NANCY GARDELLA
508-693-3308
Here’s the motorcycle riders story I promised last week; Jim Hart had as guests the same gang he has entertained for 10 years, here to do their part in the annual Run to the Rock. They are all from South Boston, most are over fifty except for the young’un, forty-year-old Ricky. They like staying with Jim because of his wonderful hospitality and his large garage which holds all their precious bikes. Chopper, alias William Cox, is an excellent cook. He comes from a very large family in Tennessee and has a family reunion there every year with 135 people attending. Bill, a.k.a. William Carr, just retired two weeks ago. Vinnie, alias Vincent Amatto, owns three pizza parlors in South Boston and works everyday. Ricky, known as Richard Sweeney, works in an office overlooking the Boston harbor and docks where fishermen bring in their catches and set sail for more. Ritchie, alias Richard Litto, is presently in an activated Marine unit serving in the Middle East. Unable to attend, we spoke to him by cell phone. The federal government is making good use of his abilities as a police trainer and police public affairs officer. All of their bikes are Harleys — can’t they put a muffler on those things? — very expensive and very beautiful. Jim brought out his barbecue, the men grilled steaks, corn, made potato salad, and invited me to dinner. Here comes the “be still my heart” part: Chopper presented me with my plate and had pre-cut my steak for me as I can’t use my left hand. What gentlemen! Same time next year.
Again, thank all of you for your many kindnesses after my accident, the e-mails, the cards, the flowers, the food, the dinner invitations, the rides for errands. Walter and Gail Burke, Marty and Gail Becker, very kindly brought over dinners. Gail Burke was a bit upset to see that the delicious sugar cookie she brought had broken in transit. I assured her that it has been scientifically proven — my friend Jo-Ann Walker swears so — that when cookies or candies are broken the calories have escaped. Gail felt much better after I explained this little-known fact to her.
Jay and Mary McElroy recently entertained alumnae of the Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, Pa. at their West Chop home. Among the guests were Carol Chapman and her mother, Jean Metcalf Chapman of Auburn, N.Y. To the delight of everyone present, Jean, who graduated in 1937, arrived wearing her original Baldwin blazer. The party honored the head of school, Sally Powell, and her husband, Frank Powell.
My cousins Lou Jannace, his wife, Lisa Quartiroli, and Joe and Ginny Malara are on Island for their annual summer visit. Lou and Joe have been golfing at Mink Meadows. I hear the whole group did the Illumination thing. I was invited but, been there, done that.
I have been fending off telephone calls from reporters as diverse as the New York Times, Cape Cod Times, Boston Globe, and London Times. Once more, with feeling, I am not now nor ever have been the director of the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce. She moved here three years ago and we’ve been mixed up ever since. I’m still running my column contest to find her a different name.
Our League of Women Voters has its annual table at the Ag Fair, organized by Deb Medders. Stop by and say hi.
Belated anniversary bouquets go out to Bill and Deb Little who celebrated their fifth on August 14. More anniversary wishes go out to two dynamite couples on August 27: Jim and Anne Haney celebrating their 49; and Bob and Patsy Wheeler packing in years of wedded bliss.
The birthday bandwagon pulls along James Johnson today. August 23 is for JoJo Wild, Deral Meadows, and Jessica Brown. August 24 is claimed by Hannah Epworth. August 25 is a party for Kathy Donnellan, Sherm Goldstein, Wendy Smith, and Susie Goldman. And on August 27 Peter Weisman, Mat Rice, Chris Alley, George Platt, and Debbie Healy take the cake. Many happy returns.
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