Nature & Science
Once upon a time a small finch known as a linnet lived in the United States west of the Rocky Mountains. There were a group of sleazy pet dealers in California that went out and captured many of these linnets. These caged wild birds were shipped to New York to be sold in pet stores as “Hollywood finches.” This was totally illegal as the linnets, we know them as house finches, are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Designer Bill Blass’ advice to the fashion conscious was: “When in doubt, wear red.”
Meadowhawk dragonflies know this. Perhaps they even started the scarlet trend, having been around since the Carboniferous Period 270 million years ago. Their ancestors, though, would never make it in today’s modeling world, with their 29 inch wingspan; they were hardly a size 2.
The harsh autumn weather has had a big impact on participants in the 65th annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby, leading president Ed Jerome to cast a most tempting lure for fishermen in the final week of the contest. “All of the fish on the board are beatable,” he said.
Sandy E. Fisher’s 15.88-pound bluefish may be a hard fish to beat, but Michael A. Paone’s 37.6-pound striped bass could be moved down a prize.
The tides this week and through the weekend will be abnormally high and low, due to the nearing new moon phase. The moon was in perigee on Wednesday and is in the new moon phase today.
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
Oct. 1 77 69 Trace
Oct. 2 78 55 2.06
Oct. 3 67 50 .00
Oct. 4 61 56 .00
Oct. 5 62 57 .16
Oct. 6 63 58 .76
Oct. 7 63 53 1.30
Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 65º F.
By LYNNE IRONS
This past week the third and fourth grade classes at the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School began learning about corn’s native origins. They made some cornmeal in class. I loaned my hand grain grinder to the project. It was nothing short of a miracle that I was able to locate the item. Honestly, I have everything. I need to go on that show Hoarders. I have had the grinder since the mid-seventies, when I was convinced I could go off the grid and do everything myself. Being 40 years younger is always a plus.
Almanac
A comprehensive guide to weather and tides on the Island.
Vineyard Gardener
I guess this past week weather-wise is called a January thaw. We did not really experience it the last several years as December was unseasonably warm.
Farm & Field
Beige and brown and tan and black, with horns spiraled or semicircular or in undulating waves, a legion of goats marched up the hill toward us, bleating in anticipation of fresh grass and leaves.