Town Column : Chilmark
By Katie Carroll
Published: June 11, 2009
I sit here this evening in our nation's capital reflecting upon the few days I have spent with family and friends as urban explorers visiting the pieces of history and tributes to our countries greatest leaders and heroes. We have strolled the mall, reflected at the Vietnam Memorial, wandered through the museums of the Smithsonian, whose grandeur is free to all, stood in awe at the towering Lincoln Memorial, ventured on a Duck Tour through streets lined with solid structures and into the mighty Potomac, peered in amazement at Washington National Cathedral, and truly felt appreciative of what this remarkable city has to offer. This place is big, powerful, and inspiring. It has made me think about how we should truly give thanks to our forefathers for providing a country in which "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
Home, work, and school have rolled on for a few days without us as we have taken a short time out of life as we know it to feel the inspiration of what our country has set forth in front of us. Back to Chilmark we wander...
The Chilmark School will be going to "FLY" a play at the Vineyard Playhouse today, June 11. This program is sponsored by the Chilmark Public Library and funded by a Performing Arts Student Grant from the cultural council.
Mother and daughter artists Gloria and Jennifer Burkin have a show of their new work, at The Martha's Vineyard Bank at Beetlebung Corner in Chilmark, running from June 12 to June 19. Gloria's landscape oil paintings focus on up-Island views of ponds and land, while Jennifer's small acrylic-on-board paintings are more abstract, focusing on the beauty of creation. Though both artists have shown in individual and group shows, this is their first show together, and it represents their most recent work.
Sunday, June 14, Chilmark Community Church will have a lay-led service and will discuss the lectionary for the day. The service will be slightly shorter than usual as the church members have a little field trip planned to the new site for the Flea Market. Pam Goff shares that all are welcome to church, but if folks just want coffee, swing by the site on North Road across from the Jenkinsons. The Flea Market organizers are hoping for a bunch of cars so that they may make a trial run of how the flow of traffic and parking layout will work this summer.
On behalf of the Planning Board, Todd Christy requests that "any person wishing to comment on Wind Turbines can submit it in writing to the Planning Board, Chilmark Town Hall."
Todd also shares that Olympian Mary McConneloug and professional mountain biker Mike Broderick will be back on-Island after contesting the first few rounds of the UCI World Cup Mountain Bike Series in Europe and Africa. They will be back to recharge their batteries, so to speak. Keep your eyes peeled for them out on the road. I am certain family and friends will be thrilled to see them.
As we all know, Diane Gandy will retire as the head of Chilmark School. She is still business as usual and reminds us all that the Chilmark School PTO is in real need of parent volunteers. If anyone is interested in filling the position of co-chair, please contact either Diane at 508-645-2562 or Alicia Knight at 508-627-0075. Also, please contact Diane if you are a community member interested in serving a term on SAC.
Welcome to incoming head of school Susan Stevens. After a lengthy interview process of some truly talented individuals, Susan was chosen to join our community. I look forward to getting to know you, Susan. I feel it is certain that you will be happy within the walls of our school. It is full of talented educators and children with so much to share. "To live, to love, to learn" is how the story goes. u
