For many, ringing in the new year is an opportunity to bask in tradition, make a fresh start and resolve to do better in the upcoming year. 2023 was a challenging and unfortunate one for our community, so many jumped at the chance to reflect inward, talk about loved ones lost, and polar plunge.

Cold plunges can help increase endorphins, boost metabolism, strengthen immune health, improve circulation, reduce inflammation and swelling, fight symptoms of depression and lessen aches and pains. Cold plunges can also signify wiping the slate clean and moving into the new year with an open mind and heart.

After nearly my entire fall was filled with pneumonia I opted not to plunge with the carloads of people at Menemsha Beach, but I say “hip hip hooray” for the group including folks representing the Athearn, Thomson, Larsen clans and more.

New Year's is also often rung in with food, music, friends and, for some, a candlelit woodland walk. Perhaps it’s a bit of a twist on the Winter Spiral — if you’ve ever been part of Waldorf School tradition you’ve probably done this — where walking in a circle represents reflecting inward during the darkest days of the year and kindling your own inner light.

The Keene family had all four of their children — Adelaide, Thea, Ella and Lathrop — under their roof for New Year's. It was a joyous occasion worthy of celebration including the woodland walk and music facilitated by one of our hometown favorites, Ellen Biskis. Adelaide and partner Baxter Geyer swooped in for a long weekend from Utah, the place they currently call home. Thea was in from Northeastern and Ella from her first year at California Polytechnic.

Many families celebrate the new year with so-called lucky food. A traditional meal on New Year’s Day at great-grandma Bette Mayhew Flanders Carroll’s table would consist of black-eyed peas and ham hock. The tradition made its way to her table through her husband Curly, who came to her during World War II from a southern upbringing. Admittedly, not many truly enjoyed the meal but all embraced tradition.

This year, the Carroll family gathered for a new spin on the traditional meal. Each branch of the family brought their choice of a lucky food. It was a good evolution of tradition and one we hope to carry on.

The four Tuesday afternoons that span from Jan. 23 to Feb. 13 from 3 to 4:30 p.m., the Chilmark Library will be the hotspot for children ages six and up. To keep the gatherings under control, Jennifer Burkin’s children’s art classes will require preregistration, which can easily be managed by emailing adubno@clamsnet.org. Each session will focus on a different topic, but will kick off with creative ways to make collages with an assortment of materials. What a perfect spot for young budding artists to try their handiwork with Jennifer’s guidance.

After celebrating his 95th birthday back in July at his home overlooking Menemsha harbor and after dishing out candy on Halloween to Chilmark ghouls, goblins and fairies, Uncle Don Smith returned to his snowbird home in warm and sunny Florida. We all quietly knew his remaining days might be in short supply so lots of love, laughter, loud television time and a few cocktails were shared before Don’s life came to a close. He filled my mind with family stories, including those of his childhood, adoption, meeting Pat Flanders who’d later become his bride, his four children, life in Florida and so much more. Having a friendship with someone who has managed life on Earth for nearly a century is something to be treasured and I certainly will do just that.

Heartfelt condolences to all who loved Don, including his children Hollis, Robin, Russell and Jeannie.

— Katie Carroll