508-645-2574

(lthslnks2004@yahoo.com)

The Aquinnah Cultural Center will present Vanderhoop Homestead house tours today and tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The annual Feast & Fundraising dinner will feature traditional foods provided by Sly Fox’s Den of Mashpee. There will be a special presentation by Professor and Abenaki tribe member Lisa Brooks of Amherst College. She will speak on her book, The Common Pot: Recovery of Native Space in the Northeast.

On Monday, August 13, Jannette Vanderhoop will speak about traditional gardening, corn and the harvest, while teaching visitors to make their own corn husk figure. There is a $10 crafting fee. On Tuesday, August 14 meet four Native American authors — Joan Avant and Robert Peters of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, Larry Mann from the Nipmuc tribe and Lisa Brooks from the Abenaki nations — who will all offer autographed copies of their books. The New England Native Authors Symposium begins at 4 p.m., with $7 admission.

On Wednesday, August 15 Amira Madison of the Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe and Brian Weeden of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe will speak on UNITY, the national native youth leadership organization in which they both hold office. The will discuss the purpose and goals of UNITY and it national scope and depth, as well as their respective roles in it. There is a $7 admission fee.

The Aquinnah/Gay Head Community Association is hosting a wine and cheese reception on Monday, August 13 at 7 p.m. at the Vanderhoop Homestead. Soo Whiting, the well-known expert and weekly avian columnist for the Vineyard Gazette, will be the featured speaker and show a slide presentation on birds and birding. Free will offering. Please bring finger foods if you would like.

On Monday, August 13 at 5 p.m. at the Federated Church, the Martha’s Vineyard Museum will host the annual Martha’s Vineyard Medal Award ceremony. They will recognize those who have shown outstanding commitment to preserving the history, arts and culture of Martha’s Vineyard. This year the recipients will be the James and Deborah Athearn family, Geraldine Brooks and her husband Tony Horwitz, and Hugh Knipmeyer. Join the museum staff and board for the museum’s annual meting. The 2012 medal winners will be introduced with a reception to follow. The event is free and open to all.

On Tuesday, August 14 author Nichole Bernier will speak at the Aquinnah Public Library on her novel The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D.

On Thursday, August 16, Peter Benson Miller will speak at the library on the British painter Stanley William Hayter.

Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard is hosting its Summer Soiree on Tuesday, August 14 at Farm Neck. They’ve introduced some new and exciting changes, which they hope will increase the fun as they raise money for patient care in the upcoming year. Some of the changes include a new menu by caterer Jaime Hamlin and new auction items, including a beautiful painting by Frank Brunelle that has been featured on their Set Sail with Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard events. For information or to purchase tickets, go to hospiceofmv.org or call 508-693-0189.

First Baptist Church will have a chicken barbecue on August 18 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the corner of Spring and William streets in Tisbury. Reservations are suggested. Takeout is available. The cost is $12 for adults, $6 for children under 12. Please call 508-693-1539 for further information.

Brooke McKillop and her sister Debra Russell have returned to their homes on the West Coast after a visit with their Aquinnah cousins and friends.

Charlotte Meyer was honored by family and friends at dinner at Farm Neck on Saturday evening to celebrate her major milestone. Family and friends from Aquinnah and across the nation were in attendance. Each one of her children and grandchildren were present for the grand celebration.

Joe Spinelli is resting comfortably following the horrific accident he was in on Tuesday afternoon. We anticipate he will be back at the Grange today with his extensive collection of jewelry. Thank you immensely to Tri-Town EMTs Zeke Wilkins and Jason Hallett, and Corporal Garrison Viera of the West Tisbury Police Department for their professionalism, compassion and attentiveness. Thank you also to Dr. Jonathan Pangia and the nursing staff at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital emergency room.

Happy 34th anniversary wishes to Barry and Judith Manning Milavsky on August 11.

Happy birthday wishes this week to Bettina Malonson Washington on August 12. Lenny Butler and his wife Mallory Mosser Butler share the day, as they have for many years, on August 14. Kate Taylor will be singing the day away on August 15.

See you at the fair.