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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989 Vol 3 No 3 August 2 Fi~'!Jl!n hlal/d Gaultl! I Navy Periscopes Off Fishers Island I I The project sounds like a chapter out of the submarine suspense novel "Hunt for Red October." And it is being planned right here on Fishers Island! The U.S. Navy is planning to install a platform off Wilderness Point on the south side of the Island to test newly devel- oped periscopes and antennas. The antennas will be tested for signal transmission and reception in a number of situations including transmissions to satel- lites. The antennas and the periscopes will also be tested to determine how detectable they are. Mr. S.G. Paine, public affairs officer for the Naval Underwater Systems Center. gave the following description of the project. A platform, 12 feet by 35 feet weigh- ing 50_Om pounds. will be attached to a fixed docking base 800 feet off Wilderness Point at the ocean floor 30 feet below sea level. The platform itself will be movable and through a system of winches can be pulled up on shore when it is not in use. Attached to the platfonn is a hydrau- lic arm which will lift and lower the test periscopes and antennas so that they can be tested both above and below water. "This platfonn will bridge the gap between lab facilities and actu,ll subma- rine testing," said Mr. Paine. "This will provide more realistic circumstances than I , t . ~-..., <- ... - Arri.'i1's l"enderillK of IIndenmrer plarfnl"m, in the lab." The tests will be conducted from a specially equipped van parked along the Fishers Island coast. The overall cost of the project is expected to be $3 million. The Navy is planning to place the construction of the project out to bid this fall. with the system becoming operational not until after 1991. However. just like everyone else. the Navy must apply for and receive all necessary penn its for the project. Because hauling the platform might have an enJi- Dig Finds .Evidence of Early Life on Island I ,- I l An archeological team sponsored by the Ferguson Museum uncovered evidence this spring which indicates that Fishers Island was occupied as early as 2.262 B.C. These indications of human habitation. including charred nuts. bones and several charred corn kernels. were discovered in a dig at Barlow Pond. The earliest semi-permanent Indian "settlement was also uncovered on a site near Perch Pond. Potlery fragments and a ceramic smoking pipe were unearthed as well as scattered shells and bones. The settlement was dated around 1.000 B.C. The settlement was estimated to be a 250 square foot area. Twenty-five centi- meters below the surface. dark soil was found which might have been the floor of ( a habitation, possibly a wigwam. The two-week dig this spring was the fourth year that archeologists have come to Fishers Island. The team is led by John Pfeiffer. president of the Archeologi- cal Society of Southeast Connecticut. Dr. Robert Fonk of the New York State Mu- seum and his assistant Beth Wellman. and has included eight volunteers. The archeologists are hoping to re- turn to Fishers Island next year to continue their dig around Perch Pond. Funding for the project has been conducted by the Ferguson Museum in conjunction with the New York State Museum in Albany and with a grant from the Sanger Fund. 1\ ...- ~ ...... . .. I .L..- ronmental impact on the coastline. the U.S. Navy most get an approval for the project from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. Mr. Paine of the Naval Underwater Systems Center said the submerged plat- form should pose no hazard fa boaters in the Wilderness Point area. Nonetheless, the location of the platform will be identi- fied on Coast Guard maps as an exclusion area and buoys will be located around the affected area. Doherty Unopposed in Ferry Election Tom Doherty is running for re-elec- tion to the Fishers Island ferry district board of commissioners. The election will be held between ~ ~pm on August g at the firehollse. As of late July. no other candidates have annollnced that they will oppose Mr. Doherty. according to district manager Phil Knauff. There are five seats on the ferry district commission. and the terms are staggered so that one seat is up for election each year. according to Mr. Knauff. The terms on the commission are for five years. Any property owner or registered voter on Fishers Island may vote in the election. according to Mr. Knauff. f I I I I I I I I I I I 4 Fishers Island Gazette Message from Speedy Mettler PH'sidell( (?frhl> Fi.\'hers 1.{lalld CiI'ic' Auociuliol1 I Now Ihal summer is upon us.I hope thaI you will write down two very impor- tant dates: I) Satur. day, August 5,4 pm, the Fishers Island Civic As. sociation's Annual Meeting at the school. 2) Wednesday, August 9 is "Town Father's Day" when many of our leaders from Southold come over for the town meeting. It is most important that everyone tries to make the effort to anend both of these meetings. Why? Because it is the only chance you get all year 10 ask the questions that you constantly ask one another. Remember, we have no govern- ment on Fishers Island and this is the only opportunily you have to ask any of the town of Southold leaders about such topics as: taxes (where does OUf money go and how much do we get back'?); garbage (how much do we pay now, and what will it cost us after 1990?); insurance (what can Southold do to make available 10 Ihe resi. denls of Fishers Island a reasonable health insurance plan'?): police (what is the dif~ Ference between the authority of the state troopers and the Fishers Island constables'!) as well as other questions that you feel should be asked ofvour government repre. sentatives. I am most gratified by Ihe improve- ment this year in law enforcement. State Trooper James Fagan set the tone by crack- ing down on speeders in May and his example has been followed by the two state troopers. Kevin Walsh and Ray Vazquez. who have been very visible this summer as well as our two constables. Larry Horn and Dick Grebe. My thanks to all of them and 10 our police advisory committee. especially to chaimlan Russ Heath. As you know from our last meeting. the Fishers Island Garbage commissioners have decided Ihat they will send our gar. bage to South old after 1990. Although many of the questions are still up in the air. I Know-how It gets results. the answers will become more definite as we get closer to the 1990 deadline. It is still unknown how much it will cost for garbage in the future, but get ready be. cause garbage costs are going to go WAY UP! One more garbage message: if you have any problems wilh garbage pickup call garbage conlraclor Dick Grebe and Iry to reach an agreement. If you are unable to do so. call commissioner Jim Hancock and the garbage commissioners will arbitrate a final decision. If people lake the time to communicate. their garbage problems will all be settled amicably. I hope thaI you all have a safe and wonderful sUl11mer and PLEASE DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE! See you August 5th and August 91h. r I . Pay Your Dues! Join the Civic Association Today Charters to the hub or the country club -, ~ That's why you listen, trust, learn. AI ConnectiCUI National, we share what we know and show you how to use il. ~ " Con1U!ct!P!t 1alfJt Know-how that pays off,~ W~U have you hob-nobbing with frYOOsorbusiness8SKlCiates noun ahead 01 :w::hedult with th~ bland's oldest and moat f~liable Ail'Chart~rService c.n. today: for OU&f.. tar' round Z4 hour, day or l ram or shine, we-fly.anyw ~re:o;e,rvice! COllStalAil'off~rsFAA apprOVed. flight training and Ail'craft saa . '~rvi"6tlt,(lyingPllblic" '1lI'.COASTAL AIR SERVICES "1 .- "Since 1955" GrQ(onINtw London Airport Grotoncr20J..448.IOOl FiWr'slsland Dial: 755SJ20J...448.IOOI .........~ tUK . """"- '" Y', ~" '+r-: . ..~. . ~~ I FislU'rs Island Gazelle 5 I . I I I I , I I Island Pine Trees Threatened By Turpentine Beetles ~ Innovative trapping devices were placed throughout Fishers Island thisspring in an effort to halt the ,small "turpentine" beetles which have been destroying many of the Island's pine trees. The 30 traps which were designed by a University of Florida scientist were put up by the Fishers Island Conservancy at a total cost of about $ 1.000. The long cylindrica! traps are designed to attract the beetles using a sexual scent. and then destroy the beetles. F.!. Conservancy President John Thatcher estimates that the beetles have killed about 15 percent of the pine trees on the Island, .especially the Austrian and Japanese black pine trees. Mr. Thatcher said he was first alerted to the problem about three years ago by landscaper Greg Thibodeau. "I noticed that a lot of pines were dying," Mr. Thibodeau said. "I Iirst no- ticed it with the pine trees next to the Catholic Church. But it has gotten a lot worse since then." Mr. Thatcher speculates that the turpentine beetles might have been blown onto the Island by Hurricane Gloria be- cause they had never been noticed before then. "Stressed" trees. especially ones which are exposed to strong winds and sea sprays, are particularly vulnerable to de- , Insect traps hanKing/rom 0 dead pille Ilear Il1e stafe !mopers harracks. (Phoro: Did Edl,\"lI"d.~) stmction by these beetles. Mr. Thatcher said. "The small beetle !lies into the lower part of the tree and burrows through the bark and then goes up about eight inches and makes a nest and lays her eggs," Mr. Thatcher said. "The trees are not actually killed by the beetles. but by a furry fungus which comes in with their legs. This fungus spreads and dries up the sap. "These beetles can kill trees within weeks. .. Mr. Thatcher has discouraged the use of insecticides to fight the beetle be- cause the poison might affect other wild- life. However, Dr. Tom Phillips of the University of Florida was contacted by the conservancy. He has devised a program where the sexual scents of the beetle can be isolated in the laboratory, according to Mr. Thatcher. The scent is then put in the cylindrical traps so that beetles are at- tracted there and not to the pine trees. As of early June, the traps have been collecting beetles, but their effectiveness will not be better ascertained until later in the summer, said Mr. Thatcher. Town Board Fires Environmentalist Larry Penny, who was appointed environmental advisor for Fishers Island in October of 1987. had his job terminated by the Southo!d Town Board this past spring. The move has local environmental officials upset. Southold Supervisor Frank Murphy said the action was taken because Island- ers were rarely contacting him for advice, and because Mr. Penny was representing some Islanders on a paid basis in environ- mental applications before the town. "Vou can't work both sides of the fence," said Mr. Murphy. "When he (Mr. Penny) was first appointed, he was used quite a bit. but then it dropped off." But Mr. Penny said the action was retribution for having written an affidavit in support of a law suit filed against the town, and was not at all related to his perfomlance on Fishers Island. Fishers Island Conservancy Presi- dent John Thatcher said the unanimous vote of the town board to terminate Mr. Penny's position on Fishers Island was short-sighted. "He (Mr. Penny) filled a very badly needed role on Fishers Island," Mr. Thatcher said. "He provided advice on environ- mental matters on a year-round basis. He made some excellent suggestions." Both Mr. Penny and Mr. Thatcher dispute claims of conflict of interest made by Mr. Murphy. Mr. Penny said he had only one paying client on the Island and that job had been completed before he was appointed environmental advisor. "There was no conflict of interest:" Mr. Penny said. "I am very careful about that." Mr. Thatcher added that Mr. Penny's "honesty and competence are above ques- tion," Mr. Penny said he had written "3 fairly strong" amdavit supporting four Southold citizen groups including the League of Women Voters and the North Fork Environmental Council in a lawsuit Iiled this spring against the town board over the recently adopted town master plan. His job was tenninated a month later. Sa Penny on Page R 6 Fishers Island GazelJe Tougher Traffic Enforcement Gets Rave Reviews I I I I I I I Islanders have been getting slapped with many more traffic tickets this sum- mer, and they're loving it..of course, not the people who are actually ticketed. Many residents believe the tougher police action has produced safer roads this summer in comparison to the past few summers when there were many complaints about exces- sive speeding and dangerous driving. "I have received no complaints about speeding this summer," said P.I. Civic Association President Speedy Mettler. "I think people are driving much slower. That's because the police are more visible this summer. '" think this has been a great im- provement over previous years." By late July, police had issued about 40 tickets, which is believed to be more than double the number of tickets issued all last summer. State Troopers Kevin Walsh and Ray Vazquez said most of the tickets have been for moving violations such as going through Slop signs, and there have been a number of speeding tickets. No one has been arrested for driving while intoxicated, Ihey added. Last year, a special police advisory committee was formed and met with po- lice every few weeks during the summer because of complaints about speeding and lack of law enforcement. This summer, the police advisory committee has not even scheduled a meeting because there have been no complaints, according to Mr. Melller. Russ Heath, chainnan of the police advisory committee, said his group re- quested that the troopers just become more visible. "We wanted people aware of what they were doing when they get in a car." The committee's goal was to get the troopers out and seen in their cars up and down the Island. "We don't want to get into a ticket quota thing," Heath cautioned, " and if more tickets is an end result of their in- creased visibility, I don't see it as a plus." But he is pleased that people are responding to the trooper's increased pres- ence by driving more safely. Though the troopers were reluctant to discuss the specifics of their radar use, residents have noted their presence on I I I . State troopers llf roadh/od: in late luly. both ends of the Island at various times night and day. As one anonymous victim of the trooper's surveillance puts it, "that one guy (Trooper Roy Vazquez) is on a mission. He's everywhere." Trooper Walsh admits that nol all the public comment has been positive, but most of the complaints have come from those ticketed. "But that's life, isn't it?" responds Walsh. Trooper Walsh feels Ihal the radar use has been successful both from the tickets written and from its visible pres- ence. "People have definitely slowed down," he said, "They're not as easy to get any more." He suggested. "its a small Island. Word gets around." I , (Pllow: Dal/Gordon) Judge Ray Edwards in another ploy to try to slow down speeders and promote safety has posted a list of 18 Island viola- tions which occurred in the month of May with names listed. "People can't be 100 happy about Ihat:' said Trooper Walsh. Judge Edwards said he will post his monthly court report on the bulletin board outside the post office from now on. "This is public information. Some people have wondered what we are doing, This way everyone will know," he said. The posting of the names of those ticketed also serves as a deterrent. he added. Besides the traffic violations, the troopers said there has been one violation for possession of marijuana. But other- wise. there has been no other police action on the Island. . Candidates to Speak at Civic Meeting The two candidates for the Fishers Island seat on Ihe Southold town board, republican incumbent Ray Edwards and Democratic challenger Art Walsh are scheduled to speak at the allnual civic association meeting. The meeting will be held at 4:00 p.m. at the Fishers Island school. Also on the agenda are reports from civic associa- tion president Speedy Menler, as well as reports from various civic association committees. Fishers Island (;azelle 7 A Gatekeeper's Lot Is Such a Pretty Thing ,-- , . . t I I n his seven years as gatehouse keeper and greeter extraordinaire. Vinal Curtis has seen many decorations come and go. On average. the gatehollse is painted between three and five times every sum- mer. by a mysterious band of juveniles. who have never been caught in the act. Mr. Curtis does report. however. that last summer the state troopers saw a group of kids hanging around the gatehouse one night. "The police asked (the group) whetherthey were going to paint the house, and they answered: 'yes. as soon as you get out of here,''' Mr. Curtis said. Gatehouse paint styles range from abstract and geometric to figurative. Ar- tistic imaginations run wild in the annual ritual of gatehouse decoration and redeco- ration. But all agree that the best designs are saved each year for the H.O.G. tournament at the end of the summer. Last year. a giant pink pig with a cocktail in one hand, and a golf club in the other greeted tournament participants as they drove up the Island. In 1987, the theme was beer. Empty silver kegs littered the ground near the gatehouse, and an enomlOUS paper mache mug perched precariously atop the gate- house roof. In 1986, large black polka dots on a bright pink gate house were topped off by a plastic pink flamingo on the roof. But gatehouse decoration is not re- served for the night before the H.O.G. tournament There have been orange and black color schemes for Hallowe'en. and red, white and blue for the 4th of July. This spring. the house sported large letters proclaiming "Welcome back Cur- tis!" Mr. Curtis never knows what new decoration will greet him as he arrives at work every morning. As he put it. "this may not be the most wonderful job I ever had, but it's very interesting." Reminder. , . Town Fathers meeting Aug. 9th will be held at the American Legion hall, instead of at the P./. School. The meeting is scheduled for / p.m. , Wed. Aug 9th Villal Curtis l,meJ willi a piflkj7amillRo 1/01 to the Kareholl.H' ill S('/J/('mher, /9XfI. Ullforll/lllltdy.lhe jlamiflRo WIH srolen. hur the t/(>'~iKn remaim olle of hi.~ fal'fw;reJ. I , Fl" I. '....:.'...'...'~........ ..'L~t<<.:ijj:. .~ ..., lJ8\iq- III 19R7. UIltJ//yIl/OIlS hIt/lid "rtisH decortJ1t,d rht' gare/wI/H' ..dr/lUll t'1l0HnOI/S si/l.t'r slein. al1d ,wrrOI/l1di'd it with hal" kegs. All rile k('K~. \\'{'re ('fUr/y. Mr. Curtis /lotNI. r ~ !jl' q~( ")J e'.':^' ..-,. 1/1 /9SX, till' gald/l!ll.\"e t'l/Ipllllsi;l'd rhe {'orcilll' 1It/fIlI"/' oflhl' rOllmt/lll/'/I(.\" tlITOII.\'II/. Mr. Cllrlis said thalli /01 oftl/(Jl/gllI III/II talt'lIf II't'//f i/lro Ihis d('("orarioll. I ~ Fishers Is/and Gaulle 9 DEC Closes West Harbor to Clamming Marina Activity Cited . The inner section of West Harbor has been closed off to fishing and shell- tishing by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation until the end of October. The order was issued on June 20th as part of a new policy by the DEC to prevent potential health hazards in arcas surround- ing marinas. The shellfishing ban has been imposed in many harbors in Long Island. according to DEC ofticials. "This is a measure being taken to protect public health:. said Maureen Davidson. a marine resources specialist with the DEC. "In cases where we cannot be there on a regular basis to monitor the water quality. we think it is safer to close the area seasonally to protect the public:. The Fishers Island Yacht Club. Pi- rates Cove Marina and the Goose Island Corporation marina. all in the inner harbor section of West Harbor. produce sufficient marina presence to require the area be closed off. said Ms. Davidson. The area which is now off limits stretches from Dock Beach in a line to the southwestern portion of the Peninsula. The ban will most affect amateur c1ammers and fishermen. The oyster and I I - - I . ;i." , II I r hti ii >;,; ~ I II , 1t r I I 1 Woll-to-lI'olf hoals in W('.,llIarhor mllht'-+rh of Jllly. clam farols operated by Steve Malinowski and Carey Matthiessen are in sections of West Harbor outside the banned area. Ms. Davidson said that water quality tests have been perfonned in the inner section of West Harbor this summer and "elevated coliform readings" have been taken. The source of this increase in colifonn bacteria is difficult to identify and could come from boats dumping wastes or from sewer discharges from land. she said. Clam farmer Mr. Malinowski says the shell fishing ban is a result of commer- cialization of West Harbor and he blames the two-year-old Goose Island Corpora- tion for catering to ofT-Island boats. He wrote a letter to Goose Island Corp. President Chip duPont saying that he was dismayed by the number of off- Island boats using the marina. .'Did you happen to stop in at the marina on Sunday:' Mr. Malinowski wrote in the letter dated July 2. ..AII the slips were full -- not one with an Island boat. There was lots of activity on the dock. The dumpsters were overflowing and some of the transient boaters had those fold-up bicycles. I saw a couple ascend from their boat, bailie of wine in hand. and be es- .~ carted to a table in the restaurant:' Mr. Malinowski said he had been given assurances when Goose Island Cor- poration was formed more than two years ago that the marina would serve Island residents and would not cater to off-Island boats. Mr. Malinowski also read in a Connecticut boating magazine an adver- tisement for the Goose Island marina. Mr. duPont disagreed strongly with Mr. Malinowski's statements. .'1 don't agree with it (the letter):. he said. "We have remained within the limits of our initial approach:' Goose Island Corp. serves off-Island boats already in West Harbor. but does not try to attract them from out of the area. Mr. duPont said. But he did sayan ad had been placed in a Connecticut magazine promot- ing the gasoline services of the marina. Although there were a number of boats from off-Island over the July 4th weekend. there have been no more than three off-Island boats docked over any weekend. he said. ., r~ J ~ (Phoro: Dick E(bnmls) I 0 Fi.~"en hland GaZelle School Superintendent Escapes to New Guinea I To many people. the connection between Fishers Island and New Guinea seems tenuous at best. Fishers Island is a bastion of gracious living and small town values. New Guinea. a large mountainous island off the northern coast of Australia. still has headhunters and cannibals. But for Tom Roy. the former super~ intendent of the Fishers Island School, the dccision to go straight to New Guinea from Fishers Island was easy. "I accepted the job within ten days of hearing about it," Mr. Roy said. He will be running thc "Radio Learning Project," a program that tcaches science to school- children in remote villages by transmitting lessons over radio waves. The program is ajoint venture of the government of Papua New Guinea and U.S. Aid. and is implemented through the Educutional Development Center of Newton, Mass. According to Mr. Roy. the typical classroom in New Guinea is an open space with a thatched roof, where children sit on the ground. and the teacher has a tenth grade education at best. The Radio Learning Project sends I written materials to the teacher before the lesson is transmitted, so that the teacher will be familiar with the lesson. and can demonstrate the principles discussed in the lesson. In this way. Mr. Roy said, "the teacher learns the same things the kids do. and the teacher can take over and do the lessons in the future." The project could serve as a model for similar programs in Africa, he said. Mr. Roy will travel around the coun- try to see how things are going. but will be unable to visit many of the classrooms. "The country is still dangerous." he said. especially in the remote mountainous ar- eas. which are still largely unexplored and undeveloped. Mr. Roy and his future wife, Ann Hetzel, will be based in Port Moresby, tbe capital of Papua New Guinea. Ms. Hetzel, an early cbildhood special education spe- cialist, will write her master's thesis and will look for work at the University of Papua New Guinea. which Mr. Roy says is always looking for qualified instructors. After spending July in New Guinea, Mr. Roy will return to the United States to be married in early August, and he and his , wife will return to New Guinea later that month. Mr. Roy served as superintendent of the Fishers Island Scbool for tbree years before resigning this past year. Before Fisbers Island, Mr. Roy had been a scbool administrator primarily in upstate New York. Although he has no definite plans to return to Fishers Island, he said tbat he looks forward to vacationing with friends here in the future. }'b l' . - I ) Tom Roy 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 GREGORY THIBODEAU /7777 MASONRY / CONTAINER GARDENING / LAWN & TREE MAINTENANCE / LANDSCAPE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION Fishers Is[atld Gazelte 11 I ~ I I East End Castle Asking $6.5 Million . uThe Castle" on the eastern point of Fishers Island was put up for sale in July for $6.5 million. The Castle has been owned for the past three years by Jonathan Barres. a developer from Stonington. CT. "This is an absolutely unique prop- erty. u said Torn Patterson. a real estate agent with Ginnel Real Estate. which has the listing on the property. "Vou are not going to find many castle type properties with a 300 degree view of the water." The castle. which was built in the 1930's by the Simmons Family. is a rep- lica of a French country estate. The resi- dence has more than 10.200 square feet of living space, and is situated on almost five acres of land. Because of its unique appeal, the castle will be advertised internationally as well marketed through prestigious brokers in the United States. said Mr. Patterson. Since the listing was just given in July. it is too early to determine how much interest among buyers this property will produce. he added. The castle has been completely reno- vated in the last few years at substantial 4 . . I All aaiaJ \'it'll' of rhe emf/e. expense. according to Mr. Patterson. The original purchase price of the castle by Mr. Barres three years ago was not disclosed by Mr. Patterson. but it was reportedly about $3 million. Because of its design and location on the eastern point of the Island. the castle is considered the most prominent real es- tate on Fishers Island. and one of the most dramatic in the Northeast. One national real estate finn vying for the listing on the property apparently promised to get the castle featured in a segment of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" with narrator Robin Leach. Included in the property is a care- taker's residence with two apartments and a garage. I ~m'J!'!!'! ~ .AfAKO JlfARINE VOLVO PENTA Mystic Cove Boat Sales STAFFORD ST., MYSTIC, CT 06355 203-536-4945 II STERN DRIVES & IN BOARDS I Dealers For Mako Boats - Marine Outboards MerCruiser - Volvo Penta - lnboards & I/O's Mercury outboard service available (We can pickup & deliver) 12 Fishers Island GautJe Nancy Murphy Named New Library President I I I I Nancy Murphy was appointed presi- dent of the Fishers Island Lihrary at the library board'sJulymeeting. Mrs, Murphy, who was appointed to a (me-year tenn, succeeds Sis Matthiesscn. Mrs. Murphy, a retired teacher from the Greenwich Country Day School. has served on the library board for six years, and was first vice-president this past year. Mrs. Murphy said she will be seeking greater feedback from Island residents as to what types of books they want pur- chased for the library, ;. . ORCHIDt ISLAND Gall' & IlEACII ClUIl I I POSSIBLY THE LAST PRIVATE OCEAN- To-RIVER GOLF AND TENNIS COMMUNITY To BE CREATED ON FLORIDA'S TROPICAL COAST f~RS ISLAND UBRARY _J./~ Na1lcy Murphy , <> '- _...",- ..'" / ~l" -- ""'" ,,:' ' .,' . I <> Mrs, Matthiessen has been president of the library board for Ihe past five years, and has been on the board since the early 1980's, Mrs. Catha Hesse was named first vice-president for a one-year tenn, In addition, Harry Ferguson, Ken Lanier and Catherine Leslie were named to the library board tilling Ihe positions vacated by Bernard Rafferly, Lily West, and Anita Feaglcs who are stepping down after serv- ing two terms on the board. The new board members will be serving three-year tenns. FOR BROCt tURE, KtNDLY TELEPHONE OR VVRtTE To, G, MASON DELAFIELD ORCHID IsLAND GOLF & BEACH CLUtl 9300 TOWN SQUARE,IOWN OF ORCHID VERO BEACH, FLORlf)A 32963 TELEPHONE (407) 388-3888 VERO BEACH, FLORIDA The Gazette Needs You! Please send l/S YOI/I' stnl'Y ideas, ('ommen/s. e/('. Fi.~I,~rs Idand (;az~tte 13 New Manager for Hay Harbor Club I v The Hay Harbor Club has reached across the Atlantic to select a new man- ager of the club. Tony Shepherd, 30, a native of Stockport. England. was chosen this spring to succeed Dave Rost. who is stepping down at the end of this season. Mr. Shepherd, who signed a three- year contract for the position. is working at Hay Harbor Club this summer along with Mr. Rost. It might seem strange to find a native of England overseeing activities of a quiet little club on tiny Fishers Island, but Mr. Shepherd comes to this position well quali- fied. And he comes with perhaps an ele- ment of luck on the part of Hay Harbor. Mr. Shepherd submitted his resume to a referral service through the Resort and Commercial Recreation Association. a professional organization of which he is a member, just as Hay Harbor began its search. Mr. Shepherd, who graduated from the University of Cardiff where he played on the varsity soccer team, came to the United States in 1980 and took a summer job working at a cmnp in North Carolina. He took time off to do other things. such as working as a tour director for a group b~lsed in London and running a pub in England. But the United States and camp kept bringing him back and he spent seven seasons in all at the North Carolina sum- mer camp. In 1985, Mr. Shepherd entered gradu- ate school at Georgia Southern College from which he obtained a masters degree in commercial recreation and business. After a one-year stint at graduate school in business at the University of Wisconsin, he is now pursuing a doctorate in commer- cial recreation and business at Temple University in Philadelphia. He also teaches there in the department of recreation ami leisure studies. Mr. Shepherd came to Fishers Island looking for something different. He ex- plained that while his educational back- ground is a perfect lit with the needs of Hay Harbor, he was not prepared for how quickly he would be involved in other aspects. He has been on the lsland since May 17 working with contractors on the renovations at the club. He expects to be back after the season ends in September on a regular basis to continue oversight of the construction. Mr. Shepherd is very enthusiastic about his new role. He enjoys working with children and seeing the benefits from their participation in sports, not only in tenns of health but also in self confidence. He also praised Dave Rost for all his assistance during this summer of transi- tion. Mr. Shepherd, " bachelor, is cur- rently living in the newly acquired man- ager's cottage. - I I I I I I TOllY Shepherd (Photo: AfGo,.t!oll) Our most important business... is to get and keep your business... and what better way than with C' .. MICHAEL = CHRYSLER-PLYMOUTH 425 Broad Street rm New London, Conn. 06320 llli Telephone (203) 447-0391 STAN CARDINAL General Manager There are a lot 01 people who come to us to have their cars taken care of - by experienced, trained people whO know what their doing, and want to do the job right the first time. That's a lot of people willing to pay for quality work and quality parts - because OUR SERVICE IS SECONO TO NONE' 1\ you are one of our regular customers, we want you )0 know that we appreciate your business. 1\ you aren't a regular With us, then we d like to Invite you to pay us a visit, look us over, get acquainted - and give us one opportulllty to serve you. So come to Michael Chrysler-Plymouth where it's OK to be just looking. I .. GARY McQUEEN Service Manager EDWARD HALL Paris Manager FERRY DELIVERY AND PICK-UP 14 "';shers IslalldGazette Connecticut Lobstermen Loose in F.I. Waters I I I I Island lobstermen are getting frus- trated. Since the early 1900's, there has been a law on the books limiting lobster fishing around Fishers Island to New York residents. Yet each week. they see Connecti- cut lobstermen come over to fish the wa- ters around Fishers Island. Because of a loophole in the laws and lack of enforce- ment, there appears to be nothing that Island lobstennen can do to stop the prac- tice. The Connecticut lobstermen have been issued licenses because they own property, usually somewhere in the Adi- rondack mountain region. which they claim is their principal residence, according to Island lobstennen.. "How can anyone live more than 120 miles away in New York state and lobster in Stonington:' said Dave Deni- son. president of the F.1. Lobstennen's Association. "We have to convince the trial officers that this can't be done:' Efforts by the Island Lobstennen's Association and attorney Jonathan Kibbe, whorepresented the association at no charge. led the state Department of Environmemal Conservation (DEC) to revoke the New Yark license of one Connecticut lobster- man last year. However, the DEC re- instated the license of John Healey this past February after he provided evidence of a home in New Yark state. The re-instatement was a crushing blow for Island lobstennen who had hoped that their complaints to the DEC would result in prohibiting Connecticut lobster- men from fishing around the Island once and for all. "It's very discouraging," said Mr. Denison. "This has been our main focus for the last couple of years. Now, we are resigned to it." Lieutenant Garrell Meadeofthe DEC is sympathetic with the Island lohstermen. However. establishing a domicile is an ambigious matter which is difficult to investigate especially with the shortage of manpower at the DEC, he said. "If we have the assets. we can begin to investigate:' Lt. Meade said. "But it is a very bulky process and we are vastly undermanned. "I see no light at the end of the , I I I . I . .. ..... . La:)'. hm.y days of .mmmt'r, Sun breaks Ihroll~h fhe early mornin~ Jw:e al West Harbor. (PhOTo: Dick Edwards) tunnel. We cannot put in the amount of time that is needed." The Connecticut lobstermen show ownership and tax records for property in New York which has been sufficient for them to receive licenses from the DEC. However, Mr. Denison and other Fishers Island lobstermen contend that it obvious that the Connecticut lobstermen working out of Stonington and sending their chil- dren to Connecticut schools cannot have a principal residence in New York. Mr. Denison estimates [hat there are about eight Connecticut lobstermen who consistently fish the waters around Fishers Island. "Fishers Island is a very good area for lobstering, much beller than the Con- necticut shore:' said Mr. Denison. "I guess because it is so rocky." There are 10 full- and part-time lobstennen on Fishers Island. said Mr. Denison, who is a school teacher and pan- time lobstennan. The presence of the Connecticut lobstemlen reduces the local catch significantly, he added. "We have to have people in state government aware of what is going on:' said Francis Doyen. a retired lobstemlan. "The law is there. We want it enforced, that's all we are asking for." Mr. Doyen said there are other vio- lations taking place such as dragging boats working the waters around Fishers Island and not throwing back in the lobsters they catch. In addition. many small lobsters which are caught are not being thrown hack in as required by law, he said. Mr. Doyen is calling for stepped up state police and DEC water patrols to check these violations. However, the DEC has one boat to patrol the East End of Long Island, and it is primarily used to patrol the high volume areas of the Shinnecock Inlet and Peconic Bay, according to Ll. Meade. "It's a question of numbers:' said Ll. Meade. "We would like to have an officer out of Fishers Island. But we don't." I . . - f I I t f I I I . I I l I I ! y,J,fr., .......... _ I Curtai" Call. Dad S('I'O.\1011. 8. a!Jol'f', and Nick Malif/(/\\'Sl.:i. 7, flel'/' olll/hroll,'!h ('urta;" durin!: .\'fa,l,:t' f1l'lfol'llulIIce af F.I. Scho(ll, . - . Fi.\hers Islarld Gaze"e 15 · Sloop Ayesha Smashed on Sugar Reef I \ ~\. I ~ --- ~_ I LOII):-t/fJ/l' I.\laml r('.~id('''ls Leo \'alt,lItilli (11/11 Dr. Hal/,ll Hoell looked \'er)' Jmarr iI/their l/IIillJ/'ms jiJl/owing /he .MI of July parade. . At noon on July 8, a $600,000 boat went down for good off Fishers Island. When the sea swallowed forever the 55-foot racing sloop Ayesha, it spelled the end of a story that began four days earlier when the boat caught a buoy in the Sugar Reef Passage and smashed against the rocks. A salvage operation proved unsuc. cessfo!. Stanley Rubenzahl, 59, of Irving- ton, N.Y.. was the owner. No one was killed or injured in the wreck or the salvage, although pulling the five crew members from the Ayesha on July 3 involved two Coast Guard rescue vessels, a helicopter and heroism in abun- dance. The story began 00 Monday, July 3, at 4: 10 pm when the 55-foot "cutter rig" Ayesha hit a buoy 2.5 miles east of Fishers Island in the Sogar Reef Passage. A cutter rig is like the sloops that race for the America's Cup. according to Petty Officer 2nd Class Jay McNutt of the U.S. Coast Guard Station in New London. who rc- lated the following account of the inci- dents leading to the abortive salvage effort on July 8. At4: 10 pm, July 3, the Coast Guard in New London received a call from the commercial fishing vessel Sand Dollar out of Stonington, reporting the Ayesha had run aground. The Ayesha was not yet taking on water although her main radio was dead. The Sand Dollar was in the vicinity of Watch Hill Point and the east :, I I . end of Fishers Island when she picked up the distress call on the Ayesha's backup radio. The Coast Guard dispatched two 41- foot patrol boats to assist. By 4:36 pm, the live-foot seas and 10-knot winds had smashed the Ayesha against the rocks of the reef hard enough that she began taking on water through her hull. The Coast Guard arrived at 4:41 pm, but could not get alongside the foundering boat because of the rough seas and the presence of the reef. At 5 pm. a salvage boat arrived from Southeastern Marine Towing in Salem. Ct. The Southeastern boat also was unable to get alongside. At 5:56 pm, the Ayesha's hull sus- tained more damage. "Things turned bad quickly," said N.C.O. McNutt. The Ayesha rolled onto her side and the sea washed over the gunwales, which is where the hull and the deck meet. The situation was regarded as life-threatening and a helicopter was called from Brooklyn. The Coast Guard lowered an inflat- able life raft into the water and maneu- vered up-current from the Ayesha. The current then carried the raft. containing Seaman Tom Casey. back to the stricken boat. Seaman Casey got only one person off on the Iirst attempt at 6: 15 pm. The next attempt got three more off. To get the last person off took four more tries. The ,,-- Sah'age of/at/film, rescue was completed at 6:32. two hours and 22 minutes after the Aycsha first hit the buoy. The Ayesha, weighing 10 tons. lay on her side on the dangerous reef for three days while Southeastern Marine Towing fonnulated a plan and positioned equip- ment for a salvage operation. Although Mr. Rubenzahl was re- ported by the Coast Guard to be optimistic about repairing the boat. such was not to be. I I I I I I "The keel broke: it turned turtle and smashed itself to death:' said Don Rich. owner of Southeastern Marine Towing. "It was completely unsalvageable:' l- 1 \~l ...; , I , "o.'K.c.'~.1. . ..-\ ::--: .^ l?::t. .-. I -{$.-- ,.~- Trif/It'fs mail' (h1H Am(llula. t/I/(I Jusrin (rightJ show tht' colors OI'el" rht' 41h ofJlIly we!'la'nd. Tht' B-year oltls were \'isifing their greal tllUlt Par Baker. Fishen hlalld Gazette 19 Arnold Vowles I . Arnold Vowles. a long-time resident of Fishers Island. died at his home in Milford. Maine. on June 24 after a brief illness. He was 74. Mr. Vowles moved to Fishers Island from Maine in 1966 and worked for the Fishers Island Utility Co. for 14 years until retiring about 1980. He then worked for Z&S Contracting until 1986 when he re- turned to his hometown in central Maine. Priorto livingon Fishers Island,Mr. Vowles had worked for the Penobscot Chemical Fiber Company in Old Town. Maine, for 23 years. Mr. Vowles was widely respected on the Island for his friendly and even temperament and conscientious work habits. "He was unreal:' said Mario Zanghctti. former owner of Z&S Con- tracting. "Arnold was the first guy there . Obituary in the morning and the last one to leave at the end of the day. "Vou know, I don't think I ever saw him mad once in the eight years I worked with him. "Arnold was an unusual guy. Every customer that came in contact with him. loved him." Vinal Curtis was another long-time friend of Mr. Vowles. "He had the nicest personality of anyone that I have come into contact with." Mr. Curtis said. "He was the same guy every day. There were no ups and downs with Arnold. He's the nicest friend to have. " Mr. Vowles first learned of Fishers Island when he was visiting a son in the New London area in the mid-60's. Mr. Vowles saw an ad in the New London paper announcing an opening at the Fish- ers Island Utility power plant. He took the ferry over. accepted the job and then moved to the Island with his wife. Lila. Mr. Vowles was an enthusiastic bowler and was a member of the Union Chapel. He developed a strong affection for Fishers Island. but moved back to Maine in 1986 to help look after his mother. He is survived by his wife Lila of Milford. his mother Celia Vowles of Old Town. two daughters. including Shirley Doucette of Fishers Island. and four sons. including Bruce Vowles of Norwich: 23 grandchildren. and 15 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held in Old Town and burial was conducted at Goulds Ridge Cemetery in Passadumkeag. Maine. Donations are being made in Mr. Vowles' memory to the Fishers Island Seastretcher. I . Mission Held at Catholic Church , The Reverend John Render of Chi- cago conducted a week-long mission at the Our Lady of Grace Church in mid-July. About 60 parishioners attended serv- ices during the week. This is the fourth mission held at the Island'sCatholicchurch in the past 10 years. An hour-long service was held each evening during the week- long retreat at the Our Lady of Grace Church. The mission is designed to pro- vide an intensive program to renew the faith of Catholic worshippers. During the retreat. Father Render talked about how the image of Christ is fonned. and how the Catholic's faith should focus on this image. Father Render. 64. has conducted these retreats in 46 states. But Fishers Island is the most beautiful location for a mission. he said. "It's like Camelot." he said. "There is the closeness of the ocean. the beaches are right there," During his more than 40 years as a priest. Father Render has collected 10.000 slides and 350 books on the images of Christ. He was very impressed with the I . I I . rr1 J. ., .,1 :~ /3 ~ I Fllfha RClld('/" (ftlt) with focal pawor Falher W;JI/('ski in from of Oil/" Lady of Gran' Clmrch. . (PhOTO: AfGordoll, statue sculpted in front of Our Lady of Grace Church by Janet LeCoux in the late 1950's. "With its simplicity of fonn. it is the best of contemporary art," he said. ..It is timeless." Father Render is planning to return to Fishers Island next August for a two- week mission program. I . I I Fishen' Island (;autte 21 Around the Town with Ann Walsh Anthony I I W h i Ie most of us were watching pa- rades on Memo- rial Day week- end. some Fish. ers Islanders were marching to a different tunc. On May 26, Mason Goss and Jane Hamihon were married in Fon Myers, Florida. Jamie Coleman and Hillary Reese were married on May 27 in New York City. June is here and gone. and alas with it many beautiful June brides. Leslie Law ler married Edward McElwreath on Jone 3 at the Hotel Pierre in New York City. June 10 was a glorious Fishers Island day: Ali- son Carrie Cashel and William Saltonstall were married at Our Lady of Grace Church. Katharine Sanger and Lewis Rutherfurd were married on the I Olh as well just down the street at SI. John's Church. June 24 was not the bright sunny day OLDRIDGE I I SUI""" [,ulp," COII"ptfrcur 511,,, J9U LEDYARD. NORWICH. EAST LYME. COLUMBIA it mighl have been. But that didn'tdampen the spirits of the Doctor Ralph Hoch fam- ily. Daughter Susanae Faye married James Joseph Glowacki on South Reach in a very preny service. Luckily the Hochs thought of the tent before hand! Jeannine Edwards married James E. Kelly on the 24th as well. Rain or shine. there is nothing as wonderful as a June wedding. The excitemcnt docs not stop there. There will be lots of weddings throughout the next year. Suzanne Coleman and Freder- ick Bancroft are engaged and planning a December wedding. Ann Kowalczyk and Marc Banks are engaged and planning an October '90 wedding. Stuan Brown and Joanna Warburton are planning to be married in High Point, N.C., which is whereJoanna is from. in September. And of course we are still waiting for the nuptials of our favorite couple Richard Zangheni and Pam Phillips -- they've set a date in September. New arrivals: Rosie and Tolly Tay- lor are pleased to announce the birth of Talbot Jones Taylor Jr. -- who will also be called Tolly -- born on April 16, 1989, and weighed a whopping I I lbs. 9 oz.! Sarah Ellen Whinhorne Cook arrived on June 9, weighing 7 Ibs. 9 oz. Parents Jean and Geb Cook and brother Bo are all doing well. Elizabeth Coleman, Bobby's wife, gave , : ,...... .- .. .- . . . 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 I I WEEKLY DELIVERIES TO NEW LONDON FERRY I Your every gardening need: Evergreens. Fertilizers. Tools. Insecticides. Mulches. Fruit, and Shade Trees. I ~ C~fuv) binh to Contessa Elizabeth on July 4th. Contessa weighed 8 Ibs. Around The Town is a regular fea- ture of the Fishers Island Gazette. Omis- sions cannot be completely avoided. However. if YOll have news of an engage- ment. birth or marriage. please share it with us by writing to the Gazette. Box 573. Fishers Island. N.Y. 06390. We'd love to hear from you. (l! ~) Lara's Theme interior design studio SPECIALIZING IN: Custom- .Wall covering -draperies, balloon, and roman shades. bed cov- ering . reupholstery and slipcovers. blinds, shades and verticals Fishers Island, New York (516) 788.7075 Old Saybrook, Ct (203) 388-9244 I ~ I I Laura G_ Forgione Interior Designer A. JOHN GADA Oene,.1 Conlracting Ine Phone 7231 EsI.bIISh~d 1946 DISTINCTIVE RENOVATIONS RESTORATIONS AND CUSTOM HOMES 22 Fil'llers Islalld Gazelle - Islander Authors Book on Indian Economies I I Islander Rob White has written a book on American Indians, which will be published next spring by Henry Holt Pub- lishing. The book, titled Native Assets, ana- lyzes the economic development of "four Indian communities. who pulled them- selves up by their economic bootstraps, and have emerged as progressive, prosper- ous and yet still fully Indian communi- ties," The tribes are the Passamaquoddy of Maine, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw, the Warm Springs Confederation in Ore- gon, and the Ak-Chin, of Maricopa, Ari- zona. The book grew out of an article Mr. White wrote for Princeton Alumni Maga. zine, about two Princeton alums in Port- land, Maine, who were investment bank- ers for the Passamaquoddy tribe. The Passamaquoddy won millions of dollars in a successful land claim suit against the United States for violations of treaty pro. visions. Mr. White, who did not attend Prin- ceton, explains that he "did some time there as a 'minister of propaganda' for the capital campaign," After reading the article, Donald Hutter, general book editor at Henry Holt Publishing, called Mr, White to ask if he would like to expand the article into a full- length book. "It was just like being dis- covered in a Hollywood coffee shop," said Mr. White. Among the many memorable expe- riences Mr. White had in researching the book was his trip to Wann Springs, Ore- gon. There he stayed at the Kah-Ne-Tah Resort, complete with naturiJl hot springs, although the weather in mid-winter was so frigid as to make bathing out of the ques- tion. The resort caters to business as well as vacation visitors, and includes in its brochure a century-old daguerreotype of a tribal council meeting, boasting "Kah- Nee-Ta: Successful meetings for over 3,000 years." Now that he has finished the book, Mr. White says that he probably will get out of the writing business, and back into consulting for non-profit groups, or public relations for a corporalion. "It's delight- ful to have completed the book, and right now I'm looking for a regular job." Mr. While, his wife Kaalje and daugh- ter Katie come to Fishers Island at least four or five times a year, to visit Mr. White's parents, Bob and Ellie. -Fax -Copies Office Center - Word Processing - Desktop Publishing 7101 Island General (formerly Doyens) Fishing Tackle 7172 Papers 7277 Gourmet Deli Take Out Muffins & Coffee Hors d'oeuvres 7277 I I , 26 Fil"hers Idalld Gazette 1 Tough Season for Hay Harbor Tennis Squad The Hay Harbor tennis junior pro- gram has been beset by cancelled matches and poor weather so that only one of the four scheduled interclubmatches was played in July. The team, under the guidance of professional John Birgbauer. traveled to the Wadawancuk Club on July 12 and suffered an 8-2 loss. The winners were Scott Ketner. who vanquished his opponent 8-1, ~nd Colin Brooks, who won 8-5. The other competitors who came up short against Wadawanuck were Coleman Brinkerhoff, Chad Bartcls, Sander Brooks, Buffy Ketner, Stuart Marra, Ashley Brink- erhoff, Genny Bartels, and Sarah Bartels. I I I I Be a Good Sport! Support Gazette I I I I di'(NI ittinR4 I ~ Teadll:n; Katie White 1111t/ Dall Cof\'ill, and Sflldellf.\' Hilary Brooks and Parh'l' Lmnhol"fl, f(lok on m YOl/llg Rill Keenan rolls his hall 01/10 the pllffil/g .~reell ill the Pee \l'('l' Clin;(' for 3 - 5 yeur-olds. , Tile telll/is dilliefor 3 - 5 ymr-oldJ m /fay lIarhor 0/1 (I Jllly Monday. From lei' to rig/II. Gussie Roth/dd. Keegan Bel1l/l't1, 101m Hirghallt'f. Parker Lamhorn, Emily dllPollf and Erik UIl.\HI/. 1989 SUMMER SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE 6/15/89 . From: Groton/New London 7:00 4:15 9:30 7:10 AM 4:25 PM 9:40 PM From: Teterboro, NJ 5:00 7:00 6:00 PM 8:00 PM FISH ERS ISLAN 0, NY \ I l Exc. SUN Exc. SAT FRI To: Groton/New London 7:15 7:25 AM 4:30 4:40 PM 9:45 9:55 PM To: Teterboro, NJ 8:00 9:00 PM ~ Exc. SUN Exc, SAT FRI SUN FRI FRI One-way fares between Groton, CT and Fishers Island - Per Passenger $15 One-way fares between F.I., N.Y. and Teterboro, N.J, - Per Passenger $80 (Rates for scheduled flights only) Reservations: 1-800-243-8623 FISHERS ISLAND 7747 1-203-448-1646 Single and twin engine charter service available to destinations of your choice, including New York City SPECIALIZING IN AIRLINE CONNECTIONS 24 HR EMERGENCY SERVICE - (203-873-1101) \ 1 I I I , f'il'hers Is/and Gazelle 27 Injury Decides Hay Harbor Final Tolly Taylor and John Charles won the Men's Member-Guest tennis tourna- ment at the Hay Harbor Club on the week- end of July 22nd when their opponents in the final were forced to retire due to injury. Bevis Longstreth, who was teaming with Michael Patterson as defending champi- ons, went back after a lob on only the second point of the final. Trying to exe- cute a quick change in direction, he tore his calf muscle, and had to retire from the match. Thus Tolly Taylor and John Char- les had their first club championship in their third year of teaming together, all this on Tolly's birthday as well. The tournament for the first time in five years was not plagued by rain. al- though it looked like it might shower right up to the tirst match on Saturday morning. Forty players started play under threaten- ing skies that gave way to hot. humid conditions later on in the day. All four seeded teams made it to the semi-finals. The #1 seeded team of Mr. Patterson and Mr. Longstreth defeated Lyons Brown and Lincoln Frank 7-6, 6-3. The #4 seeded team of Paul Crowley and David Chase outlasted Jim Benkard and Tom Kean 5-7, 6-2, 6-0. In the other side of the draw, #2 seeds Henry McCance and David Patter- son defeated the father-son pair, and the team of the 1990's, Scott and Scott Ketner 6-4, 6-3 in a match that was more evenly contested than the score indicates. The third seeded team. of Mr. Taylor and Mr. Charles edged Howard Keenan and Tug Howe 6-3, 7-6. Conditions on Sunday for the semi- finals were even more severe than those on Saturday with the weather being oppres- sively hot and humid. The teams of Mr. Patterson and Mr, Longstreth and Mr, Taylor and Mr. Charles advanced to the finals by 6-0,6-2 and 7-5, 6-2 scores respectively. In the consolation bracket the team of John Gates and Tom O'Neil swept past Tom Tamoney and Rob Mountain to pre- vail 6-0, 6-2 while in the next reprieve bracket Mr. Keenan and Mr, Howe beat Mr. Brown and Mr. Frank 6-3, 7-5. The next large tournament at Hay Harbor will be the Member-Member, Member-Guest, non-spouse, mixed doubles tournament the weekend of August 12 and 13. Nature Walks In July and August, H.L. Ferguson Museum curator Edwin Horning conducts nature walks on Tuesdays for children, and on Wednesdays for adults. All walks start at 2:00 p.m. Family Horses Around l Not one but two members of the Faulkner family arc into the horse show circuit. Brian has joined Lisa and tried his hand at riding. Brian has competed successfully in 10 shows and has 46 ribbons including 4 firsts, 9 seconds and 2 reserve champion- ships. Brian rides his own horse, Eddie Bauer. a Bay Gelding, 16.1 hands. Eddie comes from the stables of Mike Laughlin in Aiken. South Carolina. Brian competes in children's hunter. low hunter and the Connecticut hunter divisions. Jim Basset, Brian's trainer from the Westbrook Hunt Club, is eyeing bigger things for Brian. who has been riding for one and a half years now. An update on Lisa shows her as 1988 Connecticut State Champion in her age division. She has moved up to the larger divisions and now shows in the Maclay, America Horse Show Association Medal, U.S. Equestrian T~am, Connecticul Hunt Seat and of late has started in the jumper division. Lisa trains over fences four to five feet. but shows in a class with fences three feet to three feet nine inches until she has more experience. Floyd, Lisa's horse, a Chestnut Gelding, 15.3 hands high, is . I r I I I , basically a jumper. but Lisa's trainer, Michael Kirhy. has done a great job with him, and Floyd now competes ill all types of classes. Brian Faulkner wkingjllllll's 01/ Itis horse, Eddie Ball('/". Lisa has been riding for two and a half years and has over 200 ribbons and trophies for her efforts. r .., '"'~ '0-" ........n.., I_ _.it> 28 Fishers Island Gaulle -- Old Timers Still Kings in Softball League Kevin Costner Has Nothing on These Guys I The Fishers Island softball league started play on the 21st of June with many familiar faces returning after various years of retirement. Tom Shillo. the George Steinbrenner of Z & S. spent much of the winter months badgering, cajoling, and pleading with stars of yesteryear to return for one more summer of hope and glory, Meeting with various levels of resistance the corner was turned in early June when, in a scene reminiscent of "Field of Dreams", Tom and a group of other Island residents renovated the playing diamond in the hopes that "They will come." And out of retire- ment they did come. Recapturing their youth were such fanner stars of the True Value team that dominated the early 1980's as Steve "Lite" WaIter, Luis "Around the" Horn. Dick Hale "Mary". Russ Heath "Bar". and Tom "Double Axel" Doherty. I 1 I I Conspicuous by his absence was Larry Horn "of plenty" though rumors abound that he is saving himself for the play-offs. At the two-thirds point it would ap- pearthat Shillo's efforts and tough. strenu- ous training regimen have paid off as he has his Z & S team not only in peak physical condition but sitting atop the league stand- ings with a perfect 4~0 record as well. In second place is two-time defend- ing champion Blues Brothers, captained by Dan "0" Colvin. Despite the presence of the Edwards Brothers. Chris and J.R" fanner True Value stars in the own rights, the Blues fell victim to Z & S in a thrilling one.run, nine inning duel. Tied for third are rivals Hay Harbor and FISH (Fishers Island Softball Heroes). In their first meeting of the year Hay Harbor won in the bottom uf the seventh by engineering a two~out, four-run rally to prevail hy a count of 13-12. The FISH enjoyed sweet revenge when in their sec- and meeting they were able to put together a four~run last inning as well. Hay Harbor pitcher Doug Bevins walked six straight batlers. on 25 pitches. before yielding a game~deciding double. It was evident that Hay Harbor missed their star pitcher Dave Rost. who is on the disabled, voluntarily retired list with a tom rotator cuff. It is hoped that he will be able to join the squad in time for the playoffs. Bringing up the rear in the league is the team fielded by the Pequot, which started slowly but is rapidly showing signs of improvement. Games of note coming up are the July 25th clash between the Blues Broth- ers and the ageless Z & S squad, and the August 2nd contest between the Hay Har- hor team and a team from the Ferry Dis- trict captained hy Captain Mark Easter. The Ferry team will be trying to avenge two straight losses. The community is in- vited to come out for these and any other game. I Everyone's a Winner in the Seastretcher Spyros Barres of Mystic. CT., blis- tered the field in winning the eight.mile division of the Peter Sanger Seastretcher marathon in a record time of 40:0 I min~ utes. Mr. Barres, 26, defeated perennial champion Tom Costin. 38, ofNahant, Mass., by a comfortahle margin. The two had finished in a dead heat two years ago when they last raced to- gether in the seastretcher. Their time then was 44: 19. Roann Costin was the top women's finisher over the eight-mile course in a time of 56:46. In the live-mile race, Heath Hender- shal was the top men's finisher in a time of 30:48 minutes with Sarah Walsh the top women's finisher in 37:20. In the three- mile division Brian Faulkner won in 20:04 minutes andJanis Hunt was the top women's finisher in 22:55 minutes. In the one-mile, for children 12 and over, Ryan Shawn was the top finisher in 6: 17 while Susan Stepanek won in the girl's division with a time of 7:56. In the one~mile for children 12 and under Mi~ chael Wall finished in 6: 18 minutes and Caroline Costin was the fastest girl in 7:21. Almost $10.000 was raised in the race with 125 runner competing. Proceeds of the race go toward operating expenses of the Seastretcher ambulance boat. . ~ Din"!>"ioll "'fillll('l"S display their rrophies a/t//{' Sellstrefc},('I"jlll;.\'h /iIlC. IPflolo. Chllr/il' Morcdll) Fi~"'en hfand Gazelle 29 Nautical Notes with Peter Rugg I. I The first half of the sum- mer of 1989 has been very active on West Harbor, predominantly due to the arri- vai of many new boals. Ka- t I houtec,lhenavy blue International One Design(IOD) which arrived late last summer has been trans- formed into a swift, clean forest green racing machine by her syndicate of own- ers: Steve Burnham, Dan Malloy, Bill Martling, Susan Peabody, and David Rogan. Also new to the laD lIeet are John Brim's Flicker, and Stuart Cutler's GinQersnao, a classic yacht in the tradition of the 1930's. The competition in the laD Ileet has been keen as the top two crews from the Fishers Island lIeet will have the opportunity to represent us at the World Championships in Rye, New York, in September. Dominating the cruising boats, David Strupp's new Alden 49 Shadow is sitting pretty at lhe intersection of the two chan- nels in West Harbor. She has all the comforts of home and clearly sets the pace for cruising in Sly Ie. Bill Musser's new Glide is a J-33, one of the latest designs from Johnstone Yachts. She has proven to be very fasl when driven by Mr. Musser and his all-star crew. Glide has taken silver nearly every time out with firsts in recenl races al Watch Hill and Thames Yacht Club. Peter Brinckerhoff's well sailed Hooli{!an took first in class at both the American Yacht Club Spring Regatta and the Edgartown Race Week Regatta. Fishers Island was truly well represented in the Marblehead to Halifax Race. Boots Parker's big yellow catamaran Skviack raced against 28 other multi-hulls to finish first on both elapsed and corrected time. Andrew Perkins. winning navigator on Skviack, commented "it was pretty hairy when we were screaming along at 20 to 25 knots and we could not see the bow through the fog!" Indeed, anothercompctitor failed to see a whale and was forced to withdraw with a broken rudder after a collision. . ~ I The Marblehead/llalifax Race was training for Boots who will depart later this year on a double handed trans-Atlan- tic race on Skviack. (More on this in a later issue.) In mid-July, the Fishers Island Yacht Club held its annual cruise. First, a tough race for the sailing competitors who criss- crossed Fishers Island Sound to finish near East Harbor. The party then cruised over to Stonington Harbor in formation. The 1I0tilla included a Bullseye, two laD's, Bill Glendon's Shannon, Gus Kinsolving's Seabird, Bruce May's Scout, TomCashel's lovingly restored Hinckley Pilot 35 Sallv, and the mother ship of the ann ada, the 50- plus foot motor yacht Sealegs captained by Sandy Jacobson. All hands partied hard thanks to the hospitality of the Wada- wanuck Yacht Club. The younger set have been equally dynamic with the Fishers Island Yacht Club/Hay Harbor Club junior sailing pro- gram operating at full tilt. Our under 18 sailors have been off to two regattas: lhe Eastern Connecticut Yacht Racing Asso- ciation One Design Regatta at Wadawanuck where Mike McNamara took second place. and Larchmont Junior Race week, where McNamara 'placed third in his l3-foot Blue Jay. Rivaling Larchmont Junior Race week is our own Fishers Island Annual Open Junior Regatta. Held July 25-26, the final results will be in our next issue. However, as this is written a record 12 clubs from Connecticut, New York, and Rhode Island are sending entrants. There will be compelition in three classes of boats: 420' s, a double handed sloop equi pped with a trapeze to assist the crew to offset heeling in strong wind. the single handed sport 14-foot Laser. and by far the most ac- tive class, Blue Jays of which we may have as many as 50 on the starting line. The administrative complexities are under the control of a dedicated group of parents including Susie Ferguson. Harriet Mc- Namara and Meredith Rugg. Over 100 sailors will be competing and housed hy Island residents. For those readers who are less skilled al boating lhan they would like, we have just reviewed a video training series -- the Annapolis Book of Seamanship. The video series is based on John ROllsl11anierc's well-received book with the same title. The book is fast replacing Chapman's Piloting, Seamanship and Coastwise Navi- gation as the sailor's hand book. The material on this 72-minute video is clearly presented and will provide a wonderful introduction for lhe beginner as well as a strong refresher for the intcnnedime sea- man. Most interesting is the story of the video. It covers a day of cruising from Stonington Harborto West Harboron Fishers Island. The finish of the tape is the perfect end to a perfect day of sailing wilh swans floating across West Harbor and the Fish- ers Island church bells pealing in the back- ground. Other volumes cover additional material including offshore seamanship. John Rousmaniere, perhaps the most well known and prolific yachling writer today, not only knows his seamanship. but he has the gift of conveying his knowledge 1O others. Gazette Subscription Form Please send me the next four issues of the Fishers Island Gazette, Enclosed is $12, Ihe annual subscription rate, NAME ADDRESS .. 30 Fhhers Island Gazette - Prayers Answered on 1-95: . A new bridge is to be built over the Conneclicut River at Old Saybrook which highway planners hope will eliminate a long-standing bottleneck for motorists on lhe Conneclicut Thruway. The project. which is expected to cost aboul $135 mil- lion. is scheduled to commence in Febru- ary. However. relief will not be immedi- ate. The project is expected to take four years. At least. highway officials do nol expect there to be any traffic delays during lhe construction. The new bridge will be built 60 feel to the south of lhe existing bridge and therefore should not affect the current traffic llow. according 10 highway officials. The only faclor which mighl slow traffic is if motorists "rubberneck" to look at construction. The new bridge span will consist of four tmffic lanes in each direction and two 12-foot shoulders. also in each direction. according to William Chamberlin. engi- neer of bridge design for the Connecticut Department of Transportation. This will more than double the capacity of the exist- ing bridge which has two lanes in each direction with no shoulders. The Baldwin Bridge. which spans . . New Bridge at Old Say brook ~ -~ ..... f ,;;;:-- I ~..."." I .4' . . Modl'l of Baldwill B/id!:1' --"'.- ~ ~~- .......... '" J{." ':.'. 'r; .. . ,";' 4;;." . - ...J.~. .fIA ," .o!!~ ~ .~ .~...,.~ ..... ,""'~ ":'~!"- . ~ .." ~~-- lhe Connecticut River at Old Saybrook. has been a bottleneck for motorists espe- cially in summer during recent years. Traffic, which is sometimes backed up for miles. has been a complaint for many Fishers Island vacationers returning to work in New York City. After lhe new Baldwin Bridge is completed. the existing one, which was built in lhe late 1940's. will be demol- ished. Highway planners had been study- ing the problems posed by the Baldwin Bridge for many years. The Connecticut I ALIX Ho STANLEY REALTOR Serving Coastal Connecticut and Rhode Island COLDWELL BANKER LEIGHTON REALTY I Denison Avenue Mystic, CT 06355 Bus. (203) 536-4983 Home (203) 536-0861 ~~.~ -.s.~.~ 01. ~~'~- L; L.: . .. 1.. o . ... . 'U ..,...,...~.....'''....,:""..,. # DOT could not simply add lanes onto the existing bridge because its foundation would not support any additional weight. accord- ing to Mr. Chamberlin. Funding for the project will come 90 percent from the federal Highway Ad- ministration and 10 percent from the state Department of Transportation. he added. The new bridge will have the same vertical clearance over the Connecticut River as the existing bridge and will have the same basic appearance, Mr. Chamberlin said. Walsh Service Electrical Contractor (516) 788-7778 .