MARGARET KNIGHT

508-627-8894

(margaret02539@yahoo.com)

All of Chappaquiddick has finally turned a lush, pale olive green—the green of oaks and beech, choke cherries and honeysuckle. The leaves of the later trees are still emerging—sassafras are just opening their mittened fists. Soon the tasty blossoms of the black locust will appear, and then their leaves. Mosquitoes have been put off a little by the cool weather, but after the recent rains they’re all set to descend in great clouds as soon as the temperatures rise.

This is a good time of year to keep an extra lookout for turtles crossing the road. I always feel lucky when I see one, maybe because they’re such recluses and can’t be found most of the time. If I see one in the road, I stop and help it cross to whichever side it’s heading. Our continent is called Turtle Island by some native peoples, and according to my Animal Energies book, if you come upon one, you’re being asked to slow down and respect the earth more in your daily activities.

Recently I came across a couple of people along the main road who were examining a big snapping turtle. They didn’t know it was a snapper and luckily hadn’t lost a finger to it. Snapping turtles have a ridged back and the shell comes to a series of points at the rear. They are too large to pull all the way into their shells, which is why they have such an aggressive defense compared to other turtles, although only if disturbed. They spend most of their time in water, where they supposedly are very shy. I always worry about stepping on one when I swim in fresh water ponds, though, and wonder about people who swim in Brine’s Pond.

By the time you read this, the ferry will be on its summer schedule, running straight through until midnight. If you’ve left home, you should also be noticing the transition from our winter to summer population. It’s time to start thinking about alternative modes of transportation and leaving extra time to get places. Welcome back to those coming down to open houses or to enjoy the Island before the real crowds arrive. Peter said he’s been leaving the lights on at the ferry slip until 2:00 a.m. for the squidders, and has seen people, via the surveillance camera, catching squid as late as 1 a.m. The Chappy WISP web site, which hosts the surveillance cameras, is useful for checking on the ferry lines any time of the day, too.

Last Sunday three Chappaquiddickers were part of a voyage in the Mabel, Vineyard Voyagers’ open sailing vessel used for marine expeditions, from Vineyard Haven to Cape Pogue Pond, with a return trip on Tuesday. Lily Morris was captain for the trip, with her dad Sidney as crew and leader of the three-day orientation for new Vision Fellows. On board was Camron Adibi, one of seven of this year’s Martha’s Vineyard Vision Fellowship recipients.

The nonprofit Fellowship “seeks to encourage a healthy and vibrant Vineyard future by investing in promising individuals who demonstrate a commitment to the Island and to the ideals of sustainability,” according to the Web site. Since 2006 the Fellowship has been giving grants to support the education and projects of Vineyarders dedicated to the Island’s sustainability. On the Web site you can find out about the various projects these fellows are undertaking. Camron, who has spent most of his career involved with water issues, says, “Martha’s Vineyard is in a critical period in trying to remedy water quality issues and preserve this natural asset of the Island.” He’s working with town water departments and Island non-profits on this.

The three-day orientation introduces the Vision Fellows to each other, to the various sponsors and mentors, and to past recipients. The Chappy Community Center has always hosted the orientation, giving the group a home to gather between sea voyages and their individual solo adventures on Chappy. Thanks to the Kohlberg Family Foundation for their generosity in supporting the Vision Fellowship and its important work.

Sidney is a man with a finger in many pies, so to speak. I, as his wife, am longtime witness to his many interests. One of them is the One Day University on June 23rd put on by Adult and Community Education of Martha’s Vineyard. Sidney is part of a group, overseen by ACE MV’s Lynn Ditchfield, that is organizing a day of “stimulating workshops and conversations about the dynamic interactions between art, culture and sustainability efforts in agriculture, energy, health and the environment.” Speakers include the renowned storyteller Susan Klein, a variety of workshop offerings, a local foods-oriented lunch by Jan Buhrman’s Kitchen Porch, and discussions led by Island leaders and innovators. One discussion will be around the MV Shell Recycling Project, begun by Vision Fellow Jessie Kanozak, which recovers shells from Island restaurants and fishermen and returns them to the sea floor to replenish the oyster habitat. You can sign up for the day, which runs from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Regional High School, on the ACE MV web site: acemv.org, or you can call Lynn at 508 693-1033 x240.

In case you haven’t heard, The Chappy Ferry Book is out and available at the ferry or through Vineyard Stories. This is a book you will want to take some time with, reading the history and stories of those who owned and operated and rode on the ferries over the past two centuries. It’s got lots of great photos, and a 15-minute DVD is included.