JUNE MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

Forrest Alley was recently honored for his 23 years of service as the Aquinnah highway superintendent. A potluck luncheon was held in his honor on Jan. 9. Being the modest person that he is, that is all that Forrest really wanted and expected — no fanfare, no speeches, no grand celebration but it just did not feel like enough for a man who spent hours keeping our highways and byways passable during the winters and well-trimmed and mowed the remainder of the year. In any event, we shall plan something more elaborate in the spring when the weather is warmer and he will least expect it.

All the best to Jay Smalley, the successor to Mr. Alley as highway superintendent; he assuredly has not rested much since his training and taking the position full-time. We have experienced a snowstorm nearly every week and mostly on the weekends for the past seven weeks and on occasion snow flurries during the week. Freezing temperatures over the past week have created ice that has been significant and treacherous, resulting in numerous falls and fractures. Please be careful.

Family and friends of the late Paul Benedict gathered on Saturday for an evening of remembrance at the Vineyard Playhouse. A very special memorial was organized by playhouse president Gerry Yukevich, his wife Martha and their daughter Anna. Many friends from across the Vineyard, from the theatres of Boston and Cambridge and beyond shared fond memories, profound thoughts and some of Paul’s anecdotes he was so well-known for. We enjoyed a video of Paul’s acting career over the decades and were reminded of movies many of us had forgotten about. His family shared photographs from their archives. In honor of Paul, turkey gobbler sandwiches were served and boxes of his favorite Fig Newmans were in abundance, as well as some of his favorite delicacies. May he rest in peace. He had more friends than he ever realized.

Jan. 20 was a day of renewal, a day to once again have hope in our nation. The staff at the tribal building shared a potluck luncheon with members of the Aquinnah community as we gathered to watch the inauguration. All the best to President Obama and his family as he leads our nation. The dawning of a new day.

The Aquinnah Public Library is having a busy winter season with board games available during the library hours Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. How about a good game of Scrabble with your neighbor? Amanda Hutchinson is available on Tuesday evenings from 5 to 7 p.m. to assist you with your most difficult knitting problems. Lindsey began her quilting classes on Thursday evening for which there is a $10 fee for supplies. On Saturday, Jan. 31, Chef Dan Sauer of the Outermost Inn will share some of his culinary skills and demonstrate making winter soups; please call 608-645-2314 to schedule your time with Dan as there is a limit to the first 15 who sign up for the class.

James Glavin will make a presentation at the special town meeting on Feb. 3 regarding the probability of another music festival at Aquinnah Park this summer. Your comment is greatly needed at the meeting that begins at 7 p.m. at the old town hall. I will have more information next week.

Jyl Manning returned on Monday evening after spending the weekend in Swampscott and attending the birthday celebration for Stephen P. Silvia. While there, Jyl visited with Beatrice Silvia, who remains confined to a nursing home for her medical care.

David E. Vanderhoop 2nd recently returned from Mexico where he spent the Christmas holiday with his mother Evelyn Churchill Vanderhoop Wiley. He had a great time and is now looking forward to classes at Cape Cod Community College. His sisters Carrie Anne Vanderhoop Bellis and her husband Tyler, and Tiffany Vanderhoop all remained in Masset, British Columbia during the holiday season.

Happy 55th anniversary wishes to Raymond and Sybil (Gonsalves) Moreis as they celebrate their special day on Jan. 30.

Happy birthday this week to tribal elder Edith Andrews as she observes a major milestone on Jan. 26. Ed Belain Jr. will party on Jan. 26 and shares the day with Antone Moreis who will be five years old. David E. Vanderhoop will party on Jan. 29 and shares the day with Mary Vanderhoop who will be 12. Christopher Camacho will be 16 on Jan. 30 and shares the day with Gimili Glavin. A very special happy birthday wish to Lois Craine, assistant administrator of the Vineyard Transit Authority, as she celebrates her special day on Jan, 30.