NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

Remember to stop by our Avenue of Flags at the Oak Grove cemetery on Friday to see the beautiful display to honor all our veterans. Join us to remove the flags at 3 p.m.

In other Island news: the roundabout? Fuggedaboutit.

Angela (Piper) Murphy had two excellent parties two Sundays in a row and I was honored to be invited to both. The first was on Oct. 30 and the theme was Halloween. The house was well-decorated and the basement was set up as a haunted house. Cheyenne Cormier was a most adept master of ceremonies, leading us on this scary route through the basement. Drew Kelly was there to help. His and Piper’s sons, Mercer and Hollis, had invited about 20 kids, many from the hood, others from school. Renae Brown came as a fortune-teller and was very believable predicting our futures. Joe Cormier made one appearance as a gorilla, had a costume change and then became Frankenstein. Piper’s daughter, Mary Afton, so loved having all the kids there. And whenever we need a break at Piper’s house, we go out and jump on the trampoline.

The very next Sunday, on Nov. 6, the usual suspects were invited for Mary Afton’s fifth birthday party. Lots of fun, food, presents, and trampoline practice. Same time, next year.

We had a great many washashores from Connecticut last week who had lost power during the recent storm. They returned to the summer homes they had parted with for the year because they could at least get heat and electricity here on Island. Fortunately, most of them had not yet had their Island homes drained for the winter!

There’s two great events happening Sunday, perhaps you can attend them both. The West Tisbury Library will hold its annual community poetry reading at 4 p.m. Don’t be shy, bring your work or read one of your favorites by another author. Speaking order is determined by lottery draw. At 2 p.m. at our Vineyard Haven library, director Leslie J. Stark presents “All in the Timing,” short plays by David Ives. This is a critically acclaimed collection of comedies combining wit, intellect, and satire. It is free to all and sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Our local library also continues its lecture series with the Challenge of Afghanistan with Asian scholar James H.K. Norton on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in the program room.

If you knew and loved Kevin Johnson — as I did, having the pleasure of substitute teaching for him on occasion — you will want to sign up for his annual 5K for KR race on Nov. 26. The race kicks off at 10 a.m. at the regional high school. You may register in the cafeteria from 8 to 9:30 a.m. The proceeds benefit the Cross-Country Scholarship Fund. For more information, e-mail Johnson.kevin431@gmail.com.

Our Martha’s Vineyard Women’s Network has a program on Tuesday, Nov. 15 in the Baylies Room of the Old Whaling Church from noon to 1:30 p.m. A light lunch will be served. Registration opens at 11:30 a.m. Famed CFO Joan Chaput will speak on how to grow your business. If you register by Friday you get a discount, but walk-ins are welcome on Tuesday. Either drop off your check at Ameriprise Financial in Edgartown by 4 p.m. on Friday or contact marthasvineyardwomensnetwork.org.

Time is running out to book five healthy detox days with our own Dr. Roni DeLuz in gorgeous Sedona. Call 888-901-3339 or e-mail celebritydetox@mvholisticretreat.com.

Ann Smith at Featherstone reminds us Friday is the last day to let her know if you can participate in the annual Featherstone holiday gift show. Call her at 508-693-1850 or check in at ann@featherstoneart.org.

Our monthly American Legion Auxiliary meeting will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. at Post 257. Don’t miss it. On Saturday, Nov. 19 we hold our annual bazaar at the hall from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can get a great head start on holiday shopping, eat fine food and see all your friends.

Anniversary bouquets go out to Rene and Joanne Moncada on Nov. 14.

Belated birthday wishes are sent to Liza Buckley at Cumby’s for Nov. 6 and Mary Afton for Nov. 7. The birthday bandwagon pulls along Willa Shalit, Lizanne Donegan and Victoria Hehre on Friday. Saturday is a party for Isaque Silva, David Willoughby, Matt Brown and Tim Sylvia. Nov. 13 honors Lisa Quartiroli, Rosemary Jackson and Lillian Beal. Nov. 14 belongs to John Gardella, Alfred Francis and Ellison Brasil. Nov. 15 is for Swaran Bahal. Nov. 16 shines on JackLynn Pinkerton Parker, Sarah Benson and Jo-Ann Walker. And on Nov. 17 Dori Clark and Tessa Rose Whitaker take the cake. Many happy returns.