NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood and the sun is shining on our new neighbors, Sheldon and Alexia Ebanks, and their children, Dylan Dyke and Chloe Ebanks. I am much impressed with Dylan’s skateboarding skills and have watched him perform many amazing feats on Leland avenue. Dylan turned 11 last Monday and is happily enrolled in the Tisbury School. The family came up from Pembroke Pines, Fla. Little Chloe will be two this weekend. Welcome.

Welcome also to Vanessa Ventura, who is working a chair at my favorite salon, Rosecuts on Causeway Road. Vanessa has many Island ties and I am sure you will recognize her. Stop by to say hello.

The Martha’s Vineyard Ecumenical Youth Group is holding a southern dinner at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17 at the Federated Church in Edgartown. The food is free and will be followed by a live auction. The event includes a slide show of the teenagers’ work in Tennessee. All are welcome to attend.

Tomorrow is also the date for our monthly mini-book sale at the library from 1 to 3 p.m. Bargain books, bargain bags, and free items are on the program. Don’t miss it.

The program room at our library is the spot to see The Conspirator, on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. This movie presents the tale of the follow-up to Abe Lincoln’s assassination and the famous boarding house where Mary Surratt and the Booths were plotting. All movies are free.

It’s not too late to sign up for Cycle Martha’s Vineyard, a benefit for the Rotary of Martha’s Vineyard and for Windemere. There will be two rides, a 50K and a 100K, followed by a pig roast and live band. The event takes place on Saturday, Oct. 1. As you know, people come from all over the country to participate. Sign up online at cyclemarthasvineyard.org.

Another popular benefit is the 30th annual golf tournament to honor Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard. All residents and friends are invited to be at Mink Meadows on Sunday, Sept. 25. Entry fee is $100 for 18 holes of golf. There will be a shotgun start, continental breakfast, awards, celebrities, luncheon and prizes. To sign up or get details, call 508-693-0189 or visit hospiceofmv.org.

The First Baptist Church of Vineyard Haven and the Community Baptist Church of Gay Head in Aquinnah are sponsoring a book study program on Thursday evenings, beginning on Sept. 29. The study will by at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church on Spring street in Vineyard Haven. The work under discussion is titled The Shack, by William Paul Young. Call 508-693-1539 for details. I’ll see you there.

Belated birthday balloons to Dylan Dyke, who turned 11 on Sept. 12.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Carolyn Snow Redington, Mary Kennedy, Dashiell Pinto Kaufman and Joalser Nascimento today. Tomorrow is shared by Chloe Ebanks and Joanna Elliot Riesman. Sept. 18 is claimed by Aaron Kasprak. Sept. 19 is a party for Joan Glodis and Lauren Barlosky. Sept. 20 honors Pete Sawyer. Sept. 21 is for Terry Gramkowski and Amanda Schwab. And on Sept. 22 Tawnya MacLeod, Nate Thayer and Michael Levandowski take the cake. Many happy returns.