Happy 25th anniversary to the Chappy Community Center! For a quarter of a century the CCC has been the true center of activity on Chappy. Celebrate with us on Sunday, July 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. at a casual open house with beverages and heavy hor d’oeurves served. A photographic history of the CCC is being compiled, so please bring along any photos you have of events at the center. In honor of this milestone in the CCC history, an anonymous donor has offered a $25,000 donation if at least 20 other supporters make donations to match the $25,000. This is a wonderful opportunity for the center.

Remember that noon on Friday, July 25, is the deadline to submit your Chappy photos for the CCC calendar contest. Then vote for your favorites, starting with the gala opening on Monday, July 28, from 4 to 6 p.m. with punch and cookies. Voting continues through Friday, August 8.

The Concert on the Lawn with Kevin Keady’s Cattle Drivers was rained out and will be rescheduled. Watch for signs at the ferry.

The Chappy Pong tournament is scheduled for August 10. Call pong chief Bob O’Rourke at 508-627-7902 for information.

My granddaughters loved the snorkeling adventure co-sponsored by the CCC and TTOR. The next outings are on August 8 (tiny trustees) and on August 22 (junior trustees). Get the whole gang together for the Family Night Hike on Thursday, August 7. Sign up beforehand at the CCC.

Check the CCC website and bulletin boards for updates and details on the many activities planned. There are still 2014 CCC calendars available for half price with the major events already marked on it.

The new stairs for access to the beach at Wasque have been installed. Folks should park in the swimming beach parking lot and follow the trail signs to get to the beach. No longer do you have to climb down precarious footholds in the bank to reach the water. These stairs were cleverly designed to be moved along the bluff as the opening migrates eastward.

In an effort to minimize traffic congestion at the Dike Bridge gatehouse, the TTOR has moved the issuance of OSV permits to the new ranger station at Mytoi. That is also the best place to lower your tire pressure to 15 psi before you get to the Dike Bridge. It’s also an opportunity to fill up your water bottles and use the facilities. 

Seasonal rangers Adam Cron and Tony Lima may stop you and ask you to complete a three-minute survey. These two rangers are working on internships for college and will receive credits for their survey work.

George Gostenhofer was a Chappy summer kid at heart for all 89 years of his life. Celebrate his life with family and friends on Saturday, August 9, at 4 p.m. at the CCC.

The Slip Away Farm farm stand is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. all summer long. They have lots of vegetables and goodies on hand. I can’t believe that I’m saying this, but you might be able to avoid a trip on the ferry altogether.

The new Chappy fire tanker will be arriving on-island July 31 and will be on display at the Chappy Island Association meeting on Saturday, August 2. Coffee and donuts begin at 8 a.m. with the meeting called to order at 9.

It’s not too late to sign up for Comcast as the deadline has been extended; to what date, I can’t tell you. It’s not that simple. But what is simple is that it’s worth it to you as an individual and as a community member. As of Monday over 160 Chappy households had submitted their checks to Comcast. We still are depending on a minimum of 270 subscribers. If you have any questions, please call 774-310-1020 or send an email to ChappyCable@gmail.com.

Send your Chappy news to: peter@chappyferry.net.