NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

God bless my parents for having the foresight to purchase a home with the G.I. Bill one block from a Catholic school and seven blocks from my favorite Irish pub. My stay in the Old Country has been extended. I have had the pleasure of seeing my old haunts and visiting Sean Dunne’s most friendly establishment, which serves up great and reasonably priced meals. Wednesday nights are Irish music nights, just as they are at our Offshore Ale Company on Island. I had the pleasure to attend Wednesday evening and hear some fabulous tunes. One of the group of talented musicians was a young boy who looked no more than 12. Another was traditional Irish fiddler Brian Conway, who has a new album out, Made in Ireland. If you are interested, give me a call and I’ll tell you how to get one. I’m thinking Dunne’s Pub is probably the place to be on Saint Patrick’s Day.

Meanwhile, Becca Dunham is enjoying her year of study in Germany. Becca met up with her Island friend, Leigh, in Frankfurt. The two travelled to Amsterdam to ring in the new year. Becca has a Eurorail pass now so I know she’ll be roaming around the Continent before she returns to us.

Barbara Peckham was so tired of high heating bills and wasted energy she called on expert Chris Fried to come assess the situation at her home. Barbara was so impressed with the results she has forwarded the assessment to all her friends and suggests we pass it on. Cape Light Compact will do a free investigation. Call 1-800-797-6699. Thank you, Chris and Barbara.

I overlooked giving you the sign-up nights last week for our new Adult and Community Education of Martha’s Vineyard. Since the courses run at our high school from Jan. 12 through Feb. 13, I’m willing to bet you can still get in. Call Lynn Ditchfield at 508-693-1033, extension 240, or contact her at lynn@acemv.org. You may sign up for anything from belly dancing, salsa lessons, introduction to computers, basic carpentry skills for women, languages, writing, and much more. Check out the website at acemv.org.

Our MV Film Society is presenting Encounters at the End of the World tonight at the Katharine Cornell Theatre at 7:30 p.m. This 2008 USA documentary was filmed by Werner Herzog. I think you will enjoy this fascinating study of researchers in Antartica.

Speaking of films, our library offers a classic movie — and popcorn! — on Sunday, Jan. 11 at 2 p.m. This 1958 Billy Wilder offering turns an Agatha Christie tale into a gripping courtroom drama, starring Charles Laughton and Marlene Dietrich, two of the great ones. Can you guess the title? I’ll see you there.

In addition to the regular children’s programs, the library offers Susanna Sturgis speaking about her new novel, The Mud of the Place, at the evening lecture series on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. in the program room. Susanna is a most talented writer and energetic Islander, I’m so glad she came back to us.

Give a pint, get a pound. How’s this for a deal? If you donate a pint of blood through our American Red Cross this month, Dunkin’ Donuts, now voted the best coffee in America, will give you a free pound of coffee. I’m not sure when the blood drive is coming to the Island but you can check it out at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.

Our Martha’s Vineyard Women’s Network is holding a breakfast meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13, from 7 to 9 a.m. in the Baylies room of the Old Whaling Church. Guest speakers are Marcia Mulford Cini, one of our Island attorneys; Tim Lowe, senior commercial lender from MV Savings Bank; Pat Gregory, owner of EduComp; Cliff Robbins, a senior business advisor and Laurie Walsh of the SEED Corporation. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Laurie and Cliff will give free, one-on-one sessions of business advice. Appointments are necessary. Check it out at mvwomensnetwork.org.

Anniversary bouquets go out to Bob and Carol Clark on Jan. 12.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Lou Jannace, Tarney Levett, and Amanda Star Kieffer today. Jan. 10 is a party for Brigitte Araujo, Rita Shapiro, Aja Stamp, Sandra Healy, and my adorable grandson, Dominic Leigh Clark who turns two. Jan. 11 is shared by Tony Nordquist, Judy Thomas, Brittany Blacker, Debbie Morelli, Bob Clark, and Sara Rose Kuehne. Jan. 12 honors Gay Nelson, Nathalie Penicaud, and Inez Montanile. Jan. 13 is claimed by Virginia Grant, Yvette Rigaud, Anthony Ferreira Coelho, Allan Davey, and Marilyn Manning. Jan. 14 is for Peter Tileston, Anne Williamson, and Nora Cowett. And on Jan. 15 Jackie Richardson and Barbara McCahill take the cake. Many happy returns.