Letters to the Editor
Published: September 25, 2008
A fitting memorial
To the Editor:
I am reminiscing about the Rev. Oscar Denniston, the Bradley Memorial Church and Noepe Theater.
In 1901, the Rev. Oscar Denniston came to Martha's Vineyard from Jamaica (British West Indies) at the request of Madison Edwards, a chaplain, at the Seaman's Bethel in Vineyard Haven.
When Susan Bradley died in 1907, Mr. Denniston founded the Bradley Memorial Church on Masonic Avenue in Oak Bluffs.
Mr. Denniston and his wife had six children. They were Madison, Dean, Baron, Gerald, Olive, and Amy. Dean Denniston and I were classmates and graduated from the Oak Bluffs High School in 1931. There were only seven in our graduation class. Many parents, in those days, felt that after the 8th grade their kids should go to work.
Oscar Denniston's African-American church's membership grew rapidIy. They needed more space during the summer months. The Noepe Theater was available and was purchased. (This building was nearby and at the top of the hill on Circuit Avenue near Masonic Avenue.)
In 1939, my brother, John Hughes, graduated from the Oak Bluffs High School. He remembers the baccalaureate service at Mr. Denniston's Noepe building. On the old movie screen was a painting of Jesus as an African-American.
Oscar Denniston died in 1942, and the church lost its leadership. In short time, the members lost this church building. Later, Roscoe Heathman tore down their building. He used the lumber to build elsewhere.
The church on Masonic Avenue has been closed for many years and needs many repairs. A group wanted to save this building and move it a little to make room mainly for affordable housing.
The building should be dismantled or demolished and then this area can be planned anew.
To memorialize this former Baptist Church, many large and framed photos of its former activities should be hung in the hallways of the new main building that might be built. A good example of this idea is in the hallway of the Oak Bluffs Town Hall.
Robert H. Hughes
Oak Bluffs
Summer job
To the Editor:
I'm writing to you in response to what I see as a growing problem in the community. During my most recent summer stay on the Vineyard, I took several long bike rides along the main trails. However, as I rode on the trail that is adjacent to State Beach leading into Edgartown, I noticed a significant amount of trash lining the trail. As I am a huge believer in delivering solutions, in addition to raising an important issue, I propose the establishment of a neighborhood cleanup of the trail during the summer months. This cleanup would provide an opportunity for summer residents to ensure that the trails remain a safe and clean pathway for all.
Thanks for your consideration, and please send me an email at rmthomps@princeton.edu if my letter is published in the Martha's Vineyard Times.
Rei Thompson
Oak Bluffs
Above and beyond
To the Editor:
On September 8, a visiting friend, his wife, young son and I were driving to the Squibnocket Associates beach for what we thought would be an idyllic beach day. I had warned my friend of the deep road sand on the approach to the beach. Unfortunately, he neglected to engage the 4-wheel drive on his vehicle, and we became mired in the deep sand. My friend walked back to the caretaker's house, only to find him not at home.
A call to my friend's auto club proved useless. After several cell phone calls to friends and neighbors, none of who were home, we reluctantly called the Chilmark Police to see if they could help. Officer Jesse Burton responded quickly and cheerfully, assessed the situation and drove my friend's family and me home. He then returned with my extremely grateful friend to extricate his car.
Needless to say, I was reminded once again why I live on this wonderful Island. The prompt and friendly actions by the Chilmark Police and Officer Burton went far beyond the normal call of duty and we will be forever grateful.
Barbara Rivers
Chilmark
Make stripers game fish
To the Editor:
In Nelson Sigelman's article Gone Fishin', published on September 18, he quotes Paul Diodati, the director of the Mass. Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF). Diodati's pro-commercial comments clearly are at odds with the thoughts and fishing experiences of nearly all of the 600,000 recreational fishermen that fish for striped bass in Massachusetts.
This example of the division's pro-commercial, head-in-the-sand management bias is exactly why wild stripers do need sanctuary protection in the EEZ. This is also why they need to have the market bounty or price tag taken off their heads by making them a game fish as proposed by Stripers Forever (www.stripersforever.org)
Stripers need to be protected from the never-ending efforts of the division to increase the commercial harvest of wild striped bass. Diodati's pro-commercial comments are an attempt to discredit any and all efforts to make them a game fish, and quite frankly, his comments are transparently absurd.
By making stripers a game fish we will finally be rid of this nearsighted, pro-commercial, kill' em all and sell' em all philosophy.
If DMF is "...being more restrictive than necessary" as Diodati ridiculously claims, then how come it restricts the commercial fisherman to targeting and killing only the biggest and best breeding females? Common sense and all the science proves that taking the large DNA genes out of a population will have irreversible and negative results?
Clearly the myopic and pro-commercial management practices of Mr. Diodati and DMF have already ruined the ground fishery and are now targeting the stripers just so that a handful of guys can further exploit a species that a) is the most valuable recreational salt water fish in Massachusetts and b) rightfully belongs to all of equally.
We must make wild striped bass a game fish for the welfare of the bass so that everyone might benefit from them on an equal basis. Eliminate the current, exclusive, commercial exceptions that are supported and protected by the MA Division of Marine Fisheries. No, Mr. Diodati, get with the 21st century, and let's make wild stripers a game fish.
Dean Clark
Marstons Mills
A visit spoiled
To the Editor:
On August 28, I parked my 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe in a four-hour parking spot in Oak Bluffs (arrived on the 10:15am ferry), along the water to the left of the ferry dock. Although the sign indicated no commercial vehicles, I did not consider my family Tahoe a commercial vehicle. The plate is commercial because we own the vehicle through our business and use the vehicle for business and personal use. On the day of my visit, I returned to Martha's Vineyard to pick up my ice cream trailer at the fairgrounds in West Tisbury. My visit to Oak Bluffs was for personal shopping.
I would like to dispute this parking violation on the grounds that a commercial plate does not indicate one hundred percent commercial use. and my visit to Oak Bluffs was for personal reasons.
I would like someone to inform me as to where to park on my next visit to Oak Bluffs when I am there to purchase my croissants from the bakery and my fudge from Murdick's. On the day of my visit, my friend and I enjoyed our pastries and buying fudge for home before heading to Humphreys to purchase our lunch, which we took to the beach at Menemsha. The day trip to the Vineyard was made special by enjoying all our usual treats, but has turned sour with the parking violation. Commercial vehicles beware.
Patricia M. Cushing
Wilmington
Dad deserves it
To the Editor:
My name is Jason Canha, and I'm a special agent with the United States Air Force Office of Special investigations. I'm a resident of Martha's Vineyard and have been in the Air Force for 15 years. Recently, my father, Domingo P. Canha of Oaks Bluffs was recognized by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), for his outstanding service (35 years of appliance repair) for the community of Martha's Vineyard.
I would love to let him know that my family and his two grandchildren are extremely proud of him. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be the husband or father I am today. My dedication and commitment to our country and to the USAF is direct image of what my father and mother taught me. Again, congratulations Dad, You deserve it.
Jason Canha
Satellite Beach, Fla.
No ads at airport
To the Editor:
I find the idea of advertising installations at the Martha's Vineyard Airport offensive. However they arrive, most of our visitors come to Martha's Vineyard to escape the norm and find some peace, quiet, and beauty in their lives. They also come to take a break from what most of America has in great quantity - things like big department stores and food chains, big buildings, superhighways - things like in-your-face and unavoidable advertising - something now so commonplace that most people just endure it on the sides of buildings, billboards, kiosk placards, buses and bus stop posters, and in airports. But they don't have to endure it here, on Martha's Vineyard, where I have yet to see it.
Congratulations to the Nantucket Airport Commission chairman, Foley Vaughn, and the other commissioners who had enough sense not to be drawn into this (Martha's Vineyard Times, Sept. 11, "Airport may allow upscale terminal ads"). Even if our airport is bigger than Nantucket's, I don't think airport advertising here would be any less in your face, as Vaughn so aptly commented.
Moreover, as we're all aware, Martha's Vineyard is not Easthampton, in any way, shape, or form. And I believe what New Yorkers will easily tolerate, and even expect, in Easthampton has nothing to do with what visitors - including New Yorkers - expect or like on Martha's Vineyard.
I appreciate and applaud your concern with regard to the budget, but unless the airport is desperate for the money - could we please continue to cater to our tourists, residents and visitors and give them what they seem to enjoy.? Which, I suspect, is not advertising.
Niki Patton
West Tisbury
Reconsider Dr. Koehler
To the Editor:
I was pleased to see Dr. Richard Koehler's ad in the newspaper recently, as I had used his surgical services in the past and was again in need of them. I assumed he would be asked to be on the medical staff here at our local hospital, as many patients and doctors regretted his departure and would welcome his return. I was surprised and disappointed when he told me the Martha's Vineyard Hospital administration (not the doctors) was refusing to let him even apply to be on the medical staff. It seems odd to me that any hospital, much less one designated as a "Critical Access Facility" would refuse any physicians who wanted to apply. I hope the MVH administration will reconsider.
Ellen Reynolds
Edgartown
Unforgettable
To the Editor:
I read with great sadness the remembrance for David S. Boyd, so lovingly written by his sister-in-law, Joyce Boyd of Vineyard Haven. I was his partner for 11 years, during the 1070s, when we were young and in love. David loved growing up on Martha's Vineyard and conveyed those feelings to me. David was a funny, big-hearted guy who would do anything for you. Knowing him and living the Martha's Vineyard life with him changed my life forever. When I visit Martha's Vineyard now, my daughter and I always stop to see the little house on Sea Glen Road David designed and built with his bare hands 30 years ago for him and me.
All of you old friends and Edgartown buddies of David's, please take some extra time to think about and remember this fantastic man. I know none of us can ever forget him.
Paula Rockwood
Cambridge
Buckets and holes
To the Editor:
"Tyranny of the Majority" is the title of Lani Guinier's book published in 1995.
The world, I suppose, has always been a curious design of contradictions and paradoxical wonders.
Lately I wonder if I should be celebrating the termination of the current number of grandeurs, follies, and hopeless causes? No doubt, I admit I am slow to understand many complicated issues, but as I recall eight years ago, the Bush administration with the blessing of our houses, sent our Army overseas in search of weapons of mass destruction. Since then, I have discovered that if an idea doesn't hold water, it is policy not to give up the idea but to keep adding more water, until finally it appears there is no hole in the bucket. Neat.
Fred Thornbrugh
Vineyard Haven
Acknowledgments
To the Editor:
The Steeple Fund Capital Campaign of the Federated Church would like to most gratefully acknowledge the generous donations of Ben Hall Jr. and Great Harbour Gourmet and Spirits, Jim and Debbie Athearn and Morning Glory Farm, the piano tuning services of Jim Legando, and the extraordinary skill and good humor of John Alaimo on the piano. All helped immensely in making An Evening of Music on the Lagoon, at our home in Oak Bluffs, a huge success.
As our committee and greater church family strive to reach our financial goal, people and businesses such as these should know that their efforts will help to restore and maintain the historic 1828 Meetinghouse, the Federated Church Parish House, and the Mayhew Parsonage for generations of Islanders, no matter whether affiliated with our church or not, as groups convene there for meetings, concerts, 4th of July fireworks, and more, as people have through hundreds of years of Island history. We are deeply grateful.
Pam and Jim Butterick
The Steeple Fund
Federated Church
Edgartown
Come and talk
To the Editor:
Thank you for your informative article last week about creating a regional waste management district (Sept. 18, Refuse district issues face Tisbury voters). We invite everyone to discuss Island waste management at our Living Local Harvest Fest forum on waste management. Come and talk about it.
Nan Doty
Chilmark
Thanks to all
To the Editor:
I would like to thank Brooks Robards for her article on the 3rd Annual Plein Air Show. All of the participants in this show are indebted to her for her gracious explanation of our process and intent.
I would, however, like to address a misperception that I alone am responsible for the creation and maintenance of this event. Nothing of the sort is true. Thaw Malin, a respected and established artist (and my painting partner of many years), is the other parent of this show. In fact, it was his wife, Karen, who first presented and promoted the idea. None of this would have happened without them and the very generous support of Dragonfly, Pik-Nik, and Periwinkle Galleries, and all the devoted artists that participate with their hard work and enthusiasm. Thank-you, everyone.
Marjorie Mason
Chilmark
Wonderful experience
To the Editor:
The girls and I would like to thank you all for a wonderful experience on Martha's Vineyard. My girls cross-country team, from Robert E. Fitch High School in Groton, Connecticut came out to Martha's Vineyard to compete in the Vineyard XC Invite on Saturday, September 13. All of the parents and athletes raved about what a wonderful time we had on our annual overnight trip. Coach Joe Schroeder and Athletic Director Joyce ran an organized meet on a scenic and cross-country-friendly course. Transportation on Martha's Vineyard, provided by the school's buses (drivers: Jesse, James, and Monique) was flawless. Without that and the generosity of the Steamship Authority, we would not have been able to participate. Lastly, a special thanks to the Islanders, JJ and Margo, who treated the whole contingent to pasta for dinner on Friday night at their home. We look forward to visiting again.
Coach Towne and the Girls
Groton, Conn.
Selective law enforcement, huh?
To the Editor:
I note with some concern the reluctance of police Chief Timothy Rich of Chilmark to ticket residents for speeding, due to his feeling that this action might "incur ramifications." And what sort of ramifications might they be? Does Chief Rich believe that the locals consider themselves above the law?
This may be naive, but I always thought that the police were supposed to impartially enforce the law, rather than selectively enforce the law. It is setting a dangerous precedent to consider anybody above the law.
Susan Kimball
Oak Bluffs
The best
To the Editor:
Thank you everyone at the Lookout Tavern. On Sept. 9, I left my backpack on the back of my chair and went on my merry way off-Island. Once I realized what I did, a complete panic set over me. I called and I was very lucky my backpack was in goods hands. The staff and the restaurant found it. I called a friend of mine, but they were too busy to come that night, they had dinner guests. I called the next day only to find out my friend never picked up my backpack.
My wallet, like every one else I know, is filled with so important documents. Panic set over again. I called our caretaker, Greg Rollins, who was home feeding his children dinner. Greg said "Calm down, I will put the kids in the car and go get your backpack and overnight mail it to you tomorrow."
Greg Rollins, you are the best. Sean Patrick, you are the best. The great young ladies who took such good care of my bag, you are the best. My friends, well I don't know who their dinner guests were, but not to help a friend in need, they must have been royalty.
Thank you Look Out Tavern, and thank you Greg Rollins.
Shellie Johnson
Edgartown
