Opinion
E lection Day 2008: Spring out of bed early and zap e-mails to Congressman Delahunt and Senator Kennedy, humbly requesting a ticket — maybe two? — to the inauguration of No. 44. Book affordable hotel room for the nights before and after. Hope that I won’t wind up with an invitation to a ceremony for Palin and McCain. 11pm: Oh, the audacity of hope!
11/11/08: Book flights there and back. Spring for the fully refundable airfare, in case of . . . whatever.
Major newspapers this week carried obituaries and tributes for author John Updike, who died Tuesday at the age of 76 of lung cancer. A former longtime summer visitor to Menemsha, Mr. Updike wrote the following essay about the Vineyard that was published in Peter Simon’s 1989 book, On the Vineyard II.
CONNECTING FACTS
Editors, Vineyard Gazette:
Town Coffers on Empty
For a Good Cause
The Community Preservation Act has been a fact of Island life for a relatively short period of time — it was only three years ago that all six towns had finally signed on to participate in the benefits of the state legislation, which matches a three per cent property tax surcharge with state money. This year the match has dropped below one hundred per cent, so suddenly the funds are even more precious. Community Preservation Act money may be used for open space, historic preservation and affordable housing.
On Ice