Upon returning to our home on Aero avenue this past Tuesday, I was startled to see that a small, single-engine plane had crashed on our front lawn. It was white with a five-foot wing span and no military or commercial markings. We have no idea where it came from.

As co-chairmen of the Red Stocking Fund of Martha’s Vineyard, we are distressed to learn of the recent sale of WMVY. Greg Orcutt and the entire staff at WMVY have been stalwart supporters of Red Stocking’s efforts to provide food and clothing to Vineyard children and their families. For over a decade, the radio station has been a willing and able sponsor of both the annual chowder contest and of the chili fest. These are two of our three major fundraisers each year and account for almost half of our over $75,000 budget. WMVY has assured us that this year’s fundraisers will happen as planned. However, there is no guarantee beyond this year. This fact will present Red Stocking with a real challenge in the future to continue providing the level of service that our children need. This is one example of WMVY’s being truly an integral part of Island life. Unfortunately, a hole has now been torn in the fabric of the Vineyard community.

Norman Reed (letter, Vineyard Gazette Nov. 23) rues the loss of a hat in an election bet on Mitt Romney. He also fears a far greater loss, the form of government designed by Ben Franklin and his fellow delegates in their secret meetings in Independence Hall.

After reading the recent report of a dog shooting in West Tisbury I am troubled by our state law that allows the owner of a chicken the legal right to kill another individuals family pet for killing, or even worse, for “worrying” a chicken.

I have lived on the Vineyard for 28 years and have read numerous stories over the years regarding dogs killing chickens. If my memory serves me correctly, it was usually the same dog repeating the offense and an irresponsible dog owner allowing this to happen over and over.

Last Friday we had the annual Family to Family Thanksgiving meal distribution at the First Baptist Church in Vineyard Haven.

My name is Grace Burton-Sundman. I have spent most of my life on Martha’s Vineyard. I attended the Tisbury School beginning in first grade and am a 2006 graduate of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. I also hold a bachelor of arts degree from St. Lawrence University.