"Monster Shark" Tournament Bites, Novelist Says

The Monster Shark Fishing Tournament draws thousands of fans to the Oak Bluffs waterfront. It's also drawn sharp criticism from foes including Martha's Vineyard Patch blogger Michael West, who's publishing a serial murder mystery about the tourney.

It's no secret that Michael West detests the Monster Shark Fishing Tournament. The only reason you don't hear him opposing it at the Oak Bluffs municipal meetings he attends is that he lives in a different Island town. But West is outspoken against the tournament in other forums including his Martha's Vineyard Patch blog and comments on articles like this one. And recently, West has waded into the fray from a literary shore with his serial novel Xoc (Pronounced Shok), Or the White Shark and the Sea Dogs: An Historical Encounter. Published online in semiweekly installments, Xoc (for short) is a briskly-paced murder mystery whose narrator Sam ("Call me Samuel," reads the novel's first line, in a nod to Melville's Moby-Dick) washes ashore in …

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Louisa Hufstader

3:25 pm on Friday, April 5, 2013

Here's a mash-up of Sam's and my notes from the meeting, with a couple of video snippets of Steve James and Todd Alexander, the harbormaster. http://patch.com/A-3zpz   more ›

Island Mystery: Have You Seen This Painting?

Painted in the 1970s and missing for years, this portrait might be in an attic, barn or storage space somewhere on Martha's Vineyard. If you spot it, could you let us know?

Island Mystery: Where Is This Painting?

In 1972, Jon Haydn says, Betty Stockton painted him in West Chop. Now, he's hoping to be reunited with his portrait.

Islanders, are you ready for a winter mystery? An Arkansas sculptor is seeking to be reunited with a portrait of him that was painted on the Vineyard in 1972. Jon Haydn posted two photos to our Patch Pics & Clips gallery yesterday, writing: One is of Betty Stockton in front of a portrait she created of me in 1972. The other is of the completed portrait (and an excellent, heartfelt portrait it is).  I posted in hopes of locating the portrait, in case it is unwanted and/or in need of being with me. Your help in posting this request with the two photos would be appreciated. Betty was attorney Charles Stockton's wife and, if I'm correct, she had a daughter named Marki (or Marky or Markie, I don't know) Love. She painted me in their West Chop …

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Michael West

1:46 pm on Saturday, March 16, 2013

All the way up to 37 now, but it feels at least 5 degrees warmer, Jonny.   more ›