JANE N. SLATER

508-645-3378

(slaterjn@comcast.net)

Chilmark is moving from one excitement to another. The 66th fishing derby is underway and many fishermen are in Menemsha and on the roads between one hot fishing spot and another! Good luck to all!

Bob and Sarah Nixon are again making it a happy time for 15 wounded veterans. The third annual American Heroes Saltwater Challenge will take place Sept. 18 to 22 at the Beach Plum Inn. The veterans will come from the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital and the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. The local charter fishermen and others serve as volunteers and guides and will take them fishing in local waters. It takes many volunteers to make this a positive experience for all, so if you can drive, cook, chat and/or fish, you can find a role to fill during this event, please call 508-645-9454 to offer your services and learn what you can do to help. The Nixons are the owners of the Beach Plum Inn and their son, Jack, really thought up this addition to the derby when he was seven, so we all appreciate and recognize his contribution. Good luck to all!

Dr. Laurie Glimcher of Chilmark and Newton has been named provost for medical affairs at Cornell University and the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean at Weill Cornell Medical College in Manhattan. She will officially start the new position on Jan. 1. The medical school and Graduate School of Medical Sciences are affiliated with New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the Rockefeller University, and the Hospital for Special Surgery. Cheers from us all!

Bob and Kathy Barrett spent some of September at their home on the Menemsha Crossroads. Kathy Swanberry accompanied them. They have all returned to Rochester, N.Y.

I learned this week that David Lazarus of Middle Road and Urbana, Ill., has died. I hope to have more details for you next week but wanted to send condolences from us all to his extended family that have been part of Chilmark’s summer scene for many years. David and his late wife, Betty, were very active in many Chilmark activities when they were here and were well known to many. We all miss them. David recently celebrated his 90th birthday with his devoted family.

Anita Guerra of San Francisco, was the guest of Ted Meinelt on South Road last week. She was in town to plan and host the memorial for Jane Newhall that was held on Sept. 10 at the West Tisbury Church. She has now returned to San Francisco.

Terry Meinelt enjoyed a weekend at his new home on Wade’s Cove last week.

Katie Vincent and her fiancé, Nick Persens, are at the Vincent house on South Road this week entertaining Nick’s grandmother, Patricia O’Connor, of Schenectady and his aunt, Dorothy Winquist, of New Jersey.

The Chilmark Library program on Wednesday, Sept. 21 will be a presentation by Vidir Bjornsson, a fisherman from Iceland. The program, Mussel Farming in Rough Waters, is presented by the Menemsha Fisheries Development Fund and sponsored by the Friends of the Chilmark Library. Mr. Bjornsson is a successful mussel farmer in Iceland and will bring his expertise to Menemsha fishermen. The program begins at 5:30 p.m. at the library and all are welcome at no charge.

If you have a cellar or attic full of outdated electronic gear, here is a chance to get rid of it and make a contribution to Martha’s Vineyard Community Services. There will be a drop-off day on Oct. 1 from 9 to 2 at the Martha’s Vineyard Community Services location across from the regional high school.

Friends and family of Bill Gilmour of Wayland and Menemsha will be happy to know that his recent surgery is over and he is currently at the following address: Traditions of Wayland, Reflections Unit, Rm. 1, 10 Green Way, Wayland, Ma. 01778. Many of us are thinking of you, Bill!

Now here is a historical note of some importance to us who live partly in the past. A restored portrait of Francis Cottle Smith, a Chilmark whaling captain, will be re-hung this week at the Court House in Edgartown. Francis Cottle Smith, a Chilmarker, went on to become a sheriff on Martha’s Vineyard after his career at sea. And it may be of interest to you to know that he was one of many whaling captains from Chilmark.

Menemsha Market has closed for the season. All the eating establishments are still open, some at reduced hours so best to call first, until the Columbus Day weekend.