I have to admit, I’ve become a fan of vacations. We certainly didn’t go on vacation when I was growing up. Who did? Most folks didn’t have enough money for that sort of frivolousness back then. And even as an adult, I still never took vacations. But I’ve had the good fortune to be able to take a couple of trips in the past few years, and it has been most enjoyable. Last week, Amelia and I and her friend Avalon managed to squeak out a few days down in Florida. Nothing too extravagant. I didn’t even rent a car. And all we did was relax, go to the beach, and eat. It was a lovely respite. I feel refreshed and ready to face MCAS season, which is right around the corner.
Spring is almost in the air, which means it’s Daffodil Time, the M.V. Cancer Support Group’s annual spring fundraiser to benefit this nonprofit group’s mission of providing financial support to year-round Island cancer patients in need. All profits from this event will be donated to the residents the group serves. Bunches of daffodils, at $10 each, will be available for purchase on Friday, March 15, from 11 am until 2 pm, in the M.V. Hospital lobby; and on Saturday, March 16, from 9 am until 4 pm at Cronig’s Market in Vineyard Haven, Reliable Market, and Stop & Shop in Edgartown. And plan on dining out on Thursday, March 21, when the Ocean View will donate 10 percent of all dinner proceeds to the M.V. Cancer Support Group to benefit Daffodil Time. For additional information, please contact Sally Lodge at 617-947-1858.
I missed some birthdays and other celebrations last week while I was away, so I’ve got some extras this week. First off, happy anniversary to Cookie and Al Perry, who celebrated 50 years of marriage last Friday, March 1.
Happy birthday wishes go out to the Edgartown School’s boys basketball coach, Nelson Oliver on Feb. 29, which I guess means he celebrated on the 28th, Mark Hess on March 1, Kathy Case on March 3, and Drew Kelly on March 7.
March 13 will be a half-day of school, as we teachers have a professional day for the afternoon. School will be dismissed at 12 pm.
The Edgartown School principal search is winding down, with three finalists making their way to the final stage. Two candidates will be visiting the school this week on Tuesday and Wednesday, answering questions from the community each evening. By the time this goes to print, those two will be done. But the third candidate will do the same on Tuesday, March 12, answering questions from the community between 5 and 6 pm.
The Rise Company Showcase will be on March 24 at the PAC. This is the one and only local opportunity to see the company dancers perform the pieces they have been competing off-Island this year. I’m completely biased, of course, because Amelia will be performing in it again this year, after a couple of years being sidelined. But it’s always a lovely show and a great chance to see some amazing pieces. I’ll have more details regarding times, etc., in a future column. In the meantime, make a note of the date.
As I was cleaning up earlier today, cursing winter, I was pondering our vacation last week and how important the ocean is to Amelia and me. We both much prefer the ocean to a pool any day of the week, so we made a beeline for the beach every morning while we were away. And though I found the water chilly, I tried to go in each time Amelia asked me to join her, as I always have done. Why? Because when your teenage daughter asks you to do anything, you count your blessings and do it. But also because I remember the days when my mother would come in swimming with us when we were kids. It wasn’t common. I guess between the five Corwin kids and the three of us, and any other miscellaneous cousins that showed up, Mom and Bev could hang out on the beach. And I remember those swims with great fondness, especially the super-rare occasions when she went underwater. Such a funny thing. I rarely go swimming without going underwater, but back then, it was a big deal, and Buzzy was definitely feeling her oats if she chose to go under. It was so exciting. I hope Amelia will look back at our adventures together with the same fondness that I remember times with Buzzy. I’m grateful for the love of the ocean that both my parents instilled in me. And I’m grateful that Amelia has such a heartfelt love of the ocean as well. She is definitely my Island girl.
That’s it for now. I’d love to share some of your vacation news next week, if you’d care to send it along. Until then, have a great week.
