This week marks a year since we sent our very first edition to press. It was a “preview” edition, full of hope that we’d find the support to develop into a weekly. We weren’t really ready, not in terms of start-up capital, but it seemed important to start. We’re still not there yet, funding-wise. But as we work through this strange and challenging year, we are inspired by the resilience of the people around us. Our writers. The photographers and artists who contribute. And the people we’re writing about.
This picture, by Edward Boches exemplifies that. In it, Wellfleet videographer Justin Lynch and Liz Shook of Brewster are setting up a shot of Irving and Jake Puffer at work in Wellfleet Harbor. 
They’re documenting shellfishermen for this year’s OysterFest, working on it in spite of the fact that the usual festivities just cannot happen. Their video will tell the story of what SPAT is calling “America’s Quintessential Oyster.”
More about this one year moment in this week’s letter from the editor.
Photographer Edward Boches has contributed work to our pages many times this year. He is especially interested in documenting those trying to work the land and water.
Now, because he’s also interested in those of us plowing the fields of community journalism, Edward and his art director Jillian Apatow are documenting some of the community members who are Independent readers. The double meaning of “independent” is intended. Their first portrait appears in today’s paper. Yes, it’s publicity, not news. But we wanted to acknowledge their thoughtful work and the generous participation of community members. Be on the lookout for more “Independent readers” as we begin our second year.
