Last week there were very high midnight tides because of the new moon. Horseshoe crabs by the hundreds gathered along the Chappy point shoreline during the hours of high water and darkness to lay their eggs in the sand. Horseshoe crab fossils have been discovered in strata 450 million years old, making them older than dinosaurs. They are actually not a crab but are more closely related to arachnids or spiders.

Their underside looks pretty scary but you will only be tickled if you put your hand in amongst all of those claws and swimming flaps. Their spike of a tail is used only to flip themselves back over after a tussle with another creature or a wave.

Next time you hear someone claim that their ancestors have been on the island a very long time you can just give a knowing smile.

The first annual 5 mile Chappaquiddick road race, officially named Chappy Point to Point, is scheduled for Sunday, June 30, with an 8:30 a.m. start time. Runners will be taken to the starting line at Wasque by Trustees of Reservations vans. The finish line will be at the ferry point. Google “Chappy Road Race” to get to the website to sign up. Serious runners will be glad to know that the course is USATF certified.

The Chappy Store, now known as Jerry’s Place, is currently open every Saturday and Sunday with a variety of supplies and food available, including their fabulous sandwiches from the Chappy Kitchen.

The Chappaquiddick Community Center will be launching 2019 summer activities soon. Sailing classes begin June 24 with instructors Auguste Pizzaro and Jack Sierputoski. Classes fill up quickly, so sign up now. See the CCC website for registration, liability and medical forms. Classes run from 9 a.m. to noon. Mondays and Wednesdays are for 8 and 9 years olds. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays are for 10 year olds and older. Adult lessons are also available.

Tennis lessons begin the last week of June with 22-year CCC veteran instructor Donna DeFrances. There are a variety of classes offered. See the CCC website for details and forms. Adults remember to call Donna at 561-317-5141 or email her at tennisdonna@mac.com before sending in your forms to make sure that you are properly placed.

Mahjong starts Monday June 24 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Beginners are welcome.

The weekly Wednesday farmers market and craft fair starts July 10 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Vendors are welcome. Call the CCC at 508-627-8222 to sign up.

The first ice cream social is on July 10 from 7 to 8 p.m. and then every other Wednesday, and the first lobster roll pick up is on July 17 from 5 to 6 p.m. and then every other Wednesday. Eat in or take out. $17 is a good deal which includes chips and a drink. Remember to order the day before by 1 p.m. by calling the CCC.

Two important events are scheduled for July 20. The Chappy household hazardous materials collection truck will be in the community center parking lot from 7 to 8 a.m. sharp. Bring your yucky stuff in tight containers and we will take it to the collection site at the Edgartown transfer station. Old gasoline, oil paints, bug killers are accepted. No latex paint, batteries or light bulbs.

Also on July 20, head over for the annual CCC fair from 5 to 7 p.m. Yummy food at the BBQ, fabulous summer reads at the book sale, kid’s games, and the famous dog show are just some of the activities offered. The book fair will run for the week preceding. Volunteers are needed for both.

The submission deadline for the photo contest to be included in the CCC 2020 calendar is July 19. Photos will hang in the center for two weeks, with voting to begin July 22. Photographers please submit photographs as close to 12” w. x 8” h. as possible, as the calendar is in a horizontal format. See the website for further details.

Send Chappy news to peterchappyferry@gmail.com.