The Retired Life: The joy of summer home ownership
Our decision to purchase in the Vineyard has paid dividends in celebrations and fellowship
For my family, our Summer home is family gatherings, wonderful memories, quiet moments together with my significant other, and a bottle of my favorite wine.
We purchased our Summer home on Martha’s Vineyard in 1997, and have since, enjoyed it with friends, family, children, and their pets.
Just a brief history of Martha’s Vineyard. Founded in 1642 when Thomas Mayhew founded what is now Edgartown. People of African descent arrived in Oak Bluffs in the 1600s as enslaved that worked on European farms, and by the 1800s, freed slaves, laborers, and sailors began arriving at Oak Bluffs harbor. Oak Bluffs has a rich history in African American history. The other towns on the island are Vineyard Haven, West Tisbury, Aquinnah, and Chilmark, but most visitors try to stay either in Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, or Vineyard Haven. Our house, built in 1830, is in Oak Bluffs.
In 1997, when we first bought, we would go out twice a year to open and close for the season. Then and now, there are two ways to get to the island, ferry or plane. The Steamship Authority controls the ferry and several airlines service the Marhta’s Vineyard airport. We drive every Summer from New Orleans, stopping along the way to spend time with family and friends, taking four days to reach Woods Hole where we take our car across on the ferry to the island. We still go twice a year, in May just before the season-opening, Memorial Day, and in August when we spend quality time with friends and family, but unlike those early years, now we have a management company to take care of the hard stuff.
Opening the house for the season is managed by a company that takes a percentage to cover scheduling, cleaning, repairs, opening, and closing before and after the season ends. In May, we checked for malfunctioning kitchen equipment, burned-out light bulbs, dishes, silverware, glasses, and other necessities that may have been lost or damaged the prior season. We also arrange for lawn care, garbage pickup, propane fuel delivery, and the Internet. Once we are satisfied the house is damage free, we head outside to tend to the gardens.
This past Winter, the Vineyard experienced a historical cold; the thermometer plunging to -30 F. Many of our perennials were destroyed, so we bought new hydrangeas and border plants to fill in damaged areas. Fortunately, our lawn service arrived while we were there and they dug the holes for the plants. The lawn service also cleans the gardens, and weeds and replaces the mulch, making the lawn and gardens shine. Once the interior, exterior, lawn, and gardens are readied, we head out to see what may have changed on the island.
Of the six towns on the island, Oak Bluffs is by far the place that most visitors prefer. The marina is a gathering spot for boaters from the nearby mainland. Large mega-yachts to small fishing boats are all around the Oak Bluffs’ harbor. Fishing charters are running throughout the season, and there is a monster shark festival in July. One Summer, we chartered a fishing boat and caught 300 pounds of sea bass, froze it, and ate sea bass off and on for an entire year. We now go fishing off the jetties where we catch porgies, robin fish, and, occasionally, a nice big sea bass. Shore fishing off the beaches is also worth a try, but most of us simply want to enjoy the sea and sun of the beach.
Historically, Inkwell Beach was the only beach area African Americans could use, named that by white people because of the skin color of the people using the beach. It is still a meeting place for many African American visitors, sororities, fraternities, and other groups that want to enjoy its waters, or just lay on a blanket and read. If you wake up early enough, go for coffee, and sit by the Inkwell, you will see the “Polar Bears.”
Founded in 1946, the Polar Bears are a group of African American, mostly women that do water aerobics from 0730 to 0830 every morning, weather permitting, from July 4 through labor day. It is a tradition that many summer visitors of all colors and genders eagerly anticipate. Cedric the Entertainer was in the water with the rest of us one Summer. After the aerobics, invigorated by the water and movement, we begin our day.
Breakfast, coffee, and fresh orange juice are a walk away from the Inkwell. Linda Jeans on Circuit Ave. has been serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner since 1976. Recently Linda Jean's restaurant was bought by Lisa and Winston Christie, the owners of Winston's Kitchen, a takeout restaurant on the Oak Bluffs marina. I had breakfast at Linda Jeans recently, and it was a pleasant experience. But for a quick bite, Winston’s Kitchen makes a fried chicken sandwich, a breakfast sandwich, and other great takeout dishes.
If a southern breakfast is what you are hankering for, Biscuits, on Lake Ave. just across the street from Oak Bluffs Marina, is the place to go. Open from 7 AM to 3 pm, Biscuits has become a staple in Oak Bluffs since 2002.
If you are a wine lover, “Our Market” is on the corner of East Chop and New York Ave. Their wine selections rival those found at most high-end wine shops. If you don’t find what you like at Our Market, you can trot on down to Jim’s Package Store, just off the Oak Bluffs Marina, Tony’s Market on Dukes County Ave., or Vineyard Wine and Cheese on Circuit Ave. You can also travel outside of Oak Bluffs to Edgartown, where you will also find superb wines.
There are no fast-food chains or other franchises on the island. There are many great restaurants for lunch and dinner. From Aquinnah to Edgartown, you can find exquisite clam chowder and fresh sea foods to the most elegant Italian, American, Middle Eastern, Asian, South American, and other ethnic cuisines. During the high season, Summertime, especially July and August, is when most visitors arrive, and reservations are a must for lunch or dinner. One of our favorites is Bettini’s in the Harbor View restaurant, Edgartown. We make our reservations weeks in advance. A few of the restaurants we’ve enjoyed are Chesca's, Atria’s, and the Atlantic Fish and Chop House. All are in Edgartown and when you visit said captain's town, you understand, Edgartown stands for elegance.
If you prefer to stay home, cook a splendid meal and sit on the porch for delightful conversation, that’s what happens most of the time on the island. There are several grocery stores and specialty shops that carry a variety of regular and ethnic foods. You might have to shop around if you're looking for something exotic, but most sea foods, spices, condiments, produce and meats are available. Tony’s Market on Dukes County Ave. and Reliable on Circuit Ave. are in Oak Bluffs. Stop and Shop and Cronig’s are in Vineyard Haven, and a larger Stop and Shop is in Edgartown. There are also a variety of smaller stores that carry a variety of special foodstuffs, the Vineyard Grocer, Edgartown Meat and Fish Market, Black Sheep Mercantile, and many others. Remember, nothing is far away on Martha’s Vineyard.
Stocked up on provisions. Let’s talk about things to do on the island. Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, physically active or not, there are many events and opportunities for all personalities. The Summer months bring art exhibits, farm festivals, illumination night, fireworks, film festivals, lectures, and readings from various authors visiting the island. There are devoted bicycle lanes throughout the island, hiking trails, beaches, and a variety of water sports. Fishing is one of my favorites, a pole, some bait, and the quiet of the ocean, but when a fish hits, what excitement. Since 2009, the MV Comedy Festival is sold out every year. Featuring such notable comics as Damon Williams, George Wallace, LaVar Walker, and many others. This year’s MV Comedy Fest is featuring D.L. Hughley, too late, both nights are sold out.
In the many years we have been enjoying Martha’s Vineyard, it hasn’t lost its charm. We still enjoy cooking with friends, going to the beach, reading, and napping on the porch. We’ve met many wonderful people from all walks of life and corners of the world. It used to be biking and hiking, now it's eating and reading, with an occasional glass of red wine for those aches and pains. If you’ve never been to the island, make your plans for next year for a weekend or a month, and make them in early January for the 2024 season. In the words of my brother, “ Martha’s Vineyard is the most civilized place I have ever been.”
Armand Gonzalzles “The Louisiana Traveler” resides in New Orleans but lives in the “World.”
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A very enjoyable reading. I have necessary ventured to the island, but hopeful in my remaining years, I will take the opportunity to do so. Thanks, Dr. Gonzales.