Activities, Chilmark, Families, Kids, Martha's Vineyard, Vineyard Towns

A Dream Trip for Kids on the Black Dog Tall Ships

March 6, 2009 4 Comments

This really is like something out of the Goonies…or Pirates of the Caribbean. But, bottom line, I live in the coolest place ever!

Every spring, the 4th and 5th graders at the Chilmark School (and several others!), where my kids spend their days, get to head out for a week-long trip on the Black Dog Tall Ships. It’s possibly one of the most fantastic things about being a kid on Martha’s Vineyard all year round. My son Christopher is on tap for this year’s trip – he is beyond excited.

The teachers incorporate things like math, science, cooking, weather – and even being a good person and pulling your weight – into the trip which is a close-quartered adventure that is absolutely a lesson in community living!

The crew is, of course, passionate about sailing, the boat and the water of Martha’s Vineyard. Check out this video from PlumTV to get the full scoop and see the kids, and the boat, in action.

Martha's Vineyard, MV Rentals, News

An Island Make-Over

March 4, 2009 3 Comments

So…in case you haven’t noticed, things are looking quite snazzy around this place. Sometimes, towards the end of winter, us islanders go looking for a little pick-me-up, and this year, I found mine in the guise of a blog redesign by the phenomenal Shauna Callaghan.

Not only does this format give us all access to many posts at once – and all of the great Vineyard images that I can pack in…but it also allows me to showcase featured rentals.

Now, if you’ll just walk over to the bottom right side of the blog (said in my best Realtor voice), you’ll see a lovely vertical box with the words, ‘Featured Rentals’ written at the top and some gorgeous images of Vineyard Houses below. Click, peruse, enjoy…feel free to contact me and set up your vacation rental.

FYI, when you click on a featured property, it will take you into the Sandpiper Rentals site (as I am the Rental Manager for Sandpiper). So, if you see something you’re interested in, please either email me, leave me a comment on the blog or call the office (508.627.6070) and ask for Anne!

I’ll be updating this box often – so check back regularly to catch the house of your summer vacation and Martha’s Vineyard dreams….

Activities, Edgartown, Events, Martha's Vineyard, News

Reality TV Comes to MV

March 1, 2009 3 Comments

Image by Kevin Dooley

Casting for 19 to 28 year olds is in full swing for a Docu-Soap coming to Martha’s Vineyard. This is big news, as the L.A. production company is planning to air this show on primetime via the CW network this fall after filming this summer.

According to the Martha’s Vineyard Times newspaper the premise for the Docu-Soap is ‘the usual’ – just see for yourself:

“There are moments in life that change who you are – one summer that defines you.” That’s the way 25/7 Productions, the Los Angeles-based production company that created such shows as NBC’s “The Biggest Loser,” and TLC’s “A Model Life,” puts it. And, “New friends are made, others fade away, lust simmers, and sometimes, mistakes are made with no regret. But one thing is for sure, you’ll never forget your summer on The Vineyard.”

So far, the response around the island has been mostly negative, citing exploitation and the creation of more mindless fluff – not to mention a totally unrealistic snapshot of the island.

But, some folks are pretty excited – hoping the exposure will bring a much needed economic bump during less than great economic times.

I’m seeing both sides – but to combat the negative (and the worry), I’m hoping that they really pull through and somehow they’re able to capture some of the magic that happens here every summer…and all the time – to create a great series that showcases the best of the what the Vineyard has to offer to the world.