JUNE MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

As autumn arrives, we are already seeing the departure of many of our family, friends and neighbors, heading to their respective winter homes. It was another great summer of renewing friendships of generations, and reminiscing of the more relaxed days around Aquinnah. Many will close their summer homes for the season over the next week, and we will look forward to their return in just a few short months. In the meantime, have a great winter.

The shops at the Cliffs will close soon, as will the Aquinnah Restaurant and the Outermost Inn. End-of-season sales abound at all of the shops. The VTA bus schedule will be changing in a week, so please obtain a new schedule.

All the best to Aquinnah police officer Charles Chaprales and his wife, Jeanette, as they move to Hilton Head, S.C., over this coming week. Charlie has been a member of the Aquinnah Police Department for the past five years and has so often assisted many across our community. Most of time, Charlie commuted to Aquinnah from Falmouth via his boat, which was docked in West Basin.

In the meantime, we still have the two Ryans working (seems like a requirement to be “Ryan”). Ryan Natichoniand and Ryan Maher are winding down the end of the season in Aquinnah.

Get well wishes to Chief Ryan Malonson who was transferred from Martha’s Vineyard Hospital to New England Baptist Hospital on Tuesday. It is anticipated that he will return home, possibly over the weekend.

Living Local Harvest Fest is on the calendars of many for this weekend. This evening at 7:30 at the Grange Hall in the center of West Tisbury will be a panel discussion on the Island’s Opportunities and Challenges for the next generation. with community dialogue and dessert to follow.

On Saturday, Oct. 3 at the new Ag Hall, Living Local begins at 9 a.m. with the Black Brook Drum participating in the opening ceremony. Workshops will be held throughout the day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Natural Resources Department of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) will participate under the direction of Bret P. Stearns, and assisted by James Miller, Andrew Jacobs and Greg Martino, discussing Wampanoag Environmental Leadership. There will also be workshops on small scale meat production, fishing for your dinner, beekeeping, food preserving, and basic gardening. At 6 p.m. is a community potluck and local music. Please bring cups, place settings and potluck food with local ingredients for six to make this a zero-waste event.

Condolences to the family of Roland Benoit, who passed away in Uxbridge. Military services were held at the National Cemetery in Bourne on Sept. 24. Mr. Benoit was the father of James Benoit of Aquinnah, his wife Nancy and their daughter Laina.

Condolences to the family of Derek Cimeno and especially to Patty and their son, Anthony.

Condolences to the family and friends of Bill Thomas, son of the late Wilson and Mary Thomas of Oak Bluffs, who recently passed away in Florida. Bill was the brother of Mary Anne Cummings of Oak Bluffs and former classmate Barbara Murphy of Chilmark. Bill and his roommate Stuart Santos were neighbors of mine while we resided in Boston during the 1960s. He would often generously offer me a ride to work, instead of taking the subway, while he was driving taxi around the city. A great friend who will be missed.

Condolences to the family and friends of William Honey who over his years assisted many Aquinnah families with their banking needs. He was a frequent visitor to many, especially during the 1940s and 50s. His sister Betty has many stories to share of their youth and growing up in Tisbury where they were classmates of the Gay Head children who attended Tisbury School, and in turn his daughters, Sarah and Betsy, who also attended school with many of us.

Sixth grader at the West Tisbury School Ben Booker and his schoolmates are raising funds for their Martha’s Vineyard Junior High Band. Ben is pleasantly a percussionist! If you see him out and about the Aquinnah neighborhoods, please assist him with his sales. Even if you only purchase an item for $10 it will significantly assist all the band students in their endeavors.

Happy first anniversary wishes to Damon Runyon and Anna Cotton as they celebrate their special day on Oct. 4.

Happy 25th anniversary wishes to James and Jody Hubert as they celebrate on Oct. 7.

Happy 15th anniversary wishes to Captain Dick Thompson and his wife, Laurie, as they celebrate on Oct. 8.

A very special happy fourth anniversary wish to Paul and Theresa Manning as they celebrate their special day on Oct. 8.

Happy birthday wishes this week to Alyssa Mayrand, who celebrated her special day on Oct. 1, and to her friend since birth, Jessica Seeman, who celebrates her special day on Oct. 2.

Trudy Vanderhoop Garvin will party on Oct. 3. Jane Lancellotti will celebrate on Oct. 4 and shares the day with Menasha Leport, who will be seven.

A very special birthday wish to Bill Kistner as he celebrates on Oct. 5.

Margaret Steinberg will observe a major milestone on Oct. 5. Pat Z. Vanderhoop parties on the fifth as well.

Aquinnah building inspector Jerry Wiener will party on Oct. 6. Arnold Zack will observe his special day on Oct. 7. Beverly Anne Widdiss and her nephew Heath Widdiss share the day on Oct. 7. Marguerite Susan Smith will party on Oct. 8 while celebrating a major milestone.