Showing posts with label town. Show all posts
Showing posts with label town. Show all posts

Notes from Land's End: March 6

Bow-Wow Provincetown


March 6th, 2012 


When the Mayflower set anchor in Provincetown’s harbor on that fateful day in 1610, a Mastiff and a Springer Spaniel, both English, were on board, bringing to shore a canine’s sensibility that is still gloriously celebrated today. As the #1 friendliest Dog Town in America, there are an abundance of amenities: Pilgrim Bark Park with two separate areas for big and small hounds, pet portraiture, welcoming accommodations and even an annual Pet Appreciation Weekend

I am, admittedly, a cat person but if I were to convert to a doggie-type, this spit of land would be the place to bring my pooch. It would be delightful to come by ferry on a Bay State Cruise from Boston, arriving at MacMillan Wharf refreshed from a brisk ninety-minute jaunt across the high seas. We would walk to Gabriel's, a well-appointed Bed and Breakfast in the center of town, known for pet pampering and settle in.

Summer Fun, Courtesy of Elaine Mowery

Friends might come to join us by staking a tent at the Dunes' Edge Campground right across Route 6. Adjoining the National Seashore, we would go to the beaches for Frisbee romps and eco-woodland walks to sniff the flora and fauna. Other urban pals and their furry companions could go to the newly-renovated Harbor Hotel that allows pets, making this another affordable place to stay. Located across from Provincetown harbor, daily walks might include a healthy stroll into town.

"Lesson learned in Provincetown"

Lesson Learned in Provincetown



There's snow tonight in Provincetown
The benches so empty.
Commercial Street without a soul
So peaceful by the sea.

The winter's cold the people scarce
Some gone to warmer shores
The opposite of summer days
Few restaurants, few stores

Remembering when I was young
I'd come with family
As soon as we were old enough
My sister, friends and me.

This town would always speak to us
So softly we would hear
"In Provincetown we welcome all
There is no need to fear"

I've always felt so out of place
When here, can just be me
This town has taught me kindness, love
This jewel by the sea.

Poem by Barb, New Jersey

Provincetown: "Best Resort Town" Award on Gaycities.com

Provincetown, MA was voted "Best Resort Town in 2011" by Gaycities.com readers. This is a great honor for Provincetown and the award comes after the US Census declared Provincetown "the gayest city in America," also in 2011. 


Provincetown: "Best Resort Town"
"It's no surprise to me that our members voted to make Provincetown the Best Resort Town 2011," said Scott Gatz, Gaycities.com CEO. "Just one look at GayCities guide to P'town and you'll see it's got everything you'd want for your escape: great food, great beaches and a great social scene," he added. 


www.GayCities.com
Provincetown won 28% of the total votes, whereas Palm Springs, the runner-up, received 24 percent. Sitges, Saugatuck and Rehoboth Beach followed with 18, 8 and 6 percent, respectively. 


"Members from all over the world casted tens of thousands of votes for their favorite towns. Provincetown and Palm Springs were neck and neck up til the very end. Both places offer a great escape for the traveler (and nearby locals) and are incredibly welcoming to the gay community. Our members were asked to choose their favorite resort town, and the results show just how loyal folks are to P'town," said Gatz. 


Other categories included "best nightlife," "best pride," "best food," "best city," etc. 

Provincetown Town Hall

Beautiful photo of our newly renovated Town Hall, by Paul Cezanne


Provincetown Town Hall, by Paul Cezanne

Same-sex duo dances for a cause in Provincetown

By Terrence Doyle
Posted Dec 13, 2011 @ 06:44 AM

Looking for something to do Thursday, Dec. 15, from 8 p.m. onward? Well, look no further. 


Same-sex ballroom dance champions Kalin Mitov and Michael Winward will be performing and delivering a short instructional class on ballroom dancing in the Gifford House’s basement venue, Club Purgatory. The event is a fundraiser in support of the “It Gets Better Project,” which helps teens in the LGBT world deal with bullying and combat depression and thoughts of suicide. There will be no cover at the door, though Mitov says a donation will be suggested. There will also be a raffle.


“We've gotten local businesses to donate things like clothing and gift certificates as prizes,” says Mitov. Mitov and Winward are the current holders of both the U.S. and the North American same-sex ballroom dance titles, as awarded by the North American Same Sex Partner Dance Association. 


According to the NASSPDA’s mission, the body is “a membership organization committed to the promotion and expansion of social and competitive same-sex partner dancing, which includes Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Country Western and other partner dances, as well as different styles within those terms, such as International and American Style. NASSPDA acknowledges and celebrates its origins in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.” Read more: Same-sex duo dances for a cause in Provincetown.
Read more...

Happy as a Ptown Clam

I never thought I'd enjoy scratching for clams, but...well, I was wrong. I am in Cape Cod after all, and, when in Rome...


Nancyann


Scratching for clams
Halfway there




















Clamming is just one of the many winter activities in Provincetown if you're not too busy attending popular social events, catching up on your reading or lighting a bonfire on the beach. 


John and Nancyann
Low tide at Breakwater

Whether you're a visitor or a Provincetown resident you can easily acquire a shellfish license at Town Clerk's Office, which is good for the entire season (November through March that is). 


Low tide at Breakwater


A good friend of mine gave me some Clamming 101 lessons and I was ready to go. She was also kind enough to lend me the gear: a bucket, a rake with long prongs, rubber boots and advice on where "hotspots" might be. 


Sunshine over the Moors


This year clamming takes place near the Breakwater, right at the very West end of Commercial Street, and it is only allowed on Fridays and Sundays (for obvious reasons given the popularity of this activity) when tides are low. 


Beautiful day for clamming


"Why should I acquire a license and go clamming?" you may ask. Here are just a few good reasons: it is fun, you're spending time outdoors exercising (trust me, clamming is a good workout), you get to eat fresh clams for dinner, you get to see some of your friends who you haven't seen in months, and last but not least, the scenery is gorgeous. And I have pictures to prove it...


John and Nancyann


Two hours and a bucketful later I had met my daily quota and I was happy as a Ptown clam.

Beaux Arts Costume Ball

"am so happy they are reviving this," said a Provincetown business owner yesterday. 
Indeed, the Beaux Arts Costume Ball is scheduled to take place this year on Saturday, October 29, from 8:00 to 11:00 pm inside Provincetown Town Hall's Auditorium, after a break of five decades. 
The event, sponsored and organized by Marc Jacobs, is expected to attract more than 800 participants from the Cape, New England area, but also second-home owners who are currently not in Provincetown.


Tickets are $25 and they go on sale October 1st at the Marc Jacobs Store in Provincetown, located at 184 Commercial Street, and October 3rd at Town Clerk's Office (Provincetown Town Hall, 260 Commercial Street). 
The cap is four (4) tickets per buyer. One can also order tickets by phone at 508.487.0723. 
The jury will consist of five judges including Marc Jacobs himself.
Remember, competition will be tough, and the most creative and original costume will win the grand prize. 
Posters and rack cards available at the Provincetown Tourism Office (Freeman Building, 330 Commercial Street).
Let the countdown begin! 
posted by rdl