Quick Thinking
To the editor:
This letter is to thank and commend the three young sailors, JJ Blake, Andrew Shope, and Kevin Woznac, as well as Assistant Harbormaster Jesse Boyd and pier agent John DeMatteis, for their quick thinking and assistance at the town dinghy dock last week.
I was the 81-year-old who fell into the water after tying up my dinghy and required their aid [“3 Young Sailors Come to the Rescue at Town Pier,” Aug. 22, front page].
The three kids exhibited a lot of common sense as well as a willingness to help another human being in obvious distress — both rare commodities in today’s society.
The assistant harbormaster and pier agent (who is always helping someone) deserve a lot of credit for not just doing their jobs but going out of their way to make the recipient of their assistance feel good about himself and make sure his health was OK.
Thank you, men (for all of you are indeed men), for the timely assistance.
James E. King
Provincetown
Kids Will Squid
To the editor:
I taught sixth grade for over 20 years. It’s safe to say I have gotten to know a few thousand 11-year-olds. I was often amazed at their skill, creativity, and humanity.
Thank you, Lola Schiffer-Kehou (“The Kids Will Squid,” Aug. 22, page B10), for bringing me back to the world of young people, your world. Your article about squidding, a great Provincetown tradition, with accompanying photographs, was such a pleasure to read. Great setting, great organization, but most of all great sense of story.
A+ for sure!
John Dillon
Eastham
The Freedom to Explore
To the editor:
I got a huge kick out of reading “The Kids Will Squid” and was amazed that the author of this entertaining piece was an 11-year-old. She took the action photos for the pier-jumping article as well.
There must be something magical in the P’town water, because these kids are living a life far different from most American kids, it seems. They have more freedom to explore, take risks, forage for free seafood, gain skills like the boys who rescued a drowning man, and make their own joy in the great outdoors.
I salute them and the editorial staff for bringing their talents to light.
Carol Jules
Wellfleet
A Ladder at the Pier
To the editor:
As a former MacMillan Pier jumper and the father of two former jumpers now in their mid-20s, I was thrilled to see that this treasured practice continues (“Making the Leap in Provincetown,” Aug. 22, page A18).
While I wholeheartedly support future jumpers, another article on the front page of last week’s Independent (“3 Young Sailors Come to the Rescue at Town Pier”) pointed out an important issue to consider: adding a ladder on one of the floating piers so everyone in the water — those who intended to be there and those who didn’t — can get out safely and easily.
Rick Treanor
Provincetown
Letters to the Editor
The Provincetown Independent welcomes letters from readers on all subjects. They must be signed with the writer’s name, home address, and telephone number (for verification). Letters will be published only if they have been sent exclusively to the Independent. They should be no more than 300 words and may be edited for clarity, accuracy, conciseness, and good taste. Longer pieces (up to 600 words) may be submitted for consideration as op-ed commentary. Send letters to [email protected] or by mail to P.O. Box 1034, Provincetown, MA 02657. The deadline for letters is Monday at noon for each week’s edition.
