Photo by ALLEGRA BOVERMAN Meri Goyette and her friend and aide, Darlene XXXX, greet visitors as they arrived at Goyette's home this week for a surprise birthday party.

NASHUA – All the while abiding by recommended social-distancing guidelines, upwards of a couple dozen people gathered outside the home of longtime Nashua community pillar and arts advocate Meri Goyette earlier this week to celebrate her birthday.

Typically celebrated in conjunction with the annual City Arts Nashua and Nashua Arts Commission Arts Awards luncheon named for her, it didn’t happen this year – because the luncheon didn’t happen, having been moved to November because of the COVID-19 virus threat.

So many of those who would have participated anyway gathered up balloons, flowers, a few noisemakers, streamers, a little bubbly and handmade signs, donned their masks and brought the party to Goyette on the same day the luncheon would have taken place.

Escorted by her friend and home health aide Darlene Diefendorf, Goyette emerged from her home onto the patio, where some examples of her recent artwork were set up, along with a few pieces by some of her favorite artists.

Now, Goyette and the rest of the local arts community are looking forward to the luncheon, which is set for Nov. 8 at Sky Meadow Country Club.

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