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Martha's Vineyard Times is a weekly publication.
May 26 - June 1, 2005 Edition
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The Martha's Vineyard Times May 26, 2005 Fitting tribute To the Editor: I was pleased to read Whit Griswold’s review of “Craig Kingsbury Talkin’” (MV Times, 4/28/05), and to learn that he was part of the “lively audience” (his words) for the book’s introduction to Island readers on April 22. The program, sponsored by the Bunch of Grapes Bookstore and held at the Katharine Cornell Memorial Theater, attracted a healthy assortment of Craig Kingsbury fans, many of whom shared “Craig stories” with us. I was especially happy that Mr. Griswold, in his beautifully written article about the book, included his very personal perspective on my father. “From my vantage point — that of a sheltered, snot-nosed summer brat — he looked like the crudest kind of hick, and he was held up as an example of what I was expected not to become.” That made me laugh, because it recalled to me how often my mother Turk would say to him, “You’re not a total loss, Craig. You can always serve as a bad example. I think I can say, without fear of contradiction, that you are the best example of a bad example this poor Island has.” He’d laugh, then he’d get that twinkle in his eye, and say, “I knew I would be a champeen at something someday. Too bad Ma isn’t around to see me winning this one. With all the competition, I still came out the top dog in this cat fight.” (His genteel mother would have had a cow, of course.) Later, Mr. Griswold adds, “But as I learned more about him, it seemed he was on to something. ...he...knew the natural world inside and out, which seemed to arm him with a deep confidence and sense of connection.” What a fine and fitting tribute to Craig Kingsbury. Thank you again for Mr. Griswold’s most welcome review. Kristen Kingsbury Henshaw Wakefield A backwards glance To the Editor: In his May 10 editorial The Times editor expresses his approval of present Steamship Authority leadership for its willingness to engage in long-range strategic planning. In the past he has found this sadly lacking, “except for a brief, exhilarating flutter during J. B. Riggs Parker’s tenure as Vineyard member.” What exhilarated the editor then was having a maritime novice who would follow his advice, mainly in restoring the SSA’s New Bedford connections. That led to more than $4 million in losses, the replacement of his unfortunate pupil, and a diversion of the editor into promoting golf courses. The “prime example” of good long-range planning cited in his editorial is today’s New Bedford fast ferry. He presents it as a delayed result of the purchase of the Schamonchi and its route. In fact, the original “plan” was to replace that antique with the Catalina Cat (a West Coast version of the Flying Cloud), to be bought and operated by the SSA. This scheme died, not because of “foolishness by SSA leaders,” but because the city’s solicitor “pulled the plug,” as he boasted. At any rate, thanks to more recent and wiser initiatives, we at last have a fast ferry to the editor’s natal shore, which makes him happy, and it is privately operated, giving the SSA licensing income instead of operating losses, which makes the rest of us happy. Whether the Schamonchi will ever make anyone happy, other than as a sunken fish habitat for scuba divers, remains to be seen. W. R. Deeble West Tisbury It’s a stretch To the Editor: Is environmental education working? The Times coverage of the junior prom included a picture of the Cinderella Coach, a stretch Hummer. Is this the image we what want the youth of Martha’s Vineyard to glorify? There have been thousands of dollars and hours dedicated over the past years to environmental education on Martha’s Vineyard, with the hope that the current generation of kids will be better stewards of the earth’s natural resources than our generation has been. Solar energy panels have been installed on schools across the Island, there have been solar car races, sustainability conferences, and bio-diesel programs. Countless articles and letters opposing oil drilling in the Alaska wildlife preserve, expounding no blood for oil, and chastising the current administration for not having signed global environmental treaties have been published. The overwhelming political force on the Island is for conservation rather than increased production and use of oil. But sadly, with all this rhetoric and political posturing, it seems like the ultimate way to arrive at the prom is in a stretch Hummer which probably gets about three miles per gallon. The image is contrary to what is being promoted and taught and sends a very bad message. Even if every high school in the U.S. is using gas-guzzling vehicles for their proms, we should be taking the lead, especially in our schools, in demonstrating how you can be cool and have a good time without wasting gasoline. How about next year if the Cinderella coach is a stretch Prius? Seth Mosler Chilmark Stroke, stroke To the Editor: Paul Schneider’s letter in the Saturday Boston Globe is a stroke of genius, logic, and compromise. The timing is perfect. Move the wind farm to Otis National Guard Base. It’s a win-wind solution. Ken Rusczyk Oak Bluffs Workshop gifts To the Editor: On behalf of the many pregnant women and new moms on Martha’s Vineyard, I would like to extend our gratitude towards the Family Center/Family Network for sponsoring the many prenatal exercise, baby and mommy exercise, and expectant couples workshops over the course of 2004-05. It is a wonderful gift to give women the opportunity to connect with their bodies, babies and other moms during this very special, and challenging childbearing year. In this day and age, the combination of busy schedules and over-medical-ized pregnancy and labor have led women to disconnect with themselves and to no longer go on instinct — placing more trust in their caregivers, literature, and media than their internal rhythms. As the instructor of these classes, it is my hope that the classes have served as a reminder that pregnancy and childbirth is what our bodies are designed for and that women have been doing it since the beginning of time — mostly without intervention! The Family Network made this experience possible for many women who would not be able to participate otherwise. Thank you for this gift. Sherry Sidoti Vineyard Haven What about non-whites? To the Editor: From looking at the pictures in your newspaper one would wonder if everyone living here is white. For example, every picture taken of this past weekend’s prom showed only white students. Did all of the non-white students have a different prom? I personally attended the blessing of the animals service held by the Unitarian Church, so I know that this was a mixed group. But again, only white images were used. Even in your wedding planner issue, again only white images. Please help me understand — what is the issue? James H. Solomon II West Tisbury Thank you To the Editor: This is a copy of a letter to Marc Hanover at Linda Jean’s. Thank you for picking me for your contest. I can’t wait to use my gift certificate. Emma Caron First grade Oak Bluffs School Editor’s Note: Marc Hanover is the owner of Linda Jean’s. Earlier this spring, Linda Jean’s ran a contest to solicit menu and activity suggestions from its younger clients. What will Edgartown’s leaders do now? To the Editor: A great deal has been voiced, both verbally and in written form, concerning the Edgartown zoning board of appeal’s recent denial of a request by the Edgartown Library trustees for a variance needed to give the town of Edgartown a modern library for future generations. As you know, approval was given by the public on three separate occasions at two town meetings and at one town election. In addition, all of the other town boards and departments, including the planning board and historic district commission, had given approval to this very important project. In light of the current situation, I refer you back to President John F. Kennedy’s famous speech given to the state legislature in Boston, Massachusetts, on Jan. 9, 1961, before he left for Washington, D.C., to assume his historic presidency. This speech was named “The City Upon A Hill.” Excerpts of this speech, which are pertinent today, are included below. The qualities of courage – judgment, integrity, and dedication — which President Kennedy so eloquently described in this speech, all apply to our democratic form of government, whether on a federal, state or town level. “….For of those to whom much is given, much is required. And when at some future date the high court of history sits in judgment on each one of us – recording whether in our brief span of service we fulfilled our responsibilities to the state – our success or failure, in whatever office we hold, will be measured by the answers to four questions: “First, were we truly men of courage – with the courage to stand up to one’s enemies – and the courage to stand up, when necessary, to one’s own associates – the courage to resist public pressure as well as private greed? “Secondly, were we truly men of judgment – with perceptive judgment of the future as well as the past – of our own mistakes as well as the mistakes of others – with enough wisdom to know what we did not know, and enough candor to admit it? “Third, were we truly men of integrity – men who never ran out on either the principles in which we believed or the people who believed in us – men whom neither financial gain nor political ambition could ever divert from the fulfillment of our sacred trust? “Finally, were we truly men of dedication – with an honor mortgaged to no single individual or group, and compromised by no private obligation or aim, but devoted solely to serving the public good and the national interest?....” How will history judge the current town administration based on the qualities of courage – judgment, integrity, dedication? Will they have the courage to address and correct the wrong done by the ZBA? Will they have the judgment to perceive the future; and to proceed immediately with diligence and aggressive action to correct their mistakes? Will history judge them as men and women of integrity, for the trust that has been given to them by the citizens should not be impaired? Will they have the dedication to respond to the public wishes and not be influenced by a small minority? I hope the Edgartown town leaders and administration heed the words of President John F. Kennedy and do whatever is necessary to reverse the fall-out that will occur as a result of the unfair and questionable ZBA ruling. They are currently at a juncture that will determine how history will judge them. Anthony J. Bongiorno Edgartown Jaws for the rich folk? To the Editor: Getting a bit excited by the JawsFest celebration and notifying my friends across the country, I thought it would be fun for families. I went to the JawsFest web site and found a Gold Pass for $500 and a Platinum Pass for $700, but the platinum was sold out already. This celebration must be for the rich folks, as I didn’t see where the money was going. No wonder people are moving away. Vincent Chestnut Tisbury Why we live where we do To the Editor: How glad I am that I live in Oak Bluffs and on Martha’s Vineyard. A few days ago I was in the post office sorting out the mail for two daughters and for me, a sizeable hunk of paper. Somehow, a check I had made out to myself to take to the bank jumped out of all the confusion. After I’d done some errands, I headed for the bank and found Les from the post office with the check. It had been found by some caring person and given to Les, for him to find me. That check could have easily been cashed by anyone. Not on the Vineyard, though. Bideau Abbott Oak Bluffs A chance to help To the Editor: During the week of April 5-8, the students in the first through fourth grades at the Edgartown School were “jumping” at the chance to help fight our nation’s number-one killers: heart disease and stroke. The students raised $4,345.75 for the benefit of the American Heart Association in their “Jump Rope for Heart” program. These funds help support cardiovascular research and educational programs sponsored by the American Heart Association. The event empowered the students to provide community service and discover together they can make a difference. At the same time, students enjoyed group dynamics while jumping in the spirit of this fun-filled activity. Mrs. Pikor and Mr. Thibodeau would like to congratulate the students and deeply thank the community for supporting the Edgartown School’s efforts on behalf of the American Heart Association. We would also like to thank the Edgartown PTO for their support of the our School’s Health and PE programs with funds to purchase CPR manikins and AED Defibrillator Trainer. In order for the eighth graders to become certified in the Basic Heartsaver Course (sponsored by the AHA), Donna Joyce and Sue Costello have worked with us to help the eighth graders in the training for early identification and care of victims of heart attack, heart arrest, choking, and stroke which will certainly make a difference in their preparedness to become a vital role in the “Chain of Survival” in our community. Joe Thibodeau and Michelle Pikor Physical Education Instructors Edgartown Elementary School Helmet required To the Editor: May 22 of last year started out like any other day. Awakened by the roosters next door, getting out of bed as the sun came up, watching the early news and the birds at our very popular bird feeder. A typical start of a typical day. In an instant it would become anything but. Shortly after 12:30, someone I love very much suffered a severe head and brain injury due to an unfortunate bicycle accident. He was not wearing a helmet, and died three days later. According to U.S. News & World Report, more than 67,000 cyclists end up in emergency rooms with head injuries each year. Many die, and if they do survive, suffer permanent brain damage. Wearing a helmet cuts the risk of injury by at least 45 percent. With the warm weather here and summer just around the corner, naturally bicycling will increase tremendously. It only takes a second to put a helmet on, and only a second for something horrible to happen. So if you love to ride a bike, wear a helmet. If you love someone who loves to bike ride, make them wear a helmet and tell them you love them every opportunity you have. Thankfully, those were the last words we spoke to each other. And finally to Dean, you are loved and missed every minute of every day, and will be forever. Ann Tuerff Oak Bluffs Unseemly Edgartown To the Editor: I would like to add my voice to that of Gail Craig, whose recent letter to your paper eloquently described the unfortunate plight of the proposed Edgartown Library expansion. Her assessment of the unseemly and undemocratic blocking of the will of the majority is on the mark. The zoning board of appeals decision to stop the project on the technicality is an example of the tyranny of the few over the many, and it should be reversed. As Gail Craig points out, the voters of Edgartown have approved the project on three occasions. The fact that not everyone agreed with this approval is to be expected. Few major proposals receive unanimous support. What was not expected was the secretive way the library expansion opponents have worked to negate the public approval that was sought and received by expansion proponents. The issue of parking spaces, cited by the ZBA, is a smokescreen. True, the increase in spaces that the expansion will provide is not nearly enough to solve the town’s overall parking dilemma, yet that is hardly sufficient to thwart its implementation. The people of Edgartown deserve better. This town has enjoyed a reputation of fairness and efficiency in its politics. Deserved or not, that reputation is in jeopardy if this arbitrary and unprincipled ZBA decision stands. A much worse prospect is that a time-sensitive, voter-ratified project will be derailed by a hidden few dissenters, and the many library users and supporters will be denied the benefits of a 21st-century facility. Jeffrey Agnoli Edgartown Volunteer and mission combine to drive Friends of Vineyard Soccer’s success To the Editor: As president of the Friends of Vineyard Soccer Inc (FOVS), I want to express gratitude to the many volunteer coaches, coordinators and board members on behalf of the more than 400 children from kindergarten to eighth grade currently in our program. Since 1982, countless volunteers, primarily players’ parents, have given their time and skills to help develop FOVS into the popular and successful soccer development program that it is today. One volunteer who has contributed to the FOVS’ success is Richard Hewitt. Growing up in Hinckley, England, Richard was exposed to soccer early, kicking a ball with his dad in the backyard by age five. He and his mates played soccer like today’s children play computer games. Soccer was a way of life for Richard while growing up, in contrast to today’s numerous activities vying for our children’s limited free time. There was always a pick-up soccer game at recess, after school and on weekends. Richard moved with his wife and son to Martha’s Vineyard in 1999. Here he met fellow soccer enthusiast Garry Metters. Both Richard and Garry were recruited to coach their sons’ respective teams in the Mini-Kicker group of the FOVS. This was only the beginning of his tenure with FOVS. Richard later volunteered as a coach for the Mini-Kickers, the Under 8 and Under 10 age groups, as the age group coordinator for the Under 8 and Under 10 divisions, as the coaching coordinator for all divisions and as a FOVS board member. Richard’s biggest challenge in volunteering for the FOVS has been to find enough volunteer coaches and to help coaches from all age groups understand and execute the FOVS philosophy, which includes promoting wholesome leisurely activity vs. a spectator sport; defining the spirit of the game through sportsmanship; demonstrating respect for all fellow players, parents, coaches, referees and spectators; creating balanced teams; ensuring equal playing time; exposing players to different situations by rotating positions; organizing competitive rather than result-oriented games; and providing a fun, nurturing and safe experience for our children. Richard has said that his greatest reward came from seeing children of all ages and abilities return year after year to have fun learning about and playing soccer with their new friends. The youth soccer development model in the United States has been changing to emulate how children from the rest of the world learn about and play soccer. For more information on this philosophy, visit www.mayouthsoccer.org. Richard observes that the best teacher is the game itself, and that the best game consists of evenly matched teams playing on age appropriate sized fields in small-sided competition. He believes that the proliferation of youth soccer in the United States has improved the quality of play at the high school and university levels. Many of these players have been drafted into Major League Soccer (MLS) with the very best playing for the United States National Team and amongst world-class players on clubs in Africa, Asia, Central America/Caribbean, Europe and South America. Richard understands that not all children develop on the same schedule, and the best way to ensure the success of soccer in the United States is to include as many children as possible by offering a fun alternative to other more high-pressure, results-oriented sports programs. Richard and his family will be taking a sabbatical to Barcelona, Spain for one year beginning this summer, and the FOVS will greatly miss his valuable contribution during the upcoming fall and spring youth soccer seasons. The results of Richard’s effort can be witnessed each week in the form of prepared coaches developing sportsmanship and soccer skills in our most valuable citizens. FOVS hopes that Richard’s story will inspire others to step up and volunteer their time and skills for the benefit of our young soccer players. We are seeking to fill Richard’s coaching coordinator position for one year while he is abroad. The position description includes organizing coaching clinics, educating coaches on FOVS philosophy, researching and providing coaching materials and reporting to FOVS Board. Please visit the FOVS web site at www.mvsoccer.org or call 508-509-2448 for more information about this and other volunteer positions. Neal A. Sullivan Friends of Vineyard Soccer |
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