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...

CHATHAM — At the request of local business owners, selectmen this week rejected a proposal that would have put in place a one-month detour allowing only westbound traffic through the West Chatham Roadway Project construction zone. The decision will spare stores and restaurants in the area from the detour, which some claim would kill business, but it is also likely to add another year to the project. Roadway...

CHATHAM — Richard Clifford, perhaps best known locally as the creator of the Countdown Cod sculpture that helps Chatham celebrate New Year’s Eve each year, has died at the age of 76. A trained engineer and landscape architect, Mr. Clifford made a career working for the Connecticut state parks department before retiring to his Chatham vacation home with wife Judi in 1997. In retirement, he was a founding member...

CHATHAM – There's no stopping the Cookie Express. The annual holiday event sponsored by the First Congregational Church, which stops at the Chatham Congregational Church this Saturday, Dec. 14, has been chugging along for many years, perhaps two or three decades, first as part of a church Christmas fair, and on its own for at least the past 15 years. What's crystal clear, however, is that its ongoing popularit...

CHATHAM – Taking action ahead of a new state law set to go into effect June 1, the board of health last week approved regulations banning the retail sale of all flavored tobacco products in town. Last summer the board banned flavored tobacco sales in regular retail stores, but allowed the sales in adult-only smoke shops. The latest revision of the town's tobacco control regulations, slated to go into effect Ja...

Run, run Rudolph, Santa has to make it to town Santa make him hurry, tell him he can take the freeway down Run, run Rudolph, reeling like a merry-go-round – Chuck Berry, “Run Run Rudolph” CHATHAM – There will be a lot of Rudolphs running in downtown Saturday thanks to a new event that's been added to this weekend's 41 st annual Christmas By The Sea celebration. “Rudolph's Flight” takes off on ...

CHATHAM — When it comes to shaping the airport master plan, it’s not enough for airport commissioners to accept public comment before forging ahead with their vision; they need to seriously consider public concerns. That was the message from the board of selectmen this week, which said the process for vetting the plan has been flawed from the outset. “I think you guys think you’re inclusive, but it doesn’t ...

CHATHAM – The historical commission is looking at using zoning incentives—and disincentives—to encourage preservation of historical structures. Possible changes to the zoning bylaw include flexibility in dimensional regulations, allowing smaller lots than allowed to be created for historic structures and restrictions on lots where historic structures are not preserved. The concepts grew out of work the Cape...