Martha’s Vineyard Community Notes

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Rotary Club looks for projects

The Martha’s Vineyard Rotary Club is seeking requests for funding of projects or services from any charity, nonprofit organizations, or organization dedicated to serving the needs of the residents of Martha’s Vineyard, according to a press release. Requests should not exceed $2,000. Groups or individuals are asked to submit a letter or request, preferably on letterhead, to John Rancourt, chairman of the charity committee, Martha’s Vineyard Rotary Club, PO Box 1951, Edgartown, MA 02539.

Museum has new education director

Martha’s Vineyard Museum announced the appointment of Ann DuCharme as the Museum’s new education director, effective November 4.

“We are excited to welcome Ann,” said David Nathans, the museum’s executive director. “Her experience working with youth, public schools, and museums/art centers makes her an ideal candidate for the job. We feel she will strengthen the already robust relationship the Museum has with the Vineyard schools.”

Ms. DuCharme moved to the Vineyard from Cincinnati this past spring, having spent summers here for years. She most recently worked for the Contemporary Arts Center of Cincinnati facilitating Visual Thinking Strategy sessions for schools, training docents, and editing teacher resource guides. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Film and Theater from Smith College and a Master’s in Art History from the University of Cincinnati.

“There is nothing more exciting than using the art, culture, and history in your own backyard as powerful learning tools,” Ms. DuCharme said. “I get really excited about object-based inquiry. It’s such a compelling way to learn. By engaging students and families with the collection, we can help meet educational objectives, develop critical thinking skills, and promote deep connections to the community.”

For more information, visit www.mvmuseum.org.

Oak Bluffs invites seniors to work off taxes

Oak Bluffs announced vacancies for the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Abatement Program. Residents who are over 60 and own property or are a trustee of property in Oak Bluffs, may qualify. The program offers a reduction in property taxes for Oak Bluffs residents who volunteer their time and service to the town, according to a press release. There are a number of openings in several town departments including council of aging, town clerk and town hall. For applications and more information, contact Wendy Brough at 508-693-3554, ext 149, wbrough@oakbluffsma.gov, or stop by the personnel office at town hall.

Bon Appetit highlights Vineyard school lunches

Since October is National Farm to School Month, in their October issue the editors of Bon Appetit Magazine decided “to showcase some of the yummiest locally sourced cafeteria meals out there.”

Martha’s Vineyard was one of six programs the magazine selected, along with lunch programs in Portland, Oregon, Kalispell, Montana, New York City, Jackson, Tennessee, and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

“On Martha’s Vineyard, local nonprofit Island Grown Initiative has joined with parents, teachers, farmers, and cafeteria directors to plant school gardens, renovate and modernize dated kitchens, and increase the amount of island-grown food on school menus. At West Tisbury School, which got a brand-new kitchen two years ago thanks to the hard labor of skilled parent volunteers, mom and head cook Jenny DeVivo makes a fantastic fish chowder (made with sea bass caught off of Lambert’s Cove Beach), which she pairs with greens from the school’s greenhouse, orange slices — not local — and pita bread.”

Creative drama in Tisbury School

Phyllis Vecchia returns to the Tisbury School this week with her Creative Drama program that focuses on women in history. Eighth grade students will reenact the life and times of the women from the Salem witch trials and the story of Anne Hutchinson. Sixth graders will study Abigail Adams, Eleanor Roosevelt , Laura Jernegan and women of the whaling era.

The program is paid for by the town of Tisbury, Martha’s Vineyard Center for the Visual Arts, Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank Charitable Fund, and private funders and donors. For more information, contact Phyllis Vecchia at 508-696-8738.