I’m prepared for the very real possibility that there may yet be another freak blizzard as late as April 1. It did happen once before. Even though I can’t put away my coat just yet during these first chilly days of spring, I can finally exhale. I’m marking the days off my calendar until there are green trees and outdoor cafes, and most importantly, until it’s time for my first warm weather ferry ride over to the lovely Martha’s Vineyard.
But as upbeat as I am about my upcoming time on Martha’s Vineyard, I’m despondent about a significant change to my special island’s culture and landscape. The long talked about Aquinnah Bingo Hall will soon be reality — one that I envision will be a jarring juxtaposition to the quiet beauty of this western tip of the island. Aquinnah is home to a historic lighthouse, a stunning beach and a charming restaurant. The place has an overall laid-back vibe. It has never drawn the kind of crowds that down island towns Oak Bluffs and Vineyard have — probably because it takes some effort to get there, and the most direct access is a long, narrow, winding road.
To be clear, this is not a full casino, but rather a community center turned bingo hall built on land owned by the Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe. Compared to full casinos, the bingo hall is small. But this will not be the church bingo you may be imagining of quirky game callers, big score cards and markers. No, electronic bingo is church bingo’s gaudy game cousin, featuring high-tech bells and whistles, handheld devices and video screens. The computerized tracking mechanisms make it easy for players to manage multiple games, and easy to win bigger or lose faster. This should be a financial boon for the Aquinnah Wampanoag, a much better financial return than the sale of their jewelry and handicrafts.
I’m not a gambler, so this will not interest me, though I know it will attract plenty of recreational gamblers. My fear is that what was an off-the-beaten-path treasure will soon become overrun with players, making Aquinnah just another stop on their New England casino trail.
When construction of the bingo hall began a few weeks ago, it sparked some initial tension between tribe and town officials, who seem surprised that the building had actually begun. In a letter, the tribe reiterated its sovereign right to build and its long history as a good neighbor. Since then, there has been a meeting to iron out impact details and soothe hard feelings. But no question, many town residents would rather not have a bingo hall as a local attraction. But then, so would I. If there are no unforeseen construction holdups, the Aquinnah Bingo Hall will be completed by the end of the year. I’ve got one last summer before I become one of those annoying remember when-ers, nostalgic for a long, narrow road to Aquinnah less traveled by.
