The Chappaquiddick Island Association has been busy lately. Most recently a community emergency response team has been organized. They have lots of recommendations for preparing for storms. Since we are in hurricane season now, I suggest keeping an eye on the National Hurricane Center and Mike’s Weather Page for up to date information about hurricanes forming and their likely tracks. It used to be that hurricanes were named half way between Africa and Puerto Rico and we had almost two weeks to prepare. Nowadays they suddenly appear right off the shores of Florida giving less than a week of warning.

Let’s reminisce about the old days.

What establishments in Edgartown used to be within easy walking distance of the Chappy Ferry?

There were three grocery stores, two drug stores, a gas station, a tackle shop, three places fully stocked with art supplies, the post office, three places to buy a huge assortment of newspapers and magazines, a boat yard with everything you could ever need right there, including an engine mechanic, the fire house, the police station, two places to buy housewares from doilies to frying pans, two shops that sold yarn sorted into dye lots, two liquor stores, two clothing stores which sold plain old back to school wear, two places to buy any color house paint you desired, a hardware store that carried items as big as lawn mowers and kitchen sinks, two dealers in nautical charts. 

That is just to name a few. Most of those shops and services were still close by 35 years ago. Oh well. The progression of civilization is a curious thing.