<p>Three Saturdays ago, I stopped by the dumptique. I brought my large canvas bag full of donations, as I usually do. My goods passed inspection, were taken, and my bag given back. I went through the racks and found great clothes for my family.</p> <p>As I went toward the kitchen area, I put my light blue, with green trim, classic oversized tote bag down on the floor, out of the way.</p>
Editors, Vineyard Gazette:
Three Saturdays ago, I stopped by the dumptique. I brought my large canvas bag full of donations, as I usually do. My goods passed inspection, were taken, and my bag given back. I went through the racks and found great clothes for my family.
As I went toward the kitchen area, I put my light blue, with green trim, classic oversized tote bag down on the floor, out of the way.
Getting ready to leave, I looked around for my bag, a present from my sister last Christmas.
Gone.
Gone? It was taken? At the dumptique? That friendly place of meeting and sharing?
Yes. One lady had seen another lady take it. She meekly refused to identify her. But she told me the thief had just left, after asking, “Does anyone here own this bag?”
I thought it strange that no one was interested in the theft. Rather, they were distinctly not interested.
I don’t like changes. Besides the warm sea and abundant jellyfish, the daily auto accidents, the light house falling, and crazier-than-ever drivers, this seemed like another crack in the Island’s safety and beauty. A sign, a symbol. Theft in the summer, and at a simply pleasant place to be on a Saturday morning. The thief can return my bag the same way she took it. Just sneak it back to the dumptique.
Genevieve H. Abbot, Oak Bluffs
Comments
I brought this damned bag
Jess EdgartownI brought this damned bag home from the free shed where the bag was left unattended along with boxes and bags of other items left off specifically for the purpose of being brought home by others. These items were not anywhere near the sorting area, where one might reasonably assume a bag was intended for transport of items rather than donation. After asking if the bag belonged to anyone-thinking perhaps the browsing ladies nearby had already claimed it but set it down as they perused the books and clothing. I removed the yarn from the bag and placed it on the rack that held sewing stuff. All while holding the bag- hardly sneaking. Any reasonable person would think the yarn was also there to find a new home. Again, this was after asking if the bag belonged to anyone. I brought the bag home and cleaned it. I then saw Ms. Abbot's letter in the other paper. I looked up her address in the town records and returned her bag to her address. For obvious reasons I did not knock on the door and subject myself to her hateful aspersions. The bag was returned last week. After being so publicly accusatory, I wonder why she did not send out an update to the media? Perhaps Ms. Abbot will "steal" a dictionary from the Dumptique and look up the meanings of thief and sneak. Then maybe if she stupidly abandons her property at the Dumptique again she will place an ad in the lost and found section of the paper rather than write an idiotic letter to the editor. I would have returned it sooner and in person had she done that. After her rant and accusations I didn't see any rush to return it to her and she left no phone number or email with her letter so I couldn't contact her to arrange a quick hand off.
I hope she feels better now and I hope she finds an island that is more suitable to her.
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