Gwyn Skiles
@gwynskiles.bsky.social
Reporter on Martha’s Vineyard covering all things Island
The random, fun summer events are back!!💜
Betty White Postage Stamp Has Vineyard Roots
On Saturday at the Nobnocket Inn, Emily Texeira, the Vineyard Haven postmaster, presented Dale Stephanos with a plaque thanking him for his dedication to honoring one of the country’s most cherished i...
vineyardgazette.com
June 13, 2025 at 1:36 AM
The random, fun summer events are back!!💜
Researchers last week spotted one of the largest aggregations of critically endangered right whales south of the Vineyard. 🐋
Out of Sight for Three Years, Right Whale Calvin Makes a Cameo off the Vineyard
More than 60 right whales were sighted 55 miles south of the Island in an aerial survey conducted by the New England Aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life on April 23.
vineyardgazette.com
May 3, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Researchers last week spotted one of the largest aggregations of critically endangered right whales south of the Vineyard. 🐋
“You’re dealing with a force of nature [and] that’s the first thing to learn when working with the southern pine beetle — humility,” said Adam Moore, the executive director of Sheriff’s Meadow.
Southern Pine Beetles Could Slowly Reshape Island Forests
The southern pine beetle has devastated parts of some of the Island's forests. Conservation groups are in the early stages of fighting back.
vineyardgazette.com
April 26, 2025 at 6:06 PM
“You’re dealing with a force of nature [and] that’s the first thing to learn when working with the southern pine beetle — humility,” said Adam Moore, the executive director of Sheriff’s Meadow.
Neat science story out of Buzzards Bay by my friend and fellow midwesterner @vivianla.bsky.social
As New England waters warm, invasive sea squirts move in
Researchers say they're seeing more of these colorful blobs growing on docks, but they're not the only invasive marine species that could be spreading along New England coasts. And climate change may ...
www.wbur.org
April 23, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Neat science story out of Buzzards Bay by my friend and fellow midwesterner @vivianla.bsky.social
For the first time in over 20 years, the Edgartown select board will have a new face. Alex Morrison won by a landslide, bringing in a total of 469 votes.
April 10, 2025 at 11:40 PM
For the first time in over 20 years, the Edgartown select board will have a new face. Alex Morrison won by a landslide, bringing in a total of 469 votes.
As several U.S. municipalities ban gas leaf blowers, Martha’s Vineyard makes its decision in the coming weeks.
The contentious question feels personal for many on-Island, where a booming landscaping industry could take a hit. But others argue curbing toxic emissions takes precedence.
The contentious question feels personal for many on-Island, where a booming landscaping industry could take a hit. But others argue curbing toxic emissions takes precedence.
Voters to Decide on Future of Gas Leaf Blowers
As the Vineyard approaches its annual town meeting season, a highly-debated bylaw aimed at curbing the noise of leaf blowers is on nearly every town’s warrant.
vineyardgazette.com
March 31, 2025 at 4:16 AM
As several U.S. municipalities ban gas leaf blowers, Martha’s Vineyard makes its decision in the coming weeks.
The contentious question feels personal for many on-Island, where a booming landscaping industry could take a hit. But others argue curbing toxic emissions takes precedence.
The contentious question feels personal for many on-Island, where a booming landscaping industry could take a hit. But others argue curbing toxic emissions takes precedence.
Reposted by Gwyn Skiles
I created an RSS feed of local Island #news. I read it with an #AppleShortcut, and pass it to #ChatGPT to turn into a #haiku
vineyardgazette.com/news/2025/03... @gwynskiles.bsky.social
vineyardgazette.com/news/2025/03... @gwynskiles.bsky.social
March 26, 2025 at 3:16 AM
I created an RSS feed of local Island #news. I read it with an #AppleShortcut, and pass it to #ChatGPT to turn into a #haiku
vineyardgazette.com/news/2025/03... @gwynskiles.bsky.social
vineyardgazette.com/news/2025/03... @gwynskiles.bsky.social
The Vineyard had its second outbreak of the bird flu, this time in backyard chickens.
Bird Flu Detected in Vineyard Chickens
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported positive results for a homeowner’s flock on Feb. 26.
vineyardgazette.com
March 7, 2025 at 3:43 AM
The Vineyard had its second outbreak of the bird flu, this time in backyard chickens.
“The body of knowledge and expertise that these agencies hold, and the staff within them, is immense…” said Emily Reddington, the executive director of the Great Pond Foundation here on the Vineyard. “We couldn’t do our work to help protect the ponds without them.”
✍️with my editor, Ethan Genter
✍️with my editor, Ethan Genter
Local Marine Research Takes a Hit, Following Federal Firing Edict
The mass firing of probationary employees at federal agencies and other cuts by the Trump administration reached the epicenter of marine research for the Cape and Islands last week.
vineyardgazette.com
March 7, 2025 at 3:41 AM
“The body of knowledge and expertise that these agencies hold, and the staff within them, is immense…” said Emily Reddington, the executive director of the Great Pond Foundation here on the Vineyard. “We couldn’t do our work to help protect the ponds without them.”
✍️with my editor, Ethan Genter
✍️with my editor, Ethan Genter
High water temps and low dissolved oxygen rates mean the future of Mill Pond looks grim for the hundreds of species, some endangered, that live there. Now the town of West Tisbury is tasked with settling a decades-long debate. 💧
Study Finds Mill Pond Temperatures are Reaching Dangerous Heights
A new multi-year study to determine the health of the Mill Brook in West Tisbury has found the system is struggling, prompting consideration of how to aid the nearly 3,000-acre watershed that feeds Mi...
vineyardgazette.com
March 1, 2025 at 4:21 PM
High water temps and low dissolved oxygen rates mean the future of Mill Pond looks grim for the hundreds of species, some endangered, that live there. Now the town of West Tisbury is tasked with settling a decades-long debate. 💧
I’ve been following the bird flu on Martha’s Vineyard closely the past month. Here’s the latest news🪶
After First Cases, Vineyarders Remain Vigilant for Avian Flu
The Vineyard’s first cases of avian flu found in dead birds last week have Island officials urging the community to do its part to stop the spread of the disease.
vineyardgazette.com
February 20, 2025 at 9:40 PM
I’ve been following the bird flu on Martha’s Vineyard closely the past month. Here’s the latest news🪶
*Says cowabunga through chattering teeth*🤙
My latest ✍️
Ray Ewing 📸
My latest ✍️
Ray Ewing 📸
Hardy Surfers Answer the Call of Winter Waves
Frigid temperatures didn’t deter the Island’s surfing community, which took to the water in 6-mm thick wet suits, resembling seals more than people as they paddled out in search of waves.
vineyardgazette.com
January 10, 2025 at 2:15 AM
*Says cowabunga through chattering teeth*🤙
My latest ✍️
Ray Ewing 📸
My latest ✍️
Ray Ewing 📸
Maria (📸) and I were the first people to meet Maisie other than her parents/doctors. An honor! Just another day in local news ✨
Btw, I just learned she’s one of the world’s first gen beta!
vineyardgazette.com/news/2025/01...
Btw, I just learned she’s one of the world’s first gen beta!
vineyardgazette.com/news/2025/01...
First Baby of the New Year Arrives
Maisie Rose was born on Jan. 1 at 6:26 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, the first baby born on the Island in 2025. Maisie weighed six pounds and six ounces.
vineyardgazette.com
January 7, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Maria (📸) and I were the first people to meet Maisie other than her parents/doctors. An honor! Just another day in local news ✨
Btw, I just learned she’s one of the world’s first gen beta!
vineyardgazette.com/news/2025/01...
Btw, I just learned she’s one of the world’s first gen beta!
vineyardgazette.com/news/2025/01...
Going home for the holidays meant I was constantly saying “no, Martha’s Vineyard is not named after Martha Stewart,” “there is no vineyard” and “yes it is where they filmed Jaws.”
December 29, 2024 at 12:49 PM
Going home for the holidays meant I was constantly saying “no, Martha’s Vineyard is not named after Martha Stewart,” “there is no vineyard” and “yes it is where they filmed Jaws.”
This week’s skyline honors poet Nikki Giovanni who died Monday. She’s remembered for her fervent writings on Black Joy and charismatic frame of mind. From the poem “Resignation”:
I love you
Because no two snowflakes are alike
And it is possible
If you stand tippy-toe
To walk between the raindrops
I love you
Because no two snowflakes are alike
And it is possible
If you stand tippy-toe
To walk between the raindrops
December 16, 2024 at 1:07 AM
This week’s skyline honors poet Nikki Giovanni who died Monday. She’s remembered for her fervent writings on Black Joy and charismatic frame of mind. From the poem “Resignation”:
I love you
Because no two snowflakes are alike
And it is possible
If you stand tippy-toe
To walk between the raindrops
I love you
Because no two snowflakes are alike
And it is possible
If you stand tippy-toe
To walk between the raindrops
Today I watched a 5th grader visiting us at the Vineyard Gazette go up to her teacher and ask “can I go interview random people outside right now?” 🥹💞
December 11, 2024 at 1:47 AM
Today I watched a 5th grader visiting us at the Vineyard Gazette go up to her teacher and ask “can I go interview random people outside right now?” 🥹💞
How is wind farm construction affecting the fishery?
Research out of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution shows scallops clam up and squid have a flare for the dramatics.
🦞🐠🦪🦑🐟
Research out of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution shows scallops clam up and squid have a flare for the dramatics.
🦞🐠🦪🦑🐟
Tracking Sea Creature Stress Related to Wind Turbine Construction
As regulators consider projects up and down the east coast, researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution have been simulating the booming sound of pile driving turbine monopiles to see if i...
vineyardgazette.com
December 6, 2024 at 8:23 PM
How is wind farm construction affecting the fishery?
Research out of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution shows scallops clam up and squid have a flare for the dramatics.
🦞🐠🦪🦑🐟
Research out of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution shows scallops clam up and squid have a flare for the dramatics.
🦞🐠🦪🦑🐟
MV’s ponds have seen high levels of nitrogen for years and warnings over algal blooms have become regular events. While Edgartown Great Pond is not the most polluted on the Island, Great Pond Foundation executive director Emily Reddington said she’s seen a rapid decline of its ecosystem.
Tracing the Source of Pond Nitrogen
The Marine Biological Laboratory and Great Pond Foundation are collecting water samples along Edgartown Great Pond in hopes of unlocking the source of nitrogen that has been polluting the pond.
vineyardgazette.com
December 6, 2024 at 1:59 AM
MV’s ponds have seen high levels of nitrogen for years and warnings over algal blooms have become regular events. While Edgartown Great Pond is not the most polluted on the Island, Great Pond Foundation executive director Emily Reddington said she’s seen a rapid decline of its ecosystem.