NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(iklean@yahoo.com)

What a great pleasure to finally try the Little House Cafe on State Road just past Surveyors Lane. I had no idea this adorable restaurant had already been opened for three years, year-round, before I had a chance to try it for lunch yesterday. Everything is prepared fresh, dinners are served from Wednesday through Saturday nights, and wine and beer are available. The menu is interesting and eclectic. Handicap access is wonderful. Nonna and I enjoyed it so. Our server was the lovely Paulina from my neighborhood. We’ll see you there.

We have been cramming a lot in at end of season. Tuesday night Nonna and I met up with Anita Cimeno and her daughter Tamma at Legion Post 257 for its last night of lobster rolls for the season. We had a grand time. As usual, we saw many friends. Ed Colligan wants to thank all who have made this program such a success and a help to our building fund. Same time, next year.

Mareda Gaither-Graves, husband Ralph and grandson Aiden are visiting this week. Aiden is now walking and talking and getting into mischief while his parents are on a brief vacation.

Jan Stokes celebrated her birthday last Tuesday with the usual suspects in the ‘hood. The gang went to Hooked for dinner. They report the food was wonderful and filling. It was so filling that no one could eat the key lime pie Trude Hart had made for dessert. Nothing would do but to continue the party on the Stokes’ deck on Wednesday night. Of course, before the pie, we had to have appetizers as only Bill and Jan can serve drinks, and then dessert. Nonna went with me and she is so happy I have such good friends in the ‘hood. Jan and Bill returned to Waterbury yesterday. Joe Marotta is expected this weekend. Wanda Denton will return to West Hartford next week. We are all still enjoying and trading the books my friend shared with us.

Be sure to sign up for our library’s annual fun walk/race. We all look forward to this. It provides funds for our programs.

Speaking of library programs, music professor Susan Grunthal is leading a fantastic series of lectures on opera. The sessions will start this fall, continue in the spring and finish next fall. All opera films will be shown at the Capawock, but Susan will provide background at our library. The 12 sessions begin on September 13 at 7 p.m. in the program room. The first session will focus on Monteverdi, Purcell and Lully. Packets are prepared for each session and available at the front desk. Susan teaches opera history at the Westchester Collegium and sings with the Taconic Chorus. More talent from my old country.

Anniversary bouquets go out to Ralph and Mareda Gaither-Graves on September 1.

Belated birthday balloons are for Alex Roan yesterday.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Jessica Dolliver, Tanita Macy, Jimmy Pringle Jr. and Van Morrison today. September 1 is for Crystan Ewart and Rey Garza. September 2 is shared by twins Brandon and Lindsay Smith with Joanne Beattie. September 3 is a party for Judy Bitgood, Gabrielle Jobert, Tessa Grant, Leigh Anne Searle, Christine Geddis and Stuart Bangs. September 4 honors Cheksea Leigh Mercier and Taylor Mayst. September 5 is for my good friends Leda Giatti and Stephanie Knight. And on September 6 Janet Stiller and Arthur Bailow take the cake. Many happy returns.