🌱 How much storm money might Oak Bluffs actually get back?
Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts Patch AM: a 5 min readGood morning Oak Bluffs! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How much storm money might Oak Bluffs actually get back?
- See which rare birds just turned up in Oak Bluffs
- How did Oak Bluffs become a national symbol of Black excellence?
Also on today's calendar: Talk Radio Icon HOWIE CARR on Corruption, Crime, & Politics at Hyannis Arts Hall and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the cookie go to the Doctor ? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Thursday: Partly sunny and humid, with a high of 81 and low of 71 degrees.
- Friday: Partly sunny and humid, temps: high: 86, low: 70. 🌶 Hot!
- Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 84 and low of 71 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Healey appeals Trump's federal aid denial - (mvtimes.com) — Oak Bluffs racked up about $188,800 in blizzard response costs and could recoup roughly $90,000 through a state winter recovery program, but is still waiting on possible federal aid. Gov. Maura Healey is appealing President Trump’s denial of a major disaster declaration, which would open additional FEMA support for Vineyard towns already straining budgets after heavy snow, outages, and cleanup. 
2. Bridled Tern (vineyardgazette.com) — Birders around the Island logged some remarkable sightings this July, including an unusually large flock of 10 brown thrashers foraging on an Oak Bluffs lawn near Crystal Lake. The column also tracks a rare bridled tern’s travels through New England and recaps recent Merlin, osprey, and shorebird activity from Felix Neck to Cedar Tree Neck, offering a snapshot of midsummer bird life.
3. Inside the Rich Black History of Martha's Vineyard (theroot.com) — Oak Bluffs is spotlighted as the heart of Black culture on Martha’s Vineyard, from Shearer Cottage and the Inkwell beach to Harlem Renaissance salons and civil rights retreats. The piece traces how Black whalers, hoteliers, artists, and today’s film festival have made the town a national symbol of Black excellence and summer tradition.
4. Looking back at the Island 50 years ago - (mvtimes.com) — Oak Bluffs appears in a nostalgic snapshot of Island life as viewers revisit the Lamppost and other long-gone haunts during a 50th-anniversary screening of the 1976 documentary “Suspended Sentence.” The film and post-screening talk explore how winter on Martha’s Vineyard once mixed beauty, poverty, and bohemian creativity, and how today’s housing and economic pressures have reshaped that world.
5. John B. Freeman - (mvtimes.com) — Oak Bluffs is mourning the passing of longtime educator and Island Queen staffer John B. Freeman, who died July 29. A devoted member of the United Methodist Church of Martha’s Vineyard, he was known for his uplifting messages, harmonica tunes at the ferry, and deep love for his family and folk music community.
📸 Around Oak Bluffs
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Oak Bluffs
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
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Talk Radio Icon HOWIE CARR on Corruption, Crime, & Politics at Hyannis Arts Hall →
81 Willow Ave, Barnstable
4:00 pm
Sunday August 16
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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When Mothers Farm: A Zambian Story
Oak Bluffs Library 56R School Street, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557
6:00 pm -
Family Fishing- Offsite
Oak Bluffs Library 56R School Street, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557
9:30 am -
Red Dragon Mah Jongg
Oak Bluffs Library 56R School Street, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557
11:30 am -
Kids Craft Project
Oak Bluffs Library 56R School Street, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557
12:00 pm -
Center for Constitutional Rights Celebrates 60 Years
Oak Bluffs Library 56R School Street, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557
3:00 pm -
New York Theatre Workshop @ Vineyard Arts Project →
Vineyard Arts Project, 215 Upper Main St, Edgartown
5:00 pm -
Three Dog Night →
Melody Tent, 41 W Main St, Hyannis
8:00 pm -
Envy MV Day Party 2026 | Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard →
Eleven Circuit Restaurant and Bar, 11 Circuit Ave, Oak Bluffs
3:00 pm -
Generational Health: Your Family's Legacy →
The Strand Theatre, Oak Bluffs Ave, Oak Bluffs
12:00 pm
Thursday August 6
Friday August 7
Saturday August 8
Sunday August 9
Wednesday August 12
📣 Oak Bluffs Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Music in the Square: Mike Benjamin and the Keepers →
Eisenhauer Gallery, 38 N Water St, Edgartown
6:00 pm -
Seashore Discovery →
Mass Audubon's Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, 100 Felix Neck Dr, Edgartown
10:00 am -
Seán McMahon LIVE @ First Friday (Owen Park) →
Owen Park Dock, 30 Owen Park Way, Vineyard Haven
6:30 pm -
Pen Pals with Brooke Adams and Marilu Henner →
Circuit Arts, 12 Music St, Vineyard Haven
7:00 pm
Thursday August 6
Friday August 7
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- SavATree posted a job opening for Tree Crew Leader in Vineyard Haven. Apply here.
- Bartlett Tree Experts posted a job opening for Arborist Climber in Vineyard Haven. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Oak Bluffs here.
Ok Oak Bluffs! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Because he felt CRUMMY ! (Thank you Michelle S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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