MARGARET KNIGHT
508-627-8894
Chappaquiddickers are getting used to seeing change at the Wasque end of the island, but the Point end is in flux, too. Because of the stronger currents resulting from the Norton Point breach, the beach on the outer harbor side of the ferry continues to erode as the ocean works its way inland. After a recent full moon high tide, the wrack line was halfway up the paved parking lot.
The popular little beach right next to the ferry is mostly gone now, especially during high tide, although there is still plenty of room for sitting on the beach further around the bend on the Land Bank property. I heard that Peter is glad that people will be swimming further away from ferry propellers, but no doubt he won’t be so happy when we need a ramp just to reach the ferry ramp. There is no stopping nature. As far as stopping humankind, that’s a different story—although it does seem to be very much the same story.
While wading one warm day before the frigid weather of this past week (we got the heat going again a couple of times at our house), I noticed a patch of rosa rugosa right near the beach beyond the parking lot. At first I couldn’t figure out what the blossoms were—they looked just like peonies. In fact, they weren’t; they were a many-petaled beach rose. I’d never seen any like this before, and was surprised to see it there where I’ve checked out the patches of beach roses for years, keeping an eye on future rose hip crops. I realized this patch seemed to suddenly appear there next to the beach because the beach had moved that far back over the winter. It had previously been hidden in the dune far from shore. When I went to look at the patch a few days after the full moon high tide, the bushes were already starting to be buried in the beach sand.
There are plans afoot for the redesign of the man-made portion of the Point (Mother Nature has her own plans, of course) and the CIA transportation committee wants to discuss them with you. They will hold the first of a series of open public meetings to discuss possible design changes on Saturday, June 9, at 8 a.m. at the community center. These meetings are for all Chappaquiddickers, not just CIA members. They will review the progress that the committee has made to date, and look at the design criteria list the committee came up with. According to publicity, “concerns of the community will be accounted for and all ideas will be reviewed.” They want your input!
Tai Chi classes have started up at the community center basketball court every Monday and Friday at 9 a.m. This is a non-martial class for adults, to increase flexibility and address simple issues like back pain, balance and circulation. Tom Pardee, who teaches it again this summer, says it’s helpful for early Parkinson’s and fibromyalgia, and for recovery from surgery. He says, it’s “frequently referred to as moving meditation. Everyone is welcome; no experience needed.
Georgiana Greenough sent the Chappy cell committee members a copy of the DAS proposal that was accepted for review by the selectmen at their meeting on May 29. It is a joint venture between Broadband Service Group, Inc. and Grain Communications Group, Inc. She also sent a copy to the town’s cell consultant, David Maxson, so we will hear from him. Bob Gurnitz, who has been very active in the search for Chappy cell service, thinks the proposal is well thought out, aside from lacking a completion date. He says, “The bidders are very experienced in DAS systems and they are financially well-capitalized.” He also says, “Let’s strike while the iron is hot.”
Scott Goldin wrote from the west coast, where he’s living now, and thinking fondly of Chappaquiddick. He’ll be working for the Pacific Crest Trail Association this summer and plans to come home to visit his parents, Dennis and Nancy, next Thanksgiving. Maybe we could form an association so he’d stay on Chappy and work on our trail system.
Edo Potter told me they’ve been hearing a chuck-wills-widow or two at Pimpneymouse Farm. She says, “They make a wonderful and unforgettable sound.” The Potters were also excited to hear a whip-poor-will loud and clear for the first time in many years.
Around my house, we mostly hear a lot of mournful bleating and cackling. The goats, Magee and Ivy, wish they were out of the barren desert of their pen eating from the lush poison ivy growing nearby, and Gladys is still complaining about her new flock mates. Finally after a week, the new chickens grew brave enough to approach Gladys, who is top of the pecking order. Now she suffers their presence with only a random reminder peck, so we have a flock of five chickens wandering the yard. They all come running whenever they see me, which is very gratifying.
A few crows have become familiar around the yard this winter. They find any little bit of extra food I put out for the chickens. I’ve been worrying about their presence because in past summers, they’ve made pests of themselves, eating my ripe tomatoes and peaches. Lately, though, I’ve been realizing they may be an asset. I think their more-or-less constant presence may be keeping the chickens safe from hawk attacks, as crows and hawks are old adversaries.
This is my last column until after the summer. Brad Woodger and Peter Wells are taking over the duties of reporting on whatever it is they decide to report on. I’m grateful to them for the summer off, and to all my readers who, happily or not, allow me to ruminate on my favorite subject: life on our little island. And I’m grateful for living here, where I know people and people know me. When Sidney and I were in Italy this spring, we spent 10 days not knowing anyone. One day soon after we came home, I was riding the ferry to town and was struck by how three separate people asked me where I was going. After being an unknown in Italy, it struck me as vaguely nosy, but more importantly, it made me glad to live in a place where people care enough to wonder where I’m going.
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