NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(iklean@yahoo.com)

If you are an artist — and what Islander isn’t — you will want to contact Amy Ryan at our library as soon as possible. Beginning Tuesday, June 4, is the annual Island artists show sponsored by the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library. The opening reception is Tuesday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. You are all invited. Call 508-696-4211, extension 11 if you have something to submit. In other library news, if you are reading this early today, make haste to the library by 2 p.m. for Susan Grunthal’s excellent talk about everything opera. Rossini is the featured composer today. And while the West Tisbury library continues to prepare for its new digs, remember next Thursday, June 6, West Tisbury presents its story time for young’uns at our facility at 10:30 a.m. Everyone is invited.

Betty Burmeister, the peripatetic director of Windemere’s culture programs, announces tonight’s annual Windemere auction at the Ag Hall from 6 to 8 p.m. Light fare and wine will be served. Among this year’s stellar offerings are photos by Alison Shaw, paintings by Ray Ellis, handmade furniture and shawls, jewelry, and a bi-plane ride out of Katama airport. Come meet your friends and neighbors. All proceeds fund Windemere’s programs — yoga, exercise, concerts, and resident outings.

Continuing with our penchant for culture cram, Beth Vages of the Martha’s Vineyard School of Ballet presents our children’s version of Alice in Wonderland at the Performing Arts Center at the high school this Sunday at 2 p.m. All the dancers are our own Island talents. The colorful costumes are beyond compare. You’re never too young or old to enjoy ballet. Tickets are $10 at the door.

To me, the English major, the jewel in the crown of our Island’s annual cultural events is the fantastic program by John Crelan — Bloomsday. John is the founder of the non-profit Arts and Society, which presents the 35th annual celebration of the works of James Joyce. Of course this will occur on June 16, Bloomsday worldwide, and be held at the Katharine Cornell Theatre at 8 p.m. All tickets are $15 and may be purchased at the door. The celebration of music, drama and dance is under the musical direction of Phil Dietterich at the piano. Here is a partial list of some of your friends and neighbors who will be exhibiting their talented selves: Gerry Yukevich performing “Araby” from Dubliners, Nathaniel Horwitz playing classical harp, and Jan Hyer, Don Groover, George Ricci, Robert Doss, Buck Reidy, Claire Baione, Joyce Maxner, Anna Yukevitch, Katrina Nevin and Martha Hudson, plus more of the talented people that make this Island so great. I’ll see you there.

A word about my idol, Gerry Yukevitch. I have been to his performances, his book signing, watched him participate as a devoted parent at Tisbury School and its various functions, enjoyed his talented daughter in both Tisbury School and at the high school. I try to be at Bloomsday every year. I could not make it about four years ago when I had a painful but not life-threatening condition. I went to see him at the clinic the next day. He treated me with great care and knowledge. When I mentioned how sad I was to have missed Bloomsday the night before, he actually stood there and performed one of his Joyce pieces from the program, flawlessly! What a man! Don’t tell the insurance companies he spent extra quality time with a patient.

Get well bouquets go out to Betty Burton. And make it quick, Betty, because we can’t do without you.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Tamma Cimeno today. June 2 is a party for Rob Hale, Louisa Leuning, Anna Nivala, and Al Koster — Semper Fi, Al! June 3 belongs to Chaya Rubenstein, Javier de Costa, Sarah Lolley, Arthur Battistini, Justin Smith, Bill Blakesley and the ever-elegant Myra Stark. June 4 shines on Ben Crisman, Peggy Tileston, Josh Kochin and Arthur Lenna. June 5 is shared by Mat Hebert and Margie Meltzer. And on June 6, Denise Searle and Hildy Mitchell take the cake. Many happy returns.