- The Cape Coddah
- Posts
- ☀ Farewell to two Cape icons
☀ Farewell to two Cape icons
Plus: The best clam chowder on the Cape
Good morning Cape Cod. This is The Cape Coddah, that weekly newsletter that sums up the week faster than you can hit 'skip intro' on Netflix. 🍿
In this week’s Cape Coddah:
More for the Sagamore
Local connection to Hurricane Helene
Events and live music
Let’s get to it.
CAPE DIGEST
Kennedy family matriarch passes at 96 💔
Ethel Kennedy, the 96-year-old matriarch of the Kennedy family, passed away on October 10, 2024, due to complications from a recent stroke. The John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum honored her memory with a display of white roses, her favorite flower, and a condolences book for visitors.
Remembered for her devotion to social justice, Catholicism, and family, Ethel was the widow of Robert F. Kennedy and mother to 11 children, including several who pursued political careers. Local residents and acquaintances recalled her as a vibrant, witty woman who loved sailing and socializing. Her passing marks the end of an era for one of America's most prominent political dynasties, leaving behind a legacy of resilience in the face of numerous family tragedies. Read the full story.
Local ties spark hurricane relief effort 🌀
Hurricane Helene devastated Asheville, North Carolina, leaving Chatham High School graduate Bill Wescott and his family stranded in their flooded home. Fellow Chatham alumna Alex Horne, living in Charlotte, mobilized to help Wescott after learning of his situation through mutual Cape Cod connections.
Horne made multiple trips to deliver supplies, describing the scene as "apocalyptic" but noting the kindness of locals amidst the destruction. The Wescott family, overwhelmed by the support they've received, emphasizes the need for long-term assistance as the region faces a lengthy recovery process. Read the full story.
Gov lands $350M for Sagamore Bridge 💰
The Healey administration has secured a $350 million bag of federal assistance to rebuild the Sagamore Bridge. This funding is part of a larger $1.72 billion federal commitment for the Cape Cod bridges replacement program. The agreement, involving the U.S. Department of the Army and the Federal Highway Administration, marks a significant step in the project's progress.
The state has pledged an additional $700 million for the effort, which plans to first rebuild the Sagamore Bridge, followed by the Bourne Bridge. This project is seen as crucial for the region's connectivity and economic vitality. Massachusetts' congressional delegation, including Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative William Keating, have strongly supported the funding request, emphasizing the bridges' importance to Cape Cod and nearby islands. Read the full story.
@THECAPECODDAH

📸 @kengrillephotography | 📍 Flag Rock, Plymouth
Tag @thecapecoddah to get your photos in the Coddah!
Cape Cod loses its Thoreau: Robert Finch dies at 81 ✍🏻
Robert Finch, acclaimed Cape Cod chronicler and naturalist writer, died on September 30, 2024, due to complications from Parkinson's disease. Known for his poetic observations of Cape Cod's nature and history, Finch authored over a dozen books and was a beloved voice on WCAI's "A Cape Cod Notebook," earning numerous accolades including a Pulitzer Prize nomination.
Born in Newark, NJ, Finch first visited Cape Cod in college, eventually settling there permanently in 1972 where he began his influential writing career. Beyond his literary work, Finch was active in local conservation efforts and was an accomplished musician. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and a legacy that profoundly shaped Cape Cod's cultural landscape. Read the full story.
AROUND THE CAPE 🗞️
NYC woman arrested for scamming Cape resident out of $46K.
Indie movie, “Mermaid” being filmed at locations in Harwich and Yarmouth.
Sandwich business collecting supplies for hurricane victims.
Ribbon-cutting on 39 new, affordable rental units in Mashpee.
Tik-Toker opens bags of Cape Cod Potato Chips and discovers mostly air.
WATCH: A walk through of the new Whole Foods in Hyannis.
American Airlines connecting the Cape to Philly and Chicago in 2025.
LOCAL BUSINESS
Chowder down: The Cape’s top 5 spots for the perfect bowl 🥣
Travel Awaits, a popular travel website, has compiled a list of the top 5 places to get clam chowder on Cape Cod. Here are the restaurants that made the cut, each offering its own unique take on this beloved dish:
Skipper Chowder House, Yarmouth
Captain Parker's Pub, Yarmouth
Cleat & Anchor, Dennis Port
Fishermen's View Seafood Market & Restaurant, Sandwich
Lobster Trap, Bourne
What’s your favorite spot for some chowdah?
THE ISLANDS ⛴️
Controversial boatyard gets green light from MVC.
$19.2M unfinished Nantucket home may be bulldozed.
Brazilian drugs dealers arrested on MV with 300 rounds of ammo.
National Grid hopes to demo the former Nantucket Electrical Co. building.
Cranberry Day: The historic, final berry harvest of the season.
Family recounts the move from Ireland to Nantucket.
MV nurses considering a one-day strike at hospital.
CIVIL NEWS
Digital probe: Brewster man arrested for child porn 🚔
Brewster Police, in collaboration with the Massachusetts State Police Cyber Crime Unit, arrested Justin C. Sontag of Brewster on September 26, 2024, following a lengthy investigation. Sontag faces charges of possession of child pornography, disseminating material of a child in a sexual act, and dissemination of obscene matter to minors.
The investigation began after two "Cyber Tipline" reports were generated by an online cloud service provider. These reports are part of a system used by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to combat online child exploitation. Sontag was arraigned in Orleans District Court, with a pre-trial set for October 25, 2024. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force in combating online child exploitation. Read the full story.
PET OF THE WEEK

👋 Meet: Archer
🐾 Collie-Rough
🎂 7 years old
♀︎ Male
Available to adopt at MSCPA-Cape Cod
WHAT’S HAPPENIN’
Friday
Osterville Farmer’s Market, Osterville Museum (9 AM)
Music of the Gershwins @ Eldredge Public Library, Chatham (1:30 PM)
Opening Reception for “Collecte” @ Cultural Center of CC (5 PM)
Upon Silver Wings @ Redfield Auditorium, Woods Hole (7 PM)
Burbage by Nicholas Minella @ Wellfleet Preservation Hall (7 PM)
Saturday
13th Annual Pumpkin Fest @ Sandwich Glass Museum (10 AM)
Pirates in the Port @ Main St., Harwich Port (10 AM)
Taylor-Bray Farm Fall Festival @ Yarmouth Port (10 AM)
Artist & Maker’s Market @ Sunset Leisure, Orleans (10 AM)
Fall Fest Block Party @ Mashpee Commons (11 AM)
Guided Brewery Tour @ CC Beer, Hyannis (11 AM)
Yarmouth Seaside Festival @ Joshua Sears Memorial Field (Sat & Sun)
Nauktoberfest @ Naukabout Brewery, Mashpee (12 PM)
Oktoberfest @ Bad Martha Beer, E. Falmouth (1 PM)
Oktoberfest @ Smith Family Beer Garden, Hyannis (2 PM)
Barks & Brews @ CC Beer, Hyannis (4 PM)
Gardening for Wildlife Gala @ Wequaquet Lake Yacht Club (5 PM)
Sunday
Walk to End Alzheimers @ Heritage Museums & Gardens, Sandwich
Fall Frolic & Pumpkin Patch @ Chatham Bars Inn Farm (11 AM)
Revolutionary War Experience @ Windmill Village, Brewster (12 PM)
Oktoberfest @ Barnstable Brewing, Hyannis (12 PM)
Oktoberfest! @ Barley Neck Inn, Orleans (4 PM)
Best of the Fest - Shorts @ Cotuit Center for the Arts, Falmouth (5 PM)
Live Music 🎸
Friday
Jeff Thibodeau @ Wild Goose Tavern, Chatham (5 PM)
Soft Shells @ CC Coffee, Mashpee (6 PM)
The George Gritzbach Band @ Cultural Center of CC (7:30 PM)
Erin Wilson @ Cleat & Anchor, Dennisport (7:30 PM)
Tria @ Mashpee Commons (8 PM)
Karaoke @ Jake Rooney’s, Harwich Port (8:30 PM)
Saturday
Outermost Roots & Blues Festival @ Nauset Beach (Sat & Sun)
John Sage @ CC Coffee, Mashpee (6 PM)
Muck & The Mires @ The Music Room, W. Yarmouth (7 PM)
Amy Helm @ Payomet PAC, N. Truro (7 PM)
Darling Trio @ Cleat & Anchor, Dennisport (7:30 PM)
Fred Fried Jazz Trio @ Cultural Center of CC (7:30 PM)
Daniel Roth Organ Concert @ Church of Transfiguration, Orleans (7:30 PM)
The Detours @ Jake Rooney’s, Harwich Port, (8 PM)
Sunday
AK Cody @ CC Winery E. Falmouth, (12 PM)
Ana Glig @ Pilgrim Congregational Church, Harwich Port (3 PM)
Jody Moore Duo @ Sun Retreats, Dennisport (6 PM)
Jamie Cain @ Cleat & Anchor, Dennisport (7:30 PM)
Nothing in this section is sponsored. We'll always let you know when something's sponsored.
WEATHER
Friday
64 🌡️ 55 | 🌤️ | 💧0% | 💨 WNW 9 mph
Saturday
70 🌡️ 45 | ☀️ | 💧 1% | 💨 WNW 15 mph
Sunday
59 🌡️ 55 | 🌧️ | 💧 80% | 💨 E 7 mph
💧🌡️ Water temperature = 60ºF
HOME OF THE WEEK
71 Sunset Lane, Barnstable
Asking $3.2M
3 🛌
3.5 🛀
2,400 square feet
0.23 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 a local author.