Whether or not the con troversy over tearing down Henry Beetle Hough’s historic house is resolved, there is still a need for the Island to honor the memory of this conservation activist in a way commensurate with his role in preserving our lands, beaches and monuments. Adding his name to the official designation of the Edgartown Lighthouse, perhaps calling it the Henry Beetle Hough Memorial, would accomplish this. Without Henry Hough, there would be no Edgartown light, and generations would be unaware of the beauty and history we now all enjoy.

The skin drum in Tobias Vanderhoop’s hand was small, but the sound it made was huge, echoing off the venerable redbrick buildings of Harvard Yard as if calling forth the sound of other, older Native American drums that might once have filled that space.

AVIAN FACTS GARBLED

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

The Gazette called me to seek information about the effects of wind turbines on migratory bird population for an article in the Sept. 11 edition. Unfortunately there was a missing synapse along the line as a good portion of the information printed had no bearing whatsoever to what I said.

The MCAS Scoreboard

Vineyard students take statewide standardized tests in the fall and spring. This week the annual test results were published, making now a testing time for parents, educators and the community. What do we make of the good news and the bad?

Tony Meyer’s Surprise

Atomic Bottles

From Gazette editions of September, 1959:

A belief that the bottles set adrift in large numbers by the Coast and Geodetic Survey and found by many persons on Vineyard beaches are involved in the plans of the Atomic Energy Commission to arrange for dumping of atomic waste at sea, is borne out by a statement of the AEC.