Town Column : Edgartown
By Caroline Beetz Fenske
Published: February 26, 2009
My son Lukas and I visited The FARM Institute. The temperature gauge on my car indicated it was in the 40s, but with the wind it felt biting cold. As we headed toward the silos, we saw a man working on a new, spacious greenhouse. Lukas and I walked into the horse barn to visit two Angora goats named "Lemon" and "Lime." We then moved on to the cow barn and Lukas fed hay to a "beltie" (Belted Galloway) and a pair of heritage-breed Murray Greys. Our tour ended with visits to the ducks, as they huddled inside their miniature-barn shelter, and the pigs; we were always mindful of the electric fence surrounding their pen. The animals seemed more aware and interested in us than usual; it must be the relative isolation that the off-season brings.
We stopped in the farm's classroom, and said hello to Executive Director Mathew Goldfarb. His brother Rob Goldfarb, Development Director, was busy taking a professional development class. Based on a conversation with Rob this week, I am convinced that the programs for children and adults this summer will be the most diverse and exciting in the history of The FARM Institute. Rob asked me to let everyone know that camp registration has begun, and residents are eligible for a 20 percent discount. Scholarships are also available. We are very fortunate that the Town of Edgartown set aside such a spectacular parcel of land for public use. The FARM Institute, which leases almost 200 acres from the town, would not be in existence today without the dedication of so many people, including Sam Feldman, Michael Kidder, Glenn Hearn, and Howard Miller.
I ran into Keith Marino from the Edgartown Post Office at Espresso Love on Valentine's Day. He was in terrific spirits thanks to his children visiting from off-Island for five days. Keith said it has been many years since he had this much time together with his kids. I hope they had a wonderful time.
The Martha's Vineyard Regional High School musical, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," took place over Valentine's Day weekend. I went to the matinee performance. It was a lot of laughs, and the high school kids did a great job performing. The musical operated with two casts, including Jerome Pikor, who played Charlie Brown, and Bryan Mackenty, who played "5." I would like to recognize the efforts of their mothers: Michelle Pikor organized parent volunteers, and Maria Mackenty made costumes.
Deborah Alpert-Silvia from the Martha's Vineyard Boys and Girls Club Second Hand Store called me to report that Gerry Averill, the retiring owner of "By the Sea Store," gave a substantial part of her inventory to the consignment shop as a donation. I am sorry to see Gerry's store go, as it was always one of my favorites. Deborah wants everyone to know what a wonderful person Gerry Averill is, and that her donation is greatly appreciated.
The Edgartown Library is putting on some amazing programs for children on Saturdays, and I know many parents in town really appreciate it. This week a story will be read about the legendary Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley, and images of his microscopic snowflake photographs with be shown. Bentley (1865-1931) was a Vermont native who studied over 5,000 snowflakes in his lifetime and never found two alike. During this Saturday's program, the children will have the opportunity to create their own snowflake designs to hang in a window.
It is vacation week for Martha's Vineyard schools and a well-deserved break for students and teachers. Lauren and Tony Serpa and their children Joseph and Daniel have headed north to ski instead of the warm climes they ventured to last year. Steve and Kathy Pogue are in San Francisco with the triplets, Molly, Paige, and Spencer. I hope everyone is having a safe and happy week with their children.
Make every day special.
