JUNE MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

Nina P. Butler, daughter of Lenny and Mallory Butler, arrived home on Tuesday from her freshman year studies at Wellesley College. Nina will be working at the Beach Plum Inn for the summer.

Mallory Butler recently returned from a 10-day visit with her granddaughter Maeve Sheehan and her parents Kevin and Jeffie at their home in Aspen, Colo. The Sheehans will arrive next week for their first visit of the summer season.

Joseph Corbo and his wife Faith recently returned from their winter sojourn to Costa Rica where they spent six months at their winter home. Faith flew to Florida on Thursday to spend the weekend with Erin and to celebrate their birthdays together.

Congratulations to Lydia Fischer, daughter of Albert and Linda Baci Fischer, a senior at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. Lydia has been accepted at Berklee College of Music in Boston and will begin her freshman year studies there in September.

Congratulations to Evan Hall and Bennett Schwab, the first-place winning team in the 12th annual Linguini Bridge Contest at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School.

Caetlyn Hutchinson, daughter of Steve and Amanda Hutchinson, arrived home this week from her freshman year studies at University of Vermont. Caetlyn is working for the summer at Beach Plum Inn along with Nina Butler.

Ruth Johnson has arrived for the summer and is at her Dongan Manor home on Lighthouse Road, anticipating visits from her family throughout the season.

Welcome home to Joshua Montoya who has spent time in India where he has studied and taught yoga. I caught up with Joshua on Mother’s Day at the Art Cliff diner where he dined with his mother Heather Rynd and her daughter Shannon Ray, his father Carlos Montoya Jr., and his friend Christine. Carlos had also enjoyed a midwinter visit with Joshua in India.

Congratulations to Samuel Vanderhoop Lee, son of Marshall Lee and Martha Vanderhoop. Samuel, of Aquinnah and Newton, is a senior at Newton South High School. He has been accepted at Yale University and will begin freshman year studies at Yale in September.

Allen Razdow and his wife Darrel will be hosting the MVQ3, the third annual Martha’s Vineyard Quinella on June 7. A group of 16 friends who gather after years of trading recommendations for great pizza here, amazing chili there, with hungry friends, the concept of Quinella was born. On a Quinella at least five dishes at five different eateries are sampled — one right after the other (usually eaten on the sidewalk or parking lot since they do not want to fill up a restaurant just to have a few bowls of chowder).

The Quinella Master familiar with the town or region involved organizes the agenda. Dishes tend to be “down home” with some special quality and character, not garden-variety “high cuisine.”

Quinellas have been held on foot in lower Manhattan (9 places, 7 hours), along Boston’s Red Line subway, and in the suburbs of northern New Jersey. Of the 16 expected, some will stay with the Razdow’s at their home and some will stay at inns around Aquinnah. Spanning 48 hours, many more than five places (maybe a double Quinella), MVQ “must eats” include Aquinnah Shops classic Tomahawk special, blue-corn pancakes, and the renowned Luther Madison’s homemade pies. Plain cheese pizza will be compared at least at Giordano’s, the Chilmark Store, and the new Orange Peel Bakery in Aquinnah. Also slated for sampling: Larsen’s lobster rolls, Deon’s “jerk chicken” at the Chilmark Cornerway, the classic fish sandwich at the Galley in Menemsha, the fried green tomato bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich at the Slice of Life. The MVQ3 will kick off the weekend on Friday night with a home cookout at the Razdow home in Lobsterville. Then, look out Vineyard restaurants, the Quinella is coming!

The Wallen home has been busy preparing for the summer. Zack Wallen recently returned from sailing in the Caribbean at Tortola and spending time in Costa Rica. Nick Wallen recently returned from a trip to St. Thomas.

In addition to family and friends of Jesse Weiner’s who attended the Sweeney Todd production at the Loew’s Theatre in Cambridge, Harvard University President Drew Faust also attended upon hearing through a friend of what an incredible performance the students had produced. A few of those attending from Aquinnah included Paul Benedict, Jean Entine, and Teri Morse along with Jerry and Carolyn.

Dawn Widdiss arrived Sunday morning for a brief visit with her mother, Gladys A. Widdiss, for a Mother’s Day weekend. Dawn brought with her Aquinnah, a four-month-old Irish setter puppy.

Gordon and Dona Perry will be opening the Dreamcatcher Snack Bar at the Cliffs on Saturday, May 17, at 11 a.m. for the season.

Matthew Vanderhoop anticipates opening the Aquinnah Shop this weekend for the season as well.

The Side Car Café and Bistro opened on Thursday at 20 Kennebec avenue in Oak Bluffs. Scott Mullin and his team have worked all winter to upgrade the menu, update thedécor, and to rename the bistro. Stop by and enjoy a delicious light menu prepared by Chef Mike.

The first air mail from the Vineyard was sent on May 19, 1938. So, here we are 70 years later and a first-class letter is now 42 cents but at least we will be able to at least have Frank Sinatra stamps to show for the increase in price.

Lisa Bibko-Vanderhoop, Robin Robinson, and friends will have an opening art reception on Friday, May 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Bank of Martha’s Vineyard at Beetlebung Corner. Paintings, photographs, fine wood carvings — quite an eclectic mix of themes ranging from Vineyard vistas to wildlife of the Vineyard, Africa, the Galapagos, Costa Rica, the Okefenokee swamp, and Vineyard Seadogs. For further information, please call Lisa at 508-645-3201.

A reminder: Joan Lelacheur and Heather Hall’s art will be in the final week at Bank of Martha’s Vineyard during banking hours. Please stop by to make your selections this week before the season begins. Joan’s wampum jewelry and inlaid wampum tiles are still on display. Heather Hall’s silk scarves are also on display and for sale at Clarissa’s Allen Farm on South Road.

Happy eighth anniversary wishes to Troy and Marcia Vanderhoop as they celebrate on May 20.

Happy 18th birthday wishes to Lydia Fischer at she celebrates her special day today. As you drop by the Chilmark post office, please wish Leigh Moreis a very happy one. Ed Stall will party today, as will Ben Cameron, and Herb Moody will celebrate a major milestone.

Kyle Killebrew will be 18 on May 17 and shares the day with Tom Seeman, Erin Corbo and Aquinnah Witham. Grace Frye Reeves will observe her special day on May 18, as will Genie O’Donnell, Faith Corbo, Malcolm Smith and Mark Wheaton. A very special birthday wish goes out to Anne Haughton.

A very special birthday wish goes to Joan Kistner as she observes her very special day and a major milestone on May 19.

Capt. Bob Kinnecom will party on May 20 and one will find him these days teaching chair caning at the Oak Bluffs Council on Aging. Elsie Fantasia will be 15 on May 21 and shares the day with Jean Entine. Our favorite agent at the Steamship Authority, Bridget Tobin, will party on May 22. Matthew Hayden celebrates on May 22 as will Jailynn Hill who will be nine years old.