Town Column : Edgartown
By Gail Craig
Published: April 24, 2008
What an incredible stretch of weather we've had this last week! My babies are away for a couple of days so I had all these big plans, fun things like cleaning the house top to bottom, getting rid of some of the kids' old toys and clothes, and getting rid of the cans and bottles in the backyard. But instead, I slept late, took Roxie to the beach, napped in the hammock, went for a run with Chester, then went to get some dinner with Pop. It was a great day doing nothing yet I'm still falling asleep at my computer. But I'm falling asleep with an excellent start on my base tan!
My extended family on dad's side was in town over the weekend, as Pop's sister, "Auntie Jean," passed away last week. Some of you may have known Jean, though she lived in Oak Bluffs, but a lot of you definitely know her daughter and family, Joanne, Kevin, and Jonathan Ryan. Although it was a sad time, we all know that Jean enjoyed her last trip to Florida just before she became ill and that she passed quickly without any pain. What more can you ask for, really?
Even though it was for a sad occasion, it is always great to have the family together. Two things jumped out at me about my family this weekend. One is that they are a very, very funny group. Though the occasion was solemn, we still managed to joke and laugh a lot, maybe even too much. The second thing I realized is that most of us, barring perhaps Kathy King and her family, are not heading for Heaven when we pass from this earth. We are a demented bunch and as a result, I think we are all bound somewhat south of there in the long run. But then again, we all love and hug as well as we joke so maybe there's hope for us all yet.
The Sweet Life Café will host a Benefit Wine Dinner for The Yard Artists-in-the-Schools Program on Friday May 2, at 6 pm. Enjoy an evening of fine dining and wines from Mas de Daumas Gassac, touted as the "Lafite-Rothchild" of the Languedoc-Roussillon area of France. Vintners of this internationally acclaimed vineyard, Mr. & Mrs. Guibert, will discuss the varietals to be tasted. The soirée will commence with an apéritif and hors d'oeuvres, followed by a four-course menu specially prepared to showcase the wines, hailed as "exceptional" by Parker and "outstanding" in the Wine Spectator.
The highlight will be the tasting of the very rare Cuvée "Emile Peynaud" 2001 rated 96 by Parker. The prix fixe menu for this unique evening to support The Yard is $95 per person. Reservations are required as space is limited. Please contact them at 508-696-0200 or email info@sweetlifemv.com.
Mark your calendar for May 7, when Sharky's Cantina officially opens at its new Edgartown location on Upper Main Street! Yay! Mexican food in Edgartown! I had the pleasure of meeting one of the owners - JB - last week when he, Colette Kurelja, and a lovely young woman whose name I did not catch brought in quesadillas for the kindergarten lunch. Colette's daughter, Lilly, is a kindergartener, which may account somewhat for the treat! Never-the-less, it would not have been possible without the generosity of JB and Sharky's! If you haven't ventured to O.B. to try their food, now is your chance and you no longer have to travel to another town. You won't be disappointed.
Valerie Sonnenthal announced that the "Snapshot" show at Featherstone is now happening May 2-4, from 12 noon-4 pm. It's not too late to get them a snapshot of anything you want, as long as it arrives at Featherstone Center for the Arts, P.O. Box 1145, Oak Bluffs, MA 02577 by May 1. All photos will be exhibited and there will be a closing party on Sunday, May 4 from 2-4 pm. If contributors want their photos back, they are welcome to take them after the party.
The Martha's Vineyard Women's Network is hosting another great event, "Sales Techniques and Customer Service" on Tuesday, April 29, at 7:30 am in the Baylies Room at the Old Whaling Church. There you can learn from several Martha's Vineyard business leaders in the fields of hospitality, real estate, retail and the service sector about the best ways to expand your business and provide outstanding service to your customers. Moderated by Bonnie Marcus, of Women's Success Coaching, this discussion will be the best investment you can make in your business this year. This program can also serve as a great training session for the employees that represent your business. Registration begins at 7 am. For more information visit their website at mvwomensnetwork.org.
Thank you to those of you who commented positively on the new photo next to my column. By the way - that group would NOT include my brother! The editors mentioned they were going to start using photos and to send in a picture if we had one. Being somewhat militantly camera-shy, I did not send one in and figured I was safe. But apparently, they had one of me in stock. Darn. The best laid plans...as they say. No offense to Ralph because as pictures of me go, it's adequate. But in 42 years, I can honestly say I have only had a tiny handful of pictures of me that I would deem "acceptable," let alone "good." I thought maybe I'd submit a photo of Chester instead. He's always cute and you all know him and his antics well.
That's all, folks. Have a great week. Be sure to get me your news.
