Author’s Note: I recently started listening to podcasts. (Thanks Matt.) The topics run the gamut from restaurants, to movies, to local happenings, to politics, to sports. I was quickly reminded (again, thanks Matt) that everyone who starts listening to podcasts thinks they are witty and sharp enough can do their own. Enter my light blub moment – and queue your eye roll…Fortunately, my podcast idea is not about Cape Cod; a very entertaining one already exists (more on that below), which according to host Eric Williams, www.HappyCapeCod.com compliments quite well. Nice!
My podcast idea is rooted in my winter season passion; skiing. While the format is a work in progress, three episodes have been written, two episodes recorded (find episodes at @PowderHoundSkis, jsshaw9.podbean.com or subscribe to PowderHounds Podcast on iTunes). Launching any project, learning new technology, navigating nuance of the medium, scheduling guests and attracting listeners is already a heavy lift. I remain optimistic thanks to ideas constantly – and randomly – popping up in my head. It’s already been a lot of fun just scripting and researching content for the episodes, especially pleasing when coming across unexpected articles and topics. Of course, just clipping in my bindings provides a sense of excitement as the next trail, apre cocktail or conversation may provide a nugget of an idea for a topic or segment. A couple friends have offered advice and support, which I appreciate. Hopefully this whole thing will come together. At least the Cape Cod Ski Club may appreciate it!
I consume a lot of information about Cape Cod. Whether daily e-newsletters, printed weekly newspapers, monthly travel guides, books about or authored by Cape Cod residents, podcasts, word of mouth, and through social media mentions, there are a lot of ways to learn about happenings on Cape Cod. While there is no wrong door to learning about Cape Cod, local intel is always best. Below are my picks of people and resources to stay up-to-date with everything Cape Cod!
The Cape Cod Fun Show Podcast. The description says it all, “join Eric Williams and his zany cohorts as they give you the inside scoop on beaches, restaurants, upcoming events and peculiar adventures. Get stoked for fun on Cape Cod!” While the podcast is professionally produced, via CapeCodOnline, Eric, Mung, Greg and the other guest hosts keep to a fast-paced script that includes food finds, outdoor activities, upcoming events, and of course, the tide charts. The Fun show covers the entire Cape, from Bourne to P-Town. Speaking of both Cape towns, I’ve added a dessert stop in Bourne and pizza stop in P-Town to my “to try” list. Episodes are produced weekly.
There is Even More Fun This Week on Cape Cod & Cape Cod Bucket List, courtesy of CapeCod.com! Ann Luongo, who writes both sections, is the Marketing Writer and Lifestyle Reporter for CapeCod.com, having spent a decade plus covering similar ground on the South Shore. If you subscribe for CapeCod.com e-daily, “The Cape’s Top Stories,” chances are one of those editions will have Ann’s list of featured upcoming events as well as a list of other community events occurring that week. New within the last year or so, Ann also writes a weekly ‘Cape Cod Bucket List’ section, of must-do’s, such as camping on the outer Cape, watching a double-feature at the Wellfleet Drive-In, having a bonfire on the beach, catching a Cape Cod League Baseball game, enjoying a summer band concert, and much more.
Radio Ocean 104.7. As written before, Ocean 104.7, “custom crafted for the Cape,” provides hourly news updates on the hour. Queue the ship bells! Dave Read greets listeners in the morning, with regular updates from Justin Saunders, Brian Merchant, Luke Leitner, and the gang. Favorite radio personality Cat Wilson anchors the afternoon into evening schedule, with a special segment “the cheap seats” featuring local bands every Sunday from 8-10 pm. You do not have to be in your car to listen to Ocean 104.7. The station can be played via Alexa at “WOCN” or through the Ocean 104.7 app. The radio broadcast usually cuts out around Raynham along I-495, but it once lasted in my car all the way up to Hopkinton. I actually posted on Twitter just to capture that occurrence. And of course, Ocean 104.7 rocks those delightful and charming old fashion radio jingles for local businesses.
Newspapers – Cape Cod Chronicle. The Chronicle is a weekly newspaper focusing on the Lower Cape towns of Chatham, Harwich and Orleans. The two-section, weekly newspaper, with e-edition options, features detailed reporting of local news, especially Board of Selectman activities, with plenty of commentary from residents in sections dedicated to local businesses, history, nature, real estate and of course, letters-to-the editor. You can sign-up for free weekend as well as breaking news e-editions.
Newspaper – Cape Cod Times. The Times is a daily, Cape-wide newspaper with a robust website. I mean robust, tons of photo galleries, links to national news, videos, entertainment, etc. Because of this Cape Cod Times offer three different subscription plans; unlimited digital access, 7-day home delivery with unlimited digital, and Sunday only home delivery with unlimited digital access. While their paywall is quite generous, local newspapers especially need our support so subscribe in one way or another today!
Cape Cod Best Read Guide. The free booklets/mini magazines are printed by a national company, and can be found at many restaurants, tourist attractions and visitor’s centers around the world. Locally, there are June, July and August editions just to keep pace with upcoming calendar of events, with “shoulder season” editions for fall, winter and spring when not as many tourists are pouring over pages and clipping $1 off coupons for mini golf, ice cream and whale watches. There are multiple forms of these booklets/mini magazine, similar styled guidebooks created by the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, and even guidebooks for each town in collaboration with local Chambers of Commerce. While the content is mostly paid advertisements by the local companies included, these booklets can still be quite informative, if nothing else as a mini telephone book and map of attractions. As the company states, “Think of the Best Read Guide as the shortest path from discovery to experience.” The visitor center after Exit 6 on the mid-Cape highway (Route 6) has every free guidebook available, so that’s the place to stock-up.
Happy learning, listening, talking and reading about Cape Cod!