NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(iklean@yahoo.com)

Use your brakes! I had heard that a new stop sign was going up on the corner of Main and Woodlawn to give the seniors – and all of us – more time to cross from the Love House and Havenside over to the library, but I didn’t realize how soon. There was an officer with lights flashing, patiently informing all who passed that this was the new rule. The next day the town replaced the officer with a well-marked electronic sign announcing a new stop. Great idea.

Another great idea comes from our library director Amy Ryan who has reinstated winter hours at the library. Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. is the winter schedule. There will also be special programs, as well as usual access and internet. I’ll see you there.

It is a sad time of year to say goodbye to so many of our seasonal stalwarts — you know who you are. Among the many who exited for warmer climes this week were: Wes Stokes, who packed up his fishing poles after a very successful season, and Nonna. Nonna caught a ride with Mareda Gaither-Graves back to my old country. I can’t keep up with a 95 year old. Nonna has already started teaching her Italian lessons to her devoted group in New York.

Speaking of teaching, I delighted in Penny Wong when she was at my son’s day care center. Penny now runs the Grace Church preschool group. Penny invites all to a great festival tomorrow at Grace Church from 9 a.m. to noon. There will be face painting, pony rides, games, a bake sale, and a sale of slightly used treasures, mostly children’s items. All proceeds benefit the program. I’ll see you there.

As you well know, Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard holds an annual Handmade from the Heart gift sale. This year, the sale will be at the Dr. Daniel Fisher House in Edgartown on Dec. 8. But we need to start collecting your fine “hand-crafted by Vineyarders” items now. We are looking for donations of jewelry, needlepoint, embroidery, knit goods, baked goods, paintings, photographs, ornaments . . . you get the picture. All proceeds go to our free on-Island care. Call 508-693-0189 to make your commitment.

When I discussed the cute names of some of our Island businesses in the last column I omitted one that has always fascinated me: Not Your Sugar Mamas, located in the Tisbury Marketplace. Well, you can learn how Bennett and Ky started their business, along with other Island businesses represented, at a seminar at the Harbor View Hotel on Tuesday, Oct. 23. The program begins at 6 p.m. and runs until 7:30 p.m. Light fare will be served. Seating is limited, so please register by Monday, Oct. 22 either online at mvwomensnetwork.org or by dropping off a check at Point B Realty in Edgartown. Admission is $15 for members, $25 for nonmembers and walk-ins. The Women’s Network presents so many interesting seminars and they’re not limited to ladies only.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Maggie Greely and Ben Cotton today. Oct. 21 is shared by Robin Bailey and Isabella Bennett. Oct. 23 belongs to Martha Abigail Kent Holmes and Scott Moorefield. Oct. 24 is a party for Steve Lampart, Kim Glodis and Silvio and Lil’ Bit Gardella. And on Oct. 25 Dolly Campbell, Tom Snow and Sean DeBettencourt take the cake. Many happy returns.