JUNE D. MANNING
508-645-2574
Summer has come to a close much too abruptly. We have continued to enjoy the warmth of the sun this week with a few wind gusts and overnight rain. The pool has closed and we can graciously thank Hannah Malkin for allowing all the children of Aquinnah the use of her pool for swimming lessons. Michael Wooley has been the instructor for the past 10 years and has by now taught hundreds of our youth how to swim. On occasion, there were two dozen children at the pool on Tuesday afternoons. Thank you to Charles Shipway for teaching our Aquinnah children sailing. Charlie has also taught many of our youth how to maneuver across Menemsha Pond and how to appreciate the serenity of being on the pond.
To signify the season, Clifford the Big Red Dog will be celebrating his 50th birthday this month. Clifford, the creation of Norman Bridwell and his wife Norma, has fascinated children for the past half century. We still have quite a collection of Clifford dogs and many books that are treasured.
House tours will be conducted today at the Aquinnah Cultural Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Saturday, Sept. 22 Jannette Vanderhoop will show you how to make sailors valentines while listening to tales of whaling and the seafaring days of yore. There will be a $10 fee for the valentines. On Wednesday, Sept. 26 there will be house tours from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Vanderhoop homestead is at Aquinnah Circle and the telephone number is 508-645-7900.
Martha’s Vineyard Community Services will sponsor an electronics disposal day on Saturday, Sept. 29 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. across from the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. Small appliances, computers, keyboards, printers, etc. will be recycled for a small fee to benefit community services.
Sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Todd Follansbee, who passed away unexpectedly this week. Todd was a dedicated keeper of the Gay Head lighthouse, a position he enjoyed immensely and delighted in providing information to one and all. He also organized many musical gatherings across the Vineyard over the past five years. He was a man of wisdom, sincerity and caring. He loved his Vineyard lifestyle and will be missed by many. Todd is survived by his dear friend Dr. Deborah Mayhew, her daughter Katie and the Mayhew family, as well as by his three daughters and parents. A private Follansbee and Mayhew memorial was held at the Gay Head lighthouse on Tuesday. A celebration of the life of Todd will be held at a later date.
Henry and Betty Costabel are at their Aquinnah home enjoying the beautiful weather.
All the best to Laura Edelman, who served as the education director for the Aquinnah tribe over the past year. It is encouraging to see that she is fulfilling her career by assisting Patricia Kelley at the West Tisbury School. Laura previously was a teacher in Peekskill, N.Y. Laura will certainly be missed at the tribe, where she provided wonderful educational opportunities for the tribal youth over the past year with programs, travel, a reading program and cultural activities. She will be missed immensely.
Our cousin Linda Hobbs, her husband Joseph, and their children Jason, Lauren, and Chelsea returned to their home in New York on Tuesday afternoon and were accompanied by our cousin Oliver Noble. Our sister Jyl Manning, her son Rob and his children Robbie, Ryleigh and Logan, and Samantha BenDavid have spent a wonderful time together over the past week with family dinners, beach time and just enjoying Aquinnah together. We look forward to their return next year.
Mary McLaughlin, RN, is available for wellness checks, new baby and mom assessments, blood pressure testing and medications review. Her telephone number is 781-534-2543. She is available at the Aquinnah town hall the third Thursday of each month from 2 to 3 p.m.
All the best to Cathy Thompson, who will be stepping down as director of the Aquinnah Public Library in November. Cathy has been the director for the past two years and has continued with the favored speaker series. After her retirement from the Chilmark library, she spent a few years in Chicago, and upon returning to her Menemsha home, decided to work as a librarian once more. She will now retire for a second time, but with plans to continue her vital work on the Chilmark planning board, perhaps volunteer her services at a museum, spend time with her family and friends and, of course, travel.
Phil Weinstein will continue with his series of talks. A Century of American Short Stories with Flannery O’Connor, The Collected Stories is on Wednesday, Sept. 26 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Chilmark library. Books will be available at the library.
Happy 51st anniversary wishes to Ted and Judy Mayhew, happy 34th anniversary wishes to David and Diane Jensen, and happy 6th anniversary wishes to Ken Wentworth and Liz Witham as they all celebrate on Sept. 23. Happy 8th anniversary wishes to Kevin Sheehan and Jennifer Butler on Sept. 25. Happy 21st anniversary wishes to Derrill Bazzy and his bride Joanne Eccher as they celebrate on Sept. 27. Happy anniversary wishes to Joseph and Linda Hobbs as they celebrate on Sept. 28. Happy 8th anniversary wishes as Daniel Sauer and Wenonah Madison on Sept. 25.
Happy birthday wishes this week to Janet Foley who will observe a major milestone on Sept. 22. Aquinnah summer resident Michael Donaroma will party on Sept. 23. Leslie Clapp will celebrate her special day on Sept. 23. Jeffrey Madison parties on Sept. 24. Nora Duncheva Plamenova will be three years old on Sept. 25. Anne Weingarner and James Sanfilippo will party on Sept. 25. Sept. 26 will be a major milestone for Sarah Thulin, and she will share her day with Gretchen Webber Gebb, Susie Wallo, Hillary Smith and Spa Tharpe. Dr. Jason D. Lew and Paul O’Donnell share the day on Sept. 27. Kathleen Smith will party on Sept. 28.
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