Sad news has reached us of the passing of Alexander Bass. A memorial service is scheduled for Oct. 1 in Peterborough, N.H. from 3 to 5 p.m. His obituary is being written by his friend P. J. O’Rourke, the prolific and usually sarcastic political commentator. The Bass family is a numerous, widespread and interesting bunch with many worldwide connections. The wonderful thing about memorial services is the family reunion aspect combined with the testimonial-like gathering of lifelong friends. Even though the guest of honor is there only in spirit, the event is still a vital part of their life. This one will be an occasion to remember. Alex was certainly a person to remember.

Friday Foreign Film nights continue at the Chappy Community Center with a showing of the French film La Vie En Rose on Friday, July 21 at 8 p.m. That Friday is also the final day of the book sale as well as your last chance to drop off Chappy photos for the 2018 CCC calendar photo contest. See the CCC website for photo guidelines. Vote for your favorites Monday July 24 through Friday August 4.

Chappy’s annual Community Tag Sale will take place Saturday, July 22 on the CCC porch from 9 a.m. to noon. There are still a limited number of tables for rent at $10. Call Lynn at 508-627-8222 to reserve one. You have to stay with your for-sale items and take home what you don’t sell. It’s a great chance to trade trinkets and treasures.

The Chappy book club will be discussing Linda Carillo’s The Boathouse Café : Book One Of First Light from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesday July 26. This novel is set right here on the island of Chappaquiddick. The main character returns to the island at the beginning of World War II to hide from a painful past. She struggles with the societal conventions of the island and its unforgiving natural world until a catastrophic fire threatens her livelihood, the Boat House Cafe. She forms an alliance with a Wampanoag tribal member which leads her to an understanding of the wisdom of the People of the First Light and restores her faith in herself. Looks like the book club has picked another good one. If you are just now getting interested, you’ll have to read fast as it’s 340 pages long.

Make sure to sign up for the prestigious and coveted Plumb Cup Mixed Doubles Round-Robin Tennis Tournament. The tournament is open to all Chappy residents 18 years and older. A $10 entrance fee and sign-up is required.  Sign-up sheets are on the ferry point and CCC bulletin boards or call Lynn at 508-627-8222. Match Play will take place on various courts around Chappy on Saturday July 29 from 9 a.m. to noon. A cocktail party for participants will be that evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at the home of Noni and Rich Lindahl. Finals will be on the CCC courts on Sunday July 30 beginning at 10 a.m. Having your name on the cup will look really good on your resume.

I checked The Trustees of Reservations beach access information hotline today. As of last Saturday, you couldn’t use an over-sand vehicle north of the Dike Bridge however, you could drive on East Beach from the Dike Bridge southward at least 900 yards to where that access dead ends. There is still plenty of foot access to the beaches as long as you stay below high tide. No dogs, horses or over-sand bicycles are allowed in the nesting closure areas and dogs must be on leashes everywhere else. You can use the two stairways at Wasque to get down onto the beach on foot. The number to call is 508-627-8390 for up-to-date information regarding Chappy beaches. For information about Norton Point beach access call 774-310-1110.

The latest Google Earth satellite photos of Edgartown and Chappaquiddick were taken in April of 2017. It’s easy to see why you couldn’t drive around the corner at Wasque with the current configuration of the beach there. I like looking at the historic photos going back to 1995. Click on the icon of the clock and click through the years. It’s very interesting to see changes around town and at the ferry point as well as the rapid movement of sand at Wasque.

Send Chappy news to peterchappyferry@gmail.com