NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

Kids on the corners — how fast this summer flew by, and now they’re lining up for the buses. We wish all students the best for the coming school year. Keep an eye out on the roads, especially in the mornings and at dismissal time.

Lisa Quartiroli and Lou Jannace said goodbye to five friends last week and welcomed five more the same day. By the way, I caught a lot of flack from my mistake in referring to these two scintillating cousins as “Lou and Lisa Jannace” in last week’s column. How could I, devoted feminist of the second wave, have made such a mistake? Don’t tell my sisters in the movement.

Anyway, the five friends who assembled at Lou and Lisa’s home last Friday were Marianne Herzog of Foxborough, Michael Shugart and John Perez of Sacramento, Calif., and Lisa’s sister, Angela Quartiroli and her daughter, Alicia Koontz, of Albany, Calif.

It was the very first Island visit for Angela, Alicia, and John. Alicia is a student of nutrition at San Jose State University in California. Michael runs a very successful catering business. The two worked on a wonderful dinner for all which Iole and I enjoyed there last Sunday night. The group went beaching, kayaking, shopping and sightseeing. They certainly had great weather. Same time, next year.

Where would we be without friends? The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library fund, promote, and support so many fine programs. Our annual meeting will be held on Sept. 24. New members are always welcome. In any case, the tribute to Art Buchwald and William Stryon was a great success. More than 200 people showed up for the program at our library.

In other library event news, the 10th annual 5K Run and Walk will be held this Sunday, Sept. 9 at 10 a.m. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The Friends have included a half-mile fun run for kids 13 and younger that commences at 9:45 a.m.

A lot of running around is going on. That same day, those of you who wish to support the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals may join us for a walk beginning at the Edgartown school at 10:30 a.m. Registration and information about the other fun events for the day may be had by calling 508-627-8662.

Even more exercise is available at the George V. Tankard Jr. memorial 5K Road Race and one-mile fun run on Saturday, Sept. 15. Call Carrie Tankard for details at 508-693-2797.

Our condolences go out to Christine Geddis-Coleman and her family on the death of Derreck. Derreck leaves many, many good friends and people who loved him.

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

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Lynda King today. Tomorrow is shared by Jack Ware and Kate King. Sept. 9 is a party for James Schofield, Ted Desrosiers, Joan Didato, Ben Sweet and Bob Klein. Sept. 11 belongs to Mary Alice Jannace, Julian Hickman, Amanda Klein, and Nicholas Bourgoin. Sept. 12 honors Ellie Everdell and Becky Masi. And on Sept. 13 John McCarthy, Clara Rabbitt, Tootie Strople, Toby Wilson, Danielle Truscott Kaufman and Naromar DePaula take the cake. Many happy returns.