Music, Wine and Art for the Cape Cod Museum of Art

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It’s a celebration for the Cape Cod Museum of Art with live music by Bert Jackson and 
Roe Osborn, plus fine wines and artisanal cheeses served by co-sponsor Main Street Wine & Gourmet.  03/26/13 4:00pm – 6:00pm

We wanted to thank the staff, docents, volunteers and trustees of the 
Cape Cod Museum for their efforts on the behalf of Cape Cod’s cultural history and future. So, we decided to have a party.

Admission to the party is free. Donations will be happily accepted and Addison Art Gallery will donate a portion of the proceeds of any art sold during the event.

Check out all the great things to do at the Museum of Art.  Its only a short drive from the Inn and there are programs of all sorts throughout the year.

Dar Williams in Concert

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Saturday, March 23, 2013 – 7:30pm

A special performance for WOMR and Wellfleet Preservation Hall.  Renowned singer-songwriter Dar Williams will be at the Wellfleet Congregational Church on Saturday, March 23 in a special concert to benefit two beloved Outer Cape organizations; Wellfleet Preservation Hall and WOMR/WFMR.

One of the most lauded singer-songwriters of her generation, Dar Williams has been captivating audiences with her sheer elegance and honesty in her folk-pop songwriting since the early ’90s. As documented on her album, the 2010 two-disc retrospective Many Great Companions, Williams’ growth as an individual over her almost two-decade-long career has gone hand-in-hand with her evolution as an artist. She has toured with such distinguished artists as Joan Baez, Patty Griffin, Ani DiFranco, and Shawn Colvin, and recently became a regular contributor to the Huffington Post’s Green Blog.

In The Time Of Gods, Dar’s most recent recording and first album of original material in four years was produced by Kevin Killen (U2, Elvis Costello, and Peter Gabriel), and features special guests Shawn Colvin and Larry Campbell, and a remarkable set of musicians including Charley Drayton, Gerry Leonard, and Rob Hyman. Williams presents 10 original compositions on In The Time Of Gods, which explores many of today’s most challenging social issues told against the parables of Greek mythology. The inimitable collection of songs includes some of the richest and most evocative writing of Williams’ career.

Dar has been enjoying summers in Wellfleet with her family for years and her affection for both Wellfleet Preservation Hall and WOMR inspired her to offer a concert to benefit these two Outer Cape favorites.

  • Fee: $25 general advance; $30 general day of; $50 VIP with after party

Come stay at the Sea Meadow Inn, Cape Cod’s great lodging venue for the weekend and see Dar Williams during your stay.

Harwich Conservation Trust Programs

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There may be snow on the ground now, but spring is right around the corner.  Previous posts have mentioned Connie Boyce’s Wednesday Walks for the birders.  For folks who want a different experience and really aren’t “into birds”, the Harwich Conservation Trust is offering regular programs every month.  You might want to consider one of these walks in combination with our Daylight Savings package!

Botany in Bell’s Neck Conservation Lands
Saturday, March 9th, 10:00 am

Join botanist Rich Eldred for a walk through the Town’s Bell’s Neck Conservation Lands, learning about different plants as you wander wooded trails overlooking open water and salt marsh.

Registration: This walk is free, but please register in advance by emailing hctwalks@gmail.com or calling HCT at 508-432-3997 and pressing 4.

Directions: From Harwich Center, go west on Great Western Rd. Turn left onto Bell’s Neck Road (dirt). Drive 0.25 mile and park along the shoulder near the trailhead kiosk.


Walk the Hawksnest Woods
Sunday, March 10th, 10:00 am

Join veteran walk leader Irwin Schorr as he interprets the six ponds Hawksnest conservation lands.

Registration: This walk is free, but please register in advance by emailing hctwalks@gmail.com or calling HCT at 508-432-3997 and pressing 4.

Directions:  From Route 6, Exit 11, go west on Spruce Rd.  Park on the shoulder of Spruce Rd. near the intersection with Hawksnest Rd. (not marked).

Birding A-Z: A Birding Workshop

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Series of two one-hour workshops on birdwatching.

bird-lovers

 Saturday, March 2, and 16 at 11:00 am


Shy about shorebirds? Intimidated by 20 lb. bird books?

 

 

Ian Ives, Director of the Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, will lead two one-hour workshops on bird watching. Whether you’re a beginner or just brushing up on your skills, you’ll appreciate his expertise. He’ll cover the identification and classification of North American birds and introduce a bit of anatomy, biology, behavior, and conservation.

Free and open to all. No registration required.

  • Phone: 508-760-6219
  • Address: Dennis Public Library, 5 Hall Street, Dennisport, MA

Seventh Annual Boatbuilders Show on Cape Cod

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Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis, from 02/08/13 to 02/10/13

 

View a large selection of unique, custom and limited-production boats in both wood and fiberglass. At this year’s show, boaters looking for something other than off-the-rack, production boats will discover more than 50 exhibitors and a large variety of custom-built sail and powerboats on display under one roof. Admission is $5, children under 12 are free, and there is plenty of free parking. Show hours are Friday, February 10th from 2 to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Whether you are shopping, just looking, sailboatsor just looking for a taste of summer, The Boatbuilders’ Show on Cape Cod promises a unique boating experience with accessories on display and beautifully crafted pleasure boats to whet your appetite for the summer ahead. At this year’s show, boaters looking for something other than off-the-rack, production boats will discover more than 50 exhibitors and a large variety of custom-built sail and powerboats on display under one roof. 

Cape Cod Winter Tips

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BOSTON.COM, BOSTON TRAVEL, NEW ENGLAND TRAVEL TRAVEL TIPS : 

  • Posted by Melanie Nayer  January 28, 2013 09:20 AM

 

Melanie has written an excellent article on winter travel tips when visiting Cape Cod.  The following are excerpts from her blog post with my additions or comments in parenthesis.

While the rest of the world flocks to Cape Cod for the summer months, local New Englanders know the beauty that Cape Cod beholds in the off-season.

Snow-covered beach walks (like Paines Creek), hot chocolate strolls, slow-roasted dinners, after-dinner drinks by the fire in the bar. These are the things that make Cape Cod worthy of a winter escape. Add to this the discounted (Bed & Breakfast), hotel and resort rates, and relatively empty stores and restaurants (read: no waiting in long lines or reservations necessary), and you’ve got yourself a great weekend getaway at a fraction of the price.

A few things you should know before you go:

  • Cape Cod is (quiet) in the winter months, which means a lot of shopping and restaurants you would frequent in-season are shut down from November – February or March. This is your time to try something new. Make a reservation somewhere you would normally have a hard time getting into during the high-tourist season and enjoy a leisurely dinner.
  • Regardless of when you visit the Cape, the beach will be hard to resist. Enjoy a morning or afternoon walk in the snow-sprinkled sand. You’ll see plenty of people walking their dogs, going for a jog or taking photos. Bundle up and join the fun.  (Try the National Seashore and there will be no problem finding a parking space.)
  • While many bars and restaurants are open, the hours are varied to accommodate to the slower season. Call ahead before you go to make sure your favorite hole-in-the-wall bar is open or that the restaurant you want to dine in is accepting reservations.
  • The nice thing about visiting the Cape off-season is the opportunity for more hotel amenities, like easy upgrades, thanks to low occupancy. However, low occupancy means there might be fewer staff on call, so be patient. (But not here at the Sea Meadow Inn!) Just kick back and relax.

 

Wednesday Walks

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We are often asked, “What is there to do on Cape Cod in the winter?”  Our answer is that there is plenty to do if you look beyond the usual “beach vacation”.  And yet, even in the winter, the beach can be a wild and wonderful place.  But there are other venues, attractions, and activities here on the Cape and not far from Brewster which are open and uncrowded and usually at no or low cost.  One of the best outdoor activities available on Wednesdays throughout the winter are the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History’s Wednesday Walks.

Connie Boyce is an avid birder and takes participants to some of the most beautiful places on the Cape to catch our winter avian citizens and view fantastic landscapes that look totally different in the winter than summer.  With her extensive knowledge of the area you are exploring, Connie often points out things others miss.  For the best idea of what you will have in store if you take a Wednesday Walk, check out Lynn Bruneau’s blog.  (Thanks to Lynn for the picture of Nauset Marsh below.)  

January-February 2013 Wednesday Walks with Connie Boyce (check each walk for departure time and location)
Wednesday, January 23 2013 09:00 AM – 12:00 PM

bird-lovers

Wednesday Walks with Connie Boyce
January-February 2013 10 am-12 noon
Approximate length of walks: 3-4 miles
$4/Member $6/Non-Member
All walks leave from the Museum parking lot.
January
2          Lv 9:30 am Monomoy River/Muddy Creek, Chatham-Harwich
9          Lv 9:50 am Nickerson State Park, Brewster
16        Lv 9 am Crane Wildlife Mgmt. Area, Falmouth
23        Lv 9:15 am Little Sandy Pd to Horse Pd, West Yarmouth
30        Lv 9:45 am Cold Storage Bch. to Crows Pasture Cons. Area, DennisFebruary
6          Lv 9:40 am Historical Yarmouthport
13        Lv 9:15 am Eagle Pond, Cotuit
20        Lv 9:50 am Spruce Hill Conservation Area, Brewster
27        Lv 9:45 am Flax Pond to Run Pond, DennisHeavy rain cancels the walk.

Nauset Marsh

5 Great Winter Cape Cod Ideas

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There are a ton of Cape Cod winter activities to suit the budget conscious or the extravagant. In fact, there is a little something for everyone.  Yes, Cape Cod in the winter is quite extraordinary – and you’ll know why after you experience one – or all- of these Top 5 Cape Cod winter attractions.

1. Winter Wildlife

The Cape has many beautiful parks, including the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Reserve and the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. The quintessential Cape Cod experience may be a walk along the Cape Cod National Seashore, 40 stunning miles of beach and an incredible experience in any season.

2. Take A Hike

You can also explore the Cape’s trails, such as the Cape Cod Rail Trail, the Provincetown Bike Trails and the trail along the Cape Cod Canal.many shops along Route 28 in the Mid Cape. Stores selling antiques and collectibles can be found in every town.

3. Browse Museums And Galleries

The Cape Museum of Fine Arts in Dennis and the Provincetown Art Association and Museum feature the work of local artists from the past and present. Galleries are abundant in Provincetown and Wellfleet. A year-round performing arts schedule includes the Cape Symphony Orchestra in the winter and the famous Cape Playhouse in the summer.

Many museums memorialize Cape Cod’s history. The Aptucxet Trading Post Museum is located on the site where Europeans first conducted trade on the Cape. The Mayflower II, a replica of the Pilgrim’s famous vessel, and Plimoth Plantation, a surprisingly scholarly recreation of their settlement, are in nearby Plymouth. The John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum features photos of the Kennedy clan. The Swift-Daley House and Tool Museum is one of several museums in preserved homes, offering a slice of life in the 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries.

4. Shop ‘Til You Drop

As you cross the Sagamore Bridge onto Cape Cod, you are flanked by the Cape Cod Outlet Mall on your right and the discount extravaganza, The Christmas Tree Shop, on your left. This entrance sets the tone for plentiful bargain shopping, as evidenced by Cuffy’s Factory Store, the Antiques Center and many shops along Route 28 in the Mid Cape.  Stores selling antiques and collectibles can be found in every town. And don’t forget Main Street in Hyannis, where you’ll find cute boutiques, jewelry stores and galleries.

5.  Just Rest and Relax – it costs nothing, but the benefits are many.

Excerpted from The Cape Cod Vacation Insider002

On the Cape, Chatham makes for festive shopping

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By Kathleen Pierce
Globe Correspondent /  December 1, 2012

During the holidays this popular summer village is rife with retro elegance. Lights twinkle up and down Main Street. Inside the varied independent boutiques and galleries, you’ll find Christmas music and jolly salespeople. “A cup of hot, spiced cider while you shop?”

Why not?

“Every single shop is unique and affordable; you don’t have to go anywhere else,” said Lisa Franz, executive director of Chatham Chamber of Commerce.

In the last several years Cape Cod has established itself as a holiday shopping alternative to jostling at the malls.

Falmouth, Mashpee, and Provincetown are magnets this time of year, but for my money, Chatham, with its walkable and friendly downtown, captures the spirit of the season. Think Nantucket sans the ferry. Visit midweek for the best experience.

One of the first things I noticed, beyond plentiful parking, was a lack of chain stores. Chatham is one of those increasingly endangered towns that promotes local at every turn. “We have the Black Dog and that’s about it,” said Franz.

For something less ubiquitous, hound lovers should make tracks to Chatham Beach Dog. Canine gifts, from a Boston Celtics bowl to mouth-watering elk antlers, will elicit wags around the tree.

For the hard-to-shop-for Brahmin on your list, visit Tale of the Cod. At the tasteful home gift and decor shop you’ll find everything from Simon Pearce glassware to furniture wrapped in nautical themes. Need a little Christmas right away? Scoop up some vintage ornaments before heading out the door.

There are a number of women’s boutiques in town, but I had the most success at the spacious and nearly empty Sundance Clothing. Entering to browse, I fell for a Joseph Ribkoff dress and a fun skirt on the sales rack. Trying them on without the fitting room frenzy was a holiday miracle.

Next door I picked up a copy of “The Outermost House” at Yellow Umbrella Books. Henry Beston’s year on the National Seashore is the ultimate beach read. The 1928 naturalist novel is one of many Cape-themed books lining the shop.

Across the street, the festive Kate Gould Park glows bright.

Need another reason to point your sleigh to the Cape’s elbow this time of year? Temperatures can be mild in the winter, making walking off all that merriment a tad easier.

If you haven’t checked everyone off your list, visit the Atlantic Workshop and Gallery. This artist cooperative puts a modern stamp on antique furniture with repurposed bureaus and chairs in splashy hues. During the stroll, a woodworker will be carving Christmas ornaments by an outdoor firepit.

To keep your stamina going, pop into Carmine’s Pizza for the best pie this side of the Bourne Bridge. This is a no-frills joint that turns out exceptional pizza with a cornmeal crust and a bevy of toppings.

Now you’re ready to hit Fisherman’s Daughter. Cape Codder Taylor Brown altered what it means to be a sea hag with her modern, eco styles. Striped fingerless shucking gloves and striking dresses made of organic cotton are far too original to be found in a mall.

Finally, because it is the season of bling, visit The Chatham Bag to accessorize. The small boutique with sparkly swag became a hit this summer with its Chatham shark gear. Pick up a mug or shirt “for those with discriminating tastes.”

Chatham is a lovely town to walk around and for an extra easy side trip, head to the Chatham Lighthouse just off Main Street.  Best of all, Chatham is an easy drive from the Sea Meadow Inn.

Why should you spend Christmas on Cape Cod?

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At a time when Christmas has been commercialized almost beyond recognition, many families are longing to recapture that Christmas spirit of yesterday … filled with 19th Century charm and elegance … the kind that harkens back to a simpler time when gathering together to celebrate the magic of the holidays was enough of a reason to celebrate in and of itself.  It was a season filled with sights, sounds and smells to be cherished and passed down for generations to come.

Today, there is no better place to rediscover all that is magical about this holiday season than Cape Cod and the Islands.  A place where modern day amenities and Victorian charm casually coexist. It’s a locale where one can bundle up by the seashore and enjoy the beauty of the sandy coastline, brilliant winter sunsets, harbor views and romantic lighthouses.

Charming village centers adorn the region, each with their own style of holiday magic. Christmas strolls, caroling, holiday fairs, festive harbor lights, parades and celebrations create a festive atmosphere that will mesmerize young and old alike.

Giving is an important part of the Christmas tradition. Step into any of our locally owned shops and discover holiday shopping the way it used to be — far from the big crowds and long lines — where shop keepers and retailers still do things the old fashioned way.  It’s a place where personalized service and individualized attention combine to create a relaxing and enriching shopping environment.  And local shops and artisans provide a unique gift giving opportunity only found on the Cape and Islands.

So this year, experience an Authentic Cape Cod Christmas with your family and create memories and traditions to cherish for years to come.

Thanks to the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce for this week’s blog.