The Chappy Community Center annual meeting is scheduled for Saturday, August 6 at 9 a.m. at the center. The CCC has become a vital part of Chappy life. At the annual meeting new officers are elected. This is a golden opportunity to connect with the board of directors and show our support. The many building improvement and maintenance projects will be discussed. This is also a good chance to share your thoughts about the activities and programs that the CCC sponsors.

The Chappy Community Center is a very lively place these days. Children’s movies are shown Thursday nights at 7 p.m. and foreign films are shown on Fridays at 7 p.m. as well.

Author Crocker Snow Jr. will present his book Muskeget: Raw, Restless, Relentless Island at 7 p.m. on Thursday July 28. Mr. Snow inherited the island from his father. The book recalls his boyhood experiences on this tiny unique world just a few miles beyond the shore of Chappy’s East Beach.

The next lobster roll dinner will take place on Wednesday July 27, then again on August 10. Take out or eat in at the CCC between 5 and 6:30 p.m. $17 includes roll, chips and a drink. Remember to pre-order the day before by 1 p.m.

The next Chappy ice cream social will be on Wednesday, July 20, then again on August 3 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Join your friends while indulging relatively guilt-free in ice cream with all of the fixin’s.

The weekly farmers’ market/crafts fair on the CCC porch has begun. Stop by Wednesdays between 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

The CCC mixed doubles round robin tennis tournament is scheduled for the weekend of July 30 and 31. Match play is on that Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon on various courts across the island. Tournament finals are on the CCC court that Sunday from 10 a.m. until only two players are left standing. $10 entrance fee and sign-up is required. Laura Pla has bravely taken on responsibility for this event. For more information call her at 508-627-6463 or email her at elpla@mac.com.

Visit the CCC website for a complete listing of activities and programs plus all the sign-up forms.

The Slip Away Farmstand is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Chappy Store is open for business daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The August Chappaquiddick Island Association meeting is scheduled for Saturday, August 13. Coffee and pastries are served at 8:30 with the meeting called to order at 9 a.m. The CIA website is brimming with useful information.

Here’s a cautionary tale for you: Monday afternoon a trash can enclosure at a residence on Sampson Hill burned up. However the fire began, fortunately the enclosure was a good distance from the house. There are all kinds of reasons to keep trash cans away from structures, but this is probably the most persuasive.

We are saddened by the passing of Jack Carbon. Jack drove the Chappy ferry many years ago. He was the smiliest person that I have ever known. He was in charge of the ferry operation whenever Jerry Grant was off-island. I can still hear his response when presented with a question regarding such issues as continuing to run in high winds or high tides. “Use your own discretion!” He and Charlie Ross were among the first to do the seasonal repair work on the ferries when they were hauled out on the marine railway next to the coal wharf. The rails are still there alongside the Seafood Shanty restaurant. Bob Enos recounted stopping by the railway as Jack and Charlie were replacing the rubber bumpers on the ends of the On Time II. Jack was on staging outside and Charlie was wedged in the very tight space inside. They were communicating by shouting ineffectively through the thick hull. Bob said that the resulting confusion led to some very colorful verbal exchanges.

Jack was at the helm in the middle of the night when Gabrielle Knight was born aboard the ferry. The Gazette wanted to write about his role as a hero in the amazing advent of a baby’s birth aboard the ferry. As you can guess, he would have none of that. He told me that he was just thankful that he was able to get the ferry into the slip without fainting from the overwhelming gravity of that situation. Jack was a big person in a humble man.

Send Chappy news to peter@chappyferry.net.