NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

So many of our accomplished kids have graduated, and here are two of my favorites: Curry College held its commencement exercises last Sunday. Jessica Walsh, daughter of John Walsh from the Cape and daughter of Bill and Debbie Little here in town, graduated with a bachelor of science in nursing and a minor in biology. Jessie will be working at our hospital and preparing to take her exam for board certification as an RN in July. The day before the graduation, several members of Jessie’s family attended her “pinning” ceremony. Her sisters Alecia and Amanda, brother Jonathan, aunt Sandra Britto, and of course, her proud parents, John Walsh, Bill and Debbie Little. The weather was beautiful on both days. Sunday’s graduation was followed by a lovely party at President Quigley’s home, then followed by a family party at Jessica’s grandparents’, Joseph and Dorothy Matos. Did I mention Jess graduated on the dean’s list? Well, she did.

Also in the audience were our own Fred and Jill LaPiana, whose son, Aaron, graduated from Curry with a double major, English and philosophy. Sister Sarah was wishing him the best from her home in Virginia; as she and her husband are expecting any moment, they could not attend. This will certainly be a month of celebration in the LaPiana household! Congratulations to both scholars.

Anna Duarte is going into her umpteenth year as our American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Girl. Look for Anna outside Cumberland Farms next Friday, she will have a bouquet with a poppy just for you.

Friday, May 28 is also the date for our Tisbury School children to take their annual March to the Sea in memory of our lost service men and women. The parade will commence at 12:30 p.m., following a route down Spring street to Main. As usual, the children will turn off into Robert Owen Park and deliver their bouquets off the pier. The ceremony will take approximately 45 minutes, the children are dismissed from the beach. It has been known in the past often to be the first day of the season some kids take the plunge. This is a very stirring ceremony and all are invited to attend. If the weather is inclement, the ceremony will be held in the school gym.

I’m giving you an early heads up on the Memorial Day town picnic, Monday, May 31 from noon to 4 p.m. Music will be provided by the Flying Elbows and Tristan Israel, ice cream is free, grills are provided for your grillables, bring your own picnic. There will be rowboats, games, pony rides, contests, prizes, all down at our historic Tisbury Water Works property. Rain date is the following Sunday, June 6. This is truly a great opportunity to see your friends and neighbors before the seasonal frenzy, and to check on the restoration of the building. I’ll see you there.

So many of our Islanders have been helping out with the post-earthquake Haitian disaster. Our library is showing a free movie at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25 that is actually a romantic adventure filmed years ago: Burn! starring Marlon Brando. Brando once referred to it as his best piece of work. The story is of a fictional country, much like Haiti. There will be a discussion after the film and updates on how Haiti is coping with their rebuilding now. An exhibit of our Peace Quilts will also be on display. Tuesday night, I’ll be there.

Get well wishes go out to Joseph Matos, recovering from surgery this week. Please pray with me for a delightful young woman, Kendra Frakes, who was always the warm and welcoming voice at the Gazette’s reception desk. Kendra has suffered a massive stroke and is at the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Cape and Islands. You may send her a note at RHCI, 311 Service Road, East Sandwich, MA 02537.

Anniversary bouquets go out today to Allan and Judy Davey — can it really be there 55th??

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Rosie Bick today. Tomorrow is a party for Frank Elliott, Thomas Battistini, Patricia Nothingale and the steamship’s own Bridget Tobin and Theresa King. May 23 is for Jim Gardella, Ambrose Seward and Judy Crawford. May 24 belongs to Jessica Walsh, Bob Dylan and Lindsey Rendall. May 25 honors Becky Jewett, Peter Campbell, Ruda Stone, Peter Scott and Celeste Ewing. May 26 is claimed by Chris Osborn, JoAnn Murphy, Jay Leno and Cathy Gallagher. And on May 27 Shawn Townes, Shannon McAuliffe, and Esme Ruth Towles take the cake. Many happy returns.