The Light of Awareness: The Ancient Art of Zen Meditation and the 21st-Century Work of Byron Katie

The Vineyard Haven Public Library is pleased to welcome Jonathan Herrick, LCSW, for a two-hour meditation workshop combining two powerful, pragmatic approaches that can reduce personal suffering and increase the capacity for happiness and love. This program will be held on Saturday, June 27th, from 10:00am-12:00pm at the Katharine Cornell Theatre, located at 51 Spring Street in Vineyard Haven (above Tisbury Town Hall). Free and open to the public. Click here to register. 

The focus of the workshop is on the nature of awareness and on providing participants with practical skills that can benefit their lives. Herrick will introduce four primary Zen meditation practices, walk participants through Byron Katie’s four-step “CBT on steroids,” and demonstrate the similarities, differences, and strengths of each practice. Ample time is included for questions and answers.

Jonathan Herrick has been in private psychotherapy practice for over 40 years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. After receiving his master’s degree from New York University, he trained extensively with some of the world’s foremost mentors and institutes, including a decade with Byron Katie, who asked him to write about her work's relationship to Zen Buddhism. Herrick also trained with leading Zen, Tibetan Buddhist, and Advaita Vedanta masters including Philip Kaplea, H.W.L. Poonja, Ramesh Balsekar, Jean Klein, and Anam Thubten. He has practiced and led workshops on the Psychology of Self in Westport, Park Slope, San Francisco, and now on Martha’s Vineyard.

For more information, please contact the library at vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org or (508) 696-4211.

Nôepe: A Wôpanâak History of the Island

Source: Painting by Bear, student at the New School, Kennebunk, ME

The Vineyard Haven Public Library is pleased to welcome Wôpanâak citizen and lifelong educator Brad Lopes for a presentation on the Wôpanâak history of the island. This event will be held at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, June 23rd at the Katharine Cornell Theatre, located at 51Spring Street in Vineyard Haven (above Tisbury Town Hall). Free and open to the public. No registration required.

To understand the history of the island from the Wampanoag perspective, we must look to the land and waterways that make up Nôepe and seek to understand the stories they hold. Nôepe is Wôpanâak Homelands and has been for thousands of years. By utilizing both oral tradition and primary source documents, participants will engage with island history from the Wampanoag perspective and gain an introductory understanding to Wampanoag continuance in this place and space. This presentation aims to dispel myths and misunderstandings of land ownership and use, Wampanoag history, continued existence, and more. Participants will explore ways to support Wampanoag histories and communities, and leave with a new understanding of the island.

Brad Lopes is an Aquinnah Wampanoag citizen and life-long educator currently working within the traditional homelands of his people, the Wampanoag Nation. He currently serves as the Education Manager for the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribal Education Department (TED) and as the Education and Public Programs Manager for the Aquinnah Cultural Center, an Aquinnah Wampanoag museum located on Nôepe (Martha's Vineyard). Prior to this, Brad went to the University of Maine Farmington, located in Wabanaki Homelands, and graduated with a degree in Secondary Education before spending five years teaching Social Studies to students in 7 - 12 grade. In his time in education, Brad has sought to decolonize the pedagogies, content, and ways of understanding education, including the ways in which public education can reinforce stereotypes and harmful understandings of Indigenous people.

For more information, please contact the library at vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org or (508) 696-4211.

Memorial Day: Schedule & Special Events

 

The Vineyard Haven Public Library will be closed for Memorial Day on Monday, May 25th.

On Monday May 25th, the town of Tisbury will hold a Memorial Day Picnic from noon to 4 pm on the grounds of the restored Tashmoo Spring Building on West Spring Street off State Road. Entertainment will include live music, boating, games, and more. Free ice cream will be provided by the Town of Tisbury. Bring your own picnic food and supplies, and please leave your dogs at home. VTA Bus stops at Tashmoo Overlook from 11:30am-4:30pm.

Expert Tick Panel: Ticked Off? What you need to know!

Growth of tick populations, diseases and syndromes are dominating conversations on Martha’s Vineyard, from the dinner table to medical professionals to environmentalists and public health leaders. Hosted by the Vineyard Haven Public Library in collaboration with the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, this expert panel will answer questions about preventing bites, seeking medical treatment, alpha gal syndrome, community action, and new research efforts. This event will be held at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, June 9th at the Katharine Cornell Theatre, located at 51 Spring Street in Vineyard Haven (above Tisbury Town Hall). Free and open to the public. No registration required. 

The panel will be moderated by Ellen McMahon, MD, of the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Panelists include: Lea Hamner, MPH of the Inter Island Public Health Excellence Collaborative; Aubrey Stimola Ryan, PA-C of the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital; Josh Levy, MS, RDN, LDN of Vineyard Nutrition; Virginia Barbatti of Tick Free MV; and Kathleen Fitch, NP of Mass General Hospital Infectious Disease Division.

Ellen McMahon, MD – Moderator – Martha’s Vineyard Hospital

Dr. Ellen McMahon has served as a physician at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital since 2002, providing comprehensive primary care to patients of all ages. In 2023, Dr. McMahon became Chief of Medicine and Ambulatory Medical Director, focusing on the development of physician and advanced practitioner services, leadership of quality-of-care initiatives, and support of broader hospital and Mass General Brigham efforts. Dr. McMahon also serves as the medical director of the future Tick Care Clinic and Express Care at West Tisbury and a local liaison and investigator for the alpha-gal research project scheduled to begin in summer 2026.

Lea Hamner, MPH- Inter Island Public Health Excellence Collaborative

Lea is a public health epidemiologist based on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, specializing in tickborne diseases with a particular focus on Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS). She works for the Martha’s Vineyard Tick Program, Dukes County, and the Inter-Island Public Health Excellence Collaborative. She works at the intersection of applied epidemiology, local public health, and community-based research to better understand and respond to emerging tick-associated conditions. She serves as a Senior Advisor to Tick Free MV, supporting at-scale interventions to reduce tick and host abundance on the landscape.

Aubrey Stimola Ryan, PA-C – Martha’s Vineyard Hospital

Aubrey holds a MS in Physician Assistant Sciences from Albany Medical College and a BA in Bioethics—a curriculum she designed—from Bard College. She has over 17 years of clinical emergency room experience, including at Martha's Vineyard Hospital and in New York City. She has spent extensive time researching, writing about and presenting on tickborne illnesses including alpha-gal syndrome to both clinicians and the local community to help raise awareness and promote the most current science-based data on these topics. She sits on multiple tick related committees at MVH, will be working in the MVH tick care clinic and is collaborating with TickFree MV to help promote a cohesive, island-wide effort to reduce the burden of tickborne illnesses locally. Aubrey was one of the first Advanced Practice Providers in the U.S. to be offered a two-year fellowship in Global Health Studies—a program traditionally offered to MDs. Her global health work has included travel to Tanzania and Uganda, with a focus on infectious diseases. She received the American Society of Travel Medicine and Hygiene’s (ASTMH) Certificate of Knowledge in Clinical Tropical Medicine and also holds a certificate in Travel Medicine from the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM).

Josh Levy, MS, RDN, LDN – Vineyard Nutrition

Josh, Co-owner Vineyard Nutrition, earned his master’s degree in human nutrition from Colorado State University in 2003 and completed his dietetic internships with the University of Northern Colorado in 2004. Since then, Josh has dedicated his career to helping people reach their health goals and establish a positive relationship with food. He has diverse experience in diabetes, cardiovascular disease, GI conditions, tick borne diseases, weight loss, and sports nutrition. He provides targeted nutrition education to patients in one-on-one settings, small groups and large classes. His additional experiences as a culinary instructor, college lecturer, and previous business owner provide a unique background to helping his patients reach their goals.  Prior to Vineyard Nutrition, he worked at Kaiser Permanente Colorado and Maine Medical Center and has earned his certification in Adult Weight Management from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.  Outside of his practice, Josh is an avid cyclist, skier, traveler, cook, and father.

Virginia Barbatti – Tick Free MV

Virginia Barbatti serves as Executive Director of Tick Free MV, leading the organization's efforts to reduce tick-borne disease and allergy on Martha's Vineyard through coordinated, community-driven action. A lifelong seasonal resident of Martha's Vineyard, Virginia moved to the Island full-time in 2020 with her family. She spent 15 years in senior corporate strategy roles at companies including Stanley Black & Decker and Wayfair. She went on to build nonprofit leadership experience on the Island, most recently as Development Director at Island Grown Initiative. She came to this work out of a deep commitment to this community and a belief that the Island has what it takes to meet this challenge. Virginia holds a B.S. in Business Management from Penn State University and grew up in Washington, D.C. She lives in Chilmark with her husband and their three young children.

Kathleen Fitch, NP – Mass General Hospital Infectious Disease Division

Katie is a nurse practitioner and clinical researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital with more than 20 years of experience leading large scale clinical research studies. After a long career investigating cardiometabolic disease in people with HIV—including leadership of a landmark trial that helped shape national guidelines—she now works in the MGH Infectious Diseases Division focused on tick borne diseases. She leads and helps design observational studies, supports a Tick Bite Access Clinic, and provides care in the Multidisciplinary Lyme Disease Clinic. Her work integrates community based clinical care with research aimed at improving the understanding and treatment of Lyme disease and persistent symptoms after infection.

For more information, please contact the library at vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org or (508) 696-4211.

 

Tisbury Tennis & Pickleball Reservations and Clinics

The Church Street Tennis courts and Lake Street Pickleball courts will be available to the public for daily use by reservation. The Tisbury Open Space and Recreation Committee, in conjunction with the West Chop Club’s Director of Tennis, David McNamara, will once again sponsor Tennis and Pickleball clinics for Tisbury residents in 2026.The annual season runs from Memorial Day into November (weather permitting).

Tisbury uses CourtReserve, an online registration software, to manage member sign-ups, court bookings, and clinics at the Church Street Tennis and Lake Street Pickleball courts. Users can register for memberships or "Pay As You Play" accounts. CourtReserve Registration Opens May 18th, 2026. Visit https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Portal/Index/8315

If you have questions or difficulty registering there will be information/help sessions at the Tisbury Senior Center on Tuesday May 19 at 10:00 – 11:00am and Thursday May 21 1:30 -2:30 pm

---

Free Tisbury Kids Tennis Clinics June 22 - August 23

Where: Lake Street Park
When: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday afternoons

3:00 - 4:00         Ages 4-6 years
4:00 - 5:00         Ages 7-11 years
5:00- 6:00          Ages 12+ years

For more information and how to register, visit:
www.tisburyparksandopenspaces.com/free-tisbury-kids-tennis-clinics

Author talk: “Historic Storms of Martha's Vineyard” with Tom Dresser

The Vineyard Haven Library is pleased to welcome local historian Tom Dresser for a presentation on his latest book, “Historic Storms of Martha's Vineyard,” which chronicles the major storms of the past four centuries on Martha’s Vineyard, including the Great Colonial Hurricane of 1635, Hurricane Bob, and the No Name Storm of 1991, among others. 

This event will be held at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, May 26th at the Katharine Cornell Theatre, located at 51 Spring Street in Vineyard Haven (above Tisbury Town Hall). Free and open to the public. No registration required.

“Historic Storms of Martha’s Vineyard” is a compilation of the fiercest weather challenges of the past four centuries on Martha’s Vineyard, beginning with the Great Colonial Hurricane of 1635, the granddaddy of our major storms. Dresser also takes note of “the year without a summer,” the devastating Portland gale, and Hurricane Edna, concluding  with Hurricane Bob and the No Name Storm of 1991, a pair of obtusely named windstorms that shook us up but were not in the category of the 1635 tempest. 

Tom Dresser came to Martha’s Vineyard in 1995 to visit the woman who would eventually become his wife, Joyce Dresser. Since then he has written dozens of books, booklets, and articles about the history of Martha’s Vineyard. Tom has also worked as a teacher, a school bus driver, a tour bus operator, a walking tour leader, and a speaker on various aspects of island history.

For more information, please contact the library at vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org or (508) 696-4211.

Virtual Tick Talk: Permethrin-treated clothing with Insect Shield

The Vineyard Haven Public Library is pleased to welcome Jason Griffin of Insect Shield for a virtual presentation to share information about the use of permethrin-treated clothing for the prevention of tick bites and tickborne diseases. The program is hosted in collaboration with the Martha’s Vineyard Tick Program. This virtual program will be held via Zoom at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, May 13th. Click here to register.

The Martha’s Vineyard Tick Program has long recommended permethrin-treated clothing as its number one tick-bite prevention method. Yet many still have questions about this tool. Join Jason Griffin, president of Insect Shield, and the MV Tick Program for a virtual Q&A about the innovation and technology behind permethrin-treated clothing, its long-established safety record for human use, and the benefits of long-term permethrin-treatment in preventing tick bites. Insect Shield achieved the first-ever EPA Registration for long-term permethrin treatment of clothing, providing treated clothing to 30+ outdoor suppliers, and supporting human health worldwide.

Jason Griffin joined Insect Shield in October 2002 as the vice president of strategic marketing. He helped manage the military and brand partner business for several years. He subsequently started and led the direct channel as the president of Insect Shield International, LLC. Prior to joining Insect Shield, Griffin served in several management positions at Dobson Cellular Systems, Inc. including acquisitions manager, market manager, and finally national sales director. Griffin holds a Bachelor of Science in engineering science/management of technology from Vanderbilt University and is a graduate of Woodberry Forest School. He has served on the finance committee at Canterbury School which his two children attended.

The Martha’s Vineyard Tick-borne Illness Reduction Initiative (aka the Tick Program) is dedicated to reducing the number of ticks and tick-borne illnesses on Martha’s Vineyard through education, advocacy, and cooperation with other organizations and individuals. First founded in 2011 by Dick Johnson, current Tick Program staff include tick & deer biologist Patrick Roden-Reynolds and epidemiologist Lea Hamner. 

For more information, please contact the library at vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org or (508) 696-4211.

 

What's New at MVH, #2: The Surgeon’s Secret–It's Not Just About the Cut

The Vineyard Haven Public Library is pleased to welcome a team of clinicians from Martha’s Vineyard Hospital to share information about some of the newest surgical procedures and diagnostic services available on the island, including what patients can expect from modern knee and hip replacement surgery, the latest techniques in foot and ankle care, new developments in general surgery, and the expanded imaging capabilities now available on the island. This event will be held at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, May 12th at the Katharine Cornell Theatre, located at 51 Spring Street in Vineyard Haven (above Tisbury Town Hall). Elevator available. Free and open to the public. No registration required.

Dr. Sophia Solomon, a board-certified podiatrist who specializes in advanced foot and ankle care, will share insights into the latest techniques she uses with patients of all ages. Dr. Peter Hedberg, a general surgeon with both Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and Mass General, will talk about new developments in general surgery and the expanded imaging capabilities now available on the island. Anthony Piland, PAC, will walk us through what patients can expect from modern knee and hip replacement surgery, along with other orthopedic services offered at the hospital.

Sophia Solomon, DPM, is a board-certified podiatrist and skilled foot and ankle surgeon with a focus on sports injuries, deformities of the foot and ankle, wound care and pediatric footcare. Dr. Solomon specializes in arthroscopy of the ankle, lateral ankle stabilization, Achilles tendon repair, minimally invasive bunion and hammer-toe surgery, plantar-plate repair and fracture reduction/fixation.

Dr. Peter Hedberg, MD brings a wealth of medical expertise to his roles as Chief of Surgery at Martha's Vineyard Hospital and as a surgical instructor at Harvard Medical School and MGH. Alongside his civilian practice, he proudly serves as a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves. Passionate about health optimization, longevity, and how new technologies like AI are shaping the future of medicine, he enjoys sharing his insights with the community. When he isn't practicing medicine or teaching, he can often be found swimming, fly fishing, or enjoying the outdoors around his home right here in Vineyard Haven.

Anthony Piland, PA C, MBA is a lead orthopedic physician assistant at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital with more than 25 years of clinical experience. Since joining MVH in 2008, he has delivered comprehensive orthopedic and surgical care across inpatient, outpatient, and emergency settings, including first assisting in joint replacement procedures. Anthony holds a Master of Health Science in Physician Assistant Studies and an MBA in Healthcare Management from Quinnipiac University. His diverse professional background includes orthopedic surgery and emergency medicine. In addition to his clinical practice, Anthony has played an active role in system improvement initiatives.  He serves on the hospital Medical Executive Committee and is the co-chair of the Advanced Practice Provider Council at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.  He also served as a credentialed Epic trainer and was recognized with the Partners in Excellence Award for his contributions to Epic implementation. A U.S. Air Force veteran (Gulf War Era), Anthony is dedicated to advancing high-quality, patient-centered orthopedic care for the Martha’s Vineyard community.

For more information, please contact the library at vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org or (508) 696-4211.

Tick Talk Thursdays: Weekly Community Q&A with the Martha’s Vineyard Tick Program

With tick season upon us, the Vineyard Haven Public Library and the Martha’s Vineyard Tick Program are pleased to announce the launch of weekly, virtual office hours, where members of the community can ask questions, share experiences, and learn more about ticks, tick-borne diseases, and Alpha-gal syndrome. This community Q&A will be held via Zoom from 12:00-1:00 pm on Thursdays, beginning April 30th. 

Tick science can be complicated—but getting answers shouldn’t be. “Tick Talk Thursdays” offer a space for the community to ask questions, share experiences, and learn more about ticks, tick-borne diseases, and Alpha-gal syndrome.

These sessions are informal, conversational, and grounded in local experience and public health science. If we don’t have an answer on the spot, we’ll help find it. Members of the community can drop in anytime—whether they have one question or many.*

*Note that individual medical advice will not be provided. Please consult your medical provider if you have questions about your own health.

The Martha’s Vineyard Tick-borne Illness Reduction Initiative (aka the Tick Program) is dedicated to reducing the number of ticks and tick-borne illnesses on Martha’s Vineyard through education, advocacy, and cooperation with other organizations and individuals. First founded in 2011 by Dick Johnson, current Tick Program staff include tick & deer biologist Patrick Roden-Reynolds and epidemiologist Lea Hamner. 

This event will be held via Zoom. Interested patrons may register on the library’s event calendar at www.vhlibrary.org to receive the Zoom link. For more information, please contact the library at vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org or (508) 696-4211.

Special Events for April Break: Live Animal Show, Interactive Princess Bride Movie!

Join us for two special events for kids and families during April school break!

The Wild World of Animals Live Animal Show, 3:30 pm Wednesday April 22nd at the Tisbury School gymnasium

Amazing Animal Ambassadors will bring the natural wonders of our planet right to you in this free, live animal show. We’ll learn about creatures from Africa, South America, Australia, Europe, Asia, and even right here in the United States. During the show, audience members will have the opportunity to handle several animals that you may never have thought possible, and save time for great photo opportunities! There is a lot to learn about wildlife and our planet. No registration required for this free event sponsored by the MV Library Association.

Interactive Movie: PRINCESS BRIDE

11 am Sunday April 26th at the MV Film Center (Ticketed event)

Unfortunately the film SHREK has been cancelled due to a license issue — but not the free family event on March 26th. Join us for an interactive screening of one of Rob Reiner's most beloved films, The Princess Bride. Based on the novel by William Goldman, Buttercup is a beautiful princess who--after being separated by her true love Westley--is captured by and forced to marry a conspiring prince. As the wedding day approaches her true love, a vengeful Spaniard and a kind giant come to her rescue. Filmgoers will get a bag of props and a script of things to do during the movie. Sponsored by the Friends of Vineyard Haven Library & the MV Film Society. 

Free tickets available through the Film Center Website while supplies last,  limit 4 per family. If you already had tickets to Shrek they will be transfered to the new film.

In Collaboration with the MV Film Center, we present a fun, free event great for all ages! Film goers will get a bag of props and a script of things to do during the movie. Shrek sparked a motion picture phenomenon and captured the world’s imagination with…the Greatest Fairy Tale Never Told! Shrek (Mike Myers) goes on a quest to rescue the feisty Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) with the help of his loveable Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and win back the deed to his swamp from scheming Lord Farquaad.

Spring Library Hours Update

 ** Library Hours Update **

This Sunday March 22nd will be the last Sunday the library is open for the Season -- the library will be closed on Sundays until the fall.

 
Starting in April, the library will also be CLOSED ON MONDAYS, to facilitate planning and preparation for the reopening of the renovated building at 200 Main Street. Monday hours will resume when the Main Street library reopens. 

We regret any inconvenience to our library patrons, but hope this approach will minimize the need to fully close the library for an extended period prior to reopening.

Wutahkeemôwun: Best Practices for Working With Indigenous Content, Citizens and Communities

The Vineyard Haven Public Library is pleased to welcome Wôpanâak educator Brad Lopes for a workshop on best practices for approaching Indigenous content, working with Native communities, and building relationships with sovereign Tribal Nations. The workshop is designed for educators, but non-educators are also welcome to attend. Free and open to the public. No registration required. 

This program will be held at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, April 14th at the Tisbury EMS Facility, located at 215 Spring Street in Vineyard Haven. Attendees may park in the rear of the building and enter through the back entrance.

For many Native students and staff, school can be challenging. With roots in settler colonialism, schools today often fail to reflect the traditional pedagogies and methodologies Native people have employed for thousands of years. Join Aquinnah Wôpanâak educator Brad Lopes as he introduces an array of best practices for approaching Indigenous content, working with Native communities, and building relationships with sovereign Tribal Nations. Participants will learn about and discuss multiple pedagogies and methodologies grounded in Indigenous practices and traditions. Exploring epistemologies thousands of years old, this workshop aims to prepare participants to best support Wampanoag and other Native students, staff, and community members.

Brad Lopes is an Aquinnah Wampanoag citizen and life-long educator currently working within the traditional homelands of his people, the Wampanoag Nation. He currently serves as the Education Manager for the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribal Education Department (TED) and as the Education and Public Programs Manager for the Aquinnah Cultural Center, an Aquinnah Wampanoag museum located on Nôepe (Martha's Vineyard). Prior to this, Brad went to the University of Maine Farmington, located in Wabanaki Homelands, and graduated with a degree in Secondary Education before spending five years teaching Social Studies to students in 7 - 12 grade. In his time in education, Brad has sought to decolonize the pedagogies, content, and ways of understanding education, including the ways in which public education can reinforce stereotypes and harmful understandings of Indigenous people.

For more information, please contact the library at vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org or (508) 696-4211.

Shakespearean Explorations: Hamlet & King Lear with Professor Philip Weinstein (Virtual)

REGISTER FOR THE SERIES

The Vineyard Haven Public Library is pleased to announce a new literary lecture series with Professor Philip Weinstein entitled, Shakespearean Explorations. This initial set of virtual lectures will focus on two of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, Hamlet and King Lear. The four-part series on Hamlet and King Lear will be held via Zoom, from 6:00-7:00 pm on alternate Wednesday evenings in May and June: May 6th, May 20th, June 3rd, and June 17th.  Interested patrons may register here.

All of us have come into contact with Shakespeare’s plays at some point in our lives—in high school, in college, on our own, and at theaters all over the world that continue to put on his plays. For none of us is he an unknown quantity. Yet there is no point in denying that his plays make considerable demands: over 400 years old, they are written in an early modern English that differs profoundly from contemporary usage, and they typically proceed by way of the poetic form we call “blank verse”: 10-syllable lines of unrhymed iambic pentameter. These lines can be dense, even tortuous, but they also rise, recurrently, unexpectedly, to levels of sublimity found nowhere else. We do need the footnotes and the glosses. Yet, as one of Shakespeare’s first-rate critics (Stephen Greenblatt) puts it, his blank verse is “like the dream of what ordinary speech would be like were human beings something greater than they are”—that is, how we might speak if we were gods.

We will encounter other challenges as well. How should we accommodate the capital fact that the plays—every one of them—were written to be acted on a stage? And that, following from this fact, their intended form of “fulfillment” is indeed the stage?  In this regard, plays—crucially unlike novels—lead a double life: one on the stage (varying over time and place, and from stage to stage), and the other on the page. No less, the Shakespeare that many scholars seek to access is an Englishman of the late 16th century. One sustained form of scholarly commentary (called “the new historicism”) has labored hard to unpack what his plays—on the Elizabethan and Jacobean stage between 1591 and 1611—would have meant then.

For us though—in the four sessions we will devote to our two plays—the Shakespeare that we can all access, together, is the one on the page: the writer, the poet, the one we are reading now.  This is the Shakespeare who, as fellow poet and playwright Ben Jonson put it in the dedication to the First Folio, was “not of an age but for all time.” Coming to grips with two of his masterpieces is going to be quite a journey, a journey that Professor Weinstein invites us all to join him on.

Philip Weinstein earned his PhD in English from Harvard University, staying on to teach at Harvard for the next 3 years. He then accepted a position at Swarthmore, where he remained for over 40 years, becoming the Alexander Griswold Cummins Professor of English. He has written several books of literary criticism, many focused on Faulkner, including “Becoming Faulkner: The Art and Life of William Faulkner,” which won the Hugh Holman Award for the best book of literary scholarship or literary criticism in the field of southern literature published in 2010. In 2015, Weinstein retired from Swarthmore and moved to Martha’s Vineyard full-time. Since then, he’s gone on to write three more books and to continue teaching adults through the Vineyard Haven Public Library, Swarthmore Lifelong Learning, and the 92nd Street Y in New York.

For more information, please contact the library at vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org or (508) 696-4211.

REGISTER FOR THE SERIES

Cookbook Talk: The Making of "The Sea Table"

The Vineyard Haven Public Library is pleased to welcome Shelley Edmundson, executive director of the Martha's Vineyard Fishermen's Preservation Trust, and Catherine Walthers, cookbook author and culinary instructor, for a discussion about the making of the new Martha’s Vineyard-based cookbook, “The Sea Table”--a true collaboration between local chefs, fishermen, and photographers. 

This event will be held at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, March 31st at the Katharine Cornell Theatre, located at 51 Spring Street in Vineyard Haven (above Tisbury Town Hall). Free and open to the public. No registration required. 

This is the third of three Sea Table events hosted by island libraries: January 31st at 1:00 pm at the Chilmark Free Library, March 14th at 3:00 pm at the Aquinnah Public Library, and March 31st at 6:00 pm at the Katharine Cornell Theatre, hosted by the Vineyard Haven Public Library. 

About the cookbook:

“‘The Sea Table’ is more than just a cookbook. It’s a tribute to the waters that surround Martha’s Vineyard and to the fishermen who work hard to bring seafood to our tables. It features 75 recipes curated from island cooks, chefs, and fishermen; involves 19 seafood species found in Vineyard waters—from bay scallops, to fluke, to yellowfin tuna; profiles 21 local fishermen; and invites you into a world where fresh, sustainable seafood is a way of life. Whether you’re a seasoned cook, a seafood lover, or just someone who cares about where your food comes from, this book offers an inspiring—and delicious—way to eat locally.

‘​The Sea Table’ was created by the Martha's Vineyard Fishermen's Preservation Trust, in partnership with cookbook author, chef, and writer Catherine Walthers. The food photography for this book was created by local photographer Randi Baird, and black and white portraits of fishermen were captured by Brook Bartletta. Other contributing professional photographers include Claire Callagy, Alison Shaw, Ben Scott, Larry Glick, Bob Avakian, Parker Bradlee, Susie Middleton and Lisa Vanderhoop.”

About the presenters: 

Shelley Edmundson, Executive Director, MVFPT, spent every summer with her family on Martha’s Vineyard exploring the island’s shores and fishing off her grandfather’s boat, the Seabird. Shelley received her PhD in Zoology/Marine Biology studying channeled whelks (nicknamed 'conchs'), marine snails that support one of the Vineyard's largest commercial fisheries. Throughout her research, Shelley collaborated with many local fishermen with the goal of helping protect the species and sustainably manage the local fishery. Shelley’s love of the Vineyard, marine biology, and the commercial fishing community drives her passion to work for the Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust. 

Catherine Walthers is a Martha’s Vineyard-based writer, culinary instructor, and private chef. A former journalist, she is the author of 4 cookbooks, including “Kale, Glorious Kale, Soups + Sides,” and “Raising the Salad Bar.” Catherine Walthers is also the food editor of Bluedot Magazine. She also wrote an environmental guidebook called “A Greener Boston” published by Chronicle Books in 1992. 

For more information, please contact the library at vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org or (508) 696-4211.

UPDATED: Library Closures, Cancellations, and Storm Information

Updated 2/25:

Vineyard Haven Library will open late at NOON today, Wed Feb 25th. Please note our parking lot may not be accessible.

This week's meeting of the Great Decisions Discussion Group has been postponed due to the ongoing weather event and power outages.

Afternoon Crafts at the EMS Building is CANCELLED today.

Our Virtual event "Burglary at the Louvre" will be held as scheduled at 7pm, register here.

-------------------

Updated 2/24:

Vineyard Haven Library will be closed for the day on Tues Feb 24th due to the ongoing weather event.

West Tisbury Emergency Management will operate a warming center at the West Tisbury Library on Tuesday.

Story circle at the MV Family Center is cancelled today, the Family Center will be closed.

-------------------

Due to the scheduled downtown Parking Ban and anticipated weather conditions, the library will be closed on Sunday February 22nd and Monday February 23rd.

The Town of Tisbury has issued a parking ban from noon Sunday February 22nd through 11pm Monday February 23rd for the following roads:

Union Street
Spring Street
Center Street
Church Street
William Street
Clough Lane 
Frankline Street
Main Street
Skiff Avenue
Renear Street
All Town Parking Lots

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Blizzard Conditions Expected – MV Closures & Shelter Info

D

Dukes County Emergency Management Association (DCEMA)

to me

34 minutes agoDetails

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sunday, February 22, 2026

Media Contact:

Jennelle Gadowski

Public Information Officer

Dukes County Emergency Management Association

774-563-6110

emd@westtisbury-ma.gov

@DukesCountyEM | @WestTisburyEMD

Winter Storm Hernando Expected to Bring Blizzard Conditions, Heavy Wet Snow & Strong Winds

Dukes County Emergency Management Association (DCEMA), in coordination with the National Weather Service Boston/Norton, is advising all Dukes County residents and visitors to prepare for Winter Storm Hernando, a high-impact Nor’easter is expected to bring heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions to Martha’s Vineyard Sunday evening through Monday evening. Total accumulations of 12-24 inches are possible. Residents are urged to monitor official forecasts at weather.gov/boston and follow @NWSBoston for updates.

 

Expected Impacts

Dangerous travel conditions dangerous and near-zero visibility

Heavy wet snow combined with strong winds

Downed trees and widespread power outages possible

Coastal flooding and beach erosion during early Monday high tide

Hazardous marine conditions with storm-force winds and 15-25 ft seas

 

Shelter Guidance

Residents and visitors are strongly advised to shelter in place at home during the storm and avoid unnecessary travel. Staying off the roads allows Highway Departments, first responders, and utility crews to safely conduct snow removal and emergency operations. For those experiencing power outages or unsafe heating conditions, the following shelters will be available:

 

Daytime Warming Center – West Tisbury              

West Tisbury Free Public Library                                              

1042 State Road, West Tisbury                                       

Monday, February 23 8AM-6PM                                          

Wi-Fi and device charging available                           

 

Overnight Shelter – Harbor Homes of MV

111 New York Avenue, Oak Bluffs

Opens 6PM Sunday through 8AM Tuesday

For entry after 7PM, call 774-563-3687

Meals provided. Regular shelter rules in effect

Emergency Animal & Livestock Shelter – West Tisbury                 

Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society

35 Panhandle Road, West Tisbury                              

Contact: Christopher Lyons at 508-889-7891 or facilities@mvagsoc.org

Rules and Regulations: marthasvineyardagriculturalsociety.org/emergency-shelter