JUNE MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

Our sincerest condolences to the family, extended family, friends and colleagues of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy. Not only has our Commonwealth lost a great man but our nation has lost one of the greatest Senators.

There were so many issues that Senator Kennedy would oversee in his years representing one and all. He was tireless in his advocacy for those less fortunate who shall never forget what he has accomplished.

Senator Kennedy was always responsive to our needs as the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah). We called upon him often. I had the distinct pleasure and honor of meeting Senator Kennedy when he gave the opening remarks at the USET (United South and Eastern Tribes) Conference in Arlington, Va., in February 2001. He also spent time with the students who were attending the Close-Up Program that day at the American Indian Youth Summit. A fond memory I shall always remember. We had looked toward the future with his assistance in health care reform and shall always remember his dedication in improving the lives of many.

Condolences to the Kennedy family in the loss of Mrs. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, whom I had the distinct pleasure of meeting as well while at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in March 2007.

Their dreams shall never die and we shall think of them often for their extraordinary and immeasurable achievements. God bless. They will remain in our hearts forever.

Day five of the First Family vacation and no sighting of them yet although they are staying less than two miles down the road from the Edwards home. Just the day they venture out to Aquinnah, I am sitting here on Abel’s Hill, but Garth Edwards is waiting for their return to Cobbs Hill as he sits at his vantage point at the foot of the hill to see the First Family. Perhaps next year we will have more luck. I did catch up with Sgt. Neal Maciel for a quick second to see what he was up to. He probably never anticipated the arrival of the First Family when he became the state police commander on the Vineyard a year ago.

For those interested in the history of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) from 1870 to the present, yours truly will be presenting the next to the last lesson in Ann Allen’s Short Course in Island History at the Howes House in West Tisbury on Monday, August 31, at 11 a.m.

On Tuesday, Jordan Cohen, M.D. will be speaking at the Howes House at 9:30 a.m. regarding Health Care Reform 101. Dr. Cohen and I worked at Tufts New England Medical Center on Ziskind Seven about 40 years ago.

This past Tuesday, our Vineyard Gazette general manager, Joe Pitt, presented How Local News Is Reported. It was a truly great discussion with questions from the audience that makes one glad they are part of local news.

Congratulations to our tribal youth of the Turtle Program for their blue ribbon first prize at the Agricultural Fair for their presentation of culturally significant dolls dressed in their handmade regalia. Great going to one and all.

Happy 40th anniversary wishes to Arnold and Norma Zack as they celebrated their special day on August 10.

Happy 25th anniversary wishes to Steve and Trudy Garvin on August 31.

Happy birthday wishes this week to Kathy Vanderhoop as she celebrates.

A very special Happy 99th Birthday to Aunt Alice M. Rose as she celebrates on August 29. Tom Bramkamp will party on August 29 as will Oliver Noble, and Dawn Widdiss.

Reverend David Cockcroft will celebrate his special day on August 30 and enjoyed an early birthday lunch at the Aquinnah on Tuesday and catching up with the news of his Aquinnah friends that he has known during his three decades of August days with us.

Daniel Spitz Lee will party on August 30, and my granddaughter Christina Marie Millman will be 25 on August 30 and shares the day with Troy Vanderhoop.

Mrs. Beatrice (Vanderhoop) Gentry will observe her 99th birthday on August 31 and shares the day with her niece Cynthia Vanderhoop Akins.