Chilmark is enjoying some most welcome fall days with temperatures and sunshine at acceptable levels...so nice. Many fishermen have arrived and are eagerly fishing their favorite spots for the ever-elusive winning fish in the annual Martha’s Vineyard fishing derby. Good luck to all!

Chilmark is slowing down and some businesses have already closed for the season. The Beetlebung Café has closed, The Bite will be closed on Tuesdays this month and the Galley will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The Home Port Restaurant will close on Sept. 18.

Thanks to Marshall Carroll, who posted pictures on Facebook of the removal of the sunken sailboat that was drifting—under water— soon to become a danger to navigation near the jetty. Marshall and Katie have posted lots of wonderful sunset pictures this summer. Those of us who chose not to venture into the sunset crowd at Menemsha beach this year appreciate them.

This coming Sunday will be the last day for Over South Antiques, thus ending 40 years of antiques in the net shed on Basin Road. It has been a great run for me and I thank all who have supported me and whose company I have enjoyed all these years. Please come by next year and check out the new shopkeeper, who will also feature art and antiques.

The many friends of Barbara Rivers will be happy to know that she and her daughter, Diane Rivers, are enjoying a fall vacation at the family home on Tea Lane. They now reside in Sarasota, Fla.

Sad news came to us this week from Diana Lewis of St. Paul, Minn. and Menemsha. Diana’s husband Dr. Frederick (Bruce) Lewis, MD died on July 19 at the age of 86. He was an important member of his community and was honored by many. The Lewis family have owned and enjoyed their summer home in Menemsha since 1972. And to compound the family sadness, on August 26 Gabrielle Lewis, 22, granddaughter of Diana and the late Bruce, died unexpectedly of natural causes in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. She was the daughter of Jordan and Pam Krop. We send the family condolences from us all.

The Martha’s Vineyard Partnership for Health is offering a volunteer coach training program titled A Matter of Balance. The training workshop will run from 8 a.m. to noon on Sept. 19, 20 and 21. Pre-registration is required and you may call 508-627-5797 ext. 114 for more details. The program will take place at Alex’s Place at the YMCA.

Healthy Aging of Martha’s Vineyard is preparing workshops to be held in each town to prepare for town hearings on housing needs. The purpose is to prepare for the new town by town process to define and develop Housing Production Plans for Martha’s Vineyard. The first workshop will take place at the Public Safety Building in West Tisbury at 4 p.m. on September 19 and on the same date at 7 p.m. at the Old Town Hall in Aquinnah. On Sept. 21 there will be a public meeting in Oak Bluffs at 4 p.m. at The Loft and the same date in Chilmark at 7 p.m. at the Chilmark library. Professional leaders will run these workshops and all are welcome to enter the discussion.

Send Chilmark news to slaterjn@comcast.net.