Tuesday, May 21, 2013

By Caroline Beetz Fenske
Published: June 4, 2009

There are many great places in town to get Island-grown food. Morning Glory Farm has wonderful locally grown vegetables and fresh eggs, and it is open all season long. The FARM Institute will be expanding its farm stand hours this summer, opening Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 4:30 pm, June 29 until Labor Day. The stand will sell seasonal produce grown on the farm, and occasional grass-fed meats and pastured poultry.

The town recently gave approval for a farmer's market, sponsored by the Edgartown School and PTO, to be held at the school this summer. All items sold at the market will be Island-made or Island-grown. The farmer's market will take place on Friday mornings in the school parking lot between 8 am and 12 noon starting July 10, and run through the end of August. Interested vendors can contact Lucia Hayman (508-939-4032) for information on how to participate.

We are also fortunate to be able to harvest from the sea here in Edgartown. Shellfish licenses are available at the Town Hall, and are valid for one year starting June 1. The cost for residents is $50. You can pick up your license at the front desk of the Town Hall between 10 am and 1 pm and 2 and 4 pm, Monday through Friday.

Abbie Lively won the family fish contest with this 29-inch striper. photo by Scott Lively

Every year, Scott Lively holds a contest in his family for the first striped bass caught in the season. This year his daughter, Abbie, won in style with a 29-inch striper that she landed on State Beach in Edgartown. It happened on Memorial Day around 5:30 am after a quick stop at Dippin' Donuts. Using a clam as bait, the nine-year-old reeled in the good-sized striper by herself in just over five minutes.

The 15th annual Children's Benefit Golf Tournament will be held on Sunday, June 7, at Farm Neck Golf Course. I spoke to Howard Miller, who is Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club, and Co-Chairman of the event with Tony Meyer. Howard said that every year the golf tournament is a major fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club, and Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Martha's Vineyard. He also explained that the tournament typically draws about 100 players, but he hopes to sell out this year at 125. It will be an exciting day, with signups and breakfast starting at 7:30 am, before groups of five set off for shotgun-style play at 8:30 am. The 18-hole golf tournament will last for about four hours, followed by lunch, and an award ceremony and a mystery prize giveaway. The cost is $250 per participant, with golf carts provided. A number of local businesses have generously supported this event, including Edgartown National Bank, Cape Air, Martha's Vineyard Insurance, and Cini/Miller Law Offices. You can register by getting an application online at mvbgclub.org, or by calling 508-627-3303.

Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary has a number of amazing programs coming up. This Saturday morning, the organization is sponsoring a coastal bird walk along State Beach. You will have the opportunity to join the coastal water bird staff search for birds and nests, and to identify animal tracks in the sand. (This is the kind of event I know my children would really enjoy.) The group will meet at 9 am at the State Beach access trail on the Oak Bluffs side of Big Bridge.

Bienvenido a casa. Nick Cristea, from the Granite Five and Dime, returned to the Island from his annual three-month stay in Argentina recently. My experience with Nick is that he is always kind, helpful, and knowledgeable.

Make every day special.