HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 Vol 15 No 1 Winter/Spring
2 Fishers Island Gazelle. Winter/Spring 20m
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
To the Editor:
Peter Burr has done the community a
great service by volunteering to help the
Board of Education.
Last September, the board decided to
separate the multiple functions of the school
business office. One of those functions is the
job of district treasurer, who maintains checks
and balances on financial matters for the
board by reviewing district financial records
prepared in the school business office and
recommending appropriate board action re-
garding that information.
Peter volunteered to serve as interim
district treasurer until we could identify some-
one to take the job on a permanent basis. He
served for six months, making a special trip to
Fishers Island from Old Lyme each month,
Summer 200 I Gazette
Deadline: May 15,2001
The Fishers Island Gazette is an irule-
pendent not-for-profit publication initi-
ated with a grant fi-cllll Tilt Sanger Fund
and sustained with subscription and ad-
vertising revenue. It is published three
times a year.
Editor
Betty Ann Rubinow
Contributors in this Issue
Michelle Batzl Linda Bean
Miggie Bryan, Edwin Horning
Leila Iladley Luce, Cathy Posey
Carol Ridgway
Photographer Emeritus
Albert H. Gordon
Controller
Su-Ann Seidl
Newsstand Sales
James Ilall
Computer Support
William C. Ridgway III
SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE $15 PER
YEAR. IT'S EASY, JUST MAIL A
CHECK TO THE GAZETTE!
Fishers Island Gazette, Box 573
Fishers Island NY 06390
until this February, when the Board ap-
pointed Terry Crupi to the office of district
treasurer.
Shortly after he began work, Peter ad-
vised us to hire an interim business official-
one with New York State school experi-
ence-to assist in reorganizing the business
office and computerizing its accounting op-
erations. Dr. Roben J. Holmes accepted the
charge and moved to the Island for three
months to complete that task.
The board and the superintendent wish
to thank Peter for his generous spirit and all
the time, hard work and good judgment that
he gave to us.
Sincerely,
Margaret E. Bryan, President
For the Board of Education
. The Fishers Island Ferry ~istrict's (FIFO) Silver Eel dock renovation is complete, but the road
and newly-paved staging area are still closed to traffic. As of early March, FIFO officials were still
awaiting the results of a $15,000-$20,000 traffic study, which will recommend a new flow for
entering and exiting ferry traffic. Southold suggested the study after learning that the ferry district
and school were at odds over FIFO's proposed change in traffic flow.
-e-
. In an effort to beautify the renovated Silver Eel Pond ferry dock, the ferry district plans to install
benches on the "No Parking" dock and five lights between the two docking ramps. The Ft. Wright
globe lamps initially suggested for the site will be replaced by gooseneck lights with shades to direct
light down for easier navigation, especially in fog, ferry district officials said.
Ferry Dislrid 10 Rec::ei-ve Sl,OOO,OOO+
The Fishers Island Ferry ~istrict (FIFO)
last fall secured $1,089,750 in federal
funds for the expansion of its terminal facil-
ity in New London.
According to FIFO Chairman Chip
duPont, a clerical error by the U.S. Depan-
ment of T ransponation indicated at one point
that FIFO could expect $2.3 million. That
erroneous figure was presented at the January
Fishers Island CivicA...sociation (FICA) meet-
ing and, therefore, appeared in FICA's pub-
lished minutes of that meeting.
Announcingthe funding, Connecticut's
Senators Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman,
both democrats, said that "...this assistance
will not only build a better and stronger
transportation system in New London but
will enhance other initiatives to revitalize the
harbor and downtown areas of the city.
"The upgrade to the Fishers Island Ferry
Terminal has become a critical component of
New London's waterfront development
projects. With Amtrak's high speed Acela
trains due to begin service to New
London...the demand on the ferry system
and the terminal will be even greater."
FIFO has spent the past 10 years plan-
ning the terminal expansion.
& Call, fax or e-mail the edi-
v tor for information about
advertising or editorial con-
tent: ph 860-633-8200; fax
860-633-2779: figazette@home.com
The Gazette appreciates and relies upon edito-
rial contributions from the community. We re-
serve the right to edit copy and regret that we
cannot run every story and occasionally must
hold copy for future issues.
Willter/Sprillg 20m. flisllers Islalld Gazene 3
lOP Clini<<: Pro<<:eeds in Fa<<:e of Opposition
The Island Health Project (lHP) is
modifying plans for its proposed
clinic in response to objections
from an adjacent property owner.
Nina Amhoine Leth has said that the
proposed new clinic construction does not
conform to the "legal use" of the property.
"A clinic is not permitted under the
zoning ordinance," Ms Leth said. "It should
be located where it is permissible. not on an
illegally subdivided lot contiguous to our
property in an area zoned residential."
IHP attorney Patricia C. Moore of
Southold vigorously disagrees.
"I n a residential zone," Ms. Moore
said, "a health clinic is a 'presumed permit-
ted use, subject to reasonable conditions set
by the zoning board: which means that the
use is permitted, but the town can maintain
control over the project by placing restric-
tionson it.
"The major stumbling block with the
neighbors. however, is not zoning but a
property subdivision issue."
Ms. Moore explained the dispute this
way:
"The Fishers Island Utility company
owned a strip of property (Lot 6), directly
across the street from the post office [see
diagram at right), and in the late 1970s, sold
approximately half to the Anthoine'sand half
to IHP. There were two deeds, and tax maps
indicated Lot 6.1 and 6.2.
"Early last year. I submitted IHP's con-
struction plans for the new clinic toSouthold's
planning board, zoning board and building
department. Shortly thereafter, someone from
the town called to say that they had the
current tax map, with Lots 6.1 and 6.2, and
the old map, showing Lot. 6 belonging to the
utility company. They could not, however,
find any documentation authorizing the sub-
division of the two lots.
"The way the utility company conveyed
it, it would be presumed that it was subdi-
vided. Everybody thought it was two differ-
ent picces, but it was not subdivided through
formal action by the town.
"The only way it can be legally subdi-
vided now is with the approval of the owners
of both Lot 6.1 and 6.2. The Anthoines, as
owners of Lot 6.1, refuse to give their permis-
sion. And the only way a free-standing clinic
can be built on Lot 6.2 is if the two lots are
officially subdivided."
According to Ms. I..eth, her family sup-
ports the improvement ofIsland health ser-
vices. "1 actually contributed money for im-
proving emergency health care on the Island,
which is so important," Ms. Leth said. "I
didn't know it was a separate medical clinic
when I contributed.
"Ifit were the best thing for the Island,
we could probably swallow it, bur it is an
ambitious structure for such a small site.
Clinic space is not an emergency room, and
life-threatening cases are immediately whisked
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FISHERS ISLAND
FIRE OISTRla
to the Sea Stretcher."
Ms. Moore said the property in question
has been newly surveyed, and when those
maps are in hand, she will apply for a lot line
change. "The lot line change, in effect, rati-
fies what was done all those years ago:' Ms.
Moore said. "It won't be the same as a subdi-
vision, but it will permit IHP to build a
connected addition to the existing doctor's
house that can extend onto Lot 6.2."
COlltjllu~d 0" pag~ 23
Illustration from Southold Town Tax Map
. TheAnthoine family opposes the scope and need for the Island Health Project's proposed health
clinic and will not agree to legally subdvide lots 6.1 and 6.2. [Buildings not drawn to scale]
Letter from Anthoine Attorney to IHP Attorney
Patricia C, Moore Esq,
5 1020 Main Road
Southold NY I 1971
Re: Island Health Project Inc,
Dear Ms. Moore:
I reviewed the papers you sent.
Thank you.
My client, Windham Re-
sources, LLC, the owner of Tax
Lots 6, I and 7, opposes the con-
struction of a clinic on Lot 6.2 be-
cause, among other things, it would
change the character of the area
and reduce the serenity enjoyed by
the principals' family in using their
residence located on Lot 7,
What is now Lot 6.1 was pur-
chased by their parents with the
knowledge that it, and what is now
Lot 6,2, could not be built upon,
and, therefore, would be a
greenbelt-type buffer for Lot 7
and Lot 8,
My client will not approve or
authorize an application to have
the conveyances of Lot 6, I and 6.2
approved as a legal subdivision.
They do not wish to have either
lot made into a single & separate
buildable parcel.
I am instructed to oppose all
applications designed to permit
construction of a clinic on Lot 6.2.
My analysis at this juncture is
that such an application would
face a multitude of problems in-
cluding, but not limited to, the
following:
I. Lot 6.2 can never become a
"legally" created plot without
approval by my client to a formal
Contbllled ml pdg~ 23
4 Fishers Is/and Gazene. lVinlerlSpri1lK 2001
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Linda Bean Photos
· (above) Greg Thibodeau and Derek Scroxton work to remove a limb that had fallen from a tree March 6 on the East End road. The road was
unobstructed when they had headed east but was blocked by storm debris on their return home. . (below) The beach, after a snow. . (page I
photo) Linda and John Bean spotted the pheasant from the road, just before the castle. John followed the bird into the woods and took the picture.
WiIJter/Spring 2001 . Fishers Is/mId Gazene 5
LoLsler Conlro~ersy Conlinues in Court
Fishers Island lobstermen have been
on a roller coaster ride for the past
three years and recently discovered
that it is not yet time to get off.
In a surprise move, Gov. George Pataki
decided that New York should appeal aJan.
19 U.S. District Court ruling that handed
Island lobstermen a huge setback.
In that ruling, Judge FrederickJ. Scullin
Jr. found that New York States 90-year-old
law creating a lobster conservation zone
around Fishers Island and reserving it only
for New York State resident lobstermen, was
unconstitutional.
As a result, Connecticut lobstermen, for
now, can fish Island waters with impunity.
"This area is an exceptionally good area-it's
one of the best in the country for lobster. So
the stakes are pretty high for the [Connecti-
cut lobster] industry," said Conn. Atty. Gen.
Richard Blumenthal in an Associated Press
story posted on the Internet.
Island lobstermen agree that their con-
servative fishing practices since 1911 have
resulted in a more robust stock in Island
waters than that found in the overfished
waters of Connecticut and Long Island. The
Island lobster stock, however, has been threat-
ened' and likely depleted, in the last few years
by an invasion of large commercial boats
from Montauk, the lobstermen said.
With New York's appeal, there will prob-
ably be a request for a stay of the order
granting Connecticut the right to lobster in
local waters, said Island resident, Barry Bryan,
of Counsel to the New York City law firm,
Debevoise & Plimpton, which acts as pro
bono counsel for the Fishers Island Conser-
vancy and Lobstermen's Association in the
lobster litigation.
"It is too early to tell just what is going to
happen, but we were surprised and delighted
to hear the good news of rhe governor's
decision to appeal," said Mr. Bryan. "Judge
Scullin's decision was wrong on the constitu-
tional issues and devastating to the Fishers
Island lobster fishery.
"All indications were that the New York
State Department of Environmental Con-
servation (DEC) and Attorney General's of-
fice were not going to recommend an appeal
of the ruling, so the governor's unusual inter-
vention was crucial for the Island."
The DEC in November 1997 set these
events in motion when it stopped enforcing
the 19 I I New York statute that prohibits
non-N ew York State residents from lobstering
in Island waters.
The DEC's action was based on its con-
clusion that the statute was unconstitutional
(even though it had never been challenged),
because it contained a requirement that a
person must reside in New York for six
months in order to obtain a resident lobster
license.
Since halting enforcement, the DEe
has...
.. .informed Connecticut lobstermen in
. Neither rain, nor snow...
Linda Bean Photo
November 1997 that they could fish in Is-
land waters.
.. .learned at a Dee. IS, 1997 meeting
with Fishers Island's state legislators and Is-
land lobstermen that the legislature had re-
pealed the six-month residency requirement
in the summer of 1997.
... promptly reinstated enforcement of
the conservation zone.
After getting a taste of ulegal"
lobsteringin Island waters, Connecticut...
.. . filed suit before Judge Scullin in U.S.
District Court claiming the Island's conser-
vation law violated the Interstate Commerce
Clause and was unconstitutional.
...had its case dismissed when Judge
Scullin ruled that only the U.S. Supreme
Court could hear disputes between states.
...won its appeal to the Second Circuit
Court of Appeals in a 2-1 decision that
overruled Judge Scullin and sent the case
back to his court.
... prevailed in the District Court, along
with the Mystic lobsterwoman who had filed
a companion suit challenging the Fishers
Island conservation zone law on other consti-
tutional grounds.
Prior to Judge Scullin's ruling and the
governor's decision to appeal, Fishers Island
had for some time been preparing for the
possible loss of its long-standing conserva-
tion zone by pressing for a smaller 300-500-
pot lobster conservation zone to extend one
mile around Fishers Island. Those efforts are
currently on hold, pending resolution of the
litigation, Mr. Bryan said.
"Ironically, the other big losers under
Judge Scullin's decision are the Montauk
lobstermen, who came here and fished hard
when all of this started in 1997," Mr. Bryan
said. "Connecticut lobstermen, unless stayed,
can now fish in a large area south of Fishers
Island that previously had been part of the
Island's conservation zone and fished only
by Montauk."
HIGHWAY & ELECTION NEWS
Dick Grebe has replaced the late Jim
Hancock as Southold's highway superin~
tendent for Fishers Island.
Three new commissioners were elected
last November to five~year terms on the
Fishers Island Garbage & Refuse District
Commission. They are Bruce Hubert,
Mike Imbrigllo and Maynard Banks. The
two remaining commissioners are Ray
Yakaitis and Jim Wall.
6 Fishers Islalld Gazette. lVi"ter/Sprillg 2(J(}J
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Winter/.'J'pritlg 2(}(J/ . Fishers Island Gazette 7
,
ClhnLer AHelDpls 10 T aIDe Snows of MI. Eyeresl
Kevin Grant laughed and removed
a shoe, waving five toes in the air
to prove that there is no reason
for mountain climbers to lose toes to frostbite
now that boots are made of space-age mate-
rials rather than leather.
The grey-haired, bespectacled Me.
Gram, 40, who has summered on Fishers
Island since 1988, came within 6,000 feet of
the summit of Mt. Everest last May. He had
to turn back due to persistent daily snowfall
that began like clockworkar noon and forced
his team to break trail through freshly fallen
chest.high snow starring at 23,000 feet.
"We took turns breaking trail. Mostly
the sherpas did it, but you could do it for only
four or five minutes before having to take a
break. We rotated men. It was exhausting,"
Mr. Grant said.
Manyclimbers have reached the 29,035-
foot summit of the world's highest peak, and
even more have come as close as Mr. Grant.
But is it safe to say that no other climber has
sent Internet greetings to Fishers Island from
a Mt. Everest base camp 17,500 feet up in
the Himalayas.
"I have strong feelings for Fishers Island
and thought it would be fun to make the
connection," Mr. Grant said. "Base camp
was the most comfortable of the five camps
since it was our base for two months. We
lived on a pile of rocks on top ofaglacier, and
the sun melted the daily snow.
"We had comfortable tents, solar-pow-
ered computers, satellite telephones and digi-
tal cameras to send pictures along with our
messages. We also had two-way radios to
keep contact between upper camps and base
camp."
Rather than maintaining asteady upward
progression from one camp to the next, climb-
ers use a prescribed rhythm of moving back
and forth between higher and lower camps to
stock the former with food and to acclimatize
the climbers' bodies to the reduced oxygen and
reduced barometric pressure.
"The sherpas are up and down all the
time, but if you live at sea level, as we do, you
initially can climb to 9,000 feet and then add
only 1,000 feet per day without suffering the
affects of acute mountain sickness. The re-
duced barometric pressure affects digestion
and the absorption of oxygen into the blood
stream at high altitudes," Mr. Grant said.
"Wewould have to stop climbing, literally, to
"
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. Kevin Grant climbing Mt. Everest
wait for our bodies to make more red blood
cells to absorb oxygen."
Me. Grant has the lean figure of a runner
and clocks about 60 miles a week, preferably
hills. He also has the confidence and intensity
of a man who knows he must rely only upon
himself for judgment calls.
"Accidents are avoidable, and good judg-
ment is honed by experience," he said.
To that end, Mr. Grant has climbed the
Alps, the Andes three times and Mt. McKinley
twice. He started rock climbing in his teens,
big mountain climbing in his 20s, and
takes one or two climbing trips each year.
Asked ifMt. Everest isaclimber'sdream,
Mr. Gram replied, "Everest is not everyone's
dream, but there is only one Everest."
There are about 14 or 15 different
routes to the top, and each April and May,
before the three-month monsoon season
(i.e., non-stop snow in the mountains), there
are about 14 simultaneous expeditions to
the peak. Each group seems to organize
somewhat informally among friends within
the climbing community. ''I'm thinking of
climbing Everest..."
Me. Grant's eight-man group, includ-
ing six Westerners, was organized through a
Seattle, Wash. company that handled the
Continued 011 page 25
Grant's Anatomy of an Ascent
Camp I: 20,000 feet. Camp is
spartan. Spend two days and three nights
here to become acclimatized to the
altitude. Read books. become a little
bored. but much to do. including time-
consuming task of boiling glacier water
for daily use.
Camp 2: 21,250 feet. Camp is
more elaborate because this is beginning
of technical climbing-ice climbing on
vertical steep faces of ice. Air is getting
extremely thin, with enormous changes
in temperature. Spend four days acclima~
tizing here.
Camp 3: over 23,000 feet. Chip
out a platform in ice for two tents. A few
sherpas help make ledge. then leave to
go higher or go back down to Camp 2.
Tent platform is precarious; not much
room to walk around edge. Only AI
Hanna, age 70, two professional guides
and I are left (four of our group had
already stopped their climb). Start us-
ing oxygen. The climb from here to
Camp 4 at 26.000 feet will be up Lhotse
face, and it is very scary. It's a 60. angle
of blue ice. Very technical. very tough
climbing, no air.
I turned around here because of
the weather. We had hoped for a break
in the daily snow during May. but it
doesn't happen. Turnaround time was
too long. Breaking trail, too slow.
Camp 4: at the South Col,
26,000 feet. AI and two guides push
forward to final camp. Nowaccumulat-
ing snow is once again a factor; they will
have to break trail in chest~high snow
for 3.000 feet. Breaking trail would be
too exhausting, and the turnaround
could cause them to descend in the dark
duringa snowfall. so they abandon climb.
8 Fishers Island Gazette. WinterlSprit,g 10m
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FISHERS ISLAND, NEW YORK 06390
Two Jersey Cows at Horne on F.'.
It has been 77 years since Fishers Island
shipped most of its dairy cows off to
the mainland. With Connecticut dairy
farmers able to speedily deliver quality milk
fa the ferry via motor truck, there was no
longer any need for Island farmers to (end
their nearly 200 cows.
While not exactly turning back the hands
of time. Fishers Island has seen the return of
two dairy cows, Bridget and Christy, who
took up residence last year on 1.25 acres of
Fishers Island Utility Co. property behind
the Walter's garden (also on utility company
property) across from the IPP ballfield.
The cows belong to 14-year-old Melissa
Barz, a dedicated 4-H club member, with
farming in her blood. When her father. Paul
Barz, accepted a job with the Fishers Island
Electric Co., necessitating a move from the
family farm in Danville to Fishers Island,
Melissa knew that leaving Bridget and Christy
behind was not an option.
Mr. Batz has cleared and fenced the
property, and Melissa is using the old Boy
Scout building there as a makeshift barn, now
home to not only two Jersey cows but also
eight ducks, three chickens and four rabbits.
Melissa tends her animals before and
after school and, when at home, takes care of
four cats, two fish and a dog. It's an adjust-
menthavingso few animals. Backon their95-
acre dairy farm, the Batz family had milking
cows, llamas, sheep, horses, cats, dogs, chick-
ens, geese, ducks, rabbits, turkeys and goats.
"I am looking forward to a career with
animals and hope to become a vet tech," said
Melissa. "I would like to organize a large
animal ranch to rescue abused or wild
animals.. .and hopefully rehabilitate them to
the wild."
Melissa joined 4-H when she was eight
years old and learned how to show rabbits
from her older brother Paul. Bridget was
born on their farm at about that time, and
Melissa started showing her as well.
"I got Christy three years ago from a
Herbert Wheeler Calf Scholarship. As a con-
dition, I had to promise to give Christy's first
heifer calf back to the program for another
scholarship candidate.
"Christy's first heifer was born a year
ago. She did it all, even though it was her first
time. Some need help some don't. She was
just fine."
Things are different on Fishers Island.
School has been a challeoge, and Mr. Batz
returns to upstate New York once a month
to buy hay. Also, Bridget and Christy have
been "dried off." Melissa slowly stopped
milking them and gave them medicine to
prevent mastitis.
Melissa is optimistic, however. She ea-
gerly talks about starting a 4-H chapter on
Fishers Island. "We could meet every week or
every other week and do lots of projects,
including crafts. I would really like to teach
\
Winler/Spring 2001- Fisllers Island (;azelle 9
kids how to show rabbits. There's a lot to
learn about breeding competitions, show-
manship and care of rabbits." Melissa owns
Mini Rex and Netherland Dwarf rabbits.
Both bteeds are covered extensively on the
Internet.
Melissa is the daughter of Michelle and
Paul Ban. Mr. Ban and their son, Daniel,
16, came to Fishers Island in 1999, and
Melissa arrived with her mother last August.
Her older brother Paul, 22, and sister,
Stephanie, 20, live off-Island.
. Melissa Batz tends her Jersey cows behind the Walter's garden across from the IPP ballfield.
IPP SUDlDler PrograDl T a'-ing SLape
Plans for the Island People Project's
(IPP) morning summer program are
well underway. Directors have been hired for
both the summer program and swimming
program, and the call is out for counselors.
Meg Atkin, a pre-school teacher cur-
rently on the scaff of Rocky Hill School in
East Greenwich R.I., will head the summer
program. According to IPP board members.
Ms. Atkin has experience with the summer
program at Rocky Hill School aod is well-
acquainted with Fishers Island.
Johan Bandara will direct IPP's summer
swimming program and, for a nominal fee,
will offer afternoon swimming instruction at
Dock Beach. There will also be a lifeguard on
duty each weekday afternoon from noon [Q 4
p.m. The board has voted to allow children
nine years of age and older to be at the beach
without adult supervision. To maintain this
privilege, however, children must obey the
lifeguard and the rules of Dock Beach.
If you are 14 or older and would like to
work as an IPP summer counselor, e-mail or
call Ms. Atkin, matkin@rockyhil1.org, 401-
453-6196, or call any board member.
Speedy Menler Photo
. (I.r) JR Edwards and John Ski with a fine day's
catch of striped bass, Nov. I I, 2000 at the Race.
10 Fishers Island Gazette. Winter/Spring 2001
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Green TLougLls: Hydrangeas
By LEILA HADLEY LUeE
I often wake at dawn to see the horiwn
opening the door to day. Every day is
different by the sea. One watches the
strong.winged gulls soaring above the surge
and ebb of the tides, listens to the water's rush
and hush as it pulls back from the shore to rush
again at the slippery stones. Our house has
great views, and I haven' t wanted to make the
interior of the house a distraction from them.
I've wanted to make the house comfortable and
livable, undutrered, with white walls to show
ofT my husband's colorful art collection, and
mostly blue, white and cream-colored covers
for furniture and beds that let the indoors
merge with the outdoor sea, sky, clouds and
summer's white and blue hydrangeas.
I agree with Page Dickey who advocates
in her splendid book relating garden to house,
Imide Out (159 pages, published by Stewart,
T aboti and Chang, $35), gatdens that extend
from houses like outdoor rooms, rooms out-
lined by walls or hedges that may screen one
parr of the garden from another, providing
elements of surprise. In sixteenth century
India, the Moguls were masters of this sur-
prise element, and so was that extraordinary
gardener, Gertrude Jekyll in the twentieth
century. What is hidden in a garden and what
is revealed should be like yin and yang, a
harmonious balancc.
for simplicity, unity and case of mainte-
nance, I likc masses of similar plantings.
Hydrangeas are perfect. A dramatic revela-
tion when they begin to flower in June,
visually connected to the house, their fresh
glossy leaves also conceal pathways, the pali-
saded fence of the cutting garden and trees
that blossom later in thc season. Our blue
macrophylla hydrangeas-the so-called com-
man greenhouse or French variety-create a
wall ovet 4 feet high, tOughly shaped like the
letter Z, edging the entire west side and the
north side of our swimming pool area as well.
We heap on the aluminum sulphate (1 pound
for each square yard of ground area) and
water weekly, using 1 level teaspoon of alu-
minum sulphate for each gallon of water to
keep the soil acid (pH 5.5 or below) and the
Nikko blue macrophylla hydrangeas as in-
tensely blue as possible. Aluminum sulphate,
harmless to birds and animals, is also a snail
deterrent, I have discovered. According to
the soil in which they grow, macrophylla
hydrangeas havc the marvelous quality of
changing from pink (alkaline soil pH 6.7 to
7.2) to blue in acid soil. For pink hydran-
geas-'Rosea' is a good variety---one culti-
vatcs by applying wood ashes, about 1/2 to
I pound around each plant, which also pro-
vides the nutritional benefits of potash.
We have a couple of white macrophylla
hydrangeas in our vista garden, and a few
'Blue Wave' lace cap hydrangeas flourishing
on thc property, as well as a beautiful white
climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala
petiolaris) growing up the brick wall behind
the library fireplace, with a white blossoming
tree hydrangea growing nearby. We tried an
oak leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)
some years ago. Its flower buds, like those of
the macrophylla variety, form in the autumn.
Owing to its unprotected eastern exposure, its
buds were injured during a severe winter,
because we neglected to wrap the plant in
burlap or straw and didn't mulch the soil
heavily cnough around it. Our other hydran-
geas, mulched lavishly with leaves during the
winter, and sheltered more from the east winds,
have generally survived thewinters unscathed.
Winter/Spring 1001. Fishers Is/mId Gazette 11
Our climbing hydrangea took a few years to
get established to begin its luxuriant growth
and production of lacy, white flat-topped
flower clusters, but it is well-known that one
must be patient with slow-starting petiolaris.
I was a little alarmed when ours left the
confines of a brick wall and started to clamber
over the adjoining shingle wall, but it turns
out that climbing hydrangeas harm neither
brick nor wood-shingled walls.
Hydrangcas-all kinds- are known to
grow particularly well by the sea. Although
they do well in the sun, blue-flowered plants
keep their color longer if they have the com-
fort of light shade. They do fabulously well
growing close to pine trees, as the falling pine
needles help create the rich acid soil beloved
by all hydrangeas.
The name "hydrangea" given by Carl
Linnaeus, the lS'h-cenrurybotanist, came from
the Greek hydro (water) and aggeion (vessel), a
name that may refer to a lace cap hydrangea's
saucer shape or a macrophylla hydrangea's
requirement for lots of water for the mainte-
nance of its lush growth. Diana Wells, author
of I 00 Flowers and How They Got Their Names
(published by Algonquin Books of Chapel
Hill, a division ofWotkmen Publishing Co.),
claims that a large hydrangea can lap up 10 to
12 gallons of water a day in hot weather.
Someone asked if hydrangeas bloom on
old or new wood. Answer: Some species, such
as Hydrangea paniculata, bloom 011 new
wood, and these plants can be pruned and
shaped in early spring. Not so, not so, not so
with the macrophylla variety that most of us
grow on Fishers Island. With these, the buds
originatc near the tips of the canes formed the
preceding year, and these plants should be
pruned immediately after they flower, or not
at all. Otherwise, one can unwittingly nip off
the buds and get only a few flowers, if any, the
following year.
Macrophylla Hydrangea
Illustration Courtesy or lHl
12 Fishers Island Gazette. Winter/Spring 2001
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Winter/Spring 1001 . Fishers Island Gazette 13
HENRY AVERELL GERRY
OLiluaries
Henry Averell Gerry
Henry Averell Gerry of Fishers Island,
Locust Valley and Boca Grande. Fla. died of
a stroke Dec. 2, 2000 at Bon Secours Venice
Hospital, Venice, Fla. He was 86.
Mr. Gerry, known as "Hennie," came
from a family steeped in American history.
He was a great-great grand-
son of Elbridge Gerry, a
signer of the Declaration of
Independence and the Ar-
ticles of Confederation, who
also served as governor of
Massachusettsand vice presi-
dent under James Madison.
Elbridge Gerry was the
politician for whom the term
"gerrymander" was coined.
The word, pronounced with
a soft "g" unlike the family
name, describes the act of
designing an oddly-shaped
electoral district to favor a
particular candidate or party.
Mr. Gerry's uncle was
Gov. W Averell Harriman of New York, and
hismaternalgrandfatherwasE.H. Harriman,
who formed a syndicate that acquired Union
Pacific Railroad in 1897, bringing it from
bankruptcy to prosperity. Mr. Gerry's pa-
ternal grandfather. Elbridge T. Gerry.
founded the New York Society for the Pre-
vention of Cruelty ro Children in 1875.
Known as a gentle man and a gentle-
man, Mr. Gerry adored Fishers Island. "He
had a twinkle in his eye and a wonderful
smile that lit up his face," said daughter
Banany Dearborn. "Dad had the best sense
of humor. He was always friendly and was
interested in people of all ages. He had
something nice to say to everyone."
Mr. Gerry married Nancy Whitney, May
3.1940 in New York City. The couple came
to Fishers Island with friends in 1951 and
rented a West End house. The Gerrys loved
the Island so much that they came back the
next summer with their children and bought
the same house that they had rented. The
family has not missed a summer since.
That record was nearly interrupted in
1973, however, when a faulty water heater
caused a fire at Five Winds, their Island
home. Because of extensive water damage
during the Labor Day weekend fire, the
Gerrys rebuilt the entire structure on the
original foundation.
Me. Gerry's passion was golf, but he was
also known for daily walks with his two white
West Highland terriers. Each day he fol-
lowed the same two-mile loop that wound
from Five Winds, along South Beach Road to
the movie theater, the airport and back.
When he wasn't out walking, Mr. Gerry
was usually playing golf or practicing golf.
and was at the driving range hitting balls last
summer. He
loved the Fish-
ers Island Club
and served the
club in many
ways, including
club president,
1960-63; rrea-
surer. 1965-74;
and vice-presi-
dent, 1975.
Mr. Gerry
was born a twin
a little after mid-
night April 8,
Photo Courtesy ot Gerry Famity 1914 in New
York City. His
identical twin
brother, Edward Harriman Gerry, however,
was born shonly before midnight April 7.
After graduating from St. Paul's School,
Harvard class of 1936, and Columbia Law
School class 1939. Mr. Gerryworked in New
York City with his twin brother at Gerry
Brothers, a real estate and investment busi-
ness. Gerry Brothers was also a limited part-
ner at Brown Brothers Harriman.
Prior to WWII, Mr. Gerry and his three
brothers frequently played polo together, tak-
ing their team name, Aknusti, from the name
of the family home in Delhi, N.Y.
Mr. Gerry was a major in army intelli-
gence during WWIl and served in North
Africa, I taly and France. After the war ended,
the four Gerry brothers discovered that at
one point, they had all been within 50 miles
of one another in Nonh Africa.
Me. Gerry was predeceased by his son,
Henry Averell Gerry Jr., who died at the age
of 18. He was also predeceased by two older
brothers, Elbridge Thomas Gerry and Rob-
en Livingston Gerry.
Mr. Gerry is survived by his wife, Nancy
Gerry; his twin brother, Edward Harriman
Gerry; four children, Sheldon. Ann. Nancy
and Richard; and seven grandchildren.
There was a memorial service Dee. 7,
2000, in Boca Grande. A second memorial
service in New York will be held at a date,
time and location to be announced.
Contributions in Mr. Gerry's memory
may be made to Foxcroft School, PO Box
5555. Middleburg, VA 20118; Boca Grande
Health Clinic. PO Box 517. Boca Grande FL
33921; or Island Health Project. Fishers Is-
land NY 06390.
Burial was on Fishers Island.
~
Rose Forsyth Strachan of New Orleans
Rose Forsyth Strachan, 86, who sum-
mered on Fishers Island from the early 1970s
through the late 1 990s, died at home in New
Orleans, La. Aug. 23, 2000 after a brief illness.
Mrs. Strachan was predeceased by her
husband Frank in 1987, but continued to visit
Fishers Island on her own or with her grand-
son, Walter Keenan, until quite recently.
A graduate of Vassar, Mrs. Strachan was
a past vice regent of the Mount Veroon La-
dies' Association, which is the trustee of George
Washington's home in Virginia. She also was
a past president of the Garden Club of America
and served in various capacities on behalf of
the National Society of Colonial Dames.
In New Orleans, Mrs. Strachan was a
noted preservationist, working to save historic
homes and neighborhoods from commercial
development. Her own home, inherited from
her father, William Forsyth, is well-known
both as the final residence of Confederate
President Jefferson Davis and as a classic ex-
ample of the Greek Revival period of antebel-
lum architecture in the South.
Her grandson, Walter Keenan, remem-
bers that Mrs. Strachan loved Fishers Island
and that she was especially glad that the
Island's character had remained intact over
the years. She attended both her great-grand-
sons' christenings at St. John's Episcopal
Church and was very pleased to see her 1967
Cadillac DeVille, currently enjoying retire-
ment on Fishers lsland, used by then-newly-
weds Ed and Cynthia Reilly foran elegant exit
from their Island wedding ceremony to re-
ception in 1994.
Mrs. Strachan is survived by four chil-
dren, Elizabeth Strachan Keenan, Frank
Duncan Macpherson Strachan Ill, Patricia
Forsyth Strachan and Anne Manina Roberts
Strachan, all of New Orleans; nine grandchil-
dren; and four great-grandchildren.
14 Fishers 1~'lalld Gazette. Willter/Spri1lg 2001
,
OLiluaries
John Hone Bartol, 88
John Hone Bartol of Greenwich, Conn.,
a longtime summer resident and one of the
originators of the Island's popular H.G.G.
tournament, died of pulmonary disease Jan.
22 at Greenwich Hospital. He was 88.
An avid golfer, Mr. Barrol also enjoyed
boating and walking. He and his dog Charlie
were familiar figures taking theirdailyconsti-
tutional from the Bartol's West End home to
the village center to buy the morning paper.
John and Norma Bartol married in 1967
and have summered on Fishers Island ever
since. Mrs. Bartol has been coming (0 Fishers
Island on and off since she was 10 years old.
Mr. BartolwasbornJan.3, 1913 in New
York, the son of Henry George and Hester
Gouverneur Hone Barrol. He attended St.
Bernard's School in New York, graduated
from St. Paul's School in Concord, N.H. and
earned a bachelor's degree from Harvard
University in 1936.
In 1954, Me. Bartol started American
Truck Leasing Co., which became the largest
trucking firm in New England at the time.
He also worked for American Airlines and
was marketing vice president of Connor En-
gineering in New York.
A Greenwich resident since 1928, Me.
Bartol was a former commodore of the Indian
Harbor Yacht Club in Greenwich, and a
member of the Field Club of Greenwich and
the Racquet and Tennis Club of New York.
He was on the vestry of St. John's Episcopal
Church and was a member of the Fishers
Island Club and Fishers Island Yacht Club.
He is survived byhiswife, NormaMagnus
Bartol of Greenwich; two sons, John Hone
Bartol Jr. of Alexandria, Va. and Peter
Wakefield Bartol of Charlottesville, Va.; four
stepchildren; and four grandchildren. Con-
tributions in Me. Bartol's memory may be
made to St. Barnabus Church, 954 Lake Ave,
Greenwich cr 06830; or (0 Greenwich Hos-
pital,5 Perryridge Rd, Greenwich CT 06830.
Grace Locke Harvey, Tennis and Golf Champion
GRACE LOCKE HARVEY
...
Photo Courtesy of Harvey Family
Grace Locke Harvey, of Baltimore, Md.,
a longtime summer resident and a tennis and
golf champion, died at home Feb. 4 from
complications related (0 Alzheimer's disease.
She was 78.
Mrs. Harvey came to Fishers Island in
1946 after marrying F. Barton Harvey Jr.
The Island was a place very close ro her heart,
as was the Isabella Beach family homestead,
The Steps, where she raised her children and
grandchildren during the summers.
Mrs. Harvey was an excellent tennis
player and with her husband competed vig-
orously in games and mixed doubles tourna-
ments at Hay Harbor Club. The Harveys
repeatedly won the Maryland State mixed
doubles championship.
In later years, she gave up tennis ro
become a dedicated and accomplished golfer.
She won the Elkridge Club Women's golf
championship in Baltimore, but found that
playing golf with her friends at the Big Club
was one of her greatest pleasures in life.
When not engaged in athletic and
social pursuits with her large extended fam-
th,,~
'."-:~It~ ~~~
1~~~~_.:'--_~ · -
. Snow buntings on South Beach.
~
--
Edwin Homing Photo
ily and many Island friends, Grace could
often be found walking her dogs and enjoy-
ing the peace and beauty of the Island. She
loved the ocean and enjoyed swimming off
Isabella Beach every day as long as her
health permitted.
Mrs. Harvey was active in Baltimore
civic organizations and served on the board
of the Women's Hospital, which later be-
came the Greater Baltimore Medical Center,
where the Harveys endowed the Harvey In-
stitute for Human Genetics in 1997.
Mrs. Harvey also served on the board of
a halfway house for psychiatric patients learn-
ing to re-enter society. She loved to garden
and was a member of St. George's Garden
Club for over 20 years. She was a lifelong
member of the Church of the Redeemer in
Baltimore.
Born and raised in San Antonio, Tex.,
Mrs. Harvey graduated from St. Mary's
Hall and Vassar College class of 1944, with
a major in mathematics. She was a voracious
reader, with a particular interest in English
history, and later received a Master's Degree
from Johns Hopkins University in the hu-
manities.
Mrs. Harvey is survived by her brother,
John Robinson Locke]r.; two sons, F. Barron
Harvey III and John Lock Harvey
of Baltimore; two daughters, Rose Harvey
Gwathmey and Grace Harvey Tigue of
New York City; seven grandchildren; and
her dog, Maggie.
Willter/SprillK 2001 . Fishers Is/mId Gazette J 5
OLiluaries
Howard Hancock
Howard "Jim" Hancock, Southold's
superintendent of highways for Fishers Is-
land, died Oct. 24, 2000 at home. He was 72
and had been diagnosed with cancer the
previous February.
Mr. Hancockwas chairman of the Fish-
ers Island Garbage and Refuse District and
was the driving force behind its new garage
and offices, which he did not live to see
complered.
Born and educated in Woodmerc, L.L,
Mr. Hancock was the son of John and Laura
(Yetman) Hancock who emigrated to the
United States from Newfoundland in the
early 1900s. He attended Hofstra University
and wotked for rhe Long Island Lighting Co.
for 38 years. Mr. Hancock was the youngest
first class lineman the company ever em-
ployed, said his wife, Caye Hancock.
"He began working for the company
during WWII, when few men were avail-
able. He was young and daring and worked
his way up," Mrs. Hancock said.
During this period of time, Mr.
Hancock's brother and sister-in-law lived
across the street from Caye Siggins in
Oceanside, L.I., and the neighbors and fami-
lies had been friends for years. Eventually,
Me. Hancock divorced, and Mrs. Siggins
was widowed. The two were married in the
early 1960s, just six weeks after Mr . Hancock's
divorce was final.
"Alrhough Jim's and my patents did nor
know one another, we discovered in later
yeats that they probably traveled by bicycle
at about the same rime across the
Queensborough Bridge from New Yotk Ciry
to work construction on Long Island, which
was just pasture then," Mrs. Hancock said.
In 1983, Mr. Hancock retired from his
longtime job and moved to Fishers Island
with his wife to become superintendent of
the Fishers Island Electric Co. He held that
position for abour12 years. Me. Hancock
was a member of the Fishers Island Fire
Department and the Suffolk Counry Re-
publican Committee.
Me. Hancock loved Fishers Island. He
was an avid golfer, belonged to the Hay
Harbor Club and enjoyed boaring.
He was predeceased by two brothers.
Mr. Hancock is survived by his wife,
Caye Hancock; a son, Howard Hancock of
Portland, Ore.; a stepdaughter, Teri Young
Clara Schweiger, Former Teacher at R 1. School
Clara Schweiger, who enjoyed a long
and exciting life, died July 10, 2000 at home
on Fishers Island.
Mrs. Schweiger escaped Hungarian
Nazis, Germans, and both Russian and Hun-
garian Communists. In 1957, she found safety
for herself and her family in America and was
CLARA SCHWEIGER
IN UK!.Y 1980s
forever grateful to her adopted country.
Born in BalatonHired. a very small
village on Lake Balaton in Hungary, Mrs.
Schweiger married Gasper Schweiger in
1935. She loved him from the time she was
13 yeats old until the day she died.
After she was widowed, Mrs. Schweiger
came to Fishers Island in 1972 to teach
French and to serve as the librarian at Fishers
Island School. She loved the Island every
moment that she was here.
"A whole generation of Fishers Island
students benefited from her inspired teach-
ing," said daughter Kristina Harrigan. "She
loved to identifY former pupils in the grown
men and women she encountered at the post
office, on Isabella Beach or on the ferry.
"This last illness was mercifully brief
and painless. Her last meal was on the deck of
her home on Fishers Island, looking at [he
beautiful evening-her favorite spot in all
the world."
Mrs. Schweiger is survived by three
daughters, four grandchildren and one great-
grandson, every one of whom was privileged
to be with her during her final days.
Photo Courtesy of Caye Hancock
HOWARD "JIM" HANCOCK
of Oceanside, L.I.; four sisters; and two
gtandchildten.
There were memorial services for Mr.
Hancock at Union Chapel and in Oceanside.
Contributions in his memory may be sent to
the Sea Stretcher Fund.
~
'/
Send obituaries to:
Fishers Island Gazette
PO Box 573
Fishers Island NY 06390
"
.-.
Edwin Horning Photo
. Snowy owl makes winter appearance.
16 Fishers /slatld Gazette. WitllerlSpritlg 2(}(JJ
OLiluarie~
accepted an offer to teach at the American
Communiry School (ACS) in Bcirur, Leba-
non. There she met the Rev. Philip Ward,
whom she had seen at Fitst Church in New
London while she was in college. Me. Ward
ried Mr. Ward. Over the years, the Wards
served variously in teaching and the minis-
try and raised two children. Another daugh-
ter, Mary, died in infancy.
Mrs. Ward was tremendously proud of
her children, James B. Ward, a veteran sci-
ence teacher at Northfield Mt. Hermon
School, Gill, Mass. and Dr. Sarah W.
Neusius, a tenured professor, with her hus-
band, at Indiana University of Pennsylva-
nia, Indiana, Pa.
From 1977 ro 1995, Mrs. Ward and her
husband enjoyed an active retirement in
Amherst, Mass., where she was involved with
the First Congregational Church and the
Massachusetts Association for Prevention of
Cruelty ro Children. The Wards larer moved
to Loomis Village, a continuing care facility
in South Hadley, Mass.
Mrs. Ward is survived by her husband of
51 yeats, rhe Rev. Philip H. Ward; her son
and daughrer, James B. Ward and Dr. Sarah
W. Neusius; two brothers, R. Bradford
Burnham and David C. Burnham; fourgrand~
children; and numerous cousins, nieces and
nephews in rhe Burnham, Campbell and
Ward families.
Burial was in Wildwood Cemetery,
Amherst, Mass.
Helen Burnham Ward
Helen Strong Burnham Ward, 84, of
South Hadley, Mass" died Nov. 11,2000 at
Cooley Dickinson Hospital. Northampton
Mass., with her husband, children and broth-
ers at her side. She had been ill for some time.
but the ovarian cancer that caused her death
had been diagnosed for just a few days.
Mrs. Ward's family came to Fishers Is-
land in 1923 and bought a cottage on the
peninsula two years later. Since that time she
had been on [he Island for a part of almost
every summer. s[iIlliving in the same family
cottage that she owned with her brother
David C. Burnham.
Born July 23, 1916 in Buffalo, rhe
daughter of Rufus and Louise Campbell
Burnham, Mrs. Watd began her education
in Larchmom and completed high school in
Decatur, Ga. After graduating in 1940 from
Connecticut College for Women in New
London, she taught school for one year in
Los Angeles and returned to [he East Coast
to teach English at Notthfield School for
Girls in Massachusetts.
Becoming restless in 1944, Mrs. Ward
Photo Courtesy 01 the Rev. Philip H. Ward
HELEN BURNHAM WARD
was a 1929 ACS graduare and had gone to
Beirut as a missionary in 1943.
In 1947, after [raveling abroad, Mrs.
Ward returned to [he United States. She
[aught school in New Jersey and later mar-
WillS, TRUSTS & ESTATES
Probate in Suffolk County and Nassau County
Robert A. Doyen
Real Estate Appraiser
REAL ESTATE
Planning & Zoning
51020 Main Road, Southold NY 11971
Certified Residential Appraiser
New York & Connecticut
&1&
Former town attorney and surrogate's court attorney
"Providing Appraisal Services
Since 1984"
Patricia C. Moore
ATTORNEY AT LAW
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD, SUFFOLK COUNTY
631~788~7303 & 860~434~5838
631-765-4330 . Fax: 631-765-4643
Winter/Spring ZOOI. Fishers Island Gazelle 17
Fishers Island, NY
One of Fishers Island's great
waterfront estates. Over 6 acres "
beautifully sited to full advan-
tage of the stunning views and
gardens. Paneled Entrance Hall.
Large Living Room with
Fireplace. Dining Room. Glass
Porch. Breakfast Room. Large
Butler's Pantry. Main Kitchen.
Library. Master Bedroom with
Fireplace and Bath. Bedroom
with Fireplace and Bath. Guest
Suite with 3 Bedrooms. Art
Studio. Maid's Wing. Carriage
House with Four Car Garage.
Chauffeur's quarters. Guest
Apartment. Vegetable Gardens.
Pool. Hot tub. Sprinkler System.
$3,950,000
~
Jl..G.~~~~~ 1~~~~39~~'~7~-!8~
An Exclusive Affiliate Of 50theby's lutemational Realty
Thomas H.C. Patterson
/8 Fishers Is/and Gazette. Winter/Spring 20i)]
rn~st:fc IsLe r<eaLt:;y fnc.
BAGLEY REID. Broker SUE HORN. Salesperson www.mysticislerealty.com
Perhaps the most unique setting on the
Island with 280 feet of ocean frontage on
Chocomount Beach and a large shingled
style house from the 1920s that is abso-
lutely charming and well maintained.
The property consists of over 5 1/2 acres,
a portion of which includes beautiful,
yet quite natural gardens, lawn and speci-
men trees. These enhance the truly spe-
cial waterviews from the prominent po-
sition of the house. The main house
includes a large paneled living room
with exposed beams, pegged floors and a
huge fireplace. The generous dining room
adjoins a breakfast porch, which like the
living room has great waterviews.
There are six family/guest bedrooms each with private baths, all
with waterviews and in many cases, fireplaces. A very attractive
bedroom/sitting room suite was added some years ago that adjoins
a private painting studio. The kitchen area includes a butler's
pantry, kitchen, small dining porch and three maid's rooms. The
house is winterized, with an updated furnace, wiring, and alarm
systems. It appears to be mechanically and structurally sound and
is to be sold partially furnished. There is a separate four-car garage
with a three-bedroom apartment that includes a small sitting room
with fireplace, kitchen facilities, and two baths. There are also nice
waterviews from some of these rooms. T axes approximately $21 ,000,
asking price $3.950,000. Additional building site available to
interested pany if desired.
Winlerlt'ipring 2001. Fishers 1sland Gazette /9
rnJ'sLfc IsLe J<eaLt:~ fne.
.J=isbeRS ISlaod, o,;y. 06390 631-788-7882
'. ~ www.mysticislerealty.com
New
Listing
"~.c!t~
Located on the Gloaming on the West End of the Island with won-
derful water views over West Harbor, this carefully maintained shingle-
style dwelling has been remodeled in the recent past. The first floor
contains a generous-sized living room with a separate dining area that opens onto a big outside deck with a built-in Jacuzzi and great
views of the water. There is also a small but efficient modern kitchen, an office/sun-room and a double bedroom and bath on the first
floor. The second floor has a very large master bedroom with a small outside balcony and separate dressing room that has been
plumbed for a bath. There are attractive plantings throughout the easily maintained small yard. The house is well insulated and
winterized. Asking price $445,000 with taxes of only $2,500.
This immaculate 3-bedroom and 2-bath cottage was
totally remodeled aboU[ five years ago under the direc-
tion of Island architect Allie Raridon. There is a nice-
sized living room, bedroom, modern bath and updated
kitchen on the first floor and 2 bright double bedrooms
and bath on the second floor. There is also a full attic
with pull-down stair access. House is winterized and sits
on a small but nicely landscaped yard on MonraukAve.
Asking $225,000. Taxes approx. $2,200.
Wonderful family property built in the shingle-style in 1893 within easy
walking distance of the Village and Hay Harbor Club. Winterized. with 9
bedrooms and 5 1/2 baths, this house offers vintage Island charm and plenty of
space for family and friends. The ground floor has a generous living room with
fireplace, a cozy separate dining room, butler's pantry and kitchen with an
attached atrium. There is also a guest room with bath on this level. An outside
tetrace and very large yard complement the picture. Partially renovated in 1991,
the house will be sold partially furnished. Lot size is 0.54-acre (largest of the
Mansion House parcels), asking price $650,000. Taxes approx. $5,500.
20 f'ishers Island Gazette. Will/er/Spring ZIJOI
Our Lady of Grace Church will celebrate its centennial
next year. The parish council has scheduled the festivi-
ties (0 coincide wi th the 1 OOth anniversary of the church's
groundbreaking in 1902. Construction was completed in 1905.
As part of this celebration, the parish council hopes to chronicle
the church's first century in a book that will be available (0 all interested
Islanders. To that end, the council is asking all Islanders (0 contribute
available historical data [such as the postcard at right] documenting the
changes in Our Lady of Grace, both architecturally, and in the size and
make-up of the congregation over the last century.
Parish records are sketchy and incomplete. Therefore, photo-
graphs offormer priests, visiting bishops or changes in the building
itsclfwould bewclcome additions, giving the project a more personal
flair. Any memorabilia or documents would be greatly appreciated.
If you would like photographs or papers returned to you, please
make a note to that effect.
Photographs of weddings, christenings or confirmations may
show early views of the church and remodeling changes that have
occurred since the early 1900's. Orally recounted events would also
be valued.
All photographs, documents, or other memorabilia may be
sent to the Rev. Robert Barnes in care of Our Lady of Grace
Church. Please direct questions to Farther Barnes 631-788-7353,
or council members Arthur Walsh 631-788-7605 and Mary Strunk
631-788-7378.
Updates on the book project and the centennial celebration will
appear periodically in the Gazette.
MECHANIC
ON DUTY
FISHERS
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Postcard Courtesy of PIerce Ranerty
Official New York State
Auto Inspection Station
CARCO@ INSPECTION
Fuel Oil
Gasoline
Propane
Dockage
Diesel
Service
M@bir
FULL SERVICE Sl A liON
When you're in trouble, who are you going to call?
E. Riley, station manager
631-788-7311 · 631-788-5543, fax · Emergency only: 788-7178
Walsh Contracting Ltd., general managers
Winter/Spring 2001. Fishers Island Gaulle 21
A. Con't'ersalion ~ilL CalL."
By CATHY POSEY
Last summer, I called Father Smilga sacred theology and a doctoral degree in
to ask him a few questions now that philosophy. His ordination took place Mar.
he had retired as pastor of Our Lady 4, 1950 in the Basilica of St. John Lateran in
of Grace Church. From the moment he an-
swered the telephone, it was clear that he was
warm and accessible. Cerrainly, I could visit
the next morning. Directions were clear to his
ranch house on Winthrop Ave. (If only my
Island home had a street address!)
The welcoming committee consisted of
Father Smilga and Kiki, his small white dog
who makes up for its diminutive size through
vociferousness. Ushered into the living room,
I settled down to a leisurely visit and a chance
to hear the remarkable history of this devoted
Fishers Island resident.
Born in Lithuania. ZenanA. Smilga fled
his homeland at the end ofWWlI with his
brother Ziggy. His parents and other family
members were deported to a concentration
camp in Northern Siberia and died shortly
after their release. He has one surviving sister
whom he recently visited in Europe.
In 1944, Zenon Smilga entered the semi-
nary in Germany and by 1953 had com-
pleted his studies at the Pontifical Gregorian
Universicy in Rome. earning a licentiate in
Rome. Longing to move to the United States,
Farber SmiIga finally had the opportunity to
do so in 1955. He immediately went to
Vermont where he spent
15 weeks learning to
speak English. He is also
fluent in Italian, the re-
sult of time spent in
Rome, which served him
well in his years at St.
Sebastian's Church in
Middletown, Conn.
Father Smilga
worked within the Dio-
cese of Norwich, Conn.
for 40 years, beginning
with St. Sebastian's. and
including 16 years with
St. Mark's in Westbrook
and a two-year period in
Nc:w London. Duringhis
early days in this coun-
try. Father Smilga made
friends with other
Lithuanian priests. Since none had family to
visit, the group of five had enough free time
to travel in the vicinicy. One day. 43 years
ago. they discovered Fishers Island.
Deeming it a perfect escape, they pur-
chased a small cottage and began to spend
free time on the Island. Over the years, the
other priests moved on, but Father Smilga
Comi"u~J on p"g~ 2J
l~,.
.-'.
,'.,--.}
Sella Travers Photo
. WlIIiam F. Ray accepts an official expression ofappreclation from
Father Smilga last year for Mr. Ray's many years of outstanding
service on the parish board of Our Lady of Grace Church.
ISLAND HARDWARE
More than just locks and hinges
788-7233
SERVlnTAR~
r-M Benjamin A.. ~
oore~
..... PAINTS .J
22 Fishers Islat,d Gaulle. Winter/Spring 200t
. ~f
't:;
,
Sella Travers Photos
. (I-r) Cynthia Riley, Patricia Applemans and Elizabeth Husband enjoy an excursion on the Munnotowket last July to see the Tall Ships
celebration in New London Harbor. . (I-r) Camilla Spinola, Lindsey Horn and Tristan Belan, the confirmation class at Our Lady of Grace
Church, decorates a Christmas tree for Father Barnes at the rectory.
Fau~lkner. ,:,'~:! ,.~_~
Contrac,tirr..~g~*, "'1 ..\f~,
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Shop Phone & Fax: ~" l'
631-788-5612" ~',
Fishers Island NY 06390
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Health Clinic Modified
COlltilluedfrom page 3
The Amhoine family's anomey. Rich-
ard Pellicane of Southampron, "emphati-
cally disagrees" with Ms. Moore's position
and wrote her a letter to that effect last
November. [See Ierrer on page 3 and contin-
ued in box at rigbt]
Architects and engineers are currently
redesigning the clinic to retain all of [he
characteristics of the original design in an
annexed, not frcc-standing. structure.
"We have to address the Anrhoinc's
objections-they did nor want a frcc-stand-
ing building," Ms. Moore said. "Bur this
will not stop the proposal to provide addi-
tional modern medical facilities to the Is-
land, especially in light of the tremendous
support from the community."
The Anthoine family, through Mr.
Pellicane. has said it will oppose all applica-
tions for the clinic.
"We are not opposed to expansion so
long as it conforms to town regulations."
Ms. Leth said. "When the utility company
approached us in 1977 and asked if we
wanted to buy the property, which was
contiguous to our land, it made us think
that Lot 6.1 was an unbuildable lot, espe-
cially since we paid only $780 for it.
"We see the back of the doctor's house
now, but we are the only adjacent property
owner and want to protect the peaceful
enjoyment of our property and the value of
our property."
IHP is leaving the matter in the hands
of Ms. Moore but is unwavering in its focus.
Conversation with Cathy
Collti1lued from page 2/
remained intrigued by the Island and its op-
portunities for fishing, gardening and relax-
ation. He became a full time resident in 1994,
when he became pastor of Om L1dyofGrace
where he remained until spring of last year.
As a happy coincidence, Pope John Paul
II issued an invitation to all Lithuanian priests
and bishops (0 anend a celebration in Rome,
Mar. 4, 2000. This date would mark exactly
50 years since Father Smilga's ordination in
that same city. How could he not go? He was
principal celebrant of Mass at the Basilica of
St. John Lateran, where he had celebrated his
first Mass. To make the occasion even more
special, March 4 is St. Casimir's Day. St.
Winter/Spring 2001 . Fishers 1sland Gazette 23
Letter from Anthoine Attorney to IHP Attorney
C01ltimudfrom page 3
subdivision by the Town Planning
Board.
2. I emphatically disagree with
your statement that a lot line
change would allow for construc-
tion of a clinic.
3. If Lots 6,2 and 8 are merged
by a conveyance, into a common
owner, that parcel may not be
amenable to some extension of
the existing building situated on
Lot 7 subject, however, to:
a. setback requirements,
b. coverage requirements, and
c. use regulations.
4. I believe that approval to
construct a clinic requires a
change-of-zone, rather than a spe-
cial exception, and same would be
unconstitutional "spot zoning."
"The Island Health Project is continu-
ing its efforts to provide [he finest medical
care possible for Fishers Island," said Susie
Parsons, IHP co-chair with Kandi Sanger.
"The overwhelming success of our capital
campaign has encouraged the IHP Board to
continue this project with a promise to
honor the desires of the many who contrib-
uted to this worthwhile endeavor."
The current doctor's house sits on a lot
owned by the Fishers Island Civic Associa-
tion (FICA), because, at the timetbe land was
purchased, IHP was a committee of FICA
and not incorporated on its own. FICA plans
.
Casimir is the patron saint of Lithuania, and
Father Smilga's mother, Casimira, was named
in his honor.
Returning to Fishers Island, Father
settled into his newly-purchased home and
his retirement rourine. He still loves to fish,
work in the yard, read and write, though ill
health has caused him to slow down. He
travels to Colchester on weekends to assist
Father Mike with Mass and confession, and
he will always be active in the Lithuanian
Priests League of America. As a past national
president and treasurer and a current vice-
president, he labors to raise funds for semi-
narians and the needy in his native land.
After 45 years, he still loves Fishers Is-
land just as he did on that first visit.
A clinic, as it is referred to in
the plans given to the Town, is not
an extension of a doctor's office in
the home, or a use accessory
thereto.
. will notify all administra-
tive Town agencies and the Town
Attorney of my client's objec-
tions to this project and their
determination to vigorously op-
pose same.
Please call me if you wish to
discuss the above.
Very truly yours,
Richard Pellicane
2S Bowden Sq, Southampton NY
cc: Southold Town Planning Board,
Board of Appeals, Building
Dept. and Town Attorney
to convey that property [Q IHP, thus en-
abling IHP to combine it with Lot 6.2.
When the modified plans are com-
pleted, IHP will submit them to the zoning
board for consideration. "We hope the town
approves the project as we want it," Ms.
Moore said. "The Anthoines can challenge
approval by the town. Should they choose to
challenge it, we will go to coun."
Mike Posey Photo
. Father Robert W. Barnes replaced Father
Xenon Smilga at Our Lady of Grace Church
last summer and is currently planning for the
church's centennial celebration. [see p. 20]
24 f'ishers Is/mId Gazefte . Willter/Spring 2001
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Mt. Everest Ascent
~~
C01lfi"uedfrom page 7
staggering logistics of the trip. In this case, 16
high.altitude sherpas, 100 low-altitude por-
ters, a doctor, a base camp manager, 1 50 yaks,
120 bottles of over-pressurized oxygen from
Russia (illegal in the U.S.), oxygen masks and
regulators from Russian MIG fighters, and a
Russian helicoprer to cut in half the two. week
trek through the forest to reach base camp at
17,500 ft. The per person price of such a trip
can range from $20,000 to $60,000.
Mr. Grant's trip was unusual because
one member was 70-year-old AI Hanna from
Chicago, Ill.. who was making his third at-
tempt at the summit. "We probably needed
only four sherpas and did not require the two
professional guides in our group or the heli-
copter ride, but AI made those arrangements
for obvious reasons. Had AI made it, he
would have been the oldest man to reach the
top. The record is held by a 61-year-old man.
k, it was, Al reached Camp Four at 26,000
feet before being forced by the persistent
snowfall to turn back."
Of all the routes, Me. Grant's South Col
assignment (on the Nepal, not the Tibet
side) is the most commonly climbed, not
because it is the easiest ascent, but because its
camps are situated logistically in the best
places to weigh decisions about turning
around if necessary. It also has minimum
avalanche danger.
Co! is a Welsh word that means saddle,
referring to the shape of a ridge between two
peaks. The final ascent is made from the
South Col.
"The decision to turn back was not a
difficult one. Reaching the summit is only one
part of this incredible process," Mr. Grant
said. "Everest is a great mountain, a huge
mountain. It's spectacular. Not just the scen-
ery, but the Himalayan culture. The sherpas
are special and are wonderful friends. That was
the surprise, to be friends with these people
and to live in their culture for twO months.
"Sherpas are Buddhists and believe that
their reincarnation is driven by how good a
life they lead, so they fall over each other to
help you. Once, while we were resting for two
days, I reached out of my tent for a book.
Within five seconds there were three sherpas
pulling my duffel closer to the tent.
"The sherpas have a sense of responsibil-
ity and do not see climbers as an invasion of
their culture. They think it is an honor to
serve the mountain."
The sherpas will not set foot on the
--.
Edwin Horning Photo
. (I-r) Sally Sappienzaand Valarie Kinkade of Museum and Collector Resource pack H.L Ferguson
Museum's important ornithology collections last fall. Birds and other collections were moved Into
storage to make way for the renovation of the museum. Workers wore masks to protect against
dust generated from moving the collections, which have been in place for over 20 years.
.
mountain without the day-long Puja cer-
emony, prior to the ascent. They build a
stone. obelisk-like wall and burn incense and
juniper branches. They also make a rice offer-
ing with rice blessed by the Oahli Lama. Me.
Grant pulled out a small red plastic-wrapped
packet of the rice hanging from his neck by
substantial red silk cords.
According to tradition, he must wear the
token until it falls off, ostensibly when the
cords wear out. Climbers often stand on their
heads to achieve the same end, but Mr. Grant
tied the knot too close to his neck to slip off,
so he supposes he will be wearing the token
for some time.
Mr. Grant, who celebrated his birthday
in base camp, lives in Concord, Mass. with
his wife, Valarie Kinkade, and four-year-old
daughter, Meghan. He took a leave of ab-
sence as portfolio manager at Fidelity Invest-
ments while climbing Everest. Ms. Kinkade
is a museum consultant who has had a major
role in planning the future expansion of the
H.L. Ferguson Museum.
A Few Facts About Mt. Everest
FOOD: Sherpa cooks are trained in the British tradition of chips, and serve
lots of French fries. The yaks bring fresh fruit and vegetables to base camp
each week.
TEMPERATURE: At base camp, the early morning sun is in the teens, and the
midwmorning sun feels like 40oF. Extremes set in at Camp 2 where it can be
_I OOF. before sun-up. By 8 a.m., in the sun, with no wind, it can feel like 90oF.
Then if a cloud comes over, it can suddenly drop to zero.
TRASH: Everest has been cleaned up; there are no more oxygen bottles
littering the mountain. Since 1991, there have been environmental clean-up
expeditions, and there are bounties for bringing out trash.
CLIMBING EXPERIENCE:
Kevin Grant has been climbing for 15 years, and his ascents include the Polish
direct route on Aconcagua (Argentina), Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Mont Blanc
du tacul route and Grand Jorasses (Alps), Alpamayo (Peru), Huayna Potosi
and Condoriri (Bolivia), West Rib of Denali (Alaska), and other multiple
climbs throughout the United States.
26 Fidlers Island Gaz.elle. Winter/Spring 2001
e~c; island Ut:.
.~~ /~~
" F.I. Electric ~
F.!. Telephone
F.I. Water Works
FIDCO can and
will revoke your
right to drive past
the gate house.
SLOW DOWN-30~h!
.
A community service announcement from FIDCO (Fishers Island Development Corp.)
FISHE~RS~. ND~~~N
] 1[. 1"'"'.' 1:;__
p ~ Box <l6"4, Fishers Island NY 06390
l JTel~&..Fa~' 631-788-7029
John Spofford & Twig Stickney. Co-presidents
Nancy Hunt · Secretary!Treasurer
Board Members
Barry Bryan, Mark Daly, Heather Ferguson, Mike
Imbriglio, Sarah Malinowski, Speedy Mettler, Jay
Parsons Ill, Carol Ridgway, Penni Sharp
Louisa Evans, Ex officio
The Fishers Island Civic Association exists to promote the
economic, civic and social welfare of the people of
Fishers Island. Quarterly meetings provide forums for
discussions of Island issues and reports from Island
organizations.
Annual dues: Individual $10; Family $15
Subscribing $2S; Supporting $50
Sustaining $100
WPBA Expand~ Year-round Hou~.ng
The Walsh Park Benevolent Asso-
ciation (WPBA) has extended its
reach beyond the boundaries of
Walsh Park. In an ongoing effort to acquire
housing for year-round residents, WPBA has
purchased two West End properties.
Threeyearsago. WPBA boughr rhe long-
vacant Middleton house on Montauk Ave.,
and just last year, the association acquired the
Rugg home. also on Montauk Ave.
"We are very exci [cd abou t the purchase
of rhe Rugg house. the 14,h in the WPBA
family." said WPBA Chairman Frank Burr.
"There are [\'10 parts to this, cash and a tax
deduction, but in no way does the tax deduc-
tion equal the price of the home.
"This shows the Rugg's understanding
of WPBA's goals. We are gratified and so
appreciative of their commitment to Fishers
Island."
The Walsh Park Board has for some
time been trying to secure a "significant
propeny" to house year-round residents.
They have had a number of discussions with
potential sellers, but this is the first one that
clicked, Mr. Burr said.
The Rugg property is zoned both resi-
o
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~
o
.
..
"
.
~
~
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.
~
.
~.
~
.
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dential and commercial and, years ago,
housed Olga's ice cream parlor in its lower
level store front.
Just down the street, the Middleton
house, deteriorating from neglect, had been
broken into and picked over in recent years.
After purchasing the property. rhe WPBA
organized a successful cross-community ef-
fort in which the house was totally emptied
and cleared of its overgrown vines. The
house still awaits renovation.
"We've been working to get it fixed up,"
Me. Burr said, "but there are not a lot of
resources. "
Eventually, the properties will be either
rented or sold on the condition that they
always remain in the WPBA family, Me. Burr
said. He suggested that anyone interested in
purchasing a home in Walsh Park pick up an
application from Tom Doherty at the utility
company office. Although all residences are
currently occupied, holding a spot on the
waiting list offers the best opportunity for
purchase should a vacancy arise. "Having a
waiting list gives us a measure of the de-
mand," Mr. Burr said. First time home own-
ers are welcome to apply.
Winter/Spring 2fJOI. Fishers Island Gazette 27
Nort" Du....pling. ~
Dean Kamen Makes
Na,'1 Headl.ne~
Fishers Island's neighbor to the
north-no, not Connecticut-
found himself in the national spot-
light this year. Dean Kamen, the bona fide
millionaire inventor who owns North
Dumpling Island. is supposedly rhe keeper of
a huge secret: A new invention that some say
could rival the personal computer and the
Internet in significance.
Whether hoax or happy antidote to a
long wimer, news of (he phantom invention
spread as it will on the Internet, like wildfire.
Inside.com got wind of an e-mail from Hart-
ford, Conn. writer Steve Kemper, who re-
portedly sent a book proposal about the
invention to the Harvard Business School
Press. In the proposal, Kemper describes (he
device, known as "IT" or "Ginger," as some-
thing that "will sweep over the world and
change lives, cities and ways of thinking."
Early in March, Inside.com reported
that "IT" is a permanently-balanced motor-
ized scooter with a pollution-free hydrogen
fuel cell. Some reports say that Kamen had
planned to market (he scooter in 2002, but
that he has not yet built his factoI)' and might
now encounter unexpected competition from
other companies on the fuel cell track.
Mr. Kamen, who lives and works in
New Hampshire, has credibility and respect.
He has invented, among other things, a por-
table insulin pump, a portable dialysis ma-
chine and IBOT, a stair-climbing wheelchair
that can stand up on two back wheels.
Ten years ago, he also founded FIRST
(For Inspiration and Recognition of Science
and Technology). a hugely popular roboric
competition that teaches high school stu-
dents about engineering and teamwork.
According [0 Kamen lore, after buying
his first helicopter, he flew to North Dump-
ling Island and, discovering that it was for
sale. boughr rhe 4-acte island. A dispute wirh
the State of New York over his plan [0 build
a wind turbine on the island led to his deci-
sion (0 have North Dumpling secede from
(he United States.
He crowned himself"Lord Dumpling"
and created the island's currency, navy, flag
and passports. He outlawed broccoli in trib-
ute to his friend then-President George bush.
The elder Bush in turn, signed a non-aggres-
sion pact with the island, although the seces-
sion itself has never been recognized.
28 Fishers Islaltd Gazette. Winter/Spriltg ZOOI
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Winter/Spring 2(}(}J . Fishers Island Gazene 29
-WIND-ell.ll-
I I I I I I
~DYfINI- H~RNING
Oee.112! 10 tm.
70:80-((0015 j
~Ioclted pn charlerJerry_iusl_
butside Silver- Eel'Pond
Dee. 12
5S knots
Fisj,~rs Island School
-Dec. 7.*
1
, I I
.5.70 F..at_7 a.m.
b~17
68 knots
fishers 1~lan~ School
bee. 17}4 p!m.
94 knot~"
D---- 17~6-- -
,ec. j Pim.
0-10 knots"
- T
!lee. 17) 10p,.m.
fO'tor
Dee: 118) 1 :30 a.m.
70 knotS"
i
Dec. 18
3~0~. at 7,a.m.
-"~or~e51Io.j.-Ie~per,!lure,evet-
recorded Ion F.I. for this dale. .~
'I I I I ,
*jBryan anemometer on south sllore
I I I I I I I
. Island waters churn during a December 2000 wind storm.
Walsh Contracting Lid Photo
Edwin HornIng Photo
. Islanders described December 2000 as one ofthe windiest months in memory. The above tree
was first seen floating about 30 yards off shore and came to rest on South Beach just 40 yards from
the spot where another huge tree had docked two years before. The beach was also littered with
large branches. chunks of wood, fence.post-size pieces of wood and a well-placed row of driftwood
made up mostly of smaller sticks entwined with plastic and other objects.
CATCH THE BOATING SPIRIT THIS SUMMER!
631-788-7528
OPEN MONDAY.FRIDAY 8:00 - 4:30
"IN SEASON".
SATURDAY 8:00 -4:30
30 Fishers /sla"d Gazelle. Wi"terISpri"g 2(){JI
Horning's Nature
By EDWIN HORNING
There was a very large white bird sit-
ting in a parking area by the country
club last fall. Gteg Thibodeau spot-
ted it and came directly to our house to look
through the new Sibley Guide to Birds for illus-
trations of storks, herons and egrets.
He finally identified the northern gan-
net, a bird that I had seen standing near the
railing at the top of Isabella Beach every day
for the past two weeks.
Katherine and I drove east in search of
the bird, and as we approached the club's
parking area, we saw a very white bird sitting
in the road. I took several photos, but after
two other cars arrived, we realized that we
had to do something about the gannet.
I drove home and got a large cardboard
box and fishnet. When I returned, the gannet
had not moved, so I caught the bird with the
net and placed it in the box. I took it to a safe
place on the West End and then phoned the
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center
(DPNC) in Mystic for information about
what to do with this fish-eating sea bird.
Al Brown at DPNe said that another
gannet had been brought in and had died. He
gave me the name of a woman who cares for
sea birds, but I couldn't reach her. Duringthe
night, the gannet died. I put it in the freezer,
and it will become a specimen in the reno-
vated H.L. Ferguson Museum.
Earlier, returning home from the East
End with the very live gannet, 1 had stopped
at the top of Isabella beach and, looking over
Block Island Sound, had seen several herring
gulls and finally, a northern gannet. On most
occasions, 1 see onlya single gannet or at most
not more than five. They are recognized by
their very whiteness and black wingtips and
by their most spectacular dive that ends in a
splash sometimes mistaken fora whale'sspout.
Edwin Horning Photo
. An old squaw sea duck was sighted in West
Harbor Dec. 27, 2000, too early for the count.
I
On Nov. 3,1991 there was a far differ-
ent gannet story. On that autumn day at
about noon, 1 crossed theeast-south-east end
of the runway and was about to cross to the
beach, when I saw a gannet and then another
and then several. It was such an unusual
sighting that 1 went home to share it with
Katherine. Returning to the beach, we saw
gannets and more gannets.
I began to clock how many went by in a
single minute. Some of the minute-by-minute
counts were 150, 100.70,55 and many lesser
groupings. Theysteadily passed through, and
we estimated that over 3000 gannets flew
overhead that afternoon-something 1 had
witnessed neither before nor since.
Edwin Horning Photo
. A gannet, rescued near the Fishers Island Club, died later that night.
Annual AuduLon CLristmas Bird Count
Edwin Horning has bun participating in the NationalAudubon Society! Annual Christmas Bird
Count since 1963. when he took over for Lee Ferguson. 7'lJe count. which covers North America and
CentralAmerica, tak~s place during the week ftllowing Christmas. Fishers Island birds are recorded
as part of the New London count.
By EDWIN HORNING
Last December's annual Audubon Bird sers, the great cormorant, a horned grebe and
Count was set for a snowy and rainy a harrier harrying overthe Middle Farm area.
Dec. 3D-no day to count birds. So we The eastern end of Middle Farm flats is the
rescheduled it for Jan. I, a day that turned boundary of our official counting area.
out to be cold and clear with a strong north- As we were parked on Beach Road, Ken
west wind. Edwards Sr. pulled along side and reported
I first saw some gulls at Race Point, and several good sightings, including 40 juncos,
then, as I walked along airport beach in a 30- 20 robins and a pheasant.
40 mph wind, I saw a latge white snowy owl We called it a day at about 4:30 p.m. At
tlyingoverhead. Momems later, atlockuf20 home, I phoned Cal Beggs and Dick Baker,
brant flew from the water to the shore. A who added black ducks, mallards, a great
pipit scurried on the sands of the beach, and blue heron and eight tufted titmice to the list.
two blackbellied plovers, 20 dunlins, 4 purple The last call was to Bob Dewire, who
sandpipers and one sanderling were feeding heads up the New London count. He said if
at the edge of the water. we had just two birds that he did not have on
My wife, Katherine. and son, George, his list, then New London would have a new
werewaitingformeathomc,andwesoonleft record-and we did: the snowy owl and
for Isabella Beach, where we saw five com- sanderling!TheNewLondoncountwas 122,
man loons. At a beach farther east, we added and we sighted 48 different types of birds on
three goldeneyes, some red~breasted mergan- Fishers Island. a good count.
1."-
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Winler/Spring 1001 . Fishers Island Gazelle.1 J
-
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~-
-
-
F. I. Rec:ords 1st N.Y. Sighting of Nesting Eider Duc:L;s
Edwin Horning Pholo
Fishers Island is now in the record
books for the first official sighting
of nesting eider ducks south of Cape
Cod. Usually considered ducks of Maine and
other northern climes, the eiders appear to be
working their way south along the Atlantic
Coast with other birds, including the herring
gull and great black-backed gull.
OnJuly 16, 1999, Dick Baker and I saw
a mother eider and a chick near the shore of
South Dumplinglsland, but New YorkState
will not accept the observations as official
withaur photographic evidence, in addition
to a second observer.
This time we got lucky, On Aug. 5,
2000,Jackie Williamson called to sayrhat
she and her son Petcr had just seen a
family of a mother and fout young ducks,
possibly eiders. swimming near the Cherry
Rafferty wetland. The next morning,
Katharine and I drove halfWay down the
Island to find them.
Looking north over the water, we saw
that they were indeed eider ducks and nor
morc that 50 yards away. I quickly turned
into a parking area, but as I did so the family
suddenly and swiftly swam our to sea in the
direction of the Fishers Island power plane
across West Harbor. By now, Jackie had
arrived with her camera (I had forgotten
mine), but the ducks were out of sight.
We all returned at about 3 p.m., and
before I had even stopped the car, I saw,
thtough field glasses, small dark forms in the
water about a quarter of a mile away. Focus-
ing my field glasses. the forms turned into
the eidet duck family, but they began to
move out to sea away from shore.
Just then, a man on a distant lawn
walked toward the ducks but still they
swam, farther and farther out to sea. Then,
luckily, they tumed and swam back to-
ward land in my direction. As I rook
pictures, they rounded Cherry's long dock
By EDWIN HORNING
and continued to swim toward me.
This time I had not patkcd in the
parking area but alongside the road. I could
not believe what was happening. As the
family swam nearer and nearer, I kept tak-
ing pictures. I t was an exciting time. About
50 yards from me, the mother climbed onto
a large flat rock. The four young at first
swam on by but then returned and one by
one climbed onto the rock and sat in a row
beside the mother. Very soon they had
snuggled down for a nap. They were defi-
nitely eider ducks, and I had photos of
them, proof of nesting in New York State.
The earliest record thar I have of the
eider duck on Fishers Island is a male seen on
Dee. 30. 1969. During the 1970s, a few
were sometimes seen during the winter; on
Dec. 29, 197 \, we entered lOin theAudubon
Christmas count; and in the late 1980s,
...
Island residents began seeing eiders during
the nesting month of May.
In theeatly 1990s,JeffEdwatdsworkcd
at the castle at the extreme eastern end of the
Island. where he had an excellent view of the
water and of the ducks in winter. On Jan. 2,
1991, Jeff noticed a scattered group of 20
eiders; on Nov. 20, 1994, he counted 60; on
Oct. 3, 1996, 300; and on Dec. 16, 1996,
500. Jeff also reported an eider seldom seen
on the Island, the rare king eider.
Birds have also moved up from the
south to nest on Fishers Island. One day
during the early 1960s. Lee Ferguson
pointed out what was then a rare bird. It
was a mockingbird perched atop the army
barracks that stood where the school stands
now. Another is the oysrercatcher. But
this northward migration is a story for
another time.
~
..
.
Edwin Horning Photo
. This first official sighting of nesting eider ducks in New York State (and also south of Cape Cod)
put Fishers Island into the record books at Cornell University. which keeps state records for
nesting birds. A mother duck leads her ducklings to a rock (top photo) where they take a welcome
rest (bottom photo).
32 Fi.~lIers Island Gazette. Winter/Spring 20(JI
earching for news on Fishers Is-
land in the depths of winter takes
time. But occasionally, it's not diffi-
cult when every other conversation begins
with, "Have you heard about the cooking
class?"
Island resident and chef, Stefan Schiestl
has offered an adult education cooking class
for the past three winters at Fishers Island
School and has seen the sessions grow in
popularity. "There is a core group of eight,
but the number of participants has grown
steadily. We had 8-1 0 the fitstyeat, then 10-
12, and this yeat we had 13-16," said Me.
Schiestl's wife, the former Pat Downey.
"Everybody is here to learn, but it is an
enjoyable social gathering," Ms. Schiestl
said. The five-session course attracts men
and women, young and old, who meet
Thursday evenings in the school's home
economics room. The schedule consists of
four classes and a final dinner at the Schiestl's
West End home.
The chef creates new dishes for each
class but tries to build on earlier lessons for
those who have attended from the begin-
ning. The first year he did soups, sauces and
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. Bagley Reid (r) appears pleased with Chef Stefan Schiestl's menu selections for the evening's
adult education cooking class at Fishers Island School.
vegetable cooking, and demonstrated meat cooking techniques, including searing, broiling
and braising.
This winter, Mr. Schiestl made five different dishes from a loin of pork one evening and
made Maryland crab cakes and scallops another. "We have a lot of young mothers who don't
have time to make big detailed desserts, so Stefan taught them a few things that they can put
together quickly, like a chocolate mousse cake or creme caramel." Ms. Schiestl said.
Typically, the chef cooks, and the students observe, taste and
usually leave with a couple of recipes in hand. The Schiestls do bulk
purchasing at 81's in Connecticut and complete their lists at Stop
and Shop.
"Some people are scared to cook. This class makes them more
comfortable with methods and menus," Ms. Schiestl said.
Mr. Schiestl has been a chef for 18 years and for the past three
years has been executive chef at the Fishers Island Club.
11iA~11l? 1()lf lrltilE I()OI3.~ II~IC,.
~ ILlIte,. # U)119_S7
-discounts on cases
-fax service
-photocopying
-gift certificates
-free delivery
-party supplies
A fine selection of wines and
liquors from around the world*
O[)IE~ ""IEA\Il?,.Il?OU~IU
Phone: 788-7101 . Fax: 788-5599
-Wine tasting every Saturday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.,
June 30 through labor Day weekend
.
Plu... Island PuLlic:: Relations
Plum Island was the object ofa public relations blitz last summer
centering on David Huxoll, the then-new director of Plum
Island's animal disease research center and the U.S. government's
choice to shepherd Plum Island ftom a Biosafety Leve/-3 (BSL-3)
designation to BSL-4, if funding for the upgrade is approved. [See
Gazette Vol. 14 No. I. page 9]
Speaking at the Fishers Island Conservancy's annual meeting last
August, Mr. Huxoll was astrongandengagingspeakerwithan agenda
to push. He eXplained the pressing need to upgrade the facility to study
increasingly dangerous pathogens, and, at the same time, tried to
convince those in attendance that Fishers Island has nothing to fear
from the formerly notoriously secretive Plum Island.
An expert in his field, Mr. Huxoll has experience with high-
security U.S. Army research into infectious diseases and has headed up
United Nations inspection teams looking for biological weapons in
secret Iraqi military compounds after the Gulf War.
According to The Suffolk Times, Mr. Huxoll's efforts to gain
Continued on page 33
Winter/Spring 2001 . Fishers Is/and Gazelle 33
Michelle Ball Photos
. Construction continues on Fishers Island. (Clockwise from top left) Collins. overlooking South Beach; McLean, overlooking Hay Harbor Golf
Course; Pagliarulo on East End; and modular housing. temporarily next to movie theater, for Fishers Island Club summer staff.
Plum Island PR
Continued ml page 33
public trust hit a snag last fall when he did not
readily admit that Plum Island has tissue
samples from 21 sheep infected with an un-
known type of transmissible spongiform en-
IF YOU ARE
CONSIDERING...
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CALL:
DOCKO, INCORPORATED
"a compute Uldterfr07lt development resourct'"
cephalopathy (TSE) , a family of diseases that
includes bovine spongiform encephalopathy
(BSE), also known as "mad cow disease."
According to the Center for Disease
Control (http://www.cdc.gov/travell
madcow .htm), there is increasingevidence
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Affiliate
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John D. Hastings. Fairfield Counly
203.226.8325
34 Pishers ldalld Gazelle. Winter/Sprblg ZO()}
Announ<<:e...enls
ENGAGEMENTS
Victoria Wentz and Jonathan Hanes. A
July 14 wedding is planned in Bay Head,
N.J.
Daphne Spofford and Peter Schwab. A
Sept. 8 wedding is planned on Fishers
Island.
Catherine Holbrook and Jeff Edwards. A
fall wedding is planned on Fishers Is-
land.
Amanda Dresser and Matthew Gada. An
Oct. 13 wedding is planned in
Williamsburg. Va.
Allison Scroxton and Don Brown. An
Oct. 20 wedding is planned on Fishers
Island.
Holland Holcomb Goss and Kevin Chris-
topher Lynch. A Feb. 2, 2002 wedding i,
planned in San Francisco, Cal.
WEDDINGS
Shani Moshontz and Andrew White.
Nov. II, 2000, Cleveland. Ohio.
Sarah Lewars duPont and Edwin
Hendriksen, Nov. 4. 2000, Boca
Grande, Fla.
Kate Lyon and Matthew Jackson. Nov.
25, 2000, New Canaan, Conn.
First Quarter Honor Roll
2000 -200 I
High Honor Roll (93-100)
Ethan Bean, Sarah Bean
Rand Brothers, Sage Farrar
Rebecca Leeser, Conner Scace
Michael Scace, Derek Schlender
Camilla Spinola
Honor Roll (87-92)
Robert Blair. Alicia Cairns
Matthew Crupi, Zoey Feinstein
Dragan Gill, Cory Hollis, Lindsey Horn
Mason Horn, Martin Karpel
Graham Kuzia, Roseann Randall
Olga Solovyeva. Jim Stanley
Dorian Drees and Reed Kean. Dec. 9,
2000, New York City.
Katherine Kent Stickney and Hilary Saw-
yer. Dec. 16. 2000, Chestertown, Md.
Jamie Rowe and Wayne Doucette, Feb. 3,
Fishers Island.
BIRTHS
James Cortelyon McCall, Feb. 9. 2000, to
Abigail (Stackpole) and David Bruce
McCall Jr., New York City.
Henry Magnus Walker, April 8, 2000. to
Amanda and Douglass Walker. Boston,
Mass.
Christopher Andrew Sherman, Oct. 2.
2000, to Linda (Zanghetti) and Brian
Sherman, New Milford, Conn.
Lauren Elizabeth Wakeman, Oct. II.
2000, to Sally (Strupp) and Fred
Wakeman, London. England.
Jack Edward Travers. Oct. 16, 2000, to
Sarah and Edward Travers. South Sa-
lem,N.Y.
John "Jack" Neuhoff. Oct. 22, 2000. to
Mary Eileen (Flanagan) and Mark
Anderson, Durham, N.C.
Phoebe Pratt Macleod, Nov. 13,2000, to
Robin and Ian Macleod, Medfield, Mass.
Second Quarter Honor Roll
2000 -200 I
High Honor Roll (93-' 00)
Ethan Bean, Sarah Bean
Rand Brothers, Sage Farrar
Rebecca Leeser. Conner Scace
Michael Scace, Derek Schlender
Camilla Spinola
Honor Roll (87-92)
Robert Blair, Alicia Cairns
Matthew Crupi, Zoey Feinstein
Dragan Gill, Cory Hollis. Lindsey Horn
Mason Horn, Martin Karpel
Graham Kuzia, Roseann Randall
Olga Solovyeva. Jim Stanley
. Sarah Bean, a senior at Fishers Island School,
received the Debbie Whittemore Leadership
Award Feb. 4 at Stony Brook College. The award,
sponsored by Fleet Bank and Stony Brook College,
recognizes local high school senior girls who have
excelled in academics, athletics and leadership.
Sarah will attend the University of New Hamp-
shire this fall to study molecular, cellular and
developmental biology. She is pictured here with
Fishers Island School's physical education teacher,
Dan Gillan.
THE NEXT F.1. CIVIC
ASSOCIATION,MEETING:
MAY 26*, 4 P.M.
AT F.I. SCHOOL
*Memorial Day weekend
Margaret and Nathaniel Chaves, Dec. 27,
2000, to Margaret and John Chaves.
Simsbury, Conn.
Elizabeth "Elsie" Flett Harrington, to
Ashley and Ted Harrington, Jan. 10,
Bedford, N.Y.
Alexander Henry Goss.Jan. 24, to Allison
(Burr) and Chauncey Goss, McLean,
Va.
Theodore H. Smith V. Feb. 18, to Laura
and Ted Smith, North Berwick, Me.
William Peyton Yerkes, Feb. 18, to Darcy
and Nick Yerkes, Marblehead, Mass.
Thomas "Quinn" Armstrong V. Feb. 15.
to Bridget and Tom Armstrong, New
York City.
Evans
Realty
Licensed Real
Estate Broker
Sales . Rentals
631-788-7054
Topper's
Ice Cream
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Opening for our Zth season
May 4, :2001
Open every weekend in May and June
COTTAGE FOR RENT: 1 bedroom,
living room, kitchen, washer/dryer.
Availableforseasonal rental. Please
call 212-426-6948 for further infor-
mation.
~
BACK ISSUES of the Gazette are
not filled with old news-they are
packed with Island history. Issues
are available from 1992 to the
present and cost $5.00 each. Call
or e-mail the editor, 860-633-8200
or figazette@home.com.
700+ square-foot COMMERCIAL
SPACE or STORAGE SPACE
available for seasonal or yearly
rental. Please call 212-426-6948
for further information.
CLASSIFIED ADS WANTED: Mail
name, address. telephone number,
and message of up to 35 words,
with a check for $15. to: Fishers
Island Gazette, Classified, PO Box
573, Fishers Island, NY 06390.
WinterlSpri"K 2001 . Fishers Is/alld Gazette 3S
. Edwin and Kay Horning join Santa (aka John Stuckert) at a jolly
Seniors' Christmas Party last December.
B1Iavel
AMEROGON Agency.....-:::
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Travelers Checks
Airline Tickets
Cruises
Hotels
Tours
EiID
11 Bank St.
New London
1-800-545-9154
. G.B. ERR.
APPRAISAL CoMPANY
A real estate appraisal company
serving Fishers Island
NY STATE CERTIFIED
Gregory B. Erb . 860-536-0721
Located at Mystic Shipyard
'Q[lp~ 'equat ~ltlt
Mon. thru Fri., 4:30 p.m. to close
Sat. & Sun.. J 2:30 p.m. to close
631-788-7246
FALVEY CORPORATION
Quality + Our Specialty
Specializing in unique sitework and
construction projects. All types of
materials available...screened topsoil.
. We Work to Save the Trees and Environment.
Donald J. Falvey, Pres.
P.O. Box 699, 237 RI. 80
Killingworth CT 06419
Office 860-663-1695
Fax 860-663-2719
EDWARDS LOBSTERS
"The Best Tails in Town"
PO Box 167
Fishers Island NY 06390
631-788-7645
Beeper 888-602-0770
-
CHRIS & TRUDI EDWARDS
Delivery Available
-;.&~ Congratulate that new Mom and
W.b NUT>try Dad and let them know you care.
You can even see their baby and order pictures!
Sptcial. Find many job opportunities
Programs available at Lawrence & Memorial
or visit the medical staff directory online.
Community View a full list of educational and
H.alth tl d' I d'
me Ica programs an services
offered to our community.
~ Research over 1,500 timely medical
lJ~E HEAL~~j articles that will help you become
CONNEOION a better health care consumer.
0", -1ft You also can find a guide for
IiSat'<'~lt~k visitors including visiting hours,
attl.r.$
directions and your patient rights.
Your feedback is important. Contact
Kelly Anthony, at (860)442-0711, ext.
2028 or kanthony@lmhosp.chime.org
-~
.,
Lawrence & Memorial Hospital. 365 Montauk Avenue · New London, Connecticut 06320
~l
LInda Bean Photo
'1
.1
I
I
. A snowy bea.ch after the March 6 storm offers photo opportunities for Sarah Bean.
HSHERSGAZEl J E
[I'LAND
Box 573
Fishers Island NY 06390
FIRST.CLASS MAIL
us POSTAGE
PAID
HARTFORD CT
PERMIT NO 945,
FIRST CLASS
RECEIVED
No Exp
(
Ms Betty Neville
Southold Town Clerk
PO Box 1179
Southold, NY 11971
APR 1 0 2001
S$!,Ulhcild To..ih~