Chappy’s own Karen Gazarian not only keeps very busy with property management and caretaking, but also works with Paddy Moore, the founder and a board member of Healthy Aging MV. Each year, the Dukes County Health Council accepts proposals for a task for visiting UMass medical students. This year, the council selected a project proposed by Healthy Aging MV to conduct a study of elders and adults needing health, mental health and social services at home.

Eight medical students, known as rural scholars, are now on the Vineyard to conduct interviews, compile their findings and make a presentation to the public. As part of their endeavors, they will hold a focus group of Chappy residents in order to identify what services are currently available, what gaps exist in those services and the best way to fill those gaps. Participants will include elders currently needing such services, caregivers, medical professionals, first responders and anyone who thinks they will need these services in the future.

The focus group will be held at the Chappy Community Center on Monday, Oct. 31 from 2 to 4 p.m. If you would like to be in the focus group, please contact Karen Lento Gazarian at karenlentogazarian@gmail.com or call her at 508-939-0066. Or just come to listen. Please let your voice be heard.

Also of interest to aging Chappaquiddickers will be a presentation sponsored by the Edgartown Council on Aging regarding transportation both on and off of the island and the unique challenges of Chappy residents. Hear from the organizations that are providing transportation solutions on Thursday, Nov. 3 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Chappy Community Center.

Activities continue at the community center with yoga at 8 a.m. on Sundays; Knit, Craft and Chat is taking a break this weekend but will meet again Sunday, Nov. 6; potluck dinners are the third Wednesday of every month; and the Chappy Ferry captains appreciation dinner will be on Dec. 21.