NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

Did I actually send Robyn and Mark off to North Carolina last weekend with the wrong last name? The happy couple who were visiting their good friends, Bill and Deb Little, are Meltons, not Miltons, as I previously reported. Spell check, anyone? Robyn and Mark had a grand week on Island. The Labor Day traffic meant their boat departed at 7:30 p.m., so they had a rest-over stop in Dartmouth. They made it back to North Carolina safely, in record time, and obeying all speed limits. Same time, next year.

I think that Marge and Paul Howes are running an unregistered bed and breakfast, but they claim all their weekly visitors are friends, and who can deny this popular and hospitable couple? Their houseguests this week are college friends, going back over 50 years, from the University of Connecticut. Bob and Peg Bramberg are there. I hear they spent one winter here when we had a lot of snow and very cold temperatures which they obviously brought from Connecticut, where they reside in Simsbury. Carol Davidson left her home in Northford, Conn., to join the group. Marge, Peg and Carol were sorority sisters together, and I sure wish I had been a fly on the wall in that house! When I last spoke with the friends, they were thinking of shopping in Vineyard Haven and Edgartown, and possibly viewing the alpaca farm. Bob and Paul were headed to play disc golf. Presidential candidates, presidents and other elected officers come and go, but this group endures. Once again, same time, next year.

One of the more interesting e-mails I have ever received is the one advertising the raffle for Island Affordable Housing. Empty your penny jars because, until Oct. 11, you may buy one of the only 600 raffle tickets on a Martha’s Vineyard dream house. Call 508-696-6344 for more information.

Speaking of fundraisers, please don’t forget the MSPCA walk for animals at noon on Sunday, Sept. 7. Registration begins at 11 a.m. Refreshments, prizes and canine citizenship testing are all available. Call the shelter, 508-627-8662 for more information. I’ll see you there, I’ll be the one trying to walk three misbehaving canines.

The always interesting Vineyard Haven library evening lecture series continues on Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. with our own Tom Dresser talking about his new book. The book is based on a true on-Island murder over 40 years ago. Mystery on Martha’s Vineyard: Politics, Passion and Scandal promises to be a lively discussion and a fascinating read. All evening lectures are free and open to everyone.

Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Robert Clark, Jr., who died in Florida last week. Young Bobby was a loyal friend to many, close to all his cousins, sister, nephews and nieces. I remember how hard he worked at the Steamship Authority and, later, at Bob’s Pizza, which he ran diligently and well until he decided to relocate to warmer weather. He will be greatly missed by all.

We also send out sympathy to the family and friends of Mary Dias who died at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, peacefully, in the early hours of last Wednesday. Mary had a fabulous sense of humor and a tenacious sense of family. Visiting hours are tonight from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. A Mass of Celebration of her life will be held at St. Augustine’s Church tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Anniversary bouquets go out to Arvi and Pam Bahal on Sept. 9. Ace and Robin Bailey mark their anniversary on Sept. 10.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Leda Giatti and Stephanie Knight today. Tomorrow is shared by Janet Stiller and Arthur Bailow. Sept. 7 belongs to Lynda King. Sept. 8 is for Katie King and Jack Ware. Sept. 9 is a party for James Anthony Schofield, Ted Desrosiers, Joan Didato, Ben Sweet and Bob Klein. And on Sept. 11 Mary Alice Jannace, Julian Hickman, Amanda Klein and Nicholas Bourgoin take the cake. Many happy returns.