CHATHAM – The Women of Fishing Families (WOFF) will sponsor the annual Blessing of the Fleet at the fish pier on Saturday, May 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Rev. Brian McGurk of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church and Amy Middleton of the First Congregational Church will lead the ceremony with a blessing for fishermen, their crews and their boats for a safe fishing season. There will be performances by bagpiper Sa...

CHATHAM – In 2014 a population study began aimed at getting a better sense of just how many white sharks are in the waters off Cape Cod. Since then more than 320 individual white sharks have been identified. Proving a big help to renowned shark researcher Dr. Greg Skomal and the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy have been vibrant yellow buoys affixed with acoustic receivers. Not only has the time come for the f...

CHATHAMPORT — Once again this year, the Chatham Marconi Maritime Center will soon be hosting a special guest. Princess Elettra Marconi Giovanelli, daughter of the famed inventor and station founder Guglielmo Marconi, is visiting from Italy from May 30 to June 4, and will take part in a number of events at the center. The princess will visit students at Monomoy Regional Middle School on Wednesday afternoon fo...

CHATHAM — Thomas R. “Tim” Pennypacker, II, is being remembered as a caring neighbor, as the officiant at countless marriages, as a lover of local history, and as a plain-talking politician with a strong sense of duty toward his community. Mr. Pennypacker died Sunday at the age of 73, shortly after having been diagnosed with cancer. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family,” Board of Selectmen Chairm...

CHATHAM – After the state refused to allow them to build a revetment to protect their $3.9 million home, a Shore Road couple is proposing an innovative shoreline stabilization project that could serve as a state-wide model. Lisa and James McGonigle are seeking permission from the conservation commission to install a “living shoreline” at the base of the coastal bank at 498 Shore Rd. The project involves the cr...

CHATHAM – Two familiar faces and one newcomer won seats on the board of selectmen in last Tuesday's annual town election. Incumbents Dean Nicastro and Cory Metters each won a second three-year term on the board, while planning board chairman Peter Cocolis captured a one-year seat left vacant by the resignation of Amanda Love. Metters topped the voting for the two three-year terms with 1,251, followed by Nic...

CHATHAM — With modest improvements at the boat ramp and a small park on the adjacent Marconi triangle, the latest $1.6 million plan for the Ryder’s Cove town landing has won preliminary approval from selectmen. Unlike previous plans, which called for a new parking lot with an entry from Route 28 and other amenities, the current proposal focuses on repairing the deteriorating bulkhead, installing new floats, ...

CHATHAM — Thanks to the volunteers of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, visitors to Chatham Light this summer will get the chance to learn some history while enjoying the best view in town. The annual public tours of the lighthouse, held most Wednesdays from 1 to 3:30 p.m. during the summer months, start June 6. Special tours will also be held on June 16 and 17 during Chatham’s History Weekend. Admission is free...

CHATHAM — Judging by the numbers of seniors living here, one might assume that the Lower Cape is a pretty attractive place to grow old. But for many elders, the high cost of living, the lack of housing and transportation make it difficult to stay here and age with independence. Chatham has now joined Orleans and other Cape towns in seeking a state designation as a regional “Age-friendly” community. Demogr...

HARWICH – Summertime is a popular shopping season on Cape Cod, and now visitors to the a local store can not only purchase something special, but also know that with their purchase they'll be supporting a new nonprofit that aims to help local kids. Sativa has joined forces with jewelry maker Chavez for Charity and the Harwich Children's Fund/Friends of Harwich Youth for a bracelet sale fundraiser aimed at rais...

HARWICH — Selectmen voted Monday night to approve a 2 percent pay increase for Town Administrator Christopher Clark based on his annual evaluation. Selectmen spent a portion of two meetings discussing the evaluation process and only briefly referred to the substance of the evaluation. The second session was necessary because two of the board members had not filed their evaluations, admitting to some confusion ...

Cody Doyle wanted to be a police officer, but working as an intern in the Harwich Fire Department changed his plans. “I got into this and I liked it a lot more,” said the Monomoy Regional High School senior, who will attend Southern Maine Community College in the fall to study fire science. That's just one example of the impact of Monomoy's School to Careers community internship program, which marked the co...

HARWICH — As the summer season approaches, business owners in Harwich Port are becoming concerned about the availability of parking. Although parking has always been an issue in the village, some people see conditions being further exacerbated by recent development. Efforts are underway to identify additional parking. Relining of one parking area created more than a dozen new spots, and vacant land behind the ...

HARWICH PORT — It's been eight months since Bonatt's Bakery and Restaurant closed its doors, and it has been difficult to find a hearty breakfast in the village ever since. But that will be changing when Capeside Kitchen opens its doors in the location on Thursday. “We've been coming to Bonatt's our entire lives and we're excited to continue the traditions of providing breakfasts and lunches with new additions...

HARWICH PORT – Construction is changing the face of Harwich Port. The Harwich Port Commons in the center of the village, the Saquatucket Harbor project down the road and the development of an 18-room health care center for Outer Cape Health Services, Inc. across Route 28 are contributing to changes in the streetscape. In the center of the village, construction is well underway for Harwich Port Commons, a 12...

HARWICH — With the deadline approaching for the Housing Assistance Corporation's Big Fix program planned for September, town officials are looking for eligible clients to take advantage of volunteer assistance with small home repair, landscaping and yard clean up projects. The HAC program will provide one day of volunteer services to assist veterans, seniors and disabled homeowners with needed projects. HAC ha...