Welcome Maverick
Karen Ann Casper and Pieter Pil of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a son, Maverick Christopher Robert Gedeon Pil, born on Nov. 28 at the Martha’s Vineyard Community Hospital. He weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces at birth.
The scalloping season opened this week. So far there is an abundance of scallops, with everyone getting their three-bushel limit within a reasonable amount of time. The scallops are also a good size, easier to cut, and quite delectable. The weather has been cold, windy, and rainy, seemingly unsure whether or not to snow. Deer season will be coming to a close for those hunters who chose shotgun. It is continuing for archery and primitive firearms. Thank you to all who donated deer to the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah). The venison will be served at the December elders’ luncheon along with a feast of scallops provided by Bret Stearns.
JANE N. SLATER
508-645-3378
Wow, Dec. 7! How many of you out there get that feeling in your stomach when you hear that date? I was 7 and my mother reassured me that Pearl Harbor was a long way from Chilmark, but I found the news very frightening just the same. What an era began that day. So many recollections of the war years in Chilmark come to mind: the sounds of heavy planes flying over, throbbing engines heard offshore at night, and the scratchy radio reports every evening.
Wise Use at the High School
Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School principal Margaret (Peg) Regan is a stand-up person who was forced to make hard choices this year about the high school budget.
Death by Committee
The idea of forming a special commission on agriculture for the Vineyard is on the table for discussion, and while the concept of an advocacy group to promote the interests of farms and farmers is sound and timely and should be a top priority — the last thing the Island needs is another committee.
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission hosted a recent Saturday morning workshop to discuss the idea. Spokesmen from other agricultural commissions around the state spoke about their experiences.
Homemade From the Heart
Retailers expect Americans to plunk down nearly five hundred billion dollars this holiday season. Some economists argue this holiday splurge is inefficient and full of wasteful white elephant gifts.
One study tried to put a value on the sentiment of gifts.
Economists created an auction offering college students money for their Christmas presents, asking them to split their price into material and sentimental value. On average, sentimental value accounted for about half the total.
“What is Hanukah?” the Talmud asks. It is a story about the miracle of oil and light, is the answer. We may ask, however, so what is a miracle? And do we believe in miracles anyway?
Jewish commentators have wrestled with the question of the miraculous for at least 2,000 years. Some commentators understand the miracle as a manifestation of God’s omnipotence in the form of the suspension of natural law. The parting of the Red Sea, the manna from heaven, Joshua ordering the sun to stand still at Givon are all examples of such classic miracles.
50 Years Ago
From the Vineyard Gazette editions of December, 1957:
