Fall 2015 newsletter Issue No. 50

Quansoo Farm Photo by Stephen Chapman Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation Awarded Accreditation Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation has ment at the Land Trust Alliance Rally in local land trust for the island of Martha’s been designated as an accredited land Sacramento in October. Vineyard. The mission of Sheriff’s trust by the Land Trust Accreditation “Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation is Meadow Foundation is to conserve the Commission, an independent program honored to have achieved accreditation,” natural, beautiful, rural landscape and of the Land Trust Alliance. On July 28, said Executive Director Adam Moore. character of Martha’s Vineyard for pres- 2015, the Foundation received word “Accreditation demonstrates to our com- ent and future generations. that after two years of intense prepara- munity that we adhere to the highest Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation was tion, the submission of records on land national standards. Sheriff’s Meadow awarded accreditation this August and is and financial matters and scrutiny by Foundation is a much stronger organi- one of 317 land trusts from across the the Commission, accreditation had been zation today from having gone through country that have been awarded accredi- awarded. The accreditation period lasts this rigorous program.” tation since the fall of 2008. Accredited for five years, from August 1, 2015 to July Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation was land trusts are authorized to display a seal 31, 2020. Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation founded in 1959 by Henry Beetle Hough indicating to the public that they meet was publicly recognized for this achieve- and Elizabeth Bowie Hough and it is the Continued to Page 5 page 2 Martha’s Vineyard Foundation Elects Officers and Directors At its Annual Meeting of June 19, DeLong follow in this newsletter. 2015, the Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation The Board reelected Michael Berwind, founded in 1959 by Board of Directors elected a number of Susan Crampton, Peter Getsinger, David Henry Beetle Hough and new Officers and Directors, reelected Grain and Bill Howell to second, three- Elizabeth Bowie Hough certain Officers and Directors, and elect- year terms as Directors, and reelect- ed the members of the Executive and ed Chris Alley, Susannah Bristol and Board of Directors Nominating Committees. Kathy Ham to third, three-year terms Chris Alley, President The Foundation Board reelected Chris as Directors. Directors Emily Bramhall, Alley to a one-year term as President Christian Halby and Lil Province were Brien O’Brien, Vice President of Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation and elected to fourth, one-year terms as Walter Looney, Jr., Treasurer reelected Brien O’Brien to a one-year Directors, and Adam Moore was elected Susannah Bristol, Assistant Treasurer term as Vice-President. Walt Looney was to a one-year term as a voting, appointed elected to a one-year term as Treasurer, Director. Molly Glasgow, Clerk and Susannah Bristol was elected to a The Board also elected the mem- Michael Berwind one-year term as Assistant Treasurer. bers of its Executive Committee and Jennifer Blum Mr. Looney succeeds Terry Guylay, who Nominating Committee at this meet- Emily Bramhall had served as Foundation Treasurer ing. Elected to one-year terms on Kim Burns since 2010. Molly Glasgow was elected the Executive Committee were all of Susan Crampton to a one-year term as Clerk, succeeding the Officers, and also Jennifer Blum, Mary Lou DeLong Alley Moore, who had served as Clerk Susan Crampton, Bob Egerton, Peter Keith Dodge since 2008. Getsinger and Samme Thompson. Robert Egerton The Board elected Alan Rappaport Elected to one-year terms on the Peter Getsinger to a first, three-year term as a Director. Nominating Committee were Chris David Grain Mr. Rappaport joins Mary Lou DeLong, Alley, Jennifer Blum, Susannah Bristol, Terry Guylay elected in December of 2014, in the Bob Egerton, Ellen Harley, Rob Christian Halby same class of Directors. Biographies and McCarron, Alley Moore, Phil Regan Kathy Ham photographs of Mr. Rappaport and Ms. and Sarah Thulin. Ellen Harley Carol Hillenbrand New Trail at Eastman and Knapp Preserves in Aquinnah Bill Howell Bill Maloney Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation is seen before,” said Adam Moore. Over Rob McCarron pleased to announce that is has created the winter, some additional work on the Alley Moore a new trail on the Eastman Preserve and trail is planned. The additional work Lil Province the Knapp Preserve in Aquinnah. The will result in a loop with enhanced long- Nancy Randall trail leads from a discreet, two-vehicle distance views. Alan Rappaport trailhead on the Knapp Preserve on The Eastman Preserve is 11.3 acres Phil Regan East Pasture Road, along East Pasture in size. The land was given to Sheriff’s Tom Robinson Road, down the Eastman driveway, onto Meadow Foundation by Yvette Eastman Samme Thompson the Eastman Preserve, and down to the in three separate donations in 1984, Sarah Thulin shore of Menemsha Pond. 1989 and 1990. The Knapp Preserve is “This is a beautiful trail with great 7.74 acres in size. The land was given Honorary Directors views of Menemsha, and it showcases a to Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation by Jean April Hamel property that many people have never Knapp in 1994. Edo Potter Rez Williams

Adam R. Moore, Executive Director Kristen Fauteux, Director of Stewardship Bill Bridwell, Property Manager Marc Macfarlane, Property Manager Nevenka K. Daniels, Office Manager Samantha Look, Education Coordinator Ann Barros, Bookkeeper Sheriff’s Meadow page 3 Foundation Executive Director’s the edge of Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs. Buzzard’s to the west, to the tall In Oak Bluffs at Camp Duarte, fair towers of the bridge binding Newport Message weather comes and children frolic on the to Jamestown, to the broad shores of the grass in the fleeting light of afternoon. great American continent beyond, and Thanksgiving The father splits firewood in a Chilmark with our fellows in America on this day From October, where our common backyard, and the mother walks the dog we join. lot is the glory of scarlet beetlebung and down the ancient way, strewn with fallen We join to give thanks that we have red sumac and yellow hickory, from that leaves. The cold returns, and the Island again been delivered to this national day month’s refuse pile of orange sassafras shivers at dawn to frost on the switch- of Thanksgiving, and for the laden table leaves and compost heap of spent Jack- grass, and the hollies and the pitch pines and for the bounty of farm and forest and o’-Lanterns, emerges November. and junipers hint at the season of mirth field and sea. We give thanks for those November emerges and the beating that is yet to come. Then the winds blow, gathered together at our hearth and for autumn ocean waves carve a scarp into and they strip the russet oak leaves from those gathered only in our hearts. the beach, the scallopers ply the Cape their branches, and sweep across the In our hearts we give thanks for the Poge Bay, the archers perch in branches great open plains, and scour the bluffs of very refuge that this Island is, a refuge of beeches and there they wait. Lichens Cedar Tree Neck. from the tempests and the surf, a sanc- cling to the gravestones and the stone From Cedar Tree Neck one spots tuary safe and dry amid the cold waters walls and the great gray boulders left the ferries coming to and from Woods of the mighty Atlantic. And we give here by the glacier. Hole through the waters of Vineyard thanks for those who gave so that, on Left here by the glacier was this entire . The fourth Thursday of this this Island, our meadows and plains, our Island, and so passes this eleventh month month approaches, and the pace quick- marshes and moors, our bogs and fens, of this year, on this outpost seven miles ens. Schools let out early and families our forests and frostbottoms, shall for- out to sea. Clutches of hockey players set forth to visit family and friends in ever be our common lot. board the steamship, the ferry sounds America, or set forth from America to its steam whistle, and its organ-pipe gather here, at this Island home. Adam R. Moore blast sounds through the empty woods To our Island home Thanksgiving off Lake Tashmoo. Veterans and young comes. We gather, and then we pause. An homage to Governor Wilbur L. scouts form up on New York Avenue, We pause, and from the cliffs of Cross of Connecticut and his Thanksgiving and march off to the Civil War statue on Gay Head, we look to the shores of Proclamation of 1936.

New Directors Welcomed American Museum of Natural History, she received an Honorary Degree from the NYU Langone Medical Center, as BC. Ms. DeLong served five years as Chair of the board of GuideStar, and a Trustee of Boston College and as a as Co-Chair of the Parents Committee Trustee of Newton Country Day School of Duke University. He received his BA of the Sacred Heart. She was a Board from Harvard College and MBA from member of the Council for Advancement Stanford University. A life-long resident and Support of Education and President of Martha’s Vineyard, he lives with his of the Planned Giving Group of New wife Jill and two children in Chilmark England. Ms. DeLong and her husband, and New York. Jeff, live full time on Martha’s Vineyard Mary Lou DeLong recently retired as and she also serves on the Boards of Vice President and University Secretary Mink Meadows Golf Club and Deep of Boston College, a post she held Bottom Pond Owners Association. Alan Rappaport Sara Piazza from 2004 until 2012. Appointed Vice Alan Rappaport is an Adjunct President of University Advancement Professor at the NYU Stern School at BC in 1992, she was the first woman of Business, Lecturer at the Stanford to head a vice presidential department. University Graduate School of Business, In this capacity, she was responsible for and Advisory Director of Roundtable the areas of Development and Alumni Investment Partners. Mr. Rappaport Affairs. Her previous positions include spent his career in the financial services Director of Major Gifts at Harvard industry at Oppenheimer, the Beacon Medical School, Director of Planned Group and Bank of America and currently Giving at Phillips Academy, Director serves on a number of corporate boards. of Annual Giving at Stevens Institute of He has served on the boards of a number Technology and Director of Programs of non-profit organizations including the and Events at Boston College. In 2012 Mary Lou DeLong Stephen Chapman page 4 Martha’s Vineyard “Preserve the Trust” License Plates Fund Stream Restoration at Roth Woodlands Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation is very focused environmental programs.” Wildlife Trust and considerable financial pleased to announce that on July 24, 2015, “We are thrilled to have received this and staff support from the it was awarded a $40,000 grant from the generous grant from the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration. Massachusetts Environmental Trust. This Environmental Trust,” said Mr. Moore. Those with interest in this effort or grant was awarded to help restore the “This grant will help us to design a proper questions about it are asked to contact Mill Brook at the Foundation’s Roth culvert for the Mill Brook, one that will Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation’s executive Woodlands property in Chilmark. allow for unimpeded passage for brook director Adam Moore at (508) 693-5207 The award was officially presented at a trout and other native fish.” or at [email protected]. ceremony at the Massachusetts Maritime The grant will ultimately help to Supporting the environmen- Academy by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito restore a section of the Mill Brook that tal programs funded by the Trust in and Chairman of the Board of Trustees has been plugged up with two undersized, Massachusetts is easy: choose one of three of the Massachusetts Environmental improperly sited corrugated steel culverts. environmental plates – the Right Whale Trust, Bob Durand. Sheriff’s Meadow These culverts have created an impound- & Roseate Terns, the Leaping Brook Foundation President Chris Alley and ment on their upstream side in which the Trout, or the Blackstone Valley Mill – Executive Director Adam Moore rep- water gets so hot in summer that it kills when purchasing a new car or renewing resented the Foundation at the awards fish. In addition, the culverts are so high a registration. ceremony. on the downstream end that fish cannot The standard registration fee for a According to Trust Program Director jump up from the stream into the culvert. Massachusetts plate is $60. The special Bill Hinkley, the Trust provided roughly The grant will enable Sheriff’s Meadow plate fee is an additional $40 ($28 is tax- $500,000 in grants to 12 organizations Foundation to complete the design and deductible; $12 is for the manufacturing this year, thanks to motorists who have permitting of a new concrete box culvert of the plate). The total first-time cost chosen to purchase one of the Trust’s that will allow for the proper passage of a Specialty Plate is $100. There is a specialty license plates. “Trust plates, of fish and water. The new culvert will renewal fee of $100 every two years. Visit including our signature Whale Plate, meet the Massachusetts stream crossing the local Registry of Motor Vehicles are the only specialty plates that exclu- guidelines. or order a plate online at www.mass- sively fund environmental initiatives,” The Massachusetts Environmental rmv.com or log onto www.mass.gov/eea/ said Mr. Hinkley. “When you purchase Trust grant adds to other financial support met to learn more about a specialty plate from the Registry of that Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation has the Trust, the programs it Motor Vehicles, the $40 specialty plate received. The additional support includes supports, and the specialty fee is donated to the Trust to fund water- a grant of $7,500 from the Daniels license plate offerings. Successful Summer Benefit at Borggaard Farm On the summer evening of July 20, Prior to dinner, Executive Director and Leah Smith, who had just completed 2015, Jeanne and Howard Borggaard Adam Moore and President Chris Alley ten years of service on the Board and hosted supporters of Sheriff’s Meadow delivered remarks. Mr. Moore recognized were stepping down as Directors. He Foundation for the 2015 Annual Summer the hosts, Jeanne and Howard Borggaard, then introduced new Directors Mary Lou Benefit. The benefit took place on the and recounted a brief history of the prop- DeLong and Alan Rappaport, noting the beautiful Borggaard Farm on Indian Hill erty. He summarized the Foundation’s enthusiasm that both new Directors had Road in West Tisbury. activities over the past year, noting in brought to the organization. Mr. Alley Guests arrived to enjoy cocktails, food particular the effort to restore the his- then spoke about the importance of the and conversation with the 400 people toric Hancock-Mitchell House and the “foundation” beneath Sheriff’s Meadow gathered for the occasion. During the effort to attain accreditation. Mr. Moore Foundation. Mr. Alley’s remarks are cocktail hour and following the dinner, thanked the entire Hough family for included in this newsletter. a slide show was projected onto screens the donation of the George A. Hough Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation express- within the dinner tents. These shows fea- Preserve in 2014, and personally recog- es its sincere gratitude to Jeanne and tured a series of photographs of Quansoo nized Mary Pat Hough-Greene, who was Howard Borggaard, to all of the Benefit Farm and Cedar Tree Neck Sanctuary present at the Benefit. Mr. Moore con- Sponsors, Patrons, and Supporters, to the taken by Stephen Chapman, and also cluded by thanking all of the donors for Summer Benefit Committee and all of the featured a variety of other photographs their generous support over the past year. volunteers, and to all who attended and of various Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation Mr. Alley began his remarks by rec- contributed to make the Summer Benefit properties. ognizing Board members John Schaefer such a success. Thank you. Sheriff’s Meadow page 5 Foundation Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation Awarded Accreditation From Page One ning and make their operations more N.Y., awards the accreditation seal to efficient and strategic,” said Van Ryn. community institutions that meet national standards for excellence, uphold “Accredited organizations have engaged national quality standards for protecting the public trust and ensure that conserva- and trained citizen conservation leaders important natural places and working and improved systems for ensur- lands forever. The Commission is gov- ing that their conservation work erned by a volunteer board of diverse is permanent.” land conservation and nonprofit man- According to the Land Trust agement experts from around the coun- Alliance, strong, well-managed try. See a complete list of all recently land trusts provide local commu- accredited land trusts online at http:// nities with effective champions www.landtrustaccreditation.org/land- and caretakers of their critical trust-locator. More information on the land resources, and safeguard the accreditation program is available on the land through the generations. Commission’s website, www.landtrustac- “We are proud to display creditation.org. the accreditation seal,” said Mr. About The Land Trust Alliance Moore. “I give special thanks to Adam Moore, Tammara Van Ryn, Susan Crampton and Founded in 1982, the Land Trust Susan Crampton, who chaired Kristen Fauteux. Alliance is a national land conservation our Accreditation Committee, organization that works to save the plac- and to our Accreditation tion efforts are permanent. The seal is a es people need and love by strengthening Committee members Bob Egerton, mark of distinction in land conservation. land conservation across America. The Kristen Fauteux and Bill Howell for “This round of accreditation deci- Alliance represents 1,200 member land their hard work and dedication.” sions represents another significant trusts supported by more than 5 million milestone for the accreditation program; About Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation members nationwide. The Alliance is the 317 accredited land trusts account Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation is the based in Washington, D.C., and operates for more than three quarters of the local land trust for the island of Martha’s several regional offices. More informa- 20,645,165 acres currently owned in fee Vineyard. The Foundation owns 2,035 tion about the Alliance is available at or protected by a conservation easement acres of conservation land and protects www.landtrustalliance.org. held by a land trust,” said Commission an additional 823 acres of land with con- Executive Director Tammara Van Ryn. servation restrictions. Sheriff’s Meadow “Accreditation provides the public with Foundation properties include Cedar an assurance that, at the time of accredi- Tree Neck Sanctuary, Sheriff’s Meadow tation, land trusts meet high standards Sanctuary, Quansoo Farm, West Chop for quality, and that the results of their Woods, Caroline Tuthill Preserve and conservation work are permanent.” more. Each accredited land trust submitted About the Land Trust extensive documentation and underwent Accreditation Commission a rigorous review. “Through accredita- The Land Trust Accreditation tion, land trusts conduct important plan- Commission, based in Saratoga Springs, Instilling a Sense of Community Unlike many of its colleague conser- Nevertheless, Sheriff’s Meadow vation organizations such as The Trust- Foundation believes that it can do much ees of Reservations or MassAudubon, to build a positive sense of community Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation is not a among Foundation supporters and can membership organization. Instead of create a greater feeling of belonging to members, Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation a conservation organization. The Foun- has supporters. Supporters contribute to dation will begin making such efforts in the Foundation and participate in its ac- 2016. We encourage you to contact us tivities but do not have a governance role with any ideas you have about building described in the Foundation’s articles or this sense of community and belonging. organization or bylaws. Thank you. HBH Society hike on Chappy page 6 Martha’s Vineyard Beautiful Lawns, Healthy Ponds, Productive Farms On Monday, August 24, 2015, program with a presentation on nitro- the application of fertilizer. Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation held the gen and phosphorus. He described how Jeff Carlson offered the third presen- third lecture in its public lecture series at these two nutrients are both critical tation of the evening. He presented a the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown. to plant growth and are also the cul- slide show depicting his work as super- The talk was entitled “Beautiful Lawns, prits in the decline in water quality in intendent of the all-organic Vineyard Healthy Ponds, Productive Farms,” and island ponds. He strongly recommend- Golf Club, which is one of a very few all- it featured three short presentations and ed that property owners take advan- organic courses in the United States. Mr. a panel discussion following the presen- tage of laboratory soil testing that Carlson shared his experiences growing tations. can be conducted by the University of native grasses and finding organic ways Speaking at this lecture were Russell Massachusetts. to deal with pests. He also offered rec- Norton, Extension Educator with Cape In the next set of remarks, Matt Poole ommendations useful to any Vineyard Cod Cooperative Extension, Matt Poole, described the new rules, enacted in each property owner on when to water and Agent for the Edgartown Board of of the six towns on Martha’s Vineyard, when not to water, what species to plant, Health, and Jeff Carlson, Superintendent that regulate the application of fertilizer when to plant, what constitutes a healthy of the Vineyard Golf Club. to turf. He began with the political and lawn, and more. Executive Director Adam Moore legislative history behind these rules, and The session concluded with a lively introduced the evening program, offer- then explained the remarkable effort that panel discussion and a question and ing a brief commentary on the agri- resulted in the adoption of nearly identi- answer session with the audience. cultural heritage of Martha’s Vineyard cal sets of rules at six town meetings in Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation thanks and the agricultural work of Sheriff’s 2014. Mr. Poole also explained the edu- Mr. Norton, Mr. Poole and Mr. Carlson Meadow Foundation. Following this cational work that he has done to train for their participation in this public introduction, Mr. Norton began the and license landscaping professionals in lecture.

were inconclusive, Dendrochronology though. The house is framed in oak, and If you own an antique house on the ring sequences Martha’s Vineyard, please consider per- of these oak tim- forming dendrochronology on your bers did not match house. Dendrochronology is the sci- any other sequences ence of dating houses by microscopi- from elsewhere in cally examining the tree rings in the Massachusetts. They timbers of the house. In England and may however, match in New England, dendrochronology has sequences of other successfully and conclusively dated many houses on Martha’s antique houses. Vineyard. If some On Martha’s Vineyard, however, houses with known the only place that dendrochronology dates of construc- has been performed is in the Hancock- tion can be sampled, Mitchell House at Quansoo Farm. In enough matches this structure, only the rear ell of the could be made that house could be conclusively dated. The firm dates of con- rear ell is framed in hemlock, and the struction may be able ring sequences in the hemlock timbers White Oak Tree at Quansoo Farm Photo by Stephen Chapman to be established. matched other hemlock sequences from edge (the edge that was right beneath the hemlock elsewhere in Massachusetts. Dendrochronology is performed by bark). To yield results, the timbers must These matches determined that the hem- William Flynt of Historic Deerfield. It have 55 to 60 growth rings. lock timbers of the house were felled in is not very expensive. It requires 10 to Sampling your house will really help 1837. As if to confirm this result, while 15 samples per house for each historic Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation answer the restoring the rear ell, the carpenters phase of interest, and each sample costs historical questions that have been posed found scraps of newspaper from New $100 each, with a $750 minimum, in case about the Hancock-Mitchell House in a Bedford, stuffed into the walls. These fewer than 8 samples are taken, plus trav- factual and scientific manner. If you have newspapers bore the date 1837. el expenses. The timbers must be oak, questions, please contact Adam Moore at The samples taken for the older pitch pine, hemlock, chestnut or white [email protected] or Bill Flynt parts of the Hancock-Mitchell House pine, and the timbers must have a waney at [email protected]. Sheriff’s Meadow page 7 Foundation Chris Alley’s Remarks at the 2015 Summer Event GRAVITY: Its not just a good idea – Caroline Tuthill Preserve. bustlers. I felt that there must be a more it’s the law. And as with our homes, these are foundational reason that drew and draws Because it’s the law, when you build the elements we enjoy and share with us to the Vineyard. a house you cannot start with the roof – friends. However, though taken for Of course, the answer is the Vineyard nor the walls – nor the floor. When you granted, we need to maintain the foun- itself. Notwithstanding our Wampanoag build or restore a house you need to start dation if we want our house to stand tall, brothers and sisters, the island itself got with the foundation. When we began straight, and strong. here before any of us. Ultimately, it is the work in earnest on the Mitchell House Anyway…it is neither the Mitchell island earth - the terminal moraines of project, Phil Regan and I performed a House foundation that I want to speak Cedar Tree Neck, the Eastman Preserve, quick survey of the existing stone foun- about tonight, nor is it the foundation and Middle Road Sanctuary; the mantled dation. Because a portion of the house of Sheriff’s Meadow. While on a bike moraines of the Phillips Preserve, the had rotated over time pulling away from ride this past spring from Palm Beach Caroline Tuthill Preserve, and Sheriff’s the rest of the structure, we initially back to , I had a lot of time Meadow Sanctuary; the outwash sands thought that a portion of the founda- to ponder. Appreciating where I was of Quansoo Farm, Priscilla Hancock tion had settled. When we surveyed it, but anticipating a return to the island, I Meadow, and Huckleberry Barrens - that we found that the foundation was sound thought about what makes the Vineyard called to us or our ancestors. and stable at all of the important points Foundationally, it is the island waters and that it was a rotting floor system that – inland ponds such as Daggett Pond at was causing the problem. Phil, being Cedar Tree Neck, Lily Pond at Caroline an architect, was impressed with the Tuthill Preserve and Dodger’s Hole; foundation’s performance over the cen- coastal ponds such as Black Point Pond, turies and felt it was important to keep Lake Tashmoo, and Sengekontacket the principal original sections in place Pond; streams such as the Mill Brook, as part of the house’s story. There is no the Tiasquam River and Blackwater doubt the Mitchell House - surviving Brook; and the open waters of Vineyard centuries of wind, rain, snow and hur- Sound, , and the ricanes - owes part of its longevity to the Atlantic Ocean - that set the hooks that solid foundation on which it was built. keep us here. Of course the importance of a sound, Chris Alley Photo by Sara Piazza In the end, when you strip away all strong, secure foundation translates to the special place that we know it for…at of the constructed elements of our com- any building project whether it be a its core, or foundation, what is it about munity, the foundation is of made of this argument, an organization, or a business. the Vineyard that has kept some of us earth – [Mr. Alley holds up a jar of earth] Cleary the house of Sheriff’s Meadow here or brought the rest of us here? - and this water – [Mr. Alley holds up a jar Foundation is built on a just such a I think that, for all of us, it is some of water]. foundation. The blocks consist of our aspect of what we consider the Vineyard As with the foundations of our homes, endowment, our mission statement, our Community. Certainly there are myriad we can be tempted to take these for strategic plan, our articles of incorpora- aspects of this community, each appeal- granted while we enjoy the house built tion and by-laws, our operational poli- ing to us according to our personal inter- upon them. But the smart man knows cies ranging from finance to poison ivy. ests. Individually, the arts community, that the tallest tower can reach for the The mortar holding it all together is our the agricultural island, the social support sky only if set on a sound cornerstone. staff, our interns, and our volunteers. infrastructure, a family’s sense of secu- Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation, which The house built on this founda- rity, the hustle and the bustle of summer includes all of you sitting in front of tion, the part that we get to live in and and quiet of winter; any of these facets me, is the maintainer of our communal enjoy through the continued support may mean everything to some of us or foundation. With your continued sup- of everybody here tonight… the house they may mean nothing to others but we port, through acquisition and protec- consists of all of Sheriff’s Meadow’s have all found enough to love about the tion of open space, sound management properties and opportunities. It’s the Vineyard to keep us here. of existing conservation lands, protec- fields and meadows… it’s the streams, However, as I thought through these tion of habitats, appropriate agriculture, lakes and ponds…it’s the trails and community elements, I realized that they and education of the next generation, beaches…it’s the open vistas of farm are - for the most part - derivative of Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation will con- and ocean… it’s the guided walks and those of us who live here. We are the tinue to do our part to expand and main- sponsored talks… it’s the school trips artists, we are the farmers, we are the tain our community’s foundation. to Cedar Tree Neck Sanctuary and the volunteers, and we are the hustlers and Thank you all, and enjoy the evening. page 8 Martha’s Vineyard George Anthony Hough III

George Anthony Hough III of West of 22 years at Michigan State. In 1979, doing pretty well. We read the Sunday Tisbury, died Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015, he became head of the news-editorial New York Times together. We talked at Massachusetts General Hospital, after sequence at the Henry W. Grady School about seeing each other again this com- surgery to repair a hip injured in a fall. of Journalism and Mass Communication, ing Christmas season. George was many He was 94. University of Georgia. He was appointed things — a war hero, a husband and George is survived by his wife of 72 professor emeritus upon his retirement. father — but first and foremost, to years, Mary Lu Hough, and his daughter George received the Atrium Award, me, he was my grandfather. I’ll always Mary Pat Hough-Greene; his grand- presented by the Grady School and remember going fishing and camping, son Neil Greene, his wife Amy and AmericasMart in Atlanta, Ga., for “dili- and making blueberry pancakes on the great-grandson Harper; his granddaugh- gent pursuit of excellence in fashion jour- beach with him, and diving off pro- ter Lydia, her husband Patrick Harmer, nalism” in 1991. He was the author of truding rocks in the sounds while step- and great-grandsons P.J. (Patrick Jr.) two books, “Structures of Modification ping over barnacles and looking off to and Declan. George was the nephew in Contemporary American English,” the ever-so-far-away, but still visible, of Henry Beetle Hough, former editor published in 1971, and “News Writing,” Elizabeth Islands. I’ll always remember and publisher of the Vineyard Gazette, published in 1975. his skill as a gardener, and the blue rib- and son of George and Clara Hough, Upon retirement in 1990 to the bons he won at the Martha’s Vineyard editor and publisher of the Falmouth Vineyard with his wife Mary Lu, George Agricultural Fair for his garlic, toma- Enterprise. continued his life of gardening, reading, toes, and squash. Getting garlic for George attended the Lenox School, and genealogy. He also continued his Christmas was the best. In return, when Lenox. He worked summers as a reporter Uncle Henry’s legacy of preserving open we asked what he wanted, he would for the Falmouth Enterprise, and gradu- space on Martha’s Vineyard as a member tell us, ‘Manure.’ I don’t know that he ated from the University of Wisconsin, of the board of directors for the Sheriff’s ever got it for Christmas. George lives where he became a member of Sigma Nu Meadow Foundation. This culminated on, too. I’m working on my doctorate fraternity, with a degree in journalism in in the recent creation of the George A. because of him. I never would have 1943. Shortly after his graduation, and Hough Preserve in West Tisbury. He persisted without his example. I care two weeks after marrying Mary Lu, he is remembered by his family as a lov- about inequality, civic participation, and received his commission in the Navy, ing husband, father, grandfather, and community because of him. George serving aboard a Land Ship, Tank (LST). proud great-grandfather who loved to would often say that you just have to He earned a Navy and Marine medal tell entertaining stories about his travels keep plugging away. We will, and we when he went to rescue a soldier who around the world with his grandfather, will always remember him. Thank you was “floundering helplessly due to heavy George Anthony Hough, known as Pat. for everything, George.” clothing and equipment, with complete George’s grandson, Neil, flew from A memorial service for George will disregard for his own safety and despite Albuquerque, N.M., to be with his be held at some time in the future. extreme darkness, [he] plunged into the grandfather. He wrote, “George had Donations in his memory may be made cold strong waters and affected his res- just recovered from hip surgery, a major to the The Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation, cue.” medical intervention for anyone, let 57 David Avenue, Vineyard Haven, MA After serving in the Navy, George was alone a 94-year-old. I thought he was 02568. a reporter with the Detroit Free Press for five years. He and his wife became edi- tor and publisher of the weekly Vernon County Censor (Viroqua, Wis.) from 1950 to 1955, where, without regard for his career, he wrote editorials about Sen. Joseph McCarthy. In 1955, he became managing editor of the Grant County Independent, in Lancaster, Wis. In 1957 the family relocated to East Lansing, Mich. George earned his master’s degree in general communication arts, followed by a Ph.D. in linguistics, at Michigan State University. He continued his career as a professor of journalism, spending a total Cedar Tree Neck Sanctuary Photo by Stephen Chapman page 20 Martha’s Vineyard

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The students also worked closely with have done an excellent job in educat- Saving Box Turtles obedience trainer Karen Ogden and her ing members of the public and have With the help of a $5,000 grant from golden retriever, Max, who has been been superb representatives of Sheriff’s the Edey Foundation, Sheriff’s Meadow trained to find box turtles in the field Meadow Foundation and its education Foundation and Johnny, the eastern box by scent. To illustrate program. turtle, have been helping Island students the work of the golden At the Edgartown learn about protecting this rare species of retriever to children, the School, enrichment reptile. Both the Oak Bluffs School and students created a sniff program director Sue the Edgartown School have been working test, where children could Costello has also created closely with Johnny during the fall semes- sniff different, covered an educational program ter. The Massachusetts Natural Heritage scents, and thereby imag- based on the eastern & Endangered Species Program lists the ine being the dog charged box turtle. For this pro- eastern box turtle as a species of special with the task of sniffing gram, Sheriff’s Meadow concern. out the turtle. The stu- Foundation’s Director Leah Dorr teaches science to seventh dents made posters and of Stewardship Kristen and eighth graders at the Oak Bluffs displays, and staffed a Fauteux and Education School. This fall, her students created an display at the Living Coordinator Samantha exceptional educational program aimed at Local Harvest Festival in Bella Arias holding Johnny Look, Ms. Costello, educating the public about ways of pro- October. Finally, the stu- Ms. Ogden, Martha’s tecting box turtles. The students created dents even made a Claymation movie Vineyard Land Bank Ecologist Julie pamphlets specifically for landscapers, about the box turtle. In true stop-action Russell and Johnny the turtle have been explaining that fields should be mowed in Claymation form, this film depicted in meeting with students once a week. This a pattern of concentric circles, beginning stark terms the real peril that mowers program will culminate in field trials for from the center and spiraling out, thus pose to box turtles, and the real benefits Johnny the turtle, Max the dog and all of giving turtles a chance to escape to the that result from more thoughtful mow- the students at the meadow at Caroline edges of the field. ing patterns. The students of Ms. Dorr Tuthill Preserve.