Edgartown: Sneaking in beach time

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October is here. But I still snuck in quality beach time on both Saturday and Sunday this weekend. I got to refresh the tan a bit, and even took a swim. The cooler weather and rain last week didn’t do the water temps any favors. It’s cooling down quick. My fingers are crossed for a few more beach days and swims, and then I promise I’ll embrace the fall like a good New England girl.

Congratulations and thank you to everyone who took part in the first Darkness into Vineyard Light suicide awareness and prevention walk on Saturday. They gathered in the dark and walked Beach Road as the sun rose to bring awareness and support to this important issue. My friends and fellow teachers Megan McDonald and Nedine Cunningham took part in it, and shared pictures and thoughts about it on Facebook. The event was organized by Maria Ventura and John Murray. I’ll certainly keep an eye out for it next year, as I would like to be a part of it in the future.

On Monday, Sept. 24, more than 80 golfers gathered at Vineyard Golf Club to tee off for a cause while participating in the fourth annual Vineyard Charity Golf Classic. The tournament began in 2015 as a collaboration between MVCS and the Martha’s Vineyard Rotary Club. To date, the tournament has raised more than $320,000 to benefit MVCS and other Island charities supported by the Rotary Club.

Money raised through the tournament helps MVCS support a multitude of programs and services that are utilized by more than 6,000 Island residents each year. Programs include early childhood programs, assistance for the disabled, counseling for mental health and addiction recovery, assistance for victims of domestic violence, and the Island Wide Youth Collaborative, in which MVCS and other organizations provide a continuum of mental health and addiction treatment for adolescents. MVCS also operates the thrift shop in Vineyard Haven.

The international Rotary organization has more than 1.2 million members, 60 of whom reside on Martha’s Vineyard and participate in the Island’s Rotary Club. Rotary raises money for Island organizations through various fundraisers throughout the year. Standing by their mission of “service above self,” Rotary is committed to supporting education, arts, health, community, and youth programs on the Island. Last year, Rotary granted over $35,000 to various charities. Thank you to all the generous donors that made this event possible.

Oct. 1 is World Communion Day, celebrated around the world. Please join members of the Federated Church on Sunday, Oct. 7, at 10:30 am as they join in communion to celebrate and honor this day. All are welcome to their 1828 Meetinghouse at 45 South Summer St., Edgartown. For more information call 508-627-4421 or email officefederatedchurchmv@gmail.com.

Happy birthday wishes this week go out to Samantha Hargy, who turned 21 on Sept. 29, to an Edgartown girl at heart and island native, Kim Craig Schwartz, on Oct. 1, Erin Simmons, Tricia Willoughby, and Sandy Joyce on Oct. 2, Kathy Verner on Oct. 5, and my niece/pseudo daughter Abby Gardner on Oct. 6.

And big happy anniversary wishes go out to Valerie and Curtis LaVigne, who celebrated 12 years together on Sept. 29.

Happy fall, everyone. Have a wonderful week.