Town Column : Chilmark
By Jacqueline Sexton
Published: April 24, 2008
The annual town meeting is next Monday, April 28, at 7:30 pm at the community center. Elections are Wednesday, April 30, from 12 noon to 8 pm. We have to leave the exciting down-to-the-wire races to the other Island towns, but be sure to vote. It does matter.
The school has invited the parents of all children who will start kindergarten in the fall to a registration night gathering next Wednesday, April 30, at 6:30 pm. It's an opportunity to meet the teachers and learn what the school's philosophy is all about. The meeting is for parents only; an orientation evening for the children will be held at a later date. Any questions, please call the school at 508-645-2562.
Valerie Sonnenthal will have a snapshot show at Featherstone May 2-4 from 12 noon to 4 pm, with a reception on Sunday from 2 to 4 pm. She invites everyone to send in a favorite snapshot for display by May 1 to Featherstone Center for the Arts, P.O. Box 1145, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. Something different in art show endeavors, this is the second year Ms. Sonnenthal, a writer and an artist of many talents, has held the popular event. She will have a show of her own work at the library in May.
All it took was one warm day last Saturday to turn everyone's thoughts to summer and the beaches. Periodic post-storm beach visits during the winter have led to speculation that the beach has disappeared, (it hasn't), that the cliffs have moved closer to water's edge at Lucy Vincent, (they haven't), and that Squibnocket is re-arranged, (nope). Everything is pretty much in order, ready for the summer throngs. At least, for now.
To some, beaches are a contentious matter, as reflected in the cryptic remark of one activist: "It's not about the beach. It's about access." Okay.
Be that as it may, we met one beach addict who had stationed himself on the beach even before the warmer weather, as though he had grown there. He was ready for a long stay with his dinner, his binoculars and his project, which was to protect the beach from further erosion by nudging a huge washed up plank up to the dunes.
Soon, Anne McGhee, Gloria Burkin and other beach painters will appear, themselves a picturesque scene surrounded by their easels and paint boxes.
Back at the homestead, and of interest especially to Dan Cabot, the first big bright-yellow dandelion has raised its smiley face near the front door. Mr. Cabot has expressed dismay at the disappearance of dandelions in the aftermath of the rush to elegant and manicured lawns.
