Living on Martha’s Vineyard is oftentimes a tradeoff. We trade convenience for the unique beauty and sense of place and time this Island offers. Mail takes a day longer to receive, if we’re lucky. Groceries and gas are more expensive. Nothing is open 24-7. Seasonal rent hikes necessitate the Island shuffle for many. There is the summer traffic, lack of parking and the crowds. But whether seasonal or year-round, we all know it’s worth it.
Thank you for the story headlined “They Came, They Saw, They Moved In; Exploring the Vineyard’s Counterculture Roots” by Ivy Ashe, in the August 2 edition of the Vineyard Gazette.
I think your readers will be interested in the following exchange I had with Thomas Bena, the director of the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival, regarding the upcoming showing of Free Angela and All Political Prisoners, a film about Angela Davis.
Over the past few weeks a handful of people have challenged my decision to screen the film Free Angela And All Political Prisoners. They are angered that I would bring in Ms. Davis and invite her to speak afterwards. Some have even withdrawn their financial support of my organization.
Two year ago, a good friend of mine invited me to join her on a trip to the family home on Martha ’s Vineyard. I happily agreed and instantly began envisioning what this Island experience would entail. I was expecting some bluish water and a few pretty little beach houses along a shore.
From the Vineyard Gazette editions of August 1974: Forty cowboys, cowgirls and assistants came to the Vineyard Saturday in 17 trucks and trailers to stage the Island’s first rodeo and Wild West show, sponsored by the Island chamber of commerce. With them they brought 15 horses, six steers, a mule, two dogs and a buffalo, and before stands filled with spectators under huge striped tents at Scrubby Neck Farm in West Tisbury, they performed three shows. Vacationers intermingled with Islanders but, most of all, there were children.
Chilmark prepares to welcome our first family this week for a 10-day vacation. I must confess to a flush of pride knowing that the leader of the free world chooses to vacation with his family in Chilmark. Their visit will cause us some inconvenience, however we will try to make sure that we share some of the Chilmark magic we enjoy.
The president’s visit popularized Oak Bluffs and made for national headlines as newspapers described every event, activity, church service and meal Ulysses S. Grant had on his visit in 1874, a story about other U.S. Presidents retold over the years and that will be told again, starting tomorrow when President Barack Obama, the leader of the free world, arrives with his beautiful family.
Dorothy and Fletcher Jones had a farm in Wisconsin in the 1940s. When not harvesting his crops, Fletcher taught in the agricultural college at the University of Wisconsin. Dorothy worked as a school teacher. They retired in their mid 50s, threw caution to the wind, and created a new life for themselves in the Near East. Their first assignment was in Amman, Jordan. After a brief stint there, they were reassigned to Kabul in Afghanistan in 1956.
The weekend weather was just delightful. The beaches were pleasantly full on Sunday and many cookouts were held over the weekend. The school, firehouse and town playground were also busy.
The president, first lady and family will be arriving tomorrow for a well-earned vacation. They will be staying in Chilmark.
