10.23.22: Riding in a Rivian; (Meatless) Chili Days Ahead; Chappy Shares its Bounty

The MV Fishermen’s Preservation Trust shared an interesting Field Note about their efforts to develop new bait for the Island’s conch (whelk) fishery, which traditionally has relied on horseshoe crabs. Horseshoe crabs, it turns out, play vital ecological roles, so ideally we don’t want our whelk eating them all. This photo shows the Trust's boat dropping a conch pot equipped with an underwater camera that captures day and night “Whelk TV” so the MVFPT can assess alternative baits. Tune in for more info.

Friends and Neighbors Want to See Us Thrive

On a recent rainy night, a neighbor showed up at our door with a bowlful of salad greens he’d picked earlier that day at the Community Greenhouse, along with a peach balsamic vinaigrette he was excited for us to try. We’re relatively new to the Island and we’d had a rough day of building-related hassles (and expenses!), so a delicious salad delivered with kindness was exactly the balm we needed. Our neighbor’s gesture was thoughtful but not uncommon, we’ve discovered. Over the months that our project has dragged on, we’ve been guests at many of our neighbors’ tables — generosity I plan to repay as soon as I have a functional kitchen, even though there’s no expectation of reciprocation.

With a season of gratitude just around the corner, it seems the right time to revisit Lily Walter’s story of barter and bounty on Chappaquiddick. Lily, too, was at one point a newcomer, working to establish a small-scale farm. She writes of those who dropped off freshly caught fish, or who provided tools and labor. The idea is that each neighbor’s success benefits everyone. As she puts it, “These friends and neighbors wanted to see us thrive.” Together, Lily’s community creates something greater than the sum of its parts.

I feel similarly. The day after we’d shared an incredible meal at another neighbor’s table, they needed help moving a large, heavy rug. We rolled up our sleeves, and yet another neighbor, noticing the commotion, lent his own brawn — and our motley middle-aged crew of bad backs and weak knees, together, got the job done.

–Leslie Garrett (and Jamie Kageleiry)

Dear Dot,
We buy and use compostable doggie bags for our pup’s poops. But we typically toss them in the garbage so is there any point to compostable bags? Are they still better than non-compostable or biodegradable bags?
–Deb, via email

Dearest Deb,
You’ve come to the right place with your doggie doo dilemma. I share my home with two Canine Dots, both large, both prodigious producers of poop. Consequently, I have considerable experience with doody sacks.
Let’s start by saying, please, all you hound huggers, for the love of all that’s sacred, pick up your pup’s poop. American dogs dump more than 10 million tons of poop each year … teeming with bacteria, pathogens, and potential parasites, including various intestinal worms, giardia, salmonella, campylobacter, and more. All of these can harm local wildlife or get washed into waterways that provide drinking water …