Commentary
From Gazette editions of March, 1985:
The Square Rigger, a well known Edgartown landmark located at the entrance to town, will be sold at the end of the month to William Holtham of Chilmark. Mr. Holtham is the owner of the Home Port, a family-style seafood restaurant in Menemsha. Mr. Holtham said he plans to turn the Square Rigger back into a full restaurant; the establishment was formerly a restaurant but has become better known as a tavern in recent years.
Tom Osmers was a fisherman and a passionate advocate for small-scale fishing. He urged the adoption of “intentional inefficiencies” in fishing technology, recognizing that truly sustainable fishing requires us to look at not only how many fish are caught, but also how and where they are caught. He railed against the injustice of rewarding fishermen with allocation based on fish caught while their fishing gear remained at sea even after the fishermen returned to port.
Tom
They broke the mold
When he came out
One look was all
You need
A singular
Relentless soul
In every word
And deed
He fished by trade
But gifts he brought
Whenever he’s ashore
Pianos tickled
With his ways
Oysters for evermore
Bless the soul of
Tommy O
Bless his heart indeed
He rambled
And he lusted
Yo
In today’s newspaper is an overview of the Island Plan, the product of four years of study and discussion by our community. The plan describes some of the key challenges the Island is facing and outlines the community’s vision for a better future.
Shine a Light
It was Sunshine Week across the nation. The idea behind this initiative is to showcase the importance of open government and freedom of information. Spearheaded by newspaper editors, many media and civic groups now use the week to target action that enlightens and empowers people to uncover information that can make their lives better and communities stronger.
March Days
An old French proverb has it that only fools go barefoot in March. There have been days, this March, when temperatures have risen to the 60s, and it has been tempting to shed footwear for a long beach stroll. But last weekend, ferocious winds on Saturday night and early Sunday canceled ferries and downed trees and power lines. Then rain plummeted down, pouring through downspouts, forming great lakes on paved roads and mud patches on dirt roads. There was nothing inviting about walking — barefoot or not — in those rains.