JANE N. SLATER

508-645-3378

(slaterjn@comcast.net)

Chilmark will not be Disney East this time I am so proud to be a part of this town. The zoning board members concurred that their building inspector had made the right decision in granting permits to two working farms for wind turbines. It is a time of change for all of us and this small agricultural and fishing community is fortunate to have citizens that are willing to be bold in trying new ways to survive and succeed in the future.

We send condolences this week to the friends and family of Peter Teel, who died on Saturday at Massachusetts General Hospital. Peter, with his wife, Katherine Tilton Teel, retired to the Tilton home in Chilmark a number of years ago. He enjoyed his Chilmark years, planting a variety of fruit trees and nursing them through Chilmark winters. His roots were in Montana, where he practiced medicine for many years in Billings and he and Katherine raised their family. Their son, Derrick, and his family of Summit, N.J., have recently completed a new home in Oak Bluffs. Phil and his family live in Cumberland, R.I. We will miss him in our lives. Katherine Teel now resides at Cortland Place, 20 Austin avenue, Greenville, R.I. 02828. She will be happy to hear from her Island friends and family.

I learned this week that Ethel Sherman is recovering at her Chilmark home following an unfortunate fall a while back. We send her best wishes for a full recovery.

The Chilmark Library continues to be the hub of activity in town. Tomorrow night, Jan. 28, the movie will be a classic film from Scotland called Whiskey Galore. All are welcome and the film begins at 7 p.m. The next film on Feb. 4 will be High Society. The Chowder and Movie program will be Feb. 9 at noon. The movie, Namesake, will be featured.

The Chilmark School student art show will be on view at the library for the month of February and can be seen during regular library hours. It is always inspiring to see the vision of young artists.

Andy Goldman and Susan Heilbron are back at their Menemsha home after an extended tour of southeast Asia. All reports are that they had a wonderful trip.

We send condolences to the family and friends of Laurence (Larry) Mayhew Flanders, who died on Jan. 13. He was the oldest son of the late Robert N. and Mildred Flanders of Menemsha. Larry and his family lived off-Island but as with many, the Island family held him close. He will be missed by many.

I haven’t mentioned the weather yet. That’s because there isn’t much good to say. Our outside temperature on Monday was seven degrees and today it is 30 with snow, sleet and rain. Which will be the major precipitation remains to be determined. We are promised 6 to 8 inches of snow but who really knows?

Community suppers continue at the Chilmark Community Church. The meal begins at 5:30 p.m. and extends to table games after dessert. Townsfolk are welcome and there is no charge. Contributions of side dishes are welcome.

And, speaking of supper, Josh Aronie is doing suppers again once a week at the Menemsha Café on Basin Road. It’s the perfect Chilmark date night supper at the café, from 5 to 8 p.m. on Fridays.

Please remember that the Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living cultural luncheon is Jan. 29 at the Grill on Main in Edgartown. The program will center on African Americans on Martha’s Vineyard. Please call 508-939-9440 tickets and more information.

The Martha’s Vineyard Fish Farm for Haiti project now has a very good Web site with lots of updates and information about the situations in Haiti. Go to fishfarmhaiti.org and check it out or e-mail info@ fishfarmhaiti.org. Our summer neighbor, Karen Flynn of the popular food place, the Bite, works hard for Haiti all year and we are proud of her hard work.

Happy birthday this week to Bette Carroll, a popular gal around town. I am not revealing the number but she is beloved by all and still a force worth listening to. We share some town jobs and we rely on her perfect recall of an earlier Chilmark. Cheers to you, Bette.