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  • 🐚 This Week Only (Aug 14–20): 4 Lobster Champions + 20+ Can’t-Miss Cape Events

🐚 This Week Only (Aug 14–20): 4 Lobster Champions + 20+ Can’t-Miss Cape Events

Author

Arthur Radtke
August 14, 2025

Together with

Lobster Royalty & Late-Summer Magic

The butter’s still glistening and the bragging rights are fresh — JT’s in Brewster, Chatham Pier Fish Market, Brax Landing in Harwich, and Sir Cricket’s in Orleans just claimed top honors in the 2025 Lower Cape Lobster Roll Showdown. Four towns, four champions, and enough sweet claw meat to make you forget the calendar says August.

And that’s just the opener. This week we’re stepping into the season’s sweet spot — the air’s cooler, the crowds lighter, and the events are pure Cape gold. Think Bernard Cornwell telling war stories in Chatham, harbor sunsets with live jazz in Harwich, The Hobbit leaping to life on stage, and the Orleans Police Block Party taking over Main Street. We’ve got cold-brook bird walks, art tours, farm dinners, and late-night music that keeps the summer hum going long after dark.

Plus — a look at the off-season crossroads every Lower Cape homeowner faces: keep the place warm for winter renters or pass the keys before spring. Add in a quick tide check, hyperlocal weather moodboard, and the photo of the week, and you’ve got the Cape’s next seven days in one place.

— Arthur
🏡 Real estate guy, crawlspace veteran, Lower Cape neighbor

Sell or Rent? Why the Off-Season Decision Matters Now on the Lower Cape

The Season of Quiet Decisions

By mid-September, the Cape changes its breath.

The ocean turns a deeper blue. The air, once heavy with sunscreen and salt, feels crisp and deliberate. In Orleans, café windows fog over from fresh-baked bread. In Chatham, the sound of gulls replaces the chatter of July crowds.

It’s in this softer season that a quieter market conversation begins — one that doesn’t make headlines but does shape next summer’s stories:

Do you keep your second home warm through winter with new occupants, or do you pass the keys before the first beach day of spring?

Why This Question Can’t Wait

The off-season isn’t a pause button — it’s a season that reshapes the market.

  • Buyers are already walking the shoreline in fleece jackets, picturing their own summers here.

  • Renters are looking for long, restorative stays that give them more than a weekend escape.

The choice you make before winter settles in can mean the difference between:

✅ Steady income that covers costs and keeps your home in play for another summer.
✅ A strategic sale that captures early-spring buyers eager to move in before Memorial Day.

The quiet months decide the tone of your next chapter.

The Case for Renting Through Winter

Picture your home lit from within on a snowy evening, the steady hum of the furnace and the soft glow of lamplight in the window. This isn’t just sentiment — it’s security. A lived-in home weathers storms better than one left vacant.

Off-season tenants on the Lower Cape are a different crowd:

  • Remote professionals swapping city noise for dune walks.

  • Families in transition, seeking a short-term anchor.

  • Seasonal locals settling in until their summer work begins again.

Renting keeps your property part of the community’s heartbeat, protects its condition, and offsets ownership costs — without closing the door on future use or appreciation.

The Case for Selling Before Spring

Spring here isn’t a slow thaw — it’s a market ignition.

Inventory is lean. Buyers are impatient. And those who want a summer home will act quickly. Selling before the daffodils bloom means meeting motivated buyers before competition swells.

The reward isn’t just timing; it’s clarity. You enter summer with your decision made, capital freed, and no winter upkeep or prep hanging over you.

Why Decide Now

  • Winter comes fast. And with it, the best planning window closes.

  • Serious buyers are already looking. Spring sales often start in the fall.

  • Well-timed choices pay off. Whether it’s steady rent or a clean sale, your decision now shapes your summer.

Lower Cape Takeaway

In summer, decisions feel rushed. In winter, they feel overdue. But right now — in this rare, quiet space between the two — you have the clarity to choose with both head and heart.

Whether you keep your home warm for winter occupants or ready it for a spring market debut, the choice you make this month will decide how you greet the Cape next summer — as a host, a homeowner, or someone carrying the memory of a chapter well-closed.

Show Us Your Cape

Skaket at low tide.
One neighbor, ankle-deep in rippled sand, watching the bay turn molten under a late-summer sun. The kind of sunset you can’t schedule — you just happen to be there, toes damp, heart still.

Every week, we feature one unforgettable moment in the newsletter. But now, we’re going bigger: a real-life, neighbor-built gallery of the Lower Cape. No filters. No fluff. Just the quiet, perfect, wildly human scenes — like this — that remind us why we stay.

Soon, you’ll be able to vote, tag your friends, and maybe win a local treat or two. No pro gear needed — just your knack for spotting the Cape’s magic.

📸 Got a photo? Send it to [email protected]

Let’s show the world what real Cape life looks like — one photo at a time.

Skaket gold — where the sun writes your silhouette into the tide and the whole Cape seems to stand still for a minute. 📸 Paul & Rhondalee Deschamps

📢 Neighborhood Notice

Posting on behalf of friends — a wonderful local professional couple looking for a simple, comfortable rental starting September 1. They’re nonsmokers, have no pets, and come with excellent references. If you know of a place, please call or text Rachel at 508-737-5158.

🦞 2025 Lower Cape Lobster Roll Showdown: Winners Round-Up

Four towns. Four champions. One shared truth — a great lobster roll is never just lunch. On the Lower Cape, it’s a ritual, a bragging right, and a taste memory that pulls you back year after year. This year’s winners each tell their own story — steeped in salt air, local pride, and the kind of flavor that makes a summer.

Brewster’s Crown Jewel — JT’s Seafood

It’s the kind of place you almost miss if you’re cruising down Route 6A too fast — a low-slung, sea-salt-kissed shack between Cape Cod Bay and Ocean Edge Golf Course. But locals know: step up to JT’s counter, order a hot lobster roll with butter, claim a sun-worn picnic table, and you’ve officially arrived in Cape summer heaven.

The roll? A split-top bun, toasted to a gentle crunch, giving way to a generous heap of claw and knuckle meat fresh from Ready Brother’s Lobster up the road. No filler, no frills — just sweet lobster bathed in warm butter that pools in the paper boat. The kind you lean forward for, so gravity doesn’t steal a single bite.

Owner Allison Noyes and her crew run the place like a well-practiced fishing crew — lines may snake out the door in July, but orders appear with effortless Cape-casual speed. Around you, kids debate ice cream flavors, couples share Fisherman’s Platters, dogs nap under picnic benches. Time it for golden hour, and the whole scene turns postcard-perfect.

For twenty years, JT’s has been a Brewster rite of passage. This year, it’s also the town’s lobster roll champion — and one taste will tell you why.

Chatham Pier Fish Market — Lobster Rolls with a Side of Seals

Follow Barcliff Avenue to the smell of salt and diesel — the perfume of a working harbor. Seals surface near the fishing boats, gulls circle above, and the rhythm of the docks plays out below the observation deck.

Here, in the thick of it, is Chatham Pier Fish Market. Order your lobster roll warm, butter-poached and silky, or chilled with mayo and a whisper of celery crunch. Either way, it comes in a sweet, grilled brioche bun, piled with unapologetically big chunks of claw and knuckle meat. Go “double-stuffed,” and you’re holding nearly an entire lobster.

The first bite is a pause — tender meat with that briny-sweet pop of the sea. Butter leaves a gleam on your fingers, fries tumble alongside, slaw snaps bright and crisp. Prices float in the high 30s, but the backdrop — seals watching, masts clinking, sun catching the water — is worth every penny.

Yes, the parking’s tricky and the line can stretch, but when you finally take that bite with a seal’s eyes on you, it’s pure Chatham magic.

Brax Landing — Where the Harbor Meets the Roll

Step through Brax’s weathered doors and the scents hit you: salt air, melting butter, grill smoke, the sweet toast of bread. Out back, Saquatucket Harbor shimmers — boats bobbing, gulls calling, fire pits glowing as the day leans toward night.

Brax’s lobster roll is a showstopper — often tipping past a half-pound of sweet, clean lobster, lightly glossed with mayo or butter so the flavor stands on its own. The toasted bun barely holds it, fries (or sweet potato fries) steam alongside, and the first bite says you’ve made the right choice.

Part of the magic is value — around thirty bucks for a roll that dwarfs its bun — but the rest is atmosphere. The deck hums with sunset chatter, the bar with locals swapping fishing tales. There’s no rushing here; even the wait feels like part of the ritual.

Generous, confident, and a little windswept — Brax’s roll tastes like the Cape itself.

Sir Cricket’s — The Humble Shack with the Big-Hearted Roll

No white tablecloths. No ocean view. Just a small Route 6A seafood counter, a hand-painted sign, and the smell of hot oil that makes you pull over without thinking. Since the ’60s, Sir Cricket’s has been serving Cape classics — and their lobster roll stays blissfully unpretentious.

Sweet, meaty claw and knuckle chunks, dressed with just enough mayo to let the briny flavor sing. No celery, no garnish, just a buttered, toasted split-top roll with lobster spilling over the sides. At under $20, it’s one of the Cape’s best-kept value secrets.

It comes with crisp fries and tangy slaw, but the creamy, clam-packed chowder here is worth the add-on. The counter crew moves with decades of muscle memory, greeting you with a grin and a “what’ll ya have?” On a lucky day, you’ll snag one of the few tables — but this roll is just as good eaten in your car, parked under a pine with the windows down.

Sir Cricket’s doesn’t ask for ceremony. It just asks that you take a moment and enjoy the kind of lobster roll Cape Cod was built on.

Insider Tips: Eat (and Think) Like a Local

Brewster – JT’s Seafood

  • Best time to go: Swing by late afternoon—around golden hour—when the picnic tables are glowing, and the queues usually slow down.

  • Insider ordering tip: Stick with the hot roll only—as one staffer says, “We keep it simple because lobster speaks for itself.”

  • Pro tip: Order the clam chowder to warm up, then walk over to the ice cream counter and end your visit with 24-flavor soft serve. A true JT’s ritual.

Chatham – Chatham Pier Fish Market

  • When to time it: Mid-afternoon is perfect—boats come in between 10 AM–4 PM, and that’s when the working harbor vibe (seals included) is most lively.

  • Ordering tip: Try the double-stuffed roll if you're super hungry—it’s nearly a whole lobster in one bun, and worth the splurge.

  • Pro tip: Parking can run thin and tables fill fast, so order ahead or go with the flow—and bring patience (and a camera).

Harwich – Brax Landing

  • Magic moment: Sit on the deck for dinner and catch the harbor sunset—it turns every roll into a moment.

  • Order tip: Mix it up with sweet potato fries instead of the usual—your roll just wins an upgrade.

  • Local note: The $29 lobster roll regularly draws compliments (“Best lobster roll I’ve ever had,” and multiple return visits in a week).

Orleans – Sir Cricket’s Fish & Chips

  • Quick-stop winner: Cash or check only—so don’t let the counter charm catch you off guard!

  • Ordering tip: Ask for extra onion rings on the side—they’re crispy, lightly battered, and not greasy (counterperson-approved).

  • Pro tip: No indoor wait? Take your roll to your car or the beach—even with sand on your toes, this roll tastes just as good (if not better).

☕ You’ll Know in the First Ten Minutes

An insider’s take on spotting the right retirement community on the Lower Cape

You step through the doors and — before anyone says a word — you feel it.
It’s not the paint color or the furniture.

It’s the air.

Is it heavy with silence? Or alive with a steady, low hum — the sound of people talking, chairs scooting, cutlery clinking?

Off to your left, a burst of laughter rolls across the room — the easy, unselfconscious kind you hear at the counter at Hole in One in Orleans. A table in the corner has two extra chairs that clearly don’t “belong” there. Someone dragged them over so a conversation could run longer than the floor plan allowed.

This is the moment seasoned locals pay attention to. Because here, you don’t choose a retirement community the way you pick a hotel. You choose it the way you pick a street to live on — by how it feels when you’re standing in it.

1. The Greeting Test

Staff smiles? Expected.
The real test is whether the residents acknowledge you.

A wave from across the room. A genuine “hello” in passing.
Maybe even a curious, “You here for lunch?” — the kind that sounds like they might pull out a chair if you said yes.

On the Lower Cape, these gestures aren’t decoration. They’re proof the social fabric is woven tight.

2. The Bulletin Board Rule

Skip the glossy printed calendar.

Find the corkboard with uneven pushpins and crooked notes in three different handwritings:

“Looking for a Scrabble partner”
“Beach walk 7 a.m. — meet in lobby”
“Who’s got extra Wellfleet oysters?”

Messy boards mean residents run the social life.
Perfectly curated boards? That’s usually staff choreography — and it can feel like living on a set instead of in a neighborhood.

3. The Dining Room Hum

Show up ten minutes before lunch.

Don’t look at the menu. Listen.

Are people saving seats? Chatting before the food arrives? Lingering long after the plates are cleared?

That background hum is the sound of connection. Without it, meals are just meals.

4. The “Lived-In” Test

Ignore the brochure shots.

Look in the corners:

  • A jigsaw puzzle halfway done

  • A plant clearly cared for by a resident

  • Two chairs pulled into a hallway for a mid-afternoon chat

These details mean the space bends to fit the people — not the other way around.

5. The Errand Day Check

If you can, drop by when the shuttle’s back from a Stop & Shop run.

Notice the small things:

  • Neighbors showing each other what was on sale

  • Someone handing off extra peaches from Ring Bros. Market

  • A quick “Want me to pick that up for you next time?”

That’s the difference between living near people and living with them.

Take-Home for Lower Cape Shoppers

If you’re looking, don’t just book a tour.
Use the first ten minutes to read the room like a local:

  • Visit twice — once for lunch, once for errand hour

  • Watch first — the unplanned moments speak louder than scripted ones

  • Find the real bulletin board — that’s where the community lives

  • Ask one local question — about a favorite clam shack, a beach, or a holiday tradition

  • Trust your gut — the right place feels like your neighborhood, just with an easier walk to dinner

If you walk in and it feels like Sunday morning at the Orleans Farmers’ Market — warm, familiar, and full of people you’d gladly bump into again — you’re not just looking at a community.

You’re standing in the middle of it.

💧 When the rain forgets us, we remember each other

So… have you noticed your lawn crunches now? Not “needs-a-trim” crunchy — I mean “you could toss it in a cereal box” crunchy. The marsh grass looks tired, the hydrangeas are blushing early, and my rain gauge? Let’s just say it’s been holding the same spiderweb for three weeks.

We’re officially in one of those “significant drought” situations the state likes to name. Which is their way of saying: Hey folks, maybe don’t go full Fenway Park on your lawn right now.

Here’s how the towns are keeping it fair so no one’s well runs dry and we can all still sneak in a little garden TLC.

In Chatham, it’s kind of like musical chairs — only slower.
Odd-numbered houses get Tuesdays and Thursdays, evens get Wednesdays and Fridays. You water before 9 a.m., when the air’s cool and smells like the bay, or after 5 p.m., when the gulls start heading home. And nope, you can’t hose off the car or the driveway for fun. Let the salt and sand decorate them for now — it’s our local patina.

Brewster’s as easy as reading the date on your phone.
Odd house number? Water on odd dates. Even number? Even dates. If you’re up early, 4–8 a.m. is prime — quiet enough to hear the hose hiss. If you’re an evening person, 5–9 p.m. means you can water with one hand and hold a glass of iced tea with the other.

Harwich runs its sprinklers like a band with regular gigs.
Odd addresses: Tuesday and Saturday. Even addresses: Wednesday and Sunday. Before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m., same as everyone else. Hand watering? Go for it daily in those cooler hours — your basil will love you for it.

Orleans? Simple.
Pick your two days a week, just keep it outside that 9-to-5 oven window. Sprinklers and automatic systems are on a staycation until further notice. Your car can wear its sandy coat with pride — it’s basically a badge of summer here.

Nobody’s keeping score. This is just one of those “we’re all in it together” moments — like shoveling your neighbor’s walk when they’re away or dropping off extra sweet corn at the library book sale.

We’ll get rain again. One morning, you’ll hear it thump the roof before you’re even out of bed. You’ll smell it in the sand, watch it fill the low spots in the driveway, and maybe even see the hydrangeas puff up again. And you’ll know we made it through the dry spell the same way we do most things here — together, with a little patience, a little humor, and just enough water to keep things alive until the sky remembers us.

🌊 Quick Watering Guide

(Clip and stick on the fridge)

Town

Who Waters When

Allowed Times

Extras

Chatham

Odd: Tue & Thu
Even: Wed & Fri

Before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m.

No washing cars, driveways, siding

Brewster

Odd house #: odd dates
Even #: even dates

4–8 a.m. or 5–9 p.m.

—

Harwich

Odd: Tue & Sat
Even: Wed & Sun

Before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m.

Hand watering daily in same hours

Orleans

Any 2 days/week

Outside 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

No sprinklers/auto systems

🌼 Brewster COA: Where Mid-August Finds Its Stride

The mid-August vibe? A little summer sparkle with a side of friendly competition.

Thursday, August 14 kicks off bright and early at 8:00 AM with Pet Nail Trim (your furry friend will thank you). Then it’s the usual Thursday groove — Walking Club at 9:00 AM, Advanced Tai Chi and Meditation at 10:00 AM, Beginner Tai Chi at 11:15 AM, Senior Dining at 11:30 AM, Bingo at 12:15 PM, Keep Movin’! at 1:00 PM, BMCC at 2:00 PM, and Chair Yoga at 2:30 PM.

On Friday, August 15, it’s a double treat: a Trip to Atwood Museum & Lunch at Chatham Moods at 9:30 AM and Mah Jongg at 1:00 PM.

Monday, August 18 is all about creativity and connection — Yes, You Can Draw! at 9:30 AM, Advanced Tai Chi at 10:00 AM, Beginner Tai Chi at 11:15 AM, and Canasta at 1:00 PM.

On Tuesday, August 19, we’re moving with Qi Gong at 9:00 AM, W.O.W. at 9:30 AM, Chair Yoga at 11:00 AM, and Keep Movin’! at 1:00 PM.

Wednesday, August 20 brings Computer Help and Knit/Crochet at 10:00 AM, Quilters at 1:00 PM, and a special Cape Cod Ukulele Concert at 1:30 PM.

📞 Call 508-896-2737 to join the fun, ask questions, or reserve a spot.

🌼 Chatham COA: Cozy Corners & Just-Right Paces

It’s a “pick your pace” kind of week in Chatham.

Thursday, August 14 offers choices: stretch out at Chair Yoga at 1:00 PM or unwind with yarn and conversation at Busy Fingers, also at 1:00 PM.

Friday is yours to recharge — run errands, meet a friend for coffee, or just enjoy the breeze.

Monday, August 18 brings comfort and connection with Ryders Cove Respite at 9:30 AM, morning deliveries for pharmacy or grocery needs, and Cribbage Masters in the afternoon.

📞 To join or learn more, call 508-945-5190.

🌼 Harwich COA: Coffee, Company & Can’t-Miss Moments

The coffee’s on, and the calendar’s full.

Thursday, August 14 starts with Volunteer Coffee Hour at 9:00 AM, followed by Balance Boosters at 10:00 AM. Afternoon brings Low Impact Fitness with Jan at 1:00 PM.

On Friday, August 15, settle in for Movie Day at 1:00 PM — we’re screening Nonnas, a heartwarming comedy with all the flavor of Sunday dinner.

Monday, August 18 offers Gentle Yoga at 10:00 AM, Mah Jongg at 1:00 PM, and Zumba Gold at 2:00 PM.

Tuesday, August 19 keeps you moving with Zumba with Jan at 10:00 AM, Hand & Foot at 12:30 PM, and the Low Vision Support Group at 1:00 PM.

By Wednesday, August 20, you’ll be ready for a mix of motion and mind — Walking Group, Qigong, Bingo, and the Writer’s Group at 1:00 PM.

📞 Call 508-430-7550 to register or learn more.

🌼 Orleans COA: A Week of Music, Movement & Magic

Music, movement, and maybe a little magic in the garden.

Thursday, August 14 features Serene Yoga at 9:45 AM and Sit Fitness at 11:00 AM, then the afternoon is yours — unless you’ve saved the date for a friendly game at the Game Lounge.

On Friday, August 15, dance into the day with NIA at 10:00 AM, then settle in for Nonnas at 1:00 PM. Art lovers can stick around for Art Afternoon from 1:30 to 4:00 PM.

Monday, August 18 starts with Gentle Yoga at 9:00 AM and Pottery Class at 9:30 AM.

Tuesday, August 19 offers Serene Yoga at 9:45 AM, Sit Fit Yoga at 11:00 AM, and Dance Fit at 2:00 PM.

Wednesday, August 20 is for slowing down with Tai Chi at 8:30 AM, Qigong at 9:45 AM, and Dementia Caregiver Support Group at 2:00 PM.

📞 Call 508-255-6333 to reserve your space or get details.

Cape Cod’s Got Plans for You

This isn’t one of those slow summer weeks — it’s the kind where you blink and realize you’ve got three events circled on the same night. Thursday kicks off with owls and eagles in Brewster, Bernard Cornwell telling war stories in Chatham, and a big-band swing party in Harwich. By the weekend, you’re bouncing between lawn concerts, art shows, and Bilbo Baggins fighting dragons. And if you’ve still got energy? The dance floors are waiting.

Thursday, August 14

Friday, August 15

  • 🦜 Cold Brook Birding Walk
    8:00 AM–10:00 AM • Cold Brook Preserve, Harwich
    Start your morning spotting herons, egrets, and other feathered locals on this guided walk.

  • 🎨 Celebrating the Arts in Chatham
    10:00 AM–5:00 PM • Cape Cod Creative Arts Center, Chatham
    A vibrant showcase of fine art, crafts, and local creativity.

  • 🦟 Tick Talk: Pop-Up Educational Series
    10:00 AM–1:00 PM • Brooks Free Library – Fiction Room, Harwich
    Learn how to protect yourself from ticks in this practical, informative drop-in session.

  • 📚 Author Talk with Casey Sherman
    10:00 AM–12:00 PM • Brewster Book Store, Brewster
    Meet the acclaimed author and hear the stories behind his bestselling books.

  • 🛍️ Village Crafters of Cape Cod
    10:00 AM–4:00 PM • Doane Park, Harwich
    Browse handmade treasures from local artisans in a charming outdoor market.

  • 🚲 Bike Tour at Chatham Bars Inn
    1:00 PM–2:00 PM • Chatham Bars Inn, Chatham
    Pedal through scenic coastal routes with expert guides leading the way.

  • 🐉 The Hobbit: A Theatrical Adventure
    4:00 PM • Cape Cod Theatre Company, Harwich
    Bilbo’s journey comes alive in this magical, family-friendly stage production.

  • 🗺️ The Geography Gameshow
    5:30 PM–7:30 PM • Brewster Ladies' Library, Brewster
    Test your knowledge of places near and far in this fun, interactive quiz night.

  • 🎸 The Boston Naturals
    6:00 PM–9:00 PM • Hog Island Brewery, Orleans
    Rock, pop, and dance hits to keep your summer evening moving.

  • 🎵 CranFest Courtyard Concert: Karan Casey
    6:30 PM–9:00 PM • The 204 Cultural Arts, Harwich
    The renowned Irish folk singer brings her powerful voice to the Cape.

  • 🧚 Peter Pan: A Magical Musical
    7:00 PM • Cape Cod Theatre Company, Harwich
    Fly with Peter, Wendy, and Tinker Bell in this timeless family classic.

  • 🎭 Sondheim Under the Lights: Sunday in the Park with George
    7:30 PM–9:00 PM • Cape Rep Indoor Theatre, Brewster
    Lose yourself in art, love, and legacy in this moving masterpiece performed with heart.

  • 📜 Battle of Brooklyn: 250th Anniversary Lecture
    7:30 PM • Performing Arts Center, Orleans
    A captivating talk on a pivotal moment in American history.

  • 🎶 The Jones’ Live
    9:00 PM–11:00 PM • The Barley Neck, East Orleans
    One guitar, two voices, and an evening of exceptional music.

  • 🎤 Just Like That Band
    9:30 PM • The Chatham Squire, Chatham
    A high-energy mix of rock and rhythm to keep the night alive.

  • 🎧 DJ Johnny Quest
    10:00 PM • The Chatham Squire, Chatham
    Dance into the night with beats that don’t quit.

Saturday, August 16

Sunday, August 17

Monday, August 18

  • 🍄 Introduction to Mushrooming with Rachel Goclawski
    11:00 AM–1:00 PM • Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Brewster
    Learn the art of mushroom hunting with expert tips for beginners and enthusiasts alike.

  • 🖍️ Color Our World Coloring Club
    11:00 AM–1:00 PM • Forgeron Hall, Eldredge Public Library, Chatham
    Relax, unwind, and get creative with a friendly group of coloring enthusiasts.

  • 🦀 Mudflat Mania!
    1:00 PM–3:00 PM • Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Brewster
    Explore the wonders of the flats and discover the creatures that call them home.

  • 🎶 Super Soulshine Summer Concert
    6:00 PM–7:30 PM • Brooks Park Gazebo, Harwich
    Groove to soul, funk, and rock in this free summer series favorite.

  • 🎸 Frank Poranski & the Pollyannas
    6:30 PM–8:30 PM • Nauset Beach Gazebo, Orleans
    Beachside tunes with a blend of classic rock and upbeat originals.

  • 🎧 DJ PJ
    10:00 PM • The Chatham Squire, Chatham
    Dance the night away with high-energy beats and late-night vibes.

Tuesday, August 19

Wednesday, August 20

🎶 This Week on the Lower Cape: Let the Music Chase the Sun

The Lower Cape’s got a full set list queued up — and it’s playing in every key. Thursday starts soft and golden, with Opal Canyon’s harmonies drifting over a Chatham lawn, then kicks into gear with Sarah Burrill rocking The Squire and Rev. Robert Jones Sr. pouring blues, folk, and gospel into the Harwich night air.

From there, it’s a weekend run of Irish ballads, indie guitars, dance-floor anthems, and even a little Mozart for your Sunday soul. Whether you’re pulling up a blanket, grabbing a pint, or closing down The Squire at 2 AM, there’s a stage (and a soundtrack) waiting for you.

Thursday, August 14

Friday, August 15

  • 🎸 The Boston Naturals
    6:00 PM–9:00 PM • Hog Island Brewery, Orleans
    Rock, pop, and dance hits to keep your summer evening moving.

  • 🎵 CranFest Courtyard Concert: Karan Casey
    6:30 PM–9:00 PM • The 204 Cultural Arts, Harwich
    The renowned Irish folk singer brings her powerful voice to the Cape.

  • 🎶 The Jones’ Live
    9:00 PM–11:00 PM • The Barley Neck, East Orleans
    One guitar, two voices, and an evening of exceptional music.

  • 🎤 Just Like That Band
    9:30 PM • The Chatham Squire, Chatham
    A high-energy mix of rock and rhythm to keep the night alive.

  • 🎧 DJ Johnny Quest
    10:00 PM • The Chatham Squire, Chatham
    Dance into the night with beats that don’t quit.

Saturday, August 16

  • 🎵 Classic Country Music Revue with Matt York
    2:30 PM–3:30 PM • Brewster Ladies' Library, Brewster
    A heartfelt tribute to the legends of classic country.

  • 🎭 The Art of Caring: Artists & Music for Alzheimer’s
    5:00 PM–7:00 PM • Addison Art Gallery, Orleans
    An evening blending fine art and live music to support Alzheimer’s awareness.

  • 🎸 Steve Rondo Live
    6:00 PM–9:00 PM • Hog Island Brewery, Orleans
    Indie-rock sounds and good vibes to toast the summer night.

  • 🎧 DJ Milk
    10:00 PM • The Chatham Squire, Chatham
    Late-night beats to keep the energy high.

  • 🎷 Dune Billy All Stars
    10:00 PM • The Chatham Squire, Chatham
    Cape Cod’s own supergroup bringing rock, blues, and jam-band fire.

Sunday, August 17

Monday, August 18

  • 🎶 Super Soulshine Summer Concert
    6:00 PM–7:30 PM • Brooks Park Gazebo, Harwich
    Groove to soul, funk, and rock in this free summer series favorite.

  • 🎸 Frank Poranski & the Pollyannas
    6:30 PM–8:30 PM • Nauset Beach Gazebo, Orleans
    Beachside tunes with a blend of classic rock and upbeat originals.

  • 🎧 DJ PJ
    10:00 PM • The Chatham Squire, Chatham
    Dance the night away with high-energy beats and late-night vibes.

Tuesday, August 19

  • 🎻 Agile Virtuosity: Parker Quartet
    5:30 PM • First Congregational Church of Chatham, Chatham
    A world-class string quartet delivering an evening of passion and precision.

  • 🍽️ Farm to Sea Dinner Series
    5:30 PM–8:00 PM • Chatham Bars Inn, Chatham
    A culinary journey featuring the freshest Cape-grown and ocean-harvested flavors.

  • 🎼 Harwich Town Band Summer Concert
    7:00 PM–8:30 PM • Brooks Park, Harwich
    Enjoy classic marches, show tunes, and Cape Cod charm under the stars.

Wednesday, August 20

🌀 Cape Mood | Aug 14–20

Because the Cape never just “has weather” — it puts on a show.

🌫️ Wed, Aug 14 – Cloud Blanket & Porch Lights

79° / 68° • SSW breeze
Clouds hang low, humidity’s high, and the breeze feels like it’s been somewhere warm. Not much action in the sky, but perfect for porch lights glowing at dusk and a slow walk down Main Street.
☕ If the fog drifts in early, it’s an Orpheum-movie kind of night.

🌥️ Thu, Aug 15 – Hazy Harbor Mornings

75° / 61° • NNE wind
Soft clouds over the water, maybe a shower that doesn’t really commit. Harbors look like paintings in the morning.
🌿 Fog overnight means Friday’s sunrise at Ridgevale could be worth setting the alarm.

☀️ Sat, Aug 16 – Postcard Perfect

77° / 64° • ENE breeze
Not a cloud to be found. Beach towels out early, grills heating up by noon. This is the one visitors will remember when they brag about “their Cape trip.”
🍦 Make a Sundae School stop — no rush today, peppermint stick will survive until dark.

🌤️ Sun, Aug 17 – Breeze in Your Hair, Sun on Your Face

79° / 67° • SW gusts
Clear skies in the morning, a few clouds swagger in by afternoon. Salt spray carries down Shore Road, kites get ambitious.
🪁 Best kite-flying day of the week: Long Pond after 5 PM.

🌥️ Mon, Aug 18 – Sweater Morning, Sunglass Afternoon

72° / 62° • NE wind
Gray start, sunny finish. The kind of day that fools you into bringing a sweatshirt to the beach… and carrying it back in a ball.
🍤 Brax Landing patio dinner = prime people-watching.

🌤️ Tue, Aug 19 – Change in the Air

73° / 65° • E breeze
Morning’s easy, evening brings clouds — maybe a late-night shower if you’re lucky enough to be under it.
📚 Pottery shop behind Hot Stove is a great rain-delay spot.

🌦️ Wed, Aug 20 – Morning Rinse, Afternoon Shine

74° / 63° • E wind
Wake to a few passing showers, shake them off by lunchtime. By 3 PM, you’ll swear the morning gloom was a different week.
🌅 Skaket at sunset will be one for the scrapbook.

📍 Cape Lowdown for Locals

  • 🅿️ Beach Lots: Skaket & Ridgevale full by 9:30 AM Sat/Sun — Doane Road shortcut still works.

  • 🌿 Trail Picks: Sat morning Bell’s Neck = best light, least bugs.

  • 💐 Hydrangea Watch: Pink Diamond hanging on strong; Limelight still putting on a late-summer show.

  • ☁️ Plan B Nights: Wed & Tue showers? Orpheum double-feature or live music at The Squire.

  • 🌅 Sunset MVPs: Fort Hill for drama, Ridgevale for romance, Skaket for barefoot family photos.

🎯 That’s it for this week, neighbor.

The Lower Cape never does “winding down.” It just shifts gears — from the rush of July to the savor of August, when lobster rolls taste a little sweeter, sunsets linger a little longer, and even the quiet moments feel like they belong in a frame.

Whether you’re chasing the week’s music, wandering an art show, debating the off-season fate of your home, or just spotting seals between bites at the pier, these days are the real prize — the kind you’ll talk about when the gulls trade places with snowflakes.

So grab your roll, your sweater, and your sense of adventure. The tide’s still coming in, the season’s still yours, and there’s plenty of Cape magic left to go around.

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

P.S. Need help finding a place that fits your real Cape life (with or without house guests)? You know where to find me.

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