We have received sad news from Florida that Dan Purdy has passed away. That we first heard it from the rod and reel fishermen is very fitting. Dan will be greatly missed. We look forward to Sherry’s return to Chappy.

Just as one departs others arrive. Great-grandparents Shirley and Ted Dewing welcome twins Lucia and Zeke who were born Saturday afternoon, May 31, at 4:18 and 4:20. The elated and surely very tired parents are Tatiana Diaz and Chelsea Dewing. The proud grandparents are Lisa Haag and Ernie Dewing. At birth Lucia was 17 inches long and weighed 4 lbs. 13 oz. and Zeke was 19 inches long and weighed 5 lb. 13 oz.

At the Mytoi garden the rhododendron blooms are spectacular with different species at varying stages of bedazzlement. The snapping and painted turtles are laying eggs. The downpour early in the week should help to raise the low water level in the pond. A few lady slippers are still in bloom if you know where to look.

The Slipaway farmers wish to remind those of you who are members that the first CSA pickup is scheduled for Wednesday, June 18, from 2:30 to 6 p.m. Meanwhile the farm stand will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The final potluck supper of the season will be hosted by Martha Weston and Pedro Baez at the Chappy Community Center on Wednesday, June 18. We will start in on the appetizers at 6 p.m. with dinner beginning at 6:30. Please bring a dish for six.

The Chappy Book Club will be discussing Defending Jacob on Thursday, June 26, at 10:30 a.m. at the CCC. Google author William Landay to find his website where you will be able to read chapter one.

Speaking of books — the CCC annual book sale will run for almost two weeks this year rather than for just the one day of the fair. This will give you more chances to browse. Donations of books in good condition are still needed. Emphasis is on the “good condition” requirement. We all have enough mildewed books at home already. The book sale will open on Monday, July 7, and continue daily through the summer fair on Saturday, July 19.

The deadline for submitting your signup payment to Comcast is fast approaching. By July 21 we need a minimum of 270 subscribers. If you did not receive your payment letter or have changed your mind and wish to sign up or have questions send an email to ChappyCable@gmail.com.

Together we can help each other for the good of the community.

Early Sunday morning I was roused out of bed for a medical emergency before daybreak. At first I felt a bit deprived, thinking that it might be a while before I had a chance to make up for the lost slumber time. We soon had the very relieved patient in the ambulance and as I turned toward home I saw that the sky was just beginning to turn blue but the stars were still showing. It was such a lovely moment of day that I would have otherwise missed out on. I’m up and about on Chappy at many odd hours for ferry or fire department issues and almost always see at least one other person also out and about.

Unable to fall back to sleep, I watched from my bedroom window as a crow alighted on the top bar of our swing set and squawked loudly to his flockmates about a newly discovered possibly edible item on the lawn. There was not a breath of wind and his voice echoed. Eventually he dropped to earth and upon landing, his wings created a turbulence in the stock-still air that caused the viburnum and ivy leaves at the edge of the lawn to flutter. Moment by moment my appreciation for being awakened early was being reinforced.

People occasionally ask me what is the most unusual event that I have ever witnessed at the ferry. Well, it happened later that same Sunday morning. A young man emerged from a car carrying a case of beer. A young man with a case of beer is a common sight this time of year as young folks arrive and look for ways to keep occupied without the benefit of adult supervision. The unusual and never-before-witnessed part of this event was that the case of undrunk beer in the custody of the young man was leaving Chappy.