Walking Wellfleet's Marina After Hours

Sven and I went down to the marina yesterday afternoon. It is fast becoming our favorite walk. There’s no dune to negotiate, no cold wind off the ocean to require scarf and long underwear. Something is always happening, be it shellfishermen out on the flats, collecting oysters, or a new configuration of boats, both in the water and out, or birdwatchers at low tide, binoculars in hand. (In this photo, a fellow Wellfleetian points out an egret to Sven.) Yesterday we noticed sailboats and catamarans propped up in the parking lot, as if ready for a competition on the number of barnacles, encrusted to hull and propeller.

A good time to walk is right before sunset, when the long rays of the sinking sun sparkle off windows on Sandpiper Hill. The harbormaster has gone home, and the place is usually deserted. You can watch a seagull as it drops a clam onto the hard surface of the pavement, intent on dinner. Sometimes shellfishermen are returning with baskets of oysters or clams, which they load into pick-ups, visibly tired after a long day’s work. There are Wellfleet landmarks to admire, like Pearl, Mac’s Seafood, and WHAT, all closed for the season. Often I imagine the crowds of summer and rejoice that they have departed. We 3000 residents again have this marvelous town to ourselves. The peace and quiet resounds at the marina after hours.

Sometimes we see other pedestrians, especially retired folks, like Sven. They, too, have realized the marina walk is a perfect spot for a bit of exercise. The walk measures one half a mile, so theoretically one needs to go around twice to make a dent in the daily exercise requirement. Usually, once is all we do though. We often end up on the pier, watching the sunset. Wellfleet has fabulous sunsets in the fall and winter.

Have you ever walked around Wellfleet’s marina?

Preservation Hall To Hold Holiday Craft Fair

Walking down Main Street today, I noticed that the fellow outside the liquor store has again changed clothes to fit the holiday season. I did not prepare a post for today but wanted to send a reminder instead. This weekend Preservation Hall is holding its annual Deck-This-Hall Crafts Fair. Last year, the event was held in the basement. This year, the community center is finished and already has served as a venue for half a dozen weddings. There have also been farmers' markets, a wreath pageant, Zumba, parties, pot lucks, lectures, courses, dances, clothing swaps, and much more. I know a great many local artisans have signed up for a booth, so all that's needed are customers. On Saturday, think local Christmas shopping and head for Preservation Hall! And, on Friday, Kevin Rice presents Occupy Prez. Hall, an evening of comedy you will not want to miss. Read all about it on the Preservation Hall Web site.

What's New on the Bookshelf?

Today we are continuing a series of posts on holiday gifts. Last Wednesday I covered the local scene. Today, I have a cookbook to propose. What I hate most is cleaning up in the kitchen, which is why Sven usually assumes this task for the bed-and-breakfast. A friend told me about Brette Sember's blog, how it described a new way of cooking that involved no pots, no mess. I promptly bought myself some parchment paper and started making the recipes she posted. When her cookbook came out, I ordered it as a Christmas gift for my nephew Alex, who has just started graduate school and, for the first time in his life, needs to cook meals himself. These recipes are perfect. I like the way the flavors blend together during the cooking process. One of my favorites is Scallops Gratin. My stainless steel frying pan used to be such drudgery to clean before I started using parchment. Do consider this amazing cookbook as a holiday gift.

Fight Back: Choose Healthy Alternatives

Polly Schlaff’s November 18th post at Reclaiming Our Families, republished yesterday by Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, was so moving that I decided to share it with you. Since you read Chezsven Blog, you are already aware that the environment today is jam-packed with toxins, a very different situation from the pre-war society my parents and Sven’s parents inhabited. All four passed away in their nineties, of natural causes, not cancer. Many of us will not be that fortunate.

What chemicals? 80,000 strong, toxic chemicals are everywhere, unregulated. Take the supermarket shelf for instance, in this case, Wellfleet Marketplace will serve as a local example. I didn’t have time yesterday to turn over all these cleaning products and check the ingredients, but chances are many are hazardous to health. We have learned to live with chemicals in our air and water. (The Midwest even has glyphosate in rainwater now!) But we have choices and can choose to avoid them. Your dollar is your means of fighting back. Don't buy the nasty stuff.

A neighbor insists on Tide, although we both have septic systems and well water. Local well water, brought up from the ground, must contain some chemicals from her laundry rinse because the septic does not filter them out. Ecover and Seventh Generation are safer, both available at Wellfleet Marketplace.

Some people say Ecover and Seventh Generation are expensive at purchase. This may be so but shouldn’t we put health first?

Others say they add dryer sheets to the chemical cocktail that’s assaulting their body because the laundry smells fresher. Honestly, isn’t it wiser to cut the crappy chemicals out of our lives, since the government has not yet seen fit to do so yet?

Behind every toxic chemical stands a lobbyist. You can’t hear my fingers but I’m rubbing them together, the French way of indicating $$$.

The chemical industry even hires people to read blogs like mine. Imagine! They have that much extra money to spend. Oh, yes. They intend to keep toxic chemicals present in our lives. It's their livelihood.

I was amazed a couple weeks ago that a representative of that slippery stuff on modern flying pans zeroed in on this humble blog and commented that her company’s product was quite safe. Hel-lo?? We know better, don’t we? We have read Slow Death by Rubber Duck and other books on pollution.

It’s crucial that pressure be applied to legislators to let them know mothers and fathers across this mighty land of ours will no longer tolerate unregulated chemicals in the environment. Call your senator today and ask if he/she supports the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011, under consideration in Congress. Your children and grandchildren will thank you for speaking out on their behalf.

String Quartet to Perform in Wellfleet

Remember before we had a dream for our future community center and imagined all kinds of events would take place there? Now they are. It's no longer just a dream. I have learned that The Cypress String Quartet will perform there this Wednesday. Don't miss Elena Ruehr’s “Bel Canto” String Quartet, inspired by Ann Patchett’s best-selling novel with narrated selections read by Larry Marsland, as well as Dvortak’s String Quartet #12, Op 96, “American,” again WEDNESDAY, December 7th, at 7 p.m. All proceeds benefit Outer Cape Health Services, so please hurry to reserve your seats. I will not be in town, but perhaps Sven will go. Tickets start at $35. You can get more information at Outer Cape Health or call 508 240 0208. It is also possible to purchase tickets at our local pharmacy or the Outer Cape Health Services building on Route 6. Note this is a new venue for the concert: Preservation Hall!

Check Out Chez Sven's Christmas Wreath

Above, Sven welcomes guests to Chez Sven. Yesterday I reported on the Preservation Hall Wreath Pageant. Did you go? It was great fun. The day before, I shared impressions of the three-hour ZBA meeting at the Council on Aging. To answer an emailed question from a reader, writing posts like these does take several hours. It makes me really happy when readers take a few minutes to comment on what I have written. Which post did you enjoy the most recently?

Ho-ho-hoing It Up at the Prez. Hall Wreath Pageant

Mark Gabrielle did not organize the Wreath Pageant this year, but he could not help himself yesterday morning, joining in with final touches around Preservation Hall. Above, he clips a name tag off “Wrack Line Occupied,” by Melody Thibideau, my personal favorite. The wreath featured sea glass, lures and seaweed from a Wellfleet beach. I was able to admire “Never Bagless” on the opposite wall. The selection was displayed with love and dedication. Here’s the main organizer for 2011, Tracy Plaut, in hat, with Christmas elves Victoria Pecoraro, Kathleen Baker, and Kim Shkapich, who helped prepare bean soup and hot chocolate in the Prez. Hall kitchen.

For 2012, crafters used imagination, creativity, and lots of ornaments. Everything from garlic to seashells and candy canes decorated the 60 wreaths on display, both upstairs and down. There were even two small wreaths, fashioned by Janet Ferro from “Fabrics Recycled from Prez. Hall Clothing Swap.” I missed contributions from regulars Marike Hall and Sharyn Lindsay, but it was fun to see work by first-timers Katie Reed and Josaiah Mayo, for instance, local raw-food power couple. They offered up “Growing Peace,” a large wreath featuring ornament seed cards. (Wreaths can be purchased today, too, and next week, starting Wednesday.)

I love the way crafters name their creations. This touch makes our pageant all the more special. “Christmas Fruit Salad” by Carol Ubriaco charmed Marla Rice. Tracy Plaut’s marshmallow masterpiece was entitled simply, “Mello.” Yup, a wreath made of marshmallows. How clever!

Nearby, one of the more unusual items for sale, a circular “Happy Holidays” wreath by artist Robert Rindler, drew a number of onlookers. “Isn’t it fabulous?” Gigi Ledkovsky asked Jim Lotti.

I stopped in front of
“Climpt, Adele Block Baur in her Tutu" by Pietra Bono to ponder its meaning. This was one wreath Sven would have to explain to me later. Pietra is a local jeweler. I got the reference to Gustav Klimt but did not remember Adele Bloch-Bauer, whose famous portrait sold in 2006 for $135 million dollars. Pietra's wreath went beyond Christmas, I decided. Here was a piece of modern art that could be displayed all year long.

New for 2011, no auction. Prices ranged from $20 to $75. A few of the wreaths had already been sold and removed by 11 o’clock, which seemed a shame, but more arrived all afternoon. I bet a number of Wellfleetians planned their visit to coincide with the traditional end-of-the-day rush to bid on a favorite. I did miss the auction, which added an element of excitement to the event, but could easily appreciate the work involved, the reason it was discontinued. As I resumed my tour, I met up again with Mark, who was clipping the tag off “Seashore” by Joe Fiorello. “Joe makes the most gorgeous stuff,” Mark said. Also gorgeous, "Black and White," by Sky Freyss-Cole, bathed here in the glow of morning.

Meanwhile, behind us, the gingerbread house contest had begun. There were five houses and two categories. One entry had intricate almond slivers as a shingled roof.

“I like the small one. And, the detail on this piece is impeccable,” said Kathleen Baker, one of the judges. Check out the complexity of the winning entry in Adults, Barb Taylor’s Early 1800s Lower Cape, Cape Cod House “Did you see?” Tracy asked me later. “There’s even poop by the doghouse.”

In the children’s category, Lili Hay’s “Ice Village," below, took first prize. Here's Lili with her mom, Tracey Harmon Hay. Tracey shrieked with delight when the organizers called to say Lili's entry had won.

The gingerbread house contest was new this year. I trust more bakers will be inspired in 2012 to submit entries. The more, the merrier, don't you think?

An older gentleman rounded the display with a walker, looking to buy gingerbread. He was told to take the elevator downstairs, where tables were laden with Christmas treats. Before joining him, I checked out Joan Platt’s “Holly Wreath” wall quilt, which was to be auctioned off. Joan also contributed her traditional pine cone wreath. (If any of you have tried to make one, you know it's not easy to get all the pieces to fit together flawlessly.) In the basement bean soup and hot chocolate awaited us. It was also possible to take home Christmas cookies.

A colorful sign welcomed revelers. “Thank you for supporting Wellfleet Preservation Hall,” I read out loud. “Our first Christmas in this beautiful building.”

In my opinion, it’s going to be a merry one.

Summary of Wellfleet ZBA Meeting on Dunkin' Donuts Application for a Special Permit for a Drive-Thru

Summarizing a three-hour meeting of the Wellfleet Zoning Board of Appeals is not an easy task but let’s try. I know many of you are interested in the preservation of Wellfleet’s unique character, as am I, and believe a drive-thru window is not something our town needs. Can you imagine a drive-thru at this site? Me neither! Straight off, know that I have taken a position on this issue and said so Thursday night. I am against the creation of a drive-thru at the Dunkin’ Donuts Route 6 location. Opponents of the special permit also feel the potential automobile congestion would be detrimental to residents and other businesses at Cove Corner. We also worry that entering or exiting Route 6 will become more hazardous. Supporters of the special permit feel a drive-thru will enhance tourism because out-of-town visitors "expect this kind of service."

I don’t think ZBA Vice-chair Bruce Drucker realized what a tough assignment lay before him. Indeed, a number of members of the audience were shocked by his lack of respect for the Wellfleetians who had come to voice opinions ...

The Council on Aging rapidly filled with dozens of opponents to the DD application. Drucker explained that, according to the law and a detail on date of submission of an ANR with the Planning Board, the ZBA needed to apply the old bylaw, not the new one voted at a recent Town Meeting to prevent fast food restaurants in Wellfleet.

Ben Zehnder presented the case for his client, George Zografos of Sandwich. Zografos owns twelve Dunkin’ Donuts. Two benefits to the town would be facilitating life, in winter, for coffee-drinkers with toddlers in the car and elderly coffee-drinkers. (These are the only two I retained as possible valid arguments.)

Drucker read letters of opposition, and one letter of support from the building inspector, mentioned on my earlier post, where you can also find the site plan.

Dan Silverman and wife Janice Gray wrote the most eloquent letter. As an abutter, he explained that the arrival of DD has been “a mixed blessing to the neighborhood.” The issues were traffic, wind-blown litter, noise outside regular hours, a spotlight, “garish urban-style lighting,” a drainage problem. He raised concerns regarding increased exhaust, outside speakers, additional lights. Dan pointed out that a drive-thru represents “a major change in use of property,” reminded the ZBA board “the rural character of our town is the engine that drives our economy,” and stated that the request for drive-thru service “flies in the face of the will of the town, expressed at the last Town Meeting.”

Whew. Powerful letter. The ZBA Vice-chair then allowed comments from the audience. Since I was not able to get everyone's name, I will simply provide snippets of the discussion, mentioning some of the additional points raised:

1.) Increased use via a drive-thru will take away tip money that would ordinarily go to local workers at other restaurants.
2.) “As an oysterman, I find a lot of DD garbage.”
3.) A man stated the DD cups get dropped as far away as Cahoon Hollow Road.
4.) No traffic study has been done. Traffic congestion will be an issue, especially in summer.
5.) We have rules for signage in this town, and one signage bylaw states no moving parts. The speakers would have moving parts.
6.) Someone raised the issue of greed. DD served 50000 people in July and August, 2011. Isn’t the owner making enough money?
7.) An abutter said the noise and light is problematic for her young family. She was worried about the potential of DD’s being open 24 hours. “I’m trying to raise a family here.” She pointed out people seem happy to go inside the restaurant and use the wireless. “This is a lifestyle. This is not what Wellfleet is about.”
8.) Cove Road is a blind curve. “From a safety perspective, it’s a no-starter. I love your product, but this is a bad idea.”
9.) “Wellfleet is a small town. This is not Yarmouth. Please respect the will of the citizens.”
10.) Selectman Berta Bruinooge said she was also concerned about the possibility of DD being open 24 hours. “We do not need a 24-hour establishment in our town.”
11.) Steven Russell said, “I run an outdoor theater in the summer. Part of my soundtrack is hearing numbers called.”
12.) Abutter Marie Pellegrino refuted Zehnder’s comparison with bank drive-thrus. The two banks he mentioned do not abut residential neighborhoods, she declared. “I won’t even be able to get out of my driveway in summer.”
13.) Someone said that his summer tenants were horrified by DD. How would they react to the addition of a drive-thru?
13.) Dick Morrill’s remark I already shared here.

Next George Zografos declared, “I know what it feels like to be the white elephant in the room. It was tough to sit here and listen. I’ve been on Cape Cod for 25 years. I really care about the towns. I’m actually proud of the Wellfleet location. I cleaned it up. It had been an eyesore.” He further stated he would have fixed the problems if anyone had mentioned them. He told a sob story about almost going bankrupt 20 years ago and getting a fresh start. He contributes to local non-profits. He asked to have the opportunity to fix the things that don’t work. “If I can’t make it right, we won’t do it.”

Then ZBA members were asked for their opinions. Most said they needed time to think this over. Only Mick Lynch said he would probably vote yes if changes were made to the plan.

Drucker assured the crowd that comments from abutters are taken very seriously. He saw the reduced property values as a hard barrier for the applicant to overcome and reminded everyone that a special permit is a privilege, not a right. He also raised the issue of what type of permit Bob Costa had originally obtained for Christine’s Oasis, the restaurant in operation at the corner of the building for many years.

There was discontent at ten p.m. because so many members of the audience expected a decision and did not understand why the meeting needed to be “continued.” Drucker concluded that on Thursday, January 5th, the board would provide findings of fact to support its decision one way or the other.

I will not be in town that day. Will you? If you are, do plan to attend the meeting. If not, please write a letter. Drucker prefers them short and sweet. I urge everyone to express an opinion to the ZBA, and this request includes non-residents. (Address: 300 Main Street, Wellfleet MA 02667.) It’s great to also share your opinion in the comment section. What do you think of the drive-thru proposal? Did you attend the hearing? Is there anything important I neglected to mention?

Wellfleet's Deck This Hall Blasts Off With Holiday Cheer

December is upon us and December, in Wellfleet, means head to Preservation Hall with greenery and community spirit. Events will be taking place all month. Yes, not one weekend of Christmas cheer but three! The fun starts with wreath making. The second wreath-making session took place yesterday afternoon and evening. Along with crafters, bakers were also welcome to join the crew in the kitchen who were turning out macaroons at a fast clip. The table was full of yummy treats that will go on sale Saturday. There will also be a Gingerbread House contest, new in 2011. (Head judge will be Chris Kelley of Sweet Baking.)

The basement smelled heavenly when I arrived with my wreath in hand. Yes, this year I decided to get a head start and use Chez Sven greenery. The euonymus outside spoke to me: “I HAVE WREATH ASPIRATIONS,” it hissed. I cut several large branches and wound them into a circle. Sven helped for a while as I tucked and bent. Now, I’m not a craft-y person, certainly not as good with a glue gun as Miles, but I figured here was an opportunity to make a statement of some kind. In about fifteen minutes my wreath was ready. Well, almost. I tied on a bow and added a Chico bag as decoration. Suddenly the name came to me: NEVER BAGLESS. Because all the wreaths at the wreath pageant have names, in case you had forgotten. (Last year I created STOP PLASTIC POLLUTION.)

Into my car we went, the wreath and I, driving two minutes into town. Organizer-in-chief Tracy Plaut showed me to a table laden with crafting materials. I found a star and a bow. NEVER BAGLESS, right above, was complete. (And yes, those are marshmallows to the left, a wreath made by Tracy herself.)

Meanwhile, a lot was going on around me. Christmas masterpieces were being created. Cookies eaten. Elves were coming and going. Kim Shkapich, Celeste Makely, and Amy Samuelson, left, stirred and rolled in the kitchen. Tracy seemed to be everywhere at once, placing finished wreaths on the wall, chatting with newcomers, urging those hard at work to enjoy the snacks. And, there were many children this year. No wonder! Up on the stage I spied the makings of Christmas cookies, an activity my granddaughter in California would have loved. Several little girls were already hard at work.

“I suggest you test on the burned ones,” suggested Debra Joy Strain, who shows off her finished wreath at the top of the post.

Debra Joy told me she makes a living doing oil painting restoration and had lived in Mexico for a number of years. She came “home” with her bilingual eight-year-old daughter and discovered Preservation Hall.

“This is really nice,” she said with unfettered enthusiasm, as if we lived in Los Angeles and the Getty Museum had suddenly popped up on the hillside. “There are so many amazing people in Wellfleet, but you don’t usually get to meet them.”

I could only agree. Preservation Hall brings us together. That’s what community is all about.

Don’t forget to attend the Wreath Pageant this Saturday from 10 to 4 and stay tuned for updates on future weekend events ...

ZBA Continues Meeting on Dunkin' Donuts Drive-Thru

The ZBA meeting on the Dunkin' Donuts proposal to create a drive-thru at the existing Route 6 fast food restaurant was continued until January 5. Four dozen Wellfleetians, against the proposal, showed up and made sure their voices were heard. Most of us sat through the full three-hour meeting. A dozen letters against the proposal were read. The only letter-writer to offer support was the building inspector, and his comment that a drive-thru would provide an "attractive gateway to Wellfleet" brought snickers of amazement from the audience. After the presentation, it was, at last, the turn of audience members to voice their opinions. Many were abutters, already obliged to endure extra noise, light, litter, and traffic from their new neighbor. Most were not at all pleased to see the meeting "continued." One man had presented a petition signed by 300 residents. Here's the design for the drive-thru, which the owner offered to modify, based on tonight's discussion. The chair sounded out ZBA members and only one person said he would probably vote in favor. The final member of the audience to speak declared, "I don't think the petitioner cares what we want in Wellfleet. This is against the character of our town." It sounded to me as if the benefits did not outweigh adverse effects, but now that the petitioner is being given a chance to modify his proposal who knows what will go down? I will provide more detail in a future post. Stay tuned!

Overheard on the Bus to Wellfleet ...

The Plymouth & Brockton bus company now operates two daily trips to the Outer Cape. One leaves South Station at 10:15. The other departs four hours later. Both are fifteen minutes shorter than the previous runs. On the bus from Hyannis yesterday, I found myself sitting behind two old friends who had not seen each other in a while and simply happened to ride the bus together. First a disclaimer: all revelatory remarks have been eliminated so no one can guess identities. Both passengers were in their mid-40s, well-educated, and heading to P-town. I started listening in earnest after the woman explained she was in recovery-mode from a recent divorce after 20 years of marriage. I couldn’t understand everything, but what I did hear was fascinating. The snappy conversation proved irresistible:

“You have to come up with projects in the winter, during the day,” said the woman, with regard to how life here can become a challenge once the tourists leave.

The man agreed. He was gay and had been divorced from a woman for five years.

“I can’t go seven months without getting away,” she added.

“Seven months?! I was thinking seven days.” Her companion laughed and described taking frequent trips down to New York to help a friend with a start-up.

Both the man and the woman had been, or were still, running their own business. They bemoaned the fact that it’s impossible to stay open and remain viable outside of high season. (We’re talking Provincetown here, folks. Not Wellfleet.)

Then they discussed the summer economy and housing.

“It’s hard to get a job washing dishes these days and pay the rent,” the woman said.

“I feel so bad for college students,” the man replied.

The woman mentioned an upcoming trip to India. Both were “reassessing core values,” perhaps an “Oprah thing,” the woman suggested. “It’s hard to keep a sense of wonder. That’s why I don’t watch TV.”

“Money doesn’t make the world go round after all,” the man concluded.

Both seemed to agree that easy access to nature on the Outer Cape makes life here worthwhile.

Listening in, I felt conflicted because my parents taught me not to eavesdrop, and yet writers are supposed to listen in on the conversations of strangers for inspiration and dialogue. Do you ever eavesdrop? Did you find this conversation interesting? Are you reassessing core values, too? Do you think "reassessing core values" has anything to do with the Occupy movement, or rather is it related to age?

Why Choose Holiday Gifts Made on Cape Cod?

After Thanksgiving, we turn our attention to holiday gifts. Many people come to Wellfleet during Oysterfest to go Christmas-shopping in mid-October. In December 2010, I suggested local businesses that are fairly well known. This year I decided to mention small businesses here on Cape Cod, perhaps a bit more obscure but all deserving our support. I discovered most of them at Oysterfest.

First off, how about some winter warmth from Sandspit Alpacas, located right here in Wellfleet? I admired adorable furry animals on their new Web site and learned Chez Sven shares an address with this fledgling farm at Old King’s Highway (494), a perfect summer destination for folks with kids. Think 100% yarns from local animals, rovings, hand-felted soaps, as well as warm socks, gloves, hats, etc. Nancy Flanagan will be at the Preservation Hall holiday bizarre on Dec. 10th or visit her farm store. (For more information, call 508 349 7585.)

Those of you who loved Jade Huber’s chocolate oysters should know that the chocolates are back, hand-crafted by a new owner in Marstons’ Mills and now available online at Wellfleet Candy Company. New this fall: the Dark Chocolate Oyster with banana rum caramel filling not only offers chocolate heaven but also sends one dollar to Horizon Relief, a fund to aid Gulf Coast oystermen.

Another local sweetie is Chris Kelley, who runs Sweet Baking on Old Chequessett Neck Road, pictured here with boy-friend Carleton. Sweet Baking has no Web site, but the chocolate bombes, sold at Chocolate Sparrow, win raves. Chris created the magnificent gingerbread house I photographed several years ago for this blog and is now "kicking into gingerbread-gear." Contact her at sweetbaking AT comcast.net. (Sweet Baking will be at the Prez. Hall holiday fair.)

Or, how about Summersoaps, in Barnstable? They are 100% natural with essential oils. A box of four, your choice of scents, costs $29.

Anya's Herbals are powerful blends of healing herbs and botanicals. Anya donates 10% of all profits to organizations that work to preserve the environment or on human justice issues. She sells herbal teas, amazing body lotion, and a full range of aromatic body care products, all created in S. Wellfleet.

For a present that lasts, choose a hand-crafted copper watering can for bonsai plants from Copper Craft of Wellfleet, a steal at $45.

Another artist whom I discovered recently, is lovely Nicole St. Pierre. I was not the only person at Oysterfest to fall for her work. Over the one October weekend in Wellfleet, Nicole sold a total of 29 hats! You can see her recycled wool creations at the Foundry Show in Pawtucket, RI. (See December dates listed on Web site). Sven bought me the blue beauty, to the left, second from the top.

A second millinery company present at Oysterfest was Look at Me Designs, which offers original texting gloves and scarves as well headgear. Tiffany Brown and Melanie Peddle use recycled materials. Again, each item is a one-of-kind creation. They are based in Plainville.

If you run a small business on the Outer Cape and would like to be included in this post, please let me know or share your products and Web site in Comments.

So, what are you waiting for? Time to Christmas-shop. It's hard to make a living off-season on Cape Cod. Please support the local small businesses mentioned above...

Should Wellfleet's Dunkin' Donuts Be Allowed to Offer Drive-Through Service?

Several weeks ago a Chezsven blog reader suggested a vacation. I have been in Los Angeles with my son's family for nine days now. Today, I read news from the Wellfleet Chamber of Commerce that will interest you all. Since I feel very strongly that we need to preserve the unique quality of our town, ie. that it is different from Everywhere, USA, I am against the installation of drive-through service at our local Dunkin' Donuts. How do you feel about this? Here is the low-down from the Wellfleet Chamber:

"The Wellfleet Dunkin’ Donuts franchise coffee shop will go before the Wellfleet Board of Zoning Appeals Thursday December 1 to obtain a special permit to install drive-through service for its patrons. Wellfleet Dunkin’ Donuts has been serving its patrons inside its 2393 Route 6 location since it opened in the summer of 2010.

On Nov. 7 the State’s Attorney General’s office approved a bylaw passed by the Spring Town Meeting April 25, 2011. The bylaw prohibits any future fast food and formula restaurants. A formula restaurant is defined in the local bylaw as any establishment which has standardized features that would identify it as one of 25 or more worldwide. A fast food restaurant is characterized as one with drive-up window service.

The special permit Dunkin’ Donuts is requesting is an exemption from the recently passed bylaw. The Town Meeting did not prohibit formula businesses other than food service, such as big box stores or CVS.

Under the provisions of existing bylaws in Wellfleet the ZBA can approve the special permit only if it finds that the benefits of the proposal will outweigh any adverse effects on the Town.

Opponents of the special permit feel the potential automobile congestion would be detrimental to the residents and other businesses in the area which abuts Cove Road. They also express concern that entering or exiting Route Six will become more dangerous.

Supporters of the special permit feel it will enhance tourism because out-of-town visitors expect this kind of service.

The ZBA meeting will be at the Council on Aging on Dec. 1, 2011 at 7 pm."

Wellfleet is for Lovers

Sunset Over Wellfleet Pier

The Cat Who Lived Up To His Name

This summer and early fall we got to know a marvelous stray cat named Serena. She was a true survivor, catching mice for dinner until we gave in and provided food. I was finally able to give her back to her owner, Rolf, who teaches yoga at GLOW. We were sorry to have her leave. He was glad to get her back. Our cat episode reminded me of my daughter's cat, also a stray in the woods of Wellfleet at one point. A reader asked me to tell his story, so here goes:

Our black cat has always lived up to the name my daughter Stephanie gave him years ago: Indiana Jones. "Indy" thrives on adventure. Abandoned as a small kitten, he had to learn to take care of himself. Indy is the only cat I know to have crossed the Atlantic Ocean three times. That he should disappear seemed totally out of character. Had he gone on another adventure or did something happen to him deep in the woods of Cape Cod?

Stephanie lived in France when we adopted Indy at three weeks old. She named him "Indiana Jones" because he seemed to like risks. A neighbor had found him backing out of an overturned garbage can. "Her daughter dressed him in doll clothes and brought him to school," Stephanie whispered with disgust, cradling the tiny creature in her open palms. Instead of meowing, it squeaked.

"That kitten was absolutely famished," said my friend Alice, returning from the kitchen with a pot of tea. "I can't keep it. Know any witches? Who would be willing to have a black cat?" The neighbor was asking because she knew that we had two cats already.

The kitten was now kneading Stephanie's sweatshirt with its tiny paws. From the way she smiled up at me I knew there was no turning back. Like it or not, we had just acquired a new member of the family.

Indiana Jones turned out to be quite a handful. He was beautiful - pitch black with a white star on his chest - but no one could approach him except Stephanie. He horsed down his food, then tried to eat out of the plates of our other cats. Worst of all, he refused to use the litter box.

Over the years I have raised many kittens. Never have I run into a cat that was impossible to potty train. Indy would use the litter box and then not use the litter box. There was no predicting what he would do next. We decided he would have to let him use our garden instead.

Stephanie insisted that we bring the new kitten along on vacation when we went to Cape Cod for the summer to visit her grandparents. Indy took refuge in my sleeve as the jumbo jet barreled down the runway. He refused to stay inside and roamed far and wide, exploring the woods around our summer home. Sometimes we found presents of field mice on the doorstep.

By August, Indy had grown into a handsome young cat. Getting him back to France was quite a challenge as he no longer would fit into a cat box. Stephanie spoke to him in a low voice as we sat in the Kennedy Airport waiting room. In the plane, she had to hold him on her lap. Fellow passengers paused to admire his sleek coat and amber eyes. That day I vowed never to take a cat across the ocean again, even if his name was "Indiana Jones"!

I had to eat those words: last year I moved back to New England. Stephanie's French father stayed in France. We lived in an apartment in the city and our landlord said, "No pets!"

Stephanie's grandparents volunteered to keep him. We hoped that Indy would remember the woods of Cape Cod and not run away. For a third time, Indiana Jones crossed the ocean on a jetliner.

Indy seemed to be enjoying his leafy domain. Often we caught glimpses of our black panther stalking prey in the underbrush, muscles rippling. Gifts of field mice, snakes, and even a weasel appeared outside the porch where Stephanie was sleeping. Then she went back to the city with me. The second day of her absence, Indiana Jones disappeared.

Stephanie was heartbroken. What had happened to her beloved pet? She insisted we look for him. Together we called animal shelters, posted messages: "I am a lost cat. I am black, with a white star on my chest. I squeak when I meow. If you see me, please contact ...."

Days went by, then weeks. Perhaps Indy had been attacked by a raccoon? Perhaps he had fallen into a pond? Perhaps he had been hit by a car while crossing the state highway, nearby?

"Indiana Jones is a survivor," I told Stephanie. "I'm sure he will turn up, somewhere."

A week went by, and another.

One month after Indy’s disappearance the animal shelter phoned. They had received a call about a cat that answered our description: black and muscular, jittery, and very hungry. The caller lived on the other side of Route 6. Indy must have crossed the highway during the night. Immediately, we drove back out to Cape Cod.

Indy couldn't have chosen a better place to hide or a nicer woman to care for him. "I can't adopt 'Spirit' because we already have eight cats," she said. "I knew this one belonged to someone because his coat is in such great condition." "Spirit" refused to go in her house. He would appear every morning and every night, only to hide again in the brambles.

Together we called his name(s) without luck. I suggested Stephanie try by herself. The rest of us went inside. A half hour later, "Spirit" emerged from a thicket. Stephanie spoke to him for another twenty minutes before being able to pick him up and carry him to the car.

Indy smelled of pine needles. That night he told Stephanie all about his wanderings. He said he liked it at the cat lady's. He had never wanted to be a house cat and was happy to be out in the woods, having adventures. She should go back to the city and stop worrying. Indiana Jones said he would be all right. And he was.

Why Come to Wellfleet in the Fall?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful for what we have. Here, on Cape Cod, that would be the beauty of nature, on all sides. Friends and family. Good health. Wellfleetians can thank President Kennedy for having created the Cape Cod National Seashore, which means less development, cleaner air and water. It's quite incredible that 60% of our town is basically wilderness. I'm also grateful for the marvelous guests who have visited Chez Sven during 2011 and the joy of grandchildren. What are you grateful for?

As Thanksgiving Approaches ...

As turkey day approaches, I decided to look back over five years of blog posts and serve them up to you again. 2008 and 2009 are particularly interesting. It's pretty amazing to realize I've written Chezsven Blog: Wellfleet Today for almost six years now. Whew! My mother passed away November 29, 2006, so I did not write a specific post about Thanksgiving that year. Here are the other four years.

Thanksgiving, 2007

Thanksgiving, 2008

Thanksgiving, 2009

Thanksgiving, 2010