Issuu

Three sisters: A new book by Beans, squash, and corn B1 Emily Galvin Almanza B6

Thursday, September 3, 2026

THE MARTHA’S VINEYARD TIMES

Volume 43, Issue No.35

2 Sections

Primary favors Democratic incumbents

Price $1.00

D.A. Galibois, Rep. Keating, and Sen. Markey all nominated for the midterm elections. BY EUNKI SEONWOO

If confirmed, this would be the first unprovoked shark bite on-Island in recent memory. BY NICHOLAS VUKOTA AND HAYLEY DUFFY

NICHOLAS VUKOTA

Suspected shark bite at Norton

bout two hours after polls closed, Rob Galibois secured victory in the Democratic primary for the Cape and Islands District Attorney race Tuesday. Without a Republican candidate, this election all but assured Galibois another four years in office after the midterm elections. The state primaries heavily favored incumbents, including the closely watched re-election campaigns of U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and U.S. Rep. Bill Keating, who will be entering the midterms as heavily favored incumbent Democrats against Republican challengers. Islanders walked into polling stations across the Island during the primary elections on Tuesday, inking circles next to the Democratic and Republican candidates they wanted to receive party nominations for the state election on Nov. 3. The Times received tallies for all six towns, and on the Island; Galibois won by a landslide over his primary opponent, Mike Giardino, 2,109 to 971. “I look forward to continuing the work with the stakeholders and law enforcement partners that make Martha’s Vineyard an outstanding place to live, work, and visit,” Galibois said in a statement. Giardino seemed to recognize an impending loss, issuing an email at 10:12 pm of his concession to Galibois. “I called Rob to let him know I conceded the race,” Giardino said in the statement. “Tonight is not what we had hoped for, but Continued on A8

Edgartown Fire clearing the scene following a possible shark bite at Norton Point.

‘Larger than life’:

ever, was seen or confirmed in connection with the 1:40 pm incident, according to a town statement. A transcript of Martha’s Vineyard Public Safety Radio said that “a female party that was pulled from water is bleeding.” At 1:49

Father detained by ICE back in Brazil

Trip Barnes dies at 83 R Barnes is remembered for his dedication to the Island and his generosity. BY EUNKI SEONWOO

larence (“Trip”) Barnes III, a Tisbury businessman and a larger-than-life Vineyard figure who dedicated himself to the Island, died at his West Tisbury home on Tuesday afternoon while in the care of Hospice and Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard. He was 83. Elizabeth Barnes said her father died from complications from a combination of serious health conditions, including congestive heart failure. She said the “tough as nails” Barnes survived for much longer than anticipated, and he entered into hospice care more than a week ago. Barnes is remembered for his generosity, from simply helping Islanders to auctioneering with a booming voice to fundraise for local causes, including the hospice. “It’s full circle in terms of that,” Elizabeth said. Continued on A7

pm, someone over the radio said “reporting possible shark bites.” Her injuries were reported as “non-life-threatening,” according to the press release, and no limbs were lost. Edgartown Fire, EMS, and rangers from the Continued on A9

Rogério da Silva Lima’s son, Nycolas, remains on the Island. BY MARIA BARROS AND NICHOLAS VUKOTA

ogério da Silva Lima, 42, the Brazilian father who was taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody alongside his teenage son Nycolas de Alvarenga Lima (now 16) while fishing in Menemsha in May, left the U.S. on Saturday and returned to Brazil Sunday evening under a removal order. Da Silva Lima, who was reached by phone in Brazil by a reporter from The Times, was asked how it felt to be back, and he lamented: “It was the worst feeling in the world. I love my sons, and I did not want to leave them behind.” Da Silva Lima said that Nycolas, who was supposed to be a rising junior at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) this coming school year, is still living on the Island with his brother, Nayran, 17, who moved to Martha’s Vineyard after da Silva Lima was detained. After a wrenching goodbye, the father said that he accepted his sons’ decision to stay on the Island to work and hopefully complete their studies. “Nycolas is doing good, and he is going to study online,” da Silva Lima said. “I don’t know exactly how that is all going to happen.” The father’s return to Brazil marks a sig-

Rogério da Silva Lima and Nycolas de Alvarenga Lima.

ROBYN TWOMEY

woman in her late 20s was pulled from the water off Norton Point Monday afternoon with wounds to her lower leg that police said were “consistent with a potential shark bite.” No shark or other marine animal, how-

nificant chapter in a five-year odyssey that started when the father, his wife, and their two sons first crossed into the U.S. illegally, according to court records. Da Silva Lima’s wife left shortly after the family arrived in the U.S. Father and sons ended up here on Martha’s Vineyard and were woven into the Island’s vibrant immigrant community, where they found work and a support system. The Lima family’s saga has played out amid a crackdown on illegal immigration by the Trump administration and raids by ICE agents here on the Island that have been met with protests. But the father himself recognized that he would be legally compelled to return to his native Brazil, telling The Times, on June 25, “I know I have to leave.” Amelia Lynn Ritenour, an attorney from Haven Immigration Law based in Portland, Maine, who represented da Silva Lima, said ICE required him to leave but he wasn’t put on a standard deportation flight. “Because he was cooperating, they just gave him a plane ticket and said ‘You have to leave,’” Ritenour said. Continued on A6 © 2026

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news

September 3, 2026

news in brief No Flock on-Island Controversy over Flock cameras is rampant across the country; state officials in Florida blocked their usage on state roadways, and the Texas governor ordered a pause in funding for the surveillance tool. Across the water, the Nantucket Current investigated cameras that were installed back in 2021, and in New Bedford, residents have protested their use after a police officer was found using them to track an ex-partner; New Bedford’s City Council recently took the matter to the mayor’s office. Concerns about this type of camera, an automated license plate reader made by the public safety technology company Flock Safety, which are often used by law enforcement to solve crimes, were raised on-Island back in May after a few cameras were marked on DeFlock, a database that uses crowdsourcing to identify Flock cameras across the country. Information about suspected cameras installed in Edgartown and Oak Bluffs was shared over social media, like Facebook, and in emails to The Times. The cameras initially marked on DeFlock have since been removed.

COURTESY ERIC CARLSEN

Surveillance cameras for Farrissey Tele-Comm that were suspected to be Flock.

The Times confirmed that there are no Flock cameras on the Island with town officials, and those spotted months ago by residents were surveillance cameras for a local company that installs underground pipes and wiring for telecommunication companies. Flock cameras are powered by artificial intelligence to process data from images of motor vehicles. Jonathan Searle, chief of police for Oak Bluffs, said that the cameras in question were located near the fire station in town, on the corner of County Road and Wing Road, as well as at the triangle in Edgartown, where Edgartown–Vineyard Haven Road and Beach Road convene at the start of Upper Main Street. “As far as Oak Bluffs having any Flock cameras, there are none,” Searle said. Andy Farrissey, owner and president of Farrissey Tele-Comm, confirmed to The Times that the cameras were surveillance cameras at job sites in Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. “It’s best construction practice now. You’re supposed to have fences up and cameras on site,” Farrissey said in an interview with The Times. “We monitor construction zones just to make sure nobody messes with our stuff at night.” James Hagerty, Edgartown town administrator, said there is no discussion or research being done surrounding the addition of Flock cameras in Edgartown. But in theory, Hagerty said, the process would be very public. “It would just be like anything. If the town was going to spend money on Flock cameras, there would be some sort of appropriation at town meetings,” Hagerty said. “I don’t know how much they cost, but controversial things like that would end up on the town meeting floor.”

NOAA FISHERIES

Minke whale swimming in the ocean.

Dead whale found in Katama Bay A 12-foot deceased minke whale was towed out to sea Friday from a private property on Katama Bay between Edgartown and Chappaquiddick. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which facilitates a network of stranding response organizations across the country, received reports of the deceased whale found under a private dock on Thursday, August 20. There was no necropsy performed, which means there isn’t an official cause of death. The minke whale is protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, but isn’t considered endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Since January 2017, however, there’s been an elevated number of minke whale mortalities between Maine and Georgia, which NOAA declared an unusual mortality event (UME). A UME is “a stranding that is unexpected; involves a significant die-off of any marine mammal population; and demands immediate response,” according to the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Massachusetts leads East Coast states with 73 strandings, out of 212 in the past decade. A necropsy was performed on more than 60 percent of minke whales found since 2017, and some initial findings showed evidence of human interactions — ship strikes and gear entanglements — or infectious diseases as causes of death, but that wasn’t the case for all the whales. Disposal of the carcass was coordinated between the homeowner and the Edgartown shellfish department on Friday, August 28, Andrea Gomez, communications specialist and public affairs officer for NOAA, said in an email to The Times. “Due to the whale’s state of decomposition and limited Island resources, towing the whale out to sea for disposal was the best course of action,” she added. Rob Morrison, shellfish constable for Edgartown, hadn’t personally ever towed a whale out to sea before, but he’s heard anecdotally that the town’s done that before. He estimated, based on the size, that the whale was a juvenile that died out in the Atlantic Ocean and came in through the breach between Chappaquiddick and Edgartown. Minke whales can grow up to 35 feet in length, according to NOAA, and this one was 12 feet, Gomez said. The breach isn’t navigable for boats, however, and so Morrison said he, with the Edgartown harbormaster’s department, brought the whale “really far out to sea,” away from ferry routes and past Nantucket Sound, through Edgartown Harbor. Morrison received permission from NOAA and the state Department of Environmental Protection to tow the whale, and said that the level of decomposition didn’t pose a threat to vessels offshore. He said he was worried, from a public health perspective, about the dead whale in an area where people commercially fish and participate in recreational activities. If you see a stranded, distressed, or dead marine mammal, contact a local stranding network partner, or call NOAA’s stranding hotline at 866-755-6622.

Ribbon cut at Chilmark Preschool just in time for school year Chilmark Preschool officials commemorated the completion of the preschool’s new building with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday evening. As children played on the playground in the background, around 50 people listened to speeches by community leaders and officials from South Mountain Co., the West Tisburybased construction firm behind the building. The building, for which construction was first approved by Chilmark voters at the annual town meeting in 2023, has the capacity to serve 38 toddlers and preschoolers. The building has two new classrooms, one serving toddlers ages 15 months to “2.9 years-old,” Casey Esposito, director of the Chilmark Preschool, said, and another room for preschoolers ages 2.9 to 5 years old, named the Hummingbird Room in honor of Chilmark resident Jill Iscol. Iscol was the co-founder of the nonprofit IF Hummingbird Foundation. The private, nonprofit preschool, which operated in a leased classroom at the Chilmark Elementary School for 21 years, was forced to relocate due to increasing enrollment at the elementary school. Now the preschool has double the enrollment capacity. Currently, 74 students are enrolled at the Chilmark Elementary School, according to Kate Squire, principal of the school. Steve Warner, president of the preschool’s nonprofit arm, Friends of the Chilmark Preschool, reflected on the effort required to complete the project. “Standing here today, it’s truly extraordinary, because this space did not happen overnight, and it certainly did not happen on its own,” Warner said. In a press release, Warner said the project was completed on time and under budget. The Friends of Chilmark Preschool raised $4.2 million, including through grants from MVYouth and Martha’s Vineyard Bank Charitable Foundation and from events like comedy shows by late night host Seth Meyers for three consecutive summers. Warner expressed his appreciation to the Chilmark community for its support. “It started with the voters approving this project at town meeting, a resounding statement that early childhood education matters,” Warner said.

corrections In the story “New Derby boundaries help up-Island fishermen,” published August 26, the Derby was incorrectly stated as ending on Saturday, Oct. 7, instead of Saturday, Oct. 17, due to an editing error. In the story “Oak Bluffs Fireworks cancellation caused by safety concerns,” published August 26, Oak Bluffs Fire Chief Stephen Foster was incorrectly named Rolston Foster due to an editing error. In the story “A cloud of uncertainty,” published August 27, the story incorrectly said that the Vineyard wasn’t spared by widespread insecticide spray called DDT, but it was mostly spared.

Deidre Bohan, CEO of South Mountain Co., underscored the strength of the preschool community. “Through [your children], you then meet a whole selection of community members and parents, and that, in my experience, forms a very core group of people that you know throughout your child’s life,” Bohan said. Rebekah Thomson, former president of the Chilmark Preschool board of directors, emphasized how the new building will benefit both the preschool and the elementary school. “[Preschoolers] are entering the school better prepared after receiving high-quality early childcare, and their families have the stability and peace of mind that comes with reliable, accessible childcare,” Thomas said. Esposito voiced her gratitude for the new building. “We feel incredibly lucky to have such a beautiful, safe, and nurturing space in which to grow this program, and most importantly, to watch our children learn, explore, and thrive,” she said.

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PUBLISHER & EDITOR Charles M. Sennott

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THE M.V. TIMES NEWS CORP. 30 Beach Road P.O. Box 518 • Vineyard Haven • MA • 02568 E-mail: editor@mvtimes.com Office hours: Mon-Thurs • 10 am - 2 pm Published weekly on Thursday, year-round. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MV Times, P.O. Box 518, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 TO BECOME A MEMBER visit mvtimes.com/membership or by phone at 508-693-6100 ext. 132 For any questions about your membership / subscription email us at memberships@mvtimes.com This newspaper does not assume responsibility for errors in advertisements printed herein, but will reprint without charge that part of any advertisement in which an error occurs.

news A3

September 3, 2026

obituaries Services Saturday for Carol Christopher

Carol Christopher, 67, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2026, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital in Oak Bluffs. Carol was born in Oak Bluffs and graduated from Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School in 1977. She sought adventure through photography, describing her discovery and love of photography in her own words: “Martha’s Vineyard is unique, for it is blessed with a community that prides itself on the conservation of the land. For a nature photographer, it is a gold mine in that it holds several conservation groups: Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank, Sheriff’s Meadow Properties, and the Trustees of Reservations. There was never a time where I found myself without a photographic opportunity or new location to discover. “I began my serious interest in photography long ago when I inherited my father’s 35mm Minolta, and took some mediocre shots. I brought it to Fenway Park with me one day, and found it was too old to do the things I wanted to do with it, so I purchased a new digital camera. “I began to take some really nice pictures at Red Sox games. Out of my love for the Red Sox, I went to Florida and got some very nice pictures of birds while on a kayak trip through Jug Creek and into the Calusa Nature Center, where I was surrounded by osprey, eagles, white egrets, great blue heron, and various other birds. This was the beginning of my attraction to nature photography, sports, and landscape and high-dynamic-range shooting.” Carol’s photographs were once used by the Maine Office of Tourism, and her “Island Christmas” holiday greeting cards were sold on the Island during the winters. She was also the longtime official team photographer of the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks. Carol spent her good days kayaking in Lake Tashmoo and the Lagoon, often spending hours on Saturdays in the sun, escaping the chaos of the summer season and bobbing on the water. During the winter months, she expressed her creativity indoors through jewelry making, sewing, and crafts. Running a small local business known as Vineyard Treasures, she often sold her creations at artisan shows on the Island. Carol’s friends and family will also recall her love of sewing

and gnomes. Throughout the year, but especially during the winter holiday season, Carol created handmade gnomes and would gift them to loved ones. Each creation took hours, and she often made dozens each holiday season. Carol’s life was full of sports: from relaxing on the weekends with a Patriots game on the TV to spending vacation time watching the MLB spring training in Clearwater, Fla., sports put her at ease. While she didn’t attend a Bruins hockey game, she always tuned into them. She loved the Red Sox so much that she had the logo tattooed on her wrist. While her metastatic breast cancer affected her body for many years, Carol didn’t let this bring her down. She always found a way to feel happy and spread this happiness to those around her. Carol is survived by her mother, Evelyn Christopher; daughter, Caitlyn Clark and her husband, Garrett Box; and her sisters Sharon Mello, Jackie Fullin, and Sue Christopher. A celebration of life is on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 11 am at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Oak Bluffs.

Carol Potter Whitmarsh

She was a great judge of character, and if she was fond of you and respected you, she would give endlessly of herself to you. Carol served her community for many years. She loved her work with teenagers at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, who would go out of their way to greet her with broad smiles and affection whenever they saw her in the community. Her colleagues often sought out advice and counsel from her. She served on the Edgartown personnel board for several years, and on the Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, and All-Island school committees for nine years. She was an avid bridge player, and is loved and dearly missed by the bridge community on the Island. She had many years of camaraderie and enjoyment with her many bridge friends. She liked to use her highly intelligent mind to compete at bridge, and she also loved to watch “Jeopardy” with her husband, often dazzling him with her extensive knowledge about so many things. Most importantly, Carol will always be remembered for the depth of her character, her infectious laugh, and the love of her family, friends, and our community. Her spirit will carry on in the heart of the love of her life, her husband, and in her children, her grandchildren, the rest of her extended family, and many friends. She leaves behind her husband, Tom Bennett; her sons, Kane, Jason, and Theodore; her niece-daughter, Jade and her family; her granddaughters, Dalila, Lily, Ayla, and Alyssa; her daughters-in-law and past and present partners, Jennifer, Pam, and Kissyla; her sisters, Linda and Dorothy; their husbands, Howard and Bill; her nieces, Katherine and Dorothy; and Dorothy’s family; her dear and cherished cousins; and many friends. The family wants to thank Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard for their very caring, professional, and comforting services throughout her illness. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard, online at hospiceofmv.org/donations. There will be a graveside memorial service at the New West Side Cemetery in Edgartown on Nov. 7 at 11 am.

passed away on August 8, 2026. She was 76 years old, born on Jan. 21, 1950, in New York City, and lived most of her life dedicated to raising her family on Martha’s Vineyard. She was surrounded by and cared for by her family throughout her last days. She was very alert and aware of those around her until the very end. The gift she gave her loved ones was the opportunity to tell her how much they loved her and to thank her for all she had done for each of them. She was the matriarch of her family: her husband, her sons, a niece more like a daughter to her, her granddaughters, and her daughtersin-laws; she loved them all unconditionally. During her final days, those close to her came to an understanding best described by Viktor Frankl: “Love goes very far beyond the physical person of the beloved. It finds its deepest meaning in its spiritual being, one’s inner self. Whether or not one is actually present, whether or not one is still alive at all, ceases somehow to be of importance.” Carol’s life was full of extraordinary accomplishments as a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a friend, and a community activist. Most would agree she was a keen observer of human nature. Beverly Lilian James Espuga

Beverly Espuga

was a remarkable woman whose life was defined by love, determination, faith, service, and devotion to family. She met life’s challenges with strength, optimism, and grace. Born in Jersey City, N.J., to Lilian Emily and George James, Beverly was the eldest of four children. She learned the value of hard work early, put herself through college, and attended Orange Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. She worked as a caring and compassionate nurse for a decade. As her children grew, Beverly became active in church, teaching nursery and Sunday school. Her love of children led her back to school, where she earned a teaching degree and a master’s degree in special education from Kean University. She later taught preschool children with disabilities, and took great pride in helping them learn, grow, and feel loved. At 16, Beverly met Anthony (“Tony”) Richard Espuga on a blind date. They married in 1961 and shared 55 years together, until Tony’s passing in 2017. Together they built a loving family and created cherished memories. They camped throughout the East Coast, beginning in tents and eventually graduating to a camper. That tradition became part of a family legacy with all the sons and grandkids as avid campers. Beverly treasured family gatherings, especially holiday meals for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. She was happiest when everyone was together sharing food, conversation, laughter, and stories. She also loved gardening, composting, bicycling around Vineyard Haven, and walking. Her Methodist faith shaped her life. She prayed daily, volunteered at community suppers, visited people who were homebound or hospitalized, and found deep meaning in helping others. Above all, Beverly was a wonderful mother. She taught her sons to cook and, by example, to work hard, stay positive, care for others, and appreciate family. Even as illness progressed, she continued to find joy in her deck, good food, family visits, and hearing about her grandchildren’s lives. Beverly is survived by her sister, Janice Ragonese (Lester); her sons, Richard (Jackie), David (Michele), and Robert (Kerrie); her grandchildren, Nicole, Kyle, Nick, Danny, Alyssa, Ryan, and Ashley (Jason); and her great-grandson, Cole. Her legacy is one of love, strength, faith, kindness, gratitude, and a life well-lived. Her family will remember her generous spirit, steady encouragement, resilience, warm hospitality, and enduring ability to make people feel welcome, supported, and loved. The many lives she touched will carry her example forward. Services on Martha’s Vineyard will be held on Sept. 19, with a burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Vineyard Haven, at 10 am, and then at 11 am a

church service at the Trinity United Methodist Church of Martha’s Vineyard at 40 Trinity Park in the Campgrounds in Oak Bluffs. Immediately following will be a luncheon in the fellowship hall building. A celebration of life in New Jersey on Oct. 4 at 1 pm will be held at Costa’s Restaurant, 120 Chestnut St., Roselle Park, NJ 07204. Visit chapmanfuneral.com for online guestbook and information.

drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served a tour of duty in Vietnam. After graduating from Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School in 1967, he attended the University of Massachusetts at Lowell on a wrestling scholarship. He majored in music, but his aspirations were curtailed when he was drafted. After being honorably discharged from the Army, he moved west to Great Falls, Mont. There he married Gayle Swenson. This marriage produced two children, Becky and Scott. He later married Deborah Gess, who gave birth to Donald A gathering of the commu- M. Fisher III. In high school, Don played nity of Ted Box will be held on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 1 the trombone, tuba, and sousaphone, and he was gifted with a to 3:50 pm at the Oak Bluffs beautiful bass voice. He was on Public Library at 56R School the verge of signing a contract St., Oak Bluffs. Everyone is with Decca Records when he welcome to attend. This will be a time to share stories, view was drafted. He spent many years working on the farm of photos, visit with friends, and enjoy the community that Ted his uncle, Fred Fisher Jr., in West Tisbury, as well as workloved so dearly. Attendees are invited to bring their fave pho- ing building stone walls and to of Ted, and to participate by homes. In Montana he and friend Dan Cook formed C & writing a note to place inside F Construction Management. Ted’s Captain’s Logbook. Everyone is welcome to stay as They designed and built many quality homes in Montana long as or as little as they want. and regionally as far south as Las Vegas. Don remained musically active, singing with the Montana Chorale, Great Falls Symphony, Butte Symphony Choir, and Mining City Choir in Butte. In the 2000s, Don was beset by multiple health issues that would impact him for the rest of his life. He always tried to look on the positive side of life, and was a devout Christian. He was an outdoorsman, taking his children camping and, later, the boys hunting and fishing. He had several horses over the years, having learned to ride at his uncle’s farm. Please join the Guiney famDon is survived by his wife, ily at 3 pm on Saturday, Sept. Deborah; his daughter, Becky 5, at the Grange Hall in West (Aaron) Timmons; sons Scott Tisbury to celebrate the life of (Stacey Mohney) Fisher and Dr. Tim Guiney. Tim touched Don III (Amanda); stepchildren and saved the lives of many Nicole Ryujin and Kiyoshi Islanders, and was instrumen- (Shantal) Ryujin; brother tal in helping establish great Peter (Dorothy) Fisher, and healthcare for all of us at the sisters Fran Fisher Copeland Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. and Martha (Steve) Staples. We look forward to seeing you He also leaves grandchildren at the celebration. Madeleine Florence Marie Timmons, Elliot Christine Timmons, and Otis McIntosh Fisher, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews in the Midwest, Martha’s Vineyard, and North Shore of Massachusetts. Don’s family would like to thank the staff at the Southwest Montana Veterans’ Home for the compassionate care they gave him in Butte during the last year of his life. A memorial service was held on July 17 at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Butte, and was streamed to friends and relatives in Massachusetts and Donald McIntosh Fisher Jr. of in Iowa. A three-gun salute at West Tisbury, and Butte, Mont., his service was testimony to his passed away on June 23, 2026. love of his country. Born in Oak Bluffs on Feb. 21, Memorial gifts may be sent 1949, to Donald M. Fischer Sr. to the Vietnam Veterans of and Christine (“Tina”) Pachico America, 8719 Colesville Road, Fisher of West Tisbury, Donald Suite 100, Silver Springs, MD spent his younger years on 20910, or to the charity of one’s Martha’s Vineyard before being choice.

Celebration of life for Ted Box

Services Saturday for Dr. Tim Guiney

Donald McIntosh Fisher Jr.

news

September 3, 2026

EDITORIAL A shark bite should not incite panic, but inspire caution The world knows Martha’s Vineyard as the summer home to first families like the Clintons and Obamas and celebrity A-listers like Spike Lee and Larry David, but the Island is perhaps best known for the Hollywood blockbuster movie “Jaws.” When it was filmed here on the Island more than a half-century ago, suddenly the Vineyard was synonymous with the great white shark. When you thought of the Vineyard, many could not help but hear the film’s horrifying two-note soundtrack: dun, dun, dun, dun. So it will surprise most of the world to realize that there’s actually never been an unprovoked shark attack, or bite, on the Island, at least in recent memory. That’s what Greg Skomal, senior biologist for the state Division of Marine Fisheries and a shark expert often compared to Richard Dreyfuss’ “Jaws” character Matt Hooper, said. And Skomal would know. Not only did he live on the Island for two decades to study sharks, but he now tags them with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy off the Cape to better understand the species, and he’s seen every major shark bite in New England in recent years. For the Island, he said he’s only ever heard of one shark bite, one that was provoked, he said, after a fisherman reeled in a sandbar, or brown, shark at East Beach in the late ’80s or early ’90s. He said he’d have to consult his journals for the exact date. But that all changed this week, when news that a female in her late 20s was pulled from

the water at Norton Point, a part of the south shore in Edgartown that allows oversand vehicle access and is directly east of South Beach, came out over the Martha’s Vineyard Public Safety radio. First responders were “reporting possible shark bites” at 1:49 pm, and a press release from the town came out around 3:30 pm that said the wounds were “considered consistent with a potential shark bite,” but all that remains unconfirmed, especially because no shark or other marine animal was seen in connection to the incident. Even plane flyovers didn’t spot anything, though pilots told The Times that the water was murky; Norton Point also typically has a steep drop-off right off the shore, and the water is often relatively unclear for swimmers. It would be a first for the Island, if Skomal is able to confirm through analysis of the wound and speaking to the victim that this was a shark bite. It remains unclear whether or not Skomal will do an investigation. Now, this isn’t the lead-up to the Fourth of July but for Labor Day, and Amity Mayor Larry Vaughn was onto something when, in an attempt to keep the beaches open, he said to Chief Brody, “Martin, it’s all psychological. You yell ‘Barracuda,’ everybody says, ‘Huh? What?’ You yell ‘Shark,’ we’ve got a panic on our hands on the Fourth of July.” Fear is psychological, especially around sharks; people fear what they can’t see and don’t understand. Skomal told The Times that on his list of suspects, based on his knowledge about marine life around the Island, is a sandbar shark, which is pretty common here, and a sand tiger shark, which is rarer, but one was recently caught by some anglers off Wasque. (He didn’t mention white sharks, which he studies off the Cape and are mostly seen around the Island only as they make their way up there.) Both species are mostly harmless, Skomal said, and are

known to be implicated in a “nip” on people only when swimmers are inadvertently in their space. In fact, in Massachusetts, there have been only six unprovoked shark attacks in Massachusetts since 1837, according to the International Shark Attack File, a database collected by the University of Florida. Swimmers should be wary of their surroundings when they enter the water — not just for marine life but for rip currents and other forces of nature that make recreational activities dangerous. Even Wendy Benchley, ocean and shark conservationist and the wife of late “Jaws” author Peter Benchley, is careful when she swims. But the ocean is home to sharks, and she’s seen the resurgence of apex predators in East Coast waters over the past few decades as a win and a sign that the ocean is slightly healthier. The chances that a person is attacked by a shark is 1 in 11.5 million, according to the International Shark Attack File. You are way, way more likely to be hit by a car or attacked by a dog. This incident, which remains unconfirmed as a shark bite, isn’t a reason to incite panic, only caution. And it is definitely not a reason to fear sharks, which don’t have humans in their diet and attack only when confused or scared. It’s true they can mistake a person for a seal or fish, but that is extremely rare. The truth of this moment, as we assess whether a woman was indeed bitten by a shark and if so what kind, is that we should not forget the much smaller predator that poses a clear and present danger to the Island’s public health. It is hard to imagine a blockbuster movie about parasitic arachnids, or ticks. But those tiny monsters are indeed the predators we need to focus on. So let’s not panic about sharks, and let’s ready ourselves for the more complex challenge of eradicating ticks. Maybe there is a new soundtrack that needs to carry the same tension as a timer on a bomb: tick, tick, tick, tick.

LETTERS Connection at Lambert’s Cove

30 Beach Road P. O. Box 518, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 508-693-6100 e-mail: editor@mvtimes.com

Charles M. Sennott • Publisher

Note to Readers The Times welcomes letters to the editor on subjects of interest to Islanders. Each letter must include the name, address, and phone number of the writer. No exceptions, no anonymous letters, no pen names. All letters are subject to editing for style, taste, sense, and conciseness. Five hundred words is the outer limit. We publish most letters, but not all. The editor chooses. Letters will normally be published in the week they are received, but not always. The Times accepts letters by mail and e-mail.

To the Editor: Friday, August 7, 2026, began like so many summer mornings at Lambert’s Cove. My girlfriend, my dog, and I had a ritual, arriving early while dogs were still free to race the shoreline. The cove had become more than a beach. It anchored my life. That morning, I sat watching my girlfriend swim while our dog wandered nearby. A woman was throwing a tennis ball for her two German pointers. One brought it back eagerly, but the other just kept swimming farther. At first, no one seemed alarmed, but then the woman’s voice changed. She called his name. She blew a whistle. Conversations stopped. Heads turned. I looked for something to help, a stick, a float, anything. But time was slipping away. So I took my girlfriend’s goggles and I swam. The water seemed to offer no resistance. Each stroke felt smooth and effortless. I remember feeling calm. I wasn’t thinking about courage or recognition, just swimming toward a living creature who needed help. Only when I drew closer did I realize where we were. The dog had drifted near the rock where I’d scattered my father’s ashes. Later, I had returned to that same place with the ashes of … Bill, my faithful companion for so many years. Whether it came from memory, love, faith, or something I can’t explain, I felt accompanied. For those few moments, I had the unmistakable sense that I was not swimming alone. When I reached the dog, I took hold of his collar. He did not struggle. He relaxed immediately. I turned him toward

shore, and he swam calmly beside me while I guided him back until his paws found the sand. His owner embraced him. The tension dissolved into relief, smiles, applause, handshakes, words of thanks. A few people called me a hero. I appreciated their kindness, and I was proud, not so much because of what others said, but because I knew I had done what the moment required. Ever since that morning, Lambert’s Cove has held one more memory for me. It is still the place I go to remember my father and Bill. But it is also the place where, for one unexpected morning, grief gave way to grace. Raf Astor New York City, N.Y., and West Tisbury

Comments policy should be more open To the Editor: I’ve long been a fan of Charlie Sennott, never missing an opportunity to hear him on “Jim on Marjorie.” I’ve found his opinions well-formed and well-stated. I think the decision to deny comment by nonsubscribers on articles of importance to the M.V. community that extends to Falmouth is parochial and mercenary. Bob Morris Woods Hole

Local businesses support children’s reading To the Editor: This summer, 464 children signed up for the Edgartown library’s summer reading program, collectively reading thousands of books and spending countless hours immersed

in stories. Since its inception many decades ago, the program has aimed to foster a lifelong love of reading. We’re incredibly grateful to the Friends of the Edgartown Public Library and to three local businesses — Edgartown Pizza, Edgartown Meat & Fish, and Great Harbor Market and Depot Market — for supporting the program this year. In addition to receiving a summer reading T shirt featuring this year’s theme, “Unearth a Story,” participants had the opportunity to redeem coupons for treats at these local businesses. These rewards brought so much excitement to our young readers, while recognizing their dedication to reading throughout the summer. The generosity of local small businesses makes programs like this possible, and we’re deeply grateful for their support. Rachel Schubert, children and teens librarian Edgartown Public Library

Closer eye needed on SSA finances To the Editor: Like most Island residents, we are deeply concerned by the recent proposal to increase fares. While the Steamship Authority argues that these increases are necessary to subsidize excursion fares, it is impossible to ignore a pattern of costly mismanagement that has placed an unnecessary burden on those who rely on the SSA most. Consider just three major projects from recent years: • The Woods Hole terminal building project has ballooned to more than $39 million, with an additional $9.8

million anticipated before completion. • The three offshore supply vessels (OSVs), originally budgeted at $47.6 million, ultimately cost $87.5 million and are already requiring expensive repairs. • The failed website project, highlighted in the inspector general’s report released last December, consumed significant resources before being abandoned. We are currently reviewing the costs associated with the replacement reservation system, and fear that the project may follow a similar pattern of overruns. These are not isolated incidents. They represent tens of millions of dollars in overruns, poor planning, and questionable decisionmaking. While some grant funding has offset a portion of these costs, the reality is that the majority ultimately falls on the backs of SSA customers through higher fares and fees. Why should Islanders believe things will be different this time? The Port Council, whose responsibility includes financial oversight, has consistently failed to ask the difficult questions or demand accountability when projects veer dramatically off course. Meanwhile, members of the board continue to defend decisions that have clearly failed the ferry users. Without meaningful change in the composition and culture of both the Port Council and the board, there is little reason to expect different results. In March, the board publicly committed to conducting “hot wash” reviews to examine what went wrong with these projects and identify lessons learned. Yet months later, there has been no visible progress, no public reckoning, and no evidence that meanContinued on A5

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ESSAY The Vineyard and the decline of the EPA BY JACK FRUCHTMAN The promise of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is deeply at risk, if not already shattered by current Trump administration policies. Nine months into 2026, the Vineyard has experienced a panoply of weather extremes: a long, serious drought; a doublebarreled blizzard in February; exceedingly high temperatures and floods on the Fourth of July weekend; smelly and eye-watering smoke from Canadian wildfires in July and August; rip tides leading to a father’s death trying to save his sons in August. And now the Island faces the height of the hurricane season as we move into September and October. Worldwide, things have not been better. Devastating cyclones in Hawaii, wildfires in Nevada and southwestern France, extreme temperatures in Europe that killed an estimated 35,000 people over four heatwaves, and disastrous floods in Nepal leaving, at this writing, more than 1,000 killed, and 3,916 missing. According to the Guardian, “The World Health Organization said in May that heat-related mortality in its European region had increased by more than 30 percent over the past 20 years, and was on course to climb significantly as a result of the climate

LETTERS Continued from A4 ingful reforms are underway. The “hot wash” reviews are not scheduled. There are reasons for cautious optimism. New general manager Alex Kryska and Martha’s Vineyard’s newest board representative, Ted Gavin, bring fresh perspectives and the potential for positive change. But real reform will require more than new faces. It will require an honest acknowledgment of the serious fiscal mistakes made in recent years, and a commitment to transparency, accountability, and better stewardship of public resources. Islanders deserve a Steamship Authority that manages its finances as carefully as the families and businesses that depend on it every day. Amy Cody, Margaret Hannemann, Alysha Norbury, Beth O’Connor, Nat Trumbull, steering committee Steamship Authority Citizens’ Action Group

A son honors his father To the Editor: This letter was submitted by Bert Combra, on behalf of Bill Faria Jr. Mr. Combra, It was great speaking to you, and glad all is well. Please feel free to call anytime. Also pass my regard to Phil. Please find three pictures enclosed. My father witnessed the launch and recovery of my last Air Force F-16 Viper flight at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. Dad received a VIP aircraft orientation, then helped us perform a preflight inspection. He was speechless sitting in the cockpit. The first picture is

of me looking at the camera at the beginning of my inspection and pre-brief with my ground and aircrew. The second picture, with my dad standing in front of the crew ladder, was during aircraft recovery and engine shutdown. He got to participate during our mission debrief, enjoying every moment of our details of our three airto-air MiG kills. The third and most important picture has a remarkable story. Dad passed away six years after Nancy and I retired from the Air Force. Dad always wanted to fly in a fighter, and always wanted to go to the Grand Canyon. Because of his Bronze Star and Purple Heart, we had his flag flown/posted on the U.S. Capitol for the day. Once we received the U.S. flag back, we collected his ashes and a copy of his DD-214, and placed it in the last flag fold. We had a friend who was still flying F-16 Vipers in the same squadron I retired from. We placed his flag with Dad’s remains and DD-214 on the right side of the cockpit, wedged against the canopy, representing a place of honor. My pilot [friend] disguised a BFM (Basic Flight Maneuvers) mission to fly extremely fast at about 500 feet off the deck straight down the middle of the Grand Canyon, making as much noise as he could. Over the range area, Dad flew Mach 1.7 and experienced 9G maneuvers. Returning to Luke Air Force Base, he flew in a four-ship formation over the base, with his fighter pulling hard vertical [climb] signifying a missing man: him. In short, Dad got to break the bonds of earth over the Grand Canyon, fly like hell at 45,000 feet, and land in peace. My father was a great man, and provided me with tenacity, resil-

crisis and population aging.” This condition has produced the new normal. Most Americans attribute these extremities to climate change: According to the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute, “Extreme climate events are mounting for Americans throughout the country. About three-quarters of Americans say they experienced unusually hot days this year. About 40 percent experienced severe storms, 35 percent experienced flooding, 32 percent experienced droughts and water shortages, and nearly a quarter experienced a wildfire.” But it doesn’t have to be that way. Harken back to New Year’s Day 1970, when President Richard Nixon declared that the U.S. must “pay its debt to the past by reclaiming the purity of its air, its waters, and our living environment. It is literally now or never.” By the middle of that year, he proclaimed his intention to ask Congress to create the EPA. On its website, the agency lays out its goals, none of which it seeks to achieve anymore. Here are just the first four: The “EPA works to ensure that Americans have clean air, land, and water; national efforts to reduce environmental risks are based on the best available scientific information; federal laws protecting human health and the environment are administered and enforced fairly, effectively, and as Congress intended; environmental stewardship is integral to U.S. policies concerning natural resources, human health, economic

growth, energy, transportation, agriculture, industry, and international trade, and these factors are similarly considered in establishing environmental policy.” Yet, under Lee Zeldin, a politician and lawyer who currently serves as the current EPA administrator, the agency has failed to advance any of these goals. For New Yorker science writer Elizabeth Kolbert, as Trump administration’s polluter in chief Zeldin has “rescinded regulations, cut or eliminated departments, and terminated the jobs of many scientists.” Trump, she says, calls him “our secret weapon.” In short, despite the charge Congress gave to the EPA, Zeldin sides with the polluters, and we are living with the dire consequences. For President Trump as far back as 2012, the idea that climate change is occurring is a “hoax … created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing noncompetitive.” His goal is to bolster the fossil fuel industry at the expense of alternative sources of energy, such as solar and wind. In February this year, the New York Times reported that he deleted the long-standing scientific finding that climate change is a threat to human health and the environment by terminating “the federal government’s authority to control the pollution that is dangerously heating the planet.” A New York Times report stated that the EPA would no longer limit the production of carbon dioxide,

methane, and four other greenhouse gases that scientists have long found to be superchargers of “heat waves, droughts, wildfires, and other extreme weather.” And the construction of expensive, huge energy-drawing data centers to power artificial intelligence and other uses are also impactful. According to Penn State University, “One of these [centers] can use the same amount of electricity daily that a small or medium-size city, around 80,000 houses, would use daily.” So this is the predicament that we on the Island now find ourselves in. The EPA no longer lives up to its own promise. The Environmental Defense Fund predicts an additional 58,000 premature deaths because of the elimination of these regulations to control pollution. This leaves the burden on each of us to do whatever we can to control climate change as best we can. We can install solar in our homes, or purchase hybrid or electric vehicles. We can use less water and conserve more land for future generations. We could also purchase energysaving appliances for our homes. On the other hand, they may be hard to find: The New York Times reports that last May, the Trump administration repealed 47 energy regulations that governed “energy and water conservation standards for a long list of electric and gas appliances.”

ience, and strength that pulled me [through] brutal combat on the ground and in the air.

Sincere appreciation to Library Friends volunteer el edwards for leading the book organization effort throughout the year, along with her team of Barbara McKelvey, Carol Goldstein, Valerie Kaufman, and Laurie Howick. Huge thanks to all of our hardworking book sale volunteers (in alphabetical order): Alison Cohen (president LFOB), Sharon Burbidge, Emily Cavanaugh, Patt Dodds, el edwards, Joe Finocchio, Carol Goldstein, Laurie Howick, Valerie Kaufman, Kathleen Lott, Peter Lyons, Maureen McClintock, Barbara McKelvey, Chris McKelvey, Marilyn Miller, Muriel O’Rourke, Cynthia Redshaw, Diane Reed, Becky Rivera, Marney Toole, Richard Toole, Lynn Van Auken, Carole Walton, and Ron Zentner. Thanks also to our teen volunteer, Austin Blass. Many thanks to the town of Oak Bluffs, especially Town Administrator Wendy Brough and Executive Assistant Debra Alley. for allowing us to transform the Select Board Meeting Hall into a popular three-day bookshop. Thanks as well to Rose Cogliano and Debbie Whitney at the OBCOA for providing tables and to Sheriff’s Office personnel Amanda Cimeno and Nathan for transporting the tables. And to the movers in black T shirts with “Atlas” on the front who arrived in a blue-and-white Carroll’s truck (thanks to an anonymous donor) to provide much-needed extra muscle for the final book sale breakdown Saturday afternoon. The Library Friends extend our sincere and ongoing gratitude to Library Director Allyson Malik and the fantastic OBPL staff for their assistance and support all year long: Mary Jane Aldrich-Moodie, Edil (“Jr.”) Babarosa, Jonathan Burke, Marco Daniels, Anna

Marie D’Addarie, Michelle Lynch, Claire Phelan, Shivonne Schofield, and their summer volunteers. And, of course, we greatly appreciate our community who generously gave their cherished books to our annual sale, and those who came to the sale, purchasing books for children and adult readers. To all who helped make the 2026 Book Sale a success: We could not do it without you! See you in July 2027.

Sincerely, Bill Faria Jr. Rest in peace my friend, Bill Faria Sr. (Oak Bluffs). Bert Combra Oak Bluffs

Vineyard needs more recycling bins To the Editor: In response to your story on the front page of last week’s Times about our fragile Island, I wonder why there aren’t recycling bins all over the Island. Those of us who live here are careful about what we throw away, recycle, and return. Plastic bags are no longer used by grocery stores, but I’ve gone to the Oak Bluffs Post Office many times, and the trash barrels in front are overflowing with plastic bottles, etc. Can it be so hard to put out recycling bins? It would help save our Island from so much plastic going into landfills. Jessica L. Andrews Oak Bluffs and Tucson, Ariz.

Thank you for a successful Oak Bluffs library book sale To the Editor: On July 23 to 25, the Library Friends of Oak Bluffs (LFOB) welcomed our neighbors of all ages to the library and Town Hall for our annual summer book sale. Thanks to our year-round and summer communities and the success of this year’s sale, the Library Friends can help fund the programs, services, and collections of the Oak Bluffs Public Library.

Jack Fruchtman, who lives in Aquinnah, is a longtime conservationist.

Patt Dodds, clerk Library Friends of Oak Bluffs

New boundaries worsen the Derby To the Editor: The latest change to the Martha’s Vineyard Derby has not been well received by many, and the voices of a few have changed the Derby for the worse. For years, many have asked that Nantucket be taken out of the Derby, which would have been a better solution to the voices of the up-Island community. Yes, some of the big fish have been on the backside of Nantucket, but no one likes spending all the money for gas to get there, no matter where you start from. A bigger problem is the boat category is all one, so a 17-foot boat has to compete against the 35-foot boats that win the Derby year after year. With a smaller inbound area, it helps to level the playing field for the unfair advantage the big boats have. A smaller boundary also makes it safer in that you are not tempted to go where the waters are rougher. This decision caught most everyone by surprise, with little public comment from the thousands who join every year. Jim Joyce Edgartown

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Father detained by ICE back in Brazil Continued from A1 Da Silva Lima flew on a civilian flight and was not shackled like other immigrants deported by ICE. “It was never about him getting to stay forever. We always knew this was going to be the result. The question was whether his departure was super-inhumane or whether he left of his own will.” It appears to have been the latter. Ritenour corroborated that da Silva Lima is back in Brazil, and that it was ICE who paid for his flight home. Da Silva Lima and Nycolas were detained May 18 while on their first-ever boat fishing trip together. They had left home around 5 am to help a friend launch a skiff in Menemsha, with plans to fish. The father-son duo had fished together near their hometown, Colatina, Espírito Santo, in Brazil, for years, as well as along the Charles River in Boston, and from the shore off Chappaquiddick, but hadn’t been out on a boat trip together. The Coast Guard said they received a report that morning of a vessel possibly in distress south of Martha’s Vineyard, and boarded the recreational vessel around 10 am. The Coast Guard pulled alongside the skiff, asked questions, and looked for identification, and circled back two more times, identifying the father and son; the Coast Guard officers said they needed additional immigration status verification. After checking with ICE, they identified one passenger, da Silva Lima, as a Brazilian national, and Nycolas as a minor trav-

eling with his father. The Coast Guard said they worked with ICE to keep the family together during the transfer. ICE took the two from Woods Hole into custody on the mainland. Court records show the government intended to send them to a family detention facility in Texas. That same night, Island advocates reached Ritenour to represent them and filed an emergency habeas corpus petition in the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts to block the transfer. According to past reporting by The Times, da Silva Lima said the first stop came less than half an hour after they pushed off the Menemsha dock. They had barely gotten lines in the water and had not caught any fish yet. The Lima family immigrated to the U.S. in 2021. Initially, they lived in Boston, but during the past two years, da Silva Lima worked as a carpenter and painter on the Vineyard, first taking the ferry from Cape Cod, then moving to the Island with Nycolas. They applied for asylum in 2023, but the case was rejected, as was their appeal to the U.S. Board of Immigration Appeals, and an immigration judge ordered their removal in 2023 after the asylum claim was denied. Nycolas and da Silva Lima spent the first night in a small cell at the ICE processing center in Burlington, Mass., then three nights under guard in a hotel because a minor can’t be held at the processing center. Nycolas was released

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after four days, on May 22, and eventually returned to the Island; da Silva Lima was moved to Plymouth County Correctional Facility, where he stayed for five nights before returning on May 27 to Burlington, where his release was processed. He was released with an ankle monitor. Community members, including volunteers from the Island chapter of LUCE Immigrant Justice Network, created after the ICE raid of May 2025, brought him back to the Island. U.S. District Court of Massachusetts Judges Indira Talwani and Julia E. Kobick ordered that the two remain in Massachusetts while the case was being reviewed. Talwani ordered that da Silva Lima be released, after finding ICE had not followed required procedure after his removal order came. Ritenour said that after a removal order, the government is supposed to remove someone within 90 days. If that does not happen, the person is placed on an order of supervision. Ritenour said da Silva Lima was never placed on that supervision after the 90-day window had passed. “When the judge ordered his release, she specifically said this was not about him staying in America forever,” Ritenour said. “This was about ICE following their own policies to remove him.” Ritenour said the habeas corpus filed in May was never a bid for da Silva Lima to remain in the country permanently. “When we filed the habeas to get him

EIH HOUSING

Rogério da Silva Lima and Nycolas de Alvarenga Lima. ROBYN TWOMEY

“It was the worst feeling in the world. I love my sons, and I did not want to leave them behind.” –ROGÉRIO DA SILVA LIMA out, we always knew he would have to leave at some point,” she said. “The question was about how he was going to leave the country,

Vineyard Haven I N C

illside illa e I consiste 0 a artamentos su vencionados. financiamento atrav s do Desenvolvimento Rural do USDA, SEC. 515 aluguel de programa de assistência a idosos e deficientes n o idosos. tualmente estamos totalmente ocu ados. o entanto os candidatos elegíveis podem ser colocados na nossa lista de espera. Para ser elegível, o requerente deve ter 6 anos ou mais ou com al uma defici ncia e estar dentro dos se uintes limites de ele i ilidade de renda: Muito baixa Baixa Moderado

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ara consultas e pedidos ligue: 8Hillside Village Site Manager: 8: Em conformidade com a seção 504 da lei de reabilitação de 1973, o justo alterações habitação de 1988 e o título VI da lei dos direitos civis de 1964, ilha idosos habitação, Inc. (IEH) será não discriminar candidatos ou residentes com base em raça, cor, Credo, religião, sexo, nacional ou origem étnica, cidadania, ascendência, classe, orientação sexual, estatuto familiar, deﬁciência,

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Island Elderly Housing, Inc. 60B Village Road, Vineyard Haven MA 02568 Equal Opportunity Employer

whether it was going to be abruptly in shackles, or if he was going to have some time and dignity and humanity to leave on his own terms, and so we got that second option, where he got to leave on a civilian flight, and he wasn’t shackled.” Ritenour said Saturday’s departure closed da Silva Lima’s case and is consistent with Talwani’s order. The court released him on an order of supervision, and

ICE later revoked that supervision properly within the 90-day period, and sent him home on a civilian flight because he was cooperating. “[ICE doesn’t] get the benefit of not following regulations,” Ritenour said. “Yes, he has a removal order. Yes, you have the right to take him under circumstances. But it’s not going to be out fishing with your son before you’ve done any paperwork.” Ritenour said Nycolas still has a removal order and that there are legal options for immigrant children to remain in the United States. The initial arrests in May prompted a protest in Menemsha and a student walkout at MVRHS. Ritenour said The Times’ earlier reporting was cited in court as judges reconstructed the timeline when the Coast Guard and ICE acted and played a role in the release. In an extended interview with The Times, the father reflected on his American dream as an immigrant and how it has ended: “I did not plan to go back. They told me I had to. So it is very complicated, because I went to the U.S. to achieve my dreams, and that dream was interrupted, so I sort of lost my way.” Asked how he feels about the U.S. now, da Silva Lima added, “I see the U.S. as an excellent country where you can change your life in a financial way. Brazil is very good as a place to live. The people are warmer, but for changing your life, it’s hard to describe how much better the U.S. is in terms of opportunity and building a life.” As for the future, da Silva Lima said he still hopes to someday be reunited with his two sons, and to fish together as they have always loved to do since they were young boys. “It is just very hard to have any real plan right now.” Interviews with da Silva Lima were conducted in Portuguese and translated by Times reporter Maria Barros.

OAK BLUFFS WATER DISTRICT IMPORTANT NOTICE The Board of Water Commissioners voted unanimously to implement a Mandatory Outdoor Water Ban for the Town of Oak Bluffs in June 2006 under the Water Use Restriction By-law of April, 2000. This notice is a re-affirmation that the Mandatory Water Ban is still in effect for the 2026 season (May 1-Sept 30) and is instituted not only to promote water conservation measures during our peak summer season, but is also intended to satisfy our Water Management Permit conditions with the State for water withdrawal. Using the Enhanced 911 address system, all water customers who have odd-numbered street addresses may use outdoor water during odd-numbered calendar days. All water customers who have evennumbered street addresses may use outdoor water during even-numbered calendar days.

Please help us conserve water during the peak usage of the summer months.

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Continued from A1 Born in New York in 1942, Barnes spent many holidays in the Chappaquiddick house his father bought. His familial connection goes back to Barnes’s great-great-grandfather, Alfred Smith Barnes of Brooklyn, who bought a family home in Oak Bluffs. The rural Island on the Atlantic had a different charm from the Manhattan neighborhood — Park Avenue and 76th Street — he grew up in, and at the age of 17, Barnes struck out on his own to chart his Vineyard path. Barnes started off as a farmhand at Sweetened Water Farm in Edgartown, which is also where he learned to operate a truck, later getting a job with Carroll’s Trucking in Vineyard Haven. In an interview with Martha’s Vineyard Magazine, Barnes credited a 1948 Ford truck he bought in 1961 for $250 as the start of his interest in “buying and selling used cars, and was also the start of the Clarence A. Barnes III Moving and Storage company.” The moving company is perhaps Barnes’ most wellknown venture, and he would transport goods for a myriad of companies. He would later sell the moving and storage company to Carroll’s. Barnes also served more

than a decade as a Tisbury representative on the Martha’s Vineyard Commission. Ben Robinson, a commissioner who represented the same town, described Barnes as “larger than life” with a “quick read on things.” Even when there were disagreements, Robinson said Barnes was “ready to roll his sleeves up and figure things out.” “We always got along because we were die-hard Tisbury,” Robinson said. “Even when we disagreed, we knew we were looking out for Tisbury.” But politics was just a small part of Barnes, Robinson said. Barnes shone in his drive to help Islanders, raising money for conservation organizations and the elementary schools, and helping to build the Agricultural Society’s barn, which has become a West Tisbury fixture. An example of this was Barnes’ role in establishing Vineyard House, a substance use recovery house in Tisbury. A part of that seemed connected to Barnes’ own past with excessive drinking. In an 2022 interview with The Times’ “Voices of Recovery” series, he said, “My relationship with [Alcoholics Anonymous] started in 1962. I

finally stopped for good in 1988. I was in and out, in and out, in and out.” Brian Mackey, former executive director of Vineyard House, said Barnes was one of the founders of the program in 1997, remembering him as “no-nonsense guy” who was focused on bringing improvements for the recovery community, particularly so individuals

would not need to leave the Island for help. “He gave a lot of himself,” Mackey said, calling Barnes a positive force who stayed active with the program, and often “gave his two cents.” Mackey, a Chilmark resident, said that he recalled while driving past Barnes’ house recently that the trucker was seen less often, compared with years prior, and thought to himself, “I wonder how Trip is?” “He will be missed,” Mackey said. “He was a friend.”

Mackey isn’t the only one who saw Barnes as a friend. Barnes was recognized in 2018 with the Creative Living Award by the Permanent Endowment of Martha’s Vineyard, now the Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation, an honor that highlights individuals who enriched quality of life on the Vineyard. “My father really believed in the spirit and effort of being in community,” Elizabeth said. “The reason he really loved the Island was

MV TIMES

‘Larger than life’: Trip Barnes dies at 83

The Creative Living Award was awarded to Clarence ("Trip") Barnes in 2018.

because he loved the people on the Island.” When he accepted the award in 2018, Barnes shared his thoughts on living a full life on the Island. “You know, I never wanted to live anywhere else. I’ve been to every state in the Union, except Hawaii, probably five times, maybe more,” Barnes said at the time. “This is where I live, and I love the people here, and I love the Island, and you know, what else is there? Things are changing, but it’s still inherently a fabulous place. And I just try to keep things a little bit the way they were. Sometimes I guess I’m a little loosey-goosey about the way I go about things, but it kind of works, you know. If it works, don’t break it.” Barnes, Elizabeth Told The Times, wished he could have done more for the Island in his “heart of hearts.” “At the end of his life, he was frustrated he didn’t have more time,” she said. A service and celebration of life is planned for October. Trip is survived by son Clarence Barnes IV and his wife Jamie Barnes, son Michael Barnes and wife Alecia Barnes, Elizabeth and her partner, his grandchildren Henry, Ian, and Harrison Barnes, his former wife Judith Cronig, and his fiancée Joan Silva-Pretty and her family.

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ENERGY EFFICIENCY Looking for ways to save energy? Cape Light Compact offers energy efficiency programs for homes and businesses, including no-cost Energy Assessments, rebates, incentives, and energy-saving tips. CapeLightCompact.org | 1-800-797-6699

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CapeLightCompact.org/power-supply | 1-800-381-9192

news

September 3, 2026

Residents head into the Edgartown Town Hall to cast their votes on Tuesday.

Primary favors Democratic incumbents

An Edgartown resident votes in Tuesday’s election.

Continued from A1

PHOTOS: SARAH SHAW DAWSON

despite the loss, I am proud of this campaign. As a first-time candidate, I did not know what to expect. We raised issues we wanted to raise, and did so in a way to bring attention to the District Attorney’s Office. We hope the best for the District Attor-

cited high turnover from a shift in duties that pushed them away from working directly with victims, claims Galibois has pushed back on and accused of being politically motivated. Meanwhile, Galibois questioned Giardino’s party loyalty. Giardino

representing the commonwealth in serious crimes to helping initiate programs to support vulnerable populations, such as children. Galibois has introduced various changes since he was first elected in 2022, including a recovery court in Edgartown

“I look forward to continuing the work with the stakeholders and law enforcement partners that make M.V. an outstanding place to live, work, and visit." —ROB GALIBOIS ney’s Office going forward.” Giardino noted he will be returning to his role as a Plymouth assistant district attorney. The Galibois-Giardino race included debate over leadership at the District Attorney’s Office and where its priorities should lie. This came after a letter signed by former employees of the District Attorney’s Office

enrolled as a Democrat earlier this year after being unenrolled since 2016, and worked under former Republican Cape and Islands D.A. Robert O’Keefe, Galibois’ predecessor. Giardino said he grew up in a Democratic household. The District Attorney’s Office has an important role in the regional courts, from

Hillside Village I

and a facilitating space in which child victims could be interviewed on-Island rather than on the Cape. Galibois highlighted that these accomplishments were parts of his promise to the Island in 2022, and thanked

Edgartown District Court Judge Benjamin Barnes for overseeing these changes, alongside presiding over “more grand jury investigations than any other previous administration to pursue charges of those who prey on the innocent and seek to distribute narcotics throughout the Island’s communities.” Confidence in Galibois was high across the region overall, with the Cape Cod Times’ live results page showing he won more than half the vote at 22,295–12,294. Galibois won all of the Vineyard towns: 63–33 Aquinnah; 240–97 Chilmark; 443–214 in Edgartown; 467–237 Oak Bluffs; 471–202 Tisbury; and 425–188 West Tisbury.

“This election is about whose side you’re on. Mike Minogue stands with Donald Trump. I stand with you.” —MAURA HEALEY

EIH HOUSING

Vineyard Haven I N C

Hillside Village I consists of 40 subsidized apartments. The funding is through USDA Rural Development, Sec. 515 Rental Assistance Program for the elderly and non-elderly disabled. Currently, we are fully occupied. However, eligible applicants can be placed on our wait list. To be eligible, applicants must be 62 years and older or disabled and fall within the following income eligibility limits: Very Low 1 person - $57,100 Low 1 person - $75,900 Moderate 1 person - $81,400

2 persons - $65,250 2 persons - $86,750 2 persons - $92,250

For inquiries and applications call: 508-693-7577 MA Relay: 711 Hillside Village Site Manager’s Oﬃce: 8am-4pm (M-F) In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, The Fair Housing Amendments of 1988 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Island Elderly Housing, Inc. (IEH) will not discriminate against applicants or residents on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, ancestry, class, sexual orientation,

Galibois isn’t the only incumbent to win his race, as familiar faces were heavily favored on the Democratic ballot. At 8:38 pm on Tuesday, AP News called Markey’s victory over U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton. This was one of the most closely watched races, bringing the age of politicians to the forefront of the discussion — Markey, at 80, has held a seat in Congress for four decades, while Moulton is 47. Debate also centered around who more closely aligned with progressive policies. Markey trounced Moulton in the polls, receiving nearly double the votes across the state, 557,022 to 301,135. Moulton conceded

familial status, disability, military/veteran status, source of income and age or other basis prohibited by local, state or federal law in any aspect of resident application, selection or matters related to continued occupancy. All procedures and criteria will be applied in a manner that ensures fair, consistent, nondiscriminatory and equal treatment.

Island Elderly Housing, Inc. 60B Village Road, Vineyard Haven MA 02568 Equal Opportunity Employer

to Markey later in the night. Markey also won all of the Vineyard towns, which broke down as 80–35 Aquinnah; 219–136 Chilmark; 447–260 Edgartown; 551–206 Oak Bluffs; 490–234 Tisbury; and 471–202 West Tisbury. Markey will face Republican senatorial candidate John Deaton, who ran uncontested in the primary, in November. Elsewhere on the ballot, a similar battle took place between incumbent U.S. Rep. Bill Keating and Craig Swallow, a hospitality manager and civic activist in New Bedford. Their race raised questions of experience, change, and the paths to meet constituent needs. Swallow conceded to Keating well before votes were fully counted. The sitting candidate won all of the Island towns: 95–14 Aquinnah; 290–57 Chilmark; 583–96 Edgartown; 594–115 Oak Bluffs; 581–123 Tisbury; 533–112 West Tisbury. That heavy favor resonated throughout the ninth congressional district, in which Keating crushed Swallow at the polls 57,125 to 17,727. In November, Keating will face R. Tyler Macallister, who served on the Mattapoisett select board for five terms. In the Republican primary, Brian Shortsleeve conceded

to Mike Minogue in the gubernatorial race a little over an hour after polls closed at 8 pm, and endorsed his political rival’s bid against incumbent Democratic Gov. Maura Healey, who is running uncontested. Minogue soundly beat Shortsleeve statewide 185,292 to 59,106. Minogue also won all of the Vineyard towns except Aquinnah, where he lost by a single vote: 2–3 Aquinnah; 14–9 Chilmark; 78–49 Edgartown; 67–38 Oak Bluffs; 46–36 Tisbury; 42–16 West Tisbury. “Now is the time to come together,” Shortsleeve said in his endorsement. “We need to unite Republicans, independents, and earn the support of Democrats who know Massachusetts needs a change.” A recently released poll from the University of New Hampshire Survey Center shows that Healey has “so-so approval ratings” in the state, at 50 percent. But it’ll be a steep uphill climb for Minogue on the Vineyard, where politics are dominated by the Democratic party. In a victory speech Tuesday night, Healey tied her Republican counterparts to the Trump administration in a victory speech, saying the president has caused harm to the state and that “who your governor is matters more than ever.” “This election is about whose side you’re on,” she said. “Mike Minogue stands with Donald Trump. I stand with you.” Several local candidates, such as Democratic incumbents of the Dukes County Commissioners — Tristan Israel, Christine Todd, and Richard G. Wharton, more commonly known as Peter Wharton — will enter November uncontested. Meanwhile, three Republicans will challenge incumbent Democrats in November following uncontested primary races: Shawn Oliver, R, and Kimberly Driscoll, D, for lieutenant governor; Michael Walsh, R, and Andrea Joy Campbell, D, for state attorney general; Elizabeth Dionne, R, and Deborah Goldberg, D, for state treasurer.

news A9

September 3, 2026

town’s parks department treated the woman at the scene, and she was transported to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment. James Hagerty, Edgartown town administrator, said that she was pulled from the water by other people on the beach, and rangers from the parks department were there shortly afterward. Lifeguards at South Beach have mostly left for the season, he added. He said he believes the woman is a visitor to the Island, and doesn’t live here year-round. In accordance with Edgartown town protocol, following the suspected shark bite, swimming at South Beach and Norton Point was suspended for several hours as a precaution, according to the release. Police and emergency officials blocked off the entrance to drive onto Norton Point. The beach reopened around 4 pm, Hagerty said. There is no further investigation to be done by local police, Edgartown Police Chief Chris Dolby said. “Beachgoers are reminded to remain aware of their surroundings while in the water, and to comply with instructions from lifeguards and any posted beach advisories,” Hagerty said in the press release.

A beachgoer, who was parked near where the incident occurred at the end of Norton Point’s oversand vehicle access, told The Times that “someone was bit by something” in shallow water. At 3 pm, Edgartown parks department rangers, who manage Norton Point, were driving around warning people that “there were shark sightings.” Planes, including the red biplane, were doing flyovers. Mike Creato of Classic Aviators in Katama flies the red biplane, and is often the one called by beach managers on the south shore to look for shadows in the water. Creato said that he didn’t see anything at the time, and the water was a little murky Monday. If confirmed, this would be the first unprovoked shark bite recorded on the Island in recent memory. Greg Skomal, a marine biologist with the state Division of Marine Fisheries and a shark expert, said that the last shark bite in Massachusetts was in September 2018. A man was fatally bitten by a great white shark off Newcomb Hollow Beach in Wellfleet; it was the first fatality in the state in 80 years. Skomal, who lived and studied sharks on the Island

COURTESY EDGARTOWN PARKS DEPARTMENT

Continued from A1

for more than two decades, said he remembers one shark-related incident in the late ’80s and early ’90s. He was at his office at the hatchery, and got a phone call that someone was bitten on East Beach. Skomal went to the hospital and met with the victim. Unlike Monday’s suspected shark bite, this incident was a provoked shark attack, because after a sandbar shark was reeled in by another angler, the victim grabbed the shark’s tail, which then proceeded to turn around and bite him in the calf, Skomal said. Skomal, who’s seen every major shark bite in New England in recent years, said in order to determine the species of this bite, he ideally would see photos of the wound and speak to the victim. He would ABOVE: Sign posted at Edgartown beaches Monday. LEFT: A towel left behind on the beach with blood stains, near where the suspected shark bite took place.

NICHOLAS VUKOTA

Suspected shark bite at Norton

need to know the extent of the damage, nature of the wound, number of stitches needed, and distance from the beach where the incident occurred, among other details. On his list of suspects, however, are a sandbar shark (a.k.a. brown shark) and a sand tiger shark, both of which are mostly harmless,

but have been implicated in “nips” on people who are inadvertently in their area. Both have been seen recently in Island waters. Great white sharks aren’t seen as often around the Island as they are on Cape Cod because there isn’t a huge number of seals to attract them. According to the International Shark Attack File, a comprehensive database of more than 6,800 known shark attacks from the early 1500s to the present from the University of Florida, there have been only six unprovoked shark attacks in Massachusetts since 1837. The same database estimates that there’s a 1 in 11.5 million chance that a person is attacked by a shark, and a less than 1 in 2.641 million chance that a shark attack is fatal. Wendy Benchley, wife of “Jaws” author Peter Benchley, told The Times that she recognizes fear that might come from a suspected shark bite, and added that even she is careful when she swims. “The fear of a shark bite or death by shark is, of course, very strong in humans,” she said. But as someone who advocates for the ocean and sharks, she said that as opposed to decades ago, when sharks weren’t seen as much along the East Coast, the “ocean is a bit healthier now because seals are protected, and sharks are coming back.”

A10 classifieds

September 3, 2026

CLASSIFIEDS To browse new ads online or to place yours, visit mvtimes.com/classifieds.

SCAN QR CODE

For assistance, advertising rates or to find out more, email mvtclassifieds@mvtimes.com or call 508-693-6100 ext. CLASSIFIED LINER AND DISPLAY ADS MUST BE PLACED BY NOON TUESDAY PRIOR TO THE THURSDAY PRINT PUBLICATION.

Jobs

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

CASHIERS NEEDED. RELIABLE MARKET is seeking associates in all departments beginning as soon as possible, for the FALL or WINTER season. FULL or PARTTIME. Please see Donna in person for an application. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Year round, 40 hours/week, in busy community health service office, must enjoy working with the public and multitasking. Bilingual Portuguese/Spanish helpful. Manages front desk, phones, appointment scheduling, data entry, and provides general clerical assistance. Excellent communication, organizational and computer skills and office equipment knowledge required. Hourly rate $30.90. Full benefits offered. Dukes County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Full job descriptions and job application available at www. dukescounty.gov/employment-opportunities- Send letter of interest and application to director.hhs@ dukescounty.gov SEEKING A GENERAL MANAGER FOR A BUSY RESTAURANT IN NEWPORT RI. Strong knowledge of food and beverage P&L, deep understanding of back of house. Ideal for someone who has a solid and proven experience in restaurant business management. Year round position in Newport Rhode Island. email resume newportagm@gmail.com

SERVICE WRITER / CUSTOMER LIAISON MARTHA’S VINEYARD SHIPYARD This is a full-time, year-round position with beneﬁts. We are a growing, family-owned shipyard built on quality craftsmanship, strong customer relationships and a passion for the water. We pride ourselves on creating a workplace where team members are supported, challenged and appreciated. We are currently looking for a Service Writer who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is ready to be the face of our service operations. WHAT YOU’LL DO First Contact: Act as the main point of contact for our customers, offering top-tier communication and welcoming service. Estimates & Planning: Prepare detailed, accurate written estimates for labor, parts & repairs. Project tracking: follow work closely through every stage to ensure deadlines & high-quality standards are met. Customer Follow-up: Maintain proactive, timely communication with boat owners regarding updates, approvals & completion timelines.

Detail-Oriented & organized, adaptable & driven to take on new challenges & adjust as daily shipyard priorities evolve. High level of patience, exceptional customer service skills & a good sense of humor! What we offer is year-round stability, competitive compensation & beneﬁts package and a supportive, team-oriented, family friendly working environment. Ready to take on the challenge? Send resume to jhale@mvshipyard. com with subject line “Service Writer Application” TWO ELDERLY ADULTS NEED HELP WITH EVERYDAY CHORES Need references. Call 508-627-9601 MVPCS SCHOOL ADJUSTMENT COUNSELOR The Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School has an opening for a School Adjustment Counselor (LCSW, LICSW or LMHC) for the 2026-2027 school year. Please email resume, letter of interest, and completed application to Chris Nace, Executive Director, cnace@mvpcs.org. Applications can be found on the school website: mvpcs.org. WHIPPOORWILL FARM IS HIRING FARM CREW MEMBERS SEPTEMBER 1, 2026 THRU APRIL 30, 2027. Housing available for qualiﬁed candidates. For more information and to apply, visit whippoorwillfarm.com or send letter of interest and resume to farmer@whippoorwillfarm.com.

NORTH TISBURY FARM IS HIRING SALES ASSOCIATES FOR THE END OF THE 2026 SEASON - NOW THROUGH NOVEMBER 1ST. Contact info@northtisburyfarm.com for more information and to apply LANDSCAPER / GROUNDSKEEPER. Bilingual candidates preferred but not a must. Year round position for the right candidate. Competitive pay, based on experience. A great opportunity. Please email landscapeadmv@gmail.com

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR Boat Knowledge: Solid understanding of boats, marine systems & terminology required. Tech-Savvy: Comfortable navigating digital management software, inventory systems & modern communication tools.

E.C. COTTLE, INC. IS HIRING FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS: • FRONT DESK • YARD HAND • CDL & DELIVERY DRIVERS

WILLING TO TRAIN THE RIGHT CANDIDATE $2,500 SIGN ON BONUS • Positions are full-time, year-round. • Monday thru Friday hours with immediate start. • Competitive pay. Plus, E.C. Cottle offers full benefits including, Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, matched 401k, paid time off and paid holidays. All benefits earned after completion of probationary period.

Stop by a branch and ask for an application, or email resume to ecottle3@yahoo.com.

DUKES COUNTY SHERIFFS' OFFICE CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS $1,000 Monthly Housing Stipend for Full Time Island Residents Looking to kick-start a rewarding career while serving the Island community? Correctional O cers at the Dukes County Jail & House of Correction are responsible for the care, custody, control of inmates, as well as other assigned duties. Must be at least 19 years of age with a valid MA Driver’s License, have effective oral and written communications skills, ﬂexibility and willingness to adapt to changing environment and priorities; positive attitude, integrity, and excellent judgment. Work schedule includes assignments to the day, evening and night, weekend, and holiday shifts. Paid Correction Academy training (may be hosted on or off-island) with a strong commitment to supporting employees’ ongoing professional growth. Full-time position with a generous bene t package, including paid leave, insurance, state pe nsion and deferred compensation matching. Full time pay range is $65,516.88- $70,933.46 annually, plus $1,000 monthly housing stipend. Candidates must pass interview, background check, and post-conditional-offer medical evaluations and meet the physical tness testing requirements. Apply today! Download applications and job descriptions at dukescountysheriff.com/careers

Family Support Center Service Navigator ($23.07-$27.40 per hour) Do you love helping families thrive? We’re seeking a compassionate and resourceful Service Navigator to support families in identifying resources, solving problems, and building strong community connections. Join a team that values family strengths, diversity, and self-direction across the lifespan. Experience preferred but paid on the job training may be provided. Sign-On Bonus available to employees in good standing! Apply at: mvcommunityservices.org/ employment

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Family Support Worker – MV Family Resource Center ($23.00-$28.50/hour) Help connect families with community resources and support services while assisting with parent and youth programming, support groups, family events, and volunteer coordination. Responsibilities include providing referrals, maintaining program data, participating in community outreach, and supporting Family Resource Center activities. Evening and weekend hours required. Quali cations: Background in social services or a mental health setting preferred. Strong communication, organizational, and teamwork skills required. Ability to maintain con dentiality and work effectively with diverse populations. Valid Massachusetts driver's license and reliable transportation required. Apply at: mvcommunityservices.org/ employment 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.

Staff Generalist at Daybreak Clubhouse ($23.00 - $27.60 per hour) Love supporting others as they grow, learn and connect? We’re looking for a dynamic team member to provide vocational, educational, and social support to members in our Daybreak Clubhouse. We value lived experience and strongly encourage individuals with personal experience of mental health illness to apply. Apply at: mvcommunityservices.org/ employment TOWN OF EDGARTOWN COUNCIL ON AGING DEPARTMENT ASSISTANT ($28.38-$40.39) The Town of Edgartown is seeking a Department Assistant for the Council on Aging to provide administrative, clerical, and customer service support to the department and the older adults it serves. This 35 hour/week position assists with day-to-day oﬃce operations, program and appointment registration, meeting support, ﬁnancial and payroll processing, recordkeeping, and responding to public inquiries. Candidates should demonstrate experience using Google Workspace and be comfortable navigating digital workspaces and cloud-based plat-

JOB OPPORTUNITIES forms. Position is open until filled, with a priority date of September 8, 2026. Applications and full job description are available at edgartown-ma.us or in the HR Office in Town Hall. Please send completed applications to HR@ edgartown-ma.us or P.O. BOX 5130 ATTN: HR, Edgartown, MA 02539. The Town of Edgartown is an Equal Opportunity Employer. WEST TISBURY POLICE DEPARTMENT FULL TIME POLICE OFFICER IMMEDIATE OPENING The West Tisbury Police Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Full Time Police Officer. Full time M.P.T.C. Academy trained preferred (not required), and the ability to be certified as a Massachusetts police officer as defined by the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, able to obtain a valid MA driver’s license, and able to obtain a license to carry firearms. Applicants must be free of any physical disability that would prevent them from performing all the essential job functions of a police officer. The West Tisbury Police Department is also accepting lateral transfers, education and experience will be considered in determining the starting step on the current wage scale. Present salary range is $87,602.70 - $123,265.79 with a full benefit package including education incentive and shift differential. Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Associates degree or higher is preferred. Essential Functions: Enforce all Massachusetts laws, local laws and bylaws within the police area of responsibility. Applications and full job description can be obtained by mail, picked up in person, town website, or by email at wtpd@westtisbury-ma.gov , during business hours M-F 9am-5pm. If you have any questions regarding the application please contact Gebo, 508-693-0020. The application submission process will remain open until the position is filled. Police Officer Recruitment West Tisbury Police Department PO Box 520 454 State Road West Tisbury, MA 02575 wtpd@westtisbury-ma.gov (508) 693-0020

GREENHOUSE ASSISTANT PHA seeks a Greenhouse Assistant to propagate and care for plants, trees and shrubs in our greenhouse and nursery. This is a part-time, seasonal position from March thru November (ﬂexible) and pays $25/ hour. Job description and application instructions found at www. pollyhillarboretum.org/get-involved/ employmentopportunities/.

classifieds A11

September 3, 2026

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

MARTHA’S VINEYARD SHIPYARD IS SEEKING AN ORGANIZED AND DEPENDABLE TEMPORARY OFFICE ASSISTANT TO JOIN OUR TEAM IMMEDIATELY. Your prime focus will be managing employee timecard data to ensure our customers are billed accurately and on time. Key responsibilities will VINEYARD DECORATORS IS HIRING be to collect & review daily employee timecards for completeness, enter FRONT DESK MANAGER hours & work data into our billing Vineyard Decorators is seeking a system, verify accuracy and identify highly organized, detail-oriented & resolve discrepancies quickly & Front Desk Manager to oversee help the office team with other basic admin tasks as needed, incoming calls, calendars, If you have great attention to replenishment, and general front detail & love keeping things desk operations. This position will organized, have proven experience also support our Bookkeeper with in data entry, office admin & strong daily administrative tasks including time-management skills, we can scanning, ling, copying, and teach you how to do the rest. organization. Pro ciency in Please send your resume & a brief Microsoft Word, Excel, and Googl e note about your availability to jhale@ Workspace required. Must be mvshipyard.com , with the subject availbel to work Saturdays. line Office Admin Opportunity to grow into a full-time MARTHA’S VINEYARD Operations Assistant role for the CONSTRUCTION CO. IS HIRING AN right candidate. 401(k), paid EXPERIENCED SENIOR PROJECT vacation, health insurance, and MANAGER/PROJECT MANAGER. housing available if needed. 10+ years of construction project Email resume to management experience preferred; sophia@vineyarddecorators.com high-end residential experience a plus. Strong candidates with slightly DESIGN CONSULTANT | HOUSING less experience considered. CompetAVAILABLE itive pay, benefits, bonuses, retirement, PTO, and premier Vineyard Start building a career in Interior Design from the ground up. This full- projects. Send resume to anne@ time, year-round position combines marthasvineyardconstruction.com furniture showroom sales with interior design and is ideal for someone with a strong eye for color and design and an eagerness to learn. No previous design experience required. After the 27 season, employees have the opportunity to take online Interior Design courses to further develop their skills and career. Competitive compensation package, 401(k), paid vacation, health insurance, and housing available. Email resume to sophia@vineyarddecorators.com

Jobs

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Join the Martha’s Vineyard Bank Team!

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Join the Martha’s Vineyard Bank Team! Executive Assistant to the President & CEO

Financial Advisor

Martha’s Vineyard Bank and Martha’s Vineyard Investment Advisors (MVIA) are excited to welcome a Financial Advisor to our investment team. In this role, you will build and nurture meaningful client relationships with tangible support and guidance from the entire MVIA team. You will help families and institutions find investment solutions that solve their unique financial goals. While investment licenses and designations are preferred, MVIA is willing to support individuals who have the desire to obtain them and a proven passion to help others. Please visit www.mvbank.com for detailed information and how to apply. We offer an exceptional benefits package, a clear path for advancement, and a competitive compensation package. This package includes an initial base salary ranging from $70,000 to $85,000 plus substantial potential incentive compensation. Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled

SENIOR INTERIOR DESIGNER | HOUSING AVAILABLE Vineyard Decorators is seeking an experienced Senior Interior Designer to join our growing Interior Design Studio. Quali ed candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design or Architecture and a minimum of 8 years of experience in construction-based interior design. Strong proje ct, time, and client management skills, with the ability to independently lead projects, are required. Must be pro cient in AutoCAD. Full-time, year-round position with competitive compensation, bene ts, and housing available. Learn more about our company and design team at our website. Email resume to sophia@vineyarddecorators.com

MARTHA’S VINEYARD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

WE ARE HIRING!

We’re looking for dedicated people to join our school community!

CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES • Operations • Substitutes o Payroll Administration o Classroom o Transportation Drivers & Monitors o Food Service o Custodial • Classroom Support Personnel o Education Support Personnel o Nursing for Special Education o Occupational Therapist For information about available positions and pay, please call 508-693-2009 or visit our website to learn more and apply: www.mvyps.org

PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED AD TODAY! EMAIL VALERIE@MVTIMES.COM.

Martha’s Vineyard Bank has an exciting career opportunity for a seasoned and talented professional to join our team as the Executive Assistant to the President & CEO. The primary function of this position is to ensure consistent and effective management of daily operations of the office of the President & CEO as well as provide Board level support to the Board of Trustees and various Board committees. Please visit www.mvbank.com for detailed information and how to apply. We offer an exceptional benefits package and a competitive compensation package. This package includes an initial base salary ranging from $117,000 to $129,000. Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled

BargainBox 2 FISHING RODS (NO REELS) Commodore Heavy Action Rod (11.6feet) Invincible 6400-100 Rod (10feet) $15 each or $25 both. Edg. 508-627-8438 2 RACCOON TRAPS: ONE DOUBLE, ONE SINGLE $10 EACH. Pick up in Chilmark 617 999 5557 2 SOFAS 78”; red convertible sofa - $50. 58”; green sofa - $25. Very comfortable. CALL or TEXT 203434-3509 ANCHOR LINE. 6 strand Braided 3/4 inch, with heavy brass mooring attachment on one end. Finished wrapped loose end. 100 feet. $80.00. 774563-8473 ARCHERY. 2 Compound bows. Bear 50-60 lbs. $85.00. Martin 45-60 lbs. $80.00. 774 -563- 8473. CHRISTMAS STUFF PLUS A TREE. $15. Moving, all must go. 774-343-6327. FREE 1978 O’Day sloop - dual tandem trailer - 4 sails + many extras in VH. 508-560-0088 FREE Almost new Brother HL-L3280CDW color printer. Call or text Peter, 518-469-2384. FREE Medium size, high quality replica 1901 America’s Cup yacht, Columbia. Good condition but needs cleaning - 45.08”;L x 46.65”;H. Shelf included. FREE! Epson 200 printer cartridges unopened brand new (2 yellow; 1 magenta). 202-841-0446 FREE! Snow fence (many rolls). 202-841-0446 FREE Entertainment cabinet. Vineyard Decorators. Come pick up. Photos available. 860-751-9342 508-645-2636 IT’S CANNING TIME! 33 QUART ENAMELWARE CANNER WITH RACK Brand new in box! Paid $87, selling for $50. Text 774-5638391 if interested. JiGSAW PUZZLES SCRABBLE, PARCHEESI, ETC. Good/Excellent condition. $3-$12. 508-693-7472 -Call anytime, 7:30am-12:30pm is best.

16×25 LIGHT TABLE. Free. Call or Text 774-563-0686 MAKITA CIRCULAR SAW. Works, but desperately needs a new cord $30. cmarcmail@gmail. com MICROWAVE $50. Moving, all must go. 774-343-6327. ONE MAN KAYAK FOR SALE$100 Bright green light weight 617-797-0288. NEW 2/bags 1.5”sheet-metal screws, 250/bag-$20 bag. White replacement storm-door handle/kit, button lock-$15. Men’s size large hi-vis rain jacket w/reﬂective bands-$30, rain pants-$10. csepp@comcast. netpictures/to see. NEW AVANTCO HOTDOG STEAMER. Holds 100 hot dogs. Model #177HDS100 120. $100.00. Call Skipper: 508 693 3532. NICE, WOOD, GLASS-TOP JEWELRY RETAIL DISPLAY CASE. 25.5”; L X 25.5”; W X 45”; H. Two available. $100 each. hctsun603@gmail.com OLD SCHOOL HOUSE DESK. Painted white with 6 drawers and 2 pull out side desk tops. 60Lx33.5Wx30.5H. $100 Call orText for pics 774-451-3129. PLANT LOVERS AND LANDSCAPERS 6FT Hibiscus fully mature potted needs winter home worth lots. $95 c/t 5616546118 STATELY VINTAGE DESK Leather top, nice condition, 48 x 24; 30H; $95. Vintage Pottery:$18-$35. Fair posters: outof-print $40-95 MV Art/Artifacts $15-95 860-391-1893 TWO AIR CONDITIONERS $60. Moving, all must go. 774343-6327 TWO MATCHING TWIN BEDS WITH WHITE WOODEN HEADBOARDS $10 each both for $15. Call or text 561-281-6554 SMALL DOG NEEDS Includes a dog bed, 4 panel wood gates, a wire crate, and 2 step stairs. 508-627-6719 WHITE, GLACIER BAY Vanity Combo, 18”w, x16” d, x 32” h. Sink, 19”x17”. $40. Contact DM Allen, davidmiltonallen@ gmail.com.

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A12 classifieds

COMMERCIAL-EDGARTOWN

225 SQ. FT. Oﬃce Space Perfect Edgartown Location $950 / Utilities Included Sept. 1 2026 Availability Call 401-633-4104 Staged Photo

400 SQ. FT. Oﬃce Space Perfect Edgartown Location $1000 / Utilities Included Sept. 1 2026 Availability Call 401-633-4104 Staged Photo

HOUSES-OAK BLUFFS

$1,150,000 Marilyn Moses 617-462-0381 30 Double Ox Road in Oak Bluffs Create an extraordinary Martha's Vineyard estate in the exclusive Lagoon Ridge community of Oak Bluffs. This mostly wooded estate parcel of over one acre features gently rolling topography, providing an exceptional canvas for a customdesigned luxury residence. Privately situated within an intimate enclave of just four estate parcels, the property is accessed by a welcoming paved approach. This thoughtfully planned neighborhood will feature distinctive architectdesigned residences, creating a re ned and cohesive community setting. Approved for connection to the neighborhood's private Amphidrome® (you will avoid the high expense of a septic system a savings of almost $50,000)on-site wastewater treatment system the parcel is approved for a threebedroom residence and may offer the potential for additional ﬂex spaces, expansive outdoor living areas, a pool, and attached or detached garages, subject to applicable approvals. Embrace the timeless Martha's Vineyard coastal lifestyle, with beaches, boating, children's sailing programs, the harbor, ferries, boutique shopping, restaurants, and the charm of Oak Bluffs just minutes away. This exceptional offering presents a rare opportunity to create a private Island retreat in one of Oak Bluffs' most desirable neighborhoods.

LAND BANK

WEEKLY INCOME FY 2027, Year to Date:

$3,081,784.24

September 3, 2026

HOUSES-OAK BLUFFS

#2 WINEMACK ST, OAK BLUFFS FOR SALE $1,095,000 CALL OR TEXT Rene Ben David, Cell 508-847-4864 OCEAN PARK REALTY INC. Located at the southern end of Winemack Street, this inviting 3bedroom, 2-bath Oak Bluffs home offers a quiet residential setting in a neighborhood of both year-round and seasonal homes, while remaining remarkably close to everything Oak Bluffs has to offer. Just approximately 1.2 miles from downtown, you’ll enjoy convenient access to the ferries, Oak Bluffs Harbor, beaches, shopping, restaurants, and all the attractions that make this area of Martha’s Vineyard so special. Martha’s Vineyard Hospital is also just a short two-minute drive away. Built in 1988, the home offers approximately 1,456 square feet of living area, with pre nished wood ﬂooring in the living room and bedroo ms. The roof is approximately 10 years old, and recent improvements have focused primarily on the basement, where the space has been transformed to expand the home’s usable living and recreational area. Whether you envision a TV room, game room, home o ce, exercise area, or a combination of uses, there are plenty of possibilities. A newly completed “doghouse”-style exterior basement entry provides convenient direct access to the lower level. The rst and second ﬂoors would bene t from a little TLC and personal touches to brighten and refresh the space, providing a great opportunity for the next owner to make the home their own. Outside, the property offers a small, manageable yard with off-street parking, along with a classic Vineyard outdoor shower—a favorite feature after a day at the be ach and something many consider a must-have for Island living. Set on a 5,000-squarefoot lot, the property offers the best of both worlds—a quieter location at the Eastville side of Winemack Street while still being just minutes from downtown Oak Bluffs. Prequali cation letter from your lending source or proof of funds required. Owner and tenants currently occupy the home; 24-hour notice for show ings is preferred.

August 24 – 28, 2026

Chilmark

$850,000

August 27, Jeffrey S. Cooper, trustee of 300 Shanthi Road Trust, sold 300 North Road and 18 Belhaven Way to Kristen C. Castree and Timothy P. Castree for $2,800,000. August 27, James T. Curtis, as an individual and trustee of RHR Five Realty Trust, sold 9 Ridge Hill Road to Ridge Hill Properties MV LLC for $5,800,000.

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Edgartown

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Weekly Registrar’s Report: Aug 28, 2026

$2,250,000 MARILYN MOSES OCEAN PARK REALTY 617-462-0381 NEW CONSTRUCTION Welcome to Lagoon Ridge, Oak Bluffs’ newest and most soughtafter neighborhood. Build your 3bedroom dream home in this elevated enclave, set 95 feet above Lagoon Pond and capturing sweeping sky views, colorful sunsets, and refreshing sea breezes. This exceptional home site represents one of the nal opportunities in this thriving new community.To be built — The Naushon — features 3 bedrooms, 3 .5 bathrooms, and over 2,400 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space. A grand wrap-around covered porch provides a welcoming entry and the perfect place to enjoy morning coffee or cool evening breezes. Inside, the open-concept ﬂoor plan connects the chef’s kitchen with spacious living and dining areas, ideal for entertaining family and friends. Each bedroom suite includes a tiled en-suite bath with customizable xtures and nishes, and the second-ﬂoor suit es may offer private balconies for added relaxation. Classic Oak Bluffs cottage architecture meets modern comfort and energy e ciency, making The Naushon an ideal yearround or seasonal retreat. Lagoon Ridge offers direct access to conservation lands with walking and biking trails, and nearby Lagoon Pond invites kayaking, sailing, and shell shing. All utilities—electric, town water, and a private, state-ofthe-art Amphidrome wastewater system—are located at t he street. This innovative system serves the entire neighborhood, providing convenience and peace of mind. Lagoon Ridge is a covenantprotected community with architectural review and professional management by First Property Management Co. This beautiful home site is ready for the construction of your Vineyard dream home. Eleven lots have sold—only two remain available. Call for details!

Real Estate Transactions

$900,000

$800,000

Real Estate

HOUSES-OAK BLUFFS

August 24, Bryan M. McDonald and Anne K. McDonald sold 13 Plantingfield Way to Elizabeth Lind Danziger for $3,600,000. August 25, Antoinette Truppo, Joseph A. Truppo, and Anne-Marie Brennan sold 0 Harborside Inn Condo Unit 215 Week 21 to Mark Sullivan and Joan F. Sullivan, trustees of Sullivan Revocable Trust, for $3,000.

August 27, Beach Farm LLC sold 61 Butlers Cove Road to Cynthia G. Wansiewicz and Karen D. Burke, trustees of 61 Butlers Cove Road Realty Trust, for $27,000,000. August 27, Sharon Rosenfeld Scott sold 62 North Summer St. to Lawrence F. Depaulis and Debra D. Depaulis. August 27, Linda M. Olivieri sold 0 Harborside Inn Condo Unit 460 Week 17 to Kaitlin Donahue and Adam Donahue for $1,265.88. August 27, Henry E. Russell sold 41 Scotchmans Bridge Lane to Abigail Russell Prior and Julia Dickinson Russell for $630,000.

Tisbury August 24, Judith G. Barron and Howard Barron, trustees of Judith G. Barron Revocable Trust of July 26, 2007, sold 200 Sandpiper Lane Unit 12 to Nicole M. Absar for $850,000.

HOUSES-OAK BLUFFS

$1,599,000 Alan Schweikert 508-221-1708 OAK BLUFFS Beach Road: VINEYARD HAVEN OUTER HARBOR WATERFRONT WITH DOCK… 1860’s Beach House with substantial 60’ dock built in 2004, is situated on OUTER HARBOR in private waterfront setting. Enjoy all variety of watersports, dramatic sunsets every evening, refreshing swims, or just relax on your back porch and watch the colorful boating activity unfold. Property features 2 bedrooms, 1 full bathroom, attached garage, open kitchen/dining/living area with stone replace, hardwood ﬂooring throughout and plenty of space to work with for your own design. Location is convenient to shopping, restaurants, and ferry. Requires restoration and renovation.

$429,000 Marilyn Moses 617-462-0381 Welcome to Unit B-12 at the Causeway Condominiums, a turnkey studio offering comfortable, lowmaintenance island living just a short walk to the charming village of Vineyard Haven. Thoughtfully designed to maximize space and functionality, this inviting residence features warm bamboo ﬂooring throughout, a custom Murphy bed, and a beautifully crafted custom mahogany closet and storage system, providing exceptional organization while making the most of every square foot. The bright, open layout is lled with natural light and offers an ideal blend of comfort, style, and e ciency. Residents enjoy a beautifully maintained in-ground swimming pool with an expansive sun deck and lounge seating the perfect place to relax after a day at the beach or exploring Martha’s Vineyard. The affordable monthly HOA fee of just $221 includes water, on-site dumpster service, grounds maintenance, snow removal, p ool maintenance, and master insurance, providing exceptional value and worry-free ownership. Ideally located within walking distance of the Steamship Authority ferry, Vineyard Haven Harbor, Main Street’s shops and restaurants, beaches, and the bike path, this move-in-ready studio offers an exceptional opportunity as a yearround residence, island getaway, or investment property. Enjoy all the convenience and charm of Vineyard Haven with easy access to everyth ing that makes Martha’s Vineyard such a special place to call home. With onsite parking available immediately and strong rental income potential, this property presents a compelling opportunity for investors seeking both lifestyle and return an affordable gem in a highly desirable location.

HOUSES-OAK BLUFFS

$925,000 Marilyn Moses 617-462-0381 67 Hudson Avenue Oak Bluffs ALL OFFERS REQUIRE COURT APPROVAL in multiple jurisdictions and may be somewhat lengthy. A straightforward offer is encouraged and may help expedite the required court approvals in multiple jurisdictions. Located in a convenient Oak Bluffs setting, this 2-bedroom, 2-bath home offers approximately 1,000 square feet of living space on a generous .69-acre lot. Built in 2014, the property presents an excellent opportunity for a year-round residence, vacation getaway, or investment. The property is being sold as is. Buyers and their agents are encouraged to perform their own due diligence and verify any potential for expansion or additional improvements with the Town of Oak Bluffs. All buyer’s agents must submit proof of funds with a ny offer. The Court approval in multiple jurisdictions is required and may result in a longer than usual acceptance process.

CLASSIC OAK BLUFFS VICTORIAN $2,575,000 MARILYN MOSES 617-462-0381 OCEAN PARK REALTY, INC Built in 1875 by renowned architect Samuel Pratt, this classic 4bedroom Victorian is just one block from the beach and moments to the harbor, ferries, shops, and restaurants. Enjoy water views from the mahogany wrap-around porch and private balcony. Historic charm is complemented by thoughtful updates, including mini-split heating and cooling, Harvey replacement windows, a rebuilt mahogany porch, newer roof, updated electrical, outdoor shower, and town water and sewer. Established rental history with 2026 bookings in place. Partially insulated 3-season home.

51 Winemack St PLUS buildable lot behind | Open House Saturday 9/5, 10-12 East Chop colonial style 2BR/2BA year-round home on East Chop PLUS a separate buildable lot behind the house. The house at 51 Winemack St has a 2-bedroom Title V septic that recently passed inspection, full basement, electric baseboard heat and large yard that allows for expansion potential of the house. The property includes a separately deeded buildable lot (10,246 sq ft) behind the house where the recent perc test indicates that it is potentially able to support a 4-6 bedroom house. Both properties listed exclusively for $2,045,000. For more information, contact Perry Patterson, Realtor, Broker, MV Luxury Homes, 973-789-1264. .

IMPROVED PRICE: $1,895,000** CONTACT MARILYN MOSES AT 617-462-0381 FOR MORE DETAILS! OCEAN PARK REALTY Discover the beauty of **THE PRESERVE at THE WOODLANDS** in the highly coveted Oak Bluffs community! This is your chance to own one of the last remaining building lots in this prime location, just moments away from town, beaches, harbor, ferry ports, and the Farm Neck Golf & Tennis Club. Underground utilities are already in place, making this rare offering perfect for developing your dream family compound. Enjoy a peaceful and private setting, surrounded by conservation land and trails ideal for hiking, walking, and biking. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to embrace the Oak Bluffs lifestyle!

MAIN HOUSE PLUS GUEST APT WITH ROOM FOR A POOL! 44 TIFFANY DRIVE

OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 9/5, 1:30-3:00

99 OCEAN AVE, OCEAN PARK | OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 9/6, 10-12 Victorian Grand Dame with 4 bedrooms overlooking Ocean Park -- in a truly spectacular setting with sweeping water views from two stories of verandas. Located in Oak Bluffs most popular and exciting neighborhood and just steps from the beaches of Nantucket Sound, ne restaurants, art galleries, shopping, harbor, ferries, the Campground and the Tabernacle. Listed exclusively for $3,975,000. For more information, contact Perry Patterson, Realtor, Broker, MV Luxury Homes, 973-789-1264.

Tucked away in a serene setting, and set on 1.38 private acres, this beautifully renovated 4BR/4.5BA Cape offers over 4,000 sq. ft. of living space, a gourmet kitchen, large living room with replace, dining room, large family room with propane replace o ce/game room, two ensuite bedrooms, multiple entertaining areas, a screened porch, and a separate one-bedroom guest apartment above the garage. All new appliances, windows, mini-splits. Listed for $2.80M, plus $50K will be put in escrow at closing for a pool, depending on the offer! Contact Perry Patterson, Realtor, MV Luxury Homes, 973-789-1264

from your local Councils on Aging and the Martha’s Vineyard Center from for yourLiving local Councils on Aging and PUBLISHED THE LAST THURSDAY OF MONTH IN THE Martha’s Vineyard theEVERY Center for Living

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classifieds A13

September 3, 2026

HOUSES-OAK BLUFFS

OAK BLUFFS CONDO FOR SALE 21 ISLAND INN RD, UNIT 38G $527,500.00 Call or text Rene Ben David 508-847-4864 Ocean Park Realty Inc. Welcome to Unit 38G at the Island Inn, offering resort-style living in an exceptional Oak Bluffs location just steps from the beach. This desirable ground-ﬂoor end unit features a large glass slider opening to the patio, with stairs leading to the heated outdoor pool just a few feet away. Accommodating up to six guests, the unit features one bedroom with a queen bed, a separate sleeping area partially divided by a 4' wall with two single beds, a sofa bed, 1.5 baths, and a small kitchen with a two-burner cooktop. The Island Inn is a seasonal resort community, open April–October, with beautifully maintained grounds, heated pool, three association clay tennis courts, outd oor re pits, and easy access to downtown Oak Bluffs, beaches, restaurants, shops, ferries, golf, and boating. The popular Noman’s outdoor family restaurant is directly next door, offering dining, cocktails, lawn games, live entertainment, and a pet-friendly atmosphere. Gulph Creek Management is conveniently located on site and handles rentals, bookings, cleaning, repairs, and maintenance. Just br ing your luggage and enjoy your piece of paradise! Ideal as a Vineyard getaway, investment, or combination of personal use and rental income. Showings during turnovers only, 10AM–3PM. Proof of funds required.

OAK BLUFFS CONDO FOR SALE 27 ISLAND INN UNIT 10C $310,000.00 CALL OR TEXT RENE BEN DAVID,508-847-4864 OCEAN PARK REALTY INC. Welcome to 27 Island Inn, Unit 10C, a comfortable one-bedroom, one-bath Martha’s Vineyard retreat offering an ideal combination of personal enjoyment and rental opportunity. Accommodating up to four guests, 10C features a queen bedroom, sofa bed, cozy living area, well-equipped kitchenette. A unique feature is the adjoining door to Unit 9C, a studio with two double beds, full bath and kitchenette. Units 9C and 10C are being offered for sale separately, with the opportunity to purchase both together—perfect for extended family, guests, or expanded rental possibilities while still allowing each unit to be used independently. Island Inn is a seasonal resort, open April through October, offering a relaxed, pet-friendly setting with a heated outdoor pool, 3 association clay tennis courts, grilling areas, ﬁre pits and spacious grounds. Directly next door is the popular pet-friendly Noman’s, featuring outdoor dining, cocktails, lawn games and entertainment. Ideally located between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown, just minutes from beaches, golf, shops, restaurants, ferries and Oak Bluffs Harbor. On-site Gulph Creek Management handles virtually every aspect of the rental operation, including bookings, guest coordination, cleaning, repairs and maintenance. Just bring your luggage and enjoy your piece of paradise! Ideal as a Vineyard getaway, investment, or combination of personal use and rental income. Showings during turnovers only, 10AM–3PM. Proof of funds required.

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Real Estate

HOUSES-OAK BLUFFS

LAND-OAK BLUFFS

COMMERCIAL-VINEYARD HAVEN

OAK BLUFFS CONDO FOR SALE 27 ISLAND INN RD, UNIT 9C $287,500.00 Call or text Rene Ben David 508-847-4864 Ocean Park Realty Inc. Welcome to 27 Island Inn, Unit 9C, an inviting Martha’s Vineyard retreat offering the perfect combination of personal enjoyment and rental opportunity. This comfortable studio accommodates up to four guests with two double beds, a full bath, kitchenette with a 2-burner cooktop, cable TV and free WiFi. A unique opportunity is adjoining Unit 10C, a separate 1-bedroom, 1-bath suite accommodating up to four guests with a queen bed, sofa bed, cozy living area, well-equipped kitchenette with 2-burner cooktop, and patio/deck. Units 9C and 10C can be enjoyed separately or together through the adjoining door. Each is being offered for sale separately, with the opportunity to pu rchase both together—ideal for additional family, guests or expanded rental possibilities. Island Inn is a seasonal resort, open April through October, offering a relaxed, pet-friendly setting with a heated outdoor pool, 3 association clay tennis courts, grilling areas, re pits and spacious grounds. Directly next door is the popular and pet-friendly Noman’s, offering outdoor dining, cocktails, la wn games and entertainment. Ideally located between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown, you’re minutes from beaches, golf, shops, restaurants, ferries and Oak Bluffs Harbor. On-site Gulph Creek Management handles virtually every aspect of the rental operation, including bookings, guest coordination, cleaning, repairs and maintenance. Just bring your luggage and enjoy your piece of paradise! Ideal as a Vineyard getaway, investment, or combination of personal use and rental income. Showings during turnovers only

PRIVACY MEETS CONVENIENCE IN OAK BLUFFS JAYNE ISFORD | 203-962-4317 $1,795,000 Nestled at the end of a quiet street, this roomy and spacious Cape-style home offers privacy and convenience just a short distance to the Oak Bluffs School, town center, and within walking distance to the Lagoon. Sun- lled main level with open ﬂoor plan, large windows, and a generous kitchen with ample counter space, opening to the dining area. Sliders lead to a back deck, yard, and bluestone patio ..perfect for entertaining or relaxing. Radiant heated ﬂoors in the primary suite and lower-level playroom. Twocar garage with bonus space above. Beautiful stonework driveway. Updated furnace (2020) and water heater (2024).

OAK BLUFFS WATERVIEW LOT FOR SALE $1,200,000 PRICE REDUCED, NOW $1,049,000. CALL OR TEXT Rene Ben David's Cell 508-847-4864 OCEAN PARK REALTY Welcome to # 0 Temahigan Ave & Dover Street, Oak Bluffs. Build Your Martha’s Vineyard Dream Home. Rare opportunity to own a level, cleared corner lot in desirable Oak Bluffs, with paved roads bordering two sides, ready for construction of your Martha’s Vineyard dream home. Approved for up to 6 bedrooms, this exceptional property includes an approved 6-bedroom septic design, with room for a possible future pool. Located in the sought-after Eastville area, where many homes enjoy beautiful water views, this lot offers the potential to capture stunning views of Vineyard Sound and beyond from a thoughtfully designed home. Create a custom residence that embraces all the beauty and lifestyle Martha’s Vineyard has to offer. Enjoy a short walk to Eastville Beach, where you can take in spectacular sunsets, watch the ferries come and go, and experience the charm of island living. Just a short drive away, you’ll have access to everything that makes Oak Bluffs so special — additional beaches, shell shing, swimming, boating, and the vibrant energy of Circuit Avenue, featuring boutique shopping, diverse restaurants, and convenient ferry service to and from the island via the iconic Oak Bluffs Harbor and nearby ports. This is more than just land — it’s an opportunity to create something truly special. Don’t just dream it — make it reality. Owning a piece of Martha’s Vineyard is an investment in a lifestyle you’ll never regret. Please include a preapproval or proof of funds with offer. Seller is offering a buyers broker consideration.

PRIME VINEYARD HAVEN COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITY AWAITS This 2,614± sq. ft. corner condominium at Woodland Center Marketplace offers excellent visibility and ﬂexibility. Unit 8 includes a showroom, o ce area, workroom/warehouse storage, kitchenette, and half bath. Ample parking and a high-tra c location enhance investment appeal. Business available separately. $1,500,000 Sandpiper Realty, Inc. 508.627.3737

OAK BLUFFS CONDO FOR SALE 33 ISLAND INN RD, UNIT 25F $260,000.00 CALL OR TEXT RENE BEN DAVID 508-847-4864 OCEAN PARK REALTY INC. Welcome to 27 Island Inn, Unit 25F, a comfortable studio offering the perfect combination of a Martha’s Vineyard getaway and rental opportunity. Accommodating up to four guests, this inviting unit features two double beds, one full bath, a convenient kitchenette, cable TV and free WiFi. Island Inn is a seasonal resort, open April through October, offering a relaxed, petfriendly setting with a heated outdoor pool, 3 association clay tennis courts, grilling areas, re pits and spacious grounds. Directly next door is the popular pet-friendly Noman’s, featuring outdoor dining, cocktails, lawn games and entertainment. Ideally located between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown, just minutes from beaches, golf, shops, restaurants, ferries and Oak Bluffs Harbor. On-site Gulph Creek Management handles virtually every aspect of the rental operation, including bookings, guest coordination, cleaning, repairs and maintenance, making ownership easy and convenient. Just bring your luggage and enjoy your piece of paradise! Ideal as a Vineyard getaway, investment, or combination of per sonal use and rental income. Showings during turnovers only, 10AM–3PM. Proof of funds required.

SOLD $1,150,000 MARILYN MOSES 617-462-0381 OCEAN PARK REALTY, OAK BLUFFS CLASSIC CAPE Charm meets modern e ciency in this move-in-ready 3-bedroom home. Thoughtfully maintained and beautifully presented, the home features sun- lled living spaces, an updated kitchen, and comfortable bedrooms designed for easy everyday living. Enjoy year-round comfort with energy-e cient minisplit systems providing both heating and air conditioning, offering costeffective climate control in every season. The nished basement adds valuable bonus space ideal for a media room, home o ce or workout room giving you the ﬂexibility to t your lifestyle. Outside, a private yard offers the perfect setting for relaxing or entertaining. A wonderful opportunity for a year-round residence, vacation getaway, or investment. ..this classic Cape blends timeless style with modern upgrades.

SOLD $1,200,000 NEW LISTING IN EAST CHOP OAK BLUFFS MARILYN MOSES 617-462-0381 .52 ACRES 66 Munroe Avenue and 17 Madison Avenue Oak Bluffs East Chop~Build your custom island retreat in coveted East Chop on this over onehalf acre parcel. Offering the potential for a 6 + bedroom residence, this exceptional homesite includes a topographic map and features expansive grounds that may accommodate a pool, subject to local approvals. Ideally located just minutes from the East Chop Beach Club, Oak Bluffs Harbor, beaches, ferries, restaurants, shops, and vibrant downtown Oak Bluffs. Buyers should perform their own due diligence with the appropriate town agencies to verify all information regarding building requirements, approvals and intended use. All offers should include proof of funds.

HOUSES-WEST TISBURY

WEST TISBURY $1,349,000 Call or Text Marilyn Moses 617-462-0381 Coastal contemporary residence is located on a private 1.60-acre lot in West Tisbury, with convenient access to Long Point Wildlife Refuge and access to "Coveted" Lambert's Cove Beach. The home features four bedrooms and two full bathrooms. On the rst floor, you'll nd two bright bedrooms, a modernized bathroom, and sliders from the living area that lead to a new AZEK deck and enclosed fenced gardens, perfect for outdoor enjoyment. The open floor plan includes attractive beadboard ceilings that create a sense of space and light. Recent upgrades feature a remodeled kitchen with a tiled backsplash, granite countertops, and an LG induction stove along with matching stainless-steel appliances. The rstfloor bathroom has been fully renovated with a tiled shower and glass door, tiled floor, new toilet, vanity/mirror, rainfall showerhead, and all new hardware. Additional updates include a newer roof, Azek window trim, an outdoor shower enclosure, and gutters with leaf guards. The basement has a 9-foot ceiling with four windows, providing potential for further nishing with town approval. Other improvements include updated plum bing and electrical systems, a new well pressure tank, new Culligan Water Filtration and Conditioning system, and a Generac whole-house generator installed in 2022.

HOUSES-WEST TISBURY

74 CHASE ROAD TISBURY $945,000.00. 3 bedroom 1.1 bath. Additional basement 768SF with walk out egress. 10,842SF lot. New roof windows basement insulation mini splits. Quiet dead end road close to Tashmoo landing, tennis and pickle ball kayak storage. Janna O’Loughlin Portfolio Properties MV 31 N. Summer Street Edgartown, MA 0253

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ind out more ab ut this can’t mi miss ss advertisi advertising ng opportunity!

A14 classifieds

September 3, 2026

Classifieds

Legal Notices LEGAL NOTICES

CITATION ON PETITION FOR ORDER OF COMPLETE SETTLEMENT Docket No. DU25P0083EA Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Estate of: Michael E. Amaral Date of Death: 01/27/2025 Dukes Probate and Family Court PO Box 237 81 Main Street Edgartown, MA 02539 (508)627-4703 A Petition for Order of Complete Settlement has been filed by Brian H. Amaral of Boston MA requesting that the court enter a formal Decree of Complete Settlement Including a determination of testacy and heirs at law and other such relief as may be requested in the Petition. IMPORTANT NOTICE You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Petitioner or at the court. You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this court before: 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 09/22/2026. This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection followed by an affidavit of objections within thirty (30) days of the return day, action may be taken without further notice to you. WITNESS, Hon. Susan L Jacobs, First Justice of this Court. Date: August 25, 2026 Daphne DeVries, Register of Probate UP ISLAND REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT REQUEST FOR SERVICES ON-CALL DESIGNER/ARCHITECT SERVICES #27-03 The Up Island Regional School District is seeking Proposals to provide On-Call Designer/Architect Services for smaller projects for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 until June 30, 2027. The contract

LEGAL NOTICES

may be extended through FY29 at the discretion of the District. Details regarding specifications, prebid conference, as well as required forms, are available in the Central Office by emailing Jocelyn Broadley jbroadley@mvyps.org. Proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope addressed to Mark Friedman, Chief Procurement Officer, labeled “UIRSD On-Call Designer/Architect Services #27-03 Proposal”, and be received at 4 Pine Street, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 by Thursday, October 1, 2026 by 4:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time). If Bids are being delivered in person, Bids must be placed in secure drop box at front door at 4 Pine Street, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568. The Up Island Regional School District reserve the right to reject any or all Proposals.

LEGAL NOTICES EDGARTOWN

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING EDGARTOWN CONSERVATION COMMISSION On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 4:30 p.m., the Edgartown Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing via Zoom on a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by VLSE on behalf of Stephen C. Turner under the Edgartown Wetlands Protection Bylaw and the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act. The applicant is seeking permission to construct a new driveway located in the FEMA flood zone (AE 10) and its buffer. The property is located at 30 Slough Cove Road (AP Map 44, Lot 12.2). NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING EDGARTOWN CONSERVATION COMMISSION On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 4:35 p.m., the Edgartown Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing via Zoom on a Notice of Intent filed by VLSE on behalf of 44 Green Hollow Rd, LLC under the Edgartown Wetlands Protection Bylaw and the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act. The applicant is proposing to dredge 95 cubic

MARTHA’S VINEYARD

DISTRICT COURT REPORT August 17 Jonathan R. Jacobs, 37, Oak Bluffs; municipal bylaw or ordinance violation, case closed.

August 20 Elijah Jacobs, 19, Oak Bluffs; assault and battery, disorderly conduct, arrestee furnished to law enforcement false ID information, false/misuse liquor ID card/license, bail set at $1,500 with potential for bail revocation, continued to arraignment.

August 24 Valdemar A. Dias Borges Miranda, 21, Marlboro; operating motor vehicle with license

suspended, fail to stop/yield, arraigned and released on personal recognizance, bail set at $200 with potential for bail revocation, continued to pretrial hearing. Temple E. Canfield, 61, Vineyard Haven; disorderly conduct, arraigned and held, bail set at $100, case closed. Joao P. Coelho, 19, Edgartown; operating motor vehicle with license suspended, operating motor vehicle with modified height, failure to wear seatbelt, arraigned and held, bail set at $200, case closed.

LEGAL NOTICES EDGARTOWN

yards of sediment surrounding an existing pier at the above-referenced property. Dredging will be completed mechanically, and all spoils will be disposed of off-site at an upland location. The property is located at 44 Green Hollow Road (AP Map 29, Lot 134). For a copy of the application(s) or for questions related to participating in the meeting via Zoom, please contact: conservation@edgartown-ma.us

LEGAL NOTICES TISBURY

THE TISBURY COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING AT 5:00 PM ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2026, TO ADDRESS QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY REGARDING COMMUNITY Preservation Act funding and this year’s funding cycle. Questions regarding project eligibility will be addressed. All are welcome to attend and take part in the discussion. The meeting will be held at the Tisbury Senior Center, located at 34 Pine Tree Road, Tisbury, MA 02568. This is an in-person meeting. For information or questions, please contact the Committee at tisburycpc@gmail.com

LEGAL NOTICES W. TISBURY

PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The West Tisbury Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Monday, September 21, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. via Zoom to consider an application from The Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society to install a Deer Processing Facility consisting of a 40 foot Cooler Trailer, Two Mobile Meat Processing Units and a Mobile Office Building that will house three Residential Freezers, on the property located on Assessors Map 25, Lot 3.1 (3.1E), 5 Janes Way, RU District. A copy of the application and plan is available on the 2 nd floor of the Town Hall Monday through Thursday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm or email your request to planningboard@westtisbury-ma.gov. Interested parties are invited to send comments and/or attend the meeting. Please address any comments to: Leah Smith Planning Board P.O. Box 278 West Tisbury, MA 02575 Phone: 508-696-0149 Time: Sep 21, 2026 05:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/ j/86739953509?pwd=g1bXpDLmwOiXbI6jqxbbwWxGWV4gIp.1 Meeting ID: 867 3995 3509 Passcode: 896245 +1 646 931 3860 US +1 301 715 8592 US WEST TISBURY ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING On Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 5:15pm the ZBA will hold a public hearing at the TOWN HALL-2nd floor meeting room on an application for a Special Permit from Nickolas Peters to allow 23 feet of front yard and 9.5 feet of side yard setback relief on a

LEGAL NOTICES W. TISBURY

non-conforming lot in the MB District at 8 Indian Hill Rd., Map 16 Lot 233 under Sections 11.2-3 and 4.3-3D of the West Tisbury Zoning Bylaw. Interested parties are invited to send comments via email to: zba@westtisbury-ma.gov or mail comments to: Zoning Board of Appeals, PO Box 278, West Tisbury, MA 02575. Please call 508696-0107 for information on the application. WEST TISBURY ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING On Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 5:15pm the ZBA will hold a public hearing at the Town Hall - 2nd ﬂoor meeting room on an APPEAL ﬁled by Wesley Nagy of the July 31, 2026 determination made by the Building Inspector that the property located at 72 Rogers Path, Map 15, Lot 29.2, in the RU District, is in violation of Conditions 1, 4, and 5 of the Planning Board’s Special Permit dated December 26, 2024, and applicable provisions of the West Tisbury Zoning Bylaw concerning alterations to the Rogers Path Special Way and storage containers in the RU District. The appeal also challenges the corrective orders issued by the Building Inspector. The appeal is made pursuant to M.G.L. c. 40A, §§ 8 and 14. Interested parties are invited to send comments via email to: zba@westtisbury-ma.gov or mail comments to: Zoning Board of Appeals, PO Box 278, West Tisbury, MA 02575. Please call 508696-0107 for information on the application.

PUBLIC NOTICES

ADVERTISEMENT TO BID MGL C.149 OVER $150K Dukes County Regional Housing Authority seeks sealed electronic bids for building and site improvements in Oak Bluffs, MA. Work includes siding, insulation, windows, kitchens, baths, flooring, a new hot water heater, fixing a structural crack, and site upgrades. Estimated cost: $445,075. Bidders must be DCAMM certified. Bids are subject to M.G.L. c.149 §44A-J & to minimum wage rates as required by M.G.L. c.149 §§26 to 27H inclusive. View documents and submit bids via biddocs.com by 9/23/2026,3:00PM EST. No hard copies accepted. APPLY NOW! SUBMIT AN ELIGIBILITY APPLICATION FOR COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT FUNDING FOR INFORMATION ON ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATIONS: https://www.tisburyma.gov/271/ Community-Preservation-Committee Categories include: Community Housing, Historic Preservation, Recreation, Open Space ~~~~~~~~~~~ Applications for Determination of Eligibility due: September 25, 2026, 12:00 Noon Tisbury Town Hall (10 hard copies) AND a PDF of the Eligibility Application to: tisburycpc@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If your project is eligible, you will be notified by the Committee and asked to submit a Final Application. Final Applications for Funding due: October 16, 2026, 12:00 Noon Tisbury Town Hall Questions? tisburycpc@gmail.com

WINTER RENTALS **WEST TISBURY WINTER RENTAL** Two-bedroom, one-bath garage apartment. Furnished. September 15–May 15. $3,300/month plus utilities. First and last month required. No smoking. No pets. Email wtwinterrental@gmail.com for inquiries. OAK BLUFFS WINTER RENTAL Walk to town! Sweet cottage style home good for 1-3 people. Quiet area. Newer kitchen/ sunporch. $2600/mo + utilities. References/ no smoking/no pets. TEXT Austin RE Properties of MV 508-314-5833. SHORT-TERM 3 BR HOUSE FOR RENT SEPTEMBER 2026- MAY 2027 ONLY. Large lot private Oak Bluffs neighborhood. Excellent references - application, background check, security deposit. Vacate May 30. Professional Single or Couple. No pets, or extra guests. $3000/month plus utilities. 508-696-6296 leave message.

APARTMENTS/ROOMS

OFF SEASON RENTAL IN AQUINNAH 3 bed, 2.5 bath. $2500/month 845-750-4665 RENTAL TRAILER WITH BATHROOM SHOWER IMMEDIATELY OR THRU DECEMBER. 1-2 PEOPLE. Double bed/ kitchenette. Very basic but good vibe outside grill/ table. Text me 310-213-5472. $1000$1500 depending on speciﬁcs. YEAR-ROUND W. TISBURY Studio apartment, one person, day-worker. No smokers, no pets. Avail. Early Sept. Mostly furnished, or not. $1,700 mo. all utilities incl. First, last, security. Application & references. 508 693 9199.

RENTALS

HOUSE RENTAL - EDGARTOWN (KATAMA) - WINTER (10/1 - 5/1) 3 BED/2 BATH. Rent $3,000, plus utilities. If interested, call Peter at (401) 789-3127.

RENTALS WANTED

YARD SALES

SUN. SEPT 6 & MON. SEPT 7, 9-3. EPIC 2-DAY YARD SALE! Tom’s, Rachel’s, & Cris’s NEW estate ﬁnds! Antiques; rare Vineyard books, postcards & listed art; collectibles; nautical; sterling; both affordable & high-end JEWELRY; vintage clothing & MORE! 8 Fulling Mill Hill Rd CHILMARK Please PARK with care.

BOAT SALES

DERBY TIME IS ALMOST HERE! 20ft 2004 Century center console w/ 150 hp Yamaha is in the water ready to go! Includes trailer, 8ft dinghy, Raymarine GPS, VHF radio, many extras. Nothing beats a well-maintained Yamaha- under 750 hours $18,000 404-550-9715

2001 - 2100 SPECIAL EDITION Completely restored and re-powered in 2024 by MV Shipyard. New Engine - 200HP - 331 hours. New Electronics - Garmin and new speakers and controls New Izen Glass New 2024. A ﬁsherman’s dream. Comes with a 2024 Load Rite trailer! 917-673-8097

SERVICES

WANT TO RENT A GARAGE TO HOUSE Honda Pilot from October 2026 thru May 2027. 630-418-6416

YARD SALES

RAIN OR SHINE ESTATE/YARD SALE f/s bed good shape free, new microwave, lots of marked down items tables, bicycle, lamps, and new items. Aquinnah state rd. near lighthouse. Sept. 5th and 6th 9-3. SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 5TH 10AM-4PM One BIG sale with a LOT of stuff! We’re clearing out the house, garage and basement, so there will be great items and something for everyone. Expect furniture, home décor, kitchen items, tools, outdoor items, kids’ items, household goods, and plenty more! 91 Meadow View Road, Oak Bluffs. YARD SALE Stop by for antique TOOLS, both old and new, between 12-2PM on Saturday, September 5th.

FROM FLOORS TO FINISHES – WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED! • Floor Installation • Hardwood Sanding • Painting • Kitchen Remodeling Multﬂooring.com 508 982 9675 MY HANDYMAN SERVICES/PROPERTY PAINT, DUMP RUN, TILE/STONE WORK, CARPENTRY, WINDOWS/ DOORS, SHINGLES, GUTTER CLEANUP, DECK REJUVENATE, POWER WASHER, ROOFS, BASEMENT/ GARAGE CLEAN UP, Certiﬁed Mold Inspector & Remediator, TENNIS COURT CLEANING, French Drain Installation. 508-684-0242., RENATO myhandymaninmv@gmail.com

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news A15

September 3, 2026

fishing report

Counting down the days BY LISA BELCASTRO

If you need lures, and who doesn’t, there will be hundreds of lures on sale at the MVSA Used Tackle Sale this Saturday.

welve days, seven hours, 50 minutes, and eight seconds. If you know, you know. In case you recently arrived on Martha’s Vineyard from another country, or another planet, the countdown to the 81st Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby has truly begun. Fishermen all over the Island are spooling reels with new line, changing out hooks on favorite lures, stopping into Coop’s, Dick’s, and Larry’s to check out the latest lures in case any of them look like the winning lure, preparing trucks and boats, and running any errands that will need to be done before Oct. 19, because life gets put on hold from Sept. 13 through Oct. 18. Here’s a few of my favorite words: “Derby registration is officially open.” We’ve got two options to register: We can fill out the forms online or fill them out by hand at the tackle store. I love the ease of online, so that’s what I did. However

you choose to register, we’ve got to pick up our pins before we start fishing. We also get to select our hats. I can’t wait! Is anybody else hoping they have pink and blue hats? Hey, it’s Vineyard Vines, so this is totally in the realm of possibility. A girl can certainly hope! I need to go to Larry’s to pick up my number, then head over to Coop’s to pick up Dave Balon’s number and register our team, Bone Appetit. We can’t register our teams until both team members have picked their numbers. In years past, an angler could fish from shore or boat and earn prizes in each division, but fishermen had to enter their team in either the shore or boat division, not both. This year we can double our team fun. The Derby Committee voted to allow teams the option of fishing in one or both divisions. Dave and I are going to enter both. We usually go out once or twice on Tenacious

with Capt. Ed. Perhaps this year we’ll go out five times, since there are five weeks in the Derby. (Look, Dave, I can count to five!) And don’t forget, if you haven’t done it yet, check to make sure your saltwater fishing license is current. It’s required for the Derby.

Oak Bluffs library family fishing If you have some aspiring fishermen in your family, don’t miss the Oak Bluffs library’s final family fishing event this Friday, Sept. 4, from 9:30 to 11:30 am. Librarian Jonathan Burke brings the fishing rods, gear, and bait to the Oak Bluffs fishing pier and teaches young children how to fish on the first Friday of the month in July, August, and September. “About six to eight years ago, we decided to add fishing rods to our Library of Things, which is a collection of things that people can check out. Someone said, ‘Jonathan, why

A return to the old SSA standby?

MVSA annual used tackle sale

sale to MVRHS students and Island veterans. Last year, the Surfcasters raised While you’re gearing up for over $25,000 at the sale. the Derby or helping a friend They gave away two $7,500 or child get ready, don’t miss scholarships in June at the the Martha’s Vineyard Surfcasters Association’s (MVSA) MVRHS awards night, and they also donated $10,000 to annual used tackle sale this furnish one of the housing Saturday, Sept 5, from 8 am to 1 pm in the Martha’s Vine- units in the new veterans’ housing in Oak Bluffs. They yard Regional High School will be doing the same with (MVRHS) parking lot. There will be more than 100 the proceeds from this year’s rods and reels to choose from, sale. So buy generously! If you’re wondering why I more lures than you want to haven’t mentioned catching count, kayaks, fishing gear, big blues, bones, or albies, waders, boots, tackle, flies, tackle boxes, sand spikes, an- the reason is sadly simple: chors, and just about anything I haven’t. I caught fish this else you need for boat or shore weekend, but not Derby fish. I heard of a few small blues fishing. All of the fin-tastic landed, but we’re all crossing items are priced to sell. our collective fingers that Don’t worry for a second the blues, bones, and albies that you’re shelling out too much money on fishing gear. will show up for the Derby. I hope to see you on the At the tackle sale, you’ll truly beach, and I hope the Derby be spending to help others. fish are swimming near us The Surfcasters donate all the proceeds from the tackle within casting range.

While a decision wasn’t made, Kryska said a return to the previous system warranted exploration, even if it is a more limited version than before. Fletcher said that the SSA can only do the Blue Line system or the old standby, not both. Meanwhile, Seastreak is exploring possibly reviving an off-season route from New Bedford to the Island.

Vehicles disembarking from the Island Home in Vineyard Haven.

EUNKI SEONWOO

BY EUNKI SEONWOO ervation holder’s account type, on a trial basis because of congestion contributed to by construction, like that of the Woods Hole terminal. “Most of those projects are done … I don’t see why we can’t bring back standby,” Sollitto said, noting the ferry line’s plans for more parking availability at Woods Hole and Vineyard Haven. Allison Fletcher, SSA shoreside operations director, said it is still a tight space while the temporary buildings in Woods Hole, like the old ticket office, are removed. But Sollitto said a more flexible standby than the Blue Line would be helpful for the Vineyard. He said some Island hotel owners told him of a drop in bookings this year compared with previous years.

PHOTOS: LISA BELCASTRO

So many rods, so little time to fish.

Alex Kryska, SSA general manager, noted that he’s seen social media posts in the past month of how the Blue Line was “shut down,” which he attributed to mechanical issues like the passenger ferry Island Home needing to swap out for the freight ferry Sankaty. The freight ferry has just under half the vehicle carrying capacity, and some passengers couldn’t be accommodated.

The Seastreak is also exploring a comeback to year-round service. slanders have repeatedly grumbled about Blue Line restrictions so much so that the Steamship Authority (SSA) decided to open up conversations about whether to return to the old standby system. During the Tuesday morning Port Council meeting, Joe Sollitto, the Oak Bluffs councillor, called for a return to the old standby system. “I don’t think the Blue Line is working,” Sollitto said. The Blue Line is a standby specifically for Islanders with preferred and excursion accounts, which provide booking preferences for ferry trips. It has a rolling limit of 12 cars, although more may be accommodated depending on space availability. The SSA board voted in November 2024 to drop the traditional standby line, which didn’t ask a res-

don’t you start a fishing program?’ I said, ‘Sure,’ and it’s been hugely successful,” said Jonathan Burke. The kids catch a lot of scup, with the occasional puffer fish, sea bass, or flounder. Families pop in and out during the two-hour event. Children will fish for around 30 minutes, hopefully landing at least one fish during their turn on the rod. “Watching a kid who’s never fished before get a fish on, reel it in, and see it for the first time, there’s something absolutely priceless about seeing a kid catch their first fish,” said Jonathan. The Kids’ Derby is Sunday, Sept. 20. If you want to give your children a little practice, or a first lesson, stop by the Oak Bluffs fishing pier this Friday and spend some quality time with Jonathan. There is no registration required, just show up. You can read more here: https://oakbluffslibrary.org/event/familyfishing-offsite-3/.

“I don’t know whether that’s impacting some of the merchants on the Vineyard, because people aren’t going to come down to make a reservation if they can’t come over,” Sollitto said.

Seastreak previously offered a year-round route to Vineyard Haven but pulled the plug in 2024 after only a year, when it lost roughly $200,000 from the venture. But with the South Coast Rail trains in full operation, the New Bedford ferry company plans to fill the revenue gap with grants. Kryska noted some people commute to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Falmouth Academy from New Bedford. “I talked to them about Woods Hole and maybe adding a stop there,” Kryska said of Seastreak. Meanwhile, Offshore Tug and Transportation, which offers freight services between New Bedford and Nantucket, is looking to add a Vineyard route from the South Coast city. Kryska said the need will be looked at, since there are already freight services provided between New Bedford and the Vineyard by 41 North Offshore and R.M. Packer Co.

A16

news

September 3, 2026

on the waterfront

Little Lady nears restoration Supporters gathered to hear updates about the vessel at Gannon and Benjamin on Friday. BY SARAH SHAW DAWSON

eside weathered wooden beams and steel tools, dozens of supporters of Little Lady, the sole remaining wooden fishing dragger in New England, gathered to hear updates as she nears full restoration. Little Lady is set to be moved to the Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway for repairs in about a month from her current location at R.M. Packer dock in Vineyard Haven. But there’s still a gap of $630,000 needed for the $1.5 million total restoration. She’s a generational vessel with a storied past that spans almost 100 years, and remains a landmark in the historic fishing village of Menemsha. After restoration, Little Lady is slated to become an educational hub for younger generations at the docks, and any fish caught from the net that drags beside her across the ocean floor will be donated to local food pantries. Co-founder of Gannon and Benjamin Nat Benjamin said on Friday, that Little Lady is an “iconic vessel that’s been in Mememsha for many generations.”

“We’re trying to keep her there,” he added. The boat was purchased by the Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust (MVFPT) last year, although the former owner of Little Lady, Dennis (“Denny”) Jason Jr., will continue to be her captain after the restoration is finished. The project is funded by private donors and through Community Preservation Act funds from Tisbury and Chilmark. Shelley Edmundson, the executive director of MVFPT, said Little Lady is a symbol of the vast working waterfront community in Vineyard Haven, which includes ship repair workers, boatbuilders, fishermen, and a fuel station. “We’re usually on the docks covered in fish scales, and then you have Gannon and Benjamin here on the waterfront covered in sawdust, and we’re all working really hard to keep our working waterfronts working in different ways,” Edmundson said. She said Little Lady “symbolizes a wooden boat craftsmanship that is so lively and strong here.”

According to Edmundson, there’s a “unique opportunity” for the remaining funds needed for the full restoration: The next $150,000 raised will be matched by a private donor. Little Lady was built in Noank, Conn., in 1929 by Captain Earl Foster and Oren Olds. Her original name was Mary F. Edmundson and Jason were able to get in touch with Foster’s family, who said the captain built her on the side of his family home, where he was raising 13 children with his wife. According to the family, the boat became so enmeshed in their home that when she was completed, they moved the whole family to the woodshed, demolished the house, and dragged Little Lady to the shore. By the 1950s, Little Lady was sold to Jason’s grandfather, who fine-tuned the vessel into a fishing dragger. She stayed in the Jason family, and became so intertwined with the up-Island fishing

ALISON SHAW

The Little Lady.

village of Menemsha that paintings and photographs featuring Little Lady, with her red-and-green-accented hull, ladders up the center mast, and number and name splashed in white paint across the side, cover local galleries. Christian Cabral, who manages the operations and business side of Gannon and Benjamin, outlined the next steps for Little Lady. He told the crowd on Friday that materials have begun to be procured, and the team plans to move Little Lady from the Packer docks to the Gannon and Benjamin workshop next month. The next steps for the vessel include an estimated

repair or replacement of about 80 percent of the hull, engine, and other parts, all while keeping the character of Little Lady alive. It’s a complicated process that involves significant planning, Cabral said. “Restoration, in its broadest sense, is taking an existing object … with what now has historic providence, looking at that object, deciding what we need to preserve, how we need to preserve it, and the methodology to take care of it,” Cabral said. “This is our guiding principle. This is where we start. To put it bluntly, is the object worth saving?” Cabral, the Gannon and

Big ships, small ships, and friendships of Holmes Hole BY RAWSON CLOUGH

3D Scanning & Modeling Building Documentation for Remodeling and Renovation.

support@pointknown.com | 617.575.2222

2026

Wind Festival Saturday, Sept. 5 11am – Dusk

Raindate | Sunday, Sept. 6

Waban-Alley Park | Oak Bluffs

COME FLY A KITE

Make a Kite | Buy a Kite | Fly Your Own Kite Professional Kite Flyers | Food Truck | Vendors + Artists

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NONPROFIT SUPPORTING ISLAND ARTISTS

he salty sailors of Holmes Hole have enjoyed an exciting season of racing thus far. Every Thursday evening at 5 pm and Sunday afternoon at 2 pm, week in and week out, sailboats of all different classes, with remarkably different hulls, sail areas, and intended purposes, set out into the Vineyard Sound to race one another. Here, a Sonar — a beginner-friendly 23-foot keelboat — can compete confidently against a boat like Zebra, an elegant W-Class twice her length that might finish the same race 30 minutes ahead. That’s the beauty of Holmes Hole sailing. Through a unique rating system, each boat is assigned a handicap based on factors like her waterline, sail area, cruising speed, and performance week to week. The result is an eclectic fleet of boats, skippers, and crews, bound by the Corinthian spirit, that compete in animated, goodnatured racing on relatively

even footing each week. There are sailors not yet 20 years old, many of whom teach sailing at the Vineyard Haven Yacht Club in the summertime, lining their bows up against seasoned skippers with decades of experience sailing and racing their boats all over the world. After the racing on Thursdays, sailors gather over dinner to hear the highly anticipated results and to debrief the day’s events. Sunday provided a proper test for the fleet. A strong

Boats lined up at the start.

breeze built out of the southwest up into the 20-knot range, with blustery gusts swirling down the harbor. Eleven boats lined up to race Course 7, which would send them zigzagging back and forth between East and West Chop, sailing out around RGN (a red-and-green navigation buoy, one of many that the organization utilizes as course marks, in an area of the sound known as Hedge Fence West), and finally beating their way back into the harbor to fin-

CHACE LEWIS

Benjamin team, and those involved in Little Lady’s past, present, and future, believe she is. “Denny and his family, all the community members that go down to Menemsha and get the ice cream at the Galley and see that boat sitting there. The feeling of Martha’s Vineyarders, who’ve made their money from the water — building boats and fishing — were downstream directly of that lineage. The feeling includes being on board the boat, taking kids out on the water. Those are all worthwhile things that we have the opportunity to preserve,” Cabral said. ish at Nun 6, a red buoy that marks the ferry channel in Vineyard Haven Harbor. With the breeze on and an ebbing tide, the fleet made quick work of the 10-mile route. Campana, a bright yellow Pogo 30 skippered by Eric Widra, was first across the line, nearly an hour before the last finisher. Once handicaps were assessed, the fleet finished within eight minutes of one another, and Bob Simons and his J9, Easy Rider, won the day. Clinging to the top spot on the season’s current overall leaderboard is Maitland — a Herreshoff Buzzards Bay 25 raced by the Hammarlund family. Two races remain for Maitland to defend her position — two more opportunities for the rest of the fleet to make a run at the cup. Sailors curious about getting out on the water and in on the action are encouraged to visit holmeshole.org to learn about getting involved. We warmly welcome any monohull sailboat over 15 feet in length, and our skippers are often looking to enlist the help of willing crew. This is a great community of passionate sailors, and we’re all fortunate to enjoy time on the water together in this special harbor. Rawson Clough is fleet captain for Holmes Hole.

T H E P E O P L E , TO W N S , A N D S TO R I E S O F I S L A N D L I F E + R E S TA U R A N T S , G A L L E R I E S & E N T E R TA I N M E N T

T H U R S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 3 , 2026

THE THREE

SISTERS

Squash, corn, and beans grown the Wampanoag way. SEE B15

NaDaizja Bolling at the Island Grown Initiative community garden.

SARAH SHAW DAWSON

community & calendar

September 3, 2026

ALISON SHAW

eptember is here, and you may have had that moment when you realize the summer rush is slowing. It isn’t necessarily Labor Day. It isn’t the first night you pull a hoodie on, or the first time a dunk in the ocean feels a little too refreshing. And it definitely isn’t when the calendar tells us that summer is over. Maybe it’s the first time you drive through Five Corners without mentally preparing yourself for battle. Maybe you steal a stretch of State Beach without anyone in close proximity. Maybe you treat yourself to a latte from Aalia’s without having to wait in the (worth it) line. Or maybe it’s simply the moment when you look around and think: We made it. For those of us who live and work on Martha’s Vineyard, September occupies a funny little space. The rest of the world tends to treat Labor Day as summer’s closing ceremony. Here, September feels less like an ending and more like a changing of the guard. The Island is still very much alive. Restaurants are open. Farms are overflowing. The ocean is still (sort of) warm. Weddings fill the weekends. Fishing rods pepper the shores. Visitors are still arriving, just in numbers that allow all of us a little more room to breathe. And after the marathon that is July and August, breathing feels pretty good. There is one group I should probably exclude from this whole “September exhale” narrative: us event folk. For the Vineyard wedding industry, September is not the afterparty — it is the main event. There is a reason couples love getting married here this time of year. The Island is still green, but the sunshine begins to soften, and the crushing logistics of peak August begin to ease. This Island has been a top wedding destination for decades, with an estimated average of 40 weddings per weekend this time of year. And behind all of them is another enormous hospitality ecosystem: caterers, rental crews, security, production teams, florists, musicians, photographers, hair and makeup artists, bartenders, shuttle drivers, bakers, shuckers, venue managers, and coordinators, to name a few. So while one part of the Island is beginning to stretch its legs after August,

It’s almost that time of year when fisherman line the Island shores.

The Island after August September on Martha’s Vineyard is a season of its own. BY JENNA SYLVIA another is preparing for the marathon. If there is anything that competes with my average daily step count this time of year, it’s the average amount of times daily that I check the weather forecast for the weekend ahead. As the wedding season picks up, the public event calendar dips a bit from the August peak, while still keeping us busy. The blockbuster summer events begin giving way to gatherings that feel more local. Labor Day weekend still gives us one final summer hurrah. The Vineyard Artisans Labor Day Festival returns to Agricultural Hall Sept. 4 through 6, beginning with a Friday evening preview followed by full festival days Saturday and Sunday. The West Tisbury Farmers Market continues Saturdays throughout September (and October) as well. Labor Day weekend also kicks things off with plenty of live music. The Martha’s Vineyard Jazz and Blues Summerfest returns Sept. 4 through 6 for a three-night celebration of women in jazz. Opening night takes place

Friday, Sept. 4, from 6 to 9 pm at Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs, headlined by Grammy-winning bassist, composer, and bandleader Endea Owens and her ensemble, the Cookout. Owens, a Juilliard alum and member of the house band on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” blends jazz, soul, and global influences. Singer-songwriter Domi-

moves to the Strand Theatre in Oak Bluffs for its finale, featuring the String Queens and Sammulous from 5 to 9 pm. The String Queens are a dynamic trio whose repertoire moves from classical and jazz all the way to contemporary pop, making for a fittingly eclectic finale to the weekend. For anyone looking to balance all that music with

Children: Vineyard Legends of the Revolutionary War” takes place Sept. 15 at M.V. Museum. The program explores the myths, legends, and stories surrounding the Vineyard’s Revolutionary past and, more specifically, the ways those stories have been remembered and retold over generations. It is part of a larger slate of 2026–27 programming connecting the

The rest of the world tends to treat Labor Day as summer’s closing ceremony. Here … September is really just summer for the locals. nique Smith opens the evening. The festival continues Saturday, Sept. 5, with Brass and Salsa Night at Union Chapel from 6 to 9 pm. The evening features the Huntertones, a Brooklyn-based, horn-driven band known for mixing jazz, funk, soul, and hip-hop, alongside Uptown Royalty NYC. If the goal is squeezing one more highenergy summer night out of the season, this seems like a pretty good way to do it. On Sunday, Sept. 6, the festival

a little movement, the annual Foot It for Felix 5K also takes place on Sept. 5. It’s another good example of the kind of event that makes September feel like September here: community-oriented, outdoors, and much easier to enjoy once we’ve made it through the frenzy of August. September also gives us a chance to look back. As part of the local commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, “Listen, My

Island’s history to the 250th anniversary of the U.S. And for those of us who spend an unreasonable amount of time wondering what is flying overhead, the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound presents “Ospreys on Cape Cod, the Islands, and Nantucket Sound” on Sept. 17. This webinar covers one of our most iconic coastal birds, with acclaimed author, environmental journalist, and former National Geographic host David Gess-

A monthly newsletter dedicated to Martha’s Vineyard events and eats.

ner. It’s one of those wonderfully specific programs that feels perfectly suited to this time of year, when we have more time to slow down and listen to the birds. Of course, September also means fishing. The Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby kicks off on Sept. 13, and takes over the Island through October. It brings that familiar annual transformation, in which seemingly every other vehicle has a fishing rod attached to it, and conversations across the Island suddenly revolve around tides, tight lines, and weigh-ins. Add in flea markets, gallery strolls, live music, lingering beach days, and all of the smaller happenings that continue throughout the month, and September is really just summer for the locals. September also marks something a little personal for this newsletter: one full year of the Grapevine. When we started putting it together, I wanted to create a space that celebrated the people, places, and stories that make Martha’s Vineyard hospitality what it is, from a “back of house” perspective. Over the past year, the Grapevine has given me an excuse to ask more questions, peek behind more kitchen doors, pay closer attention to what is changing and, most importantly, tell more of those stories. And if there is one thing this first year has reinforced, it is that the Vineyard food and hospitality world is far bigger and more layered than it sometimes gets credit for. There is always another new business taking shape, another longtime Island institution with a story that’s yet to be told, and another dish, tradition, farm, event, or person worth knowing about. So it feels fitting that this first anniversary arrives in September. The Grapevine began as a way to celebrate the Island through food and hospitality, and September might be the month when you can see that world most clearly: The spectacle of summer starts to recede, and the people and places underneath it come back into focus. To everyone who has read, responded, sent a tip, recommended a restaurant, shared a story, or simply opened this newsletter over the past year: Thank you. Here’s to year two, this month we love so much, and to catching our breath in October!

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community & calendar B3

September 3, 2026

D I N E

Model planes hang from Katama Kitchen ceiling. NICOLE GALLAND

Katama Kitchen with a view of the runway and airplanes. COURTESY KATAMA KITCHEN

Katama Kitchen

Quinoa bowl.

Where good food meets the sky.

NICOLE GALLAND NICOLE GALLAND

BY ALLISON ROBERTS

The entrance to Katama Kitchen.

Katama Kitchen outdoor bar.

Los Angeles trying to pitch a TV series about the Wright brothers. The TV series project is still in its early stages, but Shai promises to keep the community in the loop on its progress. The restaurant is small and quaint, with decorations of model planes hanging from the ceiling. There are several tables inside, and a large outdoor seating area with a full bar. Customers can also sit in the area outside the deck at picnic tables and watch the planes

CelebratingOur MVRHSGrads

Scott Dario The traveler who helps the Island travel. BY MARGE HARRIS

COURTESY KATAMA KITCHEN

REBECCA NORRIS

ecently, my coworker Nicole Galland and I hit Katama Kitchen for lunch. We took a moment to oohh and ahhh over the red open-cockpit biplane operated by Classic Aviators out of Katama Airfield before we went inside. After a moment of feeling airsick, I desperately wanted to go for a ride. Katama Kitchen is coowned by Zared Shai, who is a pilot, and is currently in

cott Dario, class of 1987, always had a positive attitude, whether it was toward his classes, sports, or clubs, and people liked being around him. Many of his

best buds were from when he played football, starting with youth football, which his dad, Jack Dario, helped to originate here. After high school, Scott attended St. Lawrence University in Can-

Falafel wrap. NICOLE GALLAND

take off. Folks order at the counter, and a friendly staff member delivers food to your table. Galland and I sat outside on the deck and faced the field so we could be a part of the action. Katama Kitchen has merchandise — hats, T shirts, and coffee mugs — and a cooler with drinks available for purchase. They also have coffee and ice tea. The menu includes starters such as wings, fries, or tots, clam chowder, and more. Salads include Caesar, Medi-

terranean, Nancy's Quinoa Bowl, and a beet salad. Handhelds include falafel wrap, cheesesteak, smash burger, blackened tofu, and more. There is a kids’ menu too, with kiddo favorites including grilled cheese, mac and cheese, and chicken tenders. I ordered a house ice tea and a quinoa salad, with cucumbers, tomatoes, spinach, feta, olives, and chickpeas. Galland ordered the falafel wrap and a house ice tea. And of course since we are both fans of sweets, we got a

chocolate cookie to split. The Quinoa Bowl was tasty — bright, fresh, with a hint of sweet. The olives added a tartness and the balsamic dressing was light and delicious. “The food [falafel wrap] was tasty and came in a generous portion,” Galland said. “It was a little light on dressing, but when I asked for more, they immediately gave me a side of dressing and a side of hummus.” The chocolate chip cookie was tasty as well, and just the perfect way to close

out our meals. The food is good, but the best reason to go, above all else, is the setting. We got to watch the red plane take off with a happy, paying customer in the cockpit. This is a fun place that is a must-see, and absolutely worth the scenic drive to the southeast corner of the Island.

ton, N.Y. He majored in government and enjoyed college, especially the location. He likes the cold; today, he and his wife, Sara, own a small house in Canton and try to spend chunks of time there. It is very cold country, and snowy too, but they love it … brrr! After college, Scott moved to Chicago with friends and worked in the corporate world for about four years. Back then, all documents had to be done in triplicate for attorneys. Scott, as an account manager for a large copy firm, would be called out at all hours to supervise and deliver sensitive documents. He hated wearing a suit, so when some college

pals were moving to Santa Fe, N.M. — and because he loved to cook — he decided to join them and open a restaurant. It was a successful venture in the developing tourist climate of Santa Fe. Scott stayed there for about three years, but then his dad called him, offering him a position at his Island gas station. Scott came home, and luckily for us, has been here ever since. He eventually sold the gas station and signed on as president of Island Transportation and Martha’s Vineyard Sightseeing. It is a seasonal business, but it leaves several vehicles registered for Island transportation support (such as for the

Masonic Lodge, the Wampanoag tribe, youth hockey, and Christmas in Edgartown). Today, Scott has a fleet of buses that meet the needs of large groups, and several trolleys that are used only during the summer tourist season. His business has provided many jobs on the Island, including summer jobs for teachers and students. He explained to me how, due to recent government policy, Canadian tourism has been so reduced that the Island has lost about 30 percent of revenue. Some of his largest patrons were Canada and England, and the number of visitors from both places has decreased. This was a wake-up call for how

such policies affect our Island. Scott is a big supporter of Island events. You can find him and his family at the Sharks games or the basketball courts in Oak Bluffs. Scott is wherever he can help out and support our Island community. Again, I am so impressed by our graduates who not only run Island businesses but continually give back to our community as year-round residents, especially supporting our Island kids. Thank you, Scott!

Katama Kitchen remains open through at least early October. 12 Mattakesett Way, Edgartown. katamakitchen.com.

Marge Harris was a teacher at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School for 27 years. You can contact her at margeharris@comcast.net. This column appears twice a month.

community & calendar

Tisbury By Taylor Stone tisburycolumnist@gmail.com

abor Day Weekend is upon us! Our little Island feels like it is slowly being returned to us year-round residents. While markets and events are still definitely on the schedule for September and beyond, for many, Labor Day weekend means the end of summer break. For the past 10 years, this also meant (for me and many other local artists) spending the weekend at the Agricultural Hall vending at the Vineyard Artisans Festival: a three-day show that overlaps with the Saturday West Tis-

bury Farmers Market. This year marks the 31st anniversary of this show, celebrating local artisan makers all weekend long. To all those selling this weekend and beyond: I wish you cloudy weather and many sales. This time of year also marks “back to school” season for students and teachers on Martha’s Vineyard. Back to school always brings me right back to my days working at Edu Comp MV, the art/office/computer supply store that looks out on the beginning of Main Street in Vineyard Haven. And

Edgartown By Marnely Murray marnely@gmail.com

y latest piece for the Grapevine was titled “The Last Supper of Summer,” in which I’m listing what a finale weekend would look like as I try to tackle all the seasonal restaurants that will be closing after Labor Day. It got me thinking about how important these seasonal restaurants — the ones open solely from May through September/October — are to the makeup of our Island community. At times it seems that all we want to do is “support local,” with the caveat that it not only has to be lo-

cally owned, but also yearround. It’s good to remember that not every single business on Island can be year-round and profitable. With that, I implore you to use this September as a month to check out these locally owned, seasonal spots — whether it’s for a coffee, a baked good, a lunch with friends, or a dinner with a loved one. Once you do that, make sure to write them a review on Google, I’m sure they’ll appreciate it. Now that my “shop local” plea is out of the way, let me tell you what’s happening this week in Edgartown:

Oak Bluffs By Joanne Lambert joannelamber@gmail.com “Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.” –William Shakespeare

agree with Shakespeare, as summer does seem too short when September suddenly arrives! On this Island we are lucky, because September usually brings us an extension of lovely weather without the crowds and chaos. Summer vacations may be over, but this is when we remember how lucky we are to live here!

Besides parking spaces, September means Tivoli Day, which is coming on Sept. 19. More later! Our library has some ocean-oriented events on its calendar to celebrate Maritime Month. Sept. 44 is Family Fishing Friday; you can join Jonathan on the fishing pier from 9:30 to 11:30 and learn to fish! No experience or equipment needed. On Wednesday, Sept. 9, it will host Skippy Scallop Storytime and Touch Tank at 10:15

September 3, 2026

C with Island schools sending us their special supply lists in advance so we could order and have in stock all the exact colors and sizes of different binders, folders, calculators, flashcards, or whatever else students needed for their upcoming year, it also marked our busiest days in the shop. Some would be collegeage, having us set up new laptops for the upcoming year. Other seasonal visitors would make sure to shop with us before heading home, to support the local shop they wanted to help

keep in business. But this year, my focus is all in on First Friday V.H. on Sept. 4, and then taking the weekend off! September’s First Friday V.H. will be another chance to finish up those new scavenger hunt passport books and receive your prize at our merch tent, day or night, on Friday. We will be having our usual Daytime Market on Beach Street Extension, 10 am to 2 pm, with live music along Main Street from 3 to 5 pm, before the festivities open in Owen Park at 5 pm. We have a lineup absolutely

packed with food trucks, live music, and silent DJ party on the beach, along with Labor Day weekend specials all around town throughout the day and continuing all weekend long. Complete details can be found on the website, firstfridayvh.com. Also, did you know Vineyard Knitworks in Tisbury hosts a weekly “Knit Night” every Wednesday night, 6 to 8 pm? Bring a current work in progress, start something new, or come and just meet others interested in fiber arts in our community! I hear there is a small but dedicated

September’s First Friday V.H. will be another chance to finish up those new passport books and receive your prize at our merch tent, day or night, on Friday. On Sept. 3, you can register for a class on beach plum picking and jam making with the FARM Institute, starting at 5:30 pm. It’s priced between $40 and $50; this hands-on experience is a great way to learn how to make your own beach plum jam. If you would like to attend but are unable to pay, please reach out to lbrown@thetrustees.org for more information. You can find out more information on the website: thetrustees. org/event/448824. Continuing with the food news, Geraldine Romano recently wrote a romance novel based on the Island,

titled “This Time on Martha’s Vineyard,” and I had the honor of writing the back cover blurb. Here’s what I said: “A true Vineyard love story, baked with Island living all the way through. After a decade on Martha’s Vineyard, I know what it takes to build something of your own here. This story gets it right: the sense that everyone's business is a little bit everyone's business, and the smalltown tangle of old love and new beginnings.” I think it might be in local bookstores soon, so make sure to check it out! Maybe we can get the Edgartown li-

brary to also carry a copy? I know just who to call about that, thankfully! The 81st M.V. Derby kicks off on the 13th, and maybe this is the year that someone takes me out fishing? Not that I’ve ever been interested in being in open water for longer than the 45 minutes I’m on the Steamship, but I hear you can also fish from the shore, and that’s what I’d like to try my hand at. The rituals, camaraderie, and general community energy around the Derby are things I truly admire, and I’d love to learn more about. If you’re that per-

The rituals, camaraderie, and general community energy around the Derby are things I truly admire, and I’d love to learn more about. am. Check out the calendar for more activities throughout the month. These activities and all the programs offered by the library are supported by the Library Friends of Oak Bluffs, who volunteer their time to raise funds through book sales and other fundraisers to keep the library the vibrant community hub that it is. Thank you! Gina Patti and Rob Oslyn will have a full house, with all the kids home to celebrate Rob’s 70th birthday over Labor Day weekend. Granddaughter

Lucy Elizabeth is having her first Island visit, with parents Justin and Hannah in tow. Grace, Sam, and Kaya will be arriving to join the festivities, and Gina will be happily keeping everyone fed. The Sunset Concert Series on the lawn at the Tabernacle closes out the season with Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish on Friday, Sept. 4, 6 to 7:30 pm. Sundays in the Park Concerts features the Lunarchs on Sunday, Sept. 6. Note the time change for September and October: the music will be from 5 to 7 pm.

Seniors in our community have many options for assistance, including active senior centers in every town that offer many exercise programs, game days, information sessions on pertinent topics, and learning opportunities. Tech Pro MV offers help with a wide range of common technology needs, including smartphones, computers, printers — and all the apps needed to access healthcare, email, and video conferencing. Learn more about the program at techpromv.org, or call the O.B. senior center at 508-693-4509.

Our library has some ocean-oriented events on its calendar to celebrate Maritime Month.

S group of attendees who range from beginner to experienced, who are always happy to see new faces stop by. I’m wishing for a very windy day this Saturday, Sept. 5, for the annual Wind Festival in Oak Bluffs. This great free event has been relocated this year to Waban Park, where it can expand to include food and artist vendors alongside all the showstopping kites dancing in the sky. Happy birthday to West Tisbury library’s Olivia Gately on Sept. 7, and local artist Heather Goff on Sept. 10. Do you have an upcoming birthday, event, or just 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.

son, email me at marnely@ gmail.com — I promise I’ll bring snacks! If you haven't bought a ticket for the MVY Chamber’s $10,000 Raffle, now is the time — tickets will be sold only through Sept. 6, and they are only selling 500 tickets, so your odds of winning are great! To buy tickets, you can go online at mvy.com/10000raffle, or get your tickets in person at 24 Beach St., Vineyard Haven. This is an all-Island raffle, and a portion of the proceeds go to Harbor Homes and Vineyard Havens, two great nonprofits on the island. Last but certainly not least, a little bird alerted me that on Sept. 5 it’s Marlene Parker’s birthday, so I want to make sure to send her all the love! May your day be filled with joy, good times, and a delicious slice of your favorite cake!

If you see Bob Pacheco on Sept. 3, sing “Happy Birthday,” and tell him to take the rest of the day off! James Walton also celebrates on the 3rd. Sept. 4 is the day for Kathleen Forsythe to celebrate! Happy anniversary to Jennie and Jeremy Driesen on Sept. 5! On the 5th, we also wish a joy-filled day to Polar Bear extraordinaire Caroline Hunter! Alexandra Clark, Rachel Ben David, Molly Chvatal, Laurie Mazer, and Dawn Evans all celebrate on the 5th; happy birthday to you all! Sept. 6 is the day for Skylar Hall and Erica deForest. Susan Phillips celebrates on Sept. 7, along with Holly Hawks. I hope Gina Patti gets some beach time on her birthday, Sept. 9! Send me your news!

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September 3, 2026

Aquinnah By Kathie Olsen aquinnahcolumn@gmail.com

want to remind you that Orange Peel Bakery holds pizza nights on Thursday evenings from 5 until 8 pm. If you drive by there on any given Thursday evening, you’ll find the road lined with cars and trucks as people come together to eat and visit in community and enjoy Juli’s incredible pizza. If you go, bring top-

pings and beverages. The cost is $35 per adult and $10 for kids 13 and younger. If pizza isn’t your thing, then a trip up to the Cliffs might be in order. There you will find great food from Cliffhangers, and on any given Thursday you’re also likely to find music by local musicians, and neighbors and visitors com-

Chilmark By Claire Ganz cganz@live.com

ongratulations to everyone who helped build the Chilmark Preschool building. School starts for both the Chilmark School and the Preschool on Sept. 8. This week brought the terribly sad news of Marty Nadler’s death. He was a true mensch who could make a quip about life that threw me out of complacency into a side-aching belly laugh, the kind where you are trying to catch your breath, and your hands are torn between holding your sides and wiping your tears.

When we hit Philbin or Lucy Vincent Beach, we cannot help but remember Marty’s “60 is not the new 20, especially if you’re nude.” He was famous and generous with his time. I encourage you to read his fine obit, written by his son Charlie and still beloved friend ex-wife Holly Nadler, in this paper. Marty taught me by example and words what it meant to, as Dolly Parton advised, “Find out who you are and do it with purpose.” He also said, “Don’t ever sacrifice who you are, your

West Tisbury By Hermine Hull hermine.hull@gmail.com

ran into Mary Rentschler last week at Cronig’s, always a treat. Amid reminiscences about her mother, Sylvia, we also caught up with news about Nelson, the cat I’d adopted from Mary 13 years ago. “My sister’s cat just had a litter of kittens,” my dear friend, Cynthia Walsh, had said shortly after I’d lost my darling Porter. Cynthia had found Porter for me. I completely trusted her judgment regarding exemplary cats. When we arrived, Mary came into her living room carrying a basket of kittens,

all cute, but it was the tiny orange boy who climbed from my lap to my shoulder, and snuggled himself against my neck. He purred. I sighed. He claimed me for his own. Sept. 1 is Ginger Cat Day, a special day to celebrate Nelson and all ginger cats. The September art show at our library is “Stone Walls, Graves, Fishing

C mingling in relaxed communion as they revel in the view. Sept. 7 is Labor Day. Google on my phone has the audacity to state that its significance has to do with the end of summer and the final three-day weekend before the full autumn school and work season. True as that is, it misses the point. The day is meant as a day to honor those who labor,

and the history of worker struggles for decent pay and conditions. As we move into a time with automation and AI, I think it wise to remember the history of when people were demanding the rights for all people to have both “bread and roses,” meaning the right to eat and also to have beauty. We are still trying to find our way, trying to figure out how we will provide

principles and your morals and your values, to just try to get ahead in business. It ain’t worth it.” May their memories be a blessing. Carly Simon’s new album, “Comes in Waves,” is out, and it’s terrific. Plenty of songs with lyrics and tunes that stay with you in the best ways. The refrain from “Howl” comes in handy: “Well, you win some, and you lose some But philosophy won't help you now So get it out of, of your system Bang your fists and beat your brow Howl like the wind, roar like the river Wail like the rain, cry, shout, and shiver Shake like a dog, hiss like a fire Scratch out the moon …”

The song “Love Has No Ending” featuring her children, Sally and Ben Taylor, is the one I want to play for my children and grandchildren. This Saturday, Sept. 5, from 3 to 4:30 pm, Harriet Bernstein hosts a reception of her big painting inspired by dance in the Chilmark library. It will be on display with her other work until Sept. 26. Thank you, Sig Van Raan, for faithfully reporting the Chilmark Softball games: “This week's game was, for practical purposes, the season-ending game,

the yeast for availability of the bread and the space and skills for growing the roses. Maybe that’s what we should think about as we wait for the burgers to grill this weekend. Martha’s Vineyard schools begin Sept. 8, with orientations and teacher preparation already taking place. My heart goes to the students and their families who are taking

Shack Windows,” paintings by Susan Bienen Johnson. Fred Thornbrough’s chaircaning workshop begins Sept. 3 at 2:30 pm, followed by a virtual astrology class with Hallee Brevetti at 4 pm that will include an individual birth chart for each attendee. Register at gwilbur@clamsnet.org. Dr. Robert Gobel will present “Preventing Osteoporosis,” on Friday at 3:30 pm. An acoustic duo at 2:30 pm and mahjongg at 3 pm on Saturday. The library will be closed on Monday for Labor Day. Wednesday at 1 pm, Tom Dresser will discuss “Vineyard Van-

guards: Historic Trailblazers and Their Legacies,” and at 3:30 pm, former public defender Emily Galvin Almanza will speak about her debut novel for middle-graders, “Andromeda Diaz and the Reasonable Doubt.” Jennelle Gadowski has become the first full-time EMT for Tri-Town. She will continue on as emergency management director for West Tisbury as well. Congratulations, Jennelle. You are amazing. A talented friend of Paul Karasik’s, potter Akira Satake, will be on the Island to do an all-day

although as in the past, there was talk of trying to put a lineup together for Labor Day weekend. Again, a well-played game and a great mix of older and younger players. “Eight-year-old infielderoutfielder Beckett Heller, grandson of longstanding first baseman Keith Heller, played another great game of defense and offense, and was awarded this year's Rookie of the Year trophy and was unanimously applauded. “Traces of conversations — from Hamas-Israel to

S those big beginning steps, whether it is into kindergarten or middle school or high school. I want to give a particular big hug to Charlotte Bologna, a semigrandchild of mine, whom I have watched grow into such a competent, intelligent, and goodhearted young woman, as she starts high school. May she, and all the others facing new horizons, have a great, full, and productive year ahead. Birthday greetings this week go to Kuhpay Vanderhoop on Sept. 3, to Noah Kausch and Emerson Mahoney on Sept. 4, and to Cully Vanderhoop on Sept. 9.

Yankees–Red Sox, to cognitive decline, to majoring in political science to ‘The Manchurian Candidate’ versus Dolly Parton's ‘9 to 5’ for movie night, to hearing-aid malfunction, to glorious late August sky and ‘soak it all in as time flies’ ... the conversations, the support for each other's efforts — a kid getting an award — the older guy making a great defensive stop — it's Chilmark Softball, originated in a backyard almost 100 years ago.”

“This week's game was, for practical purposes, the season-ending game, although as in the past, there was talk of trying to put a lineup together for Labor Day weekend.” –SIG VAN RAAN

Demo Workshop at Slough Farm on Saturday, Sept. 19. Cost is $80. Register at programs@sloughfarm.org. Paul sent links to his website, akirasatake.com. He will be at the Film Center that evening to perform on his banjo before the showing of Akira Kurasawa’s noir film, “High and Low.” Traffic seems to be thinning out a little. Mike commented that he got right out of our driveway, rather than the lengthy delay waiting for cars to whiz past from both directions. I think this summer has been the worst. We really need to assess the impact of all that is summer on the Vineyard. It has taken 40 minutes or more to get from our house to Barnes Road, a distance of about three miles. Then the roundabout is clogged up

with cars going full speed ahead with little regard for the supposed courtesies of a roundabout, i.e. allowing right of way to cars already in it, and waiting your turn. Getting to Vineyard Haven is another opportunity to waste your time and gas sitting in unmoving lines. As we cede more of our remaining open land to highend housing developments, and the Steamship Authority continues to spend money advertising to bring more people and cars to the Island, every aspect of life seems stretched beyond any limits. I understand the pressure to earn a living for those of us who live here. I also understand the value of a quiet, mostly rural life in a place we love. This is a discussion that has gone on as long as I have lived on the Vineyard.

Up to the minute

ACADEMICHONORS Nicholas Arroyo of Vineyard Haven, from the University of Rhode Island. Kaio Pereira of Edgartown, from the University of Rhode Island.

Labor Day is meant as a day to honor those who labor, and the history of worker struggles for decent pay and conditions.

I think this summer has been the worst. We really need to assess the impact of all that is summer on the Vineyard.

Graduation

Oscar Keith Reynolds

Valentina Globa and Keith Reynolds of West Tisbury announce the birth of a son, Oscar Keith Reynolds, on August 26, 2026, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Oscar weighed 8 pounds, 9 ounces.

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community & calendar

September 3, 2026

BOOKS

POET’S C O R N E R

Labor Day on the Island By Donald Nitchie

I’m grateful for the boat horn announcing the next ferry of fair-weather friends departing these fair shores. Locals on the mainland hang signs after Labor Day saying “See ya!” We’re not that rude but I can imagine waving. So thanks for these deserted roads and almost empty beaches and parking spots on Main Street. After the big exodus familiar faces reappear and even ones I’d often avoid seem almost welcome. I appreciate the free food in the library fridge even as I arrive late to watch the early bird at the head of the line grab all three packages of grass-fed ground beef and most of the corn, leaving only radishes for the rest of us. But thanks for such selfishness as it helps me excuse my own. And thanks to the cormorants on buoys in the harbor, stretching out their wings, blessing the fleet, waving. Donald Nitchie leads poetry drop-in meetings — group writing sessions — on Zoom once a month; check the Edgartown library schedule. His chapbook “Driving Lessons” was published in 2008. He mostly plays on public courts. Poets with a connection to Martha’s Vineyard are encouraged to submit poems to m@mwest.com. Please also include a twoto three-sentence bio at the end of your poem.

COMMUNITY N O T E S Author Talk: ‘Vineyard Vanguards,’ with Tom Dresser Local author and historian Tom Dresser will be at the West Tisbury library on Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 1 to 2 pm, for a discussion of his book “Vineyard Vanguards: Historic Trailblazers and Their Legacies.” Dresser will share stories of the Islanders whose energy and enthusiasm helped shape the Martha’s Vineyard community. Free and open to the public. 1042 State Road, West Tisbury. westtisburylibrary.org.

Johnson-Ostinato Duo

The Vineyard Haven library will welcome musicians Eric

Johnson and Lucas Ostinato. Johnson and Ostinato are year-round Vineyard musicians; over the past couple of years, they’ve developed a repertoire drawing from modern melodic jazz, classical, and Brazilian traditions. A performance can include anything from original material to compositions by Egberto Gismonti and Pat Metheny. This concert will be held at 6 pm on Thursday, Sept. 10, at the Vineyard Haven library, 200 Main St. in Vineyard Haven. Free and open to the public, no registration required. For more information, please contact the library at vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org or 508-696-4211.

From public defender to children’s book author

magine being accused of Emily Galvin Almanza pens a detective story stealing something. Now, for middle schoolers. BY MARIA BARROS imagine you’re a fifthgrader, and the adults have already made up their minds about what happened. Then comes an interesting question: What can one determined kid actually do about it? This is the situation facing Andromeda (“Andy”) Diaz in Emily Galvin Almanza's new mystery for middlegrade readers (ages 8-12), “Andromeda Diaz and the Reasonable Doubt,” when her classmate Benji Jones is suspended from school. The book combines a quest for justice with questions about fairness, and what kids can do to help others and protect themselves when the system fails to do so. This is not surprising, given that Galvin Almanza is a former public defender in Los Angeles and Santa Clara counties. She co-founded Partners for Justice, a nonprofit organization designed to empower public defenders nationwide. Her first book, “The Galvin Almanza Price of Mercy,” ALVARO ALMANZA was published in February, and ‘Man, I want my details the deep flaws within the American criminal justice kid to pay attention to me and system, while also offering links it all together is the idea like me. Maybe I should solutions for the issues. Now of a reasonable doubt.” write a book that she'll read.’ Galvin Almanza has taken To solve the mystery of And the lawyer part of me her experience as a lawyer her classmate’s suspension, thought, ‘When I was repreand a writer to begin writing senting kids, I'd be represent- Andromeda gathers evifor children. dence, makes lists, and even ing teenagers who were 14 or Andromeda thinks somedesigns a map to understand 15, but so many of them had thing is off about Benji’s sushow to defend Benji against their first arrest, not when pension. He’s a good student, accusations. According to they were 13 or 14, but when and is known for being helpGalvin Almanza, this part they were 7 or 8 or 9.” ful and kind. She enlists her of the book gives the reader She added,“I wanted to observant best friend, Danny a brief blueprint for solving Sullivan, to help her figure out write a story that helps kids protect themselves and their complex challenges: “What what really happened. AnI'm hoping to do with this friends. And that would dromeda’s parents are public book is give kids the tools teach them about law, the defenders who have used her they need to tackle really courts, and all these chunks as a sounding board to test difficult problems.” of civic education out theories about some of The investigative process I know they don't get in their investigations, and with Andromeda takes to build school. And also, that would this knowledge, Andromeda be a compelling mystery that her position is based on and Danny dive into a thrillfirst-year attorney training, reminds us all to be opening investigation to help their and Galvin Almanza’s favorfriend while offering readers a minded toward our peers who are in trouble, and skep- ite law textbook, “Advocacy blueprint for solving mysterExcellence,” which appears tical about accusation.” ies the lawyer way. in the book. She explained Galvin Almanza shared The idea for the book that lawyers receive extenwhy she chose the concept of sparked during a stay-atsive training in how to prove home vacation on the Island, “reasonable doubt” for Antheir points, and assert their dromeda’s first mystery: “I where Galvin Almanza and wanted to open the conversa- position: “These are all skills her family have lived since that I was taught as a young tion for kids to learn about 2016. “I was sitting at home, lawyer, and I thought, ‘You these foundational concepts. and my daughter is a huge don't need to be a lawyer to Like, for example, the prereader, so she was ignoring understand these. You just sumption of innocence,” she me and reading a book. The added; “the core concept that need to be a smart, curious mom part of me was like,

The book combines a quest for justice with questions about fairness, and what kids can do to help others and protect themselves when the system fails to.

person with a notebook.’” As inspiration for her characters, Galvin Almanza noted, she combined characteristics that she admires in the people around her in the Island community: “I borrowed characteristics that are lovable from people in our community right here on the Vineyard. So I am really positive that certain people may recognize themselves or their friends and neighbors. “Andromeda is very much a mixture of kids in my life that I admire. Obviously, my own kid comes into my mind a lot. Also my memory of my fifth grade, which was my favorite year in school. I don't think I've ever in my life felt more empowered or more adventurous, or more ready to cause trouble, hopefully good trouble.” Throughout the book, subtle cultural themes are conveyed through Andromeda’s home life. Especially in the kitchen, where her family makes traditional Bolivian dishes, including cuñapé — for which a recipe, adapted to North American ingredients, is included in the book. Galvin Almanza, whose husband is from Bolivia, was inspired to weave her daughter’s background into the book due to the lack of Bolivian representation in mainstream American media. “I also felt like we just don't see Bolivian stories represented that much. I'm raising a daughter to whom I'm trying to give the cultural traditions of her family.” She added, “It's a culture that deserves to be explored and celebrated, and I can’t give it what it fully deserves, but I can do a little part by giving Andromeda the culture that I want to share with my audience.” Andromeda and Danny’s adventures and fight for justice don’t stop here. Galvin Almanza is already in the editing process of the next book of the series. “A second book is coming out next year, which is titled ‘Andromeda Diaz for the Defense.’ And we're going to follow the Andromeda story into an even more highstakes context, in which a little girl has been actually incarcerated in juvenile detention,” she said. Emily Galvin Almanza will be speaking about “Andromeda Diaz” at the West Tisbury library on Sept. 9 at 3:30 pm. The book will be available on the Vineyard at Bunch of Grapes and Edgartown Books on Sept. 8.

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September 3, 2026

hen Cameron Welburn, Inna Volovich, and Mary Crandall return to their post-Vineyard lives, they will have plenty of tales to tell. These three young women had a glorious time interning at MVY radio this season. I connected with them during their very first week on the job and again at the end of their stay to see what they made of their experience. “It’s really cool to learn what goes on behind the scenes of what people hear,” Welburn said. She is no stranger to the Island, having vacationed here every summer of her life. Welburn is a rising senior at Liberty University, studying digital media and sports journalism. “I heard about the internship, and it sounded really cool,” she says. While working on “Vineyard Happenings,” MVY radio’s podcast covering events and people of interest to the Black/African American summer community on Martha’s Vineyard, Welburn applied editing skills she’d acquired in college. She and her co-host, Kameron Harris, released new episodes every Wednesday from June 25 through August (mvyradio.org/ vineyard-happenings). The first part of the job was to identify which events would be of interest to newcomers and residents, and to compile a list of those that were occurring. Welburn and Harris did this by scouring the Vineyard Legacy

show, removing time-sensitive material, underwriting spots, and the weather report so they could be rebroadcast if necessary. It was a good way to keep working on my audio-editing skills, which I practiced a lot in college, and want to continue in my career.’

Instagram, TikTok, and local newspapers. After gathering all the information, they collated it by date into a single document. “Then we wrote a script and recorded it in the studio. We always have an interview on the podcast about the biggest event. It can be someone hosting it, or even someone on the street. We’d talk to them about who they are and what people could expect to gain from the experience. Then I would edit for hours. The podcast would go live on Wednesdays.” The most memorable interview was with a 13-yearold storyteller whom the Cottagers brought in to read to young children. Welburn recalls, “She was dressed in costume and had the words memorized. She was in the zone. It was cool to see how a 13-year-old could do that.” Welburn — who wants to be a sideline reporter for the NFL or NBA, interviewing coaches and players, getting to know people and learning their stories — found the internship valuable for her future career: “I really enjoy the broadcast world. I want to be on camera, but it’s nice to know what goes on behind the scenes, so you’re familiar with what it takes to get news on the radio. A lot of people don’t know how much it takes or what goes into broadcasting. I have a deeper appreciation for it.” Inna Volovich just graduated from Fordham University, and enjoyed her first summer on the Vineyard: “I worked in the production department, audio-editing the four-hour-long ‘Sunday Morning and All That Jazz’

says, is that “there’s a lot of work that goes behind the scenes to create the shows people listen to, and how much research the hosts have to do for them.” What was surprising was not the work itself but rather, “being on the Vineyard, it’s really such a small Island. I feel like every-

Tales to tell MVY radio interns learn about the world of radio. BY ABBY REMER

“I really enjoy the broadcast world. I want to be on camera, but it’s nice to know what goes on behind the scenes so you’re familiar with what it takes to get news on the radio. A lot of people don’t know how much it takes or what goes into broadcasting.” —Cameron Welburn Volovich will be returning to Brooklyn, where she lives, and will look for a job in audio editing in the music industry, but on the speaking side: “I really like making people sound their best and helping them get across what they want to say most clearly. It is about making it sound live, even though it’s been edited a little bit. That’s really interesting to me.” One of her takeaways, she

one I meet knows someone at the station. It’s been really nice doing something that’s part of the community.” Mary Crandall is a communications major and a rising sophomore at Florida Atlantic University. When we first met, she said, “I want to go into sports interviewing, so I want to learn all about the behind-the-scenes of radio, all the technical things.” Crandall was very pleased

with how many MVY radio events she ended up attending, including helping out at lunches, a concert, open houses, and parties. “I increased my conversational skills with people more than I thought I would. My initial thoughts going into the internship were to get more familiar with the behind-the-scenes of radio, learn how people become so confident speaking live, and make connections within the business. It did an even better job than I expected. I went in with just a faint idea of where the summer would take me. I ended up with new best friends for the rest of my life, and great connections. I was surprised by how many awesome people surround MVY radio. Every single person I could talk to and have fun with.” Regarding the internship’s impact on her career plans, Crandall reflected, “It reassured me that I’m on the right track for sports broadcasting, sideline interviewing, and media. It goes hand in hand with radio. You have to be very confident when you speak and when you meet new people. You also have to know the technical aspects behind the scenes.” Executive Director PJ Finn credits Slough Farm Foundation’s grant for enabling the station to bring on extra help this summer. He says about the interns, “I think there is sometimes a perception that radio is not for young people. Even if none of these kids become DJs, there is so much we do day-to-day that’s transferable, which is ideal for this

up-and-coming generation. Learning how to write and edit, for instance, as Cameron did, is transferable to all kinds of industries.” The comment Finn hears from the young people about what they take away from the internship is about what it’s like to be in a working environment. “It’s not so much ‘Wow, I learned how to edit,’ but ‘Wow, I am learning how to be with people — how an office functions,’ whether there’s a hierarchy they need to navigate. And learning how important it is to ask questions rather than forging ahead and guessing what you’re supposed to be doing.’” Finn continues, “We try to provide a nice workplace for everyone, including interns, where it’s collegial and fun. I hope they take away that some workplaces are like that, and that you may want to seek those out — a place where you feel comfortable and enjoy yourself beyond just working.” All the interns remarked on how welcoming the staff was. Welburn commented, “The moment I walked in, I was welcomed with a lot of hellos, and I knew it was going to be a place I loved. Everyone is very nice, helpful, and very chill.” Finn clearly enjoyed having the interns around: “Young people are cool. I think letting them come in and see what you do, regardless of your industry, is important. It’s beneficial for young people and for you. And maybe your perception of one another will change.”

PHOTOS: DENA PORTER

4 1. Interns watched award-winning lyricist and composer Crys Matthews being interviewed and performing during PJ Finn's broadcast. 2. Mary Crandall enjoyed her internship role of welcoming and assisting visitors who come to MVY. 3. MVY's executive director and onair host PJ Finn. 4. MVY's production intern, Inna Volovich, recently graduated from Fordham University as a digital technologies and media major. 5. Summer intern Cameron Welburn helped create a weekly podcast for MVY titled "Vineyard Happenings."

calendar & community

September 3, 2026

Celebr

art in com

The MV Art Association a

BY ABBY The distinctive shingled, single-towered building in Edgartown, just yards from the harbor, carries a fascinating history and a strong commitment to the artistic community. The Old Sculpin Gallery is home to the Martha’s Vineyard Art Association (MVAA), which is 72 years old. However, the historic structure, built in 1840,originally housed a sail loft where workers sewed massive canvas sails for whaling ships.

When Roberts sold the building to the artists, they loved him so much and [so] appreciated what he’d done, they named the gallery the Old Sculpin.” 1

–MELINDA FAGER PHOTOS: DENA PORTER, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED

The website for the Vineyard Preservation Trust, which owns the gallery, notes that in the mid-19th century, Dr. Daniel Fisher traded in his doctor’s bag for a leading role in the Island’s business community. He used the building as a retail store, with goods for the many ships that called Edgartown home port. Fisher also stored ground wheat flour there, to be later fashioned into hardtack at a nearby bakery. In 1905, at the age of 26, Manuel Swartz Roberts acquired it as his boatbuilding shop. He was a real Island character, and young children with damaged toys, boat owners needing engine parts, and householders seeking advice would gather around him. “He was beloved, and people would come and hang out,” says oil painter and former co-president of MVAA Meg Mercier. Roberts, known affectionately to his friends as “Old Sculpin” (referring to a type of fish), worked out of the cedar-shingled building. Although he began his career as a carpenter and dabbled in cabinetmaking throughout his life, he excelled at crafting catboats, completing 200 during his lifetime. Among Roberts’ many friends were a group of artists who worked out of an old fishing shack nearby. When he finally decided to retire in 1953, he very much wanted the artists to take over the building, so he

lowered the price to hel quire it. Photographer a MVAA Melinda Fager s sold the building to the so much and [so] appre they named the gallery Under the direction o ing president Ruth Mea Henry Beetle Hough, th as the MVAA in 1954. A profit organization, they compared with comme ies solely focused on art The MVAA’s commu was “to facilitate art edu in the arts, make an art Island, establish a perm preserve an old landma of the building itself has classes dating back to th The first floor bursts ented Vineyard artists. associations, potential m their work to a blind ju board member Judy Ho membership committe because we can get 15 o but only have two or th goals is to identify eme are looking for quality o presentation, and pricin what it should be. Also, a participating member teer hours are part of yo When artists become more than a gallery to s become a part of a com artists. “When I first cam anybody. It’s a great way Being a painter or any t solitary,” Mercier notes. There are 50 to 60 me exhibiting over the sum “It’s a most unusual art members get one week choose, rather than hav the association select yo Mercier adds, “It’s a

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rating

mmunity

at the Old Sculpin Gallery.

Y REMER

lp them afford to acand past co-president says, “When Roberts e artists, they loved him eciated what he’d done, the Old Sculpin.” of artist and foundad and vice president he artists incorporated As a 501(c)(3) nony are a unique entity ercial Vineyard gallert. unity-centered mission ucation, create interest center for the whole manent collection, and ark.” The second floor s a history of children’s he MVAA’s founding. with pieces by talAs with many art members must submit ury process. Artist and owells, who is on the ee, explains, “It’s hard, or more applications, hree spots. One of our erging artists, and we of work, professional ng that is close to o, they must want to be r of the gallery. Volunour commitment.” e members, they gain sell their work; they mmunity of local Island me here, I didn’t know y to meet other artists. type of artist can be so . embers, with some 35 mmer. Fager explains, association, because to sell the work they ving people who run our art.” a great experience,

because you get to design your space, price it yourself, and hang your body of work, which is a great way to grow as an artist. People love to come in here, because we have a new show every week. It is a place for everyone to gather.” In addition to the weekly exhibitions highlighting various artists and children’s art classes, there are inclusive member exhibits and annual scholarships for Vineyard high school students, which the MVAA has provided since its founding. Mercier highlights the importance of the gallery director, Kirsten Stevenson, noting, “Even though we close for the winter, she is working the whole time, interviewing for staff, setting up the schedule for exhibitions, and keeping up the connections with other galleries on the Island.” One such connection is a collaboration with Featherstone Center for the Arts, featuring a joint show, “A Breath of Fresh Air: En Plein Air,” which will be on view through Sept. 4 at Old Sculpin and then at Featherstone through Sept. 20. Photographer Larry Glick has just become the new MVAA board president. Asked about plans for the future, he shares his twopronged vision. One is fundraising to continue providing scholarships to graduating high school seniors interested in the arts. The other centers on inclusivity: “I think the gallery has been historically known pretty much as Edgartown-centric, because we’re right there at the dock. I hope to make it more Island-wide, such as more collaborations, reaching out to new, younger artists across the Vineyard, and to Wampanoag, Black, and Brazilian communities, so we can be more representative of the whole Island.” Reflecting on the institution as a whole, Howells says, “There’s a tremendous energy in the gallery that has evolved since the first time I came in in the 1980s. I think people absorb that when they come in the door.

9 1, 2. Visit Old Sculpin Gallery on Dock Street in Edgartown. 3. A plaque commemorating the life and work of Manuel Swartz Roberts affixed to the exterior of Old Sculpin Gallery. 4. Photographer Gretchen Van Tassel captured important moments in the history of Old Sculpin Gallery. 5. Alison Shaw photographed Ruth Appledorn Mead, who was a talented and serious artist, and the key figure behind the noted Old Sculpin Gallery. 6. Roberts, working on a boat. 7. Manuel Swartz Roberts' image on a postcard in 1954. 8. Old Sculpin Gallery has two studios for artists to create work and be inspired by the boating scenery. 9. Old Sculpin Gallery is open seven days a week. 10. The antique beams and flooring in Old Sculpin Gallery.

The Old Sculpin Gallery in Edgartown is open through Oct. 12.

COURTESY M.V. MUSEUM

4 COURTESY OLD SCULPIN GALLERY

COURTESY OLD SCULPIN GALLERY

COURTESY M.V. MUSEUM

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calendar & community

September 3, 2026

Event spotlight for the week of 9•4 — 9•10

FRI 9/4

SAT 9/5

Vineyard Artisans Festival

M.V. Jazz and Blues Summerfest

he Martha’s Vineyard Jazz and Blues Summerfest has come to be known as one of the best music events in the region, featuring and celebrating women in the jazz, blues, Latin, and contemporary genres, and the 2026 lineup does not disappoint. Sept. 4, Opening Night, kicks off the music with Grammy winner Endea Owens, fierce bassist, composer, Julliard graduate, and

“Stephen Colbert” band alumna. Endea's unique style of jazz funk pushes the boundaries of fusion and lifts the acoustic bass to an exalted status. Her band, the Cookout, is in lockstep with horns, vocals, and percussion. Opening for Owens is rising vocal star Dominique Smith. $50 to $175; Family-friendly. 6 to 9 pm. Union Chapel, 55 Narragansett Ave., Oak Bluffs. mvjazzbluessummerfest.com.

MON 9/7

Free. 10 am to 4 pm. Ag Hall, Panhandle Road, West Tisbury. For more information visit vineyardartisans.com.

TUES 9/8

Goat Yoga M.V.

low Flow Yoga with baby pygmy goats for ages 13-plus. Family-friendly class, all ages. $30. Sliding scale options are available. 5:30 to 6:30

eet Island artisans and browse a multitude of mediums, all handmade on the Island.

pm. Registration and prepayment are required. Native Earth Teaching Farm, 94 North Road, Chilmark. nativeearthteachingfarmmv.org/ classes.

Watercolor in Bloom Workshop with Lynn Hoeft

his afternoon workshop will introduce beginning watercolor painters to the core principles of layering, contrast, and color mixing. The focus will be on learning how to simplify complex flower forms, and then adding just the right amount of detail and texture. $60. 1 to 4 pm. Featherstone Center for the Arts,

30 Featherstone Lane (off Barnes Road), Oak Bluffs.

MV TIMES

SUN 9/6

Tom Maley: Dancing in the Field

om Maley lived and worked on Martha’s Vineyard for most of his life. In 1971 he co-founded the Field Gallery behind his West Tisbury home with friends and fellow artists. His large white outdoor figures became some of the Island’s most recognizable landmarks. Maley also painted, and led life-drawing sessions that supported many local artists. This exhibition, based on a generous gift

from Maley’s daughter, will include sculptures, paintings, drawings, and photographs. It will show Maley’s working methods, his role in creating a community gallery, and his lasting importance in the Island’s artistic life. Adults $21, Seniors $18, Youth $7, under 6 free, members free. Martha’s Vineyard Museum, 151 Long Pond Road, Vineyard Haven. mvmuseum. org/exhibition/tom-maley-dancing-in-the-field.

WED 9/9 Beginner Improv

iscover the fun and freedom of improv in a playful, supportive class designed especially for first-timers. Led by TBD Improv members Leif Moore and Katherine Reid, students will learn the fundamentals of spontaneous performance, sharpen their listening skills, build characters, and gain confidence creating comedy on the spot. No previous improv or performance experience

needed. $150. 6 to 9 pm. Grange Hall, 1067 State Road, West Tisbury. circuitarts.thundertix.com/ class_offerings/9?only_ one=true.

Events THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 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. 508-6968000, workout568@aol.com.

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. Juliet Ehrlich's Clay Reliefs by apt. Kaiut Yoga works through chronic pain and injuries, general aches and stiffIsland sculptor, Master Potter, and ness, and is good for the inflexible, hyper published Arts columnist Juliet Ehrlich’s diversely themed Clay Wall Reliefs can be flexible and the aging body. 774-563-8282, seen by appointment by calling 502-936- valerie@peakedhillstudio.com. Balletics 3599. Ehrlich’s clients include corporate, public, and private commissions and have 9-10 am, Up Island Council on Aging, been placed both in the United States and West Tisbury. Total body conditioning, internationally. julietehrlich.artspan.com. learning body’s strengths & weaknesses, how to prevent injury. coa-staff@ Polar Bears MV Celebrate Their westtisbury-ma.gov, 508-693-2896. 80th Season on 4th July 7:30-8:30 am, Inkwell Beach , Oak Bluffs. The Polar Bears of MV, a historic African American swim/ water aerobics club, open their 80th Birthday Season on 4th July at 7:30 AM at Inkwell Beach. 617-710-9312, jazzze3@aol.com.

Tennis Morning Clinic Level 3.5+

9-10:30 am, Airport Fitness, West Tisbury. 1.5 hours of group instruction with a focus on strokes, volleying, strategy and drills. Advance registration required, please call to reserve spot 508-696-8000, workout568@aol.com.

Free Fairy Sculpture Trail at Island Folk Pottery

9 am-6 pm, Island Folk Pottery, Chilmark. The enchanting Island Folk Pottery Fairy Sculpture Trail meanders 1/4 mile through a magical wooded landscape populated with whimsical sculptures. 508-955-9944, islandfolkpottery@gmail.com.

Artists’s Premiere: Michael Stimola, Jennifer Brown & Judy Bramhall 10 am-5 pm, Field Gallery, West Tisbury. Artists’s Premiere: Michael Stimola, Jennifer Brown & Judy Bramhall 508-693-5595, info@fieldgallery.com.

Infant Classroom Tour for Expecting Families

10 am-12 pm, Vineyard Montessori School, Vineyard Haven. Explore the new VMS Infant Classroom, meet nurturing teachers, and learn how Montessori supports babies as they grow, explore, and gain independence. admin@vineyardmontessori.com.

Carnegie Heritage Center

10 am-4 pm, The Carnegie Center, Edgartown. Admission: $5 (ages 12+). vineyardtrust.org/events/ 774-549-9107, thecarnegie@mvpreservation.org.

Leo Convery: A Lifetime of Carvings 10 am-3 pm, THE CARNEGIE, Edgartown. Inspired by the Island around him, Leo transforms wood into striped bass, tuna, shorebirds, and other familiar creatures of the Vineyard. 774-549-9107, THECARNEGIE@mvpreservation.org.

Tech help

11 am-1 pm, Up Island Council on Aging, West Tisbury. Free tach help 508-693Exhibit: Margot Datz: Recreator 10 am-3 pm, THE CARNEGIE HERITAGE CENTER, 2896, coa-staff@westtisbury-ma.gov. Docent-Led Arboretum Tours Texture: Created & Found Edgartown. This exhibition highlights the 9:30-10:30 am, The Polly Hill Arboretum, creative process of muralist Margot Datz, 11 am-4 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse, West Tisbury. Learn about the incredible whose work transformed the Old Whaling Vineyard Haven. Art Exhibit: Texture: Created history, people, and plants that make the Church and Flying Horses Carousel. 774-549- & Found boxoffice@circuitarts.org. Kayak & Stand Up Paddle Board Quest Polly Hill Arboretum a local and global 9107, THECARNEGIE@mvpreservation.org. Paul Beebe & Gwen Marcus Show 9 am-3:30 pm, Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, landmark. Free with admission! 508Art Exhibition: Plein Aire Show with 11 am-5 pm, Louisa Gould Gallery, Vineyard Edgartown. Enjoy Sengekontacket on this 693-9426, info@pollyhillarboretum.org. Featherstone and MVAA Artists Haven. Paul Beebe, Fellow ASMA, and self-guided kayak tour. Clues lead you Goat Yoga MV 10 am-5 pm, Old Sculpin Gallery, Edgartown. view his new selection of Vineyard through the pond. Call to reserve for up 10-11 am, Native Earth Teaching Farm, realist oil paintings along with award Art Exhibition: Plein Aire Show with to 3 hours; returning the boats by 3:30. Chilmark. Slow Flow Yoga with baby winning bronze sculptures by Gwen Marcus Featherstone and MVAA Artists 508508-627-4850, felixneck@massaudubon.org. pygmy goats. goatyogamv@gmail.com. 939-4092, art@oldsculpingallery.org. 508-693-7373, louisa.gould@gmail.com.

Loïs Mailou Jones: Sphere of Influence

11 am-5 pm, Center of Knowhere, Oak Bluffs. Group Exhibition - Lois Mailou Jones: Sphere of Influence 917-9609344, info@knowhereart.com.

Fault Lines

11 am-5 pm, Knowhere Art Gallery, Oak Bluffs. Group Exhibition: Fault Lines 917-960-9344, info@knowhereart.com.

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.

‘COYOTE VS. ACME’ at the Edgartown Cinema

1:15 pm, Edgartown Cinema, Edgartown. A story set in the ACME warehouse, the manufacturer of anything and everything used by the Looney Tunes characters. 508627-8008, yourneighborhoodtheatre.com.

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September 3, 2026

21st annual

M.V. International Film Festival 2026 Overlooked narratives come to America. BY ABBY REMER

ichard Paradise, founder and executive director of the M.V. Film Society, has curated an exciting lineup for the 21st Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival, running from Sept. 8 through 13, focusing exclusively on world cinema: “We try to deliver a festival that’s filled with narrative films that have the power of creative storytelling, interesting characters, and imagery. This year I tried to find small, independent gems that focused on regions of the world that are often overlooked on American screens.” The recurring theme is “Other Places, Other People,” encouraging attendees to think broadly about the vastness of the world of film and to reflect on the concerns and desires that unite all people. “Reading Lolita in Tehran” is up first, on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 4 pm. The screen adaptation of Azar Nafisi’s beloved memoir tells the true story of a literature professor in revolutionary Iran who, amid censorship and religious extremism, gathers seven of her most dedicated female students to immerse themselves in banned literary classics. At 7:30 pm that day is “Filipiñana,” a black comedydrama that examines postcolonial class disparities in the Philippines through the lens of 17-year-old Isabel, who feels strangely drawn to Dr. Palanca, the president of the country club where she works. However, after piecing together a violent picture of what lies beneath the club’s pristine surface, she realizes that what began as an innocent infatuation is actually rooted in a sinister shared history. Wednesday, Sept. 9, starts with “Franz” at 4 pm, a biopic of the iconic 20th century Czech writer Franz Kafka. Conceived as a kaleidoscopic mosaic, the film traces the imprint Kafka left on the world from his birth in 19th century Prague to his death in post–WWI Vienna, offering a fresh perspective on the life of the man behind the literary giant. At 7:30 pm, “The Trail,” from Brazil, is set in a not-sodistant dystopian future where the government sends seniors to isolated colonies under the guise of boosting the economy. However, 77-year-old Tereza decides her story is far from over. Refusing to surrender her independence, she embarks on a journey to pursue the dreams she is not yet ready to give up. Along the way, Tereza discovers freedom, companionship, and the joys of going wherever the river takes her. Paradise comments, “It’s a very passionate film that says you can still have dreams and friendships, and not just be forgotten, because you’re old.” On Thursday, Sept. 10, “Calle Malaga” screens at 7:30 pm. The film follows an aging Spanish woman in Tangier who resists her daughter’s plan to sell her home. Determined to stay, she does everything she can to keep her home and reclaim the belongings of a lifetime. Along the way, she rediscovers love and desire. “Complaint No. 713317,” on Friday, Sept. 11 at 1 pm, centers on the relationship between Magdy and Sama, a retired couple in their 60s who live quietly in their Cairo apartment. Their calm routine is disrupted when their fridge breaks down. What should be a simple repair spirals into a bizarre, monthslong battle with a shady maintenance company. As the fridge remains unfixed, so does everything else, pushing them to confront not only the cracks in the system but also in their own sense of purpose. Paradise says the film meets the criteria he seeks for the festival: “It’s character-driven, shows ordinary life, and the culture of the place.” “Hanging by a Wire” screens at 4 pm. “The film is shot like a documentary, but presented as a dramatic thriller,”

says Paradise. “‘Hanging by a Wire’ transports viewers to rural Battagram, in northern Pakistan, to witness a harrowing scene unfold that quickly becomes international news. With the clock ticking and pressure mounting, regional authorities, army commandos, and courageous local community members undertake dramatic risks to save cable car passengers. At 7:30 pm is the International Short Film Juried Competition. Paradise explains, “From more than 250 entries, our festival selection committee has chosen nine finalists. We will screen each short film, and our jury will select the ‘Best Overall’ at the conclusion of the program. Several of the filmmakers will be in attendance.” “Life Is Life” plays on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 1 pm. The drama-comedy box-office hit is a classic David versus Goliath tale. A major Milan-based real estate developer wants to build a luxury resort in the fictional town of Beleza Manna on the island of Sardinia. There is one problem: Blocking the development is a shepherd who owns a house and a prime piece of property with beach access. At 4 pm is “My Father’s Shadow,” a poetic, For more information and tickets, visit https://mvfilmsociety.com/ tender portrait of father-son bonds. Two young festivals/marthas-vineyard-international-film-festival/. brothers explore Lagos with their estranged father during the 1993 Nigerian election crisis, it’s set in Saudi Arabia, with imagery of the desert and witnessing both the city’s magnitude and their sand, and provides a sense of a Muslim country.” father’s daily struggles as they navigate a city on the “The Siege of Paradise” is the final film at 4:30 pm, followed precipice of democratic collapse. immediately by the closing-night party at the Wave. In Cinque The Japanese science fiction drama “Sheep in the Box” Terre on Italy’s northern Riviera, fewer than 3,000 locals screens Sept. 12 at 7:30 pm. In the near future, Otone and endure more than 4 million tourists each summer. Across Kensuke, a grieving couple who lost their son, welcome one chaotic season, six very different lives unfold in parala humanoid replica of him into their family. Meanwhile, lel, revealing a sharply funny and surprisingly tender story the new robotic son begins secretly connecting with of paradise under pressure in the age of social media-driven nearby humanoids. Paradise comments, “The film raises tourism. Paradise notes, “You think Martha’s Vineyard has questions about the limits of AI and robots, and whether an issue with visitors coming in the summer — this is four or they could become nearly human in their thoughts, five times as many. So it’s a very interesting film about how the learning, decision-making, and development.” people deal with it.” The period drama “Colors of Time” screens on Sunday, Paradise shares his ultimate desire for the festival: “I Sept. 13, at 12 pm. A group of strangers, all descendants of a hope people are stimulated by the topics, fall in love with woman named Adèle Meunier, are gathered in Normandy. the stories and characters, and come away with a smile on The town would like to purchase her long-abandoned proptheir face.” erty, and four cousins are tasked with overseeing the transaction. Thus begins a genealogical journey into the past, taking us to Paris in 1895, with the City of Light on the brink of an industrial and cultural revolution. “Unidentified” is up next at 2:30 pm. When no one claims the lifeless body of a teenage girl in the desert, Noelle Al Saffan, a newly divorced true-crime aficionado who recently lost a child of her own, gets obsessively involved. Paradise says, “It’s a murder mystery where the female protagonist is working in parallel with the police, who aren’t interested in the death of a young woman. It’s fascinating because

LANDSCAPING & NURSERY The MV Film Society • Now celebrating 28 years • 1999-2026

Thurs 9/3

PETER ASHER: EVERYWHERE MAN

7:30 PM

THE INVITE LAST SHOWING

Fri 9/4

PETER ASHER: LAST EVERYWHERE MAN SHOWING Sun 9/6 THE ODYSSEY LAST SHOWING Sat 9/5

7:30 PM 7:30 PM 4:00 PM

MONDAY, SEPT. 7 - FILM CENTER IS CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY

MV INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL RUNS SEPT. 8 - 13TH

MVIFF: READING MVIFF: FILIPIÑANA Wed MVIFF: FRANZ 9/9 MVIFF: THE BLUE TRAIL Tue 9/8

M E M B E R S H OW F E AT U R I N G Brian Kirkpatrick, Steve London, Victor Pisini, Ed Schulman + MVAA Members Reception: September 6 Exhibition Dates: September 5 - 11 / Open Daily 58 Dock Street, Edgartown 508.939.4092 art@oldsculpingallery.org OLDSCULPINGALLERY.org

Across from the Chappy Ferry

Thurs 9/10

4:00 PM 7:30 PM 4:00 PM 7:30 PM

MVIFF: OPENING NIGHT PARTY 5:30 PM & FILM: CALLE MALAGA

WINNER BEST ARTS AND CULTURE ORGANIZATION 2025 & 2026 Voted by the Vineyard Community The MV Film Center is open to the public weekly year-round. Please join us for an in-person movie experience soon!

Information & Schedules

scan code for complete schedule

mvfilmsociety.com

508.69 6.9369

Autumn Landscaping The best time for planting, transplanting & lawn renovations 484 STATE ROAD WEST TISBURY 508.693.8511

B12

calendar & community

September 3, 2026

Events

Continued from B10

Science & Nature Book Club Reads “Entangled Life” by Merlin Sheldrake 2 pm, Vineyard Haven Public Library. Contact library to be added to the email list. Everyone is welcome! 508-696-4211, vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org.

Movement Speaks: Modern Dance Class with Naomi Goldberg Haas 2-3 pm, Edgartown Library. Registration is required. 508-627-4221, programs@edgartownlibrary.org.

Chair Caning Workshop Series with Fred Thornbrugh

2:30-5 pm, West Tisbury Library. Email gwilbur@clamsnet.org for more information or to register. 508-693-3366, gwilbur@clamsnet.org.

Sewing Lab

3-5:30 pm, Oak Bluffs Library. Would you like to learn the basics of machine sewing? 508-693-9433, cphelan@clamsnet.org.

Blackout Poetry Party

3-4:30 pm, Edgartown Library. Choose a poem and transform it into something new at this weekly poetry station! 508-6274221, programs@edgartownlibrary.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.

Virtual Astrology Workshop: A Beginner’s Guide to Your Chart

4-5:30 pm, West Tisbury Library. To sign up or learn more please email gwilbur@clamsnet. org. Join us for one or both sessions. Geared toward adults. Free and open to the public. 508-693-3366, wt_mail@clamsnet.org.

Needle Felting for beginners ages 12-adult

4-5:30 pm, West Tisbury Library. Learn to needle felt - 9/3/26 at West Tisbury Library 508-693-3366, lhearn@clamsnet.org.

Public dedication of bench at Tashmoo Spring Park

Hoy and the Bluefish

6-8 pm, Eisenhauer Gallery, Edgartown. Eisenhauer Gallery presents “Music in the Square” with Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish 508-627-7003, eisenhauergallery@gmail.com.

Art Exhibit Reception: Alex Wright

6-7 pm, Edgartown Library. Alex Wright will exhibit his art in the library’s Program Room 508-627-4221, programs@edgartownlibrary.org.

Meditation

6-7 pm, Bodhi Path Buddhist Center, West Tisbury. Group meditation available both in person at Bodhi Path in West Tisbury, and online via Zoom. marthasvineyard@bodhipath.org.

PETER ASHER: EVERYWHERE MAN 7:30 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Film Center, Vineyard Haven. PETER ASHER: EVERYWHERE MAN Peter Asher’s extraordinary life has intersected with some of the greatest artists and musical moments. 774-392-2972, rich@mvfilmsociety.com.

Shoreside Netting and Shelllfish Hatchery Tour

Hughes Hatchery, Oak Bluffs. Join Oak Bluffs Public Library and the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group for shoreside netting and a shellfish hatchery tour! 508-693-9433, mlynch@clamsnet.org.

Juliet Ehrlich's Clay Reliefs by apt.

Island sculptor, Master Potter, and published Arts columnist Juliet Ehrlich’s diversely themed Clay Wall Reliefs can be seen by appointment by calling 502-936-3599. Ehrlich’s clients include corporate, public, and private commissions and have been placed both in the United States and internationally. julietehrlich.artspan.com.

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.

Polar Bears MV Celebrate Their 80th Season on 4th July

7:30-8:30 am, Inkwell Beach , Oak Bluffs. The Polar Bears of MV, a historic African American swim/ water aerobics club, open their 80th Birthday Season on 4th July at 7:30 AM at Inkwell Beach. 617-710-9312, jazzze3@aol.com.

5 pm, Tisbury Senior Center, Vineyard Haven. Table tennis for all ages and skill levels. 508-728-5898, raeobmv@gmail.com.

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.

Beach Plum Picking and Jam Making 5:30-7 pm, The Farm Institute, Edgartown. Each participant will take home their own jar of shelf stable beach plum jam to savor the season. 508-627-7007, thefarminstitute@thetrustees.org.

Thursday Fried Chicken at The Beach Plum

5:30-8:30 pm, Beach Plum Inn & Restauraunt, Chilmark. eventbrite.com.

Sunset Kayak Tour

5:45-7:45 pm, Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, Edgartown. Paddle into the golden hour as the sun sets over Sengekontacket Pond. Naturalists will highlight wildlife activity for a memorable way to end the day 508627-4850, felixneck@massaudubon.org.

Music in the Square: Johnny

Pumped Up Intervals with Maria McFarland

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.

Acrylic Painting with John Holladay

9 am-12 pm, Featherstone Center for the Arts, Oak Bluffs. Perfect your painting techniques during this intermediate/advanced class. Bring an image for inspiration and learn to improve your composition. 508-693-1850, featherstone@featherstoneart.org.

Free Fairy Sculpture Trail at Island Folk Pottery

Family Fishing

9:30-11:30 am, Oak Bluffs Library. For kids, teens and their adults. Join Librarian Jonathan on the OB fishing pier. Equipment and supplies provided. No experience needed. 508-693-9433, mlynch@clamsnet.org.

9 am-6 pm, Island Folk Pottery, Chilmark.

Friday Crafting

10:30 am-4 pm, Oak Bluffs Library. Craft projects for kids ages 3+. New craft each week! Drop in. 508-693-9433, mlynch@clamsnet.org.

Bubbles & Beyond: Outdoor Sensory Play

Drive-In Movie: A Fish Called Wanda

7:15 pm, The Vineyard’s Drive-In at the YMCA, Oak Bluffs. Drive-In Movie: A Fish Called Wanda 508-696-6300, boxoffice@circuitarts.org.

THE INVITE

7:30 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Film Center, Vineyard Haven. THE INVITE 774-392-2972, rich@mvfilmsociety.com.

MVRHS Football Game v. Mashpee

11 am-4 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse, Vineyard Haven. Art Exhibit: Texture: Created & Found boxoffice@circuitarts.org

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

Polly Hill Arboretum Staff-Led Botanical Spotlight Tour

11 am-5 pm, Louisa Gould Gallery, Vineyard Haven. Paul Beebe, Fellow ASMA, and view his new selection of Vineyard realist oil paintings along with award winning bronze sculptures by Gwen Marcus 508693-7373, louisa.gould@gmail.com.

First Friday Vineyard Haven

11 am-5 pm, Center of Knowhere, Oak Bluffs. Group Exhibition - Lois Mailou Jones: Sphere of Influence 917-9609344, info@knowhereart.com.

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

9:30-10:30 am, Katama Landing, Edgartown. Registration is required. 508-627-4221, programs@edgartownlibrary.org.

Artists’s Premiere: Michael Stimola, Jennifer Brown & Judy Bramhall

10 am-5 pm, Field Gallery, West Tisbury. Artists’s Premiere: Michael Stimola, Jennifer Brown & Judy Bramhall 508-693-5595, info@fieldgallery.com.

Texture: Created & Found

Paul Beebe & Gwen Marcus Show

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.

Loïs Mailou Jones: Sphere of Influence

10 am-10 pm, Vineyard Haven Harbor Cultural District, Vineyard Haven. First Friday returns to the Vineyard Haven Harbor Cultural District for an incredible day celebrating local art, food, and community! Hello@vhhcd.org.

Fault Lines

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.

Art Exhibition: Plein Aire Show with Featherstone and MVAA Artists 10 am-5 pm, Old Sculpin Gallery, Edgartown. Art Exhibition: Plein Aire Show with Featherstone and MVAA Artists 508939-4092, art@oldsculpingallery.org.

Carnegie Heritage Center

10 am-4 pm, the carnegie heritage center, Edgartown. Admission: $5 (ages 12+). vineyardtrust.org/events/ 774-5499107, thecarnegie@mvpreservation.org.

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.

Assisted Knitting Open Studio

10 am-12 pm, Featherstone Center for the Arts, Oak Bluffs. Join us for open knitting studio with assistance from Helen Hall and Zoe Thompson. Enjoy company and conversation as we work on our own projects! 508-6931850, featherstone@featherstoneart.org.

Come to a New Member Information Session First Congregational Church of West Tisbury 1051 State Rd, West Tisbury

10:30-11 am, West Tisbury Library. Sing fun songs and play instruments with friends! Ages 0-5 508-693-3366, hburbidge@clamsnet.org.

MVHRS, Oak Bluffs. Cheer on the home team for their home opener! Performances by dance team, cheerleaders, pep band + Minnesingers! 9/11--free hot dog for 1st responders 508-221-2131, touchdownmv@gmail.com.

Interested in singing with us?

Wednesday, September 9, 7:00 pm

Kid’s Music Class

10:30 am-12:30 pm, Edgartown Library. Bubble stations, water tables, kinetic sand, and more! 508-627-4221, programs@edgartownlibrary.org.

Exhibit: Margot Datz: Recreator

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

4:30-5:30 pm, Tashmoo Spring Building, Vineyard Haven. The memorial bench at Tashmoo Spring Park will be dedicated to the late Harold Chapdelaine. Light refreshments provided, rain or shine event. 508-939-0338, lwells1332@gmail.com.

Table Tennis

The enchanting Island Folk Pottery Fairy Sculpture Trail meanders 1/4 mile through a magical wooded landscape populated with whimsical sculptures. 508-955-9944, islandfolkpottery@gmail.com.

Wednesday, September 16, 7:00 pm Edgartown Public Library 26 Edgartown-West Tisbury Rd, Edgartown

www.islandcommunitychorus.com islandcommunitychorusmv@gmail.com

11 am-5 pm, Knowhere Art Gallery, Oak Bluffs. Group Exhibition: Fault Lines 917-960-9344, info@knowhereart.com.

Polar Bears MV Celebrate Their 80th Season on 4th July

Juliet Ehrlich's Clay Reliefs by apt.

Martha’s Vineyard Surfcasters Association Used Tackle Sale

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 508645-3360, chilmarklibrarykids@gmail.com.

8 am-1 pm, MVRHS Parking Lot, Oak Bluffs. MVSA Used Tackle Sale. All proceeds go to MVRHS Scholarships and MV Veterans. Shore and boats: rods, reels, lures, tackle, kayaks, canoes, and more. 508-560-3678, lisabelcastro0623@gmail.com.

12-2 pm, india Rose Collective, Vineyard Haven. Book Discussion & Signing with Author Kevin Wayne Johnson on the topic of leadership 508-685-0484, kgj27@aol.com.

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.

Toddler Time

Book Discussion & Signing with Author with Kevin Wayne Johnson

The Bee’s Knees

2-3 pm, Oak Bluffs Library. Would you like to learn more about the life of bees, their habits, products and important environmental role? 508-693-9433, cphelan@clamsnet.org.

Grace Church Lobster Rolls

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

Preventing Osteoporosis Through Early Diagnosis and Intervention

3:30-5 pm, West Tisbury Library. Join us for an interactive talk about bone health, presented by Robert F Gagel, M.D. Free and open to the public. Bring your questions! 508-693-3366, wt_mail@clamsnet.org.

Author Talk - “Numinosity” with Bob Perschel

4 pm, Vineyard Haven Public Library. Join Vineyard resident and professional forester Bob Perschel for a talk about his fifty-year quest in pursuit of something larger than all of us. 508-696-4211, vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org.

31st Annual Labor Day Festival

4:30-6:30 pm, The Ag Hall, West Tisbury. Meet island artisans and browse a multitude of mediums, all handmade on Marthas Vineyard. For more information visit our websitevineyardartisans.c artisan02557@yahoo.com.

Partner Dancing Class with Maria & Tad Lawcewicz

5:30-6:30 pm, Edgartown Library. Registration is required. 508-627-4221, programs@edgartownlibrary.org.

Magic the Gathering: Gaming Club

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

Martha’s Vineyard Jazz and Blues Summerfest

6-9 pm, Union Chapel, Oak Bluffs. MARTHA’S VINEYARD JAZZ AND BLUES SUMMERFEST, SEPT 4-6, LABOR DAY WEEKEND - WOMEN IN JAZZ, BLUES AND LATIN WITH ENDEA OWENS, THE STRING QUEENS AND MORE 914-8371995, lewisandkirkmusic@gmail.com.

Dance Fitness with Kris Martin

Foot It for Felix 5K

8:45-11 am, Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, Edgartown. Join us for a scenic, 5K trail run and walk fundraiser. Young participants can enjoy a quarter-mile Fun Run designed for children ages 8 and under. 508-6274850, felixneck@massaudubon.org.

Chilmark Flea Market

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

Greenhouse Soil Therapy!

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

Vinyasa Power Yoga

9-10 am, Edgartown Library. Free and open to the public. Registration is required. Sign up at edgartownlibrary.org. 508-627-4221, programs@edgartownlibrary.org.

Beginner Pickleball Clinic

9-10 am, Airport Fitness, West Tisbury. Curious about pickleball? Join a session to learn the basics! Advance registration is required, call 508-696-8000 or go to our website to register. 508-696-8000, workout568@aol.com.

Free Fairy Sculpture Trail at Island Folk Pottery

Kaiut Yoga

9-10 am, Peaked Hill Studio, Chilmark. Kaiut Yoga is 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, vsonnenthal@gmail.com.

31st Annual Labor Day Festival

10 am-4 pm, The Ag Hall, West Tisbury. Meet island artisans and browse a multitude of mediums, all handmade on Marthas Vineyard. For more information visit our websitevineyardartisans.c artisan02557@yahoo.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.

Exhibit: Margot Datz: Recreator

Art Exhibition: Kirkpatrick, London, Beams, Pisini, and Marriott 10 am-5 pm, Old Sculpin Gallery, Edgartown. Art Exhibition: Kirkpatrick, London, Beams, Pisini, and Marriott 508-939-4092, art@oldsculpingallery.org.

Leo Convery: A Lifetime of Carvings

10 am-3 pm, THE CARNEGIE, Edgartown. Inspired by the Island around him, Leo transforms wood into striped bass, tuna, shorebirds, and other familiar creatures of the Vineyard. 774549-9107, THECARNEGIE@mvpreservation.org.

Saturday Storytime

10:15-10:45 am, Oak Bluffs Library. Join us for a fun-filled storytime with stories, songs, scarves, and shakers. There will be interactive board books and a story picture book as well. 508-693-9433, mlynch@clamsnet.org.

At Stillpoint // 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.

Story Journeys

10:30 am, Vineyard Haven Public Library. Movement, stories, and music threaded together in an improvisational and participatory journey 508-696-4211, vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org.

Goat Yoga MV

11 am-12 pm, Native Earth Teaching Farm, Chilmark. Slow Flow Yoga with baby pygmy goats. goatyogamv@gmail.com

Texture: Created & Found

11 am-4 pm, Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse, Vineyard Haven. Art Exhibit: Texture: Created & Found boxoffice@circuitarts.org.

Paul Beebe & Gwen Marcus Show

2026 Wind Festival

11 am, Waban-Alley Park, Oak Bluffs. Come Fly a KiteFun for kids and adults, Make a kite, buy a kite, or bring your favorite kite.Prizes and friendly scheduled competitions. MVWindFestival.com.

Loïs Mailou Jones: Sphere of Influence

11 am-5 pm, Center of Knowhere, Oak Bluffs. Group Exhibition - Lois Mailou Jones: Sphere of Influence 917-960-9344, info@knowhereart.com.

Fault Lines

11 am-5 pm, Knowhere Art Gallery, Oak Bluffs. Group Exhibition: Fault Lines 917-960-9344, info@knowhereart.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.

For events for the full week scan code or visit mvtimes.com/things-to-do.

community & calendar B13

September 3, 2026

BUSINESSDIRECTORY S

LANDSCAPING

ROOFING

INDIGO FARM Full Service Landscape Design, Build, & Maintenance

Office & Artist Supplies • Office furniture • Scan & Fax Center • Book Binding • Shredding

Spring & Fall Clean-ups Native Planting • Renovations Mulching • Fertilizing Brushcutting Vegetable & Herb Gardens

• Office Machines & Repairs • Break Room & Cleaning Supplies • Large format Printing

Stonework • Walls • Paths Patios • Trenching • Drainage Road & Parking • Bobcat Services • Water Features Light Excavation

TEL: 508 693 04110

CONCRETE & MASONRY

EMAIL: AGDAROSA@GMAIL.C0M DAROSASMV.COM

HEATING

Tree Work ISA Certified Arborist Tree & Shrub Pruning Hand & Tree Spade Removal Transplants • Chipping

HEATING

FRANK’S

Floor Radiant Heat

High Efficiency Heating & Air Conditioning

Concrete & Masonry

508-560-3234 FENCING

· Oil Burner Service · Boiler, Furnace and Tank Installations · 24/7 Emergency Service

islandenergyinc.net 508-696-5959

The Good Neighbor Fence Company 508-693-1008

FineMetalwork.com

What’s IN YOUR WATER?

Custom railings, gates, fireplace screens and hardware in wrought iron, bronze and stainless steel

Wampanoag Environmental Laboratory

508-696-6984 Whit Hanschka

Full service water testing for your home or business

Herring Creek Road, Aquinnah Phone: 508-645-2903 Fax: 508-645-9421 wtghalaboratory@comcast.net

OFFICE SUPPLIES

WATER TREATMENT

www.indigofarm.com

Heating Oil Delivery ... and More!

WATER TESTING

508.696.6114

METAL WORK

Build

• Offset & Digital Printing FAX: 508 693 5546 46 CIRCUIT AVE, OAK BLUFFS

info@millerspros.com

Maintenance

BRENNAN & CO., LLC. Sales · Service · Installation 508-696-0043 • Fax 508-696-6874

HOME IMPROVEMENT Organic Gardening and Landscaping, Inc.

· Flowers, Shrubs, Trees · Lawn Mowing & Pruning · Fertilizer Programs · Organic Deep Root Fertilizer · Stone and Brick Work · Driveway & Lawn Installations · Bobcat Services

BONJOUR

HOME IMPROVEMENT RESTORATION & PAINTING

KITCHEN & BATHROOM RENOVATION DECKING · CARPENTRY ·ROOFING· SIDING

ROOFING

Leonardo Bonjour

508-560-0464 BONJOURPAINTING.COM

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B14

community & calendar

September 3, 2026

S P O N S O R E D

C O N T E N T

RETIRE COMFORTABLY What Does It Actually Take? GRANT JOINER Founder | Financial Advisor Vineyard Wealth Group

sk most people what they need to retire and you will probably get a number. A million dollars. A million and a half. Maybe whatever amount a calculator told them to save years ago. That number is not necessarily wrong, but it is not enough. I grew up here on Martha’s Vineyard, the youngest of three boys raised by my mother, Mary Jo, the West Tisbury librarian, who made sure we always felt secure even when money was tighter than I realized at the time. After graduating from college, I began working at Charles Schwab in 2007, just before the global financial crisis. Over the next several years, I worked with many people who were watching their savings decline during one of the most frightening financial periods in recent history. Some had a plan they could fall back on. Others, understandably frightened, began making major financial decisions in the middle of the crisis. I saw people sell investments after substantial losses, abandon long-term strategies, and make permanent decisions in response to what ultimately proved to be a temporary market decline. A financial plan would not have made the downturn disappear or guaranteed that everything would be fine. It could, however, have provided a framework for deciding what actually needed to change and what did not. Without that framework, fear often took over, and some people locked in losses that materially changed their financial futures. Since then, I have spent nearly two decades helping people prepare for and navigate retirement. I have worked through thousands of financial plans and retirement-planning scenarios. Every household has been different, but the strongest plans have shared something important: the major decisions were considered together and made when everyone was calm, rather than in response to a market decline, an unexpected expense, or a frightening headline. That is why retirement planning cannot be re-

duced to a single account balance. Retirement is really an income-planning question. How much will you spend each month? How much will Social Security, a pension, or other reliable income cover? How much will need to come from your investments? Most importantly, will the plan still work if markets fall, inflation remains elevated, or life does not unfold exactly as expected? Those are much more useful questions than simply asking whether you have saved enough. Before deciding whether your portfolio is large enough, estimate what retirement will actually cost. Begin with the expenses you have today, but do not assume they will all disappear when you retire. Your mortgage might be paid off and commuting expenses may decline, while travel, healthcare, home repairs, and helping family could take up a larger share of your budget. It also helps to separate essential expenses, such as property taxes, groceries, insurance, and utilities, from more flexible spending on travel, dining out, and hobbies. Once you have an annual spending estimate, subtract the income you expect from Social Security, pensions, rental properties, or part-time work. For example, if you expect to spend $100,000 a year and those income sources will provide $60,000, your investments need to cover the remaining $40,000, plus any taxes associated with the withdrawals. As a general rule of thumb, using a starting withdrawal rate of 4% to 5% means multiplying that income gap by roughly 20 to 25. In this example, that points to a portfolio of approximately $800,000 to $1 million. That shorthand can tell you whether you are in the neighborhood, but it is not a retirement plan. It does not account for taxes, inflation, your investment mix, the length of your retirement, market conditions, large one-time expenses, or the likelihood that your spending will change over time. The real question is not simply whether your portfolio can produce $40,000 in the first year. It

is whether it can continue producing the income you need as markets and your life change. Deciding when to claim Social Security should be considered alongside that income gap. Starting early provides income sooner, but it generally means accepting a smaller monthly benefit. Waiting can produce a larger benefit, but you may need to rely more heavily on your savings during the intervening years. The best choice depends on more than a simple break-even calculation. Your health, life expectancy, marital status, tax situation, and other

the same average return over 20 years and end up with very different results depending on when the difficult market years occur. A major downturn early in retirement, when you are also withdrawing money, can do considerably more damage than the same downturn later. Selling investments while they are down leaves fewer assets available to participate when markets eventually recover. That does not mean retirees should avoid investing. A retirement that could last 20 or 30 years will usually still require some long-term growth.

have their own tax treatment. Higher income can sometimes increase Medicare premiums as well, which makes the order in which you use your accounts important. The years between retirement and required minimum distributions can create particularly valuable planning opportunities. Depending on your circumstances, those years may be a good time to realize capital gains, complete Roth conversions, or take strategic IRA withdrawals at lower tax rates. The goal is not simply to pay the least tax in one particular year. It is

I have spent nearly two decades helping people prepare for and navigate retirement. I have worked through thousands of financial plans and retirement-planning scenarios. sources of income all matter. For married couples, one spouse’s decision may also affect the survivor benefit available to the other spouse later. In some cases, drawing from investments for a few years while delaying Social Security can create more reliable income later in retirement. In other cases, claiming sooner may make more sense. The important thing is to compare the options as part of the entire plan rather than making the Social Security decision on its own. The same is true of your investment strategy. Average returns do not tell the whole story once you begin taking withdrawals. Two retirees could earn

However, keeping an appropriate portion of upcoming withdrawals in cash and high-quality bonds may reduce the likelihood that you will have to sell long-term investments during a market decline. The right amount depends on your spending needs, reliable income sources, and comfort with market fluctuations. Taxes add another layer because not every retirement dollar is treated the same way. Withdrawals from traditional IRAs and 401(k)s are generally treated as ordinary income. Roth accounts may provide tax-free income when the requirements are met, while brokerage accounts

to manage taxes over the course of your retirement. One of the most practical ways to evaluate a retirement plan is to try living on it before you leave work. Calculate the monthly income your plan is expected to provide and live within that amount for several months, saving the difference. This can reveal expenses you overlooked, show whether the budget feels realistic, and potentially provide some additional savings during your final working years. You should also consider what would happen if the first few years do not go according to plan. Could you handle a market decline shortly after retiring?

What if inflation remains higher than expected, your home needs a major repair, or healthcare costs more than you anticipated? A retirement plan should not require everything to go exactly right. There is no single withdrawal rate, Social Security age, or portfolio mix that works for everyone. The amount you can comfortably withdraw depends partly on when you claim Social Security. Your Social Security decision may depend on your other income and tax situation. Your investment strategy depends on how much you need from the portfolio and when you

will need it. Pull one lever and the others move. If you are within five years of retirement, this is the time to put those decisions on paper together. If you are already retired, it is worth revisiting the plan regularly as markets, tax laws, spending, and family circumstances change. Comfortable retirement is not about reaching one magic number. It is about building a dependable paycheck from the resources you have and making sure the plan can adapt when life does not follow the original script. For more retirement planning resources, visit vineyardwealthgroup.com to download our Retirement Income Planning Guide and watch the accompanying video. Grant Joiner, CFP®, EA, is the founder of Vineyard Wealth Group.

community & calendar B15

September 3, 2026

Through vibrant green leaves and upright stems reaching for the sun, indigenous varieties of beans, corn, and squash are growing in the Island Grown Initiative (IGI) community garden in Vineyard Haven. The plot and produce are an initiative by NaDaizja Bolling, in partnership with the Aquinnah Cultural Center (ACC), where Bolling works as the executive director. The ACC is a nonprofit organization that preserves, shares, and educates people about the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), its culture, and the endurance of indigenous practices.

SISTERS

SARAH SHAW DAWSON

THE THREE Tribal member NaDaizja Bolling is growing produce the Wampanoag way. BY MARIA BARROS

KRISTOFER RABASCA

For the Aquinnah tribe, this quarter-acre plot at the IGI community garden nourishes more than the body; it carries cultural and spiritual traditions and cultivates food and land sovereignty. Historically, beans, corn, and squash are known as the three sisters, and these have nourished indigenous communities across North and Central America for roughly 3,000 years. “It’s definitely a pivotal moment for our community to be able to have that type of space to grow a traditional garden,” Bolling told The Times in an interview. She said the fact that the plot is in a community garden opens the door for more people to get involved. “That’s how we share knowledge and retain it,” Bolling said. “A lot of our community members have so much other wisdom that they bring to the space that we might not have, so we’re sharing. That can only happen when we come together.” In indigenous traditions, these three vegetables are grown together, because they have a symbiotic relationship and rely on one another for nourishment, physical support, and protection. Bolling explained that this practice is known as companion planting. “The corn requires a lot of nitrogen to grow big, sturdy roots, but then the beans can climb up, so we don’t need to use poles, because they’ll just use the cornstalk to climb. At the same time, [the beans] put nitrogen back into the soil to help keep it more balanced. And the squash provides good coverage to the ground with its really big, broad leaves that are lower to the ground and help to suppress weeds that might take over an area,” she said. This summer is ACC’s second year planting indigenous produce on the Island. Last year’s crop was planted and harvested at the educational nonprofit Stillpoint in West Tisbury. This summer, the initiative is taking place at IGI, where the space provided is larger. Because the traditional crops thrive in the native soil, at the height of the summer they offer a surplus of vegetables. Emily Armstrong, the community garden coordinator and educational director at IGI, told The Times that the corn is the most noticeable of the three types of produce. “When you walk in [at the community garden], the corn is probably almost seven feet tall, so it just has this really amazing presence on the farm. It’s changing the landscape of the farm with its height,” she said. Armstrong explained that the small plot

NaDaizja Bolling at the indigenous varieties of beans, corn, and squash growing in the Island Grown Initiative (IGI) community garden.

symbolizes the beginning of a larger series in IGI’s efforts to serve the Wampanoag community beyond land acknowledgements. “It was a moment for us last year where we thought, ‘How can we go beyond just acknowledging that we’re on native land, and make actual relational commitments with members of the tribe?’” From there, the idea sprouted into this modern revitalization program to support the tribe’s continuing food and land sovereignty efforts. For centuries, land displacement of tribal communities from their ancestral land

and the introduction of invasive livestock and crops have disrupted native harvests. “It’s very culturally significant to us, but also something that we don’t always have the opportunity to do, just because of such great land loss within our tribal community,” Bolling said. “So it just speaks to the need for people to have greater access to our traditional homelands. And when we’re at the garden, it’s just one small example of what can happen when we do have that access.” Bolling also said that river herring fish would typically be used in traditional fer-

tilizing practices. Herring have become a less commonly used fertilizer due to a significant decrease in the Island’s herring population over the past few decades. “We don’t do that much anymore for several reasons,” said Bolling. “First, we had access to some really rich soil at IGI, but also, we do not have an abundance of herring anymore. And so we have a responsibility not to fish herring if we can help it.” Since 2005, there’s been a state moratorium on the fishery of river herring due to the declining population; only tribal members are allowed to harvest herring. The soil in the community garden at IGI is rich, as Bolling said, because of practices that have become standard over the past six years. Co-executive director of IGI Noli Taylor told The Times that they have introduced regenerative growing techniques, such as “reducing tillage [soil disturbance], maximizing diversity, keeping living roots in the ground as much of the year as possible, keeping animals in rotation on the land, and not using synthetic chemicals.” After the harvest, which will run until October, the ACC hopes to share the vegetables with the wider tribal community, as well as store seeds for future crops. Bolling said that this traditional variety of corn, which is not sweet corn but a hard-kerneled one called white flint corn, will require a few months of drying time before it is ready to be turned into cornmeal. White flint corn is a staple of indigenous diets going back thousands of years. Another flint corn variety grown at the plot is strawberry popcorn, which, as the name gives away, is mostly used for popcorn, part of indigenous cultures for thousands of years. The “strawberry” part of the name comes from the small, rounded ears that look just like the big, dark red fruit. The plan is to store the peeled corn in a space for drying, then distribute it, Bolling said. “Hopefully, tribal families will be willing to take home some [corn] that they could store, and that’s just us really trying to get creative with how we do this, and also help share the opportunity to care for our food and our seeds with everybody in our community.” As the crops grow, Bolling said she hopes people harvest more than vegetables from their ancestral plot: “When they see our

“It’s very culturally significant to us, but also something that we don’t always have the opportunity to do, just because of such great land loss within our tribal community.” –NADAIZJA BOLLING

[garden], I hope it’s a reminder to the Wampanoag people on this Island — we’re still here in our homelands; we’re still caring for our communities by providing food to them. This is a way that we assert our presence on the Island, and we have some form of autonomy over what we take into our bodies.” Bolling said that food sovereignty is about the cultural integrity of farming, land use, and access, but also is spiritual, nutritional, and a way to honor their ancestry and the natural world: “When people see our garden, I want them to know that’s what this is for us.”

B16

community & calendar

September 3, 2026

Wild Side BY MATT PELIKAN

Identification tactics for our calm green neighbors. Male Scudderia furcata.

Bush katydids

mong my favorite insects are the Vineyard’s three species in the genus Scudderia, known as the bush katydids. These are large insects, sometimes exceeding two inches in body length. Like all katydids, they feature prodigiously long, threadlike antennae and long hind legs adapted for jumping. They have fully developed wings, extending past the ends of their bodies, and when folded, these broad wings give their owner a leaf-like appearance that serves as camouflage. The wings are also functional. When disturbed, bush katydids launch into slow but determined flight. Flight must be energy-intensive for them: Their escape flights are generally brief, no more than 50 feet or so, and they rarely rise more than six feet above the ground. But they’re capable of better than that when motivated, and I’ve seen an irritated bush katydid rocket up to treetop height, level off, and head for the horizon. When undisturbed, bush katydids lead lives of quiet deliberation, perched on low vegetation either woody or herbaceous. They are rarely observed on the ground. They feed mainly on plant material, clambering with dignified grace as they forage, and they spend a high percentage of their time just sitting, conserving energy and staying

concealed from predators. Like a lot of Orthoptera, they vary their diet with a little scavenging of other arthropods, and perhaps even a little recreational predation. My first encounters with Scudderia were, like all my early experiences with Orthoptera, somewhat bewildering. I knew they were katydids, and that was about it. But it’s the curiosity prompted by my own ignorance that impels me to study the natural world, and having started noticing bush katydids, I inevitably wondered what species occurred here, how they lived, and how the species differed. So I watched, read, and asked questions. The genus Scudderia, as a whole, is relatively easy to recognize. The Vineyard also hosts two other, closely related genera, and details of wing shape and body proportions sort them out pretty readily. But within Scudderia, telling the species apart can be challenging, and it took me years to develop the knack. Definitive identification comes most easily from a good look at the end of the abdomen of a Scudderia. Males have a feature there called the supra-anal plate, reduced almost to nonexistence in one of the species, but a distinctively shaped projection in the other two. On females, an organ called the ovipositor extends from the end of the abdomen. This

Scudderia curvicauda.

PHOTOS: MATTHEW PELIKAN

is used for placing eggs in appropriate places, and in Scudderia, ovipositors are curved, bladelike instruments. The degree of curvature varies from species to species, and on one of our Scudderias, S. furcata, the ovipositor seems invariably to be reddish. So like the male supra-anal plate, ovipositors are a powerful ID cue. Regrettably, the luxurious wings of a bush katydid often obscure the end of the abdomen. So I often resort to nabbing a Scudderia for a quick view, and possibly a photograph, of the important anatomy. These calm, slow-moving insects are easy to catch, and while the legs break off pretty easily if you’re careless, a finger-and-thumb pinch

Male Scudderia septentrionalis.

When undisturbed, bush katydids lead lives of quiet deliberation, perched on low vegetation either woody or herbaceous.

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grip on the wings is easy to manage and safe for the insect. (Katydids missing legs are surprisingly common, and don’t seem to be at much of a disadvantage.) In contrast to many other katydids, Scudderia rarely bites when being handled. But some katydids can’t be caught, and I generally prefer to avoid intruding that aggressively into their lives. So over the years, I’ve worked to learn other indicators for identification. More subjective and less reliable than the abdominal appendages, these traits can still produce correct IDs. Scudderia septentrionalis is smaller than its relatives, with broader wings. The veins on its wings seem oddly loose to me, somehow netlike relative to the wings on our other two species. Slightly larger, S. furcata has longer, narrower wings, rather rectangular in shape, and the base of the front femora (the uppermost major section of the leg) is yellowish. Our largest bush katydid, curvicauda, has ovoid wings and longer hind legs than its cousins. The rear edge of each hind tibia (equivalent to our shin or forearm) is reddish on this species, but green on the others. Each of these species has its own shade of green; I can’t describe the difference in words, but color alone is often enough to suggest an ID. Our Scudderias differ slightly in seasonality, with adult septentrionalis beginning to appear as early as late June. S. curvicauda is next, its first adults appearing a couple of weeks later, and it is not until August that I start to find adult furcata. Of the three, septentrionalis seems most likely to turn up in humanmodified habitat. S. furcata prefers scrub oak habitat, but successfully uses a wide range of environments. And curvicauda is the specialist among our bush katydids, bound tightly to scrub oak barrens, with every Vineyard record I’m aware of coming from within Correllus State Forest. It has taken me 16 years to get this well-acquainted with these insects, but it has been time well spent. They’re gentle, charismatic insects, well worth knowing.

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