MARGARET KNIGHT

508-627-8894

(margaret02539@yahoo.com)

As we approach the darkest time of the year — when we’re ready for dinner at 4:30, and bed a little later — the Chappaquiddick Community Center has some social events planned to keep us cheerful, our bellies full, and in touch with our neighbors.

One event was the (First Annual) Open House and Craft, Etc. Sale, which took place last Saturday. It was a great success and is bound to be repeated next year. Lots of people here for their Thanksgiving feast and a long, Chappy, late-autumn weekend came by to socialize next to the fire or around the hot cider and goodies table. Pedro Baez entertained us with gentle guitar music. It was nice to see so many of the faces usually visible only in summer. Year-rounders from on and off Chappy came by, too, and stayed to visit.

The 2009 Chappaquiddick calendars have arrived and everyone agrees this year’s photos are beautiful. There are more calendars available; you can call the community center, 508 627-8222, or download an order form from the Web site chappycommunitycenter.org. They are $15, and can be mailed to you. The Chappy recollections book is available by calling Hatsy Potter.

The next big community center event is the annual Holiday Tea, in which high tea is served from glimmering silver pots into delicate china cups, and the table is replete with appropriate high tea victuals, including cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches on thin bread with the crusts cut off and other tasty sandwiches, lemon squares, brownies and an array of cookies. It will be on Sunday, Dec. 7 from 3 to 5 p.m. The community center will be decorated with wreaths and greens for the holiday season, and we’ll have the fire going. It will be very jolly, especially with all the caffeine and sugar. Everyone is welcome, including families and all ages. There will be hot cocoa, too.

On the two Saturdays after the tea, Lily Morris will offer open-studio workshops at the community center — one in card making and the other for candle decorating. On Dec. 13, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Lily will set up her diverse collection of rubber stamps, and offer assistance and instruction in the art of decorating using stamps and collage. She also will show people how to carve their own stamps.

Lily apprenticed with and worked for Martha Thurlow (now Flanders) of Good Ideas rubber stamp store in Vineyard Haven for four years, and has been making cards for more than 10 years. The class costs $15 for adults, including all materials, and $10 for kids (appropriate for about age 8 and up). More information about the candle decorating in another column. You can call Lily at 508-627-8894 with any questions.

Hospice is hosting its annual Handmade from the Heart Sale during Christmas in Edgartown weekend, on Dec. 13 from 10 to 3 p.m. at the Dr. Daniel Fisher House. For sale will be hand-knitted, crocheted or sewn items, holiday and year-round decor, baked goods, crafts, jewelry, accessories and other ephemera. Coffee and tea will be available for visitors who want to take a break from shopping and strolling. Profits from the sale will help cover costs for this free service to Island patients and their families. If you would like to make a donation of something you have made by hand, please call the Hospice office at 693-0189 for details.

Peter R. Boak and the Federated Church Choir present An Old Fashioned Christmas Concert at the Federated Church Meetinghouse on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. Christmas anthems and songs will be sung by the full choir and small ensembles, and there will be carol singing for all. Admission is by freewill donation and will benefit the church’s Steeple Fund capital campaign and the choir’s spring 2009 singing tour of France and Switzerland. A donation of canned goods for the Island Food Pantry is encouraged.

On Thursday, Dec. 11 at 4 p.m. in the Edgartown School cafeteria, the community preservation committee will hold a hearing to review applications for funding, including $27,842 for an engineering study submitted by the Chappaquiddick bike path committee.

Peter Wells reports that the On Time II hull is back together with brand new timbers and plywood. The new propellers are here, and he’s waiting for the new shaft to arrive. Evidently, the Coast Guard is pleased with the repairs and improvements. This week the work crew began applying the fiberglass to the outsides, and finished the framing for the two layers of one-inch plywood that make up the deck.

Peter has been enjoying buying bronze fasteners from the Internet. They’re needed for repairs to the ferry; they have to be silicon bronze because it’s the most resistant to salt water corrosion. Peter said he always thought stainless steel was the perfect material, but it turns out that it dissolves in saltwater — a big disappointment.

From taking the ferry apart, Peter has seen the different systems of support that are strong each in themselves and, together, make the ferry three or four times stronger than it needs to be.

The crew that has been working on the ferry consists of Roger Becker, Ken Bettencourt, Jonathan Morse, and George Fisher. The first three men will be building the new ferry, so they’re getting lots of experience and understanding of how to build a ferry. The naval architect planned to visit this week to finalize the details for the new ferry so that the plan can be turned over to the Coast Guard. When it’s approved, the ferry will be set to be built.