Posted by Joanne Sardini on Sun, May 23, 2010
So here it comes again - the official kick off for the summer on Martha's Vineyard - Memorial Day weekend. If you believe what "they" say, we can now wear our white clothes and sandals with pride as we enter what promises to be another fun filled summer season.
It is already shaping up to be a busy weekend with lots of great events going on. If you enjoy browsing the many wonderful galleries the Island has to offer, then you are in luck - a number of galleries are having shows to kick off the season. The Eisenhauer Gallery here at the Colonial Inn will be featuring some new artists at their show on Saturday evening. As an extra treat favorite Island band, Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish will be playing at the show, so stop by, say hi and get your groove on!
Up-Island, both the Grange Hall and the New Ag Hall are hosts to much anticipated annual shows. The Grange Hall plays host the 12th Annual Vineyard Artisans Memorial Day Show on Saturday and Sunday. This is the kick off to the Vineyard Artisans summer season which sees them at the same location every Sunday in June and Thursdays and Sundays in July and August. This show features arts, crafts and jewelry from many renowned local artists.
The New Ag Hall is hosting the Friends of Family Planning's annual art show. If you are in town early and would like to support this cause, their Gala Preview Party is on Thursday evening. The show itself runs Friday to Sunday from 10-6.
If you get to Martha's Vineyard early enough on Friday you can see a touching tribute to the holiday and a great reminder as to why many of you have the day off work on Monday. The March to the Sea by the children of Tisbury school is a lovely tribute to the memory of all of those we have lost. See the kids, waving their flags as they march from Tisbury School to Owen Park starting at noon.
This is just a sampling of the many fun and interesting events that are going on, not to mention all the new stores opening, old stores re-opening, restaurants old and new and much more besides.
How will you be spending your holiday weekend?
Photo Credit; US Army
Posted by Joanne Sardini on Fri, Apr 23, 2010
As I write this I am looking out on a beautifully sunny spring day - I know we are all harping on about how nice spring on Martha's Vineyard is this year but please understand - we don't get this beautiful spring weather every year! I'm glad it is here though, as there are lots of great outdoor events going on this weekend that I'm sure you'll want to get involved in if you are on Island.
First off there is the Work for Wildlife Volunteer Day at Felix Neck Sanctuary. If
you are a regular reader of our blog, you have already heard a little about this beautiful Mass Audubon property in Edgartown. This Saturday, from 9 til noon, gives everyone an opportunity to help maintain this wonderful 250 acre sanctuary by helping with the butterfly gardens. There will be benches to be built, weeding and clearing to be done and other tasks to be assigned - dress appropriately and roll up your sleeves for the hardwork!
Once you have given up some sweat for a good cause, head on up Edgartown - Vineyard Haven Road to The Island Alpaca Farm for their annual Sheering Day and Open House. Check out these amazing animals and learn about this beautiful herd. As well as watching the sheering, there will be lots of other activites for all ages and don't forget to check out the farm store for yarns and knit items produced from last years fleece.
I think any Island outdoor day should be topped off with a picnic dinner and 
sunset. There are lots of great food options - you have already heard some of our favorites here, here, here, here and here. Then it's a 'where to see sunset?' decision. The beauty of this time of year (and I might get in trouble for this tip but here goes), is all of those 'town' beaches that you can't enjoy in the summer because you don't have the right sticker on your car window. Well, there's no one there to check the stickers just now so head up Island and check out some of those very special spots. Lucy Vincent and Lobsterville are 2 of my favorites but don't forget about Lamberts Cove beach (and it's much closer to the 'down Island' towns) for a spectacular sunset. Then all you have to do is sit back and enjoy some more of the beauty of Nature on Martha's Vineyard.
What are you doing this weekend?
Photo Credits:
Painted Lady by Olibac
Orino Alpaca by Cliff 1066
Sunset by Joanne Sardini :)
Posted by Joanne Sardini on Sun, Mar 21, 2010
The return of the sunshine to Martha's Vineyard this week has been a very welcome sight to those who have not made it off to warmer climes this winter. I've talked before about the patterns of life on the Vineyard and I was reminded of more of them yesterday. I didn't even realise that I look for these things every year until I saw them again. Yesterday I saw...
- My first flip flops - when I start to see toes again, it must be spring.
- Men in Shorts - there is a contingent here who wear them all year (crazy, but true) but yesterday they were everywhere.
- Out of State plates - on my short walk down Main Street yesterday I counted 5 states other than MA - the visitors are back.
- Mopeds - that familiar hum and inevitable traffic back up is back on the roads (personally I'm not a fan but if you like an element of danger on vacation and are anxious to see the MV Hospital ER, go ahead)
- Beach Umbrellas - Driving home I saw a great sight - a couple, under a beach umbrella, a cooler between them, enjoying the emptiness of State Beach before the summer hits! On State Beach, you often see rows of umbrellas from the road - they always make me happy!
- Crocus and Daffodils - I'm enjoying seeing signs of life in my yard.
Next come all the contractors and landscapers, the roofers and plumbers getting everything ship-shape for the return of the visitors and seasonal residents. The Colonial Inn re-opens for it's 99th season on April 15th, so we're getting ready too! Only a month and it is 'season', so the next few weeks are pretty busy around here with floor refinishing, carpet shampooing, painting, cleaning and generally getting ready to see and be seen.
What signs do you look for to tell you spring is here?
Photo of Snowdrops by lisihoff
Posted by Joanne Sardini on Mon, Feb 22, 2010
We've talked before about what a great community we are part of here on Martha's Vineyard, so it's time for you to get to know our neighbors. If you are not familiar with our location here at the Colonial Inn, we are right smack dab in the thick of downtown Edgartown. Now, don't panic if you are planning a stay with us, the thick of downtown is still peaceful and relaxing, afterall, it IS Martha's Vineyard!
One of the stores in the neighborhood that I can't resist in Bluefish Coastal Boutique. Owners Danielle Mann and Amy Padalino-Heil are cousins who share a love of the ocean, nature, good living and fun. These passions are reflected in the wonderful collection of island-themed gifts, home goods, clothing, stationary, toys, and beach & boating necessities for everyone on the island, tourists and locals, young and old.
My love of this store starts with the great items for your home. As I write this I am actually curled up on my sofa, supported by a beautiful handmade pillow I got there this summer and covered in my favorite navy and white marine striped knit blanket that I treated myself to 2 summers ago. I have sets of their juice and water glasses in fun Bluefish patterns and I've lost count of the great scented candles and other home accessories I've bought for myself and as gifts for my friends.
Then there's their bags and purses - oh, the purses! Baggallini is a world famous line of durable and fashionable purses, handbags and travel accessories which Bluefish proudly carry and use - I know both the ladies tote their own Baggallini's. They also carry some other great lines - I've been stopped in the street more than once and asked where I got my beautiful Madagascar Seagrass summer purse - Bluefish of course! And don't forget the great bath and body lines, clothing and one of a kind pieces by Island artists. All this, and fun desk accessories for girls of all ages in the shape of Bluefish notepads, pens and fun little bits and bobs for less than the price of a latte.
Now all this sounds great but I haven't gotten to the best part. On many levels I am a sterotypical Scottish Lass and the strongest stereotype I fulfill is my frugality. I like to get good value for money and that is the best part of the Bluefish collection - Everything in the store is hand selected by Danielle and Amy to provide the best possible quality without the huge 'Martha's Vineyard Boutique' pricetags you might be anticipating. The glasses go through the dishwasher every day and after 2 years of continuous use, the patterns are still bright and unscratched. I couldn't begin to tell you how many times I've washed this blanket (I'm a spiller by nature) and the colors are just as bright and the blanket is the same size as the day I bought it.
Oh, and did I mention the fun? What other store that sells glassware will actively encourage the kids to pick up that glitter filled bouncy ball from the basket and test it out? Or have bubble makers and coloring books on hand to entertain the younger members of the family while the older members browse?
If you haven't made it to Bluefish yet, I hope you will next time you on Martha's Vineyard but to check them out straight away, go to their website and pick up a little something. This great store is also a great world community member - right now they are donating 30% from online sales to the Red Cross Haiti Relief appeal so help them help others, you won't be disappointed!
Posted by Joanne Sardini on Sun, Jan 31, 2010
As Lane touched on in our last post, Martha's Vineyard is a very different place in winter than the beloved Island that most of you see only in it's glorious summer colors. This morning, I walked up to the top of the
Edgartown Residence Club wing of the building, as I do most days, and took a few minutes to look out on the Edgartown Harbor. I make a point of seeing the water at some point every day. Even if it is from the window. It's my version of the wonderful movie line that goes, "It's only an Island if you look at it from the water" (and I'm sure there are many Amity lovers who know that movie).
You see, the harbor is the pulse by which I measure the seasons. The ebb and flow of the tide is mirrored in the traffic patterns each season. As you can see from my photo, the sun is shining down on an almost empty harbor today. There are one or two lonely boats, bobbing on their moorings but otherwise, a deserted stretch of chilly water greets me. This isn't the case every day in winter though. It's Sunday today, so I'm missing the early morning rush of scallopers heading out to harvest their daily bushels and bring them back for shucking. If you have never tasted an Edgartown Bay Scallop fresh from the shell, then I swear you are missing one of the most amazing taste sensations in the world! Sweet and velvety, they are a treat to behold and worth a special visit during Bay scallop season which usually starts in mid November. I am lucky enough to have a few scalloper friends who make sure I am well stocked and a chef husband who lovingly prepares them in the simplest ways to let their flavors shine.
Every spring I watch as slowly but surely, the harbor once again fills up, until there are rows of neatly moored boats of all shapes and sizes enjoying all that life in this bustling summer town has to offer. I know summer is here when I see the Edgartown Yacht Club moor its pontoons for the kids sailing programs, then watch as all those little sails bob precariously in and out of the other boats while the children learn skills that I dream of having time to learn one summer! Huge and luxurious yachts become a talking point, "Did you see the one with the heli-pad?", "There's one with guards at the end of the dock - who owns that one?". Charter fishing boats take hopeful groups on high seas adventures, and the harbor launch works overtime shuttling people and their purchases back and forth to their chosen vessel.
Then the exodus begins. The pontoons are dismantled and stored away 'til next year, the families with kids and dogs in life preservers are fewer and there's a bit of a lull in harbor activity for a couple of weeks. Then mid September hits and brings with it the biggest event of the Edgartown Harbor calendar - The Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby The dates for this year's event were just announced, so grab your favorite fisherman/woman and make some plans! You can even take advantage of the Book Early and Save promotion at the Colonial Inn.
So, the harbor life continues, the fishing boats are pulled out of the water for the winter, the harbor empties and then, here we are again with a deserted harbor and bay scallops. I love to watch this cycle every year, mostly because I know that the next step brings another part of life on the Vineyard to look forward to. If you want to keep an eye on this cycle, check out our webcam, overlooking Edgartown harbor to see what's going on while you're gone.
Posted by Joanne Sardini on Sun, Nov 29, 2009
This year was my 10th Thanksgiving. Yes, it's the Scottish girl again with an outsiders perspective but I feel I might not be fully qualified for this post. You see, the problem is that ALL of my Thanksgiving experiences have been here on Martha's Vineyard and from what I can tell from friends in the 'real world' and all the crazy talk on TV, Thanksgiving on Martha's Vineyard, like everything else about this Island, is quite unique.
Yes, the lines in the grocery store are huge on Wednesday, but then I can always go to Morning Glory Farm for my veggies and a yummy fresh baked pie. Yes, many flee to destinations far and wide to spend the holiday with loved ones and many also arrive to spend Thanksgiving with loved ones on the Island but there are no 4 hour back ups on our highways - that would take every car on the Island on State Road all at once! Yes, there are sale signs in the stores, but there will be no "Doorbuster Specials" or lines outside stores at 4am to buy a cheap TV or the latest must have toy. It's just different here.
The transient nature of many of our residents means that a lot of folks cannot be with their families for the holiday and so this is where our 'Island Family' kicks into high gear. Let's face it - there's no Thanksgiving where I come from, so I'm not heading home for the holiday. Also, my hubby and I almost always work at least part of Thanksgiving Day helping others enjoy their holiday but every year we are invited to at least 5 homes to share the holiday with our Island loved ones. There is always an extra place at the table, delicious food to be shared and many laughs to be had along the way. Now I know what you are all thinking, "That's not so unusual Joanne - we do the same with our friends here!". But how many of you can come home from a long day of serving up turkey and the trimmings to hundreds of hungry guests, feet throbbing and tummy growling, to a cooler on your doorstep, left anonymously with a "Happy Thanksgiving - Enjoy!" note, packed with yummy leftovers ready to be made into that long awaited leftover sandwich?! It was like a secret Santa but for Thanksgiving! Now, I know the next thought in your head, "Really? You ate food someone left for you on your doorstep and you don't know who left it???" and that's the unique part - we didn't think twice about that - some lovely friend (we're still not sure who and this was a few years ago), was sweet enough to think of us and deliver a feast, complete with dessert, to make our day a little brighter!
Living on Martha's Vineyard has taught me to lead a simpler, more honest and more trusting life. I don't need to shop til I drop. I don't need to buy things just because I got a deal. I don't pour money into the big box store machines. I buy almost everything I need right here, in locally owned and operated stores. I get my shoes at Brickmans or Petunias, I get my clothes at Basics or the Green Room, I buy home goods, not at Home Goods, but at Le Roux, Bowl and Board, or one of the other amazing boutiques here. Yes it costs a little more sometimes but it helps my friends and neighbors maintain a life here, just like my friends helped me by delivering yummy treats to a hungry worker. I've learned to appreciate the simple stuff that many are missing in the 'real world' as they sit in traffic, waiting to get a parking spot at the mall.
I am truly thankful that I landed on Martha's Vineyard and made it my home. We are all lucky to be able to experience this little slice of heaven, whether you are here for a few days, a few weeks or a lifetime - there's no place like it! What makes you thankful to be on Martha's Vineyard?
Photo Credit: Petersbar
Posted by Joanne Sardini on Mon, Nov 23, 2009
You might be looking at this blog thinking "There's something different going on here", and you'd be correct! We have moved our blog, and our entire Colonial lnn website to a new host to help us better manage all the great Martha's Vineyard news and goings on that we have to share with you. We hope you like the new look! If you find anything that doesn't seem to be working as it should, please let us know.
Photo Credit: RBertieg
Posted by Joanne Sardini on Fri, Oct 23, 2009
Fall Sky by deel34
1. You HATE sunny days with temps in the low 60’s – “Give me the 90’s and humid or nothing!”
2. The only thing you hate more than that is a cool, crisp evening with a breeze blowing in the window – must have AC!
3. You can’t stand being able to walk into all the great restaurants with no reservations and still get a great table, great food and great service.
4. It drives you mad when people are friendly and helpful and can take an extra 10 minutes to show you their favorite spots to visit – you much prefer the harried and rushed service that sometimes comes with the summer crowds.
5. You always like to pay full price for everything – sales, discounts and promotional rates are not your thing at all!
6. Empty beaches are the enemy – long walks on the beach with not a soul to be seen sound boring.
7. You have no interest in learning – all the seminars, festivals and educational activities are an awful waste of time.
8. The highlight of your vacation is that 4 hour wait in the stand-by line at the ferry – it just wouldn’t be the same if you could get a reservation at the time you prefer.
9. Hustle and bustle are what you thrive on – serene views, quiet streets and a slower pace of life are hell for you.
10. Most of all – you LOVE to be stuck in traffic wherever you go – the 10 minute wait to get through 5 corners and the 20 minutes to get through the Triangle are what life is all about!
Posted by Joanne Sardini on Thu, Oct 01, 2009
So, if you’ve been following this blog you will have read CJ’s reviews of eating on a budget on MV – she did well but I think I might have found the ultimate eat out on a budget spot – The take out van at the Artcliff Diner!!!!!
Anyone who loves breakfast food knows that the Artcliff does a stellar job on breakfast and an awesome lunch and now they have expanded into dinner fare. OK, it’s burgers and dogs but Artcliff style! With twinkle lights strung in the trees around the picnic benches and good tunes blaring out of the van it is a uniquely Vineyard experience – gourmet take out that’s affordable.
Hamburger, cheeseburger, pig sandwich, spicy pork taco and, my personal favorite, the lamb burger (with feta and caramelized vidalia onions) make up the burger menu. In this girl’s humble opinion a great burger is simple but rare – good bun? Check. Good meat? Check. Right amount of seasoning? Check!! My husband will assure you, I am not easy to please when it comes to burgers and there are very few places where I will eat one when we are out (I reason with him that it’s because the ones he makes at home are so good but it doesn’t help when we are out and I am cranky because of ANOTHER sub-par burger experience-grrr). The Artcliff has all my points covered, and all for under $8.
Then we get to the amazing Dog menu – 5 options – a Snappy Dog, a Bikini Weenie, a Green Monster, BLT & Cheese Whizz and a Hellish Relish Dog are all available and huge! A falafel offers a veggie spin and there’s something to please most right there.
Add some hand cut fries (if you are lucky the truffle fries with parmesan will be on the specials) and a soda and we successfully ate for $21 for 2 of us (we share the fries – 1 portion is enough for 2 people).
Desserts are another must do here! Nutella or Apple Cinnamon Donuts are fried up while you wait and served with a generous drizzle of either Chocolate syrup or caramel sauce. At just $5 it seems rude to leave them behind and again, one portion will feed two, unless you are really hungry!
Now only serving on weekends from 5-midnight through the end of October (weather and business permitting) it is a gem that you must discover, if not this year then definitely next summer.
Image courtesy of Joanne Sardini.
Posted by Joanne Sardini on Mon, Sep 07, 2009
Sunset by Joanne Sardini
I often describe the arrival of summer on Martha’s Vineyard as the prospect of a visit from a favorite aunt – you can’t wait for them to arrive, but after 3 months, you’re ready for it to be over! This year, I have mixed emotions about this. Labor Day, the traditional ‘end’ of summer season on Martha’s Vineyard, is marked by crisp mornings and evenings with abundant sunshine throughout the day – in short a perfect weather end to a not so perfect weather summer. This is where my problem lies – I feel like I just didn’t get enough summer in yet! And then I remember the sage advice I give to lots of vacationers – the best is yet to come – come back in September – it’s the BEST month!
September on the Vineyard is a very special experience. Somehow everything is a little softer – the light is beautiful, especially in the early evenings, with some of the most amazing sunsets and sunrises I have every seen. The visitors seem less rushed and harried and the workers are all happy to have “made it” to September with another summer season behind them. Sure, weekends can still get a little crazy due to the booming Island wedding season but if you can come to Martha’s Vineyard mid-week in September you will surely be delighted.
It’s still warm enough to get to the beach without having to fight for a spot to lay your towel. The water is warmed by those long summer days and is warmer now than through most of July so a swim is definitely not out of the question. The air is dry enough that a long walk or bike ride is not hampered by that pesky humidity. There are surprising bargains to be had as the stores sell off their merchandise at discounted prices to empty out for the next season and to top it off, dining is made easier by the dwindling crowds – no more 1 hour waits for a table – yippee!
If you are a visitor, undoubtedly the other great part about visiting in September is the cost. At the Colonial Inn, there are some great mid-week special rates that extend through the fall that really help you stretch that dollar!
So summer need not end at Labor Day – come and play among the locals – do a survey among them and I promise that 95% will tell you that September is their favorite month – give it a go!
What else do you love about September?