NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

“Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated,” Mark Twain famously said. And now Gloria Steere can say that, too! May I be condemned to lose my transmission in Five Corners on an August weekend for falsely sending condolences to Glo and her family. When I saw her name and number on my caller ID I wasn’t sure if she were calling from heaven or the Other Place. It was the other place, Oak Bluffs. Please accept my humblest apologies. I am sorry for frightening so many of her friends and family. On the other hand, I hope people sent cards, flowers, and food. There’s nothing like finding out how much you are loved when you are alive. Many happy returns, Gloria!

Congratulations go out to Mary Grassing and her caring staff at Groomingdale’s. Mary attended the New England Pet Grooming Professionals Convention and Trade Show in Warwick, R.I. Mary was presented with the Top Dog Groomer award. The award recognizes a groomer’s excellence in care, kindness, and professionalism. I believe this includes her wonderful staff also, who attended the event: Lyn Hodges, Ellen Blodgett, and Laurie Laveine. My three babies, Haley, Silvio, and Lil’ Bit join in the celebration for their favorite staff and care center.

Our library is screening a new documentary, filmed on Island, on Sunday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. Admission is free and some of our best nonprofits that help with Island hunger issues are sponsoring. It is a Sesame Street production called Growing Hope Against Hunger. I’ll see you there.

On Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m., also in the program room of the library, a documentary Minds on the Edge: Facing Mental Illness will be shown with a long discussion period after. This award winning documentary has been seen on PBS.

It’s not too late to call and get in on the special chocolate festival premier party at Featherstone tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. Tonight’s tickets are $50 per person; if you are a chocolate lover, you won’t be sorry. The party continues on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. each day at a discount. Call 508-693-1850 for more information or visit featherstoneart.org. An RSVP for tonight’s party would be appreciated.

Our town is having a block party tomorrow on Main street. The Louisa Gould Gallery kicks it off from noon until 5 p.m. Rick Bausman will play music from 2 to 5 p.m. The gallery is having a Columbus weekend sale of up to 40 per cent off many items from today through Monday. Louisa is always a great hostess!

While the Edgartown Lighthouse is open for tours this weekend through Monday, it will close on Monday for the season and re-open in June. Bring your guests now!

The Martha’s Vineyard Museum is presenting a graveyard symbolism talk by noted historian Richard Waterhouse at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13 at the museum at 59 School street in Edgartown. This is a great topic with the upcoming Halloween; Richard will focus on Victorian graveyard symbolism. Admission is $8 for members and $12 for nonmembers. Check it out at 508-627-4441, extension 123 Or visit mvmuseum.org. I’ll see you there.

It’s not too soon to alert you to the 21st annual CROP Walk on Sunday, Oct. 16. Walkers and sponsors are welcome. The walkers are asked to report by 1:40 p.m. to St. Augustine’s Church in Vineyard Haven. The group will proceed to Trinity Methodist in the Camp Ground in Oak Bluffs and back again. This is a joint effort of the Island Clergy Association representing over 12 churches, the Island Food Pantry, and the Island Committee on Hunger. Call 508-696-8589 to sign up as a walker or sponsor.

Our deepest sympathy goes out to Betty Gardner on the death of her son, Gardner Baldwin. His many family members and friends will surely feel his loss as I already do when I visit the Bunch of Grapes. He was always kind, compassionate, and most helpful.

Anniversary bouquets go out to Arthur and Priscilla Dickson today. On Monday Chuck Redington and Carolyn Snow Redington celebrate years of wedded bliss.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Kim Samuels today. Oct. 9 is a party for Jesse Evan Klein Jacobs, Donna Rhoades, and Sarah Meyer Von Bremen, known affectionately to the Islanders she grew up with as Sarah LaPiana. Oct. 10 belongs to Rob Laffie. Oct. 11 honors Caitlin Crossland, Kristin Siple, Mardell Francis, and Kenon Veno. Oct. 12 shines on Jaime Conroy, Arvi Bahal, and Sabrina Flipse. And on Oct. 13 John Sylvia, Vania Ruas, and Marcos Arado take the cake. Many happy returns.