As of Monday, more than 330,000 Americans had died of COVID-19. That's more than one in 1,000 citizens and more than twice the number of deaths as India, a country with a population of 1.3 billion. That is beyond tragic; it is unimaginable and unforgivable. As we look back at those we lost during 2020, that number looms over everything. Locally we have escaped a high death toll from the novel coronavirus, but ...

Applaud Ban On Nip Bottles Editor: I think the last thing that folks want, who drink and drive, is to be caught driving impaired with an open container in their car. Nips provide a convenient way for so many drivers to avoid that. I applaud those communities on the Cape who recognize that and have instituted a ban on the sale of nips. Let's hope Harwich joins them. Karen Goggins  East Harwich   ...

Anyone who has lived in Chatham for more than 10 years will remember the heated controversy surrounding the merging of the Chatham and Harwich school districts, which narrowly passed in Chatham. This wasn’t the first time the concept of regionalization was proposed, but at the time Chatham was faced with serious declining enrollment, and Harwich was in need of a new high school facility estimated to cost $40 m...

The holidays are a time of transition, as families gather to celebrate and appreciate each other and the changes that have taken place in the past year. This year, the transitions are especially significant. It's not likely you can find anyone who hasn't had a major change in their life during the past year. Routines were upended, jobs were shifted – or, unfortunately for many, lost – schooling altered, and...

Chatham Turkey Trot Thanks Editor: Because of you, the first virtual Turkey Trot was a huge success. Even though the day was damp, we had many runners and walkers out on Thanksgiving morning. We thank all of you who sponsored us at a time when there are so many people who have been affected by the covid virus. This has been a strange year and we certainly appreciate the loving kindness our community has sha...

“ And three hours later a big fat PBY comes down and starts to pick us up. You know that was the time I was most frightened? Waitin’ for my turn. I’ll never put on a lifejacket again.” – Captain Quint, “Jaws” It was warm again this past Friday. The trend of milder winters seemed to be carrying through for a third straight year. Perhaps that was too early a call, it not yet being on the other side of the winte...

Lauds Contributions Of Chronicle's Szmit Editor: On behalf of the Monomoy Regional School Committee, I extend my deepest gratitude for the extraordinary work done by Kat Szmit in her role as a sports reporter for The Cape Cod Chronicle.  Kat has been a beacon of light in our community, always seen on the sidelines at our sporting events – taking photos, following the games, keeping up with stats, intervi...

As the holidays draw closer, we encourage readers to consider giving to local organizations combating the fallout of the pandemic. Many of our neighbors are looking at grim winters as restaurants close, shops curtail hours and services such as landscaping cut back as the temperatures plunge. With vaccines being rolled out with all speed, the future is beginning to look a bit brighter, but as they saying goes, it'...

Orleans Charter Com Needs Input Editor: How well is Orleans town government working for you? Do you have any ideas to improve it? This is your opportunity to share those ideas and tell us what you think. Orleans has a home rule charter, a framework for its governance. Once every seven years a charter review committee (CRC) is appointed by the select board “to review the provisions of the charter and repo...

The pages of this week’s paper are filled with distressing news about the pandemic. We’re in the midst of what public health officials call a “surge upon a surge,” with new cases spread at Thanksgiving gatherings being added to the seasonal surge associated with the onset of cold weather. But at long last, after months of bleak uncertainty, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Vaccines are being rushed t...

Rein In Airport Commission Editor: The Chatham Airport Commission has submitted a proposed plan to the FAA which apparently has not been publicly posted, presented or approved. Gale Associates say that the five-year plan requires 22 easements. However, the Airport Layout Plan (ALP), a definitive document, includes the original 46 avigation easements and a ruinous 40:1 surface for instrument departures, whic...

The future of Chatham Elementary School requires extensive discussion and some deep soul searching on the part of residents, town and school officials. Nothing should be off the table; the future of the Monomoy Regional School District is at stake. Enrollment in the lower grades in the Monomoy district has been declining for several years, with Chatham Elementary leading the way. This year there is a single ki...