NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(iklean@yahoo.com)

If you like to play golf and you were very lucky, you had a chance to play with Hazel Nelson (our longtime summer resident from Baltimore) over the decades. She was a renowned and friendly member of Mink Meadows golf course. Hazel was known for her wonderful spirit, congeniality and attitude. She died in Baltimore on Feb. 17 at the age of 96 and played golf right into her 95th year. Hazel never used a golf cart until she was in her nineties. Some of her Island friends were thrilled to see her last summer for the one week she was able to be here. Hazel will be greatly missed.

I’m giving you a heads-up to clear your calendars for Sunday, March 10, and I shall certainly remind you before then. Mothers Opposed to Mayhem, MOM, will have its first meeting at Five Corners at noon in conjunction with several similar gatherings across our country. Certainly you don’t need to be a mom to attend. This initiative has been formed in the wake of the harrowing gun violence that threatens all of us and our children. Please join hands to change gun laws. Our Pulitzer prize-winning author Geraldine Brooks says: “It’s time to stand up and say ‘enough.’” For more information, contact Sandra Pimentel at 781-710-2629 or email her at Sandra620@gmail.com. I’ll see you there.

Our library continues to entertain us through the cold months. Stop by Sunday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. to join Liz Villard as she digs into Tisbury cemeteries. Liz has researched some of our most interesting and oldest graves featuring the usual Island characters and many whaling captains. The program is part of Sundays with Friends, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library. We are always looking for new friends — who isn’t? Stop by the information desk to see about joining.

You guess the title. On Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. the library will show a film based on a famous Tolstoy novel directed by Joe Wright, adapted by Tom Stoppard and acted by Keira Knightley. Popcorn and lemonade are on the menu. The birthday bandwagon pulls along George Washington and Thomas Dommerich Dunn today. Tomorrow is shared by David Gardella and Reid MacPherson. February 25 is claimed by Rosie Piccione. February 26 shines on Natalia Oliveira. February 27 is a party for Rafaela Oliveira, Ryann Gold, Steve Bradley and George Giosmas. And leap year babies Fella Cecilio and Sam Alley are forced to take the cake on February 28 this year. Many happy returns.