JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(junemanning152@gmail.com)

Aquinnah was covered with a slight dusting of snow on Friday morning, the first for this season. The temperature was 52 by noon so, thankfully, it all melted. Now it is time to spend the next month enjoying Christmas carols.

November is National Military Family Appreciation Month to recognize and honor the families for their commitment and contributions in support of our military and nation. It’s not easy packing up and moving every four years, enrolling the children in different schools, being away from their families for long periods of time and the long deployments they must endure–yet they do it all. Saturday afternoon, a few families of the USCG Station Menemsha gathered which is always a great time, especially with the toddlers.

Thank you to the Vineyard Gazette for the Veterans Day photograph by Timothy Johnson on the front page on Nov. 16. The honor guard from left to right included Ryan Ouellette, Joel Behr, Justus Christopher and Ryan Martyn.

Joan LeLacheur is having an open studio and sale Friday and Saturday, Nov. 23 and 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., showing her wampum and other shell bracelets, earrings, necklaces, pendants and mosaic tiles. Many surprises traditional and contemporary designs. Also, exquisite art cards by Susan Shea available at 42 Old South Road. Aquinnah. Contact her at joanlela57@gmail.com, 508-645-9954 or 508-939-1691

Looking for a fun class for the winter? Steve Engley will be offering Drawing and Coffee at the Howes House in West Tisbury beginning on Nov. 27 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Please call the Up-Island Council on Aging at 508-693-2896 for reservations, as most of the art supplies will be provided and an accurate count is necessary.

Federated Church will be holding Wreath Workshops on Nov. 26, 27 and 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Parish House on 45 South Summer St., Edgartown. Help make over 75 all-natural and hand-decorated wreaths, to be sold at the Festival of Wreaths on Thursday, Nov. 29 from 4 to 6 p.m. The sale benefits the preservation and maintenance of the 1832 Mayhew Parsonage. If you wish, you may purchase the wreath you make at the workshop for $70 the day of the workshop. Experience useful, but not required, there are many projects to work on, and many hands make light work! For information, please call 508-627-4421.

There will be an Aquinnah Artisans Holiday Sale on Saturday, Dec. 8 at the Aquinnah town hall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you are an Aquinnah artisan and interested in having a table at the sale, please contact Gabriela Camilleri at gabcamdesigns@gmail.com or 508-693-5969. It’s $30 per table.

Stephen Hutchinson and Gabriella Camillieri have returned from an all too brief visit with his daughter Caitlin Hutchinson in Portland, Ore. Caitlin is presently a traveling nurse and enjoying the change in venues.

Speaking of nurses, it is always nice to see Ann Burt and Judy Hathaway. Friday morning was business as usual for these two semi-retired nurses as they took time out of their busy schedules for breakfast at Plane View. Many happy memories of working close by to this dynamic duo!

Theresa Kistner Manning returned home after a brief trip to Atlantic City to spend time with her sisters Deborah Hart of North Carolina and Elizabeth Long of Pennsylvania. They enjoyed themselves immensely during their relaxing sister time.

Condolences to the family and friends of Larry Michie, one of my former editors at the Vineyard Gazette. Just the other day I was trying to fondly remember all the editors I have had over the past quarter of a century. They have each been an inspiration.

Congratulations to Brian Scott and his wife, Elsie Fantasia Scott, on the birth of their son, Lincoln Edward Scott, on Nov. 9 at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Lincoln is welcomed home by his paternal grandparents, Herbert Devine Jr. and Sally Scott, and great-grandmother, Mildred Welch Scott. His maternal family includes his grandparents, Edward Fantasia and Lorraine Fawn Vanderhoop Fantasia; great-grandmother, Gloria Fisk; uncles, Edward and Thomas Fantasia and Tobias Vanderhoop. Lincoln will be the joy of innumerable cousins.

Sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Margaret Steinberg who passed away on Nov. 4. Margaret and her husband Dr. Gerald Steinberg were longtime seasonal residents of East Pasture. Dr. Steinberg worked in the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital emergency room during the summers in the 1970s and 1980s thus beginning their Vineyard stays. Margaret will be greatly missed.

Happy birthday to Kevin Devine on Nov. 25, to Diamond (Ellie) Vanderhoop on Nov. 28, and to Al Alley Jr. on Nov. 29.

Aquinnah town news can be sent to junemanning152@gmail.com.