Day. Happy Summer to you and your family!

Weekly activities Daily: Beverages and Snacks all day, 9 am - 3 pm

Mondays

• Exercise with Patience Campell and Marilyn Miller. In person or on Zoom. 9 am.

• Chair Volleyball, 1-2 pm

• Blood Pressure Clinic with Nurse Faith Laskaris, 12-1 pm, July 13 and 27

Tuesdays

• Board Games,1-3pm

• Cornhole, 1-3pm

• Crochet and Knitting, 1-3pm

• Peticare with Debbie, biweekly at 10 am. Dates: July 7 and 21. Call for a reservation. All pets must be leashed or crated.

• Wellness Clinic, July 14 at 12:30 pm. This wonderful program has returned to OBCOA in collaboration with the Oak Bluffs board of health and the VNA!

• OBCOA and OBPD Luncheon, July 14 and 28 at noon. Call to make your reservations.

Wednesdays

• Coffee with a Cop, July 1 at 10:30 am. Come join Chief Searle for informative and interesting conversation!

• Let’s Talk: Stroke and Memory Support Group, weekly, 9:30 am on July 1, and 10 am on July 8, 15, 22, and 29.

• Bingo, 1-3 pm, July 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29.

Thursdays

• Exercise with Bill White, 9 am in person or on Zoom.

• Board Games, 1-3 pm

• Crochet/Knit, 1-3 pm

• Pizza Party! Please call Rose at 508-693-4509, ext. 3, to reserve your spot. No reservation, no pizza! July 9 and 30 at 1 pm

Fridays

• Tai Chi with Floyd Lifton, 9 am in person or on Zoom

• Back to OBCOA! Cell Phone Mastery, 11 am - 1 pm, July 10 and 24

• Game Day, 12-3 pm

Monthly Programs

• July 1, Co ee, Tea, and Conversations with a Cop. Meet Chief Searle and his great team! Refreshments served; 10:30 am

• Monthly board of directors meeting, 10:30 am in person on Thursday, July 16, and live on Zoom.

• Social Security Video Display Program, July 27 at 9:30 am. Call for an appointment.

• Open Enrollment/SHINE Please contact us to schedule an appointment if you have any insurance needs, questions, updates. Call 508-693-4509, ext. 3. Outreach with Susan von Steiger, 508-693-4509, ext. 4.

• Applications and forms preparation

• Durable medical equipment

• Fuel assistance, by appointment with Susan

• Insurance assistance

• Lifeline

• Monthly Social Security Video Display Program

• SNAP

• Reassurance phone calls

Rose’s Wish List

We need adjustable metal canes with rubber bases, metal canes with four prongs. Also bath and shower seats in gently used and new condition. Please consider donating them to us to provide them for our seniors’ use!

gallery

It’s been 80 years. Eighty years of the Martha’s Vineyard Polar Bears wading in the water and finding sustenance in fellowship with new and old friends. Every morning, from July 4 through Labor Day, the Polar Bears gather at Inkwell Beach for water aerobics, meditation, and socializing. This year, Zita Cousens will honor the anniversary at her gallery with a special exhibition inspired by the group, on view July 3 through 8.

Three iconic Vineyard photographers immediately convey the transcendent nature of the experience, with participants throwing their arms up in sacred salutation. Michael Johnson’s “JOY” is synonymous with the Polar Bears; he took the photo from the jetty in 2010. He recalls the magical moment when he saw two ladies start to wade into the water: “It was very flat and calm. I photographed them, and it just hit me: What they are doing is really important.” Alison Shaw anchors the group further down in her composition, silhouett-

ing them against an atmospheric blue sky and water, with the sun breaking through the early morning haze and casting an angelic light over the circle. In Michael Blanchard’s “Inkwell Polar Bears: Veil of Morning,” members are farther away, with moody clouds filling half the photograph, drawing our eye back to the group in the far distance.

The Polar Bears began in 1946, when the two Black O’Brien sisters bought a cottage in the Campgrounds and moved it to the end of Circuit Avenue to run it as a bed and breakfast. Nine Black guests who had come to the Vineyard to work became the first Polar Bears. Given everyone’s schedules, the only time they could swim was very early, almost at sunrise.

Social justice activist and lead instructor Caroline Hunter has been with the Polar Bears for 38 years. She notes that the original mem-

Eight decades of fellowship

Polar Bears exhibition at Cousen Rose Gallery.

BY ABBY REMER

bers were deep-water swimmers. Elisa Cohen’s striking, bold print depicts today’s swimmers as they stroke through the water, with the group in front of them in their morning greeting. Hunter says, “The Polar Bears created the exercise group so non-deep-ocean swimmers could participate. It has evolved to include meditation, cardio, and water aerobics, and I do a little bit of preaching about being good citizens and looking out for each other. And also, that the Vineyard is paradise to many of us, but it’s not paradise for a lot of people who live here

year-round. So we should be good tippers and give to the Food Pantry here and at home. And if there isn’t one there, create one, because we’re all in this together.”

Food and fellowship were important to the founders, with Polar Bear members returning to the O’Briens’ house after being in the water to break bread. Hunter recalls, “When I joined, someone would sometimes call for a breakfast at their home. We eventually got to be too large, and not everybody who comes has a place to host people, so a breakfast on the beach has become the next iteration.”

Hunter is proud to be part of the Polar Bear’s historic legacy. Jeanna Shepard's photograph “In Remembrance” captures Hunter at the precise moment she honors a member who has passed, standing knee-deep in the water and tossing glorious blossoms into the air. Asked what keeps her coming back for nearly four decades, Hunter responds, “It is the camaraderie, healthy aspirations, and the water.”

Vineyard historian, president of the Charles Ogletree Public Forums, and author Richard Lewis Taylor says, “The water represents healing, purification, renewal. There’s something spiritual about water. Some people swim or do yoga, and some come just to commune. In August, there are hundreds of people. The Polar Bears are symbolic of the spirit of coming together that the Vineyard represents for so many. Nobody cares where you work or

what you do. It’s all about releasing any weight from your back and your mind and finding some peace.” We see this sensibility in Harry Seymour’s digital painting, where he’s arranged the figures to spell out the word love, illuminated by the rising sun just peeking over the horizon. Some 20 artworks at the Cousen Rose Gallery on Circuit Avenue in Oak Bluffs visually reflect the enduring spirit of the Polar Bears’ experience. Cousens reflects on the rich exhibition, “I hope people come away with that feeling of joy and understanding that for 80 years, people have gathered on the beach every morning at 7:30 for community and fellowship, making connections. I wish the feeling people get from doing the Polar Bears could spread nationally and worldwide. When they do the Polar Bears, they feel not only joy but also hope.”

The exhibition is on view at the Cousen Rose Gallery, 71 Circuit Ave, in Oak Bluffs, from July 3 through 8. The pieces will be available by re-

in

quest

the gallery afterward.

1. Michael Blanchard's"Inkwell Polar Bears: Veil of Morning." 2. Alex Loyot's "Polar Bears II,” oil on canvas. 3. Bricque Garber's "Yay" collage. 4. Harry Seymour's "Power of Love,” digitally produced print. 5. Eliza Cohen's digital print "The Greeting." 6. Michael Johnson's iconic "Joy" image speaks to the history and diversity of the Inkwell community. 7. Doug Henry's “Into the Water, Humanity Series." 8. Jeanna Shepard's "In Remembrance" photo of Caroline Hunter, who leads the exercise circle.

PHOTOS: DENA PORTER

Wild Side

BY MATT PELIKAN

My natural history interests have expanded steadily over the years to include pretty much everything, plant, animal, or mineral. But birds were the group that first captivated me, an interest very much evident by the time I hit kindergarten. Closing in fast on age 68, it’s fair to say that I’ve paid at least a little attention to virtually every bird I’ve encountered in the past 60 years. While I like a good rarity as much as the next guy, common birds also bring me joy on a daily basis. In particular, our local breeding birds are fun to watch and get to know. It’s a lively show. This year, our modest yard in Oak Bluffs has hosted four pairs of grackles in tall conifers on the edge of the yard, front- and backyard robins, a pair of chickadees finally using a nest box that has been hanging for nearly a decade, catbirds eagerly eyeing the ripening fruit on our blueberry bushes, song sparrows, and a pair of cardinals that is clearly nesting somewhere but I’m darned if I can figure out where.

June is a critical month for the Island’s breeding birds. Nearly every species that reproduces here hatches at least some of its young during this month. So like most of the Island,

our yard has been raucous with squabbling adults and begging young.

There is a brutal side to it. Eggs or nestlings represent a protein source for anything that can eat them, and protein is a high priority if you’re trying to raise your own fast-growing young. So crows raid the grackle nests; grackles try to pluck eggs from blue jay nests; the jays harass the robins; and even the robins, which you might not think of as ruthless predators, will snag a meal from a song sparrow nest if they get the chance.

This all adds up to a month of high-stakes gambling for breeding birds. A nesting pair needs to cover multiple bases: incubating eggs, brooding chicks, foraging to feed themselves and their young, defending the nest against wouldbe predators. Often these goals conflict. A trip to forage by one adult leaves the nest lightly defended, with only one adult to protect against nest robbers. It’s not uncommon to see multiple crows or grackles work as a team to exploit such weakness, overwhelming the defense of a nest they’ve discovered by attacking simultaneously from different angles.

It’s interesting to note the varying ways different species resolve the tension between being highly secretive

We’re not friends, exactly. But the birds have concluded that I’m not a threat, and that therefore there is no need to waste time and effort concealing the location of their nest from me.

and protective, which guards the nest but requires sacrifice of time that might be spent foraging, and being less defensive, which increases the risk to your young but may

make you a more efficient parent. There is no one right answer, in evolutionary terms. Some species lean toward caution, others toward a chancier emphasis on

seeking food. Even within a particular species, individuals or pairs may stand out as more or less secretive than their neighbors.

Toward the relaxed end of

this spectrum would surely be the chickadees that are nesting in a small nest box hanging next to our deck. The adult birds have had ample time to become accustomed to me and my activities. As year-round residents, these birds have observed me across many months, several seasons, and possibly more than one year. They may even have come to regard me as a resource of sorts, since I often leave a dish of fresh water on the deck railing for birds to drink or bathe in, and these chickadees frequently make use of this.

These birds haven’t exactly ignored me as they’ve nested, laid eggs, and begun feeding young. But if I stand or sit more than a few feet from their nest box, the adults will enter the box, feed their young, and depart with little regard for me. We’re not friends, exactly. But the birds have concluded that I’m not a threat, and that therefore there is no need to waste time and effort concealing the location of their nest from me.

The front-yard robins, meanwhile, wary to start with, have also evolved a measure of tolerance for my presence. Their typical food-delivery visits to the nest take place in stages, with the adult bird, food held in its beak, zigzagging through a succession of perches as it approaches the nest. From each perch, the bird scans the surroundings, undoubtedly looking for potential predators, advancing only when the coast is clear.

Early in their nesting cycle, I clearly registered as just such a threat: The adult would refuse to visit the nest as long as I was visible. But over time, the rules have relaxed, and while the adults still keep an eye on me, they freely visit the nest when I’m around, and forage within a few feet of me as long as I keep still. In a few weeks, it will all be over, and the success or failure of all these hardworking breeders will have been determined. In the meantime, it’s a privilege to watch them balance the needs that demand their time and attention.

An American robin fledgling in a holly bush in the author’s yard.

Fresh from the nest, a chickadee fledgling surveys the world.

PHOTOS: MATTHEW PELIKAN