JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks2004@yahoo.com)

Thank you to Jerome and Nancy Kohlberg for providing the Vineyard Gazette staff and columnists another great year, and for our annual Not Holiday party which was held on Friday evening at the Dr. Daniel Fisher House. We enjoyed bubbly enticements from the serving of Peter Lambos and thankfully there were not any little candles on the table this year. I did not take any chances and did not wear anything with fringe. Music was provided by Jeremy Berlin. We enjoyed another delicious dinner prepared by the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School culinary arts program under the direction of Jack O’Malley. Speeches were kept to a minimum. We missed having the Kohlbergs join us this year but they were there in spirit and not taking any chances with the influenza viruses in the air. A wonderful evening was enjoyed by all in attendance.

Speaking of influenza viruses, I finally gave in and had a flu vaccine on Monday afternoon. Dr. Laursen and his staff did not let me make that decision this year. In 40 years, this was the third one I have had. Never really have had the flu but the germs appear to be in abundance this year.

Curious George will visit the Aquinnah Public Library on Thursday, Jan. 31 at the 3:30 pm story time. This will be a fun event with stories, music, activities, and of course the star of it all — Curious George. Also this month, a children’s film series will begin, recapping the best of the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival’s summer children’s film series, Cinema Circus.

Wonder what Molly Purves does all winter? You may find out by attending Hamlet (Shakespeare for the Masses) which will be performed at the Katharine Cornell Theatre this evening and tomorrow at 7 p.m. The production is free, fabulous, and frivolous by Nicki Galland, Chelsea McCarthy and other performers. Not to be missed.

You are invited to the Obama Inauguration Ball on Monday, Jan. 21 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Chilmark Community Center. Please wear Vineyard formal attire. Celebrate and start the new year bright. The Martha’s Vineyard Democrats are sponsoring a gala party to which all Vineyard supporters of President Barack Obama and Senator Elizabeth Warren are invited. Photographs may be taken with exact replicas of the President and the senator. Please bring finger foods for the buffet table and your desired beverage. Dance the night away to the music of Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish. Tickets are $10 per person and available at the door. Food coordinator is Binnie Ravitch who may be reached at binnie1946@gmail.com. Volunteers for setup and cleanup may reach Warren Doty at warrendoty@verizon.net. For other information, please contact Paddy Moore at mooreii@aol.com, especially if you are willing to assist. Have a grand time at the Inaugural Ball.

Condolences to the family and friends of Christine Luce Gaskill who died recently at Windemere. Christine was a very caring and compassionate companion of many elders across the Vineyard over the decades.

Condolences to the family and friends of Marjorie Manter Rogers, a multi-generational family friend. She was very much admired for her dedication in teaching horseback riding to the generations of up-Island children over the decades.

James Shephard 4th has returned from his most recent visit with his father James 3rd in Hawaii. His daughter Billie Diamond Vanderhoop Shephard is delighted to have him home in Aquinnah.

Condolences to the family of Dr. Robert Specht who died this week in Falmouth. It was a pleasure knowing Dr. Specht and his family during visits with the Edwards family on Abel’s Hill.

On this day in history, the City of Columbus sank off of Devil’s Bridge in the early morning hours in 1884.

Happy birthday wishes to Anthony Vanderhoop, Ciara Seccombe, Ruth Major, and Carrie Anne Vanderhoop Bellis as they celebrate on Jan. 19. Capt. Gordon Bassett will party on Jan. 20. Mark Owen Shea will be three on Jan. 20. Catherine Deese and Gloria Scher share the day on Jan. 21. Shaun MacPhail will party on Jan. 23. Al Clark will celebrate on Jan. 25. Louis Paciello parties on Jan. 25. Ivan Pawwinnee Vanderhoop will be two years old on Jan. 25.