At Sankaty, tennis traditions thrive with Vaughan Machado
BY STEVE SHEPPARD INDEPENDENT SPORTS EDITOR
      "Perfect. Great shot." "You're learning a skill right in front of my eyes." "We're talking about discipline." Such are the encouragements offered by Vaughan Machado at the Sankaty Head tennis club, where he has held center court as tennis pro and instructor for 27 years.
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Bizarre walk-off victory for Yates Gas in thriller
BY JOSH GALVIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
      Apitcher's duel it was as Yates Gas battled Wolfhound to a 3-2 extra inning thriller at the Nantucket High School field in Wednesday's Rec League Softball game of the week. It took just one inning of extra play for Yates Gas to break the 2-2 tie and walk off the field to the tune of a 3-2 victory ...
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TIGHT LINES
MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE
with Andrew Spencer
      Once upon a time in Dallas, my father took one of those community school courses. This one was specifically geared towards middle-aged guys who wanted to learn the finer points of woodworking. Dad fit the bill, so he signed up.
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PERFECT BALANCE
      Displaying the form that netted him five previous titles, Levi Barme of 21 Federal crosses the finish line for his sixth consecutive victory at Saturday's 30th annual Waiter and Waitress Race.
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NANTUCKET AT NIGHT
Fireflies in heat, cormorants in trees and herds of garter snakes
      This week, The Nantucket Independent introduces a summer series entitled Night Hikes. This series will help you to discover the island's natural world as the light of day fades into nighttime.
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NIGHTWANDERINGS 101
      Exploring the island at night can be an exhilarating experience for most of us wilderness types. Yet, it can be a daunting encounter for others. Before venturing out into the night, it's a good idea to heed basic safety and personal comfort advice.
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From the Sidelines
      WHALER SWIMMER TAKES FIRST IN BAY STATE GAMES Nantucket High School junior Beau Garuficaptured first place in the 200-meter breaststroke at the Bay State Games held at Harvard University last weekend. Garufialso took second place in the 100-meter breaststroke.
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BIRDS OF NANTUCKET
DAMON RUNYON AND ECCLESIASTES
by Kenneth Turner Blackshaw
      The quotation begins - "The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong," but then the writer's philosophy cuts in. Runyan finished with "but that is the way to bet." Ecclesiastes ends up with the somewhat more profound, "time and chance happeneth to them all.
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