NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

Lion Gardella Clark was born March 1, 1991 and died on Sept. 11, 2008. Lion was an orange domestic short-hair feline. He spent his whole life at 7 Clark avenue, Vineyard Haven. He came to us with his sister, Tiger, who pre-deceased him 10 years ago. Lion was sweet, loving, kind and a friend to all. He first made do with his sibling dogs, Susie and Haley. When Susie died, he reluctantly accepted dogs Silvio and Lil’ Bit into his life. Chris Clark chose Lion, the runt of the litter, and sister Tiger when Chris was five years old. The Vineyard Veterinary Clinic and all the wonderful staff there served Lion well his whole life. Neighbors, friends and relatives will miss him greatly. So long Lion, King of the Jungle, King of the Yard, King of My Heart.

Neighbor Chris Paffendorf had an unexpected, but not unannounced, visitor last week. Chris returned to her home to hear her kitty growling in a doglike manner in the bathroom. Crouched behind the toilet was a cute little raccoon! Chris had left her bulkhead doors open to air the basement and, obviously, the creature was looking for winter lodging. Clever as these varmints are, the raccoon opened the screen with his dexterous paws and escaped through the window. All creatures great and small.

In other neighborhood news, my friend Gail is holding the yard sale to end all yard sales tomorrow, Saturday Sept. 20, and Sunday, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. Everything, including the kitchen sink, must go! Yes, Gail has a beautiful stainless steel kitchen sink, with all the fittings, as well as two ladies’ bikes, laces, tablecloths, drapes, a sofa and much more. Gail is the lace lady at the flea market in summer, so you know she’s been hoarding great treasures: 614 Franklin street. I’ll see you there.

Woody and Phyllis Williams celebrated their 25 wedding anniversary last Thursday, Sept. 11, by visiting the Newport, R.I., Navy base for three days. They were happy and proud to be amongst all the military personnel so honorably serving our country. On one of their forays into town they spotted an Island couple who were there for the Newport Boat Show. The Williams’ took them back to the base for a complete guided tour. They especially enjoyed seeing two Navy aircraft carriers. May Woody and Phyllis have many, many more years of wedded bliss.

Bruce and Dolly Campbell were thrilled to have son Seth and his wife, Jacqui, for a long visit. The couple arrived on August 27 from their home in Wellington, New Zealand. Seth and Jacqui were busy catching up with family and friends. They enjoyed many Island pursuits. Jacqui, who was a popular stylist at in-di-vi-du-al years back, gave Dolly a fabulous haircut. The best news of all: Jacqui is five and a half months pregnant and looks terrific! I guess the Campbells will be lining up a trip to New Zealand soon to see their very welcome grandchild.

Important events abound this weekend and next week. First of all, don’t forget the thank-you potluck party for state representative Eric Turkington, who has served us so well for so many years. The party is Sunday, Sept. 21 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Ag Hall in West Tisbury. I am sad that Eric is retiring, grateful for his service, happy for his new ventures in life, and I fully expect to continue to see him at the annual Robbie Burns Scottish Society dinner.

You know how important our hazardous waste collections are. We need a greeter at tomorrow’s collection from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Edgartown transfer station on the West Tisbury road. Hats off to Patty Blakesley who performed this service so well for so many years! Call 693-7741 if you can help out.

If you gave me news I haven’t printed this week, don’t despair, it’s coming up in future columns. I was so sad about my Lion last week I did not turn a column in. Please bear with me.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Lauren Barlosky and Joan Glodis today. Tomorrow is claimed by Pete Sawyer. Sunday is shared by Amanda Schwab and Terry Gramkowski. Sept. 22 belongs to Tawnya MacLeod, Nate Thayer and Michael Levandowski. September 23 honors Karen Mercier. Sept. 24 is for Judy Federowicz. And on Sept. 25 twins Pedro Cavarlho and Penha Prata, Daniel Gardella, Bunny Ravitch Schwentker, Lindsey Gonsalves, Chris Chappell and John James Chadwick take the cake. Many happy returns.