News Briefs
Animal shelter needs volunteers
Animal Shelter of Martha's Vineyard, the new group formed to take over the former MSPCA shelter building in Edgartown, needs volunteers to help paint and repair the building. Shelter manager Lynn Hayes said she needs painters, carpenters, and anyone with a strong back who is willing to help.
Lynn Hayes, the newly hired manager of the Animal Shelter of Martha's Vineyard, is working to organize the transition. Photo by Steve Myrick
Organizers hope to have the shelter ready to offer services by May 15.
The shelter has offered no services since taking over the facility on May 1. A closed sign is posted on the door, along with a number for animal emergencies.
"Animal control officers in the towns have offered to keep any animals that need homes until we open," said Ms. Hayes. "All the towns have their own facilities for animals."
Ms. Hayes also said the remains of several pets, brought in for cremation before May 1, are still being held at the shelter. She said pet owners are welcome to pick up the remains during business hours.
Edgartown junk complaint dismissed
A civil complaint against Robert Sequeira of Edgartown was dismissed in Dukes County Superior Court March 30.
In January, Edgartown building inspector Leonard Jason Jr. took action against Mr. Sequeira, of 9 Slough Cove Road. The complaint cited numerous violations involving trash, unregistered vehicles, and building materials surrounding his home and garage. The court ordered him to clean up the property.
Last month, the town attorney asked the judge to dismiss the complaint. In the motion, building inspector Leonard Jason Jr. said Mr. Sequeira is now in compliance with all zoning bylaws.
"The place has been all cleaned up," said Mr. Sequeira in a phone conversation with The Martha's Vineyard Times Tuesday. "I'm back to running my plumbing and well drilling business."
Student newspaper earns major awards
For the first time in Martha's Vineyard Regional High School history, the student newspaper, The High School View, took top honors with in the All-New England category in Division II, from the New England Scholastic Press Association (NESPA). The High School View tied for first place in 2007. Helen F. Smith, NESPA executive director, announced the first place award, on May 1, during the organization's annual conference at Boston University.
"The newspaper has made all of us grow. There are so many deadlines and responsibilities that we are all actually accountable for; it's a microcosm of the real world," said co-editor in chief Eliza Gowell. She and co-editor in chief Sophie Lew, worked with a staff of 35 students who contributed to the View's success, including four junior high students who participated in a new journalism internship program.
"NESPA is great because it gives us a chance to really stake out our competition from all over New England," said Eliza. "We get to see all of the other schools' newspapers and see how we can change for next year."
This year, the competition included 880 entries from schools throughout New England, to be judged in several categories. Only 129 received awards.
In addition, seven students received individual Special Achievement Awards for Excellence in Scholastic Journalism. Janelle Fortes and Taylor Stone won for masthead artwork; Kayla Montambault, feature story, "Mind the Gap"; Sophie Lew, feature story, "Trends Turn Skin Deep"; Chelsea Counsell, news story, "Classroom Walls Fall Down"; Eliza Gowell, news story, "Bus Fees Rise Sharply"; and Sophie Lew and Eliza Gowell, news story, "Overseas Trips Threatened, Policy Changes Explored."
"All of the writers and staff work hard for the newspaper, because of the pride and influence associated with it," said Eliza. "It isn't just handing in a paper and getting a letter grade as gratification. It is seeing our own voice and name in print where the entire community can see it."
The newspaper is published weekly during the school year as a page in The Martha's Vineyard Times, and has been since 1987.
English department chairman Dan Sharkovitz has served as the student newspaper's adviser since 1995.
"Congratulations to the editors, staff, and to advisor Dan Sharkovitz of The View," Martha's Vineyard Times editor Doug Cabral said this week. "The Martha's Vineyard Times is proud to host The View. It's been a rewarding association for us and one in which we've been repeatedly impressed with the hard work and accomplishments of the many young people who've staffed the high school paper over all these years. That The View and its staff receive regional recognition is not a surprise to us. Great job."
Chilmark voters return a familiar slate
In an election with no contests a total of 96 voters, or 11 percent of the Chilmark's 838 registered voters went to the polls last Wednesday.
Frank Fenner won another three-year term as selectman with 70 votes.
Voters also re-elected: Leonard Jason, Jr., board of assessors (87 votes); Janet Buhrman, board of health (70); Frank Lorusso (78), John Owen Maloney (85), and Frank Yeomans (71) to three seats on the finance advisory commitee; Jane Slater, library board (86); John Flender, cemetery commissioner (91); Mitchell Posin, fence viewer (81); Keith Emin, tree warden (86); and Pamela Goff, Martha's Vineyard Land Bank commissioner (82).
Falmouth Academy to host spring open house
Falmouth Academy will host its Spring Open House for families interested in learning more about the school on Saturday, May 16, from 2 to 4 pm.
Falmouth Academy is a self-described academically rigorous, independent day school for college-bound students in grades 7-12. Students from Martha's Vineyard commute to the academy daily.
Prospective families will also have the opportunity to view the school's spring art show, and that evening the drama department will present The Odyssey, which the public is invited to attend. For information, call the FA Admissions Office at 508-457-9696.
Photo by Susan Safford
35th annual kids trout derby is Saturday
The 35th annual Martha's Vineyard Rod and Gun Club Kids Trout Derby is scheduled for Saturday morning at Duarte's Pond off Lambert's Cove Road in West Tisbury.
Cooper "Coop" Gilkes of Edgartown, the long-time tournament chairman, told The Martha's Vineyard Times that the trout have been delivered, he has plenty of worms in a bucket, and with any luck the weather and the fish will cooperate.
He asked that fishermen, young and old, not take advantage of the stocking prior to the Saturday morning event. Coop said children he watched catch their first trout are now participating with their own children.
With the support of many volunteers and contributors, the club provides trout, donuts, hot dogs, worms, hot chocolate, and prizes. The annual free fishing event kicks off at first light, approximately 6 am. It is open to any child 14 years old and younger. The fun ends at approximately 9 am.
Prizes will be awarded in numerous categories and age groups. For more information or to volunteer, call Coop at 508-627-3909.
High school committee looks at year-end wrap-up
The Martha's Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) committee discussed year-end activities and finances at a meeting Monday in the high school library conference room.
School business administrator Amy Tierney said the state certified $691,830 in unencumbered excess and deficiency funds for fiscal 2008. Because the amount is not more than five percent of the high school district's operating budget, the money does not have to be returned to Martha's Vineyard towns to reduce assessments.
Assistant principal Carlin Hart announced that senior project presentations take place May 19-21 and May 26-28 from 8-11 am in the Culinary Arts Dining Room.
This semester, 17 seniors worked on a wide range of independent projects, from horse training to making wool blankets. They are required to present their projects to a five-member committee in order to receive credit.
Mr. Hart said the public may attend any of the presentations or participate on one of the judging committees. Call 508-693-133, ext. 114 for more information.
In other business, assistant principal Neal Weaver discussed recommendations from the school council regarding changes to procedures for inclusion in next year's student handbook. The committee agreed to table the discussion to June 1, to allow more time for review.
School committee chairman Susan Mercier noted that a new student travel policy will undergo a first reading at the All-Island School Committee meeting tonight at 7 pm, in the high school library conference room.
The high school committee's final meetings for the 2008-2009 school year are on June 1 and June 30, at 7 pm, in the high school library conference room.
Ms. Mercier noted that principal Steve Nixon was absent Monday, because he was in Florida defending his dissertation for a doctoral degree.
Surfcasters sponsor fish jamboree
The Martha's Vineyard Surfcasters Association will sponsor a free community "Kids Fishing Jamboree" on Saturday, May 16, at the Edgartown School playing field.
The program includes freshwater and saltwater instruction provided by some of Martha's Vineyard's most experienced anglers, hot dogs and soda, and a certificate of completion.
The program is open to children in kindergarten through eighth grade (ages 6 to 14) and parents are invited to help out. Registration begins at 8:15 am and the program runs from 9 am to noon. The rain date is May 17.
Falmouth bridge tournament
Twenty-one Vineyarders traveled to Falmouth last week to compete in two American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) tournaments held simultaneously from April 29 to May 3. Vineyard players competed in both the ACBL Senior Regional and Sectional events, winning gold, silver, and red ACBL master points. The event attracted players of varying levels of skill, from novices to nationally ranked experts.
David Donald of Vineyard Haven was the Vineyard's top point-winner (10.58 ACBL master points), playing some events with Gail Farrish of Edgartown and some with Barbara Besse of Vineyard Haven, and finishing high in all of them. David and Barbara won the Sectional tournament's stratified open pairs event on Thursday afternoon. Barbara was runner-up for the Vineyard Cup (9.07), and Gail, who also played with several other Islanders in other events, was third (6.32).
Notable point-winners were Diana Dozier and Joan Perrine, sampling tournament play for the first time. They placed fourth in an Intermediate-Novice (I/N) pairs event on Saturday morning and second on Saturday afternoon.
Three teams of Vineyarders did well in the Sunday team competition. Ency and Robert Fokos, Gail Farrish, and Patsy McCornack won the B division and finished second in the A division of the I/N Swiss teams. Dan and Nancy Cabot, Ed Russell, and Deirdre Ling finished second in bracket 7 senior teams; and Susan Collinson, Carol Whitmarsh, Nancy Neil, and Dotty Arnold were fourth in bracket 8.
Results: Sectional (silver points): 7.42 David Donald, 6.55 Barbara Besse, 5.68 Gail Farrish, 3.86 Geraldine Averill, 3.86 Simeon Denhart, 3.54 Patricia McCornack, 2.41 Robert Fokos, 2.41 Eniko Fokos, 1.64 Dorothea Arnold, 1.64 Susan Collinson, 1.02 Joan Perrine, 1.02 Diana Dozier, 0.86 Rhonda Cohen, 0.86 Eric Stricoff.
Senior Regional (gold & red points): 5.96 Nancy Cabot, 5.96 Daniel Cabot, 5.44 Edward Russell, 5.44 Deirdre Ling, 3.16 David Donald, 2.52 Barbara Besse, 1.92 Claus Buchthal, 1.34 Susan Collinson, 1.34 Dorothea Arnold, 1.34 Carol Whitmarsh, 1.34 Nancy Neil, 0.64 Gail Farrish.
Habitat for Humanity seeks qualified family
Habitat for Humanity of Martha's Vineyard and the town of West Tisbury are accepting applications for the purchase a three-bedroom house to be built in a new affordable subdivision off State Road.
The house will be offered to a family that meets specific qualifications and is able to assist Habitat in the building of the house. Would-be applicants must be year-round residents, not currently have adequate housing, and have a stable income, according to a press release.
The Habitat application deadline is Monday, May 18, 2009. Applications are available at www.habitatmv.org, bank offices, libraries, post offices, town halls and at the Habitat for Humanity of Martha's Vineyard office in Vineyard Haven. For more information, go to www.habitatmv.org or call 508-696-4646.
Health Alliance holds spring health fair
The Martha's Vineyard Whole Health Alliance will hold a "Spring into Health" fair from 1 to 4 pm, Saturday, at the Yoga Barn on South Road in West Tisbury. Practitioners of a variety of healing modalities, including massage, Reiki, and Reflexology, will participate in free mini-sessions and classes. For information, go to www.mvwholehealth.org.
Public forum on Tisbury's new ESF building design
Tisbury's emergency services facility (ESF) committee will host a public forum May 12, 6 pm, at the Katharine Cornell Theatre so that selectmen, town boards and committees, Tisbury School leaders, and the community can learn about and comment on the new building's design.
The ESF facility will house the town's fire, ambulance, and emergency management departments. Voters already approved using the site currently occupied by the town hall annex, on Spring Street across from Tisbury School, for the new facility.
ESF committee chairman Joe Tierney said at the Tisbury selectmen's meeting Tuesday that the architect and design team from HKT Architects, based in Somerville, will be available to discuss the project and answer questions.
"This is the time to really take a look at it and speak up," said selectman chairman Tristan Israel. Mr. Tierney said that once the design is determined, it will take about 45 days to create the plans.
"People need to come and give their thoughts about the design and the character of the building," added Fire Chief John Schilling, who also serves on the ESF committee.
Corrections
A feature story published in the April 30 issue of The Martha's Vineyard Times, "Elio Silva: Like father, like son," incorrectly identified the name of Mr. Silva's daughter, Amanda, and the name of his hometown, Ipatinga.
