Senseless acts of brutality like Sunday's mass shooting in Orlando overwhelm the emotions. Mere words can't describe the anger, frustration and deep sorrow that we are once again enduring as a nation. But spontaneous vigils in Harwich Port and Chatham Monday reminded us not to feel two particular emotions. The first is complacency. More than just the numbness that takes over when we're repeatedly exposed to tr...

It hasn’t been this long since my early 30s. And it is getting longer. The other day I was in line at the bank. Saturday morning, just about quarter ‘til noon. The gentleman in front of me was wrapping up his business at the counter and noticed the rush of activity and new customers appearing. “Is it always this busy today, or is it just last minute?” he wondered out loud. “I know I’m last minute,” I said. ...

Thank A Teacher Today Editor: Today we sat sifting through a bin filled with the journey of our child’s kindergarten year. This was a big transition for him and us as parents. As we sorted through the numerous papers and projects, we couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the blessing that Chatham Elementary School received this year. This blessing has a greater value than any monetary gift. Her name is Dawn...

Stories. That's what Monomoy Regional High School Valedictorian Catie Barr talked about at the school's commencement Sunday. There weren't just a few stories to tell about the Class of 2016, she said. “In just a few years of being together, we've lived a whole library's worth of stories,” she said. Monomoy's second graduating class added their collection of tales to the bookshelf that holds, right now, only...

Best-looking Convenience Store On Cape Editor: Thanks to work of the Chatham Planning Board and other Chatham committees and officials, we have a new Cumberland Farms that fits our village community.  Cumberland Farms initially proposed an oversized building and gas canopy (like on Route 134 in Dennis) and recently proposed operating it 24 hours a day.  The planning board protected the historic and small...

Everything old is always new again, not just miniskirts and mid-century modern furniture, but expressions and concepts. Take the word “Maker,” as in old-school “better get your act together and prepare to meet your Maker.” The new Maker doesn’t just refer to the deity, it’s a movement. You might have heard mention of Makers’ Faires, or Makers' Spaces at libraries or museums where like-minded souls interact to s...

We hear frequently from readers and authorities about various phone scams in our area. Last week, The Chronicle received one of these calls from someone purporting to be from Eversource regarding an outstanding bill. When questioned, the caller hung up; when we rang the number on the caller ID, the person answering said only that we'd reached a corporation in Avon. Not everyone can identify the clues of today'...

Deciding where to live can be daunting. Sometimes we relocate for reasons beyond our control; other moves are based on employment opportunities, lower costs of living, affordable housing, school systems, security, closeness to family, or a long-term desire to live in a place like Cape Cod. We weigh factors such as medical resources, proximity to shopping locations, or the availability of plumbers, electricians, o...

Special Recognition For Generous Friend Editor: Thank you so much for the article about my most special excursion to Washington, D.C. It was with chagrin, however, that I realized there was no mention of Reese Hines, my special friend Ana Smythe’s husband, also a retired Marine Corps colonel. Reese, like Ana, could not have been more gracious and generous with his time. He welcomed us into their home and de...

Questions Selectman's Independence  Editor: When Selectman Love was a candidate she assured us that her maximum efforts would focus upon bringing more unity to the board. Her first vote was a negative one causing a 3-2 division in the election for  chairman, thus confirming the widespread opinion that when elected she would serve as a puppet for the board’s maverick, Seth Taylor. Charles U. Daly Chatham ...

There is almost universal agreement that the Chatham Fire and Rescue Department is top notch, about as skilled and professional as they come. For many years that was the case despite the department operating out of substandard facilities that failed to meet health and safety codes, provided little opportunity for on-site training and or expansion for new, modern equipment. All that changes this week. Depot ...

Happy days are here again The skies above are clear again So, let’s sing a song of cheer again Happy days are here again. Jack Ager wrote this song way back in 1929, with lyrics by Jack Yellen. Franklin Roosevelt used it in his political campaigns, but we are not being political here. “Happy Days” are here again because very shortly the patient people of Chatham will have survived the closing of not o...