JUNE MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

April Fools’ day came and went. About two years ago, though, the sign at West Basin disappeared. If you crossed the town line early in the wee hours on Wednesday, you would have noticed it was creatively placed over the entering Aquinnah sign, pointing one in the direction of West Basin. So we have faith that perhaps one day the entering Gay Head sign will also resurface.

Rumor has it that spring has arrived but with temperatures still in the 40s, it has certainly evaded the Vineyard. We have only had a few days of any real spring-like temperatures, but we still may delight at the gentle reminders of the season, enjoying longer days of daylight, chirping birds who have returned from the south and the pinkletinks announcing their arrival. It will warm up soon; really!

On Saturday evening, April 4 at 6 p.m. the Aquinnah Public Library will sponsor another potluck dinner and a movie. Please join in the fun of another family evening. Bring your favorite dish to share.

The Chilmark Community Center will host a public hearing on Monday, April 6 at 7 p.m. for a presentation by American Tower Corp. regarding the DAS system for cell telephone coverage up-Island. Your comments are needed and your questions will hopefully be answered.

Reminder: there will be egg decorating at the Duck Inn next Friday and Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. in anticipation of the grand egg hunt on Sunday, April 12. Does anyone remember Jelly Bean, the three-foot rabbit that would always oversee the egg hunt? Jelly Bean is among the missing and there is now a reward for the return of this softly stuffed, long-eared bunny rabbit.

Welcome to Madelyn Huffam who was born on March 31. Madelyn is the daughter of Rich and Natasha Huffam, both emergency room nurses at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.

U.S.N.R. Capt. Ron J. MacLaren received word this week that he has been nominated by President Obama through Vice Admiral Dirk Debbing and has been selected to be a Rear Admiral and possibly oversee the Pacific Fleet. Ron, our tribal health director, returned from Kuwait in May, 2008 after overseeing a staff of nearly 700 during his nine-month deployment.

Just when we were planning Ron’s retirement celebration, we will now have even more to celebrate in his honor. All the best to Ron.

Dr. Gerald Sullivan of Old South Road will be working at Vineyard Walk-In Medical Clinic for the summer with Dr. Michael Jacobs and Dr. Gerry Yukevich. Many of us remember Dr. Sullivan’s great work as an emergency room physician at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital in the 1980s and 1990s. It will be great to have Gerry and his wife Janet around for the summer.

Heidi Vanderhoop and her brother Todd returned to Aquinnah on Sunday after spending the week in Masset, British Columbia. They visited with cousins Carrie Anne Vanderhoop and her husband Tyler Bellis, Emily Vanderhoop, Tiffany Vanderhoop and her newborn son Brian. Needless to say, they all had a grand time together.

Get well wishes to Harold Wolozin who has been a patient at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital following recent orthopedic surgery.

Happy ninth anniversary wishes to Aquinnah firefighter Christian Soulagnet and his wife Christine as they celebrate on April 8.

Belated birthday wishes to Grace Frye who observed her 91st birthday on March 28. Most of us know Grace as the Avon Lady of the Vineyard for the past half a century.

Pam Knight will celebrate her special day on April 3 when you see her on acute care at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.

Happy birthday this week to our dear Princess Bonnie Chalifoux who last year spent her birthday on the stage in Las Vegas; let’s see what she will do this year on April 4.

Nancy Delaney will observe her special day on April 4 and shares the day with Isolette Fernandes, Shelby Ives and Rose Styron. Former fellow classmate Chris Murphy will celebrate his birthday on April 4. Donna Rose Klier will also party on April 4.

Gilbert Silvia will celebrate on April 5 and shares the day with Jermaine Mendez. Tayza Vercruysse will turn 18 on April 7 and is looking forward to his graduation from Falmouth Academy. Aquinnah housing director Jennie Greene will also party on April 7 and shares the day with Donna Mazza Perry. Doug Vanderhoop celebrates on April 8 and Beth Kaeka on April 9.