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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991 Vol 5 No 4 November I $2", I ,V('li's.\falld FISHERS ISLAND Vol. 5, No.4 November, 1991 A Fishers Is/and Civic Association Publication New Seastretcher Arrives on Fishers Island The new Seastretcher was chris- tened on Fishers Island October 12, and the boat is expected to be placed into serv- ice in early November. Catherine Jens- sen, coordinator of the ambulance squad, christened the boat in a ceremony which was attended by about 200 persons. In addition, Father Paul Gaumond blessed the boat. The 42-foot fiberglass boat was built by Duffy and Duffy of Brooklin, Maine at a cost of $285,000. The boat was launched October I. Fire Chief Tom Doherty, fire- men Ernie Middleton and Mike Conroy and F.r. Ferry captain Mark Easter piloted the boat down from Maine leaving Brooklin on the afternoon of October 4 and arriving at Fishers Island the following afternoon. "It handled absolutely perfectly," said Chief Doherty. "It helped that we had nice weather on the way down." 5 ince the arrival of the am bulance boat, fire department personnel have been busy training on the new Seas- tretcher. "Everyone is very, very pleased with it, with thewayithandlesanditsroomi- ness," Chief Doherty said. In addition to the cost of the beat, installation of the electronics and new medical equipment is costing $15,000. The fire department was able to raise sufficient money for the construction of the new boat, but is still soliciting donations for the accessory equipment. Chief Doherty said. The old Seastretcher, which has been in service for the past 15 years, has already been put up for sale with an asking price of $37,500. The fire department has already received some bids, but they were See Seastrdch.er on Page 2 , ...... ' $- ... -. r . ~ The new Seaslrelcher was unveiled during a cerenwl1yon October 12 a/the Fishers Is/and Yacht Club which included a blessing by Father Paul Gaunwnd afOur LadyofGrace Church. (Photo credits: DickEdward'i) 2 Fishers Island Gaz.ett~ To the Editors - Every so often when the Big Club course record comes up, I am reminded of a chat I had with Pcte Bostwick back in the mid- 50's, m the Racquet Club in New York City, after our hard game of racquets. Our talk came round to Fishers Island, and his 63 which, he was told by the pro at that time (not Alvaraz) was the course record. "All his pUlts fell" as he put it. It is nice to hear that he was followed by Messrs. Harmon aod Alvarez who tied him. Regret you can't "look it up" since these things didn't seem to get as much notice on Fishers Islaod then. Yours Sincerely, Harry Yerkes Dear Editor, I was born on Fishers Island, but we moved away when I was two. Shortly afterwards the Family Children Services took me from my mother and father - Larry and Pat. Sioce then, I moved from foster home to foster home, aod then going on my own a short number of year's ago at the age of sixteeo. I believe I may still have relatives in or around Fishers Island. I was hoping you could print this letter so they might get in touch. I am currently locked io a Georgia Prison for non-violent offenses and I've oever felt so alooe in my life. If there is anyone on Fishers Island who knows my mom or dad, or just someone who wishes to write as a friend and share a smile from time to time. Please write. Respectfully yours, Lee Richards C.C.c.1. B-Dorm ]877 County Farm Road Marietta, Georgia 30060 Gentlemen: My wife and I wish to express our appreciation to the civics groups who so energetically and enthusiastically helped restore Fishers Island to normal after Hurricane Bob. The response was immediate and overwhelming and is evidence of the quality of the wonderf u] group of people who live on Fishers Island. Sincerely yours, Nathan E. Saint-Amand The Fishers Island Gazelle is a notjor-profit publication sponsored by the Fishers Island Civic Association. The Gazelle is published four times a year in February, May, August, and November. Editors; Dan and Sally Gordon Associate Editors; Rick Moody and Rob White Reporters; Ann Anthony, Mary Roberts, Carol Ridgway, Annie Burnham and David Burnham Sports Editor; John Peishoff Photographers; Dick Edwards, AI Gordon. Ann llanes. Sarah Tullle, Bill Furse Controller and Circulation; Bob Anthony Advertising Director; Sarah Rose The Fishers Island Gazelle; Box 573, Fishers Island, N.Y. 06390. Subscriptions are $12 ayear. Pleasemail your order witha check made out to the Fishers Island Gazelle. --- . PRIWoTEP1IQPtIm MU!6CllSONll srt:_ERS!lUAJllt[O Otl,l,UfflHCLES MOMOlORClClES 1\"",!" "'~. The flag at the East Endguardhouse was flown at half mast this summer in menwry of gatekeeper Vina/CUTtis who died inJuJy. Seastretcher ContinuedframPage I too low, said Chief Doherty, who added that he hopes the 36-foot Hatteras boat will be sold by the end of the year. The fire department decided to replace the old Seastretchcr last summer and contracted with the Duffy and Duffy firm to do the work. Construction of the boat started in April. The new boat which is built like a Maine style lobster boat is sturdier and more capable of operating in rough seas than the old Seastretcher. The new Seastretcher has quarters for two crew members and two patients, and has a full bmhroom. There is considerably more space in the new Seastretcher, Chief Doherty said. The Seastretcher is the fourth ambulance boat built by Duffy and Duffy with the other three having been purchased by the government of Chile, according to Chief Doherty. At the christening ceremony, an open house was held and Island residents were allowed to inspect the new craft. Refresh- ments were also served. The Seastretchcr is used to transport persons needing emergency medical attention from the Island to the mainland. Chief Doherty said patients can get to Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London in about 20 minutes on the Seastretcher. The Seastretcher is used about 40 times a year for emergency trips, he added. The finishing touches being put onlhe Seastretcher at the DuffyandDuffy boatyard inllrooklin,Maine. r I Fishers Island Gazelle 3 Hurricane Bob Delivers Haymaker to Island By Ann Walsh Anthony Hurricane Bob swept through Fishers Island on Monday, August 19th with the subtlety ofa hard slap. Not since 1954 had the Island received such a jolt from a storm, although the word heard most in the assessmcnt of the aftermath of "Bob" was lucky. Darn- agc and personal injuries were few. Hundreds of trees fell bringing utility poles, wires and trans- formers with them. Except for one trce which fell onacarand a boat and another which knocked bricks out of a chimney and a third which flattened a tool shed, very little structural damage was reported. At2:30 p.m. on the 19th, Tom Doherty was overheard utter- ing, "Gloria never thought of being this bad." At the time Mr. Doherty was supervising the clearing of the East End Road about 1/4 mile east of the Brickyard. A dozen or more trces had fallen, taking four electric poles with them. Thc damage to the wires and utility polcs would surely have caused the cntire Island to be without electricity, but as a precau- tionary measure, thc Fishers Island Electric Company turned the powcr off to reduce the risks of fire or electrocution. Power to some sections of the Island was restored by 8:00 that evening. The Fishers Island Electric Company, with the a"iSlancc of men from the Town of Southold, the Groton, Connecticut, Utility Company and the State, managed to restore power to the rest of the Island by Thursdayevening. Telephone service was interrupted for twenty minutes La the entire Island and only forty customers reported loss of service beyond that. Without debate the area hit hardest by "Bob" was West Har- bor, specifically the boats moored and docked there. If the word "lucky" was heing used by homeowners, it was not heard around West Harbor. At least seven boalS dragged their moorings ashore and some brought docks and other boats with them. At least two boats broke loose from their anchorages in Connecticut and landed on Fishers Island beaches. Peter Rugg's "Pegasus," a hulls-eye was the victim of a larger boat dragging it's mooring. At about 2:00 p.m. on the 19th, Annie and David Burnham, Brad Burnham and Charlie van Voorhis carne upon Meredith, r . . I \ r I -; - \ I . . Brad Rurn.hampi/ols boat of/the rocks in West Jlarhor during the storm. (PlwlO credit: AM Anthony) Hay /farbor dock being pounded during lIurrican.e Bob. (Photo: Sarah Tuttle) .. After the storm. (Photo: Ann Anthony) Courtney and Charlton Rugg trying to pull "Pegasus" off a seawall in front of AI Dawsons. The wind at this point was still howling and the mission was nearly impossible. Brad Burnham jumped on the boat and using only the rudder "sailed" her to a nearby piling and tied her there to ride out the rest of the storm. Brad made the long "Hero-Of-The-Day-List" when he then dove into the water and swam ashore. Peter Rugg told the Gazette that Pegasus suffereda hole in the port top-side and a six foot long split among other things. He did add that she will be sailable next summer. Dave Deming, of New York, was cruising and had put in at West Harbor. When the metcorologislS began predicting that "Bob" would hit, Mr. Deming brought his Berrnuda-40 into Pirates Cove to ride out the storm. Although the anonometer on his boat was registering winds of more than 100 mph. Mr. Deming told the Gazette that this may not be an accurate reading as his equipment is not meant for winds that strong. Mr. Deming added that while he was at no point during the storm worried about his safety or that of his boat, he was glad he had decided not to Slay on his mooring in West Harbor. "When we came out (of Pirate's Cove) there were only three or four boalS left on their moorings. "The rest were on the beach," he said. See Bob on Page 8 4 Fishers Iswnd Gazette State Asked To Study Island School By Dan Gordon The Fishers Island School Board has asked the New York Department of Education to conduct an assessment of the school's educational program. The action taken at the board's meeting on October 15 is the latest turn in the board's on-again, off-again attempt to determine whether there is a better way of educating Island tccnagers than the current high school. The school board last spring di- rected school Superintendent Ken Lanier to mail a questionnaire to Island residents asking them whether a feasibility study should be conducted to look into alterna- tives to maintaining the existing high school. The school board stalled on this proposal after one of its major proponents Greg Thibodeau was defeated in a May election and after the proposal produced strong reaction among year round resi- dents, both for and against the proposal. TIle study would have reviewed a number of options ranging from increas- ing the magnet school population to clos- ing the high school and sending those stu- dents to the mainland to public school or to private school. A public hearing was held on Octo- ber 8 which drew about 100 residents with almost 20 persons commenting on the pro- posal. The action to call in the state Depart- ment of Education was a disappointment for board President Sarah Malinowski. "Right now we have people leaving the Island because of the school," Mrs. Malinowski said. "In order to make a good dccision on what to do, we have to know what our alternatives arc:' p;~ ~,T Weslllarbor sunrise. (Photo credit: Dick Edwards) A strong supporter of conducting a study of alternatives to the current high school program, Mrs. Malinowski said she does not know whether it will ever be con- ducted. "I think it has bccn put aside for right now." she said, Mrs. Malinowski said she did not propose conducting a full study at the Oc- tober 15 mccting because only she and Catherine Hancock supported it, while board members Mary Horn and George Homing did not support it. With board member Eileen Wall absent, it would have left the vote at 2-2. Mrs. Horn did not rule out conduct- ing a full feasibility study in the future but said she thinks investigating the existing program at the school should be con- ducted first. The board at its October 15 meeting decided to call in the state Education De- "your complete landscaping service" Island General (formerly Doyens) 142 Thames St., Groton, CT 06340 (203) 446-8268 partment's Office of School Improvement to only study the existing program at the school. Whether the state Education De- partment can even conduct the assessment was still in question in late October. The Office of School Improvement is only or- dered into school districts with academic problems by the state Education Depart- ment. "Normally we do this for low per- forming schools," said Wendell Harris, an associate in school improvement. This situation is different because the school district initiated the request and because the school docs not have aca- demic problems, he added. Mr. Harris said the office of school improvement is evaluating the Fishers Is- land request and should shortly determine whether and how the study could be per- See Study on Page 37 Offk;eCenler _ Fu - Word PrQallinl -Copies _DelklopPublilhin. 7101 Fl.Nng Tackle 7172 P.pen 72IT Qovnnel Dell Tlke Oul - Murrin..t Coffee Hond'ocuvrel 72IT . I FisherslslandGautte 5 I The Questionnaire: School Board Members Speak Out l , I In an effon to provide readers with a complete spectrum of opinion on whether the school district should conduct a feasi- bility study on alternative options to the current high school. The Gazette posed the following question to all school board members: Are you in favor of circulating a questionnaire to explore options to the high school on Fishers Island? Please explain your answer. Below arc the responses of the five school board members. I I I I I I I I t I r Catherine lIanco(:k: In response to your question, "Arc you in favor of circulating a questionnaire to explore options to the high school on Fishers Island," my answer is yes, I am in favor of a questionnaire. I attended a high school of 300 stu- dents. I remember high school as being fun. Yes, we attended classes, studied, and were tnught the required regenl' courses but we also had many electives. We had extra curricular activities, nOL only in alhlctics but also music, art, chorus. band, orchestra; clubs such as Latin, French, Gennan, sew- ing, writing, debating and more were there for our choosing. We had Saturday after- noon dances and a Senior Prom. We fielded teams in basketball, football, hockey, soc- cer, baseball, softball and volleyball as well as lacrosse without having to use the same students in every span and not having a spread of 8 through 12th grade participants on the same team. These arc the things the students on Fishers Island arc missing, which I feel arc an importnnt part of the high school years. Not all students goon to higher learn- ing where they will probably have many extra choices. They ill need these kinds of activities for their future growth. I have no problem with our academ- ics. I feel our school has a good stnff and excellent leadership. Our teachers are keeping up with new trends and stnte mandates. They arc Inking courses to update their teaching abilities. I wish to make clear that my opinion is in no way that of the whole board. I am speaking as an individual. The board wants only what is best for the students and the community. That is why we are asking for the opinions of the community not on "closing the high school" but on whether we should explore "options." I also wish to make it clear that I will, as a board member, respect the wishes of the community and do my best for the stu- dents and the community regardless of my own opinions. Eileen Wall: Yes, I am in favorofa questionnaire to explore options to the high school on Fishers Island. BUT, this questionnaire would have to be fair and unbiased, with every chance given to exploring what we have, with room for improvement. And, I do believe that this survey, when com- pleted, will show us that the route to follow is to fix whatever spokes arc broken or out of alignment in our own school and to pur- sue new goals from there. We have a beautiful thing here - the teacher to student ratio, no violence in the classrooms or hall- ways, a large and attractivc building in which to spend your learning years, a friendly atmosphere and acaring staff. This should all be traded for a small, crowded, stuffy classroom somewhcre with a short- age of textbooks and supplics beeause of budgct cuts and whcre no-one knows your name, much less your abilities or poten- tials? In truth, we lack the numbers to have a debate team or a baseballtcam, but thesc things can be remedicd. At least now we have a viable magnct program with thc option of adding more studcnts and which program has added a ray of hope to our high school. If we earnestly try to increa'ie our magnet population, we could makc our school the intercsting and challcnging place it should be. We must keep our slnndards high and bc quite selective in this process, looking for only the best. There also is something to be said about the idea pre- sented to me that we arc selling ourselves shon by having such a low tuition rate for these studcnts. I do belicve that by incrca~- ing our numbers via the magnet program that we can succeed. If we believe in ourselves and band together, then perhaps more school spirit and camaraderie will follow. Our track record should speak vol- umes-how many of our graduates go on to college and actually complete their stud- ies? Arc people forgctting the success stories this school has produced? So, per- haps our school has produced someavcrage graduates, that have average jobs and aver- age life-styles, but without the teacher to studcnt ratio that we have, would some of these average people have fallen through the cracks (like they do on the mainland) without that extra ounce of care, concern, expertise and guidance that we can offer? George Horning: I think that every member of the Fishers Island School Board of Education is committed to exploring ways to enhance the education of the district students. Ccr- tninly, properly developed questionnaires could be an integral part of such endeavors. Although there has been much atten- tion in recent months direeted toward the "high school", the district operates one school building from which it offcrs a full continuum of programs and scrvices to all students throughout the pre-K - 12 grades. It is not the expressed intention of the B.O.E. to limit the scope of assessments to only one of the several components that comprise the district sehool. It would certainly be unwise, if not impossible, to attempt to restrict assess- ments to just one area, since many of the programs and services currently provided intcrweave throughout all gradcIevels. The B.O.E. must be prepared to make comprc- hensive assessments that examine all as- pecl' of the school. Because we live in a small commu- nity and thc school is a vitnl part of the community, the B.O.E. must also kcep this in mind in any considerations it makes. New York Stnte has always been in the vanguard of innovative education. The B.O.E. should avail itself of infonnation and assislnnce provided by theN.Y.S. Dept. of Education. We should study the Regents Action Plan, the Excellence and Aecountn- bility Program, theMiddle-Lcvel Challenge Program, the Regcnts Long- See School Board Of! Page 31 I 6 Fishers /swnd Gazette Navy Planning Major Dumping Project Off Fishers Island By Lesl ie Goss The U.S. Navy is proposing to dredge an eight-mile stretch of the Thames River and to deposit the residue in the Long Island Sound just off the north- west coast of Fishers Island. Fishers Island Conservancy Presi- dent John Thatcher is very concerned about the dumping proposal, and on this issue he has a powerful ally, namely the federal Environmen11l1 Protection Agency (EPA). The Navy says that the Thames River channel must be deepened above the Gold Star Bridge to accommodate the new Seawolf class submarine. The first submarine in this class is expected to be completed in 1995. The Navy had submit- ted a draft environmental impact sl1ltement to the EP A in order to obl1lin the agency's approval to proceed with the dredging project. In its initialrepon, theNavysaid 2.75 million cubic yardsofmaterial,ofwhich I7 percent is polluted, would be dredged. However, the EPA in mid-July noti- fied the Navy that it would object to the Navy's disposal site unless more dal1l is collected demonstrating that the marine environment would be protected. The EP A questioned the accuracy of the Navy's report and contended that much more of the dredged material would be polluted and that more than 9 million cubic yards of clean fill would be required to cap the spoils. The EP A said new chern ical and biological tests should be conducted on the sediments being dredged. In addition, the EP A is questioning whether the dis- posal site off Fishers Island has the capac- ity to receive the 2.75 million cubic yards of dredged material, some of which is con- taminated, and the additional amounts of clean sediment necessary to cap the site. The EPA also said alternative solu- tions should be studied further such as disposing of the sediment on land or berth- ing the Seawolf at a Navy site closer to the river mouth and thus eliminating the need for the dredging project. Mr. Thatcher said he is very wor- ried about the Navy proposal. ,"',iIl'Ill!J'L...d..L.,:._.._,... _: _.._~ ..u ~~~~ ... ~1;---'~- -~ The Queen Elizabelh wasal1 impressive sight as it cruised oUl oflhe SOUl1d paSl Fishers IslaM i111he early fall. "The Conservancy favors the Navy's Seawolf program but not the plan to dump millions of tons of dredge spoil, mostly polluted, barely one mile off the northwest coast of Fishers," Mr. Thatcher said. The dumping site "being consid- ered has already been used back in the 1970's, and only now has the pollutive ef- fect on marine life begun to dissipate," Mr. Thatcher said. "To renew these pollution factors so close to Fishers Island would be taking a massive environmental risk that the Conservancy would strongly oppose." Patience Whitten, a spokesperson for the EP A in Boston, Sl1lted that the Navy "was initially caught off guard by the seri- ousness of EPA's concerns" about the proposed dredging which were laid out in a six page letter. At a recent meeting betwccn the Navy and EPA, the Navy agreed to do a Supplemental Environmental Impact SUlte- ment which, according to Whitten, "is the best way to address EPA's concerns" be- cause it allows for an additional public re- view and comment period before the Navy submitsa final impactsUltement. According to Lt. Commander Noonan, a public affairs officer for the Navy, negotiations are currently being conducted with their contractor to conduct additional physical and chemical sediment testing to commence this December. The results of this testing plus con- sulUltion with EPA and the Connecticut Deparunent of Environmenl1ll Protection will determine whether bioaccumulation testing will be conducted. Bioaccumula- tion testing is used to determine how aquatic life will react to sediment which is the basis for determining how and where the dredged material will be disposed of. The Navy expects to submit the supple- menl1ll impact sUltement in the spring of 1992. The Navy will also need approvals from the Army Corps of Engineers and the Connecticut Department of Environ- mental Protection. Benefits Plus "Insurance Services" Life - Health - Disability - Pension John J. Peishoff 10 North Main St., Suite 313, West Hartford Conn. 06107 202.236.0447 I I I I I I I I I Fishers/sland Gazette 7 Transfer Station Almost Ready to Go Construction of the Island's new II3nsfer station is running almost on sched- ule and should be operating by Jan ], ]992, according to garbage district commissioner Jim Hancock. Rainy weather delayed the pouring of concrcte by about a week, but construc- tion should be completed in November, and testing will be conducted in December, Mr. Hancock added. Although the garbage commission- ers initially indicated that garbage district taxes would not rise, Mr. Hancock said taxes will go up, although he could not predict by how much. Once the transfer station, located in the fort area, becomes operational, the garbage district will no longer be respon- sible for house pick-up. Homeowners will then have two choices -- hire a private collection company to remove their trash or Dick Falvey supervises work at the transfer stalion site in/ale summer. (Photo credit: Dick EdwGrds) bring it to the transfer station themselves. Dick Grebe who holds the garbage collection contract until the end of the year has contacted homeowners by letter to determine how many still want home co]- lection. Until his inquiry is completed, Mr. Grebe said he docs not know how much he will charge, nor even whether he will sup- ply year-round service. Ferry District Studying Improvements at Mainland Terminal The ferry district commissioners arc having a study conducted on re-arranging and expanding facilities on the New Lon- don side. The study is being conducted by Docko, Inc. of Connecticut. Ferry District commissioner ChipduPont said he expected the study to be completed in the next sev- eral months but could not give an exact date. He also said it is too early to deter- mine what the study will propose and how much the improvements might cost. "It (the improvements) will cost money," Mr. duPont said. "But] could not venture a guess as to how much." The ferry district currently operates on less than two-thirds of an acre of land on the New London side, said Mr. duPont. "It is totally inadequate," he said. "We have never had an adequate staging area. It has gotten worse and worse. It's even hard to get freight over at 7 in the morning. Thereis no place to stage freight." At certain busy times, the situation is dangerous because cars waiting to board the ferry are lined up back across the train II3cks and onto Bank Street, said Mr. du- Pont. Ferry leaving the slip at New London. (Photo credit: Melissa Fine) The ferry district is looking at relo- cating the ferry terminal building and gain- ing more usable space by bulkheading along the Thames Ri vcr. The ferry district has been looking at expanding the New London facility for almost 10 years, said Mr. duPont. Initially, the ferry district directed ilS efforts at work- ing a swap with tile CityofNew London for nearby land. However, this effort reached a dead end when New London dropped plans for an extensive riverfront develop- ment. The ferry commissioners arc still conducting talks with New London offi- cials, but Mr. duPont said he is not optimis- tic about these talks and added that the commissioners are planning to work inde- pendently of New London. Once a plan for improving the New London terminal site is proposed by the ferry commission, it will be presented to Islanders at a public meeting, said Mr. duPont. 8 FisherslsumdGazette Neirher Weslllarbor nor Silver Eel Pond turned oui to be safe refuge for all boats. Bob ContinUi!dfrom Page 3 Bc<:ause of the speed at which "Bob" was travelling, there was not as much prior warning as with othcr storms and Piratcs Cove Marina, the only facility with a travel lift on the Island pulled 43 boats out of the water before II Monday morning, when the intensity of the storm made it unsafe to continue working. Dick Hale of Piratcs Cove cstimates 200 man hours went into Pirates Cove's storm preparation and clean-up. The lack of warning may account for some of the damage to boats. For anyone in the path of an approaching hurricane, but espc<:ially anyone on the Island, storm preparation is the key ingredient to preventing injury and loss. As the storm hit on a Monday morning and was only a distant possibility on the previ- ous Friday, few of the off-Island work crews had achance to batten down. As many Island contractors hire a large number of workers from ~le mainland, this left the job of readying for "Bob" to those men who were already on the Island. Tom Schillo estimates that his on.lsland work force numbers 15. At 8:00 a.m. he sent them in teams to different ports of the Island. One group took the east end, The hurricane produced the most damage when it swung around from the Norlh. lIere Bob bal/as MunMtawki!t Beach (Photo credil: Ann Mudge) (Photos above: Ann Anthony and Bill Furse) one the middle and one the west end. By the time the storm hit fully, they were ready. The Walsh Elc<:tric crew took the ferry over knowing there was not a trip back that day. (Art Walsh took them back in his whaler later that evening.) They spent the morning battening windows and preparing for the storm. The afternoon was spent literally cutting their way up and down the Island. As they would go from site to site tosc<:ure itand check on how it was holding trc<:s would fall in their path. In order to make progress, the men would have tocutup the trees and roll them off the road. According tolohn RinkesofWalsh Elc<:tric, "It was the quickest 14 hour day l'veever worked." They were not alone. Stu Borgert and Scott Lamb were on their way up Island and found all roads impassable. Stu and Scott joined Luis Horn, LR. Edwards, Russell Heath, representatives from the Fire Department and their equipment, Dick Grebe and his equipment, as well as anyone clse who was caught in the logjam and began cutting trees and rolling them. It sc<:med that anyone who was out that day had a chain saw along and was using it. Mr. Rinkes described it this way,"AII contractors SlOpped competing that day. We were one team working together. Inter- company rivalries disappeared and wc were working for the same goal -- clearing the roads and making a safe lane of travel. It was a big team-work day." The FI Ferry District determined early in the day that it would run the scheduled trip at 5:45 a.m. and two boats at 8: I 5. The ferry's were then brought up the Thames River where they rode out the rest of the storm. Phil Knauff told the Gazette that when you arc responsible for $2.5 million worth of equipment you have got to take precautions. Lynn Stepanek was at work in the wee hours calling those reservation holders who were in the phone book for the rest of the days trips to tell them that if they had to get off the Island that day, they had to leave by 8: 15. Mrs. Stepanek called early enough togive people time to prepare for "Bob" before they left. Incidentally, the 5:45 a.m. trip that day was indistinquishable from any other Monday commuter trip of businessmen. Apparently these gentlemen were confident that their wives and children could I I I I I I I I I I Fishers Island Gaulle 9 handle things on the storm front. At 6:00 a.m. on the 19th, an emergency mceting was called JllhcFire HOllse. Present were representatives from the fire depart- me nt, ambulance squad, the town, the electric company and the telephone company and the doctor. At this mceting an emergency plan was formed for the evacuation of anyone living on a boat. Residcnts whose homes were threatened by flooding and anyone who required oxygen or special medical allention. It was deter- mined that the fire house and the school would be opened as shelter for these people. The isolation of Fishers Island called for some unique preeau- tions to be taken by the Fire DeparUnent's Rescue Squad. As "Sea Stretcher," the 36' Halleras used as the Island's ambulance to New London could not make the trip in the height of the storm, an arrangement was made in advance with the New London Coast Guard to send their 82' Cutter in the event of a life and death emergency. The Rescue Squad felt certain that they were equipped to handle most emergencies on the Island. To add to tllCir confi- dencc, the Doctor on duty that week from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospiud in New York City was Stephen G. Lynn, M.D., Director of the Department of Emergency Medicine. Dr. Lynn reponed that the injuries incurred on the day of the storm were all minor and the majority of his calls in the days after were for poison ivy and bee Slings! Fishers Islanders have always had a great sense of commu- nity service in the faccofdisaslcrs. Within two hours after the sLonn had passed, butcenainly while the wind was still howling, all of the roads, with one exception, where a transformer had fallen into the street in front of the Oswald's and Purnell's, had been cleared of fallen trees and utility poles and were open. Although this respon- sibility would fall on the shoulders of the volunteer firedepanment, ChiefTom Doherty, noted that many of the men involved in cutting the trccs were not members of the department. "Fishers lsl,md has always been self-sufficient. It was great to see the community effort on the part of everyone (Fire Depart- ment, Utility Co., Town crew and residents) in preparing for and cleaning up after 'Bob. '" Beeause of our geographical location, Fishcrs Island will always be susceptible to hurricane damage. The old salts claim that either '38 or '54 was far worse than "Bob" (hurricanes were not named until the late 50's) but they arc divided on which storm caused more damage. Fishers Islanders will always rally round the flag in the fall of a disaster. But until you have lived through a real storm, there's really no way to conceive of the heights to which a hurricane's winds rise or the amount of water and sand that pounds a beach. We build buildings and string electric wires and sail boats and they arc all at the mercy of a strong wind. Interestingly the osprey nests, a tangled mess of twigs and seaweed and glass sitting on tree limbs or utility poles, all survived the storm. April White made an interesting observation when she noted, "I guess the ospreys build better nests than we build docks." Probably the worst structural damage occured at the two clubs. Hay Harbor Club lost planking on a portion of its swimming dock and the Er. Club had to close for five days while their crew cleaned up the tons of sand and seaweed "Bob" had deposited in the beach house. The golf course was closed until the 24th of August due largely to flooding - one eyewitness reported waves breaking on the 14th fairway - but also because the bridge on the 14th hole was completcly demolished and had to be rebuilt. Another boat on./he rocks in West lIarbor. (Photo: Ann Anthony) 1 0 Fjsh~rs Island Gaz~lle Interview with Hiram Moody, Hay Harbor Club President By Rick Moody From the standpoint of the public record, it is worth noting that interviewer and SlIbject here are son andfather llow- ever, we approached this material with the interests of our audience at the forefront of our thinking, and I hope the results will bear this oUl. We spoke on the afternoon of September 26th. Q: How long is your term? A: There is no set term. My two predecessors went three years and two years. The people before them went five years. The term is simple, you can have two three year terms on the board, and if you're an officer you can have a third three yearterm. That's it. Afterthatyou're out. Q: Would you see yourself staying on for nine years? A: No. Q: Do you think the terms of your predecessors were excessively short? A: Yes, I think two years is too short absolutely. Maybe even three years. On the other hand five years is a long time. It's a lot of work; it's a heckuva lot of work. And years ago it used to be a much simpler enterprise. It was a simple little seasonal club and it had fewer members, and fewer activities, less income, less profitability, less complex issues. It was easier then to go five years, but now it's hard. It's a hard job. Q: Can you elaborate on how the club has changed over the years in spe- cHic ways? A: It's been a function of several things. The club has gotten larger. The activities that it offers have been broad- ened and have been improved. There arc more, better qualified people offering better activities. We--thc recent presiM dents--also inherited a club that had been allowed to run down physically a little bit. So we had a lot of catch up work to do. And then recently there have been other issues that 1 think arc part of living in a more complex and more crowded world. We certainly arc more aware now of how the club is used and the effeets of that use on the environment nand the effects of the environment on the club. We've gotten complex enough and large enough from the standpoint of revenues and cash lIow that we have to be a lot more earefulua lot more careful, a lot more thorough--in the decisions that we make than in what I would describe as a simpler time. Gone are the days when it's strictly a seasonal club, when people would just show up for two months, when it was pretty casual, and when a tennis court had to be replaced, it wasdoneinaminorkindofway. Thatkind of management can be costly. It can be inefficient. And so wc've gonc to a proc- ess where we try to thoroughly evaluate everything we do and the impact of these decisions within the club, the community, and the environment around us. Q: What's the current state of Hay Harbor proper? A: The quality of the water in Hay Harbor varies as to where you are in Hay Harbor. In some places you can drink it, and in other places it's not even of high enough quality to use for swimming. We have, with a very fine consulting firm, spent probably a year-and-a-half now evaluating the water, its quality, and what we can do to improve it. Q: What's the specific nature of the pollution in the harbor? A: As the conservancy has pointed out. there arc two geneml causes. Part is caused by human beings and the septic systems that surround the harbor, and part is caused by the birds, particularly the cormorants, that inhabit the area around the harbor. ~ (' ~~. ~ i'lIi J " " ... ~,}"';;' JJiram Moody Q: What arc the future plans for a batbbouse at the club? A: We're not sure yet. Q: Plans have been tabled, is that correct? A: That's correct. We wanted to understand that water quality and the fac- tors affecting it before we built the bath- house. We didn't want to do anytbing by building that bathhouse that would in any way cause a deterioration in the water quality in the harbor. So we first had to determine if the Hay Harbor Club itself was contributing to the problems in the harbor. You have to understand that parts of that building are over a hundred years old. Sanitary systems a bundred years ago were pretty simple. You ran a pipe out a hole in the lIoor. That was it. We had to make sure we didn't have any rogue pipes that were still emitting efOuentof some sort. We have detennined with a high level of conviction that although we had one prob- lemuand we corrected itnthat we at the club are not contributing in any way. Secondly, we had a new septic sys- tem built in 1988 and we had to make sure that the new system was large enough to accommodate the new bathhouse. The new bathhouse will have showers and bathrooms. We determined, using Lom- bardi and their expert analysis, that the system we built in 1988, although the people built it knew of the plans for the bathhouse, that indeed our new system was !l.Q1 sufficient. So it was wise indeed that we did not go ahead with tbe bath- house. We have since established a loca- tion for a field that will serve the bath- house, and we have a bid. Interestingly enough, it's not a very significant amount of money that will be required. Q: Can you elaborate on how pro- grams have changed at the club? How, for example, has the swimming program changed, when compared with the past? A: With the caveat that unlike many club members, 1 didn't grow up on the island, and that therefore I don't remem- ber the swimming program fifty years ago, I am told that historically the swimming program was the core program at the club. And it's logical when you think about it. Of all the athletic skills that it's important for See Moody on Page 24 Pishers Island Gazette 11 Town Officials Grilled on Taxes By Dan Gordon If Southold Town councilmcn ex- pecled a relaxing day on Fishers Island for the annuallOwn board meeting on Fishers Island on August 7, they were in for a sur- prise. Supervisor SCOll Harris and other town board members were grilled by a number of Island residents on whether Fishers Island is gelling its money's worth for Wxes paid lO Southold. Island residents did not walk away with many answers. After former civic association presi- dent Speedy Mettler raised the question of taxes, Islander Bill Ridgway got right down to business. "My understanding is that Fishers Island pays in more, about 5300,000 more in LJxes than we receive in services," said Mr. Ridgway. "That's aboutSl,Ooo a per- manent resident. I wonder if you could justify that?" "I don't know if that figure is accu- rate, and I couldn't make a statement on that until we give an analysis of that fig- ure," said Supervisor Harris. "I know that there's a lot of services that are taken care of over here, highway, police, bay con- stable and so on, right down the line, that exist, that many people don't even realize go on on a daily basis. We don't have a breakdown of that at all. I don't know how long that would wke lO try lO do a break down on it." Supervisor Harris said he would work with the town accounWnt to provide a cost breakdown for the Island. Mr, Mettler then asked how much of the taxes paid by Fishers Island is allocated to the operation of the town landfill in Cutchogue and whether the Island re- ceives any benefit for this money. The Cutchogue landfill is used by all of the Town of South old with the exception of Fishers Island which has its own landfill. Town officials said that Fishers Is- land comprises eight percent of the tax base of South old. Councilman Tom Wick- ham said about 5600,000 is allocated from the town budget for the operation of the landfill with the remainder of the landfill costs corning from user fees, "The people of Fishers Island are indeed contributing some eight percent of that 5600,000 or so," said Mr. Wickham. "There is relatively little coming back to Fishers Island in terms of direct benefits in handling garbage. There are things that could be done in the future and we look forward to sitting down with people here, and working out some reasonable solu- tion," Later in the meeting, Islander John Clavin returned to the question of Fishers Island having to pay for the costs of gar- bage disposal in Southold. "In all due respect to you, Tom, you mentioned thecostofthe landfill," said Mr. Clavin. "What you didn't talk about was the cost of the engineering study that went into a composting system over there, the legal fees which are being paid now lO fight the DEC, all of which we're paying eight percent of, O.K.? At the same time, our garbage district which we are paying for, has its engineering study, and it has it's legal fees, and we're not getting any help from the town on that." Councilman Wickham said that it is too easy for Southold to forget Fishers Island."What would be helpful to us, I think, would be if you and others who arc concerned about this, through Judge Edwards, could give us your concerns," said Mr. Wickham. "Let us know in a timely way, even with some written ideas, and perhaps have some key people among you, who would take responsibility for these things, and to help keep us fo- cused on that. Frankly, it would help, and we'll be responsive." = CHOCOMOUNT COVE Picturesque brick home on 3.8 acres with over 290 feet of frontagl.'on Chocomount Co\'('. Out- stimding vie\\/s of the Connecticut coastline and spectaculdrewning sunsets. ~feticulously land- scaped grounds. Sl'parate sunning dl.'ck over- looking the shore front with a hot tub. PrivatI.' sandy beach. Separate building lot. Charming one-story brick house. Numerous doors and large sliding windmvs can remain open dll sum- mer long. The house is offered for sale totally furnished. Entrance hall. Living room with tray ceiling & fireplace. Front and rear terract's, wet bar. Dining room. Kitchen with lop of the line appliances. Four Bedrooms. $1.995,000. I FABULOUS DISTANT VIEWS i! Exclusive Island building site. DiTl'ct frontage on both the Fishers Isldnd and Block Island Sounds. Two beautiful, unspoiled beaches. Views of the Connecticut coast, Block Island and fl..fontauk Point. Rareopportu. nity to creatt' the ultimate island gl'taway. Just reduced to 5695,000. SPECTACULAR EVENING SUNSETS Nearlv four acres .....ith frontagl' on the Fishers Island Sound. North Hill area. The house could be sited to take advantage of the southern exposure, westerly views of the race, and the Sound. DEe and Health Department approvals. 5385,000. Ginnel Real Estate 493 Bedford Center Road Bedford Hills, New York 10507 (914) 234-9234 !' , 12 Fishers Island Gazette Profile on ... "The Mosquito Girls" By Rick Moody They find the sobriquet faintly troubling. Tbough in a moment of levity, the Island pest control engineers -- Marta Iwaseezko, Wendy Holcomb, and Kathryn Hudaeek -- once referred to themselves (among themselves!) as the Bug Babes, the reduction to mere girls and to mere bug hunters is not entirely pleasing to them. Questions cannot help but follow this revelation! Who are these dedicated and fearless protectors of Fishers [sland's exposed gam and neck and pate? Who are they when the hip waders are hung up to dry? When the nets are stored away for the weekend in the Mosquito Control Vehicle? Over the weekend on August 17-19, when Hurricane Bob cloistered Fishers Island residents without respite, I asked each of Lhem Lhese questions and more. Theydon't work in the rain, and so it was a regular vacation situation for Lhem. Mana [wa,eczko, 18, of the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania, learned about the pest control position during a college in- terview with John Thatcher of the Fishers [sland Conservancy. She confesses to an interest in science bolstered in part by her summer job. "It is not an easy job," she told me, "but the island is really beautiful." What makes the job agreeable to Marta is the chance to see "as the season pro- gresses, the way the different life forms progress." According to Marta, no one spot n meaning noone ofLhe breeding environ- ments in which the Mosquito women oblit- erate Lhe insect generations-to~come -- is more difficult than any other, though tidal marshes sometimes sx higher breeding activity than other locations. I pressed Mana to name some names. Which were the most mosquito-besieged landscapes? What were the true island hot spots? The best she could offer was "Chippie' s swamp." As my conversations with Wendy and Kathryn progressed over the next few days, these words would become a refrain. Marta and Wendy Holcomb were both trained by Kathryn Hudacek, the only two- year veteran on the team. They then had to pa<s a licensing examination (in pest con- trol and pesticide-handling) in Warrensburg, New York. Each passed with I1ying colors. Mana would recommend the job to some- one "who likes to get dirty" and among the three women, she and Wendy both express an interest in the possibility of continuing their research here on the [sland. She has the statistics close at hand to prove her professionalism: of the 130aetivebreeding sites on the island, she told me, as of late August only 50 were still productive. Wendy Holcomb, at age 20 the cider states person on the squad, is a student in history and women's studies at Colby Col- lege in Waterville, Maine, (where they Fighting mosquitoes can be a sloppy job as K athrynHudacek, left, andMarla lwaseckzko, right, demonstrate while knee deep in swamp water. Wendy Ilolcomb inspecting swamp water on the Island. (Photocredit: DickEdwards) probably have black I1y control experts, too). Her sister before her occupied the insect-eliminating position and though Wendy "never ever thought I'd end up here," the exigencies of summer employ- ment in a shrinking economy changed her mind. To her, there's not much science to the whole business: "It's a lot marc like nature than science. Any old person could dip a swamp." But there arc dangers asso- ciated with the task. In their bulky hip waders, Wendy made clear, "it's easy to get stuck in the mud." The Conservancy and the Fishers Island Development Corp., sensitive to the gravity of this hip- wader situation, recently purchased ropes for the three engineers. Wendy was less shy than Marta about pointing fingers at particular larvae infestations (the Mosquito Control squad docs llill take on adult mosquitoes) -- "Chippy's swamp is huge, huge." The Laughlin property, bordering Middle Farms Pond, also figured in her survey, as did the area just below the Middle Farms driving range: "just awful." Wendy, whose fierce sense of hu- mor made clear some of the more unusual aspects of her job, was also forthcoming about what [felt to bean importantoccupa- tional hazard, the exposure to chemicals: . . I I I I FisherslslandGautte 13 "The grape-nutty pesticide is fine, but the pellety stuff makes us sneeze sometimes." I later learned that the chemicals are aetu- ally naturally occurring bacteria (whose lot in the food chain is to poison mosquito larvae), and therefore that Wendy's cool demeanor about the whole issue was en- tirely justified. SomeotherdeUlils: Wendy also told me that the Mosquito Girls fre- quently split up and do their jobs sepa- rately, and that they also babysit at night to augment their FIOCO income. (Though John Thatcher cheeks up on them from time to time, the Fishers Island Develop- ment Corporation pays the bills, and the Town of Southold and Suffolk County pay their salaries.) The Mosquito Control Residential Facility is just across the street from the Hay Harbor Golf Clubhouse and it is leased from its owner, Mrs. Thomas Hus- band. Male visitors are discouraged. Prank telephone calls are occasionally fielded. (I, myself, was misUlken for a fraud.) Perhaps it is this slightly chaste, neQ- Victorian, single-sex aspect of Mos~ quito Control that contributes to the low nicknames and occasional pranks Lhey face? I wondered why there were no Mosquito Men, and Kathryn Hudacek, the I I I I l , I I t I I I I two-year veteran of the force put it to me bluntly. "Women are more responsible. It could be a blown-off job, but wc Ulke it se- riously." Kathryn had "dcfinitely had cnough" by thc end of summcr 1991. Not only did the Mosquito Women frequently discuss the pest species in the off-hours, but Kathryn had cvcn begun to dream about them. Her conversation was a litany of mosquito-related post-traumatic stresses -- from the purple and green bugs which also thrive in Chippy's swamp ("It's whacked with brceding, as we say") to dipper cups that look likc guns; from occa- sional exposures to a liquid form of lar- vacidal bacteria to innumerable mosquito bites. Forth is last problem, Kathryn has an effective cure: Skin So Soft lotion from Avon. It doesn't work for everyone, but for her it is a sort of miraele cure. For Kathryn Hudllcek, it was time to get back to the Upper West Side of ManhatUln, where she is studying French language and lit- erature at Columbia University, to escape the Island swamps and breeding grounds. She's seen too much. So tllCSC arc Lhc women who work behind the scenes to reduce the evening onslaught to a few rogue bugs. Those r lonely nights when you used to awake firm in your conviction that there was a blood- sucking pest in your room biding its time - - waiting for your unconsciousness n be- fore striking! Ever wonder why there has been a more than 60% reduction of these episodes? Let's give credit where it is due! Oh, and about the Mosquito Control vchiele. It's a former Southold police car with no handles on the back doors, and the logo was added to the side several years ago. MarUi, Wendy and Kathryn didn't use it too much this summer though. Ap- parently it has a spider infesUltion. Speeding Tickets Down This Year SUite police issued 19 speeding tick- ets on Fishers Island this summer. Of these tickets, 14 were issued tomotoristsfordriv. ing at speeds between 40 and 50 miles per hour. Five tickets were issued to motorists for driving at speeds over 50 miles per hour, according to the sUite police. The number of tickets issued was down from last year, said SUite Trooper Tom Fuller. Maria Zanghetti & Sandy Ahman ~HOCOMOUNT CATERERS . FISHERS ISLAND REAL ESTATE AGENCY FISHERS ISlAND, NEW YORK 06390 I . I I . (516) 788-7007 Specializing In Intimate Dinners For Two As Well As Cocktails For Twenty' GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS WD.lJAM R. HAASE Ucensed N.Y.S. Real Estate Broker MARY AUCE HAASE Ucensed N.Y.S Real Estate Salesperson . Giil Certificale For A Catered Dinner t REAL ESTATE SALES REAL ESTATE RENTALS WINTER INSPECTIONS . I ~ Holiday Gift llaskets ~ With All Your Favorites "Dinners Designed For You" Specialties include: Rack oi Lamb, Seafood Casserole, Fellucine with Asparagus Tips and Peas in a Light Cream Sauce, Mocha Mousse, and Homemade Sauces' We need only two days'notice. (212) 722-3635 I 14 Fishers/slimdGazette New Wing Opened at Museum The new wing of the Henry L. Ferguson Museum was unveiled on July 18 in a ceremony attended by about 120 people. "What an emotional pleasure to see the reality of archeol- ogical wing," said museum President Charlie Ferguson. "My father started collecting archeological artifacts in the 20's and 30's. He instilled a great interest in me." Also speaking at the opening ceremony was Robert Funk, archaeologist for the New York Education Deparunent. For the past seven years, Dr. Funk has participated in the archaeological digs conducted during the spring on Fishers Island. "The newly insUllled exhibit in the archaeology wing is therefore the concrete manifesUltion and culmination of seven years of dedicated effort by many people," said Dr. Funk. "Work- ing with my script and rclying heavily on the large variety of artifacts eollccted by Henry L. Ferguson, Lueianne Lavin and Marina Mozzi very successfully managed the design and implem- enUltion of the exhibit. "They arc to be congratulated on one of the most effective and up-to-date exhibits on eoasUlI prehistory in the whole North- cao;;tcrn Unitcd Statcs:' Dr. Funk added, "we believe we have made a significant contribution to the archaeology of eoasUlI New York and New England. Indeed, there is currently a great deal of interest in the prehistory of offshore Islands, including Block Island and Nan- tucket." The new wing at the museum, built at a cost of S60,OOO, contains archaeological exhibits from the Paleo-Indian period of 9,000 B.C. up to the period in which John Winthrop bought the Island from the Pequot Indians. "The main purpose of the exhibits is to show the lifestyle of Indians at different periods," said Mr. Ferguson. The new wing I I Chtlrlie FergusonandCatha/lesse inspect the exhibits at the unveiling of the new musewn. wing. Mural painled by Mr. Ferguson Mngsalthe upperrighl. (PholO credit: Dick.Edwards) includes a mural painted and donated by Mr. Ferguson depicting a small gathering of Indian families on the west shore of West Harbor on a fall day about 800 A.D. With the new wing, Mr. Ferguson said the museum hopes to work with the Island school and other Island organizations to develop interest in local archaeology. Mr. Ferguson thanked the many Island residents who made donations for the new wing. Dredging Proposed for Silver Eel Pond The Fishers Island Ferry District is proposing to dredge the entrance into Silver Eel Pond to remove sand which has been deposited over the years.The channel would be deepened by about four feet and between 2,000 and 3,000 yards of material would be removed, according to ferry district manager Phil Knauff. The dredging would Ulke place in the middle third of the entrance, where deposits have accumulated due to the currents, he added. The Race Rock ferry boat at low tide still passes about four feet over the highest portion of the entrance, however, the situ- ation has to be remedied, Me. Knauff said. The entrance to Silver Eel Pond was last dredged in 1978, according to Mr. Knauff. The ferry district is proposing to use the dredged sand as capping material for the Island land Ii II when it is closed this next year, Mr. Knauff said.The ferry district must receive approval from the N.Y. Department of Environ me nUll Conservation and the Army Corps of Engineers for the projeet. Mr. Knauff said he hoped to commence dredging by the spring. , I I I . - -~---~.-~ - :IIRAC-E"RO(j(: '-CARDEN CO \ ~~~A~O^:~ [f~1V.~ ~~:~I';" ... ';,~7~~~~I'HO~E ~I"'~ 70;~ "J~,,~:<>~~~{Jq."- Sllt...~-t'~ I I I , l Fishers Island Gautte 15 Ospreys Getting Super Service from the Electric Company This oserey's nest near the eatenl tip of the Island was lifted above the electric wires. The ospreys look very much at home. I By Mary Roberts On Fishers Island, the electric company has some very unique customers. And the utility company has been going to great lengths to keep these often flighty seasonal residents happy. The ospreys have been so appreciative of the service that they arc increasing their numbers on Fishers Island. For years, ospreys have nested on the utility poles which stretch up the Island, often with total disregard to the live wires running across them. Utility company employees scurry when they see the birds begin building a nest. "We try to get there early, as the ospreys start to make nests on top of our poles," said Jim Hancock, electric company president. "We take the nest off and usually build a platform well above the electric wires. We then quickly put the nest back. "Sometimes it is more complicated," Mr. Hancock added. "Ncar the Firestones, we left the birds on the pole they had nested on, and moved the electric wires to a new pole. It worked, they stayed on the old pole. "When the birds started a nest on a pole with a transformer on it, we successfully moved the nest to the next pole. Another time we extended the wires and crossarms away from the pole and left the nest where it was." The utility company has become so proficient in providing for the ospreys that they are now geuing hired in the osprey pole business. Ospreys used to regularly fish from a tree on Mrs. Walter Rafferty's property in the middle of the Island. However, when a stann blew the tree down, the ospreys stopped returning. Mrs. Rafferty contacted the electric company about installing an osprey pole on her property this past year. Dick Baker provided the finishing touch by building a nest on top of the pole, and shortly afterwards the ospreys returned. "Many people have tried to put up man-made nesL' to entice the birds," said Mr. Baker. "The Rafferty one is the only one that has succeeded." I I l I I , , At this jun.cliofl pole. the nesl was raised and the crossa"n,s carrying lhe electric wires were stretched away from the nesl. Birdwatcher Charles Ferguson has been observing the Raf- ferty nest. "We thought there was just one young, and then found another liule head," Mr. Ferguson said. "In fact, the osprey are doing sn well, they are off the endangered list," Mr. Ferguson said. "This year there were I I nests, two more than Jast year. Six nests had young and eight birds fledged." Mr. Hancock estimated that there are now about 15 osprey poles on the Island of which 12 or 13 are active. ~ PROPERTY SALES AND RENTALS Bagley Reid Licenced Real Estate Broker Barbara T. Reid James G. Reid Licenced Salespersons Marilyn F. Pickett Secretary 516-788-7882 . 516-788-7782 m(YsL:fc Isle r<.ealL:(Y foe, FISHERS ISLAND, NY 06390 16 Fisht'nlsJandGazette Island Lobstermen Honor Ancient Tradition lirrvny PeishofJpi/OlS lk Inlrepid back. into West lIarbor By Allison Hanes (Photos by Ann Hanes) An air of excitement surrounded the bOal as it neared a group of black-and-white buoys. The depth finder read 226 foct, it was slack tide. Fishers astern and Race Rock to starboard, Jimmy Peishoff slipped on his yellow slicker overalls and heavy boots. [ watched as he arranged various bushel-sized baskets next to a large saltwater tank built into the starboard sideofthe boat. He deftly ma- neuvered the sturdy boat, the Intrepid alongside the closest buoy. The winch spun into action with a loud, grinding sound. A fast moving and potentially dangerous mechanism (it cost Jimmy a finger), the winch is thedevice that hoists the lobstertraps outofthe water. Each trap weighs between 30 and 35 pounds empty. The lobersterman's movements were lIuid and efficient as he guided the rope onto the winch, removed masses ofkclp from each trap before setting it on board, and began the process of sorting through his catch. Jimmy Peishoffisa third generation lobsterman. Both his father and grandfather were lobstermen on Fishers Island. Forty years in the business had given him a quick eye. A law enacted two years ago states that keepers must be three and a quarter inches across the back. Females with eggs must be thrown back, as well. Pcishoff threw his kocpers into the wooden tank, or cash register as it is affectionately known. Those needing measuring were tossed into one of the plastic bushel baskets beside the tank, those that were clearly too small were returned with a splash. (During forty years oflobstering, Peishoffhad also acquired perfect aim; he never missed the tank, the basket, or the water!) Once each trap was stripped clean of its catch, it was reloaded with an odoriferous bait, usually bunker, which is sold in bulk from markets on the mainland. The traps were then dropped over the -""'" ~ . 110--- :::.;..;: Too sma//! Often lobsters have to be thrown back in if lhey do IlOt meet minimum state standards" side. Peishoff accelerated and made a full circle around each trap before moving to his next group of buoys. We spent about two-and-a-half hours on the water that day. According to Peishoff, it was a reasonable catch. A really good one is 300 pounds in a day or approximately 260 lobsters. The quantity and quality of a catch is dependent on the time of year, the weather, and the tides. The season for lobstering begins in the spring and runs through mid-January, or as long as weather conditions permit. There arc two "runs" every season, which each last two-and-a-half to three weeks, one in the fall and one in the late spring or early June. Jimmy Peishoff surveys a day's catch. Fishers Island Gazette 17 I I , During this time, the lobsters are the most plentiful. A full time lobstennan might empty his traps twice a day every day. Loberster- men like Peishoff, who set their traps twice in some 250 feet of wmer arc not only at the mercy of the weather, but also the tides. During 1I00d tide, the buoys are underwater, and the traps, there- fore, can only be hauled at slack tide. Conditions arc exaggerated at the new and full moons. Some lobstermen like, Danny and Tommy Doyen, set their traps in shallower waters. The Doyens have been in the business for about eight years. Their father was a lobsterman as well. Like most Island lobstermen, they sell to a dealer in Niantic, Connecticut, year 'round, as well as to Islanders and summer residents. Danny has 500 to 600 traps setout. Although Tommy is only parllime, he has 25010280 traps set, which is a 101 when compared 10 many full time loberslermen. Corbin Hedge, for example, who has been in the business full time since 1977, has 150 to 250 traps in the water. Corbin, like Jimmy Peishoff, is a third generation lobster- man. His father, Ed Hedge, was something ofa legend on the island because of his handicap, he had one arm. Corbin began working for his father when he was twelve, delivering fish 10 the cast end of the island, and eventually went into business with his father. In 1955, he began working for Gada and was only a parI time lobstennan until his father died in 1977 and Corbin lOok over the business. Since Hedge has been in the business, he has owned three boats. Perhaps his favorite, and ceMinly his wife's favorite, was the colorful yellow boat named the Starfish. He and Margie, his wifeof39 years, traveled up to Nova Scotia in 1966, where Margie I I I I I I I I I I I . I I r I I t I I I . Danny and Tom Doyen are the new generation of lobstermen on Fishers Island. Corbin Hedge on his dock in West J/arbor. Midday Boats Added The Fishers Island Ferry District is introducing midday serv- ice to its winter schedule on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays. The ferry will leave New London atll:15 and then return from Fishers Island m 12: 15 pm.on these days. The ferry district also moved Ihe schedule of its Sunday morning boat up one hour so that the ferry will leave New London at 9 am, and relurn from Fishers Island at 10 am. On Sunday evening, the boat will leave one half hour later, departing from New London at 5:45 pm and returning at 6:30 pm. had been born, to have the bom made. The had it painted yellow because it is thought 10 be good luck. In fact, all of their buoys arc painted yellow and Corbin is most often seen wearing a yellow t- shin. Corbin and his wife arc devoted to the lobster business and to the Island. "The Island has a feeling, this propeny has a feeling. I could be down here 24 hours a day!" said Mrs. Hedge. She especially feels sad that neither of their two children will be continuing the business. "This is gonna be all gone when somelhing happens to Corbin. It's just heanbreaking." Rich Erpcnbeck, a full time lobsterman on the island since 1968, feels much the same attachment to the lobster business, but has no fears about its survival as an island industry. "As long as there is a demand for lobsters, we're gonna keep catching thcm." Erpcnbeck says the only changes in the business arc in its advanced technology, which has made the work less physically demanding and enables one to work for a greater pan of the year, and in the various legislative restrictions. Lobstering, he noted, is a conser- vation-minded industry. When asked what he liked best aboutlobstering, Erpenbeck replied, "I like being my own boss, being independent. I can truthfully say I enjoy lobstering. It's hard work, but it's rewarding." Whether the business will continue to be passed down from generation to generation on the Island is uncertain. but the continu- ation of lobstering is not. It is an ancient livelihood that honors nature's timeless rhythms. Admissions Officer To Talk An admissions officer from Baypath College in Long Island is scheduled 10 meet with Fishers Island high schooters on Novem- ber 18 to discuss college life and how to apply 10 college. The session is scheduled 10 be held at the Fishers Island School begin- ning at 8:30 in the evening. Stay Informed! Subscribe to the Gazette. Just $12 For a Year's Subscription. 18 FisherslsUJndGa:t,dte Walsh Service Electrical Contractor (516) 788-7778 Charters to the hub or the country club WfI: U ha"" roo noo.nobbl1l8 with fnmds Of buNnfi:>> usocillles hounahaKldiChedukwrththfl: IsJandsoldeslandmcallfl:htoblfl: Air Charter S<l:rvicfi: CaIltodroYfotCO.lSS. ear rCO.lnd. 1A hour, day or l~<< ~. Wfi:-lly-anyw fI: W!'VlC~ C~ Air ~fl:1'1 FAA .Wl7Ved fli&hltnininjlndAircrVtsales .~IItrf/yI'YfPi'bIlC" .COASTAL AIR SERVICES "Since 1955" Gl'OIonINrw London Airport GI'OIOlICT2OJ...I.I6.IOOI ,....."""" DW:~IOOI Luis /lorn ofZ&S Contracting crushes bal/to right field. abm'e. while Ed Vercel/i of Hay Harbor beats out a close play at firsl base during champiol/ship series. (Photo credits; Dick Edwards and Sarah TUllle) j I 1 Z&S "Three-peat" as Softball Champions I , . I I 1 Z & S Construction completed a dramatic playoff comeback to defend its softball title and run its title string to three in a row with a victory over Hay Harbor in the finals. Down a game in the semi finals to Village Greenery, and on the verge of being eliminated, they mllied to win the nexttwo games to reach the finals. "Qurtum around was fueled by the taunting we were receiving from the Blues that we were history" says Steve Walter. "I guess they figured with us gone, the title would be a walk in the park for them." "Too bad they forgot to reach the finals." Z&S won the deciding game of the championship series against Hay Harbor 8-7. Hay Harbor placed the tying run on third in the top of the last inning when Jerry Albrecht tripled. However, Hay Harbor's eleanup batter struck out on a succession of "moon- balls" from pilcher Walter, and the game ended when Erik Ulls[en grounded to third and was called out in a close play at first. The final game had been a see-saw affair with Z&S finally scoring the deciding run in the bottom of the sixth when Walter, who had tripled, scored on a hit by Jeff Edwards. The finals was a virtual replay of last year whenZ&S nipped Hay Harbor in three games winning the deciding third game 18-17 by scoring two runs in the last inning. Hay Harbor ended the regular season champion Blues "walk in the park" by upsetting them in the semi finals 2 games to I to reach the finals and set up the Z & S Hay Harbor showdown. I t I,: FisherslslandGazelle 19 Cross Country Team Off to a 4-1 Start: Shawn Malone Excels By Kelly Doherty The Fishers Island Cross Country season opened its fall season with a 4-1 record. The team opened the season with a triangular meet on September 20 defeating the Rocky Hill School 22-37, but losing to the Williams School 26-33. Eighth-grader Shawn Malone came in second with a time of 18: 13 over a 2.8 mile course. Brian Caruso placed third with a time of 18:28. Lisa Faulkner finished 16th overall and was the second girl with a time of 21 minutes. Kelly Doherty and Sarah Vincent finished third and fourth for the girls. The cross country team then defeated Bacon Academy 19-29 in a home mect. Shawn Malone won the 2.4 mile race in a time of 15:14 with Brian Caruso following in second witha time of 15:41. Mike Wall placed third with a time of 16:55. Lisa Faulkner finished fifth overall and was the top girls finisher in a time of 17:46. Sarah Vincent was the fourth girl finisher with a time of 20:35. Jackie Leroy, Leslie Crawford and Shannon Thibodeau all ran well in their first race of the year. In the next competition, the Vikings narrowly defeated New London High School 26-29. Shawn Malone and Brian Caruso plnced second and third respectively. A strong finish by Mike Doucette and Adam Heath proved to be the winning margin. On October II, Fishers Island defeated St. Thomas More 25- 30 with Shawn Malone and Brian Caruso once more leading the way for the Vikings. Elizabeth Andrews receiving award from /lay llarbor manager Jack Polo Elizabeth Andrews Wins Club Award The Maxwell Porter Participation Award given foroutstand- ing performance in tennis, golf and swimming at the Hay Harbor Club was won this summer by Elizabeth Andrews. The selection was made by a staff vOle. In other presentations made at the August Award Day at the club: named most outstanding swimmer was Meredith Esser. Lap chart winner was Sophie Woolston. In sailing, the Kinsolving Award was won by Meg Mc- Namara and the Gordon S. Murphy A ward was won by Nick Mal- inowski. In tennis, named most improved was Sayles Braga, while the sportsmanship award was given to Gerard Rogan and Becca Par- sons. ~ ~ -. ~~ -- --.:. '" t,.., 1;. f ~ c~~ Shawn Malone, above,~ passes a Williams School runner, while Lisa Faulkner runs in srruJU pack with other St. Thomas More runners. OLDRIDGE Gudrn Crnlrr &. Florist L[DYARD . NORWICH. [AST LYM[ . COLUMBIA 206 BOSTON POST RD EAST LYME. CONN. 06333 TEL: 739.8397 Rte, 117 P.O. BOX 29. LEDYARD CENTER LEDYARD. CONN 06339 Telephone Area Code 203.464.8400 WEEKLY DELIVERIES TO NEW LONDON FERRY Your every gardening need: Evergreens. Fertilizers. Tools. Insecticides. Mulches. Fruit. and Shade Trees. ~~~~, 20 FisherslswndGaz.dte Nautical Notes with Peter Rugg G en tl e readers will no doubt forgive the proud fa- ther who be- gins a column with the repon that the winner of the coveted first Island boat award for the 1991 Bullseye Class National Championships was Courtney Rugg. In the regatta, hosted by the Fishers Island Yacht Club in Au- gust, 17 year old Counney took seeond overall besting a number of former na- tional champions, but unable to beat 72 year old Spencer Gowrie. It says some- thing for the spon of yacht racing that skip- pers at opposite ends of the age range took the top two spots. Fishers Island Yacht Club success- fully hosted the Parsons Trophy regatta and defended last year's win of this annual team race against Wadawanuck Yacht Club in Stonington and Watch Hill Yacht Club. The local team was also triumphant ovcr the Shelter Island Yacht Club sailing at home in IOD's in early September. Hurricane Bob came through Au- gust 19, and caused damage to much of the fleet which limited participation in late sea- son racing. Undeterred, Jim Thompson kept the pressure on in the Bullseye flcct to take home the season championship and the H.L. Ferguson Trophy. In the IOD fleet, John Brim's Flicker sustained a hole below the waterline and several broken planks when she was blown up on the rocks on the Nonh end of the peninsula. John promptly arranged with Tom Buck- ner to sail Duchess for the balance of the season. The IOD flcct agrccd that given the unusual circumstances, Brim could combine scores in both boats. This led to a seeond place finish for the August series just behindNorwe~ian Wood which sailed the last season races with ten inches bro- ken off the bow. Off Island, Brad Burnham, Charlie Van Voorhis, Dave Burnham, and Steve Hicks represented the IOD class in the Championship of Champions regatta held each year by the United States Yacht Rac- John Burnham, center, displays the David F.llarris trophy with crew members DavidBurnham, left, andBrad Gibbs, right, at Fishers h:land Yaeht Club reception over Labor Day weekend. They won/he trophy for being the first Island boat in the Round the /slandRace. (Photo credit: Al Gordon) ing Union. The regatta held in IOD's at Northeast Harbor, Maine, is a competition among 20national champions. BurnhamNan Voorhis qualified as a result of their July 1991 victory in the IOD class North American championships but finished well down in the fleel. There was an extraordinarily high level of com- petition. "It was incredible to find 19 boats all rounding the first mark within seven boat lengths," commented Van Voorhis. The regatta was won by Jamie McCreary from Larchmont, New York, a former IOD class World Champion. The San Francisco Yacht Club played host to the 1991 IOD class World Championships. Representing Fishers Is- land were John Burnham, Many and Brad Gibbs, Laurie Rubinow and Beth Scholle of the Norwe~ian Wood syndicate which won the qualifying series in July. Com- petitors sail in boats made available by members of the host fleel. San Francisco Bay saw 25 to 30 knot breezes which put a premium on effective crew work, the avoidance of breakdowns, and the ability to jury rig when something goes wrong. Peter Bromby from Bermuda won with an incredible string of four firsts and two sec- onds. Bromby is the current four time winner of the IOD class in Bermuda Inter- national Race Week, and will represent Bermuda in the 1992 Summer Olympics. Penny Simmons also from Bermuda was second in the 13 boat competition, fol- lowed by nine time IOD World Champion Bill Widnall from Marblehead. Mass. The Fishers Island team finished tied for fourth Burnham said that they lacked the consis- tent speed edge showed by the winners. "We were first around the first mark in the practice race, but when the bridle for the topping lift on the spinnaker pole let go, we were rolled by the next two boats," said Burnham. "After we jury rigged that, the turning block for the star- board spinnaker sheet exploded and hit me in the back. We were seventh at the third bark, but were able to climb back to fifth at the finish." Lauric Rubinow said tbat they improved witb eacb race, "we beat Widnall in four of the last five races, but there were just not enough races to catcb him and take third place." Finally, results of tbe annual Round Island Race. In cia" A, Baron Kidd's Vi- ~ was fifth just ahead of Martin Van Hengel. Class B was a thrill for Talcott Stanley to win sailing his former boat, now Tom Cashe!'s~, nine minutes elapsed time ahead of Will Rubinow sailing thcJ-24 Fearful Svmmetrv. In the IOD's, John Burnham won in Norwe~ian Wood and also took the Best Island Boat Trophy. The Grevhound syndicate, Jeff Salzman, James O'Brien, and Lucinda Herrick was second. Bill Glendon's Shannon was fifth in class, while Peter Brinekerhoff and Bill Musser were fifth and eighth respectively in their class. Fishers Island Gazette 21 Flanagan Wins Tennis Title ~ Playing some of lhe besllCnnis seen on Fishers Island for years, Michael Flanagan simply overpowered the field to win the men's tennis championships at the Fishers Island Club in August. The Stan- ford University tennis team member lost only one game in the tournament. Mr. Flanagan crushed defending champion Scott Ketner in the finals6-1, 6-0. Earlier in the tournament, Mr. Flanagan defeated Clay Yonce in the quarter finals and Lin- coln Frank in the semi-finals by identical 6- 0,6-0 scores. Mr. Ketner rcached the finals by defeating Mr. Flanagan's older brother Chris, 7-6,6-3 in a tightly contested quarter finals, and then vanquishing 1989 club champion Howard Keenan 7-6, 6-1 in an exciting semi-final. Mr. Ketner won the first set tic-breaker by a 10-8 score. In the ladies championship at the Fishers Island Club, Catherine Carpenter- Schulle successfully defended her title by defeating Tory Patterson in a tightly con- . . ~ ;;0;;;0 ~ Mir:haeIFk1.nagan tested final 6-3, 7-5. Mrs. Schulte reached the finals by eliminating Patty Wa1l6-3, 6-4 in the semi-finals. Mrs. Patterson over- powered Liz Orr in the quarter finals 6-0, 6-2 and then edged 1989 champion Ella Foshay in the semi-final 7-6,6-1. - .--- --- .;;; -- Scott Ketner In the men's singles "A" tournament, John Foster defeated Chris Di Bonaven- tura 6-3, 6-4. Beeause of the large number of entries, the men's singles field was di- vided into a championship round and an "A" round. I Walsh Open Draws Big Field .. Upson Repeats as Golf Champion By John Peishoff Peter Upson successfully defended his men's club championship title at the Fishers Island Club in August witha 3 and 2 victory over Charlie Arnold in the finals. The victory extends Mr. Upson's champi- onship streak to three in a row. "It wasn't spcctacular golf," said Mr. Upson of the finals. "I was simply able to par the course to death and hang on for the win," Mr. Upson reached the finals by defeating Dave Scott in the first round and Dave Wilmerding in the semi-finals. Mr. Arnold eliminated Bill Hall in the first round and Peter Baccile in the semi-finals. The women's club championship also had a repeat ring to it as Liz Shannon successfully defended her title. Ms. Shan- non defeated Charlotte McKim in the fi- nals. Ms. Shannon defeated Ellen Conant and Jennifer McDonough in the earlier rounds. Ms. McKim eliminated Moffy Gray and Missy Crisp earlier in the tourna- ment. , , In the first night of the women's championship Susie Stickney defeated Bobsie Macleod and the second flight title went to Ashley Harrington who defeated Gina Campbell in the finals. Winnersofrhe summer Twi/ight League were Lou Lamb and RichErpenbeck. The 4 th annual Walsh Park Opcn drew a field of 114 golfers when it was held on July 27 at the Hay Harbor Golf Club. The open has raised more than $20,000 to benefit the Walsh Park housing program. The golfers were divided into 19 teams of six players each. The tournament was played under a captain's choice format with each player in the group allowed to use only five clubs. The tournament pro- duced a three-way tie for first. A putting contest on the first green to determ inedthe winners with the team of Harry Yerkes, Jim Ski, Linda Edwards, Sandy Nicola, Pam and J.R. Edwards being victorious. Finishing second was the team of Chip Burr, Matt Burr, Porter Goss, Randy Childies, Brad Burr and Melinda Mettler. In third place was the tcam of Mr. and Mrs. OJ. Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. H. Gruner, Charlie Arnold and Corny Mettler. In special categories, J.R. Edwards finished closest to the pin on hole #3 and Bruce Oswald was closest on hole #6. Longest drive for the men was Jack Garra- han, while for the women the longest drive was recorded by Mary Robens. 22 Fishers /slnnd Gazette Fishing Gossip with John McCall There were more people fish- ing this fall than I've ever seen up here. Go out at I am and there are two cars at the Keypost, three at Olinda, two at Bar- leyfield and so on. Most of this is guys fishing live eels for bass -- here's how it works: wrap a rag around your hand, grab the eel behind the gills, say "Sorry, fella", and stick a hook through his head. Cast out and retrieve slowly. Repeat as necessary. As a variation, dead eels can be rigged with anywhere from one to three hooks using a combination of wire, twine, nnd sometimes even tiny chains. The re- SulLS can make Hannibal Lecter look like a Cub Seoul. Anyway, now you know. Around the Island, and especially in the Race, False Albacore and Bonita con- tinue to race around. These fish aren't hard to catch if you use light line with no leader. Shortly aftcr Labor Day, Bonita started bombing in and out of Silver Eel Pond. For about three weeks, you could count on a feeding frenzy every sunset with big fish harassing little fish, and grown men failing to catch them with Blue Fish tackle. Bonita do not eat Atom Poppers. At least not when they're rigged with wire leaders. I notice more people Oy fishing this year. Fly fishing is not as silly as it looks, but it is prelly silly. Fly fishermen tend to use 5500 rigs to catch $1 bluefish, and on those occasions when the fish would rather eat nics than plugs, they (the fisher- men) can be pompous beyond belief. But nics arc the easiest way to catch Bonitaand False Albacore, and sometimes, Bass and Bluefish. And since nobody can casta Oy line much further than 100 feet, Oy fishing tends to make you walk to out of the way places where you can get out of the wind and find fish in close. Good exercise, if nothing else. For fishermen who don't want to walk atall, there is always Race Point. Last Saturday night, I counted seven people clustered out on the tip of the reef at sun- set, with easily a dozen more shouldering their way around shore. Not a prelly sight, but where clse can you get out of your car put down your beer, take three steps and start plugging? The deadline for this Gazelle issue comes a month too early for the best fall fishing, so there might be more in the next issue. To date only Harry Yerkes has re- ported releasing any big bass. If there are any other noteworthy catches you want reported, you have to let me know. Last month, Jay Scanlon caught a big Spanish Mackerel off the jelly on a Swedish Pimple and not long ago I saw a Cormorant trying to swallow a good sized Oounder (the Oounder was eventually released). Big Club Wins Summer Hoop Title By Mike Wall As the weather was heating up, so was the action in the Fishers Island School gym this summer. The Big Club tearn won the summer basketball league champion- ship over the three other teams in the league. The Big Club defeated Hay Harbor 69-60 in the championship garne. During the regular season, Village Greenery and the Showtime tearn tied for first with Hay Harbor and the Big Club tied for third. But in the playoffs, the Big Club upended Showtime and Hay Harbor upset Village Greenery. The starting five for the Big Club were Reggie Jones, Eddie Kilbey, Dan Gillan, Mike Wall, and Chris Schneider. The summer league was set up by Geoff Lanier. The games were refereed by Mr. Lanier, his father Ken Lanier, and Dave Denison. The regular season was cut short by problems with the gym Ooor, and the teams went directly into the play- offs. ~ High School Basketball Prepares for Season Fishers Island will be looking for- ward to another successful season in 1991- 92 as the Vikings will return four starters from their 16-4 club last year. Missing from the team will be two time MVP winner Brian Faulkner who is allending college at U.N.H. Leading the charge this year will be senior Jay CUShing and 10th grader MikeyWall. On the nip side, the girls will be re- turning three starters from a year ago. High scoring Lisa Faulkner and accurate shooter Sandi Doherty will be leading the way. Tough defense is expected from Kelly Doheny and Shannon Thibodeau. The boys tearn opens its 14-game season on Dec. 11 at home against Sl. Thomas More while the girls tcarn plays its opener away against Windham Tech. Fishers Island Gaulle 23 Hay Harbor Golf By Dan Colvin ~ . The J un ior CI ub Championship was held in late August. The matches were amazingly close after 32 matches. We found that 28 of the matches went to the last or extm holes. The girls championship was captured by Katharine Stickney over Melinda Mettler in extra holes. The boys champion is Silas Marshal who defeated Oakley Duryea on the last hole! Silas Marshal also won the junior endeavor cup which signifies the junior who works hardest on his or her golf game. The Pip Sinclair Sportsmanship Trophy went to Becca Parsons who showcd leadership all season long. July Parent Child Tournament - Group I Anne and Twig Stickney - 1st place: Group II Becca and Robert Parsons - 1st place July Putting Champs: Ages 3-6 Bill Keenan, Ages 7 - 8 Sayles Braga,Ages 11 - 12 Liese Fritee,Ages 9 - 10 Mark Andrews July 2 Haler Champs Boys Division - Bill Keenan, Girls Division - Glenn Keenan July 4 Holers Champs Boys Division - Mark Andrews,Girls Division - Elizabeth Andrews July 9 Holers Champs Boys Division - Helles Henderson, Girls Division - Katharine Stickney August Parent-Child Tournament - Group I Michael and Steve McGeeney: Group II Oakley and Jay Duryea Pulling Champs:Ages 3 - 6 Bill Keenan, Ages 7 - 8 Ella Foshay ROlhfeld, Ages 9 - 10 Mark Andrews, Ages 11 - 12 Cutler Cook August 2 Holers Champs Boys Division - Ben Cameron, Girls Division - Brianne Lyon August4 Holers Champs Boys Division - Mark Andrews, Girls Division - Elizabeth Andrews August9 Holers Champs Boys Division - Silas Marshal, Girls Division - Lulu Henderson ~ . I I I I r I , I \ I p . Creativity was not in short supply during the IIOG lourflanu?nt over Labor Day weekend. (PholO credils: Bill Furse and Ann Anthony) Record Turnout for HOG The 1991 HOG Tournament to benefit the Island Health Project drew a re<:ord field fo 168 players, who were di- vied in to 28 six somes. The event raised about S18,OOO for the health project. "There is a tremendous amount of organizing and effort that goes into an event like this and my committee and their helpers deserve the lion's share of the credit," said Ged Parsons, chairman of the H.O.G. The winners in a close contest were the team of Ken Edwards Sr., LR. Ed- wards, Chris Edwards, Frank Burr, Frank Burr, Jr. and Peter Burr. Golf For Scholars Held yer. Their net score of 65 caused many participants to suspect sand-bagging, es- pecially since Mr. Peishoffwas a last-min- ute replacement. Almost$3,000wasraised for scholarships which will be awarded to graduating seniors next June. The F.1.T.A. would like to thank the members of the Club who donated the use of their carts, as well as Tony Bussman for their help in making the tournameOl a success. The Fishers Island Teachers' Asso- ciation Scholarship Golf Tournament was held on Sunday, October 6 at Fishers Is- land Club. Although it was a rainy morn- ing, the tournament was completed, and everyone had as good a time as can be had while playing golr. The winning team consisted of Bill Haase, John Peishoff, Dick Strouse, Harry Helier and Len Saw- 24 Fishers Island Gazelle Moody ContinuedfromPage 10 young person to develop, I would think just from the standpoint of safety and the ability to participate in other activities, swimming is a core skill, and probably the first that people ought to learn. We re- cently sent a questionnaire to the member- ship of the club and asked them about our programs. And the weakest program we have by far currently is our swimming program. So that is obviously an important change over the years. Our two strongest programs, in my view and in the view of the board, and this is certainly confirmed by the question- naire, arc, in order, golf and tennis. Our golf program is probably unequalled any- where that I know of. There just aren't clubs that turn over thcir courses to young golfers the way we turn over the Hay Harbor course. We have a superb young professional, as everyone knows, and he has a superb program. And it's a unique program for any club in the U.S. Our tennis program had five pros this summer, and we're turning out some wonderful young tennis players. We have one player who's nationally ranked. Those arc two very strong pro- grams. Swimming is our weakest. Q: What's in the works for improv- ing the swimming program? A: Well, we're evaluating that. There arc several problems with the swim- ming program. The first is really the facil- ity. A lot of people who grew up on the island think that because they learned to swim in what is called "The Tank" that everybody else can also learn to swim in The Tank. That's frankly simplistic. The world is different. Swimming pools have proliferated, and swimming facilities have proliferated and this hasn't gone unno- ticed on the part of our younger members. We have a problem with the quality of that facility and with its efficaciousness. The water's cold, and there ean be monsters down there. There are indeed jellyfish. We have, therefore, what I would describe, and what Jack Polo, our man- ager, describes as quality control issues. We certainly cannot control the quality of the water in The Tank. We think, and all the tcsting bears this out, that it's really very good, but this whole problem of pol- lution is not an exact science. We can't guarantee that the water at the swimming dock or at The Tank is going to be suffi- cient to carry out a swimming program. So that's one quality control issue. Because The Tank isn't popular with our young, we've gone to a method of operating where the kids go to use the private pools of some of our members. These people arc very nice to let us use their pools, but there again you have a quality control problem. You have swim- ming coaches, who you've hired because they know how to swim not because they know how to drive. driving groups of our young swimmers to these swimming pools. And then lastly, though people arc proba- bly very careful about the sorts of chemi- cals they put in their pools and about the water quality of their pools, we really have no control over these factors ourselves. So we are in a position as a board and as a club in which a program which should be a core program, the key pro- gram of the club, takes place in a facility that's unpopular, and we arc anempting to make up for that failure through jury- rigged system of outside facilities which in the process weaken our control over the program. Q: What do you think the club membership's reaction would be to having a pool at Hay Harbor, and what's your opinion of the possibility of adding a pool toexisting facilities? A: Well, going back to this question- naire. We asked people what they liked about the club, what was important about the club. A large portion said "We like its family atmosphere, we like its traditions, we like its understated character." As I said before, the club is well over eighty years old. Many people grew up there, as their parents did. The club is probably quitesimilartothe way it was in those days. These members guard that heritage jeal- ously, and they should. I think when people think of a pool, they think of a lrdditional pool. They think of a country club pool; they think of bikinis, and gin and tonics, and a linle pat on the ass. That kind of stuff. If we did indeed conclude that a pool was the best way to answer the prob- lems that we have, we would not be at all interested in a country club kind of pool. We would be interested in an instructional pool. A pool with a portion dedicated to teaching young people, and a portion devoted to lanes, with enough depth so that racing dives could be learned and kick turns could be practiced. No bikinis, at least not many bikinis, absolutely no gin and tonics. None. Strictly a low key in- structional facility of good quality, but not elegant and not done in a way that would seriously change the character of the club. We have actually hired a very prominent designer to tell us if that could be done on club property, where it could be done, and what it would look like. There arc other options. And we've thought about them. We've thought about joint ventures with other institutions on the island, for a pool offsite. We've thought of buying a property on the island that has a pool. We've thought of using Dock Beach. All of these arc possibilities, but like siting a pool on club property, they have significant drawbacks. In my view, much greater drawbacks. Q: How do you see Hay Harbor's role as distinct from other clubs on the island? A: I think Hay Harbor epitomizes the qualities that have always attracted me to Fishers Island. The sense of family, frequently across more than one genera- tion, the learning of skills that can be used throughout life, the gaining, at an early age, an understanding of competition, the strength that it can bring to character- buildingulthink these arc characteristics that our club has that are very different from other clubs on the island. And I guess at the end of the day with the membership that I, toouwhen I was a kid in Maine I went to a club that was not as nice as Hay Harbor, but it also was an understated place, whcre people sat on the porch and played a lot of tennis and did a lot of swim- ming together. where there were tears at the end of the seasonul think these arc very important aspects of Hay Harbor. Q: How fast is membership grow- . ing? 4 A: It's not. Three years ago, the board adopted for the first time a member- ship limit. Basically, whatwedidwastakea year when our facilities were fulsomely used, and we said that's probably about all we can accommodate. How many people do we have? And we totaled it up, and we put a linle range around it, and the range happened to be 425-435 or 440 members. And we felt that our club, configured the way it was--and we weren't about to change itucouldn't accommodate com- Fishers Island Gazette 2S . . . ~ ~'.., .. - d f jtf Steve McGeerli!ydisplays his artwork, above left, while B ill Furse accompanied by his mother Pam shows his photographs during the arts and crafts show held at the Fishers Islandgrunduring the summer. (Photo credit: Al Gordon) .> ~ fortably any more families than that. Atthe same time, the whole growth plan was being put together on the island, and I think it's very consistent with the growth plan to limit the membership the same way the big club has limited its membership. Q: SO it has become more difficult to get into the club? A: From the standpoint of people who are applying, it's not been terribly difficult over the last several years. And the rcason it's not been is because we've had some resignations. Resignations pri- marily reflect some modifications in re- quirements for absentee membership. The changes in those requirements re- sulted in some resignations by absentee members. That will come to an end, one of these days, and when it does, I won't say it will be more difficult. The process will be the same, but the wait will be longer. Q: Legacies can no longer be as- sured of membership in the way they were before. . . A: All things being equal, they'll continue to be given preferential treat- ment but they can no longer be assured of membership. I think it's important to say, and we've talked about this at the board levcl a lot in the last year, we don't want to have a club membership that looks like it was made up on the set of "Delivcrance." We want to continue to have new blood, not only coming onto the island, but into the club membership. We haven't set a ratio between legacies and non-legacies, p but we have adopted the policy of taking on each year some people who are not legacies of the club. Not necessarily new to the island, however; I think the days of being able to walk onto Fishers Island and join one of the clubs are over. I mean, you can't go to any nice community and expect to join the country club the year you walk in. It just doesn't happen, and it shouldn't happen to us. But where we can identify people who are simpatico with the mem- bership, who have been coming to the island, who have developed friendships and relationships on the island, and who are committed to the island, we want very much to take people like that into the membership though they may not be lega- cies. Q: What's the situation with dues? Are they going up substantially versus in- nation? A: I don't think we have raised dues fortwo to three years, and we've had inna- tion of 4-5% in this country during the same period. So we've certainly lagged innation. I think it would be imprudent to let that go on a long time. Q: SO you antieipate increases in the future? A: At some point. Q: When the club hired Tony Shep- herd the idea seemed to be to go with manager with more professional expcri. ence. And yet with Jack Polo, the new manager, you seem to have gone back to the Hay Harbor tradition of hiring some- one within the academic community. Does that signal a position of any kind? A: No, not at all. Asamatteroffact, Jack had managed a club for three years which was very similar in character to Hay Harbor. And for a period of time before that he owned a summer day camp for kids. So he indeed has been extremely experi- enced in managing facilities like ours. So to that extent, he is a professional manager. In addition to that, though, if you look at what Hay Harbor is, to a large extent the club is an instructional facility. Jack's whole background, unlike some of the other academics we've had, has been in coaching, and recently as chairman of the department of athletics at a large high school on Long Island. So I would argue that perhaps of all the managers that I can remember, he has one of the better back- grounds. Q: How do you see your particular mission as president of the club? A: I don't have any hidden agenda. What I have tried to do is to continue the pattern set by my predecessors--to man- age the club as professionally as possible. And secondly, as it has beeome more eom- plex and demanding, to delegate aggres- sively to other board members specific responsibilities for the club's functions. I think that we have a wonderful board now. And they're very hard working. If we didn't have people like David Patterson See Moody on Page 32 26 Fishers Island Ga:utt~ --- Fishers Island Library Essay Contest Winners Emptiness by Laura Kimberly (Age 14) The crisp tingle in the air marks the return of fall. I hear the door slam and hear the car drive away but I see nothing. A bleak and desolate feeling overcomes me as I sit silent and alone. Cold rain washes over me and tosses the leaves about but I pay it no heed for I know this feeling of solitude. The feeling deepens as the snow begins to Oy and only then am I truly alone for every living creature has Oed from this barren windswept spot. The snow piles deeper and deeper around me, the trees stand bare and black against the wintry sky, and I become part of the frozen land- scape. The cold penetrates my very core, almost paralyzing my thoughts and feel- ings as spiders spin web after web, each silver strand glittering with a thin sheen of frost. I am almost lulled to sleep by the sound of the relentless winds which never cease to blow. My only friend is the foghorn, a beacon in the night to weary sailors tossed about by an icy sea. Its sound is comforting and reassures me that dawn will come and that we have not been plunged into ever- lasting darkness. And then it happens. One day isa bit wanner than the previous. My excitement begins to rise with the temperature. A few pale green spears cautiously poke them- selves out of the warming earth among the dirty crusts of snow and then all at once nature seems to burst forth. The days grow progressively hotter, filled with the sweet scent of honeysuckle, until finally I hear the long-awaited noise in the dis- tance. The car turns into the driveway and soon my shutters are thrown wide open and I am being cleaned from top to bottom. Summer and my inhabitants have re- turned. My First "urricane by Julie SehlaOy (Age 9) At first my hurricane story sounds like everyone else's. All day we prepared for the hurri- cane. We went to the store and almost everything was gone! While we were at the store my grandpa and uncle were at thc hardware store buying tape. When we got home we lllped up the windows. Then we brought all the bikes and chairs in from oULside. We got lots of OashlighLs and candles. I felt scared at first. But now my story is different. In- stead of being home scared all day by the storm we deeided to go to the school gym- nasium. I felt much safer at the school. I liked it a lot better because more families were there. We played a card game of pig, 3 thirds-of a ghost and 20 Questions. We roamed around the school. The class- rooms were neat, the art work was great. Looking out the doors at the storm was fun but not too scary because we were safe. Afterwards I was in shock that no one got hun. It was very hard to get home because our usual route was taken up by a telephone pole. We had to go thc Hay Harbor way. When we got home we looked at the house (Q see if any damage was done. When we saw nothing we were relieved. When we were home for a half an hour my sister Ellen and my grandpar- ents went and looked at town. When they got home they told us to go and look around with my aunt Lolly and mom. We gotin thecarandsaw the swimming dock at Hay Harbor. The turn board was Oipped up. We went to the grocery store and saw the tree down over a car and boat. This is what happened in our hurricane. July by Linda Daniel (Adult winner) I lie on warm sand I hear waves crashing children laughing seagullsealling pcople moving quietly nearby talk- ing softly Air that seems heavy creates a spell around me. Now, another is real to me here: the One who is above. I'm alen, aware of a greater One. I feel humble, grateful. What I need to fill empty spaces within comes not from others (husband, children, friends) Before and after them, 1 am still alone. It is when I look up to the One above me, ahead of me, THE head of me that I know a quieting, a true peace- fulness. Now, after these moments of pausing in my mind, shifting my thoughts out, up, I'm new. Everything around me comes to life in a different way. As the wind blows clouds and fog and mistaway my thoughts arc clear. I am refreshed, recharged. I thank God. Thank you God Almighty for the sky ~ The Malinowskis catching up withlheir reading in t he children 's .~ection ollhe library. (PhOIO: Ann IJanes) Fishers Island Gazette 27 St. Luke's-Roosevelt is building a stronger hospital for a healthier New York. _.. , . ~ , I I Town Officials Up For Election I Two council seats and the supervi- sor's post are the major positions to be filled in the town elections to be held on November 5. First-term Supervisor Scott Harris, a Republican, is being challenged by Frank Kujawski, who is running on the Dcmo- crutic and Conservative lines. Mr. Kujawski is the former president of the Southold Board of Trustees, which oversees wellands issues in lhe lown. In town council races, Democratic incumbents Ellen Latson and Ruth Oliva are being challenged by Republicans Al- ice Hussie and Joe Lizewski. Mrs. Hussie is a former president of the Riverhead- Southold League of Women Voters and is a former school teacher. Dr. Lizewski maintains a dcnlnl practice in Cutchogue. The top two vote-getters of the four candidates will win election to the board for four-year terms. Fishers Island Coun- cilman Ray Edwards is one of the two other incumbents who is not up for re-election. Garbage, as it was in the last election two years ago, appears to be the major issue in beth the supervisor and council I I . I I I I I I I I I I I \ I I I I I races. The Town of Southold faces a $850,000 fine from the state Department of Environmental Conservalion because il is refusing to close its landfill as ordered by the DEe. "The problem is not how to get around handling our solid waste," Me. Kujawksi told the Suffolk Times. "We arc looking at solid waste as a resource. The GOP looks at it as a nuisanace." Mr. Kujawski said the town should negotiate a settlement with the DEC and should cooperate wi~h other East End lawns in a composling venlure. Mr. Harris said the Republican-con- trolled Town Board's fight with the DEC over landfill closure has "saved U1xpayers 54,000 a day." Mr. Harris told the Suffolk Times lhal his main mission is lo save lhe taxpay- ers'money. The supervisor's poSl carries a sal- ary of 554,709 a year and is held for a two- year term. Republican council candidates Mrs. Hussie and Dr. Lizewski also support the town's fight against the DEC orderto close the town landfill. Both Mrs. Oliva and Mrs. Latson say the town should negotiate with the DEC over the current lawsuit. "Let's sit down and negotiate with 51. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center Is pleased to provide a physician year-round on Fishers Island. ,ro, ~ ~!~~ROOSEVEI,T '1 Ii I I~ the Department of EnvironmentaI Conser- vation now," Mrs. Latson told the Suffolk Times adding that she fears Southold will lose its court challenge. "Shelter Island's fines were negotiated down, and I think the DEC would negotiate with Southold." In other elections, County Execu- tive Patrick Halpin is being challenged in his re-election bid by Republican Robert Gaffney, a state Assemblyman, and Con- servative William Kelly, mayor of Asha- roken. The challengers arc blaming Democrat Halpin for being responsible for a huge increase in county taxes in the late 80's during Mr. Halpin's first term in office. "Gus" taking a midday napat llay llaroor. 4'< I. "'. \, 'iSf.4 ~ \ l I _ ~ \~.~ \l' !:)#, ~'f' ~. ~~. . 28 Fishers Island Gazelle n School Notes -- By Susan Stepanek Fishers Island students were hard at work this summer raising money for their senior trips. The eighth graders sold daf- fodils during August and September, and arc now selling ice cream, twice a week, to the high school during lunch. The tenth grade will begin selling poinsettias on Oc- tober 21. The Senior class spent their summer selling candy at the movie theater. The seniors will also be holding a car wash on October 12, and a POI Luck Dinner on October 18. The 1991-1992 StudentCounci! was elected on September 26. The officers arc as follows: Secretary-Brian Caruso, Treasurer-Fred Whitlock, Vice-Presi- dent-James Cushing II, President-Susan Stepanek. The officers have already begun preparing for the annual Spook House, which will be held on October 26. Several new students joined the school population this year along with two new faculty members. The new students are in 6th grade Nicholas Worst; in 7th grade Kevin Caldwell, Lesley Crawford, and Jaclyn Leroy; in 9th grade Tara Cook, Donald Gray, and Susan Stoehr; in 12th grade David Montessi. Our new faculty members arc Ms. Hess, the new foreign language teacher, and Mrs. Suedmeier, the new elementary aid. Last but nOlleast the Fishers Island Yearbook staff is looking for pcople who would like to either be a yearbook patron or run a message board. If you arc inter- ested please contact Susan Stepanek at 7319 and we'll be happy to help you. -- Faculty Notes -- This column is prepared by the fac- ulty of the Fishers Island School to inform Islanders of some of the activities in which teachers have been participating. In this column, three teachers will be highlighted: Mrs. Laura Edwards and Mrs. Sandra Towle who attended a workshop spon- sored by the Northeast Center for Chil- dren at the Greenfield Center School in Massachusetts, and Mr. John Weil who is teaming up with NASA to present a series of workshops at Pfizer on aerospace tech- nology. Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Towle, pri- mary grade teachers, spent a week in- volved in activities in elementary school social studies and science areas. The ac- tivities and curriculum were developed to meet students' individual needs at their developmental level rather than to be grade level specific. Elementary students are given the chance to observe real life roles, work together as a group, try to reason, think, and draw conclusions based Concert Scheduled The Chrisunas concert at the Fishers Island school is scheduled for December 13. The concert will be held in the eve- ning, but the exact time has not been scheduled yet, according to school offi- cials. Students from the pre-kindergarten through the senior class will participate in the concert. on concrete objects and ideas. Both teach- ers found the workshop to be of great value and have many practical uses for the Fishers Island School. Mr. Weil's programs at Pfizer focus on incorporating model rocketry into cur- ricula for New London County math and science teachers. Concepts such a, New- ton's Laws and force propulsion are pre- sented in this approach which was origi- nally developed for seventh grade tech- nology courses at Fishers Island School. This is Mr. Well's second year with Pfizer. Last year he presented several workshops on hydroponic greenhouses called "hydrotubes." Also, high school students may elect to continue their study of hydroponics through research and de- sign of their own hydroponic systems. Many area school districts arc inter- ested in learning the many ways to inte- grate science, math and teehnology from the programs already in place at Fishers Island School. Islander on Dean's List Linda Zanghetti has been named to the Dean's List at Simmons College in Boston for the spring 1991 semester. Linda is a senior majoring in physical ther- apy. Students Take Over Rodent Program As a community service, the Fishers Island School Junior Class has assumed the administration of the Civic Associa- tion'sRodentControlProgram from Mr. Al Dawson, who recently resigned after 20 years as program manager. Unfortunately, Fishers Island sup- ports a large rodent population, and while there may be a reluctance to admit it, even the neatest of properties can be a home to rats and mice. Control of these rodents must be a continuing program to be effec- tive, and proper maintenance of feeder stations is an integral part of this program. The students (Brian Caruso, Ian Thoma" Eric White and Fred Whitlock) along with their advisor Mr. Denison will be distributing the poison bait free of charge like Mr. Dawson used to do. They will also be building and selling the feeder stations as a fund-raiser for their class. The fecders will be built out of 3(4 inch exterior plywood, painted with weath- erproofing, and sold for $20.00 each. Each SLation comes with directions for proper placement and maintenance. Please call the school (7444) or Mr. Denison (7514) to order your feeder station or to request poison bait. Robert & Louisa Evans Licensed Real Estate Sales - Rentals (516) 788-7101 Fishers Island Gazelle 29 Nature Watch By Ed Horning t I On the morning of July 22 at 10 am, we three, Albert Gordon, Sr., Albert Gordon, Jr., and I ventured to the bird habiUlt eSUlblished along the waterway whieh joins Ocean Pond and Beach Pond to the Block Island Sound. Here, there is little or no water except at the highest tides. On tlle mud natalong the waterway were a number of shorebirds and terns. Among the shorebirds were six black-bellied plovers without their black bellies. Here they were resting, having arrived from tundra regions on their way to winter homes to the south of Fishers Island. There were also semi-pal mated plovers , semi-palmated sandpipers, and two dow- itchers all also on their way southward but stopping here to rest and to feed. Two common terns were sitting on the beach and several least terns were on the mud nat and some new overhead occasionally hovering and then diving for fish. The least tern is an endangered species and more about it later. As we were watching the mud nat a small pale-colored plover new toa mud nat that was quite close to us. It had a band I t I I I I I I Albert Gordonfocuses inonsome nesting birds wuterthesupervision of Ed Horning. (Ph%: Al Gordon, Sr.) across its breast. It was a piping plover, a bird that has become very rare across the United States and since 1980 has been very rare on Fishers Island. The piping plovers were quite nu- merous on Fishers Island up through the 1970's. BUllhenaboutl980,thepopulation all over the United SUltes and on Fishers Island rather suddenly plummeted. Atthis point a little history is relevam. Each year, in early spring, the pip- ing plovers arrived on Fishers Island, a lone male bird first and later the females. Pairs then mated and the female usually laid four eggs. The nests were on the upper parts of the beaches and often near or in a least tern colony. In late May and in June the young hatched and were soon scurrying on the sands of the beaches. Late in June and through July much larger numbers of the plover would ap- pear on cerUlin beaches such as South Beach and the Beach Pond outlet and sometimes on the runways of the airport. Then after 1979, large numbers no See 1/orninK on Page 32 ~ THE BANK OF MYSTIC ., MEETING THE FINANCIAL NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY FULL-SERVICE BUSINESS AND PERSONAL BANKING NOW IN THE MYSTIC PACKER BUILDING MYSTIC, CT (203) 572-8981 Z & S Contracting... "The Good Guys" -Renovations -Remodeling -New Construction -Expert painting & paper hanging -Licensed electrical, plumbing & heating professionals -24-hour emergency service -complete line of electrical appliances -full landscaping service -now window washing as well Count on the Good Guys... Z & 8 Contracting! Call Z &8 at 788-7857 30 Fishers Island Gazette Message from Carol Ridgway Presiden! a/the Fishers Island CjyicAssocUzziarl The Is- land has sur- vi ved another summer and I have survived chairing my first Civic Associa- tion meeting, I like to think they both went well. Speedy Met- tler's last "Message From the President" anicle in the Gazette elicited a great deal of dialogue pro and con privately and publicly at the above mentioned meeting. This openness is very healthy and should be fostered as residents must be willing to verbalize their feelings in a constructive way. Understanding cannot be achieved through silence and blank stares. The Growth Plan is frequently men- tioned by the Civic Assn. I was astounded when in receipt of the last President's files at the vast amount of work that went into the formulation of the plan. I'm not sure it's a 100% perfect or realistic document but it is a start. The Community should under- take an equal amount of time reevaluating and implementing more of the ideas and suggestions contained in it. The first prem- iseand probably the most important is con- cerning maintenance of a healthy year round population and frequently mentions growth. It docsn't state it but it really mean "controlled" growth because the plan and most islanders do not want to deal with the unpleasant aspects of growth as it occurs in most areas. We do not like strangers wan- dering our streets or docking in our waters so individuals or businesses have to en- courage the "right kind of people to live here". Housing is always mentioned as the prime deterrent for not attracting more people to live here but in thcory the fami- lies who move into Walsh Park open up their units for other year round residents. An important truth in attracting new resi- dents is that more husbands arc interested in living on the Island than their wives. (Libbie Cook addressed this issue per- fectly in her report to the Island Growth Plan Committee.) I would be interested to find out if this might be true of the Ferry Crew and the off island men who work for the contractors. Some of these problems might be solved if these women could get Professionals serving professionals. off the Island to work, go to school, etc. and the commuter boat issue is bound to resurface. It was heartening to see so many Island residents at the Bd. of Ed. meeting last night. The issue was whether or not the Board should conduct a feasibility study of options for F1HS. The Board's plans have been so amorphous and the impetus started by some community par- ents who want to send their children off island at the School District's expcnse that fears arose that plans were afoot to close the HS (which would never be able to reopcn at the size it has been for quite a few years). Community members spoke for both sides and I have to agree with the sentiment expressed that any study and effort should be put into increasing the magnet program and improving the aca- demic and social education of the children on the Island with, of course off island experiences). I feci this would contribute to a healthier and happier atmosphere here for all. Stay Informed! Subscribe to the Gazette. STUFFY HEAD COLD? SINUS? HAYFEVER? DIAPER RASH? CHAPPED HANDS? or LIPS? Keep RELIEF as close as your medicine cabinet with... - Kidder, Peabody II f1 Co. Incorporated Fo.."d~J 1~t>5 M....I".. 1'0'..., ~("I; ~"d "'m,."~,, 5,od E I(~""~" 10 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10005 Telephone: (212) 510-3000 Over 50 additional offices worldwide .~ BOROLEUM .Ince 1801 GUllranl'fHKJ and prepared by SINCLAIR PHARMACAL CO., INC. FISHERS ISLAND, NEW YORK 0.3.0 Fishus Island Gautte 31 ~ School Board Continuedfrom Page 5 Range Plan for Technology in Elementary and Secondary Education, the School Improvement Reviews, and The Compact for Learning, in an effort to extract infor- mation and ideas appropriate for us. . Finally, although I am most suppor- tive of initiatives to examine a range of educational options, I do not want this sup- port to be mis-interpreted to suggest that the school docs not provide a quality educa- tion. Nor has the B.O.E. identified any problems with programs and services, other than the fact that we service a relatively small number of students. The N.Y.S. Registration Review remarks "In essence, each student follows an individual education plan." The current school Superintendent has stated "Children attending F.I. School have the opportunity asagroup to take ad vantageofa system that provIdes more individual attention to each student than perhaps any other publ ie school in the Country." . We should take full advantage of this unIque opportunity and further enhance the quality education this community can proudly provide. ~ I A. I JOHN GADA Gener.1 Cont'~c1ing Inc Phone 7231 ... htolbhshf'd 1946 '10 . , Sarah Malinowski: In 1973 we had an enrollment of 100 Island students, K-12. By 1979 our enroll- mentwasdownto62. Wenowhave47and 10 of these arc from two families. Two families moved from the island this year because of our High School. Already sev- ernl e1emeotary parents have stated they are not planning to send their children to this High School. We will continue to lose families and students if we do not modify our existing High School. Our school has to be an incentive for young couples to move to the Island and a reason for families to stay. We are at the critical point. We can continue to be an aspect of the decline of this community or we can decide to be a major part of its future. Yes, I am in favor of exploring the alternatives to our existing high school program. There are many options we could investigate that could make our school the dynamic place it should be. For example, one alternative would be to have an aca- demic focus to our magnet program. Such as creating an educational center for high school students in association with The Long Island Sound Study. (A Federal, State and local initiative to restore and protect the Sound through public outreach and education.) We could attract children from Southern New England who want to specialize in environmental issues from scientific, management and/or political angles. The Ferry District might give us their building to be turned into a dormitory and additional housing for teachers and visiting expens. Maybe we could rent one or two of the other buildings in that area for laboratory and additional classroom space. Maybe we could run an express ferry to make this possible. A study might find that we, the school, could be the low impact, environmentally sound mdustry that would revitalize this Island. I feci the adults in this community have a responsibility to our children to research every possible idea that would help us achieve a great High School expe- nence for our children. The board mem- bers, the administration and the teachers must be willing to work together. What they say is true -- "If you arc not part of the solution, you arc part of the problem!!" Mary lIorn: S,ince r~ceiving your letter regarding a quesllonnmre on the options of the See School Board on Page 37 -Li dum Ull#h:rw.:l' -- "The On Time Airline" Scheduled and Charter Flights Passenger Terminal Tel. (203) 448-1646 Toll Free: 800-243-8623 DISTINCTIVE RENOVATIONS RESTORATIONS AND CUSTOM HOMES I Groton/New London Airport Groton, CT 06340 32 f'ishuslslandGazeUe Horning ConlinuedformPage29 longer occurred on the beaches of Fishers Island. Indeed, the last young piping plover was alone one on the beach of the beach Pond outlet seen on June 29, 1980. Through the 1980's, an occasional lone piping plover was seen on Fishers Island, but none nested. Lone birds were seen on June 9, 1987, August23, 1988, and on May 21, 1989 . You can well imagine the delight I felt upon seeing the piping plover land on the nearby mud flat. To get a closer look the three of us walked westward about 50 yards to a place int he stream where it was shallow enough to wade across. We waded through an abundant growth of an algae called sea leuuee. We also noted that the sand on the bouom supported thousands of a species of snail called the mud snail. Each one was blackish and about an inch long and some- what barrel-shaped. We then walked Ihrough a colony of very aromatic pink nowers called salt marsh fleabane. They have the odor of camphor. They had re- cently come into flower. We were now near the mud flat, but far enough away so as not to disturb the bird life. They continued to do their thing mainly resting and feeding. We observed about 10 lea't terns. Parents came in with Ihree-ineh long silvery fish in their beaks. Each parent would land near the young, and place the fish in their open mouths. As we were watching the terns, six adult piping plovers appeared on the flat. A little laler looking southward along the outlet, I saw what made my heart beat fasteru a liule nuffwith legs running on the beach, then another lillle fluff, ad then a third liule fluff. They were young piping plovers probably no more than two weeks old and perhaps not even that. Here was evidence of the fIrst nesting of the piping plovers on Fishers Island since 1980. It was rather difficult to get the total number of least terns as some were on the sands and others on the flats while others flew overhead. However, a few days later, while on a nature walk, we say 30 to 40 least terns rise into the air in a frenzy. Very soon, an osprey appeared carrying a three-foot stick in its talons. The osprey was chased from the colony. Probably every adult least tern took part in the col- ony's defense. There must have been 30 adults in the colony and perhaps 10 to 20 young. I was thrilled to see the adults and the young of this colony for the least tern also had not been nesting on the Island for the past few years. In the years prior to 198 I, the least terns had nested in the Beach Pond outlet. but then moved about 1985 to the ea,tern part of the Island nem Mud Pond. There, they experienced two productive yems before being flooded out two successive years by exceptionally high tides. They no longer nested in the Mud Pond area. During the past three years I have only ocea,ionally seen the least tern on the Is- land almost always over one of the ponds. Now, late July 1991 both the lea't tern and the piping plover have returned to the Beach Pond outlet area and both species arc nesting there. Two endan- gered species both nesting in one small area tells us that it is indeed a rare habitat, one to be protected and preserved. Connecticut Lobstermen Cited Four off-Island lobstermen were ciled for infractions of fishing regulations in August, according to the state police. Philip Obriskie of Ledyard, CT., and Roland Hebering of Norwich, CT., were cited for lobstering in restricted wa- lers, said state Trooper Tom Fuller. Mr. Obriskie plead guilty before Judge Ray Edwards and paid a $ 100 fine, while Mr. Hebering has yet to appear before Judge Edwards, the trooper said. Michael Niekrash of Madison, CT., was charged with filing a false address to obtain a New York State fishing permit, said Trooper Fuller. Mr. Niekrash had his license revoked and was fined $200 by the state Deparunent of Environmental Con- servation, the trooper added. Kevin Coyne, with an address listed as Farrningdale, L.I., was issued a citation for failure to properly mark his lobster traps. He ha, yet to appear before Judge Edwards, according to police. Lobstermen must be New Yark resi- dents to obtain a state license to fish for lobsters off Fishers Island. Island lobster- men have frequently complained thaI Connecticut residents have been fishing around the Island, circumventing regula- tions by Claiming a New York residence. Moody ContinuedfromPage25 working on the pollution problem, ar people like Speedy Melller jumping in and helping to turn the swimming program around, at least from the standpoint of staff- ing and contentuifwe didn't have all those people doing those things, no one would take the job, in this day and age, of being president. You couldn't do it. There's an old saying about being president of the club. If you don't have a strong board and a strong manager, you have to do everything as president. If you do have a strong board and a strong man- ager, and we do, then it's a job you can handle. So I think to the extent that I've had an agenda, it's really been that: to increase the professionalism with which the club is run, to make sure the decisions we make as a board arc well-thought out and well-re- searched, that experts arc consulted when they should be, and to involve the board much more than they ever were involved in the past. And lastly, although I hired Tony Shepherd and was proud of him, I had a lot to do with hiring Jack Polo and on a scale of one to ten, on his first season, he was an cleven. Q: What about the job appeals to you? A: It goes back to what we were talking about earlier. I'm realistic enough to knowuparticularly having had teen- agers there--some of the bad SlUff that goes on on the island. But I'm also a con- servative republican and I believe strongly in family values and this genera- tional thing we were talking about, in a selling where people arc polite and sports- manlike and good athletes, as well. I be- lieve in those values. If I am capable of bringing some management skills to the club to make it run more effectively, then I have done a lotto insure the continuity of those values on the island. Have Any Story Ideas, Suggestions? Contact the Gazette at Box 573, Fishers Island! Fishers IsliJnd Gazette 33 > Wild Things on Fishers By Ann Walsh Anthony The ear is packed. The refrigerator is cleaned out. The last available reserva- tion for Labor Day weekend is on your dash. The kids arc loaded, and the cat is missing. What do you do? The animal lover in you searches the yard and surrounding acreage trying to avoid a scene of teary eyed childrcn and an empty kennel cab boarding the ferry. The pragmatist in you knows the ferry leaves with or without you and your cat. Its a scenario that has been played out in many driveways for years. Many times this scene ends happily with the lost feline being found by a neigh- bor. But what about the pet who gets left behind and is not reunited with its family. Where docs it end up? In geometrically increasing propor- tions, strays arc running wild on Fishers Island. Joggers and walkers arc reporting and spotting more stray cats allover the Is- land. One resident. who wishes to remain anonymous, was hospitalized for lacera- tions on the leg after an attack by a stray cat this past spring. Bob and Louisa Evans spolleda cata year ago with its paw caught in its collar. The bedraggled animal living under the liquor store with one paw incapacitated was unable to hunt. An unidentified work- man wearing thick gloves caught the ani- mal and tried to free its paw. The fright- ened cat bit the Good Samaritan through the work gloves. Efforts were immediately aborted. Incidentally, the cat was spolled this spring by Bob Evans collarless and looking healthy. Otis Horn is the gamekeeper on I I- .. I CATCH THE BOATING SPIRIT THIS SUMMERI Two raccoons ona nocturnal ramble outsiea Fishers Is/and home. (P holocredit: Dick.Edwards) Fishers Island and when asked about strays, told the Gazelle"... when they come into my territory (the sportsman club) I destroy them. An animal left to its own devices will revert to the wild and will kill every bird, every small animal it encoun- ters. Wild animals will breed and produce morcwildanimals." Mr. Horn went on to say that a stray in the wild is subject to rabies. Incidents of rabid bats and raccoons attacking cats and dogs are increasing throughout the Northeast. In early May, a dog in Southold was destroyed after it had been billen by a rabid bat. Therc is no dog warden on Fishers Island. There is no pound. In fact the nearest pound with jurisdiction over Fish- ers Island is in Southold. Judith Terry, the town clerk, told the Gazette that it would be covercd by the town contract with the North Fork Animal Welfare League although there is no mention of Fishers Island in the contract. When contacted, the NFA WL was unaware that Fishers Island was within their jurisdiction. Ms Terry's office said it would be the town's responsibility to pick up and capture a stray, especially one sus- pected of carrying rabies, while the NFA WL felt the stray would have to be captured by our local constable or state trooper, and then transported by the cap- turing officer to the pound in Southold. Our local constable and state troopers were unable to be reached for comment. What do you do if a raccoon comes around (and more and more problems with raccoons arc being reported)? Mr. Horn recommends contacting the Conservation Department before trying to control the animal. "Its a catch 22 situation," Mr. Horn said. "You don't want the raccoons around your home because of the threat of rabies. But you don't want to handle the animal either, because of the threat of rabies." Tolophono 7S28 Now offering laser sailboats OPEN MONDAY - SATURDAY 8:00-4:30 34 Fishers Island Gaulle Around the Town C:c. ..~. ~j~'-=~i~~~i:'iZ~ - ~ILL ~d:i::8+1 - _~~n",~?=",."" HIm 'I II I ~ "~. -Jj:rn:j ji::+~ : ~~~ ~~1@" !EL-S'llj ! ~ '- 1-"~1:c-1~ -~- - .:. 'L, J ~ r{}---- {... I I.. ...cel: I ~{Ft[ ~y 'Imllr~l~.~~ ~I~ ll~~' -lEBJ= =-~1"11'1 'I F ~ffl~~ ~ Ir-MJH T 1;1 , - ~ II I I~ - ~-J.h'I~: ~:~ j~- -,- 'I ~ -- 1c',!.llU~-I!1t:liLj' _.' Hi'-'- J, JII" '0 -. ~"_" '.~~'. .:' ':::':'.::'J '1_ ," n' . ...e__ t- ...--:.-'] ;" I ;__~_nn~~'"______dn____ -- ;____ - - - - ---- ~= ==.:- -=- -=---- -=-l-::.:---=-.-:.,t=.-=:-:..":o.. c:... ---::...~""-.", "'.. ~ : ~~......-_-_~,__-.-.__-.__.L-___~___L _ ~~ ~_ ----~---_._----~-------~----~------------------------~-------~ with Ann Walsh Anthony 1.~.I-f~V':11 !Il' i '.~" ~, l l . On a beautifully sunny August 17. (given Ihemildfallwe've had il sounds un- grateful to long for beautifully sunny days) Carol Spadora and Paul Giles were mar- ried. Whal a fele! Those in the know tell us that among a lot of other wedding day excilement, the newly weds received a police escorl from the church to their Pequot House receplion. Kim Ogden and Mark Hankins were married in Pennsylvania on September 7. The Hankins, who live in Washington, D.C., honeymooned skiing in Chile. Alison Burr and Chauncey Goss were married on Fishers on OClober 5. It seems that Ihe pre and post nuplial cele- brations turned the wedding into a three. day event. William McCance and Suzanne Bi- elle arc engaged and planning a January wedding in Boston. Ashley Ridgway and Karel Mal- inovsky are engaged and planning a late June wedding on Fishers. ... In the "boy is my face red" depan- ment, I'd like 10 note that the population explosion we've been witnessing of lale has made it nearly impossible 10 keep up with the new arrivals. Having said Ihat,let me tell you about Bill and Loise Martling's baby. William Kent Marlling II was born on February 8, 1991, and weighed a strap- ping 10 lb 4 oz. 22.1/4" was Ihe official length. Brooks Henning Walker was born on May 7, 199 L Brooks weighed 7 lb. on his birthday. Brooks' parents are Alyson and Alex Walker and his big brother is David. Mary and Ned Harvey had a boy on September 15 making Ashlon a big brother. Alexander Shippen Harvey was born weighing 8 Ib 5 oz. Amy and Wailer Manny had a third on Seplember 18. Celia Wilmerding Manny weighed 8 Ib I oz. Elder siblings Nick and Ellie are sure to be pleased by this new addition. Arc you ready for this? Stu and Deb Borgert had their second and third on September 26 (There must be something in the water). Baby Alixandra was born at 3: 12 pm and weighed 4 lb. 6 oz. and baby Rebekah came at 3: 14 pm and weighed 2 lb. 13 oz. Big sister Samantha Borgen has her work cut oul for her. SIU and Dcb lold me Ihal everyone on Fishers has been wonderfully supportive and the Borgerts wish to express their appreciation to their fellow Islanders and Mark Easter and Ihe ferry district for their concern and sup- port. Sue and Kenn Connelly had a baby boy on October 3. James M. Connelly weighed 6 lb. 15 oz. and was 20" long. Thai's all for now, but there's lots more where this came from $0 be sure to Slay luned. Story Ideas, Suggestions... Contact the Gazette... Box 573, Fishers Island CLASSIC SHINGLE SUMMER COTTAGE 115 feet of water front on nearly 2 acres overlooking beautiful Chocamount Cove. Architectural plans include unique lighthouse tower with lookout deck housing Master bath. Private Master Suite: B.R. with balcony, sitting room, dressing room, cathedral ceilings. Below, octagonal D.R. with french doors opening onto spacious wrap-around deck. Kitchen & pantry. Plus 4 B.R. & 2 full baths. Spectacular views. Dock site. All permits and approvals. Price available upon request. ERG ARCHITECT Ii, i'Al\K\VAY. Kt\TON/\II. NY 111S.1(1 I) l-t-~J~-()')().l Fishers Island Gazette 35 Phone Company Modernizing L The Fishers Island Telephone Company is changing its 65 year old equip- ment, taking out its electro-mechanical switches, and installing digital equipment. "The present equipment is becom- ing obsolete; the rest of the world is phas- ing hout," said Bill Ridgway, who is assist- ing the phone company on the project. "We now operate WOO telephone lines, which is close to capacity," said Mr. Ridgway. "The new system will be wired for 1527 lines, and this can be expanded. With the new switches, we can also offer new features, such as call forwarding." "The new equipment made by Siemens Stromberg-Carlson, will cost ap- proximately $450,000," added Mr. Ridgway. "After the change, we will qual- ify for a higher share of income from long distance telephone calls. This advantage will just about offset the cost of our equip- ment change. We want to take advantage of this situation before the telephone toll formula changes." The equipment will be installed in a downstairs office of the Utility Depart- ment. This will open office space upstairs. Southold Newspaper Wins National Honors The Suffolk Times of Southold, L.l., has been judged the best newspaper in its circulation category in America. The award was announced in late September at the National Newspaper Association's I 06th annual convention in Little Rock, Ar- kansas. The Suffolk Times covers the Town of Southold including Fishers Island and periodically supplies the Fishers Island Gazette with stories from Long Island. The award was won in the category for weekly newspapers with circulation from6,OOOt09,999. "Needless to say. we arc very proud to win the general excellence award," said newspaper publisher Troy Gustavson. "I know these contests arc a highly subjective affair, but on one day, at least, a bunch of our peers in the newspa- per industry got together and agreed that the Suffolk Times is the best in the land." In making the award, the newspaper judges described the Suffolk Times as "an excellently designed and editorially pack- aged newspaper. Solid news coverage, well written, strong headlines, photogra- ,. . Clouds provide adramatic backdrop lothe flag at Hay Jlarbor. (Photocredit:Annllanes) phy, high quality graphics. Good pacing. Creative feature writing. Layout specifi- cally strong. Creates serious, meaty news- paper in (tabloid) package," Fontaine's Pool Service, Inc, Exclusively serving Fishers Islalld FISHERS ISLAND MOBIL I -Installations: Vinyl - gunite -Repairs -Weekly maintenance -Opening Winterizing ~ .. -Spas Robert Fomaine Owner (401) 828-1052 Available/or you! - Diesel Fuel - Special Unleaded - Super Unleaded Regular Unleaded - Propane - Fuel Oil - Slips Electric & Water Hookups - Clean Restrooms - Hot Showers - Ice Machine Outboard Lubricant Telephone: (516) 788-7311 We Also MOlliror Chilllllel16 36 Fishers/sland Gazette Fishers Island Retrospective... The Storm of 1717 By Carol Ridgway Gazette reader Charlie Arnold sent in the page of the Weather Channel calendar for March 8,1991 which used as it's weather history item for the day the following: "]717 - On Fishers Island in Long Island Sound, 1,200 sheep were buried under a drift for 28 days; when finally uncovered, 100 were still alive. The drifts were a result of the "Great Snow of 1717." Mention of this (with slightly fewer miraculous survivors) was recorded in the Ferguson History of Fishers Island in a letter from John Winthrop to Dr. Cotton Mather. ".... The storm continued so long and severe, that multitudes of all sons of crea- tures perished in the snow drifts. We lost at the island and farms, above eleven hundred shecp, besides some cattle and horses interred in the snow. And it was very strange that twenty eight days after the storm, the tenants of Fishers Island, pulling out the ruins of one hundred sheep out of one snow bank in a valley (where the snow had drifted over them sixteen feet), found two of them alive in the drift, which had lain on them all that time, and kept themselves alive by eating the wool of the others, that lay dead by them. As soon as they were taken out of the drift they shed their own neeces and arc now alive and fat; and I saw them at the island the last week, and they arc at your service:' Ed Homing says he has also seen details of this storm in a Connecticut history book. Looking for a great Christmas present? How about a subscription to the Gazette!! A year's subscription only costs $12. a gift that will last all year. ~'~;~'~~'i~ ,~\ o~ j Ai Gift SllbsC/1ptiOll to:" ~ ..r::;if/ , W~'t;./ff l ~ ~ / '<d ..... j \ ..~'\\ ~.....~ ~., It's t From: Just rill in the information and include a check for $12 and mail to the Fishers Island Gazette. Box 573, Fishers Island, N.Y / 06390 a S un.rise after storm in. September. (Photo credit: DickEdwards) ........1 I Joseph Lo Townsend I I INSURANCE I 1-------1 Representing Theuavelersj Homeowners 0 Auto. Yacht 216 Main Street, Greenport. 477.0153 20).442-4)91 SCr\lI\)I j,,\.tOf, 1,I,lndSIIK\: 1919 7~Clr\;\in\ Walk '\n.. I undun, Cl 011.120 MALt(OVfS Eastern Connecticut"s Largest Jeweler (just two hlocks from [he: ferry) Fishers/slant/Gazette 37 Study C0I1/imudfromPage4 ~ formed. Nonnally, the office of school improvement sends in a team of about six people composed of administrators and teachers from other districts. After about two days of on-site review, the team produces a report within one or two months. The findings would be produced in both an oral and written report, and follow- up assistance would be provided, said Mr. Harris. The office of school improvement might just call for a self- study in which fonns would be sent to Fishers Island to be filled out by school personnel. The office would then review this informa- tion and file a report, Mr. Harris said. At the public meeting on October 8, about 20 persons spoke, with opinion divided between those who wanted to study all alter- natives, both on and off Island, and those who wanted the study to concentrate on improving the existing school. At the meeting, Louisa Evans presented a petition with signatures from 18 of the 23 parents of school children recommending that a full study be conducted. "I believe our present high school does provide a fair, basic education," said Mary Walter, who supported the petition. "Noth- ing particularly extraordinary, nor particularly distressing aca- demically. There are still some undeniable concerns I have, and that's why I support the study. "A number of young parents arc planning or already ques- tioning sending their children to high school here. Why? I believe it's the quest for more, more than Fishers Island currently offers. More students, more social activities and more academic offerings. "Our children grow up with the same peer group the major- ity of their school life. With few student.' in your age group, nor- mal disagreements or personality elashes arc felt more personally than if you had a opportunity to form other friendships." Pat Malone, who moved to the Island so that her child could attend the Fishers Island School, took a different position. "The thought of some parents wanting to send our kids to the mainland to go to public high school is so ridiculous to me if those parents realize what is happening in those high schools," she said. "We do not have to worry about what our kids arc doing before school, during, and after school. Our school is free of drugs and alcohol. "Why not take a walk into a public high school lavatory ," Mrs. Malone said. "You parents would have quite a surprisen.There are 13 and 14 year aids already coming to school with drugs and alcohol. This is reality. The peer pressure is unbelievable." "Now let's talk about the quality of education here versus Connectiuct. My son went through k-6 in Connecticut. he was just about a straight A student, but he never had to do any homework. Then my son came here. He had such a hard time because he had no idea of what it was like to do one and one half to two hours of homework a night. It took a couple of frustrating weeks for him to get himself to do it. But the peer pressure here was different. It made him want to do good in school. "Also hcre we know our teachers personally," Mrs. Malone said. "In Connecticut they arc strangers. "I honestly feel our kids here have a beller chance in ~ succeeding in life," she said. "Why don't we put all this energy here into making this school beller." Steve Malinowski, in his statement, said it is not an easy life for students at the Fishers Island School. "We've seen talented kids go through this system and have felt that they had the potential for greater achievement than was possible at our school," Mr. Malinowski said. "A lot of kids walk with their heads down. They seem to plod through life rather than enjoy it. Its fun and happiness and enthusiasm that's missing. You can't blame this on anybody because what's really missing is kids," "I am here tonight to state my support for a study to gather information documenting all possible alternatives, on and off Is- land, to our existing high school. I am not here to support the closing the high school. We would love to see an on-Island solution. However it is important that we explore all options." Mr. Malinowski also addressed the emotion that the feasibil- ity study has produced. "Somcone recently mentioned to me that we so often unsuc- cessfully argue about how we should solve our numerous Island problems when what we should really be discussing is how to discuss these problems," he said. "It's true. When something like this comes up, we draw the battle lines, get all charged up and attack. We frequently get so wound up in the emotions of the battle that we lose sight of the problem," School Board C0l1tinuedfromPage3] high school program, the school board has requested that the New York State Education Department conduct a self study program on Fishers Island. The self study would review our curriculum and conduct interviews with parents, faculty and staff. Once this study is com- pleted and their recommendations made, the board could then proceed with a questionnaire. It is myopinion that this study would benefit tlle whole school. We first need to strengthen what we already have. EdilOr's Note: The Gazette welcomes letters 10 the edilOr on this and other topics of interest to the Fishers Island community. Letters should not exceed 200 words, and can be mailed 10 Box 573. Fishers Island. A redta;l hawkrests on Fishers Island in lale Septemberduril1gfall migration. (PholQcredit: DiclcEdwQnls) 38 Fishers Island (;azette Mother Goose: A Tall Fishers Island Tail By Robert Morton I was only nine years old when my fmher impressed upon me the imparlance of observing birds. He said: "The more you know about birds, the more they be- comc your friends," and, he added, "Son, in life you can't have too many friends." So for 61 years I have been a "Birder," and for the past 40 years or so I have practiced this craft from on Fishers Island almost every summer. Now when I say I am a "Birder," let me qualify this. I could not carry Ed Hom- ing's binoculars. The same applies to sev- eral other "scratch birders" on Fishers Is- land. Using the golf handicap analogy I would say I am an 8 at Fishers. Maybe a 3 or 4 on my home course, in California. When I arrived at Fishers this Au- gusL several of these "scratch birders" LaId mc there was something very "special," and very "mysterious" to be found in and around the pond and fairways of the 14th hole. AGOOSE' Now we all know there is nothing special about a goose, or even 50 geese on the 14th hole. For years many golfers have found them a nuisance. Fishers Island Apartment for Sale 1 ,500 Square-feet. Completey Renovated. Three-bedroom, Separate Living Room and Dining Room. New Modern Kitchen. Large Enclosed Sun Porch. Large Stor- age Room in Basement. Apartment Building in Excellent Condition. Parade Ground Apartments; (212) 245-6653 f-... {; ... . , f"'" ~ // ------' J'. ~ _.i -.../ .... -2' - - J': ..~'~' -...'\1> '-'..\. ~ ;.' .>- ~,., ..... '....-C...3.i-. '-i "Mother Goose" aruJ three Canada Geese at the 14th 1/OIeon Fishers Island. This etching is by Charlie Ferguson. But these arc Canadian geese, "Honkers. " Our "special" goose is no Honker. "He" or "she" (I am convinced "she") is almost twice as large. Her coloring is en- tirely different. She has an orange beak, orange legs, is speckled brown on the The Liquor Store ~ Fine Wines & Liquors Domestic & Imported Located at the Village Green 516-788-7271 Open Mon.-Sat....-f. Year round t.\ 'l back, and has a huge white rump and tail. And she "talks" differently, too. Very differently. Also,! was wId, she couldn't "Oy." But she was majesty personified. A regal bearing, and even though she was no Honker, she knew she was a goose. She always joined the other geese, whether on the fairways or in the water. She never fraternized with other birds that frequent the location, whether gulls, or egrel" or pheasants. She would only join other geese, whether in the wa- ter or on land. She did everything other geese did, except "Oy." She swam, she waddled, she took her turn doing sentry duty (though the only danger to geese I have observed on Fishers Island during the summer has been errant golf shots, of which I have seen many on the 14th hole). And she ate grass, as all geese do, but her grass eating maneuver was different. Honkers sort of peck away. She used her head, neck, and bill more like a scythe. It looked to be much more efficient. And, to me, she seemed particularly "protective" of her new found "cousins." She was always "motherly," I thought. That is why I named her "Mother Goose." But each evening as the Honkers left the pond to Oy to wherever they spend Fishers lslnnd Gazelle 39 " the night, Mother Goose returned alone to hide in the grasses surrounding the pond. No one, not even the "experts" knew how she got here to Fishers Island, or what kind of goose she was, though there was much speculation which varied from a Scandinavian type of goose, to a German, and one even said English (I'll say this, for sure, nothing like her was in my Peterson's Bird Guide.) After a week or so I came to my own conclusions: She was a "barnyard" goose. Somebody brought her over here, in a cage and released her as a "practical joke." I received some encouragement on this theory, even from the experts. At first this seemed comforting to me (I held a "theory" that the experts were willing to value as possibly valid; maybe this would enhance my "Birder" status). But, then I started to worry. If she can't fly what will happen to her this win- ter? Will she starve; or worse, die of lone- liness when her Honker friends move on. I started to consider a reseue plan. In desperation the thought of Christmas dinner for some descrving family crossed my mind. Before I had formulated an ac- ceptable solution, a miracle happened. As walked by the 14th hole on Au- gust 27, at 7:00 a.m. or so, I heard some Honkers, obviously moving their way towards landing in the pond. I always en- joyed watching water fowl working to- wards a "touch down." Suddenly I realized in this group of Honkers there was Mother Goose, flying in the middle of the flock, bigger than a 747, and as they "touched down" her big white rump and tail flopped up in the air. It was not a perfecllanding, but it meant she could "fly," and fly with the rest ofthem. I felt triumphant! The next morning I saw her with the group of eight near the 14th green. I decided I must See her "take off' (could yesterday's landing experience have been wishful thinking?). I sort of "charged" the group. And "off they went," Mother Goose and all her new found cousins. Now I knew, for cer- tain, my magnificent new friend could fly. She was free! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord, but, for just this one time, please do not "pass the ammunition." I- ~ ~;: If' "=':,"1 i;;;;I '0. /;!'1" Rendering oj new lobby to be built at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital inNew London Second Phase of Hospital Building Project To Begin Lawrence and Memorial Hospital is scheduled to break ground on the $45.6 million second phase of its construction and rehabilitation project this spring. In this second phase, two six-story towers will be built. The first tower, which is scheduled for completion in 1994, will house the emergency room and urgent care units. In addition, three medical-sur- gical units will be located in the building. The second tower will include a new lobby entr~ce, several operating suites, intensive care and recovery units. This tower is scheduled for completion in 1997. The first phase of the construction project was completed in the fall of 1990 at a cost of $10 million. In the first phase, a new ambulatory wing was constructed. The hospital raised $9.5 million in a fund drive, of which S530,OOO was donated by Fishers Islanders. Lawrence and Memorial Hospital, located in New Lon- don, is the primary hospital for Fishers Is- landers. Stowe Phelps. Susan Pollard. and Charlie Arnold supplieda fun-filled evening of entertainmenl when they gave a concert in late August af the Fishers /slandClub. The performed a variety of old \local fayorjJesall arranged by M r, Arnold. (Photo credit: Dick. Edwards) 40 Fishers Island Gazetle Islandersofbolh the human and canine variety were on the move this summer. Aaron Rice, above left drove to work eachdayal the airport with his dog Aussie ridingfaithfully behind ina milk car/on. Meanwhile upatthe F J. COUl1/ryClub, Cam(in thedriyers seat)andBelle (on the accelerator) owned byDr. andMrs .Rolla Campbell arldtheir son's dog Ripples, do a little sunbathing in a golf cart before their daily trip to the beach. Sophie Malinowski, lower lefl, tries out the monkey bars during the summer camp held by JP.P. Peggy Petty converted her volkswagen into a mobil hair salon with a hair dryer in/he rear. (Photos by Dick EdwQrds, AM Mudge, Ann Anlhonyand fZlJ/1RSG' /11 ZL 1 j[ ll'f.,L\,'f) :L)l" 1 ' Fishers Island Civic Assn. Fishers Is"~ New Y ark 06390 JJ,((, t, IJ.(?S . ~08lf'1t FolZ.N\ A Tt> M~. MAL.ltJOIIJ'i>"-1 Z. \ c,.l.. oJ l-l All E.t-J eA~T itA-liEN I COtJNe.e.j1C.0T FIRST CLASS 01951 ':> I ~