JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

All the best to retired Aquinnah fire chief Walter E. Delaney, who was so honored for his 17 years of service as the fire chief and his many years of service to the town of Aquinnah as former selectman, moderator, conservation commission member and Tri-Town Ambulance coordinator (among other hats he has worn along the way). Walter went out in a blaze of glory with colleagues and friends from across the Vineyard in attendance at his retirement party on Sunday evening at the Aquinnah town hall. Walter was awarded American flags and received notes of congratulations from Congressman William Keating and Rep. Tim Madden. Fellow fire chiefs David Norton of Chilmark, Manuel Estrella of West Tisbury, John Schilling of Tisbury and fire commissioners Dennis Alley, Anthony Ferreira and James Moreis of Oak Bluffs honored Walter, as did Ewell Hopkins and his Cub Scouts. Former fire chiefs Richard Clark of Tisbury and John Early of West Tisbury, as well as firefighters from across the Vineyard, were also in attendance. This was not only a retirement dinner for Walter, but also an opportunity to acknowledge his wife, Nancy, who has assisted him throughout his years of service with endless reams of paperwork, telephone calls and messages, and has been there to support Walter in his endeavors.

ACE MV, Adult and Community Education of Martha’s Vineyard, will present a cultural festival on Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High from 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $15, free for children 12 and under. Performers include Black Brook Drum and Singers, La Eskuelita Candombe, Sabrina and Don Groover, Saskia Vanderhoop and company, the Yard, Vineyard Bellydance and Revue and many more. Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival and Cinema Circus will provide movies for children. There will also be an ethnic and international food court, featuring foods from around the world, a silent auction and local vendors showcasing ethnic arts and demonstrations. Support this very worthy cause, which provides for educational opportunities on the Vineyard.

A few families will gather on Sunday, Nov. 20 from 9 a.m. to noon for an indoor multi-family community yard sale at the Aquinnah town hall. Stop in and find many treasures.

Students and community members will be donating items in honor of the Armed Forces through the Daughters of the American Revolution, Martha’s Vineyard Seacoast Defence Chapter of the DAR. Susan Larsen, a veteran of the United States Coast Guard, will be collecting items for delivery to veterans in VA Hospitals over the holiday season. Some of the items needed include regular size shampoo and conditioner, soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, stick deodorants, stamped envelopes, notepaper, holiday cards, pens and pencils and essential items. Susan will be collecting the items at the Chilmark School on Tuesday, Nov. 22.

The 15th annual Peacecraft holiday sale will begin on Nov. 25 in a new location, across from the Black Dog Tavern at 13 Beach Road Extension in Vineyard Haven. Crafts and gifts from Haiti and other third world countries will be for sale, the proceeds of which benefit the artisans. The shop will be open from noon to 5 p.m. daily through Christmas Eve. For further information, please go to fishfarmhaiti.org. To volunteer, call Meg at 508-687-9709.

Elsie Fantasia, daughter of Edward and Lorraine Fawn Vanderhoop Fantasia, was chosen to be the soloist to sing the Star Spangled Banner at the final football game of the season at Mount Ida Junior College. Elsie will now join the cheerleaders for the Mount Ida basketball team for the winter.

Theodore Leslie returned home this week following his hospitalization at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Edwin Vanderhoop entertained everyone at the VIP potluck dinner and dance at the Chilmark Community Center on Saturday night.

It is rather unusual to enter the Thanksgiving week with temperatures still in the 60s each day. We had a Thanksgiving blizzard in 1989, as I recall. Although most of the trees are now mostly bare from recent high winds, there are many spring flowers in bloom and the last roses of summer are still rather prominent in many gardens.

May you have a happy Thanksgiving with your family and friends. Safe journey for those who will be traveling this season. Be mindful of those less fortunate. Remember the Wampanoag Tribe, who started it all with their outstretched hands to welcome those who chose to settle in New England.

Happy 53rd anniversary wishes to Karl and Patt Burgess as they celebrate their special day on Nov. 23.

Happy birthday wishes to Erick Vanderhoop, who will party on Nov. 20 and shares the day with Maxwell Butler. Conrad Noble will celebrate on Nov. 21. Curtis Sayles will party on Nov. 22 and shares the day with Kathryn Corjulo, who will observe a major milestone while awaiting the completion of her new Aquinnah home.

Billie Diamond Vanderhoop Shepard will celebrate her fifth birthday on Nov. 23. Jim Barrett will party on Nov. 23 and it was certainly nice to catch up on news with him recently.

Kenneth Belain Jr. will celebrate on Nov. 24 and shares the day with Sue Battiste and Fred Croft. Peter Temple parties on Nov. 25.