Chatham Living by the Sea - 2024 Fall/Winter Issue

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72 Faces of Chatham: Giving Back

Tony Guthrie, Sandy Wycoff, Ginny Nickerson and Kim Roderiques share a common thread: They find the time to help in meaningful ways that make a big difference in the Cape Cod community.

82 Dazzling Dahlias

A day in the life of Sara Pells at Chatham Bars Inn Farm involves caring for about 1,800 of the beloved blooms.

90 A Crimson Harvest

For the Ross family, managing several South Chatham cranberry bogs is a labor of love. 99 Cranberry Delights

Chatham chefs serve up sweet and savory recipes to enjoy all season long.

108 Welcome Aboard!

Step back in time on the Tall Ship Lynx, an interpretation of an 1812 privateer recently docked at Stage Harbor, as we combine modern fashion with the timeless allure of maritime heritage.

135 For the Love of Horseshoe Crabs

The horseshoe crab provides inspiration for nature lovers, craftsmen and artists alike and is a beloved symbol around town.

142 Rooms with a Viewpoint

Chatham homeowners enjoy kicking back and sharing their unique man-cave/she-shed sanctuaries with friends and family.

FEATURES

150 Home Sweet Holidays

Elegant, rustic and nautical elements transform a waterfront home on Oyster Pond into a magical Christmas setting.

162 The Cookie Connection

Carla Hall, celebrity chef on the Food Network, adds a dash of star power and a sprinkle of joy to the inaugural holiday baking competition at Wequassett.

168 Poetic License

An impressive collection of license plates—around 3,000—lines the walls of the iconic Main Street restaurant, and their stories are woven into the rich tapestry of Squire lore.

174 Net Gain

Chatham in step with pickleball popularity— New outdoor courts are a welcome addition to town.

182 Winter Survival Guide

The colder months might conjure up reading by a cozy fire or binge-watching your favorite show, but Chatham has plenty going on to keep you engaged. Here’s a guide to some of our favorites.

193 Holiday Gift Guide

We’ve curated the perfect presents from local shops for everyone on your list.

208 Enchanted Evenings

Chatham streets, shops and homes put on a welcoming light show for residents and visitors during the holidays.

The Tall Ship Lynx, captured by drone shortly after sunrise in early September, navigates the cut past Stage Harbor Light on the way back to her home port of Nantucket. An interpretation of an 1812 privateer, the Lynx, built in 2001, is operated by the Lynx Educational Foundation and provides public tours, educational programs and hands-on learning experiences. The vessel visited Chatham for the second time in a year and also provided a stunning backdrop for our fall fashion shoot.

Photographed by Betty Wiley

The Power of Gratitude

The Power of Community

Volume 2 • Issue 1 Annual 2020

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Lisa Leigh Connors

VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 2 FALL/WINTER 2024

lisa@chathamlivingmag.com

PUBLISHER

As my team walked down the metal ramp and onto the plank leading to the Tall Ship Lynx, we were greeted by a welcoming crew. They offered plenty of smiles and helping hands as we boarded the impressive vessel docked at Stage Harbor.

s I scrolled through my Facebook page recently, an image by photographer Julia Cumes brought a smile to my face: Her dog, Ocho, was running on a beach with the word “Grateful” written in the sand. As I write this letter during a time of social distancing, we have so many reasons to be thankful for this beautiful sandbar—walks on nature trails, runs on the beach, beautiful sunsets and sunrises, witnessing acts of kindness, and reading stories about people giving back.

Along the theme of giving back, one of our stories in this issue features six young individuals who find ways to strengthen the town they love. A few of these familiar faces include Aaron Polhemus, owner and CEO of Polhemus Savery DaSilva; Emma Carroll, manager of Chatham Clothing Bar; and Wyatt Sullivan, a popular teacher at Monomoy Regional Middle School.

It was the second time in a year the Lynx, an interpretation of an 1812 privateer, returned to our shores. Since Chatham is rooted in maritime history, which is a perennial theme for local artists, we were inspired to use the ship as the location for our fall fashion shoot. On a blue-sky day in September (and a very windy one at that!), our creative team and local models hopped aboard the “living history museum” to photograph the latest fashion trends from boutiques in town. We loved stepping back in time with the Lynx captain and his crew, exploring the hidden nooks, and learning what life is like living on the ship. Thank you to the Lynx for their hospitality!

Throughout this issue, you’ll find an abundance of rich and interesting content. Learn about Chatham’s connection to the Mayflower in the story “The Turning Point,” discover different Chatham towns across America in “Chatham, U.S.A.” and step inside The Cape Cod Chronicle newsroom in “Read All About It.” Kick off summer with our “Ultimate Summer Bucket list,” which includes everything from sightseeing tours in a Cessna Skyhawk to dancing on the sidewalks at Mondays on Main. Looking for a good beach read? We’ve got that, too, with a list of recommended books, including Elin Hilderbrand’s new novel “28 Summers,” coming out in June.

Throughout the pages of this issue, we bring to life the close-knit community of Chatham with meaningful stories, inspiring profiles, rich history and treasured attractions in nature, including a cranberry bog in South Chatham and horseshoe crabs—a favorite symbol seen around town. We also catch up with the owners of Elwood’s Raw Bars, who had a brush with Hollywood when their building was used as one of the locations for “The Perfect Couple,” starring Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber.

In the holiday spirit of giving back, we introduce “Faces of Chatham” who go above and beyond to help others. Join us as we take you on a stroll to the annual tree lighting ceremony, a tradition beloved by residents and visitors, which returned last year to historic Sears Park.

While you spend time reading this issue, pay close attention to all of the businesses advertising in this publication. We are incredibly grateful to every single one of them for staying behind us and supporting Chatham Living by the Sea during these unprecedented times. We couldn’t produce this magazine without them. So please support these amazing and wonderful businesses—buy a gift card, go out to dinner, treat yourself to a new outfit, follow them on their social media pages and like their posts. After every storm comes a rainbow. Cheers to brighter days ahead!

Of course, our holiday issue wouldn’t be complete without decorating and entertaining ideas (check out “Home Sweet Holidays”), table centerpieces and wreath-making, and cranberry-inspired recipes from local restaurant chefs that will delight your guests. We also serve up gift ideas for everyone on your list and highlight a variety of activities in the fall and winter. There’s never a shortage of things to do in the quiet season.

As we wrapped up our shoot on the Lynx, I noticed a simple yet memorable inscription on the wheel, which also turns out to be the Lynx’s motto: “Be excellent to each other and to your ship.”

In keeping with those kind words, I wish you all a merry holiday season!

lisa@chathamlivingmag.com

Lisa Leigh Connors Editor-in-Chief lisa@chathamlivingmag.com

PUBLISHER

Janice Rogers janice@chathamlivingmag.com

Janice Rogers

janice@chathamlivingmag.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Lisa Leigh Connors lisa@chathamlivingmag.com

ART DIRECTOR

Eric Brust-Akdemir eric@chathamlivingmag.com

ART DIRECTOR

Alison Caron alison@chathamlivingmag.com

COPY EDITORS

Rachel Arroyo, Jennifer Sperry

EDITOR-AT-LARGE

Sonja Bartlett sonja@chathamlivingmag.com

ADVERTISING

Janice Rogers

COPY EDITOR

Nan Fornal

janice@chathamlivingmag.com 774-722-2515

ADVERTISING

Janice Rogers janice@chathamlivingmag.com 774-722-2515

WRITERS

Rachel Arroyo, Lisa Cavanaugh, Kelly Chase, Carol K. Dumas, Bill Higgins, Laurel Kornhiser, Debra Lawless, Marjorie Naylor Pitts, Joseph Porcari

WRITERS

Sonja Bartlett, Lisa Cavanaugh, Carol K. Dumas, Bill Higgins, Debra Lawless, Marjorie McDonald Pitts

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Julia Cumes, Dan Cutrona, Michael and Suz Karchmer, Michael J. Lee, Kim Roderiques, Christine Walsh Sanders, Jen Stello, Judith I. Selleck, Brian Vanden Brink, Betty Wiley

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Susan Auriemma, John Bessler, Julia Cumes, Dan Cutrona, Rodrigo Ereno, Kim Roderiques, Betty Wiley

Order copies online at chathamlivingmag.com @chathamlivingbythesea @chathamlivingmag

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Stage Harbor Media, LLC P.O. Box 5, Chatham, MA 02633

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Fall/Winter $8.95

Single copy price $8.95/$9.95 Canada. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher. Publisher disclaims all responsibility for omissions, errors and unsolicited materials. Printed in the USA.

All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher. Publisher disclaims all responsibility for omissions, errors and unsolicited materials. Printed in the USA.

ARCHITECTURE & CONSTRUCTION. MASTERFULLY INTEGRATED.

RODRIGO ERENO is a local photographer based in Chatham who has been living here for 15 years experiencing all the seasons and their unique beauty. He is a nature lover and likes to think nothing is impossible. Inspired by stunning landscapes and unmatched nature, Rodrigo says Cape Cod has always brought the best to his photography. Rodrigo’s passions are family, photography, ice cream and his Yorkie, Harry.

CAROL K. DUMAS, a longtime newspaper editor and writer, is enjoying a second chapter in her career as a freelance writer and editor. Her writing has appeared in At Home on Cape Cod, the Boston Globe, the Cape Cod Times, Cape & Plymouth Business Magazine, Chatham Living by the Sea, New England Living and South Shore Home & Garden, among other publications.

DAN CUTRONA’s work has appeared in Chatham Living by the Sea, Gulfshore Life, House Beautiful and Better Homes & Gardens. Dan divides his time between Miami and Cotuit with his wife, Amy, three young children, and French bulldog, Remy.

LISA CAVANAUGH is a writer and editor who grew up in New England and worked for many years in the theater and film industries in New York and Los Angeles. Living full time on the Cape since 2010, Lisa has focused on sharing stories about the region’s fascinating people, places and pursuits.

resident DEBRA LAWLESS is a prolific freelance writer. She is the author of a two-volume history of Provincetown— Provincetown Since World War II: Carnival at Land’s End and Provincetown: A History of Artists and Renegades in a Fishing Village. Lawless is currently writing a mystery novel set in a seaside village.

JULIA CUMES is a South African-born photographer based on Cape Cod. She’s passionate about storytelling and capturing real moments of human connection as well as expressive portraits. Her favorite projects are focused on women and the struggles they face around the world—as well as wildlife conservation. Most recently, she was chosen as the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod’s “2024 Artist of the Year.”

Editor-at-large SONJA BARTLETT is a writer and video producer whose passion for Chatham and its people has been a source of inspiration throughout her life. Before starting a career in TV news, Sonja spent summers in Chatham working for her family’s inn, where she learned firsthand the joys of sharing with visitors all the town has to offer. For this issue, Sonja especially enjoyed working on our fall fashion shoot aboard the tall ship Lynx when the interpretation of the 1812 privateer was docked in Stage Harbor.

JOHN BESSLER ’s work has appeared on the pages of many prestigious publications, including Traditional Home, Veranda, House Beautiful, Country Home, New England Home and Food & Wine. He was also principal photographer for Edith Wharton A House Full of Rooms: Architecture, Interiors, and Gardens (Monacelli 1996), and has contributed photography to various other books. John lives in a small lake house in northern New Jersey with his wife, Lydia, an architectural photographer, and their daughter.

Chatham • Brewster • Orleans • Harwich • Dennis

Masaschi

KARIN LIDBECK

BRENT has worked in publishing for decades, producing home design and lifestyle features for national magazines. Her work has appeared in Traditional Home, Better Homes & Gardens, Veranda, House Beautiful and New England Home. She also brings her styling and design skills to diverse clients in the hospitality, entertaining and design fields.

Photographer KIM RODERIQUES, a longtime Chatham resident, is passionate about photographing people, places and dogs. Roderiques has published several books, including Dogs on Cape Cod and was the photographer for the coffee table book I Am of Chatham This summer, she debuted two new books: Dogs in the Province Lands, to benefit the Animal Rescue League of Boston, and Chatham: A Cape Cod Village to benefit WE CAN. In addition, Roderiques has produced several documentary films for nonprofit organizations.

BILL HIGGINS is an award-winning former newspaper sports editor and writer who has covered everything from World Series and Super Bowls to the Masters golf tournament and Boston Marathons. He’s happily married to a Yankees fan and likes to remind her that the Red Sox have won four World Series since 2004.

MARJORIE

MCDONALD PITTS grew up on Cape Cod and after college worked in the field of international education in the West, Midwest and abroad. She returned to the Cape to teach English at a local high school. Pitts is also a dedicated volunteer with Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary’s sea turtle and diamondback terrapin rescue efforts and recently had a thrilling swim with an Olive Ridley sea turtle off the coast of Cabo Pulmo National Park in Mexico.

BETTY WILEY is a well-known freelance photographer and instructor on Cape Cod who specializes in landscape and nature photography throughout New England and beyond. Her work has appeared in numerous local magazines and guidebooks, including Chatham Living by the Sea, Cape Cod Guide, South Coast Almanac, Falmouth Living and Cape Cod & the Islands magazine. Betty teaches classes on Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop and other post-processing software applications throughout New England, and she is a licensed drone pilot both in the US and in Europe.

SUSAN AURIEMMA is a food and interiors photographer from Newport, Rhode Island. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Hamptons magazine and Newport Life. When Susan isn’t shooting elegant homes and beautiful cuisine, she enjoys honing her skills with her photography teacher in faraway places like Morocco and Namibia. Susan is a longtime visitor to Chatham and is thrilled that shooting for Chatham Living by the Sea magazine means she gets to return to this place she loves.

508.332.4606

schneebergercollective.com

Thankful for PIE!

For many families, Thanksgiving isn’t complete without a stop at Marion’s Pie Shop.

THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

is all about tradition, and in Chatham, Marion’s Pie Shop has been an integral part of family holiday gatherings dating back to 1947. Blake and Cindy Sterns, who took over the business more than 23 years ago, relish carrying on Marion’s legacy, using her original made-from-scratch recipes that have created delicious family memories for more than 75 years. “I remember coming in with my father as a little girl,” recalls Cindy Sterns. “I could see right to the back of the bakery, and there was Marion—in a housecoat making pies on a kitchen table.”

In more recent times, Thanksgiving pie-making at Marion’s begins with the preparation of the fillings and crusts

BY MARJORIE MCDONALD PITTS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JULIA CUMES, MICHAEL & SUZ KARCHMER

now you call

Ella Leavitt, Realtor

ABR, SRS, SRES, RSPS

Ella fell in love with Cape Cod during her years of sailing trips from Newport RI to the Cape and Islands. A consummate professional with a creative flair, Ella is committed to providing all of her clients, both Sellers and Buyers, with a high level of service. She offers knowledge of the local market and important real estate trends; strong negotiating skills; attention to detail; and honesty and integrity. Ella is known for her ability to make the process of buying and selling a home an exciting, happy experience.

nonstop for several days leading up to the rush on the Tuesday and Wednesday before the holiday, with the shop’s ovens kept running 24 hours a day to keep up with the demand.

“We make over 700 pumpkin pies, 500 pecan pies— and ultimately a total of 4,000 pies for Thanksgiving,” says Cindy. “It’s four days of round-the-clock baking to get it done.” During the holidays, Marion’s offers eight pie choices: pumpkin, pecan, strawberry rhubarb, Dutch apple, lemon meringue, chocolate cream, blueberry, and the shop’s signature Baileyberry (blackberries, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, but no Bailey’s). Patrons are encouraged to place orders well in advance.

While the bakery’s front shop is the ultimate destination, the lengthy line of loyal customers wrapping around the front of the building has itself become a festive, convivial part of the Marion’s Thanksgiving tradition. “It’s funny how many years I’ve run into friends, colleagues, and acquaintances waiting in the line as well—it’s become part of the tradition,” laughs longtime patron Richard Houston, who first went to Marion’s as a

There’s no raining on the parade of loyal customers queued up to take home Marion’s Pie Shop’s traditional holiday pies. Left and below: Katie and Val Brooks, left, and Amy Hornyak, below, pick up their Thanksgiving orders.

child in the 1950s. “We see each other, and we just start chuckling because we’re doing our usual holiday duty for what has long been part of our families’ tradition.”

It is that loyalty and sense of tradition that owners Blake and Cindy Stern value the most. “The best part of Marion’s for us are the customers,” says Blake. “The loyalty and love that people show us.”

Any way you slice it, Marion’s Pie Shop is indeed a sweet Chatham institution, and for that, we truly give thanks.

Marion’s Pie Shop, 2022 Main St., 508-432-9439, marionspieshopofchatham.com

Making Spirits Bright

Chatham’s Christmas

By the Sea Stroll is a “True Holiday Gift.”

BY SONJA BARTLETT

“FOUR, THREE, TWO, ONE!” roars the crowd of thousands gathered ’round. And, with that, a switch is flipped. The town’s 25-foot-tall blue spruce is ablaze with light in the iconic Sears Park triangle, nestled in the heart of downtown Chatham. It was the moment so many had been waiting for; the kickoff to the annual Christmas by the Sea Stroll weekend of events last December, organized by the Chatham Chamber of Commerce and Merchants Association.

For many, it also meant the nostalgic return of a beloved tradition that will unite the community again this year on December 13.

In the middle of all the merriment that chilly night stood an emotional Joe LaRose, who donated the tree in 2023. Joe and his wife, Cathy, are donating its twin this year.

“They were tiny when I planted them,” reminisces Joe. “I babied those trees for 32 years.”

It was a family affair for the LaRoses. Joe, his daughter, Trish, and granddaughter, Ava, had the honor of flipping the switch to illuminate the tree. The crowd joined in a round of carols, led by the 50-strong

member of the Monomoy Regional Middle School Chorus, who performed while decked out in reindeer antlers, Santa hats and glow necklaces. A reading by Chatham Jewelers’ owner, Scott Hamilton, followed— “The Night Before Christmas,” a crowd favorite.

Tree lighting has been a Chatham holiday tradition for generations but the recent return of the event from the bandstand area at Kate Gould Park, back to Main Street in the “triangle” as it is locally known, sparked a surge in attendance in 2023, with record numbers expected this year.

“It was definitely the largest and most festive crowd I remember witnessing in my entire adult life,” says Chatham resident Kristin Muller.

The tree’s journey from the LaRose’s home in East Harwich to Sears Park was made possible thanks to Josh Jenkins, owner of Nickerson Tree and Landscaping. “I am a holiday guy,” says Jenkins. “I love the Christmas spirit!” Jenkins donated his time and the services of his two top team members, Danny Rojas and Andrew Basili, to carefully cut down the massive evergreen and ever so gently transport it, strapped to a flatbed utility trailer, to its center stage

Self-proclaimed “Holiday Guy” Josh Jenkins, owner of Nickerson Tree and Landscaping, donates his services to ensure the 25-foot blue spruce is cut down and delivered to Sears Park with the utmost care. Below: Joe LaRose, with his daughter, Trish, and granddaughter, Ava, had the honor of flipping the switch to illuminate the tree.

location on Main Steet. For Jenkins, this was no ordinary tree job.

“As soon as we knew we were doing this, we knew we were doing something special. It was not easy cutting it out and we did not want to damage the shape of it. When it was done, I would drive by and look at it all lit up. The process made me feel so much closer to Chatham.”

The tree was decorated by Chatham Elementary School students who crafted homemade ornaments for the occasion. When organizers realized the tree was too tall for the little ones to decorate the top, the Chatham Fire/Rescue Department came to their aid, deploying a team of quick ornament hangers.

When the big night finally arrived, the Fire/Rescue Department also delivered the VIP guest, Santa Claus. Local Santa Tom Eldredge rode atop an old-fashioned fire truck leading the children’s light parade from the Chatham Community Center to the triangle while middle school choristers belted out “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.”

Lori Jurkowski

Choral director Sarah Jane Mason says “the students were both surprised and energized by the unexpectedly large crowds but kept themselves very professional. If there was any stage fright, they did not show it. I was really proud.”

Revelers this year can expect another tree-lighting ceremony guaranteed to infect all with the holiday spirit. The Chatham Elementary School chorus is committed to making that happen, and is slated to perform “Wishing on a Star” from “The Polar Express” and the perennial favorite “Feliz Navidad.”

“The children look forward to spreading joy and cheer in front of the Sears Memorial obelisk and filling the triangle with the sounds of festive songs, and sharing their love for the winter lights holiday with the community, shares Frank Toppa, Chatham Elementary School chorus director, joking that “hopefully we will have a light snow to enhance the singing.”

Once again this year, shops will be open late, and free horse and carriage rides will keep the merrymaking going all evening.

Just like Santa’s workshop, the Chatham Christmas by the Sea Stroll is brought to life by a lot of helpers behind the scenes. Local businesses are the lifeblood of this event, donating time, talent and treasure. “It literally takes a village,” says coorganizer Jen Falvey, vice president of the Chatham Merchants Association, which spearheads the weekend, bringing thousands of visitors to town in December. “These magical events are only possible due to the generous support of so many local businesses. Not only do they support these events financially, but the amount of time they volunteer to help on site is amazing! It is a true holiday gift.”

Writer Carol K. Dumas contributed to this story.

Strolling Into the Holidays

The Christmas by the Sea Stroll 2024, sponsored by the Chatham Chamber of Commerce and Merchants Association, is a wonderful opportunity to bring friends and family together to enjoy some holiday merriment in the heart of Chatham. Downtown is aglow and adorned. The events will leave you with lasting memories. And don’t get us started about the shopping!

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEKEND

Friday, December 13

* Light parade with Santa departs Chatham Community Center at 5:30 p.m.

* Tree lighting ceremony with caroling at Sears Park, 5:45 p.m.

* Santa’s workshop in the Chatham Chamber of Commerce Booth, 6:30–8:30 p.m.

* Brass band, 6:30–8:30 p.m.

* Horse and carriage rides, 6:30–9:30 p.m.

* Shops open late, serving refreshments

Saturday, December 14

* Breakfast with Santa at the Chatham Wayside Inn, 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. seatings; ticketed event

* Children’s holiday movie at the Chatham Orpheum Theater, 9:30 a.m.

* Santa’s Workshop: Chamber of Commerce Information Booth, Noon–2 p.m.

* Brass Band & Cranberry Shores Chorus strolling on Main Street, 2–4:30 p.m.

For up-to-date times and events, please refer to the Christmas by the Sea information page located on the Chatham Chamber of Commerce and Merchants Association’s website: chathaminfo.com

The Ride of His Life

Marty Cavanaugh tackles a challenging cycling adventure in honor of his late wife, Mary.

BY LISA CAVANAUGH | PORTRAIT BY JULIA CUMES

After his wife died last September, Marty Cavanaugh was determined to do something to honor her in a significant way. Maryrose “Mary” Cavanaugh had been a quiet force in the town of Chatham for many years. “Mary was a friendly person who put everyone else first,” says Marty. “She would do whatever needed to be done, and she did it without fanfare.”

Over the fourteen years that the Cavanaughs lived full-time on the Cape, Mary worked at the Cape Cod Community College Educational Foundation, volunteered with WE CAN and the Atwood House Museum, was instrumental in the group that reopened the Chatham Orpheum Theater, sat on Chatham’s Beautification Committee, and served as the executive director of the Chatham Chamber of Commerce.

After her sudden passing, Marty became inspired by the hundreds of people who attended her funeral and told heartwarming stories of how Mary affected them. “She touched so many people,” says Marty. “But not in a big or boastful way.” He recalls that one of their friends reminded him about how Mary, in her role with the Chamber, would always respond to visitors searching for a family member’s or friend’s honorary brick at Kate Gould Park. “They would call up saying they couldn’t find their brick, so every week, she was out there looking for bricks,” he says. “That was just the kind of person she was. She always wanted to help people and always did it with a big smile.”

Around that time, Marty recalled that some friends had done an extremely challenging bike ride called the

The Tour Divide Bike Route starts in Banff, Canada, crisscrosses the Continental Divide and ends in Antelope Wells, New Mexico. “It’s a very big ride and pretty grueling,” says Marty Cavanaugh, and included a stop in Antonito, Colorado (shown below).

Marty Cavanaugh headed out west this summer and cycled more than 2,700 miles to honor his late wife, Mary Cavanaugh, former Chatham Chamber of Commerce executive director. The ride helped raise money for the foundation established in her name.

Tour Divide Bike Route. The ride totals 2,745 miles and starts in Banff, Canada, crisscrosses the Continental Divide and ends in Antelope Wells, New Mexico.

“I’ve been a cyclist my whole life, and I had this on my radar as something I might want to do someday,” says Marty. He notes that Mary would never have wanted him to leave for the two months the route requires. “But after she died, I decided it was something I could do to celebrate her.”

So this past summer, Marty headed west. “It’s a very big ride and pretty grueling,” he says. “There’s more than 150,000 feet of elevation gain over the course. You are sleeping in grizzly country at points, and the ride is self-supported, so you get, carry, and prepare your own food. Including hoisting it up into trees each night so as not to attract the bears.”

His and Mary’s two daughters, Molly and Emily, encouraged and helped promote his efforts. “We used social media and word of mouth to help raise funds for the Maryrose G. Cavanaugh Foundation we created in honor of our mom,” says Molly, adding the fund

The two-month biking trip allowed Cavanaugh to be alone with his thoughts. “I would go days without cell service, and I couldn’t check emails and texts.” At top and below, Cavanaugh made his way through a 100-mile stretch in Wyoming called ‘the Basin.’

supports local scholarships and initiatives. “It is an opportunity to continue my mom’s great work, and it’s another avenue of feeling closer to her.”

Once out on the trail, Marty was struck by the enormity of the challenge and the extent of his emotions. “The thing about it is how disconnected you are from everyday life,” he says. I would go days without cell service, and I couldn’t check emails and texts.” He says the ride allowed him to be alone with his thoughts for much of each day. “Back home, I had stayed busy after she died just to be able to go on,” says Marty. “So it was cathartic to be out there by myself. Just Mary and me.”

Marty is back in Chatham and is already considering his next biking adventure. “The Tour Divide was a life-changing event, but I think it was a one-time-only thing,” he says. “I missed my daughters and home too much.” He notes that Vermont has a couple of routes that appeal to him, especially in the fall. “They are easier and closer to the Cape. And no grizzlies.”

(Editor’s Note: The author is proud to share a surname with the Cavanaughs but is not related to the family.)

A Brush with Hollywood

From Netflix’s “The Perfect Couple” to new Chatham eatery, Elwood’s Raw Bars in North Chatham enjoys a moment in the spotlight.

BY SONJA BARTLETT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JULIA CUMES

“IT’S LIKE A GHOST,” says Tanya Khalil, co-owner of Elwood’s Raw Bars in North Chatham.

“Watch this.” She sprays window cleaner on the glass of the front doors of her restaurant, and like magic it appears, if just for a few seconds. Revealed is a faint, made-for-TV, “official” town seal of Nantucket, created by the Netflix art department. The large, circular logo was once painted onto the glass when Elwood’s was a film set, the highly convincing mock Nantucket Police Station, complete with jail cell and interrogation rooms in the basement.

It’s a daily reminder, and the only thing left on the property from the filming of the Netflix series “The Perfect Couple,” starring Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber, adapted from the eponymous Elin Hilderbrand novel. The story is set on Nantucket but was filmed in Chatham. The production, with filming at various locations around town, including what is now Elwood’s and a private home in North Chatham, set the community abuzz in the spring of 2023. It all began just as Dave “Elwood” Eldredge, and his sister, Tanya Khalil, were about to start a lease on the building that would soon house the fake Nantucket police headquarters.

‘People are intrigued. They stop in.’ Renovations for their new restaurant, Elwood’s Raw Bar, would be put on hold for Hollywood. When Netflix wrapped shooting, Eldredge and Khalil took over the space and expected to find some remnants of the set, only to learn that it had all been removed.

“We were really hoping the jail cell could have been left as we had the idea to use it as a private dining area where your oysters would get served on metal trays through the slots in the bars,” says Eldredge. Fast forward a year and a half, and the siblings were delighted when two days after the series dropped, author Elin Hilderbrand’s sister, Heather, handdelivered a framed, signed “The Perfect Couple” poster on behalf of the author. Eldredge is working on getting his hands on one of the interrogation tables to use in the eatery. “The Perfect Couple” stardust is now firmly a part of the story of this establishment.

“People are intrigued. They stop in. They only saw the outside and now they want to see the inside. And one person actually popped in wanting to know when the Nantucket police department was moved to Chatham!” shares Khalil, who along with her brother, is enjoying this added novelty to their new business. On the menu, customers will find several “Perfect Couple” culinary pairings, including a platter of fresh Chatham oysters served with Veuve Clicquot champagne.

In addition to the newly acquired signed series poster, the walls of Elwood’s are blanketed with memorabilia and sentimental conversation starters, reflecting the siblings’ deep roots in the Chatham oyster business.

“Our grandfather Desi Eldredge ran the S.W. Gould Oyster Company on the Oyster River from the 1930s till around 1970 and shucked oysters at many events at the Chatham Bars Inn over the years,” shares Eldredge. Desi also shipped a quarter-keg of oysters to General Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952. The photo and letter sent are on the wall at Elwood’s.”

Police station parallels real life

But the real plot twist here is one Eldredge and Khalil did not see coming when they envisioned a new seafood restaurant in North Chatham. Their father, Barry Eldredge, who had his own time working with oysters

Liev Schreiber and Nicole Kidman spent the spring of 2023 filming “The Perfect Couple” in North Chatham. Below: Sibling owners Tanya Khalil and Dave “Elwood” Eldredge received a signed “Perfect Couple” poster from author Elin Hilderbrand the day after the show dropped on Netflix.

managing Nickerson’s Fish Market during his college years, later dedicated his career to policing and led the force right here in Chatham from 1982 to 1998. The irony of the chief’s children’s opening their business inside what was once a film set of a police station only adds to the fun for these siblings.

“When we were first speaking with the Netflix crew, I said, ‘If you need a chief of police, I studied the role when I was younger because our father was chief of police in town,’” shares Eldredge. “It was ironic that our spot was used as the police station and our father was chief of police. Definitely surreal!”

features a special called “The Perfect Couple,” a dozen Chatham oysters paired with Veuve Clicquot champagne.

You only have to watch the first episode of “The Perfect Couple” for about four minutes before you see the basement of what is now Elwood’s Raw Bars. The character of the Deputy Police Chief answers the phone in what is now Eldredge and Khalil’s office area, and the plot explodes like a champagne cork with word that a dead body has washed ashore in an exclusive enclave. Careful watching will reveal other shots around town, including the aptly named Champlain Road’s “Dead Man’s Curve,” and the Chatham Beach and Tennis Club.

Before Elwood’s Raw Bars opened in June of 2024, it was a raw bar catering business, a service they still provide today. But Eldredge says that an old sibling saying carries on in the new restaurant. “We have a saying that we are in show business just as much as catering because we provide a show for all our guests with opening up oysters right in front of them. . . . It’s a true show! This is the experience and vibe we strive to also provide now at Elwood’s.”

It’s show business, indeed. Elwood’s owners need only to spray those front doors with window cleaner for their daily reminder.

Elwood’s Raw Bars, 309 Orleans Road, North Chatham, 508-348-9258, elwoodsrawbars.com

Transforming Table Scraps

into Works of Art

TABLE SCRAPS HAVE TAKEN ON A WHOLE NEW MEANING IN THE FULLMER HOUSEHOLD.

We’re not talking about food, but about the scraps of wood left over from the table-making process at Cape Cod Colonial Tables in Chatham.

The business is owned by John and Kim Fullmer. John is the master-crafter of the custom tables, made from reclaimed wood. Kim describes herself as a “registered nurse by education and a stay-at-home mom by trade,” who’s always loved being creative and making things.

However, recently, Kim has become a “maker” herself. Kim works part-time as a nurse and helps run the

At Cape Cod Colonial Tables, co-owner Kim Fullmer reuses bits of discarded wood to create one-of-a-kind pieces.

business with her husband while caring for two small children, which doesn’t leave much time for creative endeavors. She found a way to nurture her artistic side by reusing discarded wood scraps from the tablemaking process to create framed art and other objects.

“The wood is so beautiful, we just couldn’t throw it away,” she says, eyeing a pile of wood scraps under the corner table workspace that John set up for her in the workshop.

“‘What could I do with it?’ I wondered. Well, I just started making things.”

She hoards the scraps and then cuts the wood with a miter saw (her husband bought her the tabletop saw)

BY CAROL K. DUMAS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JULIA CUMES

into similarly sized widths and lengths, and then lays them on a wood board in a mosaic-style pattern. After finding a pleasing arrangement, she glues the strips or uses finish nails to fasten them to the board. Most of the time, the wood strips are left in their natural state, although sometimes she stains the wood to vary the color palette. The end result is framed into art or made into other objects, such as trays or stunning ceiling medallions that can be used above a light fixture.

“The options are endless,” she says. “I never know what the pattern is going to be beforehand.”

Most of the reclaimed wood used is American chestnut and New England white pine, but Kim’s stash of scraps depends on what kind of wood John is using to make the tables. There could be cedar and heart pine, too, and sometimes a piece of old wood that’s been painted, its peeling flecks imparting a trendy, vintage vibe.

Kim makes at least one piece a day, when time permits, and sells them in the showroom where samples of Colonial Tables are on display. She’s also open to creating custom pieces.

“It fills my soul to be creative.”

Cape Cod Colonial Tables 1731 Main St., 508-713-0143 capecodcolonialtables.com

Make It Your Own

Two classes present different ways to craft unique wreaths and centerpieces with your own personalized touches.

BY CAROL K. DUMAS

Crafting Holiday Cheer at Chatham Bars Inn

For the past seven years, Pamela Vasques, the Fine Gardener at Chatham Bars Inn, has been leading holiday wreath-making workshops, open to inn guests and the public. The classes, held every November, have grown in popularity, from a total of 30 people initially to now more than 200. Group classes are also offered.

“It’s a fun way to kick off the holiday season,” says Vasques, whose main job is to decorate the iconic inn for all the seasons and holidays. “Tradition is very important at CBI, and these workshops are unique to us. It’s fun and creative, and it’s become a tradition for many families.”

Make sure to register in advance; these popular classes fill up quickly.

Participants are given a 20-inch balsam wreath.

Wreath-makers take a basket and fill it with an array of decorations, including sparkling pine cones, shiny ornaments in different sizes, faux holly berries and starfish, tiny shells, beads and much more.

Figure out placement before you start gluing decorations to the wreath. Groupings should be one, three, five or seven. “It’s how we plant around here,” adds Vasques. Determine where the bow should be placed: At the top, bottom or to one side.

Attach your decorations. “Glue is your friend,” advises Vasques. Don’t be afraid to use too much as items must be securely fastened to withstand the cold of winter. Helpful inn staff are on hand if you need assistance or advice.

Choose your ribbon. Vasques strolls up the aisle with a cart full of beautiful ribbons in all sorts of patterns and colors. Share your door color and she’s happy to suggest a shade or pattern that goes with your creation. Then Vasques makes a generous bow and attaches it to the wreath. If you’re pressed for time, choose from a selection of pre-made bows. Last, a sturdy piece of wire is affixed to the back of the wreath for hanging.

Holiday Wreath Decorating

Nov. 29 & 30, Dec. 6 & 7

Cost: $100 per session per person

Contact: Chatham Bars Inn

297 Shore Road, 508-945-6871 or concierge@chathambarsinn.com for times or visit chathambarsinn.com

Pamela Vasques, Fine Gardener at Chatham Bars Inn, makes the bows in each participant’s choice of ribbons, and attaches them to the wreaths as well.

Centerpiece Magic at Odin K Smith Artist Studio & Gallery

In a room where painting classes usually take place, rows of tables are set with gardening shears, aprons, gloves and sparkly mercury glass bowls instead of brushes, paints and easels. Instead of a still-life arrangement, a large array of fresh greenery and flowers fills pails and boxes.

The scene is set for a holiday centerpiece workshop at the Odin K Smith Artist Studio & Gallery.

A graduate of Connecticut College with a degree in botany, Patrice Milley was a partner in a flower shop for many years before launching her own wedding design business. She is now retired and occasionally leads classes in flower arranging.

Where to start

situation, should be joyful and up to your own creative interpretation. Rules create stress, and flowers shouldn’t be stressful,” she says.

Choose a container to hold your arrangement. For this class, a 6-inch round mercury glass bowl was used.

Next, add a block of oasis, a waterabsorbing material that ensures the greens and flowers will remain upright in the container. Oasis can be purchased at a local flower shop, online or at a crafts supply store. The greens and flowers will hide the oasis.

Fresh

greens

Patrice doesn’t believe in “rules” of arrangement, but how to begin?

“Designing with flowers, unless you’re in a competitive

Freshly cut greens will form the base of your arrangement. Strip the lower leaves or needles from evergreen branches and then clip the bottoms again and stick them into the oasis. The needles shouldn’t go into the foam as they’ll create a larger hole and the foam won’t hold them as tightly.

Centerpiece height guidelines

The average adult line of sight across a table is at 15 inches, so a centerpiece shouldn’t be any taller than 14 inches, or it will block the view across the table. “If no one is going to be seated at the table, then this height restriction isn’t necessary. The length of the greens radiating out is not a set measurement. It depends on the size of your container and the shape of your design. I recommend 4 to 5 inches for the container and designs we were creating,” says Patrice.

Backyard greens

There are many greens available in our yards to incorporate into a floral bouquet. “I love to add bayberry, grasses, porcelain berry, holly and evergreens. Just be careful not to pick poison ivy! Eucalyptus, which can be purchased at a floral shop or market, gives you a nice fragrance and a gray tone to an arrangement.”

Be wary of incense cedar (not actually a cedar), which is sometimes sold in stores. The male cones are filled with pollen, and in the warmth of your house, can open and spread yellow pollen on your table or wherever it’s been placed.

Add colorful flowers, textures

Odin K Smith Artist

Studio & Gallery

895 Main St., Chatham

For information on upcoming holiday decor workshops with Patrice Milley on Oct. 27, Nov. 24 and Dec. 7, follow Odin K Smith Artist on Facebook and Instagram.

Once the greens are in place, it’s time to add flowers. Consider red and white roses and carnations for a traditional holiday color scheme or white lilies, which add fragrance and focal point to a bouquet. “And all white flowers with assorted greens is always a lovely choice,” adds Patrice. “The singleness of color can be highlighted by using multiple textures such as roses, hypericum berries, paper whites, lisianthus and ranunculus.

Other suggestions: If you tend to decorate in blues and white, try adding thistles, delphiniums, or hydrangeas along with some white roses and lilies. “Perfect for celebrating the holiday by the sea.”

If your holiday décor leans toward a Victorian palette, look for flowers in shades of cranberry, red, burgundy, purples, blues and pinks to achieve contrast and variety.

Extras

Once the flowers and greenery are set into the oasis, consider adding some different textures, sparkle or natural elements:

• Pinecones—Natural, sprayed silver, gold or white, or glittered

• Ribbons—Single loops with short streamers can add a festive touch

• Glittered artificial ferns, berries, and fruit An accent of glitter will sparkle when paired with candles on your table

• Starfish—Plain, painted, or glittered, they’ll add a nautical touch to your holiday tablescape.

“Use something that works with your home’s décor. It’s up to you!”

Six Great Books for the Quiet Season

BY DEBRA LAWLESS

Chatham during the holiday season takes on a special feeling. The crowds of summer are gone, the nights draw in early, and the town is awash in festive lights and good cheer. A new novel set in Chatham captures just that special feeling. Other books for this quiet time of year include a mystery, a children’s book featuring Lady Bird Johnson, a guidebook that never saw a haunted building it could resist, a memoir by the bestselling author of the Lemony Snicket series, a history of the Cape’s 34 libraries and a genealogy of Chatham’s first settlers.

The prolific Pamela M. Kelley is releasing her third Chatham novel, The Christmas Inn, just in time for the holiday season. When Riley loses her job as a content marketing manager right before Christmas, she rushes home to help her innkeeper mother. Riley rekindles a sense of family among friends and even finds romance. “Chatham in the Christmas season has a magical feel, with the shops decorated for Christmas Stroll and people out shopping,” Kelley says. “I wanted to try to capture that sense of wonder and bring it to a holiday story.” (Griffin, 320 pages)

A Farewell to Arfs by Spencer Quinn (also known as Peter Abrahams of Falmouth) is the 15th book in the acclaimed bestselling Chet and Bernie mystery series that’s highly recommended by Eric Linder, owner of Chatham’s Yellow Umbrella Books. The series is narrated by Chet the dog, a “hundred-plus pounder” who flunked out of K-9 school. Chet is one-half of the “Little Detective Agency” run by Bernie Little. In this latest installment, an elderly neighbor loses his retirement savings through a scam—a puzzling case that the detective team is more than up to solving. (Forge Books, 288 pages)

Rollin’ on Down the Line: Lady Bird Johnson’s 1964 Whistle-Stop Tour for Civil Rights is the debut children’s book by part-time Chatham resident Helen Kampion and coauthor Reneé Critcher Lyons. Illustrations are by Erin McGuire. The book tells the fascinating story of how, 60 years ago this October, Lady Bird Johnson made a daring campaign tour through

the South giving speeches at every stop despite the sometimes-hostile crowds. The trip followed Pres. Johnson’s signing of the Civil Rights Act into law in July 1964. The book won the Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Award. (Sleeping Bear Press, 40 pages)

If oddball tales are for you, Secret Cape Cod and the Islands: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure by journalists Linda Humphrey and Maria Lenhart is sure to please. The quirky book is arranged by town, beginning on Martha’s Vineyard, working its way up from the Cape Cod Canal, and ending on Nantucket. Chatham, of course, gets its share of love. The book lavishes two pages on Main Street’s Ducks in the Window, “the world’s largest rubber duck shop.” Additional nods go to the town’s well-known sights. (Reedy Press, 182 pages)

And Then? And Then? What Else? by Daniel Handler, AKA Lemony Snicket, is something of a departure from the part-time Chatham resident’s earlier oeuvre. Handler threads in a bit of biography (he was born in 1970 and grew up in San Francisco), a bit about his college years, a bit of trauma and a lot about what he loves in literature, music, opera, rock ’n’ roll and old movies. He describes the influences for his bestselling 13-volume A Series of Unfortunate Events published under the pseudonym Lemony Snicket. (Liveright Publishing Corporation, 240 pages)

Brothers Marcellus and H. Fisher Eldredge were the driving forces behind Chatham’s Eldredge Public Library, which opened on the Fourth of July 1896. The brothers, natives of Chatham, had made a fortune brewing beer in Portsmouth, N.H. The stories behind the Cape’s 34 libraries include unexpectedly intriguing stories revolving around an interesting cast of characters. Author Gerree Q. Hogan tells these stories in Cape Cod Libraries: A History and Guide. Also included is the South Chatham Public Library, celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. (History Press, 160 pages)

After more than a decade of research and writing, Chatham’s Nickerson Family Association, Inc., has just published The Nickerson Family Part V: Samuel. This new illustrated volume of genealogy focuses on one line of the descendants of Chatham’s founders William and Anne Nickerson. Samuel (1638–1719), the couple’s sixth child, was the first of their ten children born in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. A farmer, Samuel initially settled on land between Crow’s Pond and Ryder’s Cove before relocating to Harwich. (The Nickerson Family Association, Inc., 626 pages)

HOLIDAY GALA

The Christmas by the Sea Holiday Gala, presented by Chatham Jewelers and Chatham Bars Inn on December 16, 2023, helped raise $25,000 for the Maryrose G. Cavanaugh Fund. Named in honor of the former Chatham Chamber of Commerce executive director Mary Cavanaugh, the fund provides financial support to those facing hardship, funds scholarships, supports local initiatives and fosters a sense of belonging and care.

Photography by Kim Roderiques

1. Emily Porter, Scott Hamilton, Marty Cavanaugh

2. Aidan, Nicole, Mary, and Dean Beresford, Evan Dombrowski

3. Graeme Milley, Ali Butcher

4. Colette Cummings, Sabrina Tavalone

5. Lori Smith, Leslie Hartmann, Meredith Fry, Andrea Towey

6. Susan Whitcomb, Patrice Milley, Eve Cartwright

7. Nerissa and Craig Morong

8. Heather MacKenzie, Don Davern

9. Susan Dimm, Danita Scribner

10. Jill and Joel Goldsmith, Dave Miller, Ashley Baker

WINTER ARTS SERIES

As part of its Winter Arts Series, Chatham Bars Inn hosted artists represented by ArtNova Gallery on Feb. 3. The weekly event, held from January to March in the South Lounge, featuring an array of landscapes, photography and pottery, showcases local Cape Cod artists and galleries.

Photography by Kim Roderiques

1. Jessica Reeves, Regina and Neal Milan

2. Julie Maillet, Dottie Beaton, Al Maillet

TURKEY

TROT

On Thanksgiving morning 2023, thousands of family members and friends laced up to run or walk the Chatham Turkey Trot. The 5k race, which starts at the Oyster Pond parking lot, is an annual tradition for many and helps raise money for the Lower Cape Outreach Council.

Photography by Kim Roderiques

Whether you’re looking for a summer rental or your dream home, our trusted team of Realtors are ready to help. With over 40 years of experience, Ricotta Real Estate remains one of the few locally owned and operated real estate and vacation rental agencies on Cape Cod.

FESTIVAL OF TREES

The Atwood Museum hosted the Festival of Trees Holiday Celebration on Dec. 2, 2023. Guests enjoyed a magical evening of music, refreshments and trees of all sizes beautifully decorated by the Chatham Garden Club. Photography by Kim Roderiques

6.

7. Greg Horne, Judy Kitson

2.

3.

4.

5. Warren and Victoria Chane

8. Laura Jacobsen, Marilyn Sink

9. Douglas and Janet Fields

10. Bonnie de Blij, Marian and Tony Miller

11. David Halvorsen, Bette Hahner, Linda Halvorsen, Marge Farquharson

LAUNCH PARTY

On May 7, Chatham Bars Inn hosted the unveiling party for Chatham Living by the Sea’s 2024 Spring/ Summer issue. Guests at the Beach House mingled with friends and colleagues, celebrated the cover unveiling and flipped through the magazine pages during an eventful evening that is often referred to as the unofficial kickoff to summer.

Photography by Kim Roderiques

7. Susan Dimm, Danita Scribner

8. Rick Penn, Megan Penn

9. Gail Sluis, Robert Benson

10. Kate Weber, Maureen Finnerty

11. Ceci Hadawar, Michael Richards, Ali Holmes

12. Emma Carroll, Sandy Wycoff, Lori Gilmore

CHEF’S CHALLENGE

The Lower Cape Outreach Council held its 40th Anniversary Chef’s Challenge at Pate’s on June 6. Supporters and volunteers attended the sold-out event featuring live and silent auctions to benefit pantries, financial assistance programs and other vital services for Lower and Outer Cape residents in need. The competing chefs were tasked with preparing the best meal for a family of four using food selected from the LCOC’s Chatham food pantry and a $20 stipend to purchase additional food. Chef Julio Lazzarini of Navillus Restaurant in Orleans came out on top with his Puerto Rican–inspired chili.

Photography by Bob Tucker of Focal Point Studios

1. Sam Selldorff, Kathleen Ecker, Jamie Selldorff

2. Kathy Joseph, Kate Collins, Linda Longden, Terri Clark

3. Katie Wibby, Gerry Desautels

4. Jeff and Joan Craig

5. Todd Squire, Susie Hartung, Kyle Wibby

6. Chevaun Goulbourne, Christian Schultz, Julio Lazzarini

8.

9.

10.

11.

Transported to Modern Times

The Eldredge Garage, now featuring a new visitor center, was once home to a horse barn, gas station and auto garage.

FOR NEARLY A CENTURY AND A QUARTER

, from the days of horses and buggies to the days of electric vehicle chargers, the Eldredge Garage property at 365 Main St. has served as Chatham’s “transportation hub.”

A clean and trim new visitor center, a replica of the old gas station, was dedicated in July. Here are two public restrooms and a water fountain where you can refill your water bottle. You can recharge your electronic devices here, too. Behind the building is a new parking lot that will help alleviate Main Street’s chronic summertime parking shortage.

Until recently, a vast barn with a sagging roof and several additions hulked at the rear of the property. It’s not clear when in the waning years of the 19th century the barn was erected, but by the early 20th century the whinny of horses would have been a familiar sound to anyone passing by on the street or even staying next door at the Monomoyick House (now Chatham Inn). The breeze would have carried the scent of horses.

In 1904, the land and barn were sold to Joseph C. Eldredge. Until it burned down, Joseph had been running a livery business nearby, at the Mill Pond.

BY DEBRA LAWLESS HISTORICAL PHOTOS COURTESY OF SHARON ELDREDGE KAPLOWITZ

The old filling station building, shown here ca. 1930s, was replaced by a new visitor center that reproduced the vintage look of the old building and added modern amenities. In the back row are Clement Nickerson (at left), and his father, Joseph C. Nickerson.

He soon reestablished his business, the J.C. Eldredge Boarding and Livery Stable, in this new location. Joseph’s horses and wagons met incoming trains at the Chatham Depot and transported the passengers to their summer houses or hotels.

Auto garage defines new era

In about 1915, Joseph jumped into the modern era when he converted the horse barn to an auto garage. Beginning in 1910, the garage also sold gasoline. Through the decades, the business pumped gasoline marketed as Tidewater, Tydol, Flying A and finally Getty. (Today, a replica of a vintage red Tydol gasoline pump stands in front of the visitor center.) Joseph established a taxi service conveying beachgoers out to Monomoy when it was still a peninsula attached to the mainland. Joseph and his sons served as volunteer firefighters, and he rented space to the town to garage the town’s fire engines and rescue boat.

At some point, a small white gas station was constructed on the front of the property a few yards back from the street. Parts of it—the windows, doors and counter— were made from pieces salvaged from the Hotel Chatham that once stood on the current site of Eastward Ho! golf course overlooking Pleasant Bay, recalls Joseph’s great-grandson Lester Eldredge.

Gas stations can be lively places. In the days before coffee shops, retired men gathered around an old coal stove at Eldredge Garage. There they would while away their time gabbing and playing cribbage. They used empty oil cans as spittoons for chewing tobacco. Lester and his younger sister Sharon Eldredge Kaplowitz remember the chairs the men sat in, dark with age, that were still there when they were children in the 1960s.

Next generation expands the business

Gradually the small gas station was enlarged. By the 1960s, wooden shelves held quarts of oil, windshield cleaning solutions, and other automotive products. The old coal stove still heated the place while the antique hotel counter on the left displayed items for sale such as gum, candy and cigarettes. Inside a tiny office were a desk and an old safe. (“There was nothing in it once we finally got it open,” says Sharon.) Restrooms were in the back and side of the building.

In 1955, Joseph conveyed the property and the business to his son Clement. Clement’s son William, known as Bill, began working here as a young man; he took over the business in 1974 after Clement’s death.

In the 1970s, like his father Bill before him, Lester worked at the gas station during summers and school holidays, entering the business full time in 1977, making him the fourth generation employed there. In 1984, Bill

expanded into renting U-Hauls. He also maintained station wagons that drove passengers to Logan Airport while using the oldest wagon to convey passengers to Lighthouse Beach. In the barn out back, now heading toward its 100th birthday, Chatham’s snowbirds stored their cars over the winter. The men pumped gas until November 1988.

The beginning of a new chapter

As Main Street gradually evolved, time seemed to stand still at the Eldredge Garage property. On the Fourth of July, the Eldredge family and friends still gathered in front of the business to watch the parade march by. The vintage buildings on the lot attracted artists—at least one rendered the Eldredge Garage in the style of Edward Hopper.

When Bill died in March 2016, his four children decided it was time to sell the property. In January 2017, the town agreed to buy the 1.4-acre parcel from the Eldredges, who had owned it for 113 years. A town committee was formed to hash out how best to use the land. And in March 2017, the much-altered and deteriorating barn was torn down. Sharon and Lester were present the morning demolition began.

As the excavator tore into the landmark building, Sharon remembers, 100-year-old hay floated through the air, evoking once more the days of those long-gone horses.

Faces of Chatham GIVING

BACK

BY CAROL K. DUMAS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY RODRIGO ERENO

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

— Jane Goodall, famous zoologist and primatologist

Our four Faces of Chatham exemplify the principle of altruism. Tony Guthrie, Sandy Wycoff, Ginny Nickerson and Kim Roderiques share a common thread: They all work in the community and recognize that, despite the affluence that Chatham exudes on the surface, there are many who struggle day to day. They find the time, despite incredibly busy work lives, to help in meaningful ways that make a big difference in the Cape Cod community.

Ginny Nickerson THE CHATHAM

ANGEL FUND’S ANGEL

WHEN GINNY NICKERSON OWNED THE CHILDREN’S SHOP, Pat Vreeland, the school nurse, would drop by every year and ask for clothing donations for the lessfortunate children in town. Vreeland was representing the Chatham Teachers Children’s Fund, which identified schoolchildren in need of winter clothing. Nickerson graciously obliged, but one year she asked Vreeland how she funded the purchases of items that could not be supplied by local businesses.

“She said she used her own savings, and then as donations trickled in, she would repay herself,” recalls Nickerson. “I said that was nuts!”

Nickerson was a member of the board of the Chatham Merchants Association and convinced the board to help in a more effective way: Ask Chatham merchants to contribute a percentage of their gross sales from Thanksgiving to Christmas to a nonprofit fund. The Chatham Angel Fund was born in 1990.

See this year’s Angel Fund ornament on page 224.

“Our merchants are extremely generous to the children,” she notes. Nickerson is president of the Chatham Angels Fund Board of Directors.

Funds raised go 100 percent to the fund and directly toward the purchase of winter coats, boots, pajamas and other clothing for children identified by the Chatham Children’s Fund (formerly the Chatham Teachers Children’s Fund). Vreeland and her team shop for items in specific sizes for the children (who remain

“I love my town and I love volunteering. Children are important and don’t have a voice. The Angel Fund is my baby.”

— Ginny Nickerson, founder of The Chatham Angel Fund, which helps raise money for children in need of clothing

anonymous) on the list. In 2023, 227 children from 113 families in town benefited from the program.

While the 501(c)(3) organization is now managed by The Cape Cod Foundation, the Chatham Angel Fund provides a sustaining source of income for the Chatham Children’s Fund, Vreeland points out. Monies generated by the annual sale of ornaments and generous donations grow the coffers; Vreeland also works closely with local churches, businesses, organizations and individuals. The annual Christmas ornament is designed mostly by a local artist and sold in several retail shops in town. There are no overhead costs, thanks to local underwriting for the production. This year, Cape Cod Regional Technical High School printed the ornament, which was designed by summer resident Paula Romano. Nickerson herself designed an ornament one year.

“The list is endless,” says Nickerson, referring to those who support the Chatham Angel Fund. “We have all come together for a common cause, which is a delight to see.”

“It’s been a beautiful gift for us,” adds Vreeland. “Ginny is truly an angel!”

The Chatham Angel Fund also supports the afterschool program at Monomoy Community Services.

Nickerson, a 12th-generation Cape Codder, modestly deflects the credit Vreeland and others give her for creating the Chatham Angel Fund.

“I love my town and I love volunteering,” she says. “Children are important and don’t have a voice. The Angel Fund is my baby.”

Tony Guthrie LEVERAGING RELATIONSHIPS

THROUGH YEARS WORKING IN THE LUXURY HOSPITALITY AND REAL ESTATE MARKETS, TONY GUTHRIE is well acquainted with wealthy lifestyles, but he’s not unaware of others who struggle.

In recent years, Guthrie, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Robert Paul Properties, has organized local fundraisers for the Sunshine Kids Foundation. The nonprofit organization was established in Houston, Texas, in 1982. Its mission is to provide a variety of free programs and events for children who are receiving cancer treatments in hospitals across the United States and North America. The organization has been supported since its inception by Berkshire

Hathaway Home Services.

This year’s second annual “Sunshine Soiree,” held at Chatham Bars Inn this past June, raised more than $110,000 for the Sunshine Kids Foundation. TV personalities Maria Stephanos and Harvey Leonard were on hand to lead the event.

“Pediatric cancer has a cure rate of about 85 percent,” says Guthrie. “We hope to continue and grow the event here in Chatham because the need doesn’t go away.”

The success Guthrie achieved in organizing the Sunshine Soiree has its roots in earlier and sometimes unsuccessful forays into nonprofit fundraising when he first arrived on the scene in Chatham.

His fundraising roots go back to Niagara Falls, N.Y., where he recalls his mother going door-to-door to canvas for the American Cancer Society. In those days, before websites and social media, people gave cash or donated to worthy causes with checks, so asking for money required a certain depth of personal confidence. Inspired by his mom’s efforts, young Tony organized a successful walkathon for cancer in his hometown.

From the early 1980s to 1990, the AIDS epidemic was in full bloom, claiming one of his close friends. Guthrie joined the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod to learn how he could support their efforts. Organizing a fundraiser was suggested, and Guthrie quickly rose to the challenge.

“I organized a casino night and had posters made,” he recalls. “But only 40 people attended the event.” He was told it was because the town didn’t embrace newcomers like himself.

Never one to be deterred from a goal, Guthrie vowed to change that perception and joined the Chatham Merchants Association, where four women “took me under their wing.” They included Ginny Nickerson, Sheila Smith, Marge Long and Sue Malcolm, all business owners in town with clout. They put Guthrie to work on the association’s many events.

“They had me doing everything from blowing up balloons to handing out flyers,” he says. “And I met everyone. I learned that people might be reserved in the beginning, but once they get to know you, they will support you. It’s all about leveraging those relationships.”

The next Casino Night was attended by 300 people, and a third event was also a success.

Guthrie spent 25 years in the luxury hospitality industry, going on to work at Chatham Bars Inn, Wequassett, and Wychmere Harbor Club, before deciding to change gears and get into real estate.

He learned about the Sunshine Kids Foundation at a Berkshire Hathaway Home Services conference in California that he attended with colleagues. The heartbreaking stories of children living with cancer resonated with him.

“These kids felt so isolated and that kind of struck me as a gay man, as I felt that way as a kid, feeling different and not being accepted or supported,” he says. “Seeing their enthusiasm for life and a desire not only to help themselves but help each other, was powerful. These kids were so brave! I wanted to support the foundation in any way I could.”

Getting the Sunshine Soiree off the ground was tricky, he admits, but again, the relationships he had forged over the years in the community paid off. That first event raised more than $80,000.

“That’s the beauty of the Lower Cape and Chatham,” he says. “There’s a million great fundraisers on the Cape, but this town always seems to make room for another.”

Guthrie has also been volunteering at the Family Food Pantry for more than four years.

“It’s very gratifying, and it serves as a constant reminder that not everyone on Cape Cod lives a fun, easy, seaside life,” he says. “The people who come to the pantry are those that serve and take care of the wealthy that enjoy this beautiful peninsula. Be the change we long for in this world; we all have an unspoken responsibility to care for one another, especially those in need.”

Kim Roderiques A DYNAMIC FUNDRAISER

KIM RODERIQUES HAS HAD A SUCCESSFUL

CAREER as a professional photographer for more than 20 years and has also worked at her family’s Main Street clothing store for more than three decades.

But her life is anchored by charitable causes that are dear to her heart.

“When you take away all the affluence in Chatham, you can see people struggling. These people are my heroes, and I love to tell their stories,” she says.

Roderiques has used her photography and several books to tell those stories and support a number of causes. She has also organized successful fundraising events.

Her latest book, “Chatham, A Cape Cod Village,” was released on Sept. 4 at the Chatham Orpheum Theater. All proceeds benefited WE CAN, a nonprofit that supports women in transition on Cape Cod. The coffee table book, which features photographs of Chatham through four seasons, honors others in the community who have given their time to WE CAN, including Anne LeClaire and the late Dick Sullivan. Author Bernard Cornwell contributed an essay, and Chatham business owner Sandy Wycoff, a huge supporter of WE CAN, underwrote the book.

“I wanted to do something for WE CAN to help them, but be a win-win in other ways,” says Roderiques, who donated her photography and writing. “All these things say ‘Chatham’ and the power of community.”

It was her second major fundraising project this year. In June, she organized “Neurodiversity in the Arts” to benefit Cape Abilities. The organization supports individuals with disabilities on Cape Cod by educating, counseling and providing residential, therapeutic, social and employment supports that empower individuals to achieve meaningful and valued roles in the community.

“I had a friend who had a child with autism, and I learned that people with autism have virtually no support systems after the age of 22. I wanted to help increase awareness about that,” she explains about the inspiration for the Cape Abilities’ fundraiser.

She’s not shy about reaching out to well-known experts to headline her events.

“I got in touch with [Pulitzer Prize-winning author and journalist] Ron Suskind, who had written a book about autism [“Life, Animated; A Story of Sidekicks, Heroes, and Autism”], which focused on his experience raising his son who has late-onset autism.

Suskind, who told Roderiques, “I’d love to be a part of your extravaganza of hope,” was a member of an esteemed panel at the June fundraiser.

In a surprise for Suskind, Roderiques recruited Alan Rust, founder of Shakespeare in the Park, to ask actor Jonathan Freeman, the voice of Jafar in the Disney animated movie “Aladdin,” which had resonated with Suskind’s son Owen years ago, to be a part of the event. Freeman and Owen reenacted a scene from “Aladdin,” with Owen as the parrot to Freeman’s Jafar, in a highlight of the evening.

“For so many autistic people, the only voice they have is through the arts,” says Roderiques. “It was an electrifying evening.”

Previously, Roderiques produced photographs for “The Faces of Autism” held at Cape Cinema, which also featured a panel discussion; Cape Abilities was among five beneficiaries.

A longtime animal advocate, she has also coauthored two children’s books: “Max and Charlie Help Hero” and “Kaylee Finds A Friend,” both about dog-and-child relationships. Her coffee table book “Dogs of Cape Cod” (2014) received a New England Book award in the photography category. Sales of her new book, “Dogs in the Province Lands,” has already raised nearly $80,000 for the Animal Rescue League of Boston, which runs two animal shelters on the Cape.

The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recognized her work with its Guardian Angel Award in 2018; the ARL awarded her a Champion for Animals Award in 2021 and a 2024 Volunteer of the Year Award.

“I’ve always had shelter dogs,” says Roderiques, a 30-year volunteer for the Animal Rescue League.

Among numerous awards are a citation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives for her “commitment and dedication to the animals of the Commonwealth and for the Animal Rescue League of Boston and Brewster.”

“How Horses Heal,” a documentary produced by Roderiques, will benefit Emerald Hollow Therapeutic Riding Center and Mills River Rescue and Sanctuary. The film will debut at the Chatham Orpheum Theater on Oct. 10.

Other causes she has embraced include the Nicholas G. Xiarhos Foundation, the Sean Gannon Training Center, the K9 PTSD, Sierra Delta, Clear Path for Veterans New England and One Call Away Foundation

Roderiques has also raised funds for the Cape Cod Wellness Collaborative after she heard founder Sarah Swain talk about losing her mom to ovarian cancer.

“Sarah, who had me at ‘hello,’ showed me the impact that one person can have,” she recalls. “Meeting the people along the way and hearing their stories resonates with me.

“It’s about being able to tell the stories, through books or film, about those special nonprofits and educating others about the important work they do—that’s what motivates and inspires me.”

Ways to Give

While numerous nonprofit organizations benefit the community, here is a list of local organizations that support children and families.

CHATHAM ANGEL FUND

Funds raised go toward the purchase of winter coats, boots, pajamas and other clothing for children identified by the Chatham Children’s Fund. Managed by The Cape Cod Foundation, the fund provides a sustaining source of income for the Chatham Children’s Fund. Chatham Angel Fund, P.O. Box 201, North Chatham, 02650.

CHATHAM CHILDREN’S FUND

Assists local families in need with clothing, access to help with food, fuel, medical/dental, and unforeseen challenges, obligations and emergencies faced by Chatham’s children and their families. monomoy.org/chatham-children-s-fund

CHATHAM ECUMENICAL COUNCIL FOR THE HOMELESS

Provides financial assistance to individuals and families struggling with housing-related issues. preventingcapehomelessness.org

THE FAMILY PANTRY OF CAPE COD

Provides food, clothing, fuel assistance and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Plan application assistance to people and families in need on Cape Cod. thefamilypantry.com

MONOMOY COMMUNITY SERVICES

Offers a variety of social services, childcare and financial support resources for residents of Chatham. monomoy.org

WE CAN

Services include legal services, career and work support, financial empowerment, mentoring and Grow Your Own Business Program for women in transition on Cape Cod. wecancenter.org

WOMEN OF FISHING FAMILIES

Provides Cape Cod fishing families with the support they need during times of transition and unforeseen circumstances. womenoffishingfamilies.squarespace.com

Sandy Wycoff BEYOND RETAIL

RETAILER SANDY WYCOFF IS WELL KNOWN to locals, fellow merchants and tourists through her two Chatham businesses, Chatham Clothing Bar and Chatham Kids. In the spring, she’ll be opening a third shop in Harwich Port.

But thanks to this busy woman’s mission to give back to the community, a host of local nonprofits now know Sandy Wycoff for her philanthropic efforts.

“I’ve made my living here, and Chatham has been good to me,” she explains.

Wycoff first visited Chatham and saw the ocean for the first time when she was a college student. She had summer jobs at the former Thompson’s Clam Bar and the Christopher Ryder House and fell in love with the town.

In 1979, she moved to Chatham and opened Chatham T Co., Inc., on Main Street. Over the years, she developed two other businesses, Chatham Clothing Bar and Chatham Kids, before consolidating them into two locations (under the umbrella name Chatham T Co., Inc.). She became active in the Chatham Chamber of Commerce and Chatham Merchants Association, serving as president of both at various times.

Wycoff has donated her retail shop space for First Night Chatham’s headquarters, worked on the Chatham Eldredge Garage Property Project, which established a new public parking lot and a visitor’s center on the east end of Main Street; and she was instrumental in founding the Chatham Orpheum Theater. She participates in the Chatham Chamber of Commerce and Merchants Association’s annual spring fashion show, which this year benefited WE CAN, and sponsors “George” events that offer one-on-one styling sessions with local women. The “George” sessions are named after celebrity stylist George Brescia, whom she met several years ago when he walked into her store.

In addition to being active in the town’s community and business endeavors, Wycoff supports organizations she feels are most important to the community, including the Chatham Anglers, WE CAN, the Atwood Museum, Monomoy Community Services, Cape Cod Healthcare, the Sunshine Kids Foundation and the Animal Rescue League of Boston

“WE CAN is a fabulous organization,” she says about the nonprofit, which helps women in transition. After meeting one of its key founders, Dick Sullivan, she was impressed by his recognition that many women were having a tough time living on Cape Cod. It was an issue that recalled her own struggle as a single mother.

“When I applied for a business loan to open

Chatham T Co., the woman behind the desk decided to take a chance with me,” recalls Wycoff. “I was so grateful for that opportunity.”

At the time, says Wycoff, there were no services for female entrepreneurs. “WE CAN has led the way in providing advice and support for women who are starting their own business.”

Wycoff recently supported WE CAN’s mission by underwriting Kim Roderiques’ fundraising book “Chatham: A Cape Cod Village,” which held a soldout kick-off event at Chatham Orpheum Theater in September. Sales of the book benefit WE CAN.

“The overall thing for me is that I invest in what I know and understand,” says Wycoff. “It’s important for us to take care of each other. It’s part of what you do living in this wonderful community.”

Dazzling

Dahlias

A day in the life of Sara Pells at Chatham Bars Inn Farm involves caring for about 1,800 of the beloved blooms.

BY DEBRA LAWLESS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

BETTY WILEY

A DAHLIA FARMER’S DAY BEGINS EARLY.

Each morning during the growing season, Sara Pells, the flower production supervisor at Chatham Bars Inn Farm, reports to work between 6:15 and 6:30.

The eight-acre farm in Brewster produces all kinds of flowers—dahlias, snapdragons, sunflowers, lilies, delphiniums and marigolds, to name just a few—as well as culinary herbs and hydrangeas. Of the flowers,

99 percent go into bouquets and arrangements that are sold at the farmstand.

Most of the visitors head to the farmstand—open in the fall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. The farmstand is actually a two-story building with a wide veranda. Inside, buckets of cut flowers as well as a variety of appealing fresh vegetables, fruits and even breads are for sale. Behind the farmstand, the fields stretch out in a flat, sunny landscape dotted with greenhouses.

Pells started as the flower production supervisor here during the pandemic. She was working as a breakfast cook in Orleans when the pandemic temporarily shut down her restaurant. At that point, what could have been healthier than an outdoor job? “I had never flower farmed in my entire life,” she says. Now she’s completing her third season in the flower fields and is an expert in the lifecycle of the dahlia.

Dahlias were discovered in Mexico in the early 16th century. Later, in the Victorian era, they symbolized commitment and love, perhaps a reason some varieties are chosen for bridal bouquets.

Dahlias are perennials, but in our northern climate dahlias’ tuberous roots prefer to shelter indoors for the winter. Each fall—if possible after the second frost, likely sometime in late October—the farm’s dahlia tubers are dug up. The dirt is washed off them, and they’re patted dry and placed in cold storage in a walkin cooler where they’re content to go dormant for about seven months. In the very late spring, the day before they’re to be planted, they’re taken out of the cooler to wake up just a little before they go into the soil.

This year, the dahlias, roughly 1,800 of them, were planted on June 8, when the soil in the fields had reached a temperature between 55 and 60 degrees. Shortly after the planting was completed, with the tubers in tidy rows of 50, it began raining. Some of the dahlias got on their high horses about all that water and rotted. But give them too little water, and they’ll hate you because “they’re not drought tolerant,” says Pells.

Once the dahlias are in the ground, they’re watered with drip irrigation. This is a little trickier than it seems, since how much water they’re given depends on the rain. If the soil is dry down four or five inches, they’ll get a “good one-hour soak,” says Pells. As for rabbits, who have a taste for the sprouted dahlia tubers, a mixture of dried coyote and fox urine granules keeps most of them away from the plants.

Over the next two months, Pells fusses over the dahlias, manually fertilizing them. When the dahlia has four “true sets of leaves,” she pinches them back by cutting off the growing top. This makes the plant bush out rather than growing straight up. Because dahlias are top-heavy when in bloom, they’re staked and even fitted out with a couple of layers of netting that support their stems. Dahlias can grow to eight feet tall, with an average height of about four feet.

By early August, the dahlias are ready to be harvested. They’re cut with a stem of 16 to 18 inches to promote new growth. Those tubers planted in June will produce “hundreds and hundreds of pounds of flowers,” says Pells.

Pells harvests flowers every day early in the morning. “Any of the flowers get very upset with us when we

The Secret Lives of Dahlias: How to Grow Your Own

Growing spectacular dahlias at home is not difficult, says Sara Pells, the flower production supervisor at Chatham Bars Inn Farm.

First of all, choose a sunny spot in your garden. Dahlias like full sunlight—they need a bare minimum of six hours but prefer eight to 10. Plant the dahlia tubers late enough in the spring that all danger of frost is past. The tuber should be planted between two and six inches deep and between nine inches and three feet apart, depending on the size of the mature plants.

When the plant has four “true sets of leaves,” pinch off the growing stalk to make the plant bush out and create multiple stems. Depending on the variety of dahlia you have planted, it will need to be staked and grow up through either two or three layers of horizontal netting to keep the top-heavy plant from tumbling over. The bottom layer of netting will be about a foot up from the soil, with the next up another 20 inches.

Take care with watering the plants—remember, they don’t appreciate too much water—and fertilize them as needed. The flowers will bloom by the end of July or early August. Deadhead as needed to keep the garden blooming. Cut flowers early in the day, before the heat.

After the frost, dig up the tubers and store them for the winter in a cool place until the late spring.

The dahlias will reward you well for your efforts.

Debra Lawless

harvest them when it’s hot out,” she says. This has been a hot summer with temperatures already reaching the mid-70s by 7 a.m. on some days. The harvested flowers go from the field right to the cooler.

Dahlias come in a rainbow of colors except for blue— ironically the title of a 1946 film noir, “The Blue Dahlia.” The farm grows 15 to 20 varieties of dahlias, including the Café au Lait (a beautiful blush-pink color that’s a favorite in bridal bouquets); the apricot/ peach Sweet Suzanne; the ball-shaped Jowey Winnie; the American Dream with its semi-spiky petals, the Totally Tangerine Anemone (“the cutest little thing you ever saw in your life”); and the apricot David Howard and Mom’s Special dinnerplate dahlias. Decorative dinnerplate dahlias are just that—up to 10 inches across, like a dinnerplate. Dahlias are a flower with a true wow factor. And “we do have several new varieties we are testing for next season,” says Pells.

By 3:30 p.m., Pells’s workday is done. And in the morning, she’ll be back to begin a new day among the flowers.

Wet-harvested cranberries are corralled and readied to be extracted from a South Chatham bog.

A Crimson

Harvest

For the Ross family, managing several South Chatham cranberry bogs is a labor of love.

BY MARJORIE MCDONALD PITTS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BETTY WILEY

Cape Cod Cranberry Bog Tours

Ready to wade into the harvest yourself?

David Ross and his partner, Patti Theall, operate Cape Cod Cranberry Bog Tours, providing cranberry-curious patrons the opportunity to tour working bogs year-round. During the one- to two-hour tours, “Farmer Dave” as he is affectionately known, provides insight into the history of the cranberry industry, as well as information about native and hybrid varieties in the region and harvesting methods. Sampling the beloved fruit is also included. Patrons interested in premium tours, which involve putting on waders and engaging in Instagram-worthy photo opportunities while raking the crimson berries, should call ahead to book their outings during the harvest season in the fall.

capecodcranberrybogtours.com

508-237-5478

’TIS THE SEASON—FOR FRESH CRANBERRIES!

Cape Cod is famous for this tart and tangy native fruit. Dating back to the early 1800s, the Cape is also the original home of cultivated cranberry farming in the United States. Revolutionary War veteran Captain Henry Hall discovered in 1816 that the periodic addition of a layer of sand on a bog enhances the vigor and ultimately the yield of its established cranberry vines.

While in recent decades commercial cranberry growing operations have diminished in scale throughout the region, Chatham continues to be home to several thriving, privately owned working bogs. Last November, I visited one such operation in South Chatham and had the privilege of witnessing—and even participating in—the wet harvesting of these treasured berries.

With their cranberry harvesting season nearly complete, father and son David and James Ross share a moment to smile over the fruits of their labor.

While his father, David Ross, expertly operates a thresher machine known as a Gebhardt tractor, traversing the length of the flooded bog and releasing the cranberries from their submerged vines to float on the surface, James Ross is busy inserting a boom barrier along the edges of the bog. Over the hum of the tractor, James explains that his father has been in the

cranberry farming business for upwards of 40 years, now managing over 80 acres of independently owned bogs from Sandwich to Chatham, including their own. “We’re dealing with the original cranberry farms out here,” says James. “It’s a specialty crop, and it takes a lot of passion, not to mention skill, knowledge and background—it’s a labor of love.” Continued on page 96

Crannies

Chatham is home to both native and hybrid cranberry varieties, the most popular being Stevens and Mullica Queen, which tend to be a bit sweeter and larger in size than the native Howes. Long revered for its lengthy shelf life, the native Howes variety was also routinely used by local seamen on extensive voyages to ward off scurvy. “While British mariners were called “Limies” because they ate limes at sea, mariners from Massachusetts were referred to as ‘crannies,’” cranberry farmer and industry expert James Ross explains with a laugh.

Floating cranberries are raked into a submerged pump system into a sorting tower and readied for transport to an off-Cape processor.

Continued from page 93

After the berries have been brought to the surface, the boom is tightened, gradually encircling, consolidating and “corralling” the floating fruit while simultaneously shifting the entire corral toward a location near the bog’s edge. James then inserts a suction pan into the water below the corralled berries and runs an attached hose from the suction pan through a water pump that moves the buoyant cranberries up through the “cleaning tower”

As the cranberries are extracted from corrals into the underwater pump system, the boom barriers are tightened, and the circle of berries gradually decreases in size.

system of water sprayers and metal grates that separate the high quality—firm, ripe and round—cranberries from those that are not, eventually bouncing the desired fruit into the awaiting trailer bed of a tractor-trailer for transport to a processing operation off Cape.

Next, James and his assistants—who on this day included yours truly as well as two lucky participants in the day’s bog tour—wade through the mesmerizingly beautiful crimson

Dry v. wet harvesting

Fresh cranberries sold in grocery store produce sections for use in homemade cranberry sauces, pies, muffins, and the like are dry harvested to retain a longer shelf life; however, in recent years, consumer demand for fresh cranberries for these mostly home-based uses has diminished in favor of products produced from wet-harvested berries, such as sweetened dried cranberries, juices and canned sauces. As a result, most local cranberry bogs are now harvested using the wet-harvesting method, a process that is also considered more efficient—not to mention more picturesque—dotting the landscape with stunning floating seas of crimson to create a quintessentially autumnal Cape Cod scene.

Above: Freshly harvested cranberries bounce through the “cleaning tower” system of water sprayers sending the desired fruit into the awaiting trailer bed of a semi-truck for transport to a processing operation off Cape. Bottom right: Select cranberries are dry harvested by hand for seasonal baking and decorative uses. Bottom left: A comma-shaped crimson corral of wet-harvested cranberries.

sea of cranberries and use longhandled, squeegee-like rakes to push the berries toward the vortex formed on the surface above the suction pan, sending them on their way to the cleaning tower.

Meanwhile, as more and more of the berries are suctioned from the bog, the boom is continually tightened, shrinking the cranberry corral before our eyes until virtually no floating berries are left behind. With the day’s harvest complete, upwards of 40,000 pounds of fresh Chatham cranberries make their way to the processor—and, ultimately, to store shelves as cranberry juice, sweetened dried cranberries, cranberry sauce, health-enhancing cranberry supplements—and many other beneficial consumer products.

Crates of dry harvested cranberries are readied for transport. Below: A submerged water pump moves the buoyant cranberries up through the “cleaning tower” system of water sprayers and metal grates that separate the high-quality—fir m, ripe and round— cranberries from those that are not, eventually bouncing the desired fruit into the awaiting trailer bed of a semi-truck for transport to a processing operation off Cape.

Cranberry Delights

Chatham chefs serve up sweet and savory recipes to enjoy all season long.

Cranberry Chicken Sandwich

INGREDIENTS

• 2 slices cranberry bread

• ½ cup mayonnaise

• ½ cup whole cranberry sauce

• 6-ounce chicken breast

• 4 ounces brie

• ½ cup arugula

• 3 slices bacon, cooked

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 tablespoon butter, unsalted

• Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Season chicken breast with salt and pepper, and coat with olive oil. Grill until cooked through, and set aside.

2. Preheat a cast-iron skillet. Spread butter on both slices of cranberry bread and place on skillet. Place brie on one piece of bread in skillet and top with cooked bacon.

3. Slice chicken breast in half and place on top of brie in skillet.

4. Mix the mayonnaise and cranberry sauce in a small bowl.

Recipes courtesy of Executive Chef Shane

Wild Goose Tavern 512 Main St., wildgoosetavern.com

5. Once the brie has melted, place arugula on top.

6. Apply a generous amount of cranberry mayonnaise on top of bacon. Remove from skillet and assemble your sandwich.

Yield: 1 serving

Cranberry Salad

INGREDIENTS

• 2 ounces salad greens

• 3 ounces sliced cucumber

• 3 ounces grape tomatoes, cut in half

• 2 ounces red onion, julienned

• 2 tablespoons sun-dried cranberries

• 5-ounce Buttermilk Blue blue cheese wedge from Chatham Cheese Company

• 2 to 3 ounces cranberry dressing

DIRECTIONS

1. Place greens on center of plate. Arrange cucumber, tomatoes and onion around the greens.

2. Top salad with blue cheese. Garnish with cranberries. Drizzle salad with cranberry dressing.

Cranberry Dressing

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups cranberry juice

• 1 shallot, diced

• ¼ cup sundried cranberries

• 2½ cups canola oil

• ½ cup sherry vinegar

• 1 tablespoon honey

• Kosher salt to taste

DIRECTIONS

In a saucepan, combine 1½ cups of cranberry juice, shallots and dried cranberries. Simmer until liquid is almost gone. Transfer to food processor and mix with honey and vinegar. Slowly add canola oil and the rest of the cranberry juice until incorporated. Season with salt.

Yield: 1 serving

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon dry active yeast

• 5 tablespoons granulated sugar

• ½ cup warm water

• 6 eggs

• 2 teaspoons kosher salt

• 4 cups all-purpose flour plus 4 tablespoons

• ½ cup golden raisins

• 1 cup unsalted butter

• ½ teaspoon ground ginger

• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon ground clove

• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1 loaf pan, buttered generously

DIRECTIONS

1. In electric mixer bowl, add yeast, sugar and warm water. Let sit for 8 minutes until yeast begins to foam.

2. Whisk eggs well in a small mixing bowl then slowly add the eggs to the yeast and sugar mixture. With the hook attachment, begin to mix on low speed.

3. Add the four cups of flour and kosher salt; mix well. On medium speed, slowly add the butter until smooth. Add the remaining four tablespoons of flour and golden raisins. Mix well for three minutes.

4. Remove the bowl from the mixer and cover with plastic wrap. Let the covered bowl with dough sit for 15 minutes at room temperature. Bring back to mixer and mix on medium for 5 minutes. Remove bowl from mixer and cover with plastic wrap and let proof for 1 hour (the dough should double in size).

5. On a lightly floured surface, lay the dough and begin to “punch it,” gently pressing down on the dough with the back of your hand. Add the sifted spices, sprinkling throughout. Fold the dough over like a business letter to seal. Shape the dough and place it in a loaf pan.

6. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 minutes, rotating halfway through.

7. Remove from oven. Gently pop out of loaf pan onto a ½ sheet tray with a wire rack and let cool.

*High-quality brioche is available at Chatham Village Market

Cranberry Compote

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups fresh local cranberries

• ½ cup light brown sugar

• 1 lemon, juiced

• 3 ounces Calvados brandy

• ½ vanilla bean

• 2 cloves

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 2 star anise

DIRECTIONS

1. Place the vanilla bean, cloves, cinnamon stick and star anise in a sachet.

2. In mixing bowl, add the cranberries, brown sugar, lemon juice, Calvados and sachet. Mix well. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for three hours.

3. Add ½ of the cranberries and all the other ingredients from the bowl into a pot and cook at a gentle simmer for about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the stove and fold in the remaining cranberries.

4. Remove the sachet, open it and take out the vanilla bean. Split it in half and scrape the inside into the cranberry mixture. Discard the rest of sachet.

5. Mix well by folding. Cool and serve.

Ricotta Cream Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• ½ cup cold heavy cream

• 12 ounces ricotta cheese, strained well

• ½ cup confectioners’ sugar

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

1. In a mixing bowl, add the strained ricotta cheese, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla extract. Mix well with a whisk until all ingredients are fully incorporated.

2. In a separate mixing bowl, add the cold heavy cream and whisk until stiff peaks form.

How to assemble

INGREDIENTS

• 8 eggs

• 1 cup milk

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

DIRECTIONS

1. Slice the brioche into desired thickness and place into a deep dish.

2. Cover with egg wash (eggs, milk, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg). Whisk all ingredients well.

3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and then place a sauté pan on the stove on high heat. Add the unsalted butter and gently place your egg-washed French toast and let sear for two minutes on each side. Transfer the pan into the oven for an additional four minutes.

4. Remove the French toast from the oven and place onto a cutting board and cut vertically in half.

5. Set the French toast on a plate and mound 1 tablespoon of the cranberry compote onto the center of the plate next to the French toast. Place one tablespoon of the ricotta on top of the French toast.

6. With a microplane, grate some dark chocolate on the French toast and sprinkle a little confectioners’ sugar. Serve with a side of maple syrup.

Yield: 8 servings

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

INGREDIENTS

• ¾ cup butter

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 cup brown sugar

• ½ tablespoon salt

• 2 large eggs

• 1¼ cup all-purpose flour

• 1¼ cup cake flour

• ½ tablespoon baking soda

• 2 cups white chocolate chunks

• 1 cup dried cranberries

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 335 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Recipe courtesy of Executive Chef Andrew Chadwick Chatham Bars Inn

297 Shore Road, chathambars inn.com

2. Cream butter, sugars and salt together until light and smooth. Scrape bowl down and slowly add eggs. Add dry ingredients and blend until well blended. Add white chocolate chunks and dried cranberries. Mix until combined. Using a small ice cream scoop or spoon, portion out dough to desired size on baking sheet. Bake for 14 minutes.

Yield: 1 dozen large cookies

Sailing in Style

The tall ship Lynx provided a stunning backdrop for our fall fashion shoot.

BY SONJA BARTLETT

PHOTOGRAPH BY BETTY

WILEY

LOCATION. LOCATION. LOCATION.

For this year’s fall fashion spread, our team was lucky enough to be invited aboard the tall ship Lynx, in Stage Harbor for her second visit to Chatham. The ship and the surrounding Stage Harbor waterfront were a perfect backdrop for the warm fall hues of this wardrobe selection.

This new version of the privateer Lynx, built in 2001, is a double-masted, 95-foot-tall, almost 100-ton “interpretation,” not a replica, of an 1812 privateer of the same name—one of the fastest boats of her time.

This stunner is owned by the Lynx Educational Foundation, which runs experiential learning programs for youth in Nantucket and Georgia, with many stops along the way. We are grateful for their hospitality.

We hope you enjoyed seeing Lynx again as well as the fabulous clothes, curated by the Chatham Living team, from our amazing Chatham merchants.

For more information on the tall ship Lynx, visit tallshiplynx.org

Welcome

PHOTOGRAPHER: JOHN BESSLER

PHOTO PRODUCTION: ROBBIE BESSLER

MODELS: IRIS M. AND MILO B., SIGNED MANAGEMENT

CHRISTY AND NIGEL BIRD

HAILEY AND MICHAEL RADON

HAIR: DORIAN MCNEILL

MAKEUP: EVA JOHNSON

PRODUCED BY LISA CONNORS, SONJA BARTLETT AND JANICE ROGERS

Aboard!

Step back in time on the Tall Ship Lynx, an interpretation of an 1812 privateer recently docked at Stage Harbor, as we combine modern fashion with the timeless allure of maritime heritage.

Seas your style

Classic elegance

Carre Noir donegal knit mock neck sweater, Renuar faux fur zip-front vest, NYDJ Marilyn straight jeans with a coated finish in a classic straight-leg silhouette create a sleek, sophisticated appearance. Gigi crossbody/wristlet bag and interchangeable strap by Joy Susan. Plaid burnside double-brushed flannel shirt by Pendleton, super soft York Moleskin five-pocket pants by Turtleson, crafted from smooth cotton and uber-soft sustainable modal fabric. Mossley windstopper vest in olive by Alan Paine.

All available at Chatham Clothing Bar

Wind,andwavesadventure

Bali

Anchored in style

Cozy comfort, Chatham-style

Available at Fisherman’s

Stepping out

Opposite: Hailey wears a Vince dolman-sleeve wrap dress in dark water from Puritan Cape Cod paired with navy suede boots, available at Chatham Shoe Boutique. Michael wears a Bugatchi check dress shirt, Blue Industry sport coat, Vineyard Vines On the Go stone pants, Martin Dingman belt and boat shoes. Available from Puritan Cape Cod

Platinum ruby and diamond earrings and necklace; 14k ruby and diamond rings, platinum diamond ring and 18k diamond bracelet. All available at Chatham Jewelers

Smart and stylish

Lola and Sophie reversible jacket, taupe blouse by M Made in Italy, Lyssé boot, plaid ankle pants and Lodi brown suede doublezip boots. All available at If the Shoe Fits 14k diamond earrings, made on premises; 14k Scrimshaw pendant, an exclusive, on 14k necklace; 14k bracelet with 14k charm, made on premises; 14k diamond bracelet made on premises; 14k rings with 14k diamond ring; 14k and 18k rings. All available at Chatham Jewelers

Ready to set sail

Tall ship and timeless fashion

Learning the ropes

Couture meets New England chic

All decked out

Coastal Cool

Left to right: Milo, Michael and Nigel Saint James Bouboule navy sweater and Johnnie-O Hugo pant from Island Pursuit.

Chatham Chino striped dress shirt with grosgrain ribbon, Vineyard Vines Sankaty quarter-zip in sailors red, Vineyard Vines On the Go navy pants, Martin Dingman belt and Johnston & Murphy loafer. All available at Puritan Cape Cod.

Helly Hansen crew hooded jacket and “Chatham” T-shirt shirt paired with Liverpool modern straight jeans. All available from Island Pursuit. Olukai shoes in blue depth from Puritan Cape Cod

Left to right: Iris, Christy and Hailey

Figurehead fleece-lined sweatshirt from Fisherman’s Daughter, paired with Silver brand mid-rise boot-cut jeans, Ports & Company

Chatham design crewneck sweatshirt in ash gray, Beach Bum Surf Co., paired with Jag straight leg jeans from Island Pursuit

Chatham design crewneck sweatshirt in periwinkle. Lodi brown suede double-zip boots available at If the Shoe Fits

Sunset Vibes

GET THE LOOK

Beach Bum Surf Co.

4 Seaview St., 413-348-3832 beachbumsurfcompany.com

Chatham Clothing Bar

534 Main St., 508-945-5292 chathamtco.com

Chatham Dress Code

585 Main St., 774-840-4937 chathamdresscode.com

Chatham Jewelers

532 Main St., 508-945-0690 chathamjewelerscapecod.com

Chatham Shoe Boutique 1715 Main St., 508-348-1659

Fisherman’s Daughter

521 Main St., Chatham, 508-292-5463 fishermansdaughtermarket.com

Forest Beach Designer-Goldsmiths 436 Main St., 508-945-7334 capecodcharms.com

If the Shoe Fits

442 Main St., 508-348-1926 iftheshoefitsonthecape.com

Island Pursuit

1238 Main St., 508-945-3525 islandpursuit.com

J. McLaughlin

632 Main St., 508-348-1655 jmclaughlin.com

JAKS Chatham

505 Main St., 508-348-1193 jakschatham.com

Ports & Company

595 Main St., 508-348-5631 portsandcompany.com

Puritan Cape Cod

573 Main St., 508-945-0326 puritancapecod.com

Sara Campbell

578 Main St., 508-348-1702 saracampbell.com

The Trading Company

614 Main St., 508-945-9191 tradingcompanychatham.com

On Nigel: Dalton quartermaster quarter-zip, Liverpool modern pant and Riomar Waterman shoes, all available at JAKS Chatham

SPECIAL THANKS

Captain Donald Peacock, President of the Lynx Educational Foundation and Operator of the Lynx tall ship; Captain Sean Canniff and crew of the Lynx. For more information, visit tallshiplynx.org

Eva Johnson, makeup artist, evajohnson makeup.com

Dorian McNeill, hairstylist, Salon Fabulous, 595 Main St., 508-945-7860 salonfabulous chatham.com

Erin Scimeca, Signed Management, modeling agency based on Cape Cod, signedmgmt.com

Stage Harbor Yacht Club shyc.com

For the Love of Horseshoe Crabs

The horseshoe crab provides inspiration for nature lovers, craftsmen and artists alike — and is a beloved symbol around town.

BY SONJA BARTLETT

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BETTY WILEY

WALKING CHATHAM BEACHES IN MAY

AND EARLY JUNE, you can’t miss the dramatic mating rituals: horseshoe crabs in multiple crab clusters spawning above the highwater line, where the largest one, the female, will dig into the sand and bury thousands of eggs. It’s a dangerous way to procreate, as the receding water often leaves them behind, upside down and vulnerable in drying sand, with passersby helping them back into the water to live another day.

For generations, horseshoe crabs have stolen the hearts and imaginations of Chatham’s nature lovers, craftsmen and artists alike. They have made their way into our homes, too, as a staple of stylish and sentimental Chatham décor. From house signs to charms dangling from the bracelet on your wrist, the American horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) is a beloved symbol of the community, a symbol of permanence, of home, of tranquility.

While they’ve outlived dinosaurs, horseshoe crab populations are declining due to overfishing and coastal development. They are harvested as bait for commercial whelk fishing and also play a vital role in

the biomedical industry, where their blue blood is used in FDAmandated infection-prevention protocols. Massachusetts is now banning their harvesting during their spring and early summer spawning season, and experts like Mark Faherty of Mass Audubon hope the new rules will help restore their numbers.

“They are relatively unchanged in 450 million years. So they knew earth when it was one continent, watched the dinosaurs evolve and then go extinct, and survived five mass extinctions that have killed off the majority of species that have ever lived on the earth,” explains Faherty, science coordinator for Mass Audubon.

Horseshoe crabs aren’t actually crabs at all. These 10-eyed creatures are in their own order, more closely related to spiders and scorpions than crabs. Their habitat stretches along the entire East Coast and down to the Gulf of Mexico. A keystone species, horseshoe crabs are extremely critical to several types of declining Arctic nesting shorebirds, such as the Red Knot, that depend on their eggs for food. “Their eggs are a critical link in a hemispherewide food chain,” says Faherty.

Eye-catching signs, unique home décor

Here in Chatham, leaving the beach does not mean leaving the horseshoe crabs far behind. Walk along Main Street, and one of the most eye-catching store

signs you’ll see has an enormous gilded horseshoe crab on it. It’s the sign belonging to The Chatham Home, an interior design and retail store, where horseshoe crabs find their way into home décor, including a popular framed wall print of a marine-blue horseshoe crab. “Horseshoe crabs evoke a sense of connection to the sea. Connecting your home décor to your surroundings creates a story and a home,” says owner and designer Erin Masterson.

Bob Lacy, owner of the Chatham Sign Shop for more than three decades, is the craftsman behind the Chatham Home sign featuring 17-inch gilded horseshoe crabs on both sides. Lacy has hand-carved hundreds of house number signs and quarter boards over the years, many featuring horseshoe crabs, his favorite local sea creature. Now technology is playing a role in perfecting the design in 3D.

“I remember many, many years ago, the replicas were actual shells that were painted or gilded and put on signs, but now things are totally different, and

horseshoe crabs are carved by computer,” says Lacy. “The software we use takes into account every little dent and spike in the shell as well as the compound eyes and the long tail, all in such perfect detail that you cannot possibly tell the difference between the fake and the real.”

Lacy also created a mailbox adorned with a gilded 3D horseshoe crab for longtime North Chatham summer residents Bridget and Bob Buff. Bridget remembers wanting a symbol that was quintessential Cape Cod, as it is the first thing the family sees when they pull into their driveway at the start of every summer.

“I think the horseshoe crab is quite unique to Cape Cod. I am originally from Wisconsin and had never seen anything like it until my first visit to Chatham 30 years ago. I have the sweetest memories of our children playing with them in the summers at the beaches here in Chatham and watching them scoot across the water. They are uniquely East Coast, mystical and elegant all rolled into one,” says Bridget Buff.

Hand-crafted creations

If you prefer your horseshoe crabs inside the house, Chatham Pottery specializes in handcrafted, gleaming high-fire stoneware in two sizes of horseshoe crabs and an array of colors. Co-owner Paul Schuyler says that of all the designs in their shop, the horseshoe crab is his personal favorite.

“Horseshoe crabs are such a mainstay of life here,” says Schuyler, “it was only natural that we would want to represent them in some way. And if we’re talking ‘unique,’ horseshoe crabs are certainly that.”

Horseshoe crab leverback drop earrings in 14k gold handcrafted in town by Chatham Jewelers.

These handmade, highly lifelike horseshoe crab creations can sit on a coffee table, hang on a wall or grace your bookshelf. “At a quick glance, you might think there’s a real horseshoe crab climbing up your wall or lurking out in your garden,” says Schuyler, adding his favorite color is the chestnut glaze, which creates a lifelike patina.

If your taste is for something smaller, Forest Beach Designer-Goldsmiths has been creating solid gold and silver horseshoe crab charms, pendants and earrings in six sizes for more than 30 years on Main Street.

Owner Steve Wardle says he has made 700 different kinds of charms, but the horseshoe crab’s design makes it a natural standout. “The design is millions of years old. Can you imagine if you were a car maker and you did not have to change your product’s design, ever? It’s mind-boggling. Nature got it right.”

Wardle says that customers often want to buy a unique piece of jewelry to take home from Chatham to places far from the East Coast. “It makes for a provocative pendant. When you wear it back home in the Midwest, it is sure to be an interesting conversation starter, which is the purpose of a lot of jewelry. It is one of the most unusual things you can bring home from here.”

A forever symbol

As you drive around Chatham, you may notice cars with a unique, red plastic pennant stuck to their bumpers. It’s the “burgee,” or logo, of the Stage Harbor Yacht Club, whose founders chose the horseshoe crab to be its forever symbol in 1932.

Past commodore Chris Ritchie explains, “The ubiquitous horseshoe crabs in Stage Harbor made it an easy choice

for the yacht club’s burgee. In 1932, it was a green horseshoe crab on a red pennant. In 1934 it was changed to what we see today—a white horseshoe crab on the red pennant. As SHYC members are fond of saying, ‘the crab marches on.’”

SHYC former commodore and sailing master Drew Carlson adds, “The horseshoe crab is the ultimate symbol for our little club; both Stage Harbor Yacht Club and the mighty horseshoe crab timelessly ply the shores along the Cape’s elbow. The horseshoe crabs are hiding in plain sight, ubiquitous and timeless, just like the small sailboats that dot the harbor. Part of the backdrop of Chatham in the summer.”

It’s hard to believe today, but Limulus polyphemus were not always revered on these shores and were falsely thought to be a pest and a threat to the clam population from the 1950s through the 1970s. Tragically, beachgoers then were urged to kill them, and a bounty was paid on their tails.

No more. Horseshoe crabs now enjoy a robust fan base inside the scientific community and out. Regulators received over 3,000 letters from the public supporting the new rules to protect them, many urging Massachusetts to phase out their harvesting for bait in the whelk-fishing industry altogether.

So the next time you see a horseshoe crab flipped over above the water line on a tidal flat, struggling to right itself, flip it over, and pick it up by its sides, never the tail, and gently guide it back into the water so that this crab, too, may “march on” and be the forever symbol of our community.

Rooms with a

Chatham homeowners enjoy kicking back and sharing their unique man-cave/she-shed sanctuaries with friends and family.

Viewpoint

BY BILL HIGGINS

‘A big boy treehouse’

It’s not a man cave, really, although Tony and the guys certainly enjoy their time in the “Testosterone Tavern.”

And it’s not a she-shed, either, but Dawn and the ladies have been known to kick back and dance at the “EstroGin Estate.”

By any name, Tony and Dawn Boynton have a unique home away from home, and don’t let the unremarkable steel-gray exterior fool you. The 2,100-square-foot splitlevel in an industrial park is a celebration of one man’s love for fly-fishing and the outdoors.

Tony Boynton, 63, spent nearly 40 years in a family insurance business. He sold the agency and retired in 2021 to pursue a passion his wife says is now an obsession. He doesn’t disagree.

Dawn Boynton, who still works as a Realtor and often from home, realized quickly that having her husband around the house—when he wasn’t fishing, of course— might be a challenging adjustment for both. A chess set, of all things, planted the seed for their new happy place.

The Boyntons were visiting friends in Naples, Fla., and Tony was admiring a handmade chess set. When he learned his buddy made it in his woodworking shop, he was intrigued.

“I thought he had something in his basement, or a barn,” says Tony. “But it was in a separate industrial building. His wife told Dawn it was the most life-

changing thing they’ve ever bought. It’s his place to disappear to, and when he comes back home, he’s happy as can be.

“Dawn’s ears went up,” says Tony. “She knew I was in the middle of selling the business and would be around home a lot. ‘You need one of these,’ she said. So, all this happened because of that chess set.”

Tony found a site in Chatham, only a few miles from their home. It was just a piece of land, but there were plans for a commercial condominium. “I didn’t know exactly what or how big it would be, but whatever it was, I knew it would work for me,” he said.

Does it ever! Originally, it was going to be a spot to store Tony’s fishing and boating equipment, of which there is much. This is a man who lives to fish and fishes to live. He also enjoys tying flies for his many fishing adventures. And Dawn was thrilled to have a lot of clutter out of the house.

The aha moment of a man cave came when Tony discovered the building would have a 29-foot ceiling. Why not, he thought, make it two floors? The bottom half would be for all the gear and the top floor would be turned into a unique gathering space to hang out with friends.

The centerpiece is a full bar with authentic lighted beer signs, eight stools and three shelves stocked with plenty of libations. There are also beer and wine refrigerators,

a coffee maker, hot dog griller, microwave, popcorn maker and a pizza warmer. A high-top table seats four, and there are three comfortable barrel chairs.

Of course, there’s a big-screen TV, a dartboard and a foosball table. A 12-foot shuffleboard game is a popular activity, and the walls are decorated with fishing artifacts and art, posters, photographs, mounted trophy fish and an eight-point whitetail buck. There is also a collection of Tony’s prized beer taps.

Tony spent many hours watching YouTube videos for design ideas and inspiration. “I used to love building treehouses when I was a kid, but I’m not smart enough to come up with all this on my own. I searched man caves all over the world and took a lot of notes and photos,” he said.

When the guys are on site, which is just about every day, the “Testosterone Tavern” sign behind the bar is displayed. They usually arrive early, around 5 in the

morning to have coffee and plan their fishing for the day. When Dawn and her girlfriends are around, they flip the sign over to “Estro-Gin Estate.”

It’s all in good fun, which was the root of why the Boyntons wanted this.

“The number-one rule, maybe the only rule here, is be comfortable, enjoy yourself and laugh a lot,” said Tony. “I built this to share with friends. That’s the best part.”

Dawn admitted she was apprehensive at first about how the project would turn out, or if it was even necessary. And now upon completion?

“It’s fantastic and wonderful Tony and his friends have a place to go,” she says. “And I do, too. We both get to enjoy it together with our friends, to watch movies, games, have a birthday party, whatever.

“And this is definitely a big-boy treehouse,” says Dawn.

The Friary: Man Cave, College Style

Chuck Borkoski calls it The Friary. His devotion to Providence College, his alma mater, whose teams are known as the Friars, is on display from one end to the other of the expansive lower level of his home overlooking a Chatham pond. Let us count just some of the ways:

The black-and-white floor tile of the seven-stool bar, with two working beer taps, was selected by his wife and daughter to match the school’s basketball colors, including the exact shade of gray accent trim. A document in the bar notes The Friary received a Roman Catholic blessing from the Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., when the school president visited the Borkoskis in 2019.

Countless pieces of Providence memorabilia include a signed mini basketball by legends Ernie DiGregorio and Marvin Barnes; bobbleheads of Joe Hassett,

Kevin Stacom and Huxley, the Dalmatian mascot of Friartown; and a framed piece of the goal net, with a team photo and tickets from the 2015 NCAA ice hockey championship won by PC.

In the bathroom hangs basketball jersey number 31 and a warmup jacket from Bob Misevicius from the 1970s. The pool table at the other end of the room has a cue ball stamped with “The Friary,” an offshoot of St. Thomas Aquinas Priory, the residence of the Dominican friars on the Providence campus.

“Even though there’s a lot of masculine stuff around, it’s really a co-ed cave, a family place for us to enjoy with our friends,” says Borkoski. “The house was under construction when we first saw it, and the floor plan was set,” he added. “My wife, Leslie, looked at the space and thought it would be a wonderful place to have a bar.

We’re social and like to entertain. Leslie and our daughter Jenna (PC class of 2012) took over the design of what it would look like.”

Borkoski graduated from Providence College in 1971 and has been a generous supporter ever since while also serving on numerous boards and committees. He was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2023.

Borkoski retired in 2016 as vice president of marketing and portfolio development after a 46-year career with McLaughlin & Moran, the Anheuser-Busch distributor serving Rhode Island. He has had season tickets to the PC men’s basketball team for more than 50 years and regularly attends games even from his winter home in Florida.

“It’s been my good fortune to have a great relationship with the college,” he says. “This is a way to demonstrate my affinity for my alma mater and an outlet to display some things I’ve acquired over the years. Providence has had a profound effect on my life.”

One of Borkoski’s prized possessions in the bar is a basketball from 1971 when he was among 12 seniors

who took turns dribbling 212 miles from PC’s home gym at Alumni Hall to Madison Square Garden in New York City to celebrate the resurgent Friars’ invitation to participate in the National Invitational Tournament.

Dedicated in 2014, The Friary has a home-theater room with eight leather recliners. And while Providence College is the dominant theme throughout, an autographed Tom Brady Patriots jersey hangs near the pool table, above a vast collection of beer steins from Borkoski’s many years in the beverage business. There is also a display rack of golf balls from courses he has played.

Three framed film posters adorn one wall: from “Jaws,” the movie Chuck and Leslie saw on their first date in 1975; “Finest Hours,” the story of the Coast Guard Station Chatham team that rescued the crew of the tanker Pendleton during a 1952 nor’easter; and “Summer Catch,” about the Chatham baseball team in the Cape Cod League.

“This place is like my Rotary Club,” says Borkoski, “a place to meet and share with family and friends, have some good times, and hopefully make some sweet memories.”

“Even though there’s a lot of masculine stuff, it’s really a co-ed cave,” says Borkoski.

Home Sweet

Elegant, rustic and nautical elements transform a waterfront home on Oyster Pond into a magical Christmas setting.

The family room is an ode to Christmas, featuring hanging paper stars, decorative oversized gold branches, three decorated trees, a white fur throw ( The Chatham Home) and a freeform oyster bowl with gold leaf edge filled with ornaments from Simpler Pleasures to bring in the coastal theme.

Holidays

PRODUCED AND STYLED BY

CHRISTMAS HAS A NEW LOOK EVERY YEAR

at this Oyster Pond house, creating expectations for friends and family who visit.

“I like to change the theme every year,” says homeowner Lynne Payne. The Paynes vacationed here for 30 years before buying the home in 2020 and becoming year-round residents.

With four grown children and 10 grandchildren, the Paynes had sought a house that was large enough for entertaining, and this house fit the bill, but there was so much more to love about the property.

Top: The original part of the home dates to 1780. Above: Stars ( The Chatham Home), scallop ornaments (Nick Nickerson’s Chatham Coastal Creations) and silver balls ( The Mayflower) adorn one of several Christmas trees in the house.

“We loved the views, the gardens and proximity to town, but also the uniqueness and charm of the house. The additions and renovations were done so well; the integrity of the house was not compromised. We love living here because it’s a real home and we use it that way. We didn’t want a show house.”

The house is a marriage of old and new architecture. The original part of the home dates to 1780, and a new wing and other renovations and additions were done in 2003. The five-bedroom, 5.5-bathroom house is tucked into a private, waterfront neighborhood with a panoramic view of Oyster Pond.

“We have always loved Chatham,” says Payne. “It’s a special place for our family. I tell people it’s like living in a magazine, and every day I get up and turn the page to the next beautiful scene. The light, landscape, water, they change every day.”

The “elegant-rustic-nautical” theme works beautifully throughout the home. Payne foraged items from beach walks and shops in town. Seven Christmas trees—all decorated differently—are featured throughout the downstairs living areas amid the homeowners’ artwork and furnishings and five fireplaces. The pinecones, shells and boughs are the natural, rustic touches that play up against elegant oyster plates and festive glassware.

“I love Christmas, so decorating is fun for me,” says Payne. “I love filling the house with greens and trees, candles in the windows, and all the little white lights make it warm and special. Little trees go in the grandkids’ rooms. I decorate my trees and set my table differently every year. I come up with some theme and run with it. I love creating memories, and Christmas is a perfect time to do that!”

The formal parlor’s fireplace mantel garland was fashioned from foraged greens and decorated with coastal elements and tiny lights. A sparsely branched Christmas tree sparkles with white lights. The homeowner’s own chair, with a green velvet pillow from The Chatham Home, offers a way to mix fun into the room.

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Carla Hall, celebrity chef on the Food Network, adds a dash of star power and a sprinkle of joy to the inaugural holiday baking competition at Wequassett.

“COOKIES. EVERYONE CAN RELATE TO COOKIES. They’re such a great way to bring people together,” says Carla Hall, megawatt celebrity chef of Food Network “Top Chef” fame. And bring people together they did. Forty local bakers, 300 eager guests and a panel of seasoned judges, led by Hall, came together to find the best Christmas cookie in New England at the inaugural Cape Cod Holiday Baking Classic Cookie at Wequassett Resort & Golf Club.

The contestants, including four bakers from Chatham, were tasked with creating an original Christmas cookie recipe and then preparing and displaying 100 of their sweet treats for the event’s guests to take home. Elaborately decorated stations showed off 4,000 cookies, including Chatham’s own Carolyn Kemp’s eye-catching Grand Prix–themed table, complete with racing cookies, which were a big hit with the youngest guests.

As Hall made the rounds, she could not get more than a few feet through the displays before crowds swarmed asking for a hug or a selfie. Hall did not disappoint! Cat Martin, local professional baker and owner of Chatham Perk, who has followed Hall’s television career, felt Hall was a great choice for top judge. “She has such a wonderful, positive and upbeat attitude,” says Martin. “She makes you feel like you can be in the kitchen and don’t always have to be a superstar chef. As long as you enjoy what you’re doing, that’s all that matters.”

Carolyn Kemp with her hazelnut thumbprint cookie, whose indentation is filled with bright red currant jelly.

The Chatham baker is perfectly matched to her eye-catching Grand Prix-themed table.

Hall shared that it was her very first visit to Cape Cod and yet she felt “very connected” to this place, telling the audience that she could not stop thinking about all the hugs she had received, adding, “You don’t meet strangers here.”

This Top Chef may believe in cookies connecting folks, but all those in attendance that foggy winter morning would agree: It was Hall herself whose warmth was the secret ingredient.

The Cape Cod Holiday Baking Classic Cookie will be held Dec. 13–15 at Wequassett Resort & Golf Club. For more information, visit wequassett.com

Guthrie Schofield Group

As we bid farewell to another halcyon summer on Cape Cod, we're filled with gratitude for the timeless charm and beauty of this special place. The Guthrie Schofield Group is honored to be part of a community that cherishes the traditions and rich history of Chatham, where the essence of days gone by still lingers.

With our white-glove service, deep local connections, and modern digital marketing expertise, we're dedicated to helping you embrace the Cape Cod lifestyle, both now and in the future!

Tony Guthrie & Alfred Schofield tguthrie@robertpaul.com | 508-246-3236 aschofield@robertpaul.com | 774-487-8554

Sweet Competition

Brennan Mullin competes with area’s best, including her own boss, in the inaugural holiday cookie contest at Wequassett.

What inspired you to enter the Cape Cod Holiday Baking Classic Cookie Competition?

I am passionate about baking, with aspirations of starting my own baking business in the future. When I heard about the cookie contest at Wequassett, I thought it would be a wonderful way to share my baking on a larger scale, beyond the family and friends for whom I usually bake, and to test my skills against the many talented bakers across Cape Cod.

One of those talented bakers in the competition was your own boss. How was it competing against her?

I currently work in the deli at Chatham Perk and my boss, Cat Martin, told me about the competition and encouraged me to participate! She is incredibly supportive of my aspirations as a baker and we love to chat about different cookie ideas and baking adventures.

What type of cookie did you enter into this competition?

The cookie I baked for the competition was a ginger molasses sandwich cookie with a caramelized white chocolate espresso filling. The cookie has crisp edges with a chewy center with notes of molasses,

cinnamon and ginger, while the filling is a toasty white chocolate with a subtle coffee flavor.

I chose this one for the competition because the cookie itself is bursting with holiday flavors—cinnamon, ginger, molasses and more—and as a sandwich cookie, you get the added benefit of two cookies and a delicious filling layered between!

Have you always wanted to be a baker?

This is a career shift for me. I recently pivoted from a career working in the corporate environment, most recently as an executive assistant and a paralegal, to begin to pursue my longtime goal of opening a baking business of my own.

I have loved to bake since I was young and have always aspired to create my own baking business. I love the creativity and experimentation of baking, but I also appreciate the precision and science of the baking process. Most of all, it brings me great joy to bring happiness to others through my baked goods.

Sonja Bartlett

Chatham baker Brennan Mullin hopes for top honors with her ginger molasses sandwich cookie, whose nostalgic flavors come alive in the cookie’s surprise filling.

An impressive collection of license plates—around 3,000—lines the walls of the iconic

BY BILL HIGGINS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JULIA CUMES

Main Street restaurant, and their stories are woven into the rich tapestry of Squire lore.

THE CHATHAM SQUIRE, A LITERAL AND FIGURATIVE centerpiece of the community, is a cultural touchstone to a slice of bygone Americana when downtowns bustled with vibrancy. Quaint Main Street is dotted with galleries and boutiques, candy shops and ice cream shops. And in the middle sits the Squire, with its comfortable restaurant and letyour-hair-down tavern. For more than 50 years, it has delivered “food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty.”

If the Squire’s walls could talk, oh, the stories they might tell. “Actually, the walls of the tavern would probably scream,” laughs Greg Bennett, the day bar manager, who began working here in 1983.

There are thousands of tales to tell from the Squire’s distinctive array of automobile license plates covering the walls . . . and doors . . . and poles . . . and beams.

The come-as-you-are charm is “difficult to define, but easily understood. There’s a vibe, and the plates are a big part of our history, of who we are,” says Todd Hearle, who bought the Squire in 2019 from original owners George Payne and the late Richard Costello. “I inherited this, and I’d be foolish to change a thing.”

The impressive collection of plates from nearly every state is at the heart of the Squire’s ambiance.

“If you sit in the bar and watch people,” says Hearle, “their eyes are moving all around and you can tell they’re processing. Maybe they’re looking for something

in particular or maybe it’s nostalgia. But it’s always about the plates, and then the conversation begins.”

Kevin Forgeron began tending bar at the Squire in 1981. He was preceded five years earlier by Amy Tagliaferri, who stayed until 1998. Forgeron continues pouring pints, along with Bennett, and Tagliaferri, now with the Cape Cod Chronicle, is still around town. They remain friends and are woven into the rich tapestry of Squire lore.

So many plates, so many stories

It all began in 1968 when Payne and Costello leased the old New Yorker restaurant, and there were just a few license plates on a wall. Over time, more and more were added, and few became a lot, and soon a lot became hundreds and then thousands.

“Honestly, it’s probably around 3,000 now,” says Bennett, “but who knows? Someone counted them, and it was about 2,500. That was years ago and we’ve put up so many more since.”

“There isn’t a week that goes by where we don’t get a plate, and usually more than one,” says Forgeron. “In the (summer) season, I’d say at least five a week.”

Nowadays, in order for a plate to be accepted, there has to be a good story attached.

“If you strike a chord with us, we’ll absolutely find space,” says Hearle. “But the customer has to make a connection. If you have something, emotionally,

Themed nooks: Chatham, sports and a daring rescue

Every Squire plate—many of them personalized vanities—has a story. Some are obvious pledges of loyalty to sports teams or places, while others are messages of, well, anything and everything.

Many of the plates are intentionally grouped together, creating a theme to a certain nook or cranny in the bar. There are several devoted to Chatham, or CHATHM, CHATAM, CHADEM, CH4THM, and also Cape Cod (CAPE CD2, CAPE C, DA-CAPE, CAPE4ME, CPEKOD).

REDS8X from Virginia—perhaps a fan of Red Sox Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, who wore No. 8— hangs near a color photograph of Ted Williams. There’s a New Jersey plate, RDSOX, and the donor likely faced his share of grief. A New York plate declares NOCURSE, no doubt after 2004. A Tennessee plate shouts MONSTAH, probably in honor of Fenway Park’s left field wall. Then there’s the Florida plate with split allegiances: NYY BOS. Good luck in that home!

In 2022, Chatham’s Art in the Park benefiting the Chatham Chamber of Commerce and Merchants Association, included a Squire entry of a whale covered in colorful plates. It generated 77 bids, starting at $250, and sold for $5,050.

Bill Richardson, former two-term governor of New Mexico and ambassador to the United Nations, had a home in Chatham and spent a lot of time at the Squire. When he died in 2023, his wife, Barbara, presented his GOV 2 New Mexico plate, which is affixed intentionally next to DEMCRAT, an Indiana plate. (In the spirit of bipartisanship, GOP 4 from Connecticut is in another part of the tavern.)

Near the Squire’s entrance is a collection of plates honoring military veterans, including Purple Heart plates from Missouri and Massachusetts, SERV from New Hampshire and a fallen hero plate from Colorado.

Also near the front door is a framed display of a Florida plate with U.S. Coast Guard designation,

given to the Squire in 2017 by Penny Webber Hamilton. It honors her father, Bernie Webber, who was part of a Coast Guard Station Chatham team that saved the crew of the tanker Pendleton after it split in half off the coast of Cape Cod during a nor’easter in 1952. The daring rescue was documented in the movie “The Finest Hours.”

—Bill Higgins

The Squire’s hometown is celebrated with a variety of spellings while plates from nearly every state and many from outside the U.S. fill the walls.

personally, whatever, I have a drill in the upstairs office. I will hang it myself. It’s an honor.”

The Squire’s oldest plate is from Massachusetts in 1911. A 1928 Massachusetts plate includes a controversial fish—supposedly a cod but looking more like a guppy—swimming left, away from “MASS.” That reportedly led to a poor year in the state’s fishing industry, so in 1929 the codfish was updated and swimming back toward “MASS.”

There was a time when all 50 states were represented, but North Dakota, as best anyone can tell, is now among the missing. It’s not unusual, says Bennett, for latenight revelers to attempt to remove a plate as a keepsake from their Squire experience.

“Oh yeah, we’ve caught people trying to steal plates. The five-finger discount,” smiles Bennett. That, apparently, is what happened to the Peace Garden State plate.

“We’ve also had people offer ridiculous amounts of money to buy a plate, hundreds of dollars, but nothing is for sale,” says Bennett. “These are given to us for a good reason,” adds Forgeron. “They mean

something to everyone.”

There are also many license plates from outside the U.S., including Aruba, Venezuela, Chile, Nicaragua and Brazil.

On the door to the men’s room is a plate proclaiming HI GUY. Over the swinging door to the kitchen is, of course, FOOD.

Go figure

There are still other plates that will challenge you to decipher the message, sort of like playing phonetic Wheel of Fortune. So, how’s everything? GOODNU. UWANAHUG.

Then there’s NTGLTY, donated by a judge, of course. And from Vermont, TIM BRR, perhaps from a lumberjack—or maybe Tim is cold. GT2BLEV is a contribution from Virginia, presumably an optimist, and one of Bennett’s favorites is PMPN8EZ.

Other plates are a little more ribald or even rude, but it’s worth a visit to the tavern to search them out and at least admire the creativity.

Bennett was a coconspirator with a customer who wanted to propose to his girlfriend, and now MARRY ME

AMY is one of his favorites.

“The couple were in during the summer and always had fun looking around,” remembers Bennett. “One day in the fall, about five years ago, the guy came back by himself while I was opening up. He had this mockup of a Connecticut plate. I put it up directly across from the bar taps, where they would be sitting that afternoon, right at their eye level.

“All of us were in on it,” says Bennett. “You could see them slowly working their eyes around the room, and then when she got to MARRY ME AMY, her facial expression completely changed. She turned around to her boyfriend and he was on one knee. It was very cool!”

Tagliaferri remembers a time when the Squire would close in the winter months and staff would spend time painting. That would include taking down plates to clean off the grime from smokers.

“I would make sketches of where they were located on walls or posts so we could put them back in the same spots,” says Tagliaferri. “Regular customers were very picky and would notice if a favorite one was moved.”

Says Hearle: “It’s all part of what makes the Squire a family. We listen, and we have respect for each other.”

One of Hearle’s favorite plates is DECORUM. “I guess I just like what the word means,” he says.

So now, it’s almost closing time and last call. Before we go, an appropriate toast: To the iconic Squire, SHOTS and BEERS.

TTFNOW. SEAYUH.

NET GAIN: Chatham in step with

THE EVER-GROWING POPULARITY OF PICKLEBALL continues to march on, and Chatham is the latest community to join the parade. A sparkling complex of six new outdoor courts dedicated solely to the peculiarly named game opened in June off Stepping Stones Road, adjacent to Monomoy Regional Middle School.

The courts—a combination of blue and gray, school colors of the Monomoy Sharks—are a welcome addition to the town’s recreation portfolio. They include acoustic screens to mitigate noise. Seating, shade shields and storage are also planned.

pickleball popularity

New outdoor courts are a welcome addition to town.

BY BILL HIGGINS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JULIA CUMES

“We’re thrilled with the way everything turned out. It was a wonderful team effort,” says Meredith Fry, Chatham Parks & Recreation Commission chair, who spearheaded the project.

Previously, Chatham’s only outdoor locations for pickleball were at the reconfigured tennis courts on Depot Road or dilapidated courts at the middle school. The gymnasium at the community center is also used for indoor play.

Pickleball: Past and present Pickleball, a combination of tennis, badminton and Ping-Pong, was born out of boredom in the mid-1960s on Bainbridge Island, near Seattle, Washington. Three fathers looking to give their children a new activity are credited with inventing the game.

One of the wives called it pickleball because the mix of different sports reminded her of the pickle race in a crew regatta where rowers are chosen from the leftovers of other boats. (There is also a version that the name came from a family dog named Pickles, who supposedly loved to chase the ball, but that has been debunked by USA Pickleball, the national governing body for the sport.)

Chatham recreation chair ‘got the ball rolling’

Meredith Fry, Chatham Parks & Recreation Commission chair, began working on the new pickleball courts in 2022, collaborating with town and Monomoy school officials after seeing how Nantucket used the Massachusetts Community Preservation Act on the island. The CPA is a smart-growth tool that helps communities develop outdoor recreational facilities. Fry also noted that other Cape towns used the CPA to meet the increased demand for pickleball courts.

“We were behind our neighbors, and I thought it was a shame we didn’t have our own,” says Fry. “I got the ball rolling, and Aimee Howell (deputy director of recreation and beaches) was a great help. The pickleball community came out at town meeting in 2023 and convinced the finance committee it was the right thing to do for the town and the school. It just made a lot of sense.”

The Chatham Community Preservation Committee approved $300,000 for construction, which began in the fall of 2023 and was completed last spring.

An eight-person Friends of Chatham Pickleball group will act as a liaison with the parks and recreation commission to establish policies.

The courts, located adjacent to Monomoy Regional Middle School, are open 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Saturday for members ($15 residential membership fee, $25 for nonresidents through 2024). Open public play is available in the afternoon and on Sundays. The school will also have use of the courts for physical education classes.

Pickleball is usually played as a doubles game with two players on each side of the net. Quickness and agility are assets, but hand-eye coordination, anticipation and shot placement are just as important. The perforated plastic ball doesn’t fly as fast through the air, and serves, hit underhand, are easier to return.

Baby Boomers have embraced the sport because there’s less running than in tennis, and the paddle, smaller and lighter than a racket, is easier to handle. The cost of a pickleball paddle can range from less than $50 to upward of $300. A dozen balls are about $30.

The camaraderie and social aspects make pickleball a game for players of all ages and ability.

Pickleball continues to be the fastest-growing sport in the country, expanding by more than 200 percent in the last three years, according to 2024 data from the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. Professional leagues and sports stars such as Tom Brady and LeBron James have invested in teams.

Passionate about pickleball

In Chatham, as elsewhere, pickleballers are passionate about the game. During the winter months, the community center is busy most days with players filling three courts in the gym. The new outdoor courts are also proving wildly popular.

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Stello Construction, located on Cape Cod in Chatham, Massachusetts, takes pride in its quality work and attention to detail. Whether you are in need of a small repair, remodeling an existing home, planning an addition or wish to design/build a new home, you can be confident that Stello Construction will work closely with you to bring your ideas to life.

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Cape Cod's premier installer of

“I’m not sure we could ever have enough places to play to meet the demand,” says Howell, “but the new courts look amazing, and it’s a great addition to the town.”

Joel Goldsmith, a member of the board, said the new outdoor courts will be a boon for Chatham.

“I’ll play anywhere, anytime, indoors, outdoors, it’s all good,” says Goldsmith, who is among Chatham’s avid picklers. “If you’ve never played, you can learn pretty quickly and have a good time. And that’s the other thing: Pickleball is very sociable, and age doesn’t matter. I’ve played with everyone from 10 to 96.”

Sara Grizzle of Harwich plays several times a week when she’s not busy running a restaurant in New York City and a harbor seafood summer shack in Harwich. Her mom, Kathy, inspired her to start playing about three years ago and says pickleball is a physical and mental outlet.

A combination of tennis, badminton and Ping-Pong, pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the country and a game that appeals across generations.

“I’m definitely not depressed, but when you smack that ball around it’s like going to therapy and you’re saving $250,” says Sara. “My mom wanted to play, and then I fell in love with the game. It’s good exercise, and we’ve made a lot of friends.”

Kathy Grizzle plays often as well but admits she’s no longer as competitive as her daughter.

“I accept my limitations,” she says, “but for me it’s trying my best and enjoying the company. Having a tennis background made it relatively easy for me to pick up. You don’t have to worry about the rules. You can play the first day: Just hit the paddle against the ball.

“If you don’t find something to get you up every morning,” she adds, “life is not as easy, and this is fun.”

WINTER SURVIVAL GUIDE

Winter is coming. . . . The colder months might conjure up reading by a cozy fire, watching TV, making delicious meals and staying home, but Chatham has a lot going on to keep you engaged, fit and off the couch. The weather can be blustery, maybe dreary, and, yes, it does snow here sometimes, but there are plenty of things to do on these shorter days that seem infinitely long. Here’s a guide to a few of our favorites.

BY CAROL K. DUMAS

BY

Cool Cocktails

Clueless about cocktails, but would like to learn the basics or perhaps step up your skills? Are you planning a party and need a signature drink? Consider taking an Interactive Mixology class at Chatham Bars Inn. Classes run from January through March (with a special Holiday Mixology class to be offered in December). Each guest is greeted with a welcome cocktail and then makes their own concoction, preparing ingredients and garnishes guided by one of the inn’s bartending pros. Take home recipes for everything made during the class. Attendees must be 21+, and tickets are available through Eventbrite, once announced. For details, subscribe to the Chatham Bars Inn e-newsletter or visit its website.

Chatham Bars Inn, 297 Shore Road, Chatham, 508-945-6871, chathambarsinn.com

Boston ceramicist Jill Rosenwald assists participants in her pottery workshop at The Chatham Home.

Clay and Creativity Take Shape

Fancy making your own unique piece of pottery? Ceramicist Jill Rosenwald will return to Chatham this holiday season to lead a workshop at The Chatham Home, where participants will paint a Bali toile peony vase. Rosenwald first sold her wares on the streets of New York City before selling her ceramics line to Neiman Marcus. For the past 20 years, Rosenwald has been making by hand her signature earthenware pottery in her Boston studio. Workshop participants will be provided with a pre-drawn vase, and before the drawing and painting begins, Rosenwald will talk about her process, discuss patterns and colors and give a hands-on demo. Enjoy wine and snacks, too! For the next pottery workshop,, follow The Chatham Home on Facebook and Instagram, or visit thechathamhome.com

The Chatham Home, 443 Main St., 508-945-5562, thechathamhome.com

Movie Magic

The proliferation of streaming services means you don’t have to leave home to see a movie, even new releases, but there’s nothing like watching a film on a giant screen. Why not take in a matinee or make it a movie night at Chatham Orpheum Theater? The magical movie house on Main Street began its history in 1916 showing silent movies. Decades later, following the building’s second life as a CVS, a grassroots organization formed in 2011 to bring movies back to downtown, and the building was beautifully renovated. Two screens show firstrun major motion pictures, art house movies, independent productions, documentaries and works by local filmmakers. Many would agree that the Orpheum’s most unique feature is the mesmerizing lobby mural featuring Hollywood stars, painted by local artist Hans de Castellane (try to identify who’s who while you’re dining or waiting for the show to begin). Don’t forget the popcorn or enjoy pizza, salad or a sandwich before, during or after the show from The Pizza Shark.

Chatham Orpheum Theater 637 Main St., 508-945-0874 chathamorpheum.org

Art and Inspiration

The Creative Arts Center offers off-season classes for all levels of artists. Consider: Art Nights with Amy or Drawing 101 with Angela Zoni Mault, which is geared to everyone from a complete novice to a more experienced artist; Oil Acrylic Studio with Steve Kennedy, where you’ll learn how to get more out of your painting experience as Kennedy walks you through the how-tos of painting; and Portrait and Figure in Watercolor Workshop by Mary Whyte, a nationally renowned artist, who will instruct in fundamentals and advanced approaches to watercolor with personal on-on-one assistance and tips on marketing your work. In addition, Michael Giaquinto will lead Examining Abstract Painting through Still-Life in Acrylic, for all levels who are interested in abstract painting

Creative Arts Center, 154 Crowell Road, 508-945-3583, capecodcreativearts.org

Artist Liz Perry will lead workshops, “Exploring Mixed Media,” on Oct. 21, 23, 25 at the Creative Arts Center.

In Search of History

Refresh your local historical knowledge or learn something new at two intimate museums, Atwood House Museum and Chatham Marconi Maritime Center, which offer boatloads of Chatham history without the crowds. Atwood House, home to the Chatham Historical Society, focuses on the entire town, with many informative exhibits of china, glass, textiles, paintings and more through the old house, built in the 1750s, or take in a Tuesday talk. Chatham Marconi has a specific focus: It’s dedicated to the history of a short-wave radio station that operated for many years on the grounds of the MarconiRCA Wireless Receiving Station, but related aspects of maritime history are often reflected, such as in the 2023 feature exhibit on 20thcentury ocean liners. Fall hours are through Nov. 26.

Atwood Museum, 347 Stage Harbor Road, 508-945-2493, chathamhistoricalsociety.org

Chatham Marconi Maritime Center, 847 Orleans Road, 508-945-8889, chathammarconi.org

Book Club

Find your next read with a new author or revisit a classic with like-minded book lovers through a book club. The Friends of Eldredge Public Library Book Discussion Group meets once a month at the library from 3 to 4 p.m. Here are the late fall-winter selections: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (October); Booth by Karen Joy Fowler (November); Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton (December); Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zavin (January); Eternal by Lisa Scottoline (February); and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (March).

The Chatham Conservation Foundation also offers a book club at the historic Mayo House, with mid-monthly reads selected by the group and focused on the environment. CCF preserves land for the benefit of the people, plants, animals and ecosystems of Chatham. The book club is open to all on Mondays at the historic Mayo House.

Eldredge Public Library, 564 Main St., 508-945-5170, eldredgelibrary.org

Chatham Conservation Foundation, 540 Main St., 508-945-4084, chathamconservationfoundation.org/upcomingevents

Fishy Business

Meet the Fleet, hosted by Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance, brings together local chefs and fishermen with an informative presentation and tasting that will deepen your appreciation of local seafood. Past programs have featured scallops, monkfish and mussels. Learn about the fishing process as well as tips on cooking the catch of the day. The next programs take place in November and February. Check the Alliance’s website for updates on the schedule. Tickets will be available four weeks in advance. For more about fishing, check out the Alliance’s new program, “Small Boats, Big Science,” that pairs a fisherman with a scientist to talk about the scientific research fishermen are involved in and why it matters to the wider community.

Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance, 1666 Main St., 508-945-2432, capecodfishermen.org

The Play’s the Thing

Live theater thrives at Chatham Drama Guild, where The Game’s Afoot, a comedy thriller by Ken Ludwig and directed by Scott Hamilton will be staged Nov.15 through Dec. 8, Friday through Sunday. The play is set in December 1936, when Broadway star William Gillette, admired the world over for his leading role in the play “Sherlock Holmes,” has invited his fellow cast members to his Connecticut castle for a weekend of revelry. But when one of the guests is stabbed to death, Gillette must step into his Holmes persona to solve the case.

The talented cast features local thespians, some of whom you may recognize! The intimate theater offers a cash bar and is wheelchair accessible. There is regular and cabaret (table) seating available.

Throughout the year, the Guild produces musicals, dramas and concerts. If you’re interested in trying out for a part in a play, check out audition times for upcoming shows.

Chatham Drama Guild, 134 Crowell Road, 508-945-0510, chatdramaguild.org

Chatham Works offers a variety of year-round classes for all fitness levels.

Let’s Get Physical

This year marks the fifth anniversary of Chatham Works, the friendly, intimate fitness center created by entrepreneurs Lindsay and Fred Bierwirth, whose fitness philosophy is based on the idea that “Exercise Is Medicine.” It’s been a long road for the fitness center, which opened just eight months before the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has not only survived but thrived. A new fitness class, “Strength & Stretch,” offers 20 minutes of strength training on the gym’s upstairs Turf space with personal trainer John Gill, followed by 20 minutes of stretching and mobility work in the Group Exercise Room with barre/Pilates instructor Marie Senno. The Bierwirths are planning to add more offerings this fall and winter related to stretching, mobility and recovery work.

Chatham Works, 323 Orleans Road, North Chatham, 508-469-0123, chathamworks.com

Top Chef

Whether you are already an accomplished at-home chef or someone who has been wanting to sharpen your cooking skills or learn something new, consider the Chatham Bars Inn Cooking School. Ninety-minute, uniquely curated culinary experiences are led by one of the talented Chatham Bars Inn chefs. Topics (subject to change) include Japanese Cuisine and Sushi. In this class, the chef teaches several ways to prepare sushi. Participants learn how to select and prepare fish and use techniques for cooking and seasoning rice. The class also includes a hands-on demonstration of and instruction in rolling, forming and presentation of sushi. Students are also exposed to other traditional Japanese items such as miso soup.

Classes are usually held one evening per week from January through March and are limited to 12 people, ending with a family-style dinner showcasing the class’s creations.

Chatham Bars Inn, 297 Shore Road, 508-945-6871, chathambarsinn.com

Into the Wild

Take a brisk walk in late fall and winter on one of the trails maintained by the Chatham Conservation Foundation. This nonprofit land conservation organization was founded in 1962 and is the oldest land trust on Cape Cod. There are plenty of flora and fauna, and walking at this time of year means you’re often the only person on these quiet paths. The website includes a primer for native plant ID and maps you can easily download to guide you.

The Frost Fish Creek Walking Trail includes the mostly flat Robert Verity Clem Trail and the very hilly High Trail, about one-mile round trip. Walk through oak and pine woods and along a salt marsh and swamp lands. Keep an eye out for buffleheads this time of year. If you’re lucky, you’ll spy a river otter or a muskrat!

The Mill Pond Overlook Trail is located behind the Atwood House for about a half-mile round trip. Habitats include salt marsh, coastal bank, and pine and oak woods. The CCF is currently replacing invasive species on this 9-acre property with native species, including inkberry, sweet pepperbush and witch hazel.

The 30-acre Barclays Pond Conservation Area lies between Old Queen Anne and George Ryder roads and includes 1.5 miles of hilly trails. A variety of animals live here including coyote and deer, and you might see buffleheads diving in the pond. One of the most interesting sites offers a view of the remaining towers constructed in 1914 to support the antennae for Guglielmo Marconi’s innovative transatlantic wireless system.

Chatham Conservation Foundation chathamconservationfoundation.org/ trailguide

Holiday Gift Guide

Get ready to sleigh the holidays with our ultimate gift guide! Whether you’re shopping for family, friends or that hard-to-buy-for person, we’ve curated the perfect presents from local shops for everyone on your list. From unique stocking stuffers to luxurious splurges, find thoughtful and on-trend gift ideas that will bring joy and cheer to your loved ones. Merry everything!

BY LISA LEIGH CONNORS

For Your Stylish Friend

Single stave bracelet, $195, and triple stave bracelet, $325, with ecoivory tips. Available in multiple sizes and different accents: gold, pearl, mammoth, ivory and diamonds. Cherry wood keychain with hand-carved whale and brass hardware, $295. Colors of Chatham, colorsofchatham.com

Joy Susan bags with custom monograms done in store: Wristlet, $42; mini wallet, $30; and Aria ring bag, $64, Chatham Clothing Bar, chathamclothingbar.com

For Him

Secrid wallet features minimalist design and practical storage, $89–$109, Puritan Cape Cod, puritancapecod.com

14-ounce Yeti rambler mug, $40, The Squire Shop, chathamsquire shop.com

Shearling-lined UGG slippers, made from soft suede and rubber outsole, $120; MZ Wallace woven hobo bag in metallic silver, $215, Puritan Cape Cod, puritancapecod.com

Fly box with locally tied flies, $111.99; individual flies range from $4.99–$19.99; Top-of-the-line Orvis fly rod for New England saltwater fishing, $1,198; Orvis Mirage V fly fishing reel, Americanmade, 9–11 weight reel for striper fishing, $798; Orvis fishing backpack, $189, North Chatham Outfitters, northchathamoutfitters.com

For the Beach Bum

Shark fin bass hats, $38, Fisherman’s Daughter, fishermansdaughtermarket.com

Enamel beach ball pendant, exclusive to Chatham Jewelers, $995. Sold separately: 14k 20” necklace, $675, Chatham Jewelers, Inc., chathamjewelers capecod.com

Children’s Nauset chair with cup holder, $159, plus $15 for optional custom embroidery. Ideally sized for kids ages 1-8. Cape Cod Beach Chair, capecodbeachchair.com

Stadium blanket, $62, Chatham Clothing Bar, chatham clothingbar.com

Lightweight, quick-drying towel by Cape Cod Towel Company, $49, Puritan Cape Cod, puritancapecod.com

Johnny Vacay 500-piece Bronco puzzle, $36; Johnny Vacay Beach Rides playing cards, $24, The Mayflower, themayflowershop.com

Captain’s Cord magnetic bracelets, available in pewter and 14k gold dipped, $42 each, Fisherman’s Daughter, fishermansdaughtermarket.com

Six-inch Martha Lawrence basket with cherry wood accents and bone knobs, $29, Colors of Chatham, colorsofchatham.com

Scrimshaw Nantucket basket lockets, made on premises, $1,450, Chatham Jewelers, Inc., chathamjewelerscapecod.com

Kent Stetson bag, $210 large; $149 small, If The Shoe Fits, iftheshoefits capecod.com

Meditating frog garden sculpture, $110, Yankee Ingenuity, yankee-ingenuity.com

Family Game Night

Cape Cod Monopoly, $45, Chatham Clothing Bar, chatham clothingbar.com

Hydrangea mug, $24, Artful Hand Gallery artfulhandgallery.com

Chatham Orpheum puzzle, $30, Chatham Orpheum Theater, chathamorpheum.org

Beach shack and seal puzzles, available in 252 pieces or 520 pieces, $29, Colors of Chatham, colorsofchatham.com

You’re My Lobster party game, $19.95, Yankee Ingenuity, yankee-ingenuity.com

Marble checkers game, $79, Simpler Pleasures, simplerpleasures.com

Cape Cod Disc available in silver or 14K solid gold, $50–$275, Michael’s Custom Jewelers, michaelscustom jewelers.com

14k diamond rings, $2,880, and 18k diamond rings, $9,900 Chatham Jewelers, Inc., chathamjewelerscapecod.com

Sapphire ring is handmade in 18K white gold with natural sapphires and diamonds.

$4,500, Michael’s Custom Jewelers, michaelscustom jewelers.com

For Someone Special

Lacquer light blue box, $82, and large lacquer white and gold box, $152; Small scalloped denim tray, $126; Glossy 11" rechargeable lamp, $159; White and gold clock, $82; Powder blue and gold enamel 4x6 frame, $62; White and gold 5x7 enamel frame, $78; The Chatham Home, thechathamhome.com

Stocking Stuffers

Assorted chocolates and non-pareils, prices vary Chatham Candy Manor, candymanor.com

Bottle openers made of chestnut wood and signature needlepoint, $32.50 The Squire Shop, chathamsquireshop.com

Paddywax 3-ounce bean candles, $16; Beachy keychains, $22 The Mayflower, themayflowershop.com

Chatham Lighthouse and Entering Chatham hand-painted glass ball ornaments, $37.50 each, Chatham Bars Inn, chathambarsinn.com

Feeling Nostalgic

Cape Cod umbrella, $19.50; Yankee Ingenuity, yankee-ingenuity.com

Scrimshaw bookmark, $19.99, Artful Hand Gallery artfulhandgallery.com

14k scrimshaw pendant, exclusive to Chatham Jewelers, $2,125. Sold separately: 14k 18" necklace, $625, Chatham Jewelers, Inc., chathamjewelers capecod.com

landmarks,

,

For the Hostess

Wooden Gather tray (20" x 13" x 2"), $45, Simpler Pleasures, simplerpleasures.com

Acrylic scalloped vanity tray, $150; Fazeek martini glasses, $76, set of two; Embroidered linen cocktail napkins, $32, set of four; Le Bar linen towel, $32, Bon Matin, bonmatin-chatham.com

Chatham Sign Shop’s classic Cape Cod house number signs are handpainted with durable oil enamel and feature engraved numbers and three-dimensional appliqués gilded with 23k gold leaf. 6½" x 10", $375, Chatham Sign Shop, chathamsignshop.com

Striped ramekin, $86; Bud vase, $124; Skinny vase, $104, all by Jill Rosenwald, The Chatham Home, thechathamhome.com

Where Chatham Begins

Keep Walking East!

Dorm Life

Lola Cape Cod pendants in periwinkle; mini pendant, $90; small, $100; and medium, $125. Sold separately: Gold oval chain, $100. The Mayflower, themayflower shop.com

Aloha collection pouches in two sizes, $34 and $44, Fisherman’s Daughter, fishermansdaughter market.com

VW Bug nightlight, $42, Simpler Pleasures, simplerpleasures.com

Snowy Owl Coffee, $18 per bag, Available at Gustare and Chatham Village Market, socoffee.co, gustareoliveoil.com, chathamvillagemarket.com

Espresso cup and saucer, $22, Barnhill Pottery, facebook.com/barnhillpottery

Cowboy hat incense holder, $28, The Mayflower, themayflower shop.com

Coffee or Tea

Chatham Bars Inn bergamot + ocean aria room signature scent room spray by Antica Farmacista, 100 ml, $35, Chatham Bars Inn, chathambarsinn.com

Beehive teapot, $64, and beehive honeypot, $38, The Mayflower, themayflower shop.com

Cape & Islands tea, crafted in small batches and available in various blends, $15 per bag; Runamok honey, $16.50, Gustare Gourmet, gustareoliveoil.com

Young Minds

The History of Everything, by Anna Claybourne, $19.99, Artful Hand Gallery, artfulhand gallery.com

Chatham Anglers sweatshirt, $46; belt, $42; and hat, $30, Chatham Kids, chathamclothingbar.com

100% natural soy wax handpoured candles, $14–$18, Chatham Candle Co., chatham-candle.com

Old Mermaid Game, $4.95, Yankee Ingenuity, yankee-ingenuity.com

Backyard Bugs book, $12.99; Bug spotter kit, $15; Top Secret Missions, $18; Hey Clay Winter, $22, Chatham Kids, chathamclothing bar.com

Self-Care

Go Shark Go! card game, $8.50, Yankee Ingenuity, yankee-ingenuity.com

Silk sleep mask, $92, Bon Matin, bonmatinchatham.com

Butterbalm lip balm, $7.95, Fisherman’s Daughter, fishermansdaughter market.com

Palermo Body spa products: Regenerative facial serum, $90; Botanical facial steam, $40; Repairing body oil, 2 ounces, $40; Hydrating body oil, 2 ounces, $40; Lavender + sage soap, 4 ounces, $20; Rose geranium + mandarin soap, 2 ounces, $12; Detox body scrub, $60, Chatham Bars Inn, chathambarsinn.com

Elevated

Elevated

Whimsical

Whimsical

Carefully

Carefully

Custom

Welcome to Chatham

Chatham Coordinates sign, $28, Yankee Ingenuity, yankee-ingenuity.com

The Chatham Beach Shack charm, available in two sizes, handmade in silver or gold. Check with shop for pricing information. Forest Beach Designer-Goldsmiths, capecodcharms.com

Chatham waves twine sign, by Rustic Marlin, $25; Chatham serving tray, by Rustic Marlin, $90, The Mayflower, themayflowershop.com

Chatham Hydrangea towel, $18, The Mayflower, themayflower shop.com

Red house squirrel-resistant bird feeder, $53.99; Green squirrel-proof seed feeder, $69.99, Agway of Cape Cod, agwaycapecod.com

Chatham Beach Shack sign by Jerry Evans, $85, Chatham Clothing Bar, chathamclothingbar.com

Entering Chatham charm made on premises, $380, Chatham Jewelers, Inc., chathamjewelerscapecod.com

Animal Lovers

The Field Guide to Dumb Birds of the Whole Stupid World, by Matt Kracht, $15.95, The Mayflower, themayflowershop.com

Kent Stetson bags, $210 large; $149 small, If The Shoe Fits, iftheshoefitscapecod.com

Pupsicle toys and refill pops, $14.99–$19.99, Agway of Cape Cod, agwaycapecod.com

DJ BBQ’s Backyard Baking, $29.99, The Mayflower, themayflowershop.com

Propane gas outdoor pizza oven, $499.99, Chatham Paint & Hardware, chathampaintand hardware.com

For the Foodie

Pasta-themed gift box, $49; Gustare olive oils, in two sizes, $23.95 and $42.95, Gustare Gourmet, gustareoliveoil.com

Whimsical

Finds

School of fish suncatcher, $30, Yankee Ingenuity, yankee-ingenuity.com

Nautical notecards, $6–$6.95, featuring plantable wildflower envelopes; DIY: Harvest your own pearl from an oyster and necklace kit, $42, Fisherman’s Daughter, fishermansdaughter market.com

Lobster pendants made on premises, starting at $565, Chatham Jewelers, Inc., chathamjewelerscapecod.com

Enchanted Evenings

Chatham streets, shops and homes put on a welcoming light show for residents and visitors during the holidays.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

BETTY WILEY

Open year-round, the Chatham Squire is decked out for the holidays. Below: Main Street shopping is even more fun in the winter with businesses, such as Chatham Clothing Bar, all dressed up in cheerful decorations. White lights strung around lamp posts and storefronts produce a magical atmosphere.

Cheerful tree-topped, white-whiskered gnomes, bright evergreen boughs at Kate Gould Park and ethereal ocean-themed decorations adorn various sections of downtown Chatham.

Santa must be arriving by sea this year! Multicolored reindeer “pull” a well-lit sailboat in this yard décor, perfect for our seaside community.

CHATHAM

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

OCT. 10 HOW HORSES HEAL This powerful documentary explores the profound effects of aweinspiring relationships people have with horses. Director and cinematographer Geoffrey Bassett and producer Kim Roderiques take you on a visual journey throughout New England at local farms and sanctuaries where you will witness how horses heal people unconditionally. After the film, hear from a panel of noteworthy people, including Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Nancy and Nicole Sheridan, Patti Maroney, Lynne Bryan Phipps and Christy Cashman, who have made a significant difference in the lives of many in New England. The screening will benefit Emerald Hollow Therapeutic Riding Center and Mills River Rescue and Sanctuary. Chatham Orpheum Theater, 637 Main St., 508945-0874, chathamorpheum.org

OCT. 11 & 12 AUTUMN SACRIFICE ART SALE A fantastic opportunity to purchase original artwork from Creative Arts Center members, including oil paintings, watercolors, pastels, photography, pottery, jewelry, art supplies, frames, and more at low prices. Be sure to

stop by early for the best selection! Friday, Oct. 11: 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; Saturday, October 12: 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Creative Arts Center, 154 Crowell Road, 508-945-3583, capecodcreativearts.org

OCT. 11–NOV. 15 GREENHOUSE DINNERS AT CHATHAM BARS

INN FARM Executive Chef Andrew Chadwick and his culinary team have creatively designed different menus for each of the greenhouse dinners at Chatham Bars Inn Farm in Brewster. Each week’s menu—from the flavors of France to the Pacific Northwest—will have a specific regional theme and highlight the farm’s current seasonal offerings, accompanied by locally sourced meats and fish, creating the quintessential farm-to-table experience. Dinner will be served family-style in the farm’s largest stateof-the-art glass greenhouse. Bring your favorite sweater to keep you cozy as the sun goes down and the twinkling lights suspended above the dining area in the glass greenhouse begin to shine along with the stars. $200 per person. Includes four-course dinner, beer and wine, tax and gratuity. For menus, times and tickets, visit chathambarsinn.com

Please check each organization’s website and social media pages for updated information.

OCT. 12–31 PUMPKIN PEOPLE IN THE PARK The innovative Pumpkin People are fashioned by creative local businesses, organizations and residents. Thousands of spectators pose with the unique “people” every year. Sponsored by Chatham Chamber of Commerce and Merchants Association, Kate Gould Park, Main Street, chathaminfo.com

OCT. 18 PUMPKIN FLORAL

ARRANGING Join Chatham Bars Inn’s Fine Gardener Pam Vasques to design your very own pumpkin floral arrangement. Leave with new skills and your floral creation to take home with you. The event is $75 per person and is open to the public, members and guests of the inn. 4–6 p.m. Chatham Bars Inn, 297 Shore Road, 508-9450096, chathambarsinn.com

OCT. 18 HALLOWEEN TRICK-ORTREAT & BOO BASH

Make your own trick-or-treat bag, participate in fun games and activities, and enjoy Halloween cookies and refreshments at Chatham Bars Inn. Wear your Halloween costume as you trick-ortreat for candy around the resort. Gather around the bonfire for s’mores and spooky music! $40 per child. The public, members and guests of the Inn are all welcome. Advanced reservations are required. (Please note: This is not a drop-off program: Parents must attend with children.) 4–8 p.m. A 24-hour cancelation notice is required. Chatham Bars Inn, 297 Shore Road, 508-9450096, chathambarsinn.com

OCT. 19 OKTOBERFEST One of the most popular family-friendly fall events in Chatham features musical acts from around New England; a variety of activities to entertain the kids; an artisan village full of local retail and craft vendors; and plenty of food tents and trucks from all over the Cape. And of course, it wouldn’t be Oktoberfest

OCT. 12–31

without local beer! 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sponsored by Chatham Chamber of Commerce and Merchants Association. Kate Gould Park and Chatham Town Hall parking lot, Main Street, chathaminfo.com

OCT. 19 ATWOOD MUSEUM

CEMETERY TOUR Actors will be dressed up to represent five past Chatham residents buried at Peoples Cemetery. Join the Atwood for a graveyard tour as actors share fascinating lives of predecessors of our times. Three separate tours available at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. Parking available at Chatham town tennis courts across from Peoples Cemetery. Please purchase tickets in advance. This event is open to adults and children. Atwood Museum, 347 Stage Harbor Road, 508-945-2493, chathamhistoricalsociety.org

OCT. 26 SHIPWRECKED: A HAUNTED NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM The Atwood Museum will be hosting a haunted evening featuring live actors who will guide us through the museum and tell us the ghost stories of shipwrecks past. Come listen about old captains, pirates, mooncussers, and more! Treats and libations will be served. This is an adult-only event. Multiple entry times available. Registration

recommended. Atwood Museum, 347 Stage Harbor Road, 508-945-2493, chathamhistoricalsociety.org

OCT. 26 WITCHES WALK An evening of cocktails, food, dancing and wildly wicked good times to benefit Monomoy Community Services. Wear your best witch’s hat and get ready to hop across town to various party stops. The evening ends with delicious desserts and a dance party! Event ticket includes light fare, snacks and apps; raffle tickets for great prizes; a downtown scavenger hunt and a drink ticket. 6–10 p.m. Tickets: $70. For updated event information, visit Monomoy.org/witches-walk or follow @monomoycommunityservices on Facebook and Instagram.

NOV. 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 THE SUPPER CLUB, presented by Executive Chef James Hackney, returns to Wequassett on Saturday evenings in November. This season will feature a roster of prominent allfemale chefs, including James Beard award winner Chef Jody Adams of A Street Hospitality and the recently debuted La Padrona. $175 per person. Seating is limited. Reservations are encouraged. Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, 2173 Head of the Bay Road, Route 28, Harwich, 508-4325400, wequassett.com

JOY. REIMAGINED.

CapePOPS! 1

DANCING IN THE STREET: The Music of Motown

Oct. 19, 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM

Oct. 20, 3:00 PM

MASTERPIECE 2

FANTASTIQUE

Nov. 16, 7:30 PM Nov. 17, 3:00 PM

MASTERPIECE 3

PASSPORT TO ROME

Jan. 25, 7:30 PM

Jan. 26, 3:00 PM

MASTERPIECE 4

BEETHOVEN: THE REVOLUTIONARY

April 5, 7:30 PM

April 6, 3:00 PM

CapePOPS! 4

CapePOPS! 2

HOLIDAY ON THE CAPE

Dec. 6, 4:00 PM & 8:00 PM

Dec. 7, 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM

Dec. 8, 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM

CapePOPS! 3

AND THE WINNER IS... Music from the Silver Screen

Feb. 22, 7:30 PM

Feb. 23, 3:00 PM

MASTERPIECE 5

TO THE SEA

June 14, 7:30 PM

June 15, 3:00 PM

NOV. 14 THANKSGIVING COOKING, MIXOLOGY & WINE

CLASS Prepare for Thanksgiving by learning how to brine and truss your turkey, while making traditional dressings and gravy. This unique class will also feature our mixologists’ favorite fall creations; you’ll also learn from our sommelier how to pair wine with your Thanksgiving meal. $125 per person per class inclusive of tax and service charge. (Ages 21+.) Open to guests, members and the public. 5:30–7:30 p.m. Chatham Bars Inn, 297 Shore Road, 508-9450096, chathambarsinn.com

NOV. 21 HOLIDAY FLORAL ARRANGING Join Chatham Bars Inn’s Fine Gardener Pam Vasques to design your very own holiday floral arrangement! Leave with new skills and your floral creation to take home with you. The event is $75 per person and is open to the public, members and

guests of the Inn. 4:30–6 p.m. Chatham Bars Inn, 297 Shore Road, 508-9450096, chathambarsinn.com

NOV. 22–DEC. 10 HOLIDAY & SMALL WORKS SALE Find a perfect locally made present or treat yourself to something special. Handmade, artistic and affordable gifts! Small, original art, all kinds of jewelry, pottery, knitted and fabric items, woven items, hats, mittens cards and much more all handmade by Creative Arts Center members! Creative Arts Center, 154 Crowell Road, 508-945-3583, capecodcreativearts.org

NOV. 26–27 BEST BAKE SALE IN HISTORY The Atwood will be selling pies and other baked goods available for order in advance or pick up that day. Baked goods will be made by members from the Atwood Museum community in collaboration with the Chatham Council on Aging. Pies will be

available throughout the day. Atwood Museum, 347 Stage Harbor Road, 508945-2493, chathamhistoricalsociety.org

NOV. 27 FALL HOMECOMING PARTY Kick off Thanksgiving festivities with a Fall Homecoming Party at Wequassett Resort and Golf Club. Family and friends can gather at the resort’s Outer Bar, overlooking the pool and beach, for a celebration with live music, complimentary light bites, and fall-inspired additional menu items. 4–8 p.m. Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, 2173 Head of the Bay Road, Route 28, Harwich, 508-4325400, wequassett.com

NOV. 28 ANNUAL CHATHAM TURKEY TROT Walk or run 3.1 miles (5k) with friends and family on Thanksgiving. All money and donations raised are donated to the Lower Cape Outreach Council. The race starts at

8 a.m. at the Oyster Pond parking lot. Entry fee: $35 before Nov. 4; $45 between Nov. 5 and Nov. 28. For more information and to register, visit chathamturkeytrot.com

NOV. 29 & 30, DEC. 6 & 7 HOLIDAY WREATH DECORATING

Enjoy a hands-on, how-to session led by Chatham Bars Inn’s Fine Gardener, Pamela Vasques. Learn the art of festive decorating while enjoying hot cocoa, holiday music and a cash bar. You will walk away with a 20-inch balsam wreath, decorations and a handmade bow from our in-house decorating team. Note: Hot glue-guns will be used to affix the decorations. $100 per person. Times vary from 9:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m., 1–3 p.m. and 4:30–6:30 p.m. Chatham Bars Inn, 297 Shore Road, 508-945-0096, chathambarsinn.com

DEC. 7 A VERY MERRY WEEKEND AT WEQUASSETT starts with the second annual Merry Market featuring local Cape Cod vendors and artists. After a long day of finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list, guests can gather for the Five Star resort’s blockbuster tree lighting ceremony and fireworks extravaganza. Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, 2173 Head of the Bay Road, Route 28, Harwich, 508-432-5400, wequassett.com

Barn Hill Pottery

Susan Dimm

46 Barn Hill Road, West Chatham, MA 02669 508-945-1027 | www.BarnHillPottery.com

An artistic blend of beach colors, form and function. Gifts from the Cape to last a lifetime. NOV. 28 ANNUAL CHATHAM

DEC. 11–13 & DEC. 18–20 GINGERBREAD HOUSE WORKSHOPS Celebrate the sweetness of the season. The awardwinning pastry team at Chatham Bars Inn bakes and assembles gingerbread houses and you will have the fun part—decorating them with an array of edible frosting and candy, making the experience fun, easy and delicious. Enjoy complimentary cookies, cocoa and coffee while you create your masterpiece. (Cash bar also available.) Let your imagination flow and

decorate a gingerbread house with your family and friends! $75 per house (2 seats per reservation). Open to guests, members and the public. 5–7 p.m.

Chatham Bars Inn, 297 Shore Road, chathambarsinn.com

DEC. 13–15 CHRISTMAS BY THE SEA HOLIDAY STROLL WEEKEND

Celebrate the holidays with a light parade Friday evening followed by the annual tree lighting ceremony with Santa in Sears Park, the triangle at Main and Seaview streets. Shops, restaurants and businesses will be open and bustling with holiday cheer! chathaminfo.com

DEC. 14 THE ATWOOD MUSEUM ANNUAL HEARTHWARMING AND HOLIDAY CONCERT The hearth will be crackling, and the Old Atwood House will be filled with festive decorations at this special

event. Enjoy Christmas treats, spread holiday cheer and listen to classic Christmas carols. Free museum admission. Atwood Museum, 347 Stage Harbor Road, 508-945-2493, chathamhistoricalsociety.org

DEC. 14 CHRISTMAS BY THE SEA HOLIDAY GALA Presented by Chatham Jewelers and Chatham Bars Inn to benefit Women of Fishing Families. It’s the perfect excuse to wear fine attire and enjoy live music, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the ballroom of Chatham Bars Inn. Follow Chatham Jewelers on their Facebook and Instagram pages for more information leading up to the event. 7 p.m. Chatham Bars Inn, 297 Shore Road, 508945-0096, chathambarsinn.com

DEC. 31 FIRST NIGHT CHATHAM

A townwide, family-friendly event and beloved tradition. Now in its 34th year, the annual New Year’s celebration features dozens of performances

and events, including a town photo, musical performances, Noise Parade and a dazzling display of fireworks over Veterans Field. For updated information, follow First Night Chatham on Facebook and Instagram and visit firstnightchatham.com

DEC. 31 NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY

Ring in 2025 with an exquisite evening in the splendor of Chatham Bars Inn. This event is the ultimate Cape Cod destination to ring in the new year. Enjoy this glamorous occasion with an open well bar, mocktails, stationsstyle dinner featuring oysters, chilled lobster, carving stations, dessert stations and much more. The evening celebration will include casino tables with live croupiers and dealers, a champagne toast, fireworks, a dance party and late-night snacks and desserts. 6 p.m.–1 a.m. Chatham Bars Inn, 297 Shore Road, 508-945-0096, chathambarsinn.com

| Post Lanterns

Hanging Lanterns | Sconces | Chandeliers

Nautical Lanterns | Oil Lamps | Landscape Lighting Desk Lamps | Floor Lamps | Table Lamps Cape Cod Wind & Weather Instruments

FOOD DRINK

Please check each establishment’s website and social media pages for updated information on operating hours, takeout options and indoor/outdoor dining details.

APLAYA KITCHEN + TIKI BAR

A vibrant Filipino-inspired menu with classic tiki cocktails in a casual, outdoor setting in downtown Chatham. 483 Main Street, aplayacapecod.com FILIPINO SEASONAL

ASIAN PARADISE Authentic Cantonese, Mandarin and Szechuan cuisine cooked in an open kitchen. Takeout. 1587 Main St., Shop Ahoy Plaza, 508-945-7788 asianparadisechatham.com ASIAN

BACKSIDE BAKES Specializes in Cape Cod clambakes and Cape Cod catering. 508-360-8399, backsidebakes.com CATERING

SEASONAL

BAYVIEW TERRACE See expanded listing on page 232. Chatham Bars Inn, 297 Shore Road, 508-945-6732, chathambarsinn.com SEASONAL

BEACH HOUSE GRILL See expanded listing on page 232. Chatham Bars Inn, 297 Shore Road, 508-945-6871, chathambarsinn.com SEASONAL

BLUEFINS SUSHI & SAKE BAR

See expanded listing on page 230. 513 Main St., 508-348-1573, bluefinschatham.com

SUSHI & SEAFOOD

BRANCHES GRILL AND CAFÉ

A mix of Caribbean and American fare. 155 Crowell Road, 508-3481716, branchesgrillandcafe.com

CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN

BUFFY’S ICE CREAM SHOP

AND CAFE

An iconic Chatham landmark and now home to Chatham Ice Cream Bars. Serving Chatham’s only homemade ice cream, the world’s best handcrafted ice cream sandwiches, and coffee drinks madeto-order — year-round! 456 Main St., 508-945-5990, chathamicecreambars. com/buffysicecream ICE CREAM

CAPTAIN’S TABLE Family owned and operated, a favorite destination for 75 years. Serving Sunday brunch, breakfast, lunch and dinner. 576 Main St., 508-945-1961, captainstablechatham.com AMERICAN SEASONAL

CARMINE’S PIZZA Specialty pizzas and more in a retro-inspired setting. 595 Main St., 508-945-5300, carminescapecod.com PIZZA

CHATHAM BARS INN Multiple restaurants. See expanded listing on page 232 297 Shore Road, 508-945-6732, chathambarsinn.com

CHATHAM CANDY MANOR

Founded in 1955, the beloved candy shop on Main Street offers handmade fudge, delicious chocolates and special holiday assortments. A must-stop when you’re in town! 484 Main St., 508-945-0825, candymanor.com CANDY

THE CHATHAM CHEESE

COMPANY A gourmet food shop featuring artisanal cheeses from around the world. The shop also carries a selection of wines, cured meats and pâtés, and specialty items such as crackers, pasta, vinegars and jams. 902 Main St., 508-945-1605, chathamcheese.com GOURMET

FOOD SEASONAL

CHATHAM COOKWARE Home to the famous French breakfast muffins, “the Cookware” serves up breakfast and lunch daily. In addition to bakery items, the Cookware offers hot breakfast sandwiches, homemade soups and delicious sandwich board selections. 524 Main St., 508945-1250, chathamcookware.com

BREAKFAST & LUNCH SEASONAL

THE CHATHAM CUT Where culinary excellence meets impeccable service. Open April 1 – January 15, 4:30 p.m. – closing. 1200 Main St., 508-348-5686, thechathamcut.com

STEAKHOUSE SEASONAL

CHATHAM FILLING STATION

Brunch all day! An American roadside diner in the heart of historic Chatham Village. Carefully crafted food in an entertaining setting. Catering, private parties. 75 Old Harbor Road, 508945-4380, chathamfillingstation.com

BREAKFAST & LUNCH

BLUEFINS SUSHI & SAKE

BAR Asian-infused dinners with sushi and martini bar. Set in an upscale atmosphere, Bluefins creates dishes with locally sourced seafood and farm fresh produce. New on the menu this year: miso marinated Cod, prime flatiron steak, teriyaki salmon & chicken. There’s something for everyone, even for non-sushi lovers. Bluefins also crafts fully cooked sushi rolls. Both indoor dining and takeout available. 513 Main St., 508-3481573, bluefinschatham.com

SUSHI & SEAFOOD

CHATHAM HARVESTERS

Crowd-pleasers like scallops directly off the boat. Fresh and freshly frozen, local seafood are for sale online through the organization’s popular fish share program, as well as at Chatham Farmers Market every Tuesday afternoon on Rte. 137 in South Chatham. 95 Commerce Park, Bays 7-8, chathamharversters.com

SEAFOOD

CHATHAM SQUIRE A staple along Chatham’s wonderful Main Street, The Chatham Squire offers three unique dining experiences: The Tavern, the Dining Room with a Raw Bar, and an outdoor patio. The menu showcases items such as the Seafood Stuffed Lobster: A steamed lobster, packed with seafood stuffing made from local shellfish and local white fish. The French Dip is a staple, featuring shaved in-house prime rib on ciabatta with natural au jus. The Crab Cake sandwich with a Sriracha remoulade on a brioche bun is a summer staple. Look for new items on our menu this coming season! Make sure to check out The Chatham Squire Shop directly across the street. @thechathamsquire, 487 Main St., 508-945-0945, thesquire.com AMERICAN

CHATHAM MOODS Fresh food prepared every day from scratch. With a variety of sandwiches, juices, smoothies, and bowls, Chatham Moods aims to put you in a good mood with every bite. This clean eatery will “food your mood.”1617 Main Street, 508-3481355, chathammoods.com CAFÉ

CHATHAM PENNY CANDY

An old-fashioned penny candy store with a great selection of ice cream, fudge and saltwater taffy. 6 Seaview St., 508-945-3518, chathampennycandy.com CANDY

SEASONAL

CHATHAM PERK This coffee bar and café features specialty sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. Customer favorites include breakfast sandwiches served on a Portuguese muffin or bagel. The Perk also offers smoothies, a juice bar, and sandwich platters. Indoor and outside

BAYVIEW TERRACE The best seats on Cape Cod. Fresh summer cocktails, ocean breezes and lite fare. The perfect place for summer afternoon and evening rendezvous. SEASONAL

BEACH HOUSE GRILL “Coastally inspired” dining with fresh, local “just caught” seafood, classic seaside clambake favorites, seasonally inspired cocktails and local beer served in an unforgettable oceanfront setting. Featuring fantastic views and attentive, upbeat service. AMERICAN SEASONAL

CHATHAM VILLAGE MARKET A grocery store featuring full-service butcher shop, seafood and sushi. Fresh produce and bakery sections, prepared foods available year-round and full selection of beer and wine. Known for outstanding customer service. Curbside pickup available. 20 Queen Anne Road, 508-945-9783, chathamvillagemarket.com GROCERY STORE

seating. Catering, too! 307 Orleans Road; Second location: 477 Main St.; 508-945-5005, chathamperk.com

BREAKFAST & LUNCH 2ND LOCATION IS SEASONAL

CHATHAM PIER FISH MARKET

Come for the food. Stay for the view. Our classic New England menu is as authentic as it gets. Watch fishermen unload the daily catch while you eat at one of our picnic tables, or order online for takeout! 45 Barcliff Ave. Ext. (at Shore Road), 508-945-3474, chathampierfishmkt.com SEAFOOD SEASONAL

CHATHAM SHELLFISH

COMPANY Retail oysters harvested daily from the farm on Oyster Pond. Scenic and interactive farm tours, tastings and shanty raw bar for small groups. 393 Barn Hill Road, 508-2417503, sales@chathamshellfish.com,

chathamoysters.com

CATERING SEASONAL

CHATHAM SQUIRE See expanded listing on page 230. 487 Main St., 508-945-0945, thesquire.com AMERICAN

CHATHAM SUNRISE Breakfast and brunch made from scratch with fresh local ingredients. 247 Orleans Road, 508-237-2528 BREAKFAST

CHATHAM VILLAGE MARKET

See expanded listing above. 20 Queen Anne Road, 508-945-9783, chathamvillagemarket.com GROCERY STORE

CHILLER’S HAWAIIAN ICE

Authentic Hawaiian shaved ice, plus ice cream and frozen yogurt. 22 Barn Hill Road, 508-524-9166, facebook.com/chillerschatham FROZEN TREATS SEASONAL

CHATHAM BARS INN

THE SACRED COD The best of Northeast ingredients are blended with the flavors of the world in this lively, upscale tavern. The innovative menu is highlighted by individual

“bites,” shared plates and more while the bar showcases the Inn’s custom beverage program. AMERICAN

STARS Enjoy stunning panoramic views of Chatham Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. Seasonal cuisine is inspired by our heritage, natural surroundings and the bounty of The Chatham Bars Inn Farm, creating Cape Cod’s premier dining experience. Advanced reservations recommended for dinner.

AMERICAN

THE VERANDA Diners have enjoyed spectacular sunrises and picture-perfect ocean views from the Veranda since 1914. Today, guests can enjoy cocktails and delicious meals while marveling at the sweeping views of Chatham Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. AMERICAN SEASONAL

Chatham Bars Inn, 297 Shore Road, 508-945-6732, chathambarsinn.com

FOOD & DRINK

CUVÉE AT CHATHAM INN A unique Chef’s Table experience. Chef Isaac’s 12-course tasting menu. Embark on a refined dining journey with our new 4- and 7-course menus. Choose from over 300 wines by the bottle and 20+ by the glass, handpicked by our sommelier. Indulge in artful entrées indoors or sip cocktails by the fire pit in our expanded outdoor area. 359 Main St., 508-945-1468, cuveechatham.com AMERICAN

CORNER STORE See expanded listing on right. 1403 Old Queen Anne Road, 508-432-1077, freshfastfun.com BURRITOS, COOKIES + WHOOPIES

CUVÉE AT CHATHAM INN

See expanded listing above. 359 Main St., 508-945-1468, cuveechatham.com AMERICAN

DEL MAR BAR & BISTRO

See expanded listing below. 907 Main St., 508-945-9988, delmarbistro.com AMERICAN

DOGFISH TACO CO. & CANTINA

Opening in late May with fresh, healthy tacos and bowls—available to go or in our renovated Cantina. An extensive tequila selection and specialty cocktails. Call for weekly entertainment schedule or check out our Instagram for updates. 22 Barn Hill Rd., dogfishtacoco022@ gmail.com TACOS SEASONAL

DRIFTERS Locally owned Drifters serves up a fresh take on New England coastal cuisine in South Chatham. Menu includes a full raw bar, tapas and plates inspired by new American and Spanish cuisine served till 10:30 pm. Cocktails, local beers, and natural wine

till midnight. 2642 Main St., 774209-3687, drifterscapecod.com

SEAFOOD

ELWOOD’S RAW BARS Authentic Cape Cod raw bar experience. Eat in or take out. Catered raw bars of all sizes. 309 Orleans Rd., N. Chatham, 508-241-1533, elwoodsrawbars.com

SEAFOOD SEASONAL

EMACK & BOLIO’S Home to the original Oreo ice cream. Emack & Bolio’s offers creative flavors like Cosmic Crunch and specialty items like ice cream pizza. 37 Kent Place, 508-9455506, emackandbolioscapecod.com

ICE CREAM SEASONAL

GUSTARE GOURMET See expanded listing on page 236. 400 Main St., 508-945-4505, gustareoliveoil.com

GOURMET FOOD

HANGAR B EATERY Offering classic and creative breakfasts and lunches, including gluten-free options. Chatham Municipal Airport, 240 George Ryder Road, 508-593-3655, hangarbchatham.com

BREAKFAST & LUNCH

CORNER STORE Burritos, salads and whoopie pies are just some of the temptations at the Corner Store. Feeding Cape Cod’s locals since 2005. Order online and build your custom burritos. 1403 Old Queen Anne Road, 508-432-1077, freshfastfun.com BURRITOS, COOKIES + WHOOPIES

IMPUDENT OYSTER Upscale eatery in a former church featuring a fresh take on seafood plus a bustling bar scene. 15 Chatham Bars Ave., 508945-3545, theimpudentoyster.com

SEAFOOD

DEL MAR BAR & BISTRO One of Chatham’s most popular night spots for eating, drinking and socializing inside the warm and inviting dining room or at the expansive bar. Del Mar’s seasoned and loyal staff add to the positive dining experience, and Chef Maria Pollio delights the palate with her creativity and consistency in the kitchen. You will always find something new on the menu! Native seafood and woodfired thin crust pizzas are the specialties along with an impressive wine list. Visit Del Mar’s website for menu updates and off season hours. 907 Main St., 508-945-9988, delmarbistro.com AMERICAN BISTRO

KNOTS LANDING BAR & GRILL/ NEW ENGLAND PIZZA Classic

pizza, subs and salads with a Greek flair. 1077 Main St., 508-945-9070, knotslandingchatham.com PIZZA

KREAM N’ KONE This family-owned landmark has served award-winning fried seafood and soft ice cream for more than 30 years. 1653 Main St., 508-945-3308, kreamnkonechatham. com SEAFOOD SEASONAL

LARRY’S PX Serving breakfast and lunch since 1955, this unassuming eatery offers classic American fare.

PAIN D’AVIGNON

Rediscover Pain d’Avignon! Now open in Chatham, bringing you the same world-class artisan baked goods as our original Hyannis location. Savor our Mediterranean-inspired menu, featuring Brunch every day and Dinner nightly, all complemented by our signature “Red Bar.” Experience the warmth of our Restaurant-Boulangerie, where tradition meets flavor. We look forward to serving you at Pain d’Avignon! 71 Crowell Road, 774-840-4254, paindavignon.com FRENCH

1591 Main St., 508-945-3964, find us on Facebook BREAKFAST & LUNCH

LIBAYTION See expanded listing on page 238. Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, 2173 Head of the Bay Road, 508-432-5400, wequassett. com/dining BAR AND GRILL SEASONAL

LIBERTY ARTISANAL BAKERY

Offering hand-crafted sourdough breads, seasonally inspired pastries, and fine coffee/espresso drinks. Visit the website for the latest information for days and times open. 1223 Main

RESTAURANT – BOULANGERIE

71 Crowell Road, Chatham | 774-840-4254 15 Hinckley Road, Hyannis | 508-771-9771 paindavignon.com

St., libertyartisanalbreads.com BAKERY

MAC’S CHATHAM FISH & LOBSTER Featuring a full raw bar, indoor seating and an outdoor patio. A classic yet creative menu with delicious food to satisfy every palate. Daily specials, gluten-free fried food and a great selection of beer and wine. Offering the highest quality seafood caught daily from Cape Cod waters. 1291 Main St., 508-945-1173, chathamfish.com SEAFOOD

GUSTARE GOURMET On Main Street since 2009, this popular shopping experience offers the highest quality artisanal extra virgin olive oils, balsamic vinegars, gourmet pantry and gift items. In Italian, Gustare means “to taste, to enjoy, to savour,” so join them and discover your favorite flavorful selections. Ample parking for shopping and pick up. 400 Main St., 508-945-4505, gustareoliveoil.com GOURMET FOOD

MARION’S PIE SHOP Established in 1947, this specialty bakeshop offers sweet and savory pies, homemade comfort food (lasagna and meatballs), soups, quiche and sweet treats (walnut brownies and chocolate chip cookies). Offerings vary throughout the year. 2022 Main St., 508-432-9439, marionspieshopofchatham.com PIES

MARY’S FINE PROVISIONS

Serving unforgettable food made with local ingredients, Mary’s Fine Provisions provides dining experiences of all kinds for customers all over Cape Cod. 33 Cross St., 774-216-9530, marysfineprovisions.com CATERING

MOM & POPS BURGERS

A vibrant, chef-driven fast casual restuarant that emphasizes highquality, delicious food. Voted Best Burger on Cape Cod; other standout items include the buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, Mom’s homemade lumpia (Filipino pork eggrolls), local seafood offerings and a world class craft beer selection. Beef butchered and ground in-house daily. 1603 Main St., 774-840-4144, momandpopschatham.com BURGERS

OUTER BAR & GRILLE See expanded listing on page 238. Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, 2173 Head of the Bay Road, 508430-3000, wequassett.com/dining SEASONAL

PAIN D’AVIGNON See expanded listing on page 235. 71 Crowell Road, 774-840-4254, paindavignon.com

FRENCH

PATE’S An iconic Chatham neighborhood restaurant. Great food, good people, and lifelong memories. 1260 Main St., 508-945-9777, patesrestaurant.com AMERICAN

PISCES Coastal cooking with styles and flavors from around the world. Offering a full dinner menu, nightly menu additions featuring native seafood, craft cocktails, wine list with more than 20 wines. 2653 Main St., South Chatham, 508-432-4600, piscesofchatham.com AMERICAN/ SEAFOOD SEASONAL

PIZZA SHARK Inside the Chatham Orpheum Theater lobby (for dinein & takeout) and around back with expanded seating, 8 TVs & full bar. Open every day from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

SNOWY OWL COFFEE ROASTERS CHATHAM

ESPRESSO BAR Located in a quiet courtyard off Main Street, Snowy Owl offers high-quality espresso and brewed beverages. With year-round, full-service cafés in Sandwich and in Brewster; the Chatham location also offers freshly baked pastries and locally made food items with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options. 483 Main St., socoffee.co/ espresso-bar-in-chatham COFFEE SEASONAL

Order online: pleasantlakepizzashark. com , 637 Main St. at Chatham Orpheum Theater, 508-945-0874

LUNCH OR DINNER

PUBLIC CAFÉ Locally roasted organic coffees, breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring ethnic cuisine and gluten-free options. 641 Main St., 508-444-8833, publiccafecapecod.com

BREAKFAST & LUNCH

QUEEN ANNE INN Restaurant for in-house guests only this season, accepting bookings for private events such as cocktail parties, clambakes and brunches. 70 Queen Anne Road, 508-945-0394, queenanneinn.com

AMERICAN SEASONAL

RED NUN BAR & GRILL Sports pub tavern features top-rated burgers on the Cape. 746 Main St., 508-3480469, rednun.com AMERICAN

RIDGEVALE BEACH SNACK

BAR The perfect spot for a casual beachside lunch. Enjoy your meal on the outdoor patio, which overlooks the picturesque creek and Nantucket Sound. 434 Ridgevale Road, 508-432-4339, chathamsail.com/ snack-bar AMERICAN SEASONAL

THE SILL Tucked into a quaint nook alongside twenty-eight Atlantic restaurant and Thoreau’s, this artisanal grab-and-go bakery and espresso bar focuses on quality craftsmanship and fresh ingredients. The picturesque outlet serves breakfast and beverages such as coffee, tea, draft cold brews and juices. COFFEE

TWENTY-EIGHT ATLANTIC

Chef James Hackney’s menu at Cape Cod’s first and only Forbes Five-star signature restaurant celebrates native and seasonal ingredients with creative, award-winning flair. Waterfront location. The Verandahs at Twenty-Eight Atlantic offer a spectacular alfresco setting for breakfast and dinner. AMERICAN

WEQUASSETT RESORT AND GOLF CLUB

THOREAU’S A club-like bar adjacent to Twenty-Eight Atlantic, Thoreau’s offers a unique menu, an extensive wine list and a wide selection of martinis and specialty cocktails. AMERICAN

OUTER BAR & GRILLE The place to see and be seen. Waterfront dining in an open-air setting with a spacious deck overlooking Pleasant Bay and Round Cove. BAR AND GRILL SEASONAL

LIBAYTION Beachfront bar offers the best water views on Cape Cod. Guests will enjoy the diverse menu featured at the Outer Bar & Grille. Open during summer months for lunch and dinner—weather permitting. BAR AND GRILL SEASONAL

Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, 2173 Head of the Bay Road, 508-432-5400, wequassett.com/dining

THE SACRED COD See expanded listing on page 232. Chatham Bars Inn, 297 Shore Road, 508-945-6732, chathambarsinn.com

THE SILL See expanded listing above. Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, 2173 Head of the Bay Road, 508-4303000, wequassett.com/dining

SHORT ‘N’ SWEET With many ice cream flavors and a friendly staff, Short ‘n’ Sweet is a Chatham icon in the Old Schoolhouse building. 2334 Main St., 508-432-7464, facebook.com/ shortnsweetchatham ICE CREAM SEASONAL

SNOWY OWL COFFEE ROASTERS

CHATHAM ESPRESSO BAR See expanded listing on page 236. 483 Main St., socoffee.co/espresso-bar-inchatham COFFEE SEASONAL

STARS See expanded listing on page 232. Chatham Bars Inn, 297 Shore Road, 508-945-6732, chathambarsinn.com AMERICAN

SWEET DREAMS ICE CREAM

Ice Cream, sundaes, frappes, ice cream cookie sandwiches and an assortment of candies, chocolates and salt water taffy from our other shop, Chatham Penny Candy. Located in the Shop Ahoy Plaza. 1579 Main St., sweetdreamschatham.com

ICE CREAM SEASONAL

SWEET TOMATOES PIZZA

Celebrating 30 years on Cape Cod, serving New Haven’s Wooster Street style pizza a thin crust with chunky tomato sauce. Offer both classic pizzas and some with a creative twist. Salads are large and sandwiches are made on our own bread. Offering take out, or enjoy beer and wine on the patio. 790 Main St., 508-348-0200, sweettomatoescapecod.com

PIZZA SEASONAL

THOREAU’S See expanded listing on page 238. Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, 2173 Head of the Bay Road, 508-430-3000, wequassett. com/dining

THREE FINS COFFEE ROASTERS & CACAO FACTORY Combining a coffeehouse and new Cacao Factory under one roof, Three Fins offers bean to bar craft chocolate, highquality coffee, espresso drinks, freshly baked pastries, desserts & gluten free

VIERA ON MAIN Locally inspired coastal cuisine. Viera on Main features fresh ingredients, a curated wine list, locally sourced raw bar and spacious outdoor patio all in the heart of downtown Chatham. Open for Finest Hour, Dinner, and Private Events. 593 Main St., 508-9455033, vieraonmain.com AMERICAN SEASONAL

options. Their main coffeehouse & roastery is in West Dennis. Visit website for updates. 251 Crowell Road, threefinscoffee.com

TWENTY-EIGHT ATLANTIC See expanded listing on page 238. Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, 2173 Head of the Bay Road, 508-430-3000, wequassett.com/ dining AMERICAN

THE VERANDA See expanded listing on page 232. Chatham Bars Inn, 97 Shore Road, 508-945-6732, chathambarsinn.com AMERICAN SEASONAL

VIERA ON MAIN See expanded listing on page 238. 593 Main St., 508-945-5033, vieraonmain.com AMERICAN SEASONAL

WEQUASSETT RESORT AND GOLF CLUB Multiple restaurants. See expanded listing on page 238. 2173 Head of the Bay Road, 508-430-3000, wequassett.com/dining SEASONAL

WILD GOOSE TAVERN Locally sourced sustainable offerings, gluten-free and vegan options, curated cocktails and lighter fare. Enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner in the various indoor and outdoor dining areas. Chatham Wayside Inn, 512 Main St., 508-945-5590, wildgoosetavern.com AMERICAN

‘Trimming the Sails’

THE TALL SHIP LYNX SAILED INTO OUR HEARTS last September and then made an impressionable encore as she returned in September of 2024. This interpretation of an 1812 privateer took our breath away. Judging from the enormous number of onlookers cheering on her arrival and departure on her second visit, this grand old lady of the seas has enduring star power.

We recently discovered this truly showstopping watercolor painting of the Lynx by local artist Tom Upson, called “Trimming the Sails,” painted in the summer of 2024.

Upson was inspired after touring the Lynx in 2023. “After my visit, I saw a drone shot where a crewmember was climbing out on the bowsprit. That was the inspiration for this painting,” shares Upson, whose work is represented by the Gallery at Tree’s Place in Orleans. “She is a floating symbol of our nautical history.” Sonja Bartlett

The Gallery at Tree’s Place, 60 Route 6A at 28, Orleans, 508-255-1330, treesplace.com