NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(iklean@yahoo.com)

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Bruno’s, Bruno’s, Brunos! We waited with much fear and anticipation Labor Day to see if trash and recycles would be picked up. Oh, no one in my ‘hood is messy or generates much trash and recyclables, it was just all those pesky summer guests we have and the parties for the last hurrah of summer. Tired as they must have been, the Bruno’s staff did an excellent job picking up both recyclables and trash on what should have been a holiday for all. I was skeptical of our town’s privatization of the trash pick-up when it was first discussed but now I’m a dedicated believer. Not so with the roundabout issue!

Cousins Lou Jannace and Lisa Quartiroli are here from their California abode. They have had a solid week of entertaining left coast friends, and this week my relatives get their turn. My mother’s brother, my uncle Manlio, arrived yesterday from Farmington, Conn., with his wife, my aunt Joan. Cousins Henry and Elaine Traverso also made the big trip from Connecticut. Maryanne arrived from Boston, and she is family by adoption. Perhaps it has been a year since Nonna saw her brother. We all met at La Cave last evening for an excellent dinner and lots of family fun. When last seen, the men were off to play golf at Mink Meadows today.

The biggest best wishes and graduation congratulations go out to Vanessa Williams, daughter of our stalwart citizens Woody and Phyllis Williams. Vanessa has lived in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., these past years, enrolled at Pace University Law School which is now on the grounds of my old high school. Vanessa has just been admitted to practice law in the second department of the appellate division of the state of New York. The ceremony was on August 28 at the Appellate Court House in Brooklyn. Vanessa is a 2002 graduate of Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. She works as an associate at Cabanella’s and Associates, PC, representing immigrant homeowners facing foreclosure. Woody and Phyllis attended the ceremony and spent a great day in the world’s fourth largest city, Brooklyn.

Not too late to register for the 5K Run/Walk for our library on Sept. 15. The race is open to kids and grown-ups. Remember, if you preregister you are eligible for a T-shirt. Register online or stop by the library.

The library continues with its Art in the Stacks show. Longtime Island resident Christopher Wright has put up his new photographs. The show begins Sept. 9 and runs through Oct. 4. Christopher considers himself a “hybrid” photographer. He incorporates his work as an artist of many years working in charcoal drawing, oils and other mediums. The show will be available for your viewing during regular library hours. I’ll see you there.

Sally Bennett Segall’s new book Immigrant: A Memoir Across the Atlantic tells the intriguing story of post-World War I Europe, love affairs, spies, World War II and Sally’s adventures growing up in Europe during those times. It finishes up with her arrival in the New World. You are all invited to the program room at the library on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. to hear her story. This is a free program. I’ll see you there.

Anniversary bouquets go out to Arvi and Pam Bahal on Sept. 9. Sept. 10th marks many years of wedded bliss for Bruce (Ace) Bailey and Robin Bailey.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Arthur Bailow and Janet Stiller today. Sept. 7 honors Lynda King and Christopher R. Chambers Jr. Sept. 8 is claimed by Kate King. Sept. 9 is a party for Bob Klein, Ben Sweet, James Anthony Schofield, Ted Desrosiers and Joan Didato. Sept. 11 is for Mary Alice Jannace, Julian Hickman, Amanda Klein and Nicholas Bourgoin. And on Sept. 12 Roberto Salavarria, Lauri McNamara, Becky Masi and Dylan Dyke take the cake. Many happy returns.