JUNE D. MANNING
508-645-2574
With the death of Gladys Anna Widdiss on June 13 at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, our Aquinnah community has lost one of its national treasures. She was surrounded by her family. Gladys was a crusader in our Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe, representing our tribe across the nation for the past 70 years on her own time and at her own expense.
She was the last creator of pottery of the clay from the Gay Head Cliffs, with each piece signed with her wild cranberry design and her signature. She worked tirelessly for our tribe, not only as a non-paid president of the Tribal Council for eight years, but as one of our intrepid leaders in our quest for federal acknowledgement.
Gladys was an inspiration to all, teaching the history of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), demonstrating her knowledge of beadwork and pottery, sharing family histories and genealogy, encouraging others to be involved in the tribe and the Aquinnah community. We served on the Aquinnah Library Trustees together, traveled to United South and Eastern Tribes conferences, and worked together at her shop at the Cliffs.
One of my favorite photographs of Gladys is behind the podium at the White House press room. There are many fond memories, especially of working on our regalia 60 years ago and discussing the latest in regalia making. Gladys has left an everlasting impression upon Aquinnah and has left us with an amazing lasting legacy. She is survived by her children, Donald, Carl and Dawn. She was the mother of the late Marc Widdiss, who died 10 years ago this week.
The Aquinnah Power Cruise will be held on Saturday, June 16 from noon to 3 p.m. at Aquinnah Circle. It is a nice afternoon to spend with those from the Boston Area Roadsters Club and to view the antique automobiles, hot rods and special interest cars. Admission is free and open to the public. For further information, please call Cruisemaster Carl Widdiss at 508-645-9528.
The Aquinnah Cultural Center will open for the seventh season on Saturday, June 16 at 1 p.m. The Center, under the direction of Linda Jeffers Coombs, will be open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for tours of the restored 19th century farmhouse of Aquinnah Wampanoag Edwin Devries Vanderhoop. In addition to tours, there will be special programs and events on Wampanoag and Native American culture throughout the season. Of note, Geraldine Brooks will be one of the featured speakers over the summer and we welcome her back to further discuss her book, Caleb’s Crossing. The Center is located at Aquinnah Circle. For further information, please call 508-645-7900 or e-mail aquinnahcc@gmail.com.
Featherstone Center for the Arts will present the 2nd Annual Solstice Celebration on June 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the outdoor stage. Bring a picnic dinner, the family and a poem to share and also hear featured poets Ellie Bates, Marianne Goldberg, Jill Jupen, Clark Meyers, Barbara Peckham, Brooks Robards and Annette Sandrock. Poets and musicians, William Waterway and Michael West will also perform. Liz Bradley and Mark Mazer will entertain with vocals and guitar music.
Community Baptist Church of Gay Head will join with First Baptist Church on Spring Street in Vineyard Haven for Music Appreciation Sunday on June 24 at 11 a.m. Enjoy a service of music (there will not be a 3 p.m. worship at Community Baptist on June 24). All are welcome to attend. For further information, please call 508-693-1539.
Condolences to the family and friends of Linda BenDavid, who died this past week at her home surrounded by her family. There are many lasting memories of travel and Lion’s Club adventures with our spouses, 50th birthday parties and family friendships that have crossed the generations over the past half a century.
Garth W. and Ollie Edwards returned to their home in Essex, Conn. on Sunday after spending a few days at their Chilmark home. They were accompanied by Christine and her husband Glenn and were delighted to have a house full of family members upon their arrival, including their son Garth N. and his wife Jennie, as well as a reunion with Garth W.’s nephew Steve and his wife. We will look forward to their return in August when we will celebrate the 97th birthday of Garth W. While here, they enjoyed the company of many of their neighbors who visited with them.
Edward Fantasia has returned home following several months of hospitalization at Children’s Hospital and then Spaulding Rehab in Boston.
Bert Fischer is very proud of his son, Chris Fischer, who is in the latest Martha Stewart Magazine featuring Rise and Dine at Beetlebung Farm and greenhouse dining.
Doris Hamel and her son Charlie enjoyed a brief visit from friend Beulah Blodgett and her son Gary. Beulah and her family once resided at the Grieder quonset hut.
Condolences to the family and friends of Mary Lu Healey, who died this past week at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. An esteemed educator of many students over the years and a great and gracious friend to many.
Aquinnah’s prima ballerina, Stephanie Hecht, and her Rise dance students will perform at their fifth annual Rise Dance Recital on Saturday, June 16 at 6 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School Performing Arts Center. On Sunday there will be a matinee at 2 p.m. Dancers between the ages of three and 16 will perform Broadway classics.
Condolences to the family and friends of Estelle Surprenant, who died on Saturday. She was the secretary to superintendent of schools Charles Downs, and her office at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School was across the hall from our homeroom. Her warm smile welcomed us each day as we entered the school. Estelle’s late husband Roger was our bread man in Gay Head for many years. It has been a pleasure having Estelle and her daughter Muriel attending the Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living Cultural Luncheons over the past few years and seeing each other once more.
Congratulations to Malcolm Smith, son of Russell Smith of Tisbury and Susan Heckler Smith of Aquinnah, upon his graduation from Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School on Sunday.
Happy third anniversary wishes to Douglas Plummer and Cathleen Sheehan on June 20. Happy tenth anniversary wishes to Ted Leslie and his bride Kristina Ann Kestenbaum Leslie as they celebrate on June 21.
Happy birthday wishes to Noah James Manning as he celebrates his sixth birthday on June 16 with his classmates. Thank you, Noah for such immense joy on a daily basis—you are the best!
Amy Lilavois will party on June 16 and shares the day with our Aquinnah town attorney Ronald H. Rappaport and Lisa Lane, who will observe a major milestone. Nancy Leport, Irena Gerhard, Flip Scipio, Greg Borchow and Tabitha Rose will all celebrate on June 17. Ashley Elizabeth Johnson will be 10 years old on June 18. Scott Mullin and Elliott Bonham Berz will party on June 19.
Dr. Thomas Green will celebrate his special day on June 20 and shares the day with Susan Heckler Smith and Faith Smalley. Fawn Vanderhoop Fantasia will celebrate on June 22.
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