NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

I started off last week with the story of the historic sailing ship, the Klang, now at the Packer fuel dock on view. Hull caulking and refitting will be done by Gannon and Benjamin this winter. The Klang’s former boatyard in New York is closing. A new home port, skippers and mates are sought to keep this training ship in action for the community. I apparently gave you the wrong Web site for more information, so here is the correct one: klang2.org. Or you may call Captain Rip Hayman at 914-263-6716. Let’s keep the Klang afloat.

The Minnesingers, a select group of talented students with a commitment to music, are holding their annual auction and concert tomorrow night at the P.A. Club in Oak Bluffs. Joanne Lambert is coordinating, so if you have questions call her at 508-693-5255. Tickets are $15 at the door, open at 5 p.m. You will be thrilled to hear some of your faves, including Kelly Felder, Toby Riseborough, Hannah Marlin, Rosie Bick and Willie Nevin. Enjoy music, gourmet hors d’oeuvre and begin your holiday shopping. Trip Barnes takes the stage at 7 p.m. to entice you with fabulous auction items. I’ll see you there.

Peter R. Boak is another talented musician. Peter will present an organ recital on the 1895 Hook and Hastings organ at the Federated Church Meetinghouse, corner of Davis Lane and South Summer street in Edgartown at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2. Admission donations, of any amount, will be used for the church’s Steeple Fund Capital Campaign. This includes monies for the organ and the restoration of three of the church’s historic properties. A wine and cheese reception follows the concert. Save me a seat.

Does our Vineyard Haven Public Library ever close? Eyes on the Prize, the award winning PBS series on the civil rights movement, continues with guest speakers and commentary on Monday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. I have always believed that this series should be required study in all our schools. Bring the teenagers.

So now we continue with election fever. The Martha’s Vineyard Film Society presents The Election Game tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. at the Katharine Cornell Theatre. Be on hand for surprising answers to the Italian film crew who traveled our country asking Americans what issues were most important to them. Producer Emi Norris will be available for discussion, too.

This leads us to a film for children ages 4 and up on Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. at our library. Yes, it is early dismissal at Tisbury School on Tuesday. Popcorn is served. The film deals with an American Girl, a perfect tie-in for election day. Also note that Thursday, Nov. 6 is a half-day at the Tisbury School so special drop-in crafts will be created at the library between 1 and 4 p.m.

Back to the election — if any of you drivers can be of service to take people to the polls, please call your local town hall directly and the staff will be happy to connect you to a passenger. Our League of Women Voters suggests this as the quickest way to insure rides for all.

I shall be teaching an English Conversation class at the Edgartown library from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on election day. I am proud to have two new citizens and first-time voters, Joao Pinto and his wife, Promilda Coelho, in my class. But on the way home, you know I’ll be stopping at our Vineyard Haven library. A showing of election results, sitting among your friends, neighbors and, possibly, some political enemies, will be held in the downstairs event room from 7:45 p.m. on. Betty Burton will provide popcorn, you bring the confetti or crying towels. Frankly, I’m excited, but I cannot wait for this to all be over. It’s giving me a constant headache, especially the part about trying to explain the electoral college to speakers of another language. We’ve got to get rid of that thing!

In other important news, but not directly tied in with the election — or is it? — our library will show Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5. This film investigates our pursuit of misbegotten energy policies. Peter Cabana, our energy expert, will be on hand to comment.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along my favorite godmother, Frances Graziani, today, as well as Deva Lieberman. Nov. 1 belongs to Guillherme Leao. Nov. 2 is claimed by Mauro Cotta. Nov. 4 is a party for Marianne Schmidt, Becca Hamilton, and Marianne Ojile. Nov. 5 honors Claire Joannidi, Alex Campbell and Jessica Brown. And on Nov. 6 Ashley Tilton and Marilyn O’Callaghan take the cake. Many happy returns.