NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

Who knew? There, on my favorite television show, Jeopardy, was Al and Flo Koster’s son Joe last Friday and Monday nights. Joe did quite well and was a pleasure to see, I don’t think I’ve seen him for twenty years. What fun.

All Featherstone after school art programs are free to all Martha’s Vineyard high school students from either our regional or charter. Classes are from 3 to 5 p.m. and offer ceramics, photography, tapestry, and a slew of other choices. Have your kids check it out.

In other art news, talented performance artist Stokley Towles has another project going. The Seattle Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs is presenting Stokley in several free public performances, and on the radio as well. Stokley’s latest work is Stormwater: Life in the Gutter, a journey through the bowels of Seattle’s drainage and sewer system. Unfortunately, we only see Stokley on Island in summer but if you are headed to Seattle or want a sneak peek at his project contact arts.culture@seattle.gov. What a talented family! As you know, Stokley’s brother Amor is doing just great with his first novel, Rules of Civility.

Our Vineyard Haven Public Library is now open for the off-season on Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. This Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. in the program room Alexandra Richardson presents an evening in Sicily. Ms. Richardson is the biographer of Alexander Hardcastle who moved to a remote part of Sicily and began wonderful historic excavations of Greek temples. I’ll see you there.

Calling all poets, year-round or seasonal, to serve as our first Martha’s Vineyard Poet Laureate. Any genre, style, or form of poetry is acceptable. Choose five of your finest and submit them by Dec. 30, 2011. First submit a letter containing your contact information and whether you are year-round or seasonal. Then submit your five poems on separate sheets of paper with no identifying marks. A panel of judges from the Martha’s Vineyard Poets Society will choose six of the best poets. You must be willing to participate in readings, go on MVTV, YouTube, you get the idea. Promote poetry in our schools and libraries. Term of service will be two years. Start writing!

It’s that time of year. The Martha’s Vineyard Museum is offering a tour of the Tisbury Village Cemetery, located off Center street between William and Franklin streets, next Saturday, Oct. 29, at 3 p.m. Liz Villard, Island historian, will hold forth on ghosts, gossip, and downright scandal. Museum members attend for $8, nonmembers for $12, and kids under 15 get in for $6. The tour takes approximately one and one half hours. Cider and refreshments will be served. Reservations are required, call 508-627-4441, extension110. I’ll see you there.

Paul Karasik of the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School runs the annual scarecrow festival. It’s not too late to participate, scarecrows will go up on Oct. 22 and 23. This year’s theme is literary scarecrows. There is no cost to enter, but the builder gets to be in a drawing for a free new iPad. We always look forward to this creative annual event.

Get well wishes go out to Anne Breslin.

Anniversary bouquets are sent to Al and Flo Koster on Oct. 27.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Allison Brown today. Tomorrow is shared by Robin Bailey and Isabella Bennett. Oct. 23 honors Martha Abigail Kent Holmes and Scott Moorefield. Oct. 24 is a party for Steven Lampart, Kim Glodis Martin, and Lil’Bit and Silvio Gardella. Oct. 25 is for Dolly Campbell, Sean DeBettencourt, and Tom Snow. Oct. 26 shines for Bridget Slomka, Max Eagan, and Heidi Smith. And on Oct. 27 Keissila Cecilio and Fernando Almeida take the cake. Many happy returns.