JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

Congratulations to Beverly Wright in winning the Aquinnah selectmen’s race at the annual election on Wednesday. Congratulations to Jean Lince, who was a first-time candidate for Aquinnah Public Library trustee. Jean has tirelessly volunteered many hours at the library so she will make a smooth transition. All other incumbents were returned to their positions. Town clerk Carolyn Feltz achieved the highest number of votes, with 211 of the 225 votes cast. There are 398 on the voting list.

The Aquinnah board of health would like to extend a warm welcome to Mary McLaughlin, who will assume the duties of the town nurse this month. Mary resides in Marshfield and in Edgartown. Her first blood pressure clinic will be held on May 19 at the Aquinnah town hall from 11 a.m. to noon. To schedule an appointment with Mary, please call 508-645-2307. Welcome!

With the arrival of spring and warmer temperatures, most of the shops at the Cliffs are now open for the season, including the Aquinnah Shop, Stony Creek Gift Shop, and On the Cliffs. Everyone else will be open by Memorial Day weekend for your dining and shopping pleasure. The Orange Peel Bakery is open daily, with pizza being served on Saturday afternoons from 2 to 5 p.m. until warmer weather when Wednesday pizza nights will start again. Be sure to bring your own toppings for pizza (the recommended donation is $10) and enjoy the company of all.

Community Baptist Church of Gay Head members are encouraged to attend a potluck luncheon on Saturday, May 14 at 12:30 p.m. at the Totem Pole Inn. There will be a business meeting with members of TABCOM to review the bylaws.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Geraldine Brooks will be at the Bunch of Grapes on Saturday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. to discuss her newest novel, Caleb’s Crossing. Geraldine has certainly been well-recognized along the East Coast over the past few weeks with media appearances nearly every day as Caleb’s Crossing has become very popular. All the best to Geraldine, and thanks to her for the fictional account of Caleb. Of note, Richard Skidmore of Aquinnah produced the accompanying video for her presentations.

Aquinnah town administrator Adam Wilson will discuss his new novel, The Road to Sagamartha on Tuesday, May 17, at 5 p.m. at the Aquinnah town hall. Please stop by to hear Adam’s presentation and to obtain an autographed copy of his latest book.

The Martha’s Vineyard Youth Task Force will sponsor a presentation by Dr. Martha Straus on Tuesday, May 17 at 7 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School café. Dr. Straus returns to discuss dangerous transitions and Parenting Teens with Heart and Courage. All parents of teenagers are encouraged to attend. For further information, please call Youth Task Force coordinators Theresa Manning or Jamie Vanderhoop at 508-696-5304.

The Martha’s Vineyard chapter of the Massachusetts Society of Genealogists will meet on Wednesday, May 18 at 7 p.m. at the Family History Center across from the Black Dog Café on State Road in Tisbury. Guests are welcome to attend. Annual membership dues are $25. Please feel free to join us for the evening.

The Martha’s Vineyard Cancer Support Group will celebrate their 25th anniversary with a gala fundraiser, An Evening Under the Stars, at the Granary Gallery on Thursday, May 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $100 per person. Beverages, hors d’oeuvre and desserts will be available. Music will be performed by Mike Benjamin. MVCSG president Myra Stark is delighted to report that $425,000 has been raised over the past 25 years and has provided assistance to Vineyarders and their families in their time of need. For reservations and tickets, please call 508-696-9849. Donations may be mailed to MVCSG Box 2214, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.

The Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living will sponsor the fifth in a series of cultural luncheons celebrating the contributions and influence of Women of the Whaling Days and Island culture by West Tisbury author Cynthia Riggs. Phil Dietterich will be at the keyboard with songs by Martha Hudson. The luncheon will be held on Saturday, May 21 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Grill on Main with a culturally significant three course meal prepared by chef Anthony Saccoccia and his staff. For reservations and tickets, please call 508-696-9440.

Olive and Violet MacPhail enjoyed a visit from their uncle Eddie over the weekend. Ed returned for the annual block party at the home of Alexandra Taylor and her husband, Shawn MacPhail, and her brother, Isaac Taylor, and his wife, Noli, and their son, Emmett. The children had a wonderful time as always, the music was great, all the food was delicious, and for everyone to gather before the busy summer season was priceless.

Congratulations to Leigh and Christy Moreis on the birth of their son, Isaac LeVon Moreis, who was born on May 5 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Isaac weighed 8 pounds, 15 ounces. He was welcomed home by his brothers, Jeffrey and Levi, his grandparents, Madeline Moreis, Yvonne Duarte and Richard Michelson of Oak Bluffs, and John Duarte of Acushnet, and his great-grandmother, Lillian Garvin of Oak Bluffs.

Congratulations to Damon Runyan and Anna Cotton on the birth of their first child, Jack Samuel Runyan, on May 3 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.

Condolences to the family of Dr. David E. Smith, who passed away on May 5 at his home. His great work over the decades certainly changed the lives of many on the Vineyard.

Gladys Widdiss returned to her home on Monday afternoon after spending the weekend at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.

Happy first anniversary wishes to our up-Island mailman Sean Cummings and his wife, Kerry, as they celebrate on May 15.

Happy 12th anniversary wishes to Darren and Nancy Leport as they celebrate on May 15.

Happy 25th anniversary wishes to Michael and Bettina (Malonson) Washington as they celebrate on May 17.

Happy 11th anniversary wishes to Troy and Marcia Vanderhoop as they celebrate on May 20.

Happy birthday wishes to Bret P. Stearns on May 14, who shares the day with Steve Garvin, Sr., Phyllis Vanderhoop and Sophia Welch. Katie Mayhew will party on May 15 as she completes her freshman year studies at SUNY in Purchase. Nicholas Bologna will celebrate on May 15 and shares the day with Leigh Moreis, Lydia Fischer, Ben Cameron, Ed Stall and Herb Moody.

A very special happy birthday wish to Mary Jo Reston on May 16. Aquinnah Witham will party on May 17 and shares the day with Kyle Killebrew, Erin Corbo and Tom Seeman. Anne Haughton, Grace Reeves, Genie O’Donnell, Faith Corbo, Mark Wheaton and Malcolm Smith all share the day on May 18. Joan Kistner will observe her special day on May 19. Meredith Trimmer will celebrate on May 20. Michelle Laurie will observe her special day on May 20. A very special wish to Captain Robert E. Kinnecom, who celebrates a major milestone on May 20.