The tragedy of the New England hurricane of 1938 was not the loss of nearly 10,000 homes and business along the shore. It was the psychic destruction of summer for an entire generation. Virtually everyone that lived on or near the New England coast was traumatized by the loss of someone or something they loved. People who lived in homes their grandparents built and thought were safe and secure were killed, injured or saw their property destroyed.

With the economy in shambles and no end in sight to the Writers Guild strike, Hollywood studios are about to release a string of low-budget movies based on previous Oscar winners. Coming soon to theatres near you:

• Mutiny on The Love Boat (1935). In this updated seafaring tale, cruise ship passengers become ill and hurl invective, among other things, at the captain.

• You Can Take It With You! (1938). Bill and Warren venture into the hereafter.

• How Green Was My Valet (1941). The Incredible Hulk falls on hard times.

Thank you, dear Edgartown for all your friendly greetings, pats on the head, dog bones (especially Kendra at the Gazette, Linda at the hardware store and my friends at the Dukes County Savings Bank) and the Vineyard Vet staff who kept me strong for 14-plus years. I loved my walks and beach runs. Now I’ll romp in dog heaven

— Chloe Nolan

Effective Leadership

From the Vineyard Gazette editions of January, 1983:

YO-YOING: ANOTHER VIEW

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Recently you printed a letter from Scott Terry regarding the controversy over the use of yo-yoing for striped bass. Mr. Terry has a reputation for being a very good artist as well as a very good fisherman and he has certainly had his share of press over the years, not all of it positive.

The Steamship Authority appears likely to go to court to stop a Vineyard barge operator from bringing rental cars to and from the Island for the summer tourist season.

SSA general manager Wayne Lamson told a meeting of the boat line governors on Tuesday that repeated warnings to the barge operator had gone unheeded, and that any further shipments would bring legal action.

Ralph Packer, who owns Tisbury Towing and Transportation, said yesterday he believed the company was entitled to continue the practice.

There was good news and bad news this week for Vineyard home insurance customers who already pay some of the highest premiums and deductibles in the nation.

A well-known Rhode Island insurance company announced Tuesday it will expand coverage to include long-neglected markets like Cape Cod and the Islands. But also this week came bad news; the state’s top court last Friday upheld a 25 per cent increase to the rates of Cape and Islands homeowners covered under the FAIR plan — the state-backed insurer of last resort and provider for most Vineyard homeowners.

Following months of negotiations and an hour-long executive session on Tuesday night, Chilmark selectmen announced a plan to purchase a .72 acre lot off Tabor House Road. The purchase will allow the town to go forward with plans to build the Middle Line Road affordable housing project.

According to the plan, which is subject to approval from voters, the town will buy the lot from Beverly Gillis Jaksa for $275,000. The purchase will allow the town to create a new access road to the affordable housing project from Tabor House Road.

The Permanent Endowment Fund for Martha’s Vineyard announced this week that it has created a new fund and will hire its first full-time executive director, efforts designed to raise awareness of the organization and make more funds available more quickly on the Island.

Erik Blake Takes Over

As Chief of Police Chiefs

Oak Bluffs Police Chief Erik G. Blake was sworn in Wednesday, Jan. 9 as the president of the Southeastern Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association.

The organization consists of police chiefs and police excecutives from 96 cities and towns in southeastern Massachusetts.

Chief Blake previously held the position of first vice president. He has been a member of the organization since becoming chief of the Oak Bluffs Police Department.