Winter is upon us. The winds have swirled for the past few days, creating massive waves along the south shore that even surfers would not attempt to try. The autumn foliage is just about gone. Temperatures have been in the 30s and 40s. On Sunday afternoon there were episodes of pea-sized hail, hard as rocks. On Monday afternoon there was a brief moment of sleet and a few snowflakes. Brr...

The Aquinnah Public Library will be closed on Thanksgiving. Story time will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26, and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. will be kids craft: making fall trees. On Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 4 p.m. is the After School Club, and at 5:30 p.m. join in the new knitting group to get help with knitting questions, work on a current project, or start something new. The group will be led by Rachel McMullen, who works part-time at Knitworks, where community members are busy knitting for the annual Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard Handmade from the Heart sale in December. Rachel will be at the library twice a month throughout the winter for assistance.

My friend and fellow Martha’s Vineyard Community Services board member Sandra Pimentel has written a memoir, Blind Acceptance, about her family and her extended family. Her life has been so interesting that it has been difficult to put the book down. It is a must read. A few of her friends gathered on Sunday afternoon to listen to Sandy read parts of her memoir and field questions from those in attendance. Kind of gives one encouragement to write their memoirs.

GO VINEYARDERS! Harpoon the Nantucket Whalers on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Daniel G. McCarthy Field at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. The annual rivalry game between the Islands will be on Vineyard turf this year. Let’s keep the cup!

The dredging in Menemsha Pond is about to resume. Al Johnson and his crew from J-Way in Ohio have returned to complete the job they started a year ago but had ceased due to the winter flounder spawning season. While at Menemsha Texaco on Sunday, Mr. Johnson had a front row seat to observe the strong winds remove the piping placed along the west jetty.

Deer season begins on Monday, Nov. 28. Please be careful while out walking and dress appropriately in bright colored clothing and hats. The shotgun season runs through Dec. 10. On Dec. 12 primitive firearm season begins and runs until Dec. 31. Have a safe hunting season. Only two antlered deer may be taken, but there is no limit to the antlerless deer population. Deer may be weighed in at the tribal weigh station during the work week from 9 to 5.

All the best to Amira Madison as she heads across country for greener pastures. Amira, formerly the youth coordinator for the tribe and supervisor at the Aquinnah Shop, is moving to California. May she enjoy her new endeavors.

Solon Oliver is the 2016 Chilmark ambassador for Project 351 and is embarking on his final service project of the year. He is the son of Kevin and Elizabeth (Seward) Oliver and grandson of Douglas Seward, Stanley and Marie Mercer, and Buddy Oliver. He is leading a food drive to replenish the Island Food Pantry after Thanksgiving and before the December holidays. The food drive runs from Nov. 28 through Dec. 9. Collection bins will be at the entrances of the Chilmark town hall and the West Tisbury school. Great job Solon.

Condolences to the family and friends of Richard Andrade Jr., who passed away on Nov. 18. Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Condolences to the family and friends of Neva Thornhill, who passed away on Nov. 11. Neva and her beloved husband Melvin were often present for events in Aquinnah, especially services at Community Baptist Church, and always when one of their family members was leading the worship service. They also enjoyed attending the pow wow and other events. She will be greatly missed, especially by the congregations of both Baptist churches on the Vineyard.

Happy birthday wishes this week to Conrad Noble, who celebrated on Nov. 21.

Happy Thanksgiving one and all. As you sit down to dine with your family and friends be mindful of the first feast in 1621 and how the Wampanoag Federation greeted the Pilgrims upon their arrival in the new world, and provided for their survival in their new land. The Wampanoags had very loose immigration laws at that time!

Send Aquinnah news to junemanning152@gmail.com.