SOUTH HARWICH — When the public park at Ryder’s Cove is finally built, there will be two comfortable places for visitors to stop and reflect, thanks to the volunteer woodworkers of the Chatham-Harwich Newcomers Club. The men are putting the finishing touches on two custom-made mahogany benches to be installed once the park is ready. Earlier this year, town meeting appropriated $79,000 to clear invasive species...

CHATHAM — The U.S. Coast Guard will soon be removing the “C” buoy, the main offshore navigational aid marking Chatham Harbor. And that’s raising a red flag with local mariners. Updating the waterways advisory committee last week, Harbormaster Stuart Smith said the Coast Guard published the decision in the lengthy Notice to Mariners, but no one took notice until he received a call from the chief of the cutter a...

CHATHAM – In 1985, artist Debbie Hearle and her husband Ron took a chance and bought an 1850s-era building at 488 Main St. and opened a gallery. They'd never operated one before, but felt the opportunity was just too good to pass up. “We teamed up to do it,” Debbie Hearle said, adding that their two boys, pre-teens at the time, also pitched in. Thirty-five years later, the Hearle Gallery is a Main Street ma...

CHATHAM – Residents who live near a proposed solar array on Middle Road are concerned about the impact of the facility on their quiet neighborhood, and recently asked the planning board for more time to study the plans before issuing site plan approval. The board concurred, noting that members had quite a few questions about details of the project. “It's very clear we need a lot more information,” said Chai...

CHATHAM — Though it would require a regulatory sea change to accomplish, a proposal to use parts of Nantucket Sound off South Chatham as a shellfish grow-out area has sparked some tentative interest. Stephen Wright, who co-owns Chatham Shellfish Company with John Richards, made a presentation to the waterways advisory committee last week, saying they are seeking to establish an experimental grow-out area in a ...

CHATHAM — As any seasoned First Night reveler will tell you, Chatham’s family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration wouldn’t be the same without music. But this year, they’re striking up the band like never before. Inspired by new musical acts like Chicago Total Access, a Chicago tribute band; Beatles tribute band Studio Two; and rock band The Placeholders, First Night organizers chose “Strike Up the Band” as th...

CHATHAM – In 1998, the chamber of commerce was notified that Chatham was one of several towns in the state not represented at the State House with its own flag. The chamber sponsored a contest to come up with a town flag design; 23 artists submitted 63 different designs for consideration. The winning design—the Chatham Twin Lights and Coast Guard Station in a field of blue, with a cod, lobster, scallop and cla...

CHATHAM — Educators know that a key way to boost school performance in older children is to encourage reading, almost any kind of reading, when they’re young. So in Chatham, they’ve found a new way to bring the books to the kids. As part of the Monomoy School District’s effort to encourage early childhood literacy, school officials and volunteers have installed a Little Free Library at Lake Street Terrace, a C...

CHATHAM — For 24-year-old Summer Fulcher, her husband Jimmylee and their two young children, New Year’s Day will be more than just the start of a new year. It’s the beginning of a new life. The four will be moving into a new home on Crowell Road, the newest addition to an innovative housing program in town. “It’ll be perfect,” Summer said. Because it’s New Year’s Day, both she and her husband get the day of...

CHATHAM – In 2002, Polly Goddard's nephew Will was stationed in Kuwait with the U.S. Army awaiting the start of the Iraq war. His brother, Parker, then 13, was looking for a way to boost Will's spirits, and after a chat with his aunt, an idea was born that has become a heartfelt tradition. As Goddard explained, Parker had been assigned a school service project but didn't have a clue what would work. He and his...

CHATHAM — One of the largest crowds ever seen at Chatham's Christmas By The Sea turned out last Friday evening for the annual light parade and tree lighting. Led by Santa and the Send the Love student carolers, who were raising money for essentials for Cape kids in need, the procession created a festive scene down Main Street as it wound its way to Kate Gould Park, where Santa helped light the tree before hearing...

Benefits The Family Pantry Of Cape Cod Donations of every size, large and small, enable The Chronicle’s Helping Neighbors campaign to provide important support for the Family Pantry of Cape Cod. But sometimes, an individual’s generosity is worth highlighting. Support Helping Neighbors Helping Neighbors i...