Town Column : Edgartown
By Gail Craig
Published: September 11, 2008
My column is late as I finish writing this. I tried to write it all Sunday night but kept falling asleep at the keyboard so finally gave up and threw in the towel. As I was sitting down to write, I realized the date that it is published this week is Sept. 11, a day that I still associate with the attacks on the Twin Towers. It is interesting to me that I can still remember that day - where I was, the weather, who I was with etc. - so clearly. I remember my mother being able to do that with such things as the assassination of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. I was amazed that she could recall the details of what she was doing so clearly years later, but now I understand completely.
Island kids are all beginning to settle into their school routines. The kids have so much energy and there is still a buzz in the air that seems to go hand in hand with the start of the new school year as well as the end of the school year. So far, I'm holding my own as a teacher, trying to remember all the names and write my lesson plans. I feel like I'm going 20 different directions at once and it's hard to get used to a firm work schedule after having a very fluid schedule for the last eight years. But each day is a new adventure; something that I am willing to guess won't change even with experience.
Rebekah Blu shares news of her upcoming fundraiser at Midnight Mermaid on Sept. 13, to raise money for the Clean Planet Fund for the purchase of a recycling machine to be installed at a Vineyard auto repair shop. This machine recycles the toxic chemicals that are a regular part of auto repair, which are currently shipped off-Island, where they are incinerated. This disburses toxins into the air, which are reportedly a leading cause of cancer today, global warming, and ozone depletion.
It is really easy for everyone to be a part of this fundraiser, as there are four ways to contribute, including an auction of artwork by artists from the Island, New York, Boston, and Los Angeles. There will also be several fun raffles and 40 percent of all proceeds from gallery sales during the fundraiser also go directly to the fund. Finally, direct donations to the fund, in any amount, will also be accepted. You may not think that you can afford to do enough to help, but Rebekah mentioned that each dollar contributed to the fund reduces up to 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide in the environment. That same dollar also means that one less barrel of oil needs to be drilled from the ground. That's a pretty impressive return on a dollar.
The fundraiser is at Midnight Mermaid, 117 Main Street, on the corner of Green Avenue, from 4 to 7 pm on Saturday. Even if you're unable to donate at this time, you are still invited to stop by and learn more about the program, as two laptops will be onsite showing a video about the organization. There will also be refreshments and live acoustic music, so you really can't go wrong by stopping in. Rebekah asks that guests park in town or at the park and ride lot, rather than parking on Green Avenue, out of consideration for the neighbors. Rebekah really hopes the event is a success and that it helps the Island become a role model as a forward-thinking and increasingly green community. To find out more about this event, call the gallery at 508-627-9508. To learn more about the Clean Planet Fund, visit their website at cleanplanetfund.org.
Happy anniversary to Julie and John Moffet, who celebrate 15 years of marriage today. Congratulations and keep up the good work.
If I'm not mistaken, this would also be the time to wish Liza and Chris Dolby a happy anniversary. If my calculations are correct, they should be celebrating seven years of marriage on or around Sept. 14.
Congratulations to Jo-Ann Taylor, who received a blue ribbon for her apple pie at the Fair this year, particularly exciting as this was the first time she has ever entered her pie. I'm sure it's a great feather in one's cap to win such a prize at the Fair, knowing how many entries there are.
I realize I don't have to point this out to anybody but I want to remind you about the presidential election coming up in November. Now that we know all the players on both tickets, I'd like to encourage everyone to research the candidates thoroughly and please vote. Know the facts. It's so easy these days to get a plethora of information on the candidates, both correct and incorrect. But it is important to find out where they stand on all the issues before voting. And then it's important to vote, regardless of weather, or work, or anything else that could get in the way. Even if you are just voting for "the lesser of two evils," which many may feel is the case, your vote is important. Regardless of who wins, this election is history in the making, taking a giant step toward ending racism or gender bias once and for all. Let your voice be heard.
That's all I've got, folks. I'm falling asleep again as I write, even though it's only 4:15 pm. That doesn't bode well for getting some work done later tonight.
Have a great week.
