The Edgartown School eighth grade made it to Washington, D.C., and back safe and sound! And we had a fabulous trip. Memories were made that will last a lifetime, for the kids and the chaperones alike. We had gorgeous weather, took in a ton of sights, learned many new things, survived the Metro, and made smooth connections everywhere we traveled. It truly could not have gone any better! I consider myself very lucky to have gotten to work with this group of kids and their families, as well as the other chaperones who went on the trip with us.
The Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank announced the donation of $4,500 from its foundation to Martha’s Vineyard Community Services (MVCS), on the occasion of the bank’s June 1 grand-opening celebration of its new full-service branch at 412 State Road in Vineyard Haven. The donation will fund a telemedicine grant for the agency’s Island Counseling Center, and will cover the expense of preparing an office in the Island Counseling Center and outfitting it with the technology required to enable meetings with an offsite psychiatrist.
Telemedicine is the remote diagnosis and treatment of patients by means of telecommunications technology. There is a growing and unmet need for psychiatric and medication management services on Martha’s Vineyard. Those with insurance can receive psychiatric services only at MVCS’ Island Counseling Center. Other residents in need of ongoing care are placed on the waitlist, which can mean a wait time of up to three months for an appointment. The telemedicine service will help to alleviate the waitlist, better meeting the psychiatric and medication management needs of Island residents.
The Martha’s Vineyard Museum is kicking off summer with the unveiling of two new exhibits and the seasonal opening of the 18th century Cooke House. “Re:Make” and “Island Spirits” will both open at the museum’s summer opening party on Friday, June 17, from 5 to 7 pm at the Edgartown campus. The event is free and open to all.
The museum collections include a wide variety of textiles that date from the 18th to the 20th centuries. Among the hundreds of objects are wedding dresses, kimonos, uniforms, linens, hats, and embroidered accessories of all kinds. “Re:Make,” a collaborative exhibit, invites local clothing designers to create a new garment inspired by something from the museum’s textile collections. The new garment will be displayed with the original, along with video clips of the designers and their process. Designers featured in the exhibit include Marlene DiStefano, Noava Knight, Stina Sayre, Randi Sylvia, and Karen Trotier. “Re:Make” will be open through August 13.
“Island Spirits” offers a glimpse into Island life from 1920 to 1933, using photographs, documents, and oral histories. From rumrunning to homemade moonshine, the exhibit explores the inventive, illicit, and often dangerous stories of the Vineyard during the Prohibition era. “Island Spirits” will be open through mid-July.
Guests are invited to explore these new exhibits, tour the 18th century Cooke House, and enjoy a reception on the lawn. In conjunction with the “Island Spirits” exhibit, the MVRHS drama club will perform a scene from the Broadway musical “Chicago.”
The Oak Bluffs and Edgartown shellfish departments, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Mass Audubon, and University of Rhode Island staff and volunteers are collaborating to protect and restore salt-marsh and shoreline habitats at Felix Neck. This Living Shoreline Project consists of the installation of coconut-fiber coir logs and bags of shell along an eroded marsh, in hopes of reducing erosion and rebuilding marsh areas.
A living shoreline is similar to a seawall, but made completely of materials that mimic natural habitats. A double wall of coir log and shell bags adds structure to the natural shoreline habitat while it spares the marsh edge the power of incoming waves and storms. Over time, this ‘living shoreline’ is not meant to be maintained, but rather to assimilate into the surrounding habitat naturally. With its nature-based, soft-structure approach, the project aims to confront a series of problems troubling the coastal pond. If successful, the living shoreline will reduce erosion, increase wildlife habitat, mitigate nitrogen, and improve water quality.
This highly visible restoration effort is located along walking trails and kayak areas frequented by visitors to Felix Neck. University of Rhode Island graduate student researcher Lauren Josephs will be documenting public response to the project to see whether this method is favorable to people as well as plants and animals. The site will also be deeply embedded into the educational programming at the sanctuary. To learn more, see the project in action, or to get involved, contact Felix Neck at 508-627-4850.
The second annual All-Island Veterans Barbecue for Island veterans and their families is on Sunday, June 19, from 3 to 6 pm at the American Legion Post 257 in Vineyard Haven. This free event is open to veterans of all ages, groups, and eras and their families. It’s a great way to celebrate Father’s Day! Eclipse Massage Therapy will be there, along with games and a bounce house. Please RSVP by June 16 to Bill Stafursky at 508-693-7900, ext. 223, or email bstafursky@mvcommunityservices.com.
The Edgartown Library board of trustees invites the public to the new Edgartown Public Library grand-opening celebration on Saturday, June 25, 12 to 2 pm. There will be refreshments, family activities, music, and tours of the new facility.
