Chilmark is backing into fall with beautiful summer days and still many visitors and fishermen. The retail and food businesses are closing as I write. Betsy and her crew will be at the Larsen’s Fish Market until close of day, Oct. 19, and that will do it for all but Stanley Larsen’s Menemsha Fish Market, which is traditionally open most of the winter. So that means lobster rolls both hot and cold and chowder will always be available on the dock.

The excitement this week is the American Heroes Saltwater Challenge that is a part of the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby created by the Nixon family of Beach Plum and Menemsha Inn and Homeport group. The wounded veterans from across the country are here for a few days of fishing the derby and enjoying the pleasures of Menemsha. We hope they are weighing in some winners and enjoying the wonderful weather. It takes a good number of volunteers to keep things moving along during their visit and many of the local folk make themselves available every year for this event. Donations are always welcome to help cover the costs and a check can be mailed to the Wings over America, P.O. Box 38, Menemsha, MA., attention Sarah Guinan Nixon.

The Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby will close at 10 p.m. on Oct. 18 but not without noting some big fish brought in by some of Chilmark’s junior population. Parker Bradlee weighed in a big bluefish this week and there were pictures on Facebook of a proud Brooks Carroll with his sister, Bradley, both with fish. Bradley came home for the holiday weekend for some fishing and family time and is now back at college in Tampa.

Friends and family are happy to hear some encouraging news regarding Elmore Bud Mayhew who is still at Massachusetts General Hospital but soon to move to a rehabilitation facility. We send him many good wishes.

Linda Alley tells us that the Winter Farmers’ Market will be held 10 times this year at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury on Saturdays. The first will be Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is a treat for those of us too busy all summer to enjoy the popular summer markets. The winter sales have a beat all their own. Lots of meeting and greeting and many items for sale that make good holiday gifts as well as plenty of late season garden products. It is hoped that Ralph Sherman will be there this Saturday. We are all still missing his late wife, Ethel, who made wonderful jams and jellies.

The Martha’s Vineyard High School Minnesingers will hold a silent and live auction benefit at Dreamland in Oak Bluffs on Oct. 25 with hors d’oeuvres, chowder and desserts. Tickets are available by calling 508-939-4053.

The Chilmark library program for this coming Wednesday is an author talk and some cooking samples by Cathy Walthers who will tell us about her latest cook book called Kale, Glorious Kale. Her book is illustrated with photographs by Alison Shaw. Ms. Walthers will prepare some snacks and there will be some sampling. All are welcome at the library from 5 to 6 p.m. On Oct. 22.

The 34th Women’s Symposium will be at the Chilmark Community Center on Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. until noon. The subject of the speakers will be Aha! Moments. If you have questions, please call Bonnie George at 508-635-3214.

Lia Kahler wishes to thank all who contributed to her annual fundraiser. This year she presented a concert at the Chilmark Community Church to raise money for the church to repair the damage done to the steeple during hurricane Sandy and to reset the cross atop the steeple. She is happy to report that all repairs are completed due to the good turn out and generous donations made to the church. She suggests we mark our calendars for Sept. 20, 2015 when she will present a fundraising concert at the Whaling Church in Edgartown. This will be a fundraiser for the Homeless Initiative and Counseling for Veterans — both of Martha’s Vineyard. Seth and Joanne Wakeman are here from Stonington for their annual visit with friends in Chilmark.

Send your Chilmark news to: slaterjn@comcast.net.