Congratulations to Theresa Kistner Manning upon her first election to a political office, with 374 Upis Land votes Theresa, my most favorite daughter in law, has offered to serve on the Up-Island Regional School Committee over the next few years. We will look forward to her wisdom at school committee meetings.

Speaking of politics as the season closes, may we all be reminded of the many positive changes the late Mayor Thomas Menino made in the city of Boston. His diplomacy was exemplary over his two decades of serving. One could only hope that more politicians would take a page from Mayor Menino’s book of life. May he rest in peace.

Attorney General Martha Coakley certainly ran an ambitious campaign and was favored across the Vineyard. Having met Martha at a gathering in Oak Bluffs at the book signing of our friend Sen. Edward Brooke and then again at the Howes House, I was very impressed with her ambitious insight and her compassion for the people of the commonwealth. The frequent emails from her campaign team will be missed, but her presence on the Vineyard may be more abundant. Thank you, Martha, for your tenacity.

Aquinnah has always been rather politically inclined and with 54 per cent of the registered voters casting their ballots on Tuesday, it was another day of encouragement. As always, we had a first-time voter to assist and a few who have moved to town on a year-round basis voting in town for the first time.

Community Baptist Church of Gay Head will have a flea market on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Aquinnah town hall. Many vendors will be selling a variety of treasures. Food will be available for purchase.

Reminder — the harvest dinner will be served family style on Nov. 8 at 5:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. sittings at the First Baptist Church in Tisbury. Tickets are $15 per person and include turkey, gravy, potatoes, green bean casserole, squash, cranberry sauce, beverage and pie. For tickets, please call Rev. Ellen Tatreau at 508-693-1539.

Tuesday, Nov. 11, is Veterans Day, honoring those who have served and are presently serving our country. A parade will begin at Nancy’s on Lake street in Oak Bluffs and will start at 10:45 a.m. and head to Ocean Park.

Vineyard Smiles will be at the Aquinnah town hall on Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For registration, qualifications and an appointment, please call Vineyard Health Care Access at 508-696-0020.

Martha’s Vineyard Museum will present Pecha Kucha on Friday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m., at the Harbor View Hotel. At the October session, there was standing room only with 85 in attendance. There will be a larger room this time. If you are interested in sharing 20 slides 20 seconds each, this is your time to present. If you would rather just attend, the event is free of charge.

The West Tisbury fifth grade will sponsor a cake walk on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Chilmark Community Center to raise funds for the annual Shenandoah trip. An afternoon of fun, with a 50/50 raffle and more.

Thank you to Roxane Ackerman for serving the up-Island community on the school committee for the past 30 years.

Thank you to Betty Joslow and Molly Purves for their oversight in planning with the human services department the successful Halloween party at the tribal building on Friday past. All in attendance had a grand time. Trick-or-treating was just as successful across Aquinnah.

Another year of interviews with the Rural Scholars of University of Massachusetts Amherst has come to a close. Every year, Paddy Moore includes me in the discussions. Their interviews, observations and presentations have been invaluable to the Vineyard. The nursing and medical students this year included Benjamin Alfred, Margaret Donovan, Aimee Kobjack, Adrienne Pompeian and Elizabeth Rosen.

Congratulations to Alexandra Taylor for her perseverance in running, first around the Outermost Inn, then all over Aquinnah, down to Chilmark, and as far as Morning Glory Farm in Edgartown. This past Sunday, “AT” participated in the New York city Marathon, completing the course in a little more than four hours. She was cheered on by her husband Shaun MacPhail and twin daughters Olive and Violet.

Thank you to the staff at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital Infusion Center, having completed my latest series of infusions. Chilmark Chocolates brighten their day!

Happy birthday to Molly Cournoyer as she celebrates on Monday. Martha Vanderhoop will celebrate on Tuesday as will Molly Purves. Sarah Howes parties on Nov. 12 and Lewis Colby on the 14th.

Send your Aquinnah news to: junemanning152@gmail.com.