Rain has persisted throughout most of the week with temperatures in the low 40s up to the low 70s and a few days of sunshine. Lawns are looking nice and some of the trees are still budding. Beach plum bushes are in full bloom. Sure signs of spring: Biscuits opening on May 18, Menemsha Market will open under the stewardship of Kevin and Liz Oliver and their family, the Bite will be open within the week and Cliffhangers will open May 25.

The Family Center of Martha’s Vineyard Community Services will visit a different Island library each month. For May it is the Aquinnah Public Library and their visit will be tomorrow from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. While at the library they may participate in the kid’s craft for this week, which will be painting with watercolors.

Saturday May 20 is Community Services electronic disposal day. In conjunction with Bruno’s, it is recycling day for computers, appliances, televisions, telephones, and scrap metal to benefit the many services provided for more than 6,000 Vineyarders on a year-round basis. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the campus across from the high school.

Sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Glenn Carpenter, who passed away on Saturday. Glenn was the business manager at the Vineyard Gazette when yours truly began writing the Aquinnah column and in his retirement I would see him often on his tour bus route to Aquinnah. He will be greatly missed by many across the Vineyard.

It was nice to see Fred Croft in town over the weekend. He arrived from Maine to celebrate Alexandra Taylor’s birthday. Fred is looking quite well these days and dapper in his appearance.

Condolences to the family and friends of Celina Jessie Vanderhoop Jourdain, who passed away at her home in Ruckersville, Va. on May 7 at the age of 95. Jessie was born in Gay Head, the youngest of 13 children of Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) Chief Harrison Vanderhoop and Celina Manning. Jessie was predeceased by all of her siblings. She was the widow of Nelson Jourdain and is survived by her children Sylvia, Mark, Roger, and Joy as well as by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Services will be held in Virginia.

Congratulations to Seamus Mahoney, son of James and Melissa, who recently competed in a karate meet in Worcester. Seamus came in four place in his Kata (form) event out of 16 boys participating.

Congratulations to Beatrice Patadal upon her graduation from nursing school in Oklahoma. Bea’s graduation was attended by her husband Fabian Pattarroyo, her mother Joan Gentry Patadal, and her cousin Adrian Gentry.

Louise Petersiel has arrived for the summer and will manage the grocery section of the Chilmark Store as always. We will look forward to her evening walks with her furry friend Marley.

Frank Rapoza will have an artist’s reception of inlaid wampum on Sunday, May 21 at Beach Road Restaurant from 4 to 7 p.m. Frank will display his latest works in wampum mosaics. Beautiful pieces of art for your home.

The Sullivan family has arrived for their summer sojourn. Barry, Dan and Dorothy returned to Aquinnah on May 8 from Rochester, N.Y. They are very happy to be back. Dottie’s mom will be visiting for a week and was glad she could be with them for Mother’s Day. They all look forward to late spring, summer, and fall on the Vineyard. Lots of family and friends will be visiting. They will be gone for a couple of weeks on a Baltic cruise with friends but will be on MV for the rest of the next six months.

Saturday was another fun day in the neighborhood as Alexandra Taylor celebrated her birthday with her annual Cakes and Kegs party. There were at least two dozen cakes on the dessert table by the time I arrived. The day was marked by a celebration of an open house for Charlie Hoye and Cathy Olsen, Isaac Taylor’s in laws who have moved into their new home.

Congratulations to Leigh Vanderhoop and John Hirt, who were sworn in as postmasters in Chilmark and West Tisbury respectively on Tuesday, May 16 in a ceremony at the Legion Hall in Tisbury. Leigh has been at the Chilmark post office for nearly 30 years while John has worked in Chilmark, Tisbury, and now in West Tisbury for the past two years.

Happy 171st anniversary wishes to the Vineyard Gazette, first published on May 14, 1846. Having written for the Gazette for a mere 24 years, yours truly is simply a small part of the weekly production.

Happy 38th anniversary wishes to Michael and Susie Wallo on May 26.

Happy birthday wishes this week to Elsie Fantasia Scott on May 21 as she shares the day with Jean Entine. May 22 is a day of celebration for Bridget Tobin, Maureen Dolby Stanus, and Matthew Hayden. Mia Rae Jeffers will party on May 23. Down-Island cousin Kaye Manning will celebrate on May 24 and shares the day with Jon Mayhew and Nicholas Wallen. Marsha Shufrin will observe her special day on May 26.

Send Aquinnah news to junemanning152@gmail.com.