Witches, cars, pirates, oysters & a pet blessing: 11 top things to do on Cape Cod Sept. 30-Oct. 6
There's a lot to learn this week on wide-ranging and potentially fascinating topics: Did people once believe there were "witches" around Massachusetts? What happened to a modern-day captain captured by pirates? Is seaweed our future? What was it like for a woman to be in charge of a lighthouse? See details on a variety of lectures below.
Other highlights include a run along the canal to help faraway troops, a gathering of classic cars, a chance to have your pet (or your stuffed animal) blessed and a gallery walk that includes oysters. Take a look at all the choices:
Scientists to talk about seaweed farming
The MBL Falmouth Forum series will kick off with a talk on “Can Seaweeds Be Sustainably Farmed for Food, Feed, and Fuel?” featuring Loretta Roberson, associate scientist with the Marine Biological Laboratory, and Scott Lindell, research specialist at the W Hole Oceanographic Institution. They will talk about the current state of seaweed science and farming, the opportunities and challenges involved, and new tools they are developing to support sustainable growth of the industry in the U.S.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30
Where: Cornelia Clapp auditorium, in the Lillie Building, 7 MBL St., Woods Hole and available virtually
Admission: Free, registration required for online viewing; masks required in person
Information: https://www.mbl.edu/
Canal run will benefit troops overseas
The Cape Cod Cares for the Troops organization will hold its 14th annual Canal Run for the Troops Saturday, a family event with 5K and 10K runs that are timed by Racewire. T-shirts will be given to the first 100 registrants, and there will be age group awards. Entertainment will be provided by Cape Country 104 radio. Money raised will benefit the non-profit organization started in 2005 by then-12-year-old Dylan DeSilva as way to honor our troops for their service, dedication and sacrifices to our country. Proceeds will support Christmas Care packages for deployed troops, and Operation Santa for military families and veterans. Teams can participate in honor of someone deployed, a veteran, s wounded warrior or Gold Star Hero. Businesses can sponsor water stations along the canal.
When: Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 for the 5K and10K runs, with 10 a.m. starts
Where: Buzzards Bay Recreation Area, 33 Main St., Buzzards Bay
Fee: $25
Registration and information: https://racewire.com/register.php?id=12768 or http://capecod4thetroops.com
Information on sponsorships or organizing teams: 774-216-9052 or http://capecod4thetroops.com
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Follow vintage cars to the beach
The seventh annual Cruise to Kalmus Beach classic car meet will take place Saturday, Oct. 1, starting with a parade of classic and vintage cars and trucks, followed by a meet at Kalmus Beach off Ocean Street.
When: noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 (rain date Sunday, Oct. 2); cars should arrive by 11:45 a.m.
Where: Main Street, Hyannis to Kalmus Beach
Admission: Free
To register a vehicle: https://www.hyannis.com/kalmus-car-meet
Get tips for wintering your garden
Jeanne Dodson Eagers, a Barnstable County Master Gardener for 64 years, will give a talk about putting gardens to bed for the year, sharing tips on such questions as fertilizing before winter, which mulch is best, which plants should be transplanted and more.
When: 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1
Where: Osterville Village Library, 43 Wianno Ave., and by Zoom
Admission: Free
Reservations for in person (recommended): 508-428-5757
Information and to attend by Zoom: http://www.ostervillefreelibrary.org/
Enjoy art and oysters together
Wellfleet Shellfish Promotion and Tasting Inc., the folks who put on OysterFest, will hold the fourth annual Art and Oyster Crawl 2022 to celebrate the town's well-known shellfish and its many art galleries. Guests will get an evening overview, be given a gallery guide and a SPAT cup for drinks, then can visit at their own pace. Participating galleries will include Jeff Soderbergh Gallery, the Front Porch Gallery, the Frying Pan Gallery, the Works Gallery and more on a 1.6-mile circuit. Refreshments will include wine, craft beer from Devil's Purse Brewing Company and nonalcoholic drinks, with clams and Wellfleet oysters to eat and the chance to talk to people from the shellfishing industry. Officials advise bringing a flashlight for dimly lit streets.
When: 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 (held rain or shine)
Where: Various art galleries
Tickets: $85 at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-art-oyster-crawl-tickets-421874446827
Information: https://wellfleetspat.org/events/art-and-oyster-crawl-2022/
Church will bless area pets
The Pilgrim Congregational Church will host a Blessing of the Animals as an open community event, with Pastor Helen offering blessings for the animals who share our lives. Photos of pets and stuffed animals may be brought for a blessing. Doughnuts and cider will be served on the front lawn. Attendees are asked to leash or crate pets for public safety.
When: Noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2
Where: Pilgrim Congregational Church, 533 Route 28, Harwich Port
Admission: Free
Information: 508-432-1668
Were there 'witches' beyond Salem?
Local historian Gregory Williams will give a talk on “Before Salem: “Witches in Massachusetts” at two locations this week and two more later in the month of Halloween. His lecture looks at the obsession with witchcraft before the famed 1692-93 trials in Salem and what is described as a “darkly humorous look into our spooky local history.”
When and where: 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3, Tales of Cape Cod, 3046 Main St., Barnstable Village; 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, Eastham Public Library, 190 Samoset Road; then 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26 at Hyannis Public Library (401 Main St.) and 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27 at Bourne Public Library (19 Sandwich Road).
Information on this week’s talks: https://talesofcapecod.org/, https://easthamlibrary.org/
Hydrangeas become home decor at open club meeting
A demonstration on how to create hydrangea wreaths will be part of the next meeting of the West Dennis Garden Club, considered the oldest garden club (1924) on Cape Cod and the Islands. There will be a lunch and a brief business meeting, with new members and the public welcome to attend.
When: noon Tuesday, Oct. 4
Where: Dennis Center for Active Adults (formerly Dennis Senior Center) at 1045 Route 134, South Dennis
Admission: $10 donation for non-members; members are asked to bring flour, sugar or artificial sweeteners for the Family Pantry
Information: 508-385-7722
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Learn principles of a different type of life care
Titcomb’s Bookshop in Sandwich is participating in a Zoom conversation with authors Alyson Young Gregory and Jayarajan Kodikannath about their new book, “The Parent’s Complete Guide to Ayurveda: Principles, Practices, and Recipes for Happy, Healthy Kids.” The guide is described as a comprehensive and user-friendly guidebook including over 50 Ayurvedic health and wellness practices for children, ages 3-16, with customizable dietary, herbal and self-care practices related to lifestyle and common ailments. Kodikannath is an Ayurvedic specialist with two decades of pediatric health experience, and Gregory is an Ayurvedic health counselor and educator.
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4
Where: Via Zoom
Admission: Free
Information and reservations (required): https://www.titcombsbookshop.com/
Those who woman-ed the lighthouses
Hyannis Public Library will host a virtual lecture by Jo Ann Tufo on “Ladies of the Light,” exploring the lives of the women who were called upon to serve as lighthouse keepers over the centuries of United States history.
When: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4
Where: Online
Registration and information: https://hyannislibrary.org/event/ladies-of-the-light/
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Captain Phillips to talk about daring rescue at sea
Capt. Richard Phillips, a merchant mariner who was taken hostage by Somali pirates in 2009 as they tried to take over his ship, will speak at Massachusetts Maritime Academy about the encounter and his rescue. The talk, part of the Ed Fouhy Speaker Series program presented by the Chatham Marconi Maritime Center, will also be available to watch via Zoom. Phillips wrote about his experience in "A Captain’s Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs, and Dangerous Days at Sea," and what happened was the subject of the 2013 film "Captain Phillips" that starred Tom Hanks. A book-signing will follow the talk, with books available for purchase.
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6
Where: Massachusetts Maritime Academy's Admirals Hall, 101 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay
Admission: $20 in advance for the in-person event, $25 at the door, with student discounts available; $10 for the Zoom event. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required by MMA.
Reservations: https://www.chathammarconi.org/.
To have your event considered for a Best Bet, please send information at least two weeks in advance to bestbets@capecodonline.com. To reach the Times' digital readers, enter events into our online calendar at www.capecodtimes.com/calendar.
This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod things to do: witches, classic cars, pet blessing, lighthouse
