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The Martha's Vineyard Times is a weekly publication.
December 30 - January 5, 2004 Edition
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR December 30, 2004 Access road hearing next week To the Editor: Arbutus Park residents be warned! This morning I was made aware of a pending change to our neighborhood when I received a call from Connecticut. It was from a lady who owns a house behind me, and she had received a letter from the Edgartown selectmen informing her that they want to make an access road to the new Pennywise Path affordable housing project through our back yards. I never received any notification letter and have to wonder how many of the other people that will be affected by this didn’t either. When we bought our house in October, we knew that this “paper road” existed but were told that it was highly unlikely that anything would ever be done with it, and now barely three months later we find out that they want to open our back yard to approximately 500 cars a day. One of the main draws of the Vineyard is the solitude and peacefulness, and with the price of housing here you pay dearly for that. Had we known that this was going to happen, we never would have bought at this location. Having just bought a house here we totally understand the need for affordable housing, but when this plan was made it called for an access road on 12th St. with an alternate access road off Metcalf Rd. to service the project from another direction. Now it appears those plans have changed, and they want to make the second road on 10th St. What sense does that make, to have two access roads a hundred yards apart? With Edgartown Rd. already being as busy as it is, you need to buffer the potential traffic this project will generate with access from another direction. We are also very angry that they will probably be taking some of our land to make an unnecessary road, and at the same time ruining with 500 cars a day the solitude that we paid through the nose for. If we wanted all that traffic in our back yard, we would have bought a house on the main street. We are also very upset that we had to find out about all of this from a stranger. As abutters, why weren’t we informed by our selectmen? Were they going to tell us when they came to dig out our back yard? In case we weren’t the only ones not informed, let it be known that there is a meeting on this at the Edgartown Town Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 4, at 4:15. Please, come and make your feelings known. We need to let our selectmen know how strongly we feel about their plan to ruin our neighborhood! Gary & Ruth Nichols Edgartown A soldier’s family’s thanks To the Editor: I feel compelled to write to let everyone know how wonderful our Christmas was this year. My husband, Sgt. Jared A Meader, is with the 704th Quartermaster Detachment out of Worcester, which is currently deployed to Iraq. As a result of the deployment, I was not looking forward to Christmas, but my two children, Hailey (3 1/2) and Hunter (2), were. The excitement of Santa was so magical that I just knew that this Christmas just had to be the best. It definitely was, besides the gifts that Santa and their grandparents brought, we received a giant box along with four extra large gift bags all full of gifts that Fallon Community Health Plan collected for my family. We were known as “Family B with a boy 1 1/2 and a girl 3 1/2”. I want to publicly thank that company for their generosity as well as thank the numerous people who went shopping and donated numerous gifts from toys, clothes, a new winter coat for each child, a manicure gift certificate, a spa treatment package, and a massage gift certificate. Time and thought went into each gift, it was so overwhelming and greatly appreciated. This company wants nothing in return but I just wanted to publicly thank them and make everyone aware of their great generosity. Also a big thank-you to the Worcester Armory’s Family Readiness group head — Carly Lysik — for coordinating a way to get the packages to my family, who lives the furthest from the Armory. Thank you! Support our Troops and their Families!! Julie, Hailey, and Hunter Meader Vineyard Haven Christmas Eve mishap To the Editor Holiday Greetings to my dear Island family, friends, and acquaintances. It saddens me to write this letter, but I must share an event that threw a small, but dark cloud over Christmas Eve. After a bit of last-minute shopping in downtown Edgartown, I came back to my car, which was parked on Main Street in the spot just below the loading zone in front of Sun Dog. I thought nothing at the time of the large dark pickup truck, poorly parked too close to my rear, and a good foot and a half from the curb, except to exit my spot with care and avoid the “Boston Bump.” Once home, I had need to open the rear hatch on my minivan only to discover two rather large dents in the door. No marks on the bumper itself, a sure sign that the dents has been made by a larger vehicle. Almost certainly by the poorly parked large pickup truck that had been wedged in behind me on Main Street. The driver had to be aware of this, since the impact would have been significant to cause such damage. If you are that driver reading this, I would appreciate hearing from you. Perhaps you were in a rush at the time, caught up in last-minute holiday stress. Now, while we are still in the holiday season, let me wish you well, and hope you’ll do the right thing. Francine Agnoli Edgartown Advice for donors To the Editor: The article in the Dec. 16 edition of The Martha’s Vineyard Times pointed out the problems charitably-minded individuals have in choosing among non-profits. We know that you may be swamped at this time of year with requests from non-profit organizations for assistance. In fact, 50 percent of all donations to charity are made between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. The Martha’s Vineyard Donors Collaborative, www.mvdonors.org, can give you the information you need to make choices about which Vineyard non-profits to support. We do not make recommendations, but do provide data concerning missions, activities, budgets, personnel, board members, etc., which has been provided by the organizations. Using that information and the following advice, your gift will make a difference not only to the organization, but also to bettering life on the Vineyard for all of us. First, you should think about what you’d like your donation to accomplish. How can you best achieve that goal? Melissa A. Berman, chief executive of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, offered the following advice regarding selecting the right non-profit organization in a recent New York Times article. First, remember that efficiency does not equal effectiveness, so don’t put too much emphasis on an organization’s percentage of administrative expenses. A newer organization may be incurring start-up expenses that older organizations took care of a long time ago. Second, if you don’t want to receive ongoing solicitations after you make your gift, simply tell the organization that you are making a one-time gift (even if you may give again in the future). Finally, goodness does not have to hurt. You do not need to make a gift that makes you feel financially insecure. In addition to our own site, www.mvdonors.org, you may want to use the following useful sites to research an organization before you make a commitment: Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.com), the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance (www.give.org), and the American Institute of Philanthropy (www.charitywatch.org). We are also available by telephone at 508-696-4647 if you have any additional questions or requests. Barbara Bellissimo Executive Director Martha’s Vineyard Donors Collaborative Medical fan letter The following letter was sent to Russell Hoxsie. Dear Russ: I sure enjoyed reading your tale of thyrotoxicosis. Best wishes for Christmas and 2005! Paul Ladenson, M.D. Director, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions Marge Harris for superintendent To the Editor, As a former student of the Martha’s Vineyard school system, I was delighted to hear about Marge Harris’s decision to apply for the position of superintendent of schools. I was born here and have had 12 years of schooling on the Vineyard. In my experience, I went through two principal changes in middle school and high school; both of these principals were not residents of the Vineyard . It could be said that it took them a while to get acclimated to the unique social environment the Vineyard presents. Mrs. Harris helped me to be the person I am today; without her I would certainly be on a lesser path. I was suspended from the High School for two months my junior year, a crucial time on the way to college and a personally difficult time. Mrs. Harris volunteered her time and spent evenings with me re-teaching her classes because she believed in me as she believes in all her students. She was not paid overtime or even paid at all, as I recall. She did it because she did not want to see another Vineyard student succumb to the pitfalls our Island sometimes presents. She taught me because she felt it would make a difference in my life, and it did. Without her compassion I would truly not be who I am today. I hope the search committee hires Mrs. Harris because in her is the spirit that the Vineyard encompasses. It is community, forgiveness, and understanding. She left her beloved teaching the year after I graduated, and did this because she felt she could make a bigger difference in the Island school system by working for the superintendent. You cannot hire a superintendent who is on the job market looking for a job: they will treat it as a job. I know that Mrs. Harris will treat it as her civic duty. Marge Harris will be a great superintendent for the same reason she helped me; she does not want to see another Vineyard student fall into the trap of boredom and lack of stimulation the winter presents. This trap (alcohol and drug use) is the main problem facing the Vineyard youth today. I am currently going to school at Wagner College in New York City. I play two division one sports and achieve high marks. This summer I am interning in Washington, D.C. (I want to go into politics), and I plan to go to law school when I graduate. I am a product of the Vineyard school system but more a product of Mrs. Harris’ compassion. She helped me find my light at a dark time. Mac Schilcher Vineyard Haven Aquinnah voters cried uncle To the Editor: Aquinnah Board of Selectman Chairman, Carl Widdis, is quoted last week as expressing “encouragement that the voters are starting to be more reasonable with regards to Town finances.” His remark came after Town voters approved the very same funding requests from the Aquinnah selectmen that they had turned down three times in row, earlier this year. Carl Widdis is a strong person. He is a smart person. And, especially, he is a witty person. But, in this case, his judgment is far off base, I believe. And, in fact, I am not so sure he might not at least partially agree, in retrospect, as he looks his own words over, again. The selectmen didn’t end up getting most of the funds they asked for, last Thursday evening because there was a ‘charm’ in the room that night, because there had been a mass epiphany in Town, or because the selectmen had offered anything new to think about (at least not that most people knew about). They got their money this time because — as a friend of mine put it — the people of Aquinnah cried ‘Uncle.’ But let the record show, they didn’t cry ‘uncle’ because they were weak. They cried ‘Uncle’ because they are good people. They voted for those monies because a majority of the people of Aquinnah did not want to hurt the employees and other barely-reimbursed public officials trying to do their job without proper funding. They had nowhere to go, this time, except to say, “OK.” The turning down earlier this year of three similar (but substantially larger) funding requests from the selectmen, in relatively short succession, was a protest — over a grave lack of financial planning in Town. The last two rejections made plain the meaning of the first one. So, under the circumstances, last week’s vote, hardly empowers Carl to say, “I think this chapter is finally closed” and that he is “encouraged that the voters are starting to be more reasonable.…” What I think it means — reducing things to their essence — is that the selectmen toughed out their own people. What kind of satisfaction could anyone get from that? Carlos Montoya Aquinnah Indifferent to voter concerns To the Editor: The town of Aquinnah held a special town meeting on Dec. 16, during which the voters spent about $55,000 from our stabilization fund in a show of good faith to restore money previously denied by the voters in Proposition 2.5 overrides. This puts the town on a frugal but responsible path for the balance of this fiscal year. That is the good news. The bad news is that selectman Jim Newman again failed to even pretend to care about the concerns of town voters. In response to a question from the floor concerning the costs associated with our federal housing project, Mr. Newman said he did not care about the $500,000 it costs the town and did not want to hear about it. He said he does not care, but Beverly Wright cared. Donald Widdiss cares. Many tribal members care a great deal as it affects their taxes. Jennie Greene cares. Peter Temple of the planning board cares. All these caring people see that the town was promised by the federal government and the state when they forced the project on the town against the financial concerns of our town boards, that we as a town would get relief from the project’s burdens. A positive aspect of the voters’ refusal to keep funding a board of selectmen not responsible to the voters of the town on this as well as other issues is that the search for impact aid and other possible sources of funds has been begun in earnest. With the help of the tribe and diligent efforts of other townspeople and boards we may be able to make substantial progress in the long run. Mr. Newman’s refusal to understand that the wish for relief from a well intentioned but poorly detailed plan to provide federal housing for people is not an anti-tribal but anti-federal issue. The tribe did not promise the town relief, and the townspeople are not suggesting the tribe pay for their students. We only want the selectmen to get us what we were promised when the original deal was signed. If Mr. Newman does not care, we should find some people who do. John Walsh Member Finance Committee Aquinnah Overwhelmed by Christmas spirit To the Editor: It isn’t every day that you experience the incredible generosity and joyous spirit of human beings as we did on December 19. Our 17-month-young son received an invitation to a holiday party at the Chilmark Community Center, as did every child in the town of Chilmark. We did not know what to expect, but went to be part of the holiday spirit and meet some new friends. We were absolutely beside ourselves that a group of people — Katie Carroll and the Chilmark volunteer firefighters (and others involved whom we’re unaware of) — arranged a visit from Santa, an array of homebaked goods, candy canes on every chair, AND a wrapped gift for every single child in Chilmark! Someone actually took time to think about the age of each child and find an appropriate gift, wrap it, put their name on it, and have Santa give it to them. Wow! We were very touched by the huge amount of thoughtfulness, effort, and selfless spirit that went into spreading joy to the children (and the families!) of our town. Thank you so much for a lovely evening. Peace and Joy to all of you in the New Year. Deb Dunn Jim Feiner Elijah Dunn-Feiner Chilmark A nonprofit movie theatre To the Editor: “Blue Christmas” now playing at the Capawock. Well, not really, but the Capawock does look kind of sad sitting in darkness at Christmas time. That building may well be America’s oldest “built for movies” theatre, circa 1913, where Jimmy Cagney, Gloria Swanson, Christopher Reeve, and John Belushi all had a favorite seat, where Harrison Ford and Sidney Pollack watched daily runs of “Sabrina.” The Capawock reflects an America that’s growing old. For the past four decades, the moviegoing audience has been from ages 14 to 25 — the “dating crowd” — and the profit margin has been, for quite a few years, at the refreshment stand. The 2000 Census demos are of Hispanic and Asians becoming the young people of America. And folks, they aren’t moviegoers. The Vineyard has its share of city folks who will go to the art movies, or just to the theatre out of cabin fever, but these folks don’t buy candy or popcorn, or they buy their candy at Cumby’s which has a larger “Theatre Size” candy display than the Capawock (no, there’s nothing playing tonight at Cumberland Farms). This being the case and with growing commercial property tax rates going through the ceiling, the word “nonprofit” is now being spoken of by some of the folks who determine where the future of the Capawock will lie. Back in the late 1960s, some of us helped save Boston’s favorite movie palace, the Loews Orpheum. It was being saved by, believe it or not, the United Black Front of Roxbury and Martin Luther King “guilt money.” They were nonprofit. Some years later, sitting around a think session at the Wang Center, I pointed out that Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream of Burlington, Vt., had free movies on Thursday nights and why couldn’t the Wang Center do the same? A gift of a projection booth by Sumner Redstone and a Monday night $5 movie has packed the theatre now for over 14 years. No, the Wang Center can’t afford to sell you a seat that goes for $75–$150 any other night of the week. Corporations like John Hancock Insurance have thrown in the $10,000 or so that makes movies possible in a 4,000-seat movie palace. The Wang Center is nonprofit and belongs to Tufts New England Medical Center. No, John Rogers didn’t take the Capawock with him, and it will reopen with new larger, more comfortable seats and a refreshment stand that sparkles, but unless you count at least 100 people around you, whether at the Edgartown Cinemas or the Capawock, they are already “nonprofit.” Fred McLennan Vineyard Haven Chappy ferry clogs Simpson’s Lane To the Editor: This letter was sent to the Edgartown selectmen, the Edgartown Police Department, and the Edgartown Highway Department: In spite of excellent efforts by the Edgartown Police Department, almost every day, guests complained of being unable to access Simpson’s Lane properties, to drive in or out, due to vehicles parked, blocking driveways. Accidents, rudeness, and rage resulted from this impossible situation. It was necessary to call the police for assistance, almost daily. Presently there is an insufficient budget to provide officers to patrol this block between North Summer and North Water during peak traffic times, and posting an officer at both ends of the street fails to solve the problem. Simpson Lane properties were blocked by cars and trucks parked in the center of street with motors running, spewing forth noxious exhaust fumes and noise. Adding to the problem was insufficient signage, a lack of a center line and crosshatching at driveways to advise drivers. We were told by the selectmen that it was too late to change the location of the ferry line this June, but that discussion was underway to end the line at the top of Daggett Street, rerouting traffic to a staging area, for next summer. We have actively participated with the police department and traffic committee, and conclude that the Chappaquiddick ferry line must be moved. Furthermore, it makes sense to separate passenger vehicles and trucks, as wide trucks make Edgartown’s narrow lanes impassable. Statistics were presented at the traffic committee meeting showing that approximately 25 percent of the vehicles in line were commercial trucks, many of which are just too big to allow passing. It seems obvious that these trucks should not be mixed with the cars and should be staged elsewhere. Loss of business has resulted, as guests have vowed not to return. The property rights of Simpson’s Lane citizens have been sorely abused for too long, and it is now time for a change to take place, restoring the quality of this quiet lane. No residential neighborhood in Edgartown should have to tolerate a situation such as this, as staging traffic is a doable alternative. Enclosed please find photo taken on Dec. 9, showing problem still exists. Note: (1) Concrete mixer truck and van are positioned in center of lane and (2) absence of center line. John Chirgwin Owner, Lightkeepers Inn Heidi Raihofer Innkeeper, The Lightkeepers Inn Sharon Strimling Owner, The Shiretown Inn Judy Rogers Innkeeper, The Shiretown Inn Cancer support group seeks funds To the Editor: At this time of year we all receive requests for financial assistance from many worthy organizations. We believe that our appeal deserves special consideration, because it is written on behalf of Island residents and their families who depend crucially upon the support of their neighbors. Cancer: This frightening disease touches everyone’s life. One out of every four people will have some kind of cancer in their lifetime, but an even greater percentage will be affected — loved ones, family members.... The M.V. Cancer Support Group was founded in 1986 when some cancer patients and survivors began meeting to share their experiences, knowledge, and their hope. After several years of regular weekly meetings, it had become clear that many cancer patients and their families suffer severe economic problems because of their illness, and that this financial stress could actually exacerbate their medical condition. That’s why we formed the non-profit Martha’s Vineyard Cancer Support Group, Inc. (MVCSG), to help provide temporary and emergency financial assistance in the form of outright grants of aid. In the last ten years we have been able to help almost 200 Vineyard cancer patients and their families. Supported entirely by voluntary donations, we have given out more than $80,000. Where does the money go? A great deal of it goes to cover travel expenses for patients who must go off-Island for radiation, chemotherapy and other treatments, expenses which are often not covered by insurance. Money for child care and related services is needed by some cancer patients, especially those whose illness has made them unable to continue working. There are so many staggering costs added to the heavy burden of a family suddenly stricken with cancer. We do what we can to help. The members of the board of MVCSG, Inc. are your neighbors on the Island. Many of us are cancer survivors. We do all the work ourselves, so our administrative costs are negligible. Other individuals and friendly businesses provide free services, or they help us to pay for advertising. Where does the money come from? It comes from people reading this letter, whether or not they or their families have experienced cancer themselves, so we hope you will respond generously to this appeal. Contributions are tax-deductible, and may be sent to: MVCSG, Inc., P. 0. Box #2214, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568. For more information, or to make an application for financial assistance if you are a cancer patient, please call 508-627-7958 or 508-627-5287. On behalf of all the members of our board, but especially for all the people who will be helped by your donations, we thank you and wish you Joy at the holidays and a New Year of peace, happiness, and good health. Judy Olson, President Leslie J. Stark, Vice President MVCSG Windemere thanks Rotary To the Editor: The Resident Council of Windemere would like to thank the Rotary Club for adopting Windemere this year. The Rotary Club has donated and replaced shades in bedrooms and living areas, built bookcases, painted, done minor repairs, and planted a garden for the residents. We are very grateful for their service and for their friendship. The residents of Windemere Oak Bluffs Accept the consequences To the Editor: Following is a copy of a letter to 10th District Congressman William Delahunt: Though I agree with you on most issues, I must take exception to your position on the wind farm proposal. I believe it is imperative to promote alternative energy production now. I also believe that in comparison to our current energy production techniques the wind farm will be less detrimental to all. Electricity is currently produced by private corporations throughout the United States and the world at great expense to our environment and our health. We cannot expect others to create energy for us or bear the brunt of the consequences of its production. I point to Yucca Mountain, Iraq, and the open pit mines of West Virginia as failures we can no longer accept. We must create our own power and accept the consequences of its production locally. Please reconsider your position. Gary Harcourt Oak Bluffs Economic damage from wind farm To the Editor: This is a copy of a letter sent to Karen Adams, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project manager for the Cape Wind Energy Project Permit, on behalf of the directors of the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce: This letter is to inform you that the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce has been and is still opposed to the Cape Wind Associates plan to build a 130-tower wind farm in the Nantucket Sound. While the chamber supports the concept of developing clean, renewable energy sources, the industrialization of one of America’s greatest treasures primarily for profit is not in our regional interest. The Cape and Islands have led the nation in protecting unique and fragile natural resources, and now is not the time to stop. With tourism as the backbone of our area, we cannot discount the potentially large negative impact this project could have on our economy. While this wind farm may actually bring visitors to the area, the sense of intrigue will soon wane and the benefit will be nothing compared to the visual, economic, and environmental damage. In order to properly protect our natural resources, and in turn our economy, the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce advocates for proactive planning, including federal legislation, for all waters before any wind farm or other renewable energy projects are approved. Zoning and use regulations are just as important in the ocean as they are on land. Millions of people come to this area each year to enjoy the peace and tranquility of Nantucket Sound. We urge the licensing agencies to withhold approval of this project as the scale and impact on the region are in sharp contrast to the relative benefits. Valerie Cini Richards Executive Director Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce Now, look what’s happened To the Editor: I received this enclosure with a Christmas card from a longtime friend and coworker in education: In “A World Transformed” published in 1998, George H.W. Bush explained why he didn’t want a larger war in Iraq when he was President: “Trying to eliminate Saddam would have incurred incalculable human and political costs. Apprehending him was probably impossible. We would have been forced to occupy Baghdad and, in effect, rule Iraq. “There was no viable ‘exit strategy’ we could see, violating another of our principles. “Furthermore, we had been self-consciously trying to set a pattern for handling aggression in the post Cold War world. Going in and occupying Iraq, thus unilaterally exceeding the United Nations mandate, would have destroyed the precedent of international response to aggression that we hoped to establish. “Had we gone the invasion route, the United States could conceivably still be an occupying power in a bitterly hostile land.” However, the younger George Bush thought he knew better than his father, so his father’s predictions are now our reality. As a result, many in the United States and many more abroad will not have a Merry Christmas or a Happy New Year, and peace on earth, goodwill to men remains elusive. Does this sound familiar? It was the way we opened our Christmas message last year. The only change is that the American people are apparently happy with this performance, so they have re-elected Bush. Thus many Americans will continue to die. The Social Security System is now in grave jeopardy. The future looks grimmer. (A few people are trying to identify the places where the voting machines were preprogrammed to assure a Bush victory, but whatever they find you may be sure that Bush will not give up the Presidency.) Tim Hanson Vineyard Haven Expatriate remembers why he left To the Editor: I live and work in Canada, but Martha’s Vineyard is my home. The sea, the woods, my friends — all call to me to return. Toronto has become an interesting city in the 33 years I have been there, and the Vineyard has changed as well in ways that we are all too familiar with. But even knowing what happens in small rural communities — and having experienced some of it firsthand — I still long for the peace, the beauty, that indefinable quality that makes the Vineyard so magical. And now the war has come again. I left America partly out of despair. No matter how strong our protests, it seemed as if the killing would go on and on. By 1971, the only rationale left was that no matter how wrong the war was, how many dead and maimed, no matter what it was doing to us at home, now that we had gone there we couldn’t just leave. We had a responsibility to finish the job. I hear the same thing now. We have forgotten why we went to Iraq. Terrorism? Saddam Hussein? Weapons of mass destruction? Freedom and democracy? The rationale keeps changing. Only the killing goes on. Friends, I wonder what is happening to our country. Can we live with the torture in Abu Ghraib, in Guantanamo, in many other unknown places around the world? Can we live not only with our own soldiers’ deaths and blighted lives but with the deaths of tens of thousands of Iraqis? Can we live with the suppression of liberty in our country, the very freedom we claim to be fighting for? Even in the Vineyard, there are angry voices justifying war, as last week’s letter to The Martha’s Vineyard Times demonstrates. And those who protest are under suspicion, hesitate to speak out for fear of being considered unpatriotic. The life of the Vineyard continues. Work, family, community in a setting of natural beauty — all this continues and deserves to be treasured. But can we go on with our lives as if everything were normal? Will we have a life worth preserving if the price of doing so is that we wash our hands clean of what is being done in our name? I have no doubt that we will withdraw from Iraq some day. And when we do, we will have spent billions of dollars, devastated a country, and left behind a legacy of hatred. And the Vineyard? Will it become like colonial Williamsburg? A pretend place where we live in the fantasy of a peaceful life? I hope to return to the Island someday, to live the rest of my life in the place of my longing. And I hope that I will be proud to do so, that I can say that in the Vineyard people were not afraid, that they spoke out for peace, that they insisted that everything that makes life on the Island so special should be the birthright of all humanity, not reserved for the privileged few. Take care of the Island and take care of the world as well. Steve Levine Toronto and Chilmark Remarkable opportunity To the Editor: We would like to take a moment to thank both Dukes County Sheriff Michael McCormack and Captain Robert Ogden for allowing the Edgartown 8th Grade Students to participate in the Challenge by Choice Ropes Course Adventure Program. Captain Ogden spends endless weeks preparing our students for this task. The students must complete teamwork activities during gym class and work towards a common goal of “trust and taking care of one another.” While they work together to problem-solve so they may achieve their goal, they are also building self-esteem and confidence in their assigned challenges and themselves. It is important that the schools, parents, and community work closely together to continue offering our children incredible opportunities like the day out at the ropes course. This is a memory they will always treasure. Joseph Thibodeau Eric Butler Sue Costello Physical Education, Guidance and Health Educators Edgartown School

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