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Edgartown Town Column
There is nothing like school vacation to remind one that they should never take their vacation the week after Christmas! Not only am I desperate for some warmth and sunshine, but it would seem that everyone else on the Island has gone away, leaving few friends for play dates for the kids. Jamie took Amelia off to the aquarium overnight this weekend and is off with Riley overnight today so there has been some adventure for them. We'll go ice skating and maybe visit some of the out of town libraries but still, it is tough to be here for a week when so many friends are off having adventures in the world at large.
I have been in a thoughtful mood lately, as in thinking a lot, not necessarily being kinder and more generous to the world around me. As I grow older and experience more of life, it makes me ponder. This week, I've really come to realize how much I owe my parents. Maybe I'm thinking of them more this week because yesterday would have been their 48th wedding anniversary, which is no minor feat. They worked so hard for us to have the things we wanted and do the things we wanted and they made huge sacrifices in their own lives for us and that is the sort of thing that one really doesn't understand until one becomes a parent. I just wanted to publicly acknowledge their efforts and thank them. Hopefully Buzzy can read this wherever she's hanging out or that she has some heavenly pipeline to my column.
There are two very useful workshops coming up for all you parents of school age kids. The first "MCAS: What is it and why is it important?" is presented by Parents' Place: MASS PIRC on Monday, March 10, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Oak Bluffs School community room. According to the workshop, MCAS is a key strategy for improving education in Massachusetts. It is a way to ensure high standards for students and holds schools accountable for student progress. This workshop explains the reasons why we have this statewide testing system and how it is currently being implemented. Parents examine sample MCAS questions and responses and explore supports and resources available for helping students improve their performance.
The second workshop is titled "Handling Homework Horrors" and is being presented on Wednesday, April 2, at 7 pm at the MVRHS Library Conference Room by Stuart Peskin, Project Director of the Title 1 Dissemination Project. As you probably already know, homework is a nightmare for many parents. A daily struggle evolves around its completion and accuracy. This session is designed to help parents deal with both the completion and accuracy issues that can make homework such a problem.
Andrew Walsh, son of Karen and Ron Walsh of Edgartown, has made the Dean's List for the Fall semester. Andy attends the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Conn., and is majoring in art history. Congratulations Andy!
There will by a Health Fair at the M.V. Hospital on Saturday, March 15, from 9 am to 12:15 pm at the Hospital's Southside Conference Center. This Health Fair is sponsored by the Visiting Nurse Service of M.V. Community Services and the Boards of Health of Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, and West Tisbury. The Health Fair will focus on health maintenance and healing through nutrition, the power of exercise to fit any age, stress awareness and management, memory, mood, and mold, and taking charge of your health. For more information, please call 508-693-7900 ext. 275.
Pastor Richard Rego sent a reminder that the "First Saturday Men's Breakfast" will be on Saturday, March 1, at 8:30 am downstairs in the Christ Church, located on Church Street in Vineyard Haven. This men's gathering meets for a full breakfast on the first Saturday of every month at one of the four churches of the United Methodist Cooperative Ministry of Martha's Vineyard. It's an opportunity for men in the community to come together (no strings attached) and share common interests and concerns - everything from fishing and golfing to woodworking and painting. This month, Jamie Norton of Norton Farm and several other members will present "Planting and Farming Tips for a Perfect Garden." A free-will offering will be taken to offset the cost of supplies.
You may have heard that Heather Jardin is currently battling leukemia and is going through chemotherapy treatments in Boston. Many of you may know Heather, as she has worked at Morning Glory Farm for a number of years. Due to her illness and her treatments, it is unlikely that Heather will be able to work this summer. Chris White shared, that as a result, a couple of fundraising efforts have begun for her benefit. The first is a bottle drive. If you are interested in donating your bottles and cans to the cause, you may drop them off at the M.V. Boys and Girls Club.
The second fundraiser for Heather will be on March 22 at the P.A. Club and will feature Mercy Beat and lots of fun raffle items as well. Proceeds from the night, as well as those from the bottle drive, will help with some of Heather's extensive medical costs. Everyone is asked to keep her in your thoughts and prayers.
Gina Hayes, of Just Dogs Training Center, is offering a Therapy Dog Training Workshop in Chilmark on April 5 and 6, in which owners and dogs learn how to be welcomed therapy for people who are in wheelchairs or walkers, or bedridden. To make the class possible, Gina needs a certain number of dogs (and owners) to sign up. For more information regarding dates, time, place and how to register, call Gina at 508-760-3377.
In the words of the illustrious Porky Pig, "That's All, Folks." Be sure to get me your vacation news. Have a great week.
