JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

Another nice week with temperatures in the 50s and 60s. The final remnants of the fall foliage are very beautiful as you travel down Middle Road in Chilmark and even more spectacular as you drive up Music street.

Who would have ever thought, 50 years later, the number of times the Island Cup has floated from here to Nantucket! On Saturday, at the annual Martha’s Vineyard/Nantucket football game, many members of the first football team and cheerleading squad will be honored at noon at McCarthy Field. The late Daniel G. McCarthy was the one with the vision, who realized what champions we had surrounding us.

Several of my schoolmates played on the first team when they were in their freshman year. Dan would be very proud of them all today, as he was then. He also would be proud that three of his children, like he and Mabel, are educators here. Michael, Mary Katherine and Mark are all on staff at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, where their dad started the football team.

The clearing State Road was coming to a close this week after nearly four weeks of cleaning the brush and overgrowth back 10 feet on each side. Years ago we never had such overgrowth, and decades ago the sheep, goats and oxen kept everything well manicured in town. A few residents will benefit from logs cut down from the overhanging trees. One of the best sites is the intersection of Lobsterville and State — now we can rest assured those five long-gone trees will not topple over in a storm. Thanks for clearing our views!

The homebuyer training was completed on Tuesday evening with a special presentation by attorney Marsha Cini, Philippe Jordi of Island Housing Trust, Barbara Hoffman, Terri Keech and David Vigneault of Dukes County Housing, Patti Young of Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank, Richard Skidmore and yours truly of the Aquinnah Housing Committee. On Tuesday, Nov. 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Aquinnah town hall will be the homebuilders training, the next phase of the process. Please attend if you are interested in the 20 State Road property.

There will be a special town meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. The notice and the warrant went out by e-mail on Thursday and is available at the town hall. There are only nine articles so the meeting should not take too long. Many of the items are vital and need to be acted upon soon. Please try to attend.

On Sunday, Nov. 28 from 9 to noon at the Oak Bluffs ambulance barn on Wing Road, there’ll be an EMS open house and pancake breakfast, by donation. Enjoy and support their vital efforts.

Welcome to John Miles Chandler, who was born at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital on Nov. 14. He is the son of Curtis Chandler and Abigail Southard. John is the grandson of John and Julie (Magee) Chandler, and the great-grandson of Mark and Esther (Andrada) Chandler and Evamae (Look) Magee.

Welcome to Zoe Elizabeth Tucker, who was born at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital on Nov. 4. She is the daughter of Joshua and Priscilla Tucker, granddaughter of Herbert Allen and Deborah Tripp, great-granddaughter of Philip and Josephine Tucker and Esther (Santos) Hilton.

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all. Safe journey for all who are venturing far from their homes. As you sit down to dine, remember the Wampanoag Tribe and their efforts in welcoming and caring for those from England that first harsh winter.

Happy 52 anniversary wishes to Karl and Patt Burgess as they celebrate their special day on Nov. 23.

Happy Birthday wishes this week to Erick Vanderhoop and Maxwell Butler, who share the day on Nov. 20. Conrad Noble will observe his special day on Nov. 21. Curtis Sayles will be 18 years old on Nov. 22. Kathryn Corjulo will celebrate on Nov. 22. Phil Tucker will party on Nov. 23 as will Jim Barrett. Billie Diamond Vanderhoop Shephard will be four years old on Nov. 23. Kenneth F. Belain, Jr. will observe a major milestone on Nov. 24 and shares the day with Fred Croft at the Outermost Inn, who also observes a major milestone. Kevin Devine celebrates on Nov. 25. Peter Temple parties on Nov. 25. A very special Happy 84th Birthday wish to Captain Dick Thompson as he celebrates on Nov. 26. Charles Petitt will celebrate on Nov. 26.