MARGARET KNIGHT
508-627-8894
September is one of Chappaquiddick’s spectacular months. There is a bit of fall in the air, but the sun is hot enough to enjoy the beach. The ocean has cooled but is still swimmable for heartier bathers. The beetlebung leaves are just starting to turn their deep red color, and the fall flowering goldenrod, purple aster and pearly everlasting are blooming everywhere.
We took a bike ride out to Wasque Point on a perfect blue-sky morning this past week. The wind was blowing briskly from the northeast, but at the picnic tables among the trees at the top of the stairs, it was perfectly still. I was reminded of how much Varian Cassat liked to go sit out there before she moved to Vineyard Haven. There were eight swans in the pond and a migrating flock of swallows zooming by overhead. Beyond the beach, the waves were leaping up where the wind and the current met from opposite directions, with their spray lit up by the early morning sun.
On the beach only six fishermen’s vehicles were in sight. Someone told me last week that the fish weren’t biting on Chappy as much as elsewhere, but recently I saw Sue Geresy on the ferry carrying a very large fish that she’d taken to town to weigh in. It looked like a winner, size-wise. I asked her where she’d caught it, and even though I’m a vegetarian and have no intention of going fishing, all she would say was, “on Chappy.” I guess fishermen feel as I do about revealing the location of a good blueberry patch.
The first potluck of the season at the Chappaquiddick Community Center was a well-attended, convivial affair. We were treated to the delicious hors d’oeuvre of Victor and Dawn Colantonio, who hosted the dinner. The next potluck is Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 6p.m., and Donna Kelly will be the hostess. All are welcome.
At the last potluck Donna showed some photos of a strange plant that she found early this summer in the swamp off the land bank trail that runs behind Blueberry Cottage. From the photos, the plant had what looked like several short, fat celery stalks sprouting out of the middle of a circle of feathery branches growing in the water. I’d never seen anything like it before. I thought at first it might be one of my brother’s practical jokes, but there were several of them, and in different stages. Maybe someone has an idea what they could be.
Mary Spencer is hosting films this weekend at the community center to thank the volunteers of the film festival, and Chappy residents are invited. You can find a copy of the screening times at the ferry, at the community center, and at the Chappy store. Films are free and start at noon both Saturday and Sunday.
The board of the community center is considering holding an open house and craft fair for a couple of hours on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. They are wondering if there are Chappy people who would like to sell something at it. If you’re interested, please call me, Margaret, at 508-627-8894 or e-mail chappycc@verizon.net.
On Sunday, Peter and Sally are taking the ferry captains and their families out on a luncheon harbor cruise on the On Time II, as a thank-you for all their hard work. There are quite a few captains now: Charlie Ross, Brad Fligor, Bob Gilkes, Liz St. John Villard, Walter Streeter, Tara Whiting, Kim and Jonathan Morse, Keith Jackson, and George Fisher. For lunch, they’ll be served, among other things, Jack Livingston’s famous chowder, his scallop and bacon hors d’oeuvre, and chicken salad and corn from Morning Glory Farm.
Everett Whorton, a longtime substitute captain, will be will be taking us back and forth while they’re all out to lunch, with Gerry Jeffers working the ramps.
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