yarmouth2021 – Page 3 – Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce

Yarmouth retailers learn from COVID-19 hardships

Online ordering, curbside pickup, virtual merchandising, and personally reaching out to loyal customers are some of the creative strategies used by Yarmouth retailers to buoy their sagging bottom lines during the COVID-19 shutdown. And now that Massachusetts businesses are reopening, some local merchants say they will retain the strategies into summer and beyond.

First-year trial for Cape Cod Toy Chest

Matt Barbo, owner of the Cape Cod Toy Chest on Route 28 in West Yarmouth, says he was hit particularly hard by the pandemic because he had only been in business for 10 months when he was forced to close. But loyal patrons stayed with him during March and April, thanks to a combination of online marketing and old-fashioned customer service.

Barbo said the Cape Cod Toy Chest has an informational website, which doesn’t feature a shopping cart for online purchases. So customers would visit the website, see something they liked and then call the store to make their purchases. “When customers arrived at the store, they would call from their vehicles and I would make eye contact and wave to them through the window,” he said, “just to make sure it was the right person.” Barbo would then put the items outside the door for pickup, so there was never any face-to-face contact.

He also used social media and text messaging to communicate with customers, sending photos and suggesting items, like birthday gifts for a nephew who collected Batman toys. And he moved his most popular items to storefront-window displays, posting signs with instructions on how to make purchases.

Now that the Cape Cod Toy Chest has reopened and employees are back to work, Barbo said he will continue taking telephone phone orders while reinventing some of the fun promotions he sponsored before the pandemic. The store had quickly gained support (and a reader award from Cape Cod Life) for its hands-on style — hosting family parties, events, games, and even creating an activities area where visitors could experiment with art supplies. That kind of personal interaction is no longer allowed under social distancing requirements, so Barbo converted the activities area to additional display space and began hosting a Facebook Live bingo tournament. (The bingo games are being taken over by the Yarmouth Library now that the store has reopened, he said.)

Barbo watches the number of people inside the store (his limit is 16 people including staff). There’s also a heightened focus on cleaning surface areas, and he pays attention to items that customers handle, then he follows with sanitizing supplies. A detailed description of how the store is handling its Phase 2 opening can be found on the Cape Cod Toy Chest’s website.

The decision to continue policies that helped customers during the shutdown is a way of thanking people for their business, Barbo explained. “Every little bit that people reached out for something, it helped bridge the gap.” The shutdown was still a major setback, he said, “but it was a little less of a catastrophe because people kept me in their minds — which was fantastic and flattering and humbling.”

Innovative Customer Service at Adrene Jewelers

Todd Mendes, co-owner of Adrene Jewelers, had already closed his doors a week before Gov. Charlie Baker’s March 24 shutdown of nonessential businesses. Mendes was banking on the e-commerce generated by the store’s website, which makes up 30 percent of Adrene Jewelers’ income. He was also taking appointments with customers for specific jewelry items or to replace watch batteries.

But after the shutdown business was slow, including online commerce, Mendes said. So he followed the advice of his wife and business partner Amanda Mendes, who suggested he create virtual showcases of the store’s merchandise. Mendes used social media to let customers know about the service.

Those who want to check out Adrene Jewelers’ inventory can contact Mendes to set up a session on FaceTime, Google Meetings, Zoom, or most any other video conferencing application. He cited the example of a gentleman who wanted to purchase a pair of diamond earrings for his daughter’s graduation.

“I just did a FaceTime with him and showed him what I had in stock for diamond earrings,” Mendes said. He made the sale, took credit card payment over the phone, wrapped up the graduation gift, and then personally delivered it.

As businesses open up in Yarmouth and across the state, Mendes says he will continue to use traditional and social media to reach customers. He’s still working part time at the store, and arranging meetings for repairs, watch batteries and customized work. His business is less than 1,000 square feet of retail space, which would accommodate eight people under state guidelines. But he noted that he has so many display cases that he only allows two customers in the store at a time, which allows ample space to remain 6 feet away from others. He has chairs outside, and he will work with customers who aren’t comfortable coming indoors.

Mendes says he will continue to create customized jewelry while keeping an inventory of his top sellers — LeStage Convertibles and Cape Cod Jewelry. He is also holding monthly drawings for a $100 gift certificate to the store. And those who don’t win go into a database and receive $25 gift certificates on their birthdays.

Being flexible and finding innovative ways to keep your customers satisfied are keys to running any business — especially a small, family-owned store like Adrene Jewelers, said Mendes, who strives to provide a level service that a person will always remember and later describe to others.

“Word-of-mouth advertising is a very powerful tool,” he noted.

Back in the swing at Fit to a Tee golf shop

Keeping customers safe and comfortable is an ongoing concern — especially after the recent spike in COVID-19 cases across Florida, Texas and other states that mishandled their openings. Meticulous attention to safety is now part of the daily routine at Fit to a Tee Golf Shop on Route 28 in South Yarmouth.

Massachusetts golfers began hitting the links as soon as Gov. Baker allowed courses to reopen on May 7. The move released pent-up enthusiasm for the sport, said Fit to a Tee owner John Perrone. So business has been steady, as those who love the game got back outdoors and into the swing.

During the shutdown, commerce was at a standstill, Perrone said. The store and adjacent driving range at Bass River Sports were closed, and lessons were canceled. But as restrictions eased, John and his father, John (Jack) Perrone, helped customers return to the sport while working to ease concerns about safety, cleanliness and social distancing.

“I wipe down just about everything that customers can touch,” John Perrone said. “You do as much as possible to keep people comfortable and safe.” Face masks are de rigueur, and maintaining adequate space for customers and staff to remain at least 6 feet apart is mandatory.

Fit to a Tee is a full-service pro-shop, offering repairs, regripping, club fitting, and lessons via an indoor golf simulator and an outdoor section of the Bass River Sports driving range. The outdoor facilities provide plenty of open space for lessons, Jack Perrone said. But personal protective equipment is still required. (A post on the store’s Facebook Page reads: “I’m a Golf Pro not a politician so let’s wear a mask and stay at least 6 ft from each other and be safe.”)

The result? Business has been better than expected. “It hasn’t been great, but it’s been steady, and that in itself is great,” John Perrone said. He added that more people are entering the sport so there’s a greater demand for lessons.

Customers have responded well to the safety measures, too. “Everybody seems to be cognizant of what they should do, Jack Perrone said. “And even though we’re not a big, big, store, they seem to understand the 6 feet of space. And we also try to direct traffic,” he said.

In the coming months, the owners say they will continue to work with customers, keeping both patrons and employees safe. John Perrone is the resident golf pro, and he is back to giving lessons by appointment, said his father, Jack. To make an appointment, call John Perrone at 508-398-4653 or visit fit-to-a-tee.com for more information.

Andy Tomolonis is a nonfiction author, travel writer and multimedia journalist.

Cape Cod’s Sand Sculpture Trail is back again

Yarmouth’s popular Sand Sculpture Trail is back again this summer, with an assortment of new creations by world-famous street artist and sand sculptor Sean and Tracy Fitzpatrick of Fitzysnowman Studios.

This year’s project was scaled back to 17 sculptures, due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. But the attractions are all located outdoors, making them safe for viewing, snapping selfies, and admiring the family-friendly themes – as long as you practice safe social distancing.

Viewing the sculptures is a passive thing that people can do at their leisure, said Fitzpatrick in a cellphone interview from the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce (YCC) headquarters, where he was wrapping up a 10-ton rendering of a girl and her grandpa boating on Bass River. “From a safety standpoint, there couldn’t be a safer activity on Cape Cod,” he said.

The Yarmouth sand sculptures are created one at a time, typically in a single day. Work usually begins in late May and continues throughout the month of June. This year’s final creation is expected to be finished on June 26, Fitzpatrick said. Completed sculptures are already standing at many public locations, including the YCC offices on Route 28 in West Yarmouth and at Strawberry Lane in Yarmouth Port.

Each massive sculpture is built with finely ground quarried sand, which has sharp edges and stacks like sugar cubes, Fitzpatrick said. Beach sand, by comparison doesn’t stick together as well because it is often rounded by wave-action and includes bits of oddly shaped seashells, he explained.

As Fitzysnowman Studio artists work, they moisten the sand and pack it down to remove air, creating a remarkably strong structure. Finally, the finished creations are sprayed with a mix of water and Elmer’s Glue, which seals the exteriors and makes them resistant to erosion by rain and wind.

How strong are they? Last year’s 33 sand sculptures survived the 110 mph winds wrought by two tornadoes that hit Cape Cod in July, tearing the roofs off buildings and leaving a path of destruction through Barnstable, Yarmouth and Harwich.

This spring’s weather has been perfect for building the sculptures, Fitzpatrick said, with lots of warm, sunny days and very little rain. As in previous summers, the artwork will remain on display through Columbus Day weekend, drawing interested residents and visitors to participating businesses throughout the summer season.

“We are so excited to be able to host this year’s Sand Sculpture Trail again in Yarmouth, given our current situation,” said Jenn Werner, Marketing, Communications, and Events Director for the Yarmouth Chamber. “This is a great activity that people can do safely.”

Werner noted that the Yarmouth Chamber’s popular photo contest will return this summer as well, running until Labor Day. Participants can enter up to three photos and compete for gift certificates from local businesses. Winners will be chosen in three categories: Most Creative Photo, Sand Sculpture Selfie, and Best Location Photo. Find entry instructions and more information on the photo contest at the YCC website.

The Yarmouth Chamber also provides a map of the Sand Sculpture Trail, which will be available at YCC Visitor Centers when they reopen. Meanwhile, you can download an online copy of the 2020 map here.

Local businesses participating in this year’s Yarmouth Sand Sculpture Trail include: Aiden By Best Western, Bass River Golf Course, Candy Co., Dunkin Donunts, Hearth ‘N Kettle, John G. Sears & Son, Just Picked Gifts, Kinlin Grover, Salty’s, Seafood Sam’s, Taylor Bray Farm, The Cove Resort, Today Real Estate, Yarmouth Town Hall and Wendy’s.

The project is partially funded by the Town of Yarmouth’s Tourism Revenue Preservation Fund.

Andy Tomolonis is a nonfiction author, travel writer and multimedia journalist.

Photo Credit: Serena Severini Photography

Find fresh shellfish in Yarmouth’s coastal waters

Thinking of making your own creamy clam chowder, savory clams casino, or chilled littlenecks served on the half-shell? Here’s some good news. All those dishes can begin the same way – with fresh quahogs plucked from Yarmouth’s coastal waterways.

Hard-shell clams or quahogs (pronounced KO-hogs), are found throughout the town’s saltwater bays and estuaries. To harvest them, you’ll need a recreational shellfishing permit, which can be purchased from Town Hall. You’ll also need to follow the local shellfishing rules, advises Yarmouth’s Director of Natural Resources Karl von Hone. Here are some of the basics:

Yarmouth residents pay $30 for a one-year recreational license that covers quahogs, soft-shell clams (steamers), and sea clams, along with oysters and bay scallops, which have shorter seasons beginning in the fall. The permit price for non-residents is $80, and senior citizens (75 or older) pay $15.
Quahogging and clamming season runs year-round in Yarmouth, beginning in April and ending the following March. But areas are subject to temporary closures during summer months – especially after heavy rains, when water quality sometimes drops below state safety standards for shellfishing. The town’s waters are tested regularly for bacteria concentrations under supervision of the Mass. Division of Marine Fisheries, von Hone said.
Summer shellfishing in Yarmouth is limited to Sundays only. But during colder months, when weather is more likely to be inclement, Wednesdays are added.
Family members can work together under a single recreational permit, raking in up to 10 quarts of quahogs and 10 quarts of soft shell clams per week.
While Yarmouth has ample areas for quahogging, von Hone said that digging for soft shell clams (steamers) is limited.
Quahogs must be at least 1 inch across the thickest part of the shell (near the hinged end), and soft shell clams must be at least 2 inches long. Local hardware shops and fishing tackle stores often sell gauges for measuring shellfish.
Find complete information on Yarmouth’s shellfishing rules at the Division of Natural Resources website.

Safe family activity for social distancing

During summer, when both the air and water are comfortably warm, quahogging makes a great family outing, van Hone said. Think of swimming in the ocean for a couple of hours, and then returning home with your dinner.

It’s also a workable activity for social distancing under COVID-19 protocols. You’re outdoors in nature – often with a stiff ocean breeze in your face – and there’s generally room in the water to keep a safe distance from others. But you should still exercise caution when using limited parking areas or walking on paths to and from your destination. Be courteous and stop to allow others to pass with ample space, von Hone said. Since parking is limited at many of the popular shellfishing locations, it might be a good idea to have someone drop you off and then pick you up when you’re finished.

What gear will you need?

Collecting a 10-quart limit of fresh quahogs takes an hour or two of moderate work – more like play really, as you slosh around in waist-deep water and stop every minute or so to drop a couple of shellfish into your floating basket. To make your basket float, squeeze it into an overinflated tire tube and tether it to your waistline so that it bobs along wherever you go. It’s also wise to keep a shellfish gauge tied to the handle of your basket.

Chest-high waders are a good idea when the water is cold, but swim trunks will suffice during summer months. The only other equipment you’ll need is a quahog rake, which is a strong, steel-headed rake with long tines to pull the shellfish from their muddy beds. Shellfish rakes have sturdy wooden handles and a metal basket behind the tines to catch the shellfish. Once you get the hang of working a shellfish rake, you’ll actually feel the difference between scratching quahogs and dragging up a pile of rocks.

If you don’t have a rake, try feeling around with your feet. As kids growing up on the Cape, we always waded out at low tide to where the water was roughly waist-deep. Then we crouched down low, so the water covered our shoulders and we felt the bottom with our feet. The bay water was always murky, so we wore an old pair of sneakers, just in case we bumped into a menacing blue crab. Today, water socks make sneakers obsolete, and lightweight gloves with rubberized palms can help allay the fears of being pinched by a startled crab.

Where can i go quahogging?

Yarmouth has plenty of sheltered waters for scratching quahogs, but the town opens and closes different areas in a rotational plan, working with the state Division of Marine Fisheries, von Hone said. That’s why it’s important to check the Yarmouth Division of Natural Resources website for information.

For example, winter-season quahogging is allowed off Wilbur Park in Bass River, but during summer the open area rotates to Lewis Bay or Lewis Pond, said von Hone. In the fall, the open area is switched to Mill Creek, which is off of Lewis Bay, he said. Next it returns to Wilbur Park or Bass Hole, and it later switches back to the summer location, von Hone explained.

Lewis Pond, which is typically a popular summertime area, will be closed this year, von Hone said, noting that quahogging will be allowed in a section of Lewis Bay (stretching roughly from the end of New Hampshire Avenue to the mouth of Mill Creek). Find updated shellfishing locations on the Yarmouth DNR website.

Managing quahogs stocks for the future

As the town opens and closes its quahogging areas, the Yarmouth Division of Natural Resources is working to make sure the shellfish population remains strong, von Hone said. Yarmouth and some other Cape Cod towns participate in the shellfish relay, a program that dredges quahogs from the Taunton River estuary, which is contaminated with excess fecal bacteria. The shellfish are transferred to cleaner waters, where they quickly purge the bacteria and become safe to consume, von Hone said.

Last year the Lewis Bay area was seeded with about 96,000 pounds of quahogs in varying sizes, von Hone said, noting that once the shellfish were introduced, the area was closed for a full year. The long closure provided more than enough time for quahogs to clean themselves, he said. And it gave them a chance to spawn and produce new stock.

Each female quahog can produce up to 5 million eggs during a spawning, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which manages ocean fisheries.

Why do quahogs have so many names?

A quahog by any other name is still a quahog, but the species of bivalve mollusk known by scientists as Mercenaria mercenaria is certainly a creature with many aliases. Northern quahog is the popular name, quahog is a Native American name for clam, and following is a quick guide to the other terms related to the quahog’s size:

Little necks are the smallest legal size for quahogs, measuring just over 1 inch across the thickest part of the shell (right above the hinge). Because they’re small and tender, littlenecks are preferred for raw bars, as well as for grilling inside the shell or serving whole over pasta.
Middle necks are slightly larger than littlenecks (1¼ inches above the hinge). They’re especially good for raw bars, grilling in the shell, steamers and clams casino.
Top necks are the next size larger (1½ inches above the hinge) and are used for raw bars, steaming, and in-the-shell grilling. They’re also the perfect size for clams casino.
Cherrystones are larger still (2 inches wide above the hinge). They’re a little tougher than the smaller sizes, but they still can be eaten raw, steamed, grilled or used in clams casino. Cherrystones are also big enough to use for chowders or in baked-stuffed quahogs (aka “stuffies”).
Chowders are the largest of quahogs, sometimes half-a-pound each. The meat is tough and the flavor is strong, so they are typically steamed, then diced up for chowders or cooked, minced and mixed with bread cubes, butter, spices and sausage, then baked in the shell for stuffed quahogs.

Andy Tomolonis is a nonfiction author, travel writer and multimedia journalist.

Stay safe while kayaking Yarmouth’s waterways

Need some outdoor exercise but still want to practice social distancing? Go paddle a kayak.

Flatwater kayaking on Yarmouth’s coastal waterways offers a welcome break from the home office – complete with the aroma of salty air and a chance to spot egrets, osprey and great blue herons. Best of all, you can do it from the cockpit of your personal, human-powered watercraft, keeping a safe distance from other paddlers.

Kayaking is also a wonderful low-impact workout. Even leisurely paddling exercises the core and upper body muscles, while offering moderate aerobic benefits. Depending on wind speed, currents, your weight and other variables, kayaking will burn roughly 200 to 450 calories per hour.

The sport is inexpensive, family friendly, fun for kids and, yes … some people even take their dogs out with them. Lightweight kayaks are easy to move and can be transported longer distances on the roof of a car. But you won’t have to travel far to find great paddling places on Cape Cod – especially in Yarmouth, which maintains numerous public boat launching areas. Finally, if you want to try the sport without buying a kayak, you can do that, too.

Bass River Kayaks & Paddle Boards, located on the east bank of Bass River at 118 Main Street, West Dennis (next to Sundancer’s), will rent you a kayak, deliver it and pick it up when you’re finished, says co-owner Ashley Smith. There are limitations to the local deliveries, which you can find – along with the store’s rental rates and hours of operation – at the Bass River Kayaks & Paddle Boards website. The physical store is preparing to open on May 23, if allowed under statewide COVID-19 policies, Smith said. But even if the physical store is closed, rentals and deliveries are still available by phone (508) 362-5555.

You can also rent a kayak and use it right on Bass River, Smith says, noting that Cape Cod’s longest river is a superb location for beginners.

Bass River is roughly 6 miles long, stretching from Mill Pond in Yarmouth Port to Smuggler’s Beach on Nantucket Sound, with numerous saltwater ponds and coves for quiet exploration. The Cape’s flat terrain makes Bass River easy for paddling in most locations, with no rapids or whitewater. But the river is a tidal waterway, Smith explained, meaning water flows upstream on an incoming tide and back downstream after high tide, changing direction every six hours. Paddlers can take advantage of the currents by planning their upriver trips on an incoming tide and taking a break for lunch before paddling back downstream once the current turns. Some other practical kayaking tips from Smith:

Always paddle with another kayaker and wear a life vest. The Coast Guard requires a life vest for each occupant of a boat, and for kayakers, it’s best to actually wear the vest instead of keeping it stashed onboard.
Even though the air temperature may be 70 degrees, the water temperature is still quite cold in May and early June. Staffers at Bass River Kayaks & Paddle Boards advise boaters to wait until the water temperature reaches at least 55 degrees F. And don’t venture too far from shore when the water is cold. You can call the kayak store to ask about water temperatures, tides and wind conditions or check one of the many websites that publish local water temperatures.
Keep close to the riverbanks. Not only will you get a better view of nature, but you’ll stay out of the channel and away from motorized watercraft. More precisely, motorboats navigate between the red and green channel markers, so kayakers should strive to stay between the shorelines and the marked channels. Also note that motorboats have the right of way (and they can’t slam on the brakes if you cut in front of them).
For easier paddling and calmer water, keep to the lee or sheltered side of the river. The calm water also makes it easier to see the bottom.
Carry a waterproof dry bag with clothes and a few necessities – just in case. Kayaks are much more stable than canoes, but accidents can happen. If you do get wet, you can reach into your waterproof bag for dry clothing. Sunscreen and bug repellent are also recommended.
Pack some snacks and drinking water. If it’s hot, you’ll need the water to stay hydrated, and you might want to stop for a picnic. Plus, if you have an emergency during your trip, the cell phone will come in handy. The Coast Guard also requires boaters to carry a sound-making device (kayakers can get by with a loud whistle on a lanyard).
Watch for heavier currents under bridges, where waterways narrow like a funnel. North of the Highbank Road Bridge on Bass River, paddling can be a little tricky when the current is running at its peak.

Some prime paddling spots along Bass River: The mile-and-a-half stretch from Route 28 south to Smuggler’s Beach on Nantucket Sound has lots to see – including osprey nests, egrets, cormorants and great blue herons. The West Dennis Fingers, on the Dennis side of the River, is a series of boat canals with beautiful homes. Heading upstream, Grant Cove is a nice spot for exploring quiet coves and inlets. The cove is also close to Wilbur Park in Yarmouth, where you can park a car.

Beyond Bass River, paddlers might want to explore Parker’s River, Swan Pond, Long Pond, Lewis Bay or other locations. Freshwater boat launches are found on Long Pond (at the end of Davis Road) and on Dennis Pond (off Summer Street) to the north, you can try to find the Bass Hole and Gray’s Beach site in Yarmouth Port, although the water gets shallow at low tide. Find a map of Yarmouth’s saltwater boat ramps at the town’s Division of Natural Resources Website.

Be aware that there are some new pandemic-related rules for Massachusetts boating ramps, according to Yarmouth Natural Resources Director Karl van Hone. The state now requires face masks and social distancing at public boat ramps. Other rules include no loitering or gathering at boat ramps for fishing tournaments or other activities and keeping boat occupants to members of the same family (not a problem with single-person kayaks). Find complete rules at the state Department of Fish and Game.

Andy Tomolonis is a nonfiction author, travel writer and multimedia journalist.

The Center for Historic Shipwreck Preservation

Students can now explore ancient shipwrecks, study marine science, dive into America’s maritime history and relive the Golden Age of Piracy – all without leaving their homes.

The Center for Historic Shipwreck Preservation (Shipwreck Center for short) launched a new online learning program in April, using the expertise and archaeological treasures of the Whydah Pirate Museum in Yarmouth. The project, which is up and running but still being expanded and refined, was prompted in part by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brandon Clifford, executive director of the nonprofit Shipwreck Center, said education has always been a big part of the organization’s mission, but the virtual learning program was created after public schools shut down in March due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. He said he helped set up remote classrooms for the Laurel School in Brewster, where his daughter is a student.

“After watching my daughter and her classmates become separated, I just felt inclined to do something positive and help out in any way that I could,” he said. And that work led to the bigger project.

“We realized that we could potentially reach, hundreds or thousands of students online across the country and connect them this with this really unique history of pirates,” Clifford said in a telephone interview.

In addition to pirate history, the virtual learning program will cover a wide range of ocean-related topics, he explained. Lessons will reach students in kindergarten through 12^th grade, with two categories – history and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). The center also provides lesson plans and educator guides – all approved for Massachusetts schools, Clifford said.

Treasures from Whydah Bring Lessons to Life

Brandon Clifford is the son of undersea archaeological explorer Barry Clifford, who discovered the Whydah Gally shipwreck in 1984 and founded the Whydah Pirate Museum in West Yarmouth. The Shipwreck Center is independent from the pirate museum, with its own projects, research, resources and multimedia content, but Brandon Clifford’s ties to the museum and his father’s exploits help the center enhance its online classes with centuries-old artifacts recovered from the Whydah.

“As time goes on, we’ll be able to do virtual field trips to a dive site,” he explained. Clifford envisions future explorations with “a camera out on a boat and a class being able to log on and join us for 45 minutes out on the ocean – watching how we set up our surveys and watching divers come out of the water with real pirate artifacts .”

The Whydah, a 100-foot slave ship that had been commandeered by pirate Samuel “Black Sam” Bellamy, was bound for Maine with a load of treasure when it sunk in a storm in 1717, killing Bellamy and all but two of his 146-member crew. Explorer Barry Clifford discovered the wreck near Wellfleet’s Marconi Beach in 1984, and more than 35 years later, the Whydah remains the only authenticated pirate shipwreck ever to be recovered.

The Whydah site remains a work in progress with new diving expeditions every year. Researchers are still discovering artifacts that reveal not only clues to the life of pirates, but also to the slave trade and everyday life in the 18^th century, Brandon Clifford said. Three years ago, divers found some 600 manillas – copper bracelets used as currency in the slave trade. Crews also discovered a small cannon that was most likely used as a chase gun on the Whydah, and explorers hope the latest discoveries will lead them to the ship’s stern.

The wreck site is scattered on the sandy bottom roughly 1,000 feet out in the ocean, Clifford said, owing to 300 years of storms and waves eroding Cape Cod’s shoreline at a rate of roughly 3 feet per year. Explorers theorize that the Whydah broke apart in the waves and the stern drifted away.

In addition to the Whydah Gally, classes will explore other shipwrecks, Clifford said. Teams led by his father plied the water off Madagascar’s coast near the island of Sainte Marie (aka “Pirate Island”) and found a half-dozen wrecks, including one that was tentatively identified as Captain Kidd’s Adventure Gally. They also searched for the Santa Maria, Columbus’s flagship, and worked on the northern and southern coasts of Haiti, looking for Captain Henry Morgan’s ship, the Oxford.

“We are going to use all our projects as examples,” Clifford said. “We’ll look at artifacts from various shipwrecks, and as things progress, we’re going to include more classes and more guests and create more virtual field trips.”

Membership, Donations and Lessons

The Shipwreck Center is using CrowdCast for its webcast platform and raising money with Patreon.com – a web-based program used by artists, educators, writers and other creators to engage members and raise money for projects. CrowdCast integrates well with Patreon, Clifford said, allowing group questions and answers, which is well suited for a classroom environment.

The Shipwreck Center’s website contains links to the virtual education program, along with pricing and program descriptions in three membership tiers – student, family and home-schooling, and schools and classes.

Clifford says the virtual learning program currently has two Massachusetts schools enrolled, along with some student and family memberships. An April 30 webcast on the value of preserving history with expedition archaeologist and conservator Sophia Morong, was attended by roughly 60 students, he said.

Clifford is now hoping to expand the service beyond Cape Cod and Massachusetts to share the fascinating stories of Atlantic pirates.

“You know, essentially we’re storytellers,” he explained. “We’re looking for shipwrecks but we’re following stories. And we really look forward to sharing the experience with as many as possible.”

Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce blogger Andy Tomolonis is a multimedia producer, award-winning journalist and author.

Take online classes during COVID-19 crisis

How do you make the most of your time while sheltered at home due to social distancing? The options may surprise you.

Online workshops, webinars, podcasts and videos can help out-of-work employees gain new skills for career advancement. Arts and cooking classes offer personal enrichment – along with immediate benefits in the kitchen. And free online seminars can help business owners prepare for the eventual time when commerce gets back to some degree of normalcy.

Classes that you can pursue from home with a computer and internet access are available from sources right here in Yarmouth – or as far away as your online connection will take you.

SCORE Webinars

Marc L. Goldberg, a certified mentor and assistant district director with SCORE Cape Cod, advises clients to make the most of their extended time while social distancing at home. There’s no denying that business closures, job losses and social isolation related to the coronavirus outbreak have created unprecedented hardships, but our extended time at home can provide an opportunity to expand your mind and explore new ideas, he says. Goldberg recommends taking full advantage of workshops, webinars, podcasts and TED Talks videos, while also communicating with career-minded peers on LinkedIn.

If you’re a business owner looking to navigate through the uncertainty created by COVID-19, a good place to find help is SCORE Cape Cod, which has been expanding its online offerings with content related to the coronavirus outbreak. The business workshops are almost always free, and they’re growing in popularity. A recent webinar on COVID-19 Guidance for the Small Business, which focused on the SBA’s Disaster Loan Program, drew more than 400 online participants, Goldberg said. Those who missed the presentation can watch it on video at the SCORE Cape Cod website.

Upcoming webinars related to the COVID-19 crisis include Marketing Advice to Combat an Economic Downturn (April 28); Navigating Long-Term Uncertainty and the Aftermath of Disruption (May 7); Four Key Things Business Owners Should be Focused on Right Now (May 12); and Essential PR Tools and Tactics – Elevate the Visibility of Your Business While Being Sheltered in Place (May 14).

To join a webinar, visit the workshop page at SCORE Cape Cod’s website, find a topic that you’re interested in and click on a link that will take you to a registration page. Fill out the information, and you’ll receive an email reminder the night before the workshop.

SCORE Cape Cod is one of 300 SCORE chapters with some 10,000 volunteers nationwide, ready to assist small businesses as a resource partner of the Small Business Administration. Formerly the Senior Corps of Retired Executives, SCORE now goes by its acronym alone, as many of the organization’s volunteers are still actively employed, Goldberg said.

SCORE’s Cape Cod and the Islands chapter has more than 50 volunteers, each with far-reaching areas of expertise to help small businesses and nonprofits. Due to COVID-19, face-to-face workshops have moved online, and mentoring is now conducted via phone, email and video conferencing. The SCORE website also provides business resources, helpful links and templates. Find more at SCORE Cape Cod.

Cape Cod Community College Courses

Local colleges and universities are the obvious places to turn for education, whether for a degree, a certificate program or low-cost, non-credit courses.

Cape Cod Community College (4Cs) in West Barnstable is offering an array of online learning options, including free and low-cost classes to train employees for the new reality of working from home.

The school’s Center for Corporate and Professional Education (CCAPE) began a “Working Virtual Series” this month, said Tammi Jacobsen, CCAPE’s director of Workforce Development and Training. Classes are fully remote and cover such timely subjects as remote meetings, virtual communication, G Suite tools, and even COVID-19 prevention. Classes are priced at $49 per course or $79 for two sessions.

CCAPE is also launching a new Smart Manufacturing Training Program in collaboration with MassHire’s South Shore Workforce Board. The training is free; it covers introductory and advanced material for manufacturing employment; and the classes include an internship with a local employer, Jacobsen said. Space is limited in all the new programs, with enrollment on a first-come first-served basis.

There are also plenty of options at 4Cs for affordable learning via partnerships with MindEdge, Ed2Go and Career Step.

Explore the offerings and learn more about the online classes at MindEdge, Ed2Go and CareerStep. For information about Cape Cod Community College’s instructor-led (synchronous) courses, visit CCCC’s Center for Corporate and Professional Education. The site includes a link to courses, with descriptions, starting dates and course pricing.

Online Classes at BSU Cape Cod

In addition to its degree programs, Bridgewater State University (BSU) Cape Cod in South Yarmouth also features numerous online courses through MindEdge and Ed2go.

Class options run the gamut, from arts and photography to writing workshops and veterinary skills. Some examples: Grant writing, digital photography, web design, fitness, alternative medicines, business writing, cybersecurity, digital marketing strategy, Google Analytics and Microsoft Excel.

The courses are practical, affordable, and they cover a great deal of information said BSU Cape Cod Director Jennifer Reid. Classes can be taken self-paced or with an instructor, and they often include material that can be downloaded for future reference, she said. Find more at the BSU website.

Cooking, Culture, Movement and More

From Tai Chi and yoga to painting and culinary arts, the Cultural Center of Cape Cod is shifting its myriad offerings to online sessions via Zoom. Director of Education Amy Neill says the online classes began with yoga and are steadily growing in volume and variety as instructors master the new technology.

The Cultural Center’s popular culinary arts classes led by Chef Joseph Cizynski now start with a Zoom meeting while the food is prepared sans audience, followed by curbside pick-up, which allows participants to partake of the meal they just watched Chef Joe create, Neill said.

The online cooking takes roughly 45 minutes, and Chef Joe peppers his online preparation with culinary tips and his own brand of storytelling. Then the gourmet food is packaged into separate to-go containers, complete with reheating instructions. After the online class, students stop by the Cultural Center at 307 Old Main Street in South Yarmouth to pick up their meals at 5:30 p.m., Neill said, adding that the feedback has been terrific.

Upcoming classes at the Cultural Center include Tai Chi with Holly Heaslip on Thursday mornings; Yoga with Lees Yunits on Fridays; Organizing and Protecting Your Photos with Ed Grossman; and a Cinco de Mayo cooking class with Chef Joe, featuring tequila laced laughing bird shrimp seviche, and pollo en mole poblano (with curbside pickup, of course).

Neill said the Cultural Center had experimented with online classes in 2018 and was looking to move more of its classes to the web before the coronavirus outbreak, and the trend will continue even after social distancing is relaxed. She cited the possibility of yoga classes with students and an instructor back at the Cultural Center, along with an online option for those who want to participate from home.

Find a complete schedule of upcoming classes with pricing and instructions for Zoom conferencing at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod’s education web page.

Continuing Education at D-Y Regional Schools

There are also low-cost education options at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional Schools, although selection is currently limited as adult education classes were suspended when schools closed in March due to COVID-19.

Some classes like yoga are offered online, said Suzanne Kenney, part-time adult education program coordinator for Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District.

One of the attractions enjoyed by participants in D-Y’s adult education programs is the camaraderie that develops from meeting in small groups with instructors, Kenney explained. She said when regular classes resume, she hopes those who registered for spring courses will be able to complete their studies.

She said some instructors are leading online classes, and she advised anyone who is interested to look at the current list of adult education courses online, and contact her at 508-394-2523 for more information.

Want more ideas? The Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce publishes an up-to-date Calendar of Events on its website, including online classes and workshops. The YCC website also offers links to town-wide COVID-19 news, job postings and restaurants that are open for takeout food during the pandemic. Find more at YarmouthCapeCod.com.

Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce blogger Andy Tomolonis is a multimedia producer, award-winning journalist and author.

When bush comes to shrub, try growing Cape-friendly blueberries

Where can you find a winter-hardy shrub that thrives in Yarmouth’s sandy soil; turns brilliant red in autumn; provides food for native songbirds; and fills the freezer with antioxidant-rich power food?

When bush comes to shrub, it’s hard to beat the humble blueberry.

Now that the spring gardening season has arrived on Cape Cod, it’s time to plant trees and shrubs, as well as vegetables and flowering plants. It’s also the best time to plant high-bush blueberries, allowing a full growing season during their first year in the landscape.

A lot of people are really looking to grow their own foods today, said Rose Grevelis, senior nursery associate at Agway of Cape Cod in South Dennis. Blueberries fit perfectly into that plan.

As they mature, high-bush blueberries provide an attractive border or screen for objects in the home landscape. And when bushes mature, they reward growers with a harvest of sweet-tart berries. Unlike evergreens, blueberries do lose their leaves in winter, but before that happens, the foliage turns a brilliant crimson.

Agway sells an assortment of blueberry bushes, Grevelis said, starting with one-gallon potted plants that will take about three years to begin producing a respectable harvest. To ensure their health and future productivity, she advises the following steps:

Choose several blueberry varieties for good pollination and berry production. If you have the space, grow two or more varieties of early, mid-season and late-fruiting blueberries. That way you can stretch your berry-picking time from late June through mid-September. Earliblue, Ivanhoe, Patriot and Blue Ray are early varieties; Berkeley, Bluecrop, Pioneer and Atlantic are mid-season varieties; and Jersey, Coville, Lateblue and Elliot are late-fruiting choices. Jersey is an especially popular choice for Cape Cod growers, Grevelis said.
Test your soil’s pH before planting. Blueberries love acidic soil – even more acidic than the natural conditions on Cape Cod. Chances are you’ll need to add some sulfur to raise the soil’s acidity (lowering the pH to between 4.1 and 5.0 on a scale where 7.0 is neutral). Don’t know how to test your soil’s pH? No worries. Agway of Cape Cod offers free pH testing.
Blueberries will tolerate some shade, but they grow strongest and provide the most fruit when grown in full sun (at least six hours per day).
Blueberries love water, but don’t perform well when their roots are soggy, so plant them in well-draining soil. That’s an easy task when you live on Cape Cod, where the sandy soil drains almost instantly. To retain some water and nutrients, dig your hole the same depth as the pot, but double or triple its width. Then add plenty of organic compost and mix it into the surrounding soil.

Space blueberry bushes at least 4-5 feet apart. This will allow stronger root growth as well as good air circulation, which helps prevent diseases. It will also leave you ample space to pick the berries once bushes mature.
One pest that sometimes attacks Cape Cod blueberry bushes is the winter moth, which varies in population from year to year. If you see a lot of beige, night-flying moths on warm nights between Thanksgiving and Christmas, chances are the tiny larvae will eat the blossoms and leaf-buds of your blueberry bushes come spring. Solution: Spray the bare branches, twigs and bark with a dormant oil in late winter. It will smother the eggs.
To protect your blueberry crop from catbirds, robins and other feathered friends, cover the bushes with netting. A tall cage made from lightweight deer fencing with steel electrical conduit for posts is a low-cost option. Drape plastic bird netting over the top during fruiting season and remove the top in winter.

Agway of Cape Cod will be one of the garden and landscaping companies participating in the spring Home, Garden and Lifestyle Show, set for May 16-17 at the Barnstable High School field house. Find more information on the show at the Hyannis Rotary Club website.

(Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce blogger Andy Tomolonis is a multimedia producer, award-winning journalist and author of Organic Hobby Farming: A Practical Guide to Earth-Friendly Farming in Any Space.)

Culinary Creations at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod

Ten eager students squirm on their bar stools inside the Cultural Center of Cape Cod’s commercial kitchen, oohing and aah-ing over the dishes taking shape before them.

Tonight’s first course is grilled mustard greens with burrata, roasted peppers, white anchovies, olives and wild boar sausage. Across the table, Chef Joseph Cizynski (aka Chef Joe) plates the food with help from Sous Chef Tina McGrath. As he works, Chef Joe regales his students with stories – about fresh foods (he sometimes forages for his own wild mushrooms); about his restaurant career (at age 26, he was chef and owner of Café du Bec Fin, an award-winning French seafood restaurant in Old Greenwich, CT); and about baseball (he was a lefty pitcher in college and played on the Cape Cod Baseball League before blowing out his elbow). He also dispenses expert cooking advice.

How does one prepare such perfect mustard greens? Chef Joe explains the process: First you blanch them in a tall pot – stalk-ends down, with the tender leaves sticking out of the water so they wilt from the steam. Then drain them, pat them down to dry and place them on the grill for a little smoky flavor. A splash olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper are the only other ingredients.

Outstanding.

The evening progresses with a second course of wild mushrooms with a Caprese tomato sauce over Mafaldine noodles (think skinny lasagna). Then it’s on to the main course of baked bronzino (Mediterranean sea bass) with sprigs of stewed fennel tucked between their ribs, followed by a dessert of Italian cheeses, red grapes and bread. Each dish is expertly prepared, artfully plated and served with matching Italian wines.

The theme for this night’s class is Michelangelo’s Grocery List, with a menu crafted from a note the artist scribbled onto the back of a letter some 500 years ago. It’s one of three weekly sessions led by Chef Joe, who develops the themes, researches his material, buys the food and wines, then prepares the food while offering commentary and answering questions.

Director of Education Amy Neill says the culinary classes are among the Cultural Center’s most popular offerings, typically selling out in advance. “The students come in and they sit around the countertop in the commercial kitchen and he (Chef Joe) cooks for them and he talks about the recipes and the regions and the traditions … and every little detail that’s involved with the menu,” she said.

It’s also a gastronomical bargain. In addition to the educational enrichment, students enjoy a multiple-course meal with expertly paired wines at a price of $70 per person ($65 for members).

Popularity notwithstanding, Chef Joe’s intimate cooking classes are just one of about 70 courses offered by the Cultural Center of Cape Cod – from oil painting to yoga to obituary writing to digital photography to woodturning to pottery. All classes are taught by local experts and draw students from Cape Cod and beyond, Neill explained.

The classes began when the Cultural Center first opened in 2007, Neill said, but organizers quickly realized there wasn’t enough space in the existing building at 307 Old Main Street in South Yarmouth. So the center began a capital campaign to build an education wing and surveyed community members to find out their most pressing interests.

A culinary kitchen and a recording studio were the top two requests, she said.

The new wing opened in January of 2016, and classes jumped from about a dozen to somewhere around 70 today. Some classes are one-and-dones, while others consist of a series that runs over multiple weeks, then begins anew.

Lecture-style classes can enroll up to 50 students, while others that require more hands-on teaching may be limited to 15 or 20 participants, Neill said. Chef Joe’s two-hour sessions, held inside the commercial kitchen with limited seating, are capped at about a dozen students.

In addition to providing a community service, the classes help increase membership, as a new course might pique some outside curiosity and bring future members to the center, Neill said.

If your interests have been piqued, here are a few offerings in the weeks to come:

PAPER PAINTINGS: A mixed-media collage class over two sessions taught by artist and educator Meg Krohn. March 23 and March 30, 6-8 p.m. Cost is $50 ($40 for members).

VIETNAMESE VEGETARIAN DINNER: Chef Joe explores vegetarian cuisine with Vietnamese ingredients, including stir-fried morning glory, water spinach and wild mushroom. March 24, 6-8 p.m. Cost is $70 ($65 for members).

MAKING MUSIC WITH STEEL DRUMS: In this six-week class, students will learn the basics of creating classic Caribbean music with traditional steel drums. No music experience is required. Five Wednesdays beginning April 1. Cost is $125 ($105 for members).

INTRODUCTION TO WOODTURNING: Students will learn the basics of turning wood on a lathe, ultimately creating decorative wooden bowls over the six-week course. First class is April 2. Cost is $200 ($175 for members).

Neill says there will be more classes to come, including hip-hop dancing and baking. Learn about more classes, exhibits and activities at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod’s website.

Andy Tomolonis is a nonfiction author, travel writer and multimedia journalist.

Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Parade

In addition to celebrating all things Irish, this year’s Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Parade will offer the emotional opportunity to honor some living heroes from World War II.

The special tribute to America’s Greatest Generation has been a long time coming, said Parade Committee Chairman Desmond Keogh.

“We always wanted to honor our veterans in a very special way,” he said. Because this year marks the 75^th anniversary of the end World War II, as well as the 15th anniversary of the Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Parade, it was fitting, he explained. The tribute also encompasses the parade’s theme of Embracing Awareness, Empowerment and Unity.

“We owe so much to our veterans – none more so than World War II veterans, the Greatest Generation,” Keogh said.

Parade organizers have been corresponding with veterans’ organizations on and off Cape Cod, and as of mid-February Keogh said, he received confirmations that seven World War II veterans will participate in the parade, including one gentleman who is 100 years old. He said more WWII veterans may be joining the ranks, as he continues to reach out in the coming weeks. The parade date is March 7.

A few of the World War II veterans have stated that they wish to march in the parade and will do so for at least part of the 2.1 mile route, barring any health issues, Keogh said. Others will ride in a special trolley car at the front of the parade. Keogh said the entire contingent of World War II veterans will be designated as this year’s official grand marshals, leading the parade, followed by veterans from later wars and their organizations.

The World War II veterans will be honored on the eve of the parade as well, during the Grand Marshal Awards presentation dinner at Alberto’s Restaurant in Hyannis. The evening will include awards for the veterans, along with scholarship awards to local students, Keogh said. Find more information about the parade, the dinner and fundraising events at the Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Parade website.

Scheduling the Yarmouth parade a full 10 days before St. Patrick’s Day allows revelers to celebrate on Cape Cod for one weekend and then travel to Boston or elsewhere for more festivities the following weekend. It also allows the Cape Cod parade to attract high-demand bands and marching groups who might be locked into other events on the weekend closer to March 17.

Parade organizers are still receiving inquiries from potential marchers, but Keogh said he expects some 600 participants and 40,000 or more spectators at this year’s event. He said more information – and some surprises – will be reveled on the Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Parade website.

Among the confirmed participants are at least 20 floats, eight marching bands, including the Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipes and Drums, the NYPD Pipes and Drums, the Irish American Police Officers Association of Pipes and Drums, the Brian Boru Pipe Band, and the Barnstable High School Marching Band. Also participating in the parade: The Yarmouth and Falmouth Minutemen, Clydesdales, the Snow Queen and Princess, and the Yarmouth Barnstable Lions Club (with their 12-foot tall inflatable float Dan D. Lion). Keogh said there are also numerous community groups from across Cape Cod. The parade begins at 11 a.m. from the Bass River Sports World complex on Route 28 and proceeds westward for 2.1 miles along Route 28 to the intersection of Higgins Crowell Road.

Last year’s Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Parade paid a special tribute to slain Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon, with the late officer’s canine companion Nero marching alongside Grand Marshal Peter B. McClelland, the Yarmouth Police K9 officer who trained the dog and nursed him back to health.

“We on the Parade Committee made a conscious decision to honor people who are the real heroes in our community,” Keogh said in an email. “People have really embraced this, as is borne out by the thousands (and growing numbers) who show up in any weather each year.”

Keogh noted that the “parade is growing in popularity by leaps and bounds, getting bigger every year.” He said it is now viewed as one of the premier parades in New England, drawing people from all over Cape Cod and beyond. Many visitors reserve their hotel rooms and other accommodations a year in advance, and local hotels have stepped up to offer St. Patrick’s Parade weekend discounts for the weekend of March 7-8.

The Aiden by Best Western at Cape Point and the Bayside Resort are offering special parade weekend packages beginning at roughly $99 per night. Find out more at the hotels’ websites.

Yarmouth Irish Festival

Parade day is also the date for Yarmouth’s annual Irish Festival – a family celebration with Irish food, crafts, music and entertainment, held at the old Yarmouth Drive-In site on Route 28 (across from Captain Parker’s Pub). Festival organizer Patrick McDonough said the event offers celebrants a chance to turn Yarmouth’s popular parade day into an even larger event – ultimately staying overnight and driving home on Sunday.

This year’s festival will add an element of comedy in the form of Boston funnyman Steve Sweeney. He’ll be performing in a lineup that includes Irish music from Devri, The Silver Spears, Keohane and Kenneally, Slainte and DJ Sean O’Toole. The event will be held under a large heated tent to keep revelers warm in any weather, McDonough said.

The Yarmouth Irish Festival begins at 11 a.m., with gates opening at 10 a.m. Parking is available at the old Drive-In site. Admission is $5 (advance) and $10 at the gate. Children under the age of 12 are admitted free. Find more information at the Yarmouth Irish Festival website.

Andy Tomolonis is a nonfiction author, travel writer and multimedia journalist.

Valentine’s Day in Yarmouth

You have no excuses.

Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday this year, creating the perfect date night. And you’ve been amply warned about the convenient calendar alignment right here in this blog space – a full two weeks ahead of time.

There’s also no shortage of gift ideas. We did some pre-Valentine’s Day exploration and came up with a quiver of quality suggestions – all in Yarmouth. We found dining and dancing, a Bon Jovi tribute band concert, a crafty Valentine workshop, and a ladies’ choice Valentine’s Day dance for pre-teens. We even dug up something warm and snuggly for your fuzzy friend (consumer surveys tell us that Millennials are especially fond of buying holiday gifts for their pets).

Nationwide, Valentine’s Day shoppers set a new record for spending last year, adding some $20.7 billion to the U.S. economy, according to the National Retail Federation.

Those celebrating the holiday said they plan to spend an average $196.31, up 21 percent over last year’s previous record of $161.96. Spending is expected to total $27.4 billion, up 32 percent from last year’s record $20.7 billion.

And what’s so special about this Valentine’s Day in Yarmouth? We’re glad we asked.

Shot through the heart?

If you like to Raise Your Hands (and kick up your heels), check out the Bon Jovi tribute band Living on a Bad Name, which brings its high-energy act to the Aiden by Best Western in Yarmouth on Feb. 14. The five-man cover band boasts a repertoire of more than 40 Bon Jovi tunes, along with music by Van Halen, Whitesnake, and more.

Friday night’s show is part of an overnight package that includes a buffet dinner, accommodations, and a breakfast buffet the following morning. The price is $250 per couple. A second package includes concert tickets, accommodations and breakfast the next morning for $150 per couple. Tickets to the concert alone won’t go on sale until Feb. 7. Contact Aiden by Best Western at Cape Point, 476 Route 28 in West Yarmouth, (508) 778-1500 for more information. You can also find more details about the concert on the resort’s Facebook page.

Lofty Plans

Another great choice for Valentine’s Day dinner, along with dancing and drinks – can be found by looking up. As in looking up to the Loft Restaurant and Bar on the second floor at the Cove Resort, 183 Main St., West Yarmouth.

The popular restaurant is offering a special Valentine’s Day dinner for two, which includes a bottle of Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon; a shared appetizer; entrées like prime rib, almond-crusted salmon, stuffed Statler chicken, or baked stuffed shrimp; and a shared dessert (chocolate-covered strawberries, raspberry crème brulee, or triple-layer chocolate cake).

The food is always superb says Kevin Richards, who co-owns The Loft with Kathy Gianno, his partner in business and in life. But a trip to The Loft is about more than the meal, he says. It’s the total experience. The Loft has a real stage and dance floor for live entertainment, so it’s a great place for the 40-something crowd to spend an entire evening. Plus, everyone on staff works under the assumption that each night at The Loft is like a party for their closest friends, Richards said.

On Valentine’s Night, when guests finish dinner, they can enjoy a drink or two and move their feet to music by the Moonlighters, one of Cape Cod’s most popular dance bands. When the evening is over, there’s also an option to stay overnight at The Cove. Rooms are $99 per night on Valentine’s weekend. Call 774-552-2177 for dinner reservations and find out more at The Loft Restaurant and Bar website.

Now that’s amore!

Nothing says “love” like painstakingly prepared Italian food, which is the specialty at Gerardi’s Café in South Yarmouth. For Valentine’s Day, Gerardi’s has put aside its regular menu in favor of a special, four-course gourmet dinner at $60 per person.

Entrée choices include grilled filet mignon, vegetable risotto, chicken or veal Parmigiano, swordfish piccata, chicken Milanese, or seafood scampi rossa. Salads, appetizers and desserts are equally enticing, but don’t trust us … see for yourself. You can check out all the Valentine’s Day menu choices at Gerardi’s Café website. And if you’re intrigued, call 508-394-3111 to make a reservation.

Create your own valentine!

For the creative romantic, the Cultural Center of Cape Cod is hosting a workshop on making your own quilted Valentine. The class will be led by craft coach Avis Kaeselau and is $35 ($30 for members), which includes all the materials. It runs from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 8, which leaves you plenty of time to present the finished Valentine to your loved one.

Find more information at the Cultural Center’s event’s page.

Young at heart

What about those who are young in years as well as young at heart? The Yarmouth Parks and Recreation Department has got you covered with a Valentine’s Day dance on Feb. 8. It’s a “girl’s choice night”, which means any young lady in grades K-5 can ask the adult male of her choice to go to the dance (we’re assuming Dad will say yes.)

The price of admission is $20 per couple (pre-registered), with an additional $5 for an extra partner. It’s $30 per couple at the door. Find out more at the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce events calendar.

For the love of dog

What about the four-legged friends you love so deeply? You know, pets have hearts, too.

Linda Rogers, owner of PETiculars boarding, walking and pet services, suggests a coat to keep your pooch warm during those still-chilly February walks. The South Yarmouth business currently has a half-price sale on its coats. Check the pet supplies page at PETicular’s website for more information and other ideas.

Flowers to jewelry to your choice

We also found the traditional Valentine’s Day gift of flowers at Petal and Stem Florist, 45 Commercial St., in South Yarmouth, or Lily’s Flowers and Gifts, 1049 Route 28 South Yarmouth. And there’s jewelry at Adrene Jewelers, 1198 Route 28 in South Yarmouth, The Silver Unicorn, 941 Route 28 in South Yarmouth, and Yarmouth Jewelers, 1086 Route 28 in South Yarmouth.

If you’re not inspired by our suggestions, you’ll find even more options at the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce Events Page and Membership Directory, where you can search for your own ideas.

Andy Tomolonis is a nonfiction author, travel writer and multimedia journalist.