PROVINCETOWN — Swimmers plunged in early this year — at least by Saturday-in-Provincetown standards — with the 8:30 a.m. starting flag of the annual Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla […]
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FANNY PACK
Chef’s Whites
Provincetown goes to its 35th annual White Party
The 35th White Party in Provincetown, which raises funds for Outer Cape Health Services, brought out an array of dazzling white costumes on Sept. 2, along with one group in […]
ONE MAN’S TREASURE
A Holdout Survives on Eastham’s Shurtleff Road
There’s more to the Beyle house than the signs and the swine out front
EASTHAM — On Shurtleff Road, a roughly half-mile residential stretch that curves along Cape Cod Bay in North Eastham, immaculate lawns adorn large new houses. There’s not a pebble out […]
REPORT FROM TOYLAND
Provincetown Celebrates Its 45th Carnival
PROVINCETOWN — A fledgling nonprofit put on a one-day celebration back in 1978 and called it Carnival. The idea was to drum up gay and lesbian tourism during August’s sleepy […]
UNSUNG HEROES
The Barbacks of Provincetown
Cleaning the dance floors, fetching the ice, and stocking the bars behind the August vibe
PROVINCETOWN — There are no “off weeks” in August. Parking lots are full. Beaches swell with visitors chasing a waning summer sun. Squads of tourists putter down Commercial Street, in […]
BEE KILLERS
Uptick in Spraying Is Harming Local Pollinators
Insecticide rules are lax, and mosquito treatments don’t work anyway, scientists say
WELLFLEET — For years, ecologist and beekeeper John Portnoy has sold up to three varieties of honey at the Wellfleet Farmers Market — each made from the nectar of seasonal […]
ENTANGLEMENT
Monofilament’s Grip Threatens Humpback Calf
CCS and IFAW are ‘regrouping’ after sedation efforts fail
PROVINCETOWN — Cape Codders have become acutely aware that whales in the Gulf of Maine face perilous struggles with ocean debris, especially discarded rope that obstructs their paths and entangles […]
JILL BIDEN VISITS
Provincetown’s Political Donor Class Gears Up for 2024
National candidates flock to the Outer Cape to tap its LGBTQ network
PROVINCETOWN — An air of excitement hovered over the West End last Friday afternoon. Herring Cove beachgoers cycled past black SUVs and suited men with earpieces and sunglasses. Further down […]
WILDLIFE
Herpetologist Meets Bears on the Old Colony Nature Trail
Fowler’s toads, garter snakes, and fireflies on a Bear Week expedition
PROVINCETOWN — A cloud of bug spray filled the air as 11 men and two women (including this reporter) followed Scott Smyers down the Old Colony Trail on the evening […]
PICKUP GAME
Friday Evening in the East End
Happenstance and the love of a game unite locals and visitors on the court
A three-on-three full-court pickup game is underway at the East End basketball court on a balmy Friday night in July. The air is dense, salty. The players sweaty, smiling, but […]
WE LOVE A PARADE
The Outer Cape Celebrates the Fourth With 3 Parades
Pedalers, drummers, protesters, jugglers, drag queens, flag wavers, and pirates celebrated their freedoms at three different Outer Cape parades this week. In Eastham, Sheila and Ralph Holcomb, in collaboration with […]
PROVINCETOWN POLICING
A False Report of a Gun Sparks Calls for Change
Five teens of color were frisked by police at the East End basketball court
PROVINCETOWN — Chief Jim Golden and Sgt. Jennifer Nolette on Monday morning defended a controversial police encounter with local young men of color, just over a week after a false […]
SHACK ATTACK
Amid Protests, Dune Shacks Eyed by Bidders
Carlstrom defends leasing rules; a second eviction notice is served
PROVINCETOWN — At least 45 people were given tours last week by National Park Service officials who are running the current bidding contest for eight of the 18 dune shacks […]
CAPS OFF
Celebrating the Outer Cape’s Class of 2023
Graduates look to the future
The Independent invited the members of the Class of 2023 at Nauset Regional High School and Cape Cod Regional Technical High School from the four Outer Cape towns to tell […]
HOME MAKING
Raising a Wetu in Truro
An indigenous dwelling proves weather-hardy on opening day at the Highland House Museum
TRURO — The wind blew ferociously on June 3, providing a fitting backdrop for the celebration held at the Highland House Museum that day. Annawon Weeden had just put the […]
