Life on MV

So, I’ve been noticing that many people out there like to talk about the lives of the rich and famous on Martha’s Vineyard - bloggers and journalists alike. And, while we do have the rich and the famous here on our shores…the island just, well, isn’t really like that. It can be, don’t get me wrong, with glamorous parties, five star dinners in elegant dining rooms and palatial estates. Still, there’s something about the Atlantic Ocean air, the sand, the smallness of the island, that somehow brings us all back down to earth. But not in a bad way…

On Martha’s Vineyard, you get your vegetables right from the farm, your fish from the ocean, your flowers from your backyard. It’s easier to read a book than watch the TV - it’s just so quiet here. Dinners take longer, everyone is ready to linger at the table after a day at the beach. There are no malls, your kids are on the beach, climbing trees, running around with their friends - involved in the heartbeat of the island.

Somehow, we’re all closer to the land here, closer to our neighbors, our families, ourselves. We can slow down and be part of it all…even in our multi-million dollar homes, the beauty of the island surpasses everything else.

When you’re preparing your home to sell, you’ll want to do the usual things:

• Have it professionally cleaned.
• De-clutter to the extreme.
• Paint.
• Fix any and everything that’s broken
• New light fixtures.
• Update the decor.
• New blinds.
• New furniture (if necessary).

But, when you live on the Vineyard, there are a few other things to think about. We live on an island destination which means that many people are looking for a second home, a home with rental possibilities and/or a beach home. So, I recommend that the home be staged to compliment those buyer desires.

These might include:

• Gadgets and upgrades that might not exist in the regularly lived in home - think pool tables, extra entertainment systems, carriage houses.
• Showcased space for holding events like weddings and parties or even big dinners.
• Extra rooms outfitted for guest bedrooms or owner hideaways.
• Vineyard touches, ‘At the beach’ signs, lobster motifs, beach and summer toys and necessities.
• Lockable areas for owner belongings.
• A guest book full of information on the property and the island.
• Beautiful windows because everyone comes to the Vineyard to be outside - clean, clear and well-treatmented windows bring the island right into the home giving the impression that your home has everything the buyer came here for.

When people walk into a home and their questions are answered, their senses are tickled and their dreams are visible, the chances of them wanting to make an offer (and move in right away!) increases dramatically.

You all know that I feel very strongly about giving back. I have and will continue to donate a huge part of my time to non-profits on Martha’s Vineyard.

During the winter, though, when the glitter of our fundraising efforts lives only in our summer memories, I’m careful to remember those islanders around us who need housing, heat, food and gifts…

Whether you live on the Vineyard or somewhere else, how do you give back? Do you concentrate your efforts on the local community or the world community? Let’s all inspire each other with our ideas…please comment below!

As you all know, Martha’s Vineyard has been the longtime host to President Bill Clinton and his family, Senator Hilary Rodham Clinton and her family and now, we’ll be host to Madame Secretary of State Clinton and her family.

Makes us wonder what might come next. Justice Clinton? Congresswoman Chelsea? The options are endless.

But I’m delighted - having met the 42nd first family and the 44th first family, the Obamas - that all of these smart, personable and influential people choose to spend time with us. It raises the bar on our island and our island population which is already teeming with intellectuals, artists and social changers.

I know that I for one am thrilled to have these extraordinary people as visiting ‘wash ashores’!

Never underestimate the vision of powerful people. A heady group, including Joseph DiLorenzo, former CFO of the NBA’s Boston Celtics, David Kirkpatrick, a former president of Paramount Pictures, and Earl Lestz, another former Paramount executive, is working to create a second ‘Hollywood’ right up the road from us in Plymouth.

Plymouth Rock Studios LLC would include: a $488 million film and television studio, complete with 14 sound stages, a 10-acre back lot, a theater, a 300-room upscale hotel, a spa and 500,000 square feet of office space. Sixty percent of the real estate has been pre-leased.

The entire program is still in the fund-gathering stage - something that could be delayed because of the economy. However, I’m not sure the film industry has been affected yet - as I watch new movies consistently open to blockbuster ticket sales.

Town residents are, of course, conflicted about this new venture. While many fear the loss of their special town and historic landmark, others are thrilled about the jobs and millions of dollars that will be created and spent.

Interesting…I’ll be sure to keep you posted on how this saga ends up…

Well, we thought we’d have a white Christmas this year, but the snow is melting fast - as it usually does. Still, it was wonderful to wake up a few days ago and have everything be so beautifully white. The Vineyard is always beautiful - even when it’s cold, the leaves are gone and the sun isn’t shining - to me.

And, as always, our wonderful island community comes together to put on a show. This year, it was Edgartown’s Enchanted Christmas that really pulled on my heart strings.

On a cold night last week, families from all over the island gathered for this special parade of lights and treats - reminding us that if there’s one thing you can say about Vineyarders, it’s that we’re made of hearty stock! The wind was blowing, but kids and adults were dressed warm and wandered around the grounds greeting old friends and spreading holiday cheer.

My favorite part is the room that houses the ultimate Christmas scene…miniatures creating an entire village with Main Street, houses, horse drawn carriages, farms, kids skating on the pond  - the detail is so complete, you can get lost in this old town scene.

Everyone stares in wonder, and then, looks around our own little village to see an almost exact replica - if not physically, then certainly in spirit.

Merry Christmas!

As previously mentioned, I’m going to be giving a run-down of all the island schools…

When the Edgartown school first opened in the quaint whaling town known for it’s white clapboard houses and brick walkways, it was located in two buildings. Grades 1-6 met in the North School and grades 6-12 met in the South School. The first graduating class in 1926 granted 11 diplomas.

In the early 50’s overcrowding became a significant problem, and The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School was opened. In 1959, the four upper grades moved to the high school, leaving more space for the remaining grades.

Since then many additions have been built and the school has transformed into the biggest elementary school on MV. The most recently completed addition gives the school the capacity to hold over 550 students.

The Edgartown School offers unique opportunities such as School Store, Volleyball, Football, Cheerleading and more - all Elementary-School style. The school also provides workshops for parents of children taking the MCAS and helpful suggestions for getting kids to do their homework.

It’s true: you can prevent Lyme’s Disease.

That’s the good news. It’s no secret that Martha’s Vineyard is known for its abundance of ticks and the disease - brought on by wide open spaces and forests that make deer, mice and ticks plentiful and the fact that island temps rarely dip below freezing which renders the ticks actionless.

A new group, the Martha’s Vineyard Lyme Disease Association (MLVDA), has recently formed and includes business people, health officials and residents - all interested in protecting islanders and the wonderful tourists that fill our island all summer.

So, how is Lyme’s preventable? It takes 24-72 hours for a tick carrying Lyme’s to transfer the disease to a person - so if people do regular tick checks everyday, they’ll be able to avoid the disease.

This is certainly a rule in our household. It’s so easy to check yourself or have someone else check you - and so worth it.

The MVLDA will be spreading this word around the island - so expect to see reminders and more safety tips appear before your eyes…even at local restaurants, hotels and shops.

As previously mentioned, I’m going to be giving a run-down of all the island schools…

Even after all of these years living on the island, when I hear the words, ‘Oak Bluffs’ images of Circuit Ave with its lights, music and Flying horses jump to mind. But, like every town on the Vineyard - families and schools are the cornerstones…behind the scenes but mainstays for all year round activity.

The Oak Bluffs School (OBS) was built in 1761 and originally attended by children from the whole island. Today, OBS houses students in grades K-8 and is open to only OB residents. The school has a population of over 460 and operates from a new $12.9 million, state-of-the-art facility. Encouraging community-involvement at every level, OBS garners support from townspeople and parents, and it’s governed by a three-member, elected school committee.

For curriculum, all classrooms teach math, science, social studies, reading, writing and the arts. The school encourages researched-based and publishing-intended writing for all students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Additionally, teachers work closely with parents to support individual student needs.

The school believes social behavior should be taught in a caring and supportive environment and does everything in its power to create that. And, true to the Island, the Oak Bluffs community supports the learning of locally grown, and the OBS student body is very involved in the Island’s Farm to School program.

The school’s weekly newsletter is called Carousel and presents the weekly happenings and news for every student and parent.