JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

What is new in Aquinnah this week? First of all the new Aquinnah police cruiser has arrived, as voted upon at the annual town meeting. It is a great-looking Ford Explorer, fully equipped and ready to go.

There is also a new sign now at Pilot’s Landing, and the commonwealth arrived in the middle of the night and painted the yellow lines on the State Road for a bright new appearance.

Over in Menemsha this week, it is such an incredible view as you glance over to where the Menemsha Station Boathouse once stood. A very different feeling while still looking at the intensity of the charred remains, but the view from Menemsha Texaco over Menemsha Pond toward the south is spectacular. Perhaps in their rebuilding, the boathouse may be built a few yards closer to the piers to capture that view forever.

On Monday afternoon despite the pouring rain, it was an adventure to watch the cars being removed by barge from the West Dock to the dock near the Texaco. As always, it was nice to stop by and chat with Jane Slater at Over South and to view the many antiques that have arrived for this season. Jane has an antique map of American Indian tribes that was published by the University of Illinois many years ago. It is framed and she really wants it to go to a new home that would appreciate its value. Over South is like a museum and reminiscent of days gone by and more so when Herb Slater stops in with his illustrious stories. They have been enjoying a visit from their son Caleb, his wife Christina, and their daughter Celia.

While in Menemsha, I also stumbled across former Aquinnah police officer Charles Chaprales and his father who were on their boat pulling into the channel. Charlie and his wife Jeannette have recently returned to the Cape after spending most of the year in Hilton Head, S.C.

We have been enjoying the lower temperatures that are registering in the 70s in the mornings after having a significant heat wave over the past three weeks with sweltering heat and high humidity.

The Aquinnah Public Library will be presenting story time every Saturday morning at 11 a.m. for young children to enjoy. Library director Cathy Thompson is presently scheduling programs for the community to participate in, so if you have a new movie, a new book or a program to share and present, please call Cathy at 508-645-2314.

The annual Native Artisans Festival will be presented at the Aquinnah Cultural Center on Saturday, July 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be many handcrafted items for sale throughout the day. For information, please call 508-645-7900.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be performed at the Tashmoo Overlook July 15 through August 15 Wednesdays through Saturdays at 5 p.m. There will be a performance on Sunday, August 15 at 5 p.m. with many well-known young local actors and actresses. Music is by Jesse Wiener, choreography by Chelsea and Paige McCarthy, and the producer and artistic director is M.J. Bruder Munafo. Tickets are $15 at the door, $10 for 18 and younger.

The Rise and Fall of Annie Hall will be presented at the Vineyard Playhouse July 22 through August 7, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7 p.m., and Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. An opening reception is July 24. Tickets are $30; $25 for seniors at the box office or online at vineyardplayhouse.org.

Charlie Hopkins and his wife Allison have spent their annual vacation at Lobsterville Road. All the Hopkins children are busy with their adult lives now, graduate school, new jobs, new colleges and travel.

Aquinnah art collector Diane McManus Jensen has published a new book The Art of Collecting, an intimate tour inside private art collections with advice on starting your own. It is available at Bunch of Grapes and Edgartown Books following her book signing in Edgartown on Thursday evening.

Mike and Margaret Kistner and their children, Olivia and Ryan, returned to their home in New York on Sunday afternoon, after a weekend visit with Paul, Theresa, and Noah Manning. They enjoyed family dinners and picnics on the beaches of Aquinnah, the Flying Horses, Gio’s pizza and clams, and all the usual weekend favorites.

Kristina Hook Leslie recently returned from her trip to Los Angeles and a visit with her daughters, Samantha Everleigh and her husband Clifford, and Jennifer Staples and her husband Douglas and especially with her grandsons, Maxum and Charlton.

Darrius Lewis of Philadelphia has arrived to spend the summer with his grandparents, Ted and Kristina Leslie. He is enjoying the renewal of his summertime friendships which he always looks forward to.

Get well wishes to Lisa Tilton, who is recuperating from recent surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital. It was good to see her out on Tuesday.

Doug and Linda Vanderhoop are winding down their annual vacation at their Aquinnah home before heading back to Utah. They traveled this year with three cars and 10 people. They were accompanied by their son Justin and his wife Rosailea and their children Alison, Gavin, Jessyn and Yellow Moon. Their daughter Rachel and her nine-year-old daughter Brooklyn are awaiting the arrival of her daughter Jade. Needless to say, they have had a busy time and enjoyed their annual visit with family and friends.

Dawn Widdiss returned to her home in Natick on Monday afternoon after spending the week with her mother, Gladys A. Widdiss, and visiting with her brothers, Don and Carl, and her family and friends. We look forward to her return in a few weeks.

Get well wishes to Aquinnah building inspector Jerry Wiener, who is resting comfortably at home following his recent orthopaedic surgery at Cape Cod Hospital.

Happy 57th anniversary wishes to Bill and Joan Kistner as they celebrate their special day on July 25 and many more.

Happy 27th anniversary wishes to Jim and Kathy Wallen as they celebrate on July 30.

As you head to the Chilmark Store today, please wish Stephanie Tilton Rossi a very happy birthday and while there wish her husband, Bill Rossi, a happy one on Sunday.

A very happy birthday wish to Lisa Pachico Gosson Cass on July 24 as she celebrates a major milestone while celebrating the day with her daughters, Jenna and Annie. Captain Hugh Taylor will celebrate on July 24 while whiling away the day at their Outermost Inn. Samuel Scott will party on July 25 as will Corey Vanderhoop. July 26 will be a special day for Marshall Lee, Joan LeLacheur, Sarah Swift Mendez, Amalie Vandal, and Otis Jeffers Jr. Michael Sellitti will party on July 28. Hollis Smith parties on July 29. Jamie Sue Spears Vanderhoop, Polly Galbraith and Christopher Laursen all share the day on July 30. Bernadette Rebello Crossland parties on July 31.