FROM MENEMSHA

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Thank you to everyone who helped put out the boathouse fire on July 12. Without this all-island effort, so much more would have been lost. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.

Barbara and John Armstrong

Menemsha

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SAIL MV CORRECTION

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

JOB WELL DONE

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Please Don’t Pick the Lilies

Wood lilies are blooming in profusion this year on the Island, in at least one up-Island meadow owned by the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank and along grassy pathways to the sea on the north shore. Ordinarily considered rare on the Vineyard, the showy, sturdy red-orange lilies have no doubt been encouraged by the hot, dry weather conditions that they so love. The flame-colored blossoms are a lovely summer surprise, winking out of the tall, pale green meadow grass on walks and blueberry-picking expeditions.

Menemsha Boathouse Fire, July 12, 2010

Nobody died.

Some history, in the form of a beautiful old building with a signature red roof and a wharf, was destroyed and some boats and a truck burned, but most importantly nobody died, or was even badly hurt. Monday’s Menemsha fire was a big material loss but thankfully not a human tragedy.

Quite the reverse, in fact. It was a demonstration of individual bravery and collective response which deserves to be celebrated.