JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

The Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living will sponsor their fourth in a series of cultural luncheons tomorrow from noon to 2 p.m. at the Grill on Main. Ruth Cronig Stiller and her daughter, Gayle Stiller, will present the influence and contributions, history and culture of the Jewish community on Martha’s Vineyard. Live klemzer music will be performed. Tickets are still available; call 508-939-9440.

The Chilmark Preschool Spring Celebration will be a fun-filled day for the entire family tomorrow at the Chilmark Community Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be crafts, games, pony rides, face painting, a plant sale, and chicks for sale. Lunch will be available. Adults and babies are free. Children ages two and up will be admitted for $5. Enjoy the fun.

Aquinnah residents Jo-Ann Eccher, Derrill Bazzy and their 10-year-old son, Jacob, recently spent their winter holiday at the Autism Treatment Center of America’s Son-Rise family intensive — affectionately known as The Place of Miracles in Sheffield, Massachusetts. Truly miraculous Jacob spoke his first 20 words while attending the intensive. Son-Rise is a child-centered, parent-directed home program based on acceptance of who Jacob is and respect for how he sees and understands the world. Jo-Ann and Derrill run a home-based Son-Rise program for Jacob. They returned to Aquinnah with a renewed commitment to build a dream team of volunteers for Jacob’s Son Rise program. Volunteers are wanted — qualifications include having energy, enthusiasm, excitement; being creative and playful and nonjudgmental. No experience is needed — training and feedback will be provided. To volunteer call or e-mail Jo-Ann at 508-645-3245 or jeccher@earthlink.net. For more information on Son-Rise and the Autism Treatment Center of America you can see the Web site at autismtreatmentcenter.org. The Vineyard Committee on Hunger will host the annual Oxfam Hunger banquet on Thursday, April 14 at 6 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School cafeteria. Three types of meals will be served by a lottery. Those with high incomes will be served a dinner significantly different from those of medium income, and those in the low income group will be served rice and sit on the floor, only to leave the banquet hungry. Students will receive extra credit for their work in presenting the banquet. There is no charge for the event but important lessons in life will be learned by all.

Condolences to the families and friends of Mary Butynski, Kay Kenney, William Lidgerwood, Edith Petersiel and Leila Sequeira.

Congratulations to Molly Fischer, daughter of Albert and Linda, who has been accepted and made her decision to attend Ithaca College following her graduation from Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School this year. I am sure she will be a valuable member of their lacrosse team as well.

Beatrice Gentry returned to her Aquinnah home this week after spending a few days at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.

Get well wishes to Pam Glavin, aka Pesto Pam, who has been undergoing medical care on the Vineyard, in Hyannis and at Massachusetts General Hospital. She is improving each day.

Bill and Joan Kistner returned to their home in New York on Wednesday morning after spending the week with our grandson, Noah James Manning. We all enjoyed many family dinners, Noah’s preschool report, visits with family and friends, attending the Tribal family night on Thursday evening, but especially the discussion of cats and their consequences of eating the rims of scallops with a vast majority of theories. We all look forward to their return soon.

Get well wishes to Joan Gentry Patadal, who is now a patient at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and anticipates returning to her home soon.

Get well wishes to Kevin Searle, who is presently undergoing medical care. A fundraiser for Kevin will be held at the P.A. Club in May. Stay tuned.

Congratulations to James Taylor for his standing ovation at the American Country Music Awards on Sunday evening. His duet with Zac Brown of Colder Weather and Sweet Baby James was certainly a favorite of the evening. Their performance has certainly been well-received on Facebook and YouTube, in just a few short days. Way to go, JT!

Belated happy birthday wishes to Rhoda Diamond, who celebrated a major milestone in style. We will look forward to our pool time together in just a few weeks. Belated happy birthday wishes to Gary Paraboschi, who celebrated his special day on April 4. Happy birthday wishes this week to Megan Alley, who celebrates her special day today. Beth Kaeka will party on April 9. Caroline P. Mayhew will celebrate on April 10. Judith Manning Milavsky will celebrate her special day on April 11 and shares the day with Bob Rose, Salley Aranjo and Ted Leslie. Ed Cisek parties on April 12 as will Kathy Mercier. Jill Chandler Woollacott will celebrate her special day on April 13 and shares the day with Don Sexton. Lexie Roth will party on April 14.