NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

The wet-dry vote was certainly a thing of interest and much media attention focused on our little town. Thanks to our town clerk, Marion, and all our counters and participants who worked so diligently last Friday. Our restaurant owners and the small town shops need to lure business here — as you know, they were the reason I supported a change. I wish them all the best and hope for a great season for them.

Hail, hail, the gang’s almost all here. Our neighborhood, which encompasses the famous Lenny’s Loop, welcomed Paul and Marge Howes to their Island abode on Tuesday. We had a reunion with them and Chris Paffendorf last night and discussed the state of just about everything. Somehow, aside from neighborhood doings and local and national politics, we always return to talking about books.

It was Girl Scout Troop 802 that so beautifully provided the donation box at Cumby’s for our troops overseas. If you haven’t contributed yet, please do. There is an interesting assortment there already. Jill purchased toothbrushes and paste with one donor’s financial gift, many people have put in beef jerky, which my son assured me was very much appreciated in Iraq, and I have started putting in some mystery books. Suggestions are on the box.

I received word of a worldwide film fest to promote tolerance, compassion, and a better future for all. Pangea day takes place tomorrow in locations as diverse as Cairo, Kigali, London, Rio and the Capawock on Main street. The free event is scheduled from 2 to 6 p.m. and features films and linkups for performances by Bob Geldof, Dave Stewart, Hypernova, and other great groups. Think globally, act locally. I’ll see you there.

Author and musician Merrily Fenner will entertain our 3 to 5-year-olds at 11 a.m. at the library on Tuesday. On Thursday, May 15, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Melinda from the Farm Institute teaches crafts and tells stories. All other regular library programs are in place.

Barbara Peckham, our tireless League of Women Voters president, invites all to our annual luncheon, a potluck this year on Sunday, May 18 at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown. Barb needs an idea of who is contributing what. Call her at 508-696-4660 or e-mail her at dpeckhams56@comcast.net.

The Martha’s Vineyard Cancer Support Group has scheduled its fourth annual spring benefit event, An Evening Under the Stars, for Thursday, May 15 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Mediterranean, 52 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven. Call Pat Adler at 508-696-5901 for more information.

Anniversary bouquets go out to Tim and Susan Anthony on May 11.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Chris Collins, Whitney Kelly, and Matheus dos Santos today. May 10 is a party for Helen Staruk, Mary Anne D’Alessandro and Tristan Klein. May 12 honors Jyl Manning and P.J. Fleming. May 13 belongs to Terri Hayes. May 14 is shared by Becky Wilson and Emily Tarbegh. And on May 15, Jeff Sylvia takes the cake. Many happy returns.