Chilmark sends condolences to the many friends and family of Lillian Kellman who died on Tuesday, Jan. 12 following a long illness. Lillian and her husband, Ray, who survives her, were very active residents of Chilmark for many years. Both pursued successful careers before retiring to Chilmark and donating many hours of their retirement to town activities. Lillian was a tireless volunteer to the Chilmark School, where she perfected her craft of storytelling. More than one generation of Chilmark students recall with pleasure the storytelling hour that Lillian presented weekly to the school. She also offered her storytelling to the library, where she held many programs, sometimes weekly, for all who wished to enjoy her work. She will be missed by many in Chilmark and beyond.

We all send congratulations to Stanley and Lanette Larsen on the New Year’s Eve engagement of their daughter, Janelle, to Dakota Fogg. Cheers to all!

Our Aquinnah correspondent reminded me that Jan. 18 was the 132nd anniversary of the sinking of the City of Columbus off the Gay Head cliffs. It was during a bitter winter storm that the steamer full of passengers hit the rocks off the cliffs. The volunteer members of the Human Society of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts launched lifeboats in an attempt to best the storm and rescue the survivors. The story is recorded in a book entitled Disaster on Devil’s Bridge by George A. Hough Jr. Family pride prompts me to recall that my great-grandfather’s brother, James Mosher, served as captain of the second lifesaving boat that awful day. He was rewarded with a lifesaving medal from the state, as were others for their efforts that day.

We are fortunate today to have our U.S. Coast Guard station in Menemsha and on duty for our mariners.

Katie Carroll is home after settling her daughter, Bradley, at the College of William and Mary in Virginia, where she will continue her education.

Town hall sends word that nomination papers are available now and if you are running for office, please check with the town clerk to pick up papers for signatures. March 9 is the deadline for returning nomination papers.

Wayne Kurth of Connecticut was in town one day this week past for a brief reunion with friends and family who were happy to see him.

Pathways Projects continue their evening programs at the Tavern in Chilmark. There will be a memorial service for Marianne Goldberg at the community center on Jan. 31. Please go to the Pathways website, pathwaysmv.org, for details.

The presidential preference primary will be on Tuesday, March 1 at the Chilmark Community Center. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

We send condolences to the family and friends of Phyllis Gourley, who died Dec. 25 in Tucson. Phyllis and her family were longtime Chilmark seasonal residents of Middle Road. She was very active while in Chilmark where she gave many hours to the Chilmark Community Center and was well-known to many in her active years here. Her Chilmark friends miss her presence among us.

The Up-Island Council on Aging has given us a new number to ponder. It seems that 45 per cent of Chilmark residents are over 60.

The dredging of the channel between Chilmark and Aquinnah continues in spite of cold weather and days of wind. This I know because the sound of the dredging is heard in most of Menemsha. It is not the soothing sound of the surf and rolling rocks that we usually hear but the engine sounds accompanying the work.

I have to tell you who love sunsets that we had the most spectacular display on Monday night here .  . . very color and all over the sky. Made the windy day worth surviving! Many pictures were posted on Facebook. I swear part of the sky was green for awhile.

Send Chilmark news to slaterjn@comcast.net.