HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 Vol 19 No 1 Summer
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2 Fhhers Island Gazette . Slimmer lOfJS
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
To the Fishers Island Community:
Last summer, as my wife Cynthia wrote
a letter to the Gazette thanking the com-
munity for its support during her illness, it
never occurred to me thar I would he doing
the same thing one year later.
My thank.. to everyone for their prayers
and kind thoughts during my illness this
past winter, which was made doubly stress-
ful since we had to move in the midst of
my medical crisis. We could nor have gotten
through it without you.
Although I cannm mention everyone by
name, I must thank Nancy Tirabassi, Bruce
Hubert, John Bergquist and Jeremy Dou-
cette, who extended themselves above and
beyond tbe call of duty at work...and my
thanks also to the many Islanders who helped
December 2005 Gazette
Deadline: November 2. 2005
The Fishers Island GazeHe is an ill~
dependellt not-far-profit publicatioll
initialed wilh a grant from the Sanger
Fund and suslained with subscriptioll
,lIld advcrtisiug rcvellue. h is published
twice a year.
Editor
Betty ABU RubinO\v
Contributors in this Issue
Harold Conkl ~1ark Easler
Leila Iladlcy Luce
RoLen.J. Miller~ Pierce Ralleny
Carol Ridbl"\vay, Cynlhia Riley
.Jeanlle Schultz
Photo~rdphcr Emeritus
Albert H. Gonion
Controller
Su-Allu Seidl
Newsstand Sales
Patty Cook
Circulation Support
\Villiam C. Ridgway III
SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE $15 PER
YEAR. IT'S EASY,JUST HAlLA
CHECKTOTHE GAZETTE!
Fishers Island G..lZette, nox 57:J
Fishers Island NY O(i:J90
them out. I am still learning about some of
the exceptional things that were done.
A very special thank you from the
bottom of my heart to the EMTs and Sea
Stretcher operators who were there Dec 5.
I might not be alive today were it nor for
their service.
Thank you in advance for your pa-
tience and consideration this summer as I
continue to heal. I wish you all good health
and happiness. Life is short. Enjoy it.
Sincerely,
Ed Riley
Wel~o...e 10 The Fog Horn!
Fishers Island has a new community
calendar/newsletter published month-
ly by tbe Island Ollice, the Fishers Island
Civic A'isociation and its subcommittee, the
Island Community Board.
The first issue of 7'lJe Fog Horn, also
known as "7'lJe Horn", came out in Febru-
ary, and since then it's appeared on rime,
each month, brimming with local news cov-
ering everything from a tax reduction for
volunteer firefighters and ambulance work-
ers to the annual American Legion shuffie-
board tournament.
The Fog Horn is [he perfect comple-
ment to the Gazette, which has evolved into
a magazine and is written and published off-
Island twice a year.
The everyday occurrences that define
much of life on Fishers Island are best cap-
tured by those who live here year-round.
The Gazette can now focus on in-depth
coverage, feature articles and photos.
Island Fellow Mere Harr, editor, has
printed 300 copies of each issue of The
Horn. "They are snapped up pretty quickly,
but the number seems right," she said.
Potential printing costs for the summer
demand, however, will strain her minimal
budget, as will postage if people start asking
ro receive the newsletter by mail.
"We don't want to charge for The
Horn, so I would like send it electronically
each month to as many people as possible.
In order to do that, I need to compile a list
of email addresses."
To receive The Fog Horn and ICB up-
dates via the Internet, send email addresses
to: mharr@6.shersisland.net.
~~
. Liz Furse checks out the April issue of The Fog Horn at her store, Hair of the Dog Liquors.
am Call Ot email the editor for
~ information about advettis-
, - i~ ing or editorial content: win-
ter 860-633-8200: summer
631-788-7893: figazette@cox.net.
The Gazette appreciates and relies upon
editorial contributions from the com-
munity. We reserve the right to edit copy
and regret that we cannot run every story
and occasionally must hold copy for future
issues.
Slimmer 1005. Fishers Island Gazette 3
Major Changes in Ferry Reser'Valion Polit:y
The Fishers Island Ferry District
(FIFO) is making big changes (0 its
reservation policies. For example,
no more racing [0 the ferry in New Lon-
don, sure that each car crossing the railroad
tracks ahead of you will claim the la.'it spot
on the Race Point or Munnatawket.
Starting June 1, automobile reserva-
tions will be available from New London
to Fishers Island and may be made up to a
month in advance. Ten spots per boat can
be purchased on the Internet, and the rest
reserved on Fishers Island.
"People have always asked us about
making reservations from New London,
but we never had the space to properly
stage vehicles before," said FIFO Manager
Tom Doherty. "With this terminal renova-
tion, we will have lanes for reservations and
stand-bys, similar to those on the Island,
and the 20-minute rule will apply.
"We are in the process of making
ch;lIlges to FIFO's ticket policies, but we
didn't want to do everything at once," Mr.
Doherty saiJ.
Fishers Island can be resistant to
change, and the next one is historic: the
elimination of ticket sales on ferries. That
means no down-to-the-wire dashes onto the
ferry without a ticket in hand, either from
the terminal or from an advance-purchase
ticket book.
"The main reason for eliminating tick-
et sales on the ferries is a U.S. Coast Guard
regulation that requires us to know the ex-
act number of people on the boat before it
leaves the dock," Mr. Doherty said. "Under
the current system, we don't stop selling
tickets umit halfway to Fishers Island. Un-
fonunate!y, the Coast Guard will no longer
permit us to run ferry ticket sales the way
we llsed to."
FIFD implemented the first change (Q
its reservation policy in March 2004 when
five auto reservations per boat were avail-
able via the Internet. "In the first year, we
had 2000 Internet reservations without a
glitch," Mr. Doherty said, "so on April I , we
increased the available online SpotS to 10.
"We are trying to make the whole pro-
cess of getting reservations a lot easier."
Fishers Island ferries carried about
160,000 passengers back and forth between
New London and Fishers Island last year.
The Munnatawket holds about 21 vehicles,
III
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. The Fishers Island Ferry District's (FIFO) New London terminal building was expected to be
completed in June. Designed to blend in with New London Harbor architecture, the structure will
be air-conditioned, with a lobby and two restrooms for passengers. The building also serves as a
buffer between passenger and freight vehicles, and is topped with a cupola and four--foot stainless
steel replica of the MV Race Point [see inset]. FIFO received its first planning and zoning permit
for the terminal renovation in 1993.
the Race Point about 31, but fewer when
carrying SUVs and trucks. Traffic for
the first quaner of 2005 was up slighrly,
but that was due exclusively to truck traf-
fic for ongoing construction projects, Mr.
Doherty said.
Fishers Island Ferry District Changes...
...Auto Reservation Policies
March 2004:
April 1,2005:
May I, 2005:
June 1,2005:
Five auto reservations available via Internet, two weeks in advance.
Ten auto reservations available via Internet, two weeks in advance.
Reservations available four weeks in advance.
Reservations available leaving New London. The 2o..minute rule applies.
...Price of Vehicle Tickets
June 1,2005: $1 per vehide fuel surcharge is added to price of tickets. No change
in price of passenger tickets.
...Freight Charges
June 1,2005: $1 per parcel up to $50 Ibs.: after that, $2 per 100 Ibs.
...11: I 5 a.m. Ferry from New London
June 1,2005: The II: 15 a.m. ferry from New London has been changed to II a.m.
for the summer season, June through September.
ADDITIONAL NOTICE:
Peapod@ delivery truck will arrive on F.1. Thursdays on 3:30 p.m. ferry and will be available for
grocery pickup at the ferry until truck leaves on 7: 15 p.m. ferry. [Peapod@ began taking Island
orders in January,delivering 12 boxes (each box holds about three grocery bags). By mid-May. the
number had increased to 80 boxes, which previously had been dropped off in New London.]
4 Fishers Island Gazelle-Summer 2005
Ne~ Lo<<:alion for IUP Do<<:lor's OtJi<<:e
The Island Health Project (IHP) is
finalizing plans to build a new doc-
tor's office west of the Briar Patch
garden. With only one approval to go, from
the Southold Building Dept., IHP hopes ro
break ground this fall.
Much has changed since IHP launched
its highly successful Capital Campaign for
the Health of Fishers Island in the fall of
1999. It raised $2 million, in a relatively
short amount of time, for a new building, a
residential renovation of the existing struc-
ture, and an endowment. It turned Out that
fundraising was the easy part.
Almost immediately, IHP ran into
strenuous objections from the owner of an
adjacent property. For IHP, the next few
years were given over to lawyers dealing
with the objections, and designers altering
the plans to meet new requirements.
IHP had redesigned die building and
received approval from Sourhold to put in
a new driveway, ambulance entrance and
handicapped ramp, when John Spofford, a
member of the EI. Utility Co. Boatd, called
IHP co-chair Susie Parsons with an idea.
Mr. Spofford suggested that IHP build
the new doctor's office on utility company
property next to the Briar Patch garden and
donate the existing doctor's office to Walsh
Park Benevolent (WPB), Fishers Island's
overseer of affordable housing.
The idea made sense, and things began
to move fairly quickly after utility company
approval, except that IHP is a not-for-profit
entity and cannot donate the doctor's office
to WPB. It is, however, considering differ-
ent means by which the property would be
available for year-round resident housing.
Without the constraints of renova-
tion, IHP was able ro come full circle and
return to the structure originally designed
five years ago.
"We ate just Ripping the Roor plan,"
said architectural designer Allie Raridon,
who designed the building. "The waiting
room, formerly on the left, is now on the
right, to take advantage of the Briar Patch
garden views."
Connecticut Valley Homes adapted
Ms. Raridon's design and will build the
3200-sq.-ft. structure. Ms. Raridon used
a combination of shingle, Victorian and
gothic styles taken from neighboring hous-
es, both past and present, keeping in mind
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. The new doctor's office (top) is connected by dotted lines to a site plan indicating the building's
new location. The house was designed by Allie Raridon and adapted for modular construction by
Connecticut Valley Homes.The Island Health Project hopes to break ground this fall.
that it had to be a modular design and that
the largest pieces that could fit onto the fer-
rywere II' x 44'.
The exterior of the building will have
green trim and naturally-weathered red ce-
dar shingles. The porch, shingles and exte-
rior trim will be completed by a local con-
tractor, but it is too early for bidding, Ms.
Raridon said.
The air-conditioned first floor has a
nurse's station centrally located so a staff
member can easily observe the waiting
room, front porch (with rockers, also for
waiting), doctor's office, lab and two exam
rooms.
The second Roor, which has ceiling
Conrinued on page 5
Summer 2005. Fisllen hlatld (Jazette 5
IHP Doe~ Not
Rene~ Contra<<:t
for Dr. Hand
The Island Health Project (IHP)
Board has decided not to renew Dr.
Jack Hand's contract, which expires
Sept. 21. As of May, IHP was continuing its
search for a new doctor for Fishers Island.
Reponing at the May meeting of the
Island Community Board, Susie Parsons,
co-chait of the Island Health Project (IHP),
said that Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in
New London has been very helpful aiding
the search. If there is no decision by Sep-
tember, IHP will arrange for temporary
medical coverage, she said.
The conflict between Dr. Hand and
IHP had a public aiting when Dr. Hand ad-
dressed a Senior luncheon and also spoke at
the January 22 meeting of the Fishers Island
Civic Association.
The minutes of that meeting indicate
New Doctor's Office
Continud from pdg~ 4
fans and a separate exterior entrance, is de-
signed for up to two guests, specifically for
a doctor filling in while the Island's fulltime
doctor is on vacation.
Because of the five-year delay, there
has been ample opportunity to review the
plans. "We originally had three exam rooms
but now have two, with extra space for em-
ployees and a larger lab," Ms. Raridon said.
"The building is designed for privacy. There
is optional parking in the back, and the walls
are sound-proofed. In the current doctor's
office, people in the waiting room can hear
what is going on in the exam room.
"Another really helpful improvement is
that the ambulance can pull up to the back
of the building. EMTs will now be able ro
bring patients through double doors directly
into the larger exam room." Ms. Raridon's
husband, Jack, became an EMT in 2003, so
she has had a firsthand look at what EMTs
need to work quickly and effectively. The
Raridons also purchased a Conn. Valley
Home in Walsh Park, which has served as
a lab, of sorts, to discover the positives and
negatives of modular construction.
On Fishers Island, Ms. Raridon has
also designed the interiors of the newly ten-
ovated H.L. Ferguson Museum and the rear
portion of the Fishers Island Library.
a number of disagreements. One issue was
IHP's desire for Dr. Hand to extend his
summer hours to include afternoons and
also to schedule office hours two days a
week in the ofT-season. Dr. Hand described
those additional hours as "superfluous".
When Dr. Hand started work on Fish-
ers Island, he was the Island's first full time
doctor in about 13 years. Prior to that, from
1986 to I 999, there had been a one-week
rotation schedule of doctors from St. Luke's
Roosevelt Hospital in New York City.
IHP was formed in 1974. It originally
had been the Medical Committee of the
Fishers Island Civic Association. "Henry
King (summer resident and New York City
atrorney) was instrumental in organizing
IHP as a not-for-profit entity," said Cath-
erine Jenssen, IHP secretary and treasurer.
"He was IHP's first president.
"IHP actually began its association
with St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital in 1975,
but we parted ways for a few years in the
early 1980s. We had a couple of doctors for
a year at a time and then a week at a time.
There was one summer week in 1998 when
we had no doctor at all, which is why we
decided to look for a full time doctor."
IHP Insurance Notice
Sound MedlcalAssociates (SMA) and the Island Health Project (IHP) remind patients
about the following payment policy:
Upon arrival at the office, you will be asked for updated personal and payment
information so a bill can be prepared before departure. Please bring your insurance
card!! If you are not covered by one of the insurance plans listed below, or have
not made arrangements explained in the asterisked paragraph at the bottom of this
notice, payment in full is required at the time of your visit. In order for a patient to
submit a claim to the patient's insurer at a later date, patients will receive a receipt
indicating the nature of the service performed.
If a patient arrives in an emergency situation, information may be provided and
payment may be made as soon as reasonably possible.
If parents plan to leave the Island while members of their household remain, IHP
asks that parents give their childcare providers proper insurance information
or make appropriate payment provisions, in case medical care is required in the
parents' absence. Furthermore, parents should make sure that their childcare
providers have written permission to approve medical care for the children under
their supervision.
The doctor's office fee schedule is consistent with rates charged in nearby
Connecticut communities. SMA accepts cash, check or Visa08\ Mastercard@ and
American Express@ credit cards.
Aetna HealthCare*
Anthem BClBS of CT*
Choice Care
ConnectiCare*
First Health/Mail Handlers
Focus
Great West
Health Net (formerly PHS)*
Healthcare Value Management
Humana
Island Group Admin
Medicare NY
Multiplan
N.E.Alliance
N.E. Direct
Oxford Health Plans*
PHCS
Pioneer
Railroad Medicare Cigna
Tricare
*These insurance companies offer multiple plans to their members, which may
require patients to select [an alternate] Primary Care Physician (PCP) [in order to
retain in~network coverage while away from home]. For many insurers, changing a
PCP takes no more than a phone call. If patients have one of these plans, they must
change their PCP to Dr. Hand prior to being seen or call their insurance company
to find out how their medical claim can be covered. SMA is unable to submit those
medical claims for processing. Please call the SMA billing office, 860-445-62S2, with
any questions.
6 Fi.\'hers l.\"alld Ga:;elle.SlIlIllller 2(J()5
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Red Barn Gallery
. Fishers Island, N.Y.
Paintings. Etchings. Wood Sculpture
by Charles B. Ferguson
COMMISSIONS WELCOME
Open Fri. July I-labor day
Fri. & Sat. 9 a.m.-noon
Also by appointment:
631.788.7479 or 860.677.8056
Over 400 bandpainte(1 canvases
Belts, sllOes, bags
Extensive selection of fibers
Finisbing services
Classes availal,le
2 Pearl Street, Mystic CT 06355
pllOne: (860) 536-7380
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KINLlN RUTHERFURD ARCHITECTS
NEW YORK, NY
212.695.2988
WESTON, CT
203.341.9930
www.kinlinrutherfurd.com
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Slimmer 2005. Fi.~!Jers Island Gazette 7
Co......unity Center Orea... Closer to Reality
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The Fishers Island Development
Corp. (FIDCO) in late May unan-
imously approved the use of its
Building #98 as a community center.
The excitement was palpable among
members of the Community Center (CC)
committee, who wasted no time movIng
forward with a fundraising campaign in
June.
"We need a community center, not
only to attract new residents, but also to
improve [he qualiry of life for currCIH resi-
denrs, so they will stay here," said commit-
tee Chair Judi Imbriglio. "In addition, this
facility would be used by the entire commu-
nity, both year-rouIH.i and seasonal."
A single-minded and determined group
of Island residents has pursued this project
for nearly two years. Where similar effons
over the last 10-15 years had failed, this
commiuee managed (0 tap imo latenr Is-
land-wide emhusiasm for the project as they
determined the needs of the community,
engaged the pro bono services of architect
Bruce Kinlin. considered differem avenues
of construction and compiled realistic engi-
neering information.
"We are applying for gFams," Mrs. Im-
briglio said, "but we've also put (Ogether a
basic brochure for a broad fund raising ef-
fort, keeping in mind that a number of
leadership gifts will be necessary to initiate
the project."
The commiuee began its quest for a
community cemer with surveys to deter-
mine the level of interest among residems
[see survey results at right]. A fimess cemer
topped the list. Preliminary plans call for an
up-to-dare, air-conditioned work-out facil-
ity on the second Roar of #98, overlooking
Fishers Island Sound. The bowling alley
would move to the first Roar, freeing up the
current bowling alley for school storage and
a potential video-distance learning center
[see srory on page 44).
Facilities will expand as usage increases,
but FIDCO will retain half of the first Aoor
for its maintenance equipment. A small
kitchen and two multi-purpose rooms are
also parr of the "initial activity menu."
With help from Mr. Kinlin, of New
York's Kinlin Rlltherfurd Architects, rhe CC
committee weighed the possibilities of new
construction versus renovation of either the
movie theater or #98 and decided that #98
was the best alrernative.
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. (top) FIDCQ-owned Building #98 may
become the future home of Fishers Island's
Community Center. . (bottom) The Com-
munity Center committee tours the second
floor of #98 this winter. Preliminary plans
call for a fitness center at the far end of the
second floor and a bowling alley in half of the
first floor.
Community Center Survey Results:
Seasonal: 162 returned
Fitness center........................... 126
Day care center/youth area.. I 05
Kitchen facilities ........................92
Movie theater.............................84
Senior center .............................83
Indoor pool................................67
yea.....round: 65 returned
Fitness center............................. 52
Youth activities...........................44
Meeting space ............................44
Indoor pool................................42
Kitchen facilities ........................ 38
Day care center .........................35
Auditorium .................................33
Senior center ........"...................25
y, gym.......................................... 12
Storage space ............................... 7
Hoping th.u success breeds success,
the CC committee envisions a campus-like
improvement to the entire area, drawing in
the school with a potential satellite learning
center and the eventual construction of an
indoor swimming pool.
The proposed campus currently in-
cludes two town tennis courts built on
school property across from #98. The courts
require frequent resurfacing, because they
were improperly constructed on old slabs
that move annually with the freeze and
Continued OT! pa!!,/' 21
8 Fishers J.~landGazelte.Summer 2005
Delivering restaurant-quality, easy-to-
prepare frozen foods to Fishers Island!
Select from:
Meats. Poultry. Seafood
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Single Serve Entrees
Fruits and Vegetables. Breads. Pizza
Snacks and Appetizers. Beverages. Desserts
Premium Ice Cream. Frozen Yogurt
Sherbet . Ice Cream Treats
...
Thank you to our Fishers Island customers for
your support and business. Please continue to
look for us at the post office, every two weeks,
Wednesdays from noon to 6:45 p.m.
...
To become a customer, stop at our truck
or call1-888-SCHWANS or check out our
website: www.schwans.com
the beach plum
po box 664
fishers island, ny
06390
(631) 788-7731
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Find great deals on our sale rack!!
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afternoon June 25 thru labor Day
Phone: 788-7101'Fax: 788-5599
We Service Any Brand Bike
Tuue-ups from $39.99' Flat repair from $9.99
Open by appointment-call ahead
Located just onet mile from ferry terminal
Free pick-up & drop-off with any $50 purchase
Authorized dealer for:
Haro . Del Sol . GT . Mongoose . Schwinn
www.terracyclery.com
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Slimmer 2(J(}5. Fishers hlulld Ga:.elte 9
EMT s: V olunleers Dedi<<:aled 10 Co......unily
I
Fishers Island EMTs are on duty
24/7. When people arc at their most
vulnerable, through either trauma
or illness, it is assumed the EMTs will know
what to do, and do it without error.
lt is also assumed that there will always
be EMTs to answer the 911 calls. With a
year~rol1nd popularion of 270, it is a chal-
lenge to keep enough people trained to re-
spond to calls, often in the middle of the
night, especially when the population swells
to over 3000 in the summer.
"Our EMTs are dedicated volunteers,
and I'd like people to know just what it
takes to be an EMT on this Island," said
Capt. Sara McLean, EMT coordinator and
captain in the Fishers Island Fire Dept. [see
story below right] "First of all, there is the
sheer volume of calls in the summer. L1st
July and August, we had a total of 34 am-
bulance calls."
At least five to six EMTs leave jobs and
f.1milies to respond to each call, although
technically, all 12 EMTs are on duty. The
on. Island parr of the response rarely takes
less than an hour.
The SM Stretcher, if needed, brings
forth another group of dedicated volun-
teers, the captains and navigators, without
whom the Island's lifeline to Lawrence &
Memorial Hospital in New London would
not run.
At least two EMT'i accompany the pa.
tient on the Sea Stretcher. Meanwhile, the
ambulance driver must meet the return-
ing boat to retrieve the stretcher, rerum all
equipment to the firehouse, deal with laun-
dry, etc., sometimes at 3 a.m.
To prepare for the busy summer, the
EMTs were planning a series of outdoor
role-playing drills in May and June. One
possibility was a cardiac arrest on the Fish-
ers Island Club golf course.
"This would challenge us on all sorts
of levels," Mrs. McLean said. "How fast can
we get the ambulance safely up the Island?
How fast can we find a patient in the middle
of a golf course with which very few of us
are really familiar? How proficient are we at
using an automatic defibrillator? How much
rime should we spend working on the pa-
tient on site vs. transporting ASAP? Should
we call for a helicopter? If so, where would
it land? We are trying to develop guidelines
Cominurd on pag~ 33
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. On board the Sea Stretcher April 12, (top, I.r) captains and navigators: Dave Dennison, Joe
Brock, Mike Conroy, Ernie Middleton, Bob Evans, Penn Sanger. Missing, Steve Malinowski and
Aaron Rice; and EMTs (bottom, I-r) Tracy Brock (also a navigator), Charlie Stepanek, Gail
Cypherd, Jack Raridon, Sara McLean, Bruce Hubert, Tathiana Lema, George Horning, Joe
Hirschfeld. Missing,JiII Rogan, Paul Giles, Carol Giles.
Sara Mc::Lean: EMT Coordinator
Sara McLean in January became coor-
dinator of Fishers Island's EMTs and
the first female captain in the Fishers Island
Fire Depc.
Mrs. McLean had always been interest-
ed in things medical. She trained to become
an EMT in Spring 2003, in spite of think-
ing herself squeamish about blood.
With 110 paid job or small children to
care for, Mrs. Mclean was usually the most
available EMT when a 911 call came in.
COntil1U~d 011 pdgr 35
For "91 I" calls from a cell phone:
Dial 631-765-2600
"911" calls from cell phones go to the nearest cell tower and dispatch
center, probably in Connecticut, where they are likely unfamiliar with
Fishers Island.
"631-765-2600" goes directly to Southold Town Police Dispatch. (91/
calls from F.1. land lines are instantly converted to 631-765-2600
and show up in Southold with a street address.) If calling from a cell phone,
provide detailed location, including names of familiar houses. South old
then pages portable radios of Fishers Island Fire Dept, members.
For real emergencies, DO NOT try to reach the doctor first. Dial 911
immediately!
10 Fhlter.<; Island Gaulte.Sllmmer 2U05
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RESERVATIONS and INFORMATION
1-800-243-8623
1-860-448-1646
24-hr. Emergency Service
I.... !..:,'-_
....;.'.- "i--'
Henry L. Ferguson Museum
2005 Schedule:
Saturday July 2 through Labor Day
Tuesday through Friday: 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.; 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. - 12 noon
Closed Monday
Call for sped,II appoi1Jtme1Jts
Off-seaso1J hours to be posted
For Family Nature Walks: Meet at the Museum
Thursdays at 2 p.m. during the summer
(631) 788-7239. www.fergusonmuseum.org
5t\I\~1~11 ! I!
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introducing...
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160 designs. 101 fabrics&40 lovely colors
the beach plum
po box 664 fishers island. ny 06390 631.788.7731
Island People's Project
Arts & Crafts Show
ON THE VILLAGE GREEN
Sat. July 16 and Sat. Aug. 13
9 a.m. -1 p.m.
(Rain Date Following Day)
$25. one date; $40. both dates; $5. kids' table (arts & crafts
only, no games). Registration and set up: 8 a.m.-9 a.m. For more
information. call Sarah Upson (at end of June) 631.788.7386 or
203.938.2323 or email supson@optonline.net
':'.
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House & Garden Tour
Sat., July 16
noon-4 p.m.
Purchase tickets during craft fair
or at Hair of the Dog Liquors
Slimmer }()(J5. /-'idlers Island Ga:.ettl' J J
Fishers Island In~ited to Visit Pin... Island
~
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Dr. Beth Lautner, direcwr of the
Plum Island Animal Disease
Center (PIADC), last November
approved the first visit w Plum Island by a
Fishers Island Conservancy (FIC) represen-
tative w the Plum Island Community Fo-
rum (PICF).
PICF is a coalition of local and re-
gional environmental groups representing
citizens who could be affected by activities
and incidents at Plum Island. Conservancy
members had been speaking informally
with a number of PICF groups for a year
bur lacked official standing because Plum
Island had resisted inviting new groups to
visit PIADC.
Plum Island's public relations began
ro improve with the Mar. 1, 2004 arrival of
Dr. Lautner, a veterinarian and former vice
president of science and technology for the
National Pork Board, who views herself as
an "ambassador" for Plum Island.
With a new direcwr in place and
PIA DC's serious labor disputes settled, the
time was right for Councilwoman/Justice
Louisa Evans and Sourhold Town Supervi-
sor Josh Honon w call various Sourhold
officials last fall, to give the Conservancy
off-Island legitimacy.
It was then up w FIC Board member
Katie Carpenter, the Conservancy's repre-
sentative to PICE w make the case for Fish-
ers Island in a brief telephone inrerview last
November with Dr. Lautner.
"I tried ro summarize Fishers Island's
concerns, some of which were raised at the
panel discussion held a'i part of the Conser-
vancy's 2004 Nature Days environmental
awareness week," Ms. Carpenter said. "I
rold Dr. Lautner [hat Island residents were
worried [hat waste products could leave
PIADC without treatment and that security
was lax. She was very attentive w our issues
and, after further conversation, invited me
to attend the November PICF meeting on
Plum Island.
"At the meeting, we were assured that
the pumps don't work if the power goes
our-so the chances of untreated waste
leaving the island are slim-and there is
now a back-up waste treatment facility and
a back-up power plant. We were also wid
that security had been dramatically tight-
ened, and PIA DC would soon be ready to
Co1ltinui'd on pdgi' 38
. Plum Island is an 840-acre island about eight miles southeast of Fishers Island and about 1.5
miles northeast of Orient Point.The Plum Island Animal Disease Center researches animal dis-
eases that could enter this country from abroad and is the only U.S. facility where scientists are
allowed to work with live foot-and-mouth disease virus.
An Ex<<:ursion 10 Plu... Island
Fishers Island Conservancy Board mem-
ber Katie Carpenter rook the ferry ro
Plum Island Nov. 16, 2004 for a meeting
with top officials of the Plum Island Animal
Disease Center (PIA DC) and a special tour
of the island's water purification system and
other environmental projects.
Plum Island's current efforts at com-
munity outreach are a far cry from the
shroud of secrecy and rare press visits of pre-
vious years. November's meeting was Facili-
tated by the Plum Island Community Fo-
rum (PICF) and included PICF members:
officials from Connecticut, Sourhold and
Eastern Long Island; a visiting official from
the Depr. of Homeland Security (DHS):
and a representative from Congressman
Tim Bishop's office.
"We took the mid-day ferry and spent
about four hours on Plum Island," said Ms.
Carpenter, the Fishers Island Conservancy's
representative to PCIF. "I had a background
check the week before-birth date and 50-
Cvmil1ltrd on p((gr 39
12 Fi!)hers Ida"d Gazette' Slimmer 21HJ5
"
IF You ARE CONSIDERING...
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Post Office Box 421, M)"ic Connecticut 06355
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Order Stamps from the
Fishers Island Post Office!!
Order Form (please print)
Complete form and mail with check or money order payable to "Post~
master" to Fishers Island Post Office, Fishers Island NY 06390. Please
do not send cash.
Daytime phone number with area code (
Last name
First Initial_Middle Initial_
StreeVPO Box
ApVSte
City
State_Zip+4
Item
Price
Oty.
Cost
Roll of 37< stampsll001 537.00
Booklet of 37ft stamps (20) $ 7.40
Roll of 23~ stamps 11001 $23.00
Booklet of 23ft stamps (20) 5 4.60
Total
5
Thank you for supporting the Fishers Island Post Officel
Other items available upon request. Orders of S200 or more will be
sent by certified mail and must be signed for upon delivery.
Order form courtesy of the Fishers Island Civic Association
L__________________~
Fine Handcrafted Furniture
18th century heirloonl reproductions wstonl-designed
and crafted with techniques used by Coloni"l craftsmen.
Photos or book il/ustrations nI"y be used "5 references
for design.
New for 2005:
"The Fishers Island Table"
Custom-made tilt-top table with
"Fishers Island" inlay
Call for further information
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Cabinet/Chairmaker
44 Wyassup Road
North Stonington CT
860_535.3437
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lWa[j.h rfJa'tk !Bwwo[wt CO'r
Slimmer 2()()5. Fi.~lter.~ 1.~/al/(l Ga:.elle J 3
Gra<:e PoUer and Il.e No<:lurnals on Il.e Rise
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It wasn't long ago that Grace Poner and
the Nocturnals were playing gigs on
Fishers Island-at The Pequot and at a
family concert on the Village Green. Today
the four musicians are fielding offers from
major recording labels, playing ro sold~out
audiences and garnering high praise for
their soulful bluesy sound.
One of the Nocturnals is Mart Burr,
who grew up summering on Fishers Island.
Man, 25, a drummer, and Grace, 22, a sing-
er songwriter, have been together musically
and personally since 2002 when they were
students at St. Lawrence University in Can~
ron. Man first heard Grace sing at an open
mike night at school.
The group now has a differem guirar-
ist and bassist from the early days when the
Nocturnals took their name from practice
sessions that ran until 3 a.m. Bur along the
way, each member's music-Celtic, soul,
rock, blues, classical-played a part as they
worked to bridge the gap between their early
mellow, jazzy style, to a more upbear, funk
and soul-charged repertoire.
With a voice already compared to art-
ists such as Bonnie Raitt, Arerha Franklin,
Norah Jones and Janis Joplin, Gracc has
surprised critics with the depth of her ex-
pression for someone so young. "Consider~
ing rhc earthy, knowing way Potter sings of
jilted love and jealousy, it's hard to believe
she's only 21," wrorc Brent Hallenbeck in
a January feature in the Burlington Free
Press.
"The band's sound echoes music rhat's
older than the band members themselves.
They're inAuenced by musicians that came
of age in the 19605 and '70s, from the Roll-
ing Stoncs to ].]. Calc, The Band to Bon-
nie Rain, Otis Redding to Linle Fear, Dire
Srraits to Talking Heads."
The group has recorded two CDs, Orig-
innl Soul in 2004, for which Grace wrote all
of the songs, and this spring, Nothing But
the Water, which features Gracc's songs as
well as other musical compositions by the
entire band.
"I am proud rhat in a time ofboundlcss
possibilities in music technology, some of
rhe freshesr music our there is still 30 years
old; simple and rimeless," Grace said.
"When I write a song, I produce the
body ofir, bur rhe band is posirively insrru-
menral bringing it to fruition. This is nor
Cominued on ptlge 43
'l.
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. (top) Grace Potter and the Nocturnals (I-r) ScottTournet, Grace Potter, Bryan Dondero and
Matt "Cado" Burr. . (bottom) The band's latest CD, Nothing But the Water, was released this
spring.
14 Fi,\'''en hlmul Gazette.Summer 2005
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187 Williams Street
New London, Conn.
Weekly Island Service-Island Appointments Available
New York & Connecticut Licenses Held
WLal's in a Na.ue 1 FisLers Island's Roads
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Residents have come to accept the
rariey of street signs-and street
names-on Fishers Island. em-
bracing the civic anomaly as an endearing
quirk.
Quietly, however, things have changed.
West End street signs. which began appear-
ing a few years ago, are actually replacements
for previous markers that had deteriorated.
disappeared or been knocked down over
rime. Fishers Island tax maps for years have
provided West End street names, which in
a few cases are different from names known
on the Island. Bur no one seems to mind.
h would be roo expensive to replace
or repair the old signs, which have letters
stamped into steel. The new signs are made
with adhesive letters.
In a parallel but more far-reaching
event, rhe telephone company and fire de-
partmenr combined forces a number of
years ago to name every road on Fishers Is-
land. Alan Thibodeau, former co~manager
of the Fishers Island Telephone Co. and
Wayne Doucette, former chief of the Fishers
Island Fire Dept., took on the project.
"Since 1995, Fishers Island has had en-
hanced 911," Mr. Thibodeau said. "When
someone 011 the Island dials 911, the call
is answered in Southold, and a street name
and number must show up on the screen for
every call that comes in.
"People here know the history of things,
but it doesn't work in Southold to say there
is an emergency at the Ridgway stable, for
example. "
All but three streets on the West End
had names. One new name of a street,
which runs along Building #98, is Hound
Lane, so named for its proximity to Pox
Lane. Many West End street names date
to the late 1870s, when the area was first
carved inro lots with streets for develop-
menr as a resort. Early names include The
Gloaming, Crescenr, Equestrian, Halcyon,
Oriental and Heathulie.
"East End roads had no names at all, so
we used landmarks like the castle for Castle
Road and the rocks where seals gather, for
nearby Seal Place," Mr. Thibodeau said.
"Numbering was a challenge. however, be-
cause there are unused building lots. We
had to be prepared for additional hOllses on
a road, so we did it by the number of feet
from the nearest intersecting road. As a re-
sult, the gatehouse is 1 East Main Rd., and
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Slimmer lOOS. Pi."hen Is/alld Ga:;ette J 5
the Winthrop house, owned by the Spof-
fords, is 26.400 East Main Rd."
Bob Wall, president of [he Fishers Is-
land Utility Co., said that Mr. Doucette,
who measured the roads, had an good plan.
"While someone else drove the car, Wayne
stuck his hand out the passenger window
holding the rolling measure as the car
moved along.
"For years, it was always, 'Bob Wall's
house on Alpine Ave.' Now, it's '1150 Al-
pine Ave.''' The Suffolk County Board of
elections officially adopted all of the street
names three to four years ago.
West End Street Names:
Airport Dr..Alpine Ave.,Ark Hill,Arrowhead Dr.,Athol-CrescentAve.,Ave. B, Beach
Ave.. Bell Hill Ave., Central Ave., Crescent Ave., Equestrian Ave., Ettrick Ave.. Fox
Ave.. Fox Ln..The Gloaming, Gloaming Extension, Green Wood Rd., Heathulie Ave.,
Hedge St.. Hound Ln..Jay Rd., Lower Shingle Hill Rd., Madeline Ave.. Mansion House
Dr.. Mosquito Hollow, Montauk Ave., Munnatawket Ave.. North Hill Rd, Oceanic
Ave., Ocean View Ave., Oriental Ave., Peninsula Rd., Peter's Way, Pyle Rd.. Reservoir
Rd., Town Rd., Trumbull Dr., Upper Shingle Hill Rd., West St., Whistler Ave., Wilder-
ness Point, Wilderness Rd., Winthrop Dr.
East End Street Names:
Barlow Pond Ln., Brickyard Rd.. Brooks Point Rd., Buckner Dr., Castle Rd.. Cedar
Ridge Rd., Chocomount Beach Dr., Clay Point Rd., East Harbor Dr., East Main Rd..
Firestone Dr.. Hungry Point, Isabella Beach Rd., Middle Farm Pond, Old Mallory Rd..
Old Well Dr.. Pheasant Dr.. Seal PI., Spofford Dr., Top of the World, Treasure Pond
Rd. ,Windshield Dr.
Old steel-stamped
street signs
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street signs
J 6 Pi.~hers blalld Gazette 'Sllmmer 2005
FIDCO
Fishers Islaml Development Corporation
FIDCO requests all drivers to observe posted
speed limits. Violators may lose driving privileges.
This is for the safety of us all.
FIDCO
Fishers Island Development Corporatioll
FIDCO is proud to have supported the Land
Trust of the Henry L. Ferguson Museum in 2004
anu encourages others to uo so, by means of gifts
of financial assets, as well as gifts of property.
e~c; Island lit:"
",~ /6"
~ F.!. ELectric ~
F.!. TeLephone
F.I. Water Works
^'- ~.~.(-r
FISHE~~S~~CIVIC f,\~OCIATION
~o~64, f,iS~nd NY 06390
Tel &~Ftx . 631-788-7990
email: mharr@fishersisland.net
website: www.fishersisland.net
Heather Burnham" President
Jack Hesse. Vice President
Laurie Finan. Treasurer
Meredith Harr. Secretary
Board Members
Rosemary Baue, Heather Burnham
Laurie Finan, Jack Hesse
Speedy Mettler, Kate Reid, Peter Rugg
Penni Sharp, Janio Spinola, Art Walsh
Louisa Evans, Ex officio
The Fishers Island Civic Association promotes the eco-
nomic, civic and social welfare of the people of Fishers
Island through its initiatives, meetings and publications.
Summer 2005. Fisher." blalld Ga:.elte J 7
Fishers Needs On-Island Postal E...ployees
I
Fishers Island has a potential prob-
lem: no year-round residents appear
to be interested in taking the civil
service exam that would qualifY them to
work at the pOSt office.
This means that the pOSt office might
have ro close early or otherwise reduce its
hours if there is no one from the Island who
can step in when needed.
This new wrinkle came to liglH when
the regional pOSt office in Hartford "bor-
rowed" Postmaster Gail Utterback-Mills
four days a week from February 18 through
May 31 to supervise the Ledyard, Conn.
pOSt office. That left the Island's only quali-
fied postal worker, Allison Brown, alone in
the Fishers Island office.
"I work six days a week and love every
single thing about this job!" said Allison,
who was hired part-time but gOt plenty of
experience in her temporary fulltime posi-
tion. Unforrunarely, Allison had to close the
office early one day in March ro attend an
off-Island funeral. The pOSt office remained
open rhe next day, which coincided wirh
Gail's one day a week on rhe Island.
Gail also loves her job on Fishers Island
and was surprised by the Ledyard assign-
ment. Since the pOSt office sent her for exrra
rraining, however, it is nor unlikely rhar she
will have future temporary assignments or
possibly a permanent transfer.
Fishers Island doesn't qualify for a rhird
posraJ employee bur can hire a temporary
worker, called a "casual", bur, again, no Is-
land resident is qualified. Gail called every-
one who had applied for Allison's posirion,
ro see if they would take rhe civil service
exam, bur they all had jobs, for more money
and more hours.
''I'll give you an example of the dif-
ficulty of hiring off-Island postal employ-
ees," said Gail, who will be completing her
second year as Fishers Island postmaster in
July. "By August of my first year, I was so
overwhelmed at the posr office that it began
affecting my work. I needed help, quickly.
It came our of my budget, bur the Hartford
office approved my request.
''A young woman was assigned from
rhe Groton, Conn. office and was paid for
an eight-hour day. In reality, she worked
here only follt hours a day. She spent the
other four hours getting from Groton to the
ferry and back."
"If I am transferred, there is no way to
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tell if they would promote Allison to POSt-
master, or if they would bring someone in
from the outside. Either way, Allison still
needs time off," said Gail, a pan-time postal
clerk for 21 years before she replaced long-
rime postmaster, Mary Strunk.
"The hiring freeze at the post office
has been lifted. If people would JUSt take
the exam, they could decide down the line
if they wanted to work for the post office.
Eligibility lasts for two years afrer taking
the test."
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. Allison Brown loves people and loves her job at the Fishers Island Post Office, but she and
Postmaster Gail Utterback-Mills need another qualified on-Island postal employee to maintain
regular hours year-round. Before taking the civil service exam, Allison worked at the grocery
store for eight years and also babysat.
To the Fishers Island Community:
Thank you for purchasing stamps by mail. During the holiday season, our post
office saw a dramatic increase in revenue due to your support. That revenue helps
to convince the main office that we still need two people working at the Fishers
Island Post Office.
Ordering stamps by mail is easy. Forms are available at the post office and in
The Fog Horn and the Gazette. Send a check for the exact amount. and please in-
clude your drivers license number. (The post office requires a valid drivers license
for checks.We cannot accept checks without it.) When we receive your check, your
stamps will be mailed immediately. Unfortunately, we cannot accept credit cards.
May and June are breast cancer awareness months. When you purchase a sheet
of Breast Cancer Research stamps, you are taking an active role in restoring hope in
our hearts, home. communities, and ultimately the nation. One hundred percent of
the net proceeds above the cost of postage goes to breast cancer research.
Please consider buying and donating a first class phone card so our troops can
call home.All donated cards will be distributed to military personnel overseas.
Please stop in and let us know how we can help you with your mailing needs.
Once again we appreciate your support.
Sincerely.
Gail Utterback-Mills
Allison Brown
18 Fishers Island Gazelte-.')'lImmer 2005
Martha P. Harrington
Martha Pugh Harrington of Wilm-
ington, Del., died March 11 at Stonegates
healrhcare facility in Greenville, Del. She
was 79.
Mrs. Harrington, known for her wit
and humor, met her nJture husband George
Harrington on the Mystic Isle ferry one week-
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MARTHA p, HARRINGTON
end in 1949 as she traveled to meet friends
on Fishers. The Harringtons married in
1950 and spent every summer thereafter on
Fishers Island. Mr. Harrington's family first
came to Fishers in 1928, when they rented
cottage 5 on Shingle Hill. The following
year, they built a home on Clay Point.
Martha and George Harrington were
married for 54 companionable years. As. a
measure of her devotion, Mrs. Harrington
steeled herself for rigorous family travels
to "wilderness" destinations such as Alaska
and Africa, when she would have preferred
5th Ave.
To her daughter and three sons, she
provided love, care and security. From their
earliest moments, the children never doubt-
ed her devotion as she waited unfailingly at
Tower Hill School's curbside pickup, or as
she welcomed myriad guests, offering din-
ner and hospitality. Her houses, both in
Delaware and on Clay Point, were wonder-
fully "zoo-er" spars, filled with food and
dogs and her children's friends.
Born in 1925 in Galveston, Tex., to Jes-
sie Crocker and Chauncey Ezra Pugh, Mrs.
Harrington was proud of her Texas origins.
In grade school she moved West with her
family. Her new mailing address, Blackdog
Township, Osage County, Tulsa, Okla. v-.ras
something of a misnomer. Martha Har-
rington was no prairie girl.
In her teens, Mrs. Harrington's fam-
ily moved to New York State. She lived in
Chatham and Spencertown before settling
in Manhattan. There she completed Kath-
erine Gibbs School and worked for Young
and Rubicon and The New Yorker.
Mrs. Harrington's friendships spanned
decades. At her March 15 funeral at Christ
Church in Greenville, Del., many in at-
tendance had shared adventures and laughs
with her for close to 60 years.
On Fishers Island, Mrs. Harrington
Barry Rosenberg, 64
Barry Rosenberg of New York City
died of cancer Jan. 12. He was 64.
Mr. Rosenberg and his wife, Madge,
had been together 40 years. She shated
memories with the Gazette:
"The best of times for Barry were al-
ways on or beside the water. He graduated
from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
in 1963 and was a 1'1 engineer on tankers
carrying grain through the Suez Canal and
Persian Gulf oil around the Cape of Good
Hope. He also owned a small tanker that
brought vegetable waste for feed to Central
America.
"Barry enjoyed biking down the Hud-
son River path in New York City and va-
cationing on West Harbor, surrounded by
his extended family. He often sailed across
Fishers Island Sound in The ArtfUl Dodger, a
Rhodes 19 sailboat that he owned with his
friend Alan Esenlohr.
"We first came to Fishers Island 34
years ago, when we saw the Island on a map.
We thought we had discovered it, not know-
ing that a few people had arrived before us!
For 25 wonderful summers, Barry and our
son Peter had been rebuilding our cottage
on the point where West Harbor [Urns the
corner into Pirates Cove.
"Barry was born in Hartford, Conn. He
came to New York to earn a graduate degree
in engineering from Columbia University
and never left. He loved the City and his
neighborhood and helped the Upper West
Side grow prosperous yet remain livable. He
formed a group of almost 100 tenants that
was often referred to as "Old Aunt Manha,"
a name given because of her dignified ap-
pearance and her tendency to instruct and
guide children not her own. To those who
knew her well, however, Mrs. Harrington
was anything but old. Her youthful spirir
and deep love of family and friends will long
be remembered.
Mrs. Harrington is survived by her
husband, George Harrington; three sons,
Teddy, Keith and David; a daughter, Ellen
Campbell; and ten gtandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be sent
to Christiana Care Health Services, PO Box
6001. Newark DE 19718.
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bought and restored its own 13-story build-
ing and tllrned it into a co-op.
"As a member of Community Board 7,
a link between the community, city agencies
and elected officials, he fought for afford-
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BARRY ROSENBERG
able housing and for the completion of the
Miller Highway along the Hudson River.
He made an unsuccessful run for a Congres-
sional nomination in 2002.
"His greatest joy, however, carne from
helping people help themselves, by encour-
aging them to explore new careers or return
to school, or by introducing people to each
other for their mutual benefit.
"After Columbia, Barry managed the
construction of the New York Daily News
C01lfirllll'd on pagl' /9
Ellmore C. Patterson
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EIImore "Pat" Patterson of Locust Val-
ley died Nov. 5, 2004 at home, a few weeks
shy of his 91" birthday.
Mr. Patterson was an uncommonly gre-
gariolls man who delighted in the company
of people of every age and station. He rose
from modest origins in Western Springs,
III. to become chairman and CEO of J.P.
Morgan & Co. and its subsidiary, Morgan
Guaranty Trust Co.
When New York City faced looming
bankruptcy in the mid-1970s, Mr. Parrer-
son chaired a committee of prominent fi-
nanciers who worked with municipal, state
and federal officials to steer the city through
its fiscal crisis. Mr. Patterson stressed that
the role of the banking industry was not
to bailout the city through loans, as it had
during the Great Depression, but rather to
aarac! investors. Against the odds, as some
thought, this was in the end accomplished.
Mr. Patterson graduated from the Uni-
versity of Chicago in 1935 and joined J.P.
Morgan the same year. He had been an AIl-
American cemer, defensive linebacker and
captain of the university's Big Ten football
team. During World War II, he was captain
of a U.S. Navy ship in the Pacific. Except
for his naval service, Mr. Patterson remained
with J.P. Morgan for the rest of his career.
He was chairman and CEO of the company
from 1971 ro 1978.
Mr. Patterson served on the boards
,
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Barry Rosenberg
Comirmrd from pag" 18
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color printing plant, which he later di~
reered. He went on to the R. R. Donnelley
company to create and then become vice
president of the Newspaper Printing Devel-
opment Division.
"Barry left big business for very a small
business in our Upper West side neighbor~
hood, managing Sourine Bakery, which we
own. His warmth, memorable smile and
genuine interest in people attracted as many
customers as did our famous croissants."
Mr. Rosenberg is survived by his wife
Madge; two daughters, Lili and Joanna; a
son, Peter and daughter-in~law, Anne; a
grandson, Marc; and three older brothers,
Allan, Cy, and Jack.
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ELLMORE C. PATTERSON
of some of America's largest corporations.
He was treasurer of New York's Memorial
Hospital and was a trustee of both the Uni~
versiry of Chicago and M.I.T.
Mr. Patterson married Anne Hyde
Choare in 1940, and in the early 19505, the
family rented the Sinclair hOllse on Fishers
Island. Thus began Mr. Patterson's affilia-
Summer 2005. Fidll>rs l.~fal/d Gazelle 19
tion with the Island, where he enjoyed at
least three of the great pleasures of his life:
boating, golf and family. A family member
offered the following reminiscence:
"Though never on a grand scale, he
was a committed yachtsman, progressing by
stages from smaller craft to the 23-fr. Circe,
a twin inboard-outboard capable of-and
regularly, zealously pushed to--26 knots. It
seemed a lor at the time. His crew of five
sons well remember the relentless drill of
keeping Circe in immaculate good order.
"Golf was a passion. He loved the
game, especially for the opportunities it af-
forded for friendly competition. It can't have
been for the naturalness of his swing. A
wrenching thing to watch, some said it was
part of the competitive gambit. He com-
peted in many tournaments and could nor
play even a ca.mal nine witham there being
a stake in it.
"Most importantly, Fishers was a place
of many. many friends and the joys of fam-
ily. When fully gathered on the Island in lat-
er years, as they regularly were, that family
was 31 strong, spanning four generations.
They are all Fishers Islanders, to one degree
or another, and when summer comes, will
always think of him as one."
Mr. Patterson is survived by his wife,
Anne; five sons, Michael, of New York City;
Arthur, of San Francisco, Cal.; Robert, of
Boston, Mass.; David, of New York City;
and Thomas, ofKaronah; 15 grandchildren;
and five great~grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be sent to the
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Cemer.
The Rev. Harriet J. Ferguson, 81
The Rev. Harriet Jeffrey Ferguson. 81,
of Granite Poim. Me. died Nov. 23, 2004 at
Maine Medical Center in Portland, Me.
Miss Ferguson was a descendant of
Henry Ferguson, the brother of Edmund
and Walton Ferguson, who purchased Fish-
ers Island from the Fox family heirs in 1889.
She spent Illany summers on the Island and
rarely missed her annual visit.
Born in Schenectady, the daughter of
C. Vaughan and Harriet Rankin Ferguson,
Miss Ferguson graduated from Chatham
Hall in Virginia. attended Connecticur Col-
lege in New London, and graduated from
University of Arizona.
She had a long association with the Girl
Scouts, becoming a Girl Scour execurive in
195] and working for the organization in
California and New England over the next
25 years. At the time of her death, she was
a member of the Board of Directors of the
Kennebunk Girl Scour Council.
Miss Ferguson taught at Springfield
College and had been assistant chaplain at
the Maine Correctional Center. She had
been a deacon at a number of Episcopal
Churches in Maine, most recently at St.
Nicholas' Episcopal Church of Scarbor-
ough, Me.
Miss Ferguson is survived by a brother,
Henry Ferguson of Loudonville; and two
sisters, Jean Hadley of Schenectady. and
Sarah Ferguson of New Haven, Conn.
20 Fis"er~' Islalld Gazelle-Summer 2005
Francine J. McCance
Francine Jaques McCance of Lenox,
Mass. died Dee. 27, 2004.
Born in Paris, Mrs. McCance was mar-
ried to Tom McCance for 46 years. The two
were best friends and were rarely seen apart
FRANCINE.I. McCANCE
while on Fishers Island, where they spent
at least a part of every summer throughout
their marriage. Mr. McCance is the great-
grandson of Henry Ferguson, the brother of
Edmund and Walton Ferguson, who pur-
chased Fishers Island in 1889 from the Fox
family heirs.
Mrs. McCance was a member of the
Hay Harbor Club and a faithful addict of
its golf course. She was never without her
cherished Yorkie, Daffodil, whom she took
everywhere, including Sr. John's Church.
"Daffodil has been to the theater and
every high class restaurant," Mr. McCance
said. "Francine trained her. When Daffodil
gets into her pet carrier, she does not make
a sound."
At the Jan. 2 Service in Celebration of
the Life of Mrs. McCance in Lenox, a num-
ber of people could not understand why
Mr. McCance was holding a black bag dur-
ing the service. It was Daffodil.
"Francine did not countenance long
f.1.ces," Mr. McCance said. "She was a real
doer. Very positive, even about death. She
said life was just a pit stop on the way to
something better."
Mrs. McCance was devoted to Fishers
Island and to its inhabitants. She is remem-
bered for her spontaneity and sense of hu-
mor. A great number of the condolence let-
ters that Mr. McCance received from Island
friends made reference to Mrs. McCance's
famous impromptu role as Queen Elizabeth
II when asked to judge an Island dog show
in 1976.
"The Britannia was going to sail by
Fishers Island july 4, 1976 with the queen
aboard, so Alice McGuire organized a 'Short
Ships' costume parade at the yacht club.
The next day was the ultimate dog show,
pet show really, next (0 the post office, and
Alice enlisted Francine to judge the event.
Francine arrived, I think in Johnny Spof-
ford's English cab, dressed as the queen in
an outrageous hat and long white gloves."
Mrs. McCance was the great-grand-
daughter of Anson Burlingame, the U.S.
Minister (0 China. Her home in Lenox had
also been the home of her grandmother,
Caroline Jaques and her mother, Suzanne
V. jaques.
Mrs. McCance is survived by her hus-
band; a daughter, Suzanne McCance Hugu-
ley, married to Martin Huguley; a son, Wil-
liam McCance, married to Suzanne Biette
McCance; four grandchildren (who called
their grandmother "Mamou"), William and
Parker Huguley and Caroline and Cathe-
rine McCance; and a brother, William H.B.
jaques.
There will be a memorial service at St.
john's Church in july. Mrs. McCance will
be buried on Fishers Island.
Memorial contributions may be made
to the Lenox Library Association, 18 Main
St, Lenox, MA 01240.
Evelyn Maynard Clarke
Evelyn Maynard Clarke, horn on Fish-
ers Island during the Au epidemic of 1918,
died Dee. 21, 2004 in Silver Lake Center,
Dover, Del.
Mrs. Clarke's father, Warren Lincoln
Maynard, was one of four children, also
horn on Fishers Island. Her mother, Flor-
ence (Curtis) Clarke, died in the Au epi-
demic. Mrs. Clarke was raised on the Island
by her father's hrother Willard "Wink" May-
nard and his wife Pansy Snyder Maynard.
The family lived next to what is now
Pirate's Cove Marine, in the house cur-
rently owned by Susie and Scudder Sinclair,
who purchased it from the estate of Pansy
Maynard.
Family lore has it that lobstermen War-
ren and Wink Maynard went out in any
weather to pull pots and were the only ones
willing to haul water targets for the Army
to practice firing upon during wartime,
earning them the family moniker, "Pirates
in the Cove".
Mrs. Clarke grew up on Fishers Island.
She contracted tuberculosis as a teenager
andspenr a few years in a sanatorium in Nor-
wich, Conn. She went to business college
in Ohio and later married Herbert Clarke,
who had been stationed at Ft. Wright.
The Clarkes traveled to japan where Mrs.
Clarke gave birth to a son, Charlie and
daughter, Dorothy.
Mrs. Clarke returned to Fishers, the Is-
land she loved, to raise her children and be
close to her family. She worked at Sinclair
Pharmacal for many years and also worked
at the ferry reservation office.
Her obituary described a thoughtful
woman and a steady friend: "She was always
doing things for others, never spoke badly
of anyone and was best known for her sense
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EVELYN M. CLARKE
of humor and her excellent cooking."
She was a member of Union Chapel
and served on the Diaconate for many years.
She moved to Delaware in 1997.
Mrs. Clarke is survived by a sister and
brother-in-law, Dorothy and Louis Rotar of
Redding, Conn.; a son, Charles Clarke of
Groton, Conn.; a daughter, Dorothy Pecora
of Smyrna, Del.; twO grandchildren, Chris-
topher Pecora and Christin Harvey; and
several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be sent to
Union Chapel or to a local Alzheimer's As-
SOCIation.
Mrs. Clarke will be buried on Fishers
Island next to her parents.
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Sanford Blank
Dr. Sanford Blank of Fishers Island
died April 28 at home. just three months
after being diagnosed with pancreatic can-
cer. He was 87.
Amiable, industrious, creative, optimis-
tic, loving, humble. A gifted man of many
talents, Dr. Blank's generous spirit endeared
him to all who knew him.
Central ro
his life was a real
love affair with
his wife of 62
years, Cynthia.
The Blanks re-
tired to Fishers
Island in 1990,
moving here
from Cincinnati,
Ohio, where Dr.
Blank had prac-
ticed general and
thoracic surgery
for 45 years.
Mrs. Blank,
an anomey, orig-
inally from New
York, received a
real estate bro-
chure from Sorheby's listing a Fishers Island
property. Further investigation led to the
purchase of their retirement home on Fish-
ers Island.
Dr. Blank was born June 6, 1917,
rbe son of Abraham and Rachel Blank, of
Cleveland, Ohio. He attended Ohio Uni-
versity, and worked his way through school,
graduating Phi Beta Kappa. He received a
medical degree from the University of Cin-
cinnati Medical School in 1943, where he
was a member of the honor sociecy, Alpha
Omega Alpha. During World War II, he
served as an army surgeon.
During his career, Dr. Blank was Chief
of Surgery at The Jewish Hospital of Cin-
cinnati, and chairman of both the Surgical
Society and Ethics Committee of the Cin-
cinnati Academy of Medicine.
"Being a doctor was both a profession
and an identity for my father," said daughter
Claudia Marks. "I can't remember a rime,
day or night, when he was not available to
his patients."
In spite of being at the hospital seven
days a week, Dr. Blank found time to help
....-~
his children with schoolwork and teach
them to swim and ride bikes.
Dr. Blank was also a talented artist
and craftsman. After Mrs. Blank gave him
a lathe, he made pepper mills; after a sculpt-
ing class, he made terra cotta heads of his
family; when he discovered a nearby found-
ry, he began casting sculptures in metal.
Dr. Blank cominued his creativity on
Fishers Island, building benches from drift-
wood boards; abstract sculpture, boxes and
clock<; from plumber Emery Nemeskay's
scrap metal;
and fine fur-
niture, includ-
ing a dining
room table for
daughrer Les-
lie Tombari.
Dr. Blank
enjoyed belp-
ing others,
whether visit-
ing the sick on
Fishers Island,
assisting with
woodwork-
ing projects
or sewing up
~ick Baker Photo a eat's tail. He
especially rev-
eled in time
spent with his grandchildren. He would
spend entire afternoons in his little alumi-
num rowboat rowing grandchildren. friends
and dogs back and forth across the mouth
of the beach inlet in front of their East End
home.
At Dr. Blank's burial service, Mrs.
Blank said, "Beyond today and its profound
sorrow, I know J will find comfort in the
memory of those wonderful years I had
with him. They don't come to everyone and
to have had them was life at its very best."
Dr. Blank is survived by his wife of
62 years, Cymhia Blank; two daughrers,
Leslie Tombari of Fishers Island and Clau-
dia Marks of New York City; a son-in-law,
Paul Tombari; three grandchildren, Robert
Marks, Daniel Marks and Meris Tombari;
and a brother, Gerald Blank, of Phoenix,
Ariz.
Dr. Blank is buried on Fishers Island.
Rev. Rosemary Baue and Rabbi Aaron
Rosenberg of Temple Emanu-El in Warer-
ford, Conn. officiated at the burial service
at Union Chapel. Memorial comriburions
may be made to Union Chapel.
SANFORD BLANK
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.\'lImmer 2005. Fi.\'Jlers hlalld (;azelle 21
Edward Rokita
Edward Rokita ofColchester, Conn., a
longtime teacher and pilot, died Dee. 12.
2004 at home. He was 77.
Mr. Rokita first came to Fishers Island
as a member of the Bacon Academy High
School basketball team. His Colchesrer
school is still a perennial athletic competitor
of Fishers Island School.
From the beginning, Mr. Rokita had
an affinity for the Island. He bought prop-
erty on the East End in the 1980s and builr
a second home, after renting for a number
of summers.
Mr. Rokita taught science for 42 years
in the Glastonbury, Conn. school system.
After retiring, he loved substituting at Pish-
ers Island School. He was also senior class
advisor one year and arranged the srudelH
trip to France and England.
A man of many interests, Mr. Rokira
enjoyed boating, photography and lighr
plane flying. He had been an EMT on Fish-
ers Island and also chair of the Island chap-
ter of Ducks Unlimired.
Mr. Rokira was born April 27, 1927
in New York, the son of Theresa "Tessie"
Dickey Rokita of Colchesrer and the late
Valentine Rokita.
A graduate of Bacon Academy and
Central Connecticut University, Mr. Rokita
earned a masters degree from the University
ofConnecricur. He was a veteran of\VWII,
serving in the U.S. Navy.
Mr. Rokita was past vice president and
trea.<;urer of the Colchester Fish and Game
Club, secretary of the Colchester Board of
Education and a member of rhe Colches-
ter Planning and Zoning Committee. He
coached for the Colchester Little League,
served on the Colchesrer Library building
commirtee and had been a postal worker
for the Colchester POSt Office.
Mr. Rokita is survived by his wife,
AJix Polakevich Rokita of Colchestcr and
his mother; two daughters, Linda Savoie
of Montville, Conn. and Terri Chemeryn.
ski of Colchester; a sister, Julia Ruszab of
Colchester; six grandchildren; and several
nieces and nephews.
Contributions in Mr. Rokita's memory
may be sent ro Edward Rokira Scholarship
Fund, c/o Bacon Academy. Norwich Ave.
Colchesrer CT 06415.
~
22 Fisher,\' hlalld Gazelle. Slimmer 2005
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Slimmer 2005. Fishers Idalld Gazette 23
rn~st:fc IsLe ReaLt:~ foc,
.J=fsneRs Island, n,'JJ. 06390 631.788'7882
p
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,,-
--~...
0,
, .
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I
Sun-filled house with strong water views overlooking 6th hole of Fishers Island Club golf course and EI. Sound. Fully winterized
house has 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, large living/dining area and separate srudy, laundry room and full basement. Main Aoor has fireplaces
in living room and master bedroom, both of which open onto extensive outside deck through generous sliding glass doors. Taxes
approx, $6.500, Asking price $1.500,000,
I
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Located in a very private area of the East End, this dramatic multi-level contemporary includes large living/dining area and 4
bedrooms, each with its own marble-fitted bath. A 60-ft. indoor lap pool and separate salina are part of the attached solarium that
boasts 20-fr. ceilings. Situated on approx. 2.5 acres overlooking Barleyfield Pond, with some grand views of the Island. The fully winterized
house is olTered partially furnished at $t,400,000, Taxes approx. $10,000.
BAGLEY REID Broker . SUE HORNSalesperson. JIM REID Salesperson . www.mysticislerealty.com
I
24 Fi.~"f'rs l~'fand GuzeJle.Summer 2005
rnd's"tfc IsLe ReaLLd' foc,
.J=fsneRS ISlaod, 0,(1. 06390 631--788--7882
=t\.
,1'
New
Listing
,.....
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Charming shingled 1890s cottage with views of the mouth of West Harbor is being torally rebuilt keeping the early architectural
features where appropriate. Main Aoor has open living room/kitchen area w/fireplace, full bath and large French doors opening to
extensive Brazilian teak decks with water views. Second HOOf has 2 bedrms with high ceilings, full bath and French doors opening to
decks. Walk-out basement could be expanded. The current building envelope provides room for an addition. Everything is new: struc-
rural beams, roof, shingle siding, insulation, windows, wiring, plumbing, hot water heating system, brick chimney, indoor oil tank, and
septic system. First-ratc matcrials and quality construction duoughour. With a strong watcr view and a vcry convenient cozy loca[ion,
this house on The Gloaming should be ready for occupancy by mid-summer. Offered at $695,000.
~
;, ~.'~ ~'G:'~" II ,'. ~
,'liE! . . ,'tf.1
.>l.YlfiiL:'; ,~~:;.~j.fu.~_,,_
This stylish new house sits on approx. 3.7 acres of North Hill property with strong views of Fishers Island Sound and the Race. h
includes 3-4 bedrooms, 4 baths, vaulted ceilings, wood Roars and fine cabinc[ry throughout. Large living room has fireplace, audio sys-
tcm, ceiling f..1ns. and lots of French doors opening to outside decks. There is a grand screened parched opening off the living room with
built-in banquc[(es, an outsidc fireplace and extraordinary water views. Porch has easy access to grass courtyard and heated swimming
pool. Inviting dining room adjoins state-of-the-art ki[chcn. Oversized master bedroom has fireplace and dressing room/bath area, and
views of dle Race. There are two additional good-sized bedrooms with baths, as well as a delightful bedroom/den area off kitchen, also
with a bath. To be sold partially furnished. Asking $2,950,000, Taxes $11,500.
BAGLEY REID Broker . SUE HORN Salesperson . JIM REID Salesperson . www.mysticislerealty.com
~
Summer 1()(J5 .F;s"er,~ Island Gazelle 25
rn~st:fc IsLe r<eaLL;Y foc,
.J=isbeRS Islaod, o.(i. 06390 631"'788--7882
I
This well-designed and beautifully constructed new home is located on approximately 3 waterfront acres overlooking Fishers
Island Sound. There are grand interior enrertaining spaces complete with a massive beach rock double fireplace. architectural antique
finings, custom moldings, custom cabinetry and paneling throughom. At present. there are 4 bedrooms and 5 full baths and the
potential for future expansion on the third floor level.
The first Aoor layout includes a paneled mahogany library and a multi-season porch. Decks of Brazilian teak open ofT the first and
second Aoors. Numerous amenities include a 5-zone hydro heating/air-conditioning system and 400 amp electrical service, wiring for
computer/phone/stereo system and weather station. High quality appliances and fixcures were used duoughouc the home. The full
basemem is complete with windows, high ceilings. full bath, extra laundry room and room for playroom and additional usage. There
is also a generous anached heated garage and fenced yard. Considering the location, property and high quality of construction, this
very comfortable 4600+square foot dwelling is a good value at $3,000,000.
.f.,
iil. I.)
II 1
26 Fishers Islalld Gazette-Summer 2005
leD Dra~s In<<:reasing Island Interest
J udi & Celeste Caracausa
- Brokers -
860,572,1155
at Mystic River Park
28 Cottrell Sr., Historic Downtown Mystic
www.marketrealtyllc.com
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Immaculate Contemporary on Cedar Road.
Wat~r Views & Direct Water Access!! Enjoy up
to a 20' boat at yollt shored dock. Built in 1980,
this 2,375 S/F home has 4BR/3BA on .31 Actes.
Ideal Ye:u Round Home or Vacation Home.
Vaulted Ceilings ... Lots of Glass...Suntoom with
Hot Tub, Living room with Fireplace. Wood
Floors, 12'x35' Deck and Manicuted Gatdens.
Come see it today! Call )udi Catacausa at
Matket Realty, LLC for a ptivate showing.
860-912-9903 or 860-572- 1155.
Offered at $859,900
The Island Community Boatd
(ICB) is slowly gaining a foot-
hold on Fishers Island. Monthly
public meetings have outgrown the Vil-
lage Office in the utility company build-
ing and are now held at the firehouse.
Currently a subcommittee of the
Fishers Island Civic Association (FICA).
ICB hopes to become the ptimaty proac-
tive and representative community board
on the Island.
Nominating petitions were circulat-
ed this spting to fill the thtee yeat-round
and thtee seasonal spots on the boatd. By
mid-May, petitions had been submitted
for five year-round and eight seasonal
candidates. Voting was ro be by mail-in
ballots. due Fti. June 17 and on-Island
vnting at the fitehouse Sat. June 18.
Developing in concert with ICB is
the Island Office, run by Island Fellow
Mere Harr, from Maine's Island Insti-
tute. Mere will continue in this position
through 2006. She is a community and
regional planner, who has been working
6/r)
MARKET
REALTY, LLC
to develop an informational nerve center
fat Fishets Island.
One of her more overt accomplish-
ments is The Fog Horn, a popular month-
ly newslettet [see stoty on page 2J. Mete.
along with ICB, is trying to make it easier
for residents to ask questions and obtain
information.
"J'm particularly happy that a num-
ber of year-round residents have joined
FICA for the first time," Mere said. "Our
winter and spring meetings have had
20-30 people attending, which is a high
percentage for a year-round population
of270.
"Also, people are beginning to come
to this office and to ICB with questions
and concerns. For example, JCB received
a letter this spring about the ferry dis-
trict's lack of handicapped parking. its
limited round-ttip medical policy, and
the necessity of having to go up stairs to
purchase tickets.
"When the ICB Board is in place,
Chip duPont will be there representing
the ferry, and he will hear immediately
about concerns such as these."
Topics of discussion at recent ICB
meetings include the increased tax levy
by the Garbage District, increased cost
for ferry freighr, the affect of Peapod@
grocery deliveries on Bill Bloethe's gro-
cery store, skepticism about Fishers Is-
land emergency evacuation plan, and the
Island's desire for a year-round resident
State trooper.
The May issue of The Fog Horn list-
ed ICB's four-ro-six month goals. which
include the ttansition of FICA into ICB,
coordination of Island voluntccr orga-
nizations, follow-up on Fishers Island's
connection to Southold's Zoning Board
of Appeals. clarification of Southold tax
issues, improving the Island's evacuarion
plan, and support for the Building #98
Community Center and campus plan.
~
Summer 2fJfJ5. Fi,\her.~ hlalld Gautte 27
I
Community Center
COlltinu~d from pdg~ 7
thaw cycle. Somhold, would rather move
the courtS than continue with repairs, said
Councilwoman/Justice Louisa Evans.
Building #98 is one of three long rec-
tangular brick struCtures west of Silver Eel
Pond, which were all originally part of Fr.
Wright. A 1948 map of rhe fort indicates
#98 was used as a commissary. In 1949. the
army shuttered the building and placed it
on "inactive status pending further study
for other uses." The army decided there was
no further need for the property in 1950
and sold ir in 1958.
The !5,500-sq.-fr. two-story building,
described by CME engineers as "in good to
fair condition" is approximately 40' wide by
194' long. It stands next to a smaller brick
structure, owned by Mrs. Donald L. Cleve-
land, which in turn is situated next to the
first brick building, which houses the ferry
district's freight office and contractor Har-
old Cook's office.
The CC committee: Chair Judi Im-
briglio, Co.chair Karla Heath, Grace Burr,
Gail Cyphetd, Mete Hart, Sara McLean,
Sarah Moody, Jeanne Schultz, John Spof-
tord and Charlie Stepanek.
.
. Fishers Island School students (I-r) Austin King (2nd grade). Craig Mrowka (Pre-K), Shelby
Lusker (2nd grade) and Tyler King (kindergarten) sing, "It's A Grand Old Flag" at the school's
spring concert.
-=---
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At Lawrence & Memorial, we offer all
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health care provider, and more. In fact,
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THE REGION'S PREMIER HEALTH (ARE AND WELLNESS PROVIDER
28 Pid,ers I.~la"d Gazette .Summer 1005
. Fishers Island School Spanish teacher Jessica Maxan, pictured with Camilla Spinola at com-
puter, this year developed a pilot program for her advanced students. With PTO help, Ms. Maxan
purchased 10 web cams. Five were installed in the school's computer lab, and five were sent to
La Escuela Preparatoria in Texcoco, Mexico. Seniors Robert Blair, Nick Banas and Mason Horn,
and juniors Camilla Spinola and Zoey Feinstein communicated twice a week for four weeks via
Internet with their Mexican counterparts and later wrote reports about it. The students could see
one another as they sent text messages about likes, dislikes, classes, hobbies, family, music, etc.
o
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. Truck carrying 18 beehives prepares to
leave the Fishers Island ferry in New London.
Connecticut bees had a tough winter, so Conn.
beekeeper Vincent Kay, who owns hives on
Fishers with summer resident Penni Sharp,
temporarily moved the bees off-Island in
April to pollinate orchards in southwestern
Conn. Mr. Kay rents bees to orchards, because
parasitic mites have infested hives and have
sharply reduced the number of available bees
for natural pollination.
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Slimmer 1005. Fishers J~'1a"d Gazette 29
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. No. 110 Service Station and No.7 Ice House are across the street from what is now Dock Beach. This picture will be on display this summer at
H.L. Ferguson Museum's special exhibit, "Vital Services", a chronicle of the Island's infrastructure and emergency services. The exhibit has been
curated by Pierce Rafferty, museum director. The opening reception will be Fri.,July 1,5-7 p.m. All are welcome.
.
"'~~~.A!...
'l I
.
Visit us at our newest location
Captain Scotts Restaurant & Marina
80 Hamilton Street. New London, CT
860.447.8865 . fax 860.447.8093~
p
ortheast
Ya.cht Safes
~'
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;p
.
I
30 Fi.\hers Island Gazelle . Slimmer 1005
FISHERS
I S LAN D
M@bir
FULL SERVICE STATION
Official New York State
Auto Inspection Station
CARCO@ INSPECTION
Fuel Oil
Gasoline
Propane
Party Ice
Diesel
Service
When you're in trouble, who are you going to call?
E. Riley, station manager
631-788-7311 · 631-788-5543, fax. Emergency only: 788-7178
ISLAND HARDWARE
More than just locks and hinges
788-7233
SERVI:;TIIR~
~ R- -~-
\ M enJ3mm
oore ~
l.. PAINTS J
t
Slimmer ]OOS -Fishers hland Gazette 3 J
Land Trust Re~ei~es I...porlant Par~els
I
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By Robert J. Miller
Island properey owners donated signifi-
cant parcels of land to the H.L. Fer-
guson Museum Land Trust in 2004,
following up the spectacular contribmions
made by dle Fishers Island Developmem
Corp. (FIDCO) in 2003.'
Alben Gordon donated a grassy cor-
ner 10[, of approximately one acre, located
direcdy across rhe street from Our Lady of
Grace Church and west of the former Bo-
gen hOllse, now owned by the Riegels. This
properey will not be allowed to reven to its
natural stare but rather will be maintained
as a shaded lawn, a peaceful complemenr to
rhe area surrounding the church.
FIDCO donated the "forgonen" bar-
rier beach, south of both Beach and Island
Ponds and the Matey and Betey Manhiessen
Sancruaries, and west of one of the earliest
sanctuary areas, donated to the Land Trust
by Otis Pike in 1981.
While this land is unbuildable, its isola-
tion makes it one of the most significam ref-
uges for several rare or endangered species.
In recem years, least terns, piping plovers,
and harriers (marsh hawks) have nested in
this area. Unfortunately, in recent years this
expanse of sand, dune grass, rock and shrub
has also anracted ill-advised picnickers from
boats. The anchorage is poor, and the waves
shelve dangerously near shore. The mllseum
will post signs to discourage this activiey.
In a most generous expression of civic
consciousness and environmental sensitivi-
ty, Chris and Lisa Daly decided nor (Q build
on their propeny immediately east of the
Chocomoum Beach wrnoff from the main
road, and have instead decided to donare
that properey [0 rhe Land Trust. They have
purchased an existing home down- Island.
The donation of this important parcel,
in conjunction wirh donations by FIDCO
and the late Glenn "Dougie" Boocock,
means that there can never be additional
building on the approach to Chocomount
Beach. Indeed, with the exception of one
or two potemial building lots that rhe Land
Trust hopes to acquire, no additional build-
ing is now possible somh of the main road
from the Vartanian parcel on Island Pond
to the Daly/Boocock properties bordering
Chocomoum Beach road on the east.
Frank and Grace Burr have cominued
their extraordinary contributions to the Is-
Ir
I
r
.
o
<;
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~.
g'
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111,,-
. Albert H. Gordon has donated this grassy corner lot across the street from Our Lady of Grace
Church to the Land Trust. It will not be allowed to revert to its natural state but rather will
be maintained as a shaded lawn. Nearly all land Trust properties are not "public spaces"
and are normally subject to restrictions so the properties remain in their natural state as
wildlife sanctuaries.
land by placing conservation easements on
two O[herwise eminently buildable lots in
the Clay Point area. Preservation of addi-
tional open space in that area is under active
consideration, in large parr due to the Burr
donation.
Although it provides no additional
acreage, the Nature Conservancy in 2004
turned over 12.77 previously-donated acres
(0 the Land Trust, a recognition that Fish-
ers Island is the appropriate steward of its
own environmentally sensitive properey.
This land is on the rocky east end of Choc-
omount Beach and includes a wash Iridal
pond.
The Land Trust's most pressing need is
access to funds in order to take swift action
should a particularly sensitive lot come on
the market for development. To that end,
and also to identifY and work to preserve the
most sensitive areas of (he Island char remain
undeveloped, the Land Trust has formed an
ad hoc committee, which includes museum
President Penni Sharp, Arthur Kuijpers.
Chris Daly, Barry Bryan, David Strupp and
Tom duPont.
Persons considering a donation of land,
a conservation easement, or financial sup-
port for the Land Trust should contact any
member of the above ad hoc comminee.
Also, anyone interested in volunteer activi-
ties on behalf of the Land Trust (such as
maintenance of nature trails) should con-
tact museum director Pierce Rafferty, Penni
Sharp or Bob Miller.
Contributions of cash and secuntles
to the Ferguson Museum may be specifi-
cally earmarked for Land Trust activities.
The museum is particularly grateful for
important financial contributions made [0
the Land Trust in 2004 from the Marshall
Dodge Memorial Fund and the Emily Hall
Tremaine Foundation.
.
.
.
'In 2003, FIDCO donated almost 60
acres [0 the Land Trust:
- Land surrounding the existing Doyle
sanctuary, so the area north of the main road
from rhe road to Ged Parsons' house, (Q rhe
drive [0 Chip DuPont's is now protected.
-Land south of the main road roughly
opposire rhe Doyle Sanctuary (the area used
for skeet shooting).
- Lots on Island Pond somh of the Main
Road, opposite the Water Works.
- Land both north and somh of the
main road in the vicinity of Middle Farms
(driving range).
. Five building lots that form a conrigu-
ous parcel south of the main road starting at
the Rafferty hOllse drive and ending at the
Chocomount Beach road. These five lots
protect Chocomount Road to the west. The
Boocock and Daly donations protect/will
protect the entire road to the east.
Also in 2003, Tony Helfet donated six
mid-Island acres facing north.
32 Fi.~"er.\' hJotltl Gttulte.Summer 2{)05
WILLS} TRUSTS & ESTATES
Probate in Suffolk County and Nassau County
REAL ESTATE
Planning & Zoning
51020 Main Road,Southold NY 11971
~
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TOWN OF SOUTHOLO, SUFFOLK COUNTY
631-765-4330. Fax: 631-765-4643
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Site Development Plans
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Richard H. Strouse, P.E., L.S.
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Evelyn Cole Smith, Architect
110 Broadway, Norwich CT 06360
Phone: 888-291-3227 Fax: 860-886-7801
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Slimmer 2005. Fi.d,ers J.~lalld GazeUe 33
I
EMTs
Cont/mud from page 9
,
for when and how to use helicopter evacu-
ation.
"Take all of these concerns and change
the scenario to a mid-Island head-on colli-
sion between two cars. How prepared are
we for multiple patients? How good are
our rapid extrication skills? What if there is
a fire involved?
"Again, switch to a near-drowning at
Isabella. What about retrieving a patient
from the beach and practicing medical skills
that we arc rarely called upon to use. Ana-
phylactic shock brought on by <1: bee sting is
another possible scenario.
"There are also many serious decisions
to be made before we even get a call. For
example, we are accustomed to the 20-min-
ute Sea Stretcher ride to New London, where
paramedics meet the boat and are minutes
away from the hospital. But would it be
better on some occasions to have a 10-min-
ute ride to Noank where paramedics, morc
skilled than EMTs. meet the boat but have
a longer ride to the hospital?"
The EMTs are also taking a careful look
at the quality of their equipment and are se-
riously considering the purchase of an Auto-
Pulse. an automatic CPR machine. "We are
not rushing into it, though," Mrs. McLean
said. "The machine costs $12,000-$15,000,
and the newest generation will include au-
tomatic defibrillation.
"CPR is a skill that is very hard to get
exactly right. The American Red Cross is
constantly reviewing the guidelines on how
it should be taught. It is also very, very tiring
and difficult for one person, or even a team
of people, to do properly for an extended
period of time. These machines have incred-
ible results. An AutoPulse reportedly kept a
woman alive for 40 minutes!"
The EMTs generally meet oncea month
for three hours to practice a specific skill or
operation. They recently practiced using a
new state-of-the-art vital signs monitor pur-
chased for [hem by the Fishers Island Fire
Department. They also studied a new New
York State triage system that Mrs. McLean
traveled to Long Island to learn.
"The training to become an EMT is
long and arduous. at least 12 weeks-140
classroom hours, nights and weekends; lots
of reading and quizzes; and a grueling prac-
tical and written exam. It's a real bonding
experience," Mrs. Mclean said.
.
I
I
. EMT Paul Giles practices securing"patient"
Don Hall, an EMT instructor, on backboard.
"New York requIres recertification
every three years and Connecticut. every
(wo years. Instead of a crash recertification
course, however, we have ongoing educa-
tion, which requires 24 classroom hours and
48 additional hours of ongoing education in
areas including weapons of mass destruction
and geriatric emergency medicine."
In the mid~ 1990s, there were about
20 EMTs. Arter this September, when two
EMTs retire, Fishers Island will have 10.
The two retirees are Bruce Hubert, who has
served for nine years and George Horning,
who has served for over 12 years. Paul and
Carol Giles, Gail Cypherd and Jill Rogan,
EMTs since 1996, will recertifY this sum-
mer along with longtime EMT Charlie Ste-
panek. Tathiana Lema, Joe Hirschfeld, Tra-
cy Brock, Jack Raridon and Mrs. Mclean,
who all initially trained in spring 2003,
recently completed recertification in both
Conn. and N. Y.
"We will have to consider a new round
of initial training. but I doubt it would hap-
pen before early 2007." Mrs. McLean said.
"Not only is it very costly for the fire dis-
trict, bur also it doesn't make sense until we
have enough candidates who are genuinely
interested, not just in training, bur in the
ongoing commitment to the fire depart-
ment.
"In the meantime, I am confident that
we have enough manpower to get the job
done. Any additional diminution of num-
bers will obviously change things."
.....
. EMT Carol Giles practices the best tech-
nique (on EMT instructor Don Hall) (or po-
sitioning a patient's head and neck to ensure
an open airway, "the first and probably most
important thing you do when you arrive on
scene and find an unconscious patient," Sara
Mclean said.
34 Fishers 1.~lalld Gazette . Slimmer 2005
Ill)
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EMTs Sara McLean
SlImma 2()()j. Fishers hlalld Gazette 35
Comi1lul'd from page 9
.
"I went to New London a lor last sum-
mer. Twice I made rwo rollnd trips on the
same day. I was eager to have the experience
and am guessing that my willingness (0 turn
out at all hours went a long way towards
earning me the respect of the rest of the fire
department," Mrs. Mclean said. "It's prob-
ably the main reason I have this job, which,
ro be honest. I Jm thrilled about!"
Paul Giles, who had organized Mrs.
McLean's trainee class, nominated her for
the EMT coordinator position while she
was Ollt of the emmrry.
"I had no idea about j[. The next thing
I knew, rhe fire department held an election
in December 2004, and I was inducted as
captain and given a gold badge at the an-
nual FIFD dinner in January. It was quite
an honor,"
FIFD Chief Bob Wall created this posi-
tion to recognize the critical role that EMTs
play in Fishers Island's emergency services.
Although Mrs. McLean is a captain, she
does not fight fires. It is her responsibility
to be present at a fire and to make sure the
EMT<; are there to protect the firefighters
ami fulfill any other required duries,
"The badge means a lot to me, because
I had to earn it, All the other EMTs have
been year-round residents for a long time. I
am sure they were suspicious of me, a sum-
mer person, suddenly arriving in their midst
and wanting to become part of their close-
knit group.
"I am particularly pleased to be able to
use my management skills as coordinator.
Most of the other EMTs have much more
medical experience. but by handling all of
the paperwork and administrative problems
fot them. I am able to make a positive con-
tribution immediately."
The EMT coordinator is in charge of
scheduling. organizing drills. overseeing re-
certification requirements and attending to
a growing mound of paper work.
"When I became an EMT two sum-
mers ago, things were kind of in disarray. All
the other EMTs have fulhime jobs, aod the
position of coordinator had become overly
burdensome." Mrs. McLean said. "Because
of the new patient confidentiality law on
top of all the new post-9111 bureaucratic
regulations, the paperwork had gotten com-
pletely out of control. We did not file pa-
tient reports in a timely manner. There are
~
also liability concerns, and issues about con-
forming [() New York State laws that must
be addressed."
Mrs. McLean, 55. the daughter of Em-
ily Ridgway. grew up spending summers at
the family home overlooking Hay Harbor.
She married Locke McLean in 1977, and
t\vo years later moved to England, where
she had two children. The McLeans always
returned to Fishers Island in August and
returned to the U.S. permanently in 2000.
Mr. McLean commutes weekly to New York
City. where he is a senior vice president at
W.E Stewart & Co.
The McLeans bought a home in Essex.
Conn. and a summer house overlooking the
Hay Harbor Club golf course. Before long.
they were spending all of their time on
Fishers-their "real home'~so they sold
the Essex house and moved to the Island
full time in 2003.
Mrs. McLean also serves on the Board
of Education, the Boards of the Fishers Is-
land Library and the Island Health Project,
and on the steering committee for the new
community center project.
o
"0
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o
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"
. April sunset over Hay Harbor. Hay Harbor Club swim dock is in foreground.
IPP Summer Schedule
June 27.July I: IPP Basketball Clinic with Dan Gillan. Ages 8-14.9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Reg-
istration forms available at EI. School or Hair of the Dog Liquors. $75 for the week.
July 3: Independence Day IPP Bike parade and fife and drum concert on the Village Green.
July 4-Aug. 12: 34th annual IPP Morning Program. Weekdays 9 a.m.-noon at EL School.
Ages 4-11. Meg Atkin, director. Email AnneBurnham.AWBurnham@aol.com. for
registration information.
Dock Beach: Lifeguard on duty weekdays, 1-5 p.m.. beginning July 4. Children under 9
years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
July 16: IPP Arts & Crafts Fair on the Village Green, 9 a.m.. I p.m. (rain date Sun. July 17).
Registration and set up 8-9 a.m. $25 for one showf$40 for two shows. $5fchildren's
table (no games, please). Call Sarah Upson at end of June for further information, 203-
938-2323 or 631-788-7386.
July 16: House & Garden Tour, noon-4 p.m. Call Kendal Gaillard. 203-834-0850 or 631-
788-7718 to volunteer. Buy tickets at the ArtsfCrafts Show or at Hair of the Dog
Liquors.
August 13: IPP Arts & Crafts Fair on the Village Green. 9 a.m.-I p.m. (rain date Sun. Aug.
14). Registration and set up 8-9 a.m. $25 for one show. $5fchildren's table (no games,
please). Call Sarah Upson at end of June for further information, 203-938-2323 or 631-
788.7386.
NOTE: Fishers Island has many talented residents, If you are willing to share a special skill.
such as painting, drama or fishing in a short IPP workshop for the children. please call
MegAtkin,788-7469.
IPP owns and maintains Dock Beach and the ball field. Please enjoy these areas responsibly.
No dogs allowed on Dock Beach. If you are interested in making a donation, please write or
call Liz Furse. Fundraising, Box 107. Fishers Island NY 06390; 631-788-7963.
36 Fishers Island Gazette.Summer ZOO.")
Z & S Contracting
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(" 1-' .Fishers Island NY 06390
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n s peGEN~~)) REPAI RS
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liyre Spnlll'~
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Motor Oil and Related Products
1I1;AC'A.
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Automatic/Watchdog Fuel Oil Service
Joe Perry, Mal/ager, 788-7755 (Emergency Only)
,
Summer 2005. Fishers Island Gazelle 37
HAROLD COOK
Owner of
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Tel:631-788-5550 Fax:631-788-5549
Cell: 860-625-0772
After hours:631-788-5546
Email: harco@lishersisland.net
NY licensed and Insured #21-947HI
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442-7132
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f'?'" ,,0 1:1~
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We Treat Y 011 Well...Every Departmellt...Every Time
38 Fi,\'/1en Islaud Gaulle . Slimmer 2005
Plum Island Invitation
Cominl/ed from pdge II
respond in full to other General Accounting
Office (GAO) recommendations."
PIADC became part of the Dept. of
Homeland Security (DHS) in June 2003. In
Sept. 2003. the GAO issued a report stating
that although securicy on Plum Island had
improved, security arrangements were "in-
complete and limited."
The GAO report recommended that
DHS consulrwirh rhe U.S. Depr. of Agricul-
ture (USDA), which formerly had author-
ity over Plum Island, to improve physical
security, further limit access to pathogens,
consult with other labs on how to secure the
pathogens, enhance response capabilities, re-
consider risks and threats, and revise securicy
and incident response plans as needed.
Col. Gerald W. Parker, a veterinar-
ian and director of the National Biodefense
Analysis and Counter Measures Center of
the DHS, visited Plum Island with other of-
ficials on Dee. II, 2004.
"Plum Island is a critical asset to the
nation, Col. Parker said. DHS takes the re-
sponsibility of managing this facility very
seriously."
The USDA opened rhe laborarory fa-
cility in 1954 in response to outbreaks of
foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Canada
and Mexico. Plum Island currently hOllses a
FMD vaccine bank and is the only U.S. fa-
cility where researchers are allowed to work
with live FMD virus. which is necessary to
diagnose suspected cases. PIADC scientists
also playa role in rapidly diagnosing other
foreign animal diseases, such as vesicular sto-
matitis and classical swine fever.
Despite major renovations in the 1960s
and 1970s, the facilicy is reaching the end
of its useful life, Co!. Parker said. and it is
impossible to install some of the high-tech
securicy features that are built into newer
facilities.
A 2001 report commissioned by the
USDA found that it would be more cost-
effective to build a new facility. at a then-
estimated $200 million+, than remodel the
old one. The current budget request is $13
million for improvemelUs to the lab and $22
million for PIA DC's operaring budger.
Plum Island is an 840-acre island about
eight miles southeast of Fishers Island and
about 1.5 miles northeasr of Orient Paine.
It was purchased by the military in 1897 as
part of the coastal defense system and was a
major military training sire through \V\X'II.
"
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. Picture at bottom is the only shot of Plum Island Katie Carpenter could take before all
cameras were put away at the start of her excursion. The top image of the Plum Island
Animal Oisease Center was taken from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture website.
.
J
J
."lImmer 2005. Fishers Island Gazette 39
Plum Island Excursion
Contimti'd from pagi' 11
.
cial security number-and they had a lami-
nated security pass waiting for me at the
ferry dock.
"No one could even approach the
ferry witham being questioned by security
guards, all of whom are now armed. We had
to show our drivers licenses and sign waivers
stating that we didn't have firearms, cameras
or recording devices. When we arrived on
Plum Island, we were driven to the main
facility, where we went through security
again."
The focus of this meeting was public
notification. During a two-hour session in
ehe second Roor conference room, PIADC
Director Dr. Beth Laumer discussed the sta-
tus of environmental, security, public heahh
and animal health procedures in response to
two incidents last summer in which two cat-
tle and four swine were accidentally infected
with foot-and-mouth disease.
At the time, DHS Public Information
Officer Donald Tighe said the contamina-
tions occurred within the lab's bioconrain-
mem area and posed no threae to island per-
sonnel or to the public.
DHS alerts the public to any situation
that poses a public health risk, bur these
incidents were "below that threshold," Mr.
Tighe said. DHS did share information
about the infections with elected officials
and PICF members, as part of its "commit-
ment to open engagement and awareness."
Roben S. DeLuca of the GtoUP of
the South Fork, a PICF member, who is in
communication with Dr. Laumer, said he
was disappoinred that PIA DC did not no-
tifY the press or the Suffolk County Execu-
tive about the contaminations.
His Group and the North Fork Envi-
ronmental Council, also a PICF member,
have been lobbying for a four-point public
notification policy proposal that Dr. Lautner
has promised to discuss with her Board.
The proposal requests quarterly updates
from Plum Island on the status of significant
environmental and biosafety issues; regular
meetings with a panel of federal, state and
local officials, agency representatives and
community leaders; an opportunity for the
general public and the press to ask questions
and receive direct answers; and public meet-
ings across Eastern Long Island with Plum
Island stalT.
In the meantime, DHS has agreed to a
Tier System for Plum Island, based on rhe
severity of the incidenr and whether it will
affect public safety. In rhe fllture, DHSI
Plum Island will place calls in this prior-
ity: first responders, elected officials, PICF
members and local press..
PIA DC activated the Tier Sysrem in
February when a small amount of hydrau-
lic Auid leaked into Plum Island's hatbor
from a hose on an earthmover being used
for harbor jetry restoration. The spill was
contained, and no wildlife appeared to have
been affected. Both Dr. Laumer and Mr.
Tigue called the press and local officials,
and were available to the press after the in-
cident.
In the midst of community outreach
and biosafety upgrades, basic work contin-
ues at the lab. Plum Island annually receives
for testing a reponed 450-500 samples from
livestock facilities. Additionally, PIADC has
all of rhe challenges inherent in studying
and maintaining large animals, as opposed
to lab mice.
"In the [PIADC] 'Operations Re-
pon', they said they are busy and practically
'bursting at the seams', so rhey have com-
missioned a study to look at how best to
expand the lab," Ms. Catpentet said. "They
have identified a new contractor to design
it, if the expansion is funded."
After the meeting, Ms. Carpenter
viewed various environmental projecrs on
the island, as well as the water purification
system. "There was an automaric recovery
system cleaning up an oil spill behind the
lab and a regular Depr. of Environmental
Protection inspection of fuel storage tanks
and emergency generators," she said. "The
waste water plant had recently been upgrad-
ed with new equipment, and I think rhey
were excired to show it to me.
"PlADC officials also spoke with ptide
about Plum Island as a great habitat for
wildlife, in spite of the fuel tanks and recov-
ery systems. I saw osprey nests, turtles and
seals."
*1'0 muddy the communication waters,
the Boston Globe on April 24 reponed that,
"Federal agencies under the Bush adminis-
rration are sweeping vast amounts of public
information behind a curtain of secrecy in
the name of fighting terrorism, using 50 to
GO loosely defined securiry designations thar
can be imposed by officials as low-ranking
as government clerks."
Concerned citizens fear that this will
limit their ability to keep abreast of activi-
ties at both PIADC and Dominion (for-
merly Millstone) Power Plant in Waterford,
Conn.
_ ~..-e:
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.~ ~
. Fishers Island School's science lab was significantly upgraded in the school's renovation, which
was completed early this year.
40 Fishers Island Gazetle.SlIIllmer 2005
-
I
.
.
I
By Leila Hadley Luce
Watch out for invasive plants
on your property! These
plants are called "invasive"
because they savagely displace and over-
take native Aora or locally adapted plant
systems.
Although there are native invasive
plants, including black locust and some
phragmites, most invasive plants are aliens
from Africa, Europe or Asia.
Invasive species alter soil chemistry and
nutrient cycles. They intensifY soil erosion
on sites overgrown with shallow-rooting
species. Through fierce competition, they
diminish native plant species; through hy-
bridizing with native planr species they
dilute gene pools, leading to homogenized
landscapes and stunted plant life diversity.
They choke water bodies and waste away
open water necessary for waterfowl. They
dislodge, delocalize and translocate special-
ized beneficial pollinators and herbivores.
Some invasives harm not only plants, but
are also toxic to people, wildlife and domes-
tic pets and animals.
The International Union for Conserva-
tion of Nature and Natural Resources pub-
lished, "One Hundred of rhe World's Most
Invasive Alien Species," listing environmen-
tal terrorists such as Japanese knorweed
(Fallopia japonica) abundant in the eastern
United States, which invades valuable wet-
land habitat, spreads quickly to form dense
thickets that blanket native species and are
of little worth to wildlife; kudzu (Pueraria
Montana var. lobata), a climber nicknamed
"the vine that ate the South," referring to
its incredibly fast rate of growth-up to 12
inches a day. (see www.iucn.org.)
Phragmites australis, or common reed,
is a wetland species found in every state of
the United States. It is particularly invasive
along the Atlantic coast, in freshwater and
brackish tidal wetlands from the northeast
as far south as North Carolina. This plant
endangers native biodiversity and quality of
wetland habitat for migratory waders and
other waterfowl species, and has a strong
foothold on Fishers Island particularly at
Wilderness Point and numerous other prop-
erties and vistas. (See \VW\v.invasiveplants.
netlphragmites and Fishers Island Gazette
Vol. 18 No.2)
The Invasive Plant Council of New
"
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. Anne and David Burnham's cottage is overgrown with trees and vegetation. Turn to
page 42 to see what the house looked like in 1923.
Early Days on the Peninsula
David Burnham Sr. described a 1923 photograph [see page 42] of a grassy
Peninsula with few if any trees except a scraggly pine on which the children played.
much to the chagrin of their mothers, for the pine exuded a blackish rosin that
stuck to everything.
Sometime during the I 920s, the black locust tree began to grow on the
Peninsula, and in the 1950s, the oak made its entry. People welcomed the oak and
cared for the young trees, feeding them with the heads and entrails of the fish
that they caught.
Much of the Island was like the Peninsula, a grassland with wooded areas in a
few places. David said that there was a grove of oaks in the Brick Yard area, where
his family went for picnics. There were also red maples in the lower, wetter parts
of the Brick Yard and other wooded areas just east of Mount Chocomount and
farther east near what is now Grass Pond.
Most of the trees on the Island arrived by natural means, such as birds and
hurricanes. Many museum photos show the grasslands of early times. -Edwin Horning
York State (I PCNYS) offers a list of local
invasive plants comprising Russian olive
(Elaeagnus angustifOlia); black locust (Rob-
inia pseudocacaia); Tartarian honeysuckle
(Lonicera tartt/rica); Japanese honeysuckle
(Lonicera japoniCil); Oriental bittersweet
(Cewstrus orbicuwtus), a powerful climber
and tree strangler some gardeners like for
its decorative berries and its charm in dried
flower arrangements; porcelain berry (Am-
pelopsis brevipeduncultua), a fast-growing
climber with blue, pink, and purple ber-
ries and grapevine-like leaves that smother
ground, trees and shrubs in woodland areas,
but which I find useful, if attentively moni-
tored, to thwan soil erosion on cliffs, bluffs
and rocky areas; purple loosestrife (Lythrum
salicaria), a noxious weed, harmful to wet-
lands and wetland wildlife.
For cautionary advice about these and
many other environmental thugs, click on
www.ipcnys.org to get its primary list of
invasive plants in New York State and its
Weed Manager Directory.
Even if the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) assures us that it is safe to use
glyphosate-infused herbicides like Round-
Up@ to get rid of invasive plants, please do
not use any herbicide or fungicide to kill in-
vasive plants! Trustworthy environmentalist
and outstanding marine biologist Dr. Syl-
via Earle and 1. among thousands of others,
have learned through experience to be wary
of advice bruited about by the EPAv. Our
good green advice is to dig up invasives or
pour boiling water or full-strength vinegar
on them and dispatch them in garbage bags
to the dump. Do not compost them. Remem-
Continued on page 41
,
~
Summer Z005. Fishers Island Gautte 41
Green ThougLts to "A Garden By tLe Sea"
By Leila Hadley Luce
In 1994, Mohegan Indian "Two Dogs"
Bozsum helped to re-shingle our din-
ing deck. "Two Dogs" was proud of
his Mohegan heritage, and after eXplaining
the joke about his nickname (unprintable in
a family magazine), he told me abour Mo-
hegan customs and showed me moccasins,
tunics and belts he had hand-sewn from
leather and deer skin.
He offered to organize a display of
weaponry and ritual dancing for my hus-
band and me and a few friends to phmo-
graph and ferried several members of his
family from New London for the occasion.
I telephoned Betry Ann Rubinow, editor
of the Fishers Island Gazette and asked her
if she would be interested in doing a story
about "Two Dogs," and if she would like
to come for tea or a drink and look at the
photographs. Not long after we met, Betty
Ann said she hoped to include a gardening
column in the Gazette and would I be in-
terested in writing it. I didn't hesitate for a
moment before saying, "Yes!"
As I wrote the columns, initially four
a year and now two, our garden at Brillig
was evolving from a bird sanctuary with
Green Thoughts
Continued from page 40
ber not to use herbicides or fungicides to
clear away invasive plants! Herbicides and
fungicides are a cause of cancer and many
ocher diseases and disabilities. In an already
toxic world, please take healthy precautions
for yourselves, your families and our pre-
cious island.
If you, like me, prefer not to Google@
around with your computer, but would
rather read a book with fascinating illustra-
tions. there's a 29-page section about inva-
sive plants in a gloriously illustrated, ency-
clopedic 500-page hook entitled, Plant: the
ultimate visual reference to plants and flowers
of the world, edited by Janet Marinelli (Di-
rector of Publishing, Brooklyn Botanic Gar-
den), published in 2005 by Dotling Kinder-
sley Limited. "A definitive book for today's
responsible gardeners-and a celebration
of our planet's extraordinary flora," you'll
find this book in our Fishers Island library.
Happy, healthy, environmenrally rewarding
gardening!
~
~
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. Mohegan Indian "Two Dogs" Bozsum and
Leila Hadley Luce at Brillig in 1994.
an L-shaped hedge of blue hydrangeas, ro
an all.organic garden with a broad river of
daffodils flowing along the driveway in the
spring, and a large drift of colorful hemero-
callis, or daylilies, brightening the slope in
summer above the bluff where we reveled in
a field of pink lycoris squamigera in August.
I added peonies, roses, lavender, plarycodon
and raspberries to the curting garden; a new
grape arbor with many plantings; more
planrings in the vista area; and many more
nest boxes and birdhouses.
Milbry Polk, a close friend, suggested
I write a book about our garden based on
my "Green Thoughts" columns that have
appeared in the Gazette since 1995. When
the book was accepted for publication at
Rizzoli, Milbry found a book packager who
rook over illustration, layout and design. A
Garden by the Sea was published this year,
and my cherished friend of ten years, Bet-
ty Ann, and I rejoiced when it received a
starred review in Publishers Weekly.
Meanwhile, "Two Dogs" Bozsum has
become a multi-millionaire part-owner of
the Mohegan Sun Casino on the outskirts
of New London.
Popular Nefl' Gardening 8001:.
... uthor Leila Hadley's new book, A
~Garden By the Sea, made its debut in
February and immediately garnered glow-
ing reviews and unexpectedly brisk sales.
The beautifully written book, a feast
for both the eyes and the senses, takes read.
ers on a seasonal journey through the 15-
year development of Leila's organic garden
at Brillig, the luce summer home on Fishers
Island.
Leila, an author of travel memoirs, ar-
rived at Brillig in 1990 with her new hus-
band. Hank, whom she had known for 50
years. She looked hlissfully at the East End
seaside property, which had pine trees, some
billowing hydrangeas, dandelioned lawns, a
tangle of taxus, and poison ivy everywhere.
"The naysayers chirped as loudly as
crickets," Leila wrote in the introduction
ro her book. "I was told that the roses I
envisioned would be impossible...1 was
warned about the dampness of fog, the heat
at noon, the burning effects of windswept
salt spray..."
In A Garden By the Sea, Leila disproves
the naysayers by sharing not only the explo-
sive beauty of her garden bur also specific
advice and a multitude of suggestions for
successful organic gardening by the sea.
"Any book by Leila Hadley would be
welcome, given her chatming style and cos-
mic knowledge-and the fact that she uses
no herbicides, pesticides or chemical sprays
to achieve her dazzling results. More than a
how-to for sea-salted perennial borders, this
book is a warm and personal memoir from
a woman who loves the earth and its prog-
eny," said Michael LasseIl, in the April issue
of Metropolitan Home.
.
.
.
In conjunction with the Fishers Island
Library, and as pan of the Fishers Island
Conservancy's Nature Days 2005, there will
be tWO book signings and accompanying
garden tours at Brillig this summer, Jul.
11 and Aug. 8. Garden rours, 2-5:30 p.m.
Book reading, book signing and refresh-
ments, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
../2 F;s"er.~ Island Gautte. Slimmer 1005
.The Burnham cottage was built in 1912 by Or. Ernest Jones, a dentist from Norwalk, Conn.
This picture was taken when Rufus Burnham bought the cottage in 1923.
. Vicki Rafferty has been working at the Briar Patch garden, planting and preparing for the sum-
mer season.This year, the emphasis will be on "low allergen" cut flowers, and organic vegetables
and herbs.There will be pre-picked berries, as well as special "pick your own" berry times in the
mornings. Hours will be posted at the Briar Patch and on the post office bulletin board.
Nature Days: ResponsiLle Gardening
"Responsible Gardening" is the theme
of this summer's Nature Days, the annual
environmental awareness program spon-
sored by the EI. Conservancy. Now in its
third year, Nature Days has altered its for-
mat from a week-long program in either
July or August, to two shorter programs in
both months. The 2005 dates arc July 10-
12 and Aug. 7-9.
Two program highlights. arranged in
conjunction with the Fishers Island Library,
are the Jul. 11 and Aug. 8 book signings and
garden tours at Srillig, [he East End sum-
mer home of Hank and Leila Hadley Luce.
[see story on page 41] Garden tours, 2 p.m.
to 5:30 p.m. Book reading, book signing
and refreshments, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Ferry Dislri<<::1
Clears NeW'
Road 10 Ra<<::e PI.
The Fishers Island Ferry District
(FIFD) has shut down access to
Race Point via the airport runway
due to construction of the new airplane
parking and tie.down area, which straddles
the former "road" to Race Point.
FIFD has created a new access road at
the entrance to the compost facility, for-
merly the "dump", west of the airport. The
road, which has been cleared and covered
with processed gravel, turns left at the com-
post facility entrance.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
regulations prohibit planes from parking
closer than 500 feet to a terminal. Two years
ago, FIFO submitted a required five-year
budget of capital improvements to rhe FAA
and received approval for the $600,000
project of creating a tie-down area for planes
at least 500 feet from the terminal.
"The tie-downs will be much more se-
cure," said FIFO Manager Tom Doherty.
"There will be a little taxi area providing ac-
cess for eight planes. The FAA pays 90 per-
cent, the state pays five percent, and Fishers
Island pays five percent. That means this
improvement is costing us $30,000."
The next part of this project will be
repaving the drop-off area, which is now
concrete and weeds, in fronc of the terminal
building.
Walsh Contracting LTD., which has
offices on the second Aoor of the terminal
building, collects landing fees for airplanes.
Island Con<<::erls
Sun. July 3: "July 4"''' concert. Essex Fife & Drum
Corps, noon,Village Green.
Sun. July 10: Parker Quartet,fouryoung award-
winning string players, 5:30 p.m., Buckner.Orr
house. (Tickers, $18)
Fri. Aug. 5: Skitch Henderson. "A Man and his
Music", 8: 15 p.m., Fishers Island Club. (Tickets,
$25) Buffet dinner is available at club prior to
concert. Call the club, 788.7221, for dinner
reservations.
Sun.Aug. 14: Ruth Laredo,.... .one of the great
American pianists;' 5:30 p.m., O'Keefe house.
(Tickets. $18)
Call 788.7065 to order tickets, to be paid for
and received at the door. or mail ticket request
with check to Island Concerts. PO Box 81,
Fishers Island NY 06390.
Grace Potter
Slimmer ZOOj. Fi.~lJers Islalld Gazelte 43
Contirmed from pttge 13
"
a singer~and-a-back-up-band situation. We
work every day as a collaborative, piecing
rogerher a sound we can call our own."
The band considers itself a family and
when not rouring, lives together in "Hob-
birsville" a Wairsf1e1d, Yr. compound built
by Grace's parents, Mad River Valley ar-
risans. Her mmher makes hand-painted
bowls, and her father is a sign maker and
graphic designer. Grace began singing com-
mercial jingles before she could talk, and
her parents' record collection was a major
musical influence as she grew up.
Borh Grace and Matt arc exceedingly
grateful for their loving parenrs. Matt's par-
ents, Grace and Frank Burr, have always
been supportive of his musical interest.
"My passion for musical performance
didn't really develop until college," Matt
said. "My parents gave me a drum set when
1 was in sixth grade, and I ended up selling
it at my boarding school (Peddie in New Jer-
sey). Bur I began playing mental drums-in
my head-and had a single hand drum, bur
was very self-conscious in public.
"One night-4 a.m. actually-at col-
lege, I was silting quietly in a corner watch-
ing all older student play one of his two
professional hand drums. Suddenly I stood
up, grabbed the other hand drum, and we
started playing together.
"Next thing I knew, the whole room
was dead quiet, and all eyes were on the two
of us. We began to lay down a fun groove
for about five or ten minutes, and then
the place erupted into applause. I had the
sweetest rush of excitement and one of my
first tastes of how amazingly gratifYing and
powerful music can be.
"I was so 'in the moment' that I didn't
even realize my hands were bleeding. J
thought, 'Man...I've actually got some de-
cent rhythm!' so 1 asked my parents to help
me buy a set of drums, and they agreed."
Parr of the group's special sound is
Grace's vintage Hammond B3 portable or-
gan, which they were lucky to find on con-
signment in a Vermont music store. The
Nocturnals gave it (0 her for her 21" birth-
day. "Our goal is to create original, timeless
music with a vintage feel," Matt said.
It might be "old-fashioned" music or
old-fashioned values, but Grace Potter and
the Noccurnals have no desire to be a one-
hit-v.:onder or a Aash in the pan. They've
had record label interest from, among O(h-
ers, Universal, Columbia, Epic, Geffen,
Island, Def Jam, Velour and Rounder, bur
have taken the time to put together a solid
team.
They also have some apparently un-
common requirements in the music indus-
try. "We believe strongly in surrounding
ourselves with genuine, good-hearted peo-
ple," Matt said.
"Our manager is Justin Goldberg, who
wrote a book abour surviving in the mu-
sic industry. Our booking agent works for
Monterey Peninsula, one of the best compa-
nies in the country, especially when it comes
to developing famous artists like Dave Mat-
thews, Phish, Medeski Martin and Wood,
and The Black Crowes.
Before deciding on a team, Matt was
the group's main booking agent. He did
so much office work that he didn't feel like
"Matt". So his alter ego "Cado" emerged.
named for a newly-discovered passion for
avocadoes. Checking gracepotter.com re-
veals "Cado Burr, Avocado Aficionado."
Band members continue to impress
more experienced professionals with their
maturity. "They've been very smart busi-
ness-wise," said Chuck Eller, who record-
ed the group's latest CD at the Haybarn
Theater at Vermont's Goddard College.
"They've had more record-company atten-
tion than any band I've seen come through
here in awhile.
"Gracie has an amazing voice, really
one of the best voices I've ever recorded,
and I've recorded Shawn Colvin," Eller said.
"She just blows me away."
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals are
patiently building a solid base. As they said,
"It's about music first, stardom second."
"<.
t
. Music Director Paul Fitzgerald has retired after seven years at Fishers Island School. During his
tenure, Mr. Fitzgerald formed a school band, which became a multiple gold medal winner at the
Great East Music Festival in Chicopee,Mass. He also saw the addition of choral and video libraries,
band instruments, Orlf instruments, music and instrument storage cabinets, a wall-mounted TV,
portable keyboard and portable staffed black board. Mr. Fitzgerald retired in 1997 after 32 years
as head of music for the Waterlord, Conn. school system.
44 Fishen Island Gazelle. Summer 2005
A ~ery Point May
CollaLorate W'itl.
Fisl.ers Island
I
I
The Fishers Island School has begun
a dialogue with Avery Point, Uni-
versity of Connecticut's regional
seacoast campus in Groton, which could
eventually lead to a school curriculum en-
riched with coastal and maritime studies.
A group from Fishers Island visited the
Avery Point campus Feb. 3, and Avery Point
returned the favor with a visit to Fishers Is-
land April 6. "One of rhe rhings rhar muck
us is that we are both maritime communi-
ties," said Susan Lyons, Avery Point's direc-
tor of studies.
"From what we could see, you have a
school with very solid teaching, but you are
not necessarily able to offer the variety of
courses that a larger school could. I think
your principal, Jeanne Schultz, is looking
for a way to enrich the Fishers Island school
experience. "
From Avery Point's perspective, it is in-
terested in community outreach and recruit-
ment for its small BOO-student undergradu-
ate program, which specializes in coastal
and maritime studies through science and
the humanities.
There could be a number of opportu-
nities for Fishers Island students. Looming
over any formal program, however, is the
question of educational reciprocity between
UCONN and New York Srare. Avery Point
thus far has collaborated only with Con-
necticut schools. It is currently developing
programs with Montville, East Lyme and
Waterford schools.
A formal option includes Avery Point
"co-op" courses in marine studies, which are
like Advanced Placement courses, but yield
. Guests from UCONN's Avery Point visited Fishers Island in April. At Chocomount Beach are
(standing, 1-,,): Ellen Anderson, Susan Lyons, Avery Point Campus Director Joseph Comprone
and Carol Brown; (seated, I-r) F.I. School Superintendent Jeanne Schultz and Trudy Flanery.
a transcript and course credit at UCONN.
There is also a new competitive Marine
Scholars program for high school juniors
nominated by their science teachers to at-
tend coastal study courses at Avery Point.
The students work with Project Oceanol-
ogy in the summer, learning how to set up
and presem a research project, and receive a
scholarship at the end of the program.
Informally, however, there are still a
number of avenues to enrich studem expe-
rience. "The first and easiest thing would
be for interested Fishers Island studems to
come to Avery Point for the day to see and
hear what we do," Ms. Lyons said.
"Second, depending on technology, we
might have video-distance learning, via com-
puter. At the very least, we could set up an
email discussion between Fishers Island stu-
dents and Avery Point students and staff"
Carol Brown, assistant director of
admissions at Mitchell College in New
London came up with the idea of this col-
laboration. She suggested it to Dr. Joseph
Com prone, associate vice provost and direc-
tor of the Avery Point campus, who liked
the concept and is planning to pursue fur-
ther discussion.
"This works both ways for us," Ms. Ly-
ons said. "Our visit to the Malinowski oys-
ter farm was fascinating, especially since we
are interested in establishing a program in
aquaculture. Steve is a PhO from the marine
science program at Avery Point. It would be
great to send Avery Point interns to the oys-
terfarm."
The school planned "an energetic pro-
gram for our visitors," Mrs. Schultz said.
"We began with discussions among teach-
ers, students and Avery Point guests. After
a tour of the Malinowski oyster farm and
the Island, with a stop at the Fishers Island
Club and then Chocomoum Beach for pic-
tures, we finished with a reception at the
Ferguson Museum. Sue Lusker prepared
brunch, and Pierce Rafferty gave a brief talk
on Island history.
"At the end of our visit, we spoke with
parents and community members about Av-
ery Point and possible future initiatives, in-
cluding a satellite campus offering evening
courses and research opportunities."
CATCH THE BOATING SPIRn THIS SUMMER!
631.788-7528
OPEN MONDAY-FRIDAY 8:00 - 4:30
SATURDAY 8:00 -4:30
J
"IN SEASON"
Summer 2005 . Fishers Island Gazelle 45
-
~..'}. ":l
:.r~.
i7-
. I. Former Coast Guard Station, now Campbell
house. John Spofford photo.
. 2. President's Day, Feb. 21, GardnerThors, son
of Melissa andThorThors.VirginiaThors photo.
. 3. Charles Ferguson's Red Barn Gallery. Vicki
Rafferty photo.
. 4. Road by the Fishers Island Club putting
green. Harold Cook photo.
. 5. Prize-winning Christmas decorations, 2004,
home of Constance and April White. April
White photo.
.6. Snow on the ball field. Vicki Rafferty Photo
46 Fi~'''ers Is/mId (;a:.elle.SlImmer 2(J()5
-
Engagements
Annie (Sanger) Gager and John Wulsin,
Aug. 20, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Elizabeth Andrews and Reyn duPont,
Nov. 5, New York City.
Amy Hudson and Andrew Strife, date to
be determined, New York City.
Elizabeth Higginbotham and Duncan
Sherrer, fall/winter.
Weddings
CatherineAllan Parker and Matthew Ryan
Hyotte, Feb. 26, Vieques, Puerto Rico.
Hillary Beard and Steven Schafer, April
16, Boca Grande, Fla.
Darcy Shultz man and Derek Scroxton,
April 30, Fishers Island.
Susan Shoaf and Cliff Yonce, May 14.
Greenwich, Conn.
Births
Laurence Wilhelm August Fritze, Oct.
8, 2004, to Camilla and Jan Fritze,
London, England.
Tucker Capability Gibbs, Dec. 2004 to
Robin and Brad Gibbs, London, Eng-
land.
Jack William Lusker, Jan. 3, to Lisa
(Faulkner) and Adam Lusker, Fronte-
nac, Kan.
Dimitris Konstantinos Panayotopoulos.
Feb. 25, to Leslie (Schutz) and Kon.
stantinos Panayotopoulos, Athens,
Greece.
Theodore UTeddy" Reynolds Schaffer,
Feb. 25. to Molly (duPont) and Trevor
Schaffer, Belleair, Fla.
Thomas Brewster Strong, Mar. 5, to
Alexandra (Kean) and Ben Strong,
Scituate, Mass.
James Blackburn Weymouth, Mar. 7, to
Elizabeth and P.B. Weymouth, New
York City.
Patrick Christie Flanagan, Mar. 25, to
Courtney and Michael Flanagan, Dal.
las, Tex.
Nicholas Bernard George, April I, to
Tats (Yerkes) and Quintin George,
Bronxville, N.Y.
Maverick Stewart McCloy, April 4, to
Suzanne Stewart (Schutz) and Jay
McCloy, Darien, Conn.
Henry Chamberlain Wilson Kling, May
9, to Weezie (Trippe) and Josh Kling,
Portland. Ore.
Sophie Lewars Hendriksen, May 17, to
Sarah (duPont) and Ed Hendriksen,
Winter Park, Fla.
duPont Family Fireworks
Sun. July 3
THeRApY
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Mon. thru Fri.. 4:30 p.m. to close
Sat. & Sun.. 12:30 p.m. to close
631-788-7246
Evans
Realty
Licensed Real
Estate Broker
Sales. Rentals
631-788-7054
Cell ph: (sGo) sGl-0Z0S
Fisher'S IslClnd
(631) 788-7387
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SOUTINE "Tops" in PieslTarts!
~
"...They do an amazing job...
A caring staff turns out terrific
cakes, including sophisticated
birthday and wedding versions,
gorgeous fruit tarts that make
you drool, pies, cookies and
other superb baked goods."
cJ;utine
Wedding and special occasion cakes delivered to
Fishers Island in July and August
104 West 70th Street. New York NY 10023
212.496.1450; fax 212.496.1791
www.solltine.com
Topper's Ice
Cream...
o
ice cream*yogurhcakes
pies * shakes * cookies * candy
soda * drinks * toys * novelties
Open Weekends May & June
Open eveI'1jda'J Noon-9 p.rn.
beginning June 24
CLASSIFIED
SUMMER TUTORING: Tutoring
for Elementary ages in language
arts and math. 1 have many years
of experience with children and
various reading programs. Email
Meg at megratkin@aol.com or call
788-7469 (mid-June-August).
NANNY POSITION: Choate grad,
college sophomore, desires sum.
mer nanny position. June-August.
Fishers Island references available
upon request. Julia A. Cornell, 61
Blueberry Hill Reserve, Killingworth
CT 06419; 860-663-3873.
HOUSE FOR RENT IN AUGUST: Up to 14 days. Large. nicely furnished
and great location. Call for information, 631-788-7510.
. Ice Fishing: (I-r) John Chaves and Geordie Loveday pose with perch
caught from Middle Farms Pond in February. Veteran fisherman
Charles Ferguson fished this pond in 19305, when ice was a foot thick,
and F.I. Sound was frozen from F.I. to Mystic. [see more winter pictures
on page 45]
.G.8. ERB.
APPRAISAL COMPANY
A real estate appraisal company
serving Fishers Island
NY STATE CERTIFIED
Gregory B. Erb . 860-536-0721
Located at Mystic Shipyard
~~ 1?lCKETT FEly-C
A GIFT SHOP 1:
ON THE VILLAGE GREEN
~~I~~~~~~~~l
fishers island, ny . 631.788.7299
~~h&~
.-S~
~lS~e.\S lSQand. n-9- . 788-7678
Summer 2005. Fishers Island Ga;:.elte 47
~ KaIamian's
~ ~ Ruq Shop....
Wools' Broadloom' Patterns' Berbers' Sisals
FINE HANDKNOTTED ORIENTAL RUGS
Cleaning' Repairs' Binding' Serging
860-442-0615
963 Bank St.. New London
+Oaily pick-up and delivery at the Fishers Island ferry+
'HAND FINISHED LINENS, SHEETS,
TABLECLOTHS, ETC.
'ALTERATIONS
.SHIRT LAUNDERING
.SUEDES & LEATHERS
'WEDDING GOWNS CLEANED
AND PRESERVED
'SHOE REPAIR
'DRAPERIES
'SMOKE, FIRE, WATER RESTORATION
2 Montauk Ave., New London
(Corner of Bank and Montauk)
EST, 1914
Specializing in Fine Garment Care
DRY CLEANERS
442-5316
fax 442-3318
Credit Cards
Call to arrange charge account and personal laundry bag. Accepted
~~~ter&Waymarine
CAPTAIN ANDREW HEUBLEIN
> ocean taxi
> courier service
.' .
-...' ...
~:'~
> crew & equipment transport
> U.S.C.G. certified for 18 passengers
-
-
=
rll'partitlf{fivm Noank, ,~erllifi"K l,rJ71K Isla1/(I.~\'ulIl/Il
. -
-
-~=-
- -
ON CALL 24 HOURS > mobile 860.460.2462 > home 860.535.2330
Cynlhla Riley Pholo
St.John's Episcopal Church and Fishers Island Library,April 28,2005
FISHERSG- A Ziti J E
ISIAND:L1 .,
Box 573
Fishers Island NY 06390
FIRST CLASS
FIRST-CLASS MAIL
US POSTAGE
PAID
HARTFORD CT
PERMIT NO 945
No Exp A
FI Civic Association
PO Box 464
Fishers Island, NY 06390-0464
.
I
I