Some of our most-read Cape Cod stories of the week
Another busy week on Cape Cod is in the books. Fourth of July has come and gone, meaning we are now knee-deep in summertime and all that comes with it.
Chances are you’ve been at the beach soaking up the sun, so you maybe missed the story about a Falmouth house getting hit by a car (and hardly for the first time), tips on how to safely shuck an oyster, and our coverage of new flying options for Cape Air flyers.
And, on the sports side, there has been no shortage of Cape League Baseball action as the season hits its stride. For scores and more in-depth coverage, be sure to visit the Cape Cod Times sports page.
In case you missed all this and more, here are the most read stories of the week on the Cape Cod Times website.
Second humpback whale rescued in less than two weeks
Rescuers were able to help a whale free itself from fishing lines in the north part of Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary early this week, marking the second time in less than two weeks a report of a humpback whale wrapped in fishing lines brought a marine animal rescue team from the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown to waters off Massachusetts.
The whale, identified as Mudskipper by the organization’s humpback whale specialists, was spotted Monday morning by the crew of a tuna fishing boat, according to the center. The whale’s calf was nearby.
“Despite the entanglement, the calf was attempting to nurse from Mudskipper and the rope posed a risk of injuring Mudskipper over time or entangling the calf to her,” the center reported on Tuesday afternoon.
The team posted a short video clip from the rescue on YouTube at www.tinyurl.com/HumpbackMudskipper.
Less than two weeks ago, on June 27, the Provincetown rescue team cut rope off and freed a young humpback whale, the 2024 calf of a whale known as Scylla. The baby is estimated to be only about five months old.
Whale rescue: Humpback whale mom trailing fishing line is 2nd rescue by Provincetown group in 2 weeks
Heritage aerial climbing park opens but not without its detractors
Despite a long road, The Adventure Park at Heritage Museums and Gardens officially opened on June 15, with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony held this past Tuesday.
The park is one of six that have been built by Outdoor Ventures. The Sandwich operation offers 60 elements, which includes five course levels or treetop trails, and seven zip lines.
However, not everyone is thrilled with the park’s opening.
Nearby homeowners aren’t happy about the opening, said Carlo DiPersio. He, along with some of his neighbors, have been opposed to the park since it was first proposed 10 years ago. The group has been in and out of court with Heritage, Outdoor Ventures and the town of Sandwich since 2014.
“We are going to keep fighting to get this place shut down,” said DiPersio.
Adventure park opens: Heritage aerial climbing park opens in Sandwich. Foes vow to keep fighting
Cape Cod inn named top inn in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure
The Candleberry Inn, a Massachusetts inn once owned by a sea captain, was ranked first place on the magazine Travel + Leisure list of readers’ 15 favorite inns in the continental U.S. of 2024. It’s the second time this year it has been put at the top of a prestigious list.
The inn was also ranked at No. 30 for the best 500 hotels in the world by Travel + Leisure.
“The Cape Cod property is as classic as they come: a stately white clapboard colonial with black shutters and an American flag billowing. Some parts of the main property date all the way back to 1780, and the look and feel is traditional and polished, but not uptight,” the entry said about Candleberry.
Earlier this year, the inn was also named best bed-and-breakfast/inn in the country by TripAdvisor, a list it has topped before.
Located at 1882 Main St. in Brewster, for a three-day stay at Candleberry, the prices can range from $439 to $509 a night, according to their website as of July 10. Package add-ons vary in price. For example, the “Anniversary Celebration Package” costs $80 in addition to the nightly rate.
Candleberry Inn earns another accolade:This Cape Cod inn was just named the top inn in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure. Here’s why
Dune shack dilemma
Private individuals who had their dune shack leases updated last year were surprised to find they had to fill out a 29-page request for proposals and bid on shacks they had been maintaining and paying taxes and insurance on for decades.
During the request for proposals process, not enough consideration was given to an individual’s length of dune shack stay, knowledge of, work and maintenance on the rustic structures, according to some of the lessees.
There are 18 National Park Service-owned dune shacks in Provincetown and Truro. There is also one privately-owned dune shack. The shacks lack utilities and plumbing and are reached with over-sand vehicles or on foot.
Janet Armstrong, whose parents first took over care and keeping of the dune shack 78 years ago, is worried that she could lose it in another request for proposals round.
“They offered to move me out,” she said on Tuesday of National Park Service personnel in Philadelphia. “They weren’t aware you can’t get a moving van out there. Every nail and board are ours. We couldn’t possibly move out.”
Private individuals who had their dune shack leases updated last year met with a surprise: ‘They offered to move me out.’ Dune shack renter still smarting after Seashore handling
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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Rescued whales, dune shacks, Cape Cod inn, and more: Top stories
