The winds had been strong for days; maybe that was why there was so much debris on our beach. A small section of the shoreline was littered with dozens of weathered boards and driftwood. Up ahead I spied what looked like a seal pup; as I got closer I realized it was a huge ball of tangled boat lines. The ebb and flow of tides is so predictable, yet so fickle in what they choose to steal from us and spit out later...

Cooperative Effort Warms The Heart Editor: It warmed my cold winter heart to read your Dec. 29 piece “Chatham Selectmen Back Eldredge Garage Purchase” and learn that there is such remarkable private/pubic cooperation on acquiring this property for the town.  I urge the selectmen to arrange the financing as soon as possible so that all Chathamites and visitors can avail themselves of this in-town treasure ...

Tomorrow is Twelfth Night, the last day of the traditional Christmas season, but for many the holidays ended last Tuesday. Today we might feel relief that the tree has been untrimmed and the outside lights taken down. All that is left for us to do is address (or ignore) our New Year’s resolutions, decide which gifts to keep, return, exchange, or repurpose, and await the arrival of January’s credit card bills. ...

Questions Plans For Historic Home Editor: The house at 271 Stage Harbor Rd. was a second home of sorts for me. That's why I was upset though not surprised when I read that the new owners want to demolish it. It took a strong stomach to watch their attorney nonchalantly claim that the present house doesn't fit in with the needs of their family. There was also a ridiculous assertion that the house is unliv...

More than a few people are anxious about the coming year. After the nasty tenor of the presidential election and given the toxic political environment and the lack of anything much of a positive nature on the national level, we're keeping our gaze fixed on what's right in front of us – in the communities we call home – as a way to nurture inspiration and hope. In Chatham, we are encouraged by recent discussion...

Use Freedom Of Speech Now Editor: I do not know Tom Johnson, Sr., but he speaks truth when he tells us to “speak out”(Chronicle, Dec. 15) How right he is! President-elect Trump is traveling the country, gloating about his win,  with the same noxious rants that he had during the  campaign to large meetings of his base corps, the “deplorables” who still chant “put her in jail.” Encouraged then and now to b...

It's the time of year to look back and remember not only the events of the past year, as we do in this issue, but also the community members to whom we bid adieu. Our region is blessed with a population of interesting, engaged folks, some of whom have astonishing backgrounds that often don't come to light until we read about it in their obituary. From financial wizards to fishermen, architects to art dealers, we ...

Thanks to your generosity and a last-minute surge in donations, the Chronicle's Helping Neighbors campaign has raised more than $39,755 for the Family Pantry of Cape Cod this year. We're proud and thankful for our readers who have contributed to the campaign, which helps the Pantry put food on the table for Cape Codders in need. But we won't gloss over the fact that, having set a $60,000 goal for this year's e...

Christmas At The Marconi Editor: We at Chatham Marconi Maritime Center delayed our usual seasonal hibernation to participate in Chatham’s Christmas Stroll weekend by decorating our “Hotel Nautilus” as it might have appeared at Christmas in the early 1900s.  We wish to thank the volunteers and supporters who generously gave their time and resources to make it possible.  Many visitors came to enjoy their hand...

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year With the kids jingle belling And everyone telling you be of good cheer It’s the most wonderful time of the year”  Andy Williams was right, Christmas and New Year’s in Chatham is the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas in Chatham, with families celebrating together, is terrific. And Chatham’s First Night is as good as it gets, anywhere. And since...

Questions Legality Of 'Training' Session Editor: Unbelievable that a member(s) of our board of selectmen, as well as the airport commission, participated Monday in yet another closed meeting not even listed on the town website! Unbelievable that the FAA would call this so-called “training” meeting at the firehouse (!) to secretly discuss airport “grant assurances,” the underlying issue to do with the sky...

Waves barely made the slightest lap on the shore. It was a day without gulls. Ducks cruised the surface instead. The wind out of the northwest was barely a breath. Good for it, too, as the temperature had registered only 19 degrees Fahrenheit when I checked my phone this morning. Barely half an hour had crept by from my house to getting coffee to parking at the lighthouse and walking over to the stairs to the ...