Good morning to all our readers. The Gazette office will be closed on Monday in observance of the Columbus Day holiday. Early copy from correspondents and advertisers is appreciated in the short week that follows.

The historic 17th century Barn House in Chilmark has been approved by the Massachusetts Historical Commission for a nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.

Last spring Betty Burton received a call from a producer for Sesame Street. One of the most respected television programs for children had been branching out recently, from singing songs and learning how to count with fuzzy Muppet friends, to producing shows that educate kids about some of the bigger, more tragic issues kids face today. A new episode in the works was to be about poverty, specifically the issue of kids in America going hungry.

Even though a category two hurricane called Ophelia missed us and passed several hundred miles to the east of Martha’s Vineyard last weekend, local rod and reel fisherman have few kind words to say about it. Though far away, turbulent waves from the storm muddied the waters and have nearly shut down the best fishing in this fall’s 66th annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby. Fish are scarce but there is hope it will change this weekend.

Lots of roses.

That’s what Simon Athearn and his wife, Robyn, are envisioning for their first spring garden next year in their new house in West Tisbury. The newlyweds are moving into Simon’s great-uncle Leonard’s house off New Lane in the next few months after purchasing it from Simon’s family.

Preliminary designs for a new U.S. Coast Guard boathouse in Menemsha failed to impress the Chilmark selectmen this week.

“It’s mammoth,” selectman and board chairman Frank Fenner said at the selectmen’s meeting Tuesday. “That was the largest structure in the harbor to begin with and this is just increasing it. It was very disturbing to me when I saw it.”

“It’s way too large,” agreed selectman Jonathan Mayhew. “I’m flabbergasted.”

Greg Mayhew, captain of the 75-foot dragger Unicorn out of Menemsha, is the last Vineyard fisherman still groundfishing on Georges Bank. And this year might be his last on the legendary fishing ground.

“I don’t know if I’m going to even go next year because it might be better just to lease the days out and get half price for them,” he said.

The outlook for the fisheries is improving, a leading federal administrator told a congressional panel in Boston early this week, but lawmakers were unconvinced.

Mental Health Awareness

As part of Mental Heath Month, the Vineyard Haven Public Library will have a display case featuring information about organizations helping individuals and families dealing with mental illness to learn more about the illnesses and to provide support. There will be a list of suggested reading materials available. As part of the library’s programming, Minds on the Edge: Facing Mental Illness will be shown on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. The display case will be up for the month of October.

I want to say that fall might be the whole reason for living on the Vineyard. We have had a series of beautiful days; the humidity has finally lifted, nights are cool for sleeping and I can find parking spaces

By LYNNE IRONS

I want to say that fall might be the whole reason for living on the Vineyard. We have had a series of beautiful days; the humidity has finally lifted, nights are cool for sleeping and I can find parking spaces.

The garden is putting in its final effort. I am actually preparing meals again. I’ve mentioned before the sorry state of my life mid-summer; to spend a day canning tomatoes and then sending out for pizza simply boggles the mind.