NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(iklean@yahoo.com)

What is with all the moths? My front and back door screens look like a Hitchcock movie. Do you think the latest cold snap has taken care of them? Does this mean a long or short winter and/or a dangerous caterpillar invasion next summer? Keep me informed.

Nonna and I have been spending a lot of quality time with the doctors, nurses and staff members at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. I sprung Nonna on Wednesday, but she had been in since Saturday. Our heartfelt thanks to all the staff in the emergency room, a special shout-out to Nurse Nancy. Our thanks to Dr. Dodge, all Mom’s nurses, especially Pam, discharge coordinator Liz, and all the caring people on the second floor. If you enjoy great art, as we do, let me tell you the art collection at the hospital is amazing. I spent two hours one afternoon wheeling Nonna and stopping at all the pieces and explaining each one — the date, the medium and personal notes if I knew any about the artist. Coincidentally, Martha’s Vineyard Magazine is on the stands now with a cover and huge story inside about the fabulous collection. Over 300 items have been donated by artists, most of them Islanders.

As we strolled and wheeled the halls, we came upon the piano being tuned in the main lobby. As Nonna was a church organist, choir director and music teacher for over 54 years, I tried to convince her to entertain us. She was, of course, too shy. Hopefully she will get over that one day. And that reminds me that Leigh Smith has been doing a stellar job playing for Windemere and the seniors in our town now that our beloved Dorothy Bangs is gone. Thank you, Leigh!

Speaking of the late, great Dorothy Bangs, did you know that on Wednesday, Dec. 18, when the hospital has its annual tree lighting it is in memory of Dorothy Bangs? The party begins at 4 p.m. in the hospital lobby, refreshments are served and music will be everywhere. If you would like to donate a light for the tree in memory of or in honor of someone special you may send your check to the MVH Volunteer Office, Box 1477, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. Please make the check payable to the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital Auxiliary. List the names of your intentions. All donations are fully tax deductible. If you need more information, please call 508-957-0195. Our local post 257 of the American Legion on Martin Road is in dire need of callers for bingo on Monday nights. The

gaming begins at 7:30 p.m. each Monday and goes on until 10 p.m. This tradition is not only great fun but has kept our Legion afloat. Please call Buddy Oliver at 508-693-6214 or Jo Ann Murphy at 508-693-6887 and make a commitment for the new year.

In other Legion news, our Legion Auxiliary will have a holiday potluck dinner at the post on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Dinner begins at 6 p.m, and the regular meeting commences at 7 p.m. We are always looking for our regular friends and new faces. I’ll see you there.

Confidential to Lyn K: because of the weather and Nonna’s recent hospitalization we have both torn through reading lots of great books, but I have not kept you updated. Here is a sampling, many from our Vineyard Haven library and some from the book cart lending library at the hospital. Nonna and I both reread Another City, Not My Own by Dominick Dunne. Nonna read R is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton while at the hospital. I know she read many other books while I was not there. On the advice of Teri Praskach, I asked our local library to get me a copy of The Exonerated, a true and vivid play. Now I am reading Gloria Steinem’s The Revolution Within. When you review my list you can see we aren’t covering any holiday books. I did reread The Chanukah Guest two weeks ago.

I wish you all a safe and happy season, careful driving on icy roads, and tons of fun at your parties. This will be my first Christmas on-Island in 10 years. Hope to catch you out and about.

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

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Nancy May Hehre today. Tomorrow is claimed by Cheyenne Cimeno. December 15 is a party for Chris Baldwin, Merry Barclae Miaini, Emma Tobin, Ellen Serusa and Tim Sylvia. December 16 belongs to Grainne Whelan. December 17 shines on Courtney Collins, Lyrae Littlefield, Marry Kelley and Charlie Ashmun. December 18 smiles on Jamie Warrington. Ron Jackson takes the cake on Dec. 19. Many happy returns.