Father’s Sandwich[es], Burgers & Pizza

by Jeff Shaw

I recently read an interesting passage from Local, a book about finding nearby nature and wilderness. The author Alastair Humphreys cites an unprecedented trend of pub closures in England despite their cultural relevance, among other things. (The book is about exploring your hometown and [corner] pub closures were noticeable.)

While pubs on Cape Cod may not have the same history as they do in England, there are plenty of iconic ones. One of them stands out because sometimes, a sign says it all.

At Father’s Kitchen and Taphouse, many signs say it all. And they’re all good. See this restaurant review for details.

Let’s start with the nod to family – “Little Dudes Welcome.” Yes, bring your kids. Everyone is welcome.

Let’s move on with being a good family member – “Good Fathers Make Good Sons.” The location of this sign, in the corner booths, is kind of perfect.

Onto the menu. Stuck on what to order? A few jokes will put your mind at ease.

Did I mention affordability. Stop by on a Sunday and get 50% off a second burger. (For every 500 points earned, you get $30 off.)

Dining room, bar top, booths, table top. Pints, flights, you name it, they probably have it. While dimly lit inside, the vibes are bright.

The restaurant is also a stones throw away from the railroad tracks. If you happen to be sitting on the outdoor bench, you have a perfect view of an inbound or outbound train.

Just saying, entertainment (and signs, like railroad crossing) everywhere at Father’s!

August 21, 2026

“Double Plays” on Cape Cod

The Chatham Town Band and Chatham “A’s” Anglers play on the same day four (4) times in 2026, a so-called “Double Play.”

“Summer Fridays at 8:00pm means one thing; it’s band time in Chatham.” The same can be true, albeit different times and days, in Brewster, Yarmouth, Harwich, Barnstable, Falmouth [with their respective town bands]. Summer days (and nights) also mean Cape Cod Baseball League games. And wouldn’t you know it, there are many opportunities to catch a “Double Play” (band concert and baseball game on the same day in the same town) all summer long!

Here’s your guide to Double Plays this summer (while the bands play at the same time weekly; game times vary and are subject to change).

by Jeff Shaw

Fridays in Chatham. The Chatham Town Band plays at Kate Gould Park in Downtown Chatham at 8:00pm. Prior to the music (or even after), catch a few innings of the Chatham A’s at nearby Veteran’s Field, first pitch 7:00pm. Double play dates (4): June 19, June 26, July 10, July 24.

Sundays in Brewster. The Brewster Band plays at Drummer Boy Park off Route 6A in Brewster at 6:00pm. Prior to the music (or even after), catch a few innings of the Brewster Whitecaps at Stony Brook Field, first pitch 5:00pm. Double play dates (4): June 14, July 5, July 12, July 26.

Mondays in Yarmouth. The Yarmouth Summer Concert Series is located at Parker’s River Beach at 6:00pm. Prior to the music (or even after), catch a few innings of the YD Red Sox at Red Wilson Field, first pitch 5:00pm. Double play date (1): July 20.

Tuesdays in Harwich. The Harwich Town Band plays at Brooks Park in Harwich Center at 7:00pm. Prior to the music (or even after), catch a few innings of the Harwich Mariners at Whitehouse Field, first pitch at 4:30pm, 5:30pm or 6:30pm. Double play dates (5): June 16, June 30, July 14, July 21, July 28.

Wednesdays in Barnstable. The Barnstable Town Band plays at Hyannis Village Green at 7:00pm. Prior to the music (or even after), catch a few innings of the Cotuit Kettlers at Lowell Park, first pitch at 4:30pm and/or Hyannis Harbor Hawks at McKeon Park, first pitch at 6:00pm, respectively. Double play dates (1-Cotuit: July 18) (3-Hyannis: July 8, July 15, July 29).

Thursdays in Falmouth. The Falmouth Town Band plays at the Lin Whitehead Band Shell at 7:00pm. Prior to the music (or even after), catch a few innings of the Falmouth Commodores at Guv Fuller Field, first pitch at 6:00pm. Double play dates (3): June 18, July 7, July 16.

July 15, 2026

Harding’s Beach Marsh Trail Welcomes Dog Days of Summer, Chatham

by Jeff Shaw

Cape Cod is many things to many people. To many (me included), it’s all about the beach. Not that there is anything wrong with say, walking trails through the woods, fresh water kettle ponds, buttery lobster rolls or Cape League baseball games, but the seemingly endless coastline and salty air breezes is what makes Cape Cod, such an iconic and beautiful place.

So you have my attention when local officials in Chatham increased accessibility to a favorite trail through the marsh and dunes at Harding’s Beach. And by accessibility, it is now open to dogs on leash year-round (well, it’s a one-year pilot program. Let’s not mess this up!).

Indeed, the Harding’s Beach Marsh Trail, extending 3/4 of a mile (approximately 1.5 miles roundtrip) from the second parking lot to the property line of the Stage Harbor Lighthouse, is iconic in and of itself. The trail is gently sloped and extra wide along a mostly hard packed sandy surface. The trailhead eventually forks behind the Lighthouse or toward the beach. You will also find an informational sign with a brief history of the Lighthouse at this junction.

While the dunes and surrounding vegetation are largely protected piping plover nesting grounds, the shrubbery is low enough so the view extends farther than anticipated. There are spots along the trail where it kind of feels like you’re in the Province Lands of PTown.

Not convinced? See for yourself. And don’t forget to take your dog – on leash of course.

June 17, 2026

Find Nature in the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail, Wellfleet

The boardwalk snakes through the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

by Jeff Shaw

A hidden oasis of tranquility lies in a kettle hole incredibly close to the wild and roaring Atlantic Ocean. To find it, head to the Cape Cod National Seashore in Wellfleet and follow the signs to the [ancient] Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail (1.1 miles).

Signage tells you everything you need to know. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

A gentle, relatively flat packed dirt trail surrounded by woods descends deeper into the seaside canopy. Just across the sandy Wireless Fire Road is a trailhead for the boardwalk loop (0.5 miles) that snakes its way through the dense, mature growth of white cedars in all types of sizes, shapes and positions. The packed vegetation – ferns, moss, red-tinted standing water – creates an eerily quiet scene despite your nearby proximity to open ocean, breaking waves and offshore gusts.

Twisting and turning boardwalk loop. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Other than a few benches to complement the boardwalk, there is nothing but wild as far as the eye can see. In fact, other than the parking area and restroom building, there is only nature as far as the eye can see. Period. The other side of the parking lot features a scenic overlook with interpretive signs and historical markers of the former and original United States Transatlantic Wireless Telegraph Station built in 1901-1902.

Dirt, sand, wooden planks; all types of surfaces in route to the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Nature, history, scenic views, sandy fire roads, parking and drumroll please, no admission fee.

May 20, 2026

Photo Essay: A&P and BF, Chatham

The tile mosaic at 631 Main Street, Chatham. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

by Jeff Shaw

Four* letters A, P, B and F, respectively, affixed to the (ground) entrances of 631 Main Street, Chatham are creating quite a buzz in town about preserving local history, no matter the size, style or scale. And for good reason.

*really just two letters are creating the buzz

Those four letters represent almost 90 years of occupancy by just two businesses at 631 Main Street in downtown Chatham. Those two businesses – the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (better known as A&P, the American chain of grocery stores that operated from 1859 to 2015), which occupied the building “sometime before WWII” until 1959; and, local Ben Franklin “five and dime”, which moved in thereafter until closing its doors in 2025. The building was erected in 1925, so indeed, a century of entering and exiting.

The letters B and F appear on the ‘faux mosaic’ at 631 Main Street, Chatham. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw

The A&P tile mosaic has withstood the test of time (though it was “protected” by a black rug for years) and represents a design reminiscent of the popular Art Deco style of the 1920s and 1930s, hence the desire to preserve. The BF initials are not featured as glamorously and are in far rougher shape, though the design attempts to mirror the A&P mosaic. Perhaps BF can be referred to as a “faux mosaic” for comparison purposes.

An application has been filed by Lilly Pulitzer to relocate to the vacant 1925 building from a different location on Main Street. Will LP be the next initials affixed to the (ground) entrance? Only time will tell.

The currently vacant 101-year old building at 631 Main Street, Chatham. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

April 20, 2026