NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

Shirley Cronig Smith enjoyed a great visit from Jeffrey Kramer of Jaws fame and Victoria Kramer, along with their three sons, Jordan, Jaxson and Jeremy. They made the big trip from California to get a swipe at our New England summer. Shirley had a great time, as did the Kramer clan. Same time, next year.

Chris Paffendorf returned Tuesday night from a journey to Seattle and Albuquerque where she visited with her son, daughter in law, and her five-year-old grandson. Chris is so peppy, she was scheduled for a tennis match on Island at 7 a.m. the very next day. I don’t know how she made it. With their usual gracious hosting, Paul and Margery Howes had us all over for cocktails, dinner and a welcome home party for Chris. Jim Hart and Scott Moorefield were also in attendance. Jim had recently finished hosting some of the Harley Riders, a fabulous group of men; more about that next week when I can write better.

Why can’t I write better now? Well, Calamity Nancy did it again. Last Thursday night I had a kitchen accident — more proof I don’t belong in that room — and ended up with second-degree burns on my left hand. What hand do I write with? Yup. I’m left-handed. So I’m pecking this column out, near delirious on pain-killing drugs, and berating myself constantly for being so stupid. Thank you to so many friends: Chris and Nicole Cimeno who took me to the hospital and waited for me, the hospital staff who helped fix me up, Stephen and Jennifer Dunham, Nicole and Chris Paffendorf who have helped change my dressing every day, Marge and Paul who have driven me around and fed me, ditto for Bill and Debbie Little, the neighborhood kids, among them Amber Willoughby and Cheyenne and Monique Cormier, who have faithfully walked my dogs. Thanks to you all for the offers to shop for me, and Wendy Bennett and her folks, the Whitmans, for the flowers. Can you imagine not driving for a week? In August? I’ve had cabin fever before, never in the summer. Report continues next week with a longer column.

The West Tisbury Congregational Church is excited to introduce the Rev. Raphael Warnock on Sunday, August 16. Reverend Warnock is now the senior pastor at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga., home church for the Rev. Martin Luther King for many years before his death. All are invited to what promises to be a stirring event.

Poor Amy Ryan, our library director! You can barely see her at her desk when you enter her office to drop off more in-good-condition books, now piling toward the ceiling, for the library’s mini-book sale tomorrow, August 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. Books, audio books and VHS movies available are for all ages. Come help Amy get her office back.

Now here’s a heartwarming family story for seniors, to be presented Tuesday, August 18 at 7 p.m. at our library: a true story of a man who drove 260 miles on a John Deere lawnmower to make amends with his brother. Sissy Spacek, Richard Farnsworth and Harry Dean Stanton star. I’ll see you there.

The Shaw Cramer Gallery is presenting a new show, Small Works, today through August 27. The focus is clay, jewelry, encaustics, glass, and paintings.

Louisa Gould hosts an artist reception tomorrow night from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at her gallery on Main street. Don Groover provides live music and Louisa provides refreshments. Featured artists are John Holladay, James Murray, Maya Farber, and Louisa Gould. The ongoing show of artists Gray Park, Ellen Liman, Jeanne Campbell and Robert Jewett continues until August 20. I’ll see you there.

The Fair Ladies want to remind you they are accepting entry forms until 5 p.m. on Monday, August 17. You may drop yours in the box on the front porch of the Agricultural Hall or fax them in. Don’t miss the deadline. They promise some new and wonderful surprises and exhibits at this year’s fair, August 20 through August 23. I’ll be the one with the bandaged hand.

Certainly we all have encountered, among our family and friends, someone whose life was improved by the wonderful work and calling of Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Our condolences to the family and all she touched.

Anniversary bouquets go out to Bob and Elaine Klein on August 16.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Jared Garde, Brooke Aubin, Laura Hudson, Carolyn Walters and Leigh Smith tomorrow. Sunday celebrates Kathy Stuart and Kendra Frakes. August 17 is a party for Michael Zenick, Gail Partridge, Renata Kinaki, and Paige Stuart. August 18 honors Adam Paul Iacovello, Cheryl Schrader, Melissa Dolby and Michael Donovan. August 19 is for Jeff Pratt, Bill Clinton, Amanda Luise Bernard, And, my personal fave, Helen Szanto who will be 93! And on August 20 Laurie Hatt and Richard McElhinney take the cake. Many happy returns.