At Large Business Briefs Cartoons District Court Report Editorial Gone Fishin' Letters to the Editor Real Estate Transactions Sports Sports Highlights

Art Bestsellers Dance Edibles Film In Print Music Theater

This Week's Happenings Save That Date Ongoing Events Groups Libraries Museums and Tours Children's Resources Hotlines 12-Step Programs Religious Services Volunteer Opportunities

Achievements Astrology Birds Births Community Shorts Dean's List Engagements Garden Notes Honor Roll Obituaries Off North Road Short Subjects Town Meetings Visiting Vet Weddings

Aquinnah Chilmark Edgartown Oak Bluffs Tisbury West Tisbury

---

Directories

---

---

search the web www.mvtimes.com

The Martha's Vineyard Times is a weekly publication.
December 23 - December 29, 2004 Edition
Web Comments - Email Submissions

WEST TISBURY December 23, 2004 Hermine Hull - 508-693-2525 - hrmhull@gis.net Driving along the Old County Road I have noticed some clearing going on. I assumed that new houses would soon appear, but was interested to find out that it is being turned into an open meadow instead. The West Tisbury Land Bank Advisory Committee was approached by the owner of the property, Ed Child, to recommend that the land bank purchase the development rights for the property and maintain the area as a hayfield meadow. A similar arrangement was made on Lambert’s Cove Road across from David Merry’s. I have been told that most of West Tisbury was originally grazing pasture land with few trees. Many town natives have expressed a nostalgia for the meadows along the roadsides that they remember from their childhood. The West Tisbury Library held its holiday party last Wednesday afternoon. The food, as at all West Tisbury parties, was amazing. There were greens and ribbons for making swags. A genial crowd seemed to enjoy the occasion and one another’s company. Mary Jo was briefly called away to process a passport application, but returned before all the cookies were gone. If you have extra paper bags around the house, the library needs them, according to Paula Black. Please drop them off during library hours. Glenn Hearn reported that the selectmen voted to keep the tax rate the same for residents, non-residents, and commercial property. Jo Ann Resendes brings this up every year. Also, Allen Healy was appointed Assistant Animal Control Officer. Katherine Long and Tom Vogl hosted their Winter Solstice Party on Sunday. They were afraid that an ailing rooster would be among the guests but he seemed to be enough recovered to stay in his coop. Not that it would have bothered anyone as the hosts are well-known in town for their affection and care of their animals. Louis deGeofroy, his wife, Karen Overtoom, and their daughters, Olivia and Michelle, are expecting Karen’s brother, Leo, to join them for the holidays at their home on Scotchman’s Bridge Lane. James and Cecily Thornley report that their friend and frequent visitor, Laronn Massey, has moved to Rochester, New Hampshire, with his new adopted family, Mark and Debbe Love and siblings, Dante and Larissa. Because of his relationship with Cec and Jim, Laronn has been an “honorary Hull” the past few years, and we are all thrilled for him and the Loves. It seems a part of the season to complain about the commercialization of the holidays so I decided to ask around town what people are grateful for instead of what they wish for. I tried the idea out on Linda Hearn and Diana Manter, both of whom thought it was a good idea. Diana suggested, “What are you grateful for about living in West Tisbury?” Here are some of the responses: Diana Manter: “Waking up every morning on Tisbury Great Pond. The West Tisbury Library; we have a great library.” Linda Hearn: “It still feels like a really small town to me. As much as it has grown, it’s the same place I grew up in.” Glenn Hearn: is “grateful I married someone from West Tisbury.” Mary Lu Keep: is “grateful for the quietness of living in West Tisbury.” Karen Colaneri: “Having known the people we have known” Stan Richards: “I’m just glad to be alive, and you can quote me on that.” Katherine Long: “Because we can have chickens and roosters that crow.” Tom Vogl: “West Tisbury has the most down-to- earth people on the Island, or anywhere.” George Hartman: “All you have to do is go off-Island for a week and you know why it’s great to live in West Tisbury.” Janice Manter: “I’m grateful to live near Pond View Farm.” Heidi and Ronnee Schultz: “We feel very welcome in this town which has such a big sense of community.” Louis deGeofrey: “A relatively sane political leadership.” David Finkelstein: “since 1973, living in the same house in such a warm, people-oriented community. Because of the agricultural history, as opposed to the business history of the down-Island towns, it always seemed easier to get things done in a very cooperative way. It also had a wonderful school system for my children.” I’ll add my own gratitude for living in a place that provides me with a lifetime of images to paint, quiet places to paint or walk with my puppy, and a generous community to be part of. It is the best of both worlds. May we all have blessings to count. Peace on earth, goodwill to all. Merry Christmas.

©The Martha's Vineyard Times 2004 - www.mvtimes.com