JUNE D. MANNING
508-645-2574
The voters of Aquinnah honored Walter E. Delaney at the annual meeting on Tuesday evening for his 35 years of unselfish and dedicated service to the Town of Aquinnah as the town moderator. Walter had a few parting words as he passed the baton, or should we say gavel.
Aquinnah selectmen chairman Spencer Booker gave a heartwarming speech recognizing Walter and his official duties and then presented Walter with a plaque. There was then a standing ovation. Walter and his wife, Nancy, attended the meeting to pass the gavel to a moderator for the evening nominated from the floor. Michael Hebert was chosen to conduct the business for the evening and was subsequently elected for the position on Wednesday.
Congratulations to those elected to town positions this week. Of note, Spencer Booker received 71 of the 71 votes cast; in recent memory we cannot think of anyone else who has received 100 per cent of the votes cast. Good luck to one and all in your positions.
My sincerest sympathy to Gary, Beth and Meredith Smith and their family and friends in the passing of Alison Smith in Boston on Sunday. Alison was a toddler when we first met, while she was attending the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital Child Care Program. She and her sister Meredith would stop by my office every morning on their way into the center with their joyful greetings, laughter and smiles. Alison was a beautiful, bright rising star who has left us all much too early. Her services will be held at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Edgartown this morning and a celebration of her life will be held at the Ag Hall following her services.
All the best to our Aquinnah Public Library director Jennifer Christy, who will be leaving her position next month. Jennifer has been the director for the past five years. She has brought our little library into a state-of-the-art gathering place for the community. Through her efforts, she has increased the collection and circulation, increased participation in events, enlarged the Native American collection, and the community involvement — whether in the form of community dinners or volunteerism. She has been fortunate to have the assistance of Michelle Laurie and Natalie Francis. Jennifer will be leaving our library as one of our greatest assets. All the best to Jennifer.
Shaun MacPhail and his wife, Alexandra Taylor, entertained their family and friends from across the Vineyard on Mother’s Day, all afternoon and into the evening. Their twin daughters, Olive and Violet, were very excited to have their uncle Ed MacPhail visiting with them from Bourne.
Michael Hebert returned home this week after a visit with his family and friends in Florida.
Get well wishes to Matthew “Cully” Vanderhoop, who underwent surgery on Tuesday at Mass General Hospital. He expects to be home by the weekend and soon at the Aquinnah Shop.
Dylan Hutchinson, son of Steve and Amanda, arrived home on Tuesday from his freshman year studies at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Dona Mazza and her husband, Gordon Perry, apologize for their lateness in opening the Dreamcatcher. Instead of opening this weekend, they will be open by May 22 for your dining pleasure.
Reminder: the fundraisers at the P.A. Club this weekend will be for Heather Jardin tonight from 6 p.m. to midnight, and for the late John Gibson on Saturday, with a memorial scholarship run from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. with a 50/50 raffle. Please try to attend to support both of these families.
Tom Dresser would like to remind all of us of the Alzheimer’s Miles of Memories Walk on Sunday, May 16, at noon. The walk begins at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School and is 2.5 miles. The monies raised assist families of Alzheimer patients here.
The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital will be conducting two community forums to consider the Island’s most pressing health needs. These forums are open to all. As part of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations, the hospital must provide $1,075,000 in grant funding over the next five years. In case I am unable to attend, I truly hope for study into the high incidence of carcinomas in Aquinnah and extending to Chilmark. There are so many people affected at the present time; the statistics are really rather staggering. Perhaps someone will take notice once and for all. The first forum will be at the Howes House in West Tisbury on Tuesday, May 18, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The second forum will be at the Vineyard Haven Library on Thursday, May 20, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
The Yard will begin their fourth annual wine dinner series on Wednesday, May 19, at 6 p.m. at the Sweet Life Café in Oak Bluffs. For reservations, please call 508-696-0200.
The Martha’s Vineyard Cancer Support Group will be holding An Evening Under the Stars on Thursday, May 20, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Mediterranean restaurant on Beach Road in Oak Bluffs. The group is now in their 24th year. They hold weekly support meetings and financially help Islanders with cancer.
Happy 24th anniversary wishes to Bettina and Michael Washington as they celebrate on May 17.
Happy 10th anniversary wishes to Troy and Marcia Vanderhoop as they celebrate on May 20.
Happy birthday wishes this week to Katie Mayhew on May 15. Lydia Fischer, Ed Stahl, Leigh Moreis and Herb Moody all party on May 16. Erin Corbo will celebrate on May 17 as will Kyle Killebrew, Tom Seeman and Aquinnah Witham. Malcolm Smith, Anne Haughton, Mark Wheaton, Grace Reeves, Genie O’Donnell and Faith Corbo will all party on May 18.
Joan Kistner will celebrate her special day on May 19 while visiting with her grandson Noah.
Michelle Laurie will observe her special day on May 20. Captain Bob Kinnecom celebrates on May 20. Lisa Tilton will observe a major milestone on May 20 as she works in the emergency room. Jean Entine and Elsie Fantasia will party on May 21.
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