The lawsuit of Lillian E. Judkins vs. Thomas J. Charette and others was heard from Dec. 3, 1925 to Feb. 26, 1926. The plaintiff (Judkins) brought the lawsuit on March 25, 1925 because Charette (the new owner) had refused to honor the provisions of Judkins’s lease. Executed in 1920, the lease of the Oak Bluffs’ Eagle Theatre (today, the Island Theatre) would have expired in January 1925 — except that Judkins had given notice in September 1924 as required of her intention to renew for an additional five-year term.

Built by A.P. Eagleston in 1915, the Eagle was the Island’s first exclusive movie house. In November 1924, however, Darling, the owner at that time had sold the building to Charette who claimed the February 1925 monthly payment had not been made and that Judkins had also breached the agreement by not making repairs. In fact, a large sign had been blown down the previous August and rain had caused damage observed by the new owners on March 19, 1925 when they entered the building and took it back. “. . . the roof of the building leaked in several places, mostly at the gable ends and where the sign had been fastened to the roof, that the water had run in on the metal ceiling and caused some rusting away along certain joints, and left streaks of rust thereon and had discolored the walls in places, that there were two or three bad cracks running down through the rear wall...that the water had caused certain plates supporting the roof trusses to rot . . .” Judkins made the repairs and the court noted that “the construction of the walls and roof the building required repairs from time to time, and especially after the winter season and after heavy storms . . . it was not heated and used only during the summer months.”

It’s unclear if the theatre was operated during the 1925 season. The judge concluded that the Judkins lease was in full force and effect and that the further five-year term was valid. Charette appealed but again lost to Judkins. So there is evidence of repair issues at the Island Theatre dating to 1925. A year ago the selectmen proffered the draft of a minimum property maintenance and vacant building zoning bylaw directed at the theatres. A warm welcome to new town building inspector Mark Barbadero who will no doubt be tasked with that.

The town library has lots of activity scheduled for Booktoberfest. There is a poetry workshop and critique Tuesday at p.m. Bring something you’ve created to read and get feedback. Tomorrow morning at 10:30 is crafts for kids to decorate mini journals. Holly Nadler faces off with a panel of experts (Curious Minds) and MV Poet Laureate Lee McCormack on the Tibetan Book of the Dead and its influence on his poetry Thursday at 6 p.m. Next Saturday the Minnesingers parents host a silent and live auction at Dreamland from 6 to 9 p.m. for $25. Hors d’ oeuvres, chowder bar, desserts and a cash bar. Dennis daRosa, president of the Oak Bluffs Association, reports a banner summer for businesses this year. This news is based on the 45,000-plus requests at the visitor booth and record crowds at the harbor festival in June and Tivoli Day last month with double the number of participating vendors. Town administrator Bob Whritenour reported revenue was up from hotel and restaurants.

Executive director Christine Todd reminds everyone of the upcoming artists ball at Dreamland Oct. 26, and the tree lighting at Post Office Square on Dec. 3. She credited Brian Packish and Erik Albert of the Oak Bluffs Inn for organizing the civic pride cleanup effort that has citizens meeting at 5 p.m. on Wednesdays to voluntarily clean up parts of the downtown area.

The annual Columbus Day Say Goodbye to Summer party at the Inkwell, even though postponed to its rain date of last Sunday, was well attended by Oak Bluffs homeowners from Boston to Atlanta. Warmly dressed for the sunny but windy and unseasonably cold day, those sad to depart were happy leaving for warmer climes. And the Island seems lighter after their exit.

It seems the bridge crew and quilters have left the building — is there drama at the senior center? What a conundrum; next year the Island Theatre will ignominiously be 100 years old.

Keep your foot on a rock.

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