The 75th annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby has come to an end. Although the weather is still pretty cooperative and conducive to fall fishing and adventure, the end of the derby marks a line in the sand for many. Boats are being hauled in, washed and stowed away for a winter slumber along with rods, reels, tackle and waders.

Congratulations to all the familiar names that remained on the various leader boards as the final bell rang at 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. At the end, it was Aquinnah’s Greg Clark who turned the key and opened the lock to the top spot and a new 19-foot, Cape Codder center console.

Middle schooler, Lathrop Keene, took home some swag for his first place junior overall boat false albacore. Westley Wlodyka did the same with his third place. Both boys were pretty ecstatic after fishing the better part of the 35 days.

Lathrop and his teammate, Adam Knight, earned a very respectable fifth place spot in the team competition. Brooks Carroll and Brian Curry managed to get their joint triple crown (on of each species) and put team Squid Row on the board in the team competition.

The Larsen’s Fish Market team will say farewell to 2020 on Sunday, Oct. 18. Their doors will close for the season at the end of the day. Betsey, Kristine, Scott, Everett, Donald and the gang will take a few days to clean, stow and batten down the hatches until spring 2021 rolls around.

In the early morning hours of October 18 the Chilmark Fire Department was alerted to a blaze on the shores of Chilmark Pond. Chief Jeremy Bradshaw responded to a fully involved structure fire on Other House Road. Our team of dedicated firefighters along with some new recruits, including 18-year-old Solon Oliver, responded swiftly and efficiently. Departments from Aquinnah, West Tisbury and Tisbury all responded mutual aid and both Oak Bluffs and Edgartown rose to the call and remained on standby for the duration. Tri-Town Ambulance was also on scene should their services be needed. There were others who helped including John Keene who rolled out an excavator without hesitation to aid with scene safety. I, for one, am proud of our volunteers and thank them for their service. Please give Jeremy call at 508-645-2550 if becoming a volunteer firefighter might just be your calling.

The early morning coffee club is still distance gathering on Squid Row while weather permits. Paul Mayhew is one of the faithfuls. Tuesday, Oct. 27 will be a very special morning (the whole day for that matter) as he celebrates completion of eight decades of life. Yes, folks, shout out 80th birthday wishes to Paul. He’s a community gem and I sure am pleased to share October 27.

Also celebrating this week-ish are Roberta Morgan, El and Wren Christy (sweet 16), Patty Rossi, Mitch Posin, Everett Poole and many more.