Tag Archives: Family Activities on Martha’s Vineyard

The 68th Annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby

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September and October are special months on the island. The craziness of the summer has died down, the weather turns from hot and humid to crisp and inviting; perfect fishing weather. Every year from mid-September to mid-October islanders compete in the annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby. This year marks the 68th year of good old fashion fishing, and stories of the one that got away. There is no hoopla like the Monster Shark Tournament in July. When the weigh station is open you’ll find children straining their necks to see the fish that were weighed in, adults gathered around the coffee table chatting and catching up with friends after a hectic season, seasoned fishermen who are hoping to make the final four so they may have a chance to win a truck or boat, and men with stunned faces when women come in with fish bigger than theirs, a smirk across her face in sweet victory of the day.

The Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby started in 1946 as a means to extend the season and attract more business to the island in the shoulder season. That first year drew in over 1000 anglers with a simple goal of catching the biggest Striped Bass and Bluefish. The first prize was $1000, the second was a lot in Aquinnah. Since then the derby has grown, categories added, prizes are grander (although you can no longer win a lot of land) including a boat and a truck, and scholarship funds that total more that $64,000 given out to island residents.

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To register for the Derby please visit any of these convenient locations on island

 

 Sandpiper Rentals, Inc

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‘Green’ Martha’s Vineyard: Conservation, Sustainability, & Community

The past couple of years has brought the “going green” movement to the forefront of our everyday society, but here on Martha’s Vineyard we’ve believed in being green since before it was ‘cool’.  Due to Martha’s Vineyard only being 87 square miles, locals here know our resources are finite and we do our best to preserve them. Did you know there are over 10 groups on island dedicated solely to preserving Martha’s Vineyard? And that’s not even counting all  the local farms that provide fresh produce and proteins to our locally owned restaurants and grocers! Below is a list of all the different organizations, farmers markets, and farm to table restaurants on Martha’s Vineyard.

 

Conservation and Environmental Organizations on Martha’s Vineyard

Community Solar Greenhouse (COMSOG), 508-693-2019. Since 1983 COMSOG has striven to provide a sustainable agriculture cooperative in Oak Bluffs, including seedlings, flowers, plants, and veggies.
Conservation Partnership of MV, 508-693-9588. Formed in the summer of 1997, the partnership is an all island conservation consortium, consisting of 5 separate programs, for an enhanced effort to save and preserve as much land as possible.
FARM Institute, 508-627-7007. The FARM Institute is a non-profit teaching farm whose mission is to reconnect children and adults with agriculture through the diverse operations of a 162-acre working farm
Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, 508-627-4850.  Felix Neck is 321 acres of wildlife sanctuary with four miles of trails, and truly impressive views of Martha’s Vineyard landscape.
Island Grown Initiative, office@islandgrown.org. The Island Grown Initiative (IGI) is a non-profit grassroots organization working to support local food and farming on Martha’s Vineyard. Currently there are over 28 local farms working with IGI. 
MV Agricultural Society
, 508-693-9549. Established in 1859 the Agricultural Society is, perhaps, one of our oldest and most respected group on Martha’s Vineyard. The Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society was established to promote awareness and “pursuit of  agriculture, horticulture, land conservation, youth activities, mechanic and domestic arts and encourages the raising and improving of plant and animal stock and the sale of island-grown produce and flowers at local farmers’ markets”
MV Land Bank , 508-627-7141. Established in 1986 the martha’s Vineyard Land Bank acquires land in order to preserve and protect it. “The land bank is a rare breed. Neither a sanctuary program nor a park system, it is a middle ground where the highest virtues of conservation can be realized: public enjoyment of nature, where limits and restraint secure the natural world’s future and prosperity.”
Nature Conservancy, 508-693-6287. The Nature Conservancy on Martha’s Vineyard focuses on preserving  and restoring oyster reefs, eelgrass beds, and sandplain grasslands.
Polly Hill Arboretum, 508-693-9426. Poly Hill was first founded in 1958 as a private arboretum, then in 1998 Poly Hill became a not-for-profit program with a focus on “the cultivation and study of plants and the preservation of the character and magic of this tranquil landscape.”
Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation, 508-693-5207. Formally Chartered in 1952 Sheriff’s Meadow focuses on conserving and managing wildlife properties on Martha’s Vineyard.
Trustees of Reservations, 508-693-7662. The Trustees of The Reservation focus on protecting properties of historic, ecological, or scenic value for the people of Massachusetts to enjoy.
Vineyard Conservation Society, 508-693-9588. Founded in 1965 The Vineyard Conservation Society supports land conservation on Martha’s Vineyard through many initiatives.
Vineyard Open Land Foundation, 508-693-3280. Vineyard Open Land Foundation is a non-profit land use planning  organization dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and rural character of Martha’s Vineyard since 1970.
Vineyard Power, 508-693-3002. Vineyard Power is a  non-profit, energy co-operative with a mission to produce electricity from local renewable sources including wind, solar, and sea. Recently they built public solar charging stations for smart cars.

Farmers Markets and Local Grocers

West Tisbury Farmers Market, Grange Hall, West Tisbury. Celebrating it’s 39th year, the West Tisbury Farmers Market meets Saturdays June 8th- October 5th, and Wednesdays June 19th- August 28th. Here you’ll find that all products and produce sold are made or grown on Martha’s Vineyard.

Cronig’s Market in Vineyard Haven and West Tisbury partners with the Island Grown Initiative to provide locally grown produce to the public
Vineyard Grocer & Tisbury Farm Market have combined forces to provide produce, groceries, supplements, and prepared foods on Martha’s Vineyard. Here you’ll find locally grown foods from Martha’s Vineyard as well as other organic items from small independent groups throughout the nation.

Farms & Farm To Table Restaurants

 North Tabor Farm, (508) 645-3311.  North Tabor Farm is a 6-acre family-run farm off of North Road in Chilmark. It specializes in organically grown salad greens, shitake mushrooms, blueberries and farm fresh eggs.
Whippoorwill Farm old county road | west tisbury. Established in 1992 Whippoorwill Farm is the first “Community Supported Agriculture” (CSA), on Martha’s Vineyard. When you purchase a share you get a fresh bundle of organic produce every week, and you help keep a business running.
The Grey Barn 22 South Road | Chilmark. Purchased in 2009, this family run farm full of foodies provides cheese, raw milk, pork, beef and eggs all from their farm.
Fiddlehead Farm 632 State Road| West Tisbury. Fiddlehead provides locally organic grown groceries and produce every day from 8 – 6
Sweet Neck Farm 76 Norton Orchard Road | Edgartown. Sweet Neck Farm is revolutionizing the farming industry, but farming oysters into creation naturally, and organically. In 1996, the Blake family  first brought oysters to Katama Bay, establishing the first and most elaborate of 8 oyster farms on Martha’s Vineyard. Today, his oysters are highly sought after, rarely leaving the island, but when they do, they go to some of the finest oyster bars on the East Coast.

State Road Restaurant 688 State Road | West Tisbury. State Road’s unparallelled menu highlights Martha’s Vineyard sustainability by using ingredients from local farms and seafood caught in local waters.
The Little House Cafe 339 State Road | Vineyard Haven. The Little House Cafe is known for its made to order organic, made from scratch food.
Lucky Hanks 218 Upper Main Street | Edgartown. Lucky Hanks is a cafe and restaurant offering a menu inspired by Martha’s Vineyard’s favorite comfort foods with an organic, locally grown twist.
The Port Hunter 55 Main Street | Edgartown. Designed with sustainability and the “locally grown” movement in mind, The Port Hunter is the newest, and well praised restaurant & bar in Edgartown. From the chairs & tables, to the food that is served, all come from Martha’s Vineyard or Maine.

 

 

Sandpiper Rentals, Inc

Rent@SandpiperRental.com

CLICK HERE  to search our Martha’s Vineyard vacation rental home SPECIALS

or

 CLICK HERE to search through our inventory of over 500 homes

 

New to Martha’s Vineyard This Spring

What a gorgeous day today on Martha’s Vineyard!  This is perhaps my favorite time of the year – next to Derby Season that is.  The weather is turning in our favor, stores and restaurants are opening up again, and boats are slowly going into the water. After months of holding its breath the island is finally exhaling, bringing with it fresh hope and new adventures.

 

There’s a lot happening this spring. On the construction front, the Oak Bluffs Steamship Authority pier is currently being worked on to fix the damaged caused by Hurricane Sandy. Also the Roundabout has started, and in theory, should be ready for traffic by April 15. Construction workers will still be working on it through Memorial Day, then stop for the summer. They will continue working after Labor Day weekend where they will finish the bike paths, sidewalks, and the last of the landscaping.  Also, please note that East Chop Drive is currently a one-way street due to massive damage from Hurricane Sandy. We are quietly waiting to hear what will happen to the road.

 

Vineyard Haven will be getting a new restaurant on May 1st. Restaurateur, JB Blau, owner of Sharky’s, Chowder Company, and Dreamland, is now bringing us Copper Wok. Located where Zephrus use to be, Copper Wok will be a Pan Asian restaurant that will serve lunch and dinner 7 days a week all year round. Vineyard Haven can now claim that they are the first town to have a pizza place that delivers. No, that wasn’t a typo. The island now has a pizza place that delivers  Porto Pizza, located across from the steamship terminal, first opened late last season so many people didn’t know that they deliver. This will be their first full season delivering to the tri-town area, and won’t deliver past 9 PM, but hey, at least there’s delivery now!  Finally, Vineyard Haven will be home to a “reality” tv show this summer. “The Vineyard” will start filming in May at newly renovated Black Dog Tavern, and is set to air July 24 on ABC Family.

 

 

In Oak Bluffs, all your favorite restaurants are opening this month. The Lookout Tavern recently opened with a bang. There was standing room only for a couple of hours there. On the harbor Coop Deville is set to open April 19th, and Nancy’s is set to open shortly after that. The popular nightclub, The Lampost opened its doors on April 1st. They are now partnering with Skinny’s Fat Sandwiches. Now you can play pool, watch your favorite Boston team, and grab a bite to eat.

 

Photo By Jeanna Shepard
Photo By Jeanna Shepard

Edgartown has its fair share of new restaurants and shops as well. Eleven North is a semi-upscale restaurant located at 11 North Water Street. After opening last fall they now have a new chef with daily specials that will make your mouth water. The second restaurant to open last fall is Lucky Hanks, serving farm to table fare. Lucky Hanks is located on Upper Main Street, near Stop and Shop, and everything served there is fresh, organic, and locally grown. Espresso Love, one of our favorite places to go for coffee and a bite to eat, got a complete renovation over the winter. Along with new plumbing and electrical, they have laid out a new floor and extended their counter space, it will still be the same great Espresso Love, only better. Not Your Sugar Mama’s is opening a second location this season. calm your sweet tooth at their new Winter Street location. Don’t worry about not fitting into a bikini after indulging here; all their products are gluten free and made from organic sugar. You’ll notice a few changes with stores as well. Vineyard Vines flagship store is moving out of Nevin Square and into a location on N. Water Street. moving in to their old space will be a luxury food store.

We’re excited to see all these new things happening all around us.