NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

You can’t tell me you’re out there with nothing going on. This is the time of year I especially expect to hear from Islanders about births, visitors, vacations, achievements. True, I missed reminding you of the Big Chili contest, but as usual it was packed and successful. Now, call me. I miss you.

Debbie Milne wrote a terrific letter published in both Island papers last week lamenting the demise of the early childhood education program at the high school. The program had worked so closely and so well with the Martha’s Vineyard Community Services day care center. I knew the head teachers who ran it over the years, admired their dedication greatly, and knew many of the students ­­— young men as well as young women — who took the course and profited by it. Nothing is more important than the nurturing of the young. These kids graduated as professionals. I agree with Debbie and am sad to see the program go.

The usual Tuesday morning story hours at our library have definite themes this month: Feb. 7 is cats; Feb. 14, of course, is Valentine’s Day; Feb. 21 is bears, and Feb. 28 is colors. Wii games for tweens and teens are on their usual days and times, Valentines will be a big art project on crafts day. Check with the library for a complete schedule.

Be still my heart! Tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Capawock Theatre in Vineyard Haven the Martha’s Vineyard Film Society, in conjunction with the NAACP of Martha’s Vineyard, presents Sing Your Song about artist and activist Harry Belafonte. I’ll see you there.

Bingo lives on at our Legion Post 257 on Marvin Road. Commander Buddy Oliver will be away for this month and is asking for just four volunteers, one each Monday, to help Bob Falkenburg at the Legion from 7:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. on bingo nights. As is our custom, the Legion Auxiliary will not be holding a February meeting, but the regular Legion meeting is at 7 p.m. on Feb. 8. The first Sunday of the month breakfast will be this Sunday, Feb. 5 from 8 to 10 a.m. Come for the food and friendship. Grownups eat for $7, kids under 12 chow down for $3. I’ll see you there. The Legion also extends a great big thank you to our Tisbury Department of Public Works for offering to pick up our trash.

Our condolences to the family and friends of Amanda Hutchinson. Her light shone far and wide. Sympathy also goes to the family and friends of Doug Dias, another of our inimitable Island legends. He will be greatly missed.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Jeff Rancourt, Joan Jannace, Michael Sylvia, and Jennifer Roman today. Feb. 4 is claimed by Dr. Roni DeLuz. Feb. 5 is shared by Kelsey Smith and Raleigh Hadley Russell. Feb. 6 is a party for Marcia Rossi, Neko Morgan Masi, Taylor Poggi and Chris Silvia. Feb. 7 honors Deb Little. Feb. 8 shines on Dianne McDonough and Jeffrey Masi. And on Feb. 9 Justin Smith and Jamie Orlowski take the cake. Many happy returns.