BANISH BIGOTRY

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

I was dismayed to read about the anti-immigrant blog that is spreading poison about our Brazilian Islanders. I hope our Brazilian immigrants know that you are most welcome on Martha’s Vineyard. All of you whom I have met are hardworking, honest people, who are also warm and easy to talk to. It has been a pleasure to get to know you, and I believe the vast majority of Islanders feel the same.

And bravo to Steve Bernier and other Island business people who are standing up for their Brazilian workers. We all need to speak up and make it clear that there is no room on this Island for any kind of bigotry or discrimination.

Steve Levine

Chilmark

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FRIVOLOUS, COSTLY

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

I am furious after reading the report of the $36,000 award that the town of Oak Bluffs must pay to Peter Martell (in addition to paying the town legal bill of $6,000), reduced from the $70,000 that it actually cost him to clear his name.

    I was present at the in-house hearing that fire chief Peter Forend held to press his charges against Captain Martell. The jury consisted of three assistant chiefs. The charges were so flimsy and outrageous that hearing examiner Michael Dutton was obviously suppressing his laughter. Not one of the six accusations was documented; they were either frivolous or unfounded. However, the assistant chiefs found for their boss and asked Mr. Martell to resign. (Wow! Who would have predicted that outcome?) At that point, Mr. Dutton should have called the chief aside and directed him to drop the charges, but he did not. Mr. Martell sued to clear his good name, and the judge threw out all of the original charges and awarded him a portion of his costs.

    Now the taxpayers of Oak Bluffs must find the money to pay the judgment, while already neglecting road repairs, operating without a finance director, being unable to hire needed teachers, laying off employees, etc.

Mr. Martell, to his credit, did not appeal the award in an attempt to recover the full amount of his costs; he was content to clear his name and reputation.

Mr. Dutton and the selectmen must take steps to clean up this mess, and the people responsible for it. Meanwhile, we the taxpayers must pay for it.

Robert A. Iadicicco

Oak Bluffs

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THIEF’S APOLOGY

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

This morning we found the stolen Dragonfly sign on our front walkway with a handwritten note of apology. We give the young person credit for her change of heart and having the gumption to return it with what appears to be a very earnest request for forgiveness. Perhaps a tip of the hat is also due to her parents. Thanks very much.

Don McKillop and Susan Davy

Oak Bluffs

The writers are the owners of the Dragonfly Gallery.

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SEARCH FOR SCYBILLA

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

The following letter was sent to the commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard in Washington, D.C.:

I write to you as a proud veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard. My service was between 1941 and 1946, World War II. A magazine article I have attached (Archeology, May/June 2011, YP-389 and the battle of the Atlantic) recently caught my eye as it addressed a situation very familiar to me.

Many do not realize the serious lack of equipment, especially anti-submarine vessels, in the early days of World War II. Shortly after my enlistment in 1941, I was sent to Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard where I served with one other sailor on the comandeered private yacht, Scybilla, with a total armament of a single 45-caliber pistol and one submachine gun. Fortunately we never saw a German sub or U boat on our patrols.

After reading the article on the discovery of the YP-389, I wonder about the fate of the Scybilla. After serving on that vessel, I was sent to Cape Pogue on Chappaquiddick and was second in command of a small Coast Guard contingent and patrolled the beaches of Chappaquiddick. Later I trained in Camp LeJeune, N.C., where I learned to operate small landing craft (LCVPs) and eventually was assigned to LST 792, which eventually served in the invasion of Iwo Jima. Though I was taken off the craft in Honolulu with a serious injury to my leg caused by the whiplash-snap of a hawser line, my comrades went on to serve honorably in the South Pacific.

I am now 89 years old and reside in a nursing home in Portland, Ore. I keep in touch with my surviving buddies from LST 792. The article in Archeology Magazine brought back memories and a question: Whatever became of the yacht Scybilla? I am enclosing a copy of a snapshot of that craft, and regret it has aged so badly. I guess I have too!

Harvey W. Keller

Portland, Ore.

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REMEMBERING PAT

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Just about this time of year, for over 30 years, Patricia Neal would land on Martha’s Vineyard after an eventful car ride from her apartment in New York city to her real home in Edgartown. Riding shotgun in her Buick station wagon, she would wave greetings to anyone who looked familiar.

Pat always led with a smile, a broad, beautiful, open smile, very inviting. If you smiled back, her unique baritone voice would seal the deal. You were her friend, no matter your color, race or creed, she opened to you like the flowers blooming in front of her home on 80 South Water street, including the pink roses she adored.

Once settled, a legion of friends came to feast on her infinite spirit and honor. Parties were organized, fancy and casual, and she was the star.

Throughout the spring and summer, Pat could be seen everywhere. Tourists might rub elbows with her in restaurants, shops and the liquor store. She would relish the attention. Babies and pregnant women fascinated Pat. She loved children beyond measure and a chance meeting with a stranger would be peppered with questions. How many children they had. Ages? Boys? Girls? The wonder of life stimulated Pat and in her own way she was childlike — full of wonder and joy.

Her generosity was staggering. She attended all special events and she was an active participant in causes such as the Possible Dreams auction, the Yard, Jabberwocky and her favorite — the Vineyard Playhouse.

Patricia Neal was a great actress, a great mother and a dear, dear friend. We were friends for 34 years and I miss her.

Warren Langton

North Hollywood, Calif. •

ONE WORLD

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

We owe so many thanks to so many people and community members for the success of One World Day, not least all of our colleagues who supported us by bringing their classes to the workshops the teacher had chosen and involving themselves with their students. Without your support, we would have been organizing a great party with no guests so a big thank you from all of us at the One World Club and from the student administrator committee.

To those who organized and presented workshops: Joel Graves, Kenny DeBettencourt, Cyndy Cowan, Inez and Matt Montanile, Cyndi West, Pierre Bonneau, Tony Lombardi, Paul Brisette, Will Hunter, Kansas Brew, Mike Tinus, Kerry Alley and Herb Foster we thank you most sincerely not only for your generous donation of your time and skills but for the superb job that you all did.

To Mr. Nixon, thank you for attending workshops and for allowing one of our henna artists to work with you!

To the students who presented workshops: What a great job you did working professionally and taking your responsibilities so seriously and doing a fantastic job. Congratulations to Rafael Maciel and Matteus Ribeiro for their presentation of their News from MVRHS — the Brazilian Story. To Ana Nascimento, Ricardo Fortes and Rebekah Tenorio, thank you for your presentation and the lessons that you gave on forro dancing and samba. All the hard work that you put into preparing for your workshop really paid off, and it was great to see so many students learning something about these dances and trying them. To our face painting, hair braiding and henna printing presenters (Savannah, Shawna, Amoy, Shavannae, Jennifer, Ashleen, Jessica, Amanda and Grace) congratulations on a fantastic job and working under pressure until your workshops finally closed. Your customer line just kept growing and you kept on going — well done!

To Mr. O’Malley who provided a venue for our food hall and worked with us throughout the week to make food for the event.

To Carlos Guzman who made the best Irish food I have had in a while with the assistance of Amanda Taylor and Joe Wannamaker. Their contribution represented the Irish history class and if you did not get to try any ask Carlos if he is willing to make some of his recipe for you because it was terrific. Thanks again to Jack O’Malley who provided the venue and advice when needed.

To Uma Datta and the global history class who made Indian food, specifically stuffed nan made from scratch, and who came in and worked for two class periods with the students.

To Mark McCarthy for his generous help in setting up the soccer field and refereeing the game. The soccer game was the perfect ending to the day and was the point at which most of our student administrators disappeared from their civic duties and headed out for the field. Thank you Mark for making it possible for us.

Thanks too for the use of the gym for the capoeira demonstration and workshop. That was very well attended and it was fascinating watching so many of our students try to master the skill. Thanks to Dunga and his capoeira group for an incredible performance.

Thanks to Sandy and Mary for the use of the library for the jui jitsu session led by Luciano and his students. Grateful thanks to all the students who were involved and to Luciano and our former student Andora Aquino.

Thanks are owed to the Tropical Bakery for the fantastic One World Cake donated to us; passion fruit cake is an incredible experience. We are very grateful to Steve Bernier of Cronig’s who once again came through with generous support, to Cathy and Paul Domitrovich of Lola’s for their wonderful donation of food and to the board of the African American Heritage Trail for their generous financial support.

Last, but certainly not least, we commend our organizing committee and the student administrators who made this day possible. The organizing committee members were Rebecca Barbosa, Jessica Santana, Jennifer Silva, Amoy Anderson, Shawna Brown, Shavanae Anderson, Savannah Brown, Devyson Martins and our student administrators: Kenny Handy, Chris Costello, Randall Jette, Dylan Governo, Trenton Brown, Del Araujo, Rodrigo Honoratio, Jhonathan Alves, John Oliveira, Marianne Quintao, Livia Sampaio, Gleyzielle Rodrigues, Augusto Nunes, and many of the student presenters already mentioned. It was the organization and professionalism of the students that made the day run so smoothly.

We are so grateful to all of you for making this affirmation of our diverse culture not only possible, but successful.

Elaine Cawley Weintraub

and Blanca De Marco

West Tisbury

and Vineyard Haven

The writers are advisors to the high school One World Club.

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COUNCIL TURNS 40!

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Two events recently held by the Edgartown Council on Aging, also known as the Anchors, commemorated the council’s 40th anniversary while recognizing and acknowledging the staff and volunteers who have contributed so much to Edgartown and Martha’s Vineyard seniors in the last four decades. At the Anchors, on a perfect spring afternoon, a free luncheon of gourmet pizza, salad, soup and homemade chocolate chip cookies attracted about 100 happy seniors and other guests who celebrated the occasion. Balloons, decorations, flowers and music added to the festive atmosphere in which grateful seniors and residents offered praise and appreciation for the Anchors and all it has given to our community and Island.

Since 1971, the Edgartown Council on Aging has provided programs, meals, counseling, entertainment and so much more. Hundreds of seniors have gathered at the Anchors to enjoy each other’s company while having lunch, taking a yoga class, traveling off-Island, or participating in a group hike or bike ride. The council’s outreach staff brings meals and services to the homes of seniors who cannot travel to the Anchors for whatever reason. The town of Edgartown provides funding in its annual budget enabling the council on aging to continue these programs, services and wonderful activities.

A week after the 40th anniversary luncheon, on yet another beautiful spring day, council volunteers, including the Friends of the Edgartown Council on Aging, assembled at the Edgartown Rod and Gun Club for a special afternoon of speeches, testimonials, and awards. Sponsored by the Anchors, the Friends and staff, the event recognized and acknowledged the invaluable gifts of time, energy and effort these volunteers have donated over the years. Through their ambitious fund-raising and wise counsel, the Friends have offered funding and guidance, without which many of the Anchors’ programs and activities would not be possible. As volunteers, hundreds of good people of Edgartown have donated thousands of hours of their time, distributing food, delivering meals and transporting our seniors to their medical and doctors’ appointments. Others have provided expert advice regarding health insurance, the law, or tax matters. Some have rolled up their sleeves and worked in the kitchen, helping to prepare, cook and serve countless meals — then cleaning up afterward. A number of dedicated residents sit on the board administering the council, while volunteers assist the staff in maintaining the Anchors’ day-to-day operation, answering the phones.

These are but a few of the many contributions and donations made by so many for so many years, enhancing the experience and lives of seniors in Edgartown and on Martha’s Vineyard. On behalf of myself and the staff at the Edgartown Council on Aging, I wish to express our deep gratitude to all the volunteers who have served with selfless generosity, and also to congratulate the Anchors for 40 years of extraordinary service to our seniors and their families. Here’s to 40 more!

Paul Mohair

Edgartown

The writer is administrator of the council on aging.

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SUNDAE SEETHE

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Dairy Queen must be from another planet when it comes to serving up ice cream sundaes. Now we all know when you order a sundae in any ice cream store it comes with your basic chocolate or strawberry sauce and your basic whipped cream. Yes, we all expect to pay extra for the nuts, etc., but the whipped cream is your basic American ice cream sundae traditional topping. Not at DQ. They actually charge you extra if you want whipped cream. When I asked the manager about this practice his excuse was you have to buy whipped cream in the store if you want to make a sundae. Can you believe this nonsense? We should all boycott DQ until management comes to its senses and learns how to make the traditional ice cream sundae. Thank God this practice does not exist in our other favorite ice cream shops.

Tom Mandosa

Edgartown

and Norton

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UNSEEN GARDENER

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

I wish the anonymous person who planted a geranium on my husband’s grave would please contact me so that I might acknowledge their kindness.

Lorrie Pinckney

Oak Bluffs

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PLANE IN A TREE

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

The following letter is addressed to the chief and lieutenant of the Oak Bluffs fire department.

I want to thank you and the men of the ladder truck for retrieving my RC Radio Control model airplane from a tall tree.

Joseph A. Costa

Vineyard Haven

The Vineyard Gazette welcomes letters to the editor on any subject concerning Martha’s Vineyard. The newspaper strives to publish all letters as space allows, although the editor reserves the right to reject letters that in her judgment are inappropriate. Letters must be signed, and should include a place of residence and contact telephone number. The Gazette does not publish anonymous letters.