Town Column : Edgartown
By Caroline Beetz Fenske
Published: March 5, 2009
I hope that everyone is hanging in there this week after all the tough economic and financial news. Sure we live on an Island, but we are not protected from national economic trends. Many of us are feeling the effects of dwindling savings, retirement money, and college funds for our children, as well as slow or non-existent business activity right now. For those of us impacted, we just have to continue to be patient until the government programs start to take effect, and progress is made to improve the financial system. This recession will end just like every other one in our country's history.
For others on Martha's Vineyard, the economic downturn has been good for business. When I stopped by the Martha's Vineyard Boys and Girls Club Second Hand Store recently, it was bustling with activity, and from what Deborah Alpert-Silvia tells me, the store is doing better than ever. The Martha's Vineyard cobbler in Oak Bluffs has almost more business than she can handle. Clothing repair shops tend to do well in a recession too, as people opt to repair existing clothes rather than buy new ones. I spoke to Francois Delphin of Francois' Tailoring and Boutique, and he said he is available to take on additional business.
Harvey Hines from the Island Rotary Club gave me an update on Nina Ferry, the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School graduate and winner of this year's Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship. Having the choice to go anywhere in the world, Nina selected the University of the South Pacific in Fiji as her site for study. Nina emailed Harvey last week, and said that she is in the process of registering for graduate classes and that a local Rotary member helped her find a place to live. Nina is studying to be a teacher, and when finished, she plans to return to Martha's Vineyard to start her career. The deadline to apply for next year's Rotary scholarship is in June; please call Harvey at 508-627-8427 for more information.
Jan Grabowski, a family friend and talented builder, led the effort over the holidays to redo the ceiling at the Edgartown Town Hall. You can see pictures of the construction work, including the impressive scaffold he built, on the Town's website, edgartown-ma.us. Jan's birthday is on March 7, and home inspector Paul Daniele is celebrating his 60th birthday on March 9. Happy birthday to both of you.
Suzan Bellincampi is leading a "Moonrise Meander" at Felix Neck on March 10. As you walk through the sanctuary, you will have the opportunity to see the moon rise over Sengekontacket pond as the sun sets over the marsh and fields. What possibly could be better than that? Suzan reminds everyone to bring a flashlight.
It's about six weeks before state and federal income taxes are due, and the Edgartown Council on Aging (Anchors) is offering tax assistance for seniors. There will be helpers available on March 24 in the basement of the Old Whaling Church at 9 and 11 am. This is a good time to start compiling your 2008 tax information if you haven't done so already. For more information, please call Laurie Schriber at 508-627-4368.
The Martha's Vineyard Public Charter School is holding its enrollment open house the evening of March 11. Interested families can take a tour and learn about the school's academic program.
I hope Joanne Taylor and her daughter Sarah had a great time on their winter break trip to California - including Catalina Island and Disneyland.
Make every day special.
