Time Machine Terms
July 4, 1947
For 21 Years, “The Smallest Bookshop in the World” Has Reflected Vineyard Reading Taste
One score plus one year ago, to wit, July 4, 1946, Borrowdale, “the smallest bookshop in the world,” opened its doors to the public in Edgartown. It was then, and is still today, the only shop on the Vineyard devoted solely to the purveyance of literature without resort to the lure of coupons or kickapoo juice or the like. Established by the late Gerald and Margaret Chittenden shortly before his retirement from the faculty of St. Paul’s School, Concord, N.H., Borrowdale quickly became known as the place you could purchase good books immediately, and order the other kind.
April 25, 1947
Plan Spring Planting Day at Christiantown
Just two days after Arbor Day, which comes April 26, is Spring Planting Day at the Christiantown Burial Ground in North Tisbury. The Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club has planned the event at Christiantown, home of the now vanished Praying Indians, and will plant both seeds and actual plants of any wild flowers which members can procure and contribute. Gardeners are urged to take their lunch and be at the historic rendezvous at 12 noon on Monday, April 28, or if that day should prove rainy, the next pleasant day.
April 4, 1947
Coal Bin into Parlor
Guests returning to the Great Harbour Inn in Edgartown, the former Kelley House, have some surprises in store for them, but it is doubtful that they will miss the coal bin. For probably none of them knew that what is now a most attractive small parlor to the left of the front door, was once the hotel coal bin, which has been relegated to the rear, close to the furnace.
January 31, 1947
Dragger Viking, Rebuilt, Launched Once More
The forty-foot dragger, Viking, Capt. John Coutinho of Vineyard Haven, was launched from the ways of the Martha’s Vineyard Shipbuilding Company, at that port, on Tuesday afternoon, and was towed into the harbor and docked, preparatory to her being towed to New Bedford, for her engine installation.
January 17, 1947
D.C.H.S. Acquires Lot to Erect Fireproof Building
The Dukes County Historical Society has purchased from Edward B. Meyer the lot of land on School street, Edgartown, adjoining the society’s present property. The acquisition will make possible the eventual construction of a fireproof building for the society without marring or destroying the appearance of the present premises which preserve an important bit of the historic town.
The Meyer lot, used as a garden in recent years, was formerly owned by Capt. Manuel V. DeLoura.
January 14, 1947
Epenow, Indian of Significance in Capawack History
“Yea, those of the Isles of Capawack sent to make friendship.” With these words, Governor Bradford, recording in his history, “Of Plimouth Plantation”, a moral triumph over the surrounding savages, singles out for mention by name the most dreaded tribe under Massasoit, Sachem of the Warmanoag, of southern Massachusetts.
October 18, 1946
Bass Derby Ends In Blaze of Glory; Prizes Awarded
The Martha’s Vineyard striped bass derby wound up in a blaze of glory at noon on Tuesday, when the last fish were entered for weighing, and the Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club held open house for all entrants, with dinner served in the club rooms in the evening before the prizes were awarded.
September 13, 1946
Striped Bass Derby Opens on Sunday
The first Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass Derby, the most ambitious event of its kind to be arranged for this coast, will begin at 12 noon on Sunday, Sept. 15, and will continue until 12 noon on Oct. 15. The grand prize of the derby is $1,000, and among the contestants so far are salt water fishermen from Toronto, others from Canada, four from Virginia, two from Philadelphia, and hundreds from the New England states and New York.
September 6, 1946
To Rebuild Dragger Wrecked by Explosion
The forty-foot dragger Viking, which blew up and burned in Menemsha Creek Basin this summer, has been sold by her former owner, M.S. Duarte of Vineyard Haven, to Capt. John Coutinho of the same town. The Viking has been hauled out at the Martha’s Vineyard Shipbuilding Company yards, and will be completely rebuilt. Albert Allen, yard superintendent, and his regular crew, will perform the work. When she is once more in condition, Captain Coutinho will replace his present small fishing boat with the Viking.
August 27, 1946
Sporting Magazine Is Bass Derby Booster
Publicizing of the Martha’s Vineyard striped bass derby was taken up by the Salt Water Sportsman, a weekly publication devoted exclusively to salt water sport fishing. A four page announcement had been printed and distributed by the Sportsman, in which the derby was characterized as “the most colossal fishing derby ever staged on the North Atlantic.”
