Photo by Charles Sternaimolo

For two days last August, photographer Charles Sternaimolo and I explored Falmouth’s lovely Main Street, attempting to capture the color and charm of the village for the photo essay on the following pages. We took in some great sights and met a lot of interesting people along the way, including a waiter from Macedonia, bowling fans from New Jersey, and a few Falmouth firefighters who chatted with us about their work—until an alarm sounded, springing them into action.

Our time in town was a blast, but the working conditions were steamy, so we rewarded ourselves with some nice Main Street meals. One of the many culinary highlights was the Quarterdeck Restaurant’s Megansett crab salad sandwich. Like many things in Falmouth, it was phenomenal!

Savoring breakfast—and a little fun in the sun

For breakfast we stopped in the Pickle Jar Kitchen, a popular eatery now in its fourth year of business. The restaurant was crowded inside, and on the outdoor patio patrons enjoyed eggs and waffles served with sunny temps in the high 70s. I tried the Blueberry Muffin French Toast, which was delivered by Mihail Gorgiev, our amiable waiter from Macedonia.

In front of The Homespun Garden next door, New Hampshire residents Judi and Greg Harisiades modeled some of the shop’s funky sunflower chairs. Their daughter had just competed in the Falmouth Road Race and they were enjoying all of Cape Cod’s wonderful offerings: dining, beaches, sightseeing and more.

Classic cuts and chords

As we opened the door to Main Street Barber Shop, Antonio DePalma of Boston was in the chair getting a trim. Doing the job was Mark Morin who co-owns the business with his wife, Linda. As of last summer the shop record for most cuts in a day was 87, split between the hair-cutting couple. One fun detail of this shop is while waiting for their turn patrons can strum a few chords on an acoustic guitar, which is readily available to customers for that purpose. The guitar is played “all day long,” says Morin, who recalled a special visit by an autistic boy who was overjoyed with the chance to jam.

Fun and games at the Falmouth Library

The Falmouth Public Library is a beautiful spot and quite a draw in summer. During our time in town, we interacted with many people congregating on or near the front lawn, from readers and walkers to kids playing hacky sack. We met Carolyn “CeCe” Carpinella who was lounging in the grass with her tablet and coffee. We also watched siblings Grace, 5, and Gabriel Chellakumar, 7, play chess on the built-in board by the street. Vacationing in Mashpee with their parents Lori and Solomon, the family lives in New Jersey in the town of Chatham. On Yarmouth Road. No joke. The family visits Cape Cod every year and enjoys bowling at Ryan Amusements; they don’t have candlepin in Jersey.

In the mood for something sweet?

Ghelfi’s Candies makes more than 200 different kinds of chocolate, and a variety of other sweet and sour selections. “I grew up making candy,” says the company’s owner Scott Ghelfi. Scott let us observe as he cut 30-pound beds of fudge—Oreo, marshmallow and chocolate walnut—into palatable portions. Enthusiastic employee Maureen Ferrier also showed us several fresh creations including a tray of sea-salted chocolates and some milk chocolate sand dollars.

We really relished this meal!

Near the east end of Main, Mike Bullard warmly welcomed us into Doggz & Hoggz, his appropriately named eatery. Now in its fourth year, the restaurant was super clean and the food was tasty. We tried the jumbo dog with cranberry apple relish; Mike—they call him “the Big Dog” or “the Top Dog”—came up with the recipe. Next time, I’ll try the Poor Man’s Surf & Turf, featuring two dogs and a quahog for $8.99. Doggone it, they even do catering. Open April through December.

Photographer Charles Sternaimolo

Wonderful artwork, colorful characters

Browsing at the Falmouth Art Market, which meets on Thursdays in summer in front of the Gus Canty Community Center, we met several local artisans. Among them was Carl Sheffer, a retired executive who sells his travel photographs while enjoying a nice pipe in the sun. Another artisan, Chico, sells necklaces and other jewelry made of wampum. He sands down the shells to reveal the pretty colors beneath the surface. “Every piece I picked up one mile from here on Menahaunt Beach,” he says. A few booths down was potter and woodcarver John Russo. “What’s not to love about Falmouth?” Russo says. “I like being on the water and in the water.”

Impressive recipes, unique name

Inside Bear in Boots Gastropub, we met owners Gates and Kate Rickard, who named the business after their kids—well, their kids’ nicknames that is. Charlie, who showed a strong personality as a baby, is called “Bear;” Alex, or “Boots,” is known for his big feet; and Eva, who often hides stuff around the house, goes by “Squirrel.” The restaurant glows with a warm, family feel, and the owners are knowledgeable about their craft. They age a variety of meats in-house including pepperoni and wild boar; they’re experimenting with suvi cooking—where water is maintained at a consistent temperature throughout—and at the bar they serve some tasty sangria infused with oranges and strawberries.

A star was born on Main Street

Did you know that Katharine Lee Bates, the writer of America the Beautiful, was born on Main Street? It’s true. Take a walk by 16 Main in the west end to view the attractive home where Bates once lived, and learn a little about the famous writer and Wellesley College professor.

The colorful Carousel of Light

We stopped by the colorful Carousel of Light on a few occasions. Local artisan Lance Shinkle intricately hand carved and painted each of the ride’s 20 horses, and they each have names like Pearl, Butterscotch and Poseidon. Who is Lance Shinkle, you might ask? For starters, he’s the gentleman who can often be seen riding his motorcycle around the Upper Cape. You can’t miss him—the bike looks like a lion! Carousel staffer Sue Lefcourt told us “real men ride carousels,” so we gave it a spin. Manager Beth Juaire provided lots of interesting details on the carousel’s history, and was quick with the one-liners. To me, her family joke—what did Juaire today?— is a Cape Cod classic.

A gathering spot for scholars & artists

In front of Eight Cousins Children’s Books we marveled at the awesome “Alphabet Chair” that Falmouth artist Sarah Peters created for the store. In town to visit their grandparents, siblings Jaidin, 11, and Tia Russell, 10, read perfectly for the role of chair models. Upstairs, we met Jackie Schon and Meghan Miklavic at The Paint Bar. A Falmouth resident, Jackie owns the store with her mother, Jill, and they offer painting instruction classes for kids during the day, and for adults at night.

Main Street Falmouth Photo Gallery

Photography by Charles Sternaimolo

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The post Welcome to Main Street in Falmouth appeared first on Cape Cod LIFE.

Photography by Arielle Doneson

It’s springtime on the Cape and Islands. The temperature is steadily rising, restaurants and resorts are reopening or reenergizing, and soon the summer will be here. Love, too, is in the air.

The Cape and Islands are wonderful spots for weddings because the scenery, first and foremost, is amazing. The region also boasts a variety of fantastic venues where couples can exchange their vows, from high-class resorts and restaurants to casual campgrounds and beachy bungalows.

Leading off this section, Elizabeth O’Brien Betti describes her 2015 wedding celebrated at the Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown. Both Cape Cod natives, O’Brien Betti and her husband spent more than a year collecting antiques, shells and other decor items to display around the monument grounds during their nautical-themed nuptials.

Here, we profile eight great Cape Cod businesses that are well known for their wedding services and expertise. The businesses include three venues, two hair and beauty salons, one florist, one baker and a one-of-a-kind wedding table maker.  —Matthew J. Gill

The Flying Bridge—an elegant  venue overlooking Falmouth Harbor

A popular “destination wedding” venue, The Flying Bridge Restaurant in Falmouth delivers when it comes to service and scenery. Overlooking beautiful Falmouth Harbor, this attractive venue also offers gorgeous views of Martha’s Vineyard. For many weddings, the bride often arrives by boat from across the harbor, making for an unforgettable sight as the boat glides in and the bride’s dress flows in the breeze.

The Flying Bridge hosts wedding ceremonies, receptions and rehearsal dinners—or all three gatherings. Guests can enjoy private rooms for either formal or informal dining, or opt for a clambake, barbecue or buffet.

The restaurant’s onsite catering and functions manager helps couples plan their perfect day, and can make recommendations regarding décor, flowers, the wedding cake and entertainment. The goal of the staff is to work with couples to customize their wedding experience and help them realize their dreams. The Flying Bridge can accommodate parties of 200, and depending on the number of guests and the time of year, provides either a waterfront reception area or a covered and heated wraparound deck.

“One of the most popular things about the Flying Bridge is our raw bar,” adds Tyler Hayes, the restaurant’s general manager. Indeed, the raw bar features freshly shucked oysters, clams on the half shell and the mouth-watering New England Platter, which boasts succulent shrimp, clams, and lobster.

The Flying Bridge Restaurant • 220 Scranton Avenue • Falmouth • 508-548-2700 • flyingbridgerestaurant.com

Where can you enjoy a wedding, clambake and a harbor cruise? The Sesuit Harbor Café!

The bride and groom are barefoot, they say their “I do’s,” and kiss on a jetty overlooking Cape Cod Bay. This is the essence of a wedding at Sesuit Harbor Café in East Dennis, a great option for a rustic wedding experience. Couples can exchange their vows right in the marina—barefoot or in flip-flops—and then walk a few steps to a reception catered in classic Cape Cod style.

Known as a great spot to enjoy seafood in an open-air setting, Sesuit Harbor Cafe has a truly rustic vibe featuring sea glass décor, old-fashioned painted signs and a boatload of buoys hanging from the shingles. “People come here for that old Cape Cod experience,” says owner JC Cuchetti. “It’s an excellent venue because it’s small and keeps people together.”

For weddings, Cuchetti and his staff can arrange all the details—even the day’s itinerary. Dining choices often include surf-n-turf combos or a classic clambake with steamed lobster, steamers, linguica, corn on the cob and potatoes. At the raw bar, guests can also savor Wellfleet oysters, Chatham littlenecks and tuna sashimi.

Sometimes, the festivities even include a quick harbor tour. “Once, the entire wedding party went out in my friend’s boat, all dressed up, drinking champagne, just having a great time,” Cuchetti says. “It was amazing to see them cruising around the harbor like that. The boat dropped them off, and we introduced the entire wedding party right there as they walked down the dock.”

Every wedding is different, but for Cuchetti, who has owned the restaurant since 1999, they are all special. “Seeing everything come together, and being a part of it is really gratifying,” Cuchetti says. “It’s an unforgettable experience.”

Sesuit Harbor Café • 357 Sesuit Neck Road • Dennis • 508-385-6134 • sesuit-harbor-café.com

A tried and true tradition: The Dennis Inn has hosted many great weddings

Built in the early 1900s, The Dennis Inn is a distinguished venue on an attractive parcel of land alongside a cranberry bog. The inn’s stately façade features slightly weathered shingles and traditional blue shutters, and welcoming Adirondack chairs are arranged on the lawn. The interior boasts dazzling hardwood floors and a large, beautiful ballroom. These are just some of the many details that have attracted countless couples over the years to celebrate their weddings at The Dennis Inn.

Under new ownership in 2016, the inn retains its classic style, and continues to offer couples a one-of-a-kind wedding experience. Mark Flanagan purchased the inn in February; Flanagan and Fred Stoffel also purchased Treats Catering, the exclusive caterer for all the inn’s events. Stoffel is the executive chef, while Janene Hargreaves serves as general manger.

“We customize each wedding,” says Stoffel. “When you’re here, you’re the only one here. It’s your home for the weekend.” Stoffel and Hargreaves will work with couples to plan every detail of their dream wedding, including decorations and the menu, and how best to make use of the inn’s grounds and pool. They will also offer suggestions for music, flowers, the cake and more.

The Dennis Inn’s “Deluxe Saturday Wedding Package” includes lodging on Friday and Saturday night for up to eight guests, with wedding itineraries including a Friday night rehearsal dinner in the upstairs dining room, the wedding ceremony and reception on Saturday (indoors or out), and a lavish Sunday brunch. The inn can accommodate indoor ceremonies for parties up to 120 guests, and outdoor weddings on the spacious grounds for up to 250.

The Dennis Inn • 25 Scarsdale Road • Dennis • 508-385-6571 • thedennisinn.com

Hair Affinity—helping brides look their best on their big day

Imagine the following scenario: a lovely bride wears her hair up, interwoven with sparkles with curly locks dangling from the sides. A slim braid wraps around, tying the hair in the back and fastened with an orchid. This is her wedding day, and she shines. The professional stylists of Hair Affinity in Chatham know this scenario well, as they help to create it for all the brides they work with.

For weddings, Hair Affinity provides a variety of beauty services, from hair and makeup, to manicures and pedicures, and stylists are available to work with bridal parties from the initial inquiry right through the day of the wedding. “We do all sizes of weddings, from small and intimate to huge,” says owner Laurie Murphy. “One time we did a bridal party that had 18 people!” Also the company’s head stylist, Murphy says she and her talented staff will go the extra mile for the entire bridal party, with up to six stylists available at a single time.

Browsing the gallery of photos on the company’s website, one can see that the company can tackle a wide variety of hairstyles. “We do a lot of different kinds of them,” says Murphy, a proclaimed fan of the updo. “Some people like the beachy, half-up half-down look; some like a more formal look with lots of curls; some like a style off to the side with flowers. It varies with each party. I really enjoy creating intricate styles with lots of pieces.”

Murphy says she and her staff can accommodate any style and taste. “It’s always fun to do something out of the ordinary,” she says. “We did an Indian wedding once, with lots of henna tattoos. And once, we did a party in an Alice in Wonderland theme. The bride wore a little hat off to the side. We love the variety.”

Hair Affinity • 1291 Main Street • Chatham • 508-348-1341 • capecodsalon.com

No touch-ups necessary: Ahh Time Studio of Mashpee specializes in airbrush makeup

Maureen O’Connor, the owner of Ahh Time Skin Lash & Massage Studio in Mashpee, knows a thing or two about brides-to-be. “As I’m applying the airbrush makeup for a bride and she goes off into ‘the zone,’ I know that she’s imagining the rest of her life with her husband,” O’Connor says. “You can just see it. Those are the marriages that last.”

Not only does Ahh Time specialize in airbrush makeup, O’Connor says the company was the first on Cape Cod to do so, providing the service way back in 2000. “Airbrush makeup creates a superior finish,” O’Connor says, “and it only needs to be applied once, with no touching-up for the rest of the day.”

The makeup is also waterproof and hypoallergenic. “A bride went in the water at one resort,” O’Connor says, “and her makeup was still perfect when she came out.” Another memorable moment was when O’Connor had to cover up a black eye the brother of the groom had incurred the night before. “I airbrushed makeup over it,” she says, “and voila. That’s how well it works. It covers strap lines, sunburns; it’ll even out overall blemishes and leave skin looking fresh and natural.” Another bonus? O’Connor says airbrush makeup comes without the fuss of conventional options. “It doesn’t rub off,” she says, “and it won’t run down your face when you cry at the wedding.”

Ahh Time offers additional services for brides and bridal parties, including eyelash extensions or temporary lash enhancement, brow design, and pre-wedding facials. The company also sells all-natural and organic skin care products and hosts bachelorette spa parties.

Ahh Time Skin Lash & Massage Studio • 35 South Street  • Mashpee • 508-477-1837 • ahhtimeskinspa.net

Need a bouquet of color and beauty? Call Vintage Flowers of Osterville

“I come from a family of photographers, so I’m always thinking of how our flowers are going to look in the photos,” says Michelle Toczko, owner of Vintage Flowers of Osterville. The company will dress up any space, from the inside of a church to a small outdoor arbor, with intricately designed floral arrangements to accommodate any taste. Whether simple or elaborate, the company is happy to work with couples to make their visions a reality. The Osterville company creates beautiful centerpieces, bouquets and boutonnieres as well as floral arrangements for everyone in the wedding party. “I’m not limited to any one style,” Toczko says, “I’ll do anything that people want for their special occasion.”

For Toczko, the key is in the details. A fan of texture, Toczko uses lots of blue hydrangeas, the quintessential Cape Cod flower, as well as white roses. She adds other details including gardenias and textured greens, which really make the bouquets stand out.

Toczko and her professional team can accommodate wedding parties of any size, with up to 10 florists working in the shop during the summer. “We’ve all been working together for a long time,” she says, “and we’re very efficient.”

Together, the staff has created spaces overflowing with peonies, lilacs, and hanging votive candles. Not to mention sunflowers. Toczko recalls one bride who wanted a small, rustic wedding, and Vintage Flowers created a simple, yet stunning scene with bouquets of sunflowers, and wooden boxes with hydrangeas. “I even got a big, gorgeous Nantucket basket for the flower girl,” she says. “It was a beautiful setting, and I really connected with the bride and her family. For me, it’s all about connecting and working together and having fun.”

Vintage Flowers of Osterville • 877 Main Street • Osterville • 508-428-6089 • vintageflowerscapecod.com

The Cottage Street Bakery—an all-natural success story

The Cottage Street Bakery in Orleans follows a rather foolproof philosophy: keep it real, and keep it simple. “We use only real ingredients,” says Marc Launoy, the bakery’s owner. “We bake everything from scratch. We break the eggs . . . and so on.” Launoy and his team of professional cake bakers and decorators, Meghan Patrick and Annie Driscoll, regularly design, bake and decorate the wedding cakes of their customers’ dreams—and deliver to most Cape Cod locations.

“Everything we use in our baking is all natural,” Patrick emphasizes. “There’s no artificial anything.” Patrick says how great the cakes look and taste is a source of pride for the bakers. “When I’m going to deliver a cake,” Driscoll adds, “I love meeting with the bride and groom and just making that connection. It’s really rewarding.”

The bakery can accommodate any size cake, capable of serving parties of two to 20 to 200. “And we’ll custom make it to look how you want,” says Patrick. “One time a couple wanted a cake covered with rice paper and feathers to look like a swan; the cake was literally covered in feathers!” Driscoll says she particularly enjoys decorating cakes with intricate piping designs. At present, one of the shop’s most popular cakes is the white almond with fresh berries and butter cream.

For each of these professionals, quality is key; the staff even sets limits on the amount of cakes it will take on to ensure the end result is always beautiful, always delicious. To put the icing on this cake, the owner shared a final, sweet anecdote. “I delivered a cake once,” Launoy says, “and I gave it to a couple to bring into the restaurant where the wedding reception was. All of a sudden, they said, ‘Excuse me, can you come back here? We think this cake is damaged.’ They were laughing—because what really happened was they couldn’t wait; they had to sample it! So I fixed it for them.”

Cottage Street Bakery • 5 Cottage Street • Orleans • 508-255-2821 • cottagestreetbakery.com

The Perfect Table—a one-of-a-kind party planning and design company

Expert designers with a passion for event planning, Cindy Dooley and Dorene Hunt started their business by designing simple candy buffet tables. Today, The Perfect Table has flourished, and the business now includes full-scale wedding design and event planning.

The Cape Cod company will take any color scheme for a wedding and create custom designs to fit perfectly—whether fun, elegant, vintage or beachy. Because the Cape is a destination for many couples, The Perfect Table designs many events with ocean or nautical themes, utilizing starfish, seahorses and seashells. “We work with brides to come up with a theme,” Dooley says, “or to elaborate on an existing theme idea. For example, in the designing of a dessert table, we supply the tables, the linens and the decorations. We take the color scheme and go from there.”

Everything the company designs is custom, and the concepts vary considerably. “One bride loved all things French,” Dooley says, “so we did a French table, with French desserts and French words.” The Perfect Table will also take on projects from as small as a single table to an entire house, and to gatherings of 200-plus.

Hunt recalls a project where a customer was hosting a bridal shower for her soon-to-be daughter-in-law. The scope was grand. “We transformed her house,” Hunt says. “We decorated every table from living room to dining room with centerpieces and hors d’oeuvres, and each setting had a succulent plant under a glass dome. Hearts and garlands hung from every window, laced-covered balloons from the dining room chandelier.” The dessert buffet table was arranged in all blush pinks, the bride-to-be’s favorite colors. “You should have seen the look on her face when she saw what we’d done to her house,” Hunt says. “It was priceless.”

The Perfect Table • 508-737-5174 • theperfecttablecapecod.com

The post Unforgettable moments: 8 Cape venues & businesses share wedding stories appeared first on Cape Cod LIFE.

Photo by Brian Shortsleeve

My son Max called me from school recently and told me that one of his recent Cape Cod Life Facebook posts reached 102,000 people. It was one of our beautiful photos plus one of the quotes from our “Harboring Thoughts” collection.

I am learning from the younger members of our Cape Cod Life Publications staff. Last  I knew “social media” meant meeting a group of friends at the library. Max’s call got me thinking not only of the wide spread appreciation of Cape Cod Life, but of the popularity of the gorgeous photos and the fun of the “Quips & Quotes.”

With this in mind we have included here two of my recent sunset photos and a number of my favorite “Harboring Thoughts” quotes for your enjoyment.

My Best,

Brian

“Moses dragged us for 40 years through the desert to bring us to the one place in the Middle East where there was no oil.” Golda Meir

“My ancestors wandered lost in the wilderness for forty years because even in biblical times, men would not stop to ask for directions.” Elayne Boosler

“I know a man who gave up smoking, sex, and rich food. He was healthy right up to the time he killed himself.” Johnny Carson

“The only thing that holds a marriage together is the husband bein’ big enough to step back and see where his wife is wrong.” Archie Bunker

“I went out to dinner with a Marine last weekend. He looked across the table and he goes, ‘I could kill you in seven seconds.’ I go, ‘I’ll just have the toast then’.” Margaret Smith

“The most serious doubt that has been thrown on the authenticity of the biblical miracles is the fact that most of the witnesses in regards to them were fishermen.” Arthur Binstead

“I’ve been reading in an Alabama newspaper that one man shot another man dead because he beat him in a Bible-quoting competition.” Richard Dawkins

“You’re not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on.” Dean Martin

“Infatuation is when you think he’s as sexy as Robert Redford, as smart as Henry Kissinger, as noble as Ralph Nader, as funny as Woody Allen, and as athletic as Jimmy Connors. Love is when you realize he’s as sexy as Woody Allen, as smart as Jimmy Connors, as funny as Ralph Nader, as athletic as Henry Kissinger and nothing like Robert Redford – but you’ll take him anyway.” Judith Viorst

“By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you’ll become happy; if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.” Socrates

“The years teach much which the days never know.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

“No man can be happy without a friend nor be sure of his friend until he is unhappy.” Thomas Fuller

“The human animal needs a freedom seldom mentioned, freedom from intrusion. He needs a little privacy quite as much as he wants understanding or vitamins or exercise or praise.” Phyllis McGinley

“Absence diminishes little passions and increases great ones just as the wind blows out a candle and fans a fire.”  Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“I learned at least this by my experiments. That if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. He will put something behind and will pass an invisible boundary.” Henry David Thoreau

“Would that life were like the shadow cast by a wall or a tree, but it is like the shadow of a bird in flight.” The Talmud

“The heart has reasons that the reason knows nothing of.” Blaise Pascal

“The most evident token and apparent sign of true wisdom is a constant and unconstrained rejoicing.” Michel de Montaigne

“It is not the shilling I give you that counts, but the warmth that carries with it from my hand.” Miguel de Unamuno

“The evening of a well spent life brings its lamps with it.” Joseph Joubert

“When one finds company in himself and his pursuits, he cannot feel old, no matter what his years may be.” Amos Bronson Alcott

“People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within.” Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Photo by Brian Shortsleeve

“Old age is like everything else. To make a success of it, you’ve got to start young.” Fred Astaire

“The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.” Lucille Ball

“If you live to be one 100, you’ve got it made. Very few people die past that age.” George Burns

“Ours seems to be the only nation on Earth that asks its teenagers what to do about world affairs and tells its golden-agers to go out and play.” Julian Gerow

“When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.” Abraham Joshua Heschel

“To be 70 years young is sometimes far more cheerful and hopeful than to be 40 years old.” Oliver Wendell Holmes

“I don’t feel 80. In fact, I don’t feel anything till noon. Then it’s time for my nap.” Bob Hope

“Do not resist growing old – many are denied the privilege.” Irish toast

“Youth had been a habit of hers for so long that she could not part with it.” Rudyard Kipling

“If you wish to live long, you must be willing to grow old.” George Lawton

“My husband said when he was young, he used to live in the country. I said, ‘When you were young, everybody lived in the country’.” Moms Mabley

“Middle age is a time when a man is always thinking that in a week or two he will feel as good as ever.” Don Marquis

“You don’t stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing.” Michael Pritchard

“A mature person is one…who deals charitably with the circumstances of life, knowing that…all of us need both love and charity.” Eleanor Roosevelt

“One thing is certain, and I have always known it—the joys of my life have nothing to do with age.” May Sarton

“The denunciation of the young is a necessary part of the hygiene of older people, and greatly assists the circulation of the blood.” Logan Pearsall Smith

“When I turned 2 I was really anxious because I’d doubled my age in a year. I thought, if this keeps up, by the time I’m 7 I’ll be over a hundred.” Wright Stevens

“Life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of 80 and gradually approach 18.” Mark Twain

The post The overwhelming power of natural beauty appeared first on Cape Cod LIFE.

Photography by Arielle Doneson

My husband Peter and I have always loved the stories of the days of whaling ships, sea captains and shipwrecks. Taking inspiration from these visions of old world New England, we celebrated the ocean-side Cape Cod wedding of our dreams last summer.

Peter is as drawn to the sea as I am. A Barnstable native, he grew up spending his summers working on fishing boats on the Cape and later went to school to become a marine engineer. My summer days were spent on Dowses Beach in Osterville or enjoying my parents’ Boston Whaler. The sea is deeply embedded in both of us.

As an interior designer by trade, I was excited by the challenge of creating a unique wedding experience that our guests would love. Many would be visiting from out of town, and we wanted a unique wedding venue—something in walking distance to guest accommodations and that which would offer a perfect Cape Cod experience. We happily chose Provincetown’s Pilgrim Monument. The view from the hill is breathtaking, and on a clear day you can see for miles.

Provincetown is an old fishing and whaling village that is rich in history, and it was the perfect location for our “shipwrecked”-themed wedding. With our friends and family on hand, we exchanged our vows overlooking Provincetown Harbor. We draped an arbor in tulle, sail cloth and manila rope to resemble a shipwreck. From the center hung a four-foot ship I designed and had welded with hundreds of crystals and chain collected from vintage chandeliers.

Photography by Arielle Doneson

We rented a tidewater tent and the backdrop looked like a scene from a painting. The base of the monument itself was transformed into old world nautical days with accents of rope, strewn tulle, compasses, oil lanterns and more. Greys and blues reflected a stormy, shipwrecked feel. Each guest table was decorated with flowers cascading from silver-leafed vases, and the table names featured nautical terms displayed on wine bottles we had collected. The guest favors were handmade ornaments made from Cape Cod sand.

Leading up to the wedding, we spent more than a year collecting artifacts and other décor items along the East and West coast. Finding decorative pieces befitting the whaling era became a challenge I enjoyed. Each detail was crucial to help create the feel of old world times, and I felt it important that each piece was either personally handmade by my husband and I, or “found” in an antique shop specifically for our big day. After the wedding we would display these items in our home to enjoy for years to come.

Elegantly displayed throughout the venue—the grounds surrounding the monument—were vintage bottles with sea coral toppers, pearls draped over old fashioned jewelry boxes, and inspiring paintings of whaling expeditions. Hors d’oeuvres were served on antique silver trays, and a hand carved wooden whale hung above the bar. The bar itself was made from ship-lapped mahogany, and fish netting hung from either side displaying hundreds of poets’ and songwriters’ quotes about love. The day’s signature drinks were a Dark and Stormy and a Drunken Mermaid—cocktails fitting our “ship wrecked” wedding theme.

Lastly, one of my favorite décor components was a mileage marker sign that was inspired by a family vacation to the Caribbean. Dressed at the top was a seasoned ship weathervane I had found on the California coast.

Following our wedding, Peter and I honeymooned at the Centerboard Inn on Nantucket, a former whaling captain’s home built in 1880. It was the perfect ending to our old New England wedding weekend.

The post Inspired by love, history & the sea appeared first on Cape Cod LIFE.

Heritage Museums & Gardens unveils fabulous movie costume exhibit for 2016

Movie still courtesy of Photofest

Love him or hate him—and most people love him—one of the most memorable movie characters of the 21st century is Captain Jack Sparrow of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Brought to life by Johnny Depp, the charismatic Sparrow is a cross between an inebriated Keith Richards, cartoon character Pepe Le Pew and gentlemanly “Black” Sam Bellamy, the famous pirate captain who died in the Whydah Gally off the coast of Wellfleet in 1717.

While there is no doubt that it’s Depp’s deft dramatic touch that makes the roguish Sparrow such an endearing—and enduring—character, some might argue that the good captain’s wardrobe has infused Sparrow with as much life as the actor.

This year, fans of Depp, the Pirates movies, and the fascinating art of costume design can get an up-close look at one of the good captain’s costumes at “Cut! Costume Design and the Cinema,” a traveling exhibit on display at Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich, from April through October 10.

In addition to Sparrow’s costume from the first Pirates movie, The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), “Cut!” will shine a klieg light on more than 40 stunning period costumes worn by some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Nicole Kidman, Heath Ledger, Colin Farrell, Scarlett Johansson, Keira Knightley, Angelica Huston, Ralph Fiennes, Natalie Portman, Kate Winslet, Renée Zellweger, Daniel Craig and Vanessa Redgrave, among many others.

“When you think about it, the clothes we put on each morning are costumes for a role that we’re going to play that day,” says Ellen Spear, president of Heritage Museums and Gardens. “Clothes say so much about us and our culture, and these costumes on exhibit will provide our visitors with a window to other times and cultures.”

Organized primarily by theme—with the exception of a males-only corner that will be addressed shortly—the exhibit is designed to encourage and support family discussion and learning. A season-long series of events, lectures and family activities will support the “Cut!” exhibit as well.

Youngsters might recognize the man who wore the exhibit’s Sherlock Holmes costume because the actor, Robert Downey, Jr., also portrays billionaire, wise-cracking inventor Tony Stark in Marvel’s Iron Man and Avengers series. A costume worn by Vanessa Redgrave may encourage grandma to reminisce about her first date with grandpa, while the costumes of Depp and Kidman may quicken the pulses of the middle-aged set.

Costume photo courtesy of Cosprop Ltd., London, England

Speaking of sets, each outfit will boast a mini-set of its own. “We’ll create visual experiences around the costumes with printed or painted backdrops and props for the platforms,” says Jan Crocker, Heritage’s exhibits manager. The exhibit also features movie clips of the actors, as well as photos of the actors out of costume, Spear says, “so we may see how the costumes help the actors to ‘become’ their characters. We’ll also feature quotes from the stars about their experiences in the film, and how the costumes influenced their acting.”

Of all the costumes on display, none helped an actor transform himself into character more completely than the Captain Jack Sparrow outfit, which transformed Depp into a wily, carousing buccaneer. While Sparrow’s costumes and props have evolved as the series has progressed—reflecting the character’s personal journey and adventures—this exhibit displays what the good captain wore when moviegoers first met him more than a decade ago in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.

In addition to Sparrow’s well-known tri-cornered leather hat, visitors can view a mannequin sporting the captain’s frock coat, deep-cuffed boots, white shirt, wide black belt with a large buckle, long sleeveless vest, a large scarf worn at the waist, and diagonal leather belt with a buckle that holds his sword. All the clothes bear a distressed look, emphasizing the rugged life of a pirate. Sparrow’s costume—created by British costume designer Penny Rose in very close collaboration with Depp—is a textbook example of how costume design can play a key role in the making of an iconic movie character.

“Costumes are one tool that can bring a director’s vision—and a character—to life,” says Jennifer Varekamp, a Boston-based theatrical costume designer and associate professor of fashion design at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. “Like reading a good book—or enjoying any piece of great art—a quality film transports a moviegoer to another place and elicits a strong emotional reaction.”

“A good movie can be entertaining, but it can also help you look more deeply at your own life,” adds Varekamp, who will deliver one of two lectures about the art of costume design at Heritage this summer. “And when done right, costume design pulls you into the world of the film,” she adds, “and you don’t even notice.”

So it’s by design—if you’ll pardon the expression—that the impact of costume design is an often-overlooked contribution to movie-making magic.

“Costumes set the scene by providing details about where and when the movie takes place, as well as clues about a character’s status, age, class and wealth—as well as their role in the story,” says Jennifer Madden, Heritage’s director of collections and exhibitions. “The costumes in this exhibit are one of a kind and wouldn’t usually be seen outside of a major metropolitan area, so it’s very exciting to bring them to the Cape.”

While the majority of the costumes on exhibit are women’s period dresses and gowns, what the men’s wardrobe lacks in quantity it makes up for in star quality. “The wonderful thing about this exhibit,” says Spear, “is that we have a few men’s costumes in what we’re calling our ‘Bad Boys’ Corner’.”

Costume photo courtesy of Cosprop Ltd., London, England

In addition to Sparrow’s outfit, the men’s costume highlights include the flamboyant scarlet frock coat—trimmed in gold metallic embroidery—that the deceased Heath Ledger wore in Casanova (2005); the weathered brown leather bomber jacket Daniel Craig donned to fight Nazis as the Jewish freedom fighter, Tuvia Bielski, in Defiance (2008); the simple leather-and-velvet explorer’s outfit sported by Colin Farrell as Captain John Smith in The New World (2005); and the bohemian black corduroy frock coat ensemble Robert Downey Jr. wore in Sherlock Holmes (2009).

Each costume is designed to convince moviegoers that the character is authentic and had lived a life before the film begins. One of the most fascinating costumes in the exhibit, ironically, is also among the simplest and least flamboyant. At first glance, Craig’s jacket looks like something from a vintage clothing store in Cambridge. But when seen in the film, the brown coat does its job, and viewers are convinced that Craig’s character, Tuvia Bielski, has indeed been fighting Nazis for the past few years in the forests of Belarus.

“The designers made six versions of this leather jacket to demonstrate the distress it would have endured during the course of the film,” says Madden, noting that Bielski’s jacket had to “age” as the movie progressed. To transform some of the jackets, the designers used hammers and sandpaper to roughen the leather, and then wet the jackets and balled them up to dry in a dark place. “It’s this attention to detail that most movie-goers won’t understand until they’ve seen this exhibit,” Madden says, “and I think Craig’s jacket tells a fascinating story.”

While the men’s costumes are impressive, most of the women’s dresses are stunning. “In addition to speaking to a character’s personality or a particular culture, the costumes are also works of art and fine examples of design,” says Spear. “Creating these costumes required tremendous amounts of historical research on the part of the designers.”

Not only can clothing speak volumes about a people and their culture, but it can also enable the wearer to make a bold statement. One such costume is the late-18th century military-style dress worn by Keira Knightley in The Duchess (2008), when she played Georgiana Cavendish, duchess of the English county of Devonshire. At age 17, the beautiful, outgoing Georgiana Spencer was married off to the older, reserved William Cavendish, fifth duke of Devonshire, who proved to be a distant, unfaithful husband.

While Duchess Georgiana was initially known for her extravagant tastes and an appetite for gambling, she also left a lasting impression as a fashion icon, devoted mother and shrewd political operative. The dress on display—a blue, orange and buff leather suit—demonstrated the duchess’ support of the Whig Party, which boasted the same colors. The duchess also wore a fox-fur muff (hand warmer) and a fox-pelt hat with the dress, which telegraphed that Whig candidate Charles James Fox was her choice for office.

“This costume is one of my favorite pieces,” says Varekamp. “It’s a great example of how a costume can exemplify the character. Although the public adored her, the duchess really couldn’t voice her opinion, so she used fashion as a way to publicly demonstrate political support.”

Movie still courtesy of Photofest

One of the exhibit’s most fantastic costumes is the silk night dress and robe worn by Kate Winslet as the bohemian Sylvia Llewelyn Davies in Finding Neverland (2004), the story of how author J.M. Barrie’s friendship with a family inspired him to write Peter Pan.

Set in 1903 London, Winslet’s character wears this cream-colored ensemble, which was inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement. The long, flowing robe, which is trimmed in dark red velvet and gold lamé, adds an appropriate dream-like quality to the film. “The shape and the embroidery on this robe are just beautiful,” says Madden. “While it would be very impractical to wear, it’s certainly beautiful to look at.”

Another dress that caught Madden’s eye was Nicole Kidman’s costume from The Portrait of a Lady (1996), when she played Isabel Archer in Henry James’ timeless tale of Victorian betrayal. Designed by Janet Patterson, and nominated for an Academy Award in costume design, this costume demonstrates the character’s newfound wealth. “The beaded front panel of the skirt is a historical textile that was adapted to this costume,” notes Madden. “The use of actual historical fabrics in some of these costumes is fascinating to me.”

The one costume that captured the imaginations of both Madden and Spear isn’t a period costume at all, but a dramatic and flowing red gown worn by Lara Flynn Boyle as an imaginary “first lady” of a dictator in Land of the Blind (2006), a dark political satire set in an unspecified time. “It’s an absolutely lovely fantasy dress that most women would love to wear,” Madden says.

“It’s the centerpiece of the exhibit,” adds Spear. “It’s an absolute tour de force in terms of couture. Lara Flynn Boyle actually teared up when she had to take it off for the final time.”

To learn more about “Cut!” and other Heritage Museums and Gardens events, lectures and activities, visit heritagemuseumsandgardens.org.

Joe O’Shea is a freelance writer from Bridgewater.

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Remembering the man for whom MacMillan Pier is named

Photo courtesy of Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum

MacMillan Pier (or Wharf) in Provincetown, home of one of the world’s natural deep-water harbors, is a familiar landmark to Cape Cod residents and tourists. Perhaps less well known is the person for whom the pier is named, Donald Baxter MacMillan. A native son and local hero, MacMillan worked much of his life in the Arctic more than a century before the area became a focus for climate change research.

Born at home in 1874, MacMillan made more than 30 expeditions to the Arctic, including a 1908-09 trip to the North Pole with Admiral Robert E. Peary. But MacMillan was more than an explorer. He was a well-respected teacher who established a summer camp on Bustins Island off Freeport, Maine, to teach seamanship and navigation to American boys; helped establish a school for Eskimo children in Northern Labrador; and created a dictionary of the Inuktitut language for military use in World War II. Along the way he saved the lives of nine people from wrecked boats and eventually gained fame as a public speaker who toured the country talking about the remote, frozen frontier he knew so well.

Donald MacMillan made more than 30 expeditions to the Arctic, including a 1908-09 trip to the North Pole with Admiral Robert E. Peary.

“He was hugely influential as a teacher,” says Genevieve LeMoine, curator of the Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, from which MacMillan graduated in 1898. The museum has a treasure trove of material MacMillan donated from his explorations, including almost 10,000 images. MacMillan took his last expedition with students from his seamanship classes in 1954, LeMoine says, adding “some of those young men are still around.”

MacMillan’s explorations made an enormous impact on history, says John McDonagh, director of the Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum. In total, the explorer’s achievements were vast, McDonagh says, especially for the era. “It was a huge accomplishment, almost like putting someone on the moon.”

The Provincetown museum recognizes MacMillan as a native son and honors his contributions to Cape Cod and our country’s culture. The museum’s collection includes “some real gems from specimens he collected and tools he used,” McDonagh says. Among them are impressive taxidermy specimens the explorer brought home, including a very rare white wolf, a polar bear, and a walrus, as well as MacMillan’s kayak and objects he gathered from the Inuit people.

Such specimens and objects represent the importance of the Arctic and humanize that time period. As McDonagh says, “It makes you really understand the natural history he encountered in the Arctic.” The museum’s gift shop also features a collection of books authored by MacMillan and biographies written about him.

MacMillan lived during a fertile time in America, which surely contributed to his adventurous spirit and wanderlust, McDonagh says. Henry Ford was building automobiles for the middle class, and the Wright brothers were experimenting with flight. “There was a lot of imagination and exploration, and a belief in what was possible,” McDonagh says.

MacMillan spent his early years at his parents’ home on Commercial Street. His father, Capt. Neil MacMillan, who instilled in him a love for sailing, was lost at sea when MacMillan was 9. When his mother, Sarah, died a few years later, the boy moved in with the family of Captain Murdick McDonald in Provincetown and later joined his sister Letitia and her husband in Freeport, Maine. MacMillan was a good student and earned the money to attend Bowdoin College.
After graduating, MacMillan spent 10 years teaching Latin, math, and physical education at Worcester Academy, among other schools, before establishing his summer camp for boys where seamanship and navigation were taught. When he saved nine people from boat wrecks off Bustins Island over the course of two nights in the early 1900s, he got the attention of Peary, who asked MacMillan to join his 1905 attempt to reach the North Pole. MacMillan couldn’t leave his teaching position, but he did accompany Peary on his successful journey to the North Pole in 1908. After his heels froze, MacMillan had to turn back from that journey, 26 days before Peary reached the Pole.

MacMillan then spent several years traveling to Labrador and studying the Innu and Inuit. He eventually organized a 1913 expedition to Greenland, known as the Crocker Land Expedition.
The expedition proved unsuccessful—Crocker Land, which MacMillan had set out to explore, did not exist—and with ships unable to penetrate the surrounding icy waters, MacMillan was stranded. He would have to wait until 1917 before Robert A. Bartlett, commanding the Neptune, could rescue him. While marooned, “MacMillan formulated the concept of a strong, easily maneuverable ship specifically designed for Arctic travel, to handle the dangers of northern waters,” according to his biography in the Donald Baxter MacMillan Collection in the Bowdoin College Library’s Special Collections. The fact that he spent this time conceptualizing a ship says a lot about MacMillan’s vision, bravery, endurance, and intelligence, McDonagh says.

Photo courtesy of Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum

When MacMillan returned to the United States, the country had entered World War I, and he joined the Navy. After the war, he designed the schooner Bowdoin, which was launched in 1921 from a shipyard in East Boothbay, Maine. That summer MacMillan sailed the Bowdoin to Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic. He eventually married Miriam Norton Look, the daughter of longtime friends. “Though MacMillan at first refused to let her accompany him north, Miriam soon convinced him of her willingness and ability to participate in his Arctic travels,” the Bowdoin College Library biography notes.

MacMillan served in the Navy again in World War II and earned several medals during his military career. In recognition of his meritorious service, he was promoted to rear admiral on the Naval Reserve retired list in 1954.

In 1957 Provincetown leaders named the new pier constructed beside the old Railroad Wharf, MacMillan Pier; the admiral and Miriam attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony. MacMillan died in 1970 in Provincetown. He is buried in New Cemetery, off Alden Street, in the town where he was born.

Provincetown’s identity and history heavily influenced the man that MacMillan became. “There’s something about the geography and spirituality here that attracts creative people,” says Stephen Borkowski, a scholar and researcher and the current chair of the Provincetown Historical Commission. “His wanderlust was very much a product of the community.”

A natural human tendency, Borkowski says, is to feel limited by circumstance. So a figure like MacMillan can fill a void, standing as a symbol of someone who fought or overcame circumstance to achieve greatness. “There’s something heroic about MacMillan in this age,” he says. “This is someone who followed through on his dream. The stars had to align for him [to do this]. That exposure to the maritime community was an inspiration to him.”

MacMillan, in turn, is an inspiration to anyone seeking a new path, Borkowski says. “People need heroes.”

To learn more about MacMillan and his fascinating adventures, visit the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum, which is open daily through November 30, atop High Pole Hill; or check out the Peary MacMillan Arctic Museum & Arctic Studies Center at Bowdoin College in Maine. Learn more at pilgrim-monument.org, and at bowdoin.edu/arctic-museum.

A former editor at Cape Cod LIFE, Mary Grauerholz of Falmouth is a frequent contributor to Cape Cod Life Publications.

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In this south-facing photo, sailboats can be seen making their way around Sandy Neck’s eastern tip. Photographer – Paul Rifkin

Sandy Neck Beach Park encompasses more than 4,700 acres of land in West Barnstable (and a small portion in Sandwich) overlooking Cape Cod Bay and Barnstable Harbor. Boasting six miles of shoreline, the park features vast beaches, massive sand dunes, forests, marshland, and the historic Sandy Neck Lighthouse, which dates back to 1857. Every year an average of 120,000 to 150,000 visitors flock to Sandy Neck—many via all-terrain vehicles—to enjoy these unique attractions.

Since 1978, Sandy Neck has been designated an “Area of Critical Environmental Concern” by the Mass. Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs because several endangered species including piping plovers and least terns make their habitat in the area. Officials in Barnstable and Sandwich, as well as all the beachgoers who love Sandy Neck, have also been concerned in recent years about another issue pertaining to the area: erosion.

“The last five years are the worst we can remember,” Sandy Neck Beach Park manger Nina Coleman says of erosion’s impact on the area. Prior to that, she says the dune system on Sandy Neck’s Cape Cod Bay side was relatively stable, experiencing only the natural annual cycle of losing sand in winter, gaining it back in summer. The Town of Barnstable helped manage any endangered areas through the use of sand fencing and vegetation. Mother Nature then stepped in, though, causing severe damage during Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and Winter Storm Juno in January of 2015. Following Hurricane Sandy, the Town of Barnstable hired Coastline Engineering, a civil and marine engineering firm with an office in Marion, to provide dredging and consultation services for several problem areas in town, including Sandy Neck.

According to Christine Player, Coastline’s senior project manager, the area of greatest concern at present is the beach’s lower parking lot, which runs parallel to the shore. Player says the dune system standing between the beach and the lower lot—and to a lesser degree, the upper parking lot—has eroded significantly as a result of the recent storms. During Juno, the eastern end of the beach in front of the lower lot lost 30 feet of “sacrificial sand,” or sand the town paid to have trucked in and dumped on the beach as a dune-replenishment tactic. The idea is that this sand could be “sacrificed” or washed away in a storm, rather than the dunes. In the winter of 2013-2014, more than 20 feet of sacrificial sand in front of the upper lot was swept away, threatening Sandy Neck’s septic system. “The trend of where we lose sand changes year by year,” Coleman says.

As of early April, no manmade structures were in imminent danger. However, Coleman says more erosion in the area could threaten visitor access to the parking lot. “We’re working very hard to keep from losing the parking lots,” Coleman says, “but if there is a very large storm, and the lots are damaged, there wouldn’t be enough spaces for the summer beach season.” 

The eastern end of Sandy Neck Beach’s lower parking lot—at left in the photo—is the area of greatest current concern regarding erosion. Photographer – Josh Shortsleeve

Like most if not all areas along the coast, Sandy Neck has undergone geologic changes over the past 150 years. When the existing Sandy Neck Light tower was built in 1857, it was located at the easternmost point of the spit in an area called Little Neck. Today, the lighthouse stands more than 2,000 feet from the point thanks to a rapid accretion rate. “It’s shocking how fast Little Neck is growing,” Coleman says. “A lot of the eroding sand from the front beach is ending up at the point. Sandy Neck is an extremely resilient beach.” 

In the last three years, the Town of Barnstable has made multiple efforts to stem the erosion’s tide by using sacrificial sand. Work completed in December of 2013, December of 2014, and February of 2015 cost the Town a total of $259,000. “These efforts have provided adequate, short-term stability to the dunes so that the parking lots, septic system, snack bar and restrooms have not been damaged to date,” Player states, “but [it is] not cost-effective or sufficient for the town for long-term coastal resiliency and sustainability.” In December of 2014 alone, more than 4,000 cubic yards of sand were added in front of the dunes, at a cost of $90,000. The next month, Juno swept most of that sand away.

Coleman says erosion along the front beach, by the lower parking lot, is a relatively new issue. In recent years some, including Coleman, have been pointing to the Cape Cod Canal and its jetties as one of the causes for an increased rate of erosion at Cape Cod Bay beaches to the east of the canal, arguing that sand which normally drifts along the shoreline to re-nourish eroding shores is getting blocked just north of the canal—by the jetty. Any visitor to the area can observe how Sandwich’s Town Neck Beach, just to the south of the canal, is shrinking, while Scusset Beach to the north, expands. Of course, the canal was built more than a century ago.

Meanwhile, at Sandy Neck, the battle with erosion continues. Katie Gronendyke, press secretary of the Mass. Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, says Barnstable placed additional sand nourishment on the front beach in January of 2016. This sand was dredged from Barnstable Harbor at a cost of $490,000, and Coleman says its placement on the beach improved the erosion situation from “OK” to “really good.”

According to Player, Barnstable officials are looking at potential long-term solutions with grant funding recently received from the Mass. Office of Coastal Zone Management. Some of the measures under consideration for Sandy Neck include a large-scale beach and dune nourishment program, construction of seawalls and other structures to help protect the shoreline, and possibly relocating or reconfiguring the parking lot based upon predicted dune loss in the future. The ever-changing cycle of moving sand continues.

Christopher Setterlund is a freelance writer from South Yarmouth.

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Enjoy some fresh air and exercise on a scenic Cape and Islands day trip

Great Island Trail, Wellfleet

Day trips can arise spontaneously or are planned—and anticipated—weeks in advance; both scenarios offer opportunities to de-stress, disconnect and spend time outdoors. Naturally, Cape Cod and the Islands are perfect destinations for fun and fulfilling daytrips.

“Whether main streets or back roads are your preference, the Cape offers many options for peaceful reflection or the hustle and bustle of fellow visitors,” says Wendy Northcross, CEO of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. “Whoever has not taken the time to explore the 75-mile stretch of the Cape peninsula has truly unforgettable days in store.”

With the help of a few experts who know the area well, Cape Cod LIFE has put together a small collection of day trip ideas; some are well-trodden, others more obscure, but all offer spectacular ways to spend a day. With the weather warming up, take the opportunity to visit Chatham, Provincetown, Martha’s Vineyard, or any of the Cape’s fascinating communities. Just pack your camera, sunscreen and a sense of adventure—and head out for a day of fun outdoor exploration.

Cape Cod Rail Trail
The Cape Cod Rail Trail is a popular attraction for both walkers and cyclists. Once a railroad, the paved trail winds its way for 22 miles through Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham and Wellfleet. Visitors can access the trail from various points, and can complete the entire length or just a short loop. There are many points of interest along the way including Nickerson State Park in Brewster and the Salt Pond Visitors Center in Eastham. Don’t have a bike? Several rental shops are available along the route.

Great Island Trail, Wellfleet
Part of the pristine Cape Cod National Seashore, Great Island Trail in Wellfleet features rigorous hiking trails as well as stunning views overlooking Cape Cod Bay.

Don Light, president of the Eastham Hiking Club, recommends planning for two to three hours to complete the hike, which winds around Great Island. En route, walkers can traverse sandy beaches, lofty dunes, wooded areas and vibrant saltmarshes. “It’s a mix of historical sites and beautiful views,” Light says of the hike, which begins by following a trail along the cliffs. Hikers can also take a detour to visit the site of Smith’s Tavern, a lively spot in the late 17th century where whalers and fishermen could get some food and drink.

For even more exercise, visitors can extend their walk southward to Jeremy Point—a 7.5-mile round trip jaunt—but the spot, which overlooks Wellfleet Harbor and the waterlogged remains of Billingsgate Island is accessible only at low tide, so check the tide charts when planning an excursion.

Polly Hill Arboretum, Martha’s Vineyard

Monomoy Island, Chatham
A secluded island off the coast of Chatham, and accessible only by boat, Monomoy Island is an excellent spot to take in the Cape’s wildlife, especially seals and a diverse population of seabirds.

The Monomoy Island Ferry offers daily excursions from Stage Harbor Marine in Chatham to South Monomoy Island, the site of the recently restored Monomoy Light. “It’s part of the Monomoy National Refuge,” says ferry captain Keith Lincoln, “and it’s full of natural beauty.” Once on the island, a naturalist leads a guided tour offering pointers on Monomoy’s unique history, geology and wildlife. The Monomoy Island Ferry also offers seal and whale cruises, and is available for private chartered tours. Learn more at monomoyislandferry.com.

The Dunes of Provincetown
As the last town at the very tip of the Cape, Provincetown has an allure all its own. While a day can easily be spent perusing shops on Commercial Street or setting off on a whale-watch, Provincetown also boasts preserved natural areas with awe-inspiring scenery.

Light says a hike through Provincetown’s famous sand dunes offers visitors a glimpse of what Provincetown would have looked like when the Pilgrims arrived just under four centuries ago. “You can go up and down through the dunes,” Light says. “It is surreal out there; you can’t see any other civilization.” In the dunes the only semblance of humanity are the dozen or so dune shacks sprinkled hither and yon where writers and artists, such as Eugene O’Neill, E.E. Cummings and Jackson Pollock, have flocked for decades.
Light estimates the dunes—including areas in Truro—total 15 to 20 miles of trails. Visitors can choose their own adventure. A parking area is located off Route 6, on Snail Road near the trailhead. Learn more at nps.gov/caco.

Visit the Vineyard—and Polly Hill Arboretum
A daytrip to Martha’s Vineyard is just a short ferry ride from Woods Hole or Hyannis. The island offers so much—from shopping and beaches, to wonderful restaurants and scenic lighthouses. After breakfast or lunch, visitors looking to spend time off the beaten path should consider a walk through the peaceful Polly Hill Arboretum in West Tisbury.

“There are so many layers that make Polly Hill special,” says Karin Stanley, the non-profit organization’s education and outreach coordinator. “The old farmsteads, the open fields, it’s really what Martha’s Vineyard used to be like. It is peaceful and quiet and away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the island.” Once a farm, the history of the 20-acre property can be traced back to 1669, and the arboretum’s offices are built in the renovated homestead which dates to the 1700s. The first seeds of the arboretum were planted by Polly Hill, the organization’s founder, in 1958. Over the years, Hill developed superior plants, and the arboretum took root.

The arboretum’s walking trails are lined with more than 1,600 types of flora and fauna. Guided tours are offered daily in July and August, at 10 a.m., and visitors can explore the property on their own year round. For more information, visit pollyhillarboretum.com.

Nancy White is a freelance writer from Hull.

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With a change in ownership, many club members now own equity in TGC in Falmouth

Photo courtesy of TGC

There are many fantastic golf courses on Cape Cod, the Islands and the South Shore, but there’s only one that goes by the name “The Golf Club.” Located in East Falmouth, TGC—as the club is now officially known—is a private, top-of-the-line golf-only club, meaning few distractions get in the way of the game. The course is not built around or connected to a housing development, for example, and few if any weddings are held at the facility. TGC is simply a golf club of the members, by the members and for the members.

Following a recent change in ownership, the statement above is even more appropriate. In late 2015, The Sacconnesset Golf Society LLC purchased the club from New Falmouth Woods LLC, who had opened the club in 2007. Despite the change, most of the faces around the club remain the same, and many members have now bought in to become equity owners. As of early April, some 75 of the club’s 150 members had become partners in the club, which is now led by a board of directors.

“The reception has been fabulous,” managing partner Gene Crowley says of the arrangement. “The timing is right; the ‘no debt’ is right.” No debt you say? With the substantial equity investment, TGC is now debt-free, a fiscal scenario many private golf clubs can only dream about. In recent years many private clubs around the country have gone under, but TGC’s longevity, financial standing, and committed membership may represent a safe bet for those looking to join.

An employee since 2008, membership manager Gwen Errhalt says the club was founded with three goals in mind: competition, tradition and camaraderie. “TGC was built for the pure golf experience,” Errhalt says. “It’s a real treat. Our members were so happy [with the club] they wanted to invest in it and see it continue.”

Errhalt emphasized that TGC’s members really love their golf. She says the membership also recognizes the importance of growing the game as well as the benefits of hosting charitable golf tournaments, which the club does throughout the year.

Hosting more competitive tournaments is also good for the game, and for the club’s visibility. Charles Passios, the club’s chief operating officer, notes that the Mass. Golf Association recently awarded TGC the hosting rights for both the 2016 Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Championships and the 2017 Mass. Open Championships.

Photo courtesy of TGC

The new ownership group is completing some light course renovations for the 2016 season, with the goal of making some of the holes a little more player friendly. The clubhouse is also undergoing some enhancements, but Crowley says “nothing needs major surgery.”

Course architect Rees Jones, who has designed some 170 golf courses around the world, from Falmouth to Namibia, says everything about the TGC course is special. “In New England there’s a lot of rugged terrain,” says Jones, “and because of the change of terrain, every hole is distinctive.”

When the TGC course was constructed a decade ago, Jones says the greens, pockets and bunkers were built and shaped, but minimal work was done to reshape the site’s rugged terrain. Thus, the course features a lot of range in elevation, he says, and the fairways seem to fit perfectly within the landscape. “Every one of these holes is really ideal for golf,” Jones says. “It’s a classic design. It’s really what a lot of the old golf courses are like.”

Uniquely, the course offers five different tee boxes at all 18 holes to allow flexibility for various skill levels. Once off the tee, though, Jones says golfers will encounter countless challenges and nuances throughout the 72-par, 7,000-yard course; this is really a thinking golfer’s course. “Part of the fun of a good golf course is you have to make a lot of decisions,” says Crowley, “and this course has a lot of that.”

Jones describes it as “a manageable finesse course. I think it’s a wonderful place to play golf, and I think that’s why the group bought it, because they love it so much.” The club’s financial standing, he adds, is “a plus-plus for everybody.”

Speaking of “everybody,’ Passios says the club’s family memberships are now even more “family friendly” than before. One benefit afforded members, Passios says, is if a club member is hosting a visiting family member—say, a son or daughter at home for the weekend from college—they can play at the club for free provided they play with the member.

TGC also hosts golf camps for kids and has an active caddie program with many young people involved. The club also participates in several charitable efforts including sponsoring the TGC Fund, which supports local veterans and active military personnel who face significant personal challenges and financial needs. The club’s annual TGC for the Troops golf tournament will be held this year on Monday, June 27, with a free golf clinic and lunch for veterans and active military service members the previous day (June 26).

Finally, after playing a round, golfers can head to the club’s restaurant, TGC Grille by C Salt, which is overseen by head chef Jonathan Philips, the owner of C Salt Wine Bar & Grille on Falmouth’s Route 28. The restaurant is open to the public daily for lunch, and for dinner by reservation. The cuisine is a mix of modern American with some Asian and French influence, and popular appetizers include pork belly bites, crispy hoisin wings and tuna tartar.

TGC is located at 132 Falmouth Woods Road in East Falmouth. For more information, visit tgcgolf.com, or call 508-457-7200.

Matthew J. Gill is the editor of

Cape Cod LIFE magazine.

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For a brief time in my life, Craigville Beach was synonymous with “Cape Cod.” Little did I know that eventually the area would become a lifelong touchstone.

Perhaps they were crazy but on more than one steamy, humid Sunday, my folks would take us to church (early Mass), then pack us into our non air-conditioned Oldsmobile and make the nearly two-and-one-half hour trip from Shrewsbury to Centerville for a day at the beach.

We wore our bathing suits under our Sunday clothes; undoubtedly, sandwiches in wax paper and cold drinks—and Dixie cups—were packed in a cooler. Neither the Mid-Cape Highway, nor for that matter, Route 6, had been perfected at that time in the 1960s and Route 495 didn’t yet exist, so we drove over the Cranberry Highway, through New Bedford, Wareham and Buttermilk Bay, passing souvenir stands, the giant milk bottle of Frates Dairy and a few clam shacks. There was nary a fast food place in sight; back then Howard Johnson’s, with its 28 flavors, was the epitome of road food.

The ride was long but oh, the excitement and anticipation of racing into the briny, sparkling ocean—no matter how cold. It was worth the wait. Being vigilant parents, Mom and Dad had us kids festooned in brick-colored life jackets (no wonder I never learned to swim), and we were forbidden to go into the water until at least 30 minutes after we had scarfed down our tuna or ham and cheese sandwiches. I also don’t remember being lathered in sunscreen; as the afternoon sun waned, we were urged to put on a T-shirt.

Sandy and salty, we reluctantly trooped back to the car for the interminable ride home. We changed into shorts and tops in the car and prayed that Dad would stop at HJ’s for a longed-for ice cream cone. Pistachio was a favorite! We may have been a bit sunburned, but were refreshed beyond belief.

Today, as a Cape resident I return to Craigville, maybe to capture that youthful memory. The beach looks different to me, wider, maybe flatter but still revealing that endless blue-on-blue vista. Sometimes I walk the beach; other times, I sit in the car with a book or a sandwich with just the gulls for company.

Craigville Beach opened the door to so many Cape Cod memories: the bridges; the long-gone breakfast place on Park Avenue in Centerville run by Freda Bowen; white clapboard and black shuttered Cape houses that line Main Street in the village; sand; shells; a feeling of being secure; bracing waves and salt-up-your-nose headstands; bathing caps; life jackets; bathing slippers; changing in the car; sand-encrusted grapes; ginger ale in a paper cup; Wise potato chips; and the “beach wagon Olds.”

It’s funny how a glistening crescent of beach shores up so many vivid memories. Craigville was my first Cape Cod beach. You never forget your first love.

A resident of West Harwich, Rita Richardson is a writer and proofreader who recently helped edit Reflections, the literary magazine for Cape Cod Community College’s Lifelong Learning program. She gains inspiration for daily visits to the beach—no matter the weather.

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