Last Saturday the Chappaquiddick Island Association sponsored a pilot program of having a taxi stationed on Chappy from 5 to 10 p.m. to offer rides to and from the ferry at reasonable rates in an effort to help folks to avoid the hassle of parking at the point. This Saturday, August 11 they will give it another go. Hours for the service will again be from 5 to 10 p.m. To make a reservation with MV Taxi, call 508-693-8660 or text 508-560-8294 (TAXI). Fares range from $7.50 to $15. That’s better than a $30 parking ticket.

I watched the Soupy Sales show often when I was a kid. He was a very funny guy. There were lots of goofy skits and lots of clowning around. He was always the butt of his own jokes. Amongst the pie throwing, there were silly conversations with talking dogs and feigned misunderstandings with persons out-of-sight at the front door was a serious side of Soupy. At some point in every show he reminded us to be nice to each other. He had a few signs hung around the stage set with phrases that he would take occasion to read out loud. My favorite was “never do anything to anyone that you wouldn’t want done to you.”

This is a fitting thought to keep in mind when you are in a big rush heading for the Chappy ferry. This time of year, folks are particularly anxious about the length of the waiting lines and the limited number of parking spaces at the point. In your haste to get down there before somebody takes the next spot in line or the last parking space in the parking lot, your judgement may be compromised. You may be tempted to pull out of a side road or driveway in front of ferry-bound traffic when it is imprudent or unsafe to do so. It’s also just plain unfair and rude. It’s no different from butting in front of other cars in the waiting line itself. Ask yourself, what would Soupy do?

The annual Chappaquiddick Community Center (CCC) meeting will be held this Saturday, August 11 starting at 9 a.m. Show your interest and support for all that the center provides.

The annual Chappy Pong tournament is scheduled for Sunday, August 12 at the CCC. Registration begins at 11 a.m. with play starting at noon. The tournament is played according to USATT rules. Prizes will be Morning Glory Farm pies. Call Bob O’Rourke at 508-627-7902 for more information.

The Chappy ferry is looking to hire deckhands to finish out the summer as our college students head back to school. The minimum age requirement is 18 years old. You will have to pass a U.S. Coast Guard-mandated drug test. Ask the ferry captain for an application form. After filling it out, give it back to the captain. Then text or call Erik at 774-268-9330 to let him know that you have done so.

Remember to pick up your UPS packages as soon as possible after tracking indicates delivery as the shed is pretty full these days. Check in the overflow room too.

The Chappy book club will meet Wednesday, August 29 at 10:30 a.m. at the CCC to discuss Lance Richardson’s House of Nutter: The Rebel Tailor of Saville Row. The author will FaceTime with the group.

This is the accounting of the tailor who created outfits for Mick Jagger, Diana Ross, Eric Clapton, Twiggy, Peter Sellers and Elton John. He designed and sewed the suits worn by the Beatles on the cover of Abby Road except for the blue jeans that George has on. Google the reviews online. This looks to be a fascinating book.

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