Town Column : Edgartown
By Caroline Beetz Fenske
Published: July 23, 2009
The Katama Association meeting took place on Sunday morning at The FARM Institute. Members enjoyed a perfect summer day, the sights and sounds of cows grazing nearby, and a fine breakfast provided by the Katama General Store. The annual meeting took place under the tent set up for the Meals in the Meadow fundraiser, which occurred the night before. Rob Goldfarb, The FARM's development director, jokingly announced that next year they will supply cots for those attending both events.
As usual, this year's Katama Association meeting provided excellent information on topics of interest to Katama residents. Rob was proud to announce that their first Residential Farm Program with students from the Bronx this past spring was a success. The program, designed to give urban youth an opportunity to experience farming, is offered in the shoulder season. The principal from the New York school informed Rob that they had a wonderful experience and planned to return next year.
Patrick Manning, executive director for Island Affordable Housing Fund, was also a guest speaker, taking the opportunity to advertise this weekend's three-day Housing on the Tube telethon, and the Rock the Rock music festival taking place at the Boathouse Field Club on Saturday night. Patrick and his team are working diligently to help year-round workers and their families buy or rent homes on the Island.
Edgartown Harbormaster Charlie Blair told members of the Katama Association that the piping plovers are still nesting on Norton Point, which means no overland vehicle access until the birds take flight. He also said that the breach, which two years ago made Chappaquiddick a true island, is shrinking and moving eastward toward Chappy. Charlie is happy to report that the current in the harbor is substantially reduced, down from five knots last summer to two to three knots this year, although higher around full moons. Charlie also reported that boat traffic in Edgartown Harbor is down this summer, as is the case in harbors throughout New England, which he attributed to the downturn in the economy.
The harbormaster spoke about the need to dredge Katama Bay to increase water depths to accommodate boaters. Katama Association members were unanimously in favor of such an effort, and plan to make a request to the town in support of the dredging plan.
The Martha's Vineyard chapter of the NAACP is holding a centennial luncheon: 100 Years of Social Justice and Civil Rights, on Tuesday at 12 noon at The Grill on Main in Edgartown. Lorna Andrade, Marie Araujo, and Carrie Tankard will be honored "for their leadership, community service, and longevity." For more information, please contact Laurie Henry-Perry at 508-627-8737.
The Anchors Mindful Knitting group will meet on Tuesdays from 5 to 7 pm at Featherstone Center for the Arts for the remainder of July and at the Camp Jabberwocky entrance to State Beach during the month of August. The group generously donates knitted items to charities both on and off Island. In case of rain, knitters can call Susan at 508-627-4368 to check on alternative plans.
I'll end here with a quote sent out this past week by Pastor Jerry Fritz from the Federated Church to his email list: "Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression." (Haim Ginott).
Make every day special.
