Martha's Vineyard News Briefs
A Christmas gift for Hospice
Mone Insurance Agency Inc., owned by Robert Mone of West Tisbury, and Arbella Insurance joined forces to make a $5,000 donation to Hospice of Martha's Vineyard. Mr. Mone and his staff display a facsimile of the Hospice check.
Pictured at right are: Joann Walker, Melinda Loberg (Hospice), Terre Young (Hospice), Gayle Mone, Bob Mone, Paula O'Connor, Jo-Ellen Ben David and Michele Long.
West Tisbury opens oyster season
The West Tisbury Shellfish Committee last week voted to open oystering on December 15, according to shellfish constable Tom Osmers. The commercial season will end December 31. Families may fish through April 2009.
Open days for commercial oystering are Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday between 7 am and 4 pm, with a one bushel daily limit of three- to four-inch oysters. Broodstock of more than four inches in size are to be released.
Family permits allow one half-bushel per week, which can be collected on any day. Family permit holders should also release four-inch and larger broodstock.
Driver injured in State Road crash
William Scott, 28, of West Tisbury, was seriously injured early Sunday morning when the car he was driving hit a tree, according to police.
Police say Mr. Scott was driving up-Island on State Road a few minutes after midnight on December 14 in a 1997 Volkswagen Jetta. They say the car was traveling at a high rate of speed when Mr. Scott lost control, crossed into the opposite lane, and hit an oak tree beside the road.
Mr. Scott was treated at the scene by Tri-Town emergency medical technicians, and then transported to Martha's Vineyard Hospital. Boston Med Flight flew him off Martha's Vineyard for further medical care. Police say Mr. Scott was reported in stable condition the following day.
No charges have been filed. The accident remains under investigation.
Polly Hill Arboretum receives grant
The Polly Hill Arboretum announced that it has received a grant of $200,000 from the Foundation Franklinia for 2009. This includes $100,000 towards the Arboretum's Seeds for the Future capital campaign endowment and $100,000 towards operating costs in support of the living collection.
The purpose of Foundation Franklinia, the foundation of PHA board member Philippe de Spoelberch, is to support the conservation and display of the world's flora, according to a press release. As a priority, the Foundation supports the objectives of institutions, botanical gardens or private collections throughout the world, or any activity whatsoever of a botanical or horticultural nature, provided that it contributes to knowledge and conservation of plants worldwide.
The foundation is based in Switzerland. This gift recognizes the Arboretum's maintenance and curation of its living collections and the use of these collections for education purposes. For more information go to http://www.pollyhillarboretum.org.
Greg Skomal will chair Derby committee
Greg Skomal has been elected chairman of the Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby Committee. He succeeds John Custer, who has held the post for several years.
Mr. Skomal is a marine biologist with the state division of marine fisheries. He is headquartered on the Vineyard.
This week Mr. Skomal complimented Mr. Custer's efforts. "John did a phenomenal job," he said. "The Derby is an evolving beast, and John built a team that changed with the needs. I hope to keep the Derby at the standards he set."
Derby president Ed Jerome noted that Mr. Skomal "has been active in the Derby for 18 or 20 years. He has been its treasurer, and as a marine biologist, he brings understanding of both how the Derby corporation works and how the fishery works. We are fortunate to have him."
Vandals damage Mink Meadows green
Mink Meadows Golf Club superintendent Matt Crowther discovered deep tire tracks on the first green yesterday, apparently left by a vehicle that drove onto the course Tuesday night.
Mr. Crowther said he thought he saw some tire tracks going up the side of the grass berm that borders the road into the golf course as he drove past on his way home from hockey Tuesday night. Mr. Crowther, the course superintendent and facilities manager for the past 13 years, said the golf course has been a frequent "party spot" for young people, who've often caused damage.
He discovered the damage when he arrived at work Wednesday morning and called the Tisbury Police Department.
"It looks like someone drove in, took a spin around the flag pole, and went back out close to where they came in," said Timothy Stobie, who responded to the call. "There was a good half inch of turf under the grass that got ripped up, too."
Officer Stobie said the driver of the vehicle drove onto the golf course grounds over a berm in an area where there is no gate. Contact the Tisbury police department at 508-696-4240 with any information.
Island programs receive bank grants
The Martha's Vineyard Savings Bank Charitable Fund recently awarded ten local nonprofit organizations and community groups grants totaling $20,250. These grants helped fund programs in support of the arts, education, the elderly, community affairs, healthcare and youth programs, according to a press release.
Grant recipients included the African American Heritage Trail of Martha's Vineyard, American Red Cross - Cape and Islands Chapter, Chilmark Town Affairs Council, Edgartown Firemen's Association, Friends of the Edgartown Council on Aging, Martha's Vineyard Community Services, Pet Adoption and Welfare Service, Inc., Tisbury Senior Center, Vineyard Conservation Society, and You've Got a Friend.
Since 2006, the Martha's Vineyard Savings Bank Charitable Fund has been a part of the Permanent Endowment Fund, Martha's Vineyard's community foundation, providing financial assistance and volunteers in the community. "At the Martha's Vineyard Savings Bank, we value our involvement with the many people and organizations that are working for the betterment of Martha's Vineyard. Every member of the community has a role to play and we take pride in our work to help support those who are dedicated to improving Vineyard life for all of us," said bank president Chris Wells.
The Martha's Vineyard Savings Bank Charitable Fund is funded by the Bank to help meet the financial needs of nonprofit and community service organizations throughout the community. Grant requests are reviewed quarterly. More information about the Martha's Vineyard Savings Bank Charitable Fund and its community grant program is available online at mvbank.com.
Business Briefs
Edgartown National Bank names new officer
Edgartown National Bank president and CEO Fielding Moore announced that Hildee Lewis has been named assistant vice president.
"The addition of the assistant vice president title reflects Hildee's increasing responsibilities, her leadership and her dedication to the bank," said Mr. Moore. "She has done an excellent job of managing our Main and Upper Main branches, providing the highest level of service for our customers and moving the bank's retail branches into the 21st Century."
Ms. Lewis joined The Edgartown National Bank in 2003 as a teller. Her family has deep Island roots. Her great grandfather Cyprian Dube was a selectman in Edgartown in the early 1900s.
Fishmonger's Café in Woods Hole reopens
For years, the Fishmonger's Café has been a popular dining spot for Islanders with time to spare while waiting for a ferry at the Woods Hole Steamship Authority terminal.
In February veteran restaurant owners and long-time friends John Marderosian and Paul Moushigian bought the café that first opened in March 1974 and had closed for a period. They reopened it in May.
For the first time in many years the Fishmonger's is open in the winter. Mr. Moushigian said the menu has a seafood base with a Mediterranean flair and Islanders are welcome to rediscover the intimate pleasure of dining at the Fishmonger's Cafe. For more information, call 508-540-5376.
Corrections
A short item, "Making peace," published in the Dec. 11 issue of The Martha's Vineyard Times, omitted a name. Kevin Ryan directed and organized the Reflections of Peace concert.
In the obituary of Janice T. Hull, published this morning on Calendar/Community page 17, the name of Ms. Hull's surviving sister in law, Rose Terrill, was reported incorrectly.
