The Big Chili contest has come and gone for another year. Held last weekend at the P.A. Club in Oak Bluffs, this most popular annual Island event drew 1,800 people to taste, vote and catch up with their neighbors. It was no surprise to me that the Black Dog won in the professional category as best chili. My talented young friend, Laura Beckman, brought the skills of her colleagues, many of whom I met in culinary classes at our high school, to do us proud. Also no surprise was the Edgartown Fire Department winning for the hottest chili. Other favorite categories are is it really chili?, vegetarian chili, chocolate chili. I am sure the antacids were passed out as usual.

This contest benefits the Red Stocking Fund on the Island. Santa’s elves work all year long. If you were off-Island or missed the contest for other reasons, your donation to Red Stocking is welcome, care of the Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank, P.O. Box 668, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.

The selfie movement irritates me. I am not sure why. Perhaps merely because I am not of that generation. Perhaps because I did not know how to use the camera on my phone until last August. But there is a new, insipid movement that I refer to as foodie-selfies. This consists of your average friends and acquaintances preparing themselves a meal, taking a photo of it and posting it on Facebook. Tammy Morrison Glenn is exempt from my criticism because, as our leader in Cooking on the Vineyard, this is her job. The rest of you, including but not limited to Anthony Masi, Ed Panek and Angelo DiMeglio, must have dreams of having your own cooking show.

Nonna and Teri keep the remote away from me as they visually gorge on these cooking shows ad nauseam. Amazingly, none of the recipes they so studiously watch and take notes on are ever replicated in our kitchen.

My fair-weather friends irritate me each winter when they fly to Florida and feel they must report the daily temperature. I have stated that unless you are sending me a roundtrip, heck, even one-way ticket, and inviting me to your beach condo, do not do this. I can find a weather map on the computer. Now, my new complaint is unless you are inviting me to come over and eat the dinner you just snapped a picture of do not send me your foodie-selfies. And if you live in Florida and send me the temperature as well as a succulent photo of what you made for dinner I will definitely unfriend you. Cut this out right now!

I stand corrected on my information to you last week that Grace Church was participating in Hospitality Homes to shelter our friends in need of a nightly bed. Grace Church is just a bit behind getting ready to join St. Andrew’s and the Federated Church, both in Edgartown, with opening the doors on winter nights. The glitches are being ironed out. As of this weekend we are hoping Grace Church will be participating. Call ahead to check, 508-693-0032. Thanks to all who make this possible.

Amy Ryan reminds us that February is Food for Fines for your overdue materials at our library. Remember to check dates on cans and boxes of the non-perishable food you donate.

Congratulations go out to Roni and Tony’s son, Toron, who made the dean’s list at his college. At the other end of education, my grandson Corbyn Clark-Garza won a beautiful certificate as social studies student of the week, grade six. Keep up the good work, young men.

Welcome and congratulations to Sara Dingledy who has been named as our principal at MVRHS. I dare say it might be quite a change from Westchester Academy in the Bronx. But, then again, high school kids all over the world could be very similar.

Mary Korba is passionate about her work with the Island Wide Youth Collaborative, and who can blame her? Mary announces a new program beginning on Monday, Feb. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is a six-week group focussing on substance abuse issues in our younger population. The group will also learn and explore options on Thursdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The group will not meet during school break. Education is the key. Call Amy Lilavois at MVRHS 508-693-1033, ext. 291 or Mary Korba at 508-693-7900, ext. 401 to register. You may view the program online at mvcommunityservices.com/iwyc.

Patti Nichols Lima posted a beautiful picture of her parents, Steve and Judy, online last week. Here’s a shout out to one of my favorite couples who helped make MV what it is today.

I thank all of you who have joined me in praying for the recovery of my dear friend, Teri Praskach. Teri is doing a bit better this week. Get well bouquets also go out to Fred Shapiro, recovering from surgery yesterday.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Kelsey Smith and Raleigh Hadley Russell on Friday, Feb. 5. Saturday is a party for Marcia Rossi, Neke Morgan Masi, Chris Silvia and Taylor Poggi; Feb. 7 is claimed by Deb Little; Feb. 8 is shared by Dianne McDonough and Jeff Masi Sr.; Feb. 9 shines on Jaime Orlowsky and Justin Smith; Feb. 10 is for James Johnson, Jainaba Burton-Sundman, Ian Ridgeway and Pat Farrell. And on Feb. 11, Judy Pachico, Sabrina Leuning, Joao Prata, Zadoc Moreis and Katie Weisman take the cake. Many happy returns.

Send Vineyard Haven news to iklean@yahoo.com.