Town Column : Edgartown
There were many familiar faces at the Edgartown Town Hall last Tuesday, as people arrived in impressive numbers to vote for Edward Kennedy's replacement in the U.S. Senate. It was just after school when I arrived to vote, and I saw many parents with children at their side, including Pia Gundersen with her boys, Eli and Jacob, taking part in this small part of history.
It has been very busy over at Vineyard Fitness Center this month, as people appear to be keeping true to their New Year's resolutions. Brad Hill took over management of the gym 18 months ago, and he lives in town with his wife Maureen Hill, a Land Bank employee. Brad and Maureen have two adorable children at the Edgartown School; Devin is in second grade and Erin is in fifth.
Anthony Capelli, Richard Kain, and Andre Levesque have been outstanding coaches to the 7- to 13-year-old boys and girls participating in M.V. Youth Hockey's Recreational League this season. House Coordinator Pamela Thomas has also been instrumental in getting the Recreational League off to a successful start for the first time this season.
There will be a Valentine Tea on February 11 at 1:30 pm at the Federated Church Parish Hall. All women involved with Island churches are invited to attend. The program includes Phil Dietterich on piano, Jan Hyer on cello, and Matt Pelikan on recorder. Organizer Lorraine St. Pierre says, "Come and enjoy little sandwiches and a spot of tea, as you chase away the winter blahs." There is no charge for admission.
Mark your calendars for another fine event put on by the staff at the Edgartown Library. On February 6, between 12 noon and 4 pm, there will be a children's Valentine craft activity. Supplies will be on hand to make that special card for your valentine.
Edgartown Cub Scouts will participate in the Pinewood Derby Car Race this weekend at the Oak Bluffs Fire Station at 10 am. The boys have been working hard on their cars, which they have designed on their own, starting with a small block of pinewood, four plastic tires, and four nails for axels. May the best Scout win.
With some regret, I will be passing the column on to the next in line so I can concentrate on my work as a freelance economic writer and editor. It has been fantastic to hear so many great stories from the town's people over the past year.
I am grateful to C.K. Wolfson and Eleni Collins at the M.V. Times, both of whom have been wonderfully encouraging and supportive.
Along the way, some have made suggestions for more "gossip" in the column. This has not been my forte, but I hope the next Edgartown columnist can fill the need in this area. And from now on, it looks like I will have to save my commentary for the opinion section of the paper.
I am thankful to the many people in town who have taken the time to tell me their stories and provide me with encouragement along the way, including the folks at Granite Hardware, the Edgartown Post Office, the Edgartown Paint Shoppe, and the deli counter at Stop and Shop, John Stevens, Gail Gardner, Harvey Hines, Mark Alan Lovewell, Deborah MacInnis, Donna Blackburn, Wanda Williams, Liz Stobart, Kathy Pogue, Lucia Hayman, Anne Marie Donahue, Jo-ann Taylor, John Williamson, Melinda Rabbitt Defeo, Ann Floyd, Nicole Bourgault, Pastor Jerry Fritz, Jan Grabowski, Kathy and Randy Mercier, Howard Miller, Jackie Korell, Bill Connolly, Diane Smith, Suzan Bellincampi, Nate Tarani, Linda and Cliff Karako, Charlie Blair, Susan Desmarais, Megan Weeks, the Feldmans, Rob Goldfarb, the teachers and staff at the Edgartown school, the Craig, Serpa, Rollins, Pizzano, Lively, Vukota, and Murray families (their kids make great material for the column), my husband Reiner, and my boys, Charlie and Lukas.
Make every day special.
