JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks2004@yahoo.com)

Spring has arrived. The forsythia are starting to bloom, there are pinkletinks practicing their chorus at night, skunk cabbage is in full attire, the crocus and daffodils are sprouting, and DQ has opened. I was beginning to believe that we would never seen the warmth and sunshine again.

Community Baptist Church of Gay Head will observe Good Friday on March 29 with a service at 7 p.m. Easter Sunrise Service is on Sunday, March 31 with a worship service at 6 a.m. led by Rev. Ellen Tatreau. The annual church meeting will be held on Thursday, April 11 at 7 p.m. All members are asked to attend as there are many vital issues to be voted upon.

Aquinnah Public Library started the Kid’s Dinner and Movie series with the first one of the season last evening. The next one will be on April 4, and then again on April 18. The library staff hosts a Spring Fest on Saturday, March 30 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., which will include an egg hunt, craft and seed planting.

Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living sponsors the next in the series of cultural luncheons on Saturday, March 23 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Grill on Main in Edgartown. Bonnie Stacy, chief curator at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum is the guest speaker for the afternoon. Chef Antonio Saccoccia and his staff have prepared a wonderful menu for the afternoon. Tickets are still available and may be reserved by calling Leslie at 508-939-9440.

Paddy Moore would like to remind everyone that the MV Dems are inviting all Island Democrats to attend a Platform Hearing on Saturday, March 23 to present their recommendations for changes and/or additions. The meeting will be held at the Oak Bluffs Senior Center on Wamsutta avenue from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The platform committee urges all democrats to submit statements of positions they would like to see reflected in the platform. Go to massdems.org/platform to review the current platform and see what you think should be changed.

The YMCA is sponsoring an Elder Tech Fair on Saturday, March 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Alex’s Place. The class is part of the commitment the Digital Connector Teens made to perform 56 hours of community service. To register, call Ray Whitaker at 508-693-1676.

Have you seen The Emperor yet? Aquinnah summer resident Gary Foster is the producer of this film, which was released on March 8.

Annette Anthony has returned from her annual trip to Costa Rica, looking healthy and rested while dining at Moxie’s on Tuesday.

Bill and Joan Kistner returned to their home in New York on Wednesday morning after spending the past week with our grandson Noah James Manning and his parents, Paul and Theresa. The annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration was a wonderful feast with oysters from Katama (thank you, Stanley and Lynette Larsen) as well as the usual corned beef and cabbage dinner.

David Lambert was honored on his 50th birthday on Saturday evening at the P.A. Club where more than a hundred family and friends gathered to wish David a very happy birthday. Many of his co-workers from Martha’s Vineyard Hospital were in attendance. Great fun, delicious food, his favorite music and wonderful friends. Roxane Ackerman, Diamond Vanderhoop and yours truly ventured down from Aquinnah to partake in the joyous festivities.

On our way home Roxane, Diamond and I stopped by the Ag Hall to celebrate the continued success of WMVY. Once more, great cake, great music and the best of friends.

Now that Dan Sauer and his wife Nonie Madison have returned from their winter rejuvenation, they will once again open their 7a Foods on Monday, April 1 at 7 a.m.

Happy 31st anniversary wishes to Mike and Carol Mayrand as they celebrate on March 26.

Happy birthday wishes this week to Nanauwe Ama Vanderhoop, who will become a teenager on March 23. Also celebrating on March 23 will be Paul Galbraith, Dan Sauer, Renee Metell and Dwight Kaeka. March 24 will be a day of partying for Rya Baird, Aretha Witham and Hal Child. James Benoit, Emma Mayhew, Gary Foster, Rosalie Bassett and Eloise Moreis Boales will share the day on March 25. Mike Marshall, Anita Vanderhoop Keegan and Mason Jeffers party on the 26th. Jeffie Butler, Brenda Smith and Lynne Silva share the day on March 27. Dr. Gail R. Eliot will observe her special day on March 28. Mike Hebert will also party on March 28. Jannette Vanderhoop and Edward Fantasia share the day on the 29th. Randhi Belain, James Glavin, Heidi Vanderhoop and Justin Vanderhoop will party on March 30.

Gazette editors and staff send birthday greetings to Aquinnah columnist June Manning, who celebrates on Tuesday.