JANE N. SLATER

508-645-3378

(slaterjn@comcast.net)

Hooray, Chilmark starts off the New Year by welcoming a new citizen to our town. Tauras and Ellen Biskis had baby Tauras on Dec. 22, and he came home on Christmas Eve. He has a big brother, Kestutis, and sister, Grazina. Cheers from us all!

Walking around town on these days of snow cover makes for interesting discoveries. I found many footprints of the other inhabitants of town that don’t send me their news. The rabbit and deer prints are easy to read, but I wonder who has the long tail that leaves a trail between the small paw prints? There are lots of cat prints . . . hopefully, my neighbor’s cats and not feral ones. There are even interesting bird tracks where some species are ground-feeding in tough times.

We send condolences to the family and many friends of Morris E. Lasker, who died on Dec. 25. Judge Lasker and his family have been seasonal residents of Chilmark for many years. Their home overlooks Menemsha Pond, where he enjoyed many summers. We are all the better for the many relentless battles Judge Lasker fought for justice and the rights of the less fortunate. His family held a graveside service at Abel’s Hill Cemetery in Chilmark on Dec. 27, and in the spring of 2010 there will be a memorial service at the Joseph Moakley Federal Courthouse in Boston.

Bill and Emily Meegan hosted a Christmas Eve birthday party at their Middle Road home for Emily’s mother, Nancy Nitchie. The snows didn’t stop her many friends from coming out to help her celebrate her big day!

Tom and Barbara Rivers were happy to have a holiday visit from their daughter, Diane Rivers, and their grandson, James Anderson. The family came from Sarasota, Fla., for the visit. It was 12-year-old James’ first white Christmas, and included making a snowman!

David and Catha Day, with Jessica, Luke and Scott, came from New York city to spend some of the school holiday at their Peaked Hill home.

Remember that the special election for a senator to replace the late Sen. Ted Kennedy will be on Jan. 19. Voting will be at the community center.

Bill and Zee Gamson traveled to Newton recently to attend a number of celebrations in the lives of their grandchildren. Ari had his Bar Mitzvah, which was well attended by family and friends. Granddaughter Reba celebrated her fourth birthday, and her baby sister, Madeleine, had a naming ceremony that was her welcoming into the world. Cheers to all!

The Chilmark library will begin the Family Friday Night movies in the meeting room beginning Jan. 8, today, if you are reading this on the date of publication. The movie tonight is The Black Stallion. Next week the movie will be Captains Courageous. The full schedule is available at the library or on their Web site. The movies begin at 7 p.m. and there will be juice and popcorn available at no charge.

Chowder and a Movie nights start on Jan. 13 at the library. Movies from the 1940s through 60s will be shown. The first one, Jan. 13, will be The Thin Man and the next week it will be Mr. Rogers. The chowder is free and so is the movie. A great treat for a cold winter’s night. All are invited. For details on times and titles, please call the library at 508-645-3360.

Chilmark has lost a friend and benefactor with the death on Dec. 29 of David Levine of New York. David was a witty and wise artist whose cartoons of famous people have been in the popular press for many years. He was also a serious and respected painter. David and his wife, Kathy Hayes, have visited Chilmark every summer for many years and, while here, David gave freely of his time and talent for local causes. He had many friends in town and we will all miss his visits to Chilmark.