Mark Alan Lovewell
Opening day at the 2007 Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby was a smash, including the recording of a first day grand slam by Capt. Tom Langman of Menemsha, likely a first day record. Derby president Ed Jerome said of the slam: “We don’t keep records for that but I don’t ever remember it happening on the first day. Certainly we’ve had one-day grand slams before but they are rare.”
The Falmouth-based Pied Piper is the little ferry that just keeps on going. On a recent Sunday afternoon, a number of the passengers aboard were as familiar with the ritual of boarding the boat as repeat customers are familiar with a commuter bus.
Ed Berger of Wellesley and Chappaquiddick was comfortably seated, his weekend with family over. On this late-afternoon trip he was heading home to get back to work. Seated next to him was his father in law, Sam Fuller of Sherborn.
Mr. Berger identified himself as a weekend commuter.
By MARK ALAN LOVEWELL
Thirty years ago, the invention of the electronic fish finder helped fishermen out in their boats find fish. Today’s great device, the computer hooked up to the Internet, helps the rest of us find fishermen who know where to find the fish.
The culture of the Internet has helped charter fishing captains just as it has helped a lot of other businesses.
The 30th annual George Moffett Race will have more than one winner. Organizers of this year’s contest, scheduled for tomorrow, hope all the sailors who participate will walk away from the contest with smiles.
The Moffett Race is that kind of event. It has always been a contest involving a lot of sailing skill and the fellowship of a lot of champions. That’s not too bad for an event that costs only $40 to enter.
Roy Langley, weigh master for the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby, will ring a cowbell at 8 a.m. sharp Sunday morning.
Once that cowbell rings, at the entrance to the official derby headquarters at the foot of Main street in Edgartown, the Vineyard will become an entirely different place.
From that moment on, derby participants can bring in their fish to be weighed in the month-long contest that galvanizes the Island every year.
The 20th anniversary of the Martha’s Vineyard Challenge was golden. The Saturday sailing and paddling event raised $14,423 for Martha’s Vineyard Community Services. High winds and bright sunshine made the day perfect for windsurfers and a challenge for sailors and paddlers.
The 43 registered participants and their friends set a record in fundraising.