Town Column : Edgartown
What a great time of year it is to be on the Island. The weather is spectacular, the fish are biting (although mostly for boat fisherman), and the leaves are beginning their masterful color change. The humpback whale that visited Edgartown Harbor recently has also created excitement. If you happened to have seen the whale, please send in your story so it can be shared with others in town.
Seven-year-old Taylor Blair, son of Edgartown Harbormaster Charlie Blair, caught a 38-inch striper on October 1. Taylor was thrilled to finally bring one into the weigh station. This was not just any ordinary fish, caught by a stroke of luck; it was the result of persistence and dedication to the sport. Charlie said that was their 20th day out since the start of the derby, and that Taylor and his brother Tristan are experienced young fishermen (Tristan caught a bluefish earlier in the derby). Charlie added that their fishing adventures often include digging in the sand, and lots of exploring, but always end by 8 pm on school nights.
Can you guess what many kids at the Edgartown School have elected to do after school? Go to cooking class. That's right, cooking class. There were so many boys and girls that signed up for this after-school club activity that it is being offered three afternoons a week. Gina deBettencourt, the school chef, and second grade teacher Jennifer Fournier have offered their time to make this possible. On my son Lukas's first day as a chef's apprentice, he helped make oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for students to buy at lunch the next day, and Gina gave him delicious samples to take home.
Frank Shirley, principal of Frank Shirley Architects in Cambridge, will speak at the Martha's Vineyard Museum on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 5:30 pm. Mr. Shirley was project director of the renovation of the Corbin-Norton House on Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs, and he is the author of "New Rooms for Old Houses: Beautiful Additions for the Traditional Home." He will present a slide show and talk about the evolution of American residential architecture.
After the museum, you can make your way over to Daggett Street for a free concert and dessert, starting at 7:30 pm. The Edgartown Library and Edgartown Council on Aging will jointly present the Noteworthy Duo - Lisa Schroeder on flute and Michael Nigro on guitar - at The Anchors. Both musicians are faculty members at Vanguard University of Southern California; their shared interest in South American music will be evident in their concert program. A dessert reception will follow the concert. To make a reservation for the Saturday night event, please call 508-627-4221 or 627-4368.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to "the Germans" arriving from West Haven, Conn. to visit my family, as they do every year over Columbus Day weekend. Last year, our dear friend Burkhard Lampke slipped on a rock along the jetty in Menemsha, and was later airlifted to Mass General with complications. If not treated quickly and by skilled doctors, he could have lost his leg. Burkhard is fully recovered, and he's arriving back on the Island tomorrow. Willkommen Burkhard!
Have a wonderful holiday weekend. I am off next week, but look forward to receiving your news in time for the October 22 issue.
Make every day special.
