Margaret Knight>

508-627-8894

(margaret02539@yahoo.com)

You know it’s winter—or at least not summer—when one-third of all the people on the Chappy ferry are named Bob. Last Sunday morning as I headed to town, I also realized I’d already asked both Bobs, as well as other people, what they considered to be Indian summer. The responses ranged in date from a few warm days way back in September to something I’d call January thaw. Someone — maybe one of the Bobs­ — told me its technical definition was a period of warm weather coming after a frost. Wikipedia says it’s “a period of considerably above normal temperatures, accompanied by dry and hazy conditions, usually after there has been a killing frost,” and that it usually happens late September to mid-November.

In any case, we’ve had some fantastic weather this fall and could easily have had Indian summer a number of times. It’s so nice to be able to walk outside barefoot. I still have marigolds and chrysanthemums blooming in my garden, and I see roses here and there around the Island. I did finally pull up my green beans, which had succumbed to the only frost we’ve had at our house, but they were producing until two weeks ago.

Nancy Hugger of Chappaquiddick’s Open Space Committee writes that they will be leading a two and a half to three hour walk— the Chappy dream walk—on Friday, Nov. 25, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Chappaquiddick Community Center. A shorter version of the walk will be available to those unable to make the long trek. For further information, you can contact Nancy at 508-627-8364.

On Saturday, Nov 26, the CCC will hold its open house and craft sale from 2 to 4 p.m. with refreshments, tea and hot cider served. CCC photo calendars will be ready for pick-up and/or sale. Marvene O’Rourke and Fran Clay did the work of putting together the calendar this year, using photos entered in the summer photo contest. Order forms can be printed from the CCC Web site. Chappy-made knitted goods and crafts will also be for sale, and anyone is welcome to sell their homemade items. You can e-mail the CCC at chappycc@verizon.net, or just show up that day.

On Wednesday, Dec. 7 the annual Ferry Crew Appreciation Potluck will take place. This is an opportunity to thank Peter and his crew for all their work ferrying us back and forth. If you would like to help out, you can e-mail Mary Spencer at maryvineyard@verizon.net, or let the new coordinator, Abigail Chandler, know. This past Wednesday, the bimonthly potluck was hosted by Hatsy Potter, Ruth Welch and Mary Spencer. If you’d like to host a potluck in January, please let Abigail know.

Steven Raichlen has a new book coming out in June. It’s a novel called Island Apart and features Chappaquiddick. It also features a cover photo by Capt’n Bob Gilkes. Steve says, “From the day I wrote the book, I wanted to use one of Bob Gilkes photos—first, because he captures Chappy’s extraordinary natural beauty so well, and second, because he has such a cool day job. (The Chappy ferry figures prominently in the story.)” Steve is known for his cookbooks, but he has a degree in French literature, and has always wanted to write fiction. The book is a love story with a cast of characters including a reclusive hermit, a New York book editor recovering from an illness, a self-help guru, a philandering college professor, a disaffected 20-something and her a Harley-riding hellion boyfriend and the real-life iconoclastic psychotherapist Wilhelm Reich. He says there is some food in the book, but mainly it’s a story of love, loss and redemption.

ACE MV’s second annual Cultural Festival benefit and celebration of Island diversity and culture is on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the high school. There will be ethnic food, vendors, a silent auction, displays, a parade of artists and a concert. Tickets are $15 (children under 12 are free).

Last week Sally and Peter attended a conference in Boston — Ferries 2011 — hosted by a maritime industry publication company. They attended two days of lectures and discussions on subjects such as safety concerns, new environmental regulations, innovative propulsion systems and alternative fuels, as well as powering vessels with batteries. Peter said there were many familiar faces from ferry services around New England, including a Steamship Authority governor and representatives from ferries as far away as the West Coast. “I was surprised that many of the lecturers and company representatives knew all about the Chappy Ferry,” he said. “I had a great time talking to people who worry about the same things that keep me awake at night. The luncheons were delicious and gave everyone a chance to tell sea stories. Sally was a real trooper.” They stayed in a hotel overlooking the Charles River, and each morning got to see the MIT rowing crews out practicing.

The On Time III repairs are moving along rapidly. The mild weather makes the fiberglassing go more smoothly, and Erik, Jonathan and George are working six days a week. Peter says he doesn’t want to jinx it by promising a completion date. He has some recommendations for avoiding the occasional long waiting lines, though. He says, “In the morning going to Chappy, there is seldom any line before 7:30. The cement mixers never show before 8 a.m., and you won’t see any heavy trucks during the hours of low tide. As for leaving Chappy in the afternoon, the length of the line is very unpredictable—consider getting to the ferry by 3 p.m., or if your type of work allows, staying on the job until after 6 p.m. Why sit in the line for an hour when you could get more work done and get to the ferry after the line is gone? Thanks for your patience.”