Winter is upon us. A light dusting of snow on Tuesday remained overnight. The temperatures are in the teens with colder weather forecasted for the end of the week. Be careful on the roads, bundle up when you go out, or just stay warm at home with a good book.

Sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Sen. Edward W. Brooke who passed away this week at his home in Coral Gables, Fla. Senator Brooke was a schoolmate of our stepmother Helen Vanderhoop Manning while they attended the Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C., along with his cousin Dr. Adelaide Cromwell. Our father, James W. Manning, was always working on one of Senator Brooke’s campaigns, whether for senator or for attorney general, and we were all staunch supporters of his efforts. I had the pleasure of being reacquainted with Senator Brooke at his book signing in Oak Bluffs in 2007. He was truly a man of incredible accomplishments. Condolences to his wife Anne and their son Edward 4th, his daughters Remi and Edwina and their families, his cousin Dr. Adelaide Cromwell and her son Tony, and his niece Peggy Amos and her son David.

Condolences to the family and friends of Edith Drake Bennett who passed away at Windemere. She enjoyed her luncheons and trips with the Council on Aging groups and her many lifelong friendships across the Vineyard.

Condolences to the family and friends of Doreena King Brouillette who passed away at home on Christmas Day. Doreena was for many years the Marlene’s taxi driver and school bus driver for those with physical challenges. She is survived by her sons David and William and daughter Sandra, as well as by numerous nieces and nephews across the Vineyard.

Sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Betty Gross who passed away on Jan. 1, surrounded by the love and presence of her children Adam and Jill. She had only spent New Year’s Eve in the hospital, succumbing to influenza. Betty and her late husband Dr. Jerome Gross were up-Island summer residents for more than half a century, residing in Aquinnah since building their home in the late 1960s. She was a very talented artist whose work was shown on the Vineyard and in the Boston area. Betty is survived by her children Adam, Neil and Jill and their spouses, as well as by her five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren who all appreciate their summers in Aquinnah. An outdoor memorial service will be held in Aquinnah when the weather warms to honor Betty and her late husband who passed away on Jan. 27, 2014, in a place they so loved and shared with many.

Condolences to the family and friends of Tom Rivers who passed away on Jan. 1 at his home in Chilmark. Tom was an avid birdwatcher with feeders surrounding his home. He participated in the annual bird count when he was well enough. Tom married his high school sweetheart Barbara, a relationship that lasted more than 73 years, 65 of which they were married. There will be a memorial service in the spring for Tom.

The Aquinnah Public Library was filled to the brim on Dec. 30 with children of all ages enjoying reading, Legos, coloring, and cutouts along with their parents and friends; a very joyous time for all.

Another book I gratefully appreciated for Christmas is the collector’s edition of A Year on the Island: 2014, a selection of photography and poetry from the Vineyard Gazette. Stop by the Vineyard Gazette office to obtain your copy for $39.95 plus tax.

Carrie Anne Vanderhoop Bellis and her five-year-old daughter Rosalie returned to their home in Masset, B.C., on Wednesday morning after spending the past three weeks with their extended Aquinnah family.

Amanda Holmes and her daughter Moryn have returned to their winter home in Tucson, Ariz., after spending the past five months with Moryn’s father Donald Widdiss. Amanda will continue her studies while in Tucson.

Betty Joslow enjoyed a holiday visit from her daughter Wendy.

Ted and Kristina Leslie enjoyed a holiday visit from their former neighbors Denny and Colleen Freedman of New Cumberland, Pa. They brought with them lots of treats from Amish country, especially the shoo-fly pie. In return, they were treated to lobster, scallops and mussels from Menemsha Fish Market.

Noah James Manning returned home on Sunday evening after a five-day stay with his grandparents Bill and Joan Kistner in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., for a belated Christmas celebration. Noah taught his cousin Ava how to wrap scallops in bacon. He also assisted his cousin Bill in preparing homemade pasta and meatballs for their family dinner one night. He was accompanied on his journey by his parents Paul and Theresa, his sister Kayla and his niece Kylee.

All the best to Joe Massua who has retired as postmaster at the Chilmark post office. While under his guidance, our rural deliveries are arriving at least four hours earlier than usual. This week, the mail arrived at 11:30 one morning as opposed to it arriving around 4 p.m. during summer months. Joe will probably be heading to Florida soon for rest and relaxation in a warmer clime.

Sandy Moreis has moved from Aquinnah to Oak Bluffs. In the move, her cat Noonah has been missing — a gray and white shorthaired domestic feline. If you see Noonah still lingering around the Aquinnah home, please call Sandy at 508-560-2426.

Naushon Vanderhoop and her daughter Nanawusuwee enjoyed their Christmas with family, returning to their home in Brooklyn, N.Y., this week. Nanawusuwee enjoyed visiting her cousins Sawanahsh, Kupay and Golden Sunshine.

Remembering Carl Widdiss — Pam has a Christmas tree at the cemetery for all who would like to leave a message for Carl. The tree will be there until at least April 1.

Happy 14th anniversary wishes to Joel and Tamara Buchwald on Jan. 13.

Happy birthday wishes this week to Moryn Gladys Holmes Widdiss who will be two years old on Jan. 11. Gordon Perry celebrates on Jan. 12 and shares the day with Pam Glavin, Alex Mayhew and Priscilla Belain. Edie Baker will observe her special day on Jan. 13 and shares the day with twins Jocelyn and Dillon Woods who will be nine years old, and Brian Athearn who will remain ageless. Megan Woods will party on the 14th. Carol Mayrand and Faith Vanderhoop share the day on Jan. 15. Tom Murphy parties on Jan. 16.

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