Margaret Knight>

508 627-8894

(margaret02539@yahoo.com)

Chappaquiddick has definitely passed to the wintery side of autumn, emphasized by the time change last weekend. The oaks are losing their leaves, many without the usual show of orangy-reds. The yellow sassafras leaves provide some color, as do the marshes. Driving by Caleb’s Pond at this time of year is always a treat, seeing all the variations of color between green and brown that the marsh grass takes on. The swamp in front of our house has lost most of its leaves, and the way the early morning light hits it makes the tangle of gray branches look like smoke.

According to Chappy fire captain Peter Wells, virtual smoke causes false fire alarms on a regular basis, but in people’s houses. There have been about a half dozen in the past month, for which both the Chappy and Edgartown volunteer firefighters must respond. Many are after midnight, getting the ferry captain on duty out of bed to bring the town trucks across.

While Peter points out that they like false alarms better than actual fires, there are some things people can do to limit the accidental alarms. Sometimes alarm equipment is faulty. Alarms can be triggered when floor furnaces have been covered by a rug for the summer and then the heat comes on in the fall before they’re uncovered, causing the rugs to smoke. People should also move things away from electric baseboard heaters. Temperature changes, moisture in the air, and bugs can also set off alarms. Captain Wells is hoping that regular false alarm customers will make a contribution to the Chappy fire department. You can contact Peter at 508-627-8381 about donations.

In a change of plan this past week, the community center potluck was hosted by Annie Heywood. Annie used to organize the potlucks and knows how handy it is to have someone who will step in to host at the last minute.

I also appreciate Annie for keeping up with Chappy news. She told me about Lil Province’s wedding with Rick Anderson two weekends ago. They got married in their barn with Trip Barnes as justice of the peace. Then they danced at the Edgartown Yacht Club “until midnight,” according to Annie who heard from Capt. Bob.

The ferry is a good place to notice what’s going on at the yacht club these days, at certain tides anyway. Last Wednesday evening, when the winds were so strong — a regular occurence lately — I was first in the ferry line on the Edgartown side, after a rocky ride on the big ferry (which canceled its last trip for the evening). I watched the Chappy ferry disappear behind Memorial Wharf on its way to the other side. I kept looking for it to reappear and had almost given up hope when it came slowly making its way straight upstream toward the slip. It must have been carried at least as far down as the yacht club by the current before it was able to turn. It took so long I was thinking about whom to call to report it to.

Annie may have been on that very ferry on her way back from a Council on Aging trip to Salem to visit the House of Seven Gables and the Salem Witch Museum. She said riding the Chappy ferry that night was “scarier than going to the witches’ museum.”

Luckily the On Time II seems to be up to the job since it had so much work done on it last winter. Now the On Time III is out of the water, and the good news from the Coast Guard inspection is that the boat is structurally sound. It passed its tests. While it’s on land, Peter and his crew are doing some fiberglass work, and improving the running gear (which is the propeller and shaft under the boat) and the rudder so that they’ll wear better. Peter wants to thank people for their patience with the occasional ferry line; he expects the boat back by Thanksgiving, which is not that far away.

On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the community center will have an open house from 3 to 5 with hot cider and cookies, and a fire going. It’s a chance for people to get together, and to pick up the 2010 Chappy calendar. Extra calendars should be available, but you can still pre-order them by calling 508-627-8222, or by downloading an order form from the Web site. Like last year, there will be some crafts for sale, too. Shirlee Miller will be selling some of her knit wear; Lily Morris will have her photo cards. If anyone else is interested in having a craft table, call me at the number above.

Now that it’s easier to find a parking space near the Edgartown Library, I find myself stopping by more often on my way home. It’s the time of year I feel a lot of gratitude for what an inviting place the staff make our library. The tradition of morning coffee has been revived. Just bring your mug and find yourself a comfy chair for some quiet time amid the collections.