NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

Innocent as she is, my mother asked why William and Kate were getting married on a Friday and not a weekend day. “That’s because they don’t want to compete with your party, Mom,” I answered. And what a party it was! On Saturday, April 30, the Sisters of the Divine Compassion, the order of nuns that taught my mother at Good Counsel College and me at Good Counsel Academy in White Plains, N.Y,, had their annual alumnae reunion celebration. I kid you not, it made Will and Kate’s look like a gathering at a take-out pizza joint. All members of all classes, family and friends are always invited, but this year the Class of ’61 and the Class of ’51 were especially honored. And my mother, Iole Jannace Gardella, who graduated at age 20 in 1937, was the outstanding alumnae awardee. Iole also went on to be the Italian professor at the college for many years, then taught Italian in adult education in White Plains, as well as acting as a church organist, choir director and music teacher at several parochial elementary schools. Iole’s good buddy, Grace Schmidt — they are the last two of the class of ’37 — was in attendance, as well as all kinds of cousins, nephews, nieces, friends, Iole’s brother, Manlio, Sisters who taught me, especially MaryBeth Maney, Jane Keegan, Sue Merritt and Lucille Coldrick. The catering was beyond compare by the Caperberry Catering service. We started with a celebratory Mass in the chapel which is an historic landmark, we proceeded to the beautiful convent Warburton room for hors d’ouevre and drinks, where we ended up sitting for a fabulous luncheon. Oh yes, even some seasonal Islanders you know were there, among them, John Doyle, Leda Giatti, Carolyn Walters, Ginny Cramer, and Ralph and Mareda Graves. The Sisters had thought of every detail. We were presented with programs and beautiful Divine Compassion ribbons, my mother was honored with speeches and a gorgeous vase with the college emblem and words about her dedication to teaching embossed on it, my brother spoke, my nephew, Jonathan Alexander Gardella, had travelled all the way from Florida to play Iole a violin solo, my best college friend, whom I had not seen for 10 years, Denise Civetta, came from Pennsylvania. My nephew, Daniel, arrived from Chicago and his bride to be, Moah Son, flew in from Texas. It was a perfect, perfect day. I thank all the good Sisters. I recommend if you ever need to hold a party in my Old Country, at a beautiful setting, contact Sister Jane Keegan.

Our Vineyard Haven Public Library is presenting famous fisherman Warren Doty on Tuesday, May 10, at 7 p.m. in the program room. Warren will speak on the regulating of New England fisheries. I know this dedicated, hardworking person, and this has been his lifetime mission. The lecture is free.

The children’s program at the library has a special event on Thursday, May 12, with Melinda DeFeo at 3:30 p.m. for ages five and up. There will be fiber crafts. Come enjoy!

Paddy Moore of the West Tisbury Congregational Church wants to remind you that a special workshop is planned for tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parish hall. The topic is Planning for a Graceful Exit and all are welcome. Call 508-693-1627 for details.

Our MVRHS Minnesingers are just back from performing in Paris and Prague. They will present their springtime show, The Music of America: Give Our Regards to Broadway, back here on Saturday, May 7 at 8 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center of the high school. The show will be repeated on Sunday, May 8 – Mother’s Day – at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 for grownups and $5 for students.

Anniversary bouquets go out to Andrew and Kathy Farrissey today. May 10 is a celebration for couples John and Nancy McPartlin Gardella and Tim and Susan Anthony.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Jim MacDonald, Sarah Francis and Joey Murphy today. May 7 belongs to Ellen Dubraska. May 9 is a party for Christopher Collins, Whitney Kelly, Darcy Jewett and Matheus dos Santos. May 11 honors Mary Anne D’Alessandro and Tristan Klein. And on May 12 Jyl Manning and PJ Fleming take the cake. Many happy returns.