Thanksgiving

Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • November 28, 2016

Is a time of and for thanks.  I have quite a few people to thank and I fear I won’t capture all of them here.  I am giving my thanks to the women and men who do a lot of things for MMA and for me on a daily basis, particularly where it concerns my work on the MMA facilities.  These are the people who have been working on our buildings and grounds, keeping things looking nice and improving upon things that are broken, rundown, and not looking so nice frankly.  And many of them have been doing it for many years already.


Some of our projects this year have been grant funded and we are greatly appreciative to those people, foundations, and granting agencies for their confidence in and support of our work.


This year’s projects – and repairs – have included things like new gutters on some of our buildings – including Hinchman House – painting of Hinchman and the Astronomer’s Cottage, work on turning our former Science Library into a Research Center, roofing Hinchman, installing a new (not leaking) shower and bathroom floor in the Hinchman dorm, and installing new drainage and a sewer line.  These are just a few of the “biggies” but there are also things like washing windows, cleaning dryer vents (we have five of those!), and fixing the lighting which are just as important and may get overlooked sometimes.


So here goes the Thanks part which also includes the crews of these contractors, craftsmen, and artisans – all of my heroes! –  as well.  The MMA and I are eternally grateful!


JNLF


Wayne and Andrea Morris, Wayne Morris Mason


Matt Anderson, Anderson Carpentry


Pen Austin


Jim Badera, Badera Engineering


Jon Vollans, Vollans Electric


Bob Butler, Marden Plumbing


Mickey Rowland, Milton Rowland Architects


Greg Maskell, Maskell Landscaping


Kevin Wiggin, Kevin Wiggin HVAC, Inc.


Mike Freedman, Cabinetmaker


Jim Tyler, James Tyler Painting


Marine Home Center


Burton Went, WMW Tile, Inc. 


Sharon Cross


Pioneer Cleaning


Toscana


James Lydon and Sons and Daughters Roofing


Visco Pumping


Island Carpet


John Wathne, Structures-North


Matt Ireland


Jonathan Miles Window Cleaning


Taylor Butler


Chris Miller


Eric Finger


John Daly Plumbing


Island Cleaning Services


Greenwood Alarm



Valero Locksmith Service

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October 1. {1857} No place that I have yet seen in Europe has interested me like Abbotsford; no palace has held such royalty. I sat down in the chair which Sir Walter Scott had occupied, and I almost felt his presence; his power I had known nearly all my life . . . . It was rather a sad visit as all such visits must be . . . I had half a mind to sit down and cry, perhaps because the “wizard” was dead, perhaps because I was a little homesick. This date marked the anniversary of Maria Mitchell’s comet discovery on October 1, 1847. At least one of Scott’s books exists in Maria’s personal library today – and I am sure there were more – handed about among family members, as well as available at the Nantucket Atheneum. This was truly an experience and education for Maria – touring through Europe. It was also the first time she had even been away from home for any length of time. She was entering into her third month away from her family and Nantucket – it must not have been easy. Keep in mind – no easy communication – letters only, do not forget. At least a voice at the other end of a phone line can help a bit when one is homesick. (Yeah, no, I’m not a Facetime/Skype kind of girl. I do “live” in the 19 th century!) JNLF

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10mo 1, 1847. {October 1, 1847} This evening at half past ten Maria discovered a telescopic comet five degrees above Polaris. Persuaded that no nebulae could occupy that position unnoticed it scarcely needed the evidence of motion to give it the character of a comet. From the journals of William Mitchell, father of Maria. One hundred and seventy-nine years later! JNLF
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