Poet and dockbuilder Steve Ewing will receive the annual Creative Living award.
Ray Ewing

Steve Ewing to Receive Creative Living Award

Poet, conservationist, dock builder. Steve Ewing will be honored for his many talents with the 2014 Creative Living Award. The prestigious award is presented each year by the Permanent Endowment for Martha’s Vineyard.

In his role as Edgartown poet laureate, Steve Ewing reads poems at the annual town meeting at the Whaling Church. He wears a kilt and marches in the Edgartown Fourth of July parade as one of the founding members of the Martha’s Vineyard Scottish Society. As the owner and founder of Aquamarine Dockbuilders, most docks or moorings on the Vineyard bear his imprint.

This month, Mr. Ewing will be honored for his many talents with the Creative Living Award.

Mr. Ewing is the 32nd recipient of the Creative Living Award, which is presented by the Permanent Endowment for Martha’s Vineyard. The annual award is given to members of the community who embody Ruth Bogan's spirit by loving the Vineyard and making significant contributions to the Island's quality of life.

Mr. Ewing grew up in Edgartown and is the owner and founder of Aquamarine Dockbuilders; Mr. Ewing has probably worked on most docks or moorings on the Vineyard. Beyond his role as a charter member of the Martha’s Vineyard Scottish Society, he has also served on the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, the Edgartown marine advisory committee and the Edgartown conservation commission.

“I’m just a local kid who likes to write,” Mr. Ewing told the Edgartown selectmen after he was named the town’s first poet laureate.

He lives in Edgartown with his wife Claudia. They have two sons, Niko and Arno.

The Creative Living Award ceremony will be held Thursday, Oct. 16, at 5:30 p.m. at the Grange Hall in West Tisbury. The public is invited to attend, and the evening will include a drawing, with the winner awarded the chance to donate $1,000 to the Island nonprofit of their choice. The drawing is made possible by the 11 members of the Permanent Endowment Board, to demonstrate commitment to philanthropy on the Vineyard.

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/29/2014 - 18:28

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Ray Ewing Albuquerque, New Mexico

Could not be more well deserved. Congratulations to my wonderful Uncle Steve! I only wish I could be there to photograph the acceptance.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/29/2014 - 19:19

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David Corriveau Lebanon, New Hampshire

Had Doug Ewing lived, he would have earned the award by now …

Adèle Bradley Goffstown, NH

Thank you, David, that is very kind of you to say, and sweet that you remember Doug Ewing. He was a wonderful, generous human, and an excellent brother-in-law. He certainly was committed to his beautiful island home, and to helping it progress while simultaneously preserving it's essential, small town charm. If you know Steve Ewing, you also know that he is very deserving of this honor. Long live the Ewing clan of Edgartown, Massachusetts!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/29/2014 - 20:00

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Heather Ewing Lane Plymouth, MA

So very proud of my uncle Steve! Well deserved. One of the most humble guys you will ever meet.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/29/2014 - 22:10

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Bor Wheeler Bellevue, Wa

Congratulations to my wonderful island friend....a much deserved and well-earned honor! Slainthe!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/29/2014 - 23:26

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jack schimmelman oak bluffs

congratulations Steve. No one is more deserving. I still remember your project to put giant windchimes in the edgartown harbor. this was more than 30 years ago. I still think it's a worthy project even if now it has been done in other places. maybe one day i'll ask you if you want to do it and if yes i'll help raise the money for it. again, congratulations!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/30/2014 - 01:17

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Ray Cutler Scottsdale Az. 85260

Steve has been a fixture around the Edg. waterfront as far back as I can remember

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/30/2014 - 05:57

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Michele Jones Oak Bluffs

Big Steve, you do rock. A life of integrity and joy has a ripple effect, and we in this community are strengthened and encouraged by another's actions. In times of need, these also catalyze friends and neighbors to whatever action is possible. And, your poems! As a song writer, I have never had an easier task, than to set them to music. Speaking for myself, and my family, much love to you, Claudia, Niko and Arno.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/30/2014 - 08:06

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Rick Convery Edgartown, MA

Mi Amigo...Good friends since childhood. I admire your work on every level...You deserve every bit of it, as a creative poet, father of two fine young men, accomplished dock builder, honored Scot and true salt of the Vineyard. Harvey is smiling.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/30/2014 - 09:00

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Jay and Terri Chattaway Katama and La Paz, Mexico

Congratulations from your Catboat friends on the Vineyard. You are an inspiration to our aquatic and creative lives.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/30/2014 - 09:59

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Marian Scheuer Sofaer

We love our Aquamarine dock on Menemsha Pond! Thanks, Steve and congratulations on this wonderful award for your poetry.
-Joan Scheuer and family

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/30/2014 - 10:22

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John McLane San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

I have know Steve and his family since childhood. Steve has always been a great guy. Congratulations!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/30/2014 - 10:27

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Edward Pachico Washington, DC

Congratulations to another MVRHS Class of 1970 graduate doing good things to make this world a better place to live on so many levels.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/30/2014 - 11:54

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Patricia Crane Ray Tucson, AZ

I'm so happy I stumbled on this article and to hear you are doing great things. I'll never forget our adventures on the French class trip to Cambridge - the riot, Durgin Park, you listening to the conversation from the next table...was it really that long ago?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/30/2014 - 17:55

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Colin Ewing Edgartown

I am very proud of my big brother Steve. I am sure Doug, Scotty, mom and dad are beaming above!
Brother Col

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/01/2014 - 00:05

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Eniko DeLisle Edgartown, MA

What a wonderful honor to be recognized by your peers and your community. Steve Ewing embodies the spirit that makes this island community the special place that is. Congratulations to a true Vineyard treasure!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/01/2014 - 08:50

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Jonathan Filley Millbrook NY

Congratulations Steve! Harvey would have been so proud! Ah, those Ewings, what a clan!!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/01/2014 - 09:34

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Steve Edgartown

And also, Thanks for fishing me out of the harbor during a gale back in the 70,s Will Ware

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/01/2014 - 10:17

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Donna and David Blackburn Edgartown

What an honor! Congratulations are certainly in order...Yet another proud moment for the Ewing Clan!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/01/2014 - 10:44

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Ed Pierce

Steve... a Vineyard Scotsman:-)
Congratulations from your fellow B.O.D.s & Membership of The Scottish Society of Martha's Vineyard. We are all Proud to stand with You.. :-))

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/01/2014 - 10:54

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Cathy Koch Fayetteville, New York

Steve,

I am so proud of you for all of the wonderful things you have done for the island, for your family, and your friends. Love from your cousin, Cathy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/01/2014 - 15:40

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Jeremy pollard London, England

What a well deserved honour to a king of words and a master of the seas. Proud to be your friend Steve.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 10/02/2014 - 13:33

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Deborah Cargill Culotta Knoxville, Tn.

Congratulations, cousin Steve! So well deserved. I miss you all on the Vineyard!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/01/2017 - 13:44

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Celeste Ewing MVRHS high School

I Love My Uncle Steve I am so Happy he a part of mt Fammily.

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