From the Vineyard Gazette edition of January, 1970:

In the decade just past, Gay Head has become a National Landmark, Cedar Tree Neck has been preserved as a nature sanctuary, Felix Neck a guarded precinct for wildlife, Wasque Point has been saved, Dodger Hole Swamp was a gift to the Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation and the Alexander S. Reed Bird Refuge was established.

If I understand correctly, if there are no deer, there is no Lyme disease. I have the impression that there are about 5,000 deer on the Island, if the calculation is 100 square miles at 50 animals per square mile. This is probably not permitted speech in the People’s Republic of Martha’s Vineyard but, from what I know of the hunting figures here . . . that, except for the last several hundred, is really a doable number. Very feasible.

The following letter was sent to the Chilmark selectmen about the Menemsha dock rebuilding project. It has come to my attention that you are considering the option of concrete floating docks to replace the transient pier and possibly other parts of the pier. Many people had no idea there were any meetings held to discuss this. I suppose it was likely on the town’s website, but how many of us have the time to check the website daily to see if there is anything we should attend.

I’d like to express my gratitude to the airport staff, and particularly to the JetBlue counter agent on duty Wednesday afternoon. Due to a significant detour via Edgartown through parade-day traffic, my father and I arrived at the airport with just minutes to spare before the scheduled take off. The JetBlue counter was already closed. However, the staff, recognizing the reasons for my late arrival, kindly helped me make my flight. It was then that we learned of the terrible car crash and my thoughts turned to the people involved.

To the low-life miscreants with the alcohol-fueled testicular fortitude who stole the POW flag and bunting from my home on the night of the Fourth: when you land in jail, even if only for a few nights, you won’t be alone. Some of my fellow Viet Nam veterans who could not cope when they came home will be there waiting for you. Good luck.

The following comments were posted on the Gazette website responding to a story about the discussion over rebuilding the docks in Menemsha using state grant money received this spring.