Sunday, May 19, 2013

By Caroline Beetz Fenske
Published: June 11, 2009

Most of us could not imagine life on the Island without beautiful clear water for swimming, boating, fishing, and sightseeing. Joanne Taylor, Edgartown resident and coastal planner for the Martha's Vineyard Commission, is doing some great work to help protect this precious resource. Last year Joanne was appointed by Governor Patrick to be one of 17 Ocean Advisory Commissioners to prepare an Ocean Management Plan for Massachusetts. The plan will help to manage state waters, including areas surrounding the Island, and help to balance its competing uses, including fishing, navigation, conservation, and energy generation. A draft Ocean Management Plan is to be submitted to the State Legislature by the end of June, with public hearings to take place this fall. In May, a number of Island residents accompanied Joanne to an Ocean Advisory Commission workshop in Woods Hole and provided valuable feedback. Joanne is hoping for "a well-grounded and unified response from the Vineyard."

Joanne would like to thank all the moms in town that helped her by taking care of her daughter in the early mornings when she had to travel to Boston for meetings. Her sweet daughter, Sarah, is a student at the Edgartown School in Gail Lachapelle's first-grade class.

My boys, Charlie and Lukas, and I made it to the Felix Neck-sponsored coastal bird watch along State Beach this past Saturday. Liz Baldwin, Island Coordinator for the Coastal Water Bird Program for Mass Audubon, led the walk. We were fortunate to be able to see a piping plover in flight. These birds are currently nesting at State Beach, which Liz said is a bit later than usual. After the eggs incubate for 28 days, they will hatch, and the fledglings can immediately begin to walk about and eat insects. By late July, the birds will be on their way.

I spoke to Karen Medeiros, Assistant Town Clerk about the upcoming Special Town Meeting to be held on June 18 at 7 pm at the Old Whaling Church. Five articles will be voted on, including whether to release money from free cash in the town budget to pay the Martha's Vineyard Commission assessment of $274,000. The other articles have to do with the lease for the Old Edgartown School, the Lighthouse Walkway Project, and painting of the water tower. You can find more information on the Town's website, edgartown-ma.us.

The Edgartown School website, edgartownschool.org, has many great photos and videos of the recent eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C. In a few of the pictures, I recognized Ryan Sawyer, who looked like he was having a great time. I received an email from Cindy Sampson, and she wanted everyone to know what a wonderful job the eighth-grade class did with fundraising this year, thanks to many generous community members. Remarkably, the class raised enough money to stay for seven days, allowing them the opportunity to visit most of the major museums and theaters in the city. The chaperones did a great job getting the kids home safe.

A bright and cheery Linda Levine was at Espresso Love this past Tuesday with her friend who was visiting from Boulder, Colo. Linda is a summer resident of Edgartown who lives in Westhampton, Mass. in the off-season.

I have yet to see them, but I heard Bob and Deb Edmonds are in town for a visit. As many of you already know, Father Bob was the longstanding rector at St. Andrew's Church, but he and his wife, Deb, are now doing some exciting work for the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem.

It is Garden Family Day at the Edgartown School this Saturday from 11 am to 2 pm. Come help in the garden (many things are popping up!), and enjoy hot dogs and treats. Members of the community are welcome.

I would like to wish both Julia and Jack Crocker a happy ninth birthday. Also, congratulations to all of the high school seniors who are graduating this Sunday afternoon at the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs.

Make every day special.