HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992 Vol 6 No 1 February
FISHERS
ISLAND
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Vol. 6, No.1
A Fishers Island Civic Association Publication
February, 1992
Scott Harris Flip Flops
on Fishers Island
By Dan Gordon
Southold Town Supervisor Scott
Harris has changed his tune, In a recent
interview with the Gazette, Mr, Harris
sounded very different on a number of
topics than in previous interviews and
meetings with Islanders, None of these
changes bodes well for the relationship
between the Island and Southold town,
A little more than a year ago, Mr,
Harris told the Gazette in an interview he
felt that Southold had an obligation to help
pay for the Fishers Island garbage transfer
station, The only caveat he made at that
time was that the transfer station should be
constructed simply and cost effectively,
The garbage commissioners pro-
ceeded to scrap earlier plans for a transfer
station building and instead constructed a
simple concrete slab where dumpsters are
located, The projected cost for the station
was cut significantly to $200,000, The
transfer station followcd Scott Harris' rec-
ommendation,
The only problem is that Scott Harris
now says that Southold will not provide
any funding for the transfer station,
That is not alL
In the sarnc interview with the Ga-
zette in the fall of 1990, Mr. Harris said the
Town of Southold would be prepared to
return to Fishers Island some of its tax
money which is used for the operation of
the Southold landfill in Cutchogue,
A year later, Mr. Harris' position has
changed, Now, he says that the Island will
See llarris 011 Page 10
Oi.
J~
Dick. Grebe, righI, celebrates wilhJoey Doucelle at the American Legion/lall 01'1 November 15. Ihe MY he
claimed his lottery prize. (Photo credit: Ann Mudge)
By Mary Roberts
Grebe Hits $10.7 Million Lotto Jackpot
Dick Grebe likes playing the 10Ltery
and Lwice a week for the last two years he
regularly bought tickets for the Connecti-
cut Lotto,
First he gave money to someone
traveling to the mainland to purchase the
tickets, Then he made sure the form was
returned to him, ,He usually watched the
drawings on TV, and he consistently used
the sarne numbers, On Friday, May 17, he
hit it big winningajackpotof$IO,683,752,
With no other winner to split the pot with,
he became the largest single winner in the
records of the Connecticutlottcry,
"Using the same numbers is Lhe way
to get the best odds," said Mr, Grebe with
a smilc, "The winning numbers - 6, 9,11,
13, 39, 40 - carne from a birthday, lucky
numbers, ages and a number I once won
with,"
"I watched the TV that evening to see
the drawings, The first two numbers were
mine," he said, ''Then lightning carne and
my TV blanked out. I had to call thc Lotto
number the next morning to learn I had
won."
"At first you dun't believe it." hc
added, "You think, what am I going to
do?" Hc Lold his family, a fcw friends, his
lawyer, and George Griffiths, who had
bought him the ticket. He then made one
decision - to delay identifying himsclF.
"He called me the night of May 18 and told
me he won," said his lawyer, Robcn An-
toine, who is liccnsed to pmctice law in
See Lottery on Page 8
2 Fishers Island Gazelle
- Letters to the Editor -
Dear Sir:
Now that the garbage problem has
been dealt with, I would like to express my
concern about the consequences of the very
limited schedule during which the new fa-
cility is open. Having been there last Sun-
day, I do not understand why it has to be
manned, but I assume that there arc good
and sufficient rea'ons. I am afraid though
that the very limited period during which
access is now scheduled to be available will
lead to garbage and recyclable being left all
over the Island. Those of us who are fairly
regular visitors over weekends were depos-
iting our reeyclables in the appropriate bins
at the dock prior to k'tking the Sunday night
ferry back. What are we to do with these
things now? Why do the bins have to be
under lock and key? I am asking the Gar-
bage District Commissioners to recon-
sider.
Sincerely,
Maarten Van Hengel
The Fishers Island Gazette is a not-
for-profit publication sponsored by the
Fishers Island Civic Association.
The Gazelle is published four times
a year in February, May, August, and No-
vember.
Editors: Dan and Sally Gordon.
Associate Editors: Rick Moody and
Rob White
Reporters: Mary Roberts, Ann An-
thony and Annie Burnham
Sports Editor: John Peishoff
Photographers: Dick Edwards, Al
Gordon, Ann Hanes, Ann Mudge, and Bill
Furse
Controller and Circulation: Bob An-
thony
Advertising Director: Sarah Rose
The Fishers Island Gazette: Box
573, Fishers Island, N. Y. 06390.
Subscriptions are $12 a year. Please
mail your order with a check made out to
the Fishers Island Gazelte.
Also contact the Gazetle for advertis-
ing rates.
To the Editor:
I read the "Environmentally Speak-
ing" and "Fishing" columns in the past few
issues of the Gazette, and my many friends
and family members asked me to utter a
squawk. Just who docs this Thatcher and
his fishing friends like McCall and the
Doyen brothers think they are? Thatcher
even called me and my family pests when
he should be tending to his environmental
knilting elsewhere -the Idea!
But I know what's wrong with all
these slow-swimming and heavy-fOOled
creatures! I see them out there casting
from the shore line all the time - bul they
can't catch as many fish as we can! My
family and I may look ugly and scmwny,
and have screechy mucous voices - but
boy, can we fish! Thatcher and his fishing
friends are jealous- thaI'S all. My family
and I can catch twice as many fish in half
the time.
And so whatifwe go to the bathroom
a lot- you would too, if you ate whole fish
gulped down the way we do it. We even
like it raw. And a, for the nostril-wrench-
ing smells in our rockeries - they're noth-
ing. We gel used to them in no time. Why
can't you?
Just remember, when you're ap-
proaching a cormorant rockery for the first
time, put a clothes pin on your nose and
stay up-wind, boy! Slay up-wind!
Sincerely,
Charles W. Cormorant III
"White Caps" Sold
The "White Caps" property at the
East End of Fishers Island was sold in
September to Islander William Hanley, Jr.
The property which is dramatically situ-
ated on the eastern point of the Island had
been put up for sale by Jonathon Barres in
the summer of 1989. Mr. Hanley did not
disclose the purchase price.
Mr. Hanley, who has been a resident
of Fishers Island for many years, said he
will restore the original informal atmos-
phere of a French country house.
"White Caps" was built in the 1930's
by the Simmons family and has been an
Island landmark.
Letter Part of National
Scam
The Fishers Island Gazelle published
a leller in the fall issue from a man who
identified himself as Lee Richards, an in-
mate at a Georgia Correctional Facility.
Georgia prison authorities have since an-
nounced that the leller was part of a nation
wide scam in which two inmates tried to
con money from sympathetic readers.
Georgia prison officials, according
to a Connecticut newspaper, wrote be-
tween 45 and 50 lellers to small town news-
papers across the country.
In the leller to the Gazelle, the inmate
who identified himself as Lee Richards,
said he was born on Fishers Island, but was
shortly afterwards removed by Family
Children Services. In the leller, he asked if
anyone might have known his parents. He
finished the letter by writing, "If there is
anyone on Fishers Island who knows my
mom or dad, or just somcone who wishes
to write as a friend and share a smile from
time to time, please write."
For their literary efforts, inmates
Terry Carnes and Ira Lee Richards, Jr., will
receive an additional 180 days in prison,
according to Georgia prison authorities.
Lt. Richard Wood of the Cobb
County Corectional Institution in Marietla,
GA., told the Lakeville, CT., Journal that
the two inmates wrote to small newspapers
on the premise that "the smaller the paper,
the more the concern." Letters were pub-
lished in papers in Texas, Idaho, Washing-
ton, Wyoming, Kentucky, Connecticut,
Pennsylvania as well as New York.
Lt. Wood told the Lakeville Journal
that the two inmates were "subtle and
prelly intelligent in their approach. If they
received a response, they would write back
saying they were only allowed to receive
money orders or stamps."
The Fishers Island Gazette apolo-
gizes for being unwillingly involved in the
scam.
Erratum
The Fishers Island Gazelle in its fall
issue incorrectly identified Charlie Arnold
in a photo caption as being the arranger for
songs performed in a concert last summer
at the Fishers Island Club. Stowe Phelps
was actually the arranger for most of the
material.
Garbage Commission-
ers Now Face Second
Hurdle
The Fishers Island garbage commis-
sioncrs having just cleared their first hurdle
with the construction of the new transfer
station now face a second imposing obsta-
cle, capping the Island landfill.
Garbage commission chairman Jim
Hancock said soil tests would commence
on the closed landfill this winter and would
take about nine months to complete. The
tcsts arc being performed by the engineer-
ing firm of A. R. Lombardi Associates, Inc.
The results of the soil tests will be
submitted to the New York Department of
Environmental Conservation.
"After we pass the information to the
DEC, they will come back and tell us the
method of capping that they want," said
Mr. Hancock.
The thoroughness of the capping re-
quirements will be will depend on the de-
gree of contamination demonstrated in the
soil tests, said Mr. Hancock.
The most common method of cap-
ping would call for soil to be deposited over
the landfill then covered by a plastic liner
and then more soil and top soil. In "a worst
case scenario," the DEC could order that
the landfill be mined and removed, the
garbage commissioner said.
However, Mr. Hancock said he did
not expect any significant problems to be
uncovered since there is no manufacturing
on the Island, which is usually the reason
for serious contamination.
Mr. Hancock said it would be prema-
ture to estimate how much the capping
procedures could cost. However, if the
DEC orders extensive capping procedures,
the cost could easily be more than $1 mil-
lion, said Mr. Hancock.
The Island landfill was closed Janu-
ary I as the Island's new transfer sllition
commenced opemtion. Garbage is now
being consolidated at the transfer sllition
and is being shippcd La a garbage-to-power
generation plant in Preston, Connecticut.
The Island landfill, which is located
near the gate to the East End of the Island,
has been used as a burial siLe for the Is-
land's garbage since the 1950's, according
La Mr. Hancock.
Fishers Island Gazette 3
A truck pulls up to deposit garbage at the new reey/ing center which opened in early January. (Photo: Dick
Edwards)
Private Garbage Pickup Commences
On January I, Fishers Island entered
a brave new world of garbage disposal. On
that date, the Fishers Island Garbage Dis-
trict terminated its residential pickup of
garbage.
Homeowners now either have to
drop off garbage and recyclables to the
transfer sllition located behind the movie
theater or pay a private hauler to collect the
garbage.
Z&S Contraeting went into the gar-
bage business immediately in early Janu-
ary. z&S is offering pickup for year round
residents at a rate of $300 a year, and
pickup for seasonal residents at $350 a
year. The year round service includes onc
pickup per week for nine months and two
pickups per week during June, July and
August.
The seasonal service calls for one
pickup per week in April, May, October
and November, and two pickups per week
during June, July, August and September.
Gada Contracting had been pl,mning
to provide garbage pickup, but then
dropped out. Conversely, Dick Grebe,
who had been the garbage contractor when
the service was supplied by the garbage
district, has decided to resume garbage
pickup for homeowners. He had earlier
planned to terminate his garbage service
,md turn it over to Gada Contracting.
Mr. Grebe could not be reached for
comment. However, he mailed the Gazette
his service proposal which almost dupli-
cates Gada's earlier plan. Mr. Grebe's pro-
posal calls for twice a week pickup of
garbage as well as recyclable materials
from April I until October 15 for a LOUt!
charge of $645.
Tom Shillo, ownerofZ&S Contract-
ing, said about 75 homeowners have
signed up for the garbage pickup, and he is
hoping to reach at least 100 customers.
Z&S has ordered a new recycling truck
which is expected to be delivered later this
winter. With this truck, Z&S will be pick-
ing up recyclables as well as garbage.
For those homeowners who wish to
deposit their own garbage, the transfer sta-
tion is open three days a week from J,muary
until May 15. The tmnsfer station is open
on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:30
am until 4 pm, and on Saturdays from 8 am
until 12 noon.
Garbage Commissioner Chairman
Jim Hancock said the opemting hours of
the tmnsfer station will be expanded during
the summer months to seven days a week,
but the schedule has not been established
yet.
The recycling bins which had been
located at the ferry docks have been moved
to the transfer station.
4 Fishers Island Gazette
Dick Grebe demolished the "Ileartbreak" in January with his own backhoe.
The Harbor and "Heartbreak"
Bought by Dick Grebe
The Harbor, the once and future social hangout, is about to
reopen. Dick Grebe has purchased the Harbor and the neighboring
hotel from Annette Walsh for an undisclosed sum. Mr. Grebe
intends to maintain the name The Harbor for the restaurant and bar.
The hotcl which had been an apartment building for many
years was r.aed by Mr. Grebe in January to create parking for the
Harbor. In recent years, the building had been empty after it had
been condemned. It was dubbed the "Hcanbreak HoteL"
Mr. Grebe has begun renovations on the Harbor in the hope
of opening for the summer of ]992 season. By partitioning off part
of the area, he hopes to remain open year round. During the ]940's,
UlC Harbor was used as a stable for work horses owned by Henry
Walsh, the late husband of Annette. Since the ]950's, the Harbor
has been operated at various times as a restaurant and bar until it
was closed in the early 80's.
Mr. Grebe told the Gazette he plans to offer a limited
menu."Nothing fancy. Hamburgers, fries and things like that,"
he said.
The Ilarbor building beJore renovation. (PhOlO: AM Mudge)
Bank Moves in on Pequot
By Ann Anthony
The Pequot Inn has been closed and a bank auction on the
property is scheduled for March 13.
At the scheduled sale, the Union Trust Company ofConnecti-
cut will auction its fIrst mortgage on the property. The bank holds
a mortgage of about $400,000, and began foreclosure proceedings
in August due to non-payment by Fishers Pequot Associates, the
parUlership which owns the inn, according to bank lawyer Tom
Plastaras.
With back interest and penalties, Union Trust Company is
owed in excess of $500,000, but is prepared to accept a deep
discount on the mortgage just to terminate its involvement in the
building, Mr. Plastaras said. The bank will accept a minimum bid
of $250,000, he added.
The bank decided simply to put the mortgage up for auction
rather than complete foreclosure proceedings and sell the property
itself because this process is much quicker, said Mr. Plasteras.
"If we moved aggressively, it would still take a year to
foreclose," said Mr. Plasteras. "The bank wants to reduce its non
performing loans and wanted to move more quickly."
The purchaser of the mortgage at the auction has the right to
complete the foreclosure or can renegotiate a new agreement with
Fishers Pequot Associates, which is composed of a number of
off-island business peop]e who bought the Pequot in the early 80's.
The Pequot has been a favorite night spot on the Island for
many years. When or even whether it will open again remains
uncertain due to the bank auction.
Steve and Anne Morell, former properiators of the Pequot,
hold the second mortgage on the property, a position which could
be jeopardized by the mortgage auction. Mrs. Morell said she and
her husband arc saddened by the Pequot's present status.
"We have put 25 years in to the Pequot," Mrs. Morell said.
"Even if it does not turn out well for us financially, we hope
something good happens so the the Pequot can still operate."
Bank lawyer Mr. Plasteras said a number of persons both on
and off the Island have contacted the bank about purchasing the
mortgage. The auction of the mortgage is scheduled for I pm on
March 13 at the Pequot Inn.
The inn was put up for a public auction in November of 1986,
and at that time there were no bidders.
Republicans Sweep Town Election
Republicans captured total control of the Southold Town
Board in the November election. Republican council candidates
Alice Hussie and Joe Lizewski toppled Democratic incumbents
Ruth Oliva and Ellen Latson to make the six-member council all
Republican. Dr. Lizewski polled 4,]89 votes, followed by Mrs.
Hussie with 3,854, Mrs. Oliva with 3,762 and Mrs. Latson with
3,381. Fishers Island Councilman Ray Edwards was not up for
election this year.
Incumbent Supervisor Scott Harris defeated Frank Kujawski
by a vote of 4,582 to 3,363 to return to office for another two year
term.
Mildred Dixon Elected to
Garbage Commission
Mildred Dixon won a seat on the
three-member Island Garbage and Refuse
Commission when she defeated Art Walsh
in a fall election. The vote was 46 to 24 in
favor of Mrs. Dixon. The election was one
of the few contested mces ever held for the
garbage commission.
"I think it helps to have a woman on
the committee," said Mrs. Dixon, who is a
bookkeeper with Gada Contracting.
Mrs. Dixon said being on the gar-
bage commission will be a new experience.
"I am looking forward to being on
the board," she said. "It will be a learning
experience."
Gada Contracting won the contract
to manage the new Island transfer station.
Mrs. Dixon said she believed she could be
impartial on votes concerning Gada Con-
tracting and would abstain on especially
sensitive votes.
In addition to having worked for
Gada Contracting for 25 years, Mrs. Dixon
is a elerk of the Union Chapel and is a
former member of the Fishers Island Board
of Education. She has been a resident of
the Island for more than 50 years having
moved here as a youngster.
Mrs. Dixon is lilling the seat vacated
by AI Dawson who stepped down from the
garbage and refuse commission after many
Wall Back as Fire Chief
Former chief Bob Wall was elected
Fishers Island Fire Chief in an unopposed
election in December after current chief
Tom Doherty withdrew his name from
nomination. S
Mr. Doherty, who is president of the
Fishers Island Utility Company said he
stepped aside because of time commit-
ments to his job.
"There are a lot of things going on
with the phone company, and that was the
reason,"saidMr. Doherty. "Weare chang-
ing over our telephone switching system,
and that is im portant."
Mr. Doherty had served as lire chief
for four year after succeeding Mr. Wall in
1987. However, Mr. Wall had come out of
retirement to challenge Mr. Doheny last
year and had lost in a very narrow election.
Mildred Dixon
years. Mrs. Dixon's term, which began in
January, is for three years and pays $70 a
month and $70 a meeting. The other com-
mission members arc Carey Mallhiessen
and Jim Hancock.
The garbage commission has just
completed construction of a transfer station
and now faces the task of elosing the Island
landfill. In addition, the garbage commis-
sioners arc facing increased pressure from
Island contractors to provide facilities for
building debris
...
~
Bob Wall
The election which took place at the
lire house on December 10 is for a one year
term beginning in Janaury. Mr. Wall said
he decided to run for lire chief because he
wanted to improve training of liremen.
Fishers Island Gazetl*! 5
Ferry District Orders New
Engine
The Fishers Island Ferry Commis-
sioners spent $40,500 this wintcr to pay for
a new engine for the Racc Point. The de-
cision was made after an. engine broke
down this fall putting the Race Point out of
service [or almosLlwo months, said district
managcr Phil Knauff.
The new engine was purchased from
the H.O. Penn Machinery Company of Ar-
monk, N.Y.,and iscxpectcd to be delivered
in early March.
The cngine that broke down in dIe
fall was repaired and is now in operation
on the Race Point.
"But then we decided it would be
safer to have a spare engine, like we do with
the Munnatawket," said Mr. Knauff. "So
then we can rebuild when necessary with
no more than a day to a day and a half of
loss in service."
When lhc new engine arrives, it will
be installed, and the existing engine will be
removed ,md rebuilt, said Mr. Knauff. The
removal and installation job should put the
Race Point out of service for two to three
days, he added.
The purchase of the new engine will
not affect the ferry dis,rict budget, Me.
Knauff said.
"We have money in reserve for con-
tingencies like dlis," he said.
"I want to bring up the standards in
training and effectiveness," said Chief
Wall.
Mr. Wall had served as lire chief for
14 years before he stepped down in 1987.
"Hopefully, one of the lower chiefs
will come up and I can step aside," said
Chief Wall. "It might take a number of
years,"
In other lire district elections, Wayne
Doucelle was elected lirst assistant chief;
Dave Denison was elected second assistant
chief; John Doueelle was elected captain.
Russell Heath and Allan Thibodeau were
elected lieutenants.
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year's subscription.
6 Fishers Island Gaz.ette
An Islander's Log
By Rick Moody
We used to
take pictures of the
wild turkeys when I
was a kid on the is- ,
land. This was in
the sevenues. Not
far from where we
live now - up by
Isabella Beach.
Back then we Ii ved
on the property affectionately dubbed Fog
Hill for its prevailing weather. But we
would hcad out to the East End of the island
looking for those wild turkeys, which were
so wild they often hovered within spilling
distance of the main road. They were enor-
mous ,mimals, even by the standards of
kids like us, kids used to honking at dmt
one bunch of ospreys ,md watching them
lazily stretch their awesome wings. The
mastery of large birds is a lucky thing to be
jaded about.
It was the sort of trip you made a
couple of times a week - to check up on
dIe turkeys. My brother would come back
from somemoming activity at the Big Club
- Hey, we saw the turkeys again - ,md I
would nesde with that left-out feeling until
I got a chance to look, too. I can remember
them dotting the woods by where Bagley
Reid lives now, or further up by the driving
mnge. Mostly though they were splayed
across the yard of the house now called
"Roadview." It was as if the turkeys were
the domesticated pets on that property. It
wasn't hard to lind them. We just drove
by.
In one photo (I'm recreating these
from memory now), my brother was sitting
on the hood of our yellow Volkswagen
Thing, holding aloft a Gm of Coca Cola,
while in the distance a number of turkeys
lounged, some fanning out their impressive
tails. (In some ways they weren't that far
from the Thanksgiving cartoons we associ-
ated with them.) Then there were a couple
of closer shots of dIe turkeys walking po-
litely, but firmly, away, the way you might
take leave of an airport religious zealot.
And then suddenly they just weren't
dlere anymore. I didn't count them, nor do
I know of any official census of the turkeys,
so I don't know if they sim pi y dwindled, or
if their passing were due to some bacterial
scourge or hunting accident. (Note to local
hunters: if you have to shoot at the birds
on the L.F. Doyle Nature Preserve, why not
take your empty shells with you?) But one
year they no longer turned up in their usual
locations. More likely. since I was a teen-
ager then, I didn't notice for a few months,
since the turkeys were a secondary part of
any journey - something you did on the
way to Chocamount- while their passing
became permanent. We didn't know that
the pictures were for posterity. We didn't
know they might have been part of a his-
torical record. They were just snapshots.
Now, the ospreys are indigenous in
awesome numbers, thanks in part to an
aggressive program to create nesting plat-
forms for them. Each summer, it seems,
there are new nests - by the driving mnge,
on dIe undeveloped land near Walsh Park.
The ospreys are as natural a part of Fishers
Island now as ferry lines and video rentals.
This is the kind of local and relatively
inexpensive conservation for which every-
one can be grateful.
At the same time, we are suffering
with an evergreen blight, one that seems to
be moving east through the navy installa-
tion these days. Drive along the road and
look at those pines and the swath of exfo-
liation is unavoidable. But perhaps this
isn't such a dmstic process, in the scheme
of local history. Maybe the island will be
returned to its pristine, treeless condition,
the way it looks in the photographs before
the hurricane of '38, after which, [ have
been told, trees began to nourish here.
And, then on the other hand, we have
the resurgence of the cormomnt. Drying
their wings like aquatic vampire bats, I
have watched them on the rocks in West
Harbor or in dleir element: submerging
themselves for minutes ata time on another
fishing expedition. They are the coastal
equivalent of the coyote or urban pigeon-
a resourceful and adaptive animal that is
also unpleas,mt to look at. With the cormo-
mnt comes the question my father has been
asking lately: what has become of the
bluelish? While it's certainly true that the
Moodys have always been unsuccessful
fishermen and fisherwomen, this summer
proved even less promising than usual.
Can we fairly attribute this absence to the
cormorant'!
The island's natural hierarchies ebb
and now as in any other locale, and this fall
has been a good example of this activity.
Marked by hurricanes and tropical storms,
1991 was an autumo in which all local
planning, all control of nature, proved
small and provisional when contrasted
with the awesome manipulations of wind
and tide. And yet Fishers Island seems to
gather together both a Yankee individual-
ism and a community pride one could hope
for in the face of calamity. It wasn't long
after the Hurricane Bob's winds began to
subside that people appeared along dIe is-
land roads and harbors not only to survive
the damage but to reverse it. I have been
told that the utilities were even turned off
ahead of time to prevent trouble with live
wires. And the Ferry District called reser-
vation-holders on the morning of the slorm
to advise them to take an earlier boat out if
they wanted to make it off the island before
the storm.
So what about the local strain of
Homo Sapiens Sapiens? The turkey of
Fishers Island disappears and the osprey
takes its place. The connorant challenges
the seal gull. But dIe resident of Fishers
Island proves there is more here nourishing
than vanishing - there is a rcallocal dig-
nity, whatever the season. I have spent
more time on Fishers Island in the fallaI'
1991 than at any time in my life, through
the obliteration of beaches and the compe-
tition of species. But I also went to get
advice from friends at the school one after-
noon when I got locked out of the house. I
was greeted like a long lost relative. I
visited the Ferguson Museum and got a
personal tour just for being the lirst party
there. My father and I went to the library
and spent a good forty-live minutes, giving
Ann the librarian our opinions on a wide
variety of subjects. And this is just a cur-
sory sampling of the glorious human mo-
ments of fall 1991.
The heavens open and neighborli-
ness prevails. Some days we forget. But
in general our record is just line. The sm,dl
town pace of Fishers Island persists. TIlis
is a delicate place - our hands are out-
stretched.
Editor's Note: This is the inroduc-
lion of An Islander's Log, which will be a
regular Gazette column on everyday life
on Fishers Island. Rick Moody will be a
principal contributor to this column.
Fishers Island (;aUtle 7
Hay Harbor Dredging Project Appears Headed For Approval
By D-an Gordon
The Hay Harbor Club is expected to
receive approvals from two regulatory
bodies this winter which will allow the club
to commence dredging the channel into
Hay Harbor. The dredging project is de-
signed to increase water circulation into the
harbor and reduce pollution which has
reached signific,mt levels in recent years.
Hay Harbor applied this fall to the
state Deparunent of Environmental Con-
servation and the U.S. Army Corps of En-
gineers for approval to proceed with the
project. Officials from both agencies said
as of late January no objections had been
received concerning the application.
"I don't see any problems," said
James Haggerty, chief of the Eastern per-
mit section of the Corps of Engineers. "If
the DEC comes through, this project could
be done in the spring."
David Patterson, who ch,tired an en-
vironmental subcommittee of the Hay Har-
bor Club, said he is pushing to have the
dredging work completed before this sum-
mer season. The pollution problem in Hay
Harbor has been troubling to club officials
because of the large sailing program con-
ducted there and because of its proximity
to the salt water swimming pool just out-
side Ole harbor.
The Fishers Island Conservancy first
uncovered the pollution problem in Hay
Harbor several years ago when it con-
ducted water quality tcsL~ there. The pol-
lution problem was confirmed by the
sanitary engineering firm of A.R. Lom-
bardi and Associates which was hired by
the Hay Harbor Club and which began
running tests late in 1990, according to Mr.
Patterson.
"We have a problem in the sailing
dock area," said Mr. Patterson. The pollu-
tion comes from three main sources, hu-
man and animal fecal matter and oil
resulting from surface water runoff from
surrounding roads, he added.
Engineers believe that the pollution
has been compounded by the fact that the
channel into Hay Harbor has been sub-
jected to significant silting. The water
depth at the two ends of the channel has
been reduced to two feet at low tide. Engi-
neers believe that this has diminished the
water now in and out of the harbor and
.
FISHERS ISLAND
REAL ESTATE AGENCY
FISHERS ISLAND, NEW YORK 06390
(516) 788-7007
made the water more stagnant, Mr. Patter-
son said.
"We have to do everything we cml on
the pollution front," said Mr. Patterson.
"The attitude is that this (the dredging)
might help and it can't hurt."
The drcdging will be performed by
Docko Construction of Connecticut at an
approximate cost of $25,000, Mr. PaLtcr-
son said. Sand dredged up from the chan-
nel will be deposited on nearby Stony
Beach.
The engineering tests over Lhe past
year have indicated that contributing to the
pollution in Hay Harbor have been three
leaking sepLie fields on neighboring private
properties. These property owners arc cur-
rently replacing their septic systems which
should help alleviate the problem, Mr. i"at-
lCrson said.
Water quality tests will be performed
this summerto determine whether the steps
taken by Hay Harbor and neighboring
property owners have been successful.
Get Involved!
Join the F.I. Civic Assoc.!
Charters
to the hub or
the country club
WIllJAM R. HAASE
ucensed N.Y.S. Real Estate Broker
MARY AUCE HAASE
ucensed N.Y.S Real Estate Salesperson
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Lottery
Continuedfrolll Page I
New York and Connecticut, but lives in
New Orleans, La. "I have often bought
Lalla tickets for him, sort of like picking
up a pack of cigarettes so it wasn't a tolal
surprise."
''The next day I contacted lottery of-
ficials in New Orleans," he continued. "I
told them to communicate that there was
only one winner for the Connecticut Lotto,
but that the winner would not be coming
forward," said Mr. Antoine. "People can
weleh on bills, make lawsuits, and create
all sorts of problems. He wanted to wait
for the summer season to be over."
"I'm involved in seveml dilferent
business negotiations," Mr. Grebe "tid. "If
I had cI,timed the ticket (in May), it would
not have becn to my advantage to do so."
Mr. Grebe during the summer
months didn't give the slightest hint that he
was a new multimillionaire and managed
to keep the matter a total sccret from the
public until he carne forward to claim the
prize in November.
In Connecticut, the Lalla board
knew that they had a winner. "Because of
a code, we knew the winning ticket was
purchased in Montville, but that was all,"
said Cindy Chalfant, LOllery Public Rela-
tions. "The winner has one year to claim
dIe money. Before this, I believe that two
or three months is the longest time before
someone claimed the prize."
Dick Grebe shows nothing up his sleeve. (Photo:
Dick Edwards)
"His attorney called a few times to
stay in touch," said Ms. Chalfant. "Finally,
on Thursday, November 14, he called to
say he would be coming in dw following
day with the winner,"
The appearance of Mr. Grebe ended
months of rumors in Connecticut about the
identity of the winner. Rumors had circu-
lated that a prison inmate and then a police
chief had won the 10llery.
When Mr. Grebe arrived at Lalla
headquarters in Newington on November
IS, he was greeted by TV camems as well
as screaming office girls disappointed that
Mr. Grebe was married. "You really aren't
sure the whole thing will work out," said
Mr. Antoine, "until you get the first check
and shake hands with the President of the
Bank," The first check was for $429,497
with 19 similar annual payments to follow.
Asked where he kept the ticket all those
months, Mr. Grebe explained, "I kept the
ticket in my back pocket. I had signed it,
so no one could claim it. It was perfecdy
safe!"
Mr. Grebe does not expect the
money will change him "As for the fu-
ture," Mr. Grebe explained. "I will con-
tinue with my auto repair business at the
airport, and my excavation work,"
"I hope to bring the Harbor Restau-
mnt back to its original condition," he said.
His first big purchasc was a Caterpiller
excavator, which he has already used to
pull down the adjacent aparunent building.
One islander noted that the whole island
became a winner when Mr. Grebe pulled
the winning lollery ticket. "Dick Grebe is
one person who spends all his money on
the Island," the islander said. "He doesn't
even go off the Island to have lunch,"
Old Seastretcher Sold
The old Seastretcher ambulance boat
has been sold to a Aorida man for $24,000,
according to F.1. Fire Chief Bob Wall. The
money will be put into dIe current Seas-
tretcher fund, he said.
The 36-foot Hattems boat had been
put up for sale this fall for $37 ,500.''I'm not
entirely pleased with the selling price, but
it was a tough market out there," said Chief
Wall.
The former Seastretcher, which had
been in scrvice for Fishers Island for 15
years, was replaced by a new $285,000
Seastretcher this fall.
State to F.I. School: Review
Must Wait
The state Education Department has
decided against perfonning an reviewal'
the Fishers Island School system until at
least next fall when a new type of evalu-
ation program is expected to be estab-
lished.
State officials said the only review
program now provided by the Education
Deparunent would be inappropriate for
Fishers Island because it only evaluates
school systems that arc performing at un-
acceptably low levels.
The new evaluation system to be pro-
vided under the state education depart-
ment's "New Compact for Lcarning"will
be aimed at helping satisfactory school
districts perform beller.
The Fishers Island School District
has been discussing for almost a year
whether to perform a study to determine
how effective the high school education
program is and whether there arc beller
alternative forms of education. The dis-
cussion has produced strong emotions
among many Island residents, both in favor
of and opposed to such a study.
A number of parents arc concerned
that the high school cannot provide an ade-
quate education currently because of its
small enrollment, while other active school
district members believe the education is
satisfactory.
At first, the school board planned to
commission a study to explore a wide
range of options from transporting Island
secondary students to school on the main-
land to creating a private school on the
Island.
However, the board became dead-
locked on the matter this fall and instead
voted to have the state education depart-
ment only review the existing program at
the Island school. However, dIe state's
only evaluation program was for school
districts needing remedial work because of
poor peformance.
The state education department this
fall told the Fishers Island School that it
would not perform the study here because
it was not appropriate. But state officials
said the study might be performed when
the guidelines for the New Compact For
Learning are finalized which is expected
later this year
Islander Writes of His War
Experiences
By Bernie Walsh
"
Chatting with Gerry Carroll, you im-
mediately get the feeling he just loves this
latest challenge and is having a lot of fun
with it.
Lieutenant Commander Gerald
Joseph Carroll, USN Retired, had an out-
standing career as a Navy pilot who saw
action in Vietnam, Lebanon, and Grenada,
and was awarded many decorations, in-
cluding the Distinguished Flying Cross.
He has now written a successful book
about his experiences in Vietnam titled
"North S.A.R."
The novel has an impressive forward
by his friend of many years, Ton Clancy,
author of such best sellers as "Hunt for Red
October," and "Red Storm Rising." The
helicopter pilot in the latter novel is based
on Tom's old friend Gerry. Mr. Carroll has
also received a substantial advance from
his publisher Pocket Bnok for his second
book, which he reports is almost finished.
As you listen to Mr. Carroll ruminate
about the years he spent in Vietnam, you
know that these times arc never far from his
mind or from his heart. In 1972, when it
was obvious the United States would lose
the war, Gerry thought he might some day
write about this experience and the lives of
the Navy aviators who had to do a job and
somehow believe in it, even when few oth-
ers did. Lt. Commander Carroll knew then
what kind of book he would llill write: "I
was tired of everybody apologizing for be-
ing in the military. The war was lost politi-
cally, not militarily," continues Mr.
Carroll. "The press did not tell the true
story to the American people. I did not see
any atrocities, nor did I know anyone who
did."
Gerry flew 450 rescue missions in
Vietnam, 400 of which were civilian re-
lated. "No other mission had quite the
satisfaction as flying rescue," said Mr. Car-
roll. "It meant so much to know that when
you picked up a guy that he was going to
be able to go back home to his wife and
kids, and you weren't going to have to put
on a blue mincoat and listen to another
Eternal Father funeral service."
Lt. Commander Carroll was shot
down three times, "but all I got were a
I
-
Gerry Carroll at advanced helicopler training
sclwo/ in Florida in 1971.
couple of bruises," he said. "None of the
medals I got was for offensive action, they
were forrescue. I am proud as hell of that."
After graduating from Boston Col-
lege in 1969, Gerry surprised and dis-
tressed his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Gerald J.
Carroll, by signing up for a career in the
navy. "He had wanted to fly from age 8,"
says his mother.
In 1985, his friend Tom Clancy
urged Gerry to write about his experiences.
Over the years, Gerry had put some
thoughts, events and places down on paper,
but then set them aside. He was finishing
his naval career as an assistant air opera-
tions officer at the Patuxent River Naval
Air Station, and was considering job offers
from several military contractors.
At Mr. Clancy's urging, Gerry wrote
three chapters, and gave them to Mr.
Clancy. The publisher's reaction was posi-
tive. "This man is a writer, now we have
to convince him to write a book," he told
Mr. Clancy.
Gerry Carroll had a wealth of mate-
rial for a book. He had learned to fly 37
different types of aircraft, was qualified in
tanks, and had engaged in 200 or so combat
missions.
Like most writers, Gerry had reser-
vations about whether he could write well
enough to amuse and interest tile general
public. There were also family considera-
Fishers Island Gazette 9
tions. His wife Debbie, who had been so
supportive all through his military years,
was now planning, as was Gerry, to spend
as much time as possible with their three
children Sean, age 16, Kevin, age 13, and
Brian, age 6. "I missed enough of tllCir
growing-up years," said Gerry, "and now
is their lime."
After many family discussions, tile
decision was made to go for it. "Debbie is
a very good sounding board, she has a very
good ear, and is objective," said Gerry.
The consensus was that it was better to try
now than maybe in tcn years regret not
having done it.
When asked if he had come away
from all of these experiences with a strong
life philosophy, he said, "Absolutely! The
New York Times, the Washington Post, the
big movers and shakers, is not all tI,at
America is about. It is the home coming
queen in my home town, the Founh of July
parade on Fishers Island, which I had the
honor of leading three years ago. I had my
parade, I walked with my children past the
house I had lived in for so many summers
with my mother and father, 1 saw the famil-
iar faces of friends. This, too, is what
America is all about."
At last sighting, "Nonh S.A.R." was
number 17 on the Walden Books 'Uld B.
Dalton Books sales for all hard covers.
Carroll in 1985 after receiving Distinguished Fly-
ing Cross for service in Granada.
10 Fishers Island (;azeUe
Harris
Continued from Page I
receive no reimbursement for its tax mo-
nies which are directed to the Southold
landfill.
The landfill costs about $600,000 in
tax money annually to operate, but Fishers
Island gets no use out of it. Instead the
Fishers Islanders have until this year used
the Island landfill which Islanders alone
pay for. Councilman Ray Edwards has
complained about this situation for years,
calling it a form of double taxation.
What is the reason behind these
changes in Mr. Harris' position on issues
affecting Fishers Island?
Mr. Harris provided the following
explanations: coneerning the transfer sta-
tion, he said that town funds could not be
used for this construction project because
dIe Fishers Island Garbage District was
remaining intact instead of being dissolved
as had been earlier contemplated.
However, when Mr. Harris' commit-
ment was made a year ago, the garbage
commissioners had already told Mr. Harris
and town officials they would not dissolve
the district because they had received opin-
ions from the town legal staff that this
would not jeopardize town funding.
Concerning reimbursement of tax
monies spent on the Cutchogue landfill,
Mr. Harris said no money is due Fishers
Island because the town operates the metal
dump on the Island and therefore Fishers
receives a benefit from Southold garbage
operations.
The metal dump is open three days
a week for an hour and a half each day.
There is more.
Fishers Islanders have often ques-
tioned whether they have received services
commensurate with the town tax monies
they have supplied to Southold. The ques-
tion came up again at the "Town Fathers"
meeting in early August when the town
board holds a regular session on Fishers
Island.
At that time, Islander Bill Ridgway
said he understood that Fishers Island pays
in more than $300,000 in taxes than it
receives in serviees, and asked if he could
get a cost breakdown of services provided
by Southold to the Island.
"I can work on that with my account-
ant John Cushman," Mr. Harris replied.
"Sure. Absolutely."
Scoullarris
In the interview with the Gazette,
that attitude had changed. The town sim-
ply does not provide cost breakdowns like
that, said Mr. Harris.
Fishers Islanders have used the fig-
ure of eight percent to describe the percent-
age of town taxes supplied by the Island.
When this figure was mentioned in the
Gazctte interview this fall, Mr. Harris' only
response was, "I don't know where people
are getting this figure from."
An inspection of the minutes from
the Town Fathers meeting in August 6
demonstrates that the figure has come from
Scott Harris himself.
During the meeting, Southold Coun-
cilman Tom Wickham in answering a
question from an Islander said "As I under-
stand it, what Fishers Island contributes,
something on the order of 8 percent, is it?"
"Eight and a quaner," Mr. Harris
replied.
Mr. Wickham went on to say, "The
people of Fishers Island are indeed contrib-
uting some eight percent of d,at $600,000,
or so, towards that (the operation of the
landfill). There is relatively litde coming
back 10 Fishers island in terms of direct
benefits in handling garbage. There are
things that could be done in the future and
we look forward 10 sitting down with peo-
ple here, and working out some reasonable
solution. ..
At the town father's meeting, Coun-
cilman Wickham said Fishers Island docs
not get sufficient attention from Southold.
"Let'S face it, we all go back to our
jobs and Long Island, and Fishers Island
does not ligure high on our priorities for
another eleven months, until we have this
opportunity (town fathers meeting) again."
Mr. Harris interjected quickly,
''That's not true. That's your opinion,
Tom, not ours."
This solicitude for Fishers Island
was certainly hard to lind when the Gazctte
tried to set up its interview with Mr. Harris
during the fall.
First, two phone calls to arrange a
face-to-face meeting were not answered.
A third phone call still produced no Scott
Harris, but a helpful secretary arranged the
meeting with Mr. Harris for the day after
Thanksgiving, at his office in Southold.
Three hours before the meeting, the
seeretary called this reporter at his Phila-
delphia office to cancel the meeting. One
small factor was overlooked. It takes four
hours to travel from Philadelphia to
Southold, and by then I had already left to
make the appointment on time.
I arrived at Southold Town Hall to
lind that Scott Harris had no delinite plans
10 come to his office that day. After one
more unreturned phone call to his home, I
finally got through to Mr. Harris, only to
lind out that he was about to leave for a
dinner party. It was agreed that a phone
interview would be conducted in the next
few weeks.
Back in Philadelphia, one more
phone message went unreturned before the
seeretary set an appointment for a phone
interview later in the week.
When the call was made at the ar-
ranged time, no Scott Harris. He was at a
funeral, and had made no effon to inform
me of the change.
Later in the morning, I called again
and with peevishness rising in my voice, I
was finally connected through to Scott
Harris for the interview.
The interview was to be conducted
and then published in a question and an-
swer format. The question and answer for-
mat had been used in the fall issue of the
Gazette when Hay Harbor president Hiram
Moody had been interviewed. Mr.
Moody's responses were direct and infor-
mative, and the interview was such a
See Harris on Page 11
Fishers Island Gazelle J J
Harris
Continued from Page 10
succcess that the Gazette decided to pub-
lish this type of story on a regular basis.
The interview with Scott Harris,
once it was finally sUlrted, proceeded with
one problem. I had pulled the jack con-
necting the telephone taping device out of
the tape recorder. The interview was then
conducted for the next 45 minutes with the
tape busily running...but without one
sound being recorded until the last five
minutes when I noticed the loose connec-
tion and corrected it. This technical glitch
prevented publication of the interview ver-
batim. But because Mr. Harris' responses
were long and rambling and designed to
obscure information, the orignal question-
and answer format would have becn a
waste of space. Sometimes questions had
to be asked twice 10 get anything approach-
ing a direct answer.
For instance, the question of whether
Southold would help pay for the Island
lIansfer station produced a response from
Mr. Harris that Southold had tried to make
Fishers Island exempt from the landfill clo-
sure order by thc state DeparlInent of En-
vrionmental Conservation so that the
Island landfill could stay open.
Mr. Harris then commended the Is-
land for now taking care of its own garbage
without having to ship it off Island. Mr.
Harris was reminded that the lIansfer sta-
tion was built to do exactly that, to consoli-
date garbage so it could be shipped off
island. It was obvious Mr. Harris had con-
fused the lIansfer station with an incinera-
tor which had been planned earlier but
rcjected. Only after the question of
whether Southold would help pay for the
lIansfer station was askcd again did the
answer finally cmnc out, no.
As town supervisor, Mr. Harris is the
top elected official in Southold, roughly
equivalent to a city mayor. As supervisor,
Mr. Harris is paid $54,700 a year.
In a January interview with the Suf-
folk Times, Mr. Harris said many town
employees receive significantly less in
public service than in the private sector.
Speaking of himself, he asked "How many
people responsible for $14 million budgets
earn $54,000?" Apparently, Mr. Harris
thinks the town, and Fishers Island, is get-
ting a bargain.
Dr. Ralph /loch celebrated his 90th birthday on November 19 Members of his family joined him on Fishers
lslandfor the celebration (photo above). 'fhe American Legion. Post honored Dr. Hoeh. Post Commander
Ed Scroxlon presented him with a gift. (Photos: Dick Edwards)
Robert
&
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12 Fishers Island Gazelle
Cross Country Team
Finishes Strong
The Fishers Island cross country
team linished the 199 I season with a solid
6-2 record and some impressive individual
perfonnances in two championship meets.
After compiling a 4- I record in the
lirst half of the season, Fishers Island de-
feated SI. Dunston's 19-43 with Shawn
Malone capturing tirst place. After losing
to SI. Andrew's School, Fishers Island
defeated SI. Thomas More at home with the
Vikings sweeping the top three positions.
Shawn Malone linished lirst and was fol-
lowed by Brian Caruso in second and Mike
Wall in third.
Providing depth on the learn were
Lisa Faulkner, Adam Heath, Sarah Vin-
cent, Mike Doucette and Kevin Caldwell.
Newcomers Jackie Leroy, Lesely Craw-
ford, Shannon Thibodeau and Kelly Do-
heny rounded out the team.
At the Providence Country Day
School Chowder run, which is an invitation
mect for several private schools in late
October, Lisa Faulkner finished fust in the
girl's division. Shawn Malone and Brian
Caruso finished 12th and 13th respectively
in the boy's division.
Cross COWllry runners pose for team photo on the day of the Providence Chowder run.
At UTe Southeastern New England
Independent Schools Athletic Association
meet held at the Porn fret School on No-
vember 6, the Fishers Island boy's learn
linished ninth out of II schools. The girl's
team linished fifth out of live teams. Lisa
Faulkner led the girls with a 10th place
finish in 21:40 followed by Sarah Vincent
in 14th with a time of 22:58. Shawn
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linish with a time of 17:47 overthe3.1 mile
course. Brian Caruso linished 29th with a
time of 18:09.
With all the runners returning, Coach
Dan Gillan said he is expecting an even
beller record next season.
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Fishers Island Gazette J 3
Malone Takes on the
Big Guys
By Annie Burnham
On the cross country course, Shawn
Malone of Fishers Island has become a
giant slayer.
At five-foot, four-inches, and weigh-
ing 115 pounds, Shawn was usually the
smallest runner toeing the starting line at
each meet during the fall cross country
season. The eighth !,'rader was also one of
the youngest. Most of his competitors
were either high school sophomores, jun-
iors or seniors.
However, by the finish line, the 13-
year-old Malone was usually at the front or
near the front of the pack, and he led the
Vikings to a successful 6-2 record. Shawn
finished first in Fisher's Island's home
opening meet against Bacon Academy and
he later placed first in a meet against St.
Thomas Moore. Shawn ran second in two
tri-meets with the Williams School and St.
Dunston's.
One of Shawn's more impressive
performances was at the season finale, the
Southeastern New England Independent
Schools Athletic Association meet in Pom-
fret, Connecticut. Competing against 114
runners from 12 private schools in South-
eastern Connecticut and Rhode Island,
Shawn finished 20th in an excellent time of
17:47 over the 3.1 mile course.
"Shawn's performance this year
hasn't surprised me," said cross country
coach Dan Gillan. "He's very talented.
He's also got the build of a runner, long
legs and strong muscles."
Shawn doesn't get fazed by the size
and age of his competitors.
"In the rlIst couple of races, it's a
little intimidating because you think that if
they arc older, they arc probably beller,"
said Shawn. "But after a while, you no
longer get intimidated."
Shawn first started running two
years ago.
"I had never run before coming to
Fishers Island," Shawn said. "There were
no sports al my previous school (in Nor-
wich) besides gym. I run because I enjoy it
and it is something to do."
Coach Gillan thinks there is a bright
future ahead in cross country for Shawn.
Shawn Malone leads a trio of runners over hurdle during the Providence COUnlry Day Chowder run in mid
October.
"Could Shawn go on and run in col-
lege? Definitely," said Mr. Gillan. "I see
with continued effort, the sky is the limit."
Mr. Gillan said he is taking great care
not to exert too much pressure on Shawn at
an early age. He doesn't want Shawn to
become stale from overworking.
"I want to see Shawn keep active in
a few sports, instead of just concentrating
on running," Mr. Gillan said.
Shawn said that during the cross
country season, his weekday workouts
consisted of two-and-a-half mile runs. He
is taking the winter off to play basketball,
but plans to resume running in the summer.
Right now, Shawn, who is the son of
Pam and Sparky Malone, is the most likely
candidate for the most valuable runner
award given at the Alumni basketball game
in lhe spring. His aspirations for next year?
"I hope to do beller next year,"
Shawn said. "I'd like to beat myoid mee
times and finish higher."
Keep the Pace!
Subscribe to the Fishers IsI,md Ga-
zelle. Mail your address ,rod $12 to the
Fishers Island Gazelle, Box 573, Fishers
Island, N.Y. 06390
Shawn Malone stretching before a workoul on Fishers Island.
14 Fishers Island Gazelle
Boys Basketball Struggles
Early
The Fishers Island boys basketball
team struggled to a 1-2 record in the early
stretch of the basketball season. The team
is rebuilding with only two players return-
ing from last year's 16-4 tearn. The team
has been led by senior captain Jay Cushing
and sophomore guard Mike Wall.
Other starters arc juniors Fred Whit-
lock, Brian Caruso and 8th-grader Shawn
Malone with bench support being provided
by Eric White, Adam Heath, and Don
Gray.
After opening the season with an im-
pressive win against Windham Tech 50-
38, the Vikings lost close contests to Sl.
Andrew's 37-32 and Sl. Thomas More 50-
45.
This year, the post scason tourna-
ment will be held at the Fishers Island
School on Saturday, February 29. The lirst
round games arc scheduled to be played at
12:30 and 2:30.
The consolation game is scheduled
for 5 pm to be followed by the champion-
ship game. All arc encouraged to come
support the home town Vikings.
Girls Basketball Showing
Promise
The Fishers Island Lady Vikings
opened the 1991-92 basketball season with
a 2-2 record. The Vikings defeated Wind-
ham Tech 24-14 in the sca,on opener, but
were then upended by Salem 38-21.
Co-captain Lisa Faulkner led the Vi-
kings to a 44-31 victory over Sl. Andrew's
by scoring 26 points and pulling down six
rebounds. She also contributed six assists
and five steals.
Jessica Worst carne off the bench to
grab five rebounds in a 27-24 loss to the
Salem School on January 10.
Other standouts on the team have
been co-captain Sandi Doherty and Shan-
non Thibodeau ,md Kelly Doherty. Fast
improving Sarah Vincent rounds out the
starting lineup.
Second year players Eva Papatha-
nagiou and Jessica Worst have provided
bench support while first year players Jes-
sica Scroxton, Sue Stoehr and Tara Cook
have given added depth to the team.
Coach Dan Gillan said he has been
pleased with the effort displayed by the
players and is confident dmt more wins will
come in the remainder of the scason.
St. Luke's-Roosevelt
is building a
stronger hospital
for a healthier
New York.
-
. )/'
51. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center
Is pleased to provide a physician
year-round on Fishers Island.
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Panther Cats Build To The
Future
The Fishers Island Panther Cats
compiled an early 1-1 record in the 1992
season defeating Fields Memorial School
but then losing at home to the Salem
School. The Panthercats arc made up of
younger students at the school.
The Panther Cats arc sporting new
uniforms which were donated by Dick
Grebe.
The Panther Cats arc made up of dle
following players: Marissa Lanier, Nicho-
las Malinowski, Kathleen Doherty, Kath-
erine Malinowski, Justin Thibodeau, Sarah
Thomas, Jessica Vincent, Jessie Vowles,
Wesley Walters, Nicholas Worst, Kevin
Caldwell, Lesley Crawford, Michael
Doucette, Eric Grebe, and Jadyn Leroy.
"These players just keep improving
at every practice," said coach Carol Giles.
"Another good thing about our tearn this
year is that all our players have the ability
La score which opens our offense up tre-
mendously."
The Panther Cats have four more
games remaining on their schedule includ-
ing home games against Fields Memorial
and Westbrook.
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Fisllers lsla,U/ (;azelte J 5
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I
WATERFRONT BUILDING LOT
2.95 Acres of prime, waterfront property. Approximately 300 feet of frontage on the Fisners Island Suund. Approved house site overlooking
private pond with northerly vie\vs of the Connecticut coastline. One of the only remaining vvaterfront lots on the Eastern end of the
island. Listed at S545,lXlO
I
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SPECTACULAR EVENING SUNSETS
Nearly four Jcres with frontage on the Fishers Island Sound. North HilI area. 1111' house could be sited to take advantage of the
southern exposure, Wl'stl'r1y views of the race, and the Sound. DEC and Health Department approvals. $385,0(X1
....
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PERFECT FOR THE GOLFING ENTHUSIAST
Three private lots located near the center of the Fishers Island Club Golf courSt:'. Convenient to East End beaches. Idt'al1.43 acre parcel
5150,000. Adjacl'nt to the sixth hole, 1.85 .Kre parcel $230,lXX) With private pond, 2.9 acres $270,000.
-:;JL_
,
i
Ginnel Real Estate
493 Bedford Center Rd. Bedford Hills, New York 10507 (914) 234-9234
-,...-
I
I
I
16 Fishers Island Gazette
by Rob White
Islanders Practice Fine Art of Golf Ball Retrieval
He stalks by night, padding softly in
starless, early-morning hours through the
wilds of the East End. The beam of his
flashlight sweeps before him like the ray of
a lighthouse - and freezes on a small
white orb, gleaming in the darkness. A
mint-condition Wilson Staff TC2! Lewis
Lamb has bagged another big one.
Chasing lost golf balls is the closest
thing to Fishers Island's national sport.
The courses are tough, the brand-names are
the best, and it's open season all year
round. Schoolboys and senior citizens,
lobstermen and chief executive officers-
all tramp the links in search of abandoned
Top Flites, Maxl1is and TitleislS.
While thrift may not be the first word
about Fishers that comes immediately to
mind, as far as golf balls are concerned,
nearly everybody's a piker. And with the
price of a new sleeve of three balls hover-
ing around eight bucks, it's not surprising
tlmt the market for used balls continues to
grow. The traditional first stop in the "pre-
owned" ball market is a Big Club ground-
skeeper, who will sell you a ball off the
back of his mower for 50 cenlS. (The price
is always the same, regardless of the ball's
condition, so shopping this way is a eatch-
as-catch-can proposition.) Nowadays,
everybody has gotten into the act. In a
rough estimate based on the claims of well-
known Island ball shaggers, thousands
upon thousands of nearly-new to almost-
kept specimens trade hands each year.
Like surf-casters, ball seroungers are
a reclusive, secretive, and suspicious lot,
loath to reveal their methods and particu-
larly adverse to revealing their prime
stomping grounds. In one telephone inter-
view, a well-known ball tracker insisted
he'd given up the sport years ago. An
unnamed source in the foom with him at
the time asked whether he had given away
any trdde sccrelS. "No way," he replied. "I
buffaloed 'em!"
Other shaggers are more forthcom-
ing, with methods if not locals. Lewis
Lamb was happy to give away his noctur-
nal strategy; he knows he'll never run into
heavy competition at midnight. Art Walsh
argues for November reconnaissance, after
the bushes beside the fairway have lost
their leaves. Sometime shagger Bob Par-
sons advocates overcast days, when white
balls glow in the gloom. Bobby and his
family make one or two Big Club pilgrim-
ages every fall. In his shed is a milk crate
filled with some 400 to 500 good ones.
Then there arc the real fanatics who
hunt where no one else dares to go. I recall
an early September day some twenty years
ago serving as bag boy for my teenage pal,
Jay McAllister. I watched as Jay marched
in his cutoffs to the shore of the eighth
fairway pond, donned a mask and snorkel,
waded to the center of the brown pool, and
submerged. The snorkel began to move
slowly outward in concentric circles.
About once every 30 seconds, he would
surface and toss me a ball, which I dutifully
placed in an L.L. Bean beach bag purloined
from Jay's parents. Pond-trolling is now
big business. The balls Tom O'Brien sells
at the Big Club (eight dollars for five) come
from retrievers who collect some 10,000 a
day in Florida golf course ponds.
While there are many legitimate can-
didates for the title, a straw poll of Fishers
Island golf ball scavengers named Joe Ro-
gan "shagger extraordinaire." Rogan be-
gan working at the Hay Harbor golf course
when he was 14 years old. By his 18th
birthday, he was single-handedly trimming
all the Big Club greens ("by hand!" he's
quick to note). While he worked, he
watched golfers closely. And he learned.
When he later took up shagging in carnest
- primarily as a form of exercise - he
was well ahead of the game.
Rogan's methodology is eooly sci-
entific. He claims to have analYl.cd the
average drive distance from each green,
and hunlS for balls in a shotgun pattern
along those latitudes. "There arc generally
more slices than hooks," he says, "so I
spend more time to the right of the fair-
way." As any frustrated golfer will attest,
balls-in-the-rough tend to disappear when
you're looking strdight at them. To get
around this problem, Rogan employs his
keen peripheral vision, eatehing balls out
of the comer of his eye. His preferred
hunting season is springtime, and he favors
the Big Club's first nine. (The back nine
arc more open, making it easier for golfers
to find their own bum sholS.)
The Rogan approach clearly pays
off. The day I called him, he had picked
off 175 balls. (It has been a particularly
good day; his normal take is more like 50
or 60.) In an average year, he finds some
2,000 balls and estimates that 40 percent
are "real gold," while the rest arc "pretty
banged up." Like a master l1y fisherman,
See Golf BaU on Page 17
Joe Rogan shows a/fanoiher trophy at the flay {farhar course. (Pholo credit: Dick Edwards)
Golf Balls
1
Continued from previous page
Rogan is in the sport for love, not money.
The balls he doesn't "toss back" to Hay
Harbor pro Dan Colvin he ships to various
golfers in his family. For Albert Gordon's
90th birthday last swnmer, Joe had the
perfect present, a bucket containing 90 golf
balls.
Most Island golf ball scavengers
work hard for their keep, but at least one
has let an act of God do his work for him.
The owner of a house on the Connecticut
side of the Big Club course is said to have
strolled down to his beach the day after
Hurricane Bob - to lind a dozen balls
corralled in a tidal pool.
Easter Egg Hunt Scheduled
The Island People's Project will
sponsor its annual Easter Egg Hunt on Sat-
urday, April 18, at noon. The rain date
will be noon on Easter Sunday, April 19.
Children ages 0-12 are welcome. Prizes
will be awarded for the winners. There will
be five separate age-coordinated hunts.
The oldest group (9-12) will be a more
challenging competitive hunt with a prize
of $20 gift certificate to Crystal Mall.
_J c(/OJl
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-
"The 011 Time Airlille"
An Island Fish Story
By Speedy Mettler
I spend my fall weekends trying to
catch and tag striped bass in ille waters
surrounding Fishers Island. Must days I
lish eight hours or more per day, I use only
barbless hooks (in order not to harm the
fish), and I rclease every fish I catch. [
rarely go out in a boat, but prefer the chal-
lenge of lishing off the rocks or from the
beaches. I use anything from surf rods to
light spinning rods (4 pound test) to lly
rods, depending on the weather, the wind
and where I am fishing. Sometimes the
lish are caught within three feet of where [
am standing in the water!
Last weekend I decided to lish in the
middle of the day to take advantage of an
hour or so before I had to catch the ferry.
As luck would have it I caught two small
bluefish on my lirst two casts (which [
released). Then about liftcen minutes later
I hooked a small "school" striped bass,
weighing about live pounds. Since the
water was very clear, [ could see it per-
fecily.
Just as it was about live feet from the
shore, there was a huge boil in the water
and I had a glimpse of another lish. [
Scheduled and Charter Flights
Passenger Terminal
Tel. (203) 448-1646
Toll Free: 800-243-8623
Fishers Island Gazelle 17
assumed it was just another small striper
swimming with my hooked fish, as some-
times occurs. Before I knew what hap-
pened I saw a small stripper swim away.
But wait, I still had a fish on my line! I
played the fish in and brought it ashore. It
was a striped bass that measured 37 inches
and weighed 20 pounds! (I carry both a
tape and a scale in my pocket at all times).
I tagged it rclea,cd and then sent the post-
card with the tag numbcr, the date and the
length of the fish to the American Littoral
Society in Sandy Hook, New Jersey. Now
that's a fish story (and it's true)!
Adults to Perform Play
The Fishers Island School adult edu-
cation program will put on the play Arse-
nic and Old Lace this winter. The
performance dates have not been set yet.
Don Janse, drama director for the
school, said as of late January that there
were still openings in the cast. In addition,
he said help is needed in lighting, set con-
struction, costuming and make up.
Arsenic and Old Lace, which was
written by Joseph Kesserling, first ap-
peared in New York in 1941.
A.
JOHN
GADA
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/8 Pishers Iswnd Gazelle
Flanagan Jumps From Fishers Island
to the Big Time
By Dan Gordon
Fishers Island has produced some good tennis players, but
none who have played beyond the club level. That is until Michael
Flanagan arrived on the scene.
Michael demonstrated his promise early. At age eleven, he
won the 12 and under, 14 and under, and 16 and under ladders at
Hay Harbor Club. After a seven year absence from Fishers Island,
he returned this summer to simply vaporize the field at the Fishers
Island Club tournament in August. He lost just one game in
capturing the men's single title.
However, Michael is not just excelling at the local level, he
is winning recognition at the national level. This fall, the 19-year-
old was ranked number 12 in tennis in the National Collegiate
Athletic Association. Just a sophomore he played number two at
tennis powerhouse Stanford University, which was the third mnked
team in the country behind USC and UCLA.
'Things have been going great," Michael Flanagan said of
his performance this fall. The high point was when Michael
reached the semi-finals of the Volvo All American tournament in
which he competed against the top 32 collegiate players in the
country.
Michael came up to Fishers Island for many summers during
the 70's and early 80's. "I remember the group lessons<md playing
on the ladders." Michael established some impressive credentials
while attending St. Marks School in his hometown of Dallas. He
See Flallagan on Page 19
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Flanagan
Continued from previous page
reached his highest mnking atl8 when he was number one in Texas
and number six in the nation in the 18 and under division.
However, when he entered Stanford, just making the tennis
team was an imposing challenge. Stanford was the defending
national champion with four All-American tennis players return-
ing. In addition, there were five nationally r,,"ked freshmen in-
cluding the top and fourth mnkcd players 18 and under.
Michael Hanagan rose to the challenge bypassing the higher
mnked freshman to play alternatively fourth, fifth and sixth on the
team. Stanford finished third in the country with a 15-5 record, and
Michacl Hanagan's personal record was 17-5.
The training was intense."We practiced three hours a day,"
he said from his Dallas home over Christmas vacation. "Then there
is weight training and conditioning."
The hard work, Michael credits, with improving his games
significantly this past year. Michael said his strength in his return
of serve and ground strokes.
The tennis season is a long one. There is a fall schedule, and
then the regular season runs from January through late May. The
schedule includes cross country travel for dual meets and tourna-
ments in the Southeast. "It's tough studying," said the history
major. "You bring books with you, but it is difficult. The teachers
don't know who the athletes are."
Before coming up to Fishers Island last August, Michael
played the U.S. Tennis Association satellite circuit."it was fun and
a good experience,but it was really grueling," Michael said. "But
it gave me a concentrated dose of what life on the tour would be
like. it helps to see if that's what you want to do,"
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Fishers Island (;azelle 19
Michael Flanagan receiving trophy from Maarlen van Hengel after defeating
Scott KeLner for the Fishers Island Club championship in August.
As far as Michael's future plans he would like to turn pro
after college. "Right now, I'm ahead of schedule," said Michael.
"I didn't think I'd be where I am as a sophomore. I'll probably
gmduate. That will give me two more years to get my grune ready
for the pro tour. If I do well in college, maybe I'll get help from
the U.S. Tennis Association to play bigger Gmnd Prix evcnts,"
Sandwiched between the Grand Prix tennis tournrunems this
summer he plans to return to Fishers Island in August where his
parents rent a house.
"There are great facilities on Fishers Island." he said. "There
is good competition, and I very much enjoy playing there,"
STUFFY HEAD COLD?
SINUS?
HAYFEVER?
DIAPER RASH?
CHAPPED HANDS?
or LIPS?
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as close as your medicine cabinet with...
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FISHERS ISLAND, NEW YORK 063g0
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20 Fishers Island Gazette
Nautical Notes
with Peter Rugg
The effects of
Hurricane Bob re-
main visible on
Fishers Island with
a number of locust
tree stands still
leaning at precari-
ous angles and new
sawdust and logs in
abundance. This
autumn maple trees which had suffered
defoliation from Bob on one side sprouted
new green leaves to replace those lost while
the other side of the smne tree turned red
with the season. It is too bad that we could
not keep some of the red and green delights
into the Holiday season. The effect on the
boating Ileet is also evident. The Pimtes
Cove stomge bam and yard across from the
American Legion seem less full this year
rellecting the boats lost as well as those
sent off island for repair. These include
many powerboats, about five International
One-Designs ,md several Bullseyes Per-
haps this is the yearfor the Harbor Advi-
sory Committee to complete the planned
new West Hmbormooring grid as the num.
ber of moorings needing to be moved will
be at a minimum.
Hay Harbor suffered devastation of
the swimming dock in the hurricane. This
coslly facility was only five years old ad it
was last replaced after Hurricane Gloria.
Clearly, it is too coslly to maintain a swim.
ming program which must replace docks so
often. In addition, as some people worry
about the water quality, plans are under
consideration for a swimming pool. The
junior sailing program uses the same water
in Hay Harbor, and fortunately one nor-
",;. "" J.
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.
This rowboat was definitely not pUlling ouJ to sea after a January snowstorm. (Photo credit: Dick Edwards)
mally sails in a boat, not in the water. expanded in search of additional competi.
However, as Hay Harbor continues to be- tion, and a malCh may be set against the
come more shallow due to natural silting, New York Yacht Club. In addition, Whit-
some of the water front activities may be field Morris, President of Offshore Glass
moved to West Harbor. Company which has recently been selected
It has been announced that Mike as the builder of new fiberglass Interna.
Breault will be the Sailing Master and Head tional One-Designs was there. Morris is
Instructor for the Fishers Island Yacht ready to take orders and can deliver com-
Club/Hay Harbor Club Junior Sailing Pro- petitively priced new boats in time for the
gram this summer. Mike grew up in Nian. 1992 sailing season. John Brim, whose
tie and is a senior at Yale University where Elidcr was badly damaged in Hurricane
he is captain of the sailing Team. Breault Bob is evaluating alternatives which may
has extensive experience in the Eastern include selling Elidcr and either obtaining
Connectieut Junior Yacht Racing Associa. a new boat or joining up with partners in
tion and has won many championships in one of the other boats.
the 420 class. When asked why he wanted Swnmer plans also involve the pos-
to come to Fishers Island, Breault said, "I sibility of having the Sailing World speed
grew up sailing at Fishers and against peo. circle at Fishers Island. This is a 100 metre
pie from Fishers. The Island has had a rigid cirele whieh is anchored in the water.
great sailing program for many years, and Sailors test themselves sailing around the
I wanted a chance to be part of it." eircle. This new form of activity was re-
Plans for next summer were recenlly cenlly tested in Newport and received a
discussed at the winter reeeption of the host of favorable criticism. The speed cir-
Fishers Island Yacht Club which was held cle is a great leaching tool, a new form of
at the New York Yacht Club. Plans call for competition and a new recreational activity
the successful team racin ro am to be for those less inclined to com te.
CATCH THE BOATING SPIRIT THIS SUMMERI
Telephone 7528
Now oHeri"'i1laser sailboats
OPEN MONDAY. SATURDAY 8:00-4:30
Hay Harbor Board to
Decide on Pool
The Hay Harbor Club board of direc-
tors was to meet in early February to dccide
whether 10 proceed with the construction of
a swimming pool. Construction of an "L"
shaped pool with five lanes had been rec-
ommcnded to the club board in the fall by
a board subcommittee which had been
evaluating the club's swimming progmm.
A poll taken this wintcr of the club
membership produced a large response
with about 55 percent in favor of the pro-
posal, and 45 percent opposed, according
10 club president Hiram Moody.
"People feel very strongly about this
on both sides," said Mr. Moody, who added
that this has been the most sensitive issue
he has faced as club president.
The proposed pool is projected to
cost as much as $250,000, Mr. Moody said.
Thc club board is considering a special
assessment of $1 ,000 to $1,500 to pay for
the pool as well as other projects such as
conversion of some tennis courts and re-
pairs to facilities damaged by Hurricane
Bob.
The new bathhouse, which has al-
ready been approved by the board, would
not require additional funding because
money has been set aside for it.
The club board has become increas-
ingly concerned about the quality of the
swimming program.
The water quality of the salt watcr
pool has been questioned in recent years
because of pollution in nearby Hay harbor.
In addition, the club has started 10 use
private pools for instruction of the club's
younger swimmers.
"The unblemished truth is that we
have inadequate managcment control over
~~~
~,..,
,
the water quality and program quality of
our most basic athletic program both on
site and at borrowed pools," Mr. Moody
wrote in a letter 10 the club membership.
Opponents believe that the infonnal
atmosphere of the club will be compro-
mised by the new pool. In addition, some
members have been upset by the prospect
of a special assessment when income is
tighter due to the recession, Mr. Moody
said.
If the board approves the swimming
pool plan, Mr. Moody said he would like
construction to be completed before this
summer season. A design firm has already
produced preliminary drawings, and an en-
vironmental impact consultant has becn
hired to review plans.
DEe Imposes Fines
Fines of $1,000 apiece have been
imposed on the cngineering finn of Calo-
cerinos & Spina and the Falvey construc-
tion company for removing earth near a
tidal wetland without a permit.
Calocerninos and Spina has been
working on a steady basis in recent years
to provide plans for upgrading the Island
airport. One of their plans called for the
levelling the northwestern section of the
airport. The work was performed by
Falvey Construction in the fall of 1990.
The state Department of Environ-
mental Conservation fined the Town of
Southold, which owns the property,
$2,000, and the town this fall imposed
payment on Calocerinos & Spina and
Falvey Construction, according to the
DEe.
No lasting damage was done to the
environment by the grading work, how-
ever, the required pennit was not applied
for, said DEC official Charles Hamilton.
"your complete
landscaping service"
Fishers Island Gazette 21
-- School Notes --
By Susan Stepanek
The students at Fishers Island School
have been very busy raising money for
various causes. The junior class held a
Mexican brunch on January 5 to raise
money for a trip to Mexico. [n addition to
the brunch the junior class is also selling
Fishers Island boxer shorts for $10 a pair
to help with the cost of the trip. The Ycar-
book staff is planning a spaghetti dinner
and bingo night on February 7 to help pay
for this year's yearbook. Last but not least,
the seniors arc now selling the Sunday
papers at the sehoolto pay for tlleir April
vacation cruise.
When the students weren't busy
making money they were off on a variety
of field trips. The elementary grades lOok
a trip to the Plymouth Plantation on No-
vember 8. Even though it was cold every-
one had a blast. On December 10, the
elementary students went to see an
"Amelia Bedelia" Christmas play at tile
Guard Theater. The Spanish students in
grades 5-11 went to see the ballet Folk-
loricode Mexico on November20th. After
the performancc the students cnjoycd
lunch at a Mexican restaurant in Groton.
Gmdes 10-12 went to the Bushnell on De-
cember 9 10 see a perfonnance of the Tour
De Foree. The plays performed were The
Fall of the House of Usher, The Mousc, thc
Most Dangerous Game, and the Ransom of
Red ChieLThe school was fillcd with
Christmas festivities. The annual Christ-
mas concert was held on December 13,
with students from throughout the school
participating. Gmdes 5 and 6 also staged a
performance of Charles Dickens "A
Christmas Carol." From the 15th through
the 20th, all students and teachers partici-
pated in Secret Santa activities.
--"If..
RACE ROCK 'GARDEN CO
"'" "" "'~" .,,,,,,. ';""'. - ~",.~ """,,,,,, ", ,~ ,,,,,
~J~~A>~"/:I~~~~ ~~..r ~c~~
Brooke Services
142 Thames St., Groton, CT 06340
(203) 446-8268
22 Pishus Island Gazelle
Around the Town
with Ann Walsh Anthony
Who was it
who said "The rieh
get rich, the poor
get children?"
Well, in this econ-
omy it is hard to dif-
ferentiate. It just
seems that every-
one is getting the
latter.Elma Chapin
Burnham was born on November 16, wigh-
ing 8 Ibs, 8 1/2 oz. Elma's parents are
Annie and David, and her big brother is
David.
Winchester Fitch Hotchkiss III ar-
rived on November 22. Winchester joined
the family weighing 9 Ibs, 2 oz. His par-
ents are Win and Hillary 0N alker), and his
older sister is Leslie.
Cindy and Frank Gillan had their
third baby. Taylor Hope Gillan weighed 6
lbs, 14 oz. on her birthday, November 26.
Taylor joins siblings Elliot and Kelsey.
December 7 is a day which will sure-
Iybe remembered by Bob and Luisa
Evans. That is the day Samuel Livingston
Professionals
serving
professionals.
Evans was born weighing 8 Ibs., I oz.
Samuel is Elizabeth's little brother.
Sarah Baldwin Fiske demonstrated a
keen sense of timing by arriving at
II :40pm on Thursday, Deeember 12.
Sarah who weighed 9 Ibs, 12 oz. is the first
child of Diana (Furse) and Will Fiske.
Meghan Rutherfurd Borden is a first
child of Linda (RUlherfurd) and Mark Bor-
den. Born on December 20, Meghan
weighed 8 Ibs, 2 oz.
Bringing in the new year (and a few
weeks) Victoria Chapin Breining was born
on January 14. "Tory" weighed 6 Ibs., 8
oz. and is the third child of Jenny (Kelsey)
and Dick Breining. Tory follows siblings
Kelsey and Peter.lf you are in the market,
I'd line up baby sitting now. It looks "'
though there will be competition!
John Peishoff and Katrina Fraser arc
engaged and planning an August wcdding.
According to John, this is the first time his
name has been in the paper without a sports
score following.
Wendy Crisp is planning a Septem-
ber wedding. Wendy is going to marry Ted
Henderson. I think I hear the sound of
breaking hearts.
Duke Doucetlte. right. and his son Wayne celebrate New Year's Eve at the Legion Ilall. (Photo: Ann Mudge)
FISHERS ISLAND MOBIL
_ Kidder, Peabody
II f1 Co. Incorpor"ted
f,,~"J.J 18/',
.~,.."~.,, ....u. ,,,... ~~J A....",~rt ~,,,... f ,..~~rt~."
10 Hanover Square, New York. NY 10005
Telephone: (212) 510-3000
Over SO.lJJlllOn,ll olfi({'s worlJwlJ('
Amilablefor YOll!
- Diesel Fuel
- Special Unleaded
- Super Unleaded
Regular Unleaded
- Propane
- Fuel Oil
- Slips
Electric & Water Hookups
Clean Restrooms
- Hot Showers
- Ice Machine
Outboard Lubricant
Telephone: (5] 6) 788-7311
\VI' Also ,\/ollirol' C/wllll('116
I
~..,.,.:>,,,,---,...
Fishers Island Gazelle 23
Message from
Carol Ridgway
Civic Association President
January's civic
aSSOCIatIOn meeung
was attended by
about 75 persons -
an impressive count
for our winter meet-
ing.
Eileen Wall
spoke for the Board
of Education report-
ing that on the recommendation of the mag-
net committee her board has requested that
the ferry district consider an extra boat
leaving shortly after the end of school.
This additional boat would allow magnet
students to return to Connecticut earlier
and would enable them to pursue after
school activities on the mainland.
The magnet committee feels that this
schedule would result in more good stu-
dents being interested in our magnet pro-
gram. Also, the school board feels that an
early morning ferry departing from Fishers
Island would enhance the school popula-
tion by attracting more year round resi-
dents who might need to be on the
mainland earlier than 9 am.
In reorganizing myoid files, I found
some old very unofficial calculations I
made during my tenure on the school
board. When I moved 10 Fishers Island
with my three children in 1971 there were
113 children in the school representing 43
families. There were quite a few families
with six to nine children and the mean
family size was 2.6 children.!n 1978, the
school enrollment was down to 62 coming
from 3 I families with a median size of 1.6
children.
At present, there arc 47 Island kids in
school with 29 families involved and a
median of 1.6 children.
The number of school families has
not decreascd significantly since 1978
which is hcartcning but unfortunately
smallcr families are a nationwidc trend.
Congratulations to the garbage and
refuse district for getting the transfcr sla-
tion up and running on schedule. Jim Han-
cock reported on the inslallation Slating
that they arc still making improve-
ments.the plant opef'dtion. One problem
docs remain, however. The contractors do
not have a place to dispose of their debris
now that the dump is closed to them.
Hopefully, a solution will be worked on
soon.
New faces on the Island are Gary Riggio, righi, owner of Houlon Services and manager Paul BUl/er.
~
WALSH SERVICE
"Sj"TIING THE STANDARDS"
ELECfRIC CONTRAC"nNG
AND
HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACfING
PROPERTY SALES AND RENTALS
Bagley Reid
licenced Real Estate Broker
Barbara 1. Reid
James G. Reid
licenced Salespersons
Marilyn F. Pickett
Secretary
516-788-7882
.
516-788-7782
-Electrical. Residential & Commercial
-Painling
-Ca']Jt'nlry
-Alarms; Faclor)' trainc'd (0 install & mainlain Fire Lite
,1Iar", S}stcms
-Alarms: NFPA Traifll'd to install & maintain intr/lsion alarms.
-J/ollse chl'cking during rlU' off season
-All home improl'l'fl/l'f/ts
-J/ighly MOlimted craftSr1ll'll
-Estimates? No Problem
-i\lItliori:ed May tag dl'ala
rD<ys'tfc IsLe
ReaL't~ IOC.
FISHERS ISLAND. NY 06390
MASTER ELECTRICIA:\' #92.l-E
110\.1E 1\.1PROVE\.1ENT #lll.]22-111
P.O. Box 478
Fishl'rs Island, NY 0(,:190
(516) 788-7778
FAX: (516) 788-7776
24 Pis/lers Island Gazette
Halloween Night is Special
at F.I. School
The Island People's Project spon-
sored their annual Halloween party on Oc-
tober 31, in the school gym. Emcee
Charlie Stepanek announced the assort-
ment of goblins, witches and fairy tale
characters as they paraded through the
gym. All the children participating re-
ceivcd a small Halloween treat and feasted
on cider and doughnut holes. The judges
(Dick Edwards, Kathleen Hesse and Cath-
erine Jenssen) had a very difricult job of
choosing the prize winning outfits. Those
who carne up with the top awards were:
prettiest - Meris Tombari, a ballerina; most
creative - David Burnham, a dinosaur;
most uncomfortable - Sarah Horning, a
mummy; scariest - Kyle Heath, Fmnken-
stein; most traditional - Lauren Thibodeau,
a witch; best storybook chamcters - Mason
and Sam Horn, the cowardly lion and the
tin man; the most captive - Petcr and Nick
Wall, a pirate and his first mate; funniest-
Matthew Reale, a clown; and the best
group - Dan, Courtney, Danicl Gillan and
Marissa Lanier, the hunter, Little Red Rid-
ing Hood, the wolf and grandmother.
Gmdes 1-6 at Fishers Island School
competed in a Halloween poster contest.
The winners were: fust grade - Megan
Murmy; second gmde - Chris Papatha-
nasiou; ulird gmde - Hannah Vincent; fifth
grade - Connie Papaumnasiou.
There was also a Pumpkin decorat-
ing contest. The children then departed
from the school and went trick-or-treating
at the island homes. A fun night to both
participate in and wateh!
nllll.R.\"GA 7'~1' u! .
I.\"!..l.\'f) , ~j'
Fishers Island Civic Assn.
Fishers Is., New York 06390
llalloween night produced a whole gymfu/l of scary, threatening, beautiful andfunny people. From upper
left Kyle J/eath as Frankenstein, Nicholas Wall asa pirate. Meris Tombari as afairy godmother. and Mal-
thew Reale as a clown. Plwto credits: Dick Edwards)
FIRST CLASS