News
Fast Ferry Sails Into Off Season
New Bedford Service Continues Through the Winter Months; Private Operators to Test New Vineyard Route
By IAN FEIN
Heading into uncharted waters, the New England Fast Ferry company shifted to its winter schedule this week, providing the Island's first year-round service to New Bedford since the final run of the Nobska on New Year's Eve, 1960.
The All-Island School Committee voted without dissent this week to hire Edgartown School principal Edward Jerome as interim superintendent of the p
Two Vineyard Educators Proposed as Candidates for Interim School Post
By IAN FEIN
At the behest of the all-Island school committee, a group of top school administrators, yesterday recommended two of their own for consideration as interim superintendent of Vineyard schools.
Service Workers Land Contract
Union leaders announced yesterday that they had struck a contract for 200 service workers at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital and the Windemere Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center.
The two-year contract is effective Oct. 1 and includes a three per cent cost of living increase for workers over the next two years. When step increases are added, workers at the hospital and Windemere can expect to see a total salary increase between six and eight per cent.
Public Bulletin on Influenza Vaccine
The national flu vaccine shortage announced this week has caused a ripple of reaction on the Vineyard, and local visiting nurse services and health agencies report a flood of telephone calls from concerned residents, many of them elderly.
Public health officials said the shortage will affect the Vineyard, but it is too early to say how much.
Traditions: Cranberry Day Is Celebration of Great Spirit
By C.K. WOLFSON
On the second Tuesday of the month, as they have been doing for centuries, since even before explorer Bartho-lomew Gosnold came upon the Vineyard, Island Wampanoags will celebrate Cranberry Day, the harvesting of the last fruit of the season.
Sometimes referred to as the Red Harvest, the day is a tribute to the Great Spirit and is one of the most important Wampanoag celebrations.