JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

Friends of Aquinnah Public Library will host a grand reopening and holiday party on Saturday, Dec. 5 at the library from 2 to 4 p.m. Join family, friends and library staff to celebrate the season. All are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served. For more information, please call 508-645-2858 or you can e-mail aquilib@vineyard.net.

Breakfast in Aquinnah — enjoy delectable pancakes and other breakfast treats featuring Mike Hebert’s “world famous home fries” on Sunday, Dec. 6 from 8 to 11 a.m. at the old Aquinnah town hall. All you can eat for $10, elders and students $5, and children five and under are free. All for the benefit of the Aquinnah community programs committee old town hall special gift fund. Please join your family, friends and neighbors while dining family style.

The Martha’s Vineyard Youth Task Force will present Be a Parent, Not a Pal on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center. This is a multimedia program designed by attorney Richard P. Campbell and the law firm of Campbell, Edwards & Conroy to educate students, parents, teachers and members of the community about the Social Host Law, and to illustrate the legal consequences of allowing those under the age of 21 to possess alcoholic beverages.

During the presentation, the attorneys tell the stories of victims of the consequences of underage drinking as well as of the hosts who have been prosecuted under the Social Host Law. They show what happens when good kids make bad decisions and well-meaning parents who think that they are providing safe havens for their children and children’s friends painfully discover that these havens are not safe after all. They discuss the liability of social hosts when civil actions with millions of dollars at stake rapidly follow criminal prosecutions. They give new perspectives on the question, “Mom, Dad, can I have a party here at the house? Some of my friends will be drinking, but since I’ll collect all of the car keys, we’ll be safe, and everything will be all right.”

The firm’s commitment to the issues of underage drinking and social host liability evolved out of Mr. Campbell’s representation of Ruth Langemann, the plaintiff in Langemann v. Davis, who sustained catastrophic injuries when a drunken teenager driving away from a house party crashed into her car. “I owe it to Ruth to try to prevent other alcohol-related tragedies,” explains Mr. Campbell.

Mr. Campbell presents Be a Parent, Not a Pal as a public service. The firm receives no compensation for the numerous programs that its social host team members present every year. We hope to see you there — please invite your friends! Again, it’s on Thurssady evening in Vineyard Haven. For more information, please call Jamie Vanderhoop or Theresa Manning, Youth Task Force program coordinators, at 508-696-5304.

Jay Smalley, Aquinnah highway superintendent, will be trimming branches hanging over Lobsterville Road. Please exercise caution if traversing the road during the morning hours. Any wood suitable for burning will be left at the side of the road for residents to use.

Primary day is on Tuesday, Dec. 8. Your vote is necessary to select our next senator from Massachusetts. Please exercise your right to vote as every vote does count! Democracy is not a spectator sport!

The Martha’s Vineyard chapter of the Massachusetts Society of Genealogists will have their next meeting on Monday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Family History Center at Merchant’s Mart on State Road in Tisbury. The center is across the parking lot from the Black Dog Cafe. MSOG promotes genealogical research for all levels from beginner to professional. Annual dues are $25 which will cover members through December 2010.

The Garth W. and Ollie Edwards family enjoyed their traditional Thanksgiving family feast with their family arriving from across the nation. Garth N. and Jennie were here from North Carolina, their son Garth R. from Washington, their daughter Cathy and her friend Michael from Connecticut, daughter Libby and her husband, Brian Lynn and their children Emily and Michael from New Jersey, and the Edwards’ daughter Nancy Thompson and her husband, Hilly, from Dover. Needless to say, they had a grand time during their stay. Thank you immensely to the entire Edwards family for their kindness and generosity in providing for my extended stay in their lovely home over the past few months.

Roxanne Ackerman and her daughter Diamond (“Ellie”) Vanderhoop returned home on Sunday after spending most of the week with Naushon Vanderhoop at her home in Brooklyn, N.Y. They attended the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, dining in and around Manhattan, and a visit to the National Museum of the American Indian at the Heye Museum at Battery Park. They too had a grand time over the holiday weekend.

Noah James Manning returned home on Monday after spending the past week with his grandparents, Bill and Joan Kistner in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He also enjoyed family time with his aunts, uncles and cousins, walks across the walking bridge over the Hudson River, Christmas lights synchronized to music in Millbrook, and especially shopping for his new home. Noah was accompanied by his parents, Paul and Theresa Manning, on his journey.

Josh Montoya departed on Monday afternoon for his winter visit to India where he has toured a great deal previously. Josh and his sister Christina spent the Thanksgiving holiday with their father, Carlos Montoya, and assisted in celebrating his birthday. Christina will be teaching barefoot salsa at the Common House of Cohousing in West Tisbury. Her classes will be held on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. For further information, please call Christina at 508-560-2488.

Ed Stahl has returned to the Vineyard following his accident in November. He is presently staying with friends who are caring for him while he recuperates from his multiple injuries that occurred during his kite boarding accident.

Woody and Jamie Vanderhoop returned home on Sunday after spending the holiday in Rhode Island with the Spears family. They too enjoyed shopping for their new home.

Gladys Widdiss is expected home from the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital by the weekend after spending the past few weeks in the hospital.

Aquinnah photographer John Wightman will present his Island Images holiday show at Bank of Martha’s Vineyard at Beetlebung Corner. His show will run through the holidays Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with special show prices.

Happy birthday wishes this week to Ted Howes as he celebrates on Dec. 5. Special birthday wishes to Liz Durkee on Dec. 6 — may she have fragrant bouquets to brighten her day. Marjorie Spitz will party on Dec. 7. Twins Russell Smith and Robin Kahl will party on Dec. 8. Candace Nichols will celebrate her special day on Dec. 8.

Polly Renear will celebrate on Dec. 9 and shares the day with Deborah Hancock and Paul Henry Jeffers-Mayhew, who will be 13 years old. A special birthday wish to Tamara Buchwald on Dec. 10.