The Chappy Ferry crew thanks Chappaquiddickers for their thoughtful holiday gifts and goodies. I overheard two of the ferry captains commenting that the abundance of sweets made a New Year’s resolution clearly necessary.

The Chappy Ferry will make a special trip at 12:30 a.m. on New Year’s Eve to bring home dedicated revelers. Speak to the ferry captain on your way to the party to reserve a spot. Along with the regular fare there is an extra fee of $10 per person to show your appreciation to the ferry captain for coming back down when he could be at home tucked into his warm bed.

Chappy Community Center potlucks will continue through the off-season on the third Wednesday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. Bring a dish to serve eight of your neighbors.

There is an ancient traditional belief that the animals speak at midnight on Christmas Eve. It’s a little bit uppity of us humans to think that critters speak in our language for one specific moment when they have been communicating with each other in their own way the rest of the year. Nevertheless, I plan to wake up my dogs when the clock strikes twelve and see what they have to say for themselves.

Four years ago, I was inspired to write a Christmas poem for Chappy. I have always admired Phyllis Meras’ knack for rhyming and with the help of the West Tisbury town clerk, was able to commit a mockery of the English language.

‘Twas the night before Christmas and as you all know,

the On Time ferry plies the waters come rain, sleet or snow.

The scallop boats are all snug at their docks,

While their fishers are finally home in dry socks.

A very few sailboats swing at their moorings,

Too cold to sail and too hopeful for hauling.

Easy to spot the loons back from the north,

But to see a snowy owl would be something of worth.

The hunters have one more week to get that big buck,

There will be plenty of them out trying their luck.

Oh, the peacefulness of Mytoi of which we are so fond,

While not far away, hear the tide gushing out of Pocha Pond.

The fallow fields at Pimpneymouse host interesting fowl,

Meadow larks, robins, snow geese, sometimes an owl.

The royal links at North Neck, lay deserted except for voles,

But Santa Claus might stop in to play a few holes.

Out at the far corner is Wasque, so wind lashed,

The cliffs there continually eroding so fast.

If you are on Chappy or off, for whatever reason,

Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season.