One December evening in 1971, a masked man knocked on the side door of Dr. Daniel H. Hiebert’s home in Provincetown. “Turn around, I want to see your back,” the […]
Visual Stories
1927
The Magic of the Attic
In my genealogical pursuits, countless hours have been spent trying to break down a few “brick walls” — those questions one cannot find definitive answers to — in my great-grandmother […]
MALVACEAE
Down the Garden Path
Once known as Hollyhock Lane, the narrow pathway between 271 and 273 Commercial St. was a frequent postcard subject and tourist attraction as Provincetown became more of a vacation destination […]
HISTORY
In Search of Helltown
Stephan Cohen’s story of a place that’s not quite what popular lore imagines
PROVINCETOWN — It’s here — you just have to picture it. Imagine it’s midwinter in 1871 and your frozen feet are planted on a sandy stretch of what is now […]
THE ESSENTIALS
A New Year’s Tradition Based on an Old-World Confection
This fragrant orange-almond cake rises gently to the occasion
As traditions often do, this one developed at our house out of necessity. It’s a celebratory cake made with oranges and almonds but without wheat flour, milk, butter, or leavening […]
MORNING FLIGHT
When a Bird Ignores Its Zugunruhe
Looking for lingerers and finding the reasons some birds stay here for the winter
Zugunruhe is one of those perfect German words that have no equivalent in English, so we Anglophones just decided to steal it outright. The word translates as “migration-anxiety” and describes […]
RARA AVIS
This Week’s Bird Sightings
Confirmed bird sightings on the Outer Cape in the week preceding the Independent’s early deadline on Monday, Dec. 23 included the following, based on a report prepared by Mass Audubon’s […]
TO THE MAT
Start the New Year Humming Like a Bee
How Bhramari, a practice of breath control, can calm the mind and body
There are lots of opportunities to be as busy as a bee during these winter holidays. As we hustle toward the dawn of the New Year, it can be hard […]
TRACK
A New Runner Sets Her Sights on an Old Record
For Amina Iliusinova, America is an invitation to take sports seriously
EASTHAM — Amina Iliusinova had never run track before she joined the team at Nauset Regional High School as a junior last spring. She had been a high jumper at […]
NATURAL SELECTION
Never Too Soon for Sunscreen
Last week we marked the winter solstice, the daylight’s yearly nadir; now, each subsequent day will bring with it incrementally more sunshine. Xanthoria parietina is ready. The orange coloring of […]
GRAVEYARD SHIFT
A Tree Grows in Truro. But Who Planted It?
The legend of the Chinese mulberry might have to be enough
TRURO — Planting a tree is an act of hope, a belief in tomorrow, a promise to future generations one will never have the chance to meet. It makes sense, […]
ASTRAL PROJECTIONS
Preparing for This New Year, Patience Prevails
Taking the long view will help us do what we can do in 2025
With the Sun in Capricorn guiding us through the final days of 2024, it’s clear that ambition combined with responsibility and structure is the way to a happy and healthy […]
THE FEAST
Dreaming Up a Feast of the Seven Fishes
Seared scallops and buttery noodles are Christmas Eve comfort and joy
Everyone has something they do up for the holidays. Maybe you decorate your tree to a heavy rotation of Mariah Carey lined up on your playlist or dole out priceless […]
THE WHOLE TABLE
For a Winter Boost, Spice to Taste
Seasonings that save those too-familiar favorites when they start to seem ho-hum
I promise this story leads to three recipes for tasty spice blends to add to your cooking repertoire. But before we go down that path, I need to tell you […]
GRAVEYARD SHIFT
A Tree Grows in Truro. But Who Planted It?
The legend of the Chinese mulberry might have to be enough
TRURO — Planting a tree is an act of hope, a belief in tomorrow, a promise to future generations one will never have the chance to meet. It makes sense, […]
