Heritage Museum and Gardens Never Fails

Yet again another great day at Heritage Museum and Gardens. Our membership more than pays for itself. This was our third visit of the summer and there will be many more.

The latest activity area for kids "Hidden Hollow" is absolutely wonderful. From the point of entry through the natural arbor to the 3 story tree house there are activity stops and centers along the way.

Don't quote me on this but I believe the tree house was designed by renowned tree house builder Pete Nelson from Seattle, WA. The tree house which appears to be nearing completion is already spectacular and we haven't even set foot in it yet.

The kids can dress up and put on a skit on the stage/amphitheater or as our kids do just fill and re-fill the watering cans at the hand pump. The fabric available to the kids among the Rhododendrons can occupy a child's fertile imagination for hours. Tie the fabric off to make a hammock or simply run through the woods with a cape on an adventure.

The scavenger hunt draws them frantically through every nook and cranny of the Hollow helping them learn and see all of the activities and action. After a couple of hours of fun in the Hollow and a picnic lunch, we are off to the carousel and other exiting activities at Heritage.

Spring is finally upon us. Although most of our crocus have gone by spring hasn't really set in yet. Weather reports are good for this weekend. We are looking forward to a nice weekend in the yard, walking through the Sandwich Village, stopping by the Dexter Gristmill to check for herring, scanning Shawme Pond for signs of bass ready to bite and speaking of bites maybe a quick stop in at the Dunbar Tea House for a snack.

"SandwichFest" Scores Again!

This past Saturday we had the honor and thrill of hosting the 2nd annual "SandwichFest" here in Sandwich. Just when I thought the first one (held last year) couldn't get better, the wonderful folks from the Sandwich Chamber of Commerce out-did themselves again to make this year's street festival bigger and better than ever. Amid the soaring heat and humidity, thousands turned out to peruse the dozens of vendors, merchants and organizations lined up and down Jarves and Main Street.

Of course the main attraction of the festival is the "Best Sandwich in Sandwich" contest. A virtual Who's Who of restaurants in Sandwich, all vying for the coveted Sandwich trophy and bragging rights. This year's People's Choice winner was The Aqua Grille, serving Hot & Crunchy Lobster Sliders (Lobster cakes breaded and sauté’ in cornflakes, almonds & coconut. Served on a brioche with avocado mayo and sprinkled with an ancho chili sauce.) Changing things up a bit this year, the judges chose winners in 3 separate culinary areas: Best Vegetarian, Best Non-Vegetarian and Best Use of Local Ingredients. The winners were, Best Vegetarian: Beth’s Special Teas Cape Cod Cranberry Wrap, Best Non-Vegetarian: The Dan’l Webster Inn
Breuben Sandwich and for Best Use of Local Ingredients: The Aqua Grille (see People's Choice).

There was truly something for everyone, art, jewelry, cars, music & artistic performances, a bounce-house, dog contest & parade, local farmers, and even political groups were on hand to drum up supporters. Just about every aspect of life in our community was represented.

We all know how wonderful it is to live on Cape, but attending this festival truly makes a person proud to call Sandwich our Home. I'm looking forward to next year's festival already. Who knows, maybe I should think about setting up my own little table and hand out information and tips on things to do in on the Cape?!

Stopping by Beach on Snowy Morning

John's tribute to Robert Frost and Cape Cod in winter.

Stopping by Beach on Snowy Morning

Whose beach these are I think I know.
The houses of the Village show;
Who will see me stopping here
To watch the beach fill up with snow?

Desolate, isolated, bone chilling: Cape Cod in winter doesn’t have to be viewed through a pessimistic lens. Change your perspective and engage the beauty of our natural surroundings especially at dawn.

Short winter days make the beauty of the morning sun more accessible. The golden morning light of a clear sunny day shines with a brilliance triggering thoughts of Pony Boy. “Everything's new… there’s still lots of good in the world.”

Winter tides cover the marsh. Long shadows across the boardwalk flex with the gentle waves of the marsh tide. Walk on water over the boardwalk to the beach. The cold winter water of the bay is a deeper blue then the summer water. Is it possible for water to look cold?

The waters are lovely, dark and raw.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before spring thaw,
And miles to go before spring thaw.

Winter on Cape Cod

Okay, the holidays are over, and the long, cold winter is looming ahead with no end in sight. Now what? Plenty, that's what! There's plenty to do on the Cape in the winter, if you know where to look.

For those of us with children and young families, a visit to your local library is all you need to find fun and entertainment this time of year. While most places close down during the winter months, the library is always open and ready to fill your mind and spirit. Most local libraries offer puppet shows, story hours, craft workshops, yoga sessions for all ages, and even movie nights! Here are some libraries that offer many family-friendly activities throughout the winter:

• Sandwich Public Libary: 142 Main St., Sandwich, MA http://www.sandwichpubliclibrary.com/


• Jonathan Bourne Public Library: 19 Sandwich Rd., Bourne, MA http://www.bournelibrary.com/


• Falmouth Public Library: 300 Main St., Falmouth, MA http://www.falmouthpubliclibrary.com/


• Eldredge Public Library: 564 Main St., Chatham, MA http://www.eldredgelibrary.com/

Another fun thing to do this time of year is to plan your own "Staycation". Book a room for your family at the Cape Codder Resort & Spa, 1225 Iyannough Rd., Hyannis, MA (508) 771-3000 http://www.capecodderresort.com/. This hotel offers an Indoor Wave Pool. It's housed in a 8.200 square foot indoor pool, complete with 2-foot waves, and 80-foot water slide, as well as a 50-foot water slide, waterfalls, whirlpool, dancing water fountains and two saunas. During this year's February school vacation week, they are offering their popular "Fun Zone" package, featuring Wii games, Ping Pong, Board Games, Moon Walk, Magnetic Darts, as well as younger children's activities such as Crafts & Face Painting and much, much more, all free of charge to registered hotel guests. Check their website to see the full schedule of vacation week activities.

For a more cost-effective family activity, check out the Gallo Arena Ice Skating Rink, 231 Sandwich Rd., Bourne, MA (508) 759-8904 http://www.galloarena.com/ . They offer public skating weekdays from 12:oopm - 2:00pm and Sundays from 4:00pm - 5:30pm. Public skating is $3 for adults and $2 for children ages 18 years or younger. You can bring your own skates, or rent them for $3 per pair. This is a fun and energetic way to spend a mid-winter afternoon!

If you're ready for a date-night, or looking to get out with a group of friends one evening, here are a few restaurants I particularly enjoy during these cold winter months. The first is Tokyo Restaurant, 143 Fairhaven Rd., Mattapoisett, MA. Yes, over the bridge!! You know it has to be good if I'm willing to cross the bridge for it. It's a short 15 minute drive over the Bourne Bridge, but well worth the trip. This Japanese, sushi & hibachi restaurant is a true experience. The excitement and showmanship of having a chef prepare an exotic Japanese meal right at your table, while giving a dazzling performance, is sure to excite you and tempt your taste buds. My personal favorites are the Chef Egg trick, the Volcano Onion trick and of course watching the master Chefs chop and cut your food at dizzying speeds! The tables are set for up to 15 people, so bring as many friends as you can - the more the merrier! This is especially fun if you go for a girls-night-out, or with a few other couples.

Another mid-winter treat is the Brazilian Grill, 680 Main St., Hyannis, MA (508) 771-0109 http://www.braziliangrill-capecod.com/ . If you've never been here before, you are missing a truly gluttonous experience. It is all about meat, meat and more meat. "Dr. Atkins" approved, this restaurant offers a traditional Brazilian style barbecue (called Rodizio) with a wide variety of different cuts of beef, pork, lamb, chicken and seafood. It is all you can eat, ad nauseum (but in a good way!) When you are seated, you will find a 2-sided card on your table. One side is green, the other, red. Simply signal the "Gauchos" that you are ready to begin the Rodizio by turning the card on your table to the green side. After you have enough, simply turn the card to the red side. The Rodizio also includes unlimited visits to the buffet which offers salads, vegetables, cheeses, pasta, as well as other Brazilian hot dishes. (Vegetarians can opt for the buffet only.) You definitely need to pace yourself at this place. There are many meat varieties offered, and you may request as many servings of any kind you'd like. So sample them all, but choose your favorites carefully - then have at it!!

The old adage "The best things in life are free" is never more appropriate than at this time of year. Simply bundle up and take a hike through the Cape's many nature conservatories and parks, or along our beautiful shoreline. Sometimes it's just what you need to get back to nature and stretch those sorely negleted muscles. Otherwise, there are times when nothing beats curling up with a good book, a hot cup of tea (or glass of wine!) and relaxing in front of a cozy fire.

No matter what you do to pass the time before the first peaks of Crocus appear, I hope this Blog entry helps you think of new and creative thing to do this winter. Before you know it, it will be Memorial Day!

Summertime... and the living is BUSY!

Long time, no Blog – huh?? It’s been a long, hot summer on the Cape. Between the kids being home 24/7 and taking a two week trip to Maine in August, there was scarcely time to catch up on the laundry, let alone try to find an hour or so to be creative, witty and inspiring. But now, the air is finally cooler, the kids are (nearly) back to school and I’m feeling the urge to get back to the Big, Bad World of Blogging.

There’s just something about this time of year; the end of summer - beginning of fall. The crowds disperse, the kids go back to school, and everything starts to quiet down. Everyone seems to take a collective breath of relief (or exhaustion). Don’t get me wrong, I love summer on the Cape as much as anyone, and this was as great a season as ever, albeit a bit rainy. But once it’s over and the weather turns cooler, it feels like you get a fresh start, a clean slate, a Mulligan! No matter what you call it, I love this feeling.

It was a fun summer though. Despite all the record rain-fall, we were blessed with a gorgeous Memorial Day, a picture-perfect Fourth of July, a fun-filled and fabulous first-ever "SandwichFest" street fair, and a glorious, nearly rain-free August (although a couple weeks could have been a bit less humid!) Typical New Englander – I have to find some weather to complain about!

This summer found us visiting parks and public gardens, attending town band concerts and local town street fairs, strolling through the weekly farmer’s market, and doing our best to boost our local economy by shopping at area boutiques and restaurants. We even splurged and took the whole family to the Circus! By any measure it was a busy summer.

We had a few out-of-town guests visit us over the course of the season as well. (They helped our local economy too!) One of them asked me if I noticed fewer crowds this summer due to the economic slow-down. I can honestly say I didn’t. The grocery stores were busy as ever and the traffic on Rte. 6 showed no improvement, regardless of the "fly-over " completion. But mainly I think business was booming on the Cape because as vacations go, the Cape is one of the most reasonable and affordable ways to go. It can be as expensive or as frugal as you want to make it.

Most of the activities we enjoyed this summer were free. For those that did cost some money, they were relatively affordable. The majority of people I know who visited the Cape this summer stayed with family or friends who either live here or rented a place. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!

As we look ahead to all the beauty and promise a new season on Cape Cod has to offer, let us never forget what draws people to our Region in the first place: Summer. May Her spirit warm us all through the winter.

Strike Up The Band!

For a good old fashion slice of “Americana” you won't want to miss the Cape Cod Town Band Concerts. Many towns across the Cape host these concerts during various nights of the week. They’re usually filled with local, talented men and women, and maybe just a few semi-famous musicians and conductors. The music ranges from Broadway tunes, jazz, big band, classical and more. Regardless of the size of the band or the level of talent of the musicians, these concerts are just plain fun for all ages.

We recently went to the Brewster Town Band’s first concert of the season. Brewster holds their concerts on Sunday evenings at the Drummer Boy Park on Rte. 6A. The band plays in a gorgeous wooden gazebo nestled at the base of the rolling fields. The fields overlook Quivett Creek which leads to the sparkling, white-capped Cape Cod Bay. In full disclosure, my father is one of the members of the band. So of course, we had to let the Grandchildren see their “Papa” play on stage. My father learned to play the trombone from his 4th grade music teacher, Ms. Zipse of Homer Street School in Springfield, MA. He’s been playing off and on throughout the years, including a spot in the Young People’s Symphony of Springfield when he was in high school. He also played in the Charlotte County Concert Band while he was in Florida this past winter. A few email exchanges with the conductor from Brewster and he secured his spot with their band this summer.


These local town band concerts are free to the public and are a perfect venue to sit back, relax and let the sound of the music wash over you in a beautiful, traditional “Small Town” setting. It’s the perfect way to transition from a long hot day at the beach to dinner out or any other evening activities you may have planned. Many people bring their young children to frolic in the open fields and march around the bandstands waving flags and singing along to the Mickey Mouse March, Grand Old Flag or even the Bunny Hop!

On the evening we went, people were spread out on blankets or sitting on lawn chairs eating snacks and sipping drinks. It can be as casual as a bag of popcorn and a can of soda, or as elaborate as a ”Tanglewood-style” picnic of wine, cheese and pate. We opted for something somewhere in the middle! There’s also a nice playground about 50 yards away, so if the children get restless, you can let them burn off their energy while still enjoying the music.

Here is the Summer Town Concert schedule at a glance. If you haven’t been before, be sure to check out at least one this summer. It’s a refreshing change of pace that brings you back in time to a simpler life; One that makes you slow down and catch your breath. It’s also nice to know your children (and you) are outside, getting fresh air and living life, instead of sitting inside watching another rerun of Seinfeld or America’s Funniest Home Videos. Summer is fleeting in New England. Maybe even more so on the Cape where we’re usually the last to warm up for the season and the first to turn cool by mid-August. We have to savor every magical moment summer has to offer!

SUNDAYS:
Brewster - 6pm Drummer Boy Field, Rte. 6A, Brewster
MONDAYS:
Dennis - 7:30pm Dennis Village Green Gazebo, Rte. 6A, Dennis
Orleans - 7:00pm Nauset Beach, Beach Road, Orleans
Yarmouth - 7:30pm Mattacheese Middle School, Higgins Crowell Road, West Yarmouth
TUESDAYS:
Dennisport - 7:00pm Dennis Village Green, Dennisport
Harwich - 7:00pm Band Shell at Brooks Park, Oak Street, Harwich
WEDNESDAYS:
Hyannis - 7:30pm Hyannis Village Green, Main Street, Hyannis
THURSDAYS:
Bourne - 7:00pm Buzzards Bay Park, Main Street, Bourne
Falmouth - 8:00pm Marina Park, Scranton Avenue, Falmouth
Sandwich - 7:30pm Gazebo behind the Henry T. Wing School, Rte. 130, Sandwich
FRIDAYS:
Chatham - 7:00pm Margaret Noon Park, Main Street, Chatham
and - 8:00pm Whit Tileston Bandstand, Kate Gould Park, Main Street
SATURDAYS:Hyannis - 6:00pm Hyannis Village Green, Main Street, Hyannis