Margaret Knight

508-627-8894

(margaret02539@yahoo.com)

Peter Wells thought he saw it while out pushing his granddaughter, Abbey, on a swing in his yard. Abbey didn’t see it, but told her mother, Molly, who would have seen it if she’d looked up 10 seconds earlier — but she had her head down paying ferry bills. Nancy Hugger thought she saw a dozen of them at her bird feeder, although not all at once, so it may have only been one. Skip Bettencourt got a picture of it, but only one foot was in the frame, so positive identification was not possible. However, everyone who saw it, or thinks they saw it, or could have seen it, believes it was an n. crypticus.

The rest of the Island laughed at us for getting worked up about a squirrel sighting earlier this winter, but they’ll start taking us seriously once positive identification of this extinct species is made. The n. crypticus is the only species of the genus nemicolopterus of the order Pterosauria. It is a toothless pterosaur with a wingspan of about 10 inches, and has toes and claws for grasping tree branches (similar to squirrels).

As to the origins of this individual n. crypticus (Greek for “hidden flying forest dweller”), Will Geresy has speculated that it was released in embryonic form during recent exposure of the peat layers by erosion on the south shore of Wasque. It may have grown to full size due to the warm winter weather. Evidently the n. crypticus is known to have fed on ocean fish, as well as having been an inland dweller, and this one may been the result of a long ago romance at what was to become a popular honeymoon destination. Will tried using his crow call to attract it but although he thought he saw it, the air was so thick with crows he couldn’t be sure. Gus Ben David has been called, and he, or someone he trusts to know pterosaurs, will confirm identification.

In other news from Wasque, The Trustees are concerned about the reduced revenue from beachgoers’ parking fees this coming summer — as there is no beach and no parking lot. They’ve decided to put in a temporary footbridge across the breach to give sunbathers access to the Edgartown side of Norton Point. They’ll run a shuttle service from the ferry. People are tired of waiting for Mother Nature to decide where to connect Norton Point to Chappy, and if this bridge is successful, The Trustees will enlist the Army Corps of Engineers in building a car bridge after the summer season is over. They want to ensure the full length of Norton Point is at top capacity for SUVs by the start of the Derby.

Thanks to all those Chappaquiddickers who wrote letters to the editor concerning Comcast services — it’s nice to know you really can make a difference. In a spirit of generous compromise, Comcast has offered to set up a house in town especially for Chappaquiddickers, where we can go to watch TV and use the internet. This will be similar to the house John Jeremiah set up for Chappaquiddickers at the start of the last century. He bought the house on South Water Street still known as the Chappaquiddick house so people could have a place to wait for service to Chappy. If Comcast can arrange purchase, it will be the same house on S. Water. Times have changed little in this old whaling town, and we’re still waiting for service. But as ferry driver Nelson Smith used to say, no one put a gun to our heads and made us live over here.

Somehow Chappy continues to be a popular place to live so, due to growth in population, Verizon’s lines are loaded beyond their capacity for phone service, which is why you may hear a loud buzz on your line. (If anyone doesn’t hear a loud buzz, could you please let others know so we can come use your phone in an emergency, or if we really need to be able to hear the other person.) Verizon has asked that Chappaquiddickers “tweet” whenever possible, for those who have cell service.

The winter has been such a warm one, and since spring has continued in the same vein, the Island’s Chamber of Commerce has decided to move Memorial Day Weekend to the last weekend of April, instead of having it in May. This will give businesses the extended season they’ve been trying to promote. Ticks have already taken note of the early arrival of the season, and mosquitoes are planning their first major attack for the newly appointed Memorial Day.

That’s just about all the news from Chappaquiddick as we head toward April 1 (aka April Fools’ Day). The only other bit of news is that the selectmen have approved a competitor ferry service to Chappy. The new eco-exercise company, Pedal to Paradise, will offer pedal boats for hire from near Memorial Wharf. For those who aren’t able to pedal their own boat, a ferry similar to the Boston Swan Pond boats will carry passengers across — only they’ll feature cormorants instead of swans.

Also, there really is a potluck scheduled for Wednesday, April 4 starting at 6 p.m. at the Chappy Community Center, hosted by Chris and Carol Kennedy. All are welcome.