BRAD WOODGER

508-627-4216

(ibwsgolf@aol.com)

Peter Wells left me a message on my home phone (as opposed to my away phone) regarding the town meeting, or lack thereof. Apparently the number present fell short of a quorum, which I believe means nothing was voted upon. Peter sounded perhaps a bit irritated, as he had offered free and extra ferry trips to accommodate and encourage the Chappy folks. I cannot be blamed as I am neither folk nor Chappy. This gesture was awfully nice of Peter, and I suspect he’ll extend same again, but you all had better attend.

One of the items to be voted was providing funds for a new air compressor for the Edgartown fire department (which Chappy firemen would also use). This compressor is used to fill the tanks the firemen use to breathe in burning buildings. Seems needed to me.

So this is it. My last column. I will return to Chappy sometime this winter to tie up loose ends, and also because I have nowhere else to live (except possibly that large box I’ve seen blowing down the train tracks in my dreams). And though Rush and Fisher (not the Good Riddance Boys as I erroneously reported) are selling everything in the Big Camp and surrounds (this Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! One day only), who knows when and if the actual house will sell. So I won’t make too big a deal of my departure, as I don’t want people seeing me still creeping around and thinking, “I thought he said he was leaving?”

Mostly it’s been a good run. I like what Chappy does to people. Makes the intolerable tolerable, and the tolerable pretty darn nice. I will miss the sound of the ferry humming along on a still night three miles up harbor. I won’t miss the ridiculous politics of do and don’t do good. There is some sadness that my family, the Marshalls, tried so hard to leave behind a lasting legacy only to have it largely forgotten. Good luck Bob and Mousie.

I thank Dick and Judy Diamond, the Fagers, Jed Dowling, Uncle Jimmer and others who have bothered to express their appreciation for my appreciation. They will, I believe, continue to benefit greatly from Chappy.

And Gerry. Man, Chappy would not be Chappy without you.

And the ferry. Our Cheers. Our Corner Store. What a unique and wonderful thing. And thanks Captain Bob for my “worry wood” and the other reminders of Chappy. And all the captains — I respect and thank you.

And though it is my name alone on the byline, there is another person who writes this as well, through her editing and her wisdom and her complaints. Kim is present in all my columns, whether she is mentioned by name or not. My Chappy is largely our Chappy. I’ve mentioned before that it is the Chappy women that truly make this place thrive, and Kim is no exception. Without her, there would have been no history of which I could write. I’d have been long ago gone, as would have the Big Camp. Her courage, fortitude, and humor kept the train chugging. Thanks Kim. And in light of this gratitude, I include the following.

From Kim: I could find Chappy with my eyes closed. The sandy roads under foot, the briny air, the stillness of the nights. The comfort of the captain’s voices, including Gerry. Brad introduced me to the island and his good family some years ago and I remain ever grateful to them. Chappy has been a good friend, accepting and forgiving. A good teacher. And now I shall go with the wisdom gained and my heart full of gratitude and happiness.

From me:

You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here.

Good night everybody.

In CCC news, the Chappy Community Center is happy to announce that Abigail Chandler will be coming on board immediately as the new part-time coordinator for the community center. As the daughter of longtime Chappaquiddickers Sharlee and Jack Livingston, her beautiful singing voice has been heard many times at the community center over the years. Now, Abigail, her husband, Curtis, and new baby, John, have moved permanently to Chappy.

The first potluck of November (Wednesday, Nov. 2) will be an opportunity for Chappaquiddick neighbors to welcome Abigail to Chappy and to her new job at the community center. Everyone is welcome! The potluck will be hosted by Nancy Slate and Dennis Golden, who will provide hors d’oeuvres beginning at 6 p.m. Attendees are invited to bring a main dish, salad, or dessert for themselves and five or six more.