Posted by Michael Wilson on Thu, Jul 30, 2009
I have developed a routine. Not so shocking for those of you who know me. Each afternoon or early evening, I’ll pack up my daughter into the backpack and we will walk to the harbor. We will feed the swan, should he appear and watch the boats.
“Boats! Boats, boats, boats!” she chirps in my ear as we approach the water. Anyone with a toddler knows the lure of different vehicles.
I used to think “Chappy Ferry…most boring job on the Island! 500 feet, one minute to cross, BAH!
With my little girl looking on so eagerly, I have started to watch more closely and I have to say that it is trickier than I thought.
Storms in the spring of 2007 ripped a hole in the beach that connects Chappaquiddick to the Vineyard. Rumor has it that ‘Chappaquiddick’ means ‘sometimes an island’. Storms in March 2008 ripped a second breach as well and the constant current through the harbor has caused further erosion.
The Breach has changed the ways the tide flows, caused rip tides, and eddies (which are apparently great, tricky swirly bits.) (You probably couldn’t tell until now, but I am not a boater…)
My new opinion just from watching them with a toddler: Phew! Wouldn’t want to be Captain Wells! They load fast, cars and people, take off and have to turn 90 degrees and slide across the current. If they don’t the current pushes them off course a few hundred feet.
It was busy enough coming and going off Chappaquiddick on Friday that they started running TWO boats. That was fun to watch. Two boats, crossing each other in the current. A Watery Dance of Death. (Except that these people know what they are doing and no one was at risk in any way.)
There are no shops or restaurants on Chappy so what do we send the Colonial Inn guests over there to do? The Trustees of Reservations have a great series of guided and self-guided tours. Kayak or canoe trips, four-wheel drive over sand trips to the last lonely little lighthouse at Cape Poge are available with reservations.
The Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, the Mytoi Japanese Gardens and the Wasque Reservation are all worth the trip over.
Yes, there is a bridge. No, it’s not the same one. There’s nothing to “see” there. Just enjoy the trip and nature’s beauty!
Image courtesy of The Trustees of Reservations
Posted by CJ Rivard on Mon, Jul 27, 2009
One of the things that I love about Martha’s Vineyard in the summer is the quality and variety of activities and events from which to choose – many not normally available in such a small community. Evening events are naturally geared more toward “grown-ups,” however (when the wee ones are in bed). But being a mother of 4, I understand the need to entertain the WHOLE family at any given time of the day; so I have come up with a couple of suggestions for those long summer nights…
To be honest, my favorite “family night out” is not very original… but it’s always relaxing and a hit with the entire family. My husband is strongly opposed to anything involving crowds (which eliminates a lot in July & August), so our family beach time involves a picnic dinner and an evening dip in the ocean. Regardless of the number of folks on the beach during the day, if you wait until after 6pm, you are sure to find your own sandy spot of solitude. We normally head to State Beach because we never have to walk far from our car (you know there’s always lots to lug w/kids), and if there are a lot of cars in one area, we can keep going until we find an unclaimed stretch of beach. The water is warm from the day’s heat; and with the volume of fun (and fights) that ensues when my family arrives, “the crowds” are very happy that we avoided them!
Then there is the obligatory evening out in Oak Bluffs. Oak Bluffs is always a swarm of activity in the summer (as well as a lot of fun)… so I suggest leaving the claustrophobic members of the family at home (Yes, you guessed it… hubby stays home!). A great place to start your evening is Nancy’s on the harbor (or another favorite haunt for fast, casual waterfront fare), and then take time to meander along the harbor and across New York Ave… with ice cream in hand, of course! Or wait to grab a cotton candy at The Flying Horses Carousel. The carousel is the nation’s oldest operating platform carousel and a National Historic Landmark. They are open until 10pm every evening in the summer and a ride is only $1.50. After the Flying Horses, you can continue up Circuit Ave. to the Game Room which is open until midnight. Plenty of time to spend all of your quarters!
If you crave something different after a day at the beach, I recommend the Cinema Circus, put on by The Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival every Wednesday in July and August at the Chilmark Community Center. The mission of the Cinema Circus is “to produce family events that engage children with films, discussion, and activities that promote media literacy and community interaction” and they’re FUN! The doors open at 5pm with acrobats, jugglers, and face painting as well as activities and discussions around the film(s) being screened. And then there is always the pizza and popcorn… Admission is $12 for adults and $5 for kids.
The Island Cove Mini Golf is another sure hit for a family evening out! Located on State Rd. (across from Cronig’s grocery store), they are open until 10pm daily during the summer. They offer an adventure themed mini golf course and a 24ft high outdoor climbing wall with three levels of difficulty to accommodate (almost) everyone in the family. Their grill is open for lunch and dinner with relatively inexpensive, casual fare so it is a “one stop shop” for the night… and don’t forget to leave room for the ice cream!
If your kids still crave action at the end of a busy day… check out the Family Dance-O-Rama at Nectar’s on Tuesday nights (they are located at the airport in the old Outerlands location). They have music from 5:30-7:30, so the younger set can boogie and blow off some steam… hopefully winding up very tired and ready for bed! Admission is complimentary, and food is sold there, so it’s another “one stop shop” for dinner and fun (ya gotta love it when they make it that easy!).
Do you have other evening activities that are part of you island summer traditions? Please make a comment. We would love to hear your ideas.
Image courtesy of owlhere.
Posted by Lane Gregory on Sat, Jul 25, 2009
Hello friends. It’s hard to believe that the busy month of August is almost upon us. Those of you who are August regulars know that the BIG activities and events all occur in fast succession at the end of the season. Being a bit of a recluse myself, I have always admired our end of summer visitors. I figure they are happy people who, more than anything else, love being around other happy people. Sometimes the crowds can be a little overwhelming, but there is not one event in August that isn’t worth the inconvenience of having your toes stepped on occasionally.
So many things of note occur in August, that I believe I’ll have to commit myself to at least two blog posts, beginning with the first couple weeks of this extraordinary month.
Everything kicks off on the third of August with the annual Possible Dreams Auction. This wonderful event is in its 31st year and has become a legend in its own time. All benefits go directly to Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, which provides accessible education and health and human services for islanders. We are eternally grateful to all the seasonal and year round celebrities and high-profile executives who generously donate their time and personal talents and gifts to this great cause. Not to mention the army of auction volunteers who knock themselves out making the entire event run smooth as silk.
I am not talking about bidding on Aunt Agnes’s vintage pearls, or Uncle John’s antique tool collection here. This year, you can bid on an opportunity to bring along 17 of your closest friends to enjoy a private suite at the Garden for the Celtics game of your choice, including a pregame dinner with managing partner Wyc Grousbeck and Celtics legend JoJo White.
The more hands-on bidders can try for a private kitesurfing lesson with Black Dog CEO Rob Douglas and actor Lenny Clark, finish with a Black Dog catered picnic on the beach, and go home with the kite.
Perhaps you’d prefer 18 holes and lunch at Farm Neck Golf Club with presidential pal Vernon Jordan.
Or moms and dads might like to treat your kids to a picnic with Clifford, the big Red Dog and his creator Norman Birdwell and take home an original painting of Clifford in a Vineyard setting.
These are only several of the Dreams offered this year. And there are always lots of surprises. True, the auction is not quite the same without dear Art Buchwald at the podium, and there will be an extra air of sadness that our beloved Walter Cronkite, a regular at the auction, is no longer with us. But it will not dampen the enthusiasm of the participants of 2009. We are all very excited about the new venue, two large tents on Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs, where even more people than before can enjoy the fun. The action starts at 3:30 PM. Don’t be embarrassed if you’re not there to bid. Spend the $25 admission fee just for the fun, or give yourself a special treat and go for the $300 post auction dinner. It’s all for an incredible cause, that you’ll be proud to have been a part of. For more information, the Possible Dreams website.
And if that’s not enough excitement for you, on the fifth, enter the 5th annual Sand and Sculpture Contest on South Beach from 10 AM until 3 PM. Then clean the sand from between your toes by the 10th, put on your casual best, and go to the Hospice Summer Soiree and Auction at 5:30 PM at Farm Neck Golf Club.
Phew! Wait until I get to the last two weeks of August and tell you about Grand Illumination Night, Oak Bluffs Fireworks, and the Agricultural Fair! Coming soon…
Image courtesy of hrh_23
Posted by Rick Conti on Thu, Jul 23, 2009
The ocean is a marvelous place. It is literally a place of marvels. People travel from deep in the interior sections of a continent just to spend a few days in its proximity. As they near it, their hearts – if not their voices – resonate with that of William Clark who cried at his first sight of the Pacific, “Ocean in view! O! The joy!” We are willing to spend a massive premium for the privilege of an ocean vista, disregarding the dangers it poses.
It only takes a few minutes at the beach to realize that there is more to it than sand and water. Peter Kreeft, prolific author and professor of philosophy at Boston College, has caught this vision. He says that by God’s design, “the ocean is a perfect toy: always there, always willing to play with you, just dangerous enough to be exciting, never needing replacement, unbreakable, never boring, and you don’t even have to put it away when you’re finished playing with it. Watch how little kids treat it; they know what it’s for.”
Indeed, no one seems to appreciate the beach like a child. The little girl has no need of a “beach book” or a radio to pass the time. Her younger brother isn’t concerned with making a fashion statement or getting the perfect tan. The sand, shells, waves, sun, and breeze all provide more than enough distraction for the most innocent among us. And if they have the proper tools, who knows what imaginative creations they may construct in the sand?
My preferred portion of coastline on the Vineyard, in spite of its often overbearing crowds, is South Beach. The power of the surf there is humbling, more than once leaving me tumbling in its foamy aftermath. The shoreline goes on almost to the vanishing point in either direction. One can stroll its shifting sands in peace for hours. (In the absence of the breach, a stroll to Chappy is even a possibility, if a stretch physically.)
You never know what wonder you will encounter along that stretch of shoreline. There is a seemingly endless variety of birds to watch – some skittering in the shallow surf, some repeatedly diving headlong into the waves foraging for a meal. While lacking an abundance of shells, there are yet some prizes to be found for the diligent. Patience and a keen eye may also reward you with a rare seal or dolphin sighting.
Those who lug their laptops, cell phones and iPods to the beach will have their reward, I suppose. I prefer to follow the lead of the little ones. When it comes to the ocean, they know the magic it holds better than I do.
Posted by Joanne Sardini on Mon, Jul 20, 2009
The beach
Now that the weather is finally nice enough to merit a visit to the beach I am struck by the vast number of choices I have. Martha’s Vineyard has over 125 miles of coastline so there’s plenty to go around and lots of different atmospheres to enjoy.
My beach selection usually depends on my mood. If I want to people watch all day and don’t mind being around tons of people, I go to South Beach. This beach is on the Atlantic coast, south of Edgartown and is Edgartown’s main beach. Lifeguards are on duty July and August but be VERY careful as the surf can be quite rough and can take you by surprise! Also, there can be occasional undertows, so be careful if you are swimming and of course, make sure that kids are well supervised. South Beach is really popular with the younger visitors and residents of the Island – if you are under 30, this is the place to hang (or if your over 30 and want to pretend, that works too). I always enjoy people watching here – the dynamics of young men and women preening and strutting gives hours of entertainment and if people watching isn’t your thing, there’s always sandcastle building!! This is such a great spot for constructing your architectural masterpiece that the Edgartown Board of Trade now sponsors a Sand Sculpting contest each August (this year on August 4th), so grab a pail and shovel and get practicing!
For a quieter pace, with lifeguards and good swimming, I go to State Beach. This is the beach that runs along the coast road between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. This is definitely a good spot for families – always lots of kids building sandcastles, splashing and generally raising a ruckus – join in and re-discover the kid in you. The water here is calm enough that the local kids have their swimming lessons here.
If I just want to hunker down and read in peace and quiet, I head to Lighthouse Beach in Edgartown. As the name suggests, it’s beside the lighthouse. The fact that there is very little parking means that this beach is generally quite quiet and it’s really nice to watch the sail boats glide in and out of the harbor. It’s only a few minutes walk from the Colonial Inn and many other Edgartown hotels, so it is very convenient, but remakably under used.
If you are lucky enough to have a 4 wheel drive vehicle you can become a member of the Trustees of the Reservations and get a beach sticker for your vehicle. This will allow you access to some of the most beautiful, peaceful and unspoiled beaches on the Island, over on Chappy. This is my real favorite but you need to plan ahead for this beach as there are no stores over on Chappy. I usually like to pre-order sandwiches from Skinny’s Fat Sandwiches in Edgartown – you can order the night before and pick up your order at 10am – saves the wait 
There are lots of other spots, some great up Island gems and down Island coves…where is your favorite?
Posted by Michael Wilson on Sat, Jul 18, 2009
If I had a dollar for everyone who has ended a reservation call with some variation on this theme, I’d be a happy man. Sometimes, people want me to tell them what they should do and I simply cannot. This can be frustrating for some.
There are as many answers as there are people. Some folk are extremely attached to their wheels and the idea of leaving their car, their independence…nay…their very identities behind is unthinkable. Some people can drop their cars like a hot rock and just wing it. YOU know your travel needs better than I do. It is possible (and FAR less expensive) to travel everywhere on the Island without bringing your car across.
Here’s what I suggest to Colonial Inn guests…
Leave the car behind. The Steamship Authority has ample parking in numerous locations. You pay $10 per calendar day to park and they shuttle you to the boat. The Steamship cost for vehicles is between $135 and $155 round-trip. (The bigger the car or truck, the more you spend to bring it over!) Therefore, $40 for parking on a three-day stay leaves you $95 to $115 ahead. (That’s a meal for two at a mid-range Island restaurant…)
During the height of the summer, every town on Martha’s Vineyard becomes rush hour Boston. You can inch along for an hour and never see a parking spot, and you will begin to curse the happy carefree faces of cyclists and pedestrians. MOREOVER, they paid $40 to park their cars so they are loaded down with plunder while YOU have $100 less to spend toward boosting the economy. It’s downright un-American! So leave the car. Plunder the Village!
Car-less and straight off of the boat, options increase. This is where I have different advice for different people. Taxis are expensive. $22 for two people will get you from a ferry terminal to our door. Pricey? Yes, but with a varying number of travelers coming from locations far and wide, (some of whom may have begun their travels at three or four AM, ugh) and luggage in tow, it is the fastest way to get you here and settled. If we can’t get you into your room yet, we will at least take that annoying luggage and direct you to a great lunch spot. (Freed of your burdens and a tummy full of lunch, you will feel much more adventurous. Trust me!)
Once you are here and settled, THEN we can walk you through the Vineyard Transit Authority Bus route. The public bus system has connections to many points on the island and for a $15 three day pass, you can have unlimited access. Many of the drivers are year-round Island residents and have a wide range of ideas for things to see and do. (Getting some of them to chat is trickier, but if it were all easy, where would the adventure be?)
There are also several bicycle rental shops no more than three minutes away. We recommend Cutler Bikes and Wheel Happy. They have been more than helpful to our guests over the years and I recommend them without hesitation. Many of the roads on the Island have wide sidewalks designed to accommodate bicycles.
Please, just don’t ask us about mopeds! (We prefer that the one part of the island that you don’t explore while here is the emergency room…)
Image courtesy of The Vineyard Transit Authority
Posted by CJ Rivard on Thu, Jul 16, 2009
There are plenty of sounds I associate with the Vineyard. A few are annoying (motorcycles without mufflers and loud cell phone conversations) but most are enticing: sea gulls calling, waves crashing on the shore, the bells of the Old Whaling Church peeling, and children laughing. And lest I forget, the call of, “Your table is ready!” at Sharky’s Cantina.
One of my favorite sounds is named after a sound that can’t be heard. Sound confusing?
The span of water separating Martha’s Vineyard from the Elizabeth Islands is called Vineyard Sound. When I hear that name, however, I think of the melodious tones of the a capella singing group of that name that graces the Island every summer with songs and good times.
Begun in 1992, The Vineyard Sound consists of a group of college students, changing each year, who summer on the Vineyard and literally sing for their suppers. The 2009 edition consists of ten gentlemen who will perform four nights a week at locations around the island.
I’ll never forget the first time I heard them. My wife and I were simply strolling the streets of Edgartown one sultry summer night back in 1994. In the distance we heard harmonizations that could be aptly described as enthralling. Up Water Street came the members of The Vineyard Sound like vocal Pied Pipers leading a large band of followers who had been caught up in their magical sounds. Soon we were among them.
The makeup of the group has metamorphosed many times over the years, but the quality and style remain consistently virtuosic. Each year, they manage to recruit an incredibly capable, charismatic crew of collegians. They sing classics and current tunes, both funky and funny. An evening with this troupe will have you laughing, toe-tapping, and maybe even joining in.
Warning: Take in a single concert and you’ll want to hear them again and again. Picking up one of their CD’s, always available at their shows, is a proven antidote to Vineyard Sound withdrawal!
Image courtesy of The Vineyard Sound.
Posted by CJ Rivard on Mon, Jul 13, 2009
Those who know me well would probably describe my spending habits as “cheap”… but I prefer the terms “economy minded” or “frugal”! I don’t eat out often (college tuitions to save for you know), and I really appreciate a Value. For all of these reasons, I am sympathetic to visitors who want to vacation on this beautiful island without taking a second mortgage out on their house. Eating out every meal can be expensive, but if you know where to go, a little planning will go far and you can then splurge without guilt on some of our more posh gourmet dining options.
Because the island offers a vast array of eateries, this post will focus on Edgartown, which is the area I know best. Let’s start with breakfast… Please don’t underestimate the value of a breakfast included in your room rate, even a simple continental. Especially if you have more than 1 or 2 mouths to feed! It is one less thing to think about & budget. It also makes the mornings a little more relaxed. You don’t have to consider where to go, or even wait until everyone in your family is awake.
I highly recommend solidifying your lunch plans before you take off for your day. If you are headed to the beach or off for a hike or long bike ride, you can get sandwiches, etc. to go and have a picnic at a scenic spot along the way. Two deli’s that offer great value are Humphreys Bakery (right behind The Colonial Inn on Winter St.) and Shiretown Meats (the butcher shop beside Stop & Shop). Both offer huge portions, so it’s possible to make 1 sandwich into lunch for 2. Another less expensive and popular option is fast food to go at the Quarterdeck on Dock St. You can grab a hotdog for the kids (or an inexpensive soft ice cream cone) and enjoy your feast on a bench along the harbor, while watching the boats and ducking the seagulls (I understand that the gulls really like those french fries… watch your fingers!).
If you are looking for a casual, kid friendly spot to “eat in”, check out Among the Flowers on Mayhew Lane. They have a wonderful patio area from which to people watch, & good food (celebrating 30 years in business, they must be doing something right…also a great option for a full breakfast).
There are numerous fabulous dinner options in Edgartown, depending on your mood and budget. For casual pub fare, I like to recommend the Newes from America Pub, on the corner of N.Water St. and Kelley St. It’s a cozy spot with a kid’s menu, and microbrews on-tap. Another popular restaurant with reasonable prices is Sharkey’s Cantina on upper Main St. Yes, I know that most people don’t come to Martha’s Vineyard expecting to eat Mexican food; but the food is good, the atmosphere is fun, and variety is the spice of life, right?!
Another moderately priced dining option is Lattanzi’s Pizzeria. Off of Courthouse Square, they offer exceptional “traditional Italian cuisine” (with a fine dining option next door). The pizzeria is more casual, and offers something on the menu for everyone in the family.
If you are interested in a more upscale dining option, the Best Value in Edgartown is at Chesca’s, on N.Water St. at the Colonial Inn Courtyard. They offer delicious “urban Italian & American cuisine”, a comfortably elegant atmosphere, an extensive wine list, and the service is always top notch. If there is a wait (it’s a really popular spot), you can enjoy your favorite beverage and people watch in the most comfortable rockers on the Island… on the covered front porch of the Colonial Inn. Although everything on Chesca’s menu is a good bet, they offer a few Bento Box options that will help minimize the bill. Their American version of this Japanese tradition offers smaller portions of an entree, salad, choice of soup or chowder, mashed potatoes and a fresh sautéed vegetable all for one attractive price ($28-32).
So what are your favorite choices when “eating out” on a budget on Martha’s Vineyard? Did I miss you favorite Edgartown eating tradition? I hope to expand on this list and cover other towns in future posts, so please let us know what your favorites are!
Image courtesy of edenpictures
Posted by Lane Gregory on Sat, Jul 11, 2009
A Vineyard experience doesn’t have to be all about the beach. After washing off a long day’s accumulation of sand, salt and oily sun block, why not discover the island’s superb theater offerings? Many visitors are amazed at the amount and quality of the professional entertainment available here.
One of the most established venues is The Vineyard Playhouse in Vineyard Haven, a non-profit professional theater offering a rich selection of plays year round. Their summer season consists of three main stage plays, beginning on June 17th with FLY, a new play about the heroic Tuskegee Airmen of WWII. Call 508-696-6300 to reserve.
For a more relaxed evening, pack a picnic dinner and join them at The Tisbury Amphitheater for this year’s Shakespeare presentation of SHREW, which will be performed every Wednesday through Sunday at 5 PM (weather permitting) July 22 – August 9. Tickets at the box office only. Also at The Amphitheater, The Fabulists, fun for the whole family, Saturdays at 10 AM, July and August. You can get the full schedule and full information at The Vineyard Playhouse website.
Also, not to be missed, is The Yard in Chilmark. Established in 1924 by Patricia Nanon, it originally began as an outlet to bring talented choreographers to the island. Now, under its current director Wendy Taucher, the theater has expanded to include world class events of music, opera, and an artists’ program throughout the season, with many free family matinees. The Yard kicks of its season on June 26 with an evening of dance, dessert, and champagne. Call 508-645-9662 for reservations or go to The Yard website for full schedules and information.
So swim, bike, and knock yourselves out during the day, then clean up, sit back, and prepare to be surprisingly and delightfully entertained all evening by some of the best theater available anywhere.
Image courtesy of Nuno Duarte
Posted by Michael Wilson on Thu, Jul 09, 2009
When I say that Martha’s Vineyard is too “City-fied” for me, people laugh. 
Here is my perspective: I came to the Vineyard after living for ten years in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I lived in a condominium where bears came through the parking lot to the dumpsters on a regular basis and if I took a wrong turn out of the back yard, I could be lost for hours in the deep woods. THAT is a walk in the woods for me!
The Island is rural, but I like ‘the wilds’ so yes… “City-fied” is the word I use.
There ARE places on the Vineyard that come close enough to solitude to suit me. Okay, July and August there is NO seclusion to be had, but most of the time I can find a short trail with a decent level of quiet.
Felix Neck is great. We have taken several long walks through the Sanctuary over the years and it is full of gorgeous birds and plants.
Its location is also very nice. It lies well off the Vineyard Haven / Edgartown road and looks out across the State Beach area on the far end of the Sanctuary. As there is the wide expanse of water between the Felix Neck property and the Beach Road to Oak Bluffs, it feels more secluded than it really is.
I also enjoy it for the rabbits and squirrels. Most people would not suspect it to look at me, but I am a ‘squirrel-talker’. I can chirp and call red and gray squirrels from the trees to within several feet of me. They will chatter back at me as well. I also had a rare black squirrel accost me aggressively in my own yard once…pretty cheeky of him, but as I have no idea what I said first to him, I guess I have to overlook it.
I can’t wait to teach my daughter the ways of the ‘Squirrel-Talker’, but I digress!
The Colonial Inn is on the Felix Neck e-mailing list so ask at the Front Desk for a run-down on events. They have various guided tours and special events of different styles throughout the summer: Down By The Shore, Creature Feature and Coastal Water bird Walk all occur before July 4th but there is a daily guided tour that is free of charge Monday through Friday.
A recurring event throughout the summer is the Felix Neck Kayak Quest from the increasingly popular treasure hunt series for children. $40 per boat for non-Audubon Society members will provide boat, paddles (always helpful), lifejackets and the Quest materials. You work at your own pace and self-guide through the Sengekontacket Pond and the Quest book clues will lead your band of adventurers to the hidden Box.
That just has fun slathered all over it!
Tell the squirrels I said ‘Hey!’
Image courtesy of John Morgan
Posted by Rick Conti on Mon, Jul 06, 2009
I suppose everyone has their favorite Vineyard spot. For some, it’s a place to appreciate the beauty of creation and be alone with their thoughts. The less contemplative among us might, to lift a line from Ms. Lauper, “just wanna have fun” and so seek out a more active corner of the Island. At the risk of exposing it to others, I’d like to share some thoughts on my special spot.
Down on Edgartown Harbor, behind a parking lot, a row of benches stand sentry on the dock. Occupying one of those seats is, for me, the ultimate in Vineyard leisure. Now, you wouldn’t think that a parking lot would lend itself to a relaxing respite. However, with my back to the asphalt, facing the waters of Edgartown Harbor, I can forget what’s behind me… in more ways than one.
On my rude bench – though not so rude since the old corroding wooden benches were replaced – I lose myself in thought, soak up the sunshine, and absorb the ever-changing, diverting spectacle on the waters before me.
The sights are wonderful. Launches come and go. Ducks and even the odd swan swim up looking for handouts. Mad Max sits patiently, riding the swells while awaiting its next set of patrons. The On Time ferry does its curious commute from Edgartown to Chappy and back, all the while fighting the current created by the breach at Norton’s Point. Sunshine sets fire to the restless harbor waters making them look like a troupe of dancing diamonds.
One of the most spellbinding sights I’ve encountered was a seagull cracking open a crab shell by dropping it over and over from high in the air onto the dock until the meat was easily accessible. He earned that meal.
While the view alone is sufficient to stimulate my reverie, all my senses are involved. The calls of the birds ring over the slapping of the waves against the seawall. The aroma of fare being cooked up at a local eatery wafts over the scent of seawater. The feeling of the hot sun on my skin is relieved by a cool breeze off the water.
To satisfy the taste sensation, however, I have to take matters into my own hands. Thankfully, the wondrous Ice Cream & Candy Bazaar (an institution worthy of its own blog entry!) is conveniently located directly on the dock. The picture is thus made perfect with an ice cream treat, a bag of penny candy, or – my personal favorite – a mix of chocolate covered pretzels and cookie dough.
And I don’t even have to drop it on the dock to get at it!
Image courtesy of Chris Vandyck
Posted by Lane Gregory on Sat, Jul 04, 2009
Considering the total amount of rainfall on the Vineyard this June, I’m hoping that the subject of this blog will soon be moot. However, my car mechanic tells me he remembers a Vineyard summer one year that never happened. So, just in case…
Imagine you are finally here, under the roof you paid for three months ago and looked forward to with such gleeful anticipation, but it is the third day of rain, and if you hear ”Mom, what can we do?” one more time, you are going to go jump off Big Bridge at the state beach and continue swimming out to sea. Or maybe you happen to have a little one who, for some reason, just doesn’t like sand between her toes. Do not despair. There is life beyond the beach for our younger visitors and peace of mind for their parents.
I’ll start right here in Edgartown. Have a real farm experience, complete with crops and livestock at the Farm Institute in Katama. Visit as a family or sign the kids up for one of the Children’s Programs, for ages 2 – 17.
Every week, the Edgartown Library on North Water Street has Toddler Time for ages 1 – 4, and Story Hour for 3 – 5 year olds. They also offer special events, such as learning the phases of the moon using Oreo cookies or the Bear’s Picnic, that you can bring your favorite stuffed pal to.
The Martha’s Vineyard Museum has Kid’s Arts and Crafts each week and also have special events, like Archaeology for Kids.
If the rain lets up a little in the evening, grab everyone and go on the MV Trustees of Reservations (Not-So-Creepy) Creatures of the Night Family Hike.
And that’s just Edgartown. Featherstone Gallery in Oak Bluffs has Children’s Arts weekdays from 2 to 5 PM. There is also Children’s Art daily at the Stone Gallery in West Tisbury. The Vineyard Playhouse’s Summer Stars Theater and Art Camp in Vineyard Haven is a favorite of 9 -14 year olds, and The Yard in Chilmark offers Creative Theater, Music and Movement. And don’t forget the MV Adventure Camp or tennis lessons at the Vineyard Tennis Center. I could go on and on.
So don’t let a little drizzle put a damper on your family vacation. By the time the sun comes out again, you and the kids will be totally exhausted from all these activities and ready for a lazy day on the beach again.
Posted by Joanne Sardini on Thu, Jul 02, 2009
4th of July by CitySteph
You can’t come to Martha’s Vineyard without noticing the vast number of different accents you encounter in your day – the girl at the coffee shop is Russian, the guy who drives the cab is from Bulgaria, your housekeeper is Jamaican and this hotel manager is Scottish. To many, it’s part of what makes the Vineyard so special – almost everyone is from somewhere else and bring with them their own traditions and perspectives while adopting a good measure of the local culture.
This weekend will be my 11th July 4th celebration – 10th on Martha’s Vineyard. In Scotland, holidays are still mostly the old Christian calendar holidays with a couple of ‘Bank Holidays’ thrown in (basically an administrative day off for the whole country), so I have come to love my American holidays – Memorial Day to celebrate those who protect and have protected, Labor Day for the workers, Thanksgiving reminds us all how lucky we are, but my favorite of all has to be 4th of July!
On my 1st July 4th on Martha’s Vineyard I was lucky enough to be swept up by my American colleague, “Let me show you all the fun of a real July 4th!” Well, I’m pretty game for an adventure, so I put myself in her hands and boy am I glad that I did!
The 1st stop was the lawn of the Old Whaling Church for a good old fashioned BBQ. Burgers, dogs with all the fixins’, kids screaming and laughing, parents chasing, grandparents sitting back and enjoying – good old family fun!
Down to North Water Street next for ice cream from my favorite spot, Mad Martha’s – voted the Best of the Vineyard for several years, and in the Top 10 in the USA Today a few years ago – it really is a fantastic place – cones, cups, sundaes, toppings – everything a dessert lover could wish for.
So, ice cream in one hand and flag in the other, we found a perch on the steps of the Colonial Inn courtyard to watch the parade – and oh, what a parade it is! Having never seen a big city parade, my frame of reference is limited, but I am assured it is small town Americana at its best. The parade starts at 5ish (remember – you’re on Vineyard Time) and confuses many by looping through town in the opposite direction to the usual traffic flow. It starts at Edgartown Elementary School, takes a Left at Pease Point Way and loops behind the town center to head along North Water Street in the ‘opposite’ direction and then UP Main Street.
The Selectmen from all the towns lead off in antique vehicles, many local businesses decorate floats with many varied themes, lots of kids sports teams and other non-profits have tons of fun entertaining the crowds – skaters, dancers, musicians, gymnasts and many others besides. The towns’ fire trucks are decked out, the Island Veterans always get a huge cheer and imagine my surprise when a group of men in kilts and ladies in tartan processed by followed by a Bagpipe Band – did they do this just to make me feel a part of the fun? Alas no, it’s the local Scottish Society (although it sure did make it all feel a bit more familiar).
After the fun of the parade we took a break, enjoyed the great atmosphere in town and then headed up to Lighthouse Beach to stake out our spot for the fireworks. They are set off from a barge just off-shore of the Lighthouse, in the outer harbor, so the beach is really the best vantage point, although you can see them from other locations a bit farther out. They usually start around 8.30 – 9pm (once it’s dark enough) and the show never disappoints.
Who wouldn’t love this holiday!! The events continue this year, in the same way they did on my 1st year here – will we see you? What are you doing for the 4th?