Commentary
Peter Brannen’s article on the State of Birds in the Gazette two weeks ago was interesting and included excerpts from the information gathered over the last 40 years by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, Manomet Bird Observatory and the Massachusetts Fish and Wildlife Department. Vineyard birders can relate to these findings, but there are significant differences between conditions on the Island and even southeastern Massachusetts.
In these highly partisan times, policy debates about irrelevant questions are unhelpful in resolving real issues. This is illustrated by the recent commentary by Robert Landreth in which he takes Rep. Barney Frank to task for comments about the “solvency” of Social Security.
Nest Eggs
From Gazette editions of October, 1936:
George M. Jenks of North Tisbury, at the age of 86, took for his bride Mrs. Elizabeth Hallett Hammett, 71, at the Jenks home on Wednesday evening. Mr. Jenks has renamed his residence the Love Nest. The bride was dressed in dark plum wool crepe. Mr. Jenks, a champion jig dancer of the Vineyard, was nattily attired for the occasion. He is still active as a farmer.
Despite the gadgets and technological wizardry that define our era, human beings don’t require much to survive. Yet we’ve manipulated the natural world to the point where our basic needs are at risk. The World Health Organization says it best: “Climate change affects the fundamental requirements for health — clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food and secure shelter.”
Boy, six more days and I’m outta here . . . back to the real world! I’ve had it, ready to go . . . back to the real world . . . six days!”
“Where are you from?” (Boston? New York? Thailand?)
“Fall River . . . six more days!”
My check-out lady at the Stop and Shop is fast and cheerful, she’s the bagger as well as the checker; a lot of the young people have already left, and she can’t wait to be one of them. It’s goodbye to the Outback. “Thanks. Have a nice day!”
Autumn Days