Leave Politics Out Of It 

Editor:

Best parade I ever attended—except for the Democratic contingent. Politics should have been left out. 

Thomas Collins
South Grafton

Churches Share Abolitionist Past

Editor:

Thank you for your two thoughtful articles in your respective newspapers about the current exhibit about slavery at Pilgrim Church Harwich Port. I celebrate Pilgrim Church’s research and public exhibit.

As Pilgrim Church recognizes their founding as an anti-slavery society in 1855, I wish to point out that our church, the First Congregational Church of Harwich, which was founded in 1747, also took an anti-slavery stand. But they did this in 1846, nine years earlier than Pilgrim Church. In no uncertain terms, the First Church congregation voted: “Resolved that we can have no church fellowship with those who hold and treat their fellow men as chattels or who advocate and approve of the system of human slavery.”

We are glad that our two churches in this town were on the right side of history then, even though we all have continuing work to do. 

Rev. Dianne E. Arakawa, Interim Pastor
First Congregational Church of Harwich

Time To Get Tough With Cumbies

Editor:

I am with Steve Lyons, it is time to get tough with Cumberland Farms. What an eyesore their abandoned building is on Main Street. I was disgusted to learn of the “control” they have over that location. I stand with Steve, it is time to get very tough with Cumberland Farms. I may have to rethink shopping there. 

Noreen Powell Wood
Chatham

COA Needs Central Location 

Editor:

I agree with Fleur Jones' letter of July— we seniors are the majority of residents in Chatham and our new senior center should be centrally located, and the grounds of the Chatham Community Center would be ideal. As our future progresses the baby boomer generation will need the continued resources of a senior center to benefit our lives; not only for socializing, learning, Medicare advice, entertainment, lunch programs, trips to the store and medical appointments by the center's buses, exercise classes geared to seniors, hopefully an Adult Day Center, but for easy access to its location.

Location, location, location: we know that saying very well in Chatham.

Please come to the Selectmen’s meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1 at the annex on George Ryder Road. The whole meeting will be dedicated to discussing the future location of our new senior center. It is going to be a big part of our future and we need to speak up. All ages are urged to attend, be proactive. 

Kathleen Ryan
Chatham

Stand Up For The Triangle 

Editor:

The town-owned property that abuts Training Field, Old Queen Anne and Old Comers Road (the Triangle) has a recreation and conservation restriction. There is nothing stopping the town of Chatham from using this land for the council on aging senior center. 
If all of the voters of Chatham stand up and say we want this land for our elderly population, I truly believe it will happen. 

Betsy Abreu
Chatham

Gratitude For Generosity Of Walkers

Editor:

Hooray, hooray to Chatham Ecumenical Council for their active participation in the (mini) Bob Murray Housing with Love Walk. Their participation has greatly helped the dire situation of many in our town experiencing very difficult times. I am praying that their many good contributors of many kinds will continue as they have in the past. My heart and soul go out to all of them that their spirit of giving from the heart will be ever-present for many years to come. 

Phyllis Tileston
Chatham

 Abolish Airport Commission 

Editor:

“Off with their heads!”

“A plague on both your houses!”

And so, in one fell swoop the Selectmen abolished the charter review committee because of the kerfuffle there!

But the shenanigans of that committee were nothing compared to those of the airport commission, which many have observed for years.  And the selectmen (the airport “sponsors”) do nothing to correct them. They appear to be in the pocket of that commission, which, in turn, appears to be in the pocket of the airport manager, who receives all the profit from the town’s over 100 tax-free acres.  Further, millions of our taxpayer funds have gone down the drain, er, to the airport, with millions more to come—all to serve a very few pilots. What’s wrong with this picture?

Here’s a first right step for the selectmen: Dissolve the commission and reconstitute one with only three members—to include the two outstanding ones kicked off a couple of years ago apparently just because of their outstanding, conscientious work!

And cease their misguided support for skydiving. The FAA has said skydiving in congested areas is dangerous and not allowed, and that Chatham is congested. The town counsel has agreed that the town is congested.  End of story. 

Why, oh, why then, have the selectmen expended town resources in court four times to support skydiving?  Oh, I forgot, maybe they’re in somebody’s pocket.

J. Denis Glover
Chatham

Grow Milkweed, Save Butterflies

Editor:

As I write this letter I am looking down at my garden where two beautiful monarch butterfly are making their rounds of the common, marsh milkweed, and butterfly weed. If I am lucky they are laying eggs. This is the sixth year of my milkweed/monarch butterfly project.

I’d like to share what I have learned and was not in any of the literature I had read about growing milkweed.

First, for best success plant your seeds in pots filled with potting soil. I personally have not had any success planting seeds either in the ground or sprinkling them on top of the ground.

When they are four to six inches high they may go in the ground, they need lots of sun and need to be watered for two weeks or through the growing season. Those already planted show themselves in late June and as late as July. They often have to be looked after carefully so weeds, already up and thriving, can be removed.

I have learned to leave the stalks from the year before so I will know where the new growth will come up. Leaving the stalks also gives other insects a place to overwinter. Marking them with bamboo or pine stakes will be helpful in the spring, too.

These three native varieties are delicate, and easily broken. I have broken many through the years, just attempting to weed around them or walking through my garden. Although the common milkweed is tenacious once established and will keep coming back if you do break them. The other two varieties, probably not. Common milkweed is extremely difficult to transplant, unless it is less than four inches high.

The butterfly weed is, I have found, very very difficult to grow to maturity. Bunnies and slugs love it and I mean love it. Often the butterfly will lay its eggs on baby plants and you will have to find another source of milkweed for the caterpillar. You are welcome to call me if you get stuck without food for your caterpillar. I’ve also found that the marsh milkweed does not have to be grown in a marshy area.

This year wire fencing has become my best friend. It won’t hurt the bunnies, but will keep the milkweed growing. Pick up seed packets at the Marconi/RCA museum or the Eldredge Public Library. I have a few plants to give away. Contact me at at suzannaaan@yahoo.com or call 774-563-0775.

Suzanna Nickerson
Chatham