Chilmark continues to thaw although the temperatures are a challenge to the sunshine that is trying to do its job. We still have a wintery aspect, but our snow cover is beginning to be a memory.

The harbor has been a busy place now that the ice has drifted away. A tugboat brought barges in that were laden with cranes and rocks. Word was that they were delayed due to ice in the Chesapeake Bay. Now the boats have gone and work continues on the west jetty. No doubt another load of stone is due.

The Easter weekend will be with us soon. Chilmark Chocolates will be open their regular hours until Easter Saturday. Chocolate bunnies are in the house!

Congratulations to Alex and June Gordon Noe who welcomed their first child, Charlotte Gordon Noe, on Jan. 27. She was born in Chicago, where these South Road Chilmark summer folk winter. We look forward to her first Chilmark visit.

And, thanks to my pen pal Katie Carroll down on Squid Row, I have news of another happy arrival. Elissa Turnbull and Eddie Stahl of Chilmark are happy to welcome Hazel Clementine, born this week past. Her big sister is Lucille. Cheers from us all!

Congratulations to Grey Barn’s two sows who have produced a large number of piglets to the Chilmark pork population this week. Spring is a reality in some parts of town!

We are sad to note the closing of the Santander Bank branch in Chilmark. Some really nice employees and townsfolk will be displaced and we wish them luck in their futures. We are encouraged to hear that the town has interest in this location as the future fire and emergency site.

Dave and Catha Day came from New York city with their son Scott and daughter Jessica for a brief visit to their Peaked Hill home. While here, they enjoyed a reunion with Catha’s parents, Bob and Barbara Day of West Tisbury.

Aaron and Sarah Slater Bennett and their sons Jack and Scott came from Attleboro for a weekend visit with Sarah’s mother and we had a lovely time planning our summer adventures in Menemsha.

Harriette Otteson is home from an exciting and interesting trip to Cuba. It was called a People to People Cultural Exchange. There were 20 folks in the group and they spent 12 days touring Cuba. They visited Havana, Cienfuegos and Trinidad. Arrangements were made for them to have interactive visits with people of many interests and backgrounds who were friendly and curious about the American visitors. They visited senior centers and children’s day care centers. There were meetings with a coffee farmer, an architect, some politicians and fishermen. Harriette found the fishermen of interest and learned that the island depends on fish for a food source, but the fishermen are very restricted in how far they can go offshore to fish because of the closeness to the U.S. and the fear that Cuba has of the population defecting. She also saw a dance company and, by coincidence, learned that they plan to perform on Martha’s Vineyard in August! No trip to Cuba would be complete without a mention of the number of pre-revolutionary (1959) American cars that they keep running in Cuba. She was treated to a ride in one.

There is some construction to be done at the Chilmark Tavern so Pathways Living Room Studios will be closed on March 27, 28 and 29. The Living Room Gallery and Bookshelf is open from noon to 4 p.m. but closed Wednesday and Sunday. If you have questions you may call them at 508-645-9098.

The annual Chilmark town meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 27, at 7:30 p.m. at the Chilmark Community Center. One of the items on the warrant is an Accessory Apartment Zoning Bylaw Amendment. There will be two public informational meetings prior to town meeting, one on Wednesday, April 1, at 5:30 p.m. and another on Thursday, April 9, at 5:30 p.m., both at the Chilmark library. Come and learn what is planned and ask questions. You may phone 508-645-2107 with questions and you may email the town clerk, jchristy@chilmarkma.gov.

Todd and Jenny Christie traveled to New York city one day this week to celebrate Todd’s 50th birthday. Congratulations to Chilmark’s master coffee maker!

The musical potluck supper scheduled for April 7 has been cancelled. Another date is still unknown but will be announced soon.

The history note for this week is to know that in 1894 Florence Mayhew, our first librarian, spent $10 on books for the year, and $1.40 for paper to cover them with. There probably wasn’t much time for reading as, among other critters, the town had 3,703 sheep that needed caring for.

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