At last, temperatures have reached the 72 degree mark over the weekend. Lilacs are in bloom and fragrantly inviting us all to gather bouquets. The field are full of buttercups. The songbirds are singing.

Cliffhangers will open Memorial Day weekend, the third building on the right on the Cliffs. Paul, Theresa, and Noah Manning will be the new owners. They will be open from 8 a.m. to sunset serving coffee, breakfast sandwiches, bagels, homemade quahaug chowder, crab cakes, clam cakes, stuffed quahaugs, fresh salads, and soft-serve ice cream. Newspapers will be available. All the best to them in their new adventure.

On Saturday, May 21 at the Aquinnah Public Library story time will take place from at 10:30 a.m. and from 11 to 3 make a friendly paper owl using colorful triangles. A preview for next week: on Tuesday, May 24 at 5:30 p.m. the book group will discuss Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff.

Electronics Disposal Day will be held at Martha’s Vineyard Community Services on May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dispose of your outmoded computers, laptops, radios, stereos, televisions, scrap metal, appliances, and more. Fees for disposal range from $2 to $30 with a discount for a truck load of recyclables. Thank you to Bruno’s for their part in the recycling effort and thank you to all of the volunteers who assist throughout the day.

As we reflect on Armed Forces Day on Saturday, let us acknowledge the end of the Viet Nam War forty years ago this week and those who served from Aquinnah and/or former residents of the community, including Cedric Belain, Anthony Francis, Eugene Francis, Ronald Francis, John Vanderhoop, Carl Widdiss, Donald Widdiss, and Marc Widdiss.

It was a delight to catch up with Dr. Michael Dawson of Saint Louis, Mo. and formerly of Blacksmith Valley in Chilmark, where he resided summers for more than six decades. We had not seen each other after a hiatus of 46 and a half years. It seemed like only yesterday as we caught up with each other in person over coffee rather than on Facebook or emails. Lots of catching up to do. ‘Til the next time! Safe journey back home.

Condolences to the family and friends of Iole Jannace Gardella, who passed away on May 10 in New York. She was the mother of fellow Vineyard Gazette columnist Nancy Gardella. It was a pleasure to know Nonna from her days on the Vineyard. Services were held in White Plains, N.Y. this week.

Chris Gianfreda will be the new chef at the Outermost Inn after spending six summers working at the Sweet Life Café. Chris is from Kohler, Wisc. His family owns Manning’s Irish Pub in Sheboygan, Wisc.

Kyle Osborn of West Palm Beach, Fla. will be the sous chef at the Outermost Inn this summer and will assist Chris. Kyle and Chris will be quite the team as they each have quite a sense of humor.

David and Clare Kane will arrive this week for their summer sojourn. David is the retired superintendent of schools in Greenwich, Conn. and Clare retired from her career at American Airlines. They look forward to their children and grandchildren spending time with them over the summer. Looking forward to seeing them over the Fourth of July.

Kyle Killebrew recently received his master’s degree in psychology with emphasis in cognitive and brain sciences. He now goes on to work towards his doctorate. His studies have been at the University of Nevada Reno, where he also works as a research assistant, has collaborated in publishing two papers in scientific journals, and has taught three classes at the university in the past year. Kyle is the son of Eric Scott Killebrew of Las Vegas and the late Christina Suzanne Vanderhoop. He is the grandson of Major John O. Vanderhoop and his wife Gabi Waltrud Vanderhoop of Henderson, Nev.

Congratulations to my granddaughter Christina Marie Orfe on receiving her associate degree towards becoming a teacher for special needs students at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. Christina is the daughter of Sharon Spiller of Mesa, Ariz., the spouse of Michael Sims, and the mother of three of my great-grandchildren: James, Emily and Olivia.

Our neighbor Louise Petersiel has arrived and is once again working at the Chilmark Store.

Congratulations to Mark Seawell and his wife Beth Glaeser Seawell for winning first place in the mixed bowling league over the weekend at Barn Bowl & Bistro. Mark is the executive chef at USCG Station Menemsha and Beth works at Stop & Shop in Edgartown.

Marguerite Smith has arrived home to spend the summer with her father Hollis and stepmom Robin. Marguerite will be working at Glassworks. She would love for everyone to stop in and see her there.

Joseph Spinelli and John McKinstry have arrived from their winter abode in Miami Beach. They will only be here for two weeks and then will spend the summer in Manhattan. Joe will certainly be missed at the Grange on Fridays and at Featherstone on Tuesdays. John will be missed at the Yoga Barn. It will be very different for all of us as they have certainly enjoyed the past 20 summers in Aquinnah and the many friends they have met along the way. Joe was one of the original vendors at the Chilmark Flea market in 1980 and has quite a following over the years.

There will be a yard sale this week on Friday and Saturday from 9 to 3 with the sale of many of Joe’s collectibles. One half mile from Lobsterville Road on to Lighthouse Road. Please park off the roadway.

Captain Buddy Vanderhoop finally put his boat in the water for the season on Saturday. Tomahawk Charters will be busy early in the season as people have already called for charters.

Condolences to the families and friends of Cora Medeiros, Geraldine Silva, and Rita Klingensmith. All friends and community leaders over their years on the Vineyard.

Sorry I missed the 170th birthday celebration of the Vineyard Gazette. I have only been a part of the history as a columnist for 14 per cent of that time.

Happy 14th anniversary wishes to Seth and Megan Woods on May 25.

Happy birthday wishes this week to Kyle Killebrew, who celebrated on Tuesday. Elsie Fantasia, Jean Entine, and Kathy Kendrick will party tomorrow. Sunday will be a day of celebration for Bridget Tobin, Maureen Dolby Stanue, Matthew Hayden, and Jailynn Hill. Mia Rae Jeffers will become a teenager on May 23. Jon Mayhew and Nicholas Wallen party on May 24. Our down-Island cousin Kay Manning will observe her special day on May 24. Mariah Duarte will party on May 26 and shares the day with Marsha Shufrin. May 27 is a day of celebration for Kayden Keith Devine, who will be eight years old, and shares the day with Janice Brown, Dr. Richard Koehler, and John Kozboski.

Send Aquinnah news to junemanning152@gmail.com.