Editor:

Today I brought the paper into the kitchen, and then read the front page. There are no words. 

 I was on your edit staff from 1993 to ’95. Washed ashore because of a spousal job and then left the same way. Not exactly my idea. Whether you remember me or not is immaterial. I, or my scribblings, are somewhere in the archives. 

 Non-archival, but still in my brain after these decades, are working in editorial with the Tim Wood and Billy Galvin (that made three of us); the profile feature deadline; my occasional woefully-lacking sports coverage (I am not sport-informed); and the late-evening sweats when the BOS decisions were less than clear; again, facing the deadlines. Meanwhile, there was Chuck Stanko, Sheila Smith, Jane Leonard, and of course Hank Hyora who, each in their own way, made me feel, even for that brief time, that I had a professional family (or at least, people who tolerated me) at Munson Meeting Way. 

 (Backstory: Left The Chronicle, then found a place at another independent local in Connecticut; got some awards; saw that gem of a paper gobbled up by business suits with no idea either of journalism or how to hold a fork; saw the paper die, and finally fled to grad school and lecturing journalism history to undergrads, pointing out that, among things, Woodward and Bernstein were not partners in a law firm.)

 And lest that brief sketch of life at The Chronicle in the early 90’s seems no more than benign Norman Rockwell-isms, and the stuff of nostalgia to any Chronicle reader, I invite them to consider the withering effects of local news outlets closing, replaced by snippets of internet “information” and so-called “national news” emanating from conglomerates for whom owned newspapers or even network outlets are simply minor subsidies of “meta” enterprises.

Lost local news is lost local connections. Where would up-front, in-person, Chatham/Harwich/Orleans/Brewster news – the Family Pantry, First Night, the Angel Fund, the late, great “Be There or Be Square” gathering: whatever makes for shared sensibilities and invites people into, and to be part of a community – where would all that be without the Hank Hyoras who invest themselves in their towns and celebrate even the smallest joys and successes of their readers?

The wise among us know the value of connections, of seeing and meeting people face to face, of answering your own phone. 

 Hank knew that.

 And you and I, all of us who found him such a one-of-a-kind newspaperman, community loving, staff supporter, devoted husband, and yes, feline advocate, all of us will be so much the poorer for his absence. Those committed, defiantly human individuals are few and getting fewer, but Hank Hyora was a standout.

 And wherever he now finds himself, and Karyn, I hope he knows how much he is owed, and how much he is, and will continue to be, loved.

Trish Bennett
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Hatfield, Massachusetts

Editor:

While the topic has faded from public discussion, the threat remains of another pandemic, à la COVID-19, spreading around the globe and leaving devastation in its wake. To help prevent this possibility, our political leaders should support state and federal funding of cultivated meat research. The new protein is grown from livestock cells, without slaughter. Animal agriculture is a frequent cause of zoonotic diseases making the jump to humans.

While growing cultivated meat is now technologically feasible, it’s too expensive to mass produce. Further study will fix this. Let’s build facilities like the Tufts University Center for Cellular Agriculture at schools across the country. I have no doubt that, working together, researchers can overcome the remaining scientific barriers to making cheap, slaughter-free meat. Among other things, this will be a significant boon for public health.

Jon Hochschartner
Granby, Conn.

Editor:

State officials are obviously hiding so much misspending of taxpayer money that they can't agree on which lie best justifies which corruption.

This state needs a Republican governor as well as more conservative state representatives.

Timothy Kent
Chatham

Editor:

In our world today there is so much annoyance, anger, division and worry. Each day the news makes us feel upset and concerned. And then arrives our huge snowstorm...now our driveways need plowing and we can't even get out our doors.

And I, an older woman, sit worrying in my living room. Suddenly I see a young lady walking through the snow towards my house. I call out "Good morning!" She answers, "Which doorway would you like me to shovel?" I don't know her; she just wants to be of help! Amazing.

An hour later I look out to see a young man snowblowing my driveway, as a lady (his wife) is shoveling and cleaning off my car. They, too, are neighbors whom I only know a little.

Early the next morning, another neighbor is snowblowing the night's additional driveway snow.

And I think: Yes, perhaps the world is in turmoil, but there are, more and more, kind, loving folks, smiling, helping, reassuring us that there is still joy, and hope, and yes, love, in our world.

Thank you. May you stay safe and warm this weekend!

Nancy Sveden
Brewster

Editor:

It’s hard these days to know exactly which heinous act to respond to first with this president. Revulsion applies to all his predatory and malicious behaviors. It is, however, interesting to note that all over the world political leaders are being brought down by their relationship with child-trafficking king, Epstein. All, that is, but the president of the U.S. 

The media reports daily each new casualty from what can only be described as a “rich old men’s club” where young girls are the prize. 

Why is it that other countries are holding their political leaders to account, but America gives its president a pass? Shame, shame on the weak and cowardly media.

Margaret Rice Moir
Brewster

Editor:

Anyone who watched or saw media reports of the performance of Pam Bondi who masquerades as the U.S. Attorney General before the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee last week who is not outraged should reexamine their concept of professionalism. 

Her insulting behavior in attacking members of the committee defines contempt of Congress. Brought before the committee to provide information about the Department of Justice of which she is the director, she came prepared to attack the Democratic members and did so at every opportunity. It is widely believed that she was performing for an audience of one, Donald Trump, who has recently criticized her as being weak. To respond to the ranking member by shouting at him that he is a "washed-up loser lawyer" and that "you're not even a lawyer" and calling another Democratic member "despicable" and "suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome" is unprofessional, despicable and unacceptable. Moreover, she gave evasive answers to legitimate questions, refused to answer others and continually shouted down members of both political parties as they sought answers to relevant questions. She demonstrated her complete unfitness for the important cabinet position she occupies and should be fired or impeached.

Perhaps we should not be shocked, given the quality and incompetence of other cabinet members and agency directors, such as Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who lacks any medical training yet regularly issues unscientific medical propositions; Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth whose military experience is minimal and whose reckless actions make that clear; Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, who has never met a camera she doesn't like and who obviously does not understand the parameters of her job; FBI Director Kash Patel whose showboating and rash behavior have severely damaged the credibility of that agency, and others. 

Our country has lost its reputation as leader of the free world and a democracy that is to be admired as a result of the policies of Donald Trump and these appointees and other unqualified lackeys with whom he has surrounded himself. We should be very concerned!

Ralph W. Smith
Harwich Port

Editor:

Why do you live here? Why do 5 million families sit in their cars every summer for three, four, five hours to come to Cape Cod? Restaurants and shopping? Yes, but they have that at home. Casinos? Race tracks? Outlet stores?- NO! It is Harwich’s natural environment and the historic rural character of our town that everyone enjoys and appreciates.

Stand on the seashore, swim in a pond, walk the woodlands and wonder! Appreciate with gratitude the beauty and the reason you are here, this singularly unique place. And keep believing in that beauty. Its destiny is in our hands. Cape Cod begins as you step out your door. We need to be mindful. What is the Harwich you want to live with? Urban or rural? Ponds polluted or swimmable? A viable productive seashore or a dead seashore? Harwich’s seven villages’ rural aesthetic and historic character or development with congestion and traffic?

Nature and town character are the two guideposts needed for Harwich’s future. We all need to be cognizant of how today’s actions will impact the future. What areas will be considered rural and historic? What percentage of land will be in conservation? Will there be urban sprawl? Will the 70% decline of all natural ecosystems continue into the future?

The future of Harwich needs to be determined and decided by the residents who live here. Let’s act together. It is our responsibility to keep Harwich healthy and attractive. Let’s protect what we love and ensure it for tomorrow.

Patrick Otton
Harwich