 We all know JAWS was filmed on Martha’s Vineyard right? That’s a big one, and one that will surely never be forgotten (JAWS 2 and JAWS: The Revenge were also filmed here too). To this day you’re hard pressed to visit Martha’s Vineyard without being confronted with JAWS merchandise, or offered a JAWS tour where you can visit locations where the movie was filmed. We even have a bridge names after the movie. JAWS is an inherent part of our culture and what put us on the map so to speak. In 1975, JAWS became the original summer blockbuster and visitors soon began flocking to the real life Amity island.
While JAWS dominates much of the cinematic fanfare synonymous with our island there are several other movies that have been filmed here over the years, as well as movies that have been set here but filmed elsewhere. For those movie lovers and Martha’s Vineyard lovers out there here’s a round up of some of Hollywood’s other film with Vineyard ties that will make you nostalgic for Martha’s Vineyard again and again. So settle in and plan a movie marathon to the theme of Martha’s Vineyard. Chappaquidick (2017) Director John Curran revisits what happened on the Dike Bridge on Chappaquiddick the night that Sen. Ted Kennedy drove his car off the bridge in a late night accident that killed a young woman, Mary Jo Kopechne in 1969. The film follows the investigation, media maelstrom, and Kennedy family crisis that followed. Most of the movie was filmed elsewhere in coastal Massachusetts, but some filming took place on the Vineyard, including on Chappaquiddick and at the Chappy ferry, made to look as it did in 1969. Off Season (2017) This independent film is a is a horror-laced thriller that tells the story of a woman who takes refuge on Martha’s Vineyard during the off-season, after her husband is convicted of a financial fraud. She befriends a 10-year-old girl through whom she discovers a dark and murderous past. The film was shot on Martha’s Vineyard in April of 2013, primarily at Flat Point Farm and Nip ’n’ Tuck Farm in West Tisbury. Several local Islanders appear in the film, including the actor that plays the 10-year old girl. Da Sweet Blood of Jesus (2014) Director and seasonal Vineyard resident Spike Lee, chose the island as the setting for his 2014 love story, one that centers on an addiction to blood that once doomed a long forgotten ancient African tribe. Much of the movie takes place on the Vineyard — although, aside from a few shots outside the Martha’s Vineyard Airport, the Island scenes are limited to one remote beach house and its surroundings. Clear History (2013) A marketing executive at an electric-car start-up company played by played by seasonal resident Larry David, quits after an argument with his boss, played by Jon Hamm. He is subsequently crushed when the company hits the big time, so he tries to reinvent his life under a different name in the peace and quiet of Martha's Vineyard. Other than some scenic and aerial shots no parts of the movie were filmed on the Vineyard. Jumping the Broom (2011) This comedic drama from director Salim Akil brings two very different families together on Martha’s Vineyard one weekend for a wedding. Scenes shot aboard the ferry, and several scenic shots of the Vineyard were filmed on location while much of it was filmed in Blue Rocks, Nova Scotia as a stand in for the Island. Starring Paula Patton, Laz Alonso, and Angela Bassett. The Ghost Writer (2010) Roman Polanski directed this political thriller about a ghost writer, hired to complete the memoirs of a former British Prime Minister, who is in hiding on Martha’s Vineyard. He uncovers secrets that put his own life in jeopardy. While much of it was filmed off-Island, including Cape Cod, scenes of the writer in the BMW most closely resemble Martha’s Vineyard. Starring Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, and Olivia Williams. Stuck on You (2003) This slapstick comedy from filmmaker brothers and seasonal residents Bobby and Peter Farrelly brings Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear together, literally as conjoined twins from Martha’s Vineyard. The duo moves to Los Angeles so Greg Kinnear’s character can pursue an acting career. Other parts of coastal Massachusetts were filmed to portray Martha’s Vineyard, with some isolated shots of our local harbors and other scenic island shots were used. Sabrina (1995) A 90s remake of a 1954 original, Sabrina, with Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond, is a love story with a twist and was filmed in Chilmark and Vineyard Haven on Martha’s Vineyard. The cottage used in the film once allegedly belonged to Billy Joel and overlooks Chilmark Harbor. The Bostonians (1984) This romantic drama from director James Ivory is about a Boston feminist and a conservative Southern lawyer contend for the heart and mind of a beautiful and bright girl unsure of her future. Set in 1875, Martha’s Vineyard is one of several locations the film was photographed at. Starring Christopher Reeve, Vanessa Redgrave, Jessica Tandy.  Photo: Nicole Freidler We all know one of the challenges of winter is maintaining a healthy lifestyle throughout the colder, darker months. It can be easy to rush home and fall victim to more sedentary activities as soon as the sun goes down, when five o’clock feels like none o’clock. Despite our slower winters, Martha’s Vineyard is still packed with dozens of winter workout options to keep you staying active and fit. It’s just up to you to get there and make that movement happen. Whether you prefer high intensity workouts or more meditative ones take a class with one of our local fitness gurus or challenge yourself to some action on your own.
Swimming Swimming is a fantastic winter activity, not to mention it reminds us of summer. Not only does swimming raise your heart rate but it’s a low impact exercise, that works your whole body–helping you to build endurance, muscle and cardiovascular fitness. Both the Mansion House Health Club and the YMCA in Vineyard Haven often pools and classes for a good workout or some welcomed water therapy. Skating If winter sports are more your thing check out the Martha’s Vineyard Ice Arena, which recently underwent renovations and has reopened with a fresh new look. Ice skating can offer you a great cardio exercise, disguised as a fun way to stay fit. It improves your balance and joint flexibility and is a great form of stress relief. The weather outside may get frightful but the ice inside can be so delightful! Boxing Do you pack a punch? Try your skills at boxing on Martha’s Vineyard. Instructor Charlie Giordano offers boxing classes for participants of all levels at Yoga on the Vine in Edgartown. Boxing allows you to better manage your breathing while exercising all your major muscle groups. Have fun working on your boxing skills while getting stronger, fitter, and more confident. CrossFit Want to keep things interesting? Try CrossFit. This constantly varied, high-intensity workout has grown increasingly popular over the last several years and here on Martha’s Vineyard is no different. Our island is home to one CrossFit gym, aptly named CrossFit Martha’s Vineyard, and it’s loyal members and visitors rave about its efficacy, and its community. Plus the lingo alone is enough to intrigue curious minds, up for a burpee? Whether you’re new to it or a seasoned crossfitter give it a try, your body and soul will thank you. Yoga If something more meditative is more your speed you’ve come to the right island. Martha’s Vineyard is home to dozens of yoga studios offering every kind of form or flow for the yogi in you. From vinyasa to kripalu and all types in between, get in position and try a class at on of our health clubs or yoga studios. Namaste! Get outside The best part of winter on Martha’s Vineyard is still being able to work out outside! Bundle up and brave the chill and go for a hike or bike ride around our beautiful island. Did you know that walking or running through the snow take more effort, and our bodies have to work harder in general when it’s cold out? The same extra effort required by snow and cold weather that burns up calories also exercises your heart, plus you’ll soak up some vitamin D along the way. Don’t be afraid of the winter weather, embrace it, your body will benefit.  Here on Martha’s Vineyard, February school vacation takes place the week of Monday, February 25, and the Island rallies to keep local kids entertained throughout. While the perfect storm would allow for them to stay outside sledding down their favorite hills, and frolicking in the soft, white stuff, there’s plenty to do indoors to keep them safe and warm should the need arise. Here’s a round up of some of the kid focused events taking place during Martha’s Vineyard’s public school winter break February 25 through March 1. Many of these locations offer family friendly fun throughout the year so be sure to check their calendars for whenever you plan to be on-Island with your tykes. Family & Teen Movie Screenings, West Tisbury Library Each weekday of the February break, head to the West Tisbury Library for family movies in the Community Room and teen movies in the Young Adult Room at 1pm, complete with popcorn served. On Monday, February 25: Minions for families and A House with a Clock in the Walls for teens; on Tuesday, February 26: Kiki’s Delivery Service for families and Smallfoot for teens; on Wednesday, February 27: Charlotte’s Web for families and Love Simon for teens; on Thursday, February 28: Wall-E for families and My Life as a Zucchini for teens; on Friday, March 1: Finding Nemo for families and Isle of Dogs for teens. Vacation Week Disney Movies & Crafts, Vineyard Haven Public Library The Vineyard Haven Public Library also holds afternoon movie times for school aged children throughout vacation week, featuring some of Disney’s finest titles. Monday offers Aladdin, Tuesday Moana, Wednesday an interactive showing of Frozen, Thursday Tangled, and Friday Ralph Breaks the Internet. February Vacation Program, Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary Take the kids to Felix Neck to learn what animals do during the winter season, and how to identify tracks, scats, and signs of our Island’s active winter species. Enjoy some winter fun and exploration Tuesday through Friday, come for one day or all four. Tuesday: Bird Bonanza, Wednesday: Water Worlds, Thursday: Track-tastic, Friday: Mammal-rama. The Oak Bluffs Library is constantly hosting various fun-filled events for your little one, including drop-in crafts and story times throughout the week. During school break their even offering a free Community Lunch at the library on Thursday, February 28, followed by a family movie. Be sure to check out their website for a full list of events and activities sure to hold your kids attention during school vacation.  Photo: Max Bossman Many of our other local businesses cater to children throughout the year and would love a visit from your little ones.
Since 1965, the Vineyard Conservation Society has been dedicated to preserving the environment of Martha’s Vineyard through advocacy, education and the protection of the Island’s land and water. As a local non-profit membership organization, VCS is the Island's most respected voice for environmental advocacy.  Image credit: Vineyard Conservation Society Now more than ever, our island has put into action a few initiatives that are all about sustainability, reducing our waste as a community, and overall figuring out ways to protect the environment and our surroundings. That’s where the Vineyard Conservation Society comes into play, with a team of members and volunteers that are consistently trying to educate and support our island communities with new ventures in the earth friendly world. Below we’re sharing some of those initiatives and ways you can support them - whether you live on island or are visiting for a weekend! Plastic Reduction The old adage of “reduce, reuse, recycle” has evolved into a more concise message of “refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle”. The need to add the word refuse before everything else is to put a focus on reducing out plastic waste by first of all even refusing to have it come into our lives! Simply saying “for here”, “no straw please”, “I have my own bag, thank you” are ways we can refuse accepting excess waste from coming into our homes and lives, ultimately limiting the amount of plastics and waste going into landfills. BYO Culture In correlation with refusing and reducing plastic way, the easiest way that Islanders have adopted is to bring their own. Bring their own everything, including but not limited to: water bottles, coffee mugs, reusable bags, eating utensils, metal/bamboo straw, and more! Bring your own instantly reduces your waste and allows the message to be shared about how important it is to reduce our consumption of plastics! One great example on island is what Croning’s Market in Vineyard Haven is doing, where they have a great bulk section where you can bring your own jars from home to tare and refill easily!  Image credit: Vineyard Conservation Society Water Refill Stations “Two years ago, following on the heels of the campaign to ban single-use plastic checkout bags, VCS began working on what we saw as the obvious next step in waste reduction. When considering all the factors, it was the enormous number of single-serving, disposable plastic water bottles that, after plastic bags, were the next most egregious and unnecessary source of waste. However, the issue of disposable bottles presents a different sort of challenge than disposable bags. Plastic bags could be seamlessly replaced with alternatives that are not only better for the environment, but also better at the core function of a bag: getting your stuff home from the store. We were confident then, that should it pass at Town Meeting, the bag ban would grow to be overwhelmingly popular. Unlike plastic bags, though, much of the public today has a sincere preference for bottled water. The realization that we must decrease the demand for bottled water is the conceptual underpinning of the “Take Back the Tap” initiative. Our research revealed that the factors motivating people to buy bottled water generally fit into two categories: quality and convenience. To address concerns over the taste or cleanliness of tap water, we began educational efforts (such as the “Tap Water Challenge”during Zero Waste Week at Tisbury School). However, it is the second issue — convenience — that may pose the greater challenge. Life moves quickly, even on Martha’s Vineyard, and to keep pace, we have grown to rely on a degree of convenience unimaginable a century ago. This is why we believe the most important accomplishment to date of the Take Back the Tap program has been the installation of water bottle refill stations across the Island. These machines get at the root of both sets of motivators, quality and convenience, by providing chilled, filtered water — not just for free, but also more quickly than buying a bottle from the store or vending machine. Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, refill stations were first installed in all of our schools, and more recently we have been expanding into other high-traffic public places. Stations can now be found at the Boys & Girls Club, the MV Ice Arena, the Agricultural Hall, the Oak Bluffs and West Tisbury Libraries, and the Edgartown and West Tisbury Town Halls, with more locations still to come. Other locations (that we can't take credit for) are- MV Hospital and YMCA. The goal is to create a highly visible network that will immediately decrease the need for bottled water, while over the long haul demonstrating to residents and visitors alike that we are very fortunate to have excellent drinking water on our Island — we should be using it!” Jeremy Houser, Communications & Ecologist for Vineyard Conservation Society  Upcoming Event
27th Annual VCS Earth Day Beach Clean-up Saturday April 20th 10am to 12 noon, with after party at the Sailing Camp from 12 noon to 2pm Protect Wildlife, Beautify Your Island, Celebrate Earth Day, and Kick-Off Spring — All in One Great Family-Friendly Event It's easy to go green this Earth Day: join your friends and neighbors in the Earth Day Beach Clean-Up! Just head out to your favorite beach at 10:00 am volunteers will be there with everything you need. Afterward, join VCS at the Oak Bluffs Sailing Camp for great food, a free raffle, and to compare your treasure hunting stories. From 12:00 to 2 pm relax over lunch with other beach cleaners. This year we are making sure there is enough food for even the late-comers. No hardworking beach-cleaner should go without some refreshments! This is a ZERO WASTE event; if you have a reusable water bottle, please bring it with you! So next time you visit Martha’s Vineyard, make sure to see what environmentally friendly initiatives are happening and please support them! Nothing better than waking up on a snowy winter morning on Martha’s Vineyard and heading out to grab a warm, hearty breakfast. It’s the best way to start a winter day and we’ve tapped into local knowledge to showcase the best breakfast dishes on island! (Note: We’re also linking to the restaurant’s Facebook pages so you can stay up to date with their latest specials and schedules during the winter!) There are plenty of delicious restaurants still open on Martha’s Vineyard during the winter, so you’re bound to have a delicious meal in any town! Vineyard Haven  Photo: Black Dog Tavern Black Dog Tavern What to order: The Green Monster - Scrambled eggs with spinach, asparagus, broccoli, & cheese What Drink to Pair This With: Hot Chocolate  Photo: Little House Cafe Little House Cafe What to Order: Multigrain Hot Cereal Bowl What Coffee to Pair This With: Matcha Latte with Coconut Milk  Photo: Waterside Market Waterside Market What to Order: Tex Mex Corn Cakes & Breakfast Burrito with bacon and avocado What Coffee to Pair This With: Black Stumptown Roasters Coffee  Photo: Art Cliff Diner Art Cliff Diner What to Order: Almond Crusted French Toast What Coffee to Pair This With: Iced Coffee  Photo: Nat's Nook Nat’s Nook What to Order: Ham, Swiss, Mushroom & Spinach Crepe What Coffee to Pair This With: Mocha Coffee  Photo: Scottish Bakehouse Scottish Bakehouse What to Order: Breakfast Sandwich (english muffin; includes choice of ham, bacon, sausage, linguica or fakin’ bacon plus “the works” — spinach, tomato, onion & cheese) What Drink to Pair This With: Herbal tea Edgartown  Photo: Dockside Diner Dock Street Diner What to Order: Eggs, Sausage, French Toast What Coffee to Pair This With: Black Coffee  Photo: Plane View Diner Plane View Dinner What to Order: Steak & Eggs (6 ounce streak with two eggs served your way) What Coffee to Pair This With: Iced Coffee  Photo: Espresso Love Espresso Love What to Order: The Islander Breakfast Bagel (vegetable cream cheese, bacon, cucumber) What Coffee to Pair This With: Flat White  Photo: Rosewater Market Rosewater Market What to Order: Breakfast Bowl (black bean cake, greens, tomato & avocado pico drizzled with lime cream, add egg) What Coffee to Pair This With: any of their speciality coffees of the week Up Island  Photo: 7a Foods 7a Foods
What to Order: Breakfast Sandwich (On your choice of an English muffin or a house made biscuit. Add spinach, tomato, red onion, bacon, house made sausage, local egg. What Coffee to Pair This With: locally roasted coffee from Chilmark Coffee Company A look at local offerings for Winter 2019  Photo: Aquinnah Library Aquinnah Public Library A little history on this gorgeous library: The Aquinnah Public Library is located in the historic Red Schoolhouse building at 1 Church Street in Aquinnah. It was renovated by the town with the assistance of a grant through the Massachusetts Historic Commission. The Gay Head Public Library (renamed the Aquinnah Public Library in 1998) was established in 1901 by an act of the State Legislature in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. At the time of its establishment, the legislature also appropriated funds for the purchase of a small collection. Prior to that time, the town school was the sole repository of publicly-owned volumes. From its inception, the new library found itself competing for space with all the other public needs of the town. The schoolhouse was the only public building in existence until the Town Hall was constructed in 1929. Books purchased with that first entitlement and those brought in later years were kept in the schoolhouse, and were later moved across the street to a room next to the stage in the new Town Hall. Drawing Group (for adults) Thursdays in February and March 2.30-3.30pm (excluding February 21): Drawing can be a deeply relaxing activity. Participants will practice enjoying the process and trusting their own vision. We will be exploring and acquiring skills, rather than setting out to make finished pieces of art. This group is led by Elissa Turnbull, an illustrator and kind-hearted teacher. All experience levels welcome. This is a class for adults but it’s open to children 12+ who have a strong interest. Coding Club (ages 8 and up): Tuesdays in February and March and April 3-4pm The ability to code computer programs is an important part of modern literacy. Scratch is a programming language that allows the coder to bypass learning obscure syntax and jump right into creating interactive stories, games and animations. A free platform, developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab, Scratch was designed especially for people ages 8 to 16. Playing around in Scratch, kids learn important mathematical and computational concepts, as well as how to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively.| Kids Pizza and a Movie: We will be having our last pizza + movie of the winter on Thursday February 28, which is during the school vacatoin week. Meditation group: Thursdays in February and March 2-3 pm  Photo: Chilmark Free Public Library Chilmark Free Public Library Ebba Hierta, Library Director Greetings from the island's oldest library, founded in 1882 by noted feminist and suffragist Alice Stone Blackwell and her cousin Florence Blackwell Mayhew. Here are a few things we're doing to stay busy over the winter: This year we've started an occasional Saturday afternoon program called Chowder and Chat. It's a casual, drop-in get together with different community leaders. We put on a pot of chowder and invite people to come by, have some lunch and join the conversation. Check with the library for the schedule. On Wednesday evenings we are hosting a series of writing workshops. Previously we’ve done a poetry writing workshop, future topics include nature writing and food writing. When we're not talking about writing, we might be talking about arts and crafts. Figure drawing, hand mending and collage are a few of the topics.  Photo: Edgartown Library Edgartown Public Library Lisa Sherman, Library Director What's up at the Edgartown Library this February? Quite a lot -- from music to movies, from celebrations to learning opportunities. Highlights of January included the first Slow Cooking class of the winter season, and the first of two workshops on Social Media. Both these programs continue in February, together with a busy calendar of films (and Opera Club, of course) as well as programs for young adults and children. And during school vacation, which stretches from the end of February into the beginning of March, we have special activities for kids of all ages every day of the week. We invite you to enjoy all that the library has to offer through the winter month ahead.  Photo: Oak Bluffs Library Oak Bluffs Public Library Carolina Cooney, Program Coordinator When the rest of the island shuts down, the Oak Bluffs Library is still hopping. Our cozy lounge area, complete with coffee, is the perfect place to spend the day, and we have a very impressive board game selection to keep you occupied (not to mention a plethora of fascinating books). 2019 is also OBPL's Year of the Series, and all month long we have programs on cooking, art, science, dance, and more; plus chess, tai chi, french class, tech help, and numerous programs for English Language Learners. Plus our most popular event of the year, Library Mini-Golf, returns this year on March 15-16th. Not only is this a super fun event, but it's a great fundraiser for our future library programs!  Photo: Vineyard Haven Library Vineyard Haven Public Library Amy Ryan, Director In addition to having an outstanding collection of books and other materials, Vineyard Haven Public Library holds weekly programs for all age groups, from babies to active older adults. Programs for adults include our Tuesday evening Lecture and Film series, monthly Book Club and monthly Adult Crafts programs, and a Public Affairs Discussion Group. Children's programs include 3 weekly story-times, after-school crafts, gaming, and "Build Club" STEAM programming. All library programs are free and open to all. In order to accommodate growing program attendance, The Library Trustees have just engaged Maryann Thompson, Architects, to design an addition to the library in order to build a multipurpose meeting room. This project will be funded through a capital campaign, and more details can be found on the project website, http://vhlibrary.org/Building.shtml  Photo: West Tisbury Free Public Library West Tisbury Free Public Library
The West Tisbury Free Public Library is as old as the town itself. In 1892, the same year the town was incorporated, the West Tisbury Free Public Library Association purchased the former Dukes County Academy study hall and dormitory on Music Street. The library opened in 1893 and was operated independently until 1968, when the town voted to accept the library as a gift from the private association. Some of their events: Music & Make Believe Class Saturdays from 10:15-10:45am Little Bird’s Laura Jordan presents seasonal songs, movement and dramatic play. Children are encouraged to express themselves in whatever shape or form that feels natural and comfortable. Classes will meet 2/9, 2/23, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, and 3/30. Sign up is required, and please try to attend all six sessions. Recommended for ages 3+. Little Bird Music Class Saturdays from 10:45-11:15am Little Bird’s Laura Jordan presents seasonal songs and movement. The class is somewhat structured but it’s a free flowing environment, allowing space for magic to happen in the moment. Children of all ages welcome and the more the merrier! No sign up required. Classes will meet 2/9, 2/23, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, and 3/30. |
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Complete guide to Martha's Vineyard.
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