Newcomers Club Honors Members’ Lifetime Achievements

SOUTH HARWICH – Pat Sarantis and Mark McGrath have collectively been serving the Chatham-Harwich Newcomers Club as volunteer hike leaders for 44 years. To say they know every crevice of Cape Cod would be an understatement. 

 On Tuesday, July 22 around 80 club members packed onto an area of Red River Beach in South Harwich to honor the volunteer hike leaders with lifetime achievement awards. Nancy Resteghini, president of the club, hosted the event with a themed cake and gifts for both award winners. 

The awards, custom made by the club’s woodworking group, were both representative of the long-lasting effect Sarantis and McGrath have had on the club.

 The Chatham-Harwich Newcomers Club was first established in 1978 as a way for members to connect with locals while participating in a common activity. Over the years, the club has blossomed into a social community with activities, events and experiences. Currently, there are 20 different activities offered including book clubs, fiber arts, cross-country skiing, board games and of course, hiking. 

 Mike Everett, a current member, will be stepping into Sarantis’ role as hike leader as she concludes her 19-year run. 

 With “Dream Weaver” by Gary Wright playing through a speaker, Everett stepped up in front of the group to share a tribute and formally hand Sarantis her award. 

 “Perhaps you’re wondering why we chose to play ‘Dream Weaver’ as we began today’s celebration,” said Everett. “The reason is simple — Pat Sarantis is our Dream Weaver.” 

 He went on to describe her as a source of “strength, wisdom and calm,” someone who is equipped to gently guide others through life. Sarantis mentored Everett as he became a winter hike leader. He celebrated her knack for directions, and said he was astonished at her ability to perfect a pace and keep a group together. 

 “I’ve never seen her take a wrong turn — not even at the tricky trails of Punkhorn Parklands or along Scorton Creek,” he said. “No GPS. No AllTrails. Just instincts, experience and her uncanny sense of direction.” 

 The award dedicated to Sarantis was designed to encapsulate the “Dream Weaver” title. It also included an engraving of a watercolor she painted.  

 Sarantis said once she moved to the Cape and started learning the trails, a member of the club reached out and asked her if she would want to join. She agreed, and the rest is history. 

 On why she has enjoyed her time in the club, Sarantis said, “Because you get to meet great people. There's no pressure on the hikes, and the thing is that a lot of people join for five or seven years and then drop out, but there's always more people coming in because every year there's a fresh crop.” 

 Everett also gave a shout-out to Sarantis’ husband, Bob, who was a steady support on so many of her hikes. 

 Trish Crocker, club member and McGrath’s mentee for the last four years, stood up to present the next award. 

 With the song, “Old Cape Cod” by Patti Page playing, the tribute to McGrath’s 25 years as a volunteer hike leader began.

“Thank you for 25 years of sharing your joy and love of hiking as a hike leader,” said Crocker. “Always smiling, always welcoming. Your research at local historical societies [has] made for great conversation and storytelling of old Cape Cod, hence the name of your song tonight.” 

McGrath was known for providing historical context and his ability to slyly move past a “no trespassing” sign, Crocker said. He also hosted and attended many dinner parties, including a full moon beach party in the month of February and the annual Dinner on the Dunes event in Provincetown. 

The award made for McGrath included an outline of Cape Cod and an engraved portrait of the leader in hiking attire. 

A few notable activities for McGrath were cross-country skiing on the beaches of Cape Cod, bike rides to Boston, tennis matches and his beloved hikes. Crocker also called out McGrath’s wife, Patti, who joined many of the hikes to add "meaningful conversation and much laughter.” 

“I have big boots to fill!” Crocker said with a laugh. 

McGrath said when he and his wife moved to Cape Cod, they didn’t have an already established group of friends.

“I didn’t know anybody, so we joined Newcomers and it really made our life here enjoyable,” he said. “The friends we made and all the activities we joined totally gave us a new life on Cape Cod.”  

 As Sarantis and McGrath retire their Newcomers memberships, they both acknowledge the lifelong friendships they have developed over their time in the club, crediting the members for their long tenure. 

 To join the Chatham Harwich Newcomers Club, you must be a part-time or full-time Chatham or Harwich resident. Membership costs $25 for an individual. Applications can be found at chathamharwichnewcomers.org.