Town Column : Edgartown
By Caroline Beetz Fenske
Published: March 19, 2009
Spring officially arrives tomorrow. For those of us not lucky enough to live on Chappy, it's a great time of year to visit. Imagine a fine sunny spring day being able to bring your car over to enjoy the tranquility and beauty of Chappy without having to wait in line at the ferry. Alternatively, if you like to bike, it is an economical and fun way to get across, and a great way to tour Martha's Vineyard.
Once you are on Chappy, Mytoi Garden is a beautiful place to visit off-season, with its multitude of plants and trees. The children enjoy the creek that feeds into the pond; I have seen boys and girls make miniature boats out of leaves and race them downstream. Wasque Reservation is an awesome choice on a calm day, whether you take a walk along beachside trails, or just watch the sunset on the beach. Remember to bring something to eat and drink, as you'll have to wait a little longer for Mr. Jeffers to open up the Chappy store.
I spoke to Charlie Blair, Edgartown Harbormaster, this past week to get an update on the condition of the breach. Charlie told me that the breach narrowed by about 65 feet on the west side (Norton Point), and that the east side did not lose any beach. "Charlie's Island," which formed last year at the breach site, had washed over, but was sighted again recently. Whether you approach the breach from South Beach or from Chappy, it is a stunning place to visit; the color and clarity of the water and the variety of birds is amazing. Unless you go on foot, you will have to obtain the appropriate over-sand vehicle pass for your four-wheel drive from The Trustees of Reservations. Charlie reminds us to beware of strong currents at the breach site and all the way into Edgartown Harbor. For the upcoming season, he expects the breach to continue to be dynamic and create strong currents - just like last summer.
I would like to say a few words about an admirable woman that many of you already know. Her name is Anne Marie Donahue. Anne Marie is co-chairperson (with Lucia Hayman) of Edgartown School's PTO. This volunteer position requires a large commitment of time, patience, and creativity. So far this school year, Anne Marie has been involved with organizing the Halloween party, the holiday bake sale, the Ice Cream Social, and the Valentine's Day Dance. For the second year in a row, Anne Marie is also volunteering on "banking day" at the school on Thursday mornings, where she helps children deposit their savings into the Martha's Vineyard Savings Bank. She is a full-time mother to two wonderful children, Justin and Mariah. If that is not enough, Anne Marie is a breast cancer survivor of 20 years, and she generously offers counseling to Island cancer patients through the Martha's Vineyard Cancer Support Group. If you would like more information about the support group or fundraising activities for Island cancer patients, Anne Marie is happy to talk with you: 508-627-7958. She is an inspiration to all of us.
The Edgartown Library holds toddler time (ages 1 to 4) and a story hour (ages 3 to 5) on a weekly basis. I used to bring my own kids to these activities when they were very young; they always enjoyed visits to the library, and treasured the books, videos, and books-on-tapes that they could check out (in fact they still do). One day after school, I was in the children's room at the library with my son, Lukas, and I ran into a library regular, Cecily Stibitz and her two sons, Jackson and Auguste. I was surprised to see that the librarians had set up a large table for children to do their homework, and on that table was popcorn and apple juice. Sometimes it's the little things that really make the difference.
Pia Gundersen told me that Grace Preschool is holding its Annual Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction this Saturday from 5 to 7 pm. I went to the event years ago when her oldest son, Jacob, attended the school. The food was tremendous and the silent auction had a wide range of desirable items. This year's auction items include garden services, golf lessons, and a one-week stay at a West Palm Beach home.
Linda Leonard's friends surprised her with a potluck dinner and cake to celebrate her birthday this past week, and from what I hear, they all had a great time.
Make every day special.
