We note with sadness the passing of Ira Seldin, member of the parks and recreation commission and husband of the late Dr. Florence Seldin. Mr. Seldin was an involved citizen who had thoughtful opinions about the topics that matter to Chatham. He was a voice of reason and often advocated common sense. And he had a playful sense of humor. In covering sometimes mundane town hall news, The Chronicle’s reporters oc...

We’re firmly in the holiday season now. The Thanksgiving leftovers are mostly a memory, Santa Claus has arrived on the Lower Cape by boat, fire truck and helicopter, and we’re rapidly approaching the time when “last minute gift ideas” become appealing. That means that we’re in the thick of our annual holiday Helping Neighbors campaign to support the Family Pantry of Cape Cod. And happily, you and other readers...

Don't Bite That Hand! Editor: The article by Ryan Bray covering the Orleans consideration of a tax discount for certain year-around residents is both inequitable and illogical. While allowed under the Commonwealth statutes, it allows one class of property owners to stick it to another. Such selective discounting of property taxes for year-around residents is now in place in other towns such as Provincetown,...

Other Expenses Are Priority Editor: As far as I can tell, nobody except one person approves of renaming the old Harwich Middle School, previously the Harwich Cultural Center, to 204 Sisson St. Now we are told by The Chronicle that a $1.9 million upgrade proposed for 204 Sisson is necessary.  Increased revenues from hopefully $214,00 programming fees are expected to cover the taxpayer's expenses. I am l...

To paraphrase a former president, who knew housing could be so complicated? Well, just about anyone who's tried to buy, build or otherwise secure housing in the current market. It's a cumbersome, difficult, frustrating process whether trying to buy a starter home or find a simple rental. And the situation gets even more complex when housing is being pursued by a municipality. We don't have to get into the d...

While walking her dog in the woods near the bike trail off Queen Anne Road in Harwich Monday, a friend was startled to run into hunters — not just one or two, but 10, all toting rifles and apparently seeking deer. She'd never seen hunters in the area before, despite walking there often over many years. The hunters were polite and warned her that she should be wearing bright colors, since it was hunting season. Sh...

Theater Program Builds Community Editor: There is nothing better than a live performance that is so powerful it stays with you days afterwards. BoldCo’s “Tiny Beautiful Things” was that performance for me. BoldCo is a brand-new educational troupe for adults over 55, launched by Cape Rep Theatre under the direction of Julie Allen Hamilton. BoldCo joins the wildly successful YoCo and VetCo programs that all of...

Great Pumpkin Sale Editor: Thank you to all who made the pumpkin sales such a great success this year at the First Congregational Church in Chatham. Thank you to all who helped unload the truck full of pumpkins and to those who sat in the pumpkin patch selling pumpkins. A huge thank you to Scott Hamilton for his tireless efforts in organizing the fund raising and keeping track of the sales. The procee...

It’s hard to remember a time when society was more polarized. Whether the issue is your pick for president, your stance on a town project, your fiscal priorities or your position on social justice issues, it seems there’s little gray area left. In other words, if your neighbor doesn’t share your views, he’s part of the problem. That’s hogwash. Despite what you’ll hear from candidates, political zealots or p...

We have fond memories of Cap't Cass Rock Harbor Seafood. Its lobster rolls were for years the best on the Lower Cape, full of fresh lobster meat with little filler and just the right amount of mayo. But for many, the food was secondary to the ambiance. You want Old Cape Cod? It was there in spades, from the checkerboard tablecloths to the colorful buoys hanging on the side of the small, weathered-shingle building...

It was years ago now, but once upon a time quite a few iconic local businesses that are now open year round closed their doors right after Labor Day. Chatham Bars Inn, the Chatham Squire, Cape Sea Grille and the Chatham Wayside are among the many businesses that made the jump from seasonal to year round, benefiting the local community by generating much needed off-season economic activity and employing local folk...

Shame For Not Voting Editor: So, the election is over, and maybe your candidates won or maybe they did not. Maybe the votes on the public questions went the way you had hoped, or maybe they did not. But if things didn't turn out as you had hoped and you didn't vote even though you could have, keep your mouth shut! Yes, you have the right of free speech and can legally voice your dissatisfaction, but if you ...