NANCY GARDELLA
508-693-3308
I began my New Year’s resolution exercise program sooner than I expected to. I drove to visit Nonna in White Plains on a beautiful, clear Christmas Day. The blizzard started Sunday. On Monday, our new snow removal contractor did not show up — well, he was probably busy — so I began to shovel the snow myself. Muscles hurt that I did not even know I had! During the entire ordeal, the myth of Sisyphus came to mind and I could not get that image out of my head. Seventeen inches of snow and only half the work done, I collapsed inside to rest. My 93-year-old mother asked what she could do for my back. I told her she could walk on it but only if she wore her stillettos.
I cleared enough to get to my local Irish bar, Dunne’s Pub. It was great to reconnect with the old gang. While there, the local news channel announced Westchester Airport was open but all flights were canceled. We had a good laugh over that, why be open if everything’s canceled? And all you English majors out there, help me out. I have noticed, even when I recently flew from Logan to O’Hare, that airport listings spell it “canceled” while I, and many newspapers and magazines, spell the past of “cancel” with the double L. Is there a correct way or is it optional?
Watching snow melt is the same as watching water boil. I hate to admit it but my brothers’ sirens of Titan song to move to Florida is sounding more appealing. To paraphrase a famous Lewis Black routine, in very cleaned up language, it’s no testament to the human spirit to live in such cold and snowy places of the United States when we have Florida, Arizona, and southern California. No wonder the population is shifting.
While here, I have been in touch with the delightful Luisa Tassiana who lived and worked on Martha’s Vineyard for a few years at the turn of the century. Luisa is living in my old ‘hood, on MacDougal street in the Village. Her three children in Mozambique are all grown. Luisa sends a big hello to her Island friends.
Grace Church is offering its famous lobster rolls on Sunday, Jan. 2 from noon to 2:30 p.m. This welcome winter interlude will be repeated a few more times in the off season. Watch this space for other lobster roll dates.
Congratulations to Brianna Buchanan of our town, now at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. Brianna has maintained a 4.0 average and is on the dean’s list. She is the daughter of Frances Pizzella and the late Robert Buchanan.
The West Tisbury Congregational Church community suppers begin on Wednesday, Jan. 5 at 5:30 p.m., weather permitting. All are welcome. You may bring a side dish; if you cannot, just bring yourselves. This popular event will be held every Wednesday through March.
Our American Legion bingo continues at 7:30 p.m. on Monday nights on Martin Road. I do believe the monthly breakfast will be this Sunday at the hall. Our Legion auxiliary had its last meeting for the off season on Dec. 14; we will resume in March.
Our library is giving us plenty of options. The evening lecture series presents Dr. James Norton on Tuesday, Jan. 4 through Tuesday, Jan. 18 for a conversation about Jalal al-Din Rumi. Rumi, a theologian, jurist, and poet, lived in 13th century Persia and was an adherent of Sufi mysticism. Guest speaker will be Demaris Wehr.
The library continues with storytime on Tuesdays, 10 to 10:30 a.m. for infants to two-year-olds, 11 to 11:30 a.m. for three to five-year-olds. All children must be accompanied by a grownup. Chess club is still in place on Tuesday nights from 6 to 7 p.m. for ages six through high school. On Thursday, Jan. 6 there will be board games for ages five and up from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
The birthday bandwagon pulls along Gracie Carlson today. New Year’s Day is shared by Liz Duff and Kylee Willoughby. Jan. 2 is a party for Anthony Masi, Brian Doherty, Sue Rabot, and Madeline Noel Doup. Jan. 3 is claimed by Donna Tankard. Jan. 4 is for Barsha Tolin and Helena Nivala. And on Jan. 5 Jimmy Bishop and Anthony Iammarino take the cake. Many happy returns.
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