NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(iklean@yahoo.com)

Well, here’s a party we are all invited to which seems to occur only every four years and I think we need to change that. Martha’s Vineyard Cancer Support Group is holding its fourth potluck supper on Sunday, March 10 at the P.A. Club in Oak Bluffs. This very active group has provided assistance, both emotional and financial, to more than 400 Island cancer patients and their families. Weekly support meetings are held every Wednesday at noon at the Hebrew Center. What a celebration this dinner will be! Any questions? Call Leslie J. Stark at 646-242-6744 or Jane Carroll at 508-696-9849 or 617-967-2460. I’ll see you there.

I always loved the food, the ambiance, the décor and the staff at Zephrus. I think Susie and Sherm did a great job making Islanders and guests feel welcome all year round. I am very excited to hear that Copper Wok is now taking over the Zephrus spot. The specialty will be Asian food (one of my favorites), and let’s face it, we don’t get enough of that on-Island. I also hear that the dedicated Zephrus staff are welcome to join the new project. They are so much fun, I am glad for that. That’s another place I’ll be seeing you.

Can you guess the movie? On Tuesday, March 12 at 7 p.m. at our library you are all welcome to a showing of Ben Affleck’s award-winning film of a true secret event that was classified for 17 years. The film is rated R. I think Betty had better prepare a lot of popcorn for this one.

It might seem early to say this, but our third Great Decisions discussion group comes up at the library in April and you need to register now for this popular series. You may do so online at vhlibrary.org or by calling 508-696-4211. Check the front desk for provided materials.

Tell me a story. Who does that better than Susan Klein? I hope you are free to attend the incomparable storyteller’’s show at 7 p.m. tonight at Grace Church. This is appropriate for ages 12 and up, and the suggested donation is $15. I shall never forget camping in Tennessee years ago and finding out that Susan was part of a storytellers’ festival at the Camp Ground. That woman gets around.

If you feel like crossing borders and you love poetry like I do, take your passport and spin up to the Chilmark Tavern from 7 to 9 p.m. The Poets’ Collective, consisting of Jill Jupen, Tom Durawa, Madeline Fisher, Andrea Quigley, Ellie Bates, Annette Sandrock and Edgartown’s poet laureate, Steve Ewing, will lead us in their favorite works and ours. Yes, we are invited to bring our favorite poems. Refreshments, of course, are served. I’ll see you there.

A great friend, father, husband, grandfather and lawyer has died. Jim Gillis, such a fixture on the Island for so many years, has left us. But I know we all have great memories of him. No one could tell a joke as well as Jim did. Our condolences to his large family and many friends.

Get-well wishes go out to Bill Stokes in Connecticut, who is doing great post-surgery, so I hear.

Anniversary bouquets go out to Dana and Deanna Bangs on March 12.

I have no one on the birthday bandwagon today, March 8. Better call me with some March 8 birthdays. On March 9, Bill Stokes, Ashley Shine, Naomi Paulson and my buddy Romana party hearty. On March 12, Kane Joseph Araujo and James Taylor claim the day. March 13 belongs to Mary Ann Donnelly and Jeff Corr. And on March 14, Keena Stuart, Robbie Manning, Bonnie Massaro, Todd Araujo and Alex, Duncan and Nick Schilcher take the cake. Many happy returns.