You don’t need to drive all the way to Vermont to be treated to fall colors this year. The Island trees are putting on a spectacular show, especially the beetlebungs and maples. The cold snap last week which finished off the tomato plants also jump started autumn for the bushes and trees.

The leaves are falling early as well with the help of the 12-hour northeaster on Saturday and the squall that produced waterspouts on Monday.

The On Time 2 is back in the extra slip at Chappy Point after a haul out of a mere two weeks. During that time the Coast Guard performed two inspections, the hull was cleaned and painted, the deck was coated with rubber and the propellers were refurbished and various repairs were made to the fiberglass skin that covers the wooden hull.

This quick turnaround is the culmination of the major repairs done over the past decade to bring the 50-year-old ferryboat back to like-new condition. Several years back, we built a tent over the entire boat so that half of the decking and deck beams could be replaced.

Two years ago, the 40-foot-long, eight-by-eight-inch wooden keel was replaced. That is normally what the hull rests upon when it is on the cradle so it had to be supported at many other places. It was lifted up so that we could get the old piece out and the new piece in. In order to have access to bolt the new keel on, the engine had to be removed.

All this is interesting and rewarding work but we have plenty of other projects to attend to, so it’s nice when the haul-outs go quickly.

Daylight Saving time begins on Sunday, Nov. 4. Set your clock back one hour when you go to bed Saturday night and you will get to lie in bed an extra hour the next morning.

The next Chappaquiddick Community Center potluck supper is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. and will be hosted by Judy Buss and Paul Cardello. Please bring a dish to serve six or more. All are welcome to participate.

There will be a household hazardous waste collection at the Edgartown transfer station on Saturday, Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. to noon. See the Martha’s Vineyard Refuse Disposal District website for details regarding items that are accepted.

Chappaquiddick news can be sent to peterchappyferry@gmail.com.