As of Tuesday, the overland route between Chappy and the Vineyard was open for vehicular traffic. But be forewarned: superintendent Chris Kennedy says, ”It’s pretty skinny at Wasque but drivable.” Remember that oversand permits are required year-round. Also, keep the required equipment in your vehicle for your own safety. See the TTOR website or the literature that came with your permit for a comprehensive list and instructions.

If you get stuck or break down it may be awhile before someone comes along. Winter months tend to be about a thousand times quieter out there than in the summer. From midway along Norton Point it is at least a mile and a half walk to civilization. And that’s only if you know which way to walk.

Foster Silva was the first TTOR superintendent on Chappy. He was always reminding people never to drive where you can’t see the sand, meaning if it was covered with snow. Sand and snow churned together by a four-wheel-drive vehicle creates a very slippery substance impossible to drive through and no fun to dig out. You also want to avoid at all costs driving through sand saturated by washover waves. You remember horror movies where somebody gets swallowed up by quicksand? It’s not completely fictional. Imagine the horror at watching your Jeep sink further into the sand with each wave and getting a thorough saltwater rinsing.

The next Chappy Community Center potluck supper will be hosted by Laura and Skip Bettencourt on Wednesday, March 1. I guarantee that they will be serving hors d’oeuvres with venison as the main ingredient. Please bring a dish of your choice to serve six. Conversation and appetizers start at 6 p.m. with the supper bell ringing at 6:30. If you would like to be a host call Lynn at 508-627-8222 or put your name in the book when you are at the next potluck.

With the Presidents Day holiday on Monday and weather that seemed about two months ahead of schedule, the three-day weekend attracted lots of tourists and brought to life several seasonal households on Chappy. Some school systems take this whole week off. The Vineyard schools have next week off. I’m glad to see folks having a chance to appreciate Chappy during our more subtle seasons. My favorite times of the year are the ones during which the mosquitos and ticks are dormant. Despite the balmy weekend the snow drifts from the most recent blizzard have hung on much longer than I would have expected. Perhaps the frozen ground beneath has played a part. A couple of recent mornings there was a skim of ice on Brine’s Pond. Nothing close to skating thickness. It reminds me of the term “cat ice,” which is ice only thick enough to support a cat. I heard someone on the ferry lament that the temperature was forecast to drop back into the 40s. It’s all relative!

Since you probably have a new calendar started, here are a few dates to highlight. Household hazardous waste collections at the Edgartown Transfer Station are scheduled for the third Saturday in May, July, September and November. If we are able, there will be a neighborhood collection in July at the Chappy Community Center and we’ll make the trip to town for you. If you don’t have a new calendar for 2017, go onto the CCC website and print the order form. You will certainly need one when you come to Chappy for the summer.

Tuesday afternoon I noticed the two top dogs of the Edgartown highway department stretching out a long tape measure along the edge of the new gravel parking area at the ferry point. That’s a substantial concentration of authority, expertise and technology. Something tells me they are up to something. Time will tell. I’ll keep you informed.

See if you notice anything different at the ferry landing on the Chappy side next time you go across. Hint –they come in pairs, they each weigh 3,000 pounds and they are shiny.