JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

Memories of the Mooncusser will be presented this weekend by Jane Slater at Over South Antiques in Menemsha from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Many of us have fond memories of the Mooncusser Coffee House in Oak Bluffs in the 1960s. One concert I attended was a performance by Carly and Lucy Simon and as I recall their sister Joanna was there as well. Need I say more? We all know their achievements over the past half century since those early days. Anyway, it is going to be a treasure to view the Mooncusser memorabilia and thank you to Jane for providing such memories for us all to enjoy.

This afternoon at the Aquinnah Cultural Center from 1 to 3 p.m., please join Jannette Vanderhoop to learn about traditional gardening and make a cornhusk doll to take home with you. The crafting fee will be $10. At 6 p.m. Dr. David Silverman will speak on Thundersticks: Firearms in 17th century Native America. A donation of $7 is requested.

On Saturday, July 30, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., there will be mishoon burning, while watching a dugout canoe being made using fire as the main tool. At 6 p.m. join the historic production of Anne Makepeace’s film Natayunean: We Still Live Here, regarding the Wampanoag language reclamation project. Admission is $10.

Della Hardman Day will be on Saturday, July 30, to honor our former Vineyard Gazette columnist, college professor, artist and community activist. A retrospective show of Della’s photography and reception will be held at the Oak Bluffs Library from 2 to 3:30 p.m. At 4 p.m., American poet Sonia Sanchez will make a presentation in Ocean Park in honor of Della.

The Possible Dreams Auction 2011 will be on Monday, August 1 at Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs from 4 to 7:30 p.m. This year will feature possible dreams with James Taylor, Marty Nadler, Douglas Liman and many more. Hope to see you there. Tickets are $25 per person and are still available at the door.

Music at the Aquinnah Public Library will feature an exciting folk music performance on Thursday, August 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. Fun for all ages, admission is free. Songs will be outside: Gracious Calamity, Nate Sprague, and Kurt Weisman.

Wampum Live and New Traditions will be held on Saturday, August 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Howwasswee Trading Post at the Aquinnah Circle. Wampum artists Joan LeLacheur, Kate Taylor, Berta Welch and Donald Widdiss will feature their creations. At 5 p.m., Joan LeLacheur, Kate Taylor and the late Charlie Witham (who will be there in spirit) will be presenting a wampum belt to the people of Aquinnah, a celebration of their work over the past several decades.

The Martha’s Vineyard Book Festival will be held at the Chilmark Community Center on Sunday, August 7 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with talks by authors, book signings and sales. This is a fun time, unless you have as many favorite authors as I have. My favorite choices for this year will be Alexandra Styron with Reading My Father, and thank you for the honorable mention with such fond memories of attending the American premier of Sophie’s Choice at the National Opera with the Styron family. I look forward to Geraldine Brooks with Caleb’s Crossing, bringing the memories of Caleb alive after more than 300 years. I have just met Linda Fairstein and will find one of her latest novels. I will miss Ted Danson as he will be in Hollywood working. Tom Dunlop is always a favorite of mine, especially since he allows me to use his desk while researching at the Vineyard Gazette. Ward Just will have a couple of his books in the festival as will Alison Shaw — always a favorite and former Vineyard Gazette colleague. Buck Goldstein — I will miss his and Kay’s dinner party but will definitely get a copy of Engines of Innovation autographed by Buck and my copy of A Book of Feasts by Kay.

The community solar greenhouse will host the David Crohan Top Hat Concert on Sunday, August 7 at 4:30 p.m. at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown. David will perform with Jenny Friedman. There will be a potluck reception following the concert. Tickets are $25 and will benefit the Top Hat Fund — for a new roof for the greenhouse.

Cartoonist Paul Karasik will have an artist’s reception on Friday, August 5, at 4 p.m. at the West Tisbury Library. Refreshments will be served. Paul’s cartoons have appeared in The New Yorker. His work will be on display at the library through August.

Sincerest condolences to the family of Ted Farrow, who died recently in Florida. Ted and Jane were always kind and generous throughout the year at their store Tashtego, especially at Christmastime. It was nice to enjoy their company upon their last visit to Abel’s Hill.

Sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Albert O. Fischer Jr. who died at his home on Tuesday morning. Farmer Ozzie will be missed by all whose lives he touched, especially with his knowledge of agriculture and more importantly his words of wisdom and his views on life in general. Services will be held at Saint Augustine’s Church in Vineyard Haven at 10 a.m. today; a memorial service will be held in the fall.

Condolences go out to the family of Willard M. Marden Jr., who died at his home in Falmouth on Sunday. Willard was born and raised in Gay Head, one of 12 children of the late Willard Marden Sr. and Agnes May (Jeffers). The family moved to Vineyard Haven when he was a young man. Willard ultimately settled in Falmouth. He was a descendant of the Jeffers and Manning families.

Condolences to the family and friends of Jane Newhall, who died at her home in West Tisbury on Wednesday morning, just a month after traveling to the Vineyard for her summer sojourn with her friends assisting her from her winter home in California.

Peter Ochs and his wife, Gudrun, will return to their home in Vienna, Austria over the weekend after spending the past two and a half months at the Naftalin home.

Douglas and Linda Vanderhoop have arrived from Utah for their annual sojourn. This year they have traveled with their 10-year-old granddaughter, Brooklyn. Condolences to Linda on the recent loss of her mother.

Happy 28th anniversary wishes to Jim Wallen and his wife Kathleen Smith as they celebrate their day on July 30.

Happy third anniversary wishes to Tyler Bellis and his wife, Carrie Anne Vanderhoop.

Belated happy birthday wishes to Charlene Alley, who partied on July 22

Happy birthday wishes this week to Jamie Sue Vanderhoop as she parties on July 30 and shares the day with Christopher Laursen and Pauline Galbraith. Bernadette Crossland celebrates on July 31 and shares the day with Terry Pothier and Dale Ferry.

Donald Smith will celebrate on August 1 and shares the day with Charity Randolph, Jason Boynton, Dr. Ryan Shea and Barbara Magnuson.

U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Ron Mac- Laren will party on August 2. Aileen Mahoney will be six on August 2 and shares the day with Meadow Bassett and Kendra Read Newick. Tom Colligan and fellow Vineyard Gazette columnist Nancy Gardella share the day on August 3. Tricia Bergeron, Jean Tatelbaum, and Donnie Mitchell will all celebrate on August 4. Pam Morgan Dolby parties on August 5 as will Susan Klein.

My favorite, Dr. Peter J. Laursen, will observe his special day on August 6 with the largest box of Chilmark Chocolates I can ever find. Thank you, Dr. Laursen, for your words of encouragement at this time when I have needed them the most.

Terry Iadicicco will party on August 6. Aquinnah town clerk and a myriad of other vital positions holder Carolyn Feltz will enjoy her day on August 7. David Elliott Vanderhoop 2nd will party on August 7. Beatrice Patadal and Evan Hall share the day on August 8.