Mark Alan Lovewell
A new 29-foot gaff-rigged sloop is being built at Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway. The work began in January and the boatyard is working towards a June launch. “In these financial times, we feel fortunate to be building a boat. We only got word after Christmas,” said Ross Gannon of the boatyard. At Christmas time there was uncertainty about the future season. “We didn’t know what we would do,” he said. “When this job came through, it was a great relief.”
The season’s first significant northeaster dumped snow on the mainland and shut down transportation, keeping many home, or away from home. March came in like a lion and gave Island school children one more day off before school resumed after the winter break. And many who spent the weekend trying to get back to the Island after a break, spent more time at the airport.
Buses between Boston and Woods Hole were cancelled all day on Monday.
The Vineyard is an ideal place for stargazing, and of course comet-gazing. The skies are dark, and unlike in urban and suburban areas on the mainland, light pollution is not a problem.
Comet Lulin is fast-moving. Last week, the comet resided in the zodiacal constellation Virgo. This week it resides in Leo and next week it moves into Cancer. That is a lot of space to cover.
A new visitor to our solar system is high in Vineyard skies this week. Comet Lulin, despite being barely visible to those with even the keenest vision, has gained attention around the world.
Twelve years ago, Comet Hale-Bopp was the last newly discovered comet that anyone could see overhead. That comet was considerably brighter and easier to spot than our new visitor. In photographs, Comet Lulin has a distinct greenish color, while Hale-Bopp shone both white and blue.
Two high school students from the Berkshires are here for three days to talk up organic student-run farming. Sophomore Sam Levine, 15, and senior Sarah Steadman, 18, are sharing their story of how they were able to start a farm in a school soccer field next to their high school and bring thousands of pounds of produce to their school cafeteria. Today they continue their tour of Island farms and meet with students at the regional high school to share their farming stories.
As the Island suffers the ravages of an increasingly unsteady economy, jobs are evaporating and many families are beginning to feel the squeeze, there has been a surge of interest in the Island Food Pantry. Fortunately, contributions are up, according to Armen Hanjian, coordinator for the Vineyard Haven-based free food program, though harder days may lie ahead.