☀ 56 nukes once called Cape Cod home

Good morning Cape Cod, this is The Cape Coddah, the weekly newsletter that’s as exciting to open as the next tiny window on the advent calendar.

In this week’s Cape Coddah:

• Falmouth teen pays it forward

• Power outrage trolls Nantucket

• Events and live music

  
  Let’s get to it.

CAPE DIGEST

🧪 Study: Nuclear waste would linger in Cape Cod Bay

A new Woods Hole study shows radioactive wastewater from Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station would stick around Cape Cod Bay like an unwanted house guest - for at least a month if discharged. While Holtec's request to dump 1.1 million gallons was denied by state officials, the research reveals the waste would likely spread toward shoreline communities rather than exit the bay.

The study comes as Holtec faces both regulatory hurdles and a lawsuit from a former employee claiming radiation poisoning at the Plymouth facility. Senator Ed Markey is using the findings to pressure Holtec for a better waste disposal plan. Read the full story.

🎁 Local teen pays forward holiday kindness

Falmouth teen Tilly Peet is turning past kindness into action this holiday season. The 17-year-old Sturgis Charter student is leading toy drives at both Gillette Stadium and her school, collecting gifts for Cape families through Hands of Hope.

Her mission started in 2019, when her own family received donated toys during a difficult Christmas while her brother was hospitalized. Now a Project 351 Ambassador, Peet hopes to show other kids they're cared for during the holidays, no matter their situation. Read the full story.

🔌 Power outage trolls Christmas Stroll

A power outage hit downtown Nantucket during the peak of its 50th Christmas Stroll Saturday, forcing about 15 restaurants to close and costing some businesses up to $100K in lost coin. The blackout, caused by damaged underground cables, affected a "teardrop-shaped" area of downtown through Sunday afternoon.

Restaurants had to toss spoiled food, with Lemon Press donating theirs to local farm pigs. National Grid faced questions from about 200 business owners at Wednesday's Select Board meeting about the ill-timed outage that struck during what many call their "Super Bowl" of sales days. Read the full story.

@THECAPECODDAH

📸 @chathm_concierge | 📍 Provincetown

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☢️ When Cape Cod hosted 56 nukes

Before the recent machine gun range debate, Cape Cod faced an even more controversial military installation: 56 nuclear-tipped BOMARC missiles at what's now Joint Base Cape Cod. Installed in 1960 during the Cold War, these 47-foot rockets were meant to intercept Soviet bombers by detonating nuclear warheads in local airspace.

While the $10.7M project avoided any nuclear accidents (unlike a similar site in New Jersey), the missiles' maintenance left a toxic legacy of chemicals that helped make the base New England's largest military Superfund site. The obsolete weapons were finally removed in 1973. Read the full story.

LOCAL BUSINESS

☕️ Best hot chocolate on the Cape

The Hot Chocolate Sparrow in Orleans has been crowned the Cape's hot chocolate champion, winning 67% of votes in a recent Cape Cod Times poll. The family-run shop's secret weapon? A homemade fudge sauce made with three different chocolates. Started in 1989 by Robert and Marje Sparrow, and now run by their kids Perry and Maya, the shop serves their signature drink year-round - hot, iced, or frozen.

The Cape's top 5 hot chocolate spots are:

1. Hot Chocolate Sparrow (Orleans)

2. Snowy Owl Coffee Roaster (Brewster, Chatham, Sandwich)

3. Nirvana Coffee Company (Barnstable Village)

4. Cape Cod Coffee Cafe (Mashpee and Wareham)

5. Chez Antoine Cafe (Hyannis)
   
   

🫙 THE TIP JAR

Love what we do? Buy us a coffee with a small donation here. Thank you to everyone who has already donated. We love you! ❤️ 🙏

CIVIL NEWS

🚔 Island sergeant released after hearing

A Dukes County corrections sergeant faces rape and domestic assault charges after his arrest Sunday, though he's been released with conditions including GPS monitoring and a 3 PM curfew. Craig Daley, 44, was deemed dangerous by Judge Paul Pino but allowed release after his lawyer argued the charges lacked evidence.

The alleged victim, a Jamaican national who claims she feared for her safety both on-island and at home, accused Daley of dragging her to a beach with a firearm and sexual assault in incidents from August and September. Daley is on administrative leave from the sheriff's office pending the case's resolution. Read the full story.

PET OF THE WEEK

👋 Meet: Happy
🐾 Domestic Shorthair
🎂 15 years old
♀︎ Male
Available to adopt at MSCPA-Cape Cod

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

FRIDAY

• Christmas by the Sea @ Main St., Chatham (Fri-Sun)

• Festive Give Back @ Oak Bay Brewery, Hyannis (10 AM)

• The Mighty Ducks Movie @ Snow Library, Orleans (3 PM)

• Photos w/ Santa @ The Chatham Boat Co. (3 PM)

• Tree Lighting & Sing-Along @ Wellfleet Town Hall (4 PM)

• Artisan Winter Market @ Cultural Center of CC, S. Yarmouth (5 PM)

• Ugly Sweater Improv @ Cape Media Center, Dennis Port (7 PM)

SATURDAY

• Breakfast w/ Santa @ Chatham Wayside Inn (8 AM & 10 AM)

• Holiday Beach Cleanup @ Craigville Beach, Barnstable (10 AM)

• Christmas Market @ Mashpee Farmer’s Market (11 AM)

• Winter Market @ Pelham House Resort, Dennis Port (11 AM)

• Christine Fitzsimmons Reception @ Snow Library, Orleans (11 AM)

• Brunch w/ Santa @ Ocean Edge Resort, Brewster (11:30 AM)

• Holiday Cookie Decorating @ CC Winery, E. Falmouth (12 PM)

• Beyond Peasant Bread @ Highfield Hall, Falmouth (12 PM)

• Wreath Decorating Workshop @ Coonamessett Farm, E. Falmouth (1 PM)

• Visit with Santa @ Flax Pond, S. Yarmouth (2 PM)

• Into the Woods @ Barnstable HS, Hyannis (2 PM)

• A Christmas Carol @ Falmouth Public Library (2 PM)

• Meet Author Dennis Minsky @ P-town Public Library (2 PM)

• Candle-Making Worksop @ Truro Vineyards (6:30 PM)

SUNDAY

• Merry Mimosa Paint Brunch @ Color Me Mine, Mashpee (10 AM)

• Brunch w/ Santa @ Pelham House Resort, Dennisport (10 AM)

• Homestead for the Holidays @ Benjamin Nye Homestead, Sandwich (11 AM)

• Holiday Teddy Bear Tea Party @ Chatham Bars Inn (1 PM)

• Salty Boots Line Dancing @ Hog Island Beer, Orleans (5:30 PM)

LIVE MUSIC  🎸

FRIDAY

• Natalie Bonfini @ CC Beer, Hyannis (5 PM)

• Grab Brothers @ Chatham Squire (6 PM)

• Josh Ayala @ The Block and Tackle, Wellfleet (7 PM)

• Soul Purpose @ Lanes Bowl and Bistro, Mashpee (8 PM)

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

• Karaoke @ Anchor Ale House, Falmouth (9 PM)

• Adam Lufkin Trio @ Chatham Squire (10 PM)

SATURDAY

• Holiday Carolers @ Eldredge Public Library, Chatham (1 PM)

• Derek Dibbern @ CC Beer, Hyannis (5 PM)

• PanNeubean Steel @ Cape Symphony, Falmouth (7 PM)

• Grab Brothers @ Lanyard Bar & Grill, Harwich (7 PM)

• Uncle John’s Banjo @ Naukabout Brewery, Mashpee (7 PM)

• CC Celtic X-Mas Celebration @ Cultural Center of CC, S. Yarmouth (7:30 PM)

• Gaudete Baroque Ensemble @ Church of the Transfiguration, Orleans (7:30 PM)

• Monica Rizzio @ Barley Neck Inn, Orleans (8 PM)

• ARLO @ Grumpy’s Pub, Falmouth (9:30 PM)

• Jo & Co @ Chatham Squire (9:30 PM)

SUNDAY

• The Brentwood Brass @ Osterville Village Library (1 PM)

• Sergei Novikov @ Cultural Center of CC, S. Yarmouth (3 PM)

• Pianist Jacqueline Schwab @ W. Falmouth Library (4 PM)

• Rose Clancy @ Chatham Squire (5 PM)

• Grab Brothers @ The Block and Tackle, Wellfleet (6 PM)

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

WEATHER

Friday

38 🌡️ 26 | 🌤️ | 💧0% | 💨 WNW 17 mph

Saturday

35 🌡️ 24 | ☀️ | 💧 1% | 💨 NNW 9 mph

Sunday

39 🌡️ 28 | ⛅️ | 💧 0% | 💨 E 5 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 45ºF

HOME OF THE WEEK

40 Quanset Rd, Orleans
Asking $795,000
3 🛌 
2 🛀 
1,248 square feet

0.92 acre lot

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

THANKS!

Thanks for reading The Cape Coddah today. If you found something useful or entertaining, please share it with someone who has the “best” ugly Christmas sweater.