Letters to the Editor
Promise kept, with so much help
To the Editor:
As the former owner of the Bunch of Grapes Bookstore and owner of the building, I have kept my promise. The building is ready for occupancy 10 months after the devastating fire that almost destroyed the building. The credits for that almost impossible feat are due to those who surrounded me during the rebuilding process.
The major effort was lead by Leo DeSorcy of DeSorcy Construction Company. I have been fortunate to have a long-term building relation with the DeSorcys. Leo's dad, Donald, built the second story on the building, as well as my home in West Tisbury. Leo was present while the building was burning, reassuring me that he could and would rebuild the building.
John Dowling, general manager of East Coast Advanced Seamless Systems, and his great crew worked alongside Leo. They worked on the building for more than six months, often seven days a week, to meet the completion date of the month of May.
It was like a working family working together, as Berube Electric Company came aboard. Frank and Raymond have been serving the building for almost 40 years. Frank never thought he would be crawling between floors of the building again after the construction of the second floor in 1979.
The finishing job was the plumbing done by Kenny Sylvia of Midland Plumbing. I remember when Kenny's grandfather plumbed the first house I lived in, and Kenny's father, Gilbert, plumbed my house in West Tisbury.
I particularly want to thank the selectman, all town inspectors, firemen and policemen and the DPW. Gratefulness goes out to my business neighbors who tolerated the construction at the expense of their businesses.
I am so pleased that the building has been rented to Dawn Braash, the new owner of the Bunch of Grapes Bookstore. My dream has come true, to see the bookstore rebuilt and know that it will continue to serve the community of Martha's Vineyard.
Ann Nelson
West Tisbury
About health insurance
To the Editor:
In light of the recent articles regarding insurance changes on the Vineyard, the Duke's County
Health Council has prepared answers to a few basic questions:
Q: I have heard that the contract between Martha's Vineyard Hospital and Boston Medical Center Health Net is being cancelled as of June 30, 2009. Is this true?
A: Yes, BMC Health Net and the hospital were unable to reach an agreement.
Q: If I have BMC HEALTH NET PLAN coverage through Commonwealth Care, what should I do?
A: The state's Commonwealth Care Connector has an open enrollment period every year. The Connector will be notifying members this week about the open enrollment period and will be sending you information about what health plan networks are available on Martha's Vineyard. Each member is directed to select the health plan of their choice. To make the selection, members are asked to call Commonwealth Care Customer Service, Monday-Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. There is also a way to make your selection online or to mail in your choice. If you don't respond, the Connector will assign you to a health plan available on Martha's Vineyard. Either way there will be no interruption in your coverage.
Q: If I need to go to the hospital after June 30, will I be covered?
A: Yes
Q: If my insurance is automatically switched to another plan, can I keep my current doctor(s) and/or health-care providers?
A: Most likely. Nearly all primary care providers participate in all of the plans currently offered on the Island. Check with the Commonwealth Care Connector to determine if your current providers are included in your plan's network.
Q: Who Can I Call For More Information?
A: Commonwealth Care Connector, 1-877-623-6755 www.mahealthconnector.org.
Martha's Vineyard Hospital Financial Counseling Service, 508-693-0410, ext. 248
Vineyard Health Care Access Program, 508-696-0020
Dedie Wieler
Chairman
For the Duke's County Health Council
Special community
To the Editor:
As the new owners of the Dragonfly Gallery in Oak Bluffs, we would like to thank all the wonderful people on Martha's Vineyard for the very warm welcome we have received during our first month at the gallery.
Having been visitors here for almost 20 years, we finally moved to Oak Bluffs a year ago and, with Holly Alaimo's great support, opened the Gallery on April 28. The stream of visitors has been non-stop, seven days a week, ever since.
We feel thoroughly welcomed and embraced and are very happy to be part of this very special Island community.
Don McKillop and Susan Davy
Oak Bluffs
Thanking the volunteers
To the Editor:
The Edgartown Council on Aging held a volunteer recognition on May 22 to honor 53 volunteers who gave 1,700 hours of volunteer service, saving the town over $23,000. A special recognition was given to Carl Watt, our SHINE counselor who volunteered 297.75 hours helping 142 clients with their health insurance. He saved his clients $321,164.
Chilmark Chocolates donated a box of candy to each volunteer, and thanks to a grant from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs we were able to give 26 volunteers who worked 25 or more volunteer hours a special gift.
The volunteers were given a delicious meal of watercress salad, stuffed flounder (from Louis Larsen at the Net Result), fresh asparagus and apricot chiffon pie, which was prepared by our cook, Diane Wall.
Our speaker, Mindy Todd from C&I NPR, gave an informative talk on her program The Point and what it was like working at NPR, stressing how C&I NPR could not function without their volunteers.
We want to acknowledge that some of the Friends of ECOA were present. This nonprofit organization gives the seniors of Edgartown more than $10,000 each year, which goes toward discounts at Featherstone Center for the Arts, subsidized fitness classes, free taxi service for those who cannot drive, and so much more.
Last but certainly not least, we thank the ECOA board of directors, Jean Andrews, chairman; Annette Smith, vice chairman; Richard Krauss, Judy Hathaway, Nancy Shemeth, Olga Church, and Kevin Ryan for their continued hard work, support and advocacy above and beyond each monthly meeting.
Laurie Schreiber
Director
Cathryn Mancuso
Assistant Director
Edgartown Council on Aging
Thank you to each and all
To the Editor:
On Wednesday, May 20, the American Cancer Society made an appearance on Martha's Vineyard when it sponsored a wonderful program called, Look Good Feel Better, during the Breast Cancer Support Group meeting for Island women who have met once a month for the past five years. Look Good Feel Better provides a kit containing a variety of quality cosmetic products to women dealing with cancer. With the professional assistance of Maggie and Daniella, of Maggie's Salon in Vineyard Haven, the women of the group were guided to use the products. It truly was amazing as women were transformed and made to feel better as they were pampered.
We also had wigs, scarves, and caps to play with. We thank Gayle Bagley from American Cancer Society who set the stage and provided treats, scarves and caps; Maggie Mae and Daniella, who helped us with the products; Leslie Look, who gave massages to each of the participants; Eden Nursery for providing flowers; and the Vineyard Haven Public Library for providing the venue.
Most of all, thank you to each of the women who share their stories, encourage one another, and dare to look good and feel better as they battle cancer.
Kathy Stinson
Breast Cancer Support Group
Huge thanks
To the Editor:
The Friends of Oak Bluffs have been around for many years, working to beautify Oak Bluffs by selling benches, bricks, lanterns, prints, and more to fund our plantings and other projects. Last week the Friends of Oak Bluffs and a crew of volunteers added many beautiful new perennials to the David Healey Mall. We want to be certain to give credit where credit is due. This year the plants were donated and delivered by Crossland Nursery. We all owe a huge thank you to Bernie and Mark Crossland who provided us with this gift.
Bernie and Mark have a great pride in our town, and we are very fortunate to have them planting in our "jewel", Ocean Park, and other places around town. Thank you Crossland Nursery.
Priscilla Sylvia
Friends of Oak Bluffs
Hats off to the dancers
To the Editor:
The Ballroom Dancers of Martha's Vineyard sponsored a dance at the Portuguese-American Club last Sunday night to benefit the YMCA. The evening began with a free swing dance lesson and some impressive moves on the floor. The crowd began to swell just in time for an energized performance by Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish. What a great time. The joint was jumping while everyone danced off the cobwebs of the long off season. The energy in that room was incredible.
I cannot express my thanks enough to Janet Holladay of the Ballroom Dancers for making this all possible. It is the bringing together of community in support of our Island Y that is so heartwarming. Every little bit raised helps us toward our goal of filling the fundraising gap. My thanks also go out to all of the Ballroom Dancers of M.V. who used the money they collected over the winter to sponsor this event, to Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish for their inspiring performance, and to the wonderful folks at the P-A Club for their generous hospitality and warmth.
Hats off to all of those who ventured out to dance the night away for such a great cause.
Be on the lookout for more Y fundraisers throughout the upcoming season, and by all means call me if you would like to sponsor another dance at the P-A Club.
Christine Todd
Development Director
YMCA of Martha's Vineyard
Written in the heavens above
To the Editor:
I would like to thank Katy Plasse for her work on the article she wrote about me in the May 21 issue of the MVT.
However, I must make a few factual corrections:
I use a natal chart, not a nodal chart. Chiron is not a moon of Saturn, no, he is a minor planet in orbit between Saturn and Uranus.
And, I have been working as a professional astrologer since 1978. That's 30 years, not 20. I plan to continue working for another 30 years.
Thanks again to Katy for a well-written article.
All the best.
Arlan Wise
Chilmark
Thank you, Joe
To the Editor:
I'd like to thank Joe, the manager at Xtra Mart, for his kindness and consideration. He was determined to get to the bottom of a situation that had arisen recently. Thank you.
Megan Klein
Vineyard Haven
