NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

There’s no nicer greeter in the morning to say hello, have a great day, and ring up your cup of coffee than Glenda Medeiros at Cumby’s. Glenda’s son Michael has been quite sick for some time. He is now home from the hospital but requires a lot of nursing care. The family’s expenses have mounted terribly during this event. There is a nice fat donation jar on the counter at Cumby’s. Make it a Merry Christmas for Glenda and Michael.

Another worthy cause I missed in my traditional wish list column is the fabulous Women Empowered, also serving men in our community. Started by Kaye Flathers and her late husband, Art, now under the executive directorship of Sheila Bracy, this organization offers free support service to clients needing life skills. It could be as simple as balancing your checkbook, aiding in a new job search, building self-esteem, and acquiring good decision-making skills. While all matters are confidential, I’m here to tell you that I have used their services with great results. Send your tax-deductible donation to Women Empowered, P.O. Box 1253, Vineyard Haven, MA. You may get more information from womenempowered.org or womenempowered@comcast.net. Thank you.

There are a few lovely fairs tomorrow to bring us up to Christmas. The annual Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard handcrafted items and bake sale will be held at the Dr. Daniel Fisher House in Edgartown from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Coffee and tea are available while you browse. I’ll see you there.

The Plum Hill Preschool is holding an Elves’ Faire tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., also in Edgartown, at the Federated Church’s parish house on Summer street. There will be craft-making projects — gingerbread houses and candle-making — a puppet show, food, a silent auction of unique gifts. Looks like Edgartown is the place to be tomorrow.

The only place to be Sunday, Dec. 14, is our Tisbury Fire Station at 1 p.m. with the little ones. Santa will sit in all his crimson glory, take notes, and pass out treats. Have your cameras ready!

The Vineyard Sinfonietta presents a free concert at our library on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. Matt Pelikan on viola, Jo-Ann Ewing and Patricia Szucs on violin, Jan Hyer and Heidi Schultz on cello, Holly Weyman and Nan White on flute, what more could you ask for? Refreshments will follow the performance. I’ll see you there

If the kids are underfoot next Thursday, send the 8 to 11-year-olds over to our library between 4 and 5 p.m. for Wii games. Get your wrapping done!

Martha Dunham has returned from a terrific visit to her sister’s for Thanksgiving. The feast was held at Pat Kopka’s in Florence. Sister Nancy Sawicki was there with her daughter and son in law and two-and-a-half-year-old Amy. Jonathan and Linda Dunham brought Oliver, all from Connecticut. Jeremy came from Watertown, and young Stephen Dunham made the trek from Purchase College in New York. In addition to fine dining and the family reunion, Martha was able to get in some big box store shopping at Home Depot and the Christmas Tree Shop.

Anniversary bouquets go out to Dick and Lorraine Clark on Dec. 18.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Mike Holenko, Taylor Ardeen Meadows, Samia Arado, and Vamp Campbell today. Tomorrow is claimed by Nancy May Hehre. Dec. 14 belongs to Cheyenne Cimeno. Dec. 15 honors Chris Baldwin, Merry Barclae Miaini, Emma Tobin, Ellen Serusa, and Timmy Sylvia. Dec. 16 is for Jack Rice and Grainne Whelan. Dec. 17 is a party for Courtney Collins, Lyrae Littlefield, Mary Kelley, and Charlie Ashmun. And on Dec. 18 Jamie Warrington and Injy Lew take the cake. Many happy returns.