Town Column : Edgartown
By Caroline Beetz Fenske
Published: August 20, 2009
Our summer traffic woes are making national news these days, as described in the August 13 New York Times article, "Why Democrats Love Martha's Vineyard." With the President and his family vacationing here this month, our little Island is getting a lot of scrutiny, including in travel industry circles.
The topic of traffic congestion, which is a significant challenge in town, is discussed in the Island Plan, now available to the public in draft form. The Edgartown Library has copies of the plan, or you can view the document online at mvcommission.org. You'll have the opportunity to provide your input at one of the Martha's Vineyard Commission's open houses (August 26, from 4 to 7 pm; August 29, from 10 am to 1 pm; and August 31, from 12 noon to 3 pm).
On Tuesday, August 11, about 60 Chappaquiddick residents attended a meeting of the Sharing Chappy Roads Committee (SCRC), comprised of a group of residents who question the need for a bicycle path on Chappy. Edgartown Selectman Michael Donorama and some members from the Chappaquiddick Path Committee (who are in favor of a shared use path) were in attendance. Joan Adibi, a SCRC member, said that most people at the meeting were opposed to the construction of the shared use path.
Bob Daniels was selling organic carrots, rhubarb, and an assortment of potatoes at the Edgartown School's farmer's market this past week. Bob owns Old Town Gardens located on Road to the Plains, and has been in business for 40 years. The Edgartown School and PTO sponsored farmer's market runs on Friday mornings from 9 am until 12 noon through the end of August.
Joanne Saunders, former first grade teacher at the Edgartown School, has accepted a new position at the Wing Elementary School in Sandwich. Joanne said, "The Island became a special home for me and my daughter, Emily, through the wonderful connections of many families and friends. Truthfully, I am excited about this new position because I love teaching, but I am quite sad to be leaving this lovely Island."
Teresa Yuan has an art exhibit at the Old Sculpin Gallery in Edgartown running through August 29. A wine and cheese reception will be held on Sunday, August 23, from 6 to 8 pm. Teresa was born in Taiwan, moved to United States when she was 19, and now lives in Edgartown. She studied art at the Art Student League in New York City and later graduated from Pratt Institute. Teresa has been exhibiting at the Old Sculpin Gallery for 15 years; this year's exhibit will be still lifes in acrylics.
Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., in the news recently as a participant in the Beer Summit at the White House, is hosting "Achieving Equality in the Age of Obama," a panel discussion sponsored by the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research, to be held tonight at 5 pm at the Old Whaling Church.
