Falmouth Living by the Sea | Spring 2024 Issue

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Spring/Summer 2024 falmouthlivingmag.com

Display until October 2024

A PRODUCT PORTFOLIO AS DIVERSE AS YOUR NEEDS.

From contemporary to traditional, Andersen offers an array of products that allows you ultimate design freedom. Each product is made with the commitment to quality and performance that you expect from Andersen.

Explore the possibilities at andersenwindows.com “Andersen” and all other marks where denoted are trademarks of Andersen Corporation. ©2020 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved.

FALMOUTH LUMBER, INC. 670 Teaticket Highway East Falmouth, MA 02536 Call 508-548-6868

A s p e c i a l t y s t o r e o ff e r i n g a t i g h t l y c u r a t e d c o l l e c t i o n o f w o m e n ’ s c o n t e m p o r a r y fa s h i o n a n d a c c e s s o r i e s i n s p i re d a n d d e s i g n e d by t a s t e m a ke r s f ro m N YC , M a d r i d , C o p e n h a g e n , C a p e To w n , a n d b e y o n d .

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BUILDER OF THE YEAR MEMBER

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Compass is a licensed real estate broker and Kinlin Grover Realty Group, LLC is a licensed real estate broker affiliated with Compass and each abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.

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F E AT U R E S 50 SENSATIONAL DELIGHTS

Scoop up some summertime fun with

86 REIMAGINED SPACE

An interior designer lends her skills

56 RON HOFFMAN AND CCALS

Compassion, care and the ‘art of

96 SEASIDE SUCCESS FOR FALMOUTH’S WOMENOWNED BUSINESSES

Falmouth’s ice-cream shops.

showing up’

64 FOR SAIL

Harbor school spreads joy on the wind 74 SOWING SEEDS

skilled and dedicated gardener shares A her passion for flowers and foliage with the next generation.

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74 to her own home renovation.

inding inspiration in the tales of seven F women-owned businesses that are making a mark in Falmouth.

110 A HOME RUN When a local builder and business

owner guided his team in designing and constructing a dream house for his mom, they hit it out of the park.

FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

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160

F E AT U R E S (continued)

120 COOL COASTAL CHIC Local boutiques showcase the “Hottest Summer Looks.”

142 MADE TO ORDER

Falmouth couple turned to a team of A experts to transform standard plans into a custom-designed year-round home.

153 MAGIC MEADOWS

Through care and ritual, a homeowner has created a sacred garden space at his Falmouth cottage.

160 COMING TOGETHER

almouth farmers’ market offers F local flavor

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120 168 THE LAND THAT TIME WILL NEVER FORGET

ow one woman pioneered land H preservation for Falmouth

176 CREATING CONNECTIONS THROUGH ART AND SCIENCE rtist Mike Palmer of Waquoit Bay A Fish Company

182 VACATION ESSENTIALS

hether you’re looking to lounge on W the beach or get out and explore your surroundings, here are a few local things to do in Falmouth.

190 FILMMAKERS FLOCK TO WOODS HOLE I n its 33rd year, the Woods Hole Film Festival continues to draw an eclectic mix of film enthusiasts.

FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

The Emergency Center at Cape Cod Hospital

Yawkey Emergency Center at Falmouth Hospital

Caring.

Commitment.

Community.

Cape Cod isn’t just any community. It’s our community. At Cape Cod Healthcare, our mission to provide exceptional, high-quality care for our neighbors and visitors is at the core of everything we do. Our dedicated team answers this call to serve our patients, 24/7/365, with compassion, safety and respect.

We are committed to delivering access to care that enhances the well-being of all in our region, from wellness initiatives and preventive screenings to leading-edge technology and specialized, clinical expertise. It is our honor and purpose to put the health of our patients and community above all else, and we proudly embrace our responsibility.

C APE C OD H EALTHCARE www.capecodhealth.org/our-team

Meet some of our team who fulfill this mission every day and hear what it means for them to be a part of this unique community.

Meet Our Team

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DEPARTMENTS 18 Publisher’s Letter 20 Contributors

208

22 Our Town

WINGS for Falmouth Families The Write Place What’s Happening Your Next Beach Read Boats in the Harbor Celebrating Milestones

44 History

A Harbor for Everyone

196 Calendar of Events 202 Restaurant Guide

on the cover:

Daniel, from Falmouth Harbor Sailing School, sailing Vineyard Sound on a Pram for the day. Photo

by Betty Wiley

208 Last Word 14

FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

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publisher’s letter

Sizzling Summer Days This is what summertime’s all about— carefree days where simple pleasures become memories that will last a lifetime. Charming Falmouth offers all this and adds much more to the experience with fabulous beach days, stunning sunsets and many adventures.

Over the past few years, collaborating with local writers and photographers has brought us immense joy. In addition to connecting with homeowners who graciously permitted us to photograph their gardens, homes and businesses, we are delighted to feature them in this issue.

We have packed this spring/summer issue with amazing stories. Thanks to Betty Wiley’s photography, we captured a day on the water with the Falmouth Sailing School. Additionally, we spotlight Falmouth’s Farmer Market, a mustvisit for fresh produce and other goodies. People remain our central focus.

We celebrate businesses reaching milestone anniversaries, and we highlight five businesses that have been part of our community for 20 to 125 years.

Whether you’re remodeling, making improvements or building a new home, we feature three local homes: an 1800s farmhouse by Synergy Home Improvements, a new build by Clancy Construction, and a new build by Broderick Building & Remodeling. We showcase two fabulous gardens, each with its distinctive style. This year, we take a closer look at women-owned local businesses, including real estate, garden/landscape design, a dance studio, a clothing store, a workout studio and a florist shop. Derrick Zellmann Photography’s keen eye brings their stories to life.

My heartfelt thanks to our contributors, advertisers, readers, followers, the Falmouth community and the outstanding team that produces this magazine. It’s a privilege to work with such a gifted group of people and to get to know every one of you.

As we mark our fifth year of publishing Falmouth Living, we extend our gratitude for your unwavering support. We trust that you will find joy in reading the latest issue, just as we relished crafting this magazine for you.

Stay connected with us on Instagram (@falmouthliving.mag) and Facebook (@flivingmag) for regular updates.

We hope you will take time to relax and unwind this summer—have fun in the sun, create lasting memories and cherish moments with family and friends.

ISSUE 1

SPRING/SUMMER 2024 PUBLISHER Suzanne Ryan suzanne@falmouthlivingmag.com ART DIRECTOR Alison Caron Alison Caron Design alison@falmouthlivingmag.com COPY EDITOR Nan Fornal ADVERTISING Suzanne Ryan suzanne@falmouthlivingmag.com Julien Courbon jcourbon@falmouthlivingmag.com WRITERS Lisa Cavanaugh, Meg Costello, Mimi Golub, Bill Higgins, Chris Kazarian, Sarah Murphy, Jeanne Petrizzo, Janice Randall Rohlf PHOTOGRAPHERS Ashley Cadrin, Taylor Cadwell, Deborah Foley, Peter Julian, Betty Wiley, Derrick Zellmann

Order magazine online at

falmouthlivingmag.com @falmouthliving.mag

Photo by Derrick Zellmann

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~

@flivingmag

Cheers to a fantastic summer!

Suzanne Ryan Publisher Falmouth Living suzanne@falmouthlivingmag.com

VOLUME 5

Makeup by Lacey Strong Cropped perforated sweater with ribbed details by Rino Pelle, styled by Lisa Sue, Story.

P.O. Box 183, Sagamore Beach, MA 02562 Spring | Summer magazine price $7.95 © Salty Paws Media LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher.

Publisher disclaims all responsibility for omissions, errors and unsolicited materials. Printed in the USA.

FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

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contributors

covered everything from World Series, Super Bowls, Stanley Cups and NBA championships to the Masters golf tournament, Boston Marathons, America’s Cup yacht races and World Cup soccer matches.

essayist. She and her husband live in Falmouth with their rescue cat.

CHRIS KAZARIAN is a freelance writer who enjoys telling stories about people who are making an impact.

His writing has appeared in Hemispheres magazine, the Boston Herald, and the Providence Journal among others.

DERRICK ZELLMANN is a commercial and editorial photographer based between Boston and Cape Cod. He photographs a wide range of subjects including celebrities, artists, professional athletes, heroic firefighters, Academy and Emmy Award winners, and models.

BETTY WILEY is a well-known freelance photographer and instructor on Cape Cod who specializes in landscape and nature photography. Her work has appeared in numerous local magazines and guidebooks.

MEG COSTELLO is the research manager at the Falmouth Historical Society’s Museums on the Green.

She edits the Museums’ monthly blog, “Untold Tales of Falmouth.”

TAYLOR CADWELL at Cadwell Imagery has ten years of experience in architectural photography on the Cape, creating captivating spatial contexts for marketing and publication.

SARAH E. MURPHY has loved writing since her Falmouth Heights childhood.

Her first story was published when she was a sixth-grader at Morse Pond School. She spent twelve years as a reporter/photographer for Wicked Local, working as an independent journalist since then. Her byline has appeared in newspapers and magazines across Cape Cod. She is also a social justice activist and

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DEB FOLEY is passionate about helping small businesses increase their visibility and connect with clients using brand photography.

LISA CAVANAUGH lives in Yarmouth with her husband and writes about the lifestyles, occupations and interests of Cape Codders. She grew up in New England and spent summers on the Cape.

After college, she worked as a Hollywood story editor, producer and writer.

JEANNE PETRIZZO is a copywriter based on the South Coast of MA. When she isn’t researching or writing ads and articles, she enjoys long walks on the beach, especially in Falmouth.

MIMI GOLUB is a freelance writer and founder of an online magazine for women.

She has been a member of the Falmouth community for 16 years and enjoys boating on Vineyard Sound, exploring nature and buying shoes.

JANICE RANDALL ROHLF is a Boston-based freelance writer and editor who specializes in architecture and design. Her work appears in numerous regional and national publications.

ASHLEY CADRIN has been capturing the Cape and Islands in various capacities since 2008.

She resides in Falmouth with her husband and two sons.

BILL HIGGINS is an awardwinning former newspaper sports editor and writer who has

PETER JULIAN has had apprenticeships with renowned photojournalists Constantine Manos of Magnum Photos and Lisa Kessler. His commercial work is inspired by national architectural photographer Dan Cutrona. Previously, he was on staff at Boston College.

FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

IT ALL STARTS HERE...

THE CAPE COD LIFESTYLE

Photo By Rachel Lehman

YOUR EXPERIENCED LOCAL AGENCY Serving Falmouth, Bourne and Mashpee

100 Palmer Avenue | Falmouth | 508-444-6891 | saltpondrealty.com

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Above left: Curling for Charity, left to right Carolyn Isaac, Craig O’Malley, Lance Plack, Scott Thrasher, Patrick Friel and Alice Child.

Above right: Brian Keefe at the booth at the market

WINGS for Falmouth Families: A Mission Takes Flight

BY SAR AH E. MURPHY

W

PHOTOS COURTESY OF WINGS FOR FALMOUTH FAMILIES

hen their daughters’ friend Amber Bailey was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 10, Lisa and Eric Asendorf witnessed the devastating repercussions of a cancer diagnosis, not just for the patient but also for the family.

Amber’s mother traveled to and from Boston with her daughter for cancer treatments while Amber’s father remained in Falmouth for work, while attempting to maintain some normalcy for Amber’s three siblings.

The Asendorfs felt compelled to help, hoping to alleviate the family’s financial and emotional stress. They started a fund with the Cape Cod Foundation, a community-based charity. Their initial fundraising attempts were modest. Wanting to make a larger impact, they wondered why there wasn’t a local nonprofit specifically aimed at helping families in crisis. Although the Asendorfs knew nothing about founding or operating a charity, they were motivated by what they viewed as a great need, so they took a chance and decided to form their own.

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Amber continued her brave medical journey for a year.

In 2003, seven months after her death, with the support of a Founders Circle made up of people who shared a passion for the Asendorfs’ mission, Wings for Falmouth Families was established to honor the memory of Amber Lea Bailey.

Since then, Wings has taken flight, impacting countless residents through its mission to Provide, Empower, and Comfort.

To that end, through donor gifts, fundraising initiatives, and corporate sponsorships, Wings provides an immediate safety net of financial aid to families with school-age children who are experiencing a medical emergency or illness.

Lisa has seen the impact of that assistance firsthand.

“Medical insurance doesn’t solve the problem,” she says.

“Our families tell us that because of our support, they’re able to focus on their own families and not worry about things like losing their rental or their home. It takes some of that burden off their backs.”

Lisa attributes Wings’ longevity to its core principle of FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

OUR TOW N people helping people, and she believes the grassroots nature of the organization resonates. She credits those behind the scenes for the success, from donors to volunteers to board members. Lisa served as the first Wings president for two consecutive three-year terms, followed by Russ Pelletier (interim); Ruth Augusta; Todd Bidwell; and Kristin Shearer. Current board members include president Nancy Thrasher; vice president Brenda Clements; secretary Jennifer Murphy; and treasurer Peter Allenby. The Aid Committee, chaired by Virginia Brodeur, comprises Kara Galasso-Garcia, Tom Bushy, Nicole Deicicchi, Beth Keating, Travis Mapp, Lydia Swain, Saramae Varvaro, Julie Immelt Whelden and Maria Zuniga.

Above: Gavin Richardson & Delaney Clements eating wings for Wing-A-Thon. Top right: Wing-A-Thon Chicken Wing Champs, left to right, Tony Sciarrillo, Delaney Clements and Harrison Webb. Right: Caroline Shearer running the Falmouth Road Race.

The long-term goal is for Wings to operate as a self-sustaining charity, but in the meantime, the board busily oversees an array of fundraising events in tandem with the Falmouth community, a curling match at Cape Cod Curling Club, Striperfest at Marine Park, and a Falmouth Road Race Numbers for Nonprofits team, just to name a few, and all in addition to the organization’s signature gala.

Lisa expressed her gratitude for the board members’ desire to give back to their community.

“It’s such a commitment of time,” she says.

“They dedicate so much of their lives to this organization.”

For more information, visit wingsforfalmouth.org and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

FALMOUTHLIVINGMAG.COM

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P H OTO : T E D M U R P H Y

TheWrite Place

Author and Instructor T.M. Murphy Celebrates 28th Year in the Writers’ Shack

BY SAR AH E. MURPHY

The Writers’ Shack is more than a setting for writing classes: It’s also a community for kindred spirits.

A

fter the publication of local author Ted “T.M.” Murphy’s first young-adult mystery, The Secrets of Belltown, in 1996, his mother, Margaret, a former English teacher, encouraged him to share his talent with aspiring young authors by teaching creative writing. That summer, he offered his first class in the Writers’ Shack, the converted garage behind his parents’ rental property, located next door to his childhood home on Grand Ave. in Falmouth Heights.

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Ted’s hangout, where he played darts with friends and listened to music, became his classroom, and he discovered a calling.

Back then, it was covered in posters of his favorite bands, with wall-to-wall bookshelves to accommodate his family’s overflowing book collection. Almost thirty years later, the tattered posters remain, and the Writers’ Shack has become a launching pad, not just for plots and poems, but also for enduring friendships.

FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

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P H OTO : T E D M U R P H Y

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Left: Ted M. Murphy, author and instructor at the Writers’ Shack. Right: Students gathered in the Writers’ Shack for a day of writing.

The walls now boast hundreds of signatures of former students who made their mark on the Shack, literally and metaphorically, including the nicknames given to them by their classmates. Some of those students are now sharing their talents with the masses. “Dark Angel” represents Julia Cox, screenwriter and executive producer of the 2023 film “Nyad,” starring Annette Bening and Jodie Foster. A graduate of Cape Cod Academy, Julia was one of Ted’s first students. She spent twelve years honing her craft in the Writers’ Shack, beginning as a twelve-year-old and continuing through college.

In the “Just Write It Class,” which Ted also offers for adults, he teaches writers of all ages to honor their dreams by listening to their creative voices, while cultivating a supportive, respectful learning environment where participants feel safe to express themselves.

To that end, the ambiance is key. A worn futon and reading chair are joined by two leather chairs that belonged to the late grandfather of Murphy’s wife, Jen, where students often curl up to escape into their own worlds. A trunk in the center of the room holds a container of pens and pencils, for students who choose to write by hand, the old-fashioned way.

A pellet stove offers warmth in the cooler months, while also contributing to the cozy vibe.

Ted believes the environment in the Shack has contributed to his success as a teacher and the popularity of his classes.

“It really does set a tone that this is a laid-back, welcoming place, and you know as soon as you walk through the door that you’re going to have some fun,” Ted said. “The kids love it, and so do the adults. Whenever I have a new student, I invite the parents in for a tour.”

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The posters are joined by signs representing former Falmouth businesses—Capers, the Seaside Inn, and British Beer Company, all once located on Grand Avenue, across from Falmouth Heights Beach, where Shipwrecked and the Heights Hotel are now, and Falmouth Tutorial Center, the home business Murphy’s parents operated on the property in the 1980s. The evolution of Ted’s career is also part of the décor: covers from the Belltown series, illustrated by his childhood friend, Mark Penta; Ted and Mark’s collaboration, the Wicked Weird Story Starter series; The Running Waves, which Ted cowrote with his brother, Seton Murphy; and Ted’s most recent book, Macabre Trophies, a serial-killer thriller aimed at adult readers, published under his new pseudonym, Declan Rush, in 2023 by Dark Waters, an imprint of Sea Crow Press.

One framed cover is a quiet reminder of Ted’s first and most influential mentor, his father, the late James F. Murphy Jr., author of Quonsett, and four subsequent novels.

A small sign above the door is a nod to his friend Jenny Chance, who spent many hours in the Shack before she died in 1991 when she was a senior in college. She is remembered as a person who always made others feel welcomed and included. It reads: “Enjoy What You Are.” The Shack has played an essential role in Ted’s own writing process, offering him a creative haven for the past three decades, where he fleshes out all his ideas in his notebook, just as he encourages his students to do.

“There’s something special about it,” he said. “When you come out here, you think a little differently.”

For more information, follow the Just Write It Class on Facebook and TMMurphyWriter on Instagram.

FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

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What’s Happening?

From new faces to new spaces, this spring and summer will bring an array of exciting additions to the small business scene in Falmouth. Here are a few local places we’re excited to showcase for residents and visitors.

BY SAR AH E. MURPHY

SHEAR ILLUSIONS HAIR SALON

Falmouth stylist Wayne Frederick of Shear Illusions recently made a full-circle move from his longtime location, nestled in the heart of West Falmouth Village, to Main Street in Falmouth, near the spot where he originally began his career. Wayne can now be found across from Cape Cod 5, working independently, offering haircuts for women and men, along with color.

He’s excited about the ambiance of the new salon.

“There’s so much more light in here. It’s a beautiful space,” he said.

663 Main Street. By appointment only.

For more information, call Wayne at 508-540-7150. : Shear Illusions

TACO BLANCO

Fans of chef Ben Phipps of Añejo can now enjoy the same fresh offerings at Taco Blanco, the “hermanito” (little brother) of Falmouth’s popular Main Street Mexican bistro. This marks the first summer season for the shop, which began with what is now a recognizable turquoise and white taco truck. Taco Blanco offers an extensive menu for both dining in and takeout, along with outdoor seating, a kids’ menu, dessert, beer and cocktails. Book the Taco Truck for events and special occasions!

870 Main Street. Open daily at 11:30 a.m. 508-540-TACO

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FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

RISTORANTE AVELLINO

Renee Georgieva and her husband, chef Michael De Paolo, previous owners of Il Maestro in Hyannis, bring a 28-year following to Ristorante Avellino, located in the former Josh’s on East Falmouth Highway. The casual fine-dining spot is centered around recipes passed down from Michael’s parents, including favorites like eggplant parmesan and Roman classics such as bolognese and carbonara. The restaurant boasts multiple rooms and a bar, seafood from Falmouth Fish Market and local beers on tap; catering is available.

Renee and Michael, who moved to Falmouth from Mashpee seven years ago, have been overwhelmed by the response from their new clientele since they opened at the end of August 2023. “It’s been a very warm welcome. The people of Falmouth have been amazing,” Renee said.

339 East Falmouth Highway. Open for dinner six days a week beginning at 4 p.m. Check website for current day off. Reservations highly recommended, accepted only by phone: 774-255-1178;

SO FRENCH

Francois Gautier brings his native Paris to downtown Falmouth with So French, the concept store he opened at the end of summer 2023. Across from Falmouth Public Library, the charming shop specializes in gifts, apparel, housewares, and culinary products imported from France and curated by Francois, who spent years honing his skills in the French wine industry. Francois commutes to Falmouth from Martha’s Vineyard, where he lives with his family. Visit this new local gem the next time you need a housewarming or hostess gift that makes a statement.

303 Main Street. : So French Falmouth

THE VILLAGE GALLERY

Falmouth and Florida artists Mindy and Ronnie Reasonover recently moved their Village Gallery a few doors down from its original space into the former Village Cafe. The new space boasts more room, allowing for other local artists’ work to be showcased and sold, such as precious stone jewelry by Nicki LeMarbre, candles by Margy Coppola, and resin/glass art by Robin Pierson. The top floor of the gallery is a dedicated studio space for Mindy and Ronnie’s own creative process and works-in-progress. “I’m really excited about the new space, and the new energy it brings,” Mindy said.

646 West Falmouth Highway. : @artbymindy, @maninthedriveway for information and hours

IN OTHER NEWS: FRENCH PASTRY, GERMAN GROCERY AND NEW HAIR SALON!

Boris Villatte brings Falmouth’s authentic French bakery, Maison Villatte, to Woods Hole, with its second location opening this summer at 22 Luscombe Avenue. Cape Cod’s first ALDI comes to Falmouth Plaza, 39 Davis Straits.

The German grocer offers competitive prices and an array of staples and specialty products. The new A List Salon in East Falmouth features a team of experts that offer the ultimate salon experience.

FALMOUTHLIVINGMAG.COM

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Your Next Beach Read Could Be in This Article

BY JEANNE PE TRIZZO Besides sunscreen (and maybe snacks), a book is the most important thing you can pack for a day at the beach.

But what to read out of an endless sea of choices? If you’re already relaxing on a Cape Cod beach, why not opt for a book by a local author? Just try not to get sand in the dust jacket.

Indigobird by Michael Stuart This psychological thriller takes us to Woods Hole, where Emerald Woodley lives in a house bearing the novel’s name: Indigobird. On the day of a birthday soiree for Emerald, her husband promises that nothing will ever be the same after her party. But is that a promise or a curse?

Only time will tell. . . .

Chet and Bernie Mystery Series by Spencer Quinn (Peter Abrahams) A detective series with a dog as the main character? That might be all you need to know to want to dive in.

For 14—about to be 15—books, Chet the dog has assisted, or even led, his PI partner Bernie in solving scams, disappearances, scandals, and conspiracies. The latest installment will arrive this August, which leaves you with plenty of time to put a “paws” on your current reading list and catch up with Chet and Bernie.

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Little Monsters by Adrienne Brodeur The Cape may be tranquil and picturesque, but that doesn’t mean the lives of its residents always follow suit. The author’s thorough local knowledge sets the stunning stage for this twisted family drama, teeming with complicated dynamics and long-held secrets. The novel begs the question: Is it possible to grant forgiveness to those who’ve inflicted the deepest pain?

Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand Arguably the most famous author on the Cape and Islands, Elin Hilderbrand takes us to Nantucket for one last hurrah in her aptly named final novel, Swan Song. Fans of Hilderbrand will recognize a few characters from her other books, plus the same tempting descriptions of Nantucket’s real-life beaches, harbors, lighthouses, roads, restaurants, shops and more.

Swan Song introduces us to the mysterious two-yacht Richardson family (this is Nantucket, after all), whose house mysteriously goes up in flames. This would make for quite a story anyway, but for a close-knit island like Nantucket, the drama buzzes more tangibly than a swarm of bees.

Bonus Material: A Field Guide to Cape Cod by Patrick J. Lynch You probably won’t find this in the “Beach Read” category, but it just might become a beach bag staple. This handy guidebook will help you identify all kinds of flora and fauna at the beach, from shells and seaweed to gulls and grasses. A better understanding of the Cape’s stunning surroundings fosters a deeper appreciation for and wonder of living in such a magical place (magical enough to write and set some pretty intriguing stories, no less).

Of course, this list is in no way exhaustive. For even more options, we recommend visiting the Falmouth Public Library in person or online at falmouthpubliclibrary.org.

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Boats in the Harbor

BY MIKE CIOLINO

AS WARMER WEATHER ARRIVES, visitors and

residents alike flock to Falmouth Harbor for leisurely meals and to watch the ferries come and go.

If you look and listen closely this year, you may see or hear a few new additions to the harbor scene. The Flying Bridge Marina is now the regional dealer for two major boat brands: HCB Yachts and the iconic Chris-Craft boats. “We’ve partnered with two amazing brands known for their beautiful styling and top-notch performance,” marina manager Devan Muttart said. “After visiting the HCB and Chris-Craft factories, we’ve seen firsthand the passion and attention to detail these boat makers have for their craft. Both brands are perfect for cruising or fishing in New England waters.”

The first new HCB Yachts boat to arrive in Falmouth Harbor this year was a 39' HCB Speciale. The boat’s journey began on a cold April morning at Rick’s Marine in Fairhaven. Flying Bridge Marina staff took new boat owner Allen Gammons through an extensive onboarding process before cruising across Buzzards Bay

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to Vineyard Sound and into Falmouth Harbor.

“I was looking for a well-constructed center-console boat with the fit and finish of my larger boats. After looking at many options, I believe that HCB has the best product available, and the staff at the Flying Bridge made the process smooth and enjoyable,” said Gammons.

As Falmouth Harbor shows signs of life this spring, new Chris-Craft boats will also begin arriving at the Flying Bridge.

The new Chris-Craft Calypso and Catalina models from 24–32' will be available for boat enthusiasts throughout the season. Celebrating its 150th year, Chris-Craft is America’s oldest premium boat builder, renowned for stunning teak and mahogany wood features, an open bow ideal for socializing, and a deep-V hull engineered for extreme stability and a drier ride.

“Chris-Craft customers are looking for something special,” says Muttart, “and we’ll have many on hand for prospective owners to try out this year.”

FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

The Flying Bridge Marina is now the regional dealer for two major boat brands, HCB Yachts and the iconic Chris-Craft.

The Flying Bridge Marina and Restaurant at Falmouth Harbor.

In July, The Flying Bridge Marina will also be an official weigh station for the Oak Bluffs Bluewater Classic fishing tournament. Boats participating in this portion of the nationally televised tournament series will line up each afternoon from July 9 to 13 to weigh their catch at the Flying Bridge dock. The public is welcome to come watch. “We’re very excited to be working with the Flying Bridge as it’s a well-recognized location and should add an interactive element to the tournament atmosphere,” said tournament director Damon Sacco.

The Flying Bridge Restaurant has some exciting updates for this season as well. “Last summer, a new sushi bar, new menu items, and an oyster and sushi festival were all big hits,” said restaurant general manager Tyler Hayes. Hayes hinted at a few additional surprises for summer 2024, including an ice cream stand and live acoustic music. Dinner, drinks, music and ice cream while watching boats in the harbor sure sounds like the Cape Cod summer we’re all hoping for!

The new Chris-Craft Calypso model from 24'–32' will be available for boaters throughout the season.

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Little Anchor Boutique

Celebrating Milestones

15 YEARS

Advanced Eyecare Specialists Colonial Filling Station New England Ballet Theatre

25 YEARS

Grumpy’s Pub

30 YEARS

Cape Cod Theatre Project The Clam Man

Successful business owners in Falmouth embody drive, determination, and a passion for pursuing their dreams.

35 YEARS

Pizza 1 & Subs 2

40 YEARS

Falmouth Newcomers Club M. Duffany Builders Miskovsky Landscaping

ACCORDING TO the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately

18% of small businesses fail within their first year, 50% within five years, and 65% by their tenth year.

It’s why milestone anniversaries for any business—5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or more—should be celebrated. And that’s exactly what we’re doing in our latest edition of Falmouth Living, profiling 5 businesses that are in landmark years. On the right are several others* that have

50 YEARS

Associates of Cape Cod

100 YEARS

Falmouth Scholarship Fund *List is not all-inclusive

reached similar milestones in their journeys in 2024.

BY CHRIS K AZARIAN PHOTOGR APHY BY ASHLEY CADRIN

Picturesque Woods Hole Golf Club

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P H OTO B Y DERRICK ZELLMANN

FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

Woods Hole Golf Club ON A FRIGID NEW YEAR’S DAY in 1999, a crowd of nearly 150 members of the Woods Hole Golf Club watched as 91-year-old Raymond Faxon hit a perfect drive off the back lawn. And with that, the famed club marked its centennial celebration.

“It seems like yesterday,” says the club’s head golf professional Glenn Kelly.

In early March, general manager Alessondra Hopman notes, the celebration of the club’s milestone anniversary hasn’t yet started.

“We got more sensible and learned our lesson,” laughs Dr. Thomas Sbarra, the club’s past president who is on the committee responsible for overseeing the commemoration of its 125th year.

“The real celebration starts Memorial Day weekend,” says Hopman. Over the course of the season, the club will host everything from its annual summer party to a tennis tournament (with wooden rackets) to a multigenerational golf scramble.

The club is even putting together a book highlighting its history since its inception. The project has led to the unearthing of club artifacts, from a book of board minutes nearly 75 years old to a scorecard from the 1920s.

One photo shows a group of caddies prior to World War II. “These are fellas who went off to fight the Nazis. Here they were, 60 of them, all going out to caddie,” says Kelly. “It’s kind of like the scene from the film ‘Dead Poets Society.’ You can hear them whispering to you from the photo.”

Before the celebration begins, the club has been focusing its efforts on completing wholesale renovations of the course in what Kelly calls “the most dramatic changes I’ve ever seen. We’ve added bunkers and additional tees as well as the expansion of some existing greens. Every hole has been touched. It’s unbelievable.”

“I use the phrase nervously excited because people don’t want to see the golf course bulldozed into a Florida-appearing golf course,” says Dr. Sbarra. “We’ve really tried to restore the course to what it looked like 50 to 75 years ago.”

With one foot firmly entrenched in the past, the memberowned club is finding ways to embrace the present. It’s a delicate balancing act for a club that has lived through three different centuries, two pandemics, two world wars, a Great Depression and a Great Recession.

Its history can be witnessed in the look and feel of the club, which was incorporated in 1899, starting with a 9-hole course designed by Thomas Winton. It’s the fourth-oldest course on the Cape, surpassed only by Cummaquid Golf Club in Barnstable, which opened four years earlier, Highland Links in Truro, which was established in 1882 and Hyannis Port Club, in 1897.

“This was pastureland. It was farmland in the late 1890s,” says Kelly. “What you see is what they saw 125 years ago. God put a golf course here, and we kind of found it.”

125 Years

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Alessondra Hopman, Kathy Cary and Glenn Kelly

It’s what Kelly calls a “typical course over 100 years old,” complete with postage-stamp-sized greens, and tees and greens close to one another. It also features majestic ocean views of Buzzards Bay. “We have a lot of guests who come through here, amazed,” Kelly says. “They have never seen a course like this.”

In 1919, the club expanded to 18 holes. Francis Ouimet, 1913 U.S. Open champ, played the first round of golf to mark the occasion. The club’s ties to the father of amateur golf continues to this day: It annually provides funds to support the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund, which was created in 1949 to provide college scholarships to students who have worked as caddies in Massachusetts.

The club eventually added four tennis courts and a clubhouse, originally built in 1921, which was rebuilt roughly eight years ago.

Its evolution can be witnessed in its membership, starting with six members when it first opened to 18 at the end of 1899.

Today, it boasts 360 members, including Heather Klimm, club president, who became the first woman to hold that leadership position when she was elected last year.

Her grandparents were part of a group of local residents who became members to save the club in the early 1950s. “They were part of that suite of members who never played golf,” Klimm says.

“I remember my grandfather telling me they were in financial trouble. . . . You didn’t have to play golf back then. They just wanted some bodies.”

The one constant through the club’s highs and lows has been the people who make the community what it is. On any given day, a foursome could include a state attorney general, a Nobel prize winner, a former NHL hockey player and a greeting card salesman. “They all leave their résumés in the car, and everybody is equal on the first tee. Everybody is the same. Nobody is better.

Nobody is worse,” says Kelly. “When I first got here, it was all about the people. There’s a real melting pot of the membership.”

“It’s really like a big family here,” Klimm says, echoing the sentiment. “From the staff to our members, we’re a family and we’ve shared so many laughs. As frustrating as golf is, we just always end up having fun.”

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Falmouth Jewelry Shop WHILE THE DIAMOND ETCHED above the door of Falmouth Jewelry Shop is accompanied by the words, “Since 1944,” the history of the store dates back even further.

“Aaron Hirsch—he is the founder—he opened the store in 1934. It was in a different location, at 229 Main Street,” says Stephen Sullivan, who purchased the shop with his wife, Neda, in 2018. “So, we’ve been open 90 years total, but 80 years at this location.”

The Sullivans are now the shop’s fourth owners. Aaron Hirsch sold it to Mr. and Mrs. Edwin L. Gray and Marcel Albert in 1944. Albert, who was a watchmaker and jeweler, eventually became sole owner, in 1954, operating it until his death in September 1998. Jan and the late Dana Freeman were next to become the store’s caretakers.

Stephen, who grew up in Falmouth, has a connection to the shop that goes back to his childhood: His mother, June, was its bookkeeper for more than a decade. “I’d come in the back and be amazed by all the tools, and it really sparked my interest in engineering and manufacturing,” he shares. “The seeds to my future were kind of sown long before I had the dream of actually owning the store.”

These days, he and his wife, who have two children, share in the responsibility—“It feels like teamwork,” Neda says—of carrying the torch for a store where so many special memories have been forged.

“There’s a certain level of trust with jewelry, and when a business is open so long it really cultivates trust,” Stephen says.

“To take that on, it’s kind of an honor and something we take very seriously,” “It’s hugely rewarding when people come in here to buy an engagement or wedding band because their grandparents bought theirs here,” says Neda. “Or couples tell us, ‘We are celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary, and here is the [wedding] ring I bought here.’ Moments like that, I don’t think you can get from a chain store or a store in the mall. That is very personal.”

That personal touch is something intrinsic, not only in the store, but also in its location, set along a quaint Main Street in a town where community is more than just a buzzword to describe the way of life.

“I really enjoy getting to know people on a personal level, and having people come in here, say hello and share the news,” says Stephen.

“There’s a charm of being on Main Street,” adds Neda.

“It’s being a part of the community,” Stephen says. “And having our kids go to school across the street.”

Stephen, who is the treasurer of the Falmouth Village Association, mentions family-friendly events like the annual holiday stroll and trick-or-treating along Main Street. “It’s not 38

80 Years just about buying stuff,” he says. “It’s about the experience.

We want people to come down here and create memories.”

And perhaps nothing creates memories more than jewelry, which is not lost on the Sullivans. “The oldest found jewelry is roughly 150,000 years old,” says Stephen, sharing a fact one would expect from the owner of a store like this. “Jewelry is a great way to create a memory, or celebrate an event, or remember a trip, a birthday, or an anniversary. There is such an emotional aspect to that.”

In 2019, the Sullivans were on hand to celebrate one such emotional occasion for Falmouth Jewelry Shop, when it turned 75, which, appropriately enough, was its diamond anniversary.

Now as it turns 80 (oak anniversary), Neda and Stephen have their sights set on the future. “100 years. That is the main goal,” Neda says. “Hopefully, our kids will be a part of that 100th anniversary.”

FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

Stephen & Neda Sullivan, owners of Falmouth Jewelry Shop

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OUR TOW N Amy Basset Way, owner of Falmouth Florist, and her pup, Remy (below)

Falmouth Florist

Falmouth Florist in 2017.

“I came in to get flowers, and they told me they were thinking of selling. A lightbulb went off, so I went home and talked to my husband and family. I said I wanted to buy it,” she recalls. “I wanted to do something creative and something I loved, so I turned my passion into a career pretty much.”

That passion was instilled in her at a young age when she would visit her grandfather Charlie, who owned a lumber company on Nantucket. “He rented a part of his building to a florist,” Way says. “When I was a little girl, she taught me how to arrange, and I thought some day when I’m older this is what I wanted to become.”

Fast-forward to 2017. After talking to her husband, Ron, and their children, she decided to work for the previous owners for free. She did everything from sweeping the floors to answering the phones to making flower arrangements.

It was enough to convince her to come up with a plan to purchase the business, which she did in 2018. Her five-person staff includes her daughter as well as her mother, the store’s “official bowmaker.”

Way has added her own flourishes to Falmouth Florist, selling home décor, candles, and artwork, and enhancing the look and feel of the store with her design sensibilities.

In many ways, she’s added new life to the store as it embarks on its fourth decade. “I think when you work for yourself you work harder than you would for someone else.

I’ve worked for myself for so long now, it pushes me to grow each year and learn new things” she says.

“I feel so lucky to be able to do this as a career.”

40 Years

HOW DO WE COMMEMORATE important moments in life? With flowers.

While Amy Bassett Way spent much of her career as an interior designer, she was often called upon by friends to create flower baskets and bouquets for weddings, proms and baby showers. “It was kind of a hobby,” she says. “It’s so rewarding to make people happy with flowers.”

She makes the statement the weekend before Valentine’s Day inside the shop where it’s no longer a hobby. It’s a profession.

If ever there was a time of year when a florist is more important to a community, this is it.

Over the past 40 years, Falmouth Florist has served as a bedrock for showing care, compassion, and love in a community when words will not suffice. Way is its third owner, purchasing the store in 2018 from sisters Donna Xenakis and Lori Muschko, who retired after more than three decades.

Way’s background in creating household spaces that inspire suited her perfectly for her second career. For nearly a decade, she was the owner of On a Whim on Main Street, selling handpainted furniture featuring seaside and floral scenes. She then switched to corporate and kitchen design before she walked into 40

FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

Country Fare Restaurant WANT TO FIND THE BEST restaurant in town? Look for the lines.

During the summer at Country Fare Restaurant, long lines are a sign the food is worth waiting for.

This year, Paula Maccini is celebrating her 25th year of owning the restaurant, a milestone that nearly didn’t happen.

Ten years ago, her husband, Joe, died at the age of 76. “He loved cooking for people, especially his own family.”

“When he passed away, I thought to myself, ‘How am I ever going to do this by myself?’” she recalls.

What kept her going? The support of longtime staff, including cook Mike Landers, who started working shortly before Joe’s death, and server Tammy Dowler, who has a 45-year connection with the business. Dowler’s origins at the restaurant date back to the late ’70s when it was known as C&B Deli and owned by Barbara and Christos Kanellopoulos before Barry King purchased it in 1979 and eventually changed its name to Country Fare.

Over the past decade, her grandchildren, Madison and Matthew, have been instrumental in supporting her. They began by clearing tables, and now both play significant roles in the service at Country Fare, which reopened for the season at the

25 Years

end of March, Paula says.

“I have a lot of memories,” Paula says of the restaurant, which she co-owned by happenstance after her husband started working there part-time more than 25 years ago.

“Joe mentioned, ‘I think I’m going to buy this restaurant,’ and I responded, ‘No, you’re not. I don’t want it. We’re retiring.’

However, he ended up purchasing it, and the rest is history.

“At present, this place holds immense significance for me; it’s my life. I dedicated seven days a week for it, from opening to closing.”

Paula Maccini, owner of Country Fare Restaurant

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Seafood Sam’s

50 Years

IN A SEASONAL COMMUNITY like Falmouth, the promise of summer is marked in moments like the reopening of Seafood Sam’s every March.

This year, a bout with pneumonia wasn’t enough to keep Michael Lewis from missing that annual rite of passage, especially as the popular restaurant embarked on its 50th season. “Out of 50 years of Seafood Sam’s, I’ve been at 49 of them. I don’t rattle very easy, but I almost got scared on [opening] night,” Lewis says.

“We had to shut off online ordering and stop answering the phone because we were so busy, and it was only the beginning of March.”

There’s always excitement in the air when visiting Seafood Sam’s, but this year may be even more so. And perhaps no one deserves to be more excited than Lewis, and not just because he’s the part-owner (his son Shaun co-owns the restaurant with him) of the establishment he started working at when he was 12 years old.

It’s because, in many ways, he shouldn’t be here. “In July 2002, I fell down the stairs on my back here [at the restaurant] and ended up in the ER and got addicted to OxyContin in three days,” he says.

It led to a downward spiral that lasted 20 months. “I got divorced and almost lost everything,” he says, admitting there were “six months where I don’t remember stuff. People would say to me, ‘You’re going to lose your restaurant.’ I didn’t really care.”

Then one day, he sought help at Gosnold, a treatment center in Falmouth. August will mark 20 years of sobriety for Lewis. In 2016, he met his future wife, Deirdre; the pair married two years later.

This year—as the restaurant he has owned since 1991 turns 50—is one of gratitude for Lewis.

That gratitude extends to the restaurant’s original owner and namesake, Sam Vecchione, who saw something in Michael and his older brother, Jeff, at a young age. “We were wanderers and, you know, Sam scooped us up and guided us along the way,” Michael says. “He was a tough guy to work for, but he basically took the role of my dad, my boss, and my guide, not only for me, but my brother as well.”

When he was 28, Michael took over ownership of the Falmouth eatery from Vecchione—his brother purchased the Seafood Sam’s in Sandwich. “When it was time to buy him out, Sam made it work,” says Michael. “I didn’t have means to borrow that kind of money, but he said, ‘Whatever I need to sign to make this work, I will do it.’”

For as tough as Vecchione was, he was also loyal, supportive, compassionate, and caring. Talk to loyal patrons of Seafood Sam’s, and they will use these same adjectives to describe its current owner.

It’s why, when reflecting on the restaurant’s milestone anniversary, Michael cannot help but feel thankful. “Other than my work ethic, I had no means of succeeding,” he says. “We were welfare kids, food stamp kids. I don’t know what would have happened if it weren’t for Sam. He was my driving force in life.

I don’t know how else to put it.”

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Seafood Sam’s Kicking It Old School What did fish and chips cost in 1974? $3.80.

On April 30th, Seafood Sam’s celebrated its 50-year anniversary by selling the popular dish at its original price.

Left to right: Mike Lewis, owner of Seafood Sam’s, Hannah Clark and Shaun Lewis.

FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

Celebrating 80 Years!

Celebrating 80 Years!

225 Main Street, Falmouth | 508-548-0487 | falmouthjewelryshop.com 225 Main Street, Falmouth | 508-548-0487 | falmouthjewelryshop.com

HISTORY

A HARBOR FOR EVERYONE

BY MEG COSTELLO PHOTOGR APHS COURTESY OF FALMOUTH HISTORICAL SOCIE T Y IT WAS THE TURN OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, and Falmouth had a strange problem for a town that boasts 68 miles of coastline. Some seasonal residents were complaining that they had no good harbor for their yachts. These unhappy boaters tended not to hail from North Falmouth, West Falmouth, Quissett, or Woods Hole — all villages with excellent natural harbors. Instead, they occupied homes closer to the center of town, and they looked with dismay toward Vineyard Sound. The southern shoreline was full of inlets, but most of them were silty, marshy and totally unsuited to serious boating. What was a yachtsman to do?

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FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

HISTORY

The Beebes wanted an outer harbor (above), but in 1906 the town voted to dredge Deacons Pond (below) and remove its Clinton Avenue causeway.

At left, boaters in 1968 sail through the harbor entrance where the causeway once stood

Considering that this group included high-powered summer people named Beebe and Emmons, you can be sure they weren’t going to put up with the situation.

At first, the harbor advocates tried a private-sector solution.

Nathaniel Emmons and his son Robert (a future America’s Cup defender) revitalized the moribund Falmouth Wharf Company.

This association had been formed in 1819 by local traders including Elijah Swift and Thomas Lawrence. Its old stone dock at the end of Shore Street had been largely abandoned since the railroad came to town in 1871. Emmons and company took over the wharf corporation, even using its original 1819 ledger, which now resides in the archives of the Falmouth Historical Society. They continued to run the wharf as a marina, with pleasure craft now outnumbering commercial ships.

But the old dock wasn’t going to provide a satisfactory long-term solution. In 1898, Robert Emmons and some of his

FALMOUTHLIVINGMAG.COM

Mill Road neighbors, including U.S. Secretary of State Richard Olney, asked the town to transform Salt Pond into a harbor, free for the public to use. The petitioners pledged fifteen thousand dollars for the project and requested that the town pay yearly maintenance. This plan would have situated the harbor at the doorstep of the Emmons family estate, now called Salt Pond Place. Town meeting was receptive at first, but the deal fell apart when disagreements arose over how to reroute “the beach road” (Surf Drive).

Undaunted, Henry H. Fay and Highfield’s E. Pierson Beebe suggested that the Old Stone Dock could be strengthened and expanded into a spacious anchorage. They labeled their plan “the outside harbor.” Others floated a plan to push a channel through to Siders Pond.

Deacons Pond finally emerged as a dark-horse candidate.

Its convenient location, near both Main Street and Falmouth

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The Falmouth Yacht Club (est. 1946) opened its clubhouse doors in July 1949. This 1956 photo was taken by Hugo Poisson.

Heights, was a plus. On the downside, it was “more marsh than water and more grass than marsh.” Extensive dredging would be required, along with the destruction of the causeway that connected Falmouth Heights to downtown.

Townspeople decided the pros for Deacons Pond outweighed the cons. It was the age of technology, after all, and engineering miracles were happening every day. A canal in Panama was already being constructed; another canal closer to

home would soon be underway. Compared to those projects, it should be simple to dredge Deacons Pond.

Town Meeting approved the Deacons Pond site in 1906, but then the saga took an unexpected twist. Influential residents, including some longtime harbor boosters, came out against the project. A few, like the Beebe brothers, still wanted the “outer harbor” plan. All of them, however, lacked faith in the town’s current leadership. They were unhappy with the management

In 1908 dredges dug out 5.75 acres of the pond to a depth of seven feet.

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FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

HISTORY

Aerial photo of Falmouth Inner Harbor by Edwin Gray, c. 1950.

of recent public projects like the new high school, and worried that local officials would bungle the harbor job as well, wasting taxpayer money—most of which came out of the wealthy summer residents’ pockets.

A group including the Beebes, Nathaniel Emmons, Edward Fenno, and Henry Fay went nuclear on the selectmen. They threatened to petition the state legislature to create a new town out of the western side of Falmouth. This new town of “Nobska” would include everything west of Mill Road and the railroad line. Given the clout these men wielded in Massachusetts politics, theirs was no empty threat.

A summit was held in January 1907 between panicky town leaders and wouldbe secessionists. After a long discussion FALMOUTHLIVINGMAG.COM

Three unidentified fishermen show off their catch in 1955.

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HISTORY

The Island Queen heads back to her berth, 1974. Photo by Hugo Poisson.

extracted promises of reform, the rebels were satisfied that Falmouth’s chastened politicians would henceforth run a tighter financial ship. They withdrew their petition to split the town and dropped their objections to Deacons Pond. It might not be their favorite harbor option, but “any port in a storm,” as the saying goes.

Work at Deacons Pond began in April 1908 and continued steadily throughout the summer. The Clinton Avenue causeway was cut through on Labor Day weekend. On September 10,

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1908, Alonzo Wells of Falmouth Heights and Worcester sailed the first vessel into the harbor.

Falmouth Inner Harbor quickly became, and remains, a popular anchorage for yachts, modest pleasure craft, and fishing vessels alike. As it turns out, you don’t need to be an America’s Cup yachtsman like Robert Emmons to appreciate Falmouth Harbor. Whether you go to sea in a yacht, a cabin cruiser, a runabout, or a ferry, when it comes to the sheer enjoyment of a halcyon day on the water, everybody’s in the same boat.

FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

Architect: Hutker Architects | Photographer: Michael J Lee

Boston | Cape & Islands New York | Greenwich | The Hamptons SEADAR.COM

CUSTOM HOMES

. RENOVATIONS . PROPERTY SERVICES

Sensational Delights Scoop up some summertime fun with Falmouth’s ice-cream shops

BY SUZANNE RYAN PHOTOGR APHY BY PE TER JULIAN

Ice cream and summertime make a perfect combination.

It just wouldn’t be summer without a visit to an ice-cream shop.

Ice cream feels so refreshing and light on a hot summer day!

Whether it’s after a day at the beach, biking or walking the Shining Sea Bikeway, shopping or as an evening treat.

Falmouth’s local ice-cream spots will never disappoint you with their cool and creamy treat. No matter which flavor you prefer, it’s always the right choice.

Smitty’s Homemade Ice Cream

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FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium 209 Main Street 508-548-7878 benandbillsfalmouth.com

Ben & Bill’s has been serving creamy ice cream, gourmet chocolates and candies on Main Street every day since 1992, using old-school recipes handed down from generation to generation. Owners Benjamin and William Coggins are nephews of Paul and Mary Trahan, who started the business.

THE SCOOP:

42 flavors of homemade hard ice cream and homemade waffle cones.

Vegan ice cream is also available.

FALMOUTHLIVINGMAG.COM

FA VORITE FL A VORS: German Chocolate Cake

chocolate ice cream with chunks of chocolate cake, coconut flake swirled with caramel sauce Smores

graham cracker ice cream with mini marshmallows, chocolate chips and broken up graham crackers with a swirl of graham cracker variegate (caramel-like thick sauce made with cinnamon, nutmeg and clove)

MOST UNIQUE FL A VORS: Chocolate Covered Banana

banana ice cream with fudge sauce swirl Banana Peanut Butter Oreo

banana ice cream with Oreos and peanut butter swirl

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Smitty’s Homemade Ice Cream 258 Teaticket Highway 508-457-1060 smittysic.com

A local favorite for more than 25 years, with Falmouth being the flagship location on the Cape. You can’t miss the yellow shutters with ice cream cone–shaped cutouts, as you drive up.

THE SCOOP:

In addition to homemade ice cream and waffle cones, Smitty’s makes frappes, banana splits, sundaes with homemade whipped cream, plus raspberry and lime rickeys, ice cream sodas, root beer floats and ice cream cakes to order.

FA VORITE FL A VORS: Coffee Oreo

MOST UNIQUE FL A VORS: Amaretto Cherry Chips

coffee ice cream with Oreo cookies

amaretto ice cream with cherry & rich chocolate chips

Banana Oreo

banana ice cream with Oreo cookies Purple Cow

black raspberry ice cream with white chocolate chips

Red Raspberry Truffle

red raspberry ice cream with chocolate covered raspberry truffles

Oreo

vanilla ice cream with Oreo cookies

Candy Go Nuts 9 Luscombe Avenue Woods Hole 508-548-1758 candygonuts.com

This delightful store has been serving ice cream since 1992. The shop proudly serves Richardson’s Ice Cream along with a variety of candies.

THE SCOOP:

19 flavors of ice cream, a few flavors of hard frozen yogurt and sherbet/sorbet, plus soft-serve vanilla & chocolate frozen yogurt, which can be made into a twist of both flavors. Open end of June through August, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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FA VORITE FL A VORS:

Phantom Berry

Mint Chip

cool mint ice cream with chocolate pieces Cookie Dough

Crunch-a-saurus

vanilla ice cream with tons of raw cookie dough and chocolate chips

blue vanilla ice cream with chocolate crispies and fudge swirls

Oreo

vanilla ice cream with real Oreo cookies

MOST UNIQUE FL A VORS: Totally Turtle

vanilla ice cream with cashews, pieces of fudge and caramel twirl.

black raspberry ice cream with a cookie crunch swirl and fudge brownie pieces

Moose Tracks

vanilla ice cream with fudge ripple and peanut butter truffles Maine Black Bear

red raspberry ice cream with chocolate chips and chocolate covered raspberry truffles

FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

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Ghelfi’s Candies and Ice Cream FA VORITE FL A VORS:

228 Main Street 508-457-1085 shipchocolates.net

Toasted Coconut

Scott Ghelfi is a third-generation candy maker, who opened this family-owned and -operated Main Street store in 1987.

Campfire S’mores

THE SCOOP:

Offering premium New England– based Gifford’s ice cream in a variety of flavors. The waffle cones are homemade, and, if you like, dipped in chocolate.

subtly sweet coconut ice cream loaded with chocolate-dusted coconut shreds graham-cracker ice cream with a delicious ripple of marshmallow and rich chocolate chips

MOST UNIQUE F L A VOR S: Sea Salt Caramel Truffle

sea salt caramel ice cream with chocolate sea salt caramel mini-melts rippled with caramel

Eulinda’s Ice Cream

634 W. Falmouth Hwy

Located near the Shining Sea Bike Path, Eulinda’s makes a great stop for a delicious treat.

Power Play Fudge

golden vanilla ice cream with crushed chocolate cookies, fudge-filled chocolate pucks and ribbons of fudge

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FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

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Ron Hoffman, founder of CCALS

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RON HOFFMAN AND CCALS:

Compassion, care and the ‘art of showing up’

BY BILL HIGGINS PHOTOGR APHY BY PE TER JULIAN RON HOFFMAN MOVES QUIETLY AROUND what was once an historic Cape Cod inn,

speaking softly. It’s late autumn, and fall foliage is fading. Over there is a stream and koi pond. A meditative garden abuts a rock wall and beyond is a grove of tupelo and cedar trees.

This is Hoffman’s office at the Heald Center, home of Compassionate Care ALS (CCALS) in West Falmouth.

Originally the James Gifford House, built in 1863, it was the Beach Rose Inn for many years. CCALS purchased the property in 2013 and raised $3.5 million for renovations.

The inn was transformed and opened in 2018 as a retreat and sanctuary to meet the needs of people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, their families and caregivers.

ALS, or “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”—named for the famous New York Yankees player who was forced to retire in 1939—is a progressive neurodegenerative condition in which muscles slowly weaken, leading to paralysis and death. There is no cure, only medications to manage symptoms or slow the rate of decline.

But there is Ron Hoffman, the founder and executive director of Compassionate Care ALS. A youthful 70 with thinning, gray hair—he recently trimmed his signature ponytail—he started the Gordon T. Heald ALS Fund with Betsy Heald in 1998 after her husband died at the age of 62. A year earlier Gordon was diagnosed and Betsy asked Hoffman to be his driver when he couldn’t operate his car and then his

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full-time caregiver as the disease progressed.

Hoffman, who worked for Gordon Heald at Wicker Tree Catering in Falmouth, hadn’t finished college and had no training in medicine. But a traumatic, life-changing event when he was 10 taught him about caring, and in 2002 the fund evolved into the nonprofit Compassionate Care ALS. Today, CCALS includes a staff of 26, a thirteen-member board of directors, the West Falmouth Heald Center, and offices in Falmouth, New York and Colorado.

The mission is compassion and care—not clinical research.

“Everyone living in catastrophic circumstances like ALS should have someone showing up for them,” says Hoffman.

“If you want us, we’re there for you with physical, emotional and spiritual support.”

And at no cost. The Heald Center has fully handicappedaccessible suites with adjoining rooms for family members.

There is a community kitchen, lounge and library, and meeting facilities for educational gatherings. In addition, a nearby warehouse has everything necessary for living with ALS, such as ramps, lifts, electric wheelchairs, portable showers, reclining chairs and communication equipment.

All of it is offered free of charge and with little paperwork or bureaucratic red tape. “A long time ago,” says Hoffman, “the doctor showed up at your house with his black leather medicine bag and tended to you. That’s our model.”

CCALS’s budget of $4.1 million is funded by a large

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Aerial photo of Heald Center home of Compassionate Care ALS in West Falmouth.

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P H OTO S: C H R I S TO P H E R D U G G A N

donor base, grants and fundraisers. The annual summer Falmouth Road Race and companion Falmouth in the Fall race are major contributors. More than 100 runners, including Gordon Heald’s son, Bill, helped raise $325,000 in the 2023 race last August. Over the last 21 years runners for CCALS have generated nearly $4.5 million in donations.

CCALS serves more than 1,000 clients—Hoffman prefers to call them “friends and family”—in nearly every state and internationally in more than a dozen countries.

Hoffman is tirelessly dedicated to “the art of showing up,” just as a “stranger/friend” was there for him on a terrifying day in 1964 when he was a young boy in Richmond, Virginia, living with his brother, mother and an abusive, alcoholic father.

“My father tried to kill my mother,” Hoffman says now, sitting in a sunlit room at the Heald Center and recounting a story he included in his 2014 memoir, Sacred Bullet: Transforming Trauma to Grace While Tending the Terminally Ill. “My brother and I were watching TV. My mother started screaming, ‘Daddy’s got a gun.’ I bolted to her. I felt like I was diving in slow motion.

My father was shooting at mom and the first bullet got me in the side. I was 10. He saw I was shot, and then he put two more bullets in my mother.

“I remember arriving at the hospital and being wheeled out of the ambulance. I feel this hand on my heart. It’s an orderly, FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

and the man says, ‘Ronnie, I’m here for you. It’s going to be OK.’ He stayed with me, and I felt safe. He was a stranger who became my friend. It was the simple act of showing up, being there and caring.”

Hoffman and his mom survived the shootings, but the experience altered his life and he has been on a journey of healing since.

“I lived somewhat chaotically for many years and made poor choices,” says Hoffman. “I just didn’t know what I wanted to be or where I needed to be.”

In 1997 he was doing catering work for Wicker Tree when Heald was diagnosed with ALS. “We had nothing in common. I didn’t really know Gordon,” says Hoffman, “so when Betsy asked me to help, I thought, ‘I don’t have a wife. I don’t have a dog.’ That was a huge fork in the road for me, and we became close. That’s how all this started.

“Getting shot was a crisis moment and receiving a diagnosis like ALS is not much different,” says Hoffman. “How do we process trauma? In the world of ALS, there’s not much support, just like there was no real support for me. It took most of my adult life to figure it out, and I’m still working on it.

“We go to Lamaze class to prepare us for the beginning of life, and yet there’s nothing available for the end of life. With Compassionate Care ALS, we’re changing the way the healthcare system serves, or doesn’t serve, the terminally ill. Most people in healthcare are clinicians. Research is very important, but so too is

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Above: A spacious living area for families to relax and unwind during their stay at Heald Center, CCALS. Below: One of several bedrooms, each with its own individual bathroom.

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Above: Each room is designed for an enjoyable stay.

The reading room is stocked with books.

Below: The kitchen is fully equipped.

patient care, emotionally and spiritually.”

Since 2017 CCALS has partnered with Massachusetts General Hospital on an ALS House Call Program, which gives housebound patients access to medical services in their homes.

Hoffman has a close relationship with Dr. Merit Cudkowicz, chief of neurology at MGH and director of the hospital’s ALS research center.

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“It’s a beautiful program,” says Hoffman, “and very rare in the healthcare system. Members of my staff, doctors and nurses are with ALS families in the home.”

Hoffman says the relationship with the ALS community, clients, families and caregivers, can be complicated.

“It’s a dance. My ALS friends have choices, decisions and possibilities, such as having a feeding tube or a tracheotomy.

Some don’t want to know anything; others want to know everything. Most are somewhere in the middle.

“I honor them where they are and walk alongside them,” he says. “I don’t push an agenda. It’s the art of listening. When we really spend time and get to know a person, trust begins to build. If they ask questions, like what’s my dying going to look like, wow, OK, here’s an invitation. And then I can say, ‘This is what I know. . . .’

“In my experience, those people who are willing to explore that reality of their own mortality still live their life. When it does come time, for the vast majority, and also for the families, it’s incredibly peaceful, and the transition is very natural. They dance their dying together.”

FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

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Left to right: Jason Chorches, Ron Hoffman, Brenda Civitan and pup Madison aka Madi.

At 70, Hoffman remains passionate and committed to the myriad of challenges for CCALS. He has no plans to slow down.

“Retirement? What would I retire to? My hope is I have another 10 years and then I’ll reevaluate. I like going into nature, the mountains or the desert. That helps me unwind, or just driving around, listening to music. Honestly, though, being emotionally connected to my ALS friends is comforting. I don’t see it as my work. It fuels me and feeds my soul.

“It used to be just me here, but we have a big team now and there’s a lot of work to do. It’s a fast-moving train, and the tracks are getting longer with more curves. We’ve created momentum

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and we’re doing good things. We have to keep it going and find the right people to drive the train.

“I’ve been blessed, and I don’t use that word often, but without Gordon being diagnosed and Betty asking me to help, none of this would have happened,” says Hoffman. “It’s the relationships that make all this so rewarding. The families, my teachers, mentors, colleagues and friends from all ranks of life. . . . We are not alone on this road we travel and to have the opportunity to walk alongside them, what a gift.”

More information on Compassionate Care ALS is available at ccals.org FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

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FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

BY BILL HIGG INS PH OTO G R APHY BY BE T T Y WILE Y

Racer Molly Senney practices in an O’pen Skiff as she prepares for the upcoming Falmouth Regatta.

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The Learn to Sail class heads out on a Sonar for a fun day of sailing with senior instructors Grace Squires and Sara Valle.

ON A SPLENDID SUMMER MORNING THE WARM SUN SHIMMERS off the waves of Vineyard Sound.

Majestic Nobska Light stands sentry in the distance as sailboats ride the wind. Chamber of Commerce brochures are made for days like this.

Welcome to the Falmouth Harbor Sailing School, where some 300 girls and boys are introduced to and instructed in a sport that dates to the first modern Olympics in 1896. The nonprofit school for youngsters ages 7 to 18 has been teaching the art and science of sailing since 1990. Based at the Falmouth Yacht Club, it’s open to the community—you needn’t be a member of the club—and supported by tuition and donations.

There is also a popular adult program.

Russ Gasdia, who grew up sailing at Wild Harbor Yacht Club in North Falmouth, is in his second year as program director.

Seven senior instructors, most of whom have come through

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the school, are assisted by 15 to 25 junior instructors, who also compete on the FHSS race team in regattas around the region.

“Our goal is to spread knowledge and love of sailing in the community,” said Gasdia. “What I really enjoy is it’s a unique way to enjoy the water, the environment, and cultivate an appreciation for the natural resources we have around us.”

The school runs for eight weeks, from mid-June to mid-August.

Sailors may sign up for weekly sessions or for the entire program, and beginners with no experience are welcome. The adult sessions are held on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings.

The yacht club, at the entrance to Falmouth Harbor in the Heights, serves as host, and sailing is off Surf Drive Beach and all around the Sound. More advanced students might even go as far as Martha’s Vineyard. The instructors are always close by, in the sailboat with beginners or trailing in a coaching boat with a motor.

FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

Above: Jacob Lando raises the spinnaker on his 420 as he prepares to race downwind.

Below: The 2023 FHSS senior instructors: Sara Valle, Will Hynes, Kevin McNeill, Russ Gasdia, Katie and Jimmy Mangraviti

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Junior instructors help to prepare a 420 to launch from the Falmouth Yacht Club docks at the beginning of the day.

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FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

PJ Valle and Lydia Graffeo hike out to keep their 420 flat (left) as Molly Seney passes in an O’pen Skiff.

FHHS’s fleet of boats includes about three dozen Optimists (Opti) for beginners; a dozen 420s, three Sonar and eight power boats. The curriculum includes • Learn to Sail for newcomers ages 7 to 10, where on-thewater safety is emphasized, along with basic skills and terminology. The classes are taught in a larger boat with at least one instructor onboard.

• Opti 1 for beginner level students at least 8. They learn boat-handling skills, sailing in pairs, and progress toward sailing alone as their comfort level increases.

• Opti 2 is an intermediate level. Sailors learn to single-hand the small boat while learning weight placement, tacking, jibing and sailing a race course.

• Opti racing is for those who want to compete in regattas.

Instruction includes boat-handling techniques, tactics, strategies and the rules of racing.

FALMOUTHLIVINGMAG.COM

• Typically, younger students move from the Optimist level to 420s. The 420 1 class covers double-handed (two persons) boat handling, and sailors learn to rig and derail a 420, steer and trim on all points of sail and trapeze (a wire from high on the mast hooked to a crew’s harness). The 420 2 class for intermediate students focuses on techniques, tactics, the trapeze and using the larger spinnaker sail. The director and instructors select students for 420 competitions and teach team and fleet racing strategy.

The school also has Adventure Boating for older students who aren’t interested in racing but still enjoy being on the water.

Activities include kayaking and open skiff, a flat, surfboard-like experience with a windsurf-like sail.

Brian Doyle, president of the FHSS board of directors, was an instructor in the early years in the 1990s. He said the mission from outset was to create a program for the entire community.

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“There were yacht club members involved, but they saw the benefit of providing sail education for everyone,” he said. “That makes us different. If you want to learn to sail, we’re here for you, which isn’t the case with programs at most other clubs, and in fact many of our young campers are not members of the yacht club.”

Henry Gesing, 17, of West Newbury, spends the summer with his family at their Falmouth home. He has been sailing for only about three years, but has earned proficiency certifications

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from the American Sailing Association and was a junior instructor last year. He is looking forward to another season at the school.

“I was probably a little older than most kids (who join the school), but I’ve always liked fishing, swimming and being around the water,” said Gesing, a student at Governor’s Academy in Byfield. “I also like working with electronics, robotics and engineering kind of things, so maybe that’s why the technical aspects of sailing appeal to me.”

FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

The 420 2 class sails back into Falmouth Harbor as senior instructor Kevin McNeill looks on.

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Above: Junior instructor Henry Gesing looks on as the 420 1 class sails towards Nobska Light. Right: Daniel, a member of the Opti 2 class, tries out a Pram for the day.

Gesing said he enjoys teaching newcomers as well as racing in regattas. “Every day is different, and seeing younger kids improve is rewarding. Some have never been in a boat, and by the end of a week they’re loving it. Teaching helps me, too, because there’s always something new to learn.”

Gasdia, a teacher and sailing coach at Cape Cod Academy, said he’s seen how sailing helps young girls and boys mature and gain independence, perhaps unlike some team sports.

“I can’t prove this, but I really think this sport builds confidence,” said Gasdia. “We take 8- or 9-yearolds, put them in a boat the size of a bathtub (an Opti), and say, ‘You’re going sailing.’ We’re not putting them at risk. We’re right there with them or in a motor boat.

But they have to solve problems on their own. Before kids can drive a car, they can sail a boat. That’s a big benefit you don’t get from other sports.”

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FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

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Sowing Seeds

A skilled and dedicated gardener shares her passion for flowers and foliage with the next generation.

BY LISA CAVANAUGH PHOTOGR APHY BY BET T Y WILEY

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FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

Lund and her husband have created many relaxing spaces amid her gardens, such as this outdoor dining area that is bordered by limelight Hydrangea.

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Lund includes many shrubs and perennials in her yard, with varieties of day lilies, Boho hydrangeas, Wine and Roses Weigela, nepeta (catmint) and Heuchera, so she has an everchanging mixture of textures and colors.

Below: Pink dahlia

“GARDENS ARE PLACES FOR DISCOVERING WHAT WORKS and what doesn’t work,” says Falmouth

resident Claire Lund. “You can rearrange the spaces to be what you need them to be. You can have a quiet space or a place to celebrate special occasions with lots of people.”

Lund and her husband, Scott, recently became full-timers after eleven years of seasonal visits to their charming Cape house.

“We sold our home in Canton to our daughter and moved down here because I had tentatively retired from three decades of teaching,” she says. “But I’ve since gone back to work!”

Being in a classroom again has not stopped Lund from spending as much time as possible on her beloved garden.

“I’ve always been into gardening,” she says, “because I find gardens to be magical places.” She says while her grandmother liked flowers, gardening wasn’t an overwhelming tradition in her family. “I really think I came upon it because I love design and color. I was also influenced by teaching science and social studies in the classroom. We studied about plants and animals and native plantings,” says Lund. The longtime educator equates the experience of maintaining a garden with teaching. “There is always something new happening, always so much to learn.”

Her four children (now grown and with kids of their own) have always helped Lund in the garden. “I needed the brawn, and the boys will say that they are still my diggers,” she laughs.

“From day one, from the time they were able to hold the shovel,

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FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

Above: Claire & Scott Lund enjoying the outdoor living space that they designed to gather with family. Below: Lund’s garden includes plants attractive to pollinators, such as this Hydrangea macrophylla (big leaf ) and Astilbe delft lace.

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I would instruct them where I wanted plants to go and where they needed to dig the holes.”

With just over a half-acre to work with, Lund started from scratch and has regularly revised her plots (“I don’t think there is one bush in the original spot!”). “In all of my gardens, you’ll find a bunch of shrubs because I want greenery as well as flowers.” She says she likes perennials because she can divide and move them to a new area. “My children have been the beneficiary of that because when I do divide things, or I decide to change a space around, they’re the first ones to say we’ll come and take it!”

She does have some favorite flowers that she tends to

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return to on a regular basis. Those include daylilies, varieties of coneflowers, delphiniums, lavender, salvia, hollyhocks and David Austin roses. “I’ve been using a few more annuals than I ever used to,” says Lund, “primarily dahlias and zinnias because I just find those flowers fascinating. They are so spectacular in their colors, sizes, and shapes.”

Lund relies on a bit of structure and a bit of inspiration as she prepares for a new spring and summer of foliage and blooms. At the end of the season, as she starts to put everything to bed, she looks at what was successful and what can use some adapting. “I see what I might want to move FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

Lund has created an oasis of sophisticated calm within her property’s relatively small footprint. Along the porch are David Austin roses Desdemona.

because it got too big or it didn’t thrive the way that I wanted it to,” she says. “When the garden season is coming to a close it’s bittersweet, but it gives you time to plan out next season’s garden.” Lund loves looking at seed catalogs and envisioning future garden spaces, as well as taking time to wander in nurseries and greenhouses. “My husband will tell you I could walk around for hours and hours just looking at all the plants and flowers,” she says. “Sometimes I don’t buy anything at all and just take in the sights and smells, and sometimes some of them come home with me.”

Nestled amongst the foliage and blooms, Lund has FALMOUTHLIVINGMAG.COM

created spaces specifically for her eight grandchildren to enjoy, including a dedicated sandbox. “There are always a lot of little ones playing there, with dump trucks and other toys,” she says, “and my husband and I adore sitting there watching them play in the sandbox.”

Lund decided another wonderful way to instill a love of gardening in the youngsters was to create a sensory garden.

“We have all sorts of things to smell, listen to, and touch,” she says, mentioning how she included a birdhouse and bee nesting area, as well as a wind chime next to the fragrant plants. “My granddaughter loves strawberries, so we planted

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FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

strawberries last year,” says Lund, “while my grandson likes what he calls the “pizza plant” (thyme) because whenever he rubs the leaves on it, it smells like pizza to him.” She adds that she recently planted dill because another grandchild loves pickles. “It is something that they can make a connection to, and they love being over there in that garden.”

Lund has shared her horticultural passion not only with her own children and grandchildren but also with generations of her students. “I’ve taught many things. I was a speech and language pathologist initially, then I went into special education, then I became a first-grade teacher, and now I’m a reading specialist.” At her former elementary school in Canton, Lund and some colleagues created an outdoor learning center where the children could experience the joy of growing plants themselves. “We did things like plant flowers on Mother’s Day, which the kids would eventually take home,” she says. “It’s fun passing that love of gardening on.”

Whether at school or at home, Lund continues to celebrate the pleasures of the natural world. “I spend all my free time outside,” says Lund. “Ask any of my neighbors, and they will say I’m always in my garden.” She has added more pollinator plants and a fountain to her gardens to attract bees, birds, and butterflies and also relishes some of the “legacy” plants she has on the property.

“A few years ago, my daughter-in-law and I accepted an invitation from a woman in Great Harbors to dig up some of

Left: Next to hot tub and shed are Kimberly Queen fern, fairy trail hydrangeas and yellow dipladenia. Top: A dwarf clump river birch.

Above: The garden includes many amenities and appealing blossoms for birds and bees, such as Shasta daisy.

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Above: Flanked by potted evergreens, a grand outdoor fireplace offers seasonal comfort.

Nearby, potted Echinacea Sombrero Lemon Yellow.

Left: Guardian mixed blues delphinium and Achillea yarrow pink grapefruit.

her established irises and replant them here, and now whenever they pop up, I think of that day,” she says. “I even have a 100-year-old peony in my yard from a friend where we used to live.

When she moved into her home with her husband, there were prolific gardens that had tons of peonies in them, and she gave one to me. We had it in our home in Canton, and it was one of the things that I dug out before we moved to bring it with us to the Cape.”

Her passion for plants has been a constant in her life. “Even when I don’t cut blooms from my own garden, I always have fresh flowers in my kitchen,” she adds, “Flowers bring me joy. When flowers are blooming they just make me smile and are good for the soul.”

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Space

An interior designer lends her skills to her own home renovation.

BY LISA C AVANAUG H PH OTO G R APHY BY TAYLO R C ADWELL

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AS A PROFESSIONAL INTERIOR DESIGNER for more than 15 years, Pam Gentile

Above: The new configuration on the first floor includes a bright modern kitchen that flows to a delightful dining area.

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says she had almost too much knowledge when she undertook a renovation of her own home. “It was really challenging, honestly, because I know too much,” she laughs. “And there’s so much variety available to us now that it can be daunting to make decisions. You can, even as a designer, become paralyzed by that.”

However, once she began the process of transforming the East Falmouth home she and her husband Jeff bought three years ago, Gentile truly enjoyed herself. “This is the largest renovation I’ve ever done, and it was a lot of fun.

It really was,” she says. “I was able to take some risks I might not have taken with a client’s home.”

The original house was built in 1800, while the other sections were added in 2006. Gentile wanted to harmonize the spaces and reconfigure the “completely dysfunctional” kitchen. The property also included about 1,000 square feet above the garage, which had not been finished. The previous owner had intended it as an in-law suite, so it had a separate entrance.

“That’s where we focused our project,” she says.

“We wanted to modernize the kitchen and living

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Above right: Pam Gentile says that while she has completed many home projects throughout her career as an interior designer, her own home was the largest renovation she has ever done. Below: The home remodel seamlessly melds the old home with the updated design scheme, including a spacious living area for family to gather off the kitchen.

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room and finish the space above the garage.” Gentile and her husband wanted the over-garage rooms to be contiguous to the main house, and they had a vision of how it could work.

“That’s where Geoff came in,” she says, referring to Geoff Bright of Synergy Home Improvements, who completed the renovation for the couple.

“Pam and Jeff reached out to me to discuss their potential project and their design ideas,” says Bright, who has been in the building and remodeling industry for 27 years and has run Synergy Home Improvements since 2012. Immediately, he recognized that what Gentile had identified as one of the more complicated aspects of the renovation—creating a stairway to connect the main house and the above-garage space—would be the project’s biggest challenge.

“We took the existing staircase at the outside end of the building and brought it over to the existing house side of the garage to merge the additional space upstairs with the existing home,” says Bright. “Even though the area was almost

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1,000 square feet, the space to fit the staircase was minimal.

It came down to only a few inches laterally where the egress from the existing home to this new space above would make sense and look right.” Bright and his team are quite skilled at staircase builds, but this one became structurally technical. “It’s something we do all the time, but this one was particularly unique, and we didn’t have a lot of room for error.”

Gentile and her husband had an excellent idea of what they wanted from that vacant space. They wanted to create two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a laundry room, and a little lounge with a fireplace. “Geoff helped us really add the final touches to that plan.”

Another major portion of the project was reimagining the kitchen. “That was the real challenge,” says Gentile. “Because it’s an 1800s house, the existing kitchen had a small footprint and was cut up into three different spaces.” She says it required some real creativity to figure out how to gain the most space possible and construct a lovely kitchen.

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The remodeled space above the garage now features a charming lounge with fireplace. “It’s very cozy in the winter,” says Gentile.

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“I am an interior designer, so I have a strong opinion of what I want,” says Gentile. “But Geoff was an excellent partner. He proposed several ideas, and we ended up going with one that eliminated an old staircase down to the basement, which gained us quite a bit of space.” She adds that this kind of overhaul made for some structural implications both in the room where the kitchen is and below it. “Geoff was very proactive in handling those issues for us.”

For the project, Bright said he had a list of structural components that are huge deals on their own but needed to be done in a sensible sequence. He has experience working with older homes and knew additional support would be required in the remodeled kitchen. “We took what was about a 400-square-foot area that was partitioned off into a patchwork of kitchen, dining room, pantry, closet, and staircase,” he says. “We created one big open space and installed a 700-pound structural beam in the ceiling, which was no easy feat to get in.”

An existing nearby bathroom was also remodeled, and to access the basement after the old stairwell from the kitchen was deleted, Bright needed to connect the garage basement and the house basement. “There was a separate entrance from the garage, so we cut a hole through the foundation in that section of the basement to create access to the old section. We cut a doorway in the seven-foot concrete wall in the middle of the basement, joining the

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Above: The renovation added two guest rooms.

Below: A laundry room with an entrance to the guest bathroom.

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old and new basements together. This project definitely had its moments with demolition!”

Gentile says she let her designer mind run free in both the kitchen and the primary bathroom. “In my kitchen, I splurged on a Herringbone marble backsplash that I had been eyeing for a while, she says. “I just decided that it’s not a lot of backsplashes, so I’m going to do it right.”

She also indicated that she is not really a fan of stoves on the kitchen island. “I’m a messy cook, and I really don’t need my stove to be front and center.” So, Gentile positioned her stove against the wall with a modified stove hood vent, but she also wanted a window. “You know, that’s not for everyone; even Geoff and my husband asked me, ‘You really want to do that?’ And I said, yeah, I do, actually. And now I have a beautiful view out of my backyard when I’m cooking instead of when I’m washing dishes.”

Her bathroom design is probably the most adventurous in the home. “I did a large-format tile that goes from floor to ceiling, and I love it,” says Gentile. “The execution was fabulous. It’s so important when doing these large-scale tiles that the installation be perfect.”

Above: A luxurious master suite bathroom, with a walk-in shower and a separate tub.

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Bright says that even though the home proved to be one of the most challenging jobs he’d ever done, it was also the most rewarding. “We’ve done plenty of old homes and plenty of recent construction, but to produce that project in the way we did, especially in line with the homeowner’s vision, was very satisfying.” He says that his main goal with his company is to listen to clients and deliver what they want and need. “Working with Pam and Geoff was great, “adds Bright.” I was grateful to meet them, and I think from A to Z, we faced very few obstacles. We partnered well together.”

Throughout the entire renovation, the Gentiles remained living in the house. “We knew the whole house would be in turmoil, so we created a little oasis in the primary bedroom where we could nest.” But once the other spaces were transfigured so skillfully and beautifully, Gentile says she regretted not including their bedroom.

“After the project was completed, we ended up moving out of the room and getting it redone with new floors, paint, and lighting,” she says. “So now it feels like a completely new home for us.”

Synergy Home Improvements synergyhomeimprovements.net

Above: A large guest bathroom with a shower and double sink vanity.

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Seaside Success FOR FALMOUTH’S WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES Finding inspiration in the tales of seven women-owned businesses that are making a mark in Falmouth.

BY CHR IS K A Z AR IAN PH OTOG R APHY

BY DER R ICK ZELLMANN

In this issue of Falmouth Living magazine, we’re recognizing several women who are making a meaningful difference in our community. Each of them started with a dream to open and operate her own business. Not only did they realize those dreams—that is something worth celebrating—but they also have been able to grow their businesses so that they serve as a beacon for the positive impact that women are having in shaping Falmouth for the better.

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LAURA SCIORTINO Turning Pointe Dance Studio AT THE AGE OF 13, Laura Faria Sciortino was talented enough as a dancer that she received a scholarship to the Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida. It meant she’d have to leave Pocasset, where she had grown up.The opportunity led Sciortino to a professional dance career after she graduated. She performed with the Milwaukee Ballet, Sarasota Ballet, Configuration, Ballet Wisconsin, Channel Islands Ballet and more while earning leading roles in a variety of classical ballets including The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty as well several George Balanchine ballets. She worked with many worldrenowned contemporary choreographers.

“I definitely miss the stage,” she says. “I think the best part is entertaining the audience and making them feel and see things in a different way. And I loved the work that went into creating new works and bringing them to life on stage.”

What has stayed with Sciortino all these years is that she had to leave the Cape at a young age to pursue a life as a dancer. “I knew I always wanted to come back to Cape Cod and open a strong classical ballet school so kids didn’t have to move away to get serious dance training,” she says.

She makes the statement inside Turning Pointe Dance Studio, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2023.

Around the time Hilde Maingay and her husband, Earle Barnhart, started the studio out of Alchemy Farm in Hatchville, Sciortino had returned home from performing in California.

“She needed a ballet teacher,” Sciortino says. “I wasn’t sure if I was temporarily coming home or not, but I fell in love with Turning Pointe. Hilde was motivated to pass the studio on to someone who had big dreams of making it something even more special. I ended up taking it over in 2005 when I purchased it from her.”

By that time, the studio had moved to Thomas B. Landers Road, in an adjacent building to where it is now.

“It was a single bay with one dance studio, no dressing rooms, and one small bathroom,” says Sciortino.

In 2011, the studio moved to a brand-new building across the parking lot, expanding to three studios—all have sprung floors, mirrors and ballet barres—as well as an equipment room, two dressing rooms, and three bathrooms.

It’s one example of how the business has grown under Sciortino’s leadership. “What blows my mind is almost 20 years have gone by since I purchased it,” she says. “You

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don’t think about it when you’re kind of going full speed.

And to see how much it’s evolved from when we started; we were doing handwritten billing statements. . . . I look back and reflect often in amazement and pride.”

Another example of its evolution—Sciortino’s former students Ariana Romano Harris and Louisa Hopewell, who are now two of her lead teachers. Both are expecting children this spring.

In an average week, Turning Pointe offers 70 classes, from ballet to jazz to tap to hip hop to acro to contemporary dance. They are open to both children and adults: One of the oldest students is Hilde, who continues to dance at the age of 84.

The studio boasts nearly 300 students, including three who are in its preprofessional program, which started five years ago, fulfilling Sciortino’s vision to offer the type of training she had to move off-Cape to receive when she was growing up. “We’ve had up to 10 kids in the program in a school year,” Sciortino says. “Several are dancing professionally, which is our ultimate goal.”

While Sciortino takes pride in seeing her students take that next leap and experience what she did in her dance career, she knows not all will make it to that level. “It is really about seeing a child grow physically and mentally healthy and strong and for these children to feel part of something that helps them gain self-confidence,” she says.

“That is one of my favorite parts.”

Sciortino, who has been married for 14 years to her husband, Daniel—they have two children, Henry, 13, and Cordelia, 11—balances raising a family with the multiple hats she wears at Turning Pointe. “I’m a coach. In some ways I’m a mother to our 300 students,” she says. “I’m a disciplinarian, an accountant, a scheduler, a therapist very often, a cleaner—I clean constantly.”

She does all this because she knows there’s something profoundly moving about dance that she wants to share with others at Turning Pointe. “You’re part of something special. You’re part of something creative. Not only are you moving your body physically, but you’re engaging your soul,” she says. “It is sad to me to think there are children and people who don’t have music or dance or art in their lives. I love that Turning Pointe can add even more vibrancy to our community through dance. If there are children out there that don’t have the means to dance, I hope they reach out to Turning Pointe.”

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NANCY BAKER AND ALLISON BAKER Trendy Tots FIRST JOBS ARE OFTEN the means to an end: gain some work experience and earn a little spending cash.

But Allison Baker knew when she was 15 and applying for a retail job at TJ Maxx in Falmouth that this would eventually be her career. “I remember sitting down when I did the job interview and told the store manager that someday I wanted to be a clothing buyer,” she says. “My dream came true. My part of the business is doing the buying for our shop. I get the best of both worlds—I do the buying and I get to be with the customers.”

That shop is Trendy Tots, a children’s boutique on Main Street that Allison opened with her mother, Nancy Baker, in 2013.

Over the past 11 years in business, Allison has since had two children, her son Cole, 11, and a 3-year-old daughter, Emersyn.

“My children have always been a part of the business,” Allison says, noting that the name of the store stems from her passion for fashion.

“Trendy Tots was a perfect fit because I’ve always wanted to stay up with the latest in children’s fashion. I love it. My kids are always well dressed.”

Over the past decade, the store has evolved, adding shoes, toys, arts and crafts, and accessories to the high-quality clothing it offers to their customers.

While Allison focuses primarily on the clothes, her mom is responsible for the toys as well as the bookkeeping. “It’s awesome to work with my mom every day,” she says. “We bounce ideas off each other. We love our customers, and we’re both people persons, which makes a difference because you want to make customers feel important because they are important.”

What makes the store work, Nancy says, is that “we get along very well and we play off each other on what we do and don’t like. Most of the time we agree.”

The decisions on what clothes to stock and what toys to sell are influenced by their loyal customers. “When we go to a clothing or toy show, we go with our customers in mind,” says Allison. “I have a few customers we work with who we end up kind of being their personal shoppers. They’ll tell me, ‘Hey, I need a birthday gift,’ or ‘I need a baby gift.’”

It’s the type of personal touch you can get only in a small business that was built on community. “I have such a great rapport with my customers. It is really fun,” Allison says. “It goes back to my love for what I do.”

It doesn’t hurt that working in a kids’ store engenders joy, enthusiasm and curiosity from their customers. “The kids get so excited when they come in,” Nancy says. “My kids loved their toys growing up. My grandkids do. All kids do.”

It’s hard not to feel happy when you’re in a store like Trendy Tots, which may explain why Allison knew this is what she always wanted to do when she grew up. “I know it’s going to sound corny, but your dreams really come true if you work at something hard enough and believe in it,” she says.

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CYNTHIA FURTADO AND CHRISTINE O’LEARY Salt Pond Realty, LLP “SMALL GIANTS” is the term Cynthia Furtado and Christine O’Leary use to describe Salt Pond Realty, LLP, the company they started in late 2012.

“I don’t think people realize how long we have been in business,” Cynthia says inside their charming office on Queen’s Buyway. “We don’t like referring to ourselves as a boutique agency or a small agency. I think that takes away the feeling of being an integral part of the business in town.

“We’re not small in personality,” she says.

In numbers—the staff of five includes its founders—Salt Pond Realty, LLP, is purposefully small. But in terms of its impact, focus and intensity, the company looms large.

It starts with confidence, something that is required of anyone who takes a leap of faith to start a business. By the time the pair did so, they had a combined 16 years’ experience in the industry. Christine got her license in 2003, and Cynthia, in 2005.

They had worked together during turbulent times, when subprime mortgages, massive consumer debt and tumbling home values led to the bursting of the housing bubble in 2008. “It was an incredibly difficult time in real estate,” says Cynthia. “But it was a great time for us to learn how to make ourselves successful in the real estate business because we did have good success in those years.” It gave them the experience they needed to eventually launch their own firm.

It’s the nature of an industry where people think the job of helping clients sell and purchase homes is easy. “It’s a very difficult business,” says Cynthia. “It takes years for people to hone their craft and to learn what their niche is.”

In practice, it looks like this: Salt Pond Realty’s first office was on the second floor of the same building that houses the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce. Later, it moved to a slightly larger office in Falmouth Heights. The pair moved to the current location five years ago.

“We moved from a tiny little office to a small office to a bigger, better space,” says Christine. “That is growth.”

Sit down with the two and you’ll quickly understand this is where they are meant to be.

Christine, who grew up in Falmouth, was raised by parents “who sold and bought real estate as a living. I grew up in a family with four girls and a brother. My dad was always pushing us. He always instilled in us that idea of, ‘Don’t be a cheerleader. Go play the sport.’”

His message was simple. “For him, it was, if you want it, go get it,” Christine says.

“Being a woman in business, a generation before us, was difficult because business was always secondary to your family life,” says Cynthia. “I am of the generation where you were taught you could do anything.”

That’s what led them to starting their own business. In doing so, they have discovered the most rewarding part is what life is all about—connecting with people. “Our clients come in to visit. They bring us coffee. They sit and tell us everything that’s going on,” says Cynthia.

It is the essence of any small business that becomes a fixture in a community.

“I love the community we live in,” says Christine. “We know everyone, and everyone knows each other. To me, it’s a nice part of living here.”

For Cynthia, who moved to Falmouth 23 years ago from Martha’s Vineyard with her husband, it is exactly why she chose this profession. It gave her a connection to this place she calls home. “When I moved here, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but I wanted to be a part of the community,” says Furtado. “I wanted to be involved in the community and get to know people here. Real estate seemed to be a nice segue into all of that.”

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LISA SUE SMEDBERG story.

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IF LISA SUE SMEDBERG’S LIFE were to be turned into a story, it would be one of constant adventure, led by the courage and conviction to take chances. It’s how she found herself opening her first ever retail store, story., in June 2019 after a whirlwind career in marketing.

It’s a career that doesn’t take into account a sixmonth stint in the early 1990s, fresh out of college at Northeastern University, when she packed her bags to work at a cannery in Kodiak Island, Alaska.

In the mid-90s, Lisa Sue designed media guides and other marketing pieces for the Boston Celtics. That was followed by a vacation to the Middle East, where she decided she wanted to live and work. She found a job with an ad agency creating the branding for the Dubai World Cup, the United Arab Emirates’ version of the Kentucky Derby.

At various periods of her adult life, she has lived or worked in Dubai, Paris and Australia (and closer to home in Boston). “A lot of people have jobs that bring them to different places around the world,” she says. “I had to do it the other way. I traveled to places that intrigued me and was fortunate enough to find work as a graphic designer and stay.”

Her travels have given her this life perspective: “The world is full of people risking happiness. I want to be among them.”

Lisa Sue’s experiences have also informed her design aesthetic as owner of story., a women’s clothing store she started five years after she and her husband, Kim Bilderback, moved to Falmouth.

Her connection to Falmouth dates to college when she would visit her mother and stepfather here. After her mother died in 2011, the couple inherited the family home and renovated it with plans to rent it out.

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After the renovations were complete, the couple decided to keep the house for themselves and moved to Falmouth full time in 2013, long before remote work was a widely accepted practice.

The pair were afforded that luxury. Kim was a cyber security sales executive, and Lisa Sue was an account director for Genuine, a digital experience agency in Boston. While there, she won a Webby with her client Harvard Business School for its Alumni website in 2016. A year later, she left with no plans.

“For a long time, my job kind of defined me,” she admits. “I allowed that to happen, which wasn’t a good thing to do.”

Unsure of her next step, she was connected to a life coach.

Through their conversations, Lisa Sue realized she had an interest in fashion, design and style, leading her to take a job as a sales clerk at Paisley Boutique in Mashpee Commons.

It reinforced her desire to own a clothing store, which she realized five years ago. “In the center is a beautiful velvet couch,” she says of its interior design. “I wanted to create the feeling that you’re almost in the living room of a very good friend.”

She did so intentionally, creating a space that could double as a gathering place for events. “I always romanticized in my head the salons of 1920s Paris, where they’d bring in authors and artists,” she says. “That was my goal for the store. We had a couple of speakers in the very beginning, and then Covid happened.”

While the pandemic temporarily took those opportunities away, she has begun to bring back in-store events, welcoming author Michael Stuart earlier this year for the launch of his first book, Indigobird, a psychological thriller set in Falmouth.

From its clothing to its ambiance, story. has all the touches of Lisa Sue’s past experiences. “I feel like everything I’ve done in my past, I’ve used in my role here, from focusing on the customer experience to choosing fashion for the store,” she says. “I carry brands out of unexpected locations like Dubai and Berlin. It’s my natural inkling to seek out new experiences and seek out new fashion, which has resonated so well with people who shop here.”

She has brought a “metropolitan vibe” to the local fashion scene, selling contemporary brands one wouldn’t necessarily expect in a seaside community. It’s all tied to how she approaches life. “You have to say yes to the opportunities that scare you and take bold chances,” she says. “We all should be open to what is around the corner.”

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JENNIFER MINCONE Sweat Studio “DON’T WASTE ANY TIME,” Jennifer Mincone yells out on a Friday morning in early March as people start to punch boxing bags in a darkened room illuminated only by red-colored lights overhead.

“Because we don’t have time to waste,” David Jarvis, owner of the Chart Room, barks back.

Time—it is the most fickle of beasts. Two years ago, in March 2022, when Mincone was preparing to open Sweat Studio on Falmouth’s Main Street, she tried to fit as many waking hours of the day into making sure her new space was as perfect as possible.

A little less than a month later, Mincone found herself being rushed to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, after having a grand mal seizure. “It was really stressful because there were just so many pieces that had to come together for this to work—all the inspections, from fire inspections to meeting building codes—it was really, really challenging,” Mincone recalls. “I was operating the back end of the business, the front end of the business and trying to get everything perfect. I ended up at Brigham and Women’s and was diagnosed with epilepsy after that”.

“The whole reason behind the whole thing—stress,” she continues. “Honestly, I always felt so strong and so invincible like nothing could take me down. All of a sudden, I’m not in control of my own body. I was taken so off guard. My life wasn’t in my own hands. It was in someone else’s hands.”

Health has long been a priority for Mincone, who became a personal trainer nearly a decade ago, all while owning Shining Sea Boutique, a Main Street store that sold women’s accessories, jewelry and one-of-a-kind items made by local artists.

“I loved the store, but I found my love of personal training was drawing me in a different direction,” she says. After Mincone closed the boutique, short stints at Anytime Fitness and Falmouth Sports Center gave her the confidence to branch out on her own.

Appropriately enough, through sweat equity—and lots of help from friends, many of whom are clients—she was able to transform a vacant storefront, across from Davisville Plaza in East Falmouth, into a place where exercise was built on community, accountability and joy.

Matthew Palanza, Beth Folcarelli and Michael Galasso helped with painting the studio the color red (accented with black and white). “Red brings out the positive energy, emotion and the endorphins,” explains Mincone. “It’s what I’m trying to bring out in the people who come in here; health is our best investment.”

Mincone had assistance from John Dvorsack as the architect and Robert Sagerman as the contractor. Vanessa Andrade, Elizabeth Polito and Dawn Guthrie were among

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the Sweat Studio regulars who donated their time to helping Mincone realize her vision.

One of the final touches before Mincone opened the first iteration of her studio was a decal that read, “Sweat, Smile and Repeat.”

Yes, exercise can be difficult. But over the past five years, Mincone has shown it can also be fun, even as a once-in-acentury pandemic threw a wrench into her business. It occurred as she was celebrating the one-year anniversary of Sweat Studio.

Still, she understood the health of her clients was of utmost importance. So, she adapted, leading classes over Zoom. Outdoor workouts at the beach and at East Falmouth Elementary School followed until she was able to safely resume indoor classes.

All the while, Mincone held fast to her dream of creating the type of space that would serve to inspire anyone who walked through her studio’s doors. There’s a boxing room complete with 24 heavy boxing bags; a multipurpose studio used for bootcamp, weight training and pole fitness classes; a Peleton studio filled with 10 bicycles and 2 treadmills; a women’s locker room with three showers; a men’s locker room with a shower; and an on-site physical therapist.

Sweat Studio’s staff includes three group fitness instructors: Brian Leary (boxing), Grace Zenga (TRX), and Bernadette Golas (strength). There’s also Jennifer LoFiego of Bella Vita Pole Fitness.)

This year, Mincone has added themed classes, accompanied by a DJ, that have included a throwback to the ’80s, a football night and a St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Here, exercise is a reason to party.

Her clients range from an 82-year-old who “can hold a two-minute plank like nobody’s business” to business owners to a father who had a heart attack last year to a mother who lost her 20-year-old son in a car accident in 2022. “Having a community of people that I look forward to seeing on a regular basis is a great part of this job,” she says. “There’s a real camaraderie here, like a family. I feel like everyone is part of the ‘Sweat family’ and it’s such a tight-knit community. We keep each other accountable and look out for each other. We all have a story and life’s stressors so sweat therapy helps keep us balanced by sweating out the stress.”

A year prior to opening her dream studio, she met Matthew Mincone, the West Tisbury Police Chief. They were married on November 12, 2021, giving her a partner whom she could lean on in good times (like the opening of her studio) and bad (like when she was rushed to the hospital).

These days, she couldn’t be happier. “Honestly, when I finally got to open this studio, it was my dream come true,” she says.

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BARBARA CONOLLY Gardens by Barbara Conolly THERE’S A POST that’s regularly passed around social media, listing a slew of accomplished artists, from Harrison Ford to Morgan Freeman to Julia Child, who didn’t achieve success immediately in their chosen professions. The message is clear: It’s never too late to be what you want to be.

That statement certainly applies to Barbara Conolly, whose first career was as a marketer in the insurance industry. “It was not who I was inside,” she says in her Mashpee home. “I finally realized I had to make a change.”

It was a drastic one in which she left a cushy job to work for a local garden nursery in Rochester, NY, making $7 an hour. “It was a big difference from what I was making before, but I found I loved it,” she says.

By the end of that first season, the store’s customers reached out to Conolly privately, asking her to design garden beds for them. “I actually opened a business which is still Gardens by Barbara Conolly,” she says.

Even as she gained a modicum of success, she realized “I needed more training.” That led her, at 46, to enroll in Finger Lakes Community College, where she earned an associate degree in horticulture. Encouraged by her professors, she applied to Cornell University.

“They accepted me, so my husband and I sold our house and moved to Ithaca, and I completed my bachelor of science,” Conolly says. “I was 50 years old. It was the most energizing experience of my life. I forgot how old I was until I’d look in the mirror, but it really gave me a new perspective.

“As an adult, I came at it with a much deeper appreciation for where I was,” she continues.

When she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in plant science/horticulture in 2008, she was named one of 20 outstanding students in her class. She earned a fellowship that allowed her to get a master’s degree in horticulture/public garden leadership from Cornell. From there, she traveled the country to study at public gardens (Missouri Botanical Garden, Naples Botanical Garden, Chicago Botanic Garden and others).

Conolly’s studies served as a launching point for her second career, when she and her husband, Ed, moved to the Cape 14 years ago. “When I was done at Cornell, had my master’s and was looking for work, Chatham Bars Inn had an ad out looking for somebody to come in and add color to the inn,” she says.

She landed the job, and during her first season, “I planted over 14,000 plants,” she says. “They are on a 25-acre piece of land. I brought a lot of what I had learned from the public gardens I visited into the design work there.”

During her tenure at Chatham Bars Inn, she oversaw the completion of five capital projects, including the redesign of a major entryway, the patio around a gazebo, the wedding stairs and the apple orchard.

After 18 months there, she left to manage a branch for a larger landscape company, focusing on commercial work with clients that included the Cape Cod Mall, Falmouth Mall and Cumberland Farms. The work made her realize she wanted something more.

Her first job under Gardens by Barbara Conolly, which is based in East Falmouth, was pruning roses at the historic Katharine Lee Bates house on Main Street. “Then I started doing container work for people, and it literally grew from that,” she says.

Today, she has nearly 40 clients—“Most come from word of mouth,” she says—that are supported by a staff of roughly 11 employees, including her (semiretired) husband, Ed, the operations manager, and their son, Ben, the production manager. The couple have another son, Matthew, who lives in Rochester, NY. Her firm has two divisions, one that focuses on landscape maintenance and the other, on garden design. “The creativity is so fun,” she says. “I know I’m successful when my clients come to me and say, ‘I’m spending so much more time in my yard.’ I’m now creating spaces for them to socialize or to just be—to read, relax, and be out in nature. When I know I’ve done that for somebody and impacted their life in some way, that is the biggest compliment I can get.”

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Abolition Row Park When is a park more than just a park? When it makes a statement like New Bedford’s reimagined public space that honors the city’s ties to the Underground Railroad, abolitionist and statesman Frederick Douglass and its Black history.

What was formerly a pair of blighted lots has been transformed into something magical, and Barbara Conolly was one of the driving forces behind it. Partnering with landscape architect Heather Heimarck of Somerville, Conolly was tapped by the New Bedford Historical Society to design the public park which opened in June of last year.

“It makes me tear up when I think about it,” Conolly says.

“When I retire, I hope this is kind of what my retirement is filled with. I want to reach out and serve more underserved communities and help them create garden spaces. It’s an opportunity to teach, an opportunity to create safe spaces, an opportunity to advance ecology and an opportunity to create places where people can come and gather. It is truly moving to see.

It is really fulfilling.”

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JOANN SPARKS The Salty Florist & More

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THE THEME OF THE FILM ROCKY speaks to the indomitable nature of the human spirit and its ability to persevere through life’s toughest challenges. It’s the epitome of the underdog story, which is why the film has captivated audiences for nearly a half century.

And it found a new fan in JoAnn Sparks. “My husband put on the Rocky movie recently, which I had never paid any mind to before,” she says. “I felt so inspired by the movie. I just love the message, and of course loved the character. There was a connection I felt to the fact he persevered and worked hard to reach his goal. I kind of know how he felt.”

She makes the statement inside her Main Street store, The Salty Florist & More, a full-service specialty flower shop which she opened with her husband, James. “I couldn’t have done it without him, just eight weeks before the pandemic.”

After raising three children—her son, Taylor, and daughters, Sheldon and Lynden—and spending more than a decade in floral design, JoAnn took a leap of faith in starting her own business.

There were several motivating factors that included dissatisfaction with her last job—“It was not where I wanted to be,” she admits—and the positive feedback she was receiving on Instagram for the flower arrangements she was creating for her friends’ weddings.

She reached out to a friend who sells real estate, asking her to keep an eye out for any storefronts on Main Street that could be turned into a flower shop. “This space opened up, and when she showed me, it was so huge. It felt very overwhelming,” she admits. “But something inside me was like, ‘We’ve got to do this now.’ I’m approaching 60, and courage was always holding me back from doing what I always knew I could do.

I just didn’t have the courage, really.”

With the backing of her family, she set foot in the figurative ring.

This was her “Rocky” moment.

And then the pandemic hit. That’s when she realized “how much people really cared because they wanted to support us,” she says. “I think the community wanted to embrace us even more because they said, ‘Oh my goodness, poor JoAnn. She finally does it and look what happened: a worldwide pandemic.’ It was scary, but we made it through due to the love and support of so many.”

The pandemic forced JoAnn to dig into her well of creativity, leading her and James to turn their property and home gardens into a resource, providing products for the store. “Each year, up until now, we’d plant thousands of tulips, allium, and daffodil bulbs, all beautiful, unique varieties,” she says. “We were very successful with it, so we put a 48-foot greenhouse on our property last year.”

They grow a vast variety of hydrangea, peony, tulips, zinnias, annuals, perennials and more that help bring cheer to weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and other events throughout town and beyond. “The farm is the ‘and more’ of The Salty Florist & More part of our name,” says JoAnn. “Before we come in the morning, we go out and harvest and haul the flowers in. There’s nothing like flowers that are fresh cut that morning. And it is really nice to be able to say these are fresh cut from our very own farm.”

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“I should have done it years ago,” she says. “I had the important job of raising my loves of my life, my children, so that came first.

When I came into the flower world, I was always, like, even when I first started out delivering flowers and answering the phones and I wasn’t allowed to design, I told myself while watching others, ‘I can do that! I can do that!’ I guess I was waiting for my turn, which took a long while.”

Now that she’s fulfilled her dream, JoAnn’s bucket list items are relatively modest. She wants to see Neil Young in concert, which she’ll check off in May at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield.

And then there’s a trip south to Philadelphia. She wants to climb the 72 steps in front of the Philadelphia Art Museum that were made famous by Rocky Balboa. When she gets to the top, she’ll undoubtedly raise her arms triumphantly because, like a champion, she refused to give up. “I have to go up those Rocky steps because there’s an underlying message in that,” she says.

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A HOME

BY JANICE R ANDALL RO HLF PH OTO G R APHY BY K YLE K ALDY

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RUN

When a local builder and business owner guided his team in designing and constructing a dream house for his mom, they hit it out of the park.

Just off the kitchen and with access to the outdoor deck, the living room features a vaulted ceiling and a stunning stackedstone fireplace, both of which add a sense of grandeur to the sunlit space.

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W

hen Greg Clancy graduated from Falmouth Academy in 1997, his sights were set on the next step: four years at Kenyon College to pursue a biology major and environmental studies minor. After that, he thought, he’d work at WHOI as a scientist. His college career went as planned, but once out in the real world, the Falmouth native had a change of heart. Starting “typically, with a pick-up truck, a dog and hardly any tools,” he says, Clancy launched a handyman business. Today, 23 years later, he owns Clancy Construction, with 42 employees working out of a beautifully renovated office/showroom on the water and his vision of a stateof-the-art custom cabinetry shop soon to see the light of day.

Builder, Custom Cabinetry and Interior Design: Clancy Construction gregclancyconstruction.com

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Having paid his dues early on (“I spent many a night worrying about how I’d pay my mortgage, he says”), Clancy gets a huge amount of satisfaction from every project he and his team complete, but there’s one house out of all those he’s built that makes him beam with pride: his mom’s. A jaunty ranchstyle house at the entrance to the recently developed Clam Lane subdivision in Davisville, the house is a testament to not only Clancy Construction’s enthusiastic team approach to design/ build and each individual’s remarkable attention to detail but also the lengths to which a devoted son will go for his mother.

“This house is way more than I ever dreamed of,” says Susan Bateman, Clancy’s mother. After raising her family in a nearly

Top: To add interest and warmth to the concept of a single-story ranch house, some typical New England details were pulled in, like the small front porch and street-facing gables. Bottom: The team at Clancy Construction: Left to right: Brian Foley, Natalya Doherty, John Morgan, Kyle Kaldy, Shane Mason, Sarah Archambeault, Susan McCabe, Mike Donnelly, Paige Helfrich, Nick Poppe, Erika Eccleston, Laura Ficher, Adam Ross, Ana Procopenco and Allison McIntyre

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The backlit custom cabinetry in the pantry is just one of several instances in the house where built-ins designed and built by Clancy Construction provide stylish storage.

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4,000-square-foot, two-story house and losing her husband, Bateman figured a simple, single-level home would suit her lifestyle. And while what she got is technically a ranch, it redefines that often-disparaged style. “Greg and everyone else involved made it bigger and better,” she says.

“This is an approximately 2,000-square-foot house and I’ll bet there were 2,000 decisions that had to be made—one for every square foot,” says Clancy. As a one-stop shop, Clancy Construction eases the decision-making burden for homeowners by offering skilled architectural and interior design professionals all under one roof. For Bateman’s house, the team consisted of project architects Brian Foley and John Morgan, general manager Natalya Doherty and architectural designer Susan McCabe.

The first step for Foley and Morgan was to take the concept of a single-story ranch and riff on it in a way that added interest to the archetypal boxy form both inside and out. For example, a

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facade that could have been ordinary and uninviting is far from plain. “We pulled in some typical New England details, like the small front porch and street-facing gables, and overlaid them onto the ranch to make it more welcoming,” explains Foley.

“By playing with some of the regional vernacular, we created a ranch for the Cape.”

The same design philosophy is apparent inside, where, says Foley, the open plan encourages connection and socializing but also allows areas like the kitchen and dining room to remain “distinct and somewhat unique.” Similarly, he adds, “the cathedral ceiling in the living room is a nice way to distinguish it from the other spaces. You have to find these moments in a ranch to make it dynamic.”

Having a portion of the house set at an angle also gives it personality. “The kitchen island could have been a square or rectangular, but it’s curved because it follows the curve of the FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

In the open-concept plan, the easy flow between kitchen and dining room derives from a soft, neutral palette inspired by the hues in the herringbone-tiled backsplash and quartz countertops, along with the consistent use of inset-panel custom cabinetry and gold-tone hardware. Right top: Custom cabinetry, an LEDlighted clothing rod and marble mosaic floor tiles raise the wow factor in the laundry room. Making the most of every square inch, a closet space features hooks, drawers and cabinets.

Greg Clancy, owner, Clancy Construction

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Above, left and right: Dramatic lighting, rich materials and arched openings add glamour to the primary bathroom. Below: Custom built-ins, including an upholstered window seat with storage below, highlight a space used as an office and a guest room.

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In the dreamy primary bedroom, a backlit, double tray ceiling with a hand-painted marbled effect elevates the sleeping space to a heavenly oasis.

house,” points out Doherty. “Another theme of the house is curves and arches rather than a lot of straight angles to create a softer feel to the space.”

There is no shortage of “wow” features in this relatively small house, due in large part to the carte-blanche selections policy Clancy extended to his mother, coupled with the design-build team’s guidance and execution. “Susan’s taste is fairly elegant and timeless, and she loves color,” says Natalya Doherty, who had collaborated with Bateman previously on a smaller-scale project.

“Her closet feels like a little boutique, and the laundry room is much more than a utilitarian space.” In the primary bedroom, a backlit, double tray ceiling with a hand-painted marbled effect elevates the sleeping space to a heavenly oasis.

Doherty says that “working on this house was fun because we were able to do a lot of interesting details that we’d wanted to incorporate before but never had the opportunity.”

From LED-lighted closet rods and an appliance “elevator” with hydraulic pistons, to special accouterments for Bateman’s FALMOUTHLIVINGMAG.COM

dog in the primary bathroom, the attention to detail throughout the house is second to none. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the extensive custom millwork and casework throughout the house. “We created a lot of opportunities for built-ins,” says Foley, emphasizing the importance of maximizing storage in a smaller house.

The challenge in this house was not only making sure there were sufficient closets, cabinets and drawers but also to make them beautiful and cohesive. “There is so much casework that we didn’t want it to all look the same,” says Susan McCabe. “In building the cabinetry, the trick was to have some open, some closed and some glass-fronted for the things the homeowner wanted to display.” (Bateman has cherished collections of cranberry glass and Hummel figurines.) Seconding McCabe, Clancy points out that as “houses get more and more custom, we can introduce millwork and cabinetry into every nook and cranny.”

In addition to the design of built-ins, McCabe oversaw the

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A granddaughter’s bedroom is a study in pink.

lighting design for the entire house, which Clancy is especially proud of. “Lighting makes a huge difference,” says McCabe, adding that she’s a fan of putting everything on a dimmer, which allows different moods to be created. “If you’re alone, lighting is a way to make a big space feel cozy.”

Chances are, Bateman, whose two granddaughters live nearby, will not want for company, and that’s where the

screened-in porch, deck and patio come in—indoor/outdoor spaces she specifically requested. The icing on the cake, a small pool, was a suggestion from her son.

“Having Greg as the builder makes this house a thousand times better,” says Bateman. “Imagine, every single person who comes by showers my son with compliments!”

On hot days, the small pool and deck are favorite places to hang out.

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Screened or glassed in, depending on the season, the porch extends the house’s living space.

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Michaela (left): Ribbed knit stripe polo top with button closure worn over a linen/cotton/nylon blend tank with semi-pleated texture paired with lightweight knit trousers with an elastic waistband. All by Sita Murt. All available at story.

Lobster Bouy Necklace with Azurite in Sterling Silver with adjustable chain by local artist Cesar Palma. Nautical knot sterling silver earrings on shepherd hooks, by Jorge Revilla collection.

Available at Falmouth Jewelry Shop.

Addie (right): Fit and flare linen halter dress with contrast embroidery on front and adjustable tie neck detail by Sita Murt. Macrame Bag by Yerse. All available at story.

Cuff-style bracelet from the Jorge Revilla collection.

Available at Falmouth Jewelry Shop.

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Cool Coastal Chic

Summer’s hottest trends sparkle with elegant looks, whether it’s the perfect dress for a cocktail party or a casual outfit to hit the town in Falmouth.

These boutiques have all you need for the perfect summer look.

PHOTOGR APHY BY DERRICK ZELLMANN MODELS FROM SIGNED MANAGEMENT MICHAEL A ROSE AND ADDIE KELSEY MAKEUP: L ACEY STRONG

HAIR: MELISSA YOUNG, THE CAPES MANE BRIDAL HAIR

LOCATION COURTESY OF FRIENDS OF NOBSK A LIGHT, INC., SERVING AS THE NEW KEEPER OF NOBSK A LIGHT STATION TO ENSURE THAT NOBSK A REMAINS A “BEACON” TO THE FALMOUTH COMMUNIT Y.

ST YLED BY L AUREN BRISBOIS, CELEBR ATIONS OF FALMOUTH; JEANNIE & HADLEY DOMBROWSKI, GAIA AT GREEN EYED DAISY; NEDA SULLIVAN, FALMOUTH JEWELRY; K ALEIGH ADAMS, OLD MAIN MERCANTILE; LISA SUE SMEDBERG, STORY.; DENISE & MEAGHAN QUINN, THE GILDED OYSTER COORDINATED BY SUZANNE RYAN

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Sleeveless ‘Paula’ top in black,

by Dear John. Terraced wide leg pant in whitecap by XCVI and ‘Downtown Crossbody’ bag in ale by Consuela. All available at Old Main Mercantile.

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Carolina-blue eyelet twist-front dress with flutter sleeves

by Angie. Available at Celebrations of Falmouth.

Sterling silver large mussel pendant on rolo chain and sterling silver cable bracelet with 14K yellow gold Nobska Lighthouse. Available at The Gilded Oyster.

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Effortless Komarov dress and coordinating shawl made in California with proprietary wrinkle-proof fabrication and pleating, always giving a flattering fit. Bora striking turquoise necklace is a perfect accompaniment as well as the hand-beaded Nahua and Lola Cruz heeled sandals. All available at GAIA at Green Eyed Daisy.

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A COASTAL FINE JEWELRY BOUTIQUE

Come Visit Us Today!

155 Main Street, Falmouth 774.763.5742 thegildedoyster.com

Fresh & Authentic Artistry B R IDA L COM M ERCI A L SPECI A L E V EN T S LaceyStrong.com @LaceyStrongMakeup

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Michaela (left): This airy, romantic Mes Demoiselles dress with beautifully embellished stitching can take you from a garden party to an elegant affair in comfort. Accessorized with Adina Reyter diamond choker, Bora sterling hoops, and stunning Lola Cruz strappy metallic heeled sandals.

Addie (right): GoSilk washable silk charmeuse scrunch-sleeve blazer with accompanying piazza silk pant and GoSilk top with subtly embellished neckline. This elegant look, which takes you from day to night, is finished with vintage Givenchy gold vermeil earrings, a vintage beaded clutch, and Lola Cruz bowed embellished heeled sandal. All available at GAIA at Green Eyed Daisy.

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‘Foster’ top in cream by Dear John.

Available at Old Main Mercantile.

Entwined Elegance handmade 14K yellow gold & sterling silver hammered drop earrings.

Available at The Gilded Oyster.

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Black v-neck viscose/nylon tank

by Another Love. Linen blend trousers in a modern, relaxed fit have a hook-and-bar zip fly and elasticized belt with snap gun metal buckle. They feature front slit pockets and stitch detail across rear and down legs with cuffed hem by Beate Heymann. Black perforated faux leather jacket with front pockets and snap closure by Rino Pelle. All available at story.

Tahitian Pearl necklace set with diamonds in 14K white gold Pearl Noir Collection by Stephen Sullivan. Available exclusively at Falmouth Jewelry Shop.

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Soft denim jacket, long tapered sleeves, slight puff on shoulders, slightly cropped with a frayed hem by Mono B. Spaghetti strap cotton knit white with black stripes maxi dress by Gilli.

Available at Celebrations in Falmouth.

High Tide necklace, 14K white gold wave pendant with diamond bail and set with genuine London Blue Topaz gemstone.

Available at The Gilded Oyster.

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Casual but versatile Pistola sustainable jumpsuit shown with stunning white jacket by Marrakech and Bibi Lou sneakers cushioned for comfort and stylishly embellished. All available at GAIA at Green Eyed Daisy.

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Linen blend reversible blazer featuring Bali-inspired floral prints with ruched sleeves by Caballero. Linen/cotton t-shirt in citron by Sita Murt. Stretch denim shorts with a relaxed fit and raw hem by DL1961. All available at story.

Sand dollar necklace encrusted with diamonds on 14K yellow gold with push lock paper clip chain by The Touch. Available at Falmouth Jewelry Shop.

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Tropical flowers, front v-neck, open with a tie (bow) back sundress by Angie. Available at Celebrations of Falmouth.

High Tide necklace, 14K white gold wave pendant with diamond bail and set with genuine London Blue Topaz gemstone. Available at The Gilded Oyster.

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Striking Kasia bold geometric dress belted with adjustable Italian metallic belt.

Vintage Kenneth Lane jewelry including gold vermeil lion door knocker earrings and chunky bangles. Her soft and comfortable Bibi Lou bowed gold sandals complete the look. All available at GAIA at Green Eyed Daisy.

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Michaela (left): Long printed dress in beige brune by Molly Bracken.

Available at Old Main Mercantile.

Entwined Elegance handmade 14K yellow gold & sterling silver hammered drop earrings.

Available at The Gilded Oyster.

Addie (right): ‘Penelope’ oat navy crochet stripe top by Rails. ‘Fiona’ pants in wheat by Dear John.

Available at Old Main Mercantile.

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On-Location Professional Bridal Services Serving Cape Cod and Beyond!

774-392-4257 | thecapesmane.com | melyounghair@gmail.com

Stunning Gold & Platinum Custom Made Jewelry Handcrafted on Cape Cod 371 Main Street, Falmouth • 508-444-6281 • coastgoldworks.com

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Long navy viscose crew-neck dress with woven pattern in front.

Relaxed fit with side slit on right. By Liviana Conte. Available at story.

In and out diamond hoops in 14K gold, bridal collection. Available at Falmouth Jewelry Shop.

SPECIAL THANKS TO Kathy Walrath, president of Friends of Nobska Light, Inc., for providing us with a beautiful setting for our fashion shoot.

233 Nobska Rd., Woods Hole friendsofnobska.org

VISIT THE FOLLOWING SHOPS TO GET THE “HOTTEST SUMMER LOOKS” Celebrations of Falmouth 210 Main St., Falmouth 508-457-0530 Falmouth Jewelry 255 Main St., Falmouth 508-548-0487 falmouthjewelryshop.com GAIA at Green Eyed Daisy 199 Main St., Falmouth 508-495-0403 greeneyeddaisy.com Old Main Mercantile 75 Country Rd, N. Falmouth 508-566-8249 oldmainmerchantile.com story.

352 Man St., Falmouth 774-763-5451 storyfalmouth.com The Gilded Oyster 155 Main St., Falmouth 774-763-5742 thegildedoyster.com

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Photos by Ed Glick

High Style on a Budget

237 Teaticket Highway, Falmouth 774-349-2905 CorinhaDesign.com

Made to Order

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A Falmouth couple turned to a team of experts to transform standard plans into a custom-designed year-round home.

BY LISA C AVANAUG H PH OTOG R APHY BY ED G LICK Comfort and elegance are achieved with classic furniture from Ethan Allen and Serena and Lily, a performance carpet, and woven motorized Roman shades from KC Draperies.

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The home’s charming and unpretentious exterior artfully conceals the fact that the interior boasts nearly 4,000 square feet of living space over four levels.

A FEW YEARS AGO, Sandra and John Fitzgerald, who had lived in Mansfield for 26 years and raised a family there, knew they wanted to make Falmouth their full-time residence.

While charming, the older vacation home they owned in town did not fill the bill for modern and comfortable living. “We had the Falmouth property since 2004,” says John. It was a smaller house built in the early 1920s, and at first, the couple talked about renovating it. “If it were going to be our forever home, “says Sandra, it would need a lot of work. There was not a single closet on the first floor. We were limited with what we could do.”

However, the new FEMA rezoning put them slightly in a floodplain, which would have meant major work on the structure.

“That’s what put us in the direction of just doing a new house and setting it back another 10–15 feet to get it out of the flood zone,” says John.

The Fitzgeralds took advantage of the excellent seller’s market to list their Mansfield house and, thus, were eager to

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move ahead with their Cape project. This led them to choose architectural plans from an online source and then turn to Broderick Building and Remodeling to reshape them into a home specifically for them. “Brad wants to build a house that he’s proud of,” says John, referring to owner Brad Broderick.

“He has the expertise and experience, and he and his team—his subs are all fantastic—did an amazing job.”

“We took their plans and then modified them,” says Broderick, who has been a custom builder and home remodeler for twenty years. “I was able to add details to personalize the house and give it more curb appeal.”

His first challenge was fitting a generously sized home onto a small property. “Falmouth Heights has many tight lots, and we wanted to give the Fitzgeralds a lot of house, within the relatively tiny footprint that suits the neighborhood.”

After pushing the new house farther back than the original house to give the homeowners more of a driveway and parking area, Broderick then poured a taller basement FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

Both the shaded front porch, above, and the sunny and spacious back patio, below, provide the family with ample opportunity for outdoor relaxing and entertaining.

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Above: Luxurious Chicago-made bedding from Eastern Accents is complimented by glass pedestal bedside lamps. One wall of wallpaper was all they needed to create a beautiful backdrop. Above Right: The client loved this fun mosaic tile but the pattern was discontinued before construction began.

“Cornerstone Tile in Easton spent hours searching for what we needed to complete the project,” says Karen Corinha.

wall and added dormers to the entire attic level on the back of the house. The finished rooms on both these levels added much-needed bonus areas for the family.

“From the street, the house looks pretty modest in size,” adds Broderick. “But they have four finished levels in that house, with nearly 4,000 square feet of living space.”

The new design still allowed for a lovely backyard perfect for entertaining, four bedrooms, and multiple family areas. “There is an open plan living, dining, and kitchen area,” says Broderick, “as well as a theater room in the basement and another family room up on the third floor.” The home also boasts some peekaboo views of Falmouth Harbor, which pleases the Fitzgeralds, who enjoy the proximity to the water.

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Broderick says they added zinc-coated copper roofing to dress up the house, along with some exterior board and batten details, exposed brackets, and eyebrow roofs. “We wanted to give the house some pop and personality.”

Two other team members joined early in the construction process to offer their talents to the project: Karen Corinha of Corinha Design and Marianne Sansone of Falmouth Kitchen Korner.

Corinha, an interior designer for 28 years, had previously worked with the Fitzgeralds on their home in Mansfield. “So, I was involved right from the start,” she says. “I knew this was going to be their primary residence, and they wanted it to feel coastal, comfortable, and timeless.”

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The project team’s collaboration resulted in a gorgeous primary bath with white oak cabinetry, quartz countertops, geometric mosaic tile on the focal wall, and porcelain octagon-shaped shower floor tile.

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Part of the knowledge Corinha says she provides her clients is when to splurge and when to save. “I have a different approach than most,” she says. “I approach projects with an eye toward providing style within a budget. It’s so much fun to make a home look beautiful and high-end without spending an unnecessary fortune. So, I really try to guide them as to where they can be more frugal and when they might want to go for something of higher quality.”

An example she gives is in the daughter’s bathroom.

“We spent a lot of time picking out every little detail in the bathroom,” says Corinha, “and not only does it look beautiful, but it also functions well.” She says the family invested in digital valve controls for the fixtures but ended up choosing an inexpensive tile. “Their daughter really liked it because it was cheery and reflected her personality.”

Even though their three children are college-age, the Fitzgeralds wanted the kids to have their own spaces in the new

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house, with plenty of room for them to bring all their friends, relax, and have fun on the Cape.

This aspect is also found in the common areas, where there is space for everyone to gather. Falmouth Kitchen Korner’s Sansone, who has worked with Brad Broderick for more than 15 years, says that she, too, had to adapt the original plans to make the kitchen work for the family.

“We tweaked the location of some windows in order to accomplish symmetry in the kitchen,” she says, “and tweaked the location of the pantry door to accommodate what they wanted for their appliances.” Sansone notes that the Fitzgeralds’ kitchen was very appliance-heavy, which required a good amount of engineering.

“They were looking for form and function, along with a light, breezy Cape Cod feeling,” she says, “which we gave them with the driftwood and blue color scheme.”

Sansone touts the incredible camaraderie among the team members. “Brad is highly skilled, pleasant to work with, very FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

Left: Sliding glass doors to the outside along with coastal-inspired lighting from Hudson Valley Lighting brighten the open kitchen and dining space.

Above: Patterned floor tile, Thibaut vinyl wallpaper, a wood frame mirror, and seashell-themed art all lend a shoreside atmosphere to the powder room.

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upstanding, and professional,” says Sansone. We always have happy customers.” She also credits her lead carpenter and installer, Paul Bowker. “Paul is just amazing. Talented, helpful, and able to get the job done smoothly.”

Corinha, who notes this was her first project with Broderick Building and Remodeling, says the entire process was a delight.

“It came out so lovely and was such a fun project. Brad and I quickly became thick as thieves, and I feel he did a really beautiful job. I’m so proud of that place.”

Broderick agrees that the collaboration was ideal. “Everyone worked really well together to create exactly the home the clients were looking for.”

From the Fitzgeralds’ perspective, it was a dream come true.

“It was really pleasant how well everything worked out with all our interactions with everyone,” says Sandra. “They took care of us and got the job done.”

John adds that, while they have no plans to move, they would follow the same path if they were forced to build again. “I would use Brad as the builder, Karen as our designer, and engage Falmouth Kitchen Korner again in a heartbeat; it was that good.”

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A large-scale trellis-patterned wallpaper in a neutral color with a comfortable swivel chair creates a classic and bright home office in which to work or read.

RESOURCES Builder: Broderick Building & Remodeling broderickbuilding.com Interior Design: Corinha Design corinhadesign.com Kitchen: Falmouth Kitchen Korner falmouthkitchenkorner.com

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Magic Meadows Through care and ritual, a homeowner has created a sacred garden space at his Falmouth cottage.

“OUR GARDEN HAS BEAUTY AND MYSTERY,” says David Bird of the serene and entrancing landscape that he began cultivating 34 years ago. A native of Southern California, Bird was inspired to become a gardener both by his father, who was an avid amateur horticulturist, and through 18 summers of camping at Iris Meadows in the Sierra Nevada mountains. “I felt the magic of a sacred space there,” he says, noting that the rock walls and rock stairs he built for his Falmouth gardens were impulses from his time among those rugged West Coast ranges.

After an early adulthood in Oregon, where he tended to their four acres of gardens and fruit trees, Bird and his

wife moved to Cape Cod in the late 1980s. “My wife’s family has had a house on the Cape for at least 100 years,” he says, explaining the tradition-honoring reason for relocating to Falmouth.

Once settled into their home here, they began with foundation plantings immediately, but Bird says they never had a particular garden plan, just ongoing inspiration. “With a blank slate and southern exposure, I began to create,” he says. “The gardens have had various stages: digging up the Cape undergrowth and replacing it with topsoil and compost; planting trees all along the way for years; and putting in rock walls and perennial gardens on either side.”

BY LISA CAVANAUGH | PHOTOGR APHY BY BE T T Y WILEY

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Above: Boxes of orangey-red geraniums frame the rustic gate leading to some of the garden’s special spaces. Right: Blooms of soft pink foxglove.

Now, a verdant array of color and lush greenery surrounds their classic Cape house that sits on one and a half acres next to conservation land. Specimen trees, hydrangeas, azaleas, and viburnums dot the gardens, while hundreds of cheerful daylilies bloom throughout the yard, including a massive patch along the front drive, first planted twenty years ago.

Bird has many floral favorites including foxglove, phlox, and forget-me-nots, and he mentions that the many pollinator plants, like milkweed and coneflower, on the property attract bees, butterflies, and birds. He says his gardens play host to most of the typical Cape Cod birds, such as cardinals, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, owls, chickadees, and tufted titmice, to name a few. He also has two small ponds, bird baths, and feeders for wildlife. “We have had generations of rabbits that live under the deck and generations of chipmunks that live in the rock walls,” says Bird. “Deer come in to eat some of the hostas, and coyotes venture in from time to time.”

Among the creatures who gather sustenance from the gardens are Bird and his family. He has fashioned a spiritually uplifting, meditative space that combines elements from many forms of

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Opposite page: Banks of yellow and orange daylilies line the driveway. Above: David and his wife, Sarah Joslin, moved to the Cape in the late ‘80s; soon after, David began creating his mystical and meaningful gardens.

worship. He created an alcove for a Saint Francis statue and placed eight standing stones to honor nature spirits, pyramid cultures, and Celtic and Native American ancestors. A large white quartz boulder brings energy and light, while granite slabs create thresholds for paths and outdoor “rooms.” Japanese maples lend the area a crimson theme, matched by red slate paver pathways and two big red slate boulders.

He also created a medicine wheel fourteen years ago, where he regularly engages in personal sacred ceremonies. “I generally have a Tibetan bowl for ringing and burning frankincense during the ceremonies,” says Bird. “I come in from the east entrance and go around the sacred circle four times, returning to the east.”

He indicated that the east represents birth and rebirth, spring, and the color green. “Part of my ceremony involves aligning FALMOUTHLIVINGMAG.COM

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Above: One of the many rock walls Bird has installed in his gardens over the years. Below: European honeysuckle, also known as woodbine, provides an intense fragrance that adds to the sensory aura of the gardens.

the chakras and offering blessings to Sisters Ignatius and Bridget, Saint Francis, Mother Mary, Christ Jesus, the creator, and Divine Light,” he says. “I return to the sacred circle to bless the Seven Directions with gestures.”

He gives an example: “Love before me, love behind me, love to the left of me, love to the right of me, love above me, love below me, love onto me. Love in my surroundings, love to all and the universe.”

He also offers blessings and prayers to welcome peace, honor, sympathy, empathy, compassion, and understanding. “I try to work with my guides and guardian angels,” says Bird. “Part of my ending of the ceremony using gestures invokes Father God, Son God, Mother God, less of me, more of thee.”

Bird and his wife continue to develop and build upon their gardens, working tirelessly but always embracing tranquility and connection. “We are blessed to have a truly magic and sacred space.”

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An inviting stone path in Bird’s garden is lined with containers of impatiens, as well as ferns, hostas, and other shrubs.

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Together Falmouth Farmers’ Market Offers Local Flavor

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M

arine Park on Scranton Avenue is bustling on Thursdays throughout the summer, as shoppers flock to the outdoor Falmouth Farmers’ Market with their weekly grocery lists. They can stock up on everything they need, from seasonal produce to seafood to flowers, all fresh and locally sourced. While the event’s main goal has always been to showcase and support farmers, food artisans and vendors in Falmouth, the Falmouth Farmers’ Market, now in its 17th season, is open to participants from around Cape Cod and southeastern Massachusetts.

Board president Lindsey Close has been involved with the market in various capacities since its first season, when the event was held at Peg Noonan Park on Main Street in downtown Falmouth Village.

“We’re a small but active board of directors, and we organize everything from getting town permits to reviewing applications and connecting with vendors and farmers, to laying out the space,” she said.

Top: Residents and visitors stock up each week on seasonal vegetables and much more. Above: Fresh produce is available from local and regional farms.

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IF YOU GO… The Falmouth Farmers’ Market is held at Marine Park (180 Scranton Avenue) on Thursdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, including a list of vendors, visit falmouthfarmersmarket.com and follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Farm-to-table eggplant bursting with flavor and color makes for a star ingredient in any summer recipe.

Fresh herbs and fruit are also among the offerings at the weekly market.

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In 2015, the event moved to Marine Park on Scranton Avenue—the town-owned land to the left of the Flying Bridge— which boasts more space and parking than the previous venue, not to mention a picturesque view of Falmouth Harbor. Lindsey believes the waterfront setting is one of the qualities that make Falmouth’s market unique and inviting.

“The location is fantastic since we’re right next to the harbor, and we’ve worked really hard to have a variety of vendors that offer lunch and snack options, so you can head to one of the benches to enjoy a little something, which is always nice,” she said.

Accessibility to the event and its offerings is one of the cornerstones of the board’s mission. Therefore, the Falmouth Farmers’ Market is part of Sustainable CAPE (Center for Agricultural Preservation & Education), which enables the

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market to honor Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), and Senior Citizen benefits, which are also eligible for the market’s Bonus Match program. Maintaining the reimbursement process so it’s user friendly and hassle free for both vendor and customer is a top priority for Lindsey and market manager Jennifer Christian.

“Jen and I feel very strongly about making the healthy, local produce available to everybody, regardless of income level,” Lindsey said.

“Our SNAP, WIC and Senior Citizen customers can use their benefits by visiting us at the market table, and when they spend ten dollars, they get an extra ten to spend on additional fruits and veggies to make their money go further.”

She added that two of the market’s farmers also participate in the Healthy Incentive Program (HIP), which offers refunds (up to a certain amount), resulting in complimentary fruits and vegetables

Above Left: Grab a hot or iced cup of coffee from SHINE mobile coffee to savor while you’re shopping. Top Right: Michael McFadden of Michael’s Donuts is known for his mouth-watering, old-fashioned apple cider donuts. Left: Michael’s Donuts are prepared fresh and hot on-site. Follow your nose to be rewarded.

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Above: Enjoy one-stop shopping and pick up a stunning bouquet for your table or your hostess from Sharon Calatayud, Fields of Flora.

Bottom Left: Handmade soap from the Cape Coop Farm on Carriage Shop Road in E. Falmouth is inspired by the region, with scents like Nobska Light Sunset and Cape Cod Cranberry. Bottom Right: Peachtree Circle Farm products range from produce and flowers to culinary products, including tomato powder and nasturtium vinegar.

for the customer and instant compensation to the farmer. (These transactions must be completed directly with the farmer.)

Culturally, the market serves as a tangible example and reminder of Falmouth’s agricultural history, further evidenced by the collaboration with Farming Falmouth, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting the community to local agriculture.

“Although we’re not formally aligned, we’re kind of like cousins or best friends,” Lindsey said with a laugh. “We FALMOUTHLIVINGMAG.COM

support each other’s missions.”

To that end, Farming Falmouth offers another way to share the wealth of health—through the Share the Bounty program, which invites patrons to bring whatever surplus they have from their own gardens each week, whether it’s a single tomato or a dozen, to be added to what the farmers collect at the end of each market for donation to the Falmouth Service Center, a longstanding market tradition.

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Lindsey underscored the far-reaching impact of this program.

“It’s a nice way to tie in the community, and although it might not feel like a lot, when we all come together, it really is,” she said.

She also emphasized that the convenience factor of the event enables patrons to limit their carbon footprint with weekly, one-stop shopping. The Scallop Truck, a familyowned company in Eastham, joined the roster of vendors in 2023, offering freshly caught dayboat scallops for an easy and convenient sea-to-table experience.

Several Falmouth farmers have been participating in the market since the beginning, including Carrie Richter of Peachtree Circle Farm, who has built a reputation for garlic, peonies, and jams, just to name a few. This past season, her customers were treated to some new dried products, including tomato powder from her own West Falmouth tomatoes.

“One of my favorite things about the Falmouth market is the variety,” Lindsey said. “For the past few years, we’ve included flower vendors, which has been extremely popular. You can get everything you need for dinner, including a bouquet for the table. There’s always something different,” she said.

Right: Peruse the paperbacks and select a free beach read from the Falmouth Public Library Bookmobile, with titles for adults and children alike. Below: Melissa Roberts Weidman writes poems on demand with her trusty typewriter.

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Wally’s Dog Cart offers hot dogs and Polish sausage with “Chicago flair.” Wally’s customizes toppings to your liking.

Grab a pizza and enjoy lunch on one of the benches overlooking the harbor.

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A holiday market is held annually on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, featuring an array of winter culinary staples, including squash, cranberries, and fresh herbs for the turkey.

The market began as a summer offering and has grown into a year-round attraction with the addition of winter pop-ups during the off-season. In 2023, Jen Irving, of Jenny’s Edibles and Blooms at Green Dragon Farm, opened her heated greenhouse on Sandwich Road to host the event, and most recently, Lisa Strock-O’Connell, owner of Cape Cod Flower Truck, collaborated with Jennifer Christian to organize a large, indoor market at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, which was held from January through April.

For Lindsey, what makes Falmouth’s market so special is the people, from the volunteers to the vendors to the patrons.

“Keeping our local farmers in production is superimportant, and there’s also the social aspect,” she said.

“We offer a special place for a number of people, particularly some of our elderly customers. We see them every week; we know their names. It’s their social activity, and it brings us all together. That’s a really important part of a healthy community, and food offers that connection.”

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Aerial view of the Knob, Quisset Harbor Woods Hole & Elizabeth Islands. Photo courtesy of Falmouth Historial Society, photo taken by Ben Harrison.

The Land That Time Will Never Forget How One Woman Pioneered Land Preservation for Falmouth

BY M IM I GO LUB COURTESY OF FALMOUTH HISTORICAL SOCIET Y

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E R M I N E LO V E L L R E

Top: The Knob at sunset , one of the crown jewels of Salt Pond Areas Bird Sanctuaries, Inc. Above: Ermine Lovell, founder of preserving the land for years to come.

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TO P : D E B F O L E Y

TUCKED INTO THE SHORES OF QUISSETT HARBOR, through the Cornelia Carey Sanctuary, lies an oasis of scrub oaks, blueberry bushes and American beach grass that begins a natural sojourn to The Knob, one of the crown jewels of Salt Pond Areas Bird Sanctuaries, Inc. (SPABS). Two trails, meticulously maintained by the privately run, 62-year-old, nonprofit organization, lead to a natural rock formation that juts out into Buzzards Bay. On a clear day, The Knob offers unobstructed views of New Bedford to the west, the Cape Cod Canal entrance to the north, and the Elizabeth Islands to the south.

“It’s a magical feeling to step out of the woods and be surrounded by the clear, cool waters of Buzzards Bay,” says Barrie Murray, president of SPABS. “The Knob, with its rich history, is not only majestic but also a key player in protecting Quissett Harbor.” Today Murray, along with executive director Katey Taylor and an active Board of Directors, make it their business to continue one woman’s dream of ensuring that harbors, ponds, and Falmouth lands will be a natural resource for generations to enjoy.

If it weren’t for Falmouth resident Ermine Lovell and her passion for preserving land, The Knob may have been developed, eradicating wildlife, and preventing public enjoyment. In the 1960s, fueled by trips to Florida, where she

Massachusetts Audubon Society and ultimately the creation of Salt Pond Areas Bird Sanctuaries, Inc. Today, her organization oversees more than 250 acres of undeveloped land, including a working farm, undisturbed marshlands, and some of the most visited sites in Falmouth.

Sixty years later, Salt Pond is a haven for dozens of bird species and the birders who follow them. Flanked by the Shining Sea Bikeway and Salt Pond’s waters, the well-marked nature trails are open to the public year-round. “My boys call the

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observed wetlands being decimated by overdevelopment, Lovell knew that she had to save Falmouth’s untouched beautiful areas that she and her husband, Hollis, came to love dearly since moving to an East Falmouth farm in the 1930s.

“My aunt was a visionary who realized what the future held if ponds, marsh areas and farms turned into bricks and mortar,” Murray explains. “Ermine wanted to keep the plants intact, as well as animals and birds from leaving the coastal town she grew to adore.”

In the early 1960s, Lovell did just that by acquiring the land around Salt Pond and opening nature trails. After a failed attempt to secure the area through town meeting, she would not yield. She met with the Massachusetts Commissioner of Natural Resources who advised, “Mrs. Lovell, to accomplish what you want to do, you must own the land.” Her community-driven fundraising efforts, along with her stature as the first female real estate agent in Falmouth, facilitated the formation of a partnership with the

Quissett Harbor, where the trail to The Knob starts

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Flanked by the Shining Sea Bikeway and Salt Pond’s waters, the well-marked nature trails are open to the public year-around for walking, running or biking.

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bird sanctuary Jurassic Park because they imagine themselves in a prehistoric forest, stretching their minds and their skills to explore the outdoors,” says Falmouth resident Alex Diaz-Matos. “They search for animals, fish in the pond, and ride their bikes along the water. We are lucky to have this beautiful public space in our backyard.”

Lovell continued her quest to conserve Falmouth land in the 1980s with the purchase of Bourne Farm in West Falmouth. Spread across 51 acres, complete with a 17th-century barn and farmhouse, a pond and walking trails that traverse former railroad tracks, the property has been visited regularly by residents and tourists since she raised $400,000 to purchase it half a century ago. From walking dogs to celebrating weddings and annual Pumpkin Day festivities, the farm is alive with activity. The Outdoor Discoveries summer camp offers the younger generation an education in conservation. Campers partake in nature walks, hayrides, and pond fishing, while learning from environmental experts about the ecological system. Bourne Farm is a living, breathing testament to what land conservation can accomplish.

If there was ever an argument against saving land in Falmouth, it would

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viable and future generations will lose the ability to play outside.

SPABS is blazing the trail for a green future. Every year since 2012, Falmouth High School and Falmouth Academy science departments are awarded grants to cover nature study expenses.

Natural world–based science fair projects at Falmouth schools vie for monetary prizes granted by the organization.

“These students will be the ones attending town meetings someday. If we educate them now, they will help preserve the balance between development and undisturbed land,” says Murray. “We are investing in the next generation so they can carry on Ermine’s dream and hopefully create beautiful open spaces for the town of Falmouth to enjoy forever.”

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be to build affordable housing for young families. Many people who grew up in town have been forced to move away due to rising costs. “Our goal is to protect Falmouth’s natural resources.

Housing demands are real,” explains Katey Taylor, whose 27-year passion for conserving land is evident when she speaks. “People are drawn to Falmouth for its natural beauty. Undeveloped spaces can protect us all from an ever-changing climate. If we lose all the land, what do we have left?”

According to the Land Trust Alliance, the United States loses roughly 150 acres of natural land and 40 acres of farmland every hour. With every acre lost, a connection to nature is diminished, family farms are eradicated, valuable wildlife habitats are not

The Knob, where Quisset Harbor meets Buzzards Bay

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BY SARAH E. MURPHY PHOTOGRAPHY BY PETER JULIAN

G

rowing up in the northern Massachusetts town of Westford, Mike Palmer of Waquoit Bay Fish Company gravitated to creative expression as a means of escape. Now, as a full-time artist, it serves as a means of connection.

For as long as Mike can recall, art has been a vehicle for exploration. His passion for creating, and the motivation to pursue it, were self-initiated from an early age.

“I was always really good at entertaining myself, and I had a table in my room, so I would disappear for hours, drawing. I’m sure it was therapeutic, although I didn’t realize it at the time.

Drawing was a place where I could disappear into myself, and I was the only person I needed to appease. It was an outlet in that sense, being able to disappear into my own imagination,” he says.

“There wasn’t anyone artistic in my immediate family, so it wasn’t something that I was emulating. It was just an organic kind of growth, whatever I wanted to draw.”

Mike also enjoyed exploring the flora and fauna of his surroundings, fishing in the brooks and streams near his home. Therefore, some of his early drawings were nature-inspired, in addition to what he described as “typical boy stuff,” such as forts, weaponry, and military-related subjects.

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Mike Palmer of Waquoit Bay Fish Company in his home studio.

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Mike credits his high school art teachers at his alma mater, Westford Academy (the local public high school), particularly Arlyss Becker, for helping him identify his preferred medium, using graphite and colored pencils to achieve what he has come to describe as “stylized realism.” Not only did Ms. Becker validate his artistic abilities, but she also encouraged him to pursue his talent beyond the AP high school level.

“She understood me as a person, and she helped me transition through that stage of my life in a creative way.

She always told me I should go to art school,” he says.

But, like many creative individuals, Mike had to weigh the pros and cons of following an artistic path as a source of livelihood. He ultimately chose a more traditional career.

“I wasn’t ready to become a struggling artist,” he says.

Instead, he decided to pursue his interest in science.

He carved out time for his art when possible, continuing to disappear into his imagination as he had in childhood.

As an undergraduate at the University of Maine at Orono, Mike’s chosen subject became whales, inspired by their intricacy and the work of artist/conservationist Robert Wyland, popular for his life-size, lifelike murals.

Right: Mike created his own logo for his company, which is also available on apparel, such as trucker hats.

Mike’s stunning, hand-colored drawings, made with colored pencils and a technique he calls “stylized realism,” resemble watercolor paintings.

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“I took one art class in college, during my junior year, but it wasn’t a good fit for me, so instead, I spent a lot of time by myself in my dorm room, usually doing whale portraits. It was my therapy,” he said.

Mike’s first attempt at drawing fish was born of necessity: He needed a figure to include in his graduate thesis at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks, and he didn’t want to borrow an image.

Instead, he created his own. As the saying goes, the rest is history.

But for the next twenty-five years, Mike was forced to put his pencils on the proverbial shelf, with little time after graduate school for creative pursuits. He worked 50 to 80 hours a week

as a fisheries scientist for the federal government. His primary responsibility involved the assessment of fish populations, an often-contentious position that landed him in the middle of nature and commerce.

In 2022, Mike was ready for a change. With the support and encouragement of his wife, Melissa, who transitioned from parttime to full-time work, he became a stay-at-home parent to their son, Grant, now 9, and daughter, Quinn, 7, enabling him to focus on his art and build his business in his studio in Mashpee, where he and Melissa have lived for the past 15 years.

Sharing his passion for art and science to build connections with his community is especially rewarding for Mike, as both an artist and a father. After a visiting artist’s program in his son’s class at the Quashnet School, Mike applied for and was awarded a Massachusetts Cultural Council grant with art teacher Lauren Richards to establish a fifth-grade curriculum using nature journaling centered on Waquoit Bay. He also collaborated with the Cape Cod Fishermen’s Alliance for an exhibit (on view through June 2024 at Barnstable Town Hall) that addresses the importance of seafood species to ports on Cape Cod and the regional significance of seafood to Cape Cod. FALMOUTHLIVINGMAG.COM

Ocean-inspired art includes shellfish, cephalapods, whales, and fish.

Mike’s 20-year career as a fisheries scientist for the federal government give him a unique perspective as an artist.

His lifelike drawings are also available in a coloring book he created for artists of all ages.

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In addition to his website, Mike’s work can be found at Handwork Gallery in Woods Hole and local events, such as the Falmouth Art Market and the Striper Fest, at Marine Park overlooking Falmouth Harbor.

Above: Waquoit Bay Fish Company offers a range of products including posters and greeting cards.

Right: A self-taught artist, Mike started drawing as a boy, inspired by the natural world around him, a theme that is ever-present in is work.

According to Mike, a self-described perfectionist, his approach of balancing scientific accuracy and aesthetics is influenced by wabi sabi, or the “Art of Impermanence,” a Japanese philosophy he learned while studying Zen Buddhism in an undergraduate philosophy course. The concept is one he can relate to even more today.

“It’s about the transience of art, which I think really resonates with you as you get older and start to fall apart, and life happens,” he says.

“You start to understand that life’s not perfect, and there’s a beauty in the imperfection.

There’s a beauty in the pursuit, and there’s a transience to life. Things don’t stay the same.”

For more information about Mike Palmer, visit waquoitbayfishcompany.com.

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VACATION ESSENTIALS Whether you’re looking to lounge on the beach or get out and explore your surroundings, these are a few of our favorite things to do in Falmouth.

MIKE TUCKER

BY SAR AH E . MUR PHY

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Seas the Day Falmouth waterways aren’t just for swimming, so allow for time in the car so you can make the most of your day, especially if you’re paying for beach parking. Kettle ponds and salt marsh inlets are ideal for kayaking and paddleboarding, particularly for those who don’t want to venture out into the open ocean. For Menauhant Beach, head to Bournes Pond, and if you’re at Bristol, you can go to Little Pond. Salt Pond is a short walk from Surf Drive Beach, where you’ll be joined by osprey diving for prey. For freshwater access, check out the Matthew Souza Conservation Area, located on the picturesque Coonamessett River and protected by the 300 Committee, Falmouth’s land trust.

Farms of Falmouth

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PETERSON FARM

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While you’re in the area, be sure to stop at nearby Coonamessett Farm, offering pick-your-own produce, a petting zoo for the kids, artisanal food and handmade gifts. It’s also home to Annie Konner-Higgins’s Peck-O-Dirt Bakery, and the Buffalo Jump Cafe, owned and operated by her daughter, chef Laura HigginsBaltzley. Special events include a Wednesday Night Jamaican buffet with live music and a Friday farm night buffet.

Located off bustling Woods Hole Road, Peterson Farm is a peaceful oasis, protected by the 300 Committee, and one of the oldest farms on Cape Cod. You know it’s spring in Falmouth when the lambs make their much-anticipated debut.

Relax and unwind, watching them play and graze, and explore the fields and trails that border Beebe Woods, where you might also spot deer, coyote, fox, and other critters.

Strawberries are synonymous with summer, and you can get your fill at Tony Andrews Farm, a local institution since 1935. Enjoy an early June morning of picking your own, or purchase some at the farm stand, which offers an array of produce, in addition to the Andrews family’s famous sweet corn, pumpkins and sunflowers.

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Vineyard Bound

S U Z A N N E R YA N

A day trip to Martha’s Vineyard from Falmouth is easy aboard the Island Queen in Falmouth Heights, the Steamship Authority in Woods Hole, or the Falmouth-Edgartown Ferry at Falmouth Marine.

Patriot Party Boats, a family-operated business for more than 40 years, offers fishing charters and water taxis from the dock at Clinton Avenue. Make any day special, or celebrate a milestone, with a sunset sail on the elegant Schooner Liberté, which departs from the same spot. While you’re waiting, indulge in al fresco dining in a laid-back setting at Jim’s Clam Shack. Picnic tables are available dockside and on the balcony, with expansive views of Falmouth Heights and Vineyard Sound.

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Museum Trail Located next to East Falmouth Elementary School, the museum showcases the traditions of Cabo Verde through music, art and culture. While you’re in the area, be sure to stop by Le Bon Jour for some of Falmouth’s best takeout, such as burritos, fish tacos, and quinoa bowls, with fresh, local ingredients, including seafood from The Clam Man. Learn the story of the Beebe family, the original owners of Highfield Hall & Gardens, by touring the 19th-century estate, and take in an exhibit, author talk or musical performance. You can also experience some of the best up-and-coming talent in the country at the College Light Opera Company (CLOC), set against the intimate backdrop of Highfield Theatre.

BET T Y WILEY

Local history, such as the whaling industry, industrialization, and the onset of summer tourism, comes alive at the Woods Hole Historical Museum and Falmouth Museums on the Green.

You can also do a self-guided tour around Falmouth’s historic Village Green, including the First Congregational Church of Falmouth, where Katharine Lee Bates’s father served as minister, and which features a bell made by Paul Revere. The bell, which still rings, features the inscription: “The living to the church I call, and to the grave I summon all.”

The Cape Cod Cape Verdean Museum and Cultural Center shines a light on the important but lesser-known contributions to the region and the world by Cabo Verde and its people.

FALMOUTH MUSEUMS ON THE GREEN FALMOUTHLIVINGMAG.COM

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Art at the Harbor

Falmouth is home to an array of talented artists of various mediums. Support the local art scene at the Falmouth Art Market, Tuesdays from noon to 5 p.m. (June 25–August 27) at Marine Park on Scranton Avenue overlooking Falmouth Harbor. The market features more than two dozen artists and craftspeople, food vendors, live music and local authors, presented by the Falmouth Cultural Council.

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Dine-In | Take Out

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flyingbridgerestaurant.com Spectacular HARBOR VIEW Venue In-Door | Outdoor Dining

508 548-2700 FALMOUTHLIVINGMAG.COM

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Sunset Therapy

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There’s no better way to end a Cape Cod day than savoring a sunset, and the Knob in Quissett is the ideal spot. The rocky, rugged landscape offers panoramic views of Quissett Harbor and Buzzards Bay, accessed by a short, scenic walk. Thanks to the foresight and generosity of Cornelia L. Carey, who donated the 12-acre oasis to Salt Pond Areas Bird Sanctuaries, Inc., the Knob has been protected and preserved as a nature reserve. As always, please be mindful and follow the signs so that future generations may continue to enjoy this special place we are so lucky to have right here in Falmouth.

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FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

SAIL INTO EDGARTOWN HARBOR FALMOUTH–EDGARTOWN FERRY

Our 72-foot luxury fast ferry is the only ferry that sails into Edgartown Harbor!

Choose one of our daily trips to cruise the beautiful waters of Vineyard Sound on your way to the Vineyard’s most picturesque town, where you can enjoy the finest shops, restaurants, and inns that the Vineyard has to offer!

BOOK TICKETS NOW

Daily Trips • Book Online or by phone 508-548-9400 278 Scranton Ave, Falmouth • falmouthedgartownferry.com

7 7 W AT E R S T R E E T

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WOODS HOLE

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508-548-8563

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s r e k a m m l i F o t k c Flo WOODS

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HOLE

BY CHRIS KAZARIAN PHOTOS COURTESY OF WOODS HOLE FILM FESTIVAL

In its 33rd year, the Woods Hole Film Festival continues to draw an eclectic mix of film enthusiasts

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Spectators wait along Water Street to attend the festival at Redfield Auditorium at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

WHEN THE SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL adopted its existing name in 1991, it had more than 14 years* under its belt. By then, the event had set a standard for what an independent film festival could be.

And it is what Judy Laster and Kate Davis hoped to emulate when they launched the Woods Hole Film Festival that same year. “We wanted to create the East Coast version of Sundance,” says Laster. “Film festivals had just started to become something people were becoming aware of, and independent film was just starting to establish itself in the film zeitgeist.”

Of course, the pair had ulterior motives—the filmmakers wanted to use it as a vehicle to screen their own work, which included a spaghetti western short shot in Woods Hole. And so, they created “a one-day, one-hour event,” 33 years ago, featuring five short films that were shown upstairs in the Old Woods Hole Fire Station. “Everything was shown on a 16-millimeter film projector or VHS player.”

The event morphed into a two-day festival, and then a four-day festival with screenings at the Marine Biological Laboratory, and eventually into its current iteration—eight days of films that kick off on the last Saturday in July and run through the first Saturday in August.

At the height of the summer when the seaside village of Woods Hole becomes alive with scientists, students, second homeowners, and tourists, it welcomes creatives from all corners of the world to showcase their short, feature, and documentary films.

Just how much has the festival grown? From its humble beginnings, it now receives nearly 1,000 film submissions. From there, the festival’s screening committee will select anywhere from 110 to 150 films that have the honor of

Jason Leida with FastFreddy Bags

* Sundance started in September 1978 and was known as the Utah/U.S. Film Festival; it moved to Park City in 1981, the same year it shifted to its January date.

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An audience enjoys a light moment at the festival.

being shown (and watched) a stone’s throw from the ocean.

“Creating a film festival is like being asked to make a film with no script, no budget, and no actors, with the expectation that we’re going to win an Academy Award,” Laster laughs of the monumental task she’s been undertaking for more than three decades.

“To be doing something for 33 years, it’s hard for me to imagine it’s been that long,” says Laster, who still maintains one foot in the filmmaking world; she most recently executive produced Bonnie Blue: James Cotton’s Life in the Blues, a documentary about the blues harmonica great James Cotton which premiered in 2022 at the Independent Film Festival in

Boston. “For us, telling James’s story mattered a lot.”

Telling stories—it is what films do best. And Laster and her staff have given filmmakers a venue to share theirs with audiences here in Falmouth. “In my opinion, films can change lives. Stories change lives,” Laster says. “That’s why I love showing films. It’s why I love making films because visual storytelling is a force for good.”

As the festival has evolved, it has become more than just a platform to screen films. It has become a platform to build and strengthen community. There are opening (and closing) night parties, post-screening panel discussions with cast and crew,

Sean Michael Hibbert

Markelle Taylor and Frank Shorter

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33rd Annual Woods Hole Film Festival Saturday, July 27– Saturday, August 3, 2024 woodsholefilmfestival.org

Top Left: Woods Hole gift shop. Top Right: Dave Forbes and Christy Cashman. Bottom Left: Willie J. Laws. Bottom right: Q & A with the audience.

filmmaking workshops on everything from screenwriting to marketing to fundraising, and live performances by local and regional musicians.

Each year, the festival welcomes a filmmaker in residence— in 2023, it was Allison Otto, an Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker, cinematographer and visual journalist—to lead master classes and screen their work.

During its run, the festival has attracted such Hollywood notables as actor Chris Cooper, comedian Eugene Mirman, actor Joe Pantoliano, Academy Award–winning director Barbara Kopple, writer-producer-director John Edginton, actor Michelle Monaghan, and actor Tony Shalhoub.

Since the village is home to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Marine Biological Laboratory, National Marine Fisheries Service, Sea Education Association, Woods Hole Research Center, and United States Geological Survey, the festival leans into Woods Hole’s roots, annually

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showcasing science-focused films.

The success of the weeklong festival has led Laster to add a winter film series. “We get to bring back films from the prior year’s festival and screen films that people might not have had a chance to see otherwise,” she says. “They often resemble a typical festival screening with either a filmmaker or special guest attending so it adds to the experience.”

But it’s the end of July, beginning of August, when the festival truly shines. “It’s kind of like Shangri-La,” says Laster.

“During that eight-day period, Woods Hole becomes a dynamic film and creative community mixed with the scientific community along with summer residents and tourists passing through. It’s such an interesting, eclectic variety of people, and I think the festival anchors that time period into something that is exciting. And it gives audiences an opportunity to experience films they normally wouldn’t have a chance to see.”

FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

ALSO IN WOODS HOLE . . .

“There’s something about being out here where the road ends,” says Patrick Masterson in describing the quaint, seafaring community of Woods Hole. “A lot of people don’t get down here, but it’s really a beautiful area. It’s something special.”

Here where the road ends—at the southernmost tip of Falmouth—you’ll find an eclectic mix of science, nature, art, history, commerce, and adventure. It’s where Masterson, a carpenter and designer who owns Masterson Made on Water Street with his wife, Melissa, was raised.

“The community here is a little different. It’s so tight knit because it’s smaller,” says Masterson, who returned here about two-and-a-half years ago after living in Los Angeles for 20 years. “We’re like a melting pot of different cultures, which is surprising being in a seaside village.”

Explore Falmouth’s Natural Beauty Shining Sea Bikeway—As the end (or beginning) of Falmouth’s popular bike path (it extends 10.7 miles to North Falmouth), Woods Hole is ideal for bicyclists, rollerbladers, runners, and walkers to connect with the outdoors and soak in some of Falmouth’s most breathtaking vistas.

The Knob—It’s a secret hotspot for locals who delight in this one-of-a-kind walk, which offers spectacular views of Quissett Harbor and Buzzards Bay. Woods Hole Science Aquarium—Bubba the seal may be the main attraction in its outdoor tank, but you’ll also find exhibits featuring marine life that inhabit Cape Cod waters. There’s a touch tank where the little ones can delight in handling small fish, crabs, sea stars, whelks, shells, and egg casings.

Food and Drink Pie in the Sky—The recently renovated bakery, which has been a village staple since 1982, is a popular spot for bicyclists to fuel up before (or after) a ride along the Shining Sea Bikeway.

Coffee Obsession—With an assortment of hot and iced coffees and teas, and homemade soups and sandwiches, you’ll find exactly what you need to tide you over while you explore all Woods Hole has to offer.

Captain Kidd Restaurant and Bar—At the entrance of the Captain Kidd a whimsical mural, painted by the late Joe Miron, features the eatery’s namesake (and his pirate crew). It’s the first sign that you’re in for a good time. An upscale vibe in the adjacent waterfront dining room gives patrons the best of both worlds.

Landfall—They say there’s nothing like a Woods Hole sunset.

And the best place to catch one is outdoors on the Landfall deck.

Inside, patrons enjoy a 78-year-old Falmouth institution that has long served up seafood favorites.

Quahog Republic Leeside Pub—The latest eatery for the Quahog Republic—the others are in Falmouth, Onset, and New Bedford—opened in 2023 and is perfectly situated to greet travelers coming from and going to the Vineyard. Stop in to see why the chain, which embodies the Cape ethos with its “Live, Give, Relax” motto, is a favorite among locals.

The Intersection of Science, Art and History Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution—This preeminent science institution played a lead role in the discovery of the RMS Titanic in 1985. Stop by the visitor center in July and August, when volunteers give free walking tours of the village, offering an opportunity to learn more about the contributions WHOI has made locally, nationally and globally.

Nobska Light—For much of its life beginning in 1829, Nobska Light served as a navigational aid to boaters. Its new life is thanks to the Friends of Nobska Light, a nonprofit which has made significant upgrades to the property, turning the keeper’s house into a museum where visitors can learn about the history of the lighthouse while enjoying views of Vineyard Sound.

Woods Hole Handworks—Boasting 16 different artists of all disciplines—glassblowers, illustrators, painters, jewelers, and more—this cooperative art gallery is a must-see for anyone who wants to take a little Falmouth (and Cape Cod) home with them.

Left to right: Sean Volk, Alison Murray, Jacqueline Murray, Steve Young, Harriet Marin, John Edginton, Sofia Felino, Timothy Blackwood, Liam McNeill, Jon Goldman, Mark Kiefer, Hortense Gerardo, Chryssanthi Kouri, Jon Wade, Robert Manz, Maclovia Martel, Vivian Kerr, Jason Laurits, Adam Linkenhelt, John Gamache and Justin Superstar

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Calendar of Events

June 8 MARIMBA CABARET Cape Symphony presents Brian Calhoon, Julian Loida, and Meagan LewisMichelson at 7 p.m. at Cape Symphony’s Falmouth Campus. capesymphony.org June 15 – August 4 (playoffs begin August 6) FALMOUTH COMMODORES BASEBALL SEASON The Cape Cod Baseball League celebrates its 139th season providing fans with competitive baseball entertainment.

The Cape League is recognized as one

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of the best amateur summer leagues in the country by college coaches and professional baseball scouts.

The country’s top college players are recruited to play in the ten-team loop. A record total 257 former Cape Leaguers populate major league rosters. falmouthcommodores.com June 14 – 16 ARTS ALIVE FESTIVAL 2024 A free celebration of the arts and creativity in Falmouth, located on the Falmouth Public Library Lawn at 300 Main Street and Peg Noonan Park. We

will be celebrating the arts, Juneteenth and Father’s Day. Rain or shine. artsfalmouth.org June 15 STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL Indulge in fabulous strawberry shortcake, lobster rolls, hot dogs or BBQ chicken under the tent on the Saint Barnabas lawn, across the street from the Village Green. Arts and crafts vendors, home baked goods sale, plant sale, face painting, games for small children.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. stbfalmouth.org

FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

BET T Y WILEY

Discover the fun and excitement in Falmouth this spring and summer with these events that you don’t want to miss. Please visit each organization’s website or social media pages for updated information.

TURNING TRADITION UPSIDE DOWN. ONE NOTE AT A TIME.

CHECK IT OUT! Cape Symphony’s Falmouth Campus now hosting special events, classes, and unique programs you won’t find anywhere else on the Cape.

Performance hall rentals also available!

JULIAN LOIDA

jloida@capesymphony.org 508.540.0611

CAPE SYMPHONY FALMOUTH CAMPUS 60 Highfield Drive Falmouth, MA 02540

CALENDAR OF EVENTS June 20 & 22 CAPE SYMPHONY PRESENTS: COSMOS SESSIONS CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL A stellar musical journey with Cape Symphony’s concertmaster, Jae Cosmos Lee, and his Cosmos Sessions Chamber Music Festival. Prepare for two distinct and captivating performances that promise to elevate your senses.

Thursday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., at Cape Symphony’s Falmouth Campus. capesymphony.org June 21 MVY RADIO + CAPE SYMPHONY PRESENTS: OSHIMA BROTHERS Discover a harmonious blend of folkrooted melodies as MVY Radio and Cape Symphony join forces for the first time to showcase the mesmerizing talent of the Oshima Brothers. Friday, 7 p.m. at Cape Symphony Falmouth Campus. capesymphony.org June 23 HOUNDS OF HIGHFIELD Visit Highfield Hall & Gardens on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. as we celebrate the loving and enduring bond Cape Cod & the Islands have with our canine friends. Enjoy a cheerful, tail-waggin’ time as you meet fourlegged friends, fellow doggie enthusiasts and local animal organizations. highfieldhallandgardens.org

and Arts Pavilion, Marine Park, next to Falmouth Harbor. All concerts are free and open to the public. Bring your chair or blanket for your comfort and enjoyment. 7:30 to 9 p.m. falmouthmass.us July 4 – 6 & 8 CAPE COD’S LARGEST BOOK SALE The Friends of the Falmouth Public Library will host its annual Summer Book Sale on the front lawn of the Falmouth Public Library. One of the largest book sales in New England, featuring hardcover, paperback and largeprint fiction, nonfiction and children’s books for readers of all ages. Also, games, puzzles, CDs and DVDs. This sale of donated materials supports the library’s programs. falmouthpubliclibrary.org July 4 FALMOUTH FIREWORKS Voted one of the 10 best fireworks displays in the country by Travel & Leisure magazine, the show is scheduled for dusk at Falmouth Heights Beach. falmouthfireworks.org

July 5 – 7, July 11 – 13, July 18 – 20 & July 25 – 27 BE A PART OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS AT THE CAPE COD THEATRE PROJECT The 30th season of the CCTP brings together playwrights of new American plays with professional directors and actors — often straight from Broadway— for staged readings at Falmouth Academy.

Each week attendees get a close-up view into the development of a new play and the unique opportunity to have their feedback incorporated into the final piece before it moves on to major stages across the country. capecodtheatreproject.org July 5 – 14 10TH ANNUAL CAPE COD HYDRANGEA FESTIVAL The Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival is an annual celebration of the region’s signature flowers and everything gardens on Cape Cod! The main attractions across the 10-day festival are tours of local gardens, usually kept off limits and maintained by individual homeowners.

You are sure to enjoy the good feeling of supporting a variety of local nonprofits.

For detailed information, visit capecodhydrangeafest.com

June 25 – August 27 Tuesdays FALMOUTH ARTMARKET More than two dozen artists and crafters will be offering paintings, prints, and photographs, jewelry, pottery and fiber arts. Noon to 6 p.m. at Falmouth Marine Park. falmoutartmarket.com June 27 – August 29 Thursdays FALMOUTH TOWN BAND CONCERTS Every Thursday evening at the Music

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JULY 5 – 14 10TH ANNUAL CAPE COD HYDRANGEA FESTIVAL

FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

CALENDAR OF EVENTS JULY 17 – 23: BARNSTABLE COUNTY FAIR

July 10 FALMOUTH VILLAGE STREET FAIR Don’t miss the best shopping event of the summer! Falmouth Village shuts down Main Street to vehicle traffic and welcomes you to peruse outdoor pop-up shops that will pepper the length of Main Street. Get all your holiday shopping done in July! Starts at 9 a.m. – 5p.m. falmouthvillageassociation.com July 12 ARTRAGEOUS GALA: OCTOPUS’S GARDEN PARTY Falmouth Art Center’s biggest fundraiser of the year will take place outside on the grounds of the Art Center. Join us for inspired fun, with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, music, exhibits and an auction. falmouthart.org July 15, 22 & 29 and August 5, 12 & 19 LOBSTERS ON THE LAWN AT ST. BARNABAS This popular event is held on Monday evenings starting at 4:30 p.m. at Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church in Falmouth.

Lobster rolls, chips and pie on the big lawn across from the Falmouth Village Green. stbfalmouth.org

FALMOUTHLIVINGMAG.COM

July 17 – 23 BARNSTABLE COUNTY FAIR The Barnstable County Fair has been an annual summer tradition on Cape Cod for more than 170 years. The fair features affordable, old-fashioned family fun for all ages. Make your memories this year with animal shows, 4-H demonstrations, petting zoos, horticulture displays, rides, games, live music, food and commercial vendors selling a variety of arts and crafts.

Cape Cod Fairgrounds, East Falmouth. capecodfairgrounds.com

July 27–28 STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Full-length film screened live with Cape Symphony Orchestra; 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, at Barnstable Performing Arts Center, Hyannis. capesymphony.org July 27 – August 3 33RD ANNUAL WOODS HOLE FILM FESTIVAL The 33rd Woods Hole Film Festival is an eight-day showcase of independent film featuring daily screenings, workshops, panel discussions, staged readings, special events, an awards ceremony and more.

Voted one of the 25 coolest film festivals in the world by Movie Maker magazine. woodsholefilmfestival.org August 17 33RD ANNUAL FALMOUTH WALK For more than 30 years the Falmouth Walk has supported local Falmouth charities. This annual event has brought thousands of people together for a day of exercise, camaraderie and giving to those

JULY 27 – AUGUST 3 33RD ANNUAL WOODS HOLE FILM FESTIVAL

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS FB and Instagram @falmouthroadrace. falmouthroadrace.com August 31 BANDS FOR BADGES Bands for Badges, Inc., sponsors concerts to raise money for our local heroes in need. Our fifth annual concert is a family-friendly event featuring bands, food, face painting, a bouncy house and more at the Cape Cod Fairgrounds. All profits go directly to first responders and military families. We do all we can to ease the tragedy for fallen first responders and their families. bandsforbadges.com

AUGUST 18: ASICS FALMOUTH ROAD RACE

in need. Join the excitement in person or virtually. falmouthwalk.org August 10 WOODS HOLE SCIENCE STROLL A family-friendly free event with science demos, hands-on activities, and crafts for kids. Engage with people from science organizations and learn about the discoveries they are making. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. woodsholesciencestroll.org August 10 52nd ANNUAL ANTIQUE & CRAFT SALE Come on down for the popular annual antique sale at the Falmouth Museums

on the Green. Explore more than 45 vendors, tour the museums and enjoy strolling the grounds. Admission is $10 and includes entertainment, kids’ activities, and entry into the galleries. Proceeds of this event go toward sustaining the museums. museumsonthegreen.org August 18 ASICS FALMOUTH ROAD RACE The 52nd running of the ASICS Falmouth Road Race. Enjoy the iconic 7-mile seaside course. Stop by the Health & Fitness Expo, SBLI Family Fun Run, and the Falmouth Track Festival mile races. Join the conversation on

OCTOBER 1 – 31: FALMOUTH VILLAGE OF SCARECROWS October 1 – 31 FALMOUTH VILLAGE OF SCARECROWS Come to Falmouth Village and see the creativity and spirit of Main Street merchants as they display imaginative homemade scarecrows in front of their stores and restaurants. Join the fun and support your local merchants! falmouthvillageassociation.com

AUGUST 10: 52ND ANNUAL ANTIQUE & CRAFT SALE

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2024-2025 OFFICIAL GUIDE

COVER PHOTO: BETTY WILEY

WELCOME TO FALMOUTH and the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce your COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Use the OFFICIAL GUIDE as a source of information, please scan the QR code.

FALMOUTHLIVINGMAG.COM

Falmouth Chamber of Commerce 20 Academy Lane, Falmouth, MA 02540

508-548-8500 | FALMOUTHCHAMBER.COM

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Celebrating 50 years

Kids eat for $8.99 every day!

Join us for the freshest seafood around!

FALMOUTH

356 Palmer Avenue 508-540-7877

SANDWICH

6 Coast Guard Road 508-888-4629

INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AVAILABLE, OR TAKEOUT SEAFOODSAMS.COM

R E S TAU R A N T GUIDE

Falmouth Eats Whatever your dining pleasure—from casual to fine dining— you’ll find it here in Falmouth. Our Falmouth Eats restaurant guide will help you discover your next perfect meal.

EAST FALMOUTH Bad Martha Farmer’s Brewery BREWERY

badmarthabeer.com/ falmouth-brewery

Cape Cod Winery

See expanded listing on page 204 WINERY

capecodwinery.com

East End Tap

See expanded listing on page 204

FALMOUTHLIVINGMAG.COM

AMERICAN

Le Bon Jour

Golden Sails Chinese Restaurant

Pizza 1 & Sub 2

eastendtap.com

CHINESE

INTERNATIONAL

lebonjourcuisine.com

smittysic.com

Thai Kitchen

Prime Time House of Pizza

falmouththaikitchen.com

pizza1subs2.com

Green Pond Fish Market

PIZZA

greenpondfish.com

ICE CREAM

PIZZA

goldensailschinese restaurant.com SEAFOOD

Smitty’s Homemade Ice Cream

Ristorante Avellino ITALIAN

avellinocapecod.com

THAI

The Cape Grille at The Cape Club Resort AMERICAN

capeclubresort.com/dining

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RESTAURANT GUIDE FALMOUTH

Devour Eatery

AMERICAN

devoureatery.com

Anejo Mexican Bistro & Tequila Bar

djsfamouswings.com

Anchor Ale House anchorale.com

CAFÉ

DJ’s Famous Wings AMERICAN

MEXICAN

Doggz & Hoggz

Bangkok Cuisine

doggzhoggz.com

anejo.cc

AMERICAN

THAI

Eli’s at The Coonamessett Inn

Bean & Cod Market

elistavernfalmouth.com

Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium

estiacapecod.com

bangkokcapecod.com beanandcod.com

ICE CREAM

benandbillsfalmouth.com

Betsy’s Diner DINER

betsys-diner.business.site

Bluefins Sushi and Sake Bar SEAFOOD

AMERICAN

Estia

GREEK

Eugene Henry’s Gastronomical Delights GOURMET SHOP

eugenehenrys.com

Falmouth Raw Bar SEAFOOD

falmouthrawbar.com

Cape Cod Bagel Café

Ghelfi’s Candies Of Cape Cod

capecodbagelcafetogo.com

shipchocolates.net

Casa Vallarta Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Bar

Golden Swan Indian Cuisine INDIAN

casavallarta.us

AMERICAN PUB

bluefinsfalmouth.com CAFÉ

MEXICAN

Coffee Obsession COFFEE

coffeeobsession.com

SWEETS/CANDY

Grumpy’s Pub Homeport Sushi & Kitchen JAPANESE

The Conference Table Falmouth

homeportsushiandkitchen.com

theconferencetablefalmouth.com

ITALIAN

AMERICAN

Country Fare Restaurant BREAKFAST

East End Tap 734 Teaticket Hwy, 508-444-8677, eastendtap.com Enjoy the comfort of our great staff serving fantastic food in a rustic coastal-industrial setting. Come try our local Cape favorites like homemade clam chowder, linguica stuffed quahogs or our fresh locally known steak-burgers. Combine our food with 24 beers on tap, and you’ll always “Eat Well — Drink Well.” Like us on social media.

AMERICAN

Seafood Sam’s 356 Palmer Avenue, Falmouth, 508-540-7877 6 Coast Guard Rd., Sandwich, 508-888-4629 seafoodsams.com/falmouth Since 1974 we’ve been serving families the freshest seafood, quality lobster rolls, fried seafood and homemade chowder. Come and enjoy our awardwinning Cape Cod fare with indoor and outdoor patio dining. Like us on social media.

SEAFOOD

Italian Gourmet Foods– Slice Of Italy Inc. Jack In The Beanstalk MARKET

jackinthebeanstalk.com

Crabapples AMERICAN

Jacks Restaurant & Bar

Dana’s Kitchen

jacksrestaurantfalmouth.com

crabapplesrestaurant.com

AMERICAN

CAFÉ

danas-kitchen.com

Cape Cod Winery 4 Oxbow Road, 508-457-5592, capecodwinery.com Our winery is a place of relaxation, and we invite you to join us. We offer nine different varieties of wine, from a Rosé Mermaid Water or a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc to a Chardonnay, just to name a few. Enjoy live music in our spacious outdoor sitting area while sipping a glass of your choice. Like us on social media WINERY

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FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

RESTAURANT GUIDE Jim’s Clam Shack SEAFOOD

Seafood Sam’s

jims-clam-shack.business.site

See expanded listing on page 204

Jones Tavern

seafoodsams.com/falmouth

AMERICAN PUB

La Cucina Sul Mare ITALIAN

lacucinasulmare.com

Liam Maguire’s Irish Pub IRISH PUB

liammaguire.com

Maison Villatte BAKERY

Mary Ellen’s Portugese Bakery BAKERY

New Peking Palace FUSION

newpekingpalace.com

Osteria La Civetta ITALIAN

osterialacivetta.com

Paul’s Pizza And Seafood PIZZA

paulspizzacapecod.com

Peel Pizza Company PIZZA

peelpizzaco.com

Persy’s Place BREAKFAST

persysplace.com

Pickle Jar Kitchen CAFÉ

picklejarkitchen.com

Pier 37 Boathouse AMERICAN

falmouthpier37.com

Quahog Republic SEAFOOD

quahogrepublic.com

Quarterdeck Restaurant

SEAFOOD

Shiverick Café & Bar CAFÉ

shiverickcafebar.com

Simply Divine Pizza Co. PIZZA

divinepizza.com

Steve’s Pizzeria & More PIZZA

stevespizzeriaandmore.com

The Blended Berry

Windfall Market

SMOOTHIES & MORE

theblendedberry.com

77 Scranton Avenue, Falmouth, 508-548-0099 windfallmarket.com For over 20 years the Windfall Market has been providing a unique shopping experience for their customers.

Offering a wide variety of the freshest, highest quality products. You’ll find fresh produce, breads made from scratch, baked goods, assortment of cheeses, meats, deli platters, prepared foods, beer and wine and much more.

Like us on social media MARKET

The Clam Man SEAFOOD

theclamman.com

The Flying Bridge Restaurant

See expanded listing below SEAFOOD

flyingbridgerestaurant.com

Timber Wood-Fired Pizza PIZZA

timberfiredpizza.com

The Glass Onion AMERICAN

FALMOUTH HEIGHTS

NORTH FALMOUTH

AMERICAN PUB

Bucatino Restaurant And Wine Bar

Soprano’s Casino

By The Sea

Epic Oyster

sopranosfalmouth.com

eatepicoyster.com

Windfall Market

The Black Dog Heights Café

North Falmouth Cheese Shop

MARKET

theblackdog.com

CHEESE SHOP

theglassoniondining.com

Taco Blanco MEXICAN

tacoblanco.cc

Tiger Ramen JAPANESE

tigerramen.com See expanded listing above windfallmarket.com

Shipwrecked

shipwreckedfalmouth.com

ITALIAN

CAFÉ

ITALIAN

bucawinebar.com

SEAFOOD

See expanded on page 206

northfalmouthcheese.com

AMERICAN

qdfalmouth.com

The Flying Bridge Restaurant 220 Scranton Avenue, Falmouth 508-548-2700 flyingbridgerestaurant.com Waterfront dining and bar with open-air decks overlooking Falmouth’s scenic Harbor. Serving traditional New England seafood with contemporary flair and delicious craft cocktails. Plus, live music throughout the summer. Like us on social media.

SEAFOOD

FALMOUTHLIVINGMAG.COM

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RESTAURANT GUIDE

North Falmouth Cheese Shop 402 N. Falmouth Highway, 508-356-3666 northfalmouthcheese.com Offering domestic and imported cheeses, charcuterie meats, pâté, crackers, olives, oils, jams, sauces and sweet treats. Locally made items include Maison Villatte French breads, Bee Well raw honey; gourmet frozen items include appetizers, stuffed pastas and desserts.

Visit our website for hours. Like us on social media.

CHEESE SHOP

WAQUOIT

Moonakis Café

Shuckers World Famous Raw Bar & Café

moonakiscafe.com

shuckerscapecod.com

CAFÉ

SEAFOOD

Moto Pizza

Water Street Kitchen

moto-pizza.com

waterstreetkitchen.com

AMERICAN

PIZZA

WEST FALMOUTH

Woods Hole Market & Provisions

MEDITERRANEAN

woodsholemarket.com

Chapoquoit Grill

MARKET

chapoquoitgrillwest falmouth.com

Eulinda’s Ice Cream ICE CREAM

West Falmouth Market

See expanded listing at right MARKET

westfalmouthmarket.com

WOODS HOLE

Captain Kidd Restaurant See expanded listing below AMERICAN

thecaptainkidd.com

Prime Time House of Pizza

TEATICKET

Red’s Restaurant & Lounge at The Sea Crest Beach Hotel

MARKET

PIZZA

Falmouth Fish Market

Candy Go Nuts SWEETS

candygonuts.com

freshfishcapecod.com

Coffee Obsession COFFEE

Papa Jake’s Pizza

coffeeobsession.com

seacrestbeachhotel.com/ dine/reds

papajakespizza.com

Landfall Restaurant

Silver Beach Pizza & Seafood

Pies À La Mode PIES

landfallwoodshole.com

AMERICAN

PIZZA

silverbeachpizzacapecod.com

PIZZA

Supreme Pizza & Subs PIZZA

Silver Lounge Restaurant

falmouthsupreme.com

silverloungerestaurant.com

FUSION

AMERICAN

Talk of The Town Diner DINER

Wild Harbor General Store MARKET

Sweet Rice sweetricecapecod.com

AMERICAN

Leeside Pub

AMERICAN PUB

quahogrepublic.com/ leesidepub

Pie in the Sky Bakery & Café CAFÉ

piecoffee.com

Quicks Hole Taqueria MEXICAN

quicksholewickedfresh.com

West Falmouth Market 623 W. Falmouth Highway 508-548-1139 westfalmouthmarket.com A beloved community institution since 1902. A full-service country market, event caterer and so much more. Offering everything from fresh produce, coffee and scrumptious deli sandwiches or wraps to an old-time butcher shop, pizza, homemade soups, bakery and wine and beer, as well as prepared gourmet meals and catering services. Like us on social media.

MARKET

LIAM CONNOR

Captain Kidd Restaurant

206

77 Water Street, Woods Hole 508-548-8563 thecaptainkidd.com Waterfront dining with stellar ocean views, local seafood, steaks and full bar offers an unmatched dining experience. You may sip a craft cocktail on our waterside patio and enjoy local oysters from our marble raw bar. Like us on social media AMERICAN

FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

Our Award Winning

77 SCRANTON AVENUE FALMOUTH (508) 548-0099

WWW.WINDFALLMARKET.COM WWW. WINDFALLMARKET.COM

butcher shoppe has Hand-Cut Steaks & Quality Meats Everyone will Rave About!

&

Check Out some

of our

Favorites

Taste the Windfall Difference!

CHOOSE

pick up

delivery SHOP ONLINE & FIND ALL YOUR

There’s OR No Other Market Like Windfall on the Cape! CHOICES AT WINDFALLMARKET.COM

NORTH FALMOUTH CHEESE SHOP Specialty Cheeses Gourmet Foods Coffees

Fine Chocolates Charcuterie Breads

and more…

Tue – Sat 10:30 – 6 pm 402 North Falmouth Hwy North Falmouth northfalmouthcheese.com 508-356-3666

FALMOUTHLIVINGMAG.COM

207

LAST WORD

“ I’ve always loved these little cabanas on Church Street in Falmouth and hadn’t really taken the time to photograph them until this day.

It made me wonder how many times you can pass by a spot without realizing that it’s a scene worth photographing. I was so glad that I took the time to stop on this sunny afternoon.”—Betty Wiley

208

FALMOUTH LIVING • SPRING/SUMMER 2024

COME SEE OUR SELECTION! Hardwood Flooring ❖ Tiles ❖ Mosaics Luxury Vinyl ❖ Carpet ❖ And More

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL FULL SERVICE Product Selection ❖ Design Guidance Measuring ❖ Installation Dustless Sand & Finish

MASHPEE 800 Falmouth Road ❖ 508-477-4080 selectionfloors.com

COMING SOON NEW SHOWROOM IN FALMOUTH

sea trials available throughout the summer Authorized dealer

Authorized dealer

250 scranto n ave , falm outh full service marina boat sales & brokerage Yamaha & Mercury RePowers Maintenance & Repairs

774 255 -3457

f lyi ngb ri dge MARI NA .co m