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  • 🐚 Lower Cape’s Heartbeat: July 24–30—Fish House, Shark Flags & Community Wins

🐚 Lower Cape’s Heartbeat: July 24–30—Fish House, Shark Flags & Community Wins

Author

Arthur Radtke
July 24, 2025

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Wait—has it really only been three months since Celebrate Lower Cape began? Because it feels like we’ve already uncovered a summer full of barefoot beach walks, chowder debates, and hidden local gems.

I started this little newsletter because—well—I’m head-over-heels for the Lower Cape. Always have been. And I figured, why not carve out a space where we could all share what’s really happening around here?

Not the tourist brochure version. I’m talking: 🍕 That pizza spot you stumble into barefoot after the beach. 🦞 A lobster roll that actually lives up to the hype. 🎶 Events worth ditching your weekend plans for. 🪧 And all those quirky, lovable details that make this place feel like home.

That’s what Celebrate Lower Cape is all about—keeping it real, local, and a little salty in the best way.

And hey—if you ever decide to make a move here, or let go of a place you’ve outgrown—just know you’ve already got someone in your corner. I’m not just the guy behind this newsletter. I’m a local realtor who lives and breathes the Cape, and I’d be honored to help you find (or say goodbye to) your perfect corner of it.

So yeah—save this email. One day, when you’re thinking real estate on the Cape, I hope you’ll think of me.

This week in Celebrate Lower Cape:

• Real Cape Moments: Candid snapshots from your camera rolls—no filters, just real life
• Brewster Fish House & The Impudent Oyster: Insider tips, real talk, and what locals actually order
• Affordable homes at Mackie Drive: Why they matter, who’s eligible, and how to get involved
• Sea Camps update: New trails, public access, and what’s next for the land everyone’s talking about
• Shark sightings, local authors making headlines, and can’t-miss events (yes, the Poop Museum is back)
• The best live music, the quirkiest festivals, and weather you can actually use

Which Orleans restaurant is known for covering its walls and ceiling with personalized wooden sign boards, each one bearing the name of a local family, business, or longtime regular?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Every week, you capture the heart of the Lower Cape—foggy mornings at the bay, sandy feet on porch steps, backyard gardens in full bloom, or that split-second sunset nobody else saw. No filters, no fuss—just real life, as only locals see it.

We spotlight one unforgettable shot in every newsletter, but honestly? We can’t get enough. The best moments—joyful, messy, hilarious, or downright mysterious—are heading for a brand-new online gallery (and yes, our socials are about to get a lot more “real”).

Coming soon: ways for you to vote, tag friends, and maybe even win a local treat or two for your entry. You don’t need a fancy camera, just an eye for what makes this place special.

So, what does your Lower Cape look like? Dig through your camera roll, snap something this week, or send that quirky photo you thought nobody else would “get.”
Email it to [email protected]—and help us build the Cape’s most authentic, neighbor-powered gallery.

Let’s show everyone what “home” really means.

“The Dunes during Art’s fabulous Dune Tour. Nothing like Lower Cape moments when sightseeing in the historic, glorious dunes!”
Photo by Elayne Daniels. Herrings Cove, 7/12/25.

Brewster Fish House: Where We Meet Ourselves

You can spot a real Brewster night out by the cars out front:
The white Outback with the Nauset sticker, a sandy red truck from Paine’s Creek, the minivan half on the curb. Through the window, it’s a roomful of familiar faces—neighbors from ballfields, ferry lines, or Saturday mornings at Ferretti’s.

What to Expect (and Why Locals Still Go)

The Wait is the Ritual:
There’s always a wait—especially in July. But around here, you treat it like a social hour: catch up with neighbors, watch the sunset, or sneak updates on the Sox while you hover near the zinc bar (where half the local gossip lives).

Atmosphere:
It’s small, close, noisy in the best way. Salt air mixes with the smell of brown butter and fresh chowder. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a bar seat (locals’ favorite) and a front-row spot for town news and striped bass stories.

What’s Worth Ordering

  • Lobster Bisque: Still legendary. Order it first—sometimes it sells out.

  • Scallops, Fish & Chips (with sweet potato fries): Local classics, always fresh, always right.

  • Key Lime Pie: The stealth favorite—regulars will literally call ahead to ask if it’s left.

  • Cocktails: No frills, just solid pours—especially the martini or Aviation.

Menu changes with the seasons, but the focus stays Cape seafood, done right.

Tips from the Inside

  • Get there before 5:30 if you hate waiting. After 6, parking is pure luck.

  • No reservations. Leave your name, take a walk, be patient.

  • Best with 2–4 people. Larger parties? Prepare to split up or linger.

  • Takeout: Sometimes available off-peak, but don’t count on it in summer.

  • Not for vegetarians. This is a seafood town spot through and through.

Honest Downsides

Parking is tight. Waits can feel endless. On busy nights, service can be brisk—sometimes too brisk. But the upside is a meal that’s local, real, and tied to the rhythm of Brewster itself.

Why It Matters

Brewster Fish House is where milestones get toasted, tough weeks are softened, and good food still anchors a community. It’s not about perfection—it’s about returning, season after season, and finding your place at the table.

Some secrets—like the best seat at the bar or how to score the last slice of pie—stay among us. That’s half the fun.

Brewster Fish House
2208 Main St, Brewster
No reservations. Bar and dining room seating; arrive early in season.

The Impudent Oyster: Chatham’s Favorite “Just Us” Spot

If you live in Chatham, you already know the drill: someone suggests a night out, and someone else quietly asks, “Can we get into the Oyster?” It’s not hype—it’s habit. Decades running, and locals still stake their birthdays, job offers, and “just because” nights on this repurposed little church just off Main.

You’ll spot the regulars by how quickly they slip to the bar (best seats in the house, but expect a wait, especially after 6). Some folks come for a quiet solo lunch—maybe a fish sandwich, butternut squash soup, or just a bowl of chowder and a cold beer. Others gather three generations deep, splitting oysters Rockefeller and passing around tastes of whatever’s on special.

The Soul of the Place:
Don’t expect a coastal theme park—this is the kind of room that keeps its old stained glass, winks at you with a quirky name, and smells like real seafood, not candle wax. There’s a constant hum: birthday songs, bar orders, kids trying their first calamari. Noisy on weekends, peaceful at lunch, always a little cramped but never cold.

The staff? They’ve seen it all, and most have worked here long enough to know your drink by heart—just ask the locals who come for Erica’s martinis or Annette’s quick-witted banter.

Menu Moves Locals Make:

  • Start with the oysters—Rockefeller if you’re in the mood, on the half shell if you’re a purist. Fresh and, yes, sometimes with a line for the last dozen.

  • Bacon-wrapped scallops (“devils on horseback”) are a staple for a reason.

  • The Pesca Fra Diablo is a local legend: big pasta, loads of seafood, and enough heat to make you slow down and savor it.

  • Don’t sleep on the swordfish piccata or the seafood Palermo—both get raves from those who skip the usual lobster roll (which is also excellent, just less of a secret).

  • For the indecisive: the specials board is almost always the safest bet.

Cocktails and wine are poured with a generous Cape hand—try the blueberry lemonade or go old-school with a cosmo. Portion sizes are big; prices reflect that, but nobody leaves hungry.

What Neighbors Whisper (and Sometimes Gripe):

  • “You need a reservation for dinner. Bar is first-come, first-served, and people will hover for your seat.”

  • “Parking’s rough in summer—just plan to circle.”

  • “If it’s busy, you might wait longer for your meal, but it’s worth it. If not, order another round and listen to the locals catch up at the bar.”

  • “Every now and then, a special request or allergy gets missed—so speak up and double-check if it’s important.”

  • “The desserts are fine, but honestly, it’s the bread and seafood that’ll stick in your memory.”

The Impudent Oyster isn’t a place you stumble into; it’s a place you plan for, come back to, and tell your neighbors about next morning at the Post Office. Every table is a mix of old friends and newcomers hoping to become regulars. In a town that can sometimes feel a little too curated, it’s just real Chatham—local fish, familiar faces, and stories that last longer than the last bit of sauce you wipe up with your bread.

The Impudent Oyster
15 Chatham Bars Ave, Chatham
Reservations recommended for dinner. Bar is local territory.

🏡 Affordable Homes, Real Neighbors: What Mackie Drive Means for Brewster

If you’ve ever watched a neighbor move away because they couldn’t afford to stay, you know why Mackie Drive matters.

Just off Main Street, tucked alongside familiar cranberry bogs and conservation woods, something rare for Brewster is happening: two truly affordable homes are being built—right here, for real working families.

What’s Actually Happening?

This isn’t a big development or a distant promise. It’s a partnership between Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod, the Brewster Conservation Trust, and the Town of Brewster. Two homes—one with two bedrooms, one with three—are being offered to buyers earning between 60% and 80% of the area’s median income. For a family of four, that means a cap of about $106,800 a year, in line with the latest HUD figures.

Applications are open now and due by September 15, 2025. Find info and apply online here, or pick up a paper application at the Brewster Ladies’ Library.

Mortgage payments are set so families won’t spend more than a third of their income on housing. Deed restrictions keep the homes affordable forever—no flipping to market rate if they’re sold in the future.

How to Learn More: Free Workshops

Interested in applying, or know someone who might be?
Prospective buyers are encouraged to attend a free workshop hosted by Habitat for Humanity Cape Cod. These virtual sessions are a chance to review the application, ask questions, and understand every step of the process.

Upcoming Virtual Workshops:

  • Wednesday, July 30: Noon–1:30 p.m.

  • Tuesday, Aug. 12: 5:30–7 p.m.

  • Monday, Aug. 25: 10–11:30 a.m.

  • Thursday, Sept. 4: 3–4:30 p.m.

How to attend:
Email [email protected] to request a link for any session.

Why Does This Matter for Brewster?

Let’s be honest: most houses on the market are out of reach for teachers, town staff, or families with roots here. With median home prices around $700,000, staying in Brewster isn’t just hard—it’s sometimes impossible.

The Mackie Drive project is different:

  • It’s small, intentional, and neighborly—only two houses, fitting right in.

  • Most of the surrounding land stays protected, thanks to the Brewster Conservation Trust, preserving the trails and woods locals love.

  • Volunteers (maybe your neighbor, maybe you) are helping build alongside the future homeowners. That’s a Cape tradition: showing up, not just talking about change.

Community in Action

This is what it looks like when a town tries to take care of its own. Brewster Ladies’ Library offers paper applications and answers questions in person. Habitat for Humanity’s team is onsite, sharing updates and inviting new volunteers. Residents are spreading the word—so the families who need this most have a real chance to stay here, raise kids here, and keep Brewster neighborly.

Quick Info

  • Who’s eligible? Households earning between 60%–80% of the area median income.

  • Deadline: September 15, 2025

  • Apply: https://habitatcapecod.org/to-apply-for-a-home/ or pick up a paper application at Brewster Ladies’ Library.

  • Questions or want to help? If you have questions about the Mackie Drive homes or want to get involved, reach out to Mary Ann Mills-Lassiter, Family Programs Manager at Habitat for Humanity Cape Cod, at 508-362-3559 ext. 121 or email [email protected]. Mary Ann is happy to help with applications, volunteering, or any other aspect of the process.

Mackie Drive is a small but meaningful step—reminding us that “affordable” can still mean “possible” when neighbors look out for each other.

🦈 Ridgevale Shark Sighting: What Locals Should Know

Tuesday at Ridgevale started off pretty typical—chairs out, tide coming in, someone on the phone hunting down lost sunglasses. By midday, the routine changed: lifeguards got the call, and next thing you know, a red flag was up. A great white had been spotted off North Beach Island, and sure enough, the Sharktivity app pinged half the beach.

Nobody freaked out. Kids wanted to know if the ice cream truck was still coming. Parents double-checked the cooler for more snacks. A couple of locals joked, “Guess we’re getting our steps in today,” as everyone strolled up from the water.

Here’s what we actually do when this happens:

  • We text the group chat: “Shark at Ridgevale. Out of the water for a bit. Anyone got Uno cards?”

  • Some folks use it as an excuse to get lunch early at Kream ‘n’ Kone or grab coffee in Harwich.

  • Kids ask a hundred shark questions. (Someone always says, “No, they’re not after people, they want the seals.”)

  • Grandparents get out the crossword, or wander over to chat with neighbors they haven’t seen since last summer.

  • If you see a neighbor packing up or looking confused, you let them know: “Red flag just means we take a break—happens a few times every summer, especially July and August.”

What you won’t hear: Panic. Drama. Nobody’s posting blurry fin pics on Facebook to go viral—everyone just does the sensible thing and waits for the all-clear.

How we keep tabs:

  • Sharktivity App: Most folks check this before heading to the beach now. It’s like checking the traffic.

  • Town flagpole: Always check the color when you walk up. Red = wait it out. Purple = jellyfish or other critters.

  • Word of mouth: Half the time, you hear about it from someone coming down the stairs, saying, “Shark this morning. Should be cleared up soon.”

💬 So, What Do We Tell Each Other?

We tell each other: Don’t be scared—be smart.
We pack a kite or a book in case of red flags.
We remind the kids that when the whistle blows, it means someone’s looking out for them.
And we remember: it’s a gift to live somewhere still wild enough to host apex predators.

Because when the flag flips to red, it doesn’t ruin the day—it just rewrites it. A little saltier. A little humbler. A little more Cape.

🏖 Sea Camps: What We Talk About When We Talk About Land

Walk any trail off Route 6A, and you’ll hear it.
At the General Store, after yoga, waiting for the green light on Main Street—someone always brings up “the Camps.”

And why wouldn’t they?
This land is the closest thing Brewster has to a town square that’s still figuring out what it wants to be.

🚶‍♀️ The Land So Far: Open, Peaceful, Ours

The Bay Parcel—once the beloved summer stomping ground of Cape Cod Sea Campers—is now open to everyone, 7 days a week from 6 AM to 8 PM. There’s public parking by the old administration building. Trails and most outdoor spaces are open to all; beach sticker required for vehicle parking at First Light Beach during summer. Trails wind down to First Light Beach, named to honor the Wampanoag people—the People of the First Light.

It’s peaceful. It’s public. It’s ours.

🧭 The Plan: Slower, Smarter, Still Alive

Back in May 2024, Brewster residents overwhelmingly approved the comprehensive reuse plan at Town Meeting. But when the $11.4M debt exclusion came up in December, voters hit the brakes.
The message? Yes to the vision. No to rushing the price tag.

So this summer, the town’s dialing into the details.

In July 2025, the Sea Camps Advisory Committee released its Final Resident Feedback Report. Over 1,400 residents chimed in across forums and surveys. The takeaway:

  • Strong support for trails, beach upgrades, and open space

  • Real concerns about taxes, traffic, and housing development

  • A call for small wins first, before big investments

As one resident put it: “Fix the beach access, plant trees, keep it open. Then let’s talk.”

🌱 What’s Next: Grants, Phasing, Conservation

Now, the town’s seeking state and federal grants for lower-cost projects—think water main extensions, trailwork, beach resilience. These can move forward without another debt exclusion.

A permanent conservation restriction—currently being finalized with Mass Audubon—will protect 56 of the 66 acres at the Pond Parcel. You can walk it now and still feel like you’ve discovered something.

And behind the scenes? Brewster’s laying groundwork for the long game—careful phasing, transparent budgeting, and community-led decisions every step of the way.

💬 Why It Matters: Land, Legacy, and Listening

More than any trail or building, what Brewster’s really building is trust—among neighbors, between generations, across different visions of what this town can be.

The Sea Camps aren’t just real estate.
They’re possibility.
And that’s why we keep talking about them—at the beach, at the transfer station, in line for coffee. Because this is rare on Cape Cod: open land, open decisions, and an open question that still invites us in.

📍 Follow updates here.

Callahan’s Cottage is Making Waves

Orleans resident Judy Lannon is turning heads with her latest book, Callahan’s Cottage. This contemporary fiction just landed in Cape Cod Life Magazine’s Best Of issue as part of its Ultimate Beach Read Lineup. Adding to the buzz, Callahan’s Cottage took home First Place for Best Summer Beach Read from the Firebird International Book Awards—making it this season’s must-have for book clubs and beach bags alike.

Set right here in Orleans, the story is packed with authentic Cape references for locals to recognize, while newcomers will be drawn into the honest portrait of growing up by the ocean. At the heart of the novel are three women raised along Nauset’s shore. Reunited in their thirties after years apart, each carries a mix of regrets, triumphs, and untold secrets.

Callahan’s Cottage is available at most local independent bookstores—or reach out directly to Judy through her website for more information.

🗺️ This Week on the Cape: History Walks, Book Talks & Curious Kids with Big Questions

July 24–30 | Lower Cape

This week, the Cape pulls out its quirkiest, smartest, most charming self—where every day feels like a new chapter in the most unexpected summer story.

⚰️ Step through centuries at Brewster’s oldest burial ground, where local legends rest beneath worn stone and wildflowers.
🦈 Glove up for a real shark dissection—because on the Cape, marine biology isn’t a textbook, it’s a show-and-tell.
📚 Talk shop with local authors over coffee and salt air—these stories weren’t made up, they were lived right here.
💩 Giggle and gasp at the Poop Museum—yes, it exists, and yes, your kids will thank you.
🧵 Get lost in a sea of stitched memories at the Bayberry Quilt Show—where every thread has a story.
🦋 Chase moths by moonlight, surrounded by poets, scientists, and quiet wonder.

From pirate plays and dirt cake crafts to native plants that feed your yard and your soul, the Lower Cape becomes part museum, part playground, part love letter to curiosity. Whatever brings you here—family, rest, or serendipity—you’re exactly where the magic is this week.

Thursday, July 24

  • ⚰️ Tour of Brewster’s Ancient Burial Ground
    9:30 AM–10:30 AM • Brewster Historical Society, Brewster
    Wander centuries-old gravestones and hear stories of Brewster’s earliest settlers with a local historian as guide.

  • 🎨 EarthWorks Art Camp
    9:00 AM–11:30 AM • Green Briar Nature Center, East Sandwich
    Kids explore nature and creativity through hands-on art in this guided outdoor camp session.

  • 🎭 The SpongeBob Musical: TYA Edition
    10:00 AM–11:15 AM • Cape Rep Outdoor Theater, Brewster
    A colorful, family-friendly splash under the pines—catch SpongeBob and friends in a musical made for young audiences.

  • 🎨 Eastwind Gallery presents Janell Bauer
    10:00 AM • Orleans, MA
    Stop by Eastwind to see bold brushwork and vibrant local scenes by artist Janell Bauer, on exhibit this week only.

  • 📚 Annual Summer Book Sale
    10:00 AM • Brewster Ladies' Library, Brewster
    Bag a bargain or find your next beach read—paperbacks, hardcovers, and local treasures by the boxful.

  • 📖 Elspeth Hay & Kate Woodworth in Conversation
    10:00 AM–12:00 PM • Brewster Book Store, Brewster
    Two local writers dive into Cape life, ecology, and food culture with host Kristin Andres of APCC.

  • 🖊️ Creative Writing Workshop with Gail Carson Levine
    1:30 PM • Community Room, Brewster
    Teens & tweens: Learn from the author of Ella Enchanted—get tips, prompts, and inspiration to write your own magic.

  • 🎩 Ed Popielarczyk Magic Show
    2:30 PM–3:30 PM • Brooks Free Library, Harwich
    Silly hats, sleight-of-hand, and nonstop laughs—classic family-friendly magic from a regional favorite.

  • 🛍️ The 204 Market
    3:00 PM–6:00 PM • The 204 Cultural Arts Building, Harwich
    Fresh finds from Cape artists, makers, and growers—grab gifts or treat yourself while strolling indoors.

  • 🌅 Beach Social Party at Nauset Beach Inn
    5:00 PM • Nauset Beach Inn, Orleans
    Live music, snacks, and salty breezes—sailors and beach lovers gather for a relaxed summer hangout.

  • 📡 Cape Cod Bay’s Target Ship
    7:00 PM–8:30 PM • Chatham Marconi Maritime Center, Chatham
    Discover the strange history of the shipwreck just offshore—presentation includes rare photos and Cold War context.

Friday, July 25

Saturday, July 26

  • 🎨 Handmade Heaven: Brewster Summer Arts & Craft Festival
    10:00 AM • Drummer Boy Park, Brewster
    Over 100 juried artists and makers take over the green—pottery, paintings, soaps, jewelry, and more in a classic Cape Cod fair.

  • ⚾ Whitecaps, Selfies & Summer Spirit

    10:00 AM • Brewster, MA
    Bring the kids and say hi to the hometown heroes of Brewster baseball—including a cameo from the team mascot.

  • 👢 Cowboy Boots & Big Grins: Line Dance Roundup
    11:00 AM • Community Room, Brewster
    Learn some steps, stomp to the beat, and laugh your way through this lively intro to line dancing for all ages.

  • 💻 Code Like a Kid: Summer Tech Workshop
    12:30 PM • Community Room, Brewster
    Drag, drop, and debug! Young coders take on fun digital challenges in this hands-on beginner workshop.

  • 💻 Hack, Build, Repeat: Coding for Teens
    1:30 PM • Community Room, Brewster
    Teens dive deeper into the world of coding—create, test, and explore new tech skills in a supportive group.

  • 🌲 The Innermost House: Life in 12x12
    3:00 PM • Brewster Ladies’ Library, Brewster
    A quiet talk about simplicity, silence, and the inner life—from someone who’s lived it in a 12x12 cabin.

  • 🧠 Truth, Fiction & Marie Lu: A Creative Q&A
    3:00 PM–4:00 PM • Brewster Ladies’ Library (Online)
    High school readers: Join bestselling author Marie Lu for a special session on writing, critical thinking, and how to tell what matters.

  • 🎨 Last Look: Stan’s Solo Exhibit Closing Party
    5:00 PM–7:00 PM • The 204, Harwich
    Final night to see Stan’s vibrant works—meet the artist, sip something cool, and mingle with fellow creatives.

Sunday, July 27

Monday, July 28

  • 🎨 Painterly Mornings with Maryalice Eizenberg
    9:15 AM • Creative Arts Center, Chatham
    Step into the artist’s lens—oil paintings of still life and Cape Cod moments with warmth and depth.

  • 🏴‍☠️ How I Became a Pirate (Kid-Friendly Theatre)
    10:00 AM • Harwich Junior Theatre, Harwich
    A high-seas tale for young adventurers—join Jeremy Jacob on his swashbuckling journey of treasure and truth.

  • 🎨 Karen Pryce at Eastwind Gallery
    10:00 AM • Orleans, MA
    Lush landscapes and luminous colors—stop in for local art with soul at one of Orleans’ finest galleries.

  • 🎨 Final Day: Brewster Arts & Craft Festival
    10:00 AM–4:00 PM • Drummer Boy Park, Brewster
    One more chance to browse the booths—over 100 makers, local food, and creative Cape energy.

  • 🌳 You, Me, Trees & the Sea
    11:00 AM–12:00 PM • Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Brewster
    A storytelling and science session that celebrates everything leafy, sandy, and deeply local.

  • ✍️ Write Like Gail: Creative Workshop
    1:30 PM • Community Room, Brewster
    Tweens and teens get hands-on writing inspiration from the author of Ella Enchanted herself.

  • 🧜‍♀️ By the Sea Stamping
    2:00 PM–5:00 PM • Brooks Free Library, Harwich
    Design ocean-themed cards with layered ink art—perfect for beginners and crafty beach lovers alike.

  • 🍰 Dirt Cake! Kids’ Craft + Snack
    2:30 PM–3:30 PM • Brooks Free Library, Harwich
    Chocolate pudding, gummy worms, and creativity collide in this sweet and messy family favorite.

  • 🎉 Piñata Party!
    4:00 PM • Community Room, Brewster
    It’s a smash! Kids get hands-on with paper crafts, treats, and good old-fashioned whacking fun.

  • 🎨 Dot by Dot: Hand Art for All Ages
    5:30 PM • Community Room, Brewster
    Make your mark—literally. A colorful workshop where every dot counts and every hand tells a story.

  • 🍸 Soirée on the Bay
    5:30 PM–6:30 PM • Wequassett Resort, East Harwich
    A golden-hour gathering by the water—elegant drinks, views for days, and that Wequassett glow.

  • 🍴 Taste of Chatham
    6:00 PM–8:30 PM • Chase Park, Chatham
    Local restaurants serve their best bites—an evening picnic of flavor, community, and Cape indulgence.

  • 🧠 Cape Cod Trivia at The Barley Neck
    8:00 PM–9:00 PM • The Barley Neck, Orleans
    Local knowledge meets brainy fun—bring your team and test your Cape IQ over drinks and laughs.

Tuesday, July 29

  • 🦈 Shark Science for Kids: Ecology + STEM Day
    9:00 AM • Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, North Chatham
    Hands-on shark learning for ages 7–10—meet the science behind these apex predators, from jaws to habitats.

  • 🐦 Tuesday Tweets: Morning Bird Walk
    8:30 AM–10:00 AM • Green Briar Nature Center, Brewster
    Start your day with birdsong—walk the trails and spot feathered friends with a guide from the Natural History Museum.

  • 💪 Move to Live: Longer–Stronger–Younger
    11:00 AM • Community Room, Brewster
    Aging well starts with motion—gentle exercises and energizing movement strategies for staying vibrant and mobile.

  • 🏛️ Brooks Academy Museum Open Hours
    1:00 PM–4:00 PM • Brooks Academy Museum, Harwich
    Step back in time with maps, maritime history, and everyday artifacts from Harwich's past.

  • 🦎 Amazing Animal Ambassadors: Adaptation in Action
    1:30 PM–2:30 PM • Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Brewster
    Get face-to-face with furry, feathery, and scaly creatures—discover how they survive and thrive in the wild.

  • 🎭 Toe Jam Puppet Band: Kids’ Live Show
    1:30 PM–2:30 PM • Eldredge Public Library, Chatham
    High-energy puppets, music, and silliness for the little ones—this band knows how to get kids giggling.

  • 📚 Author Talk: Cynthia Blakely & Adrienne Brodeur
    5:00 PM–6:00 PM • Snow Library, Orleans
    Two acclaimed local authors discuss home, memory, and the stories we choose to share—an intimate literary hour.

  • 🦋 Moth Ball at the Twine Field
    7:00 PM–9:30 PM • Twine Field, South Chatham
    Yes, it’s a party for moths—and you. Join scientists and artists for night pollinator spotting, poetry, and moonlit magic.

Wednesday, July 30

  • 🧵 Bayberry Quilt Show: “Old is New Again!”
    9:00 AM–6:00 PM • Cape Cod Tech School, Harwich
    Hundreds of intricate quilts, vintage reimaginings, and modern craftsmanship—Cape Cod’s biggest quilt tradition returns.

  • 🎨 Kids Create: Cookie Capers with Frank & Bert
    10:00 AM–11:00 AM • Brewster Book Store, Brewster
    A storytime adventure followed by hands-on crafts based on the sweet and silly tale of Frank & Bert.

  • 💩 The Poop Museum (Yes, Really!)
    11:00 AM • Brewster Ladies Library, Brewster
    From owl pellets to elephant dung—this hands-on, gross-but-fascinating science session is perfect for curious kids.

  • 💍 Stack ‘Em Up: Laura Bouton’s Ring Workshop
    11:30 AM–3:00 PM • Creative Arts Center, Chatham
    Design and create your own stacking rings—no prior jewelry experience needed, just creativity.

  • 🌳 Your Yard Buffet: Edible + Native Plants
    2:00 PM–3:00 PM • Eldredge Public Library, Chatham
    Turn your yard into a feast—for you and the ecosystem. Learn about native edibles that support biodiversity.

  • 🎬 Summer Movie Day: Teen Beach Movie
    2:00 PM • Harwich Community Center, Harwich
    Surfboards, song breaks, and teen hijinks—an air-conditioned afternoon escape for families and tweens.

  • 🚨 Chatham Lighthouse Tours
    1:00 PM–3:00 PM • Chatham Lighthouse, Chatham
    Climb the tower and learn about shipwrecks, rescues, and Cape Cod’s coastal legacy.

  • 🎬 In the Whale: Screening + Q&A
    6:00 PM–7:45 PM • Snow Library, Orleans
    Watch the acclaimed documentary on a Provincetown diver’s jaw-dropping whale encounter—followed by a director Q&A.

🎶 This Week on the Cape: Porch Tunes, Pub Jams & Sunset Soundscapes

July 24–30 | Lower Cape

From quiet fiddles at farmer’s markets to full-throttle rock under brewery lights, the Lower Cape is humming this week.

🎤 Soul from Hawaii.
🎸 Cape-grown Americana.
🎶 A cappella that pops.
🎻 Celtic strings that stir the heart.

You’ll find lawn chairs swaying in Chatham, dance floors pulsing in Orleans, and harmonies echoing through Harwich and Brewster. Whether it’s a sunset serenade at Nauset Beach or late-night grooves at The Squire, your perfect summer soundtrack is playing—just follow your ears.

Thursday, July 24

Friday, July 25

Saturday, July 26

Sunday, July 27

Monday, July 28

Tuesday, July 29

Wednesday, July 30

🌀 Cape Mood: Lower Cape Weather, July 24–30

Thu 7/24

82° / 70° — Sunny, breezy, and more humid
▪️ Morning clamming? Yes—just go early.
▪️ SW winds bring haze late—avoid backroads after 8 PM.

Fri 7/25

86° / 67° — Hot, sunny to partly cloudy, and humid
▪️ UV 9 — SPF up.
▪️ Beach lots (Skaket, Ridgevale) full by 9:15 AM.
▪️ Hydrangeas still glowing—Queen Anne Rd and Main Street Chatham are peak drives.

Pro tip: Farmers market seafood disappears early. Get there before 10 AM.

Sat 7/26

78° / 59° — Crisp, partly cloudy, drier
▪️ Morning breeze = perfect trail weather.
▪️ Best day for Nickerson, Bell’s Neck, or Wing Island walks.
▪️ Mosquitos? Barely a buzz.

Evening move: Porch dinner + art stroll in Orleans or Chatham.

Sun 7/27

78° / 69° — Mostly cloudy
▪️ Gray skies = gallery and bakery weather.
▪️ Try Eastwind Gallery, or grab a booth at Cottage Street Bakery.
▪️ Chance of rain after dark—bring in the towels.

Mon 7/28

80° / 68° — Humid with full sun
▪️ Bug count low early—ideal for Monomoy or Red Maple Swamp.
▪️ Rock Harbor causeway: prime osprey-spotting.

Reminder: Even in shade, UV 9 means reapply that SPF.

Tue 7/29

86° / 69° — AM showers, then partly sunny and humid
▪️ Rain clears early—Skaket + Red River open up mid-afternoon.
▪️ Chatham Farmers Market has music by 3 PM.
▪️ Beach time starts late, but it’s golden.

Evening vibe: Sundae School or Short’n’Sweet before the line wraps the block.

Wed 7/30

82° / 67° — Partly sunny and warm
▪️ Light breeze, hazy sun, no rush.
▪️ Best sunset odds of the week at Rock Harbor—clouds add drama.
▪️ Light sprinkles possible after 9 PM.

☀️ Cape Lowdown for Locals

  • 🏖️ Beach Lots: Fill by 9 AM on Fri, Tue & Wed.

  • 🌾 Hydrangeas: Still strong on Main in Brewster & Chatham.

  • 🦟 Trail Best: Sat & Mon mornings = bug-light and breezy.

  • 🌫️ Fog Watch: Backroads dicey late Thu & Sun—stick to the main routes.

  • 📍Rain Day Plans: Hit Brewster Ladies’ Library, Chatham Orpheum, or your favorite indie café.

  • 📸 Sunset Favorites: Rock Harbor, Bank Street Beach, Pilgrim Lake dock.

🧭 Until Next Tide

Before I slip away for the week, a little note at the bottom—because, as with most things on the Cape, there are a few local rituals we all honor. One of them: you’ll always find my real estate license number here, as Massachusetts likes us to keep things transparent.

But at heart, this will always be a love letter to the Lower Cape. A place for stories, ordinary wonders, favorite hidden corners, and neighborly tips—because that’s what binds us, far more than any paperwork or fine print.

So whether you’re looking for a home, or just a reason to smile at the next sunset, this newsletter is for you. And if you ever need a hand (or just want to share your best sandwich spot), you know where to find me.

Until next week—
Arthur Radtke
REALTOR®, eXp Realty
MA License# 9582725
[email protected]
(774) 316-2068

P.S. Did you crack this week’s Cape Code? 

Answer: B) Land Ho!

Walk into Land Ho! on Route 6A and you’re greeted by a sea of hand-painted wooden signs—names of locals, businesses, and families who’ve shaped Orleans. This tradition began in the 1970s, when founder John Murphy swapped meals or beers for a sign from a regular.

Today, the signs cover every inch: Orleans Fire Department, 8th-grade champs, beloved teachers, and families who moved away but left their mark. Locals still point theirs out to newcomers—who inevitably ask, “How do I get one up there?”

Land Ho! isn’t just a pub—it’s Orleans in signboard form.

Got a favorite Land Ho! sign or story? Send it our way—we might feature it!

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