Town Column : Edgartown
By Caroline Beetz Fenske
Published: March 12, 2009
It's wonderful to have an extra hour of daylight in the evenings. For many of us, adjusting to getting out of the house effectively an hour earlier takes a few days, but it is well worth the trouble. Some of you will take advantage of the extra light after dinner to throw a baseball around with your kids. Remember the deadline to sign up for Martha's Vineyard Little League is March 28.
With temperatures rising, more Frisbee golf enthusiasts are making their way to the Riverhead Field Disc Golf Course on Barnes Road in Edgartown near Vineyard Youth Tennis. Many die-hard players, including my husband, Reiner; Jake Gifford, owner of the Lazy Frog store; and Scott Cummings, executive chef at The Boathouse were out all winter long, without concern for snow, rain, and relative darkness (thanks to illuminated Frisbees). The course is 27 holes long, with the cost of the baskets (or goals) on each hole paid for by individuals and Island businesses, including Morning Glory Farm and Microtronic Inc. Frisbee golf is great if you like to be outdoors, meet nice people, and test your disk throwing skills; you'll also get good exercise as you trek through the State Forest.
I would like to remind everyone about the 11th annual Ocean View Saint Patrick's Day 5K Road Race and Fitness Walk to benefit the Martha's Vineyard Boys and Girls Club and community wellness. The race starts in front of the Ocean View Restaurant and Tavern on March 22 at 9 am. Peter Lambos, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club, says that it's a great way to "shake off the winter rust and get moving."
Lani Carney is currently holding art classes for children ages 3 to 10 at Featherstone Center for the Arts. Lani is a gifted teacher, and has created an amazing art studio just for children. The kids love her because she treats each one as unique and special, and she is forever loving and patient with them. As spring approaches, there will be opportunities for the children to walk the beautiful Land Bank trails (Featherstone Farm) located at the far end of center, and to collect items and ideas for their art projects. Lani told me that about one-third of her students are from Edgartown, and she welcomes more children.
Wanda Williams, Edgartown Town Clerk, told me this week that Peter Mcquire is running against incumbent William Erickson for Water Commissioner. There are two additional open slots in town government, one on the planning board and one on the financial advisory committee. Since no one filed nomination papers by the deadline, both positions will be determined by write-in votes. If you are not yet registered to vote, the last day to do so is March 25. Town Elections will be held on April 16.
This past week, two volunteers at the front of Stop & Shop handed out lists of items needed by the Island Food Pantry. I was told it was like a scavenger hunt, trying to find beef stew, sardines, taco dinners, etc. on store shelves. Generous customers deposited the items into a collection box on their way out.
On Saturday, March 14, the Edgartown Library is sponsoring St. Patrick's Day activities for children, including the opportunity to make a miniature Irish cottage with a thatched roof and to use a double heddle loom to make Donegal tweeds. Stories will be read and there will be treats too.
Twelve-hundred bunches of daffodils are arriving by boat on St. Patrick's Day, with proceeds to support the American Cancer Society. Presold flowers will be distributed that day, and the remaining will go on sale at the Stop & Shop two days later. For all you Irish folks, don't forget to wear green on Tuesday to celebrate the holiday.
A friend of Ethel Chapman's asked me to report that Ethel just had a birthday. Happy birthday, Ethel.
Make every day special.
