The Cape Coddah
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Plus: Cape's iconic bracelet goes online only

Cape Coddah
June 20, 2025

Together with

Good morning Cape Cod. Just when you thought it was safe to open your inbox...Happy 50th Jawsiversary! 🦈

In this week’s Cape Coddah:

Sagamore's eminent domain reality
The battle against green crabs
Events and live music

Let’s get to it.

CAPE DIGEST

⚾️ MLB Scouts Eye Cape League Stars

The Cape Cod Baseball League's annual Fenway Park workout has become a crucial scouting event where all active roster players showcase their talents before representatives from all 30 MLB organizations.

"It's hugely beneficial for us as scouts to see them all on a Major League field," explains Yankees scout Matt Hyde, who helped transform the event from a Red Sox-only selection to an inclusive opportunity for every player.

Scouts like Boston's Ray Fagnant value seeing beyond statistics—observing players' character, work ethic, and interactions. For managers like Wareham's Ryan Smyth and Cotuit's Loren Hibbs, the Cape League provides invaluable development time in a professional-style schedule. Read more»

🚧 The Emotional Toll of Eminent Domain

Four Sagamore residents are grappling with the emotional and practical challenges of losing their homes to make way for the new $2.1B Sagamore Bridge. Their properties are among 13 homes being acquired by MassDOT.

"We feel we are in limbo," said 89-year-old Mary Gallerani, who has lived in her brick home since 1958. The Hendels just finished building their "forever home" six months ago, while Joyce Michaud worries about relocating her cake business and rental apartment income.

All four describe struggling with sleep, focus, and daily activities as they navigate appraisals and relocation meetings, knowing they'll have just 120 days to move once they accept a state offer. Read more»

@THECAPECODDAH

📸 @tbradlee | 📍 Nantucket

Tag @thecapecoddah to get your photos in the Coddah!

🎬 Martha's Vineyard: The Real Star

When Spielberg brought "Jaws" to Martha's Vineyard in 1974, he couldn't have known the filming would nearly sink before the shark ever swam. Production designer Joe Alves discovered MV almost by accident, but the distinctive landscapes and authentic locals proved irreplaceable.

As filming fell more than 100 days behind schedule due to mechanical failures and unpredictable Atlantic conditions, island residents stepped in with crucial maritime expertise. From Craig Kingsbury (whose mannerisms inspired Quint's character) to boat mechanic Lynn Murphy, locals provided the authentic New England character and practical knowledge that saved the production.

Fifty years later, the collaboration between Hollywood and vineyard locals remains the secret ingredient in cinema's first summer blockbuster. Read more»

AROUND THE CAPE

Plans unveiled for a regional composting facility that could save towns big money by diverting food waste.

Chatham will close its beaches at 9 PM instead of 10 PM during July 4th weekend.

The National Seashore will stop accepting cash at its beach entrance stations starting July 1, 2025.

Cape Cod's beloved mollusk meteorologist, Doug the Quahog, will make his 17th annual summer forecast at a free beach party today.

LOCAL BUSINESS

🛜 Cape's Coveted Bracelet Goes Digital

The iconic Cape Cod bracelet, handcrafted by Dennis-based Eden Hand Arts since the 1960s, will no longer be sold in-person but will be available on Etsy beginning July 2—ending decades of exclusivity that made purchasing one akin to "the hunger games."

The tiny family shop, known for its ticketing system that created waiting lists and early-morning reservation attempts, simply couldn't keep up with demand that exploded after a 2010 appearance on "The Bachelorette."

"It was really clear we couldn't go on like this," said 74-year-old owner Rachel Carey-Harper, who hopes the store can return to its roots selling pottery and art while still making the silver bangle with its signature screwball clasp accessible—though likely at higher prices. Read more»

THE ISLANDS

Nantucket is adding cocaine, fentanyl and other drug testing to its weekly sewage sampling program.

UMass Boston PhD student has tagged over 200 sandbar sharks around Nantucket.

Nantucket has proposed a "bell-to-bell" cell phone ban requiring students to lock devices in secure pouches all day.

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CIVIL NEWS

🚨 Falmouth Man Held After Stabbing

Falmouth Police arrested John Wells, 56, following a stabbing incident on Wednesday evening. Officers responded around 8 PM to "multiple conflicting accounts" of the disturbance, eventually locating the victim who had fled into nearby woods with significant chest and arm wounds.

After officers provided initial aid, Falmouth Fire and Rescue transported the victim to St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford, where they remain in stable condition. Wells was ultimately found at a residence on Homestead Lane, charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and held without bail. Read more»

PET OF THE WEEK

👋 Meet: Sage
🐾 Chihuahua - Smooth Coated / Dachshund
🎂 3 years old
♀︎ Male
Available to adopt at MSCPA-Cape Cod

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

SATURDAY - JUNE 21

LIVE MUSIC 🎸

SUNDAY - JUNE 22

Bart Weisman Jazz @ Bleu Restaurant | 12 PM
AK Cody @ CC Winery | 12 PM
Brady Wells @ Neptune’s CC | 1 PM
Chris LeBeau @ CC Beer | 3 PM
Cranberry Shores Chorus @ CC MOA | 3:30 PM
Ruth & Ben @ Thacher Hall | 4 PM
Chris Richardson @ The Woodshed | 5 PM
Outer Cape Chorale @ Wellfleet Library | 5 PM
Samantha Fish @ Payomet PAC | 6 PM
Joe Sabourin @ Casa del Cabo | 7 PM

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

WEATHER

Friday

84 🌡️ 64 | 🌤️ | 💧0% | 💨 W 17 mph

Saturday

81 🌡️ 67 | ⛅️ | 💧 8% | 💨 SSW 7 mph

Sunday

82🌡️ 65 | 🌤️ | 💧 5% | 💨 SW 15 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 62ºF

HOME OF THE WEEK

19 Eagle Lane, Barnstable
Asking $989,000
3 🛌
3 🛀
3,572 sqft
0.28 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 iconic Cape Cod bracelet.