The Lower Cape economy relies heavily on guest workers from Eastern Europe, the Caribbean and other parts of the world, but with strict limits on the H-2B visa program – and a shortage of housing – local employers always seem to be scrambling for more staff. “I know the Cape, as a whole, is concerned,” Harwich Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cyndi Williams said. Though she hasn’t heard specific problems...

CHATHAM – The Chatham Drama Guild (CDG) is ready to celebrate its facelift in public. During a festive gala on April 22 everyone can admire the CDG’s new stage, buffed floors, painted walls and new bathroom fixtures as well as see a sneak preview of “The Miracle Worker.” “At 85 years it deserves a makeover,” says CDG Vice President Pamela Banas of Orleans who spearheaded the two-month project. “I am so enth...

Mastering techniques of theater and art as a way of aging artfully is the aim of two new free courses at the Chatham Council On Aging (COA) this spring. “The World’s a Stage,” a drama workshop series and “Artful Aging” art classes will both begin later this month. “Seniors have to use their creativity and imagination more because of limitations life and fate impose on us,” says Elsa Bastone of Chatham, who ...

NORTH HARWICH — When it comes to fighting high blood pressure or diabetes, most people know the importance of a healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. But healthy eating isn't always easy, since fresh produce can be expensive and junk food seems to be everywhere around us. A collaboration between the Family Pantry of Cape Cod and the Barnstable County Public Health Nurses is finding creative solut...

Captain Scott MacAllister has just spent weeks indoors putting an enormous amount of time, energy and money into his boat, F/V Carol Marie, but he did it happily remembering late last fall … He was in the throes of groundfish season and had been working 16-hour days, barely sleeping during the hours he had before waking up in the middle of the night to set off from the Chatham Fish Pier once again. So he ...

EAST HARWICH — When it comes to purchasing their dream vacation home on Cape Cod, buyers are fickle – and they’re not interested in fixer-uppers. That’s the message from real estate agent Tony Guthrie, who is holding an informational seminar for potential sellers. Guthrie works with real estate agent Sharon Mabile for Robert Paul Properties, and said the seminar aims to share some inside information with sel...

Father Joseph Towle of Harwich gazes through the front window of the West Chatham Dunkin’ Donuts and across Route 28 to a cluster of four Habitat for Humanity homes where he worked until last fall, when the houses were completed. “I think it’s great because we’re hammering nails and cutting board but there’s a greater vision,” he says. “Building a more just society would be the secular way of looking at it. So...

CHATHAM — At about 7:20 a.m. on a gray Thursday morning it’s 42 degrees and sprinkling when members of the Chatham Walkers convene in the breezy parking lot overlooking Oyster Pond. Bill Horrocks, a walker since 1994, is the first to arrive for the thrice-weekly three-mile walk. Over the next five minutes others drift in, including June Herold, one of this month’s walk leaders. “It’s fairly mild,” she say...

If you work at home you may miss, from time to time, the companionship and collegiality of co-workers. The Pants Factory at 101 Route 6A in Orleans, which just passed its eight-month mark since opening on June 1, offers a shared work space. And with it comes a community without the usual office politics. “People who work remotely are decentralized. People miss a bit of community,” says Andrew Stern who, wit...

Imagine this: EMTs arrive at a resident’s home only to be locked outside even as they can see the resident lying on the floor helpless inside the house. That’s not a situation that anyone wants to contemplate. But putting into place two simple elements—a key box to allow the fire department to enter and the File of Life form to bring the EMS crew up to speed on the senior’s health – can save lives. Let’s sa...

It seems the news lately is filled with stories about healthy young people who suddenly fell ill from influenza and died in a matter of days. The flu risk is real and problematic, but experts say the danger needs to be kept in perspective. This year’s influenza strain is of the H3N2 variant, which gained fame in 1968 as the source of the Hong Kong flu pandemic. The problem is that the vaccine produced for this...

Unlike many towns on Cape Cod, Chatham has always been home to one or more small grocery stores and has never lost its customers to the big chains. “Small local grocery stores are very important,” says Scott MacDonald, one of the owners of Chatham Village Market. “It’s necessary for the town. It’s not just a convenience. It works with those who need a home delivery.” Local home deliveries are just $5...