JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

The annual Fourth of July Aquinnah parade will be held on Old South Road for all Aquinnah residents to enjoy. The festivities begin at 9:45 a.m. at the home of Tom and Christine Murphy to line up by age for the parade. Face painting and tattoos will take place from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. at the Murphy home.

The parade will line up as follows: Founders first, then the children ages 1 to 5, then ages 5 to 8, and then ages 8 to 10. All others will follow behind. Please have the children bring their kazoos or other musical “whatevers” to march down to the beach to find buried treasure with all kids over 10 years of age assisting the little ones.

Along the parade route will be Arlen Roth with some of his treasured antique autos. Ron and Cindy Low will prepare a float. Derrill Bazzy and his son Jacob will be there with his Willy. Jim Vercruysse will be able to get the old fire truck. Flags will be everywhere to show our patriotic spirit in Aquinnah. Special hats will be on sale for $20 with donations to assist with beach cleanups. Thank you to Chief Randhi Belain for all of his assistance as always. One and all will gather to wish Michael Norkus a very happy birthday on July 4.

Condolences to Ruth Rocha and to the extended family and many friends of Alice Rocha Hafner, who after a long illness died at her home on June 29 surrounded by her loving family. Alice was a classmate and fellow member of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School class of 1964 and a friend over the decades to all. Her kindness, smile and laughter will be missed by all who knew her.

Anne Haughton arrived on Wednesday from her winter home in Florida for a two-week stay at her Rockspring home overlooking Vineyard Sound. She was accompanied by her daughter Jan and her husband Tom Tracy.

Noah James Manning returned home on Sunday evening after having spent the week with his grandparents Bill and Joan Kistner at their home in New York. He was accompanied to New York by his uncle Michael Kistner and his fiancée Margaret, and by his aunt Debbie Kistner. On his way home, he made a brief overnight trip to Boston for a visit with his father, Paul Manning.

Congratulations to Katie Mayhew who won the opportunity to sing as the guest soloist with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops at the Esplanade for the Fourth of July celebration in Boston. She was the winner of a competition that began with more than 200 students across the commonwealth. Her rendition of Kiss the Day Goodbye in February while she performed in Chorus Line at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School was very professionally presented. All the best to Katie.

Dr. David Silverman, associate professor of history at George Washington University, will present his book, Faith and Boundaries, on the colonization and Christianization of the Wampanoag of Martha’s Vineyard. Dr. Silverman will open his discussion at 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, at the Aquinnah Cultural Center at Aquinnah Circle. Light refreshments will be served.

Jennifer Morgan, projects coordinator for the MSPCA of Martha’s Vineyard, would like to announce that there will be a dinner and show on Monday, July 14, at Balance in Oak Bluffs to benefit the MSPCA. Ben Taylor and David Saw, with special friends and family, will perform following dinner. Tickets are $100 per person. Doors open at 6 p.m. for cocktails, and dinner at 7 p.m. with the show to follow. For tickets and further information and to support our furry and feathered friends, please call the MSPCA at 508-627-8662.

All the best to Peter Simon and his wife Ronni as they open their new gallery on July 5 on Main street in Tisbury. They have enjoyed the company of Ronni’s parents, Sol and Pearl Goldman, who have been here overseeing their progress. Their gallery is in the old Vineyard Dry Goods building and will feature many of Peter’s photographs over the years, his On The Vineyard books, and Ronni’s delicate and intricate jewelry.

While on my brief jaunt down-Island this week, it was a delight to see Dr. Bill Tsikitas and his wife Marianne. I was unable to see them before they left the Vineyard a few years ago but it was such a pleasure to see them in our midst once again and would you believe — on vacation!

Joseph Spinelli has arrived for the summer from his winter home in Florida. One will usually find Joe at the Chilmark Flea Market with his vast array of jewelry and antiques.

Arnold Zack and Leslie Haughton Zemsky, both longtime Aquinnah summer residents, will be presenting A Show of Landscapes by a Pair of Aquinnah Friends, with an opening reception at the Bank of Martha’s Vineyard on Friday, July 18th from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Beetlebung Corner branch. Their work will be on display during banking hours through July 25. Arnold and Leslie have enjoyed painting up-Island landscapes together for the past few summers. There will be one of the Cliffs as well as Menemsha favorites. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of their art work will be donated to the Aquinnah/Gay Head Community Association, Inc. which supports the youth of Aquinnah with college scholarships.

Reminder: the first Chilmark Softball League game of the season is scheduled for July 6 at Peaked Hill.

The Aquinnah community programs committee will be sponsoring a summer flea market at the Aquinnah Town Hall. The market will be opening for the season on Sunday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will be held every Sunday through Labor Day. For further information and to reserve vendor space, please call Betty Joslow at 508-645-3340.

Happy 60th anniversary wishes to Edith Correia and Joseph Andrews as they observed their special day July 3.

Happy 14th anniversary wishes to Michael and Brenda Johnson on July 9.

Happy birthday wishes this week to Robbie Manning who will be two years old on July 3rd. Celeste Glavin parties on July 4 and shares the day with Michael Norkus and Mae Alice Baird, who will be four years old. Jody Mendez parties on July 5 as will Sheryl Scott. Marianne Spiller will celebrate on July 7. Gary Coates will celebrate on July 8. Gloria Mendez and Dominic Baird share the day on July 9.

Have a happy and safe Fourth of July weekend as we celebrate the birth of our nation.