Edgartown library’s fiesta at Katama

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A crowd of some 450 swarmed around the Katama Airfield on Monday evening to celebrate and support the Edgartown Public Library. Called Frankly We Love Our Library, the second annual barbecue picnic was put on by the Edgartown Library Foundation (ELF), which promotes public support and raises money for the library. Held at the end of the day before school started, the event also marked the end of summer.

Between noisy interruptions from small planes taking off and between sets of lively, old-timey music provided by the Flying Elbows, emcee Tom Dunlop introduced key players in the library’s day-to-day operation and in the effort to expand the library in the very near future.

Baba Smith, ELF chairman, welcomed the crowd and encouraged townsfolk to support the library. Chris Scott, chairman of the Library Building Committee, outlined the timeline for grant applications and completed plans over the next several months. Selectman Margaret Serpa described how building and funding plans for a new library would move through town committees and meetings. John Stevens, principal of the Edgartown School, emphasized the importance of the library for young students.

Pat Rose then presented the ELF with a check for $500, the proceeds from the ongoing bottle and can redemption program, which has raised a total of $15,000 over the years.

The speakers all kept their remarks short and to the point, minimizing the interruption to the fun and festivities that attracted most of the crowd in the first place.

A key ingredient was the food — simple, filling, and tasty — burgers, hot dogs, and ice cream sundaes. Sack races, face painting, glider building, and a climbing wall kept young partiers smiling and active.

The M.V. Model Flying Club displayed some of their exquisite models and put on a miniature air show. Mike Creato of Classic Aviators kept his two biplanes busy, landing, taking off, and buzzing the crowd.

There was a noticeable chill in the air as the sun dipped closer to the western horizon, reminding one and all that summer doesn’t last forever and that it sure felt good to ring it out with such an upbeat, promising gathering.

For more information about The Edgartown Library Foundation, please contact Anne Vose at 508- 627-7077, inquire at the library, or visit www.edgartownlibrary.org.