Hello Cape Cod! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Popcorn empire with dog treats, a strawberry festival, and a pirate paddle treasure hunt + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A family recipe for growth: Pat and Dan Smith turned boardwalk nostalgia into Smith Family Popcorn, now booming at Mashpee Commons with dozens of flavors, a line for dogs, and hundreds of thousands of bags yearly -- meet the popcorn makers.
Summer music series returns: Free concerts will return to Eastham as Evenings at Salt Pond will run June 30 to Aug. 18, opening with The GroovaLottos and featuring soul, blues-rock, Celtic folk, and Americana -- see the full concert lineup.
Landmark healthcare donation: Cynthia G. and John F. Fish pledged $20 million to Cape Cod Healthcare, the system’s largest gift, to expand elder care, improve patient experience, and broaden access across Cape Cod -- see the donation details.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
You've traveled abroad without being able to speak the local language. You can change that in just 10 minutes a day. Most people are holding real conversations within three weeks. In fact, 92% of users improved their proficiency in just two months, with 25 million subscriptions sold -- take 55% off.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Press start, Cape Cod: Whether you want a quick nostalgia fix or to let the kids burn off that rainy-day energy, Arcade Alley has classic arcade games, vintage pinball, and prize counters galore. They even do birthday party options, so you can outsource the chaos and just enjoy the high scores.
Inclusive playtime pick: Need a low-stress spot where siblings of all ages can run, roll, and laugh together? Luke's Love Boundless Playground is a community-built, inclusive playspace in West Barnstable that was relocated and reopened in 2019, perfect for quick after-dinner energy dumps or weekend meetups with other Cape parents.
Freshen up your week: New England Gardens is a family-owned florist and nursery in South Harwich crafting everyday arrangements, holiday centerpieces, and intimate wedding florals, plus a nursery packed with perennials, annuals and potted treasures. If your porch boxes or mood need a quick glow-up, this is your midweek fix.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🚆 Cape Cod Excursion Train @ Cape Cod Central Railroad (Hyannis) | Thursday (6/25) at 11:30 AM – If you think you know the Cape, this excursion train slips behind the postcard, gliding past woodlands, dunes, cranberry bogs, salt marshes, and the Canal. You sit, chat, and let the narration dish out facts and wicked good gossip, no traffic required.
🍓 Strawberry Festival @ Aptucxet Trading Post Museum (Bourne) | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Skip yard work and wander to Museums at Aptucxet for the 54th annual Strawberry Festival, where shortcake counts as fruit, and your sweet tooth supports Bourne’s history. Stroll the Canal, browse the craft fair, ogle antique cars, let the kids run, and tour historic buildings.
🐕 Hounds at Highfield @ Highfield Hall & Gardens (Falmouth) | Saturday (6/27) – Highfield is going to the dogs this afternoon, and frankly, it suits the place. An outdoor family hangout with wagging tails, fellow dog people, and local animal organizations, plus enough sniffing, shade, and small talk to tire out even the golden retrievers.
🚓 6th Annual Cops and Cars for Tommy’s Place @ Falmouth High School | Sunday (6/28) at 11:00 AM – If you want a real-deal community day, the 6th Annual Cops and Cars for Tommy’s Place brings touch-a-truck, a shiny car show, police and fire gear, raffles, and the crowd favorite, Dunk A Cop. Fuel up on Kono Pizza, Cloud 9, and Commodores chatter.
🍵 Afternoon Tea with Jasmine @ Dunbar House Tea Room & Wine Bar (Sandwich) | Sunday (6/28) at 4:00 PM – If your tiny royal needs an outing, and you could use a cup that isn't to-go, this Jasmine afternoon tea delivers in a dreamy, Arabian palette of golds and teals. Storytime, kid-and-adult bites, and character cocktails for purchase, all pretty, playful, and mercifully seated.
🎭 Puppets, Paul & Mary: The Summer Bucket List @ Cape Cod Museum of Natural History (Brewster) | Monday (6/29) at 11:00 AM – Cape summer calls for easy laughs and A/C, and local favorites Paul, Mary, and their unruly puppets deliver with a brand-new romp, The Summer Bucket List. Tourist-proof fun, kid friendly without the chaos, and wry enough to keep adults smug.
🏴 Pirate Adventure: Cape Cod Paddle & Treasure Hunt @ Waquoit Public Landing (Mashpee) | Tuesday (6/30) – High tide calls for a pirate paddle on the Cape. Round up the family crew, battle a few charming rogues, and sniff out treasures, all on calm water. It is real memory-making, zero spreadsheets, and the only plundering is the kids raiding your snack bag.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Cape Cod report Weather forecastToday — High: 74°F — Low: 63°F — Precip: 25%
Patchy fog and a slight chance of rain showers before 7am. Sunny, with a high near 74. West wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Southwest wind around 6 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 73°F — Low: 63°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 73. Southwest wind 2 to 8 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind 5 to 8 mph. This house is wildThis stunning waterfront home rises above Cape Cod Bay with 180-plus degree northeast views, a sandy beach just steps away, and distant ships gliding toward the canal. Inside, vaulted, skylight-filled living spaces glow with light, while the custom kitchen brings Wolf and Sub-Zero luxury. IPE decking, a fire pit patio, owned solar, and a luxe guest suite complete the scene.
Take a peek inside → |
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