☀ 300 turtles storm the Cape's beaches

Good morning Cape Cod, this is The Cape Coddah, the weekly newsletter that’s your stocking stuffer version of local news.

In this week’s Cape Coddah:

• Protection for Sandy Neck Beach

• Sea Camps plan squashed

• Events and live music

  
  Let’s get to it.

CAPE DIGEST

🐢 300 sea turtles rescued from beaches

Cape Cod's reputation as a sea turtle trap has kept the New England Aquarium's Quincy hospital hopping, with about 300 cold-stunned turtles rescued from local beaches in recent days. The hospital expects to treat a record 1,000 turtles this year, up dramatically from just 40 per year in the early 2000s.

The surge is linked to climate change - as the Gulf of Maine warms, more turtles venture north only to get stuck in the Cape's hook-shaped peninsula. While most rescued turtles will be flown to southern facilities, about 70 of the most critical cases will stay in Quincy, where they'll be named after Greek gods and nursed back to health for release next summer. Read the full story. 

🏖️ Town moves to protect Sandy Neck

Barnstable is launching a $6.6M project to protect Sandy Neck Beach Park from rising seas and storm damage. The plan calls for moving the parking lot 60 feet inland, relocating the gatehouse to higher ground, and beefing up the dunes with sand and beach grass.

Funded by a $2.8M state grant and town cash, the project hopes to safeguard one of Massachusetts' largest public beaches from flooding issues that have worsened over the past decade. Construction is set to begin in October 2025 and finish by early 2026, with work scheduled for winter to avoid disrupting bird nesting seasons. Read the full story.

🩺 Cape Healthcare joins national lung cancer study

Cape Cod Healthcare is joining a nationwide study to test a new way to catch lung cancer early. The PROACT LUNG study, run by Freenome Biotech, will combine blood tests with CT scans to screen current and former smokers aged 50-80. Dr. Peter R. Ward will lead the local research, with Cape Cod Healthcare chosen for its strong existing lung cancer screening program.

Eligible participants (those with a 20-pack-year smoking history and no recent cancer) will get paid to participate and be monitored for two years, with researchers particularly eager to include Black and Hispanic Americans who often face healthcare barriers. Read the full story.

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🗳️ Brewster voters sink $11.4M Sea Camps plan

Brewster voters rejected an $11.4M debt package for the Sea Camps property development, with 1,579 voting against and 1,255 in favor. The decision comes after a contentious special town meeting where the funding initially failed before passing on reconsideration.

While infrastructure work remains crucial, with six buildings in critical condition and asbestos concerns, the project's future is uncertain. The Sea Camps advisory committee will regroup next week to discuss next steps, including prioritizing actions and developing revenue generation policies. Read the full story.

LOCAL BUSINESS

🍦 New chapter for ice cream icon

The historic Four Seas Ice Cream in Centerville has new owners after receiving over 40,000 inquiries since being listed for sale last February. Josh and Leslie McElhattan, Centerville residents with foundation and philanthropy experience, are taking over the scooping from Doug and Peggy Warren, who owned it for 24 years.

The third-oldest ice cream parlor in New England, known for serving everyone from Jackie Kennedy to Taylor Swift, finalized its sale Wednesday. The McElhattans have pledged to maintain the beloved shop's legacy and traditions. The iconic shop, which opened in 1934 in a former blacksmith shop, has been a Cape Cod institution famous for its rich, creamy flavors and for delivering ice cream to JFK. Read the full story.

🫙 THE TIP JAR

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CIVIL NEWS

⚖️ Harwich farm horror

A Harwich woman is facing 15 counts of animal cruelty after police discovered multiple dead sheep at a local farm where she was allegedly squatting. Meredith Viprino, 42, is accused of neglecting a flock of sheep over time and then stabbing the three surviving animals.

The gruesome scene was discovered after the property's new owner found deceased sheep in the barn, a stark contrast to the healthy flock documented during a December 2023 inspection. Viprino pleaded not guilty and was released on $500 bail with conditions prohibiting her from possessing animals. Read the full story.

PET OF THE WEEK

👋 Meet: Gizmo
🐾 Havanese
🎂 9 years old
♀︎ Male
Available to adopt at MSCPA-Cape Cod

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

FRIDAY

• Holiday Film Series @ Sandwich Public Library (12:30 PM)

• Taylor Swift Party @ Brewster Ladies Library (2 PM)

• Movie Fridays @ Snow Library, Orleans (3 PM)

• Sip & Shop/Boat Lighting @ Main St, Hyannis (5 PM)

• Storytime with Santa @ CC Mall, Hyannis (6 PM)

• Much a Do About Nothing @ Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater (6 PM)

• The Nutcracker @ Sandwich HS (7 PM)

• A Christmas Carol @ CCCC, Barnstable (7 PM)

• Bachata @ Blue Moon Restaurant, Hyannis (8 PM)

SATURDAY

• Santa Stampede 5K @ Barley Neck, Orleans (8 AM)

• Candy Cane Craft Fair @ MA Maritime Academy, Buzzards Bay (9 AM)

• Holiday Story Time @ Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, N. Chatham (9 AM)

• Taylor Bray Farm Holiday Fest, Yarmouth Port (10 AM) (Sat & Sun)

• Holly Jolly Fun Run & Walk @ Smith Family Popcorn, Hyannis (10 AM)

• Holiday Craft Fair @ Bourne Middle School (10 AM)

• Family Paint Party @ S. Dennis Public Library (10 AM)

• Ugly Sweater Paw-ty @ House of Hatchets, Hyannis (11 AM)

• Holly Folly & Markers Market @ Center for Coastal Studies (11 AM)

• Books & Bubbles @ Water St. Kitchen, Woods Hole (12 PM)

• Victorian Holiday @ Cobb House Museum, Brewster (1 PM)

• The Nutcracker @ Sandwich HS (3 PM)

• Holiday Boat Parade @ CC Maritime Museum, Barnstable (4 PM)

• Ugly Sweater Party @ Añejo, Hyannis (10 PM)

SUNDAY

• Gingerbread Cookie Tree Workshop @ Highfield Hall, Falmouth (10 AM)

• Holidays Family Party @ CC Museum of Natural History, Brewster (11 AM)

• Jingle Bell Ice Carnival @ Tony Kent Arena, S. Dennis (11:30 AM)

• Village Stroll @ Downtown Sandwich (12 PM)

• Village Stroll @ Yarmouth Port, Main St. (1 PM)

• The Nutcracker @ Monomoy Regional HS, Harwich (1 PM)

• Centerville Christmas Stroll @ Main Street (3 PM)

LIVE MUSIC  🎸

FRIDAY

• Open Mic Night @ Wellfleet Library (5 PM)

• The Value Leaders @ Hog Island Beer, Orleans (6 PM)

• Community Carol Sing @ First Church UCC, Sandwich (7 PM)

• Times the Enemy @ Tomatillos, Sandwich (7:30 PM)

• That 80s Band @ Dino’s, Mashpee (8 PM)

• The Half Shells @ Lane’s Bowl & Bistro, Mashpee (8 PM)

• Grab Brothers @ Sea Dog Brew Pub, S. Yarmouth (8 PM)

• Karaoke @ Ryan’s Family Amusements, S. Yarmouth (8 PM)

• Shannon Davis @ Barley Neck, Orleans (9 PM)

SATURDAY

• Liam & Jonny @ CC Winery, E. Falmouth (1 PM)

• Graham Hempstead @ CC Beer, Hyannis (5 PM)

• A Caribbean Christmas @ Pelham House Resort, Dennis (6 PM)

• Boston Naturals @ Hog Island Beer, Orleans (6 PM)

• Silent Trees @ The Pickle Jar, Falmouth (6:30 PM)

• Grab Brothers @ Lost Dog Pub, Orleans (9 PM)

• Your Favorite Color @ Oliver’s & Planck’s, Yarmouth (9 PM)

• Pumpkin Head Ted @ Grumpy’s Pub, Falmouth (9 PM)

• The Eric Hutchins Duo @ Barley Neck, Orleans (9 PM)

• Mr. Gotcha @ The Chatham Squire (9:30 PM)

SUNDAY

• John Redden @ CC Beer, Hyannis (1 PM)

• Grab Brothers @ The Loft Restaurant, W. Yarmouth (5 PM)

• Holiday on the Cape @ Barnstable PAC, Hyannis (5 PM)

_{Nothing in this section is sponsored. We'll always let you know when something's sponsored.}

WEATHER

Friday

33 🌡️ 26 | 🌤️ | 💧0% | 💨 NW 24 mph

Saturday

37 🌡️ 29 | ☀️ | 💧 1% | 💨 W 9 mph

Sunday

45 🌡️ 35 | 🌧️ | 💧 61% | 💨 WSW 15 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 45ºF

HOME OF THE WEEK

1 Nauset Rd, Wellfleet
Asking $1.495M
3 🛌 
2 🛀 
1,224 square feet

0.39 acre lot

_{Nothing in this section is sponsored. We'll always let you know when something's sponsored.}

THANKS!

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