If I understand correctly, if there are no deer, there is no Lyme disease. I have the impression that there are about 5,000 deer on the Island, if the calculation is 100 square miles at 50 animals per square mile. This is probably not permitted speech in the People’s Republic of Martha’s Vineyard but, from what I know of the hunting figures here . . . that, except for the last several hundred, is really a doable number. Very feasible.

At last Thursday’s meeting of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, a majority of the commissioners present rejected a motion by commissioner Lenny Jason to rescind last fall’s controversial, unpopular and questionable approval of a roundabout at the blinker intersection. This proposal for the Vineyard has a longevity rivaling that of a vampire, and there seems to be no readily available stake to drive through its heart.

A grateful tip of the hat to Tim Boland for his excellent editorial, Tuesday, June 26, Wood Lilies Too Dear for Deer. “While we dislike suburbanization off-Island, we have our own brand of it right here.” Talk about a phrase full of meaning. In a gentle way, Mr. Boland slammed home some brutal truths. Thank you, sir, for not blaming the deer, who are only trying to survive. (Yes, I know, just like us. But we have the ability to plan ahead).

Readers of the Gazette should know that there is a clear answer to the question “Martha, But Which One?” raised in your June 19 edition. Questions about the person for whom our Island was named were raised by J. Henry Lea and Fulmer Mead in George R. Stewart’s book, Names on the Land, quoted in 1945.

While doing my daily grocery shopping at Cronig’s the other day, I ran into a customer I hadn’t seen in a while, maybe in almost four years. She said, “Lorraine, I’m so glad when I get to the Vineyard in June and drive past your store to see that you’re still here and still in business. There have been so many changes, so many stores I loved that are gone.” She then listed some that have closed. I immediately thought if I hadn’t seen her in a while, maybe those other stores hadn’t seen her either. Couple that with the economy, no wonder our Island stores are struggling or closing. So I gently touched her arm and said, “Laura, if you want to see me next year, then come in and buy something even if it’s a simple T-shirt!”

On our way to church last Sunday, our first day of vacation, my grandson’s bike chain broke. Within minutes, Scott (dad of four young boys) and Carlos (red Toyota pickup truck) stopped to help. With the tools they had in their vehicles, they were able to complete the difficult task.