Lightning Strike Victim Identified as an Eastham Shellfisherman
It is sad news to our community that local shellfisherman,Christopher West was the victim in the fatal lightning strike late Wednesday afternoon, July 1st. Some of us who knew Christopher have known him as a very friendly guy, who loved being out in the water. I remember well a day, about a decade ago, out at Hemmingway Landing, being out in the Inlet in our boats, looking west at one of the most beautiful sunsets, then looking east at the most beautiful full moon rise. The day was September 26th, with a lunar eclipse occuring later that night (the eclipse was a letdown after the richness of the sunset and moonrise). Chris was one of the clammers returning to shore at that time. The look in his eyes, just staring at the wonderment was the same as I felt within myself. I could see the full awe in his eyes, this is what he lived for, his connection with the beauty and wonders of the coast. Nobody was speaking, nobody was emptying their boats, all eyes were at the beauty that God had presented us. Chris is now with the artist of that timely fleeting masterpiece, and may God take him on His ship.
You can see the article of the sad event on The Cape Cod Times and The Boston Herald.
Summer 2009 Has Begun the Fourth of July Weekend is Approaching
And Summer Activities in Eastham Have Begun
We've had a few stalling rain days, but the temperatures are finally rising. As seems to have been tradition over the last few years, the Fourth of July Weekend looks to be Summer at its fullest.
Unsettled Weather Patterns Ahead for the Next Few Days....We experienced, and will for a couple more days, some dynamic thunderstorm activity. It is with extreme sadness that we hear that a young local man was struck and killed by lightning on July 1st in Pleasant Bay. In these unstable weather patterns we can easily find ourselves outside as the dark clouds quickly approach. This is a very serious concern and everyone should be keenly aware of how swift these clouds can move and bring ground seeking lightning with them. If you find yourself outside, on the beach, in the water or other open space, seek shelter immediately as you see the approaching weather front. Seek enclosures, low ground, non-open spaces and away from metal objects that can serve as lightning rods. Lightning strikes have annually been our nations number 1 natural disaster killer for years. Please click on the link National Lightning Safety Institute, for safety tips and further information.
The Beach and Recreation Department is sponsoring a number of activities this summer for families and all young visitors and residents of Eastham. The Beach and Recreation Department of Eastham works hard to provide activities throughout the year, especially during the summer months. Please check out their website, contact them, view the Activities Calendar for Summer Activities and take advantage to get the most enjoyment out of your summer in Eastham this year. Volunteers assist the Department, and if you want to help to make living and vacationing in Eastham enjoyable and memorable for everyone, please contact the Beach and Recreation Department to volunteer.
Fireworks are scheduled at Rock Harbor on Friday, July 3rd, at sunset (rain date July 5th).
Orleans will have it's annual Fourth of July Parade on Saturday, July 4th, at 10AM.
Eastham Shellfish Areas are Now Open
The entire Nauset Estuary, including Salt Pond, is now open for shellfishing, except moon snails. Salt Pond should be open Sunday, July 5th from 5:30 AM to 9:30 AM. Grab your family, family permit, bucket, gloves and favorite stuffed quahog recipes. Go to the Town News page and clidk on Salt Pond Shellfish Schedule for the 2009 opening schedule for Salt Pond Shellfishing.
Town of Eastham Board and Commission Vacancies
The Selectmen of the Town of Eastham are seeking volunteer citizens to fill various Board and Vacancy Positions. Click on the Town News page for information on what positions are open and how to apply.
A new page has been added to our web site. Eastham Happenings. This page is dedicated to current news items and happenings that affect our Community. This page also links to notice of our departed loved ones and friends from our Community. This page will be constantly updated with news items and information that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Warning....Fraudulent Phone Scam. There have been reports of a phone scam on behalf of the Eastham Fire Department. In the past similar scams have been reported for the benefit of the Police Department as well. According to the Cape Cod Times Article, Capt. Jennifer Smith reported that the Fire Department in Eastham does have an annual drive, however solicitations are done by mail. This particular scam supposedly asked that you tape an envelop with money on your door. We all support our Fire Department, EMS and Police Department, and many of us owe them our lives, or the lives of our loved ones. Please feel free to contact them if you would like to donate to their benevolent funds.
But, remember, never give personal information to an unsolicited caller over the phone!!
Congratulations Nauset High School Class of 2009
Nauset High School Class of 2009 held their Commencement on June 14th. Congratulations to all of our young men and women who will now move forward to further their education, join our workforces, protect our country, and serve our communities. Click on this Cape Cod Times link for full story and names of the Class of 2009.
Eastham Forum Annual Scholarship Award
The Eastham Forum Annual Scholarship was awarded to Mary Shafer at the Board of Directors June 17th meeting. Ms. Shafer has just graduated from Nauset High School and will be attending Bridgewater State College this fall. Ms. Shafer hopes to be a teacher upon her completion of her studies there. Hopefully we will see her back in four or five years teaching our children at either the Eastham or Nauset School System. Good luck, Mary, we wish you all the best in your future.
Summer is Finally Here and EFFI is at Work Beautifying the Traffic Islands
The EFFI, Eastham Forum Flower Island, Volunteers, led by tireless Vida DeMale, has commenced their annual preparation and planting of the traffic Islands within the Town of Eastham. If you have time available during the summer months and would like to assist as a volunteer in this effort, please contact Vida and she will set you up with a team.
And if you appreciate the efforts of the Volunteers, please feel free to acknowledge them, when you see them working on the Islands with a honk and a wave.
The June monthly meeting of the Board of Directors was held on June 17th. The next monthly meeeting of the Board of Directors will be held on Wednesday, August 19th at 4:00 pm, at the Eastham Police Department Conference Room. The Agenda will be posted on this website. Approved minutes of this meeting, and past meetings are or will be posted in the Membership Information Site.
NOTICE: Eastham Annual Permits Expired on June 30th
Renew your annual permits if you haven't already. These include Recylce Facility (the dump), Beach Stickers and Family Shellfish Permits.
The Minutes of the 2009 Annual Town Meeting are available for viewing..
Eastham Pond Study Report Now Available for Viewing
Ed Eichner of S-Mast (School of Marine Science and Technology) UMASS, Dartmouth, and Tom Cambereri, Water Quality Department Manager, Cape Cod Commission presented the results of the six year study of 9 of Eastham's most beautiful ponds:
Great Pond, Herring Pond, Depot Pond, Muddy Pond, Schoolhouse/Minister Pond, Jemima Pond, Widow Harding Pond and Moll's Pond.
A summary of the report is available in The Reading Room, for your review.
Or you can click on the link Eastham Pond Study Report to view the report,
The Wastewater Management Interim Needs Assessment Report, prepared in March, 2009, is now available for viewing in The Reading Room.
Town Elections were held on May 19th . The Results:
Martin McDonald defeated Richard Ryder for Selectman
Joanna Stevens defeated Brian Allen for a position on the Eastham School Committee
Sarah Blackwell defeated Maureen Voke and Robert Cowan for a position on the Nauset School Committee John Knight and Kenneth Oliver were elected on the Eastham Housing Authority
David Payor was elected as a Library Trustee
Also on the ballot was an overide vote for the $3.15 Million Article for Phase One of the Water Study, which soundly passed.