☀️ Top o' the morning to ya

Good morning Cape Cod and welcome to the first issue of The Cape Coddah. Each week we’ll be curating the most interesting news, events, culture and more. Hope you have a great weekend.

In today’s Cape Coddah:

• Fancy recycling toilets

• Ladies pond clean up

• Time for ice cream

• St. Patrick’s events

Let’s get to it.

THE DIGEST

Bad for the environment or bad for housing? ⛳️

After three years of more drama than a daytime soap, plans for an apartment complex on a floundering Cape Cod golf course have been tossed. The deal between the Twin Brooks Golf Course in Hyannis and national housing big shot, Quarterra have been scrapped.

Quarterra rolled out their grand plan back in 2021: 312 apartments scattered across the old fairways. Save Twin Brooks, a gang of concerned locals, sued citing environmental concerns. A mystery buyer bought the property on behalf of Riverview School, a Sandwich day and boarding school. Read the full story.

When life gives you urine, make…🚽

On the shores of Cape Cod, a quirky couple, Earl Barnhart and Hilda Maingay, have found a unique solution to the wastewater problem plaguing the area. With a simple yet ingenious toilet that separates pee from poo, they're turning waste into "liquid gold" for their garden. While Falmouth considers a $600 million sewer project, Barnhart and Maingay opted for a more eco-friendly approach: recycling pee. Their unconventional method has captured the attention of experts like Brian Baumgaertel, director of the Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center. Read the fully story.

Call me when you get to the new bridge 💰

President Biden has approved $350 million big ones to kickstart the replacement of Cape Cod's aging bridges. Though a fraction of the total cost, it's a promising start. The community eagerly awaits further federal grants to bridge the funding gap (pun intended). State plans prioritize renovating the Sagamore Bridge first, followed by the Bourne Bridge. Governor Maura Healey pledges substantial state funds to complement federal support, ensuring the iconic structures get the facelift they desperately need. Read the full story.

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Golden Girls take on pond clean up 🗑️

Susan Baur was tired of dodging beer cans during her pond swims, so she recruited a gang of senior swimmers to clean up Cape Cod's ponds in 2017. Dubbed the "Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage" (OLAUG), these gals have turned pond cleaning into a hilarious adventure. With wetsuits and cookies in tow, they dive into the depths, hauling out everything from tires to garden gnomes. Their efforts have caught the eye of the American Red Cross, who's giving Baur an award for her efforts. Despite snapping turtles and COVID hurdles, OLAUG's crew is expanding with plans to hit up 20 ponds this season. Read the full story.

LOCAL BUSINESS

Noble House + Chatham Inn = Luxury 🏨

Noble House Hotels & Resorts just welcomed the Chatham Inn into its family. Jeff Ippoliti, the now co-owner, decided to buddy up with Noble House to spruce up this gem, making it the 24th luxury spot in the brand's North American lineup. Chatham Inn is the only Relais & Châteaux property around, boasting a historic charm with modern flair in its 18 newly refurbished rooms. And let's not forget about the perks - a stone's throw away from the beach, a Volvo test drive program for cruising in style, and Cuvée, the inn's fancy dining hotspot serving up global-inspired cuisine that's sure to tantalize your taste buds. Read the fully story.

Never too early for ice cream 🍦

Twin Acres Ice Cream Shoppe in Sandwich officially opened yesterday for the 2024 season. Their early spring hours are weekdays, 2-8 PM and weekends 12-8 PM. Good luck deciding with over 70 flavors, including premium hard and soft serve, sorbet, sherbet, vegan, and no-sugar-added options. Don't forget to treat your furry friends with a special pup cup.

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

CIVIL NEWS

Civil service, it’s not you, it’s me 🚨

The burning question in Barnstable is whether to give the old heave-ho to the civil service status of the Barnstable Police Department.

Last Thursday, the council ponied up $35K to cover the consulting services of this investigative venture. The funds, plucked from the town's $29M general fund, are a one-time splurge aimed at unraveling the red tape that civil service has become notorious for.

Other town police departments have long bid adieu to civil service, but BPD remains tethered to its antiquated rules and regulations. Recent talks with the town's police unions have sparked a consensus to delve into the matter further. Read the full story.

Capping short term rentals 🏠

Truro and Eastham are eyeing ways to rein in short-term rentals, drawing inspiration from Provincetown and Tisbury. Truro's proposed rules aim to limit corporate ownership of STR certificates and cap the number of rentals per owner to two, with exceptions for existing owners. They're also mulling over a ban on fractional ownership schemes.

Eastham's thinking about similar rules to keep houses from being bought up just for renting out. They're worried about not having enough homes for people who live there all year. Discussions are ongoing, with public hearings slated for later this month. Read the full story.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Harwich Polar Plunge 🐻‍❄️ 👙

The Harwich Police Department together with The Law Enforcement Torch Run is hosting its annual Polar Plunge this year. Set at the Red River Beach, plungers will plunge into the ocean to support Special Olympics MA.

Farm tours are back 🐄 

Farmhouse tours at Taylor-Bray Farm begin again on March 17, from 1 - 3 PM. Here’s the real bonus; there’s a baby Scottish Highland calf named Spaghetti.

St. Patrick’s Weekend Festivities ☘️

• Shenanigans Ladies Night Out at Color Me Mine: Mashpee

• St. Patrick’s Day Tasting at Kappy’s; Hyannis

• Jake Rooney’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration; Harwich Port

• St. Patrick’s Day Treasure Hunt; Cotuit

• Pelham House Shamrock Stroll; Dennis Port

• St. Paddy’s Day Weekend at Barnstable Brewing; Hyannis

• St. Pawtrick’s Day Yappy Hour at Cape Cod Beer; Hyannis

• St. Patrick’s Day with Buzzards Bay Brewing; Westport

• St. Patrick’s Day with Cape Cod Coffee; Mashpee

• St. Patrick’s Day with Scally’s Irish Ale House; West Yarmouth

Kids on the Cape Calendar 📅 

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

WEATHER

Friday

51 🌡️ 39 | 🌧️ | 35% | 💨 WNW 10 mph

Saturday

48 🌡️ 39 | 🌤️ | 10% | 💨 WNW 7 mph

Sunday

53 🌡️ 35 | 🌧️ | 83% | 💨 WSW 13 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 40ºF

LISTING OF THE WEEK

17 Aunt Lauras Ln, Dennis MA
Asking $750K
3 🛌 
2.5 🛀
2120 square feet
0.51 acre lot

THANKS!

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