Town Column : Edgartown
By Gail Craig
Published: July 31, 2008
I know that emotions are still running pretty high regarding the changes at the Second Hand Store. There is no easy solution here, and I truly feel for everyone involved.
That being said, I would like to share a few of my thoughts.
First, I want to defend Pete Lambos. He's taking quite a beating in the press and public comments. He's the public face of the Club, a paid employee, who in effect works for the board and as such, is an easy target. And although my kids don't go the Club, I have dealt with Pete professionally before and I have found him to be responsible, intelligent, and well spoken. He has a wonderful energy, is well liked by the kids, and genuinely seems to love the kids and what he does. To bash him publicly for something that was actually beyond his control is unfair.
I'm also saddened by the "us vs. them" comments I've heard, whether it's Islanders vs. wash-ashores or working class vs. wealthy. The fact of the matter is, everyone affected by this situation loves the Island, has connections to the Island, has stories and memories and links to the Island. No one is better than anyone else or has more at stake. We are all different in our stories, but we're all the same in that we are all part of our Island community. Instead of choosing sides and fighting it out, let's pull together and try to make things better.
Finally, I would hate to see all of this negatively impact the Second Hand Store or the Boys & Girls Club. We shouldn't throw the baby out with the bath water, as they say. The store is very important to this community. Its first purpose is to support the Club. But it also serves so many of us who rely on it to help keep our families clothed and to help make ends meet, and that is no less important. If people stop supporting the store as a way of showing support for Darlene and Penny, it doesn't help anyone. It doesn't get their jobs back, and the board doesn't suffer. It only hurts the kids who need and love the Club and the people who need and love the store. And knowing Penny and Darlene and how much they care about the kids and this community, I'm sure they would agree. Regardless of what happened and the hurt feelings, the Club still needs the support of our community, and our community still needs the Second Hand Store.
This year Island Theatre Workshop, Inc. (ITW) celebrates its 40th year of year-round theater on Martha's Vineyard. Their celebration begins with an evening of songs from ITW's recent musical performances, showcasing many Island favorites including Jamie Alley, Shelley Brown, Katie Clarke, Lee Fierro, Jennifer Kish, Sabrina Luening, Don Lyons, Katie Mayhew, Chelsea and Taffy McCarthy, Buck Reidy, Jon Ryan, Kevin Ryan and Jesse Seward. Linda Berg, Peter Boak, and Peter Hutchinson will share musical direction of the program and the piano bench.
The program will be at 8 pm at the Katharine Cornell in Vineyard Haven on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, August 1, 2, 3. All tickets are $15.
On Thursday night, July 31, ITW will also present an evening of improv comedy and song, showcasing the college staff and teens in Children's Theatre. This performance will also be at Katharine Cornell Theatre at 8 pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.
On Friday, July 25, Children's Theatre camp presented the first half of Excalibur, a play by ITW's founder Mary Payne. The second part will be performed on Friday, August 8, at 11 am and 7 pm. The final session will feature another work by camp director Linda Berg, "Billy and the Angel," which deals with the issue of bullying in our schools. There are still places available in sessions three and four. For more information, call Linda Berg at 508-693-9840 or msdaberg@hotmail.com or visit their website at itwmv.org/programs-childrens-theatre.htm.
There will be a private reception for "Tribal Art on the Vineyard" presented by the Martha's Vineyard Festival and the Golden Door in Edgartown to benefit the Martha's Vineyard NAACP on Friday, August, 1 from 4 to 6 pm for a $45 donation. The reception and exhibit will also be held at the Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs on Friday, August 1, from 6 to 10 pm and on Saturday, August 2, from 12 noon to 10 pm for a $10 donation. For information, call 508-693-8045.
Happy belated birthday to Gavin Fynbo, who celebrated his big day earlier this month, playing various video and computer games with friends. Apparently, they set up three or four different systems - Wii, Play Station, etc. - and just had a great time. Birthdays certainly do change as kids get older, to the benefit of the parents, I think.
Have a great week and brace yourselves for August.
