Merry Christmas. Let snow, let it snow, let it snowy owl. Photo by Fergus Henderson
Photo by Fergus Henderson
Photo by Fergus Henderson
Photo by Fergus Henderson
Photo by Fergus Henderson
Photo by Fergus Henderson
Island photographer Fergus Henderson captured these shots of a snowy owl about a mile from the Katama entrance to Norton Point Beach.
He wrote to The Times: “As I got closer, the bird flew off to the west. Then I found the bird again, and captured the third image. The bird moved a little, and I captured the fourth and fifth images. I again got too close, and the bird took off back toward Chappy. The sixth image was the bird going back to the location where I first encountered him.”
Oak Bluffs Police said Pilgrim Auto tow truck driver Brett C. Geddis, 25, of Edgartown answered a call for AAA assistance Wednesday from a woman whose car would not start and stole a wallet she had left in her stranded vehicle.
When police located Mr. Geddis a search of the tow truck he was driving turned up two replica firearms, illegal prescriptions drugs, marijuana and a hypodermic needle, but not the victim’s wallet, according to a press release posted on the Oak Bluffs Police Department Facebook page.
Police arrested Mr. Geddis on the following charges: Larceny from a person; larceny over $250; possession of a class C drug (Diazepam); and possession of a class E drug (Alprazolam).
Brett Geddis. Photo courtesy Dukes County Sheriff.
A resident of the Pond View subdivision in Oak Bluffs called AAA for roadside assistance after her car would not start Wednesday morning, according to police. Pilgrim Auto located in Edgartown is the AAA representative for Martha’s Vineyard.
Pilgrim Auto sent tow truck driver Brett Geddis to her residence to assist her with starting the vehicle. “The victim stated that her purse and wallet were in the vehicle prior to the Pilgrim Auto employee arriving,” police said.
Mr. Geddis was unsuccessful in starting the vehicle and suggested the woman make arrangements to have the vehicle fixed at a garage. The vehicle owner said Mr. Geddis claimed he had another call to go to and stated he would come back to assist her and left the area, police said.
When the woman went to retrieve her wallet from inside her car it was missing, police said.
The woman called police at 10:45 am, Wednesday and reported the theft. Based on statements from the victim, police identified the Pilgrim Auto tow truck driver as Brett Geddis.
Oak Bluffs Police, State Police and Edgartown Police began a search for Mr. Geddis. Oak Bluffs police located Mr. Geddis driving the tow truck near the victim’s residence and stopped him.
“A motor vehicle stop was initiated and Geddis was questioned about the theft,” police said. “Geddis denied stealing the wallet and asked for a lawyer.”
“My New Year’s business resolution is to find a better balance with my personal life; I’m sure every business owner struggles with finding that. A consequence of my line of work is that I am always “on.” Over the years I’ve developed a dependable team who can assist me, and allow me some more flexibility. Having a great staff is crucial, and with their help, I can use my time more efficiently. I trust they’ll allow me to further grow the business in 2016.” – Martha Cohan, Martha Cohan Property Management & Caretaking, Edgartown.
“As we move into the New Year, we hope to continue to build our presence in downtown Edgartown and the rest of the Island with our all-housemade breakfast and lunch, prepared salads and meals, as well as unique baked goods, including gluten-free.
Heading into 2016, we will work on building our catering business, focusing on smaller intimate dinners and luncheons. Also we hope to work on provisioning with our market, supplying summer homes and residents with not only our prepared foods, but also our unique market items every summer home or boat may need for the week or the season.” – Tina Miller and Julia Celeste, Rosewater Market, Edgartown.
“I like to mix colors and styles, and I change my mind about the styles I like. Right now I’m in a French-inspired phase. I love rustic and industrial, and I like to mix modern finishes with vintage furniture just to change the look. I’m inspired by texture and color, and so the furniture we sell often has that combination.” – Anne-Marie Eddy, ReFabulous Decor, Vineyard Haven.
Tisbury Police late Tuesday posted a series of photos on the department’s Facebook page of a man they said is a suspect in a break-in of a vehicle parked along Causeway Road.
Earlier Tuesday police posted an alert on the department’s Facebook site alerting residents to recent vehicle break-ins in the vicinity of Causeway Road and Delano Road. In a telephone call Tuesday morning, Detective Kindia Roman told The Times police received two reports of car break-ins at 6 pm and 9 pm, Monday night. One vehicle was unlocked and $100 left in the car was stolen. The window of the second vehicle was smashed. Nothing was removed.
“One was on Delano Road and the other was on Causeway Road, just off of State Road,” Ms. Roman said. “They were very close to each other.” “Please lock your vehicles and be alert,” police posted on Facebook. “Report suspicious activity to 508-693-1212.”
Anyone with information about the identity of the man shown in the photos is asked to call the Tisbury Police at 508-696-4240.
The first of the Island Stories presentations by the Martha’s Vineyard Museum will take place Tuesday, Jan. 5, at 4 pm at the Vineyard Haven library. Assistant librarian Bow Van Riper will discuss some of the lesser-known items in the museum’s collection. According to a press release, less than 1 percent of the museum’s collection is on exhibit at any given time. “Not all Islanders get a chance to visit the museum,” Development Director Dan Waters said. “This series of talks is our way, in the off-season, to bring the museum out into the community. Other talks will take place at various Island libraries Feb. 4, March 3, April 7, and May 4.” For more information, contact the Martha’s Vineyard Museum at 508-627-4441 or mvmuseum.org.
Island Entertainment and the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse present Monday Night at the Movies each Monday evening at the Playhouse. All movies begin at 7:30 pm with host Jamie Alley. The cost is $5 at the door, cash only. The Jan. 4 presentation is “Johnny Belinda,” the story of a doctor who tutors a young deaf-mute woman who is raped, gives birth to a son, and wants to keep the child in spite of the challenges; starring Jane Wyman and Lew Ayres. For more information, contact 508-693-6300 or vineyardplayhouse.org.
Grace Episcopal Church on Woodlawn Avenue in Vineyard Haven will serve up lobster rolls on New Year’s Day, Friday, Jan. 1, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm (or until sold out). A price of $18 includes a lobster roll, chips, and a beverage. Assorted pies will also be available for $4 per slice. For more information or to order in advance, call 508-693-0332.
Edivaldo Demoura, Oak Bluffs; DOB 8/30/63, unlicensed operation of motor vehicle: to be dismissed upon payment of $150 court coast; traffic violation on a state highway: not responsible.
Dec. 17, 2015
Thomas Francis Keen III, East Falmouth; DOB 1/13/81, OUI-liquor or .08%, negligent operation of motor vehicle, speeding in violation of special regulation: continued to pretrial conference.
Dec. 21, 2015
Melissa A. Boyd, Edgartown; DOB 12/22/89, assault and battery, assault: continued to pretrial conference.
Krishna Horace Morrison, Vineyard Haven; DOB 1/19/94, assault and battery on a family/household member: continued to pretrial conference.
Collin Andrew Shea, Oak Bluffs; DOB 12/7/95, assault and battery: continued to pretrial conference.
Dec. 24, 2015
Brett Geddis, Edgartown; DOB 9/6/90, larceny over $250, larceny from a person, possession of class C drug (diazepam), possession of class E drug (alprazolam): continued to pretrial conference.
Dec. 28, 2015
Barbara J. Fehl, Oak Bluffs; DOB 7/6/48, assault and battery in a family/household member: dismissed at the request of the commonwealth.
Lauren K. Franklin, Edgartown; DOB 2/7/88, OUI-liquor or .08%: dismissed at the request of the commonwealth; marked lanes violation: not responsible; speeding in violation of special regulation: not responsible; negligent operation of motor vehicle: continued without a finding for six months, must pay $50 PSF and complete 20 hours of community service.
Brigelle M. Gibson, Oak Bluffs; DOB 11/15/85, marked lanes violation: not responsible; negligent operation of motor vehicle: dismissed at the request of the commonwealth; OUI-liquor or .08%: continued without a finding for one year, the defendant is to attend the driver alcohol education program with a loss of license for 45 days and must pay a state fee of $250, $125 HIF, $50 VW, $50 VDD, and $65 PSF.
Island readers experienced a host of beginnings and one sad ending in 2015.
Well-regarded Island poet Jennifer Tseng and resident Alexander Woollacott burst on the scene this year with impressive first novels. Ms. Tseng’s “Mayumi and the Sea of Happiness,” a story of a 40-year-old librarian and her teen lover, created both buzz and literary acclaim as a finalist for the fiction book of the year award from the New England Independent Booksellers.
Mr. Woollacott turned his interest in family genealogy into “The Immigrant,” an extraordinary first novel that depicts the fictionalized life of his ancestor, John Law, a 14-year-old indentured Scot in 17th century Concord. Mr. Woollacott has promised a second book, drawing on the experiences of Mr. Law’s descendants in the American Revolutionary War.
And, alas, Island resident Jan Pogue has shuttered her publishing company, Vineyard Stories, after a decade of finding and publishing Vineyard authors and stories of Vineyard life. Vineyard Stories will be missed.
Our annual list of notable books includes only books that I read and reviewed; there are books of equal note not listed here because I haven’t read and reviewed them.
A crowd listens to panelists at the Islanders Write event this August. —Photo by Bella Bennett
Given the runaway success in August of the second annual Islanders Write (IW) conference sponsored by the MVTimes organization, our bookshelves will fill in 2016 with the efforts of Island scribes. It is astonishing to experience the passion for books and writing evident at the IW event, which I noticed has also begun to attract off-Island lit-heads to a daylong event featuring the Island’s best and brightest in seminar.
Of note this year is the increase in the number of memoirs written by Island-related people. It may be that our demographic is aging and the Island is home to a number of people who have lived big lives, some in private and others more publicly.
Carly Simon’s memoir, “Boys in the Trees,” is making news on and off-Island, a Top 10 New York Times nonfiction bestseller and a leader on Amazon’s charts.
Island resident Sally Bennett produced “Immigrant: A Memoir Across the Atlantic,” an arresting and honest story of her life as a young girl shuttling between Europe and America in pre–World War II years, and the effects those chaotic days had on her adult years. It’s a well-written, authentic story of interior life.
Dr. Beny Primm, a seasonal resident for decades, provided a long-term look at our national “war on drugs” that chronicles his days as an intern in a Harlem hospital ER — when no one was paying attention to the problem — his fractious days of establishing drug clinics amid New York City politics, and a continued commitment that led him to become an advisor to several presidents.
Seasonal resident Atul Gawande, a physician and author of national note, used a semi-memoir form describing his family culture in India in order to frame America’s perspective on the meaning of dying and elders in “Being Mortal,” a runaway bestseller this year.
The Island’s favorite author duo, Geraldine Brooks and Tony Horwitz, each produced excellent work this year. Mr. Brooks combined her investigative-reporting skills with top-quality storytelling talent to write “The Secret Chord,” an absorbing fictionalized portrait of the life and times of King David, the leader who joined the tribes of Israel. Many of us have fractured bits of knowledge about biblical figures, and this read makes the man and his travails real.
Real too is “Boom!” from Mr. Horwitz, who trekked the length of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline from its Canadian taproot to the U.S. Gulf Coast refineries. He wrote what he found without taking a position, but what he found was chilling on a variety of human and environmental fronts.
“Boom!” never got the press it deserved (it’s available as an ebook), but if you’re vague about Keystone, read it. You’ll be glad that at least for now, we dodged a helluva scary bullet through no good effort on our part.
In addition to welcome surprises, an ever-growing list of Island-based writers produced work in their specialties that were greeted as familiar friends in this space.
Up-Islander Linda Fairstein sent up “Devil’s Bridge,” the latest in her crime-thriller series featuring New York assistant district attorney and part time Chilmark resident Alexandra Cooper. Ms. Fairstein’s oeuvre has a delightful twist: Each of her books stars a Manhattan landmark, complete with its history and the requisite derring-do.
Susan Wilson published the latest in a series of novels about dogs that are really about the human condition. “The Dog Who Saved Me” is another in the series, which are generally set in recognizable, familiar locales.
Tom Dresser treated us to another of his disarmingly informational Island histories, and the prolific Chris Knowles turned out two thrillers on the shadowy world of terrorism and eco-politics.
As always, many of these books are self-published, but we’ve noticed a growth in small publishers who are willing to take on authors. The irrepressible Holly Nadler found one in a small Wellesley imprint, Branden Books, that allowed Ms. Nadler to bring poet Emily Dickinson back to life in a rollicking thriller called “Emily in the Here and Now.”
Happy New Year, and keep writing. Can’t wait for next year.
The music scene on the Island has changed a lot over the past year or so. Nectar’s Presents shows at Flatbread were sorely missed this summer. Dreamland’s addition of the Loft meant less music there, too. But there’s no suppressing the creative talent that comes here. The Martha’s Vineyard Sound Music Festival enjoyed huge success in its second year. The YMCA’s Stars and Stripes Festival and the Nashville Hitmakers series are drawing bigger stars each year. Jazz Fest returned with a bang this fall.
Then again, some things never change. The Ritz, the Wharf, and the Port Hunter are always safe bets to catch local acts. Old friends like Willy Mason continue to grace us with their presence, although there are likely better gigs elsewhere. Carly Simon played at the opening of the Capawock, with the help of her children Ben and Sally Taylor.
And in spite of dwindling music venues, big-name acts like Art Garfunkel, and Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn, entertained us at the PAC.
Sophia Nelson of Vineyard Haven, at Wheelock College.
Bridget Conlon of Edgartown, at Cornell University.
Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School honor roll
The following scholars were omitted from the honor roll listings in the Dec. 24 edition; we regret the error.
Grade 11, honors
Olivia Pate, Paulo Pereira Jr., Nayson Peres, Patrick Perzanowski, Camilla Prata, Wilson Redfield, James Robinson, James Sashin, Colby Scarsella, Finnegan Simpkins, Olivia Smith, Kate Sudarsky, Shay Sullivan, Joshua Tate-DaSilva, Sarah Thomas, Ava Thors, Brahmin Thurber-Carbone, Nevin Wallis, David Webster, Liam Weiland, Tessa Whitaker, Jurek Wille.
Jamie and Durwood Vanderhoop of Aquinnah announce the birth of a son, Matahguhs Leonard Spears Vanderhoop, on Dec. 8, 2015, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Matahguhs weighed 8 pounds,10 ounces. He joins big brothers Sowanahsh and Kuhpay.
Nameko Nevins
Talieka Young and Onike Nevins of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Nameko Nevins, on Dec. 22, 2015, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Nameko weighed 7 pounds, 6.1 ounces.
Genevieve Marie Melanson
Jackilyn Melanson and Dakota Delviento of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Genevieve Marie Melanson, on Dec. 27, 2015, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Genevieve weighed 6 pounds, 3 ounces.
Dec. 21, Four Flemmings LLC sold 23, 27 and 29 Kitts Field Circle to Katama Acquisitions LLC for $1,580,000.
Dec. 23, Jess Thompson Hiller 3rd, trustee of Hiller Irrevocable Trust, sold 20 Teaberry Lane to Dilcelia P. and Marquissuel M. Guimaraes for $535,000.
Dec. 24, Elena M. HcHugh sold 27 North Tenth St. to Marcos R. Alves for $440,000.
Oak Bluffs
Dec. 21, Joseph G. Parham sold 24 Greenleaf Ave. to Stuart A. Taylor 2nd and Evonne Taylor for $2,375,000.
Tisbury
Dec. 22, Gwyn R. and Earl L. Honey sold 39 Boxberry Ave. to Big Foot LLC for $505,000.
West Tisbury
Dec. 21, Joann Green Breuer, trustee of Breuer West Tisbury Realty Trust, sold 255 Great Plains Rd. to Terrence and Minhee Currier for $1,050,000.
Dec. 24, George J. and Sheryl Roth Rogers sold 45 Rustling Oaks Rd. to John A. and Daphne Mascarello for $378,000.
Goodbye to 2015, with a glance back and a look ahead to 2016. Again this year, The Martha’s Vineyard Times invited several Island leaders and community members to consider some of the accomplishments and challenges of the past year and peer ahead to the New Year.
Matthew D’Andrea, a former elementary school principal in Mattapoisett, was named assistant superintendent for the Vineyard Public Schools in August 2013 by Superintendent Dr. James H. Weiss. Following the retirement of Mr. Weiss, in January 2015, Mr. D’Andrea was named the new Martha’s Vineyard Superintendent of Public Schools. Read his essay here.
Cynthia Mitchell is CEO of the Island Health Care Community Health Center in Edgartown. She is a longtime West Tisbury selectman, having served on the board almost 18 years, and has a long history of involvement in town and Island affairs. She has served as chairman of the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital board and the Dukes County Health Council. Read her essay here.
Brian Packish, a lifelong resident of Oak Bluffs, is chairman of the planning board and of the streetscape master plan project. He also serves with many other town and civic groups. He is the father of a 14-year-old daughter, and he owns and operates a landscape company in Oak Bluffs. Read his essay here.
Julianne “Juli” Vanderhoop, the mother of two children, is the owner of the Orange Peel Bakery, a member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and one of three members of the Aquinnah board of selectmen. She has also served on the Aquinnah Board of Health and the Wampanoag tribe education committee for the past seven years. Read her essay here.
David Vigneault moved to Martha’s Vineyard in 1987 to help establish employment and community programs for Islanders with disabilities. Work with community advocates on housing initiatives led to committee and board appointments and work as the Dukes County Regional Housing Authority’s executive director since 2005. He lives in West Tisbury with his wife, Sarah Vail, and teenage daughters Willa and Ava. Read his essay here.
Danielle Kish died on Dec. 29, 2015, at Falmouth Hospital. She was 90. A visitation in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs, will be held on Sunday, Jan. 3, from 4 pm to 6 pm. Her funeral service will be held on Monday, Jan. 4, at 11 am in the Trinity Methodist Church in the Campgrounds in Oak Bluffs, and burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Pacific Avenue, in Oak Bluffs.
Donations in Mrs. Kish’s memory may be made to MVCMA, P.O. Box 1176, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557; please put “Tabernacle Restoration Fund” in memo line. Visitccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information. A complete obituary will appear in another edition of this paper.
The vestry of Grace Episcopal Church brings your attention to a story by Pat Waring that appears in the community section of this week’s MV Times regarding Terry and Elaine Henry (“Helping the Henrys”). In September, they lost their home in Middletown, Calif., to the wildfires that struck this rural area, located northeast of Santa Rosa.
The Rev. Terry Henry served as rector of Grace Church for over 10 years. He and Elaine were active in Vineyard community organizations. Terry served on the boards of Martha’s Vineyard Community Services and Planned Parenthood of Martha’s Vineyard. Elaine gave tirelessly to both the Tisbury School and the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, where their children attended school.
Grace Church has been collecting funds from parishioners, and has recently sent a check with notes of well-wishing to the Henrys. We would like to thank those of you also supporting this effort by donating online at the GoFundMe.org website.
And may all of us pause during this busy holiday season to give thanks for what we have — and to remember those who may be family, friend, or even stranger with a supportive gesture and act of kindness.
At the April 2014 Tisbury annual town meeting, the town voted to allow selectmen to look into a new position, natural resources department head, which would combine the waterways, harbor, and shellfish departments. When the selectmen met on Tuesday, Dec. 22, the position of natural resources director was presented with a job description and payscale. This was not read to the public, and public comment was not permitted. The selectmen voted to rush this through by placing the position on the January 12 special town meeting warrant, rather than wait until the annual April town meeting. Selectmen said there will be time to vet the position at the January town meeting.
The town administrator announced that if this position passes in January, the present harbormaster will be placed in the new position until the position is filled. Really? Hold on. To give the harbormaster more responsibility and a higher salary makes no sense. This position needs more examination, including the impacts it will have on current department head salaries, advisory committees, and public input. It can wait until April.
Regarding Bill Haynes’ letter of Dec. 16, “Manmade Mill Pond”: I’ve been fishing since I was 4 years old, and I have a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Rutgers University.
From the age of 9 through 18, I was a summer explorer/wanderer along the length of a 5-mile stream called Black Creek in the Hudson Valley. My older sister had acquired a bungalow in West Park, N.Y.
My memories are vivid. It took me several years to work up to exploring the upper reaches of the creek. There were no roads or paths. There was a series of small pools, rapids between them, and native brook trout. These fish were very small, maybe 4 to 7 inches, but they were spectacular to catch on flies I tied, unbelievably beautiful, and always released.
In the lower creek the herring would run in early spring. Hundreds couldn’t leap the higher waterfalls and would perish beside the stream; but hundreds more made the journey and propagated. In the summer, if you were there at the right time, you could see large numbers of fry returning to the Hudson River. There were also eels, longer than a foot, as well as bass, sunfish, pickerel, and so forth. I would snorkel in the calmer waters and see mayfly larvae and other neat stuff. And there was a naturally porous beaver dam below Charlie’s, the local swim hole.
I assure you, if you could witness such beauty in Mill Brook, a very similar body of water, you wouldn’t miss the swans. And if you were young enough, you might pursue a degree in science.
