Margaret Knight wrote this column for many years before she turned it over to me many years ago. She told me that she always made sure to say something that would give folks who aren’t currently on Chappy an image that they would enjoy if they were here. I’ll try to remember that going forward. Here’s one.

The maple trees seem to have taken total responsibility for making this fall season colorful. Among the green of the pines and brown of the oaks, the maples are showing off dazzling yellows and reds. They are holding their leaves longer than usual as well. I would say that this is an unusually bright year for them — perhaps because of the recent lack of rain. Every downside to nature also seems to have an upside.

Mary Spencer was the president of the Chappy Community Center years ago. She thought that it would be a nice gesture to dedicate the December potluck supper to the Chappy Ferry captains and deckhands. That has been a wonderful tradition for decades now. The turnout at those suppers surpasses the attendance of half a dozen of the others combined. It’s a great opportunity to get otherwise imperturbable mariners to blush. It’s also a chance to have a conversation of more than 60 seconds with them.

This year the Chappy Ferry captain and deckhand appreciation supper is on Wednesday, Dec. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. Please bring your favorite dish to serve eight.

There will be one more session of the Knitting, Crafting & Chatting gathering on Sunday, Dec. 8 from 3 to 5 p.m. The annual holiday tea is on for Sunday, Dec. 15 from 2 to 4 p.m.

The CCC 2025 calendar will be available very soon. Stay tuned.