Chilmark will miss Chet Wisneiewski who died in early February. He had lived on Flanders Lane for many years and was known to many. Chet was a successful architect and had worked in New York city. He loved his Vineyard life and the people he knew here. He gave cheerful summer parties at the home he built himself and was always a source of humor and sharp world views. He is survived by his three sons, Thomas, John and Joe. We send them our condolences and the sure knowledge that happy memories will keep Chet in our hearts for a long time.

This Sunday morning offered a rare sight for many of us . . . at the Menemsha Beach. Drift ice had collected along the beach and created what looked like an ice extension of the shoreline strong enough to walk on, and it extended far out almost to the bell buoy and all the way to the point of rocks. It was rough with many large chunks of ice piling up on others. Quite a sight. I was told it was the ice breaking up in the Sound and drifting with the tide and wind. It lasted most of the day before drifting out from shore, where it could be seen drifting down the Sound. It was a lot of ice.

Congratulations to all at the Vineyard Gazette for the 35 awards, 17 of them first place, annually awarded by the New England Newspaper and Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest. And special kudos to Chilmarker Mollie Doyle who won a first place for her interview of Chilmarker Bridget Tobin. Cheers to all!

Readers of the most recent Edible Vineyard magazine will enjoy an article by Mollie Doyle as well as an article on wine by Jim Malkin of South Road. Chilmark has many voices.

Condolences to all who knew, loved and enjoyed the works of Will Monast who died at his West Tisbury home on Feb. 18. He will be missed by many for a long time. He was a unique individual whose writings always called for a second reading.

The Chilmark board of assessors, in compliance with a Massachusetts law, have completed a preliminary real estate estimated taxes for fiscal year 2015. You can find details by going to the Chilmark assessors town web page then going to FY 2015 Preliminary Real Estate Assessed Values. You can then go to  http://www.assessedvalues2.com/index.aspx?jurcode=62. Of course, if you are my generation, you can simply call town hall and ask for the assessor’s office.

Tauras and Ellen Biskis are back from a skiing holiday with their children, Tauras, Grazina and Kestutis. They enjoyed a week skiing at Attitash in North Conway. Ellen is the Chilmark town accountant.

Welcome home to Marshall, Katie and Brooks Carroll who are well on the way to setting a record as to how much can be enjoyed on a 10-day vacation. They first shared a visit with Emmett and Kathie Carroll, Ted and Judy Mayhew and Sarah and Tyler Shipway, all on Sugarloaf Key. That visit included a tour of Key West with lunch under the U. S. Navy jet flight flyway then off to a one-night visit in Naples and on to Tampa with an overnight visit with their daughter Bradley and, finally, off to a weekend with both Bradley and Brooks at Disney World. As Katie and Marshall are keepers of the Menemsha gas station and more, are the unofficial hosts at the nightly sunset party in Menemsha all summer, we will be interested in their experience watching the Key West sunset party.

Chilmark police officer Jonathan Klaren with his wife Kim and daughter Kelly also visited Disney World over the school vacation.

Caleb, Chris and Celia Slater ventured from Northbridge to Chilmark for a brief weekend visit with me before hurrying home before more snow added to the 13 inches they already had at home.

The Chilmark Historical Commission is making its annual appeal for old photos, postcards or other such memorabilia that you may want to donate to our serious collection of old Chilmark history, both pictures and written material are welcome. We can make copies for you if you want to retain your items. Also, if any reader ever notices such material for sale, please alert the historical commission.

Peggy Freydberg will celebrate her 107th birthday Friday, March 6. All of Chilmark sends her warm wishes for a wonderful day full of friends and festivities. Peggy is a well-regarded poet whose works are enjoyed by many.

Send your Chilmark news to: slaterjn@comcast.net.