I hope that you all enjoyed a relaxing and family-filled Easter Sunday. Easter is an odd family holiday for me as an adult. As kids, my parents would take my brother and sister and me to the Holiday Inn in Hyannis for Easter weekend every year. It was an annual event that we treasured immensely. We’d swim in the pool until we were shriveled up, and just relax and hang out. But mostly swim in the pool. We loved it. And the Easter Bunny brought our goodies in the little plastic cups that were in the hotel room. I remember it with such fondness. But now that I’m a grownup, I’m kind of at a loss for what to do on Easter. The kids are beyond the egg-hunt thing, and as a family we aren’t serious churchgoers. It wasn’t until my mid-20s that I even realized that families did Easter dinner! So we kind of do it casual. The kids got baskets, and we had a relaxed dinner. Pretty much a regular Sunday, with way more chocolate.
Did you have family in town for the holiday? Feel free to share stories with me for next week’s column.
If your kids are like mine, they may not always deliver information about what’s going on at school. This week has fun and games in store for you. The Edgartown School is holding its 10th annual Math Night for grades 3 through 8, for kids and parents, on Thursday, March 31, from 6 to 7:30 pm. This is an opportunity for kids and parents to come and play some math games, maybe win a raffle, have some cookies and juice, learn a bit more about the math program at the school, and just enjoy a fun evening together. Please note that this is not a drop-off event. All students must be accompanied by an adult. Come and have fun, and visit my table. I’ll have a little setup with computers and math games in the gym. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Martha’s Vineyard Community Services’ Disability Services Family Support Center coordinator, Kathi Hackett, received a “Supporting Families Through Family Support” award from the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and the Statewide Advisory Council during a celebration and awards ceremony at the Massachusetts State House on Wednesday, March 23, 2016. The Department of Developmental Services is dedicated to creating, in partnership with others, innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities to participate fully and meaningfully in, and contribute to, their communities as valued members. The primary goal of family support is to provide a variety of options to individuals with disabilities and their families that enable them to stay together and to be welcome, contributing members of their home communities.
DDS and the Statewide Advisory Council recognized outstanding leaders and families in the Department’s Family Support Program from across the state. “Kathi has been the primary provider of family support services for the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket for many years. She has worked hard, and singlehandedly, to establish trusting relationships with the individuals and the families we support, and has become a trusted and accessible resource to them,” said Richard Cavicchi, area director, Cape Cod and Islands. “Kathi considers her role with these families as a privilege, which speaks to her commitment and the high value she places on supporting families. She is truly one of the Cape and Islands’ treasured assets.”
I was saddened to read of the passing of Estey Look Teller. She was a true Island girl, and embodied all things Martha’s Vineyard, from gardening to fishing. She will be missed by many, and my thoughts go out to the Teller and Look families.
The Edgartown School Student Council sponsored a two-week food drive in the school recently. The class that brought in the most food items for the Island Food Pantry would win a pizza party. As a whole, the school students and staff brought in 2,406 items! The winning class was Ms. Cunningham’s 7th grade homeroom, with a total of 330 items. Kudos to everyone for their efforts, and to the Student Council members for making it happen.
There will be a rabies clinic at the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard on Saturday, April 2, from 10 am until 1 pm. The fee is $20. Vaccine is good for one year. In order to get a three-year vaccine, you must bring proof that your pet got a one-year shot 9 to 12 months before the clinic date. Any questions, call 508-627-8662. All dogs must be leashed.
The Island Community Chorus is offering a free anniversary concert on Saturday, April 2, at 7:30 at the PAC at the high school and Sunday, April 3 at 3 pm. They will present Brahms’ Requiem with chorus and orchestra. An introductory talk by musicologist Laura Stanfield Pritchard will be offered 20 minutes before the concert.
I’ve officially made it through winter. I finally heard pinkletinks the other night. I knew that people had heard them in Oak Bluffs and in West Tisbury, but I had not yet heard them in Edgartown. It’s such a delight to hear their lovely melodies on the evening breeze. Next up: finding mayflowers, like Buzzy and Howard Andrews.
Have a great week, and remember what Margaret Mead once said: “Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.”
