The systems of the colonized Western world tend to put things in boxes. We categorize and separate music by genre. We separate politics from emotion from community from art. Mali […]
Next Generation
FAMILY VALUES
For LGBTQ Families, a Week That Brings ‘a Sigh of Relief’
Stacey Stevenson wants to ‘fight for, not fight against’
PROVINCETOWN — When Stacey and Cheralyn Stevenson first visited Provincetown during last summer’s Family Week, their sons Duke and London, who were six, immediately noticed the pride flags, the Black […]
FORAGING
A Secret Path to the Season’s Sweetness
Picking wild blueberries is a labor of love, with benefits
TRURO — I wasn’t sure what to expect when my boyfriend, Miles, headed down an unfamiliar sandy path lined with scrubby green underbrush. “Follow me,” was all he said. We […]
KICK KICK
Swimming Lessons on Outer Cape Are Hot Commodity
Towns need more instructors
Most of the 85 children in Provincetown’s recreation program this year don’t know how to swim, according to Recreation Director Brandon Motta. In 2020 (the most recent year for which […]
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
Abortion Access Is Unclear on Cape Cod
Nearest clinic with comprehensive care is 110 miles away
HYANNIS — Relying on a June 28 statement from Cape Cod Healthcare (CCHC), the Independent reported two weeks ago that abortion services are not available anywhere on Cape Cod. That, […]
MEET THE MAKER
Behind Cape Cod’s Outermost Roast
John Simonian brews a career from love of a good cup of coffee
EASTHAM — John Simonian starts every day with a good cup of coffee. Then he goes to work making coffee for the rest of us. He’s not a barista. He’s […]
A LONG FIVE MILES
Regulars and Newbies Run Wellfleet’s Annual Road Race
Siblings Max and Rachel Aronow take the gold
WELLFLEET — The conditions were perfect Sunday morning for the 48th annual Wellfleet 5-Mile Road Race. At least that’s what Robert Blakeslee, who has participated in the race for the […]
PHOTOGRAPHY
Peter Hujar Reveals the Truth Behind the Joke
A small show of the late photographer’s work exposes the valences of camp and drag
In the 1960s and ’70s, before they were a tragedy, gay men were a joke. Because gay men are tastemakers and cultural aristocrats, the joke was a good one — […]
ON THE PATH
Truro Seeks Safer Routes for Cyclists
Survey finds support for a separate bike and walking path along Route 6
TRURO — Nurzhijit Kopzhassar, who lives and works in Provincetown, frequently travels to Wellfleet by bike to see a friend who lives there. He cycles along Shore Road (Route 6A) […]
COMMON GROUND
An Eastham Farmer Tends the Future of His Fields
Bob Wells finds ways to build up the soil and share his land
EASTHAM — The fourth-grade students from Mrs. Howard’s class at Eastham Elementary School marched across the street to Redberry Farm on the morning of June 21. There, they met farmer […]
PERFORMANCE
Improv Is About Everyone in the Room
Outer Cape troupe fills a gap in the local comedy scene
IMPROVincetown’s June 16 show began with an unusual advisory. “Normally at a show, you’re told to turn your phone off,” announced improv troupe member Katie Pentedemos. “But we want you […]
ADDICTION
Experts Seek Solutions as Opioid Crisis Worsens
Needed: more methadone, testing a toxic drug supply, and supervised injection sites
PROVINCETOWN — Seventy-nine residents of Barnstable County died of opioid overdoses in 2021. That’s three more than in 2020 and marks the second-worst year on record after 2016, when 81 […]
WOMEN'S HEALTH
Abortion Services Still Missing on Cape Cod
The nearest clinic is more than 90 miles away
WELLFLEET — Ever since the Women’s Health Center in Hyannis closed in 2008, abortion services have not been available anywhere on Cape Cod. The nearest abortion clinics are more than […]
SENIOR OF THE YEAR
Mary Abt Calls the Community to Song
A teacher who shows students ‘a beauty you can’t see or touch’
PROVINCETOWN — Every Thursday afternoon, the hallways of the Council on Aging are filled with song. Follow the sound to its source and you’ll find Mary Abt and a handful […]
AQUACULTURE
On the Flats, Wellfleet Sticks by Its Productivity Rules
After going unused for over a decade, a shellfishing grant is forfeited
WELLFLEET — Luene Grady and her son Schooner forfeited their shellfishing grant in February. That’s because they had not used it for growing oysters or clams for over a decade, […]
