JUNE D. MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

All the best to our beloved managing editor Lauren Martin who has left her position at the Vineyard Gazette after five years. I am at a loss for words, which is a rarity. She has been a pleasure and a joy to work with during this time and our weekly conversations truly revitalize my writing. Lauren and her husband, Mike Seccombe, and their children, Ciara and James, will be moving to Sydney, Australia where Ohio-born Lauren has previously resided but will be a new city for Australian-born Mike. Lauren will spend the next two months packing all their belongings for a move halfway around the world once more and spending a few weeks of enjoyable time on the Vineyard. Our time together has certainly been a pleasure for not only me but many others as well. Safe journey. We will always remember you.

The Aquinnah Cultural Center will be closing for the season. There will be traditional Wampanoag games demonstrated today at the center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Saturday there will be house tours from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Aquinnah Shop will close for the season on Monday, so stop in for your blue corn pancakes or a tomahawk special. This weekend will be a nice one to visit all the shops at the Cliffs which may be closing for the season depending on the weather — all have great sales at this time of year. A few shops will remain open depending on the warmth of the sun each day. The Outermost Inn will also close for the season this weekend.

Tuesday is Cranberry Day in Aquinnah. Tribal members will gather at the bogs at 9 a.m. for harvesting the last berry of the season. Tribal children must have a signed letter for their absence from school. There will be a picnic lunch at noon; please bring a dish to share. The children have a full program of activities during the afternoon provided by the tribal education department. In the evening, the entire Vineyard community is invited to attend the potluck social at the tribal building from 6 to 9 p.m. Please bring a dish to share. Following dinner there will be dancing and drumming.

Henry and Betty Costabel have been enjoying the early autumn weather at their Aquinnah home.

Sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Anne Haughton, who died on Sunday in Florida. Anne was the widow of the late Ronald Haughton, who died in July 2005. They had spent the past four decades enjoying their Aquinnah homes during the summer months and into autumn. Their Rockspring home overlooked Menemsha Pond and Vineyard Sound and was the center of activity for the Haughton family children, Jan, Leslie, John, and Patty and their families. Anne will be missed by her many friends in Aquinnah and around the world, but especially by her large and loving family.

Happy sixth anniversary wishes to Paul and Theresa Manning as they celebrate their special day on Oct. 8. Happy 17th anniversary wishes to Capt. Dick Thompson and his bride, Laurie, on Oct. 8. Happy 60th anniversary wishes to Donald Mitchell and his wife, Hildy, as they celebrate on Oct. 8. Happy 29th anniversary wishes to Justice of the Peace John Alley and his bride Anna as they celebrate on Oct. 9. Happy 19th anniversary wishes to Dan and Cheryl Maltais as they celebrate on Oct. 10. Happy third anniversary wishes to Aquinnah Det. Ryan Ruley and his bride, Kristine, as they celebrate on Oct. 10, sharing in the joy of their newborn son, Matthew. Happy 19th anniversary wishes to Spencer and Belinda Booker as they celebrate on Oct. 11. Happy 14th anniversary wishes to Paul and Genie O’Donnell as they celebrate on Oct. 11. Happy 16th anniversary wishes to Marshall and Katie Carroll as they party on Oct. 14. Happy 11th anniversary wishes to Christopher Carroll and Kendra Buresch as they celebrate on Oct. 14.

Happy birthday to Marguerite Smith on Oct. 8 and Victoria Danberg on Oct. 9, who shares the day with Luc Woodard. Dr. Norma Wilner Zack, Kristen Siple Mathias and Zachary Smalley all share the day on Oct. 11. Yvette Eastman will observe her special day on Oct. 12 and shares the day with Jeff Ciciora. Anthony Belain, Dave Grunden and Eric Carroll will all party on Oct. 13. Derrill Bazzy will celebrate on Oct. 14.

Brenda Duart will observe a major milestone on Oct. 14, so please stop by Mardell’s Gift Shop to wish her a great day.