Prodded by a superior court judge, the Dukes County commission this week approved funds to restore wheelchair access to the courthouse.
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Ailing Edgartown Courthouse Set for Upgrade
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West Tisbury Village Compound
House & Guest House! Beautifully designed and built 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home sited on 4.5 acres. Beautiful wood floors, a gourmet kitchen, top of the line appliances, granite counter tops, an eat-in kitchen area and a fabulous family room with custom built-ins and stone fireplace. A more formal living and dining room with gas fire place for special occasions. The spacious master bedroom suite has it's own bath with jacuzzi tub and steam shower, 3 guest bedrooms and a shared bath. There is a 2-car garage and a finished family room in the basement.
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Psychic Pleads Guilty in Tax Evasion Case
A South Florida woman claiming to be a psychic pleaded guilty to tax evasion in federal court in Boston this week in a case involving an elderly Martha’s Vineyard woman who was reportedly bilked out of millions.
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Rape Trial Ends With Acquittal
A California man was found not guilty by a Dukes County superior court jury Friday on charges of rape, indecent assault and battery and intimidation of a witness.
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Dukes County Historical Society Has Big Plans for Addition in Edgartown
The Dukes County Historical Society has solved the space problem it has been struggling with for most of its 66 years with the purchase of the John Vinson House on School street.
Saturday the society will open the property to the public as part of the Christmas in Edgartown celebration with a smattering of exhibits showing the Vineyard’s long and interesting history, as well as the history of the historical society.
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Justice Delayed
People with disabilities or difficulty navigating stairs have a small reason to cheer this week.
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Ice Arena Renovation Nears Completion
Youth hockey teams are already skating at the new Martha’s Vineyard Arena, and the community ice rink will soon be open for public skating following a $4.2 million renovation that began last spring.
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Land Bank Revenues: Sept. 29
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $366,385 for the business week ending on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017.
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Barbara Jeffers, Happiest with House Full of Family, Friends
Tuesday, October 10, 2017 - 4:39pm
Barbara Ann (Debettencourt) Jeffers died peacefully on Oct. 3 at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Fla. She had celebrated her 90th birthday in April.
Barbara, better known as Bobbi, was born on April 22, 1927 to Percy and Helen Debettencourt. She was their only child. She grew up on the Vineyard where she learned to sew and cook. She enjoyed being in school plays and going to the beach during her youth. After high school she attended a year of hair dressing school in New York city before returning back to the Island to work.
She will be remembered by many for the years she spent working for the Levine family at Vineyard Dry Goods and at Sears on State Road in Vineyard Haven. Over the years she also waitressed at many local restaurants and was an active member of the American Legion in Vineyard Haven.
For several years she lived in Lakeville with her husband, Otis, and family. She waitressed at the Tamarack Restaurant and would see many familiar Island faces. It was during this time that her best friend, Bobbie Ann Gibson, was recovering from an auto accident at a nearby hospital. Bobbi and her children would visit her almost daily, bringing her meals, playing cribbage or just spending time with her as she recovered. Also during this time the family grew close to another family through the hockey world who had a teenage son named Jimmy Kelley. Jimmy’s parents died at an early age and he moved in and became family.
Family meant everything to Bobbi. She never forgot a birthday, anniversary or special celebration. Her handwritten notes and thoughtful care packages will be missed. She was the heart and soul of her family. She was happiest with a houseful and the stove full of her homemade creations. Thanksgiving was her favorite day of the year, the more the merrier. Her fondest memories were from living on Franklin street in Vineyard Haven. It was a neighborhood filled with Island families and she treasured the fun times they all had together.
She had many hobbies throughout her life. Sewing, dancing, gardening and going to the beach were a few of her favorites. But her most loved hobby was putting together photo albums of her family and friends. Over the years she carefully created close to 30 albums. It was always fun to look through them when stopping by for a visit. After moving fulltime to Hollywood, Fla. she would look forward to visitors and pull out the pictures and reminisce about the past.
Her parents, Percy and Helen Debettencourt, predecease her. She is survived by her husband, Otis P. Jeffers Jr.; her children, David Amaral and Jackie Amaral and Peter and Rita Jeffers; grandchildren Merri and Jimmy Cestrone, Beth Amaral, and Meaghan, Mason and Mia Jeffers; great-grandchildren Anthony, Teia, Farah and Faith Cestrone, a large extended family, and many friends.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Oak Bluffs with Rev. Dr. Roger Spinney officiating. The family will gather at the PA club following the service.
In lieu of flowers, those who so desire may make a memorial donation in Barbara Jeffers’ name to the MV Ice Arena, P.O. Box 2062, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.
Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, ccgfuneralhome.com.
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Menemsha Channel Dredging Begins Anew
A long-running dredging project is back underway at Menemsha Channel with a new company at the helm. H&L Dredging of Bay Shores, N.Y., aims to complete a project that began two years ago.
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James Marshall, Born and Bred Islander, Had Long Career in Law Enforcement
Wednesday, October 11, 2017 - 8:34am
James S. Marshall died unexpectedly on Tuesday Sept. 26 at his home in Belfast, Me. He was 73.
He was born Nov. 28, 1943, to George Marshall Sr. and Rose May (Ferriera) Marshall of Vineyard Haven. Jimmy remained a lifelong resident of the Vineyard until he relocated to Belfast, Me. in 2004.
He was a graduate of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, a decorated Marine and Viet Nam Veteran as well as a reserve member of the Army National Guard. In 1998 he retired from the Oak Bluffs police department as a detective sergeant after 31 years of faithful service. He was also a deputy sheriff and trial court officer.
Following retirement, he opened Marshall Investigative Services and spent several years as a private investigator.
He was a pilot, an artist, a skilled baker and a wonderful chef. He enjoyed golf, spending time with friends, doting on his granddaughter, tending his yard and helping others.
He was predeceased by his father George Marshall Sr., his mother Rose (Marshall) Leite, step-father John Leite Sr. and his brothers George and Arthur. He is survived by and was the proud father of Stephanie Marshall of Pierre, S.D, and the adoring grandfather (Papa) of Arrianna Marshall-Burns of North Attleboro. He is also survived by his sister Delores Bernard, brothers Walter, Steve and Dennis, half-brothers John Leite 3rd and Chris Marshall and multiple cousins, nieces and nephews as well as his close friend Helen Chelf of Philadelphia, Pa. and ex-wife and close friend Betsy Marshall of Oak Bluffs.
Services were held Saturday Oct. 7, in Belfast, Me.
A celebration of his life will be held on Martha’s Vineyard in 2018 at a date to be announced. Memories and condolences may be shared at ripostafh.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a veteran’s charity of your choice in Jimmy’s name.
Arrangements are under the care of the Riposta Funeral Home in Belfast, Me.
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Babe Ruth LaFrance
Wednesday, October 11, 2017 - 8:37am
Ruth Cook Child LaFrance died Sept. 30 at the Perrysburg Care and Rehabilitation Center in Perrysburg, Ohio. She was 95.
Known as Babe Ruth, she was born March 1, 1922, in Germantown, Pa., the youngest of four children to Hazel Bleecker Child and Frederic Anthony Child. She graduated from Swarthmore High School in 1940, earned a bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College in 1944, and a master’s degree from Columbia University as well as teacher training at the Lexington School for the Deaf, in 1945.
While attending a Middlebury barn dance for servicemen, she met her future husband James Robinson La France, from Toledo, Ohio, before he was shipped overseas to the South Pacific war front. Upon his return, they were married on August 18, 1945, on Martha’s Vineyard. They moved to Omaha, Neb., and then Toledo and Perrysburg, Ohio. James predeceased her in 1999.
She is survived by her children Anne (Jim) Galindo, of Fostoria, Ohio, Margaret LaFrance and her husband Phil Caruthers of Kensington, Calif., Steven LaFrance of Webster, N.Y., and Julie Funk and her husband Jim of Maumee, Ohio; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Online condolences may be shared at americancremationevents.com.
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Richard Hess, Priest Who Transformed Lives, Gardens
Wednesday, October 11, 2017 - 8:46am
Richard W. Hess, a retired Episcopal priest and former longtime summer resident of the Vineyard, died at the Falmouth Hospital on Oct. 8 following a brief illness.
He was born in 1932 in Stewartstown, Pa., in the heart of Dutch country, the only son of the late Walton and Alice Hess, both farmers.
Educated in the local public school system, he excelled in all his endeavours. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1955 and then began his theological studies at Drew University, finishing at the Episcopal Seminary in Alexandria, Va.
In 1960, Richard was selected to start a new parish, St. Christopher’s, in Oxford, Pa. He went on to become an assistant at Old St. David’s Church in Wayne, Pa., where he eventually became rector, serving from 1967 to 1983. During his tenure at St. David’s, he grew the parish to more than 700 families and put great effort into maintaining the historic property.
Following his retirement from St. David’s, Richard served in various positions at Trinity Cathedral in Miami, Fla., Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, Calif., Bethesda by the Sea in Palm Beach, Fla. and St. John’s the Evangelist in Chicago, Ill.
He was an expert gardener and loved his gardens wherever he was. He was particularly known for his gardens at his summer home on Martha’s Vineyard, where he spent many enjoyable years with his family. He was proud of his home on the Vineyard and prouder still of the opportunity it provided for his family, to live and grow in such a beautiful place.
In 1996, he moved to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and got permission from the city to restore an abandoned stairway that dropped 100 feet to the sea from the main part of town. The old stairway previously had five levels of gardens and fountains that had become overgrown. Richard enlisted the help of local cab drivers to take him to various florists and nurseries once a week to pick up donated plants. Over a two-year period working three to four days a week, he restored the stairway to its former beauty. He was later thanked for his efforts with a fiesta in his honor by the city and local people.
In his later years, Richard was a resident at Atria Woodbriar Place in Falmouth. He helped care for the gardens there and over time became known as The Mayor. He adored all the people at Atria, residents and employees alike, and was very much at peace within the environment there.
Richard Hess was gifted in his approach to ministry. His care and compassion for all mankind was ever present and he derived particular satisfaction in exercising the rich and diverse functions of the priesthood especially in the areas of Christian education, parish and hospital visitation and stewardship development. He was considered an effective preacher of the gospel.
He is survived by his former wife, Sandra Hess Karger and her husband Robert of Wayne, Pa.; son Mark C. Hess and his wife Kelly of Edgartown,; daughter Elizabeth C. Hess and her husband Peter Kelly of Needham; son John S. Hess and his wife Bernadette of Wilton, Ct.; and several grandchildren.
He always gave of himself to all.
A memorial service will be held at st. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, Pa., on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 3 p.m. A reception will follow in St. David’s hall.
Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Polly Hill Arboretum P.O. Box 561, West Tisbury, MA 02575.
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Lisa Strelecki Dies at 51
Wednesday, October 11, 2017 - 8:44am
Lisa D. Strelecki died unexpectedly on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at her home in Oak Bluffs. She was 51.
She was born on Jan. 4, 1966 in Oak Bluffs, the daughter of Ernest E. Pachico and Donna Shelton. She graduated from the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School in the class of 1984. She was a certified nurse’s aide and worked at Stop & Shop most recently.
She enjoyed making jewelry, writing in her journal, being on the beach, and just taking rides around the Vineyard.
She is survived by her mother, Donna Shelton; her daughters, Kaleena Strelecki and Brianna Strelecki; and her stepdaughters, Katie, Brittany and Stephanie; her brother, Travis Pachico; and her close companion, Carlos DeOliveira.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 11 a.m. at the New Westside Cemetery, officiated by the Rev. Roberta Williams.
Donations in her memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 900, Arlington, VA 22202; 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383) or diabetes.org
Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, ccgfuneralhome.com.
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Cannabis Control Commission Hears from Vineyarders
Two members of the newly-appointed state Cannabis Control Commission traveled to the Vineyard Tuesday for a listening session.
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Service for Virginia Durr
Wednesday, October 11, 2017 - 11:21am
A memorial service will be held for Virginia (Tilla) Durr on Oct. 28 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Tilla Durr died Dec. 1, 2016, at the age of 77. She had been a longtime civil rights activist, was the sister of Lucy Hackney of Vineyard Haven and had summered on the Vineyard.
The service will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. People attending are asked to RVSP online at rememberingtilla16@gmail.com.
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Mobile Market Extends Season to Late October
This was supposed to be the last week of the year for the Mobile Market, a produce truck that visits Vineyard neighborhoods to sell fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs for lower prices than regular stores. But Island Grown Initiative is extending its schedule through Oct. 29.
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Second Look
Last Thursday, Oct. 5, I attended a joint meeting of the Tisbury selectmen, planning board, finance committee, executive committee, and the Tisbury School building committee.
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Wasted Tax Dollars
Regarding the Gazette’s recent story about bomb removal at Long Point by the Army Corps of Engineers: there is insufficient cause to undertake this project; this $22 million in taxpayer money could be spent better elsewhere; the Army Corps is harming the dunes and ecosystem at Long Point; and the Army Corps is ignoring local wisdom and experience about how to manage these dunes.
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Citizens Group Forms Over Hospital Concerns
How decisions are made about our hospital, how it responds to our health needs and how it listens to and communicates with Island residents are current topics of conversation among Island residents.
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