Maybe it's our sense of community or propriety, or simply the solace of our winter seasons. Whatever the provocation, Vineyarders have earned our reputation for the ability to form and express opinions, to engage in animated debates, and to revel in sharing intellectual considerations.
Isaac Russell, the West Tisbury group's convener, shows the type of headlines that provoke discussion. Photo by Sam Decker
As testimony to those pastimes, the Island has nurtured long-standing conversations groups that inspire fidelity among their participants, who meet weekly to discuss books, politics, Island concerns, and academic questions. It is not always an objective intellectual exercise, often becoming very animated and passionate.
But after months, sometimes years of engagement, the regulars learn what to expect from each other, and the group takes on an almost family-type of atmosphere.
For many years, between 15 and 25 people have been meeting in West Tisbury at the Howes House on Tuesdays from 9:30 to 11 am. (Attendance drops during winter months.)
Author John Hough will appear next Tuesday, July 14, to talk about his new book "Seen the Glory."
It's not a strictly formal arrangement, but the first half hour is usually a presentation by a discussion leader from among the attendees, sometimes by a guest speaker. Speakers who have a lot of material may continue longer. The last hour is left for questions and open discussion.
Retired attorney Isaac Russell, a long-time participant, serves as the convener, the person who books speakers. He mentions some of the distinguished former conveners - Arthur Wortzell, Larry Harrison, and Stanley Gabis, who lent their scholarly talents to the discussions.
"The less direction, the better. I'm not elected or tolerated to do more than convene the meeting," he says. "Occasionally if there's spirited discussion, I would probably point to the person who's had his or her hand up, but mostly people just interrupt."
"We've had members from opposite sides of the political spectrum," says a Chilmark resident and long-time attendee who prefers to remain unnamed. "Unfortunately, many are not with us anymore. Now everyone sort of gets along." She pauses, then adds, "It's not as much fun."
Mr. Russell admits there have been threats of rebellion: "When I scheduled speakers for every week, someone said to me, 'We really used to have fun just discussing it among ourselves.' So we now have open discussion once a month."
The topics include the coverage of local news, for which Broadside editor Robert Potts, The Times editor-in-chief Doug Cabral, and managing editor Nelson Sigelman have each participated. Mark London, Executive Director of Martha's Vineyard Commissioner has been an invited speaker, as have other Island notables. Leslie J. Stark, a fan of jazz music, spoke on jazz greats and played selections by George Gershwin. This past Tuesday, Tom Dresser talked about his new book, "In My Life," and local author John Hough will be attending to speak about his most recent novel, "Seen the Glory: A Novel of the Battle of Gettysburg."
One attendee describes a discussion centering on the 1960s, saying, "Most of us remember it very well, so most of our discussion was about Vietnam and all the dramatic historic events that we remember. And of course we feel like we're reliving that with Iraq. We seniors feel like we have a lot of memories to share."
She adds, "We learn from each other and we enjoy each other's company and opinions. It's always been an inspiring kind of discussion. It's very appealing to have the summer people, many of whom still have very illustrious careers."
Mr. Russell sums up the political leanings of the majority of the group as, "liberal left," but singles out Georgia Ireland, a Republican whom he describes as "a wonderful women."
"She was livid about the fact that we discussed religion and politics...She felt picked on because the Democratic side of things was generally championed. She stormed out a lot."
The group meeting in West Tisbury began about 10 years ago as a spillover from the original Oak Bluffs Conversations Group that continues to meet on Fridays from 10 to 11:30 am at the Oak Bluffs Council on Aging.
"I think the majority of the people are year-rounders. People come from all the Island towns," Mr. Russell says, adding that anyone can come from any town, but "there's not much cross-fertilization between the conversation groups."
On Friday, July 10, 10-11:30 am, at the Oak Bluffs Council on Aging, Rolinda Lurie of the Permanent Endowment of Martha's Vineyard and board member Kerry Alley will speak.
On Tuesday, July 14, 9-10:30 am, at the Howes House in West Tisbury, author John Hough. 508-693-6737.
