With the 78th derby in full swing, a lot of folks are busy getting out on the water. Some brave the rain and chop and head out the Menemsha channel for the backside of Nomans. Others wander out the jetty rocks to see what shore fishing might have to offer. Regardless, there’s a camaraderie between most that’s inspiring. After all, when you share a similar passion it only makes sense to be supportive and encouraging.

For a brief period of time, Adam Knight held the top spot for shore bonito. As fabulous as that was, his lead didn’t last long, but that didn’t diminish the excitement. He’s out there daily, casting and reeling.

Middle schooler Liam Keene is passionate about fishing this year, too. Most days he makes his way to Menemsha after school for a snack — at this point he has a go to usual — and then it’s fishing until the sun lowers itself to the waterline. He had the opportunity to get out on the water by boat and managed to get two first-place daily awards for his bluefish and bonito. That 12.64-pound bluefish managed to put him in third place overall for juniors.

Oct. 2 marked the one-year anniversary of New Hampshire fisherman and longtime derby angler Jim Wareing’s death. He was fondly referred to by many as “the mayor” and spent hours upon hours at Lobsterville Beach, casting, chatting and encouraging old friends and new. Family and friends gathered to say a few words and spread Jim’s ashes at a place where he felt at ease and at home. Daughter Leah managed to wet a line with Jim’s dear group of friends and honorary uncles including Jared Stobie, Abe Pieciak and Tony D’Agostino.

Lucas Murphy is putting his new boat Awesome to good use. He said he’d be visiting his mom Susan more often and, sure enough, he’s true to his word. He popped over from Marion the other day and sat a spell on Squid Row, shooting the breeze with some old friends. Susan joined him and soaking up the sun really hit the spot.

A lot of noteworthy world events happened in 1922 but in the town of South Hadley, Josephine and Andrew Rogowski welcomed baby Adele into the world. Years later Adele would become a mom herself and welcome a daughter, our friend and neighbor Shakti, into the world.

One hundred years passed and just a few months shy of her 101 birthday, Adele’s life came to a close. My condolences go out to all, especially Shakti, her children Lauren Santos and Ross McDowell and their families.

As we embrace the golden month of October, please be reminded that many shops and restaurants in town have either shuttered their doors for the season or have abridged their hours.

With this wind-down, however, comes the reemergence of the Chilmark Church’s pizza nights. Stop in on Tuesday nights at 6 p.m. for a slice, a chat and just maybe a rousing round of Bananagrams. This will be a weekly event for the next few months, so pencil the opportunity onto your calendar. Although the gathering is home to a bunch of regulars, all are most welcome.