So, yes, sadly the New England Patriots were defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles this past weekend. Although saddened by the loss and upset by a few questionable calls, I appreciated the opportunity to gather with friends to share Super Bowl snacks, don team jerseys, swap stories and commiserate far too late into the evening on a school night for the kids in the mix. For me, it was an extra special Super Bowl get together because my cousin, Jennifer Wheeler, had brought her “Go Pats!” all the way from her home in Dallas, Tex.

If you didn’t have an opportunity to stop in to the Chilmark branch of MV Savings Bank on Friday for Albert Fischer’s photography opening, you are still in luck. His photographs are on display through the end of the month. On a rather dreary evening Linda and Lydia were there along with the Cooks, the Thomsons, the Cabots, Debbie Magnuson, June Manning, Hellie Neumann, Claire Ganz, Valerie Sonnenthal, Patty Rossi, Marilda Hollister, Jeanne Ogden and so many more showed up for a standing room only get together.

Pam Goff, the liaison for the historic commission to the historic house project, is looking for volunteers interested in helping to identify antique houses in town built between the Civil War and World War II. It sounds like a really neat winter project that would easily aid in passing the time on some of our bleakest February and March days. For more information on the project, please email either Chuck Hodgkinson, administrative assistant to the historic commission at the town hall, or send Pam an email at pclarkgoff@comcast.net. Either would happily catch you up to speed on what is needed.

Are you looking for some family friendly fun this weekend? The Chilmark Preschool PTO presents a Family Movie Night fundraiser. For $10 per person you can gain admission to a viewing of The Peanuts Movie. Doors open at 3 p.m. with the movie starting at 4 p.m. Pizza, popcorn, tattoos, face painting and Valentine crafts will all be available for a nominal contribution. Kids are welcome to wear their PJs, bring a sleeping bag and get comfy surrounded by friends. Heck, mom and dad can wear PJs too! If you have any questions reach out to any preschool parent or email Sarah Waldman at sarah.fm.waldman@gmail.com.

Zoe and Simon Thompson made a quick escape to Boston to watch the Boston Bruins take on the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 4-1 win. There were a few other Vineyarders in the stands too, Alex (Taylor), Olive and Violet MacPhail were sporting their Bruins gear too.

A new team sport for kids grades 5-12 is making its way to the starting gate. Thanks to some energy well spent, mostly by Todd Christy, the New England High School Cycling Association’s Vineyard Tide mountain bike team is ready for members. Although details are still in the works, the first hurdle is to put together a roster of interested kids. We are not only looking for interested kids but we are looking for adult cyclists willing to ride with and mentor our up and comers. This sport not only is great for beginners but it also integrates really well into a kid’s schedule.

This week’s addition of buried at Abel’s Hill with Hariette Poole Otteson reflects on the life of Leopold Mannes. Born in 1899 in New York city into a family of musicians, Leopold began playing piano at age four. Throughout his life he played, composed and judged musical competitions and guided young musicians careers. In high school, he and a friend, Leopold Godowsky Jr., developed kodachrome color film. Although he then associated with Kodak for the remainder of his life he continued to follow his affinity for music. He became president of Mannes College of Music which was founded by his parents and in 1963 became chairman of the Music Panel of the Cultural Presentations Program of the State Department. In 2005 he was posthumously inducted to the National Inventors Hall of Fame. The Mannes family built a home in Menemsha and summered there many years. Leopold died in 1964.

Send Chilmark news to squidrow@vineyard.net.