VINALHAVEN — It’s not often a family can assemble five generations in one seating, but the Mills, on Vinalhaven did it. The gathering marked the tying together of Marguerite (MacDonald) Mills with her great,great grandson, baby Jonah William Stanley, who was born on November 30, 2015.

The Mills all live on Vinalhaven, said Michelle Stanley, also a descendant of Mills.

“My  grandmother and her identical twin were born here on the island and they will turn 93 in September,” she said. “My father, William, and mother own and run an excavation business and automotive garage. I was born out here too in the bedroom my mother had as a child.”

Michelle works for her parents’ business and has been a caregiver for the elderly.

“My son, Jacob, runs the automotive garage, Loud's Pit Automotive, and also works the excavation equipment,” she said. “Little Jonah comes to work with me four days a week at the office of Mills Excavation while his mom (Elizabeth Carter Short) works at the Islands Community Medical Center. Guess we are training Jonah to be in the family business! He is currently 7 months old.”

Vinalhaven is a close knit community, said Michelle.

“We all know each other. There are only approximately 1,000 year round residents. Everyone is always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need.”

Family roots go way back generations for Michelle.

She lived off-island for  14 years and returned back to her home in 2001.

“I thought it was the best place for my three boys to grow up,” she said.

“Jacob is 24, Brian is 22 and Max is 17 and a junior in high school,” she said. “It's great that I graduated from the island and my two oldest, as well, and Max will next year. Family and community are very important to us.”