NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(iklean@yahoo.com)

A new star shines over Martha’s Vineyard! Jeremy and Mel Dunham welcomed new baby boy, Alexander Robert West Dunham, last Thursday, Jan. 3 at Brigham and Womens Hospital. Older brother Connor was treated to a week at Grandma Martha Dunham’s on Skiff avenue while his parents traveled off-Island for the birth. Everyone is home now and doing just great. Welcome to the world, Alexander!

Sadly, a great star on-Island has been extinguished. Barbara St. Pierre, my friend, died last Thursday. She was certainly a Jill of all trades: Mom, grandmom, daughter, wife, teacher, business woman . . . you all remember her many accomplishments. She was intelligent and witty. Her love of children was beyond compare, and her memory for all her little students who passed through the famous St. Pierre summer camp was amazing. Her ability to remember everyone’s family details, her sparkling smile, her love of art, music, and sports will never be forgotten. Our condolences to her family and many, many friends.

Some former West Chop friends and neighbors were able to return to visit over the holidays and all were glad to see them. Leigh Smith was especially thrilled at the return of the Allen Greens of Connecticut and the Jay McElroys of Pennsylvania. Of course, the whole group was saddened by the death of Paula Meyers of Los Angeles, who was always a welcome summer friend. Leigh’s daughter Allison is currently still visiting.

The performance we have all been waiting for takes place at 2 p.m. this Sunday, Jan. 13, in the program room at the library. The Peter H. Luce Playreaders, who have been reading plays at the senior center for fifteen years, will present two comedies of manners: Oscar Wilde’s famous The Importance of Being Earnest is on the program, as well as Noel Coward’s Private Lives. Come see your friends and neighbors perform. Eric Turner, Mike Adell, Myra Stark, Rise Terney, Linda Comstock and Ellie Beth will bring these famous readings to life in adaptations by Leslie J. Stark. The performance is free and all are welcome.

The library presents Uma Datta, famous chef and teacher, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 15. No registration is required and the program is free. Uma is famous for her Indian cooking. She will guide you through two delicious recipes, one of which is vegetarian. Learn something new for a winter meal.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Maddox Anne Tenbrook, Tony Nordquist, Brittany Blacker, Judy Thomas, Debbie Morelli, Bob Clark and Sara Rose Kuehne today. Tomorrow belongs to Gay Nelson, Inez Montanile, Matt Howes and Nathalie Penicaud. January 13 is a party for Virginia Grant, Anthony Ferreira Coelho, Yvette Rigaud, Marilyn Manning and Allan Davey. January 14 belongs to Peter Tileston, Anne Williamson, Nora Cowett and Lacey Evelyn Munn. January 15 is, of course, Martin Luther King, Jr.s actual birthday, along with Barbara McCahill. January 16 honors Thaw Malin, Mary Beth Roden, Myra Romain and Joaquim Balbino. And on January 17 Rosemary Gambino takes the cake. Many happy returns.