As most on the Vineyard now have learned, this past Sunday we lost a prominent member of our community, Herb Putnam. I write today to share with the readers of this paper a brief note about my twenty-year friendship with Herb. I am certain that Vineyarders all over have many great stories to share about Herb and, as difficult it is to write at this time, I am truly happy to share the following. Candidly, it also is a means to express my grief for this terrible loss.

FLOURISHING LIBRARY

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

It has been reported in your paper that the Aquinnah Public Library has cut hours.

This has not happened, nor has this been planned for the future. Our library hours continue to be Tuesday and Thursday from 2 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Chilmark fifty years ago was a different place. Well, of course it was. There weren’t so many people. There weren’t so many summer people. And there weren’t so many people who lived there year-round. Islanders, we called them.

The Last Heath Hen

From the Vineyard Gazette editions of March, 1933:

Last call at The Ritz last weekend was a bittersweet harmonic of Island memories, fellowship and the final touching of a central force of Island life for four decades.

In anticipation of an expected sale later this month by Janet King to restaurateur David Ryan, the most local of Vineyard watering holes hosted a last-call weekend that drew several hundred communicants from four states to say their sayonaras.

Ms. King was overwhelmed by the swan song which, in typical Island style, began on Saturday and extended into Sunday.

Heavenly Phenomena

From the Vineyard Gazette editions of March, 1958: