Boat Line Hears Worries on SSA Marketing Effort
By ALEXIS TONTI
In a lively discussion about the Steamship Authority's new marketing program, Islanders advocated shelving plans for a glossy magazine and cautioned SSA executives not to ignore Island businesses in favor of courting national retailers with big budgets.
Advocate for Summer Housing Pushes for Property at Airport
By ALEXIS TONTI
A leader in the push to build group housing for summer workers on the Vineyard is calling for the Martha's Vineyard Airport commissioners to reconsider a plan to site the housing on county land near the airport business park.
"This is a great Island initiative and it shouldn't fail because of shortsightedness," said Norman Rankow, chairman of the Summer Workforce Housing Task Force. "I plan to do whatever I can to bring the airport commissioners on board."
Vineyard Ushers in 2004 with Festive Air
Fireworks in Tisbury Mark Celebration of Last Night, First Day
By ALEXIS TONTI
Tisbury's Last Night, First Day festival offered Islanders both the intimacy of a dinner party and the spirit of a large-scale celebration. And at a time of year when people tend to look back and to look ahead, it was refreshing to stop, for a few hours, and simply enjoy the best of what the Island had to offer.
Port, Airline Security Ramping Up Again
By ALEXIS TONTI
As the nation moves toward the new year under a heightened terror alert, Island security continues to tighten at the direction of the federal Department of Homeland Security, which is again pumping money into port and airline security on the Island.
The Steamship Authority and Hy-Line Cruises have received $515,000 from the federal department to improve security measures at their Cape and Islands terminals.
Tisbury's Two-Day New Year's Affair Aided by Donation
By ALEXIS TONTI
No one regards the first of January with indifference, and this year Tisbury is inviting the Island community to welcome 2004 with two days of celebration highlighted by a fireworks display over Vineyard Haven harbor New Year's Eve.
The Last Night, First Day festival, now in its third year, has always run on the contributions of the Island community, but this year an unexpected $10,000 donation from Ernie Boch Jr. and his family has gone a long way toward funding the event.
With six shopping days left until Christmas, Tisbury merchants say the women will come early, the men late.