This is what 118 people saw on Sunday afternoon’s otter walk sponsored by the Vineyard Conservation Society: three ducks, five dogs on leashes, a rusted tractor wheel, and four folding chairs with broken seats.

This is what they did not see: otters. But they saw plenty of evidence that otters are alive and well on the Island.

Grace is Hot Meal on Cold Night

Winter gets a bad rap for a number of reasons. Cold, dark, possibly lonely as the Island empties out and more stores say goodbye until spring. But there is always one wonderful aspect of the off-season, as reliable as the spring peepers, the community suppers.

West Tisbury catboat sailor Jim O’Connor has come out with his fourth annual calendar. Each month gets a photograph. Mr. O’Connor is a professional caterer and runs ChefWorks. When he is not cooking up meals in the summer he and his wife Kim, an educator at the Oak Bluffs School, and their black labrador retriever Marshall are out sailing in their 22-foot catboat Glimmer. They like to cruise about Southeastern Massachusetts waters with the purpose of having a good time and taking pictures for the next calendar.

ACE MV Registration

Registration is now open for the Adult and Community Education (ACE MV) winter and spring classes.

Course offerings include, well, just about anything you can think of including arts, music, dance, business, computers, education, parenting, cooking, health, history, languages, writing, the list goes on and on. Many classes earn college credits too through Cape Cod Community College and Fitchburg State, all taught on Island

Alzheimer’s Support

A group for those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other dementia will begin meeting on Wednesday mornings from 10 to 11 a.m. for the next 12 weeks. The first meeting takes place on Wednesday, Jan. 18.

Topics to be discussed include managing medications, the lonely and isolating experience of caretaking, behavior issues, activities of daily living, taking care of yourself, talking with others about dementia, managing family issues and more.

MV Democrats

The Martha’s Vineyard Democrats are holding a meeting this Saturday, Jan. 14. from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Howes House in West Tisbury.

The guest speaker is Mary Jane Sorrentino, a sustainability consultant with Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project. Ms. Sorrentino will present a half-hour program on elements of the climate crisis. She is a graduate of Fordham University, holds a master’s from George Washington University and is currently a candidate for an MS degree from Antioch in Environmental Studies.

Yoga Teacher Training

On Saturday, Jan. 14, FLY Yoga will offer a preview of their spring teacher training school with Sherry Sidoti. The event takes place from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Tapas Hot Yoga in Vineyard Haven (near the Steamship Authority)

There will be a donation-based 60-minute yoga class followed by question and answer session. The 200 Hour certified teacher training will take place from April 2 through 13 and May 14 to 25 on Martha’s Vineyard.

For more details, visit flyyogamv.com.

Inside Scoop on Occupy

Having trouble getting a handle on what to occupy these days? Well, on Sunday, Jan. 15, there will be an educational forum entitled, Understanding the Occupy Movement.

The forum takes place at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center, located at 130 Centre street in Vineyard Haven. The discussion is from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and will be followed by a community supper at 5 p.m.

Haggis Hotline

Save Saturday, Jan. 14, for some haggis; that would be a wee bit of sheep’s heart, liver and lungs to be exact, traditionally simmered in the animal’s stomach for approximately three hours. Alas, times and health codes change. Most haggis this side of the pond is now simmered in casings rather than a stomach.

The haggis is being prepared for the MV Center for Living’s cultural luncheon tomorrow honoring the Scottish influence and contributions to the Vineyard

Art in the Stacks

The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library are presenting an exhibit of paintings by Brazilian artist Bella, also known for her work as a musician, singer, songwriter, playwright, and puppeteer. The exhibit will be on display during regular library hours through Feb. 4.

For more details, call 508-696-4211.