Doc Severinsen performs in San Miguel. Sue Frause photos.

San Miguel de Allende ~ When I'm on the road, I often run into an island connection. This time I thought it might not happen.

I was wrong.

Saturday night my cousin Tina and I took our Aunt Corinne to hear Doc Severinsen play at an Italian restaurant here in San Miguel. I've been a fan of Doc's ever since he was Johnny Carson's band leader. Not only did I like his trumpet style, he had a great gift of gab and no shortage of colorful costumes.

Doc, who grew up in Arlington, Oregon, moved to San Miguel with his wife Emily several years ago. Not one to retire, the 80-year-old musician has put together a dandy little quintet made up of Doc on trumpet, Gil Gutierrez on classical guitar, Pedro Cartas on violin and a bass player and percussionist.

Such a great sound.

So what's the connection with Doc and Whidbey? Nada.

But seated next to me was a couple that I'd seen walking around San Miguel earlier in the day. Our first questions to each other were, "Where are you from?" We answered Boston and Whidbey Island.

Then it was time for the Do You Know? game.

Well, it turns out that Lesley Theall, who works for the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, is a friend of Marian Myszkowski. Marian is Director of Program and Fund Development for Goosefoot here on the island. Two days ago I received an email from her reminding me of the Earth Day Celebration today at Bayview Corner.

I won't make it to the Earth Day festivities on the island this year. Instead, I'll be spending my final day in San Miguel del Allende, complete with an almost full moon.

But Marian, if I run into your friend Lesley again, I'll make sure and say hola!

Lesley Theall and her husband Mark at Bella Italia in San Miguel.