During the summer, the Falmouth-Edgartown Ferry makes its last departure from Memorial Wharf at 7:15 p.m. I can certainly sympathize with you if that’s the ferry that will take you away from dear old Chappaquiddick back to the old rat race and that you would of course want to spend every possible minute on that idyllic island.

However, the folks who have operated that ferryboat are just as eager to get home back in America as you are to relish every second of your well deserved vacation. So give yourself an extra 15 minutes to catch that last ferry. Other humans seem to sense when you are in a hurry and will naturally throw a monkey wrench into your carefully calculated plans. They will often select that instant to forget how to start their car to get off of the Chappy ferry or perhaps an inconsiderate neighbor will choose that moment to call for the ambulance, causing everything at the Chappy Ferry to come to a stand still.

If there are no stumbling blocks in your way, you may get over to the wharf with that 15 minutes to spare. What an opportunity to climb the stairs to the top of the wharf and gaze back at your beloved Chappaquiddick Island. Just let’s not blame the Chappy Ferry if you are running late. We’ve been going back and forth since 6:45 a.m.

Mytoi Garden is still in need of a gardener. Lindsay Allison has been nearly single-handedly doing the upkeep this summer. If you are looking for a job as gardener or would like to volunteer to help out, email her at Lindsay.allison@sothebysrealty.com.

The Chappaquiddick Community Center is looking for an administrator. That’s the job that Lynn Martinka is currently doing. If you are interested call 508-627-8222 or email chappycc@verizon.net. The CCC board of directors will also be looking for new board members to fill some spots next year. The CCC annual meeting will be held on Saturday, August 11. Your supportive attendance is appreciated.

Your last chance to vote on which photos will make up the 2019 CCC Calendar will be on Friday, August 3. Sailing classes end on Thursday, August 16. There’s still time to get the kids out on the water and out of the house!

The next Chappaquiddick Island Association meeting is scheduled for Saturday, August 4. Coffee and pastries served starting at 8 a.m. Meeting comes to order at 9 a.m. Don’t miss out on this interesting and entertaining gathering. There are always vital issues to discuss.

We had a good turn-out for the hazardous waste collection last Saturday. If you missed that one, the next one is Saturday, Nov. 10, but you will have to take your yucky stuff up to the transfer station yourself. It’s always interesting to see what kinds of old-time goop folks have accumulated. The aroma of a leaky can of vintage Spar varnish immediately brings back childhood memories of getting boats ready in the spring. The collection is also a social event.

Connie Roosevelt shared her experience of a visit to her yard by a snapping turtle the size of a trash can lid. It’s always good to avoid contact with wild critters. It’s tempting to move them along on their journey, but you or they could get hurt. I have personally witnessed a person attempting to pick up a snapping turtle by it’s tail to get it off of the highway. It was a Good Samaritan gesture but unappreciated by the turtle. As soon as the guy gripped its tail, it flipped around and nipped his wrist. Had it gotten a hold of a finger, that could have been its lunch.

Chappaquidick news can be sent to peterchappyferry@gmail.com.