News
In 1904, Edgartown received a gift from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie: $4,000 for a town library, one of more than 1,600 libraries the steel magnate bankrolled nationwide. The brick building on North Water street — the property was deeded to the town by resident Caroline F. Warren — was the smallest Carnegie library built in Massachusetts, and as part of the agreement with Mr. Carnegie, Edgartown agreed to spend one-tenth of the gift price on library operations. In 1904, Edgartown’s library spending jumped from $129 to $400 a year.
A new study released by the nonprofit organization Climate Central warns that 3.7 million Americans are at risk from flooding in the coming decades due to rising sea levels. As part of that study, researchers have made an online tool available to simulate the effect of different levels of sea level rise on coastal populations. Vineyarders can assess their risk at sealevel.climatecentral.org/surgingseas/place/counties/MA/Dukes.
Women’s Network Grants
Martha’s Vineyard Women’s Network is awarding a $2,500 grant to a small business worker who plans to improve, grow or start a new business on the Island. The grant is open to both men and women, Women’s Network members and nonmembers alike, who are involved in an existing Vineyard business or startup. More information on the grant application process is available at mvwomensnetwork.org or by e-mailing [email protected]. All applications must be postmarked by April 6; awards will be announced on May 8.
Women’s Leadership
A new global company, Optimal Women’s Leadership (OWL) has been launched, based in Martha’s Vineyard, according to its founder and organizational consultant, Annika Hurwitt Schahn. It’s mission, Ms. Schahn says, is to help women leaders and emerging leaders experience psychological freedom.
Capital Campaign on Ice
The Martha’s Vineyard Ice Arena this week announced its first step in preparing for its upcoming Capital Campaign.
The plan calls for replacement of the rink’s steel roof in the next few years, as well as insulating the entire facility, walls and roof, to help improve energy efficiency. Also in the works are plans to renovate and expand the existing lobby to better accommodate the growing number of user groups.
The good news began in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, when 68 flapping fish were delivered to the Wampanoag Tribe’s hatchery in Aquinnah near the edge of Menemsha Pond. The adult winter flounder had just been caught earlier Tuesday by Greg Mayhew and his son, Todd, in the Menemsha fishing dragger Unicorn. The hatchery hopes to raise over 50,000 juvenile winter flounder this spring. Later in the year they’ll be released into Menemsha and Lagoon Ponds.