NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

For those in the know: Rupert has left the building. I can say no more. Long live Rupert!

Bill and Jan Stokes’ Island home was visited this week by son Wes Stokes, his friend Julia Kovach, and her talented two-year-old, Olivia. The young group shopped, beached, and Wes did a lot of fishing, his favorite pastime. I hope they return soon, the weather has been so accommodating.

The Polly Hill Arboretum in conjunction with the Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary is presenting a special workshop on composting, open to all. Ann McGovern of the Massachusetts DEP will hold forth on the latest techniques. The program begins today at Polly Hill from 4 to 5:30 p.m. It will be repeated tomorrow, Saturday, at Felix Neck from 10 to 11:30 a.m. There will be door prizes and free composting worms (yum!) for the first 10 registrants. I’ll see you there.

This weekend marks Herb Ward’s long awaited 45th reunion of the class of 1966. Call Herb at 508-693-7683 to save your seat. On Saturday the party starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Portuguese American Club, to be continued on Sunday at 10 a.m. at Farm Neck. Congratulations to this dedicated group of student and friends.

Our library’s monthly mini-sale is tomorrow from 1 to 3 p.m. Start collecting your winter reading now. On Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. in the program room Paul Magid, a retired attorney who worked with the Peace Corps will present his book From the Redwoods to Appomattox. The book focuses on General George Crook who was renowned for his prominent role in the Apache and Sioux Wars and the American Civil War. I’ll see you there.

On Sunday, Oct. 16 we proudly present our 21st annual CROP Walk to defeat hunger in the world. Over a dozen Island clergy associations always participate in this. Register at 1:40 p.m. at St. Augustine’s in Vineyard Haven. The walk begins promptly at 2 p.m. The route is to the Trinity Methodist Church in the Camp Ground, then back. If you can’t walk, sponsor a marcher. Call 508-696-8589 for details. Thank you.

Haitian artist Wilfrid Dantis is our featured artist in the stacks at our library this month. He is self-taught and has an exhibition right now at the Lady from Haiti Gallery in Naples, Fla., as well as here in our town. Don’t miss it!

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Amaru Pareja today. Tomorrow is shared by Helen Gorski and Lou Healey. Oct. 16 is claimed by Steffie Elliott. Oct. 17 is a party for Margery Howes, Sue Zonino, Fritz Knight, and Hannah Berman. Oct. 18 honors Noel Macy, Zach Pepper, Shawn Goodwin, Jermaine Campbell, and Jim Pringle Sr. And on Oct. 19 Benjamin Cotton takes the cake. Many happy returns.