NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

I can’t say enough nice things about Alan Campbell. The husband, father and premier principal of the Tisbury School left us last month. Alan was a friend and mentor to me. He let me have my den four Cub Scout meetings after school in the cafeteria. He allowed me to do my student teaching there when I was working on my master’s degree in education. After that, I was a substitute for many years under his wonderful administration. He gave me news for this column, and was always proud of his family and friends. I shall miss seeing him at all the places downtown where we ran into each other, I shall keep him in my heart. Condolences to his family and many, many friends.

It’s that time of year to gear up for the 5K for KJ run/walk on Saturday, Nov. 27. Kevin Johnson left us much too soon. The proceeds from this event benefit the high school cross-country scholarship fund. There is a beautiful preset course through the state forest. The race begins at 11 a.m.; you may register at the high school gym between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. For early registration and more information, visit 5k4kj.org.

The Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center will honor four chaplains killed in World War II in services tonight at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome.

Did you ever wonder how it all got started? Grace Church lobster rolls, deliciously served from May through October for 25 years, are an Island high-season fixture. Lorraine Clark and Beatrice Green will hold forth on behind the scenes of this well-loved tradition on Sunday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. at the library. Proceeds from the lobster sales go to Island and global outreach. Cookies and cider will follow the talk. I’ll see you there.

Tuesday is shaping up to be a busy day. The Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting at 1 p.m. at the Wakeman Center. Holiday Creations is the subject to be presented by Dr. Else Membreno. Else will help you decorate your home and table for Thanksgiving. Refreshments will follow. Nonmembers attend for $5; members get in free. The garden club always welcomes new members. Call Ginger Duarte at 508-693-6570 for more information.

Of course, there is a conflict for me Tuesday night. The monthly legion auxiliary meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the legion hall on Martin Road. We will be busy preparing for our annual holiday bazaar to be held early this year, on Saturday, Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Be sure to stop by and see how creative our membership is: gift baskets, homemade goodies, gifts for the holidays, raffles and refreshments are our specialty. We are also always seeking new members in the auxiliary.

My friend Holly Nadler is presenting a lecture that night at 7 p.m. at our library. Holly has travelled widely and studied Kabbalah, the mystical tradition of the Jewish faith. If I don’t see you at the legion auxiliary meeting, I can bet you’ll be in attendance at Holly’s talk.

You might have missed Darb’s Place last night on Channel 13, a program honoring our veterans. Not to worry, it will be repeated on Thanksgiving Day at 7:30 p.m.; write this down now. Also catch Katharine Cornell’s narration of This Is Our Island at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 16. Oops! Another Tuesday conflict.

Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard is calling on all you crafty people, knitters, crocheters, bakers, jam makers, to share your talents for the annual Homemade From the Heart sale and party on Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the lovely Dr. Daniel Fisher House in Edgartown. Call 508-693-0189 to learn how to help. Who needs to go off-Island for holiday shopping???

The Martha’s Vineyard Film Society presents Strongman, an indie film by Zach Levy, tomorrow night at the Katharine Cornell Theatre at 7:30 p.m. I’ll see you there.

Anniversary bouquets go out to Rene and Joanne Moncada on Nov. 14.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Suely Oliveira, Tim Sylvia, Matt Brown, Cricket Willoughby and Isaque Silva today. Tomorrow is a party for Lisa Quartiroli, Rosemary Jackson and Lillian Beal. Nov. 14 honors John Gardella, Alfred Francis, and Ellison Brasil. Nov. 15 is claimed by Swaran Bahal. Nov. 16 is for Sarah Benson, JackLynn Pinkerton Parker, and Jo-Ann Walker. Nov. 17 shines on Tessa Rose Whitaker. And on Nov. 18 Katie Lolley, Sarah Thompson, Sam Sawyer and John Alley take the cake. Many happy returns.