Archives for August 2010

Aug 17 2010

Discover Martha’s Vineyard History & Hotel Package

For Immediate Release

Press Contact:

CJ Rivard, GM
Vineyard Square Hotel & Suites
cjrivard@vineyardsquarehotel.com
(508) 627-4711

August 17, 2010 (Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard Mass.) – The Colonial Inn of Martha’s Vineyard unrolled their new Martha’s Vineyard History Package today. The package combines the pleasures of a stay in historic Edgartown at this Martha’s Vineyard hotel, with the joys of discovering some of the rich and diverse history that has shaped the island.

Martha’s Vineyard is an enchanting island just off of the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Along with an abundant history, the island boasts a variety of breathtaking landscapes. The Colonial Inn is centrally located in Edgartown, which is widely recognized as the most elegant and picturesque of the Vineyard’s towns, and is ideally located for exploring the entire island. Visitors enjoy exploring the brick paths of Edgartown while admiring the historic old captain’s homes, the spectacular seaside gardens that surround them, and the stunning views of Edgartown harbor and Chappaquiddick Island. Many also enjoy the numerous art galleries, quaint boutiques and varied dining options that are within steps of the Colonial Inn.

The hotel’s new Martha’s Vineyard History Package will be available starting August 30, throughout the fall. Participants will enjoy a 2 ½ hour tour of the island, where they will be introduced to the Vineyard’s six unique towns, their history, landscape, and lore. Back home at the Colonial Inn in Edgartown, history buffs can then explore some of the town’s historic architectural wonders at their leisure. The package includes entrance to many of Edgartown’s historic properties where visitors can spend an educational and fun couple of days soaking in some of Martha’s Vineyard’s past and present.

The Martha’s Vineyard Museum is host to many interesting historical objects, documents, books, photographs, paintings and exhibits. The Old Whaling Church, owned by the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust, was originally built for the Methodist whaling captains, and is regarded as one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in New England. Next to the church, The Dr. Daniel Fisher House, is an elegant1840 Federal style residence originally built for a whaling ship owner. A short stroll through the manicured, exquisite grounds of the Dr. Daniel Fisher House will lead visitors to The Vincent House. Built in 1672, The Vincent House is the Island’s oldest residence, and has been restored to its original beauty with period antiques that represent life on Martha’s Vineyard during the last four centuries. Also suggested on the self guided history tour is a visit to The Old Sculpin Gallery. Along with housing the interesting works of local artists, it is also a museum and historic property. The final stop on the tour is The Edgartown Lighthouse, built in 1881 to safely guide the whalers back home. It is a peaceful spot for visitors to end the tour and reflect on a new found appreciation of Martha’s Vineyard history and lore.

About Colonial Inn of Martha’s Vineyard

When not pursuing island history, participants in the Martha’s Vineyard History Package will appreciate staying at the charming Colonial Inn, located in the heart of Edgartown. Built in 1911, this historic Martha’s Vineyard inn offers guests an ideal, central location from which to explore the entire island. In addition to a discounted package rate, the Colonial Inn’s value includes a convenient continental breakfast, salon and day spa and fitness room on site, and friendly and knowledgeable staff to assist visitors in making the most of their visit while exploring the island. The Colonial Inn of Martha’s Vineyard offers the stylish comfort and amenities of a full-service hotel, while maintaining the friendly atmosphere and personalized service of a small bed and breakfast. For more information call 1-800-627-4701.

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Aug 17 2010

Whaling Church1-resized-196 Have the kids not come up with a theme for “What I Did on my Summer Vacation”, or are you just not up to another day at the beach? The Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust, in partnership with the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, have come up with a solution to not only these dilemmas, but many others as well. Grab the family or a friend, buy a $15 ticket for entrance to their Edgartown properties, and spend an educational and fun day soaking in some of Martha’s Vineyard’s past and present.

The pass will get you into The Martha’s Vineyard Museum, where you could easily spend the entire day making your way through the historical objects, documents, books, photographs, paintings and exhibits.

You can also enjoy The Old Whaling Church on Main Street. It is a magnificent Greek Revival structure, originally built for the Methodist whaling captains and which now serves a perfect venue for weddings, concerts, and lectures.

Next to the church, stop in at The Dr. Daniel Fisher House, an elegant1840 Federal style residence, now used for private parties, and many of the receptions for the church’s weddings.

Stroll through the manicured, vast grounds back to The Vincent House, the Island’s oldest residence, which has been restored to its original beauty with period antiques that represent life on Martha’s Vineyard during the last four centuries.

Now make your way to the harbor and peruse the exquisite art of Island artists at The Old Sculpin Gallery, which is also a museum and historic property. In other lives it has been a sail loft, a grain store, a whale oil factory, and a boat builder’s shed. Sounds like a haven for interesting and talented ghosts to me!

Finish your tour by following the harbor down North Water Street, past all the stately old whaling captain’s homes, to The Edgartown Lighthouse, built in 1881 to safely guide the whalers back home. It’s a delightfully peaceful spot to end and reflect on your new appreciation of Martha’s Vineyard history and lore.

Editor’s Note: The Colonial Inn is offerring a Martha’s Vineyard History Package for fall that combines all of the above with 2 nights room accomodations for 2, continental breakfast, and a 2 1/2 hour narrated bus tour of the entire island. It’s a great value!

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Aug 10 2010

As a writer, I love hyperbole. It grabs the reader’s attention, making the point and then some – stretching the truth for good purpose. The title of this post is a great example.Sharky’s Cantina may not be the Greatest Place to Eat in the Whole Wide World, but if it isn’t, it’s darn close. Seriously, given the choices out there, I think I’d just as soon eat at Sharky’s as any other place. Why? I’m glad I asked.

First and second, it’s funky and fun. Third, fourth, and fifth, the food is great, the selection wide, and the prices reasonable.

I first came to an awareness of Sharky’s when there was just the Oak Bluffs location, a cozy little spot that they’ve occupied since 2003. It was great, but a bit crowded. (More hyperbole. Think: squeezing the New England Patriots defensive line into a Smart Car.) The place was consistently bursting at the seams with people stuffing their faces with tacos, chimichangas, and burritos, all the while washing them down with sangria and margaritas.

An added attraction, if the mob scene wasn’t enough to draw you in, was the requirement to visit “The Shark Tank” next door if you had to (how shall I put this delicately?) deal with all those drinks you’d been downing. As a guy, there’s something distinctly unsettling about doing my business in a facility called “The Shark Tank”.

Note that none of this kept me away. The pluses far outweighed the downsides. My family went there at every opportunity. Still, it was clear that they needed more space. In 2005, the much-needed larger Edgartown location opened. It can almost handle the crowds who continue to flock there. The outside seating under the lights helps a great deal in the good weather. (Yet another benefit: Sharky’s is open year-round. No unrequited hankering for tacos in the dead of January!)

Truth be told, Mexican food would not be my first choice of cuisine. Much of it I can take or leave. That’s OK. My family is heavily (no pun intended) into it and I like enough of it to appreciate the place. Just the awesome freshly-made chips and pico de gallo are enough to sate my appetite. I have two burrito-devotee daughters who swear by that selection. My wife considers the veggie tacos to be unsurpassed.

The funny thing is that I don’t order Mexican from their menu anymore. Not because it’s not good. It is! However, I’ve discovered the Sharky’s Special Sauce Burger. I know it’s not a burger joint, but this is one of the best burgers on the planet. Between the burger and the excellent fries, I rarely find a need to stray from that selection. Look, if I ate there thee times a week – and I might if I could – I’d mix in the tacos, fajitas, and quesadillas. Unfortunately, I only get there a few times a year. Thus, it’s generally the burger for me.

If there’s any room after the chips and pico de gallo, that is.

Image courtesy of roolrool.

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Aug 05 2010

Bicycle by pacomexico-resized-600 Recently, there was an article on this Blog, posted by CJ, concerning safety while traveling on Martha’s Vineyard. I am prompted to expand upon this theme by last month’s tragic bicycle accident in Vineyard Haven; and I speak with the perspective of having been a Military Police officer once upon a time. My purpose now is not to discuss the accident, but simply to share some of my observations with you in the hopes that they will help you and your family stay safe, while having fun on your Martha’s Vineyard vacation.

The Island is truly a magical place to visit, but this is NOT the Land of Oz with the perfectly maintained Yellow Brick Road leading wherever you could hope to visit. Similar to other places, the Island’s roads and sidewalks are susceptible to deterioration. Harsh weather and heavy usage takes its toll here as well as in your hometown, so caution is advised. Martha’s Vineyard has many lovely and well maintained bike paths, which cyclists should utilize whenever possible.

Two days after the Vineyard Haven accident, the Park and Ride bus left my daughter and I behind at the State Road lot. Having some experience with the ebb and flow of bus, boat and traffic in getting home to Falmouth, I judged that it would not return in time to pick us up for the boat. With Kate strapped into her stroller, piggy-doll strapped in as well, we set out to walk down the hill to the boat. She soon fell asleep and I am glad she did.

We had to travel down the sidewalk where the accident had transpired. The farther I went, the harder it became to push the stroller through the inches of sand and cracked pavement that line the length of State Road. The sidewalks are in rough shape in places along this stretch and it terrified me when the stroller wheels would get into a rut in the sand and pull toward the street. It was a grim walk for me…full of sad thoughts, especially when I passed the accident site.

As a Military Police Officer on a small, family-oriented post in South Carolina, I assisted in many community seminars – some of which included bicycle safety. I can recite the rules of the road here and caution everyone to obey them, but safety starts before you take the bike out onto the road. The seminar that stuck out in my mind was the one concerning bicycle sizing.

I have seen so many cyclists riding on bicycles that I feel are too big for them. (On Thursday morning on my drive into Edgartown, a girl wobbled on her bike and fell… onto the sidewalk rather than in front of my car, but it was a close thing.) This quick and easy website helps with the steps in sizing a bike for safe usage. Scroll through the pictures and read the short descriptions. Learn the steps and know what to look for regarding your family’s safe bicycle sizing.

The bicycle rental companies on the island move hundreds (possibly thousands) of bicycles between them each day. They can find a bicycle for you that may be close to the right size, and can spend some time adjusting it to your specific body type. But please remember…they have dozens of other customers waiting for their help, maybe not so patiently!

The final say is yours when it comes to bicycle safety. If they cannot find a size right for you, try again later on that day, or come earlier the next to spend some extra time. The Island will still be here to explore!

Image courtesy of pacomexico

EDGARTOWN | April 5, 2024

Archives for August 2010

Discover Martha’s Vineyard History & Hotel Package

For Immediate Release

Press Contact:

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