President Obama and daughter Malia on a bike ride through the state forest during their 2014 visit to the Vineyard.
Ivy Ashe

President Obama Will Return to Martha's Vineyard for August Vacation

President Obama will return to Martha’s Vineyard in August for a 15-day vacation, the sixth summer White House trip during his presidency.

President Obama will return to Martha’s Vineyard in August for a 15-day vacation, the sixth summer White House trip during his presidency.

The President and First Lady Michelle Obama are scheduled to arrive on the Vineyard on Saturday, August 8 and depart on Sunday, August 23, White House spokesman Keith Maley said in an email last Friday.

The President speaking last year in Chilmark about conflict in Iraq.
Mark Lovewell
The President speaking last year in Chilmark about conflict in Iraq.
Mark Lovewell

According to Mr. Maley, there are no public events scheduled for the trip, and further details regarding the President and First Lady’s travel will be released as soon as they are available.

The first family has always stayed in Chilmark. This year the Obamas will again stay at a private home off North Road belonging to Joanne Hubschman.

During past summer visits, the President has been a frequent visitor to Island golf courses, and he and the First Lady have spent evenings out at Island restaurants. The couple’s daughters often join their parents for at least part of the trip, and the family is known to enjoy beach outings and bike rides in the state forest. First dogs Bo and Sunny often come along for the vacation.

As needed, the President addresses matters both national and international from the Vineyard; last year, he made statements in Chilmark and at the Edgartown School about tensions in Ferguson, Mo., the execution of journalist James Foley, and the conflict in Iraq.

The President and his family vacationed on the Island from 2009 to 2014 with the exception of 2012, the year that was run-up to the presidential election. Mr. Obama was also an Island visitor before he was president. Valerie Jarrett, a presidential advisor and close family friend, is a longtime seasonal resident of Oak Bluffs.

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/12/2015 - 09:26

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Peter Robb Holliston and Oak Bluffs

Ughh!

susan oak bluffs

The statue is of a union soldier erected by a confederate veteran, Charles Strahan, to honor union soldiers and
"heal the chasm."

Georgia UK

Thank you very much Susan. I re read and did a bit more digging. So much news about the Confederate flag issue going around these days. It just seemed so "incongruous" at first glance, as the article said, to find it in that region of the States.

Kim Fuson Oak Bluffs, MA

The statue of which you probably refer is located in a small park in Oak Bluffs near the Steamship Authority and Ocean Park. Some think the statue might be of a Confederate Soldier, perhaps because it is gray in color. It is easy, however, to see that the statue is of a Union Soldier. He wears the uniform of the United States with the U.S. on the belt buckle. Located at the base of the statue is a plaque that tells the story of the statue.

Georgia UK

Thank you Kim Fuson. I also replied to the above commenter, after re-reading the article and doing a bit more research, which I should have done before commenting (a bad habit I often chide others for, but was guilty of myself!) I hope to visit again, there's a slim chance I'll be able to before September this year if housing works out with a friend who may be renting or working there this year! I hope so (sound of saving money in the background!)

Steve F Chilmark & Cambridge

FYI - Conservative Frontline is a satirical online publication. Irreverent, and sometimes even funny.

Welcome Back Obama and Family!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/14/2015 - 06:38

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Shawnda Vineyard Haven

I am sure the First Family will enjoy our island as they have so many times before. They are always welcome and should feel free to come through Vineyard Haven for a visit :0)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/14/2015 - 08:20

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Susan Hartford CT

The article states it's not a Confederate statue -- it's a statue of a Union soldier, with a tablet that honors Confederate soldiers; it was established by a former Southerner who was loyal "to the restored union, and wishing for “more kindness shown to his old comrades” "

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