🐚 Cannons, Karaoke & a Storm Tale Locals Still Tell | Sept 25–Oct 1

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🎭 From Cannons to Karaoke: A Cape Week That Won’t Sit Still

You know it’s late September when the Brewster flats glow copper, Marion’s doughnuts vanish before noon, and someone in line at Snowy Owl is already debating who’s got the best chowder once evenings turn cool.

The tourists may have thinned, but the calendar hasn’t. This week you can:

• 🍻 Raise a stein at Ocean Edge’s Oktoberfest

• 🎭 Laugh through Twelfth Night in Orleans

• ⚔️ Watch cannon smoke drift over Drummer Boy Park

And if music nights are your thing?

• 🎶 Bayzo’s Pub brings Jeff Lowe on Thursday, Catie Flynn on Friday — the kind of back-to-back locals call a “two-nighter.”

• 🎸 By Sunday, Joe Merrick is warming up The Squire, while Don Barry closes the weekend at Jake Rooney’s.

This isn’t just a quiet shoulder season. It’s when the Cape feels like a neighborhood again — full of nods, waves, and the kind of stories you’ll retell over coffee at Hot Chocolate Sparrow.

— Arthur
📬 Your newsletter guy first, Lower Cape neighbor always

🌪 Storm Season on the Lower Cape: What Neighbors Really Know

October sharpens everything on the Lower Cape. The marshes bronze, the air smells saltier, and eyes drift toward the horizon. Storm season isn’t a “someday” event here — it’s a rhythm neighbors step into year after year.

Ask around and you’ll hear it: Brewster’s Pines Storm of 2018 that left streets in darkness for four days. Orleans’ Skaket Surge of 2022 when propane tanks became heroes in flooded basements. Harwich nights when pumps hummed like lullabies — until one gave out at the worst moment. And Chatham porches where sand disappeared in a single tide.

Every story carries the same truth: neighbors here don’t just survive storms. They adapt.

⚡ When the Lights Drop

You know the silence. The lights blink out, and then somewhere down the street — the thrum of a generator.

• In Brewster: portables keep fridges running and coffee hot.

• In Orleans: standby systems hum entire homes back online as if nothing happened.

Neighbor’s Trick: Treat October like dress rehearsal. Run your generator for 15 minutes under load. A neighbor calls it “cheap insurance for a warm December.”

👉 New here? Ask yourself: what matters most after two powerless days — heat, WiFi, or hot showers?

💧 The Battle Below Ground

Water here doesn’t knock — it barges in. One Harwich local still recalls Irene, scooping buckets while her pump sat lifeless.

The fix? Double up. A main sump pump with a battery backup, plus a $50 high-water alarm that pings your phone. An Orleans homeowner shows his proudly: “This little thing saved my furnace.”

Neighbor’s Trick: Every October, pour a bucket in your pit. If it hums, you’re ready. If not, you’ll be grateful you found out in daylight.

👉 Have you tested yours this year?

🪟 From Plywood to Peace of Mind

We’ve all seen it: plywood leaning against porches, drills buzzing as clouds roll in. It works — but it’s heavy, clumsy, and insurers don’t reward it.

Chatham homeowners are turning to roll-downs or accordion shutters. They’re pricey, but one Main Street neighbor said it best: “First storm with them down, I finally slept.”

Neighbor’s Trick: If you’re in a historic zone, file early. Approval can take longer than installation.

👉 Still relying on the same boards stacked in your shed?

🍂 October Rituals

Storm prep here isn’t drama. It’s quiet, almost invisible:

• A Brewster driveway humming as a generator warms.

• A Harwich yard lined with trimmed branches.

• An Orleans kitchen where someone swaps CO detector batteries.

• A Chatham porch, furniture tucked away before the first howl.

These aren’t chores. They’re Cape habits — passed across fences, retold at coffee counters, repeated every October.

👉 What’s your ritual? Candles? Sump test? The neighbor’s number on speed dial?

🗺 Town Quirks

• Brewster: Pines and power lines don’t mix — outages are baked into the landscape.

• Chatham: Shutters are worth the fight with the Historic Board.

• Harwich: Pond cottages rely on pumps that never rest.

• Orleans: Generators glow like Christmas lights — some even subsidized by Cape Light Compact.

On the Lower Cape, storm prep isn’t just survival. It’s identity. Belonging. Confidence passed from neighbor to neighbor.

💬 Got a storm story? The shutter that saved you, the generator that quit, the pump that rescued your basement? Reply and share — we’ll feature the best in a future issue.

🌪 Storm-Smart Homes on the Market

Some Cape homes carry that resilience in their bones. Elevated foundations, smart energy systems, backup power — the kinds of details that let you sleep through a gale.

Pleasant Bay, Harwich — $1.699M
Rebuilt in 2025 with FEMA Zone X siting, this 5BR blends a chef’s kitchen and propane hot water with smart climate control. No flood insurance required, even steps from the Bay.

Nauset Heights, Orleans — $1.85M
An elevated Colonial overlooking Nauset Inlet. Efficient heat pumps, glass-walled dining, and deeded Roberts Cove access. Built high and dry, so water stays where it belongs.

South Chatham Estate — $5.495M
On 1.6 acres, this estate pairs owned solar and propane backup with a saltwater pool. Inside, 20’ beamed ceilings and a new great room designed for year-round living — storm-proof and stunning.

Forest Beach Village, South Chatham — $1.499M
A reimagined 6BR coastal compound. Modern HVAC, insulation, and mini-splits keep it tight and efficient. Elevated siting offers peace of mind just steps from Nantucket Sound.

Cow Yard, Chatham — $1.399M
Single-level ease, fully updated in 2024. Natural gas heat, central air, and a Zone X lot mean comfort without flood-insurance worries.

Campgrounds, Harwich Port — $1.475M
A Dutch Gambrel in the heart of Harwich Port, upgraded with mini-splits in every bedroom and an elevated foundation. Walk to Main Street and the Sound, knowing you’re above the surge line.

🍫☕ Hot Chocolate Sparrow: Orleans’ Sweet Tooth HQ

There are cafés, and then there’s the Hot Chocolate Sparrow. At 5 Old Colony Way in Orleans, right off the Rail Trail, this spot has been the Lower Cape’s unofficial sugar stop for decades. Ask ten people what they order, and you’ll get ten different answers — but all of them delivered with a grin.

Drinks With a Following

The locals will tell you: skip the chains. Go straight for a Mocha Sparrow, their house signature — espresso swirled with homemade fudge milk. Add coconut syrup, and you’ve got the cult-favorite Coconut Mocha Sparrow. Sweet tooth in overdrive? Try the Caramel Mocha Turtle, whipped cream piled high and caramel drizzle running down the sides.

And if you’re riding the Rail Trail on a hot July day? Nothing beats the Frozen Hot Chocolate. People describe it as “a frappuccino that finally grew up on Cape Cod.”

Bakes, Cakes, and Croissants That Sell Out

Don’t underestimate the bakery case. The chocolate croissant has a fan club of its own — one regular swears it’s the best she’s had anywhere. Almond croissants, cheddar-chive biscuits, cranberry scones, cinnamon rolls, and baby cakes (like the Chocolate Toffee or Coconut Lemon) all rotate through, and yes, they do sell out by mid-day.

Cake lovers? Take your pick: molten lava cake, peanut butter pie loaded with brownie chunks, tiramisu with a proper espresso kick, or the flourless chocolate torte (gluten-free, no less). It’s the kind of case where “I’ll just get one slice” quickly turns into a to-go box with four.

Sandwiches With Personality

The lunch menu is bigger than you think. There’s the #10 Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad — often pointed out as the sandwich to beat. Vegetarians lean into the #7 Grilled Eggplant with White Cheddar and Balsamic. And for the curious? The #8 Grilled Chocolate Sandwich: gooey chocolate melted on ciabatta. Sweet, salty, a little absurd — and totally Cape Cod.

Candy Counter & Ice Cream Freezers

The attached candy shop is half the fun: truffles, fudge, chocolate lobsters, even gummies and bark. Kids press their noses against the glass, adults pretend they’re “just browsing,” and somehow everyone walks out with a bag.

The ice cream freezers keep it classic and generous — raspberry truffle, mint chip, brownie sundae — and yes, people notice when the hot fudge sundae runs light on fudge. But when they nail it? It’s the kind of sundae that pulls you back the next night.

The Atmosphere

Here’s the thing: Sparrow is always busy. Summer nights are standing-room only, mornings are a shuffle of cyclists in spandex, and rainy afternoons find every table packed with locals working, gossiping, or refueling. The lines can snake, the flow inside is chaotic, and the noise is real. But step outside with a croissant and a coffee, and suddenly you’re watching Orleans life happen in real time.

As one long-time regular put it best: “It’s not perfect, but it’s ours.”

👉 If you’re new: order a Coconut Mocha Sparrow and a chocolate croissant.
👉 If you’re seasoned: you already know your number sandwich.

Either way, you’ll leave buzzing on sugar, caffeine, and the feeling that you just experienced a little slice of Orleans.

🌊 Cape Crossroads - What We Choose to Keep, Fix, and Fight For

On the Lower Cape, our landmarks aren’t marble statues or glass towers. They’re diners with coffee-stained counters, clapboard schoolhouses with creaky floors, and parking lots we’ve all circled in midsummer heat.

This week, three stories remind us that community isn’t something handed down. It’s something we argue over, pitch in for, and sometimes fight to reinvent.

🍳 The Diner That Wouldn’t Die

When a car plowed into Larry’s P.X. last winter, it felt like more than an accident. For many, it was as if someone had punched a hole straight through the heart of West Chatham. Staff were injured, the doors were shuttered, and the familiar rhythm of bacon sizzling at 6 a.m. was replaced with silence.

What came next was a small-town master class in looking after your own.

• A benefit at Knots Landing raised tens of thousands.

• Local artist Vangie Collins turned bead sales into paychecks.

• The Pals for Life Foundation kept workers afloat through the winter.

“It takes a village, and this town stepped up,” co-owner Jay Case said at last week’s reopening.

Now, with a rebuilt front entrance and the smell of pancakes in the air, Larry’s feels like itself again. “Larry’s is iconic,” said Barry Desilets of the Chatham Merchants Association, naming it alongside the Squire and the Candy Manor.

On the Cape, icons don’t survive on nostalgia alone. They survive because neighbors refuse to let them die.

🏫 When Old Walls Learn New Tricks

On Bell’s Neck Road in Harwich, the 1871 schoolhouse stood for years like a ghost. Sagging windows. Curled shingles. A story that looked over.

Today, it hums with life again — seven one-bedroom apartments carved into its historic shell, plus three more in a new companion building. Developer John Carey bought the derelict property for $175,000 in 2022 and, with help from Harwich’s affordable housing trust, turned it into a mix of market-rate and affordable units. More than 40 Cape Codders applied immediately.

At the One Cape summit this month, preservation specialist Sarah Korjeff praised the project: “I’d like to see more of this.” Planning Board Chair Duncan Berry called it an “inflection point” for the village.

It’s a reminder that old walls don’t just hold memories — they can hold new lives. And it leaves us with a tantalizing question: if we could do it here, what other forgotten buildings could we bring back?

🚗 The Price of Parking

Every summer, downtown Chatham turns into a game of musical chairs — except the chairs are parking spaces, and the music never stops. Locals know the drill: loop the rotary, eye Main Street, circle again, sweat it out.

Now, a new plan could change that. By a 3–2 vote, the Select Board backed paid parking in three major lots: Town Hall, behind the Orpheum, and Kate Gould Park.

• Residents with town stickers? Free.

• Visitors? Pay by kiosk or app.

In Provincetown, the same system nets $2 million a year. Supporters say Chatham could use the revenue for crosswalks, shuttles, and upgrades. “Like it or not, we are a destination,” said Joan Craig of the town’s parking group.

But critics aren’t convinced. Shop owner and board member Cory Metters warned it could “negatively impact the fabric of downtown.” Chair Dean Nicastro was blunt: “I want the money.”

So whose downtown is it? The shopkeepers? The year-rounders? The summer visitors? The answers aren’t clear — but the debate, like parking in July, won’t be ending anytime soon.

✨ Why These Stories Matter

A diner, a schoolhouse, and a parking lot don’t sound alike. But each one forces us to ask: what do we value enough to fight for, to reinvent, or to charge for?

On the Lower Cape, the answers aren’t abstract.
They’re served with pancakes, framed in clapboards, and painted on Main Street asphalt.

🐾 From Jackknife to Kent’s Point: A Dog’s-Eye View of the Lower Cape

September on the Cape is when the volume finally turns down. The traffic lines at the clam shacks disappear, the air smells like pine and salt again, and suddenly the beaches start whispering. That’s when the paw prints return. Ask anyone who lives here: the Lower Cape is never more itself than when the dogs take it back.

Brewster: Where the Bay Becomes a Playground

When the tide slips out in Brewster, the dogs move in.

Every fall evening, the Brewster flats become part dog park, part stage. Retrievers gallop like they’ve just been sprung from jail, terriers dig holes to Provincetown, and neighbors trade smiles as if it were the first time. Around here, we call it “dog-walking happy hour.”

Of course, Brewster makes us wait — dogs are banned from public beaches and flats from May 15 to Sept 15. But once that ban lifts, the bay belongs to everyone again. And if you’d rather stick to the woods, Nickerson’s loops offer shade and kettle ponds, while the Brewster Dog Park keeps the gossip (and the barking) lively year-round.

Chatham: The Dawn Patrol at Jackknife

Coffee mugs in one hand, leashes in the other — that’s the Jackknife morning crowd.

At 7:45 a.m. in July, the harbor feels like a secret society. Dogs plunge into Pleasant Bay, owners cradle Dunkin’ cups, and the whole scene hums with conspiratorial joy. The official rule: summer dogs are allowed before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m. The unwritten pact: no season is complete without a few of these swims.

Come fall, Lighthouse Beach reopens to pups. The leash law is firm, but the neighborly vibe softer — locals don’t think twice about calling out if a dog strays too close to the rip. That’s Chatham: rules written down, safety enforced by community.

Harwich: Marsh Walks and Quiet Company

Forget the summer bans — Harwich is for trail walkers.

Bell’s Neck is the cathedral: wooden bridges over the herring run, osprey circling above, and dogs padding quietly on leash. In October light, the marsh grass glows so gold you feel the hush in your chest.

Red River Beach may have its quirky “parking-lot dog hours,” but the true faithful head to Hawksnest. Pine needles muffle the steps, kettle ponds gleam between the trees, and you realize some families have been walking these loops with three generations of dogs — leash changing hands, ritual staying the same.

Orleans: Golden Hour at Kent’s Point

Kent’s Point isn’t a walk. It’s a neighborhood parade, led by tails.

As the sun drops, the lot fills, dogs weave between legs, and Pleasant Bay blushes pink through the pines. There’s no posted etiquette, but everyone knows it: your dog comes when called, you clean up, and you wave even if you don’t know the next walker.

Then there’s Skaket. After Labor Day, the flats open up again (with leash rules still in play). Some dogs sprint until they collapse; others carry half the bay home in their fur. At Nauset, it’s stricter — 30-foot leash south of Trail #1 — but the Atlantic’s roar makes even a tethered walk feel untamed.

🍻 Patios & Pit Stops

Because sometimes the best trail ends with a bite—or a pint.

• Brewster: Cobie’s Clam Shack (picnic tables + fried clams), Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters (bowls by the door).

• Chatham: The Squire (dog water bar included), Mac’s Fish & Lobster (picnic-table dining), Marion’s Pie Shop (yes, blueberry pie counts as dog-walk fuel).

• Harwich: Dockside Café at Saquatucket Harbor (waterfront tables), Dairy Queen (cones for you, pup cups for them).

• Orleans: The Knack (patio + lobster rolls), Cooke’s Seafood (fried clam tradition), Hog Island Beer Co. (outdoor beer garden), The Lost Dog Pub (the name says it all).

(Always check ahead — patio policies can shift season to season.)

📋 Rules at a Glance

Because neighborly only works when everyone plays by the same rules.

Brewster: No dogs on public beaches/ponds May 15 – Sept 15. Dog Park open year-round.
Chatham: Summer beach rule: before 9 a.m. / after 6 p.m. only. Lighthouse reopens after Sept 15.
Harwich: Bell’s Neck + Hawksnest = on leash only. Red River has limited “dog hours.”
Orleans: No dogs on beaches 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. June 15 – Labor Day. Skaket = 300 ft exclusion zone. Nauset south of Trail #1 = leash ≤ 30 ft. Kent’s Point: leash required.

The Covenant

From Jackknife to Kent’s Point, the Lower Cape runs on a covenant. Dogs are part of the story only if their people keep the bargain: two bags, not one; leash where posted; respect the plovers; wave to the ranger even when he says no.

Because here, dogs aren’t accessories. They’re the icebreakers, the matchmakers, the heartbeat of tide charts and evening walks. They’re how neighbors become friends, how strangers nod, how one season folds into the next.

And if you’ve ever stood on the Skaket flats at sunset — leash in one hand, bay glowing copper, your dog shaking salt water into the autumn air — then you already know: the Lower Cape doesn’t just allow dogs. It feels incomplete without them.

✨ If this made you smile, share it with a neighbor, your dog-walker group, or that friend who’s never left the leash at home. Because like the trails themselves, these stories only get better when passed along.

🏛 Step Into 1775 at Brewster’s Windmill Village

This Sunday, September 28, the Brewster Historical Society is turning back the clock. From 12 to 4 PM, Windmill Village on Drummer Boy Road won’t feel like 2025 at all — it’ll feel like 1775.

The Brewster Colonial Artillery Company is setting up camp right on the green. You’ll see their tents and flys, hear the crack of the Brown Bess musket, and watch as they drill with their muzzle-loading cannon, affectionately named Alice. It’s loud, it’s dramatic, and it’s the kind of history lesson you don’t forget.

But the event isn’t just about firepower. Kids (and curious adults) can sit down with a quill and ink, try out trap ball — a colonial-era game — and talk directly with militia reenactors about what daily life was like on Cape Cod at the start of the Revolution. Depending on the weather, you might even catch open-fire cooking demonstrations alongside the bell of arms display.

Why It’s Worth Your Sunday

• It’s hands-on history — not a lecture, but something you walk through.

• It’s local — right next to Drummer Boy Park, on the grounds of the Historical Society’s Windmill Village.

• It’s family-friendly — quills, games, and real conversations keep all ages engaged.

📍 When & Where

• Sunday, September 28, 2025 | 12–4 PM

• Windmill Village, 51 Drummer Boy Road, Brewster (next to Drummer Boy Park)
  ℹ️ More info: brewsterhistoricalsociety.org

👉 If you’ve ever driven by the Higgins Windmill and thought, “I should stop there one day,” this is the day.

✨ From Cannons to Cocktails: A Packed Week on the Lower Cape

September is bowing out with a full dance card on the Lower Cape. One day it’s whales on the big screen in Brewster, the next it’s prosecco in a Chatham ballroom, CPR drills in Harwich, or Shakespeare laughs in Orleans. The week ahead mixes high-brow and hands-on — beach cleanups, grant tips for artists, Oktoberfest steins, Revolutionary War cannons, and plenty of local color in between. Consider this your cheat sheet to make the most of the last stretch of September.

Thursday, September 25

• 🌊 Ocean Giants: BBC Earth on the Big Screen (Free with Admission)
  11:30 AM – 12:30 PM • Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Brewster
  Discover the extraordinary world of whales and dolphins in this breathtaking BBC Earth documentary, included with museum admission.

• 👗 Fashion for a Cause: Local Style, Global Impact
  2:00 PM – 5:00 PM • Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce (CCHA Branch), Chatham
  A fundraising fashion show featuring six local shops, prosecco, and sweet treats — all proceeds benefit community causes.

• ❤️ Hands-On CPR Training with Dr. Karen Doherty
  2:30 PM – 4:30 PM • Harwich Community Center, Harwich
  Learn lifesaving CPR skills and earn American Heart Association certification in this practical, hands-on class. 💲$20

• 🌺 Hospice 101: Understanding Care & Community (Free)
  3:30 PM – 5:00 PM • Rosewood Manor Rest Home, Harwich
  Broadreach Hospice Administrator Jamie Nunes leads a community discussion on hospice care, with Q&A and light refreshments. RSVP required.

• 📖 Memoir & Meaning: An Afternoon with Cynthia Blakeley (Free)
  4:00 PM – 5:00 PM • Eldredge Public Library – Forgeron Hall, Chatham
  Author Cynthia Blakeley shares her memoir The Innermost House in conversation with artist Pete Hocking, followed by Q&A and signing.

• 🌱 Grow Your Own: Garlic & Onion Planting Workshop
  4:00 PM – 6:00 PM • Chatham Bars Inn, Chatham
  Learn organic planting techniques from Fine Gardener Pam Vasques and take home your own garlic and onion grow bags. 💲$50 + fee

• 🎨 Funding Your Art: MCC Grants Info Session (Free)
  5:00 PM – 7:00 PM • Brewster Ladies’ Library, Brewster
  The Brewster Cultural Council hosts an information table to help artists, writers, and performers navigate 2026 grant opportunities.

• 🥂 Pearls & Prosecco: 30 Years of Cape Cod Children’s Place
  5:00 PM – 7:00 PM • Crosby Mansion, Brewster
  Toast 30 years of Cape Cod Children’s Place at the historic Crosby Mansion with prosecco, hors d’oeuvres, and community support. 💲$150

• 💃 Step Into the Spotlight: Hip Hop Crew Fall Session
  5:30 PM – 6:30 PM • The 204 Cultural Arts Municipal Building, Harwich
  A weekly performance-focused class where kids and teens build skills, confidence, and teamwork through hip hop dance.

• 📚 Stamped from the Beginning: Book Club Deep Dive (Free)
  6:00 PM – 7:00 PM • Atwood Museum, Chatham
  Join the Atwood Museum’s guided discussion of Ibram X. Kendi’s Stamped from the Beginning (graphic novel adaptation).

• 🎬 Preconceived: Film Screening & Advocacy Panel
  7:00 PM • Chatham Orpheum Theater, Chatham
  Watch the documentary Preconceived on crisis pregnancy centers, followed by a live panel with reproductive rights advocates. 💲$13

Friday, September 26

• 🐦 Sunrise Birding: Secrets of Red River Beach
  7:30 AM – 9:00 AM • Red River Beach, Harwich
  Join naturalist Peter Trull for an early morning shoreline walk in search of migratory songbirds, herons, and raptors. 💲20

• 🧘 Mysticism in Practice: Meditation & Book Circle
  8:30 AM – 9:45 AM • Online via Zoom, Chatham
  Begin with guided meditation, then dive into Mirabai Starr’s Ordinary Mysticism in this reflective weekly gathering. 💲45

• 🌸 Dahlia Masterclass: Design, Draw & Discover
  10:00 AM – 12:00 PM • Brewster Book Store, Brewster
  Blend botany and art in this hands-on workshop where dahlias inspire floral design, sketching, and journaling. From 💲28.52

• 🌿 Forest Bathing: Mindful Escape on the Trails
  10:30 AM – 12:00 PM • Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Brewster
  Unplug and recharge during this guided immersion in nature along the museum’s coastal woodlands.

• 🎬 Big Screen Action: Ballerina from John Wick’s World (Free)
  1:00 PM – 3:15 PM • Brewster Public Library, Brewster
  Catch From the World of John Wick: Ballerina on the library’s big screen — part of Brewster’s free monthly movie series.

• 🦈 Sharks Up Close: Family Discovery Program (Included with Admission)
  1:30 PM – 2:30 PM • Shark Center Chatham, Chatham
  Hands-on activities, interactive models, and expert insights introduce kids and families to Cape Cod’s most famous predators.

• 🍻 Oktoberfest Kickoff at Ocean Edge (Free, continues Sept 27)
  4:00 PM – 9:00 PM • Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club, Brewster
  Raise a stein to fall on the Cape with Bavarian food, craft brews, and live music at this annual festival.

• 🧵 Weave a Nantucket Bracelet with Abby Fisher
  6:00 PM – 8:30 PM • Creative Arts Center, Chatham
  Learn the heritage craft of Nantucket basket–style weaving, paired with stories, refreshments, and a gallery tour. From 💲160

• 🧪 Slime Night: Messy Fun for All Ages (Free)
  6:30 PM • Harwich Community Center, Harwich
  A hands-on evening of colorful slime-making — kids and adults welcome. All materials included.

• 🎭 Twelfth Night: Shakespeare Under the Lights
  7:00 PM • Academy of Performing Arts, Orleans
  Mistaken identities, romance, and laughs abound as Shakespeare’s most playful comedy hits the Orleans stage.

• 🎭 Trad: An Irish Comedy of Legacy & Laughter
  7:30 PM • Cape Rep Theatre – The Barn, Brewster
  Follow a 100-year-old son and his even older father in Mark Doherty’s poignant, hilarious Irish play. 💲40

• 🕺 Adult Dance Drop-In: Friday Night Moves
  9:00 PM – 10:00 PM • The 204 Cultural Arts Municipal Building, Harwich
  Shake off the week with this open-level adult dance class — no registration needed.

Saturday, September 27

• 🌿 Strong Island Walk: Nature & History Revealed
  9:00 AM – 12:00 PM • Strong Island, Chatham
  Explore Pleasant Bay’s “gem” with conservation staff — uncovering the island’s flora, fauna, and fascinating human history. 💲40

• 💪 Pilates with Sabrina: Core & Balance
  10:30 AM – 11:30 AM • Center for the Spiritual Journey, Chatham
  Build strength, improve balance, and connect breath to movement in this all-levels mat Pilates class. 💲20 drop-in

• 🎴 Pokémon & Magic: Card Game Afternoon (Free)
  1:00 PM – 3:00 PM • Brewster Ladies’ Library, Brewster
  Battle it out in Pokémon or Magic the Gathering — snacks, prizes, and fun for ages 6 and up.

• 🎭 Trad: Irish Wit & Family Secrets (Matinee)
  2:00 PM • Cape Rep Theatre – The Barn, Brewster
  An afternoon performance of Mark Doherty’s award-winning comedy about a centenarian son and his father on a quirky family quest. 💲40

• 🎭 Twelfth Night: Shakespeare Under the Stars
  7:00 PM • Academy of Performing Arts, Orleans
  Mistaken identities, cross-dressing, and romance — Shakespeare’s funniest comedy comes alive on the Orleans stage.

• 🎭 Trad: Irish Wit & Family Secrets (Evening)
  7:30 PM • Cape Rep Theatre – The Barn, Brewster
  An evening round of laughter and poignancy as father and son unravel family ties in this acclaimed Irish play. 💲40

Sunday, September 28

• 🌊 Coast Sweep: Good Neighbor Beach Cleanup (Free)
  10:00 AM – 11:00 AM • First Light Beach, Brewster
  Roll up your sleeves for a Good Neighbor’s Day cleanup at First Light Beach — protect Cape Cod’s coast while meeting fellow community members.

• 🌿 Family Adventure: John Wing Trail Walk
  12:00 PM – 1:30 PM • Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Brewster
  Explore salt marshes, tidal flats, and forest paths with a naturalist guide who makes the Cape’s ecosystems come alive for all ages.

• ⚔️ Step Back in Time: Revolutionary War Day (Free)
  12:00 PM – 4:00 PM • Windmill Village, Brewster
  Cannon blasts, musket drills, quill writing, and colonial games — immerse yourself in Brewster’s Revolutionary War past with costumed reenactors.

• 🎭 Twelfth Night: Comedy, Love & Mischief
  2:00 PM • Academy of Performing Arts, Orleans
  Romance collides with mistaken identity in Shakespeare’s most spirited comedy — laughter and surprises guaranteed.

• 🎭 Trad: An Irish Tale of Fathers & Legacy
  2:00 PM • Cape Rep Theatre – The Barn, Brewster
  A hilarious yet tender story of a 100-year-old son and his father searching for family roots in Mark Doherty’s award-winning play. 💲40

Monday, September 29

• 🎨 Bold Color & Confident Brushwork with Amy Brnger
  9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Sept 29 – Oct 1) • Creative Arts Center, Chatham
  Three days of oil painting immersion — composition, vibrant floral still lifes, and fearless brushwork, guided by acclaimed artist Amy Brnger.

• 🎨 Maryalice Eizenberg: Painting the Human Form in Nature
  9:15 AM – 12:15 PM (Sept 29 – Nov 3) • Creative Arts Center, Chatham
  A six-week workshop exploring figures in natural landscapes, with emphasis on painterly observation, light, and color.

• 📚 Equinox Storytime: Autumn Adventures for Preschoolers (Free)
  9:00 AM – 9:30 AM • Brewster Public Library, Brewster
  Seasonal stories, songs, and crafts bring the autumn equinox to life for little learners ages 3–5.

• 🎃 Pumpkin Patch Storytime: Songs & Bubbles for Littles (Free)
  10:00 AM – 10:30 AM • Brewster Public Library, Brewster
  A playful fall storytime with music, movement, and bubbles designed for toddlers ages 0–3.

• 🧵 Teen DIY: Macramé Wall Hanging Workshop (Free)
  4:15 PM – 5:00 PM • Brewster Public Library, Brewster
  Teens ages 13–17 learn macramé basics and create their own custom wall décor to take home.

• 💃 Line Dancing Finale: Step Into the Groove
  5:30 PM – 7:00 PM • The 204 Cultural Arts Municipal Building, Harwich
  The final night of the beginner line dance series — lively music, plenty of energy, and lots of fun.

• 🏛️ Shaping Brewster’s Future: Sea Camps Forum (Free)
  6:00 PM • Brewster Town Hall, Brewster
  Residents are invited to hear updates and weigh in on the future of the Sea Camps properties — from survey results to financing plans.

• ❓ Trivia Night at The Barley Neck (Free with dining/drinks)
  7:00 PM – 8:00 PM • The Barley Neck, Orleans
  Test your Cape knowledge and general trivia chops with Nic Chad & Cape Cod Trivia — gift cards for the top two teams.

• 🎱 Pool Tournament Monday at The Squire (Free)
  7:00 PM • The Squire, Chatham
  Cue up for The Squire’s weekly pool showdown — compete for bragging rights or just enjoy the scene.

Tuesday, September 30

• 🐦 Birds at Bell’s Neck: Guided Walk with Peter Trull
  8:00 AM – 10:00 AM • Bell’s Neck Conservation Area, Harwich
  Scan the skies and marshes for raptors, herons, and songbirds while sharpening your birding skills with a Cape expert. 💲20

• 🚣 Hidden Waters: Exclusive OCT Kayak Trip (Members Only)
  9:00 AM – 11:30 AM • Meetinghouse Pond Landing, Orleans
  Paddle through Meetinghouse Pond and Kent’s Point on a limited-capacity outing led by naturalist Christine Bates.

• 🎨 Robert Mesrop: Expressive Watercolor Workshop
  9:15 AM – 12:15 PM (Sept 30 – Dec 9) • Creative Arts Center, Chatham
  Six weeks of step-by-step demos, brushwork practice, and composition mastery for intermediate to advanced watercolorists. 💲180–210

• 🎨 ArtSmart Cape Cod: Closing Day Exhibit (Free)
  10:00 AM – 12:00 PM • Brewster Ladies’ Library, Brewster
  Final chance to see diverse works by local artists before the fall exhibit comes down.

• 🎨 Painters’ Group Exhibit: Behind the Scenes (Free)
  1:00 PM – 4:30 PM • Brewster Ladies’ Library, Brewster
  Watch as The Painters’ Group prepares their latest show — a preview of what’s coming to the gallery.

• 🌍 Journey Through All 63 National Parks
  1:30 PM – 3:00 PM • Eldredge Public Library, Chatham
  Adventurer Steve Farrar shares stories and photos from visiting every U.S. National Park. 💲10 suggested

• ⚖️ Democracy & Capitalism: Can They Co-Exist?
  1:30 PM – 3:30 PM • Snow Library, Orleans
  Dan Wolf, Cape Air founder and former state senator, leads a timely conversation on the tension between democracy and capitalism.

• 🎨 Little Artists: Birch Tree Creations (Free)
  4:30 PM – 5:15 PM • Brewster Public Library, Brewster
  Young artists ages 4–6 explore watercolor and texture while painting whimsical birch trees.

• 🧘 Mindful Yoga with Jenna Sammartino
  4:30 PM – 5:30 PM • Center for the Spiritual Journey, Chatham
  A contemplative practice combining yoga, somatic awareness, and Buddhist philosophy. 💲20

• 🍷 Tapas Tuesdays: Spanish Flavors at The Barley Neck
  4:30 PM – 8:00 PM • The Barley Neck, Orleans
  Savor authentic tapas and Spanish wines — from patatas bravas to gambas al ajillo — every Tuesday evening.

• 🧚 Enchanted Creations: Fairy Door Workshop (Free)
  5:30 PM – 6:15 PM • Brewster Public Library, Brewster
  Kids ages 7–12 craft magical fairy doors and tiny fairies in this hands-on program.

• 📚 Erin Byers Murray on Shucked: Oyster Talk (Free)
  5:30 PM – 6:30 PM • Brewster Ladies’ Library, Brewster
  Join the author of Shucked for a hybrid conversation on oyster farming and New England’s food culture.

• 📖 The Quantum Human: New Frontiers in Healing (Free)
  5:00 PM – 7:00 PM • Snow Library, Orleans
  Drs. Brian & Anna Maria Clement discuss quantum biology, epigenetics, and strategies for better health.

• 👓 Eyeglass Washing & Pizza Night (Free)
  6:00 PM – 9:00 PM • Chatham Community Center, Chatham
  Help clean eyeglasses for donation to Jamaica while enjoying pizza, drinks, and a talk from Lions District Governor Judy King.

• 🎭 Trad: Irish Comedy on Family & Legacy
  7:30 PM • Cape Rep Theatre – The Barn, Brewster
  A centenarian son and his father unravel quirky family secrets in Mark Doherty’s acclaimed play. 💲40

• ❓ Trivia Night at The Squire (Free)
  7:30 PM • The Squire, Chatham
  Lively rounds of pub trivia at Chatham’s go-to hangout — bragging rights (and laughs) included.

Wednesday, October 01

• 💼 Virtual Workshop: Resumes for 50+ Job Seekers (Free)
  9:30 AM – 11:30 AM • Online via Zoom (Chatham)
  Executive career coach Deborah Hope leads a supportive networking session for job seekers over 50, with practical strategies to polish resumes and navigate career transitions.

• 📚 Tiny Ghouls Storytime: Halloween Fun for Preschoolers (Free)
  10:00 AM – 10:30 AM • Brewster Public Library, Brewster
  Spooky songs, festive crafts, and Halloween-themed stories delight little ones ages 3–5. Registration required.

• 🎥 Women on the Water: Film & Panel (Free)
  10:00 AM – 11:30 AM • Chatham Orpheum Theater, Chatham
  A documentary celebrating women in fishing and aquaculture, followed by a panel featuring local women working on the water. Free tickets available at the box office.

• 🎃 Pumpkin Patch 2025 Opens
  All Day • First Congregational Church, Chatham
  Kick off October at Chatham’s beloved Pumpkin Patch — shop for pumpkins while supporting the Chatham Children’s Fund and church missions.

• 🎨 Lifetime Learning: The School of Paris
  1:30 PM – 3:30 PM • Snow Library, Orleans
  Art historian Beth Stein explores Modigliani, Chagall, and Soutine, key figures of the early 20th-century School of Paris.

• 💊 Discovery & Enrichment: FDA & New Drug Development (Free)
  2:00 PM – 3:30 PM • Brewster Ladies’ Library, Brewster
  Dr. McNair traces the FDA’s history and ethics in drug regulation, from thalidomide to today’s AI-driven clinical trials.

• 🎬 Teen Movie & Pizza: M3GAN 2.0 (Free)
  4:30 PM – 6:30 PM • Brewster Public Library, Brewster
  Teens ages 13–17 enjoy pizza, popcorn, and a screening of M3GAN 2.0 (PG-13). Registration required.

• 👯 Kids Beginner Hip Hop Dance
  4:30 PM – 5:30 PM (weekly series) • The 204 Cultural Arts Municipal Building, Harwich
  Beginner-friendly hip hop dance class for kids — building rhythm, confidence, and fun.

• 💃 Hip Hop Performance Crew Rehearsal
  5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (weekly series) • The 204 Cultural Arts Municipal Building, Harwich
  Intermediate dancers focus on choreography and teamwork in this fall performance crew class.

• 🎭 Trad: Irish Family Comedy
  7:30 PM • Cape Rep Theatre – The Barn, Brewster
  A centenarian son and his father embark on a humorous, heartfelt search for family in Mark Doherty’s acclaimed Irish play. 💲40

🎶 Your Cape Cod Soundtrack

From pianos echoing through Ocean Edge’s grand hall to bluegrass harmonies in a Chatham chapel, the week ahead is strung together with live notes, open-air sets, and plenty of chances to sing along. Thursday kicks off with an open rehearsal in Brewster and karaoke at The Squire, Friday rolls into pub gigs and late-night DJ beats, and the weekend spills over with coffeehouse mornings, park pop-ups, and rocking nights in Harwich. By Sunday, it all winds down with acoustic charm and easy-going sets — the perfect Cape soundtrack to close out September.

Thursday, September 25

• 🎺 Outer Cape Winds: Open Rehearsal Performance
  5:00 PM – 7:00 PM • New Performing Arts Center, Brewster
  Experience the energy of a community wind ensemble as musicians of all ages rehearse classics, Broadway tunes, and more.

• 🎶 Jeff Lowe Live: Music Night at Bayzo’s Pub
  8:00 PM – 10:00 PM • Ocean Edge Resort – Bayzo’s Pub, Brewster
  Catch Jeff Lowe’s upbeat live performance in the intimate pub setting of Ocean Edge Resort.

• 🎤 Raise the Mic: Karaoke Night at The Squire (Free)
  9:00 PM • The Squire, Chatham
  Sing your favorites or cheer on the bold at this lively Thursday karaoke tradition in Chatham.

Friday, September 26

• 🎹 An Evening in The Mansion: Donny Nolan on Piano
  6:00 PM – 9:00 PM • Ocean Edge Resort – Mansion Grand Hall, Brewster
  Soak in the elegance of Ocean Edge’s Mansion as Donny Nolan sets the soundtrack with live piano.

• 🎶 Bourbon Sunset: Harmonies by the Sea
  7:00 PM – 8:00 PM • Center for the Spiritual Journey, Chatham
  Bluegrass, folk, and gospel collide in rich three-part harmonies during this intimate concert. 💲25

• 🎶 Catie Flynn: Soulful Sounds at Bayzo’s Pub
  8:00 PM – 10:00 PM • Ocean Edge Resort – Bayzo’s Pub, Brewster
  Local favorite Catie Flynn brings folk-inspired songs and soaring vocals to Ocean Edge’s cozy pub.

• 🎸 The Jones’ Live at The Barley Neck (Free)
  8:30 PM – 10:30 PM • The Barley Neck, Orleans
  Two voices, one guitar, endless chemistry — an intimate night of acoustic music in Orleans.

• 🎧 Late Night Beats with DJ PJ (Free)
  10:00 PM • The Squire, Chatham
  Close out your Friday on the dance floor with DJ PJ’s high-energy mix at The Squire. Holmstock of ENTRAIN — no experience needed, just bring your energy.

Saturday, September 27

• 🎶 Morning Vibes: Live Solo at Hey Joe and Jam (Free)
  9:00 AM – 11:00 AM • Hey Joe and Jam, Chatham
  Ease into the weekend with a relaxed coffeehouse set of live solo music in the heart of Chatham.

• 🎶 Pop-Up Practices: Movimento in Parish Park (Free)
  1:00 PM – 2:00 PM • Parish Park, Orleans
  Catch Movimento live under the open sky as part of the Orleans Cultural District’s free Saturday music series.

• 🎸 The Most: Live at Jake Rooney’s
  8:00 PM – 11:00 PM • Jake Rooney’s, Harwich
  Soak up Saturday night energy with The Most bringing their signature rock-and-groove sound to Harwich’s favorite spot.

Sunday, September 28

• 🎶 Sunday Sounds: Joe Merrick at The Squire (Free)
  5:00 PM • The Squire, Chatham
  Local favorite Joe Merrick brings warm vocals and acoustic charm to The Squire’s Sunday night crowd.

• 🎶 Don Barry Live: Evening at Jake Rooney’s
  5:00 PM – 8:00 PM • Jake Rooney’s, Harwich
  Unwind with Don Barry’s laid-back live set — the perfect way to end your weekend at Harwich’s go-to music spot.

Monday, September 29

• 🎶 Afternoon Tunes with Sarah Burrill
  3:00 PM • Caroline’s Bar and Grill, Orleans
  Singer-songwriter Sarah Burrill brings her soulful set to Orleans for an upbeat afternoon of live music.

Tuesday, September 30

• 🎶 Learn to Play: Beginner Ukulele Class
  7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (6-week series) • Nauset Regional Middle School, Orleans
  Master chords, strumming, and easy songs in this six-week intro class with Tim Sweeney. 💲99

Wednesday, October 01

• 🔔 Sound Bath of Solfeggio Tones
  6:00 PM – 7:00 PM • Center for the Spiritual Journey, Chatham
  Immerse yourself in soothing frequencies, chimes, and drum beats with Bonnie Fedge in this restorative sound bath. 💲30

🌀 Cape Mood | Sept 25 – Oct 1

The Cape is slipping into its fall wardrobe — rain-polished streets, muted skies, and winds that trade whispers for gusts. Here’s how the week unfolds:

🌧 Thu, Sept 25 — Moody Layer
High/Low: 70° / 67° | SSE 10–15 mph
Morning rain fades into afternoon showers. A gray shawl kind of day.
👉 Bookstore browse in Chatham • warm chowder in Orleans • porch lights on early.

⛅ Fri, Sept 26 — Fogged Polaroid
High/Low: 75° / 62° | WSW 5–10 mph
Patchy fog lifts to muted skies, still mild and cinematic.
👉 Patio lunch at The Knack • Harwich Center stroll • twilight dog walk on Red River Beach.

☁️ Sat, Sept 27 — Gray Chic
High/Low: 69° / 59° | NE 5–10 mph
Crisp air, layered clouds — sweaters return.
👉 Brewster Farmers’ Market stroll • gallery stop in Orleans • backyard cocktails under string lights.

⛅ Sun, Sept 28 — Quiet Canvas
High/Low: 71° / 61° | SSE 5 mph
Mostly cloudy, steady and calm — September exhale.
👉 Cranberry bog drives • lazy tavern brunch • garden tidy-up before the week.

☁️ Mon, Sept 29 — Draped in Gray
High/Low: 72° / 61° | Calm → NNW
Soft overcast, mild air. A backdrop more than a mood.
👉 Rail Trail ride • Orleans coffee stop • library haul for fall reads.

⛅ Tue, Sept 30 — Clearing Lines
High/Low: 67° / 54° | NE 10–20 mph
Clouds thin as brisk winds sweep in autumn’s edge.
👉 Wind-walk at Skaket • Harwich Fire Museum visit • fire pit laughs after dusk.

💨 Wed, Oct 1 — Cape Whirl
High/Low: 60° / 51° | NNE 20–30 mph
Windy, crisp, invigorating — October makes its entrance.
👉 Nauset whitecaps watch • Ridgevale sunset layers • hot chowder at The Squire.

📍 Cape Lowdown
🅿️ Crowds: Nearly vanished — beaches and streets belong to locals again.
🍂 Nature: Cranberries blush, asters and goldenrods hold their stage.

🌅 Sunset MVPs:

• Thu → Skaket

• Sat → Rock Harbor

• Tue → Nauset

• Wed → Ridgevale

🌅 Before We Go

Funny thing about this stretch of September — one night you’re standing in Brewster watching cannon smoke roll across the park, the next you’re in Chatham belting out karaoke after a bowl of chowder. That’s the Cape right now: a little history, a little chaos, a lot of stories waiting to be told.

If you’ve got a storm trick that’s saved your bacon, or a fall ritual you swear by, hit reply and tell me. I’ll share the best ones in an upcoming issue — because half the fun of this place is swapping notes.

And hey, if you’ve got a friend who misses Cape life this time of year, forward this along. It’s more fun when the circle’s bigger.

See you around,

— Arthur
🏡 Helping Cape folks find the right place
Arthur Radtke
REALTOR®, eXp Realty
MA License# 9582725

P.S. About that trivia… ✅ Answer: Brewster

It was 🪵 Brewster, where tidal flats once held sprawling wooden saltworks. In the early 1800s, locals built miles of shallow vats and windmill pumps to evaporate seawater into “Cape Cod’s white gold.” At its peak, Brewster’s salt industry shipped thousands of barrels a year — enough to preserve cod, season New England kitchens, and build fortunes. Today, if you walk the marsh edges, you can still spot traces of those weathered frames.

If you guessed right, you’ve officially earned bragging rights at your next coffee stop. If not… well, now you’ve got a salty story to drop into conversation. 😉