Phone calls, texts, emails, social media posts and knocks on the door were the various ways the world came together to celebrate Jane Slater’s 93 birthday. Ninety-three is not just a commemoration of years lived, but a tribute to a life dedicated to family, community and history. I join the countless others in expressing deep gratitude for her contributions to the world, and I raise a toast to a dear friend I will continue to learn from.

Jane wasn’t the only one to celebrate a birthday on Feb. 15. Warren Doty also cheered to another year, and Nan celebrated just a few days prior.

February is filled with cause for celebration. There are countless others entitled to birthday well wishes, including Kendall Harris, Keith Emin, Kathleen Tilton, Hellie Neumann, Caitlin Jones, Allen Healy, Lindsey Scott, Prescott Walsh, Tony Palmer, Alexia Jason, Adelaide Keene, Isabella Quinones, Caroline Roddy, Emily Bramhall, Ava Stearns, Michelle Mayhew, Adam Knight, Hannah Kahl, Julie Flanders, Caleb Slater, Lenny Jason, Richard Bennett, Fran Demers, Dennis Jason, Ann Ganz, Dardy Slavin and Sgt. Garrison Vieira. May happiness and cake (or pie) be bountiful in your lives.

The Chilmark School fifth graders are back in the classroom after taking school on the road. Sugarloaf Mountain in the heart of Carrabassett Valley (Maine’s second highest peak measuring in at 4,237 feet) was their final destination. Luca, Asa, Noah, Ava, Ida, Poppy, Eleanor and Juniper made the trip with parent chaperones (Patrick, Jess and Heather), and school chaperones (Georgia and Melissa). They have returned feeling a sense of accomplishment and, to sum it all up, Ida shared: “It was really fun. My instructor was so nice and had taught Chilmark kids before. Now I like skiing so much more. We came home with some funny stories. We all get along great. We can be together and be really nice to each other.”

Russell Cleary has always had a fondness for Menemsha. Before he retired from commercial fishing, he was a frequent visitor and would often be spotted unloading his catch from F/V Skipjack. Over the years, his employment included financial services, commercial fishing or working as a merchant mariner in petroleum transport. Russell can now add published author to his list of accomplishments. On the Fish is a “factual, rigorously researched and generously illustrated survey of the vintage inshore boats and offshore vessels — sail and power — that New England seaports sent in pursuit of swordfish, all utilizing the hand-thrown harpoon, during the fishery’s 100+ years run.”

You just might find a reference to the late and great life-long fisherman Cpt. Jimmy Morgan. Email Russell at skipjack93@yahoo.com if you’d like to order.

Sometimes questionable weather gives even the most outdoorsy of folks permission to hunker down inside. Claire Ganz did just that and took some time to sift through old papers. Amongst the layered treasures, she put her hands on a 1950s newspaper clipping summing up the West Tisbury School’s Valentine’s Day party. Some of the folks mentioned are still with us, others sadly are not. The tiny piece of paper prompted a delightful stroll down Memory Lane for many. Along with teachers Mrs. Argie Humphries (in my family she’s known as Aunt Bernice) and Mrs. Arnold Fischer (Priscilla, I believe), there were Claire’s uncle Fred Hotchkiss as was Jim Athearn, Eleanor Fischer, Reggie Silva, Tom Hodgson, Deborah Merry, Henry Childs, Prudy Whiting and more.

Also doing some sifting was Laurie Bryant German. She came across a copy of Forbes Magazine in which an article titled Amateur’s Heaven talks about fly rodding in the waters off New England. The 50th annual MV Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby is mentioned along with some well known anglers including Kib Bramhall, Leslie Smith and Laurie’s dad Danny Bryant.

Speaking of fly rods, our Aquinnah neighbor Abe Pieciak hosted his first fly tying session on Facebook live last week. He set up shop on camera, talked through his methods and engaged with his audience. He plans to be live again on Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. He will be tying a “left deceiver” which, coincidentally was Kib’s go-to lure in the aforementioned article.