JUNE MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

The Aquinnah Public Library appeared to be awaiting spring on Saturday during the 11 a.m. story time. While Library Director Jennifer Christy was inside reading to the toddlers, Menasha Leport and her mother Nancy were outside decorating the entrance with colorful springtime flowers and ribbons to make the town hall even more appealing for library patrons.

On Tuesday evening, following a library discussion at the selectmen’s meeting, it was apparent that the increased space for the collection has increased the usage as there were fifteen people in the library from 6:30 to 7 p.m. playing Scrabble, with toddlers learning to use the computer games specifically for them, adults checking their Facebook pages and Jenny and Michelle planning the next event for the community. Of course, it was much more user friendly with the availability of fresh baked brownies with sprinkles made by Noah Manning and his mother Theresa, a bowl of candies provided by Woody Vanderhoop and Jamie Spears and her family visiting from Rhode Island, and a large heart-shaped box of Chilmark Chocolates delivered by Rodeo Langer and his mother Molly Purvis.

For school vacation week, the Aquinnah Public Library will have weaving on Feb. 24 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. with all kinds of colorful and natural materials to work with. On Thursday afternoon from 4:30 to 6 p.m. there will be a movie for children, but of course, all ages are welcome. A healthy snack will be provided. On Feb. 28, from 11 to 11:30 a.m. there will be Story Time followed by Art Time from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., so please bring in an interesting piece of driftwood or blueberry wood.

On Tuesdays through March, Amanda Hutchinson will be available for knitting and stitching, and essentially to assist with basic trouble shooting questions between 5:30 and 7 p.m. Also on Tuesdays through March there will be games from 5:30 to 7 p.m. — Scrabble, Monopoly and Chutes and Ladders for a start. You may bring a light refreshment to share.

Get well wishes to our beloved Chief Medicine Man Luther T. Madison who is a patient at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. I am sure he would appreciate a card to brighten his day.

Chantal Booker and Faith Smalley played a great game of basketball in Oak Bluffs on Tuesday. It was the play-off game between West Tisbury School and Oak Bluffs School. They lost 56 to 14 but it was a fantastic game for the girls, as Chantal and Faith scored 4 points each. Way to go girls.

Ms. Dawn Widdiss returned to Framingham on Monday after spending the weekend visiting with her mother, Mrs. Gladys A. Widdiss.

Congratulations to Aretha Witham who graduated from Dispatcher Academy this past week after many hours of classroom studies. She will continue her work with the Dukes County Sheriff’s Department as an emergency 911 dispatcher. Aretha, who is also an alumnus of Berklee School of Music, has been the honored guest at many a celebration over the past week to cheer her along in her new field of endeavor.

Thank you to the students and staff at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School for another wonderful winter presentation on Saturday at the Performing Arts Center. This year they performed “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown” and it was a delight to the many who attended. I often stop to realize what a wonderful program that is afforded our students, especially the success stories from Aquinnah and what our former MVRHS students are doing in their careers and where they are because of this program ­— thank you to one and all for providing such an opportunity.

There is a new state quarter program coming and it’s all about Federal landmarks. Two of the places (out of 100) are in Massachusetts — the Flying Horses in Oak Bluffs and the Gay Head Light in Aquinnah. You may cast your vote as many times as you wish by going to the BostonChannel.com (channel 5) and clicking on the quarters program. You may only vote for one at a time but you can go back and vote again as many times as you like up until Feb. 26. Thank you to Don Andrew for notifying one and all of this program — and let the voting begin.

Happy 35th anniversary wishes to Mark and Sue Shea on Feb. 23.

Happy anniversary wishes to Mark Harding and Paula Peters as they celebrate on Feb. 27 and congratulations on his recent appointment as Treasurer of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.

Happy 33rd anniversary wishes to Kenny and Janet Belain as they celebrate on Feb. 28.

Belated happy birthday wishes to Mrs. Jane N. Slater, as she celebrated her special day on Feb. 15.

Happy birthday wishes this week to Wendy deGeofroy as she celebrates her special day today. Cedric Belain will also party today. Leonard Jason, Jr. will celebrate his special day on Feb. 21 and may possibly now be eligible for a VTA senior pass. Mrs. Anne F. Vanderhoop Madison will celebrate on Feb. 21 and shares the day with Steven Garvin, Jr., Keenan Chaplin, and Constance Iadicicco. Chelsea Ives will party on Feb. 22 as will Rita Jeffers. Donna Nagle parties on the 23rd and shares the day with Jeanne Taylor. Darren Leport will party on Feb. 25. Patricia Paiva Vanderhoop parties on Feb. 26 and shares the day with George Berz. Mrs. Barbara Perry Francis will celebrate her special day on Feb. 27 and shares the day with Jacob Antonio Bazzy who will be eight years old, Troy Vanderhoop, Jr. will be nine years old on the 27th, and Robert Iadicicco also celebrates on the 27th. Krystle Rose will celebrate on Feb. 28 and shares the day with Mrs. Dora Morrow and James I. Millman will be six years old.