At age 102, Helen Krumpe's reputation precedes her. One person after another, after hearing that I intended to interview Krumpe, smiled and expressed their delight. “Oh, you are going to love Helen!” “She is a hoot!” “Oh, wait until you hear that sense of humor!” “I want to be Helen Krumpe when I grow up.” Krumpe seemed surprised and amused by the news that so many people express such enthusiastic affectio...

In the past few weeks, a high school student from the Lower Cape took his own life, leaving a gaping hole in his family, his circle of friends and his community. Far from a new phenomenon, teen suicide happens with striking regularity – and there are warning signs that, if heeded, can sometimes prevent tragedy. Child psychiatrist Dr. Bart Main of Cape Cod Human Services, a Hyannis-based group practice affiliat...

Chatham Elementary School   Computer Skills Kindergarten students have been improving their mouse and website navigation skills on the website www.starfall.com. They are working their way through the alphabet with great interactive activities. This is a great site for kindergarten through grade four with lots of reading and math learning. Students in grades one and two have been practicing beginning ...

Beth Bishop Shop, the iconic women’s clothing store in Orleans, has closed its doors for the final time after 61 years. “I’ve loved it,” says owner Lynn Comandich, who began working here in 1975 and took over as the store’s third owner in 1980. But “I’ve done this for 41 years and I want to retire.” The stately white Colonial on Route 28 about half a block from Main Street set the tone for the quality women’s ...

“Playfulness is one of my top values,” laughs 73-year old Sharon Cobb of Orleans. With one look at her rainbow-hued tie-dye shirt and sparkling sequined head wear, this does not come as a surprise. It's hard to imagine anyone meeting Cobb walking away without the gift of her contagious smile. The fun continues as we enter her Orleans home, the front room of which is completely devoted to Christmas collectibles,...

In “Silent Spring,” her 1962 book that started the environmental movement, Rachel Carson presented the revolutionary idea that tiny levels of common household chemicals could cause disease. More than a half-century later, and long after Carson died of breast cancer, the idea has more scientific traction than ever. The Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) and its research partner, the Newton-based Silen...

Harwich Elementary School MRHS Student Leaders Complete Community Service At HES A “shout out” to Monomoy High School student leaders who donated their time and effort to their elementary school community by providing a much appreciated 'childcare' opportunity for parents/guardians. Their community service hours, once again, made our Curriculum Nights a success!   Chatham Elementary School ...

Harwich Elementary School   New Staff Chris Roberts will be music teacher this year. He is a native of Coedpoeth, North Wales. He has been involved in vocal and instrumental music since the age of seven, singing in Church as well as in local “eisteddfodau” (music competitions). He began teaching music in 1978 in Wrexham, North Wales. He has been a music teacher on Cape Cod since 1993. He previously t...

When it came time to redecorate the main office of Pine Acres Realty at 938 Main St., the Chatham real estate firm initially thought it wanted a “very contemporary” look, says Lori Fanning Smith, the company’s president and principal broker. The company hired Melinda Loftus Headrick, the president and principal designer of Chatham Interiors, Inc. After photographing and measuring the space, Headrick held a sty...

The new backpacks are packed, pencils are sharpened, and most kids will soon be back at school. But there are steps parents can take now to help make the school year injury- and illness-free for their kids. Kathy Riley, the Harwich Elementary School Nurse and the nurse leader for the district, said the start of school is always a busy time in her office. “A lot of kids have trouble with transitions,” she sa...

SOUTH CHATHAM — Crossing the threshold of Baker’s Hardware on Main Street in South Chatham is akin to stepping into a bygone era. A little bell above the front door and a warm nod from the store’s owner, Bob Baker, greet you.  “We have a little bit of everything,” chuckles Baker, who enjoys stocking the store with childhood classics like Balsa wood glider planes. Batteries and light bulbs, paint brushes and te...

“We are either related to or we know probably 90 percent of the people here,” laughs Chatham native Winnie Lear.  Winnie and husband Bob, full time residents of Chatham's Old Village, are about as deeply involved in the community as two people can be. From the Chatham Conservation Foundation to the Chatham Historical Commission, the Eldredge Library board of trustees to the board of the Orpheum Theatre, from t...