NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

Bright lights, big city. Having been sick for two weeks, gentle readers, which is why I didn’t file two columns, I have decided to take myself on a mini-vacation. And where else but in beautiful downtown Vineyard Haven? In honor of their 25 years of business, Sherm and Susie Goldstein are hosting a Slumber Party at the Mansion House hotel all this month. For a mere $25 per person, based on double occupancy, room and state taxes not included, you are welcome. Many of the rooms have soaking tubs and fireplaces. Most have water views. All have flat screen TVs. While you vacation on Martha’s Vineyard, you are included in the daily breakfast, you may use all health club facilities and take any classes there. What a deal! My last vacation was two years ago, but I have never vacationed on Martha’s Vineyard. Of course, I won’t be entirely free of work. I shall still have to run home a couple of times a day to conduct the major job of my life, doorman.

Yes, I am the doorman for three dogs and one new kitty. They can’t seem to agree on when they want to go in and out. Susie assures me I shall not have to work the door at the Mansion House while I’m there. Bring your best pajamas. Call 508-693-2200 to book your night or nights. I’ll see you there.

Walter and Gail Burke had daughter Megan and her husband, Ernesto, coming in from their home in Nicarauga for the holidays. Jennifer and Fred and Abigail also came from their home in western Massachusetts. Walter’s sister Kate DeCou joined in the visit. The whole gang was able to help Walter and Gail celebrate their 42nd anniversary on Dec. 27. By the way, Megan and Ernesto live in the town right next to Muriel Laverty’s adopted home. Small world, eh?

The Martha’s Vineyard Women’s Network is hosting a luncheon on Tuesday, Jan. 12, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Baylies Room of the Whaling Church. Featured speaker is Michael Bejtlich. Michael is an expert on small business, he will help you with your mission to start one or expand your existing line of work. Drop your check or make your reservation at Kiddo’s or visit mvwomensnetwork.org.

If it’s January it must be time to reserve your seat at the 23rd annual Burns Nicht Supper, expertly run by our Scottish Society of Martha’s Vineyard. Please RSVP by Monday, Jan. 18. The dinner is $50 for members and $55 for nonmembers. And no, you don’t have to be Scottish to enjoy this. This year there is a new annual membership fee for students taking academic courses. Call Deb Medders at 508-693-1039 for more information or send your check to P.O. Box 1895, Vineyard Haven. I’ll see you there. I’ll be wearing my Gardella clan tartan.

The regular children’s programs have commenced at the library. In addition, James Norton is giving a fabulous seminar from last Tuesday through Feb. 9 based on Greg Mortenson’s book, Three Cups of Tea. The concept is to promote peace, one school at a time. The seminars are Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. Call program director Betty Burton for more information, at 508-696-4211, extension16. All evening programs are free.

The Adult and Community Education series resumes next week at the high school. Registration was Jan. 5 and 6, but I’m sure you can still find a spot doing something you have always wanted to learn more about, from poetry to ceramics to salsa to ballroom dancing to understanding Medicare. Whew! And this is a very small selection of the list. Catalogues are available at all our schools and libraries or call 508-627-8373, extension 240. You may also visit acemv.org.

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

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Sonya Mayrand today. Tomorrow is for Lou Jannace, Tarny Levett and Amanda Star Kieffer. Jan. 10 is a party for my (now) three-year-old grandson, Dominic Leigh Clark, Rita Shapiro, Aja Stamp, Sandra Healy, Brigitte Araujo and Teika Lampart. Jan. 11 honors Tony Nordquist, Judy Thomas, Debbie Morelli, Brittany Blacker, Bob Clark and Sara Rose Kuehne. Jan. 12 sees Gay Nelson, Nathalie Penicaud and Inez Montanile celebrate. Jan. 13 is for Yvette Rigaud, Marilyn Manning, Anthony Coelho and Allan Davey. And on Jan. 14 Peter Tileston, Anne Williamson and Nora Cowett take the cake. Many happy returns.