JUNE MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

William Kistner and his wife Joan returned to their home in New York on Monday after spending a few days with our grandson Noah James Manning and his parents Paul and Theresa. Saturday evening we all ventured to Offshore Ale for dinner and a celebration. Joan and Bill spent hours with yours truly while working on our family histories together and constantly marveling at our little Noah. We all look forward to their return soon.

Congratulations to Samuel Vanderhoop Lee and his mock trial team from Newton South High School as they won the state championship on March 28 at Faneuil Hall. Their win makes them the 2008 Massachusetts Bar Association Mock Trial State Champions.

Sincerest condolences to the family of Benjamin Viera who passed away on Saturday. He was the son of our classmate Joyce Norton Viera and her husband Benjamin. Services will be held Saturday at Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven at 1 p.m.

The Martha’s Vineyard Museum will present Adelaide Cromwell’s Unveiled Voices, Unvarnished Memories: The Cromwell Family in Slavery and Segregation 1692-1972 on Saturday, April 5 at 3 p.m. at the museum. Admission is $10 for members and $12 for non-members. The Martha’s Vineyard Multiple Sclerosis Self-Help Group will be presenting Hold That Thought! Cognition and MS on Sunday, April 6 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Tisbury Senior Center on Pine street. There will be a program book available providing additional resources and information.

The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) will quietly observe the 21st anniversary of federal acknowledgement on April 10.

Aquinnah residents and friends are invited to attend a public forum and potluck dinner at town hall on Friday, April 11 at 6 p.m. on the subject of community wind energy generation in Aquinnah. Featured will be a presentation by Maggie Downey, executive director of Cape Light Compact, on the topic of establishing a wind energy cooperative with other Cape and Island entities. The main points of discussion will involve the feasibility of siting a community wind turbine in Aquinnah. Any further questions, please call Jeff Burgoyne at town hall at 508-645-2300 or Carlos Montoya at 508-645-7817. A video of a wind turbine project will be shown during the evening so that people can observe the operation of a turbine.

Happy eighth anniversary wishes to Aquinnah firefighter Christian Soulanet and his wife Christina on April 8.

A very special happy birthday wish to Rose Styron as she observes her special day today.

Happy birthday wishes to Bonnie Chalifoux as she celebrates a major milestone today and will be celebrating in Las Vegas with her husband Carl. Bonnie is the director of human services for the tribe.

Also celebrating today will be Nancy Delaney, Amira Madison, Isolette Fernandes, and Shelby Ives.

A very special happy birthday wish to Robbie Cronig, our former favorite grocer of generations, who will observe his 90th birthday on April 5. Bob reportedly is still telling his funniest jokes to all.

Gilbert R. Silvia will celebrate on April 5 as will Jermaine Mendez.

Happy birthday wishes to Richard Jackson (who faithfully reads my column each week in the District of Columbia) as he celebrates his special day on April 7. Richard recently was honored for his 40 years of service to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We will look forward to his arrival this summer with his wife, tribal elder Helen Wanzer Mays-Jackson.

Tayza Vercruysse will celebrate his 17th birthday on April 7. Jennie Greene will party on April 7 as will Dona Mazza Perry. Douglas Vanderhoop parties on April 8, and Beth Kaeka will party on April 9.