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Edgartown Town Column
I've been feeling very appreciative today. Not of anything in particular but for all the good I've got in my life. I don't know why I've been experiencing the feeling of gratitude more today than any other day. Maybe it's because I'm working harder to appreciate the good things. I used to keep a journal, when my kids were very little, in which I wrote one good thing that happened every day. Occasionally, all I wrote was something like "Thank goodness it's over," but it is a great way to focus on something good at the close of each day. I think I'll start that up again.
Amelia lost another tooth today, one that has been hanging on for what seems like forever. She announced to me tonight that she thinks the tooth fairy looks like a white kitty in a dress. Then she asked me a question like "But if she's a cat, how does she get in to get my tooth"? I told her that she's a cat fairy and cat fairies have magic just like all the other fairies. She said "Oh yeah, right" and went to sleep. I hope I have all the answers that easily in her life!
Happy birthday to our neighbors the Ulyatts! James Ulyatt celebrated the big 13 on Sunday Feb. 17 and his sister Sophie turned 12 on Feb. 18.
On Saturday, Feb. 23, head for the Trinity parish house coffeehouse With Bernie Allain, with popular hits of the 60s and 70s, country gold, and southern gospel from 7 to 9 pm. Bernie Allain was the host of the Olive Branch Coffeehouse in Mansfield, and a member of the Amen Gospel Singers and the Temple Gospel Singers who made the singing circuit throughout New England United Methodist churches. Voted most promising artist of the year by the Massachusetts Country Music Awards Association, Mr. Allain currently performs at various venues throughout New England. Come and go as you please. There will be plenty of light snacks and baked goods to share. Mr. Allain will also be singing at the Trinity UMC's 11 am service on Sunday. If you would like more information, please call the United Methodist Cooperative Ministry office at 508-645-3100 or 508-693-0589.
The Martha's Vineyard Film Society hosts its annual Oscar Awards Party on Feb. 24 at the Oyster Bar Grill on Circuit Avenue in Oak Bluffs. The red carpet rolls out at 6:30 pm. A limited number of tables are available for reservations so please call 508-693-6600 to reserve your table for dinner and the entire evening. The Oscar telecast begins at 8 pm.
Artist Valerie Sonnenthal is organizing another community project at Featherstone Center for the Arts. SNAPSHOTS: Collective Memory Community Project No. 2 Winter 2008 will be exhibited at Featherstone March 7 to March 9, with a closing party on Sunday, March 9 from 2 to 4 pm. Everyone can participate. Do you have an old snapshot lying around, something tucked into a drawer, or an old book? Valerie et al want your photos! Please participate by sending one photo to Featherstone or dropping it in a marked manila envelope found at any Island library. Other drop-off locations will be announced. Photos will be accepted through Tuesday, March 4. Feel free to write a few sentences about a memory the image triggers or something the photo brings up for you. For further information, call her at 508-627-9707.
In one of those wonders of the universe, in the category of things you may never have expected, Bob Fynbo has thrown his hat into the political arena. Actually, Bob has always been very involved in Edgartown, as a volunteer fireman, and EMT, and most recently as a volunteer at the library (due at least in part to the fact that his wife is the director). But now he's really jumping into the ring, running for selectman.
Bob, a resident of Chappy for some 30 years, is running quite the earnest campaign, based on the concept that the town is ready for a change, a theme that seems to be mirroring a certain "other" election going on this year. As Bob has lived a somewhat chameleon-like existence through the years, he certainly would qualify as an expert on change. He has a rather extensive web site up at bobfynbo.com, where you can read about Bob and his family, views and ideas, his experience, and other important details of his campaign. He is very interested in hearing what other townspeople have to say about the needs of the town, so visitors to the site are invited to leave feedback, anonymously if they so choose, which Bob will address and/or include on the site. You can also reach Bob at 508-627-7363.
I did something I rarely do the other night and ventured out to see the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School performance of "A Chorus Line" on Saturday night. I love to go to the theater but rarely go to local productions, but curiosity overtook me this time. "A Chorus Line" was one of the first productions I ever saw and still ranks as one of my favorites, maybe even topping the list. So, as a devotee of the professional show, I was drawn to the Performing Arts Center to see how a high school group could manage such a huge undertaking. The answer, I'm very pleased to say, is outstandingly well. Wow! Directed by Kate Murray (who used to be Katherine Poole as a kid), this cast and crew of high school students was unbelievable and performed a truly exciting and professional rendition of the show. It was a veritable bargain night of entertainment for all of $10.
I'm pretty out of touch with who is who and who is from what town but two Edgartown performers who stood out in the show were Ethan Valenti, son of Pat and Peter Valenti, and Katie Clark, daughter of John and Nancy Clark. Ethan, as Mike, had the first solo song and dance performance in the show and he set the standard for the rest of the cast. His agility and comfort performing a strenuous tap dance number while singing was more than one would expect from a high school student. And Katie was outstanding in her role of Maggie. Katie lives down the street from me and I honestly never knew how talented she is. A strong dancer and performer, her voice was crystal clear and she provided a professional presence on stage. No pun intended, but hats off for a job well done.
I think that's all for now. School vacation is next week. I'm sure many of you will be heading to destinations far and wide. Be sure to send me back some news of your travels.
Have a great week.
