NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

I am writing from my Old Country. I returned Nonna last Thursday so she could prepare for her Italian classes which begin next week. Iole really enjoyed spending her summer on the Vineyard, visiting numerous art openings, and seeing all her Island friends. We brought her three granddogs with us as they, like their mother, hadn’t been off-Island all summer. The weather has been beautiful here, they are enjoying their many walks.

No sooner did we arrive than Mark Zajackowski, an old friend from Chicago who is likely to run into us either on-Island or in White Plains, flew into Westchester airport and spent four days visiting. Mark spent a wonderful day in Brooklyn seeing his niece Angela, dining out, and meeting her many New York friends. He spent many hours re-acquainting my mom with the intricacies of her computer. Mark, a retired doctor, has not let being retired slow him down. He is avidly studying Spanish to help with his annual humanitarian trips to Cuba. We all attended Spanish Mass together at St. Bernard’s last Sunday. On Monday night we returned to Via Appia, the Italian restaurant in Silver Lake that was the scene of Iole’s 90th birthday party this past May. Mark had missed the party as he was in Cuba at the time. My brother Jim and sister in law Pat treated us to a fine dinner. As usual, lots of laughs. By the time you read this I shall be back on-Island preparing for my school year. Didn’t that summer go fast?

The report from Iraq is that my son, Chris Clark, has settled into his work routine. During George Bush’s visit, Chris was assigned to guard the chairman and the chief of staff. Chris’s wife Lilly and sons Corbyn and Dominic have relocated from Camp Pendleton to Lilly’s parents’ home in Rockford, Ill. Three-year-old Corbyn is getting plenty of attention from Grandpa Ray and Grandma Pat. He loves the fact that they have a dog, Chinook. Eight-month-old Dominic is crawling and pulling himself up on furniture. Sounds like a visit is in my near future.

Our Vineyard Haven library is so jumping, most of this week’s news is from there. I remind you that the annual meeting of the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library will be held Monday, Sept. 24 at 1 p.m. in the program room. It’s time for old members to renew their membership and new ones to sign on. All are welcome. The Friends’ first program will be held on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 3 p.m. We have the pleasure of having noted photographer Alan Brigish speak on The People of India. Also, you might have noticed that all last year’s exhibits were mounted by non-profit organizations. Monthly exhibit space is available by getting in touch with Elaine Bart at 508-696-0436 or Elaine Eugster at 508-693-7614. Do your creative best and surprise us!

Mary Holmes really has the young adult section up and running. Join our young adult writing group tomorrow from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Explore the possibility of publishing. Write a poem, an article, a play, a letter, a rant. Wish I was eligible for this age group.

In final library news for this week, the evening lecture series begins its fall program on Thursday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. with In Our Own Voice. The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation’s leading grassroots advocacy organization dedicated solely to improving the quality of life for individuals with severe mental illness. Several people will be available to speak on the topic. Call Betty Burton if you have any questions at 508-696-4211, extension 116.

Get-well wishes go out to Pinha Prata.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Terry Gramkowski and Amanda Schwab today. Tomorrow is shared by Tawnya MacLeod, Nate Thayer and Michael Levandowski. Sept. 23 is claimed by Karen Mercier. Sept. 24 belongs to Judy Federowicz. Sept. 25 is a party for Daniel Gardella, Pedro and Pinha Prata, Bunny Schwentker, Lindsey Gonsalves, Chris Chappell and John James Chadwick. Sept. 26 is for Calla Gillies. And on Sept. 27 Jason Lew takes the cake. Many happy returns.