Aquinnah

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Well, everyone watch out. There is a hideous flu going around that is brutal. Fever, cough, loss of voice, congestion, chills, loss of appetite, the whole bit. It’s no fun, I can tell you that. It lasts about a week, although some people have had it longer. Everyone in my immediate family has had it, and we are still recovering. While I am back to work today after many days of moving from bed to sofa and back again, in the back of my mind is a little voice wondering when nap time is. Pump up your vitamin C and whatever your favorite immune boosters are, and get plenty of rest.

Mary McLaughlin, town nurse, will hold a blood pressure clinic today at the town hall from 2 to 3 pm. Free and open to all residents of Aquinnah; if you have questions for her you may call her at 781-534-2543.

The Aquinnah Library has a fine amnesty running through the month of January. Bring in a non-perishable item (or two depending on the extant of your fines) for the Island Food Pantry and have your fines waived.

I’m not sure if you know this, but Barbara Lampson of the Aquinnah Library is also an amazing landscape designer, starting on Wednesday, January 23, she will be teaching a class through ACE-MV, “Designing Your Own Home Landscape.” Also on January 23, Janette Vanderhoop will be teaching her course, “Wampanoag Arts and Culture.” You can register for these and all ACE classes at acemv.org.

Our deepest sympathies go out to Jeffrey Madison, his daughter, Nonie, and their family. Jeff’s mom, Freda Belain Rocker died on New Year’s Eve. Born in Oak Bluffs, raised in Aquinnah she spent most of her adult life in Boston and was with family when she passed. A service was held this past Friday. By all accounts she was a generous and loving woman who made great pie and loved to travel. I know she will be missed by many. Donations may be made in her name to the Aquinnah Cultural Center.

You may have seen Noni and Jed Smith walking a very cute large puppy around town. He was a Christmas present for the family, and his name is Huggybear. He is a Newfoundland; he is 11 weeks old and weighs 28 pounds but may get as big as 150 pounds when he is full grown! The family is enjoying their new member and is working on getting him trained.

The Mannings traveled to New York City over the holiday break and Noah Manning related some of the highlights of the trip to me. He told me that FAO Schwartz was “Ginormous” and that he went to Rockefeller Center, a Lego store and someplace else involving lots of M&Ms. It sounded like a fun trip.