Save that date! Come February we’re all going to be itching for something to do and what’s better than getting out to rock the winter blues away with Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish? Saturday, Feb. 1 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. there will be music, dancing and both a live and silent auction along with friendly carousing over nibbles and beverages. Twenty dollards at the door of the CCC will allow you to gain entry to an evening of fun while supporting the Chilmark School Outing Program.

The program, headed up this year by parent volunteers Meg Athearn, Kendra Buresch and Karyn Borella, directly enhances our school’s philosophy of project-based learning by offering unique experiences and a full education extending outside the classroom. It includes the grade 4/5 week-long “school at sea” aboard s/v Shenandoah, the grade five ski trip to Sugarloaf Mountain and the grade 3/4 kayak trip with Island Spirit. The bulk of the financial responsibilities for these programs falls to the families, so fun fundraising is key. I hope to see you there. Oh, and I can’t forget to share that donations for the auction would be greatly appreciated. Get creative. Auction items in the past have included artwork, hayrides, services like dog walking, dinners, apparel, tons of handmade goodies, trips to far away places and more. The parent contact for contributions is Beth Wike at bethwike@gmail.com or 607-261-0699. You can also drop off items over the next couple of weeks at the Chilmark School during regular hours.

Is soup not your thing, but you’re interested in getting together with friends and neighbors to catch up on what’s happening on the other side of town? Then, you will be pleased to know that what were Tuesday night soup suppers at the church have evolved into simply supper. Swing by at 5:30 p.m. with a dish to share if you have the time to whip up a little something. If not, wander in with an empty belly and enjoy the bounty of what others have brought. Bananagrams tiles will surely be poured out on the table in a timely fashion. Even if you are not hungry, stop in for a few rounds of the Scrabble-like game.

Who remembers the boat Iron Genny that used to travel from Long Island to visit each summer with the Zydel family aboard? It was the early to mid 1990s timeframe and Tim and Lenore, the kiddos on board, very quickly palled around with Ross McDowell, Mike Holtham, Aaron Brown, Alyssa Kurth and then some. Dad Paul and mom, Dorothea, who is no longer with us, spent many mornings on Squid Row sipping coffee and shooting the breeze with whomever, as great grandma Bette would say, was willing to “sit a spell.” Anyway, long story short, Paul is now a proud grandfather to Timothy Zydel, Jr. born on Jan. 10.

Robert Conway was a man about town for 30 years. He moved on to New Jersey in 2015 to be closer to family since in his 90s that just seemed sensible. Bob, at the age of 96, died last weekend surrounded by family after having been an active member of his community right up till the end. I will miss our occasional emails but am pleased to know his remains will be laid to rest atop Abel’s Hill. There will be a celebration of his life here in Chilmark late March or early April. The time and date are still pending. My condolences to his family and friends. He was a true character.

A nasty virus has been making its way around town. It’s managed to sneak in to various households and prey on many in its path. I’m glad to hear, to mention a few, Zuri and Fiona Brown, Kathie and Emmett Carroll, Joe Chapman and George Oskan are all on the mend and back out among the land of the living. ‘Tis the season for diligent hand washing and, by all means, if you’re not well just stay home. Call on friends and neighbors, heck, call on me, to bring Gatorade, cough drops, chicken soup, Saltines or whatever you may need to push through whatever ails you.

Coastie Joel Behr is back after a trip to his Pennsylvania stomping grounds. Family love, home cooked meals and a birthday celebration were in the mix. Brody Schilling has returned from Louisiana and, as an LSU fan, continues to proclaim “Geaux Tigers!”