NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(iklean@yahoo.com)

Wasn’t I writing about Newtown just last week? The evil is spreading and I feel helpless. Two of my wonderful and talented former students, Shannon Rose McAuliffe and Emily Bevis Rives, ran in the marathon. Shannon participated with her fiance, Ian, and Emily ran with her husband, Clay. Both posted on Facebook as soon as possible that they were all okay. Emily and Clay invited anyone stranded to stay at their Boston home. I am sure there are many more Islanders who participated or watched. I know many live and work in Boston. Our prayers and thoughts go out to all of you, and especially to the families of the dead and to the injured. Last week I worried about guns, now it’s explosives. Perhaps the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should add explosives to their work. If money is too tight (and it always is), drop the alcohol and tobacco and concentrate on firearms and explosives. Perhaps we should all reinvigorate Alden Besse’s peace council and discuss our options. This danger, this loss of innocence, must not be allowed to go on. Share your thoughts and give me some suggestions.

In complete contrast to this week’s events, April is national poetry month. Thursday was Poem in Your Pocket day and all of us lovers of poetry were encouraged to participate and spread our favorite poems. Hard to consider in light of recent events, but always remember there is poetry, dance, music and art in the world, as well as acts of selfless kindness.

Our library continues with a very packed schedule. On Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. you may view the 23rd James Bond flick which won an Oscar this year for sound editing. On Wednesday, April 24 at 7 p.m. come hear Fred Hotchkiss and Susan Bowman hold forth on Horseshoe Crabs: A Story of Beach Trysts and Blue Blood. Prudence Levy shows up for children age five and under on Thursday, April 25 at 3:30 pm to lead the youngsters in making healthy snacks. Don’t forget that until the West Tisbury Library is completed, Mother Goose on the Loose offers its children’s story hour at our library at 10:30 a.m. next Thursday. All are welcome.

Tisbury Senior Center has some exciting events as well. On Monday, April 22 at 10:30 a.m. the ubiquitous Susie Bowman from Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary will lecture on nature’s annual signs of spring. Also, I know you all love the Vineyard Voices. Hear them on Friday April, 26 at 1 p.m. Their reportoire includes everything from classics to oldies to show tunes. Don’t leave after the show! At 4 p.m. the Friends of the Tisbury Senior Center are having a meeting and open house for new town administrator John Grande. The Martha’s Vineyard Chowder Company is providing the soup and there will also be other appetizers and virgin cocktails. The event is free, but Sandy needs a head count for setup. Please call her at 508-696-4205.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Eleanor Hebert, Bob Tankard and Mary Marshall today. April 20 is BJ Kennedy’s Airplane Day. April 21 is shared by Judy Nichols and John Custer. April 22 is a party for Doug and Andy Kaufman. April 23 honors Fred Beaulieu, Elizabeth Clark and Grace Gillespie. April 24 shines on Ann Wells, Alexis Stoudemire, Dan Koch Sr. and Jane Sherman. And on April 25, Lorraine Clark, Lindy Ebol, Noah Scheffer, Betty Roberts, Sarah Codding, Jennifer Cove and Russ Wilson take the cake. Many happy returns.