Edgartown: Raising money for breast cancer

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I’m trying to live outside my comfort zone these days. Well, to be honest, I’m only doing it a little, but still, I’m doing it. I started with hot yoga. I walked into the studio and promptly said, “I’ve never done this and I don’t know what I’m doing, but I’ve decided to give it a try even though I’m scared to death!” Not so shockingly, Josey, the instructor, welcomed me in, and told me to work at my pace and go easy on myself, mentally and physically. I must say, I quite enjoyed it, and felt amazing afterward, like every muscle was actually really stretched out. I did have some trouble sleeping, oddly enough, and the next day was a little stiff, but I’m still trying to go a couple of times a week.

The second thing I did this week out of my comfort zone was take part in the Run Breast Cancer Out of Town 5K on Saturday. I exercise frequently and run several times a week, but I don’t like to take part in “official” events such as this. But I thought to myself, “Self, it’s raising money for breast cancer. On Mother’s Day weekend. It’s kind of a no-brainer as a tribute to your mother!” So …. I emailed my workout partner, who was all in as well, and we registered. And next thing I knew, and the coolest part about it all, was that Riley found out about it and wanted in on the event too. So we ventured out to South Beach around 8:30 Saturday morning, and very nearly froze. But run it we did. Riley left us in the dust. Ah, to be young. Chad was nice enough to stick with me as I wrestled with my personal head-game demons of cold, yucky weather and Atlantic Drive. What’s going to be next in stretching out of my comfort zone?

Last week was Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week, and boy, oh boy, did the Edgartown PTA spoil us. We had a lovely luncheon prepared, with soups, sandwiches, drinks, and desserts one day, signs all over the building with wonderful compliments and thoughts, Dilly Bars one day, a breakfast another day … now all we need is for the PTA to pay for our health club memberships to work off the extra pounds we may have gained while being spoiled! Thanks so much for your efforts, Edgartown PTA. And thanks to my colleagues and fellow teachers. You guys rock.

How lucky are we to have Community Services on this Island? Here’s just a few of the upcoming events they are offering this month.

“Grandparents Raising Grandchildren” is on Saturday, May 14, from 10 to 11:30 am at the Family Center. Grandparents who find themselves raising their grandchildren don’t have to go it alone. The Martha’s Vineyard Family Center, in collaboration with the Island Wide Youth Collaborative, offers up information about trends and issues facing grandparents raising grandchildren. Preregistration for this group required. Please call 508-687-9182.

On Tuesday, May 17, from 6:30 to 8 pm, the Island Wide Youth Collaborative presents “Helping Children Cope: Putting Humpty Back Together Again.” This free workshop for parents with children ages 8 to 10 will explore resiliency as an active ingredient for a life at peace with its past, content with its present, and optimistic about the future. It offers field-tested strategies so every child can navigate stormy waters without capsizing, and on how to create safe harbors for those whose storms continue to crash their shores and toss them about in the surf. Refreshments provided. Register at mvcommunityservices.com. If you need assistance with childcare, please call 508-693-7900, ext. 400 or email jchang@mvcommunityservices.com.

Another important topic to be discussed at the Family Center on May 18 at 5:30 pm is “Screen Time: The Good, the Bad, and the Unsafe.” Screen time is a term used for activities done in front of a screen, such as watching TV, working on a computer, or playing video games. Screen time is sedentary activity, meaning you are being physically inactive while sitting down. Very little energy is used during screen time. This workshop will provide information for parents to support their child to develop a safe and healthy relationship with media. Dinner and childcare will be provided. Preregistration is required. Please call 508-687-9182.

Finally, that day that is near and dear to everyone’s heart here on Martha’s Vineyard, Electronics Disposal Day, is on May 21 from 9 am to 2 pm at Community Services. Fees are between $2 and $30 per item. Ten percent discount for full car loads. All proceeds benefit Martha’s Vineyard Community Services. For more information, call 508-693-7900, ext. 267, or email jrogers@mvcommunityservices.com.

Last Friday, friends, family, and colleagues of Susan Gamble gathered together in the courtyard between the Edgartown library and the school for a brief ceremony, celebrating her memory with the planting of a dogwood tree. The tree will grow and bloom outside her most recent classroom, the Resource Room, in the 5 / 6 wing of the school, just as her students grew and blossomed inside the classroom. Tess Temple shared the poem “When Great Trees Fall” by Maya Angelou, as well as her own thoughts on Susan’s strength and grace. The Edgartown School Student Council will also be raising funds to install a bench near the tree, so that for years to come, people can enjoy a beautiful day, next to a beautiful tree, planted in memory of a beautiful woman.

Life begins at the end of my comfort zone, so I’m going to try to do one or two things that scare me each week. Remember, a comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there!