Hope for the holidays


This year, 2009, was a tough one. To say that Shelter Island has been mired in a sluggish economy is an understatement. Seeing “For Sale by Owner” signs on local businesses and “For Rent” postings on empty store fronts is troubling no matter how you feel about the town’s sign law. Some local fundraising events have been cancelled, others saw meager attendance as our community organizations tried to attract the smallest pool of winter residents we’ve seen in a long time. And this week the police blotter reminds us that our moat can’t keep drugs from our shores.


Meanwhile, our nation is struggling with enormous issues — wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a national health care overhaul, a Wall Street culture that rewards risk and greed at the expense of the public good — they seem beyond our reach, insoluble.


But the year started out with so much hope as a new president took office. It can end with hope as well. We may not find it in the national headlines. But it ain’t for nothing that our Op-Ed column this week is titled “There’s no place like here for the holidays.”


Take another look around. It’s out there.


• In the character of our kids. Our girls varsity volleyball team not only took the county and regional championships, they stood out among all their competitors as the best sports in the league. Not surprising, their coach, Cindy Belt, took top honors as well.


• In the launching of a new business. The line of contractor trucks parked in front of the new Eagle Deli at lunch time on Tuesday was a fortuitous sign.


• In an improving real estate market. Councilman Glenn Waddington announced Tuesday that two-percent open space money, which all but disappeared earlier this year, topped six digits again last month. That’s good for the market and for the town as it renews its focus on protecting the Island environment.


• In the Island’s holiday happenings. The placing of a star on the town Christmas tree with help from our volunteer Fire Department, Island kids rushing to Legion Hall to see Santa after lighting the tree, Islanders crowding into a pick-up truck to sing carols and visit homebound neighbors, the party dresses and fidgeting of the school holiday concert, the Glorias church-goers wait all year to sing and hear — this is the stuff that makes Shelter Island feel like home. 


• In a basketball victory. It’s not all about winning but boy it feels good. The boys varsity team at the Shelter Island High School is the biggest and deepest in years. Starting the season with home-game losses against much bigger schools showed a team that could take the heat. Basketball home games in the school gym are the place to be every winter but this year, maybe we will cheer to victory a little more often.


Home means hope, and no gift is needed more this holiday season.