NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

Who doesn’t love daffodils? Now is the time. The annual delivery of daffodils and fundraiser for the American Cancer Society will be on Island next week. Volunteers will deliver the presales on Tuesday. The rest of us may pick up beautiful bouquets on Wednesday, March 16 at 10 a.m. at Cronig’s Market in Vineyard Haven or at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital cafeteria, until all bouquets are sold out. I expect every home and office will be blooming by Thursday.

I had some very good fortune last week to run into three new businesses on Island. Well, actually, they were new to me but I’m sure many of you have known about them. Vineyard Pizza has been operating in Edgartown. You know I go to New York more frequently than I get to Edgartown. But much to my delight I found out Vineyard Pizza has opened a branch right here on Beach Road in the Century 21 building. As of last Wednesday the sign was not up, but it has been delivered and I expect it is there by now. I ordered a tuna wrap and a Greek salad to die for. I’ll see you there.

I hate computers. Unfortunately, we are so dependent on them. Mine sent in its resignation two weeks ago. I have been torturing the neighbors by showing up to use theirs and making good use of the library’s facilities. Of course, I do most of my work in the late hours of night or the wee hours of the morning. My neighbor introduced me to MVTech, now ensconced in the right office of the SBS building. Oh, those technicians saved my life! They also called me to report, step by step, on what they were doing, rather like I had a child in ICU. Well, it was close to that situation, especially for a girl who still writes most things out in longhand on a legal pad. Thank you, I can now write my column at 3 a.m. And send my mother’s ShopRite order to New York at midnight if I so desire.

My wonderful dentist of many years was off Island when I had a bit of an emergency last Friday. I called several dentists I have heard of for ages; no one could take me. On my way to pick up my rebuilt computer at MVTech I passed Paradise Dental in the Pine Villages complex. I pulled in. I can’t thank enough the fabulous technician Amy for her quick and professional help. So now both the computer and the tooth are fixed; what a great week that was for me!

Tonight at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum at 5:30 p.m. Dr. Jacqueline Atkins, curator of the Allentown Art Museum in Pennsylvania, will speak on samplers and needlework. This is one of my favorite topics. Until the mid-19th century most education, especially for girls, was taught and exhibited through this medium. Admission for this lecture is $8 for museum members and $12 for nonmembers. A reception will follow.

Also tonight from 7 to 8:30 p.m., our Good Shepherd Parish is holding a free retreat open to all Island families and for people of all persuasions. The focus is forgiveness, and who among us doesn’t need a better handle on that? Father John Phalen of the Holy Cross Family Ministries will be speaking, along with mission director Beth Mahoney. There will be film screenings, presentations, fellowship and reflection. The mission continues on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join us at the Good Shepherd Parish Center at 55 School street in Oak Bluffs.

Pyewacket’s will open on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. for refreshments, fun, games and a community get together. I’ll see you there.

Art in the Stacks continues at our library with the photos and collages of artists Marshall Pratt and Inas Al-soqi. Check it out and see what these inventive kids have been up to.

Our library presents a film in Mandarin with English subtitles, Road Home, on Tuesday, March 15 at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 16 at 5:30 p.m. is the time for Chinese cooking lessons at the library with Gloria Wong and friends. The cooking presentations are so popular sign-up is recommended, either by calling the library, stopping at the desk or visiting vhlibrary.com. On Thursday night, also at the program room, the Great Decisions Discussion Group continues with a lecture to explore how international sanctions are working, especially in light of nuclear proliferation and some of our problem countries. They know who they are.

The children’s programs at the library continue with their usual schedule. A special treat is in store for ages five and up at the weekly crafts and story hour on Thursday, March 17 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Felted Hat Puppet Theatre will present an Irish Tale. This special program will be followed by St. Patrick’s Day crafts. Who isn’t Irish on St. Patrick’s Day?

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

The birthday bandwagon pulls along James Taylor and Kane Araujo tomorrow. March 13 is shared by Mary Anne Donnelly and Jeff Corr. March 14 is a party for Keena Stuart, Todd Araujo, Johnny Seaview, aka Oliver Perry, and triplets Alex, Nicki and Duncan Schilcher. March 15 honors Tami Conroy Hersh, Allie Weisman and Jib Ellis. March 16 is for Sarah MacDonald, Kyle Carter and Brianna DeOliveira. And on St. Patrick’s Day, Manlio Jannace, Marc Natichioni, Julio Silva and Sandra Kingston take the cake. Many happy returns.