Commentary
Slow Vineyard
Helping Those Who Help
For a sense of what the Vineyard Nursing Association means to many Islanders, read the final lines of obituaries published in the Gazette. More than a few of them ask that, in lieu of flowers, people remember the deceased by donating to the association, which provides home nursing care.
People wonder why teenagers don’t get more involved in community service, but they don’t know our struggle. Nowadays, teenagers have school, sports, clubs, Minnesingers and work. Some teenagers do not have the time for community service. But there are many opportunities for teenagers. Teenagers just need to look a little more carefully in the community for the right place for them.
Today there are many negative stereotypes of teenagers about how we are so lazy, we don’t think of anyone but ourselves, and we are so self-centered. I believe that this is completely false, and in fact the complete opposite is true. Teenagers do more community service than any other age group. Almost all of my friends do some type of community service. There are many opportunities for us to give back to the community with programs such as the boys and girls club, youth coaching, charities, fund-raisers and walks.
Savor the moment, she said; it was her favorite phrase. Della Brown Hardman, the distinguished artist, educator and volunteer died in December of 2005. And now each year the last Saturday in July is set aside in the town of Oak Bluffs as a day to remember her. The fourth annual Della Hardman Day is tomorrow and a series of events are planned to celebrate the arts, as Della did so beautifully in her own life.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Editors, Vineyard Gazette:
At last the garage monstrosity will come down, but what will rise in its place? My off-Island neighborhood has been plagued with gigantic homes that are built right up to the property lines, crowding the smaller original houses.
Over the last five years, Mr. Moujabber has been granted the opportunity to wring out every last ounce of his rights — I hope the next round of deliberations will focus more on the rights of his neighbors.
Chip Coblyn