NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

I am so proud of my best friend, personal assistant and dog walker, Cheyenne Cormier. This 11-year-old sixth grader at the Tisbury School came to her first civic meeting with me, the Town of Tisbury board of selectmen’s conference on Tuesday night. She eloquently spoke her piece about a neighborhood issue we are having, and even backed her story up with photos taken on her cell phone which she showed to the selectmen one by one. By the way, I hate to share her, but Cheyenne has started a neighborhood dog walking business – she doesn’t drive yet so it has to be near our ’hood – called Paws on the Go. If you live near us and need a dog walker, call me. Excellent references.

The Rotary District Conference was held at the beautiful Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown last weekend. What a party! District governor Charlie Murphy arrived on Wednesday, so the weekly Martha’s Vineyard Rotary Club luncheon was held on Friday the 13th instead of the usual Wednesday. The well attended meeting began at noon with the Colors presented by the Cub Scouts of Martha’s Vineyard, Pack 90 and Pack 93. Scoutmaster Ewell Hopkins directed his young men. By evening time, bagpiper Travis Tebbetts welcomed the gang into a fabulous meal at the Harbor View. The meal was followed by an Edgartown pub crawl, and I think a lot of us have been there. On Saturday afternoon our newest Rotarian, Jeff Morby, and his delightful wife, Jacqui, welcomed the attendees to a terrific cocktail party at their home. It was a beautiful scene. On Sunday there was an ecumenical service followed by a great breakfast. Charlie Murphy passed his gavel on to incoming governor Bill Vangel. There are just too many Rotarians for me to thank in this column for the hard and excellent work you did, but you know who you are. Next year, Newport, Rhode Island!

Lobster rolls, hot dogs, and delicious pies are back at Grace Church every Friday from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. You may dine in or take out.

Our library holds its mini book sale tomorrow from 1 to 3 p.m., this time featuring free items and bargain bags. I’ll see you there.

Sunday, May 22 at 5 p.m. author Winslow Myers will speak at our Unitarian Universalist Chapel at 238 Main street in Vineyard Haven. All are welcome to hear his talk, Living Beyond War.

The Tisbury School children will make their annual March to the Sea next Friday, May 27. Students will leave the school at 12:30 p.m. and we all can watch them parade to Owen Park via Spring and Main streets. They carry flowers to throw in the harbor, to commemorate those who have given their lives for their country. The ceremony lasts about 45 minutes. If it rains, it happens in the school gym at 12:30 p.m.

Sign up now for a benefit dinner for the Martha’s Vineyard Museum next Thursday night, May 26, at Atria, 137 Main street, Edgartown. There will be fine wine, artisanal cuisine and sparkling conversation. Tickets are $150. Make your reservation at 508-627-4441, or with nkelly@mvmuseum.org.

Anniversary bouquets go out on May 21 to Allan and Judy Davey. Flowers also to Marcos and Solimar Arado who celebrate on May 22.

Belated birthday balloons go out to Silvio Spiconardi for May 16.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Rosie Bick tomorrow, May 21. May 22 is a party for Bridget Tobin, Theresa King, Frank Elliott, Patricia Nothingale and Thomas Battistini. May 23 honors Jim Gardella, Judy Crawford and Ambrose Seward. May 24 is claimed by Bob Dylan, Lindsey Rendall and Jessica Walsh. May 25 is shared by Amy Litchfield, Peter Campbell, Becky Jewett, Peter Scott and Celeste Ewing. And on May 26 Chris Osborn, Jo Ann Murphy, Jay Leno, Melissa Fleming and Cathy Gallagher take the cake. Many happy returns.