HELPING HANDS

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

On Monday morning, August 15, while at a breakfast talk by Sen. Scott Brown, at the Grange Hall in West Tisbury, I had the misfortune of fainting during the question and answering period of the senator’s talk. To all those in the audience who came to my aid, my sincere thanks. The good and caring hands of Dr. Terry Kreidman were on one side and a wonderful nurse, whose name I did not get, was on the other side. I understand that Tom Smith, an Edgartown police officer and Melinda Loberg, a Tisbury EMT, were also on the scene to help. My grateful thanks also go to Tri-Town ambulance paramedic Ben Kretmier, whose professional and caring manner put me immediately at ease. In the hospital emergency room the wonderful care continued thanks to nurses Eric and Amy and Dr. Marc Shapiro. Once again, I was reminded of what a special community we have on the Vineyard.

Barbara B. Rivers

Chilmark

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STAND STRONG

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

The following letter is addressed to President Obama and the First Family.

Greetings to you all and welcome back to Martha’s Vineyard. We are so honored that you return time after time. Mr. President, the ladies might enjoy wildlife at Felix Neck and the llama farm.

I wrote you a letter about two months ago regarding our military and some of their issues. I hope you will have the time to address them. Our nation is the greatest because of our military and their ultimate gift in securing our freedom by giving of their life.

Stand strong, Mr. President. Don’t let the opposition get you down. You have made history.

Enjoy your vacation.

Estelle T. Burnham

Edgartown

TERRIBLE INJUSTICE

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

We find it really terrible what is happening to Nisa Counter and Ben Ramsey with the Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation over their land that has been in Ben’s family for several generations. It is hard enough to be newly married, trying to build a small house, trying to start a little family in a place where you grew up and have long ties — and to be treated that you don’t matter by rich, elite outsiders is unacceptable!

No wonder all the young talented people are leaving the Island if this is all they have to look forward to.

Hopefully this injustice will immediately stop and Sheriff’s Meadow will publicly apologize to them both. We understand that this isn’t the first time something like this has happened.

The press and the attorneys for Sheriff’s Meadow should be in that line that will apologize to Nisa and Ben.

We believed that this time they have grabbed the wrong two tigers by the tail; this fight is not only for Nisa and Ben but for all others who might be intimidated and bullied.

Good luck, Nisa and Ben.

Phyllis and Woody Williams

Vineyard Haven

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MISSING EISIE

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Alfred Eisenstaedt was a wonderful friend. While he always spent August up-Island, each summer he would come to Edgartown to wander around, photograph and have lunch at my house.

Afternoons my son would take him sailing if he was able to get away from his work at the Oceanographic.

Eisie was quirky, very witty and intensely curious about everything. “Why” seemed to be his favorite word.

He was part of the summer scene for many years — we all miss him.

Polly Burroughs

Edgartown