Tuesday’s conversation with my teen revolved around the long awaited snowfall. Despite the minimal accumulation and the short time it stuck around before turning to rain we discussed his true fondness for snow sports: skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snow biking and snowball fights. We discussed how it was mid-February and the snow shovel was still hanging in the shed unused. As our conversation progressed I could hear the gradual transition from rain to sleet making a tink, tink, tink sound on our windows. Although the thrill of accumulating snow was short lived, the desire for more grew stronger which prompted the question when are we going skiing again? 

Several members of our community are nearing completion of the Emergency Responder Course. Tuesday, Feb. 18 is exam day so be sure to congratulate Jeremy Bradshaw, Keona Chung, Gerry Caton, Jonah Maidoff, Christina Colarusso, Brian Kennedy, Chris Smith, Cody Coutinho, Tauras Biskis, Casey Elliston, Gary Robinson, Brooks Carroll and, you guessed it, me. EMRs are taught the skills necessary to provide immediate lifesaving interventions while awaiting additional EMS resources to arrive. EMRs also provide assistance to higher-level personnel at the scene of emergencies and during transport. Alan Ganapol of West Tisbury is the engaging educator to the group.

I think cartoonist Charles Schultz sums up how many of us feel about both Valentine’s Day and our beloved Chilmark Chocolates when he said, “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”

Let’s not focus on the impending December doomsday. Let’s live in the here and now. Enjoy the friendly faces both behind the counter and where the magic happens while inhaling the precious aroma of fine chocolate as you wait in line for your favorite sweet goodness now through Sunday. My personal favorite is the Tashmoo Truffle. Thank you MaryBeth Grady, Allison Berger and crew for always coming to the rescue when we need gifts for holidays, visiting relatives, thank yous and more.

Valentine’s Day also happens to be the day Kendall Harris celebrates a birthday. From what I understand only special people are born on the day we celebrate love around the world. Happy, happy to you, Kendall.

Valerie Murphy made the move to a retirement community in Pennsylvania where she is now but a hop, skip and jump from Wanda (Murphy) and Burt Irion’s home. At the age of 90 she is doing well.

Today, Feb. 15, is the day our favorite retired columnist, Jane Slater celebrates her 87th birthday. On the day of her birth, the III Winter Olympic Games closed after the American brothers Hubert and Curtis Stevens beat the eight-nation field to win the two-man bobsleigh gold medal at the Lake Placid Winter Olympics. Also on this day, Eddie Egan, member of the four man bobsled team, became the only Olympian to win gold medals at both winter and summer Games. He received a gold in boxing at the 1920 summer Olympics in Antwerp.

Be sure to make Jane’s day extra special with a note, a phone call, an email, a card, a toot of the horn as you drive by, or with one of those aforementioned boxes of Chilmark Chocolates. Sweet Jane has been having meals with friends each day this week “just in case (she) doesn’t make it until Friday.” These are her words not mine. Dianne Smith is one of those lucky lunchers.

Send Chilmark news to squidrow@vineyard.net.