Town Column : Edgartown
By Caroline Beetz Fenske
Published: April 30, 2009
A lot of people have been asking me lately whether I like writing the column. My answer is a sincere yes. I love talking to people, listening to their stories, and finding out about events around town. Please keep the emails coming with your news, stories, and milestones in your lives.
I welcome news from the Brazilian community. While I do not speak Portuguese, I can probably muddle through an email in the language, with the help of a dictionary and borrowing from my knowledge of Spanish. As a volunteer parent at the Edgartown School, I have come to know a lot of the Brazilian children in the lower grades. I have no doubt that these great kids have wonderful moms, dads, relatives, and friends, and I would love to hear from them.
I traveled to Boston for a few days with my family over spring break. I always look forward to seeing the magnolia trees in full bloom this time of year along Commonwealth Avenue. We took a swan boat ride on the lagoon at the Public Garden one fine morning; it was an idyllic scene with weeping willow trees, beautiful flowers, and a multitude of ducks and geese swimming about. We also visited the Museum of Science and the Franklin Park Zoo, which were as busy as ever, with children across the state on school vacation. Other Island families traveled to the city over the school break as well, including Joanne Saunders and her daughter, Emily, and Lauren Serpa, with her boys, Joseph and Daniel.
Brett and Sarah Hopp of Seekonk proudly announce the birth of their first child, Oliver Edward Marcotte. Oliver was born on April 9 in Providence, weighing 6 pounds, 9 ounces, and measuring 21 inches long. Mary Follas of Edgartown and Alfred Hopp of Vineyard Haven are proud grandparents.
Julia Guérin, seventh grader at Falmouth Academy, was inducted into the Junior National Honor Society on April 26. Membership into the honor society is based on a student's character, academic achievement, and participation in the community. Julia is the daughter Pierre and Susan Guérin of Edgartown.
On Friday, May 1, St. Andrew's Church is holding its annual May Breakfast from 7 to 9 am. Cheerful volunteers serve a hot breakfast consisting of eggs, sausage, hash browns, delicious homemade breads, and juice. Edgartown residents Laurel Zettl and Alice Upham are coordinating the event, with money raised to go to Island charities. Laurel said, "The May Breakfast is a community event open to everyone, and it's a great way to celebrate spring."
On Friday night, Entrain is holding a benefit concert for Locks of Love (an organization that helps children with hair loss) at the Lampost in Oak Bluffs. Guitarist Mike Benjamin will be joining the band for the evening. Tom Major, the band's founder and drummer, told me that Norman Gardner is cutting his hair at the concert, with the hope that others with be encouraged to donate. Tom also mentioned that they will be celebrating Global Love Day, established six years ago on May 1, to promote global peace, understanding, and compassion.
For early risers, there are some great events taking place in Edgartown on Saturday: farm chores at The FARM Institute, a spring cleaning morning at Mytoi Gardens on Chappy, and a model solar car race at the Boys and Girls Club.
Make every day special.
