Susan Catling

Janette

Adult Community Education: Something New

Susan Catling |

By SUSAN CATLING

Subjects from the recreational to the practical brought Vineyarders out in the cold and dark to attend Adult Community Education of Martha’s Vineyard (ACE MV) classes at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School this fall.

Educator and program director Lynn Ditchfield announced that the first trimester attracted 154 students to 16 classes. Of those, about 30 gathered at the high school last Friday to celebrate the end of the fall term and to share a bit of what they learned with fellow students.

ACE MV
 

 

 
Betty

Daffodil Days Save Lives, Brighten Mantles

Susan Catling

It’s a sure sign of spring when American Cancer Society volunteers take to the streets with bunches of daffodils in hand. Vineyarders buy bouquets for themselves or use them as gifts in order to support cancer research; some even make anonymous donations so flowers go to hospital patients, nursing homes, and senior centers.

Nationwide, the American Cancer Society reports that during the last 14 years, Daffodil Days has raised more than $240 million dollars. The flowers always arrive in March to coincide with the first day of spring.

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Consumer Price Watch

Susan Catling

Gas

The Cape Cod Times ran a story on March 10 saying that gas prices in the state ranged from a low of $1.71 per gallon to a high of $2.09. Their source was wire reports. Perhaps they should gaze across the sea instead, or tell us that we really have seceded at last since down-Island prices are averaging $2.65.

Thanks to a reader request, we are investigating a different kind of fuel this week. If you’re looking for Irish whiskey, stout or lager, there are many ways to be Irish in Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

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Consumer Price Watch

Susan Catling

Gas

And now, more good news on the proposed gas tax. A group that includes the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce doesn’t think 19 cents is enough; they’d like to make it 25 cents. Still another group thinks 29 cents sounds just right. At either 25 or 29 cents, Massachusetts will have the highest gas tax in the country. Welcome, tourists!

Prices for regular unleaded gas as of Mar. 4:

Edgartown

Airport Mobil 2.699 Depot Corner 2.599

Edgartown Mobil 2.659

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Lorrain

Lorraine Parish Teaches, After a Fashion

Susan Catling

When people ask Vineyard Haven clothing designer Lorraine Parish if she got her start while studying at Rhode Island School of Design, she laughs and tells them, “No, it was ninth-grade Home Ec.” Her career in fashion took off from there.

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Consumer Price Watch

Susan Catling

Gas

You’ll be tacking on another 19 cents per gallon soon if Governor Deval Patrick has his way. But that’s okay because that tax will preclude the need to raise tolls on roads you don’t use. Wait, what? The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority just approved a set of toll hikes before the vote on the gas tax increase. Is this part of the stimulus package?

Prices for regular unleaded gas as of Feb. 25:

Edgartown

Airport Mobil2.699

Depot Corner2.599

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