STOCK PHOTO
Ms. Zavatto’s new book offers Island-themed cockail recipes.
Not ready to let go of summer yet? September on Shelter Island can sometimes be a sweet dessert after the multi-course menu of June, July and August. Step out on the porch and enjoy a soft breeze while the sun still sparkles on the water. Before you do, though, pick up Amy Zavatto’s book, “Prosecco Made Me Do It,” and fix yourself a refreshing cocktail.
REPORTER FILE PHOTO
To the Editor:
Well, all the banter about “dark skies” and now we have a law. So now we are up to “snuff” with the Hamptons. They have had the dark skies law for some time.
I have advertised Shelter Island as the UN-Hampton for years in my real estate advertising. Recently I have changed to the NU-Hampton, since we have become the summer of one fundraising event after the other. But now that we are in line with the Hamptons with our new legislation and it seems more new rules to come, I shall start advertising as Shelterhampton, once known as Shelter Island.
With all of the commentary throughout the Reporter on the subject, it certainly appears that this new law has not made too many people happy! What has happened to our “little” Island? It seems we will be looking over our shoulder at every turn — it’s getting a little scary out there.
Then the editorial last week was an insult to the Republican Committee. Full of half truths. Take a nano second and Google, “What is a Republican,” and let me know why the editorial choose to depict the Republicans as not aware of what is happening within the shores of our “little” Island.
And when you decide to let me know, I will then tell you about my day in court over a temporary “Open House” sign (a tool for my business). More unnecessary legislation to further inhibit one’s ability to function. A few weeks ago someone wrote a letter referring to the wonders of Shelter Island and commented, that perhaps this was all a facade; this great “little” Island and the beauty of it all. The bank had horrible bright lights! I think there is some kind of rule about banks having proper lights at night. I think I will Google that too.
As the banner in the Chequit says, “Somehow this tight little island will survive.” It was placed there many, many years ago, and yes, the “little” Island is surviving!
Ahhh! Me!
GEORGIANA KETCHAM
Shelter Island
An alternative
To the Editor:
I certainly agree with the Fire Department that residents should evacuate endangered sections of Shelter Island, Ram Island being one, when being told to evacuate. If residents choose to stay and risk their own safety, that is their choice. However, if having not heeded the warning, the situation worsens and the homeowner wishes help, it is wrong to expect our brave volunteers to risk their lives.
That said, we all live in a geographically unique and vulnerable environment. We have good notice for many disasters, but not all. Nature can be swift, cruel, and sometimes its intensity is unexpectedly overwhelming.
Some storms are of lesser intensity than Sandy, do not prompt a formal evacuation, yet Shelter Island residents might be desperate. The right vehicle could someday help assist any one of us, and keep our volunteers safe, if nature surprises our Island and makes things very difficult on a very bad night.
Emergency equipment is very expensive. If there ever are funds or grants available to purchase a robust emergency vehicle, it should be considered.
MARC WEIN
President, Ram Island Association
With gratitude to all
To the Editor:
Last Saturday the Shelter Island Cricket Club hosted its second annual International Cricket Match in aid of the Shelter Island Ambulance Foundation. The donations are still coming in but so far we have raised over $15,000.
For cricketers, spectators and fête goers alike it was as close to the perfect day as could be hoped. So many people played a part in achieving this. While obvious thanks to the Weather Gods is clearly due, we’d like to take this opportunity to thank some local Islanders — individuals and organizations — without whose generosity, efforts and manpower there would have been no event:
James Brantuck of the Island Boatyard, Keith and Ali of SALT, Sam Case of the Shelter Island Ambulance Foundation, Cliff Clark of South Ferry, the Shelter Island 10K Community Fund, Robert Strauss of Shelter Island Party Rentals, Superintendent Jay Card Jr. of the
, the Shelter Island Fire Department, Darren and ‘Min’ Binder, Gerry Siller of Grady Riley Garden Center, Greg Nissen of Camp Quinipet, Garth Griffin of the Shelter Island School, Russell Smith, Shelter Island Sanitation, and the editorial staff of the Reporter.
In addition we owe great thanks to our many other on- and off-Island sponsors, donors, supporters, players and attendees. Whatever role you played, thank you all so much for being an integral part of making the second annual Shelter Island Cricket Match the huge success it was.
DAVID SHILLINGFORD and GARETH JONES
Co-founders, Shelter Island Cricket Club
REPORTER FILE PHOTO
To the Editor:
Well, all the banter about “dark skies” and now we have a law. So now we are up to “snuff” with the Hamptons. They have had the dark skies law for some time.
I have advertised Shelter Island as the UN-Hampton for years in my real estate advertising. Recently I have changed to the NU-Hampton, since we have become the summer of one fundraising event after the other. But now that we are in line with the Hamptons with our new legislation and it seems more new rules to come, I shall start advertising as Shelterhampton, once known as Shelter Island.
With all of the commentary throughout the Reporter on the subject, it certainly appears that this new law has not made too many people happy! What has happened to our “little” Island? It seems we will be looking over our shoulder at every turn — it’s getting a little scary out there.
Then the editorial last week was an insult to the Republican Committee. Full of half truths. Take a nano second and Google, “What is a Republican,” and let me know why the editorial choose to depict the Republicans as not aware of what is happening within the shores of our “little” Island.
And when you decide to let me know, I will then tell you about my day in court over a temporary “Open House” sign (a tool for my business). More unnecessary legislation to further inhibit one’s ability to function. A few weeks ago someone wrote a letter referring to the wonders of Shelter Island and commented, that perhaps this was all a facade; this great “little” Island and the beauty of it all. The bank had horrible bright lights! I think there is some kind of rule about banks having proper lights at night. I think I will Google that too.
As the banner in the Chequit says, “Somehow this tight little island will survive.” It was placed there many, many years ago, and yes, the “little” Island is surviving!
Ahhh! Me!
GEORGIANA KETCHAM
Shelter Island
An alternative
To the Editor:
I certainly agree with the Fire Department that residents should evacuate endangered sections of Shelter Island, Ram Island being one, when being told to evacuate. If residents choose to stay and risk their own safety, that is their choice. However, if having not heeded the warning, the situation worsens and the homeowner wishes help, it is wrong to expect our brave volunteers to risk their lives.
That said, we all live in a geographically unique and vulnerable environment. We have good notice for many disasters, but not all. Nature can be swift, cruel, and sometimes its intensity is unexpectedly overwhelming.
Some storms are of lesser intensity than Sandy, do not prompt a formal evacuation, yet Shelter Island residents might be desperate. The right vehicle could someday help assist any one of us, and keep our volunteers safe, if nature surprises our Island and makes things very difficult on a very bad night.
Emergency equipment is very expensive. If there ever are funds or grants available to purchase a robust emergency vehicle, it should be considered.
MARC WEIN
President, Ram Island Association
With gratitude to all
To the Editor:
Last Saturday the Shelter Island Cricket Club hosted its second annual International Cricket Match in aid of the Shelter Island Ambulance Foundation. The donations are still coming in but so far we have raised over $15,000.
For cricketers, spectators and fête goers alike it was as close to the perfect day as could be hoped. So many people played a part in achieving this. While obvious thanks to the Weather Gods is clearly due, we’d like to take this opportunity to thank some local Islanders — individuals and organizations — without whose generosity, efforts and manpower there would have been no event:
James Brantuck of the Island Boatyard, Keith and Ali of SALT, Sam Case of the Shelter Island Ambulance Foundation, Cliff Clark of South Ferry, the Shelter Island 10K Community Fund, Robert Strauss of Shelter Island Party Rentals, Superintendent Jay Card Jr. of the
, the Shelter Island Fire Department, Darren and ‘Min’ Binder, Gerry Siller of Grady Riley Garden Center, Greg Nissen of Camp Quinipet, Garth Griffin of the Shelter Island School, Russell Smith, Shelter Island Sanitation, and the editorial staff of the Reporter.
In addition we owe great thanks to our many other on- and off-Island sponsors, donors, supporters, players and attendees. Whatever role you played, thank you all so much for being an integral part of making the second annual Shelter Island Cricket Match the huge success it was.
DAVID SHILLINGFORD and GARETH JONES
Co-founders, Shelter Island Cricket Club
PETER BOODY FILE PHOTO | The Chequit is got the okay to put in a pool, which should clear the way for its sale to Cape Advisors.
Shelter Island’s Zoning Board of Appeals gave the go-ahead Wednesday night for two hotel owners to add pools to their properties, opening the doors for the sale of one: the Chequit Inn.
Approvals for both the Chequit and La Maison Blanche came with conditions affecting hours of operation and noise abatement provisions.
For Chequit owners James and Linda Eklund, the approval means the sale of the property to Cape Advisors, a Cape May, N.J.- and New York City-based company, is one step closer.
“It’s never a done deal until it’s done,” Mr. Eklund said after the meeting. “It allows the Chequit to have a pool.”
But Cape Advisors spokesman Curtis Bashaw took it a step further in a telephone interview Thursday afternoon, saying he’s very excited about the ZBA’s action.
“This was a big hurdle for us and the Eklunds,” Mr. Bashaw said. “Our goal would be [to complete the transaction] some time this spring.”
For more coverage on the ZBA’s action check out next Thursday’s issue of the Shelter Island Reporter.
REPORTER PHOTO | The Shelter Island School chapter of the National Honor Society is now nine members strong after an induction ceremony on January 20 at the Chequit. Front row (from left): Andrew BeltCapellino, James Read, Jonathan LiCausi, Corey Brewer, Jay Card; back row (from top): Morgan Anderson, Haley Willumsen, Ariana Loriz, Stephanie Vecchio and Adviser Janine Mahoney.
The ranks of the Shelter Island High School chapter of the National Honor Society tripled Thursday night as six members of the junior class (2012) joined three seniors (Class of 2011) at the society’s annual dinner and induction ceremony, hosted once again at the Chequit Hotel.
Interim Superintendent Bob Parry noted the big increase in membership in his comments at the dinner. Another interesting statistic — the junior class has only 14 members total so over 40 percent of the class is now in the honor society. The new members are: Corey Brewer, Jay Card, Jonathan LiCausi, Ariana Loriz, James Read and Haley Willumsen.
Adviser Janine Mahoney and NHS President Stephanie Vecchio led the induction ceremony, with assistance from student officers Morgan Anderson and Andrew BeltCappellino. During the ceremony, students light a candle for each of the characteristics that distinguish NHS members — excellence in scholarship, leadership, service and character. Students apply for membership; they must have a 90 percent average in their high school course work, demonstrate each of the four characteristics of the society and submit a letter of reference from a teacher at the school.
The Shelter Island NHS chapter was recently honored by Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk for a 2009 service project — the Cardboard Camp-out. Students raised funds to build houses for the homeless by camping out all night in cardboard boxes on the school grounds. In addition to group service projects, each member of NHS must complete individual community service work as well and keep their grade point average up to remain a member in good standing.
In addition to the formal induction ceremony, two other traditions have become part of the annual ritual — the photo of the students on the Chequit stairs and the serving of students and parents by the unusual wait staff of the Shelter Island School Board of Education.