NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

Congratulations to my cousin Richard Gardella, who has just been inducted into the White Plains High School Hall of Fame. Richard is a retired journalist, attorney, president of the Westchester Bar Association, an expert on Westchester law, and currently president of the White Plains High School Alumni Association. Richard has done a lot for his community and our family. It was Richard’s, and his wife, Barbara’s, bylines writing for the Reporter Dispatch, now the Journal News, that inspired me to think I, too, might be able to write for a newspaper and have my own byline one day. Best to you both, Richard and Barbara!

If you noticed, as I did, that the Island art gallery Kennedy Studios was closed for two business days last week, not to worry. Uta and Doug went to Seekonk for a framers’ convention. Uta took some classes while they were there and has returned with new framing samples, many orientals as well. If you haven’t stopped in their Main street shop yet, I urge you to visit. The display of many of our talented Island artists is incredible. I have used their talents on many of my favorite pieces. Check it out.

The 11th annual Pequot Hotel Art Show is tomorrow at 19 Pequot avenue. Among the artists exhibiting are some of my favorites: Linda Hammond, Doug Peckham, Colleen Farressy and Julie Imelt. I’ll see you there.

Our Community Solar Greenhouse has its Fall Festival Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. There will be live music, free soup, raffles and vendors. Comsog is on New York avenue in Oak Bluffs.

The third annual rock auction to benefit the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School will be held tomorrow night at Nectar’s. A mere $25 admission includes Flatbread’s pizza and salad bar. The silent auction begins at 6 p.m., the live auction starts at 8 p.m. After that is dancemania with famed Island deejay Jason Araujo. This year’s theme is the 80s, dress accordingly. Some of the items up for bid are Celtics tickets, a week in Virgin Gorda, a ski weekend in Vail, chain saw work — who couldn’t use that! — and a Dream Garden including bobcat work. I’ll see you there.

Fitness director Brenda Wallis of the Mansion House continues to offer free classes to members and nonmembers alike at the Mansion House Health Club on Sundays; the new time is 3:30 p.m. I consider this more of Sherm and Susie’s giving back to the community, trying to keep us all fit, especially before the winter doldrums set in.

The first meeting for this season of the Martha’s Vineyard Women’s Network will be held at the Harbor View on Tuesday, Oct. 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The $25 admission gets you a light lunch and attendance at a panel of Island women talking about how to promote your brand and expand your business. Carol Kolodny is the moderator; some of the speakers will represent the Alison Shaw Gallery and Sharky’s.

The Martha’s Vineyard Film Society never quits. Tonight is the Irish fisherman’s romance movie, Ondine, screening at 7:30 p.m. at the Katharine Cornell Theatre. I think our Island must be getting quite a reputation for its film festivals. Thank you, Richard Paradise!

Anniversary bouquets go out to Ray and Laurel Redington-Whitaker on Oct. 5. Arthur and Priscilla Dickson celebrate their 66th on Oct. 7. Don and Hildy Mitchell get bouquets on Oct. 8.

Belated birthday balloons go out to Bill Little, who celebrated on Monday, Sept. 27. How could I have missed one of my best friend’s birthdays?

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Alan Peterson, Allie Clark and Alyssa Mayrand today. Oct, 2 is for Bill Wingert and Mary Etherington. Oct. 3 is St. Francis Day and honors Toby Codding and Jeanie Hay-Sternbach. Oct. 4 is a party for Liz Figuerrado Gardella, Rebecca Palmer, Lizzie Andrews, Zach Post and Michael Sawyer. Oct. 6 is claimed by Ross MacPherson and Megan Willey. Oct. 7 belongs to Kim Samuels. Many happy returns.