NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

Has anyone seen my Lil’ Bit? Bitsy went missing from my neighbor’s fenced in yard on Leonard Circle when I was visiting on Wednesday about 5 p.m. She is a four-year-old Lhasa apso, charcoal grey with a crooked shawl of white fur near her shoulders. She was wearing a purple collar with a Town of Tisbury dog license. As I drove the neighborhood searching for her, some dog walkers I didn’t recognize said a person had leashed her and was going to turn her into the police department. I didn’t think to get the names of these dog walkers or a description of who scooped her up, male or female. I rushed to the police but it was 6 p.m. and they were closed. I waited for a while, then went up to the pound and left a note as they were also closed at that time. I have put in all the calls to all the authorities and our wonderful animal control officer, Laurie Clements. You can imagine what kind of sick and sleepless nights I have spent. As of this writing, no word. Please, if you know anything about Lil’ Bit, call me right away, anytime. Thank you.

As you know, the street fair was postponed Wednesday night, and as I write for my deadline, the weather doesn’t look promising for its re-scheduling Thursday. Hoping for the best, many of my friends with their many grandchildren visiting make this an annual must-attend. Who has seen such weather in July? Never did I think I would be wearing a jacket most of the day in July on Martha’s Vineyard.

Thank you, those many who stopped me to admire my quote in last Monday’s New York Times regarding the Obamas upcoming visit in August. Only, of course, it wasn’t me. I want to start a contest, Name That Director of the Chamber of Commerce. I know she feels that is her name and her right to it, but, now sounding like an Islander — “My family’s been here for ten generations” — I must say I have been here 31 years and the other Nancy Gardella for only three, maybe going on four. Help suggest a suitable pseudonym!

The Zambia Is Us concert is scheduled for Thursday, July 16 at 8 p.m. at Union Chapel. Tickets will be sold at the door, or you may pick them up at Aboveground Records, Alley’s or Island Entertainment. A preview and silent auction begins at 7 p.m.

Our library is bopping! Author Kate Feiffer will entertain and sign books for purchase for children aged four and up on Thursday, July 16, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Meanwhile, the library will screen for free a classic 1935 Oscar nominee film based on a famous Charles Dickens’ novel about the French Revolution. Cone on, who can’t guess? See that at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14. The librarians want to remind you that reservations are full for the free David McCullough lecture at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 12. If you have a ticket and cannot attend, please turn yours in so someone else can enjoy it. Remember to show up early as parking around the library is limited.

And finally, one of the joys presented by our new director, Amy Ryan, is the monthly (third Saturday each month) mini-book sale from 1 to 3 p.m. The next is due July 18. These sales will run through September. I brought some very good books over. Check out my reading list.

Always interesting, Louisa Gould presents Islander Brooke Olsen’s scrimshaw demonstration and exhibit with an opening reception tonight from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at her gallery on Main street.

The Shaw Cramer Gallery is also holding an interesting reception tonight from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., titled Artists in the Kitchen and featuring a new book.

John Wightman presents his annual Island Images show at the Chilmark branch of the Martha’s Vineyard Bank. There are new photos, incorporated with wampum, beads, fishing flies, sea glass — a wondrous display. The reception is tomorrow, July 11, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Denys Wortman is holding a fundraiser for the restoration of the 1887 Tashmoo Spring building at his home on Thursday, July 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The theme is Tastes of Tashmoo and the fine selection will be from Island farmers, restaurateurs, caterers, wine shops, breweries and Island waters. Call 508-939-0338 or 508-696-9039 for more information. If you cannot attend and would like to send a donation to restore this beautiful building, send your check to TSBC, Box 1239, Vineyard Haven.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Billy Rohr, Orla O’Connor, Russell Burrows and Ketlyn Carolyn Alves today. Tomorrow belongs to Mary Fuller, Dennis White, Alden Besse and Denny Freitas. July 12 is shared by Marfi Gagnon and Veraniece Martins. July 13 honors Nancy McPartlin Gardella (no, it’s not me or C of C Nancy Gardella), Thomasina Petrone, Jaron Schilling, Sally Dunkley, Nevenka Daniels and Talula Goldberry Martin. July 14 is for Alanna Majors and Bob Wheeler. July 15 is claimed by Laurel Redington-Whitaker, Pam Allet and Courtenay Stanley. And on July 16 Shawna Medeiros, Dan Manning, Joey Hamel, John Schilling and Karen English take the cake. Many happy returns.