If you have been here a while, you may remember Marty Nadler, who died in Florida on August 26 at age 80.
Marty was a sitcom screenwriter and stand-up comedian who almost couldn’t help being funny. He and his then-wife Holly both wrote comedy for television and movies, but chose to live on the Vineyard rather than Hollywood for a number of years, especially when raising their son Charlie. Marty wrote for Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley and The Odd Couple. He acted as well, in the movies Pretty Women and Runaway Bride, but mostly he enjoyed amusing us with stand-up. On the Island, Marty served on boards and otherwise worked to help local theatre groups, as well as performing here from time to time. He moved to Florida in 2011.
Holly still lives on the Island and Charlie is now a writer and stand-up comic with his own schtick. Although Marty and Holly were divorced, they remained close and affectionate friends. Holly frequently visited Marty in Florida. Condolences to all.
As the schools’ fall semester begins, many parents have tearfully said farewell to their teenage freshmen offspring who have left to further broaden their knowledge. Penelope Haddad is unpacking in her dorm at Dartmouth, and Eleanor Mone is at Middlebury College. Nova Smith and Zyler Flanders are enrolled at UMass. Isla Solon has flown off to college in Florida and Eirene Eville (aka Pickle) has left for Yale.
Annabelle Brothers, entering her senior year at Yale, was home for a few days after a busy summer working in New Haven. She then finished the long break with a two-week road trip through the national parks in the west.
Annabelle and her friend since kindergarten, Jake Glasgow who is attending Dartmouth, flew to Seattle, met up with another friend, Aurelia Cors from Washington, D.C. They rented a car and, with their tent and camping gear on board, and plenty of oatmeal, coffee, rice, beans and sardines, headed south along the coast-hugging Route 101.
Barely out of Seattle, they were struck by the grandeur of the northwest landscape, including Mount Rainier, then again by the breathtaking beaches of Oregon, and the charm of seeing elk on the town’s main streets. They then hiked the Redwoods National Park, where they saw pelicans and gigantic ancient conifers. Onward to Yosemite for more majesty, more tenting and hiking, uphill, to heights so lofty that Aurelia developed a nosebleed.
Next was a long drive to Zion in Utah where the landscape changed dramatically, the temperatures rose to over 100, but the three didn’t stop hiking and climbing, or dining on sardines. From there they drove to Bryce Canyon and marveled at the hoodoo rock formations. And on to Lake Powell, which was suddenly inundated with people (tourists!) admiring the rocks that look as though they were blown out of spun meringue.
More scenery was appreciated in Antelope Canyon, and finally the Grand Canyon, where they had booked a campsite on the quieter north ridge. Then a flight home from Phoenix. Annabelle says she may visit Acadia National Park in Maine on her next break.
Happy birthday Sept. 8 to George Athearn, and to Heather Goff on Sept. 10. Jack Ryan, Maria McFarland and Ryan Rossi all celebrate on Sept. 11.
This is prime wedding season on the Vineyard. Congratulations and happy anniversary to long-time couples Sharon and Manny Estrella on Sept. 6, to Todd Gill and Dana Hollinshead on Sept. 8, to Julia Stunkel and Glenn Stalgren on Sept. 9, and to Ken Abbott and Jen Rand on Sept. 10.
This article appears in September 4, 2026.