READING RAINBOW

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

It was a day of intrepid readers sloshing through the rain to interact with gifted authors. Despite the hurdles delivered by Mother Nature, people came from all over the Island to listen and contribute with their interests and ideas. Sitting in the tents, soggy but deeply engaged, were readers discovering new authors they might never otherwise have considered, and authors learning from readers that challenged them with their questions. As Nan Doty commented, “It made for an intense and fascinating day.”

The staff that worked tirelessly despite the challenges presented by the weather deserve lengthy applause for making it a smooth and seamless day. Junior and Asa stood all day in parking lots to make sure that authors and others had a parking place. Danika mopped floors, while gracefully managing her many other responsibilities, and Taylor carefully managed crowds and cars. Nancy, Susan and Julie held the billowing tent wall in place to ensure that the sound equipment did not get soaked. These are just a few of the examples of the grace under pressure that was exhibited throughout the day. Our vendors exceeded all expectations. Particular kudos go to Jack at Protekmv and Kristina and the marvelous staff of the Home Port and for deftly managing the complications presented by the weather.

An event like this takes months of planning. A tremendous thank you to those who prepared the publicity, organized logistics for 24 authors, ordered tents, hosted authors and wrote author bios. As crucial were those who thoughtfully managed the tents, the site, the green room, the signing tent and the information booth, and the staff that kept them efficiently and cheerfully operating all day. Volunteers held a beautiful reception, made cheese platters, arranged flowers, baked breads, assembled gift bags, ordered pizzas, picked up maps, and drove authors across the Island. It was a brilliant community effort and part of what makes Chilmark such a special place. Introducers carefully researched their authors and presented thoughtful introductions. The authors felt the magic and appeared to thoroughly enjoy the weekend.

Donations from Chilmark Chocolates, Jo Maxwell at Chescas, Barbara Reynolds, the Vineyard Gazette and the Chilmark Community Center helped make the authors feel welcome and appreciated. The Vineyard Gazette, Chilmark Public Library, the Beach Plum Inn, the Point Way Inn, Jet Blue and Cape Air all generously supported the event.

Best of all, happy readers came in droves. The Vineyard Gazette and their beautiful special section last Thursday shone the light on the festival, raising it to a new level. Tickets MV street team made sure that posters were throughout the Island. And Melissa of AboutSignsMV made us look more beautiful than we really are. It was a pleasure to work with David and Ann LeBreton of Edgartown Books, who have been carefully planning for this event for the past year. And none of it would have been possible without the generous support of Wally Epstein and the Chilmark town affairs council.

It is fair to say that it was a marvelous festival with a stunning line-up of writers. Thank you to all the authors, introducers and volunteers who made it happen.

Suellen Lazarus

Chilmark

FOR RUSS HOXSIE

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

I am deeply saddened to hear of Dr. Hoxsie’s death. He was an excellent physician who possessed a gentle caring style and grace. Almost 30 years ago, he saved my life.

After I graduated from college, I moved to the Island to start a new job in the restaurant business. That fall, I became very sick with meningitis. Like most 22-year-olds, I wore the cloak of invincibility and I had no primary doctor. My brain fogged with a high fever, I made my way to the emergency room. The emergency director physician told me I was going to need a spinal tap, and asked me if I had a doctor. I was friends with Chris and Rusty Hoxsie and I knew their father was well respected. So I replied that I’d like to be seen by Dr. Hoxsie.

I was admitted to the hospital where multiple tests were performed in an attempt to figure out what type of infection I had. Every morning Dr. Hoxsie would come by and see me before he started his office hours. He would also see me before he left for the night to head home to his family. One morning, he was in my room with the nurse peering at me thoughtfully. I was sitting up in bed, trembling badly as I struggled to lift a glass of orange juice from my bedside tray. The nurse made a move to help me and whispered, “He’s so weak.” Dr. Hoxsie held up a hand to stop her and said in a confident tone: “Actually, he’s very strong.”

There is so much more to medicine than looking at symptoms, making a diagnosis and prescribing various interventions. Dr. Hoxsie’s words were more powerful than any antibiotic he could have ordered. That day, he saved my life. I am sure of it.

Years passed and I moved off-Island, but I would often see Dr. Hoxsie while we were back on vacation. We would bump into one another when he was walking his dog. On one occasion I told him how much I enjoyed his writing that was appearing in the paper. He smiled humbly and told me that he was working on it. He was a man of many talents and a fine writer. I always looked forward to reading his observations.

My thoughts are with his family and those that loved him. He was a wonderful person and I will miss him.

Aram D. Berberian

New Haven, Conn.

TO AN ANGEL

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

For my brother Brad Andrews, whom I miss very much:

It doesn’t seem real that you are not around.

I still look for you when I’m in town. I’ll never forget the Fourth of July I found myself looking for you.

Until I realized what was true, I will never again see you wave and smile.

We won’t stand on the street and visit for awhile.

No, “How you doing, Sis, what are you doing tonight?” Or “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

All these things I cherish in my heart. I still talk to you. I know you can hear me. I can feel your presence.

Tears fill my eyes as I listen to the song. But this time I accept that you are gone.

You’re in God’s hands now, watching us from above.

An angel in heaven who will always be loved.

Cindy Maciel

Edgartown

DELLA HARDMAN DAY

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

On behalf of the Della Hardman Day committee, thanks to the town of Oak Bluffs and all the individuals and organizations who supported last weekend’s activities related to this annual celebration. As we gathered in Ocean Park on Saturday afternoon, July 30, to honor the essay contest award winners from the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School and to hear poet Sonia Sanchez, it wasparticularly noteworthythat the diverse audiencereflected a key reason why so many people are attracted to this uniquecommunity. Plans are already underway for Della Hardman Day 2012 to be held on Saturday, July 28. We also especially appreciate the sponsorship of the Oak Bluffs leadership and the fact that selectmen Kathy Burton, Walter Vail and Gail Barmakian joined us for this year’s program. As we look to thefuture, we intend to continue this partnership and deepen this Vineyard tradition that encourages us all to Savor the Moment!

Esther A. H. Hopkins, chairman

Oak Bluffs