Few individuals can alter the course of history but, there are some who can be credited with documenting it well. My Chilmark column predecessor, Jane Slater, is one of those people. For close to half a century, she has been documenting the comings and goings of our Chilmark friends and neighbors so we could all feel a moment of connection even if we weren’t physically together. Jane was recognized at a Vineyard Gazette gathering this past week which involved some thoughtful words, a one-of-a-kind front cover publication and the official passing of the torch to me. I was warned I had big shoes to fill and, with my own tone of voice, will do my best to keep the information flowing. Thank you, Jane, for your dedication and for entrusting me with your column.

She was a year-round Chilmark resident since 1984 but, now, 95-year-old Nikki Langer is no longer with us. Nikki was not only the founder of the Chilmark Chamber Music Society but was an active member of the Martha’s Vineyard Cultural Council and the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center. My thoughts go out to her family.

Well, he’s out. My father in law, Emmett Carroll, has been sprung from the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. He spent three nights being nursed back to health by some of the finest and, although he’s still lying low on Peaked Hill, he is back on his feet.

Mike Broderick and Mary McConneloug did it again. After five days of riding rough volcanic terrain through stunning scenery in Patagonia, they stepped up to the top spot on the podium and raised their hands high for the big win. Congratulations to these two for enduring a grueling Trans Andes Challenge with just two tires under each of them. To quote a teenager, “this sounds epic!”

Ella Oskan, eighth grader at the Charter School participated in an edge-of-your seat middle school basketball playoff game versus Tisbury. The ball, dribbled on a neutral court at the high school, swished the net for 34 points to Tisbury’s 27. Although toddler sister Gwendolyn wasn’t in the stands to cheer her big sister on, sister Piper, step-mom Katie and proud papa George were there hollering their heads off cheering with delight.

Peter Rabbit will be coming to the Chilmark Library on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 10:30 a.m. for a special story time. We’ll read Peter Rabbit stories and then sing songs while he visits.

January is skating month for the Chilmark School kids. For the next couple of weeks, along with physical education teacher Channon Capra and parent volunteer chaperones, they will board the big yellow school bus with mittens, helmets and skates in tow bound for the Martha’s Vineyard Arena. While riding the bus back to school, the students can be heard sharing commentary such as: I only fell once. Did you see me skate backwards? I need some cocoa to warm up.

Have no fear: burn season is here. Between Jan. 15 and May 1 you may call fire chief David Norton between 7 and 8 a.m. to ask for permission to torch it up. The essential key to the scenario is you must actually speak with David and get the go ahead. Leaving him a message stating that the fire is burning in your back yard but don’t worry because you have a hose near by doesn’t cut it. Don’t bother to hit him up for a permit on a windy, blustery day because you will get the definitive no. Ideal weather conditions are a must. Try to reach him using the following numbers in the following order: 508-645-2819, 508-627-2760 or 508-645-2550.

Thanks to Harriette Poole Otteson I have a little more information to share about the ice house which stood on Menemsha Harbor. She has a picture from 1954 and one from circa 1950 both clearly showing the structure. Harriette recalls returning home from college and making the customary loop around Menemsha Basin, something we also refer to as “buzzing the Bight,” only to find the ice house being demolished. This would have been during the late 1950s. I’m still asking around for more details so stay tuned or share what you know.

And how about them Patriots?

Send Chilmark news to squidrow@vineyard.net.