A few weeks ago my rent was raised. While a financial setback for me, I realized after pondering it for a time that it would be, and is likely, a nightmare for others. It's no secret that Cape Cod has a housing problem, and it's time to fix it. But it starts in a place most might not have considered: the mind. For as long as I've lived on this beautiful but complex peninsula there has been a stigma attached to...

HARWICH ─ It's been quite a run for the Monomoy girls varsity softball team, which played its way recently into the Div. 3 South Semifinals with a commanding 10-0 shutout of Upper Cape last Thursday, followed by an equally stellar 5-1 victory against Bristol-Plymouth on Monday. The wins mark the first time the Sharks have not only won in the post-season, but advanced, with the No. 3 seeded team poised at pre...

SOUTH YARMOUTH ─ It was an afternoon of long volleys and lots of anxiety for the Monomoy girls tennis team, but in the end the Sharks prevailed, defeating Bourne 4-1 to earn their way to the Div. 3 South Semifinals for the first time in school history, and it was due in part to the success of a team freshman. Monomoy pulled ahead 2-0 when first singles player Carly Donovan and the second doubles team of H...

EAST BRIDGEWATER – The Monomoy girls golf team finished their 2017 season with an overall record of 9-5 and came in fourth place at the South Sectionals last week, with team member Maddie Leonard qualifying to play in the state finals next Wednesday. Leonard shot a 90, which allows her to take part in the state tournament taking place at the Heritage Country Club in Charlton. “Maddie is an incredibly gifted...

CHATHAM – Tom Patton didn't serve on the town's bikeways committee for long, but he had a long history of enthusiasm for bicycling. On Monday, a crowd gathered at new bicycle racks next to the downtown information booth to remember Mr. Patton and dedicate the new racks to his memory. A small silver plaque declares that the bike racks are “In memory of Tom Patton, Bicycle Enthusiast.” Mr. Patton passed away ...

CHATHAM — When it comes to offshore emergencies, the go-to agency is – and always has been – the U.S. Coast Guard. But when boaters get into trouble in shallow water, the crew of Station Chatham has been up the creek, thanks to the size and design of their three 42-foot nearshore lifeboats. That's all about to change. Station Chatham has just received a 24-foot shallow-draft rescue boat capable of operating...

CHATHAM – As the large truck crept slowly along Champlain Road, Gwyn Brittigan didn't see a 250-year-old building, partially covered by a tarp, perched precariously on the flatbed. She saw her new home. “I just love old houses,” she said as workmen scrambled to trim branches and lift wires out of the way of the historic house. It took most of the afternoon last Wednesday to get the house from 181 Champlain ...

SOUTH CHATHAM – Residents gathered at the historic South Chatham Village Hall Saturday to hear about the possibility of establishing National Historic Register District running from the South Chatham Cemetery at the Harwich town line to Cockle Cove Road. Local historic commission chair Frank Messina worked with Cape Cod Commission preservation specialist Sarah Korjeff and Eric Dray, a historical preservation c...

CHATHAM – Chatham Municipal Airport is holding its fourth annual Open House on Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 2p.m. "Planes, Trains and Automobiles” is the theme of the event, which includes general aviation aircraft displays, working model railroad displays by Nauset Model Railroad Club, as well as antique and collectible cars from Model A Club of Cape Cod, Alfa Romeo club, and many local collectors.  Addit...

CHATHAM – The frenzy surrounding the Cape's great white sharks is perfectly captured by this Saturday's FINomenal Fest. For the third year, the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy and Mass Audubon's Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary are sponsoring the free event, held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The focus is on shark research and education and finding ways to help preserve the ocean's ecology. “FINomenal Fest will f...

CHATHAM — With its plan to extend the sewer system to all areas of town, Chatham has set the stage to remove more nitrogen from certain waterways than state regulators require. Under one provision being explored as part of a Pleasant Bay watershed permit, that excess capacity could translate to cold, hard cash. As part of their own plans to remove nitrogen from the bay, Orleans, Harwich and Brewster might be...

HARWICH ─ For the blue-clad graduates of Monomoy Regional High School, their June 4 commencement was all at once a look back at the past mixed with hopes for the future as speakers recalled the mile-long main hallway of Harwich High, where many started their journey as freshmen, and the transition to Monomoy while wishing their fellow graduates success going forward. Valedictorian Colleen Cronin called upon ...

HARWICH — The town's newly approved housing production plan recommends hiring a part-time housing coordinator to assist with addressing housing needs. Housing Committee Chairman Arthur Bodin was before selectmen Monday night seeking support for the position. Bodin said his committee fully supports hiring a coordinator, pointing out no current town staff position addresses the housing issue. The need to hire...

As they do each spring, students at Harwich Elementary enjoyed a fun field day last week. Organized by physical education teacher Kate Serafini, the event included a variety of outdoor activities with lots of laughs. Click here for a gallery of photos

HARWICH — Selectmen on Monday night provided a new charge for the Station 2 Renovation/Rehabilitation Committee, which will enter the architectural/engineering design phase for the East Harwich fire station over the next several months. The committee was working with an ad hoc group of town staff in shaping the renovation/rehabilitation plans for the 40-year-old station near the intersection of Routes 137 and ...