Category Archives: Martha’s Vineyard

Get the Low-Down at the Vineyard Gazette

August 20, 2015 Sandpiper Rentals Staff Leave a comment

There is something unique about life on Martha’s Vineyard. The atmosphere is special and island life moves at a different pace than life on the mainland. One special part of life on Martha’s Vineyard is the local newspaper, the Vineyard Gazette. Residents and visitors alike get their news from this publication and the paper has a long history on the island. So when you’re on Martha’s Vineyard and want to stay informed, grab a copy of the Vineyard Gazette!

About the Vineyard Gazette

The Vineyard Gazette a broadsheet newspaper and is the only paid circulation newspaper on Martha’s Vineyard. It has a rival in the free tabloid, the Martha’s Vineyard Times. The Vineyard Gazette has a long history on the island and has been a part of island life since the 1800s. The paper was founded by Edgar Marchant in 1846. The first issue was published on May, 14th of 1846. Edgar Marchant was the paper’s original editor and he was a champion of the idea that the island should become a summer resort destination and wrote supporting pieces about the idea in the paper. After passing through different owners throughout the years, in 2011 the newspaper was purchased by Jerome Kohlberg, Jr. and his wife Nancy. They appointed Jane Seagrave as publisher the same year. The paper home office is located in the heart of historic Edgartown.

Features of the Vineyard Gazette

As the island’s only paid circulation, the Vineyard Gazette provides the island’s residents and visitors with a lot of useful information. They feature headline news stories from the island as well as the rest of the nation and international news. Other sections of the newspaper include Arts & Entertainment, Opinion, Events, Nature & Science, Sports, Island Information, and more.

Reading the Vineyard Gazette

One of the best things about the Vineyard Gazette is where you are when you read it. Because it is a Martha’s Vineyard newspaper, you’ll more than likely be on the Vineyard when you’re reading it. You can sit out on a deck and enjoy the stories of the day while you enjoy the sea breeze and excellent views of the island. There’s nothing more relaxing than kicking back in the morning as you have your coffee and reading about what’s happening on Martha’s Vineyard. Plus, it’s always a good idea to stay informed, even if you are just visiting the island for a short while.

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Now that you know about the Vineyard Gazette, you should find the perfect place to read it in one of our wonderful Martha’s Vineyard rental properties. Sandpiper Rentals has a large selection of vacation homes to suit the needs of travelers of all types. The different homes accommodate both large and small parties so you’re sure to find one to fit your specifications. Plus, our rentals are located throughout of the island so you can choose which town or beach you want to be closest to during your stay. Though they’re all unique, our vacation rentals all offer great accommodations and luxurious amenities that will make the property feel like your home-away-from-home. There is no better way to stay on Martha’s Vineyard than to choose a property from Sandpiper Rentals. We can’t wait to see you on the island soon!

Martha’s Vineyard History: What You Need to Know

August 14, 2015 Sandpiper Rentals Staff Leave a comment

There are many things that make Martha’s Vineyard so special to those who live on or visit the island. The island is home to lovely towns, picturesque beaches, wonderful restaurants and more. Martha’s Vineyard history is another thing that intrigues and interests visitors and residents alike. The rich history of the Vineyard is well known and many historic buildings still exist today. So, we’re here to teach you just a little bit about Martha’s Vineyard history so you’ll know some background information the next time you visit!

Early Exploration

The original inhabitants of Martha’s Vineyard were the Wampanoag, who called the island “Noepe” in their language. This means “land amid the streams.” At one point, there were almost three thousand Wampanoag on the island but their numbers dwindled down to about three hundred in the 1700s. The island’s name came from the English explorer, Bartholomew Gosnold, who actually christened a smaller island to the south Martha’s Vineyard in 1602. It is thought that he named the island this in honor of his mother-in-law or his daughter, who were both named Martha. The name eventually transferred to the larger island.

English Settlement

In 1642, Thomas Mayhew began the first English settlement on Martha’s Vineyard at Great Harbor. As he settled the island, Mayhew converted many of the Native American neighbors, the Hiacoomes, to Christianity. This included the spiritual and political leaders of the tribe. Eventually, the settlement was put under the jurisdiction of the Province of New York and incorporated into Dukes County, which was subsequently transferred to the Province of Massachusetts Bay. Still today Martha’s Vineyard is located in Dukes County, Massachusetts.

The 19th Century

Like the neighboring island of Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard came to prominence in the 19th century because o the whaling industry. Ships traveled to hunt whales for oil and blubber. However, the industry almost collapsed in 1870 because of the discovery of less expensive petroleum in the state of Pennsylvania. This meant the costly oil derived from the whales was no longer needed to light lamps. Summer residences began to develop on the island starting in 1872 when the Old Colony railroad came to the mainland of Massachusetts at Woods Hole. It was then that Martha’s Vineyard history and the island’s reputation became that of a resort community for tourists and the wealthy.

Today

Today Martha’s Vineyard is well known for being the perfect getaway destination. With quaint towns and beautiful beaches, it’s easy to see why so many people flock to the island to enjoy some time away from their everyday lives. And enjoying Martha’s Vineyard history can be a great part of that experience. For instance, a visit to the Old Whaling Church is a good way to take in some history. And the Martha’s Vineyard Museum is always worth a visit.

When you want to have a wonderful Martha’s Vineyard experience, then you should consider one of the many Sandpiper Rentals properties on the island. We have vacation homes all over the Vineyard, so you can be near all of the attractions you want to be near. Or, you can find a property that is a bit more isolated for some serious rest and relaxation. The possibilities are nearly endless when it comes to finding the ideal place to call your home-away-from-home while you’re on Martha’s Vineyard. We can’t wait to see you soon!

Martha's Vineyard

Where is Martha’s Vineyard and Why Should I Visit?

June 17, 2015 Sandpiper Rentals Staff Leave a comment

Martha’s Vineyard has long been a popular getaway destination and for good reason. It has everything you could want in a vacation spot: beautiful beaches, scenic vistas, quaint towns, and delectable dining. But, if you’ve never been to the Vineyard before or you aren’t familiar with the area, you may be asking the question, “Where is Martha’s Vineyard?” Well, we here at Sandpiper Rentals are here to answer that question and give you some insight into why you should visit this amazing place.

Where is Martha’s Vineyard?

Martha’s Vineyard is an island off the coast of Massachusetts, seven miles south of Cape Cod. It’s well known as a summer colony. The Vineyard measures about 100 square miles in area and is the third largest island on the East Coast of the United States. The island is only accessible by boat or air from the mainland. Though it is primarily known as a summer destination, with the population growing to almost 100,000 people during the season, the year-round population of the island has grown in recent years. The island includes Chappaquiddick, which is sometimes separated from the main island by storms, but is currently linked.

Places on Martha’s Vineyard

Now that you know the answer to the question, “Where is Martha’s Vineyard?” you may want to know a bit more about the island. Martha’s Vineyard can be separated into six towns. Each town has its own unique atmosphere and features, but all of the towns boast that signature Martha’s Vineyard aesthetic and feeling that vacationers have come to love.

Tisbury: Located at the top of the island, most people come to Martha’s Vineyard through Tisbury or Oak Bluffs. Vineyard Haven is the main village in Tisbury.
Edgartown: Edgartown includes the island of Chappaquiddick as well as Katama. This is the largest town on the island and has a rich whaling history.
Oak Bluffs: Known for the gingerbread cottages and open harbor, Oak Bluffs has a reputation for having a vibrant nightlife.
West Tisbury: Martha’s Vineyard’s agricultural center, West Tisbury hosts the annual Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair each year in August.
Chilmark: Chilmark is one the island’s more rural towns and has a beautiful hilly terrain.
Aquinnah: The westernmost town on the island, Aquinnah is home to the famous Gay Head Lighthouse and the Aquinnah Cliffs. This is the ancestral home of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head.

Staying on Martha’s Vineyard

Whatever your plans on Martha’s Vineyard entail, your time on the island will be enhanced by a stay at one of our gorgeous rental properties. We have rentals in Aquinnah, Chappaquiddick, Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and West Tisbury. So, whether you want to be in the middle of the action in Downtown Edgartown or a bit more isolated in the secluded Aquinnah area, we have your needs covered. With both new construction and splendidly kept classic houses, Sandpiper Rentals’ properties include features like open floor plan kitchens, luxurious bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, decks perfect for sunning and taking in the sites, and even swimming pools. And with many properties being in waterfront locations, you’ll never be too far from all the fun that the Atlantic Ocean promises during the summer. We look forward to seeing you soon!