NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(iklean@yahoo.com)

Guess who washed ashore a week ago Monday? Javier, Julia, Aidan and Olivia Gomez Blanco of New Brunswick, N.J. They are the adored family of Paul and Marge Howes. The group has livened up my ’hood with more activities than I have participated in during all my 35 years on-Island. The children, Aidan and Olivia, have been escorted by their parents and grandparents, as well as Uncle Wes Stokes next door, to fishing, clamming, kayaking, beaching, the Arcade, the Flying Horses, Tuesday night drumming on State Beach with Rick Bausman — that’s available to you, also, every Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to sunset — ice skating with dad at the rink, you name it, they do it. Of special interest was a program they attended at the Edgartown Library on Tuesday presented by the Edgartown Police Department. This was forensics for children, Solving Mysteries. The kids had clues to find, fingerprints to make, bulletproof vests to try on. Everyone wants to be a CSI these days. One of Olivia’s high points of vacation so far was jumping off the deep end of the pier at Owen Little Way, her first time. Of all their exuberant adventures, I like to think they prefer walking my two dogs, Silvio and Lil’Bit, the most. They do it diligently and it is a great help to Missy G. I wish they could stay longer than their departure date next Monday. I guess Paul and Marge will have to take over the dog walking after the kids leave.

Over in Martha Dunham’s ’hood a great yard sale will take place on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 89 Skiff avenue. If the Dunhams are getting rid of stuff, you know it’s quality.

The Art Buchwald Possible Dreams Auction netted over $450,000 for our community. How wonderful, and thanks to all you generous souls.

On August 5 at 7:30 p.m., the Martha’s Vineyard Film Society and the West Tisbury Library present a fabulous program of two acclaimed authors and poets, Fanny Howe and Jorie Graham. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and cupcakes and champagne will be on the menu. This will take place at the Film Society at Tisbury Marketplace, nonmembers are admitted for $15, members get in for $10. If you need more information, call 508-693-3366 or email programs@westtisburylibrary.org. I’ll see you there.

I shall return to the Film Society on Tuesday, August 6, for a documentary presented by the society and the Martha’s Vineyard Museum at 7:30 p.m. This is the acclaimed film produced in 1979 by Katharine Cornell and Nancy Hamilton in honor of Tisbury’s 100th birthday titled This Is Our Island. Admission is $15 for nonmembers but if you belong to the museum or the film society you are allowed in for $12. Nonna and I are definitely interested in this.

Conflicting with the film but endlessly interesting will be Grace Burton-Sundman’s talk at the Vineyard Haven Public Library at 7 p.m. on that same Tuesday. Grace has been living and working in Rwanda, and her talk will be on the new Rwanda. I had this eloquent and socially active young lady in school for many happy days and I think you will be entranced. Admission is free.

The Shaw Cramer Gallery also opens a new show that day with French artist in residence Laurene Krasny Brown. Nancy Shaw Cramer keeps presenting lively and fascinating talent.

I’m sure I don’t need to remind you (but I will) to especially pray for world peace and observe Tuesday, August 6, as an international peace day.

Confidential to Lyn K: my luck ran out. Hal at our library could not extend time on a book for me, I must return it today, unfinished. Visitation Street by Ivy Pochada has 52 people waiting to read it after me! It’s an amazing novel about the Red Hook section of Brooklyn. Dawn Braasch will probably see me scooping it up for purchase at Bunch of Grapes. Anniversary bouquets go out to my son and daughter in law, Chris and Lilly Clark, on August 5. Ken and Mildred Brown celebrate on August 6. My nephew David Gardella and his wife, Liz Figueroa, mark August 8 for years of wedded bliss.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Sam Marlin and Seniel Seward today. August 3 is a party for this reporter, Will Sherman, Tom Colligan Sr., Lucas Brunelle, Greg Cimeno, and Patty and Sharon Roddy. August 4 belongs to Elaine Klein, Barack Obama and Don Mitchell. August 5 shines on Alicia Maciel, Tommer Willems, Susan Klein, Jen Kaufman and Janet Alley. August 6 is claimed by Angelo Stoudemire, Beverley Ann Brush, Virginia Jannace Malara, Ashley Poirier and Janet Sabin. August 7 sees Arlinda Graves, Travis Baptiste, Leslie Hunter, Luisa Tassiana and Sandie Corr-Dolby age gracefully. And on August 8 Milly Berman, Michael Robinson and Danae Finley take the cake. Many happy returns. The Gazette staff wishes a very happy birthday to Nancy Gardella on August 3.