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Letters
to the Editor
July
21, 2005
An evening’s magic
To the Editor:
As the manager of Bunch of Grapes, I thank everyone who came to
Harry Potter night at the Bunch of Grapes, for our Harry Potter
event, Friday night into Saturday morning. I know I am not alone
in thinking it was a truly magical evening. Indeed, I feel certain
it will stand out in memory as one of the highlights of my bookselling
career.
In particular, I would like to thank the staff and the various friends
of the store who worked long and hard to make sure everything ran
smoothly. I also want to publicly thank our band, the Weird Sisters
— Corinne de Langavant, Rico Holley, Kim Hilliard and Chris
Seidel, to give their muggle names — who I hope will get some
new bookings as a result of their hard work.
I’d like to thank the town and the other merchants, and anyone
who was inconvenienced by the crowds spilling out into the street.
But most of all I want to thank all the fans of Harry Potter who
waited patiently, who helped each other manage the line, who smiled
and laughed and made what could have been a tense and fretful two
hours into one of the best parties I’ve been to in quite a
while.
It is so wonderful to see a book generate such mass passion, in
our culture all to often limited to sports and television. After
we’d closed the store and I’d tried to get in a couple
of chapters before bed, I took the dog out for a walk in the misty
night and found myself close to tears imagining the millions of
people around the world all sitting in their little rings of light
following Harry as he began his next adventure. To me it is the
ultimate tribute to the power of the human imagination, and helps
to save me from despair as I look at the state of our real world.
So thanks, finally, to J. K. Rowling, for giving us all a chance
to be kids again.
Robby Bick
Tisbury
Missing the Mark
To the Editor:
Thank you so much for printing my letter of thanks in the [July
14] paper. Unfortunately, I made a terrible mistake. I wrote the
wrong name. It is Mark Crossland, not Mark Clements, who made the
wonderful contribution to Ocean Park. I’m not quite sure how
I managed to make such a blunder, but I did. Is there any way that
you could say this in next week’s paper? I would be so grateful
for your help on this.
Renee Balter
Oak Bluffs
Life changing
To the Editor:
Rarely can an hour-long documentary change your life. “A Certain
Kind of Beauty,” the Dan Aronie film, will. It changed mine,
and I am writing today to encourage everybody to attend the worldwide
premier tonight at the Performing Art Center at the Martha’s
Vineyard Regional High School. The doors open at 6:30 pm, and I
would get there early. You will never look at life the same way
again. See you there!
JB Blau
Oak Bluffs
Community welcomes YMCA
To the Editor:
In regards to last week’s article on Vineyard health clubs,
I am outraged by the selfish nature of the owners of both the Mansion
House and the Vineyard Tennis Center. The formation and execution
of a YMCA for the Island, is one of the best things to ever come
to Martha’s Vineyard. The dedicated members of the community
that have struggled to make this dream a reality should be patted
on the back, rather than scorned for their ever-needed, non-profit
affiliation.
The YMCA will be a future asset to the Vineyard. The taxpayer’s
money is being invested in a nurturing environment for our children
and our community. Kids on the Island have needed a safe place,
such as this, to flock to since the beginning of time. Not only
will the Y provide workout opportunities for those who cannot afford
the exorbitant cost of the current available health clubs, it will
also increase the level of physical activity that our children will
pursue and accomplish. For many years there have been complaints
and concerns regarding the lack of adolescent extra curricular activities.
The Y will aid the community’s effort to keep out children
safe and out of trouble.
In regards to the high school’s land, the Y is a much-needed
addition. The high school will get an enormous amount of use out
of the swimming pool, weight room, and other facilities. It is almost
sad that we, the Vineyarders, do not have a competitive swimming
team. Hopefully, with the availability of a competition size pool,
we ocean natives can show off our fine swimming skills – to
add to our Vineyard pride.
I find it both admirable and disturbing that the other four health
clubs, listed in our Vineyard telephone book, have not added their
two cents to this issue. I find it admirable that these four businesses
are confident regarding their success and clientele, and disturbing
that the two complaining businesses are not. The facts are clear.
The clientele that frequents both the Vineyard Tennis Center, and
the Mansion House, will continue to use those facilities. I am sure
that the clients look to their current memberships with satisfaction,
have already established weekly routines, and social bonds with
fellow members.
A non-profit business, no matter what community it resides in, will
never be a burden on a local economy. The non-profit industry is
a wonderful entity in our country today. We should be so lucky that
we have such caring, dedicated members in our own community that
wish to support the dreams of every individual, regardless of their
financial status. I speak for many when I say that this community
welcomes and supports the future addition of the YMCA.
Nina Ferry
West Tisbury
We need a Y
To the Editor:
Those of us who have lived on Island for more than 10 years are
much aware of the concerted efforts of several individuals and groups
who have worked tirelessly to establish a community swimming pool,
which would provide the opportunity for our youth to compete in
swim programs, as well as time for public use. With the establishment
of a YMCA on Island, this plan will come to fruition.
Recently, this effort has been questioned by several businesses
that feature fitness programs and/or swimming programs, as they
seem to feel that the Y would present unfair competition. I wonder.
If someone of means were to be able to supply our school system
with a pool, which would provide our kids with a swim program, would
these same people oppose opening the pool to the general public?
I hardly think so.
My kids learned to swim at the Y in Brockton, many years ago. I
never thought of that Y as a fitness center (although they offered
programs for fitness), but as a community center. I feel the same
way about our Y here on Island. We need it. And we particularly
need the kind of pool facility a Y would provide, offering lessons,
opportunities for a swim program for the public schools, and a rehabilitation
facility as well.
As a person currently in physical rehab, due to recent surgery,
I had considered enrolling in a swim program this winter. I think
I will wait for the Y.
Mary-Jean Miner
Tisbury
We need a Y
To The Editor:
Regarding the two Island health clubs that fear YMCA competition,
I want to say that I support the development of a YMCA for the Island
and that I will probably not be joining it.
First, I am happy with my current, adults-only, health club and
have no interest in changing. Secondly, and more importantly, in
a former life I was chairman of a Massachusetts Bay United Way allocation
committee that reviewed the programs of both the Boston and Cambridge
YMCAs. They are so much more about comprehensive services, especially
for children and teens, than they are health clubs. We here on the
Island are not the inner city, but we do have children who fall
through the cracks; we do have drugs; we do have troubled families.
The YMCAs I have reviewed have a significant impact in building
healthier children, families, and communities, and we need one here.
Beatrice Phear
West Tisbury
Good seeds and bad
To the Editor:
I would like to apologize to the 8th graders at West Tisbury School
for taking so long to come to their defense. I feel as though a
really great bunch of kids has been misrepresented and unfairly
judged by the bad behavior of a few unfortunate students. I was
away on vacation for two weeks and have just caught up with all
the letters and articles.
I am a West Tisbury mom who had the privilege of chaperoning 25
terrific West Tisbury students on the Shelley Trip to England. Our
English hosts remarked on what a good bunch of kids they were. The
historical society of York provides tours to only one school group,
Ours, because the children have always been so well behaved. This
year’s group was no exception. They were polite, attentive,
inquisitive, funny, and creative. These kids really soaked in all
there was to learn. There were funny poems written, there were mock
battles waged by noble knights and brave maidens, there were witty
songs and lots of English accents, mining for coal, and even consumption
of new unfamiliar foods. (Treacle is actually delicious). I myself
was sort of dreading the trip, because I can barely tolerate my
own 14-year-old, let alone 25 for a whole week. I was so surprised
to find that this group of kids were delightful. All of the chaperones
commented on how proud we were of them.
As to the plane events, I can tell you that I was awake the entire
trip, I made several trips up and down the seats and repeatedly
reminded kids about what behavior was appropriate while traveling
on a plane. I did not police the aisle continually, which is what
I would have had to do to observe a few obnoxious, immature students
vandalizing the plane. The kids that were destructive were very
subtle in their actions. I will say that the trash factor was remarkable,
and we have learned a lesson for future trips to make sure our group
is the last one off and that the kids clean their own areas.
On our trip home we did indeed change our seat assignments to be
more interspersed among the students. The same kids that caused
issues on the way over were the same bunch that required reprimanding
and seat reassigning on the way home. Some were more humble after
the stern speeches of the flight crew; some were just as rude and
disrespectful as they were previously. Some kids are just going
to be like that.
But not all.
There were many great kids that went on the Bridgewater trip, and
they unfortunately had to suffer for all the rude and immature behavior
of a few bad seeds. Hopefully in the future, students who have repeated
discipline problems at school will be given a very strong and consistent
message. If they cannot control their behavior at school, then they
will not be sent abroad to represent the school.
Thanks for a great trip.
Susan Cahill
West Tisbury
Values start at home
To the Editor:
As a parent of three children who have participated in the England
exchange program three years in a row, as well as a volunteer chaperone,
I know for a fact that American Airlines was indeed told to contact
the school staff if there were any disruptive behaviors. That was
not done.
Prior to leaving the Island, the students were told what kind of
behavior was expected of them. As well, several meetings took place
to advise chaperones of their roles.
This wonderful exchange program has been going on for 20 years and
never has there been a situation quite like this. Since June, it
has been a constant topic of concern and conversation. It was a
nighttime flight in which most of the children were sleeping. A
few ruined that flight for the majority – not the other way
around. On the return flight, chaperones were scattered among the
students, as opposed to in front and back, as they were on the previous
flight.
When do the parents and students become accountable? Those students
are ambassadors of their school, community, and nation. It is not
the job of either the school or volunteer chaperones to instill
moralistic values. That job belongs at home.
Michael Halt stated it quite clearly that the students were dealt
with. As with any experience – you live and learn. I trust
in the West Tisbury School, and that it will as a whole be more
aware in the future.
Teresa Nelson
West Tisbury
Got to have that recipe
To the Editor:
After spending a wonderful week in the Vineyard (every year), I
just returned only to find out that I forgot to bring home a section
of your newspaper, which contained wonderful seafood/fish recipes.
It was in a section titled something like “Fish Cooking”
and had fabulous recipes from chefs on the Vineyard. I believe it
was in last week’s paper dated approximately June 30. I specifically
needed a recipe, which I already used, for “Peach Pepper Salsa”
contained in this section.
Linda Rowan
Redding, Conn.
Editor’s Note: When you need a “Peach Pepper Salsa”
recipe, you need it, so we’ve sent a copy of the paper off
to you and also sent you information about finding the recipe online.
Henry: a tribute to a friend
To the Editor:
It has taken
me a while to sit down and write this letter, as I wanted to express
more of my sorrow and disappointment rather than my anger about
what happened to a special dog that I have been caring for throughout
the winter. For an Island that is supposed to be more about coming
together as a community, this became one of those times that the
small Island became more of a witch-hunt.
Let me tell you a little bit about Henry. He was a dog who was abandoned
by a hunter last fall. I came to meet Henry on a cold winter day
this past January when I found him curled up in my horse farm’s
manure pile trying to keep warm. As the forecast was calling for
feet of snow and I was afraid he would not be able to find any place
to get out of the weather and stay warm, I tried to adopt him as
best as I could. My dad and I built Henry a doghouse; we lined it
with warm blankets and hay and added a bowl of dog food and hoped
he would utilize his new shelter. As it turns out, Henry became
a daily friend at Turtle Brook Farm. Every day throughout the winter,
Winkle and Allan Keith and I would look out for him, and feed him,
give him a few dog cookies whenever we could.
You see, Henry was terrified of people, and whoever left him behind
must have mistreated him severely. As soon as you made eye contact
with Henry he would run away, no matter what food or other coaxing
we might try. The more I inquired around the Island, the more I
learned about Henry. He was loved by many an up-Islander. There
were at least six or more people that would leave food out for him,
and keep an eye out to be sure he was doing okay. Henry was a smart
fellow too. He survived one of the harshest winters on record by
using his own wits. He never got into any trouble, never tipped
garbage cans, or chased anything. I want to stress this last point.
Considering Henry was a hunting dog, he never harassed anything.
He only wanted to be near and watch what was going on around him.
He would love to sit and watch me interact with my horses, or sit
near Mr. Keith when he was doing any of his outside chores. Henry
even shared his food this winter with a wounded Canada goose. There
was not a malicious bone in his sweet little dog body. However,
no one could catch him. He was too smart and too fearful of people.
Unfortunately, the small Island began false rumors about Henry.
I have heard such ridiculous things — that he ate cats, and
he was wrongly accused of causing a car accident. I feel horrible
for the tragic auto accident that occurred a few weeks ago by Allen
Farm. It was at that point that Henry became the target of a witch-hunt.
None of the official car accident reports say anything about a dog
being the cause of the crash, but nonetheless, the next day Henry
was shot. He was taken away from all of his Island friends by someone
who decided to believe Island rumors and take the law into his own
hands and shoot Henry.
This is not the job of an individual. If the law thought that Henry
should be destroyed, then it should have been the job of the Chilmark
Police Department, the MSPCA, or the dog warden, not an individual
town member. To the person who shot Henry — you and I both
know who you are — shame on you for taking the law into your
own hands. There were many other ways to resolve the situation without
killing the dog. There were many people who where trying to capture
him and find him a loving home — not as a pet, but as a hunting
dog. Hound rescue was contacted and willing to take him and place
him with a caring person. Shooting him because of some Island rumor
was not the answer and not okay. I hope that you try to find out
more of the facts before you act rashly and decide to take the law
into your own hands.
From all of your Island friends to Henry, a special shy, smart dog,
you will never be forgotten.
Ariana Feldberg
Chilmark
A lonely dog
To the Editor:
Last winter in late December or early January we found a dog sleeping
on the manure pile behind the horse barn. It was five degrees and
we tried to catch him, but he would not go inside a building or
into a car. He only came 10 feet away. Ariana Feldberg, who keeps
three horses in the barn, and her father, built a doghouse. Her
mother fed the dog every morning and evening. I gave him Milk Bone
biscuits and “Greenies” every time I saw him in the driveway.
Ariana named him Henry, and he slept in the tall grass by the driveway
or outside our bedroom. He was shy and would not wag his tail when
fed a cookie. He survived a very cold winter and deep snow. A gentle,
lonely dog. He slept near my husband while working outside.
On July 9, Henry was shot to death accidentally by a neighbor. He
thought Henry was involved in a car accident, but later found out
the lady had died of a stroke.
Many people will miss Henry. He was a welcome friend who greeted
us every day. Tears have been shed over his loss. He was a joy for
six or seven months.
He was left on the Vineyard by a man from New Bedford. We’ll
never understand why. We had hoped to catch him and give him shots
and bathe him. We will always miss him.
Winkie Ward Keith
Chilmark
High horses and affordable housing
To the Editor:
This is a letter to those negative people who feel that they are
too good to have affordable housing near them. Get off your damn
high horse. Please and thank you.
Money does not make the world go round. Seeing another house next
to you is not going to make you have a heart attack. There are many
different walks of life. Good natured people come in all different
shapes, colors, and backgrounds. If you decide to be negative your
whole life, you will miss out on a lot of wonderful things.
No one should have the right to tell people we don’t want you
living next to us because you’re affordable housing. If you
support affordable housing, then support it. Don’t support
it and then say not by us.
Misti Rae Eaton
Oak Bluffs
Hypocrisy and housing
To the Editor:
I always have a good laugh whenever I see certain attractive, popular
neighbors of mine pose themselves so publicly in the newspaper and
elsewhere, standing themselves up for all to see that they are in
favor of affordable housing on Martha’s Vineyard. Surely, this
is a joke. Aside from the noise nuisance these people provide to
all the nearby residents by their constant building and renovation
of their personal, ever expanding summer residences (yes, it’s
plural, and yes, their houses and guesthouses stand empty, heated,
and very well tended all winter) they don’t seem to realize
what their neighbors and even their loyal, well paid employees really
think.
I don’t know anyone, on their payroll or not, who in private
does not voice the opinion that it is the height of hypocrisy to
mouth so publicly a politically correct interest in affordable housing,
while one’s personal life is conducted with such self-centered,
ostentatious, arrogant, aggressive entitlement to more and better
houses for themselves and their friends. They don’t give a
fig about anyone’s housing or wellbeing but their own. If you
don’t believe me, ask any one of the drivers of the 20 trucks
lined up daily, Sundays included, in front of their latest personal
project.
Jacqueline Mendez-Diez
Chilmark
Concern at Hospice changes
To the Editor:
The following was sent to Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard board
members and to Hospice volunteers:
Disheartening personnel changes at Hospice of MV have come to my
attention. I worked for Hospice of MV as an on-call weekend and
per diem registered nurse for 3.5 years, retiring in August 2004.
I knew I would miss this wonderful organization and said in my letter
of resignation that I would return as a volunteer, which I did in
the spring.
Now I have learned that Cathy Brennan, RN, MS, director, was removed
from her position in April. I attended a volunteers meeting in June
where Kathy Fitzgibbon, RN, announced her resignation. And now,
I have learned of the resignations of Jean Hay, LICSW and of Katie
Friedman, RN, FNP, who replaced my position. All in two or three
months.
This series of events is disturbing to me as an advocate for Hospice
of MV, which has always been a caring organization. I hold Cathy
Brennan, Kathy Fitzgibbon and Jean Hay in the highest regard. They
are kind, thoughtful, and trustworthy people. They have lived and
practiced in this community for many years and are respected contributors
to Hospice patients and their families.
I believe there is cause for community concern.
Katharine Colon
Vineyard Haven
We’re with you, Bill
To the Editor:
I sent the following letter to William Graham of West Tisbury:
Thank you so much for taking on the heroic task of trying to bring
sense to West Tisbury’s appallingly arbitrary assessment process
and, one hopes, bringing to the office of the assessor a more civilized
treatment of the public.
Enclosed is my check for $100 to help with your legal fees. I realize
it is only a very small drop, not even a quarter-hour’s worth,
but it’s a token of how much I — and many, many other
West Tisbury residents — appreciate what you’re doing.
Cynthia Riggs
West Tisbury
Help right at hand
To the Editor:
My husband and I spent a lovely hazy day on Martha’s Vineyard
(July 14) taking our bikes along for a leisurely ride from Oak Bluffs
to Edgartown. My husband Joe took a nasty fall from his bike in
Edgartown as we were returning to Oak Bluffs to catch the ferry
to the mainland. We arrived at the ferry terminal in Oak Bluffs
and asked a police officer if he knew where we might get some first
aid treatment. Officer G. C. Churchill responded immediately, “Right
here!”
He opened the trunk of the patrol car and pulled out an emergency
first aid kit. He sat Joe down and quickly cleansed the wound and
bandaged the patient. I want to thank Officer Churchill for his
professionalism and efficiency in overseeing the situation.
Marjorie Cotton Supple
Centerville
No help here
To the Editor:
On July 3, around noon, my wife and I arrived at the Steamship Authority’s
Palmer Avenue lot only to be rudely told by a Steamship Authority
employee, who was reclining in a golf cart, that all the lots were
full and we should drive to Main Street, make a left, and take another
ferry.
We then saw three Authority buses going north past the Palmer Lot
and followed them to the Sun Lot where we were able to park. Additionally,
a sign on Gifford Street wrongly indicated that parking was available
at the high school. I am at a loss to understand the Authority’s
lackadaisical attitude in trying to assist its customers.
Richard Silber
Glenmont, New York
With your help
To the Editor:
We would like to thank the following individuals and companies for
their generous contributions. Without their help and support, our
graduation party would not have been such a success. The support
and generosity of the Island community is truly amazing.
Thanks to Brennan and Company, David Schwab Electric, Island Food
Products, Jennie Bick Book Binding, Morrice the Florist, MV Family
Campground, MV Times, Pam Bolduc, Sam Koohy, Sandy’s Fish and
Chips, Stop and Shop Supermarkets, The Sweat Shop, the Tisbury School
administrative staff, the Tisbury School cafeteria, Tilton Rental,
and Vineyard Bottled Water.
8th Grade Graduating Class
Tisbury School
Verizon complaint
To the Editor:
This is a copy of a letter sent to Verizon:
Sometime, early in the morning of June 29, my telephone service
was cut off. When I reported the outage to Verizon, I was told that
it would be five days before they could send a repairman. (I was
also told not to worry, that I had a maintenance plan and besides
that the outage was outside of the house.)
I replied that being without telephone service and Internet service
for five days, particularly over the July Fourth weekend, was completely
unacceptable. Verizon replied, “Sorry, don’t have any
repairmen to send.”
Later in the day, I drove by the Verizon facility on the Vineyard
Haven–Edgartown Road and counted 10 repair trucks in the yard.
Why couldn’t Verizon bring in some repairmen from off-Island?
I urge all Verizon customers who have had difficulties with Verizon
to send their complaints to the Federal Communications Commission
and their congressmen.
Lemuel D. Coles
West Tisbury
Awesome student
effort
To the Editor:
The following letter was sent to Doctors Without Borders with a check
for $1,500 from the Student Darfur Committee of the sophomore class
at the Regional High School. The students would like to thank all
of their supporters and donors for their help, and to let everyone
know that the campaign continues throughout the summer. They particularly
wish to thank the Island grade schools for their participation in
the student education program, and would now like to hold a community
education evening for adults to inform them of the horrible situation
in Darfur. Raffle tickets for the Allen Whiting painting will continue
to be sold throughout the summer, and a drawing will be held on Labor
Day weekend. I could not be more proud of these students: their sense
of connection to the world is truly awesome. They encourage us all
to believe in a better future.
Elaine Cawley Weintraub
West Tisbury
For the past two and half months our sophomore history class at Martha’s
Vineyard Regional High School, in Massachusetts, has been raising
money and spreading awareness for the genocide that has been and still
is taking place in Darfur, Sudan. We are sending a check in the amount
of $1,494.50 to you, Doctors without Borders. We cannot stress enough
that the money must go to the relief efforts in Darfur.
When we started this project in the beginning of May, a fellow classmate
said that it would be great if we could just save one life. I believe
that with the money raised so far we have accomplished this goal.
As we started raising money, we realize that we needed a charity to
send it to. Our teacher compiled a list of many different charities
and then we chose Medecins Sans Frontiers because we knew that the
money would go directly to the victims in Darfur.
Our class has done many things to raise money. First, we held a bake
sale, where students made baked goods and we sold them at a school
event. This raised about $200. All along we have been selling green
“Save Darfur” bracelets.
Also students have sat outside our cafeteria during lunch with cans
for people’s spare change. Throughout the summer we will be selling
raffle tickets for a painting donated by a local artist. Our class
has also gone to many classes of younger students to inform them as
to what is going on in Darfur, and how to prevent it from happening
again somewhere else in the world.
We have and will continue to spread awareness here, in our local community,
about what is happening in Sudan, and we will continue to raise money
for the victims. However, we would like to extend our gratitude to
you, the doctors that go to all these poverty-stricken countries in
our world. It is great for us to raise money, but it is far better
to see it go to work.
Heather McElhenny
Amanda Cavanaugh
Matthew Seklecki
Max Shay |
