JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

Spring has officially arrived, actually the same time that summer has arrived, in Aquinnah. The temperature has been in the 60s and 70s, a few scattered showers on occasion to keep the water level even, and a few brisk winds. The blossoms of iris, wisteria, lilacs, rhododendrons and azaleas are all dotting the landscape. It has been a long weekend of many more families opening their summer homes for the season with many family gatherings.

JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

All of the shops at the Cliffs will be open for the summer season with Howwasswee Trading Post, Faith’s Seafood, Dreamcatcher, HatMarChar, On the Cliffs, Stony Creek and the Aquinnah Shop all ready to welcome the influx of the season. Down the road a bit, the Outermost Inn is open for the season and neighbors Paul, Louise and Jenna Petersiel have once again opened the Chilmark Tavern.

JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

The Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living will sponsor the fifth in a series of cultural luncheons, with guest speaker Cynthia Riggs, on Saturday, May 21, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Grill on Main. Music will be provided by Phil Dietterich and Martha Hudson. Tickets and reservations are available by calling 508-939-9440.

JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

Congratulations to Beverly Wright in winning the Aquinnah selectmen’s race at the annual election on Wednesday. Congratulations to Jean Lince, who was a first-time candidate for Aquinnah Public Library trustee. Jean has tirelessly volunteered many hours at the library so she will make a smooth transition. All other incumbents were returned to their positions. Town clerk Carolyn Feltz achieved the highest number of votes, with 211 of the 225 votes cast. There are 398 on the voting list.

JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

The Aquinnah annual town meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 10 at 7 p.m. in the old town hall. Your presence will be greatly appreciated to act on the vital matters affecting the town.

On Wednesday, May 11, polls will be open from noon to 7 p.m. If you will not be in town on that day, you will still have the opportunity to cast your absentee ballot at the town hall today, on Monday, Tuesday, and even Wednesday morning with town clerk Carolyn Feltz.

JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

Aquinnah Police Chief Randhi P. Belain celebrated a major milestone on Wednesday, March 30. Hurray for our chief. Hail to our chief who respectfully carries on the tradition of his late father, Kenneth F. Belain, our police chief for twenty-two years who served our community so well. Randhi certainly learned many great lessons from his dad. Although I did not catch up with him on Wednesday, I will before the end of the week.

JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

Welcome to Stela Plamenova Duncheva, who arrived at 1 a.m. on January 1, 2011 — which will be a memorable day for her as the New Year’s baby at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Stela is the daughter of Ena Thulin and Plamen Duncheva and the granddaughter of Sarah and Dennis Thulin of East Pasture. She is also welcomed by her sister, Eleonora Plamenova Duncheva.

JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

The Aquinnah Public Library board of trustees would like to invite you to a retirement party for Natalie Francis on Thursday, March 31 from 2 to 7 p.m. at the library. There will be a ceremony to honor Natalie at 5 p.m. Natalie will be retiring after almost 15 years as a library assistant and the Aquinnah community is very proud of her accomplishments, her devotion and especially all of her hard work. She will be greatly missed at the library. Cake and other refreshments will be served.

JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

Thank you to Kerry Alley for his wonderful presentation at the Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living cultural luncheon on March 12. Kerry gave a very impressive overview of the Portuguese community on Martha’s Vineyard — why they came here, how they survived, their language and education, their accomplishments in the Vineyard community and their many contributions. Many of us left the luncheon on Saturday knowing so much more about the Portuguese.

JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

Congratulations to James Taylor upon receiving a National Medal of Arts award presented by President Barack Obama at the White House this past week. James was accompanied by his beloved mother, Trudy Taylor, who must have been beaming with pride. James was certainly well-deserving of his award for his wonderful work and performances around the world over the past half a century.