This is what 118 people saw on Sunday afternoon’s Otter Walk: 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.

Guided by wildlife biologists Luanne Johnson and Liz Baldwin, the largest turn-out of winter walkers in recent memory trudged through a mile and a half of trails, fields and bogs around the Wakeman Conservation Center searching for the elusive mammals, finding only their flat grassy slides into ponds, their lay-downs, and their distinctive detritus.

Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) chairman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais joined several tribal dignitaries and Maine legislators on Jan. 4 as David Slagger, a citizen of the Houlton Band of Maliseets, was sworn to the Main House of Representatives. Mr. Slagger, the first Maliseet tribal representative to the House, was sworn in by Maine governor Paul LePaige. Maine is the only state in the country that includes tribal representatives in its legislatures.

The Vineyard Conservation Society is hosting a winter walk on Sunday, Jan. 8, from 1 to 3 p.m. and they are looking for otters. The walk will be led by wildlife biologists Luanne Johnson and Liz Baldwin along the protected lands around the Wakeman Conservation Center, starting at the Cranberry Acres bogs and continuing to the Hoft Farm. The plan is to explore the trails, fields, and bogs of this area while searching for otter tracks and learning about how they perceive the landscape.

The music was a medley of songs, originals by Jellybone and covers of old favorites. The atmosphere could have been a club in downtown San Francisco, Austin or New York or it could have been the Mooncusser or the Unicorn or Wintertide Coffee House — early Island music venues from the sixties and seventies. But it wasn’t. This was the Pit Stop in the Arts District in Oak Bluffs.

The West Tisbury Library will hold a reception for world-renowned art educator Al Hurwitz and his newest exhibit of work done as a WWII artist on Saturday, Jan. 7, at 4 p.m.

Two dead marine mammals were discovered on Lobsterville Beach over the past weekend. A dead Atlantic dolphin measuring 91 inches was found along with a 94-inch long gray seal, according to Bret Stearns, director of natural resources at the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah). Mr. Stearns said they investigated the sighting on Monday and concluded that the dolphin had died recently. The New England Aquarium was notified and no further action was taken.

What follows are an edited selection of e-mails sent to the Chilmark planning board from town property owners in advance of the board’s meeting this week to discuss the issue of extra large houses.

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Recently, many people have talked to me about the Oak Bluffs roundabout. These talks left me with the impression that many people do not fully understand the project or the Martha’s Vineyard Commission’s role. And so, speaking for myself, I’d like to address some items.

BEWARE OF COMCAST

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

On Dec. 19, I received a phone call from Comcast offering to reduce the cost of my cable service, upgrade my high-speed modem and eliminate my Verizon home telephone bill completely. The savings offered were considerable. I agreed.

Who doesn’t love a poet?

Chaucer for his keen observations. Frost for his spare elegance. T.S. Eliot for his dark insight. Billy Collins for the sheer joy and privilege of sailing around the room with him.