NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

Get out your handkerchiefs and checkbooks, here is my annual post-Thanksgiving holiday shopping wish list.

Write a check in honor of or in memory of a friend to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) on Martha’s Vineyard, P.O. Box 2097, Edgartown MA 02539. Remember Women Empowered, P.O. Box 1253, Vineyard Haven MA 02568, a wonderful non-profit that helps women and men take hold of their lives. Don’t forget our Island chapters of the Boy and Girl Scouts of America. Women Support Services, P.O. Box 369, Vineyard Haven MA 02568 has protected and defended so many Islanders. Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, P.O. Box 2549, Oak Bluffs MA 02557 deserves our attention. Cape and Islands Alzheimer’s Association is my charity of choice. Our local churches and the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center deserve your remembrance at this time. If you can’t give money, give time. Betsey Burmeister has put out a call for volunteers to visit residents at Windemere, especially in the Alzheimer’s unit. The MSPCA always needs volunteers, I well remember how much pleasure this gave Debbie Levett. Hospice could always use your help, and this organization has helped so many here. Do it in memory of John Morelli. ‘Tis the season for Red Stocking, so Island kids have something under their trees. God bless us one and all.

I spoke to Peter Sanborn a few nights ago. His 91-year-old father, Arthayer, died on Nov. 19. Peter’s mom is doing very well, and all agree Arthayer had the most wonderful life. Peter himself is awaiting results on some health tests. His daughter, Heather, is undergoing radiation. If you wish to get in touch with Peter, write to 6050 Trinity Towers West, Melbourne, FL 32901. Our condolences to the Sanborn family.

After you take care of your spiritual giving in the form of donations, check out jeweler Kathy Tackabury and her original handcrafted sterling silver designs, many with precious and semi-precious stones. Starting Dec. 1, Kathy and a group of her creative friends will be renting Beth McElhinney’s showroom right next to Cronig’s market in Vineyard Haven. This is a short list of some of the wonderful gifts made on Martha’s Vineyard you will find: Dan Waters’s prints, Diana Stewart’s jewelry, Belden K. Radcliffe’s prints and lampshades, Amy Nevin’s ceramics, Ingrid Goff- Maidoff’s books and cards, Marie Barton’s leatherwork, Jeri Dantzig’s glassworks, Nan Bacon’s glassworks, and L.A. Brown’s unforgettable photography. Each artist brings his or hers own style to the craft. It truly is like shopping at a museum. I’ll see you there.

Also, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at the agricultural hall, the annual day after Thanksgiving artisans show is scheduled.

Our American Legion Auxiliary is primed and ready for our annual bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 1 at the legion hall on Martin Road in Vineyard Haven. Here is another stop for great gifts. Our December meeting will be a potluck and Yankee swap on Dec. 18.

After 12 years of devoted service as our legion poppy chairman, Anna Duarte has resigned. What a fabulous job she has done! The proceeds from our last poppy drive have been donated to disabled veterans. Thank you Anna, for your devotion and friendship.

If you find you missed some people on your gift list after the legion bazaar, stop at Handmade from the Heart on Saturday, Dec. 8 at the Daniel Fisher House in Edgartown. This annual Hospice benefit is fun and cozy. Hospice is still looking for donated crafts and baked goods. Call 508-693-0189 to ask how you can help.

After the hoopla of Thanksgiving weekend, our library soldiers on with its always interesting evening lecture series. Now, here’s an item that has something for all of us: Dr. Lisa Nagy, a specialist in environmental illnesses, will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29 at the Katharine Cornell Theatre. This free event will enlighten you on problems from mold to mildew, toxic dust, allergies to petroleum products, and the connection between these problems and alcoholism, chronic Lyme disease, depression, fibromyalgia, and other syndromes which are so evident on our damp Island. I’ll see you there.

How great was that? I mean, of course the television commercial for Toyota during the Patriots game last weekend, where we saw our own Vineyard football players and cheerleaders on television in all their purple and white glory. There was Coach Herman being interviewed. I hear there’s another commercial out there, stay tuned.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Derrick Alleyne and Ryan Gorman today. Tomorrow belongs to George Caros. Nov. 25 is shared by Martha Dunham and Nicole Masi. Nov. 26 sees William Bishop and Anna Elizabeth Carlson age gracefully. Nov. 27 honors Fan Tuttle Schroeder and Heidi Schwab. Nov. 28 is Joey Tobin’s day. And on Nov. 29, Laine Levandowski takes the cake. Many happy returns.