In Greek mythology, the three goddesses called the Graces were always invited to festivals and celebrations because they challenged everyone present to behave with eloquence and passion. Even Venus, the goddess of beauty and love, was made even lovelier by the attention of the Graces. The word graceful, which signifies effortless beauty of movement, form or proportion, as well as a disposition to be helpful or to provide beauty and charm, comes to us from these mythological goddesses.
The theme of this edition of Eastman Living is “In Motion.” We invite you to read about the many Eastman residents who exhibit the qualities inherent in the word graceful. Among them are the athletic beauty “in form and proportion” of Eastman residents Dan Weinstein and newly graduated teen Colette Schmidt. Our lake rowers, whose skiffs glide across the lake, also move with seemingly effortless grace. The Eastman Charitable Foundation, which was instrumental in helping to move the gorgeous Fernleaf Beech tree from the Sutherland home to its place of grace and beauty at Eastman’s main entrance, has become a model of helpfulness in our community. A band of local teenagers, almost always in motion, ran a successful Eastman business with grace and charm. You will be amazed by their description of this challenging enterprise.
We take for granted some of the “always in motion” people who enrich our lives on a daily basis: Grantham resident Laurie Field, who recently resigned her position as town recreation director, has left her mark in a variety of ways, including having been the inspiration behind the annual fall construction of the scarecrows, who only appear to move! And our own recreation director, Leslie Moses, continues to make Eastman life exciting and our community a most charming place in which to live. Both Laurie and Leslie, our local Graces, would be welcome at any festival or celebration.
One individual who moved through this community with charm and good will for many years, Andy Eastman, was a longtime contributor to this magazine, his photos having graced the pages of many editions of Eastman Living. We mourn his passing this past summer. When we walk or ski Andy’s Alley or John’s Glen we will be reminded of his positive presence in our lives. He was an elegant competitive skier, a passionate fisherman and a skilled photographer, who captured the beauty of our surroundings with his camera. Indeed, Andy embodied all aspects of the word graceful.
Judy McCarthy
mccarthy.judy@gmail.com
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