NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

I admit I’m powerless against technology. Special thanks to Jill LaPiana at Cumberland Farms who was so patient in helping me set up the temporary cell phone I had to purchase there. My regular one, which I’m still learning to use, is not operative. Jill took time from a busy day and led me through all the steps. The Cumby’s gang is like family: coffee and newspaper in the morning, hello to all your friends, great music, what more could we want?

Good news and bad news, the bad first. Because of last Saturday’s snowstorm, Louisa Gould had to cancel the annual holiday party at her gallery. The good news is it is re-scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday Dec. 27 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the gallery on Main street. This is a chance to see your friends and view the new exhibit, running until Dec. 31. This is also Louisa’s annual winter sale on great art. Among those showing their new works are Louisa, John Holladay, Janet Messineo, and Donna Blackburn. Don’t miss it.

The Vineyard Haven Public Library offers a free holiday movie, with popcorn, this Sunday, Dec. 28 at 2 p.m. All are invited. Don’t forget, for the winter months our library is open noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Amnesty for fines on library materials continues through the end of this month.

Gracie Burton-Sundman was in a frightening winter car accident on her way back to college. She is doing much better. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

My great, good friend, Gloria Von Mehren, died at home last Friday morning. Gloria was a hard worker, mother of four grown children, grandmother to many, and adopted Island mother to me. I could tell her jokes her youngest daughter found unseemly, and Glo loved it. I could sit and watch Catholic Mass with her every day at noon if that’s when I showed up, always thinking of my mother at home in New York also catching Mass at that time. It’s going to be a very different Island without her. Our condolences to her large family and many friends.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Rene Moncada and Austen Ostrowski on Dec. 27. Dec. 28 is shared by Fred Shapiro, Pia DiTerlizzi, and Carol Slocum. Dec. 29 is claimed by Len Morris. Dec. 30 honors Dane Bliss and Claire O’Leary. Dec. 31 is for Gracie Carlson. And on New Year’s Day, Liz Duff and Kylie Willoughby take the cake. Many happy returns.