BRAD WOODGER

508-627-4216

(ibwsgolf@aol.com)

I owe Peter Wells an apology. In last week’s column I reported that he allegedly misappropriated the use of a bicycle. Unfortunately, I may have left out the allegedly. My further error was not in thoroughly vetting the reliability of my source (who will remain unnamed. Let’s just call him Bob. Gilkes.) So I offer the following from Peter himself in the form of a retraction/correction:

From Peter:

“I feel that I have to set the record straight in the wake of the most recent besmirching of my reputation. Upon the approach of Tropical Inconvenience Irene, I tidied up the area around the Chappy slips. I wanted to reduce the number of objects that could end up in the water. There were two bicycles left in the bike racks, so I put them both in the little shed. One of them was retrieved by its owner the next day. The other remained there until last week when the owner recognized her long lost bike. I swear on a stack of Chapman’s Boating Bibles that I never rode it. I was surprised that Bob would so quickly incriminate me so close to payday.”

Also from Peter (and of considerable importance. Please read):

Sometime next week the On Time III will be heading to Vineyard Haven to be hauled out of the water at Packer Marine railway for maintenance and Coast Guard inspection. This will leave only one ferry in operation. Unfortunately, the remaining ferry is the shorter of the two. So, expect delays during the busy times. There will be occasions when the waiting line will extend onto Simpson’s Lane. With reduced off-season staffing, there will be no traffic direction provided by the police. To address this issue, the ferry waiting line will temporarily extend beyond the top of Daggett street right onto North Water street and all the way back to a point opposite Simpson’s Lane. There will be temporary signs on North Water street indicating that the right lane is for the ferry waiting line and the left lane is for through traffic. The parking spaces in front of the library will be temporarily abandoned. This arrangement leaves a gap of one car length in the line at the bottom of Simpson’s Lane for through traffic. Hopefully, with a little practice, the waiting line will be self-regulating. This will start as soon as the marine railway becomes available and the On Time III heads for Vineyard Haven.

Back to me:

I’ve been taking the early boat over in order to attend the YMCA boot camp that begins promptly at 6:30 a.m. The captains all must live a healthy life as they seem alert and chipper (excellent qualities to possess as a ferry captain). The first early boat I took was Keith’s and I was so pleasantly surprised to see him waiting for me with an empty boat upon arrival. However, I was under the erroneous belief that the ferry service began at 6 a.m. (I have only lived here for 20 years so I can’t be blamed for my ignorance). Keith informed me that I was indeed on the early boat. And instead of being irked at my relative dumbness, he was gracious and kind. A very nice start to my day. And thanks to Connie Roosevelt for being late for her early appointment — thus holding the boat. Such good neighbors are we all.

Andy Rooney retired from Sixty Minutes this past Sunday. How does this pertain to Chappy? I’m not certain, but I think there was something about Andy’s sense and humor that remind of Chappy’s whims and complaints. I will miss Andy a lot. He was like a favorite yogurt — not yet past it’s expiration date but down to a few last spoonfuls. And like that favorite yogurt, absent from my shelf, I am in no hurry to see Andy replaced. I liked that yogurt. Not another brand.

Crickets, though elusive, are not exactly the cheetahs of the insect world, I have discovered. Our cat who is let out only under close supervision, has caught several of the slow footed chirpers. He catches very little else. He doesn’t eat the crickets, just gums one leg, until we demand the cricket be released. I can’t imagine that crickets are good for cats. And probably the other way around too.

In CCC news, Mary Spencer reports:

The Chappy Community Center potluck on Wednesday, Oct. 19 will be a special one honoring Margaret Knight. After six years of doing an amazing job as part-time “Coordinator” for the CCC, Margaret has “retired.”

The community center board invites all Chappy neighbors to come to the CCC beginning at 6 p.m. on Oct. 19 to say thank you to Margaret and enjoy an evening of food and fellowship. As usual, please bring a salad, entree or dessert for yourself and several others. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be provided by Bob and Marvene O’Rourke.