News editor Ethan Genter and editor Bill Eville.
Ray Ewing

Gazette Taps New Leadership Naming Editor and News Editor

Bill Eville, writer, mentor and creator of the Vineyard Gazette’s weekly newsletter The Notebook, has been named editor of the Gazette. Ethan Genter is news editor.

Bill Eville, writer, mentor and creator of the Vineyard Gazette’s weekly newsletter The Notebook, has been named editor of the Gazette. Mr. Eville’s roots on the Island go back generations. His grandfather Bill Harding often wrote poems for the Gazette, and Bill’s first published piece in the paper was a 2001 eulogy to his grandfather written on the anniversary of his death. He joined the Gazette staff in 2010 as arts and features editor and was appointed managing editor in 2013.

A book of his personal essays, some of which first appeared in the Gazette, will be published in May.

Mr. Eville’s promotion was announced this week by publisher Jane Seagrave, who also announced that Ethan Genter has been named news editor, succeeding Noah Asimow who is joining the Peace Corps. Mr. Genter worked for seven years as a reporter for the Cape Cod Times before moving to Maine in 2020. Most recently, he was a reporter for the Bangor Daily News, covering coastal Hancock County.

“Bill may be best known to Gazette readers for his affecting and finely-crafted essays that touch on life, loss and family, but he is also a skilled editor who has helped develop and guide young reporters for more than a decade,” Ms. Seagrave said.

“He and Ethan take the reins of the newsroom during a time of rapid change on the Island that demands more than ever the kind of community journalism the Gazette is known for: in-depth reporting, excellent writing and photography, reverence for Island history and a strong sense of place,” she added.

Mr. Eville’s roots on the Island go back generations.
Ray Ewing
Mr. Eville’s roots on the Island go back generations.
Ray Ewing

Mr. Eville holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Princeton University, an MBA from Rutgers University and a master’s degree in creative writing from Florida State University.

He moved to the Island full time in 2008 with his wife, The Rev. Cathlin Baker, minister of the First Congregational Church of West Tisbury. They have two children, Hardy and Eirene (Pickle) and live in West Tisbury.

He has been serving as interim editor of the Gazette since the departure in September of Brian Boyd.

Mr. Genter is a graduate of the State University of New York at New Paltz with a degree in journalism. His experience at the Cape Cod Times included coverage of the Steamship Authority and regular visits to the Vineyard. He makes his home in West Tisbury.

The Gazette editorial staff also includes Steve Durkee, director of graphics and design; Elizabeth Bennett, community editor; Louisa Hufstader, senior reporter; Thomas Humphrey, Brooke Kushwaha and Riis Williams, reporters; Ray Ewing, photographer; Hilary Wallcox, librarian; and Graham Smith, webmaster. Susie Middleton is special projects editor. Mark Alan Lovewell, who retired last year as staff photographer, remains a contributor.

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 02/02/2023 - 23:44

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George Strin OB

Stay awesome my friends. Doing a great job that is appreciated. Thanks

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/03/2023 - 06:20

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Cathy Walthers West Tisbury

Congratulations Bill! Love and appreciate your work and your writing especially! Sounds like a lot of work..... And welcome Ethan.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/03/2023 - 06:43

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Scott Frank Chilmark/NYC

A terrific human being and a terrific writer editing a terrific newspaper. What a great bit of news to wake up to, not just for readers of the Gazette, but for all the young writers Bill will continue to mentor.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/03/2023 - 07:55

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Ann Chilmark

How fortunate for the Gazette to have the best at its helm and how lucky for us, its readers. Congratulations, Bill.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/03/2023 - 07:58

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june miller falmouth

congratulations Bill..I find your writings
moving and share them with my friends.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/03/2023 - 08:22

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Bob Edgartown

I hope the notebook continues as well as I really enjoy that. It does sound like a lot on someone’s plate to do it all. Good luck.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/03/2023 - 08:31

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Sara Oak Bluffs

Congratulations! We look forward to having the views from another transplanted Main-iac. And Bill, we've been enjoying your writing since you've been here.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/03/2023 - 09:57

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Nancy Moskow Connecticut, Florida

Congratulations to you both. Thank you for your intellectual prowess and passion for what you do. The best to you.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/03/2023 - 10:13

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Chris Daly Aquinnah

Congrats, Bill! Keep up the great work, everyone. The Gazette is a truly special newspaper.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/03/2023 - 10:37

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Nancy Corvese East Chop and St Petersburg Fla

Congratulations Bill! So well deserved! I take a piece of your writings with me every time I read them. So glad the Gazette had applauded your efforts. The Vineyard wins big time!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/03/2023 - 11:25

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Anne Luzzatto VINEYARD HAVEN

Very good news! Congratulations, Bill!
Please keep writing your lovely, soul-nourishing essays.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/03/2023 - 12:25

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Janice Casey Edgartown

Bill, I love your essays. Thank you. Congratulations & best wishes!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/03/2023 - 12:43

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Laurie Howick Evanston IL and E Chop

Congratulations to you both! I am a fan and supporter of local print journalism. I am sure our island papers will continue to keep each other focused on telling the stories that matter to us all. And yes, please continue the Notebook and other essays, Bill - you are a wonderful writer!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/03/2023 - 14:26

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Al Alexander Sarasota/Oak Bluffs

Congratulations from the generation of your elders. We look forward to more of the same.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/03/2023 - 20:12

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Carla A Cooper Edgartown

Congratulations to you Bill! A well-deserved promotion. We are a lucky community to have you at the helm of this fine newspaper.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/04/2023 - 02:55

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B A Hiller S. CA,. Bethany Beach DE

Great News. Congratulations! Well deserved. Best wishes to you and your beautiful family, Bill.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/05/2023 - 10:49

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Dad Eville Oak Bluffs

I can see by the enthusiastic outpouring of congratulations and support that we have a winner. Allow Mom and I join in.

Dad

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/06/2023 - 21:51

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Miguel Harlem

Congratulations, Bill! Or should I say, congratulations, Ms. Seagrave and the Gazette? You have made a great decision. Good luck and keep doing great work.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/07/2023 - 21:13

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Larry Kramer MEDFIELD

Bill, congrats on the well deserved official promotion. You add so much each day to the daily lives in MV and beyond and thank you. Enjoy Winter 2023

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 02/09/2023 - 11:36

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John Washbrook West Tisbury

Bill, I think Dad Eville summed it up very well: "...from the enthusiastic outpouring of congratulations and support we have a winner." I agree. Congratulations on a well-deserved promotion! And please do continue your own writing. We all love it!

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