CHATHAM – With autumn temperatures sweeping in over the past week, the Pumpkin People aren't be far behind. Sponsored by the Chatham Merchants Association, Pumpkin People in the Park is the annual display set up in Kate Gould Park centered around – what else – pumpkins. Business, non-profit organizations and individuals sponsor a Pumpkin Person, creating a scenario that, in the past, have ranged from simple to...

CHATHAM — In an assertion of the town's legal “sovereign immunity” to legal nuisance claims, the board of selectmen has voted to appeal a recent Barnstable Superior Court ruling to the Massachusetts Appeals Court, over the issue of skydiving. Following Judge Robert Rufo's Sept. 13 ruling that skydiving opponents can proceed with their legal effort to block skydiving at the Chatham airport, Town Counsel Patrick...

CHATHAM — Volunteering with a nonprofit group, Chatham contractor John Marsh recently traveled to Haiti to build a simple home for a needy family and to share modern construction tips with local builders. But by the end of the adventure, he knew that he was the one who'd received the education. “I'm not a world traveler,” said 34-year-old Marsh. A manager with Eastward Homes, the family business, he admitted...

CHATHAM – The battle for jurisdiction over the waters west of the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge may be headed to court. Attorney General Maura Healey announced Tuesday that she has notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of her office's intention to file a lawsuit against the federal government to confirm state ownership of more than 4,000 acres of water and submerged land in Nantucket Sound west of the...

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Tuesday that she intends to file suit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to confirm the state's ownership of thousands of acres of submerged lands bordering the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. “Communities in Massachusetts have led the country in protecting marine ecosystems while supporting a modern and robust fishing and shellfishing industry,” ...

CHATHAM — In an assertion of the town's “sovereign immunity” to legal nuisance claims, the board of selectmen has voted to appeal a recent Barnstable Superior Court ruling to the Massachusetts Appeals Court, over the issue of skydiving. Following Judge Robert Rufo's Sept. 13 ruling that skydiving opponents can proceed with their legal effort to block skydiving at the Chatham airport, Town Counsel Patrick Coste...

Ray A. Durkee, 67, a lifelong resident of Chatham passed away with his wife by his side on September 21, 2016 at Cape Cod Hospital after fighting a long and courageous battle against cancer.           Born April 21, 1949 in Hyannis, he was raised in Chatham and graduated from Chatham High School. He then enlisted in the US Army where he proudly served his country serving ...

FUNERAL NOTICE Karen B. Johnson of Chatham died on May 27, 2016.  A Celebration of Life service will be held for her at the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 310 Route 137 in Harwich on Saturday, October 01, 2016 at 1:00  PM.

Cynthia Brainerd Snow McCormack, age 80, of Harwich passed away peacefully on September 21, 2016 surrounded by family and loved ones.              She was the beloved daughter of the late Henry Nicholas and Helen (Farwell) Snow and sister of Charles Henry Snow of Natick and the late Faith Ann Snow of Islington.  She was the beloved wife of the late Vincent Paul McCormack for over 45 years, the beloved mother o...

Frank Joseph Aldrich, 72 years old died peacefully on Wednesday September 21, 2016 at the McCarthy Care Center.  After being diagnosed with cancer in late December 2015 his unwavering faith in God, the love, devotion and prayers of family and friends, and his acceptance of God's will sustained him for nine months.           Born on March 6, 1944 in Denver, Colo. to Frank and Norma Fantoni Aldrich, he grew up i...

CHATHAM — Few local issues in recent memory have been more divisive than the debate over the West Chatham roadway redesign. But there was plenty of common ground in last week's meeting on how the corridor should be landscaped. The state's plan to install trees, shrubs and grasses along the renovated stretch Route 28 between George Ryder Road and Barn Hill Road is good, but more landscaping would further enha...

CHATHAM – Jacqueline Zibrat-Long is the town's newest representative on the Monomoy Regional School Committee. In a joint meeting last Thursday, the board of selectmen and Chatham members of the school committee elected Zibrat-Long to fill the unexpired term of Amy Middleton, who recently resigned. Zibrat-Long was chosen in a 5-2 vote over a second applicant, Linda Kelley. Zibrat-Long ran unsuccessfully for...

CHATHAM – Buttons for this year's First Night celebration, with the theme “ Light Up The Town,” go on sale at several locations beginning Oct. 8. The button admits wearers to a wide variety of events and performances, including concerts, children’s activities, even a circus. Information on performers and events is available at the First Night Chatham website (www.firstnightchatham.com), which will be updated ...

On Monday afternoon roughly three miles off the shores of South Monomoy Island, a vessel rocked slowly on gentle swells as those on board peered eagerly at the water, hoping for one thing: the slice of a fin through the waves. Unfortunately, it was a shark-free day aboard the OCEARCH shark research boat, but the day provided an opportunity for guests joining the crew to learn a bit about what goes on “out there.”...

CHATHAM — When it comes to senior citizens' housing needs, there's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution. That was the message the planning board heard from elder advocates last week. In a rare joint meeting with the council on aging board of directors last Tuesday, the planning board posed a series of questions designed to help them consider zoning changes that would encourage the development of sen...

CHATHAM – Efforts are underway to improve the playground behind the elementary school on Depot Road, beginning with the installation of a well and irrigation system early next month. The longer term project will eventually involve upgrading the existing playground equipment, but for now officials are concentrating on making the playing field on the east side of the school more usable. Currently the area is cov...