On Saturday, Sept. 17, go to the “Martha’s Vineyard Bass and Bluefish Derby” Marine Hospital Open House, at the Marine Hospital from 1 to 3 pm. Bring the family to see a pop-up exhibit of Derby history on the lawn, tour select rooms in the 1895 building, and learn about plans to renovate this Martha’s Vineyard Museum property. There will be free food and drink, some food prepared by Derby fishermen onsite. Derby activities the whole family can enjoy will take place under the tent. Free, rain (under a tent) or shine.

Now that the fishing Derby is underway, you can expect to see fisherman all over the place. Many visitors bring their wives, who enjoy a break by shopping in our stores or touring the Island. A lot of the fishermen donate some fish to the Island for disbursement at the senior centers or the hospital. Thank you to all those who are participating and sharing.

Camp-meeting history is shown in “This Far by Faith,” a show by Professor Minuette Floyd of the University of South Carolina. This traveling exhibit explores contemporary camp meetings across North and South Carolina. You will also see objects, photographs, and stories of the Island’s past camp meetings, which drew crowds each summer. All this is at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum in Edgartown through Oct. 9.

Now that the weather is cooler, you will be happy to support your local library. You don’t have to run, you can walk this one. The annual 5k Run/Walk, a fundraiser for the Vineyard Haven Public Library, is Sunday, Sept. 18. The USATF-sponsored 5k Run/Walk starts at the library. Runners go to the West Chop lighthouse and back, with medals for winners in all age groups. The one-half-mile Fun Run for Kids age 13 and under is free.

The 5k starts at 10 am. Fun Run for Kids starts at 9:45 am; registration begins at 8:30 am. The 5k registration includes a T shirt. You can save $5 off the $25 fee by registering in advance. Registration forms are at the library, or download from vhlibrary.org. Anyone can win the raffle prizes, which include gift certificates from local stores.

Congratulations and many thanks to the Martha’s Vineyard Film Society for this year’s terrific selections shown in the International Film Festival. Did you realize that you support three movie theaters when you join or donate to the society? I just love having the Capawock open again. And so nicely renovated as well.

If you go to candidates’ nights, put on by the League of Women Voters of Martha’s Vineyard, you can appreciate that there are costs involved. Last month the league introduced the 12 people seeking election as our senator and representative at the General Assembly. This was well attended, and all the candidates were there, too. Most of these candidates appeared in the September state primary, though there were a couple of Independent candidates for representative, one from our Island and one from Nantucket.

Volunteers from the League of Women Voters are the ones who make it possible for your kids to register to vote without leaving the high school. The volunteers also host the candidate forums in each town. It is very important to know who your candidates are before you go to the polls. These are the people who have a say in how much you will be taxed and how the money is spent.

Last year the league earned over $150 from ink cartridge recycling. You know you have a bunch of these you kept intending to turn in. Now you can drop your empty cartridges off at EduComp, or at Windemere, and DaRosa’s. Tell your friends, because many people will want to take part, but may not know about this program.

Best wishes to Jerome and Doris Clark on Saturday. Happy anniversary to Louisa Gould and J.B. Lamont on Monday.

Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes go out to our son-in-law Kevin Olson today. Tomorrow, wish the best to Stephen Hammond and to my husband Donald Mayhew, who turns 85. Happy birthday to Samantha Valley on Saturday. Sunday belongs to Hilda Illingworth. Barbara Maciel parties on Monday. Much love to Jan Dorchester, who marks her birthday on Tuesday. Birthday greetings to Trip Barnes and Ken Ward on Wednesday.

Heard on Main Street: Grownups know that little things matter.