Chilmark is happy to be the host town for the 5th annual Salt Water Challenge. Salt Water Heroes, wounded veterans from across the country, will gather at the Beach Plum Inn for a week of derby fishing from Sept. 29 through Oct. 4. This popular event is hosted by the Nixon family who owns and operates Beach Plum Inn, Menemsha Inn and the Home Port Restaurant. The veterans will begin their fishing days at approximately 7 a.m. at the Menemsha dock and return at approximately 11 a.m. They will be weighing in at the weigh station at approximately 8 p.m. each evening. We are all welcome to see them off and welcome them home and watch them weigh in. Please contact jgrace@innsatmenemsha.com for more details. Any offer of help with transportation will be welcome as well as donations to cover the costs. Tax deductible donations may be made in any amount. Please contact saltwaterchallenge2013@gmail.com. We send good luck wishes to all involved in this wonderful event happening in Chilmark!

The Tisbury Travel Club, part of the Tisbury Council on Aging, is still offering seats on its bus trip to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston on Nov. 1. Please call Sandy Whitworth at 508-696-4205 for details.

The West Tisbury Congregational Church invites us all to a program on Oct. 5 at 6 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Professor and Chilmark seasonal resident Jonathan Scott will speak about pioneer settlements on Martha’s Vineyard in the 17th century. Jon teaches art and archeology at Caselton State Collage in Vermont. He has published some of his research over the years and continues to study early Martha’s Vineyard. The program will include appetizers and beverages before the talk and warm apple crisp and coffee and tea will be served at the conclusion of the lecture. Here is a heads-up to both auto drivers and cyclists — the Martha’s Vineyard Cycle Challenge will take place on Oct. 6 with an all-Island ride. The Chilmark Community Center will be used as one of the pit stops for the riders.

The anterless (doe) permit for the upcoming deer hunting season will go on sale on Oct 3. The season will begin with archery hunting from Oct. 21 to Nov. 30, followed by shotgun season from Dec. 2 to Dec. 14 and then primitive firearms from Dec. 16 through 31. You may check for details at town hall.

The wonderful fall weather has encouraged many folks to hike and bike our up-Island waysides. The locals are doing their fall chores, lobster pots are coming out of the water; gardens are being put to bed; lawns being mowed for the final time of the season and, in general, things are slower and steadier in this cooler weather.

Bill Vincent and his daughter, Katie, with her husband Nick Persons and their daughters Vivian and Natalie are at the family home on South Road for a fall visit.

Judy Jardin is home from a most enjoyable tour of Alaska. She traveled with her cousins Ralph and Mary Marks of Falmouth. They toured by boat and train and saw many of the state’s attractions.

Magdalene Cullen, a longtime resident of Black Point in Chilmark, offers us this very Chilmark story. She was happy to have her 9-year-old granddaughter visit. Grandmother took her to be outfitted for some beach fishing at Coop’s, who has been equipping the Cullen fishermen for three generations. Granddaughter Johannah Rennert is the daughter of Magdalene Cullen and Paul Rennert of Holliston. On Sept. 5th she made her first ever cast off the beach at Black Point and caught and landed a 16 to 18 pound fish. It was released but will never be forgotten by the proud grandmother and granddaughter! Congratulations to all!