If you find yourself in Oak Bluffs be sure to circle by the hospital. Ted Mayhew has managed to make his way back to a halfway point between Mass General Hospital and home. And Danny Larsen is now home recuperating. Chalk most of that up to the medicinal qualities of Vineyard air and having loved ones near.

Kristen Brown is home after undergoing some pretty heavy duty shoulder surgery last week. She seems remarkably cheerful for someone who will be spending a little time in a recliner before embarking down that physical therapy road. Visits from her adorable nephew Bennett certainly are the biggest spirit booster she can get. Having the Patriots win the Super Bowl definitely was some high quality medication for all those currently engaged in some sort of healing process.

Please keep Joannie Jenkinson in your thoughts as well. The last time she and I spoke she was preparing for back surgery. Her remarkable and selfless spirit will have her healed up in no time.

Speaking of the Patriots, so many folks have communicated that the lowest scoring Super Bowl was one of the least entertaining games of the year yet we all seemed to manage to watch the three-plus hour match up against the LA Rams. Game-day get togethers provide a memorable venue for folks to show off their favorite finger food skills. Judi Worthington’s peach pie, which arrived at my door still warm from the oven gooey with homegrown peaches, was out of this world. Tim Carroll’s gluten free brownies topped with powdered sugar were quickly consumed. Theresa Manning’s wings with three choices of sauce were a hit with our crowd. Wayne Iacono made just enough macaroni salad to leave one small lunch time serving left for Monday. Suzy Crowley’s artichoke dip drew a crowd. What were the offerings at your football get togethers? Clearly, this year it was all about the eats.

Carl Crocker and Suzy Crowley have returned from their beachy adventure on the Puerto Rican island of Culebra. Warm sun, friendly people and just enough adventure managed to fill their days. A side trip to the uninhabited island of Culebrita was a highlight. Before traveling to Puerto Rico, Suzy spend a week with a group of girlfriends in Sarasota, Fla. and Carl took a week to visit with his mom, Diane, who also lives in Florida.

The clock is ticking. The time is getting shorter. The moment is rapidly approaching. The Chilmark School PTO’s Blues Blizzard fundraiser will take place the Saturday at the CCC from 7 to 11 p.m. If you don’t have your tickets yet, which are a steal at $20, don’t fret as you can purchase them at the door. Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to rock out to the sounds of Johnny Hoy & the Bluefish while raising needed funds for the Chilmark School PTO and the Outing Program. The music will knock your socks off while you indulge in the dessert bar and bid on fabulous live and silent auction items. Beth Wike, Sarah Waldman and a lovely band of parents can answer any party-going questions you may have.

Are you looking to make it a doubly adventurous night out on the town? Pathways doors will be open from 7 to 9 p.m. for their free pre-Valentine event. The ensemble concert showcases Vineyard-based talent including Siren Mayhew, Sean McMahon, Christine Seidel, George Davis, Aaron Lowe, Julius Lowe and Laura Walton.

Summer friend Mary Gibbons has set off from her Greenwich, Conn. home to lead a group of adventurous travelers to the ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden via the Kiruna airport which landed them about 125 miles north of the Arctic Circle. According to Mary, this is her bucket list tour where she will lead her group on adventures involving dog sledders, ice artists, Sami leaders, reindeer herders, Treehotel and Arctic Bath. It sounds pretty fabulous.

When the sun rose on Saturday Feb. 2, thousands of followers were gathered on Gobblers Knob to hear the extended weather prediction. Punxsutawney Phil, when hauled out of hibernation, did not see his shadow therefore his handlers proclaimed an early spring will be upon us. This week’s weather has been remarkably spring-like prompting beach walks, frolicking otters, revelation of daffodil stalks and more. We have all, I think, enjoyed a momentary warm weather reprieve.

Send Chilmark news to squidrow@vineyard.net.