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The
Martha's Vineyard Times is a weekly publication.
June 9 - June 15, 2005 Edition
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June 9, 2005 A great time for Mom To the Editor: If I learn nothing else from my mother in my whole life, it will eventually be to write a decent thank-you note within a decent period of time (she is a champion note writer). I’d like to thank everyone who came to the Agricultural Hall on May 21 to wish my mother, Ann Burt, well on her retirement from the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital after 40-something years as a registered nurse in acute care. I think some of my family were a little skeptical when I suggested that we could have potluck food, and that there would be enough for everyone. My father was eventually satisfied that if we were sure to provide enough drinks for everyone that all would be well, though he did call a number of times in the weeks ahead to make sure that everything was going to be done right. Of course, everyone brought amazing food, and there was plenty of excellent company. We may have provided the place and time, but all of you who came provided the great feeling and good cheer. I know Mom had a great time. As a postscript, I would add that the term retired is of course relative. Since Mom’s official last day in April, she has cleared the equivalent of about 20 cedar trees from her yard, spread approximately 30 yards of wood chip mulch, and gotten a very unruly perennial garden in order. Be warned that if you stop by to see her, you may get pruned or mulched if you stand still for too long. Lastly, if anyone is missing a woman’s coat, we found one in the hallway by the bathrooms the next morning; please call to describe and claim. Prudy Burt West Tisbury For Jaws-man, a sacred spot To the Editor: I enjoyed your article on Jaws Fest and the accompanying interview with Steven Spielberg. It was quite refreshing to hear him talk at length, in a very relaxed way, about the movie that “gave me a chance to make Close Encounters and Indiana Jones and E.T.” But the part that grabbed me the most was where he said he couldn’t find the log cabin and that it must not be there any more. Rest assured Mr. Spielberg, the cabin is there, and it is in great shape. Along with my 15-year-old son Chris, I rented the cabin last week and invited a group of friends from an internet forum group based at www.jawsmovie.com to join us as guests during Jaws Fest at the log cabin, where Steven and Carl Gottlieb held forth for all those months in 1974. I found the cabin because it’s the central piece of a JAWS project I’ve been working on for many years, the past two years formally writing the screenplay I’ve envisioned since first seeing JAWS as a 12-year-old in 1975. My screenplay is called “The Head, The Tale...The Whole Damn Thing.” I fell in love with the movie from day one, and when I was stupid enough to go flounder fishing off the coast of Portsmouth, N.H. with my grandfather, my father and three uncles in a 14-foot aluminum outboard, three miles out to sea, it was cemented in my psyche forever. Being the oblivious person I was then and still am today, I never gave a thought about the movie before sailing out. Heck, I’d done it several times before, and it was always a great time for me. Well, about a half hour into it, here comes a large school of mackerel, flipping and flopping in and out of the water. This is great, we’re casting in our drop lines with no bait and pulling out fish left and right. Cool. Then all of a sudden, in the snap of a finger, they were gone. My uncle Nelson uttered the words I would hear echoing for many days afterwards. “Whoa, something scared them the hell outta here.” Immediately, my empty head was filled with images from that great movie I loved. My heart started pounding as I looked over the side of the boat into the dark green water. That day made me realize that the scariest day of my life had just passed and that I would never experience that kind of fear ever again. I was told I had bladder cancer back in 1997. For days I had to wait on pins and needles to find out if it had spread. Lucky for me, it was local, and eight years later I’m doing fine. But awhile ago one of my children asked me what my scariest moment was and for the longest time, I held up that day in 1975 to the cancer scare in 1997. When I finally thought it through, I told them about the scariest day of my life — the day in that boat, waiting for the shark to knock it over, and seeing my leg float to the bottom. You see, in 1997, I thought I was going to die. In 1975, I knew I was going to die. The highlight of the stay at the cabin was a pre-Jaws Fest barbecue we put on for ourselves and other Jaws nuts from our Jawsmovie.com family. We also invited Edith Blake, Bob Carroll, and Joe Alves, the man who designed the shark known as Bruce. They all showed up, and we had a great time. But the one person I wanted to see in that cabin was Carl Gottlieb. This man has said from day one that JAWS was the greatest film-making experience of his life, and as I love the “making of” every bit as much as the movie itself, it has always made me smile, knowing that Carl fully understood how lucky a person he was to have experienced that adventure and he never wastes time telling people how much he appreciates those days. I love that. And watching him run around that cabin from one room to another, saying, “This is where Robert Shaw first read to us his Indianapolis speech”... “This is the desk that I used, only it was over here in this corner so I could have a nice view of the water as I typed”... “This is where Steven slept and I slept over there”. When I asked him if he wanted to see the loft, he looked at me like he had forgotten it. I opened the door that led to it, and he bolted up the stairs. When he found himself standing in the middle of the room, staring out the large window overlooking the fieldstone patio below, he was beaming from ear to ear. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number... “Ricky! I’m in the log cabin”. I’ve never mentioned any details about my screenplay to Carl, because he asked me not to, because of reasons that are best understood by someone from Hollywood, which I’m not. I promised him a burger and a beer and absolutely no talk of the screenplay and with that, I, along with about 30 other Jaws nuts, had the experience of a lifetime. The screenplay may never go anywhere, but it did its job in leading me to that cabin and getting to spend a lot of time with people I had only read about. It was a fantasy come true for this, as Craig Kingsbury would say, “Jaws casualty.” And if Mr. Spielberg would like to see the cabin, I’d be more than happy to show him the way. Dana L. Goudreault Manchester, New Hampshire Night visitor To the Editor: In last week’s Martha’s Vineyard Times there was an article about how busy the Island police departments were over Memorial weekend. Tisbury handled 45 cases, according to Chief Ted Saulnier. I was the rather unusual trespassing incident. Interestingly, the story told to the paper is not quite how the incident unfolded. I did not follow barks to the living room and much to my surprise find a man sleeping on the couch. But I guess it makes for a good story. I was asleep in my bed, and was awakened by my dog with one very loud threatening bark. My dog was standing guard between me in bed and a man standing at my bedroom door. I was not frightened when I saw the man standing there. I could clearly tell he was extremely intoxicated, quickly losing his bearings and about to descend to the floor. For a second I just thought it was my former significant other, then realized this man is not short and chubby, he is tall and thin. The man stumbled down the hallway and sat on the couch, my dog followed the man to the living room and stood in a guard position facing the man. I called 911, told the dispatcher exactly what had just transpired, and while 911 was still on the line I told the dispatcher the man just tipped sideways on the couch and passed out. The Tisbury police arrived, woke the man and transported him to jail. Unfortunately for the intoxicated man, he was almost to his real home, he just took a right instead of a left off State Road, but when you’re that drunk, I guess rights and lefts look the same. I am sure when the man woke up sometime the next day or so, he felt pretty foolish. With all humor put aside, it could have been a serious situation. There was no mention in the story that Chief Saulnier gave the newspaper that in fact I went to bed and did not lock my back door. This story is a great example that, with summer upon us and the abundance of people it brings to the Island, locking your doors is so important. How we lived on the Vineyard 25 years ago is a thing of the past. People need to lock their doors, not just before they retire for the evening, but even when they have to run to town for just a few minutes, when you’re in your backyard, you should keep your front door locked. I was very lucky that night, things could have turned out much differently. No doubt my doors are locked now, and a 135-pound dog inside the house doesn’t hurt either. Laurene Canha Vineyard Haven Lost treasure of simple pleasure To the Editor: I am responding to Hermine Hull’s May 5 West Tisbury column announcing that the house on the Mohu estate has been demolished. The announced demolition of Mohu, the charming historic home on Katherine Graham’s old estate in Lambert’s Cove is a sad loss. Mohu was arguably the Vineyard’s “jewel in the crown” and now the memories and emotions that echoed within its past walls are buried. May you in the Vineyard learn from our experiences in California where our scenic and historical estates, large and small, have been plagued for years by the savage wrecker’s ball and blind-bladed dozers. These insatiable machines have crushed to death many of our old surviving architectural wonders. Most of the coastal vintage bungalows and beach cottages of our golden past have been raised to make way for gaudy, ostentatious, overbuilt modern monstrosities or mega-unit, mono-designed, planned but soulless communities. Neighborhoods and towns throughout the West have had their treasures looted by developers and greedy, shortsighted property speculators. The endearing charm and the quality of life identified and symbolized by homes of character and historical significance have been forever rubbed out. Fortunately, local historical societies have formed and state historical building and site preservation commissions have been motivated and empowered to save a few remaining precious home sites for our future generations. Mohu was a carved figurehead of the life changing Vineyard summer experience. Along with its lazy curved driveway and “doll house” guest cottage, Mohu represented the presence of Algonquin Indian chiefs and local, first-generation Vineyard families, and an image of feminist greatness awarded to Katherine Graham. Yes, Mohu was privately owned, but it belonged to all of us. Mohu now only exists in our photographs and our memories. I am hoping that its death is martyred by those amongst you that value the endearing, simple spell casting charm of your Vineyard. I am hoping regulations will be set in place that offer tax advantages for preserving historical Vineyard homes and demolition permit requirements with mandatory commission reviews motivated to protect your historical heritage. Victoria Grant San Diego Positive examples To the Editor: Last week, on two separate days, I lost my wallet and cell phone. Yes, you guessed it, both were returned intact. This is a huge thank-you to the individuals who didn’t hesitate to be totally honest. The wallet was turned in to the Tisbury Police Department and the cell phone to the Edgartown Post Office. These are very special, trustworthy people living on the Vineyard, and I am so grateful to the two people who strengthened my faith and set a positive example to follow. Gratia. Alice June Thompsen Vineyard Haven Tick turkeys To the Editor: Turkeys are so inconvenient, crossing the road when you’re rushing to the store, and down in the garden where you just hoed, you see four more. Before you chase them with shouts and sticks, remember — they eat their weight in ticks. Bruce Nevin Edgartown A matter of choice To the Editor: It’s that time of year again for kindergarten enrollment. Although, I imagine the kindergartens on the Island have already had their tentative enrollment meetings, I am writing this letter to remind Island families of the wonderful option offered — Island-wide school of choice. Many people are unaware of this option. For example, you can live in Oak Bluffs and choose to send your child to Edgartown, if there is available room in the K class. I am hoping to encourage families with children entering into the kindergarten to set a time to visit the Chilmark School (508-645-2562). If you have never been to the Chilmark School, it is worth the trip up-Island just to pay a visit. The school philosophy is combined classroom, integrating grades K/1, 2/3, and 4/5 so students have the same teachers two years in a row. The students of the Chilmark School also participate in “all-school” projects, which enables the children to work with peers in groups combining all grade and learning levels. This explanation, of course, barely touches on the many wonderful ideals and positive teaching models utilized by the faculty of Chilmark School. If you are wondering: How in the world would my child get to Chilmark every day for school, it is so far away? There is a bus stop in West Tisbury at the Town Hall that picks up and drops off, as well as families that do carpool from down-Island towns. I encourage you to meet Robin Smith and Eleanor Neubert, the wonderfully inspiring K/1 teachers at the Chilmark School. They have been working together for a long time and have the most amazing minds and positivity that truly do encourage the best in students. I hope you will take the chance and give them a call to come and have a tour of the school. It is a beautiful space, and the faculty as a whole are really great teachers and people. We love you Chilmark School. Thanks for all of your hard work and devotion to the Island children. And thank you to the public school system of Martha’s Vineyard for offering the school of choice option. Heather Thurber West Tisbury Don’t prejudge police To the Editor: I just read David Max Steinberg’s letter regarding his carpenter being arrested last week and thus late for his appointment. He wants to know how it happened but only explains that his carpenter had been stopped with expired registration plates (by two days)... and then arrested. Apparently his carpenter left out a few things. Operating an unregistered motor vehicle or with expired registration in not an offense for which you are arrested. Further, Mr. Steinberg should not immediately question the actions of the police, without knowing the whole story. By the way, if he were to read the old listings of court activity he would have seen that there is a tremendous number of out of country transplants in court for not having a license, failure to pay fines, failure to appear in court, disorderly conduct, failure to stop for a police officer, assault on an officer, and so on — each being arrestable. Yes, there should be some explanation made, but only to the judge. The police officers on this Island are up against enough without pre-judging them. Crime does exist here in utopian Martha’s Vineyard. J. Riley West Tisbury Such a success To the Editor: Although I was unable to attend the dance at the Tisbury Senior Center last week (due to a sprained ankle), I want to commend Anna Marie D’Addarie and The Martha’s Vineyard Times for their extensive coverage of the event. For a long time I’d been thinking our center was the ideal place for a dance, and in February, I proposed my idea to Connie Texeira and Joyce Stiles-Tucker, our director. Both of them were enthusiastically receptive to my suggestion and were instrumental in organizing the event, along with Sandy Pratt, among others. The response from the Island community was overwhelming, and how wonderful to have interested people of all ages there. I’m pleased to know that my idea was such a success. Florence Koster Vineyard Haven Running and giving To the Editor: The weather cooperated on Sunday morning and sunshine greeted hundreds of runners and walkers of all ages gathered at the Wesley Hotel to participate in the 12th Annual Oak Bluffs Memorial 5k Road Race to benefit Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard. Roger Wey, the race organizer and founder loves to see all the families who participate. It encourages two worthy lifestyles for the heart — running and giving. There was a sea of canary yellow T-shirts with the Hospice Tree and the words Hope, Comfort, and Compassion surrounded by the logos of all the very generous sponsors who make the race possible. The design is very fitting, as Hospice is entirely funded by the generosity of a caring community. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the following for their assistance and financial support. First and foremost, Roger Wey for all the time and hard work he puts into making this race so successful. Thank you to all the volunteers and board members who answered the call to go above and beyond, when they have already gone the extra mile. To Dukes County Savings Bank for underwriting all of the printed advertising and sponsoring the event; the Wesley Hotel who gave their excellent staff, lobby space, and grounds for two days; along with Linda Jean’s, Basics Clothing, Broadway Designs, Cape Cod Express, Coca-Cola, daRosa’s, Giordano’s, Hy-Line Ferry, Jim’s Package Store, Martha’s Vineyard Movies, Marzbanian Construction Co., Ocean View Restaurant, Offshore Ale Co., Season’s Eatery and Pub, Secret Garden, Slice of Life Café, Vineyard Bottled Waters, Tony’s Market, Wey Construction, and Don Hill, Lal Dowley, and grandchildren who manned the water stations. The board of directors, staff, patient volunteers, and road race committee thank all of our generous sponsors, the Wesley Hotel, the Oak Bluffs police and fire departments, all who volunteered to help, and each and every person who ran or walked. Your support is deeply appreciated by all of us at Hospice. Melinda Loberg Nancy Whipple Co-chairs of Hospice Fundraising |
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