NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(iklean@yahoo.com)

A resident of Skiff avenue sends a great big thank you to Fred LaPiana and his public works crew for doing such a fine job resurfacing the sidewalks and road. The added width, albeit perhaps a bit small for bikes, seems to be working very well. Ah, but with improvements come side effects! It now seems some drivers think the resurfaced road should be the Indy 500 racetrack. Cars, trucks and motorcycles have increased their speed. Motorcycles are the worst, especially in the evenings. Tisbury Police Department take note. This is an excellent way to raise money for the town. Park nearby with your radar guns. But thanks again, Fred, the road and sidewalk work is superb.

There are some events I think you should be alerted to that don’t necessarily take place in our town, but all are welcome to attend. Ginger Duarte reports that the Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living is getting closer to its goal of a permanent home for a supportive day care center for adults. Flatbread Pizza is helping with this. Flatbread often reserves Tuesdays for charitable community fundraisers, a portion of their proceeds is donated. Next Tuesday, July 23, take your family and house guests to Flatbread where you can dine in or out — pizza, salads, the works, plus a silent auction for the MV Center for Living. Call Ginger at 508-693-6570 for information or donations for the silent auction.

And how I miss seeing Catherine Buck! I was thrilled to receive an invitation from her to Union Chapel for tomorrow night at 7 p.m. The Jim Thomas Spirituals Choir will present Songs from the Field: The Mystery of Spirituals. Special guest will be Lavert Stuart. Admission is $15 per ticket, children under 12 are admitted free. I’ll see you there.

Of course, our town does not lack for activity. Our library hosts its monthly mini-book sale tomorrow from 1 to 3 p.m. Pick up some very inexpensive summer reading. On Sunday July 21 the piece de resistance provided by the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library is a talk by prolific and award-winning novelist Ward Just. Ward will read from his forthcoming novel and be available to answer your questions. The program begins at 2 p.m. The event is free and there will be refreshments. Air conditioning? You bet.

I was disappointed to see Frank Hebert’s Mac Store shuttered and empty. Frank was such a great help to my son and me while we navigated the early days of computer skills and purchasing. I called his number in the phone book but it is not in service. Do any of you know how I can reach this good friend?

No one has given me any input, so I shall ask one more time: do any of you know of the family who started the Son Rise program for their child on Island? I had heard the rumor that a family was going to try it, perhaps they never did. But if you know someone who has and can give me information I would be ever so grateful. The Son Rise program is an intensive therapy for children with autism.

Anniversary bouquets go out to Joe and Shirley Sullivan on July 20.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Kenny Hayes today. Tomorrow is shared by Gabriela Silva, Jane Crews and Danielle Jacobs. July 21 is claimed by Brian Hurley. July 22nd is a party for Ed Colligan, Katherine Anderson, Jenny Lehman, Nicole Christopher and Bekki Willems. July 23 shines on Sapna Bahal and Tyler Burt. July 24 is for Librada Lilly-Clark, Judy Gersh Worthington and Millie Gerber Lockington. And on July 25 Larry Conroy and Tom Colligan the Younger take the cake. Many happy returns.