For many years the Old Stone Dock Association neighborhood group has provided funds to purchase the window box flowers at the Ellen T Mitchell Bathhouse. Flowers were added to the window boxes by Soares Garden prior to the beach clean-up on 05/21/16. This year OSDA Members Bob & Cindy Lehtinen and Steve & Terry Saunders donated funds to the OSDA to purchase the flowers for the 2016 window boxes. The donations were in memory of Bob’ mother, Mary Lehtinen and Steve’s father George ‘Bud’ Saunders who both passed away in 2015.  

On Saturday, 05/21/16 please join the members of the OSDA from 10:00 a.m. to noon as they clean up Surf Drive Beach  - both beach side and street side.  We'll meet at the Ellen T Mitchell Bath House and clean from Shore Street to Mill Road and beyond depending on the number of volunteers.  Please protect yourself by wearing long sleeves, long pants and garden gloves.  Everyone that signs up ahead of time will have their name put into a drawing for an OSD gift (to be determined). Please RSVP to info@oldstonedock.com if you will be able to join us. Past Presidents and board members will be at the membership promotion table with information on the association.  We'll also have logo wear for sale including Sweatshirt @ $30; Polo's @ $20;, T's, Caps, Bags, Note Cards and Etchings @ $10.   There will be refreshments for members and those visiting our table.  Rain date will be Sunday, 05/22/16. Early May 2016 an e-mail will be sent to the membership to advise of this event. Terry Saunders, Board of Directors

Hi Neighbor Thought you might enjoy this article to help usher in Springtime thoughts about Falmouth! CapeCodWave.com is a magazine-format website run by former Enterprise-reporter Laura Reckford.  She features light-hearted stories and photos about communities on the Cape. Laura met with me and OSDA member Barbara Weyand, the President of the Falmouth Preservation Alliance, to tour the houses and history of the neighborhood, using the new Heritage Map designed by Karen Rinaldo. Here is the link to the story: http://capecodwave.com/captains-sea-industry-falmouths-sense-place ps - We will be mailing your map to you along with your membership renewal form in early May.   I also have copies available at my house; let me know if you prefer to come by and pick one up sooner. Enjoy! Kevin M. Doyle, OSDA President

Luckily for all, the winter of 2015-2016 has not been as harsh as the winter of 2014-2015.  OSD member Dan Braun took this picture of Surf Drive Beach on Friday, 02/11/16.

OSDA Members Bob & Cindy Lehtinen and Steve & Terry Saunders have advised President Kevin Doyle that that they will co-sponsor the 2016 window boxes at the Ellen T. Mitchell Bath House in memory of Bob's mother Mary S. Lehtinen and Steve's father George 'Bud' Saunders who both passed away in 2015. Bob & Cindy Lehtinen Steve & Terry Saunders

Hi Neighbor - Happy New Year! Christmas Party Report:  For those who haven't seen it on the webpage, I have attached the article about the party, primarily because it features the comments of the town officials there as our guests.  They all appreciate the recognition and thanks that members of the Association express.  Thanks, too, to Dorie Ketterer for a great time! Heritage Map:  The Falmouth Preservation Alliance sponsored the year-long project to showcase the historical districts in town.  First up was the area within a mile (+/-) radius of the Old Stone Dock.  We are very proud that the project was undertaken by 2 OSDA members: Barbara Weyand, President of the Alliance; and Karen Rinaldo, Artist.  The folks who got it at the Christmas Party will tell you, it's a beauty! Heritage Map Distribution:  The plan is to distribute one map per household, mailed to your "winter" address.   We hope to complete the mailing by the end of February. Philanthropy:  $500 of the $1500 that OSDA volunteers earned by assisting the Falmouth Triathlon with traffic control last July was used to underwrite the map project.  OSDA received 500 maps from the Alliance in appreciation.  Our plan is to sell the remainder along with OSDA logo wear. Window boxes: For the last 4 years, an OSDA member has underwritten the cost of the flower boxes on the bathhouse.   Last year, Rebecca Bevilacqua donated $500 in her mother's memory.  Two 4x6" plaques are posted on the building denoting the donor.  If you would like to fund the flowers for 2016, please let me know. Scholarships:  OSDA continues to award $500 scholarships to graduating children or grandchildren of members who will enter their first year of college.  Jim Crossen is the Chairman of the Mae Crossen Scholarship Committee and welcomes your entry. Forms for 2016-2017 will be on our website in the Spring of 2016. Website:  Director Terry Saunders does a great job of creating and maintaining web information.  Many users have complimented Terry and the Association for its ease of use and useful information.  OSDA member Morningstar Designs designed the site. Old Stone Dock Quarterboard:  Attendees of the Summer Annual Meeting at the Beach Breeze Inn saw the sign that the Association funded to identify the "Kiddie Pool" as the actual Old Stone Dock. Beach Superintendent Don Hoffer will post the sign at the start of the beach season.  It was crafted by OSDA member Locust Street Signs. 2016-2017 Dues:  You will be contacted to renew your dues later in the Spring.   Your $25 helps fund a number of community activities and helps defray the costs of our two annual parties.  Thank you! OSDA Activities:  The Association has six standing committees and welcomes ideas for the full range of neighborhood interest.  In planning now is a project to refresh the 3 brass historical monuments in the OSDA area (the Dock, the Proprietors, and the Seamen's Memorial).   We're also working with the Town on street and green-space safety and maintenance.   Please let us know if you have interest in promoting a project or participating [...]

New and Old Celebrated at OSDA Christmas Party 12-06-15 The Falmouth Preservation Alliance's first Heritage Map was unveiled, and retiring Fire Rescue Chief Mark Sullivan was honored at the Old Stone Dock Association's Annual Christmas Party held at the ShoreWay Acres Inn on Sunday afternoon. The new Heritage Maps will feature the historic districts in Falmouth according to the President of the Alliance, Barbara Weyand. “The Old Stone Dock neighborhood and the Village Green were the first villages established as Suckanessett in 1689. It was natural to use this area as the first in the series of historic maps,” according to Mrs. Weyand. OSDA member Karen Rinaldo was the artist who designed and executed the map. “The unique thing about the map is that it illustrates existing historical houses and properties, as well as buildings that are no longer there, probably due to hurricanes, destruction, or decay,” said Ms. Rinaldo. All members present were given a copy of the map. Several members also ordered one of the 100 limited edition prints of the poster as a piece of art for household decoration. The Association donated a print that will hang among Ms. Rinaldo's other artworks in Town Hall. Among the town leaders in attendance, Fire Rescue Chief Mark Sullivan was recognized for his many contributions to the community and the Old Stone Dock Association in particular. Chief Sullivan was instrumental in the two presentations the OSDA has offered the public about Hurricane Carol and the impact of Storm Surge. The chief was presented with kind words and an OSDA sweatshirt in appreciation. Town Manager Julian Suso also praised Chief Sullivan's 30-year career where he served in many capacities from firefighter, to EMT, though the ranks, and up to chief. Chief Sullivan's official date for retirement in January 15, 2016. Mr. Suso also addressed some of the challenges and successes of a very busy year. He referenced the value and efficiency of the current projects in sewering the Little Pond neighborhood, and building the water filtration infrastructure for the benefit of all the town. Members applauded Mr. Suso for his stewardship and his personal involvement in neighborhood activities. Deputy DPW Director Peter McConarty was congratulated on his recent promotion and thanked for his interest in both safety and aesthetics. “The shoreline creates unique challenges and we try to keep up with the demands of Mother Nature,” said Mr. McConarty. “The corner of Shore Street and Surf Drive is being analyzed for possible sidewalks and curbing to improve pedestrian safety and traffic flow.” He also cited Town Meeting's approval of vehicles and apparatus as a major benefit for the town. The new street sweeper was in evidence in the hours before the parade down Main Street. Beach Superintendent Don Hoffer echoed Mr. McConarty's comments about the need for safety in beach areas and thanked the OSDA for providing the “silent policemen” used in crosswalks to remind drivers that pedestrians have the right of way. He also praised the contributions of the members [...]

An article published in the Falmouth Enterprise 10-30-15 “It’s not the wind; it’s the water.” That was the theme of the presentation on Tidal Surge that was sponsored by the Old Stone Dock Association. Last Friday night (10/23/15), one hundred residents gathered at the Casino Wharf Restaurant to hear Menauhant meteorologist “Doc” Taylor talk about the causes and effects of tidal surges in Buzzards Bay and the Vineyard Sound coast. He showed several photographs from the course of three hurricanes to illustrate the sequence of inshore flooding that can accompany a hurricane. Dr. Taylor explained that a surge only occurs when waves hit the land. The slope of the ocean floor, the forward speed of the hurricane, and the barometric pressure of the storm are the key variables that drive the storm surge.  Interestingly, a small island like Nantucket will have a lower tidal surge that the mainland because the waves will pass around the land. For example, during Hurricane Bob in 1991, Nantucket had a two foot surge recorded, while Woods Hole was up seven feet. The speed of the surge takes many victims by surprise. The recent storm in Charleston, South Carolina, saw the ocean rise four feet in twenty minutes.  Hurricane Camille hurled ashore along the Gulf Coast in 1969 with a surge of twenty-five feet.  Such surges retreat almost as fast as they develop.  In as little as 4 to 6 hours the surge can overpower buildings and then recede leaving massive debris behind. Doc Taylor and Hayden Frank, a return lecturer from the National Weather Service in Taunton, both stressed the reliability of models to predict paths of hurricanes. As a hurricane approaches an area, there is generally ample time to evacuate or prepare protections for property.  A difference of 40 or 50 miles in the point of landfall can make a big difference in damage done, but heeding the warnings and taking precautions is critical. The theme of precaution was picked up by Fire and Rescue Chief Mark Sullivan. With the Assistant Emergency Management Director Kimberly Strohm, they outlined the activities of the Emergency Management Planning Committee.  The group includes all municipal department heads and other institutions such as WHOI, Falmouth Hospital, the Council on Aging, and electric and gas utility companies.  The group conducts drills to practice coordinated responses for events from hurricanes to active shooters and maritime disasters. Chief Sullivan stressed the value of the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan which every town in Massachusetts is required to produce. Every town department provides input about the personnel and equipment they can provide in given disasters.  They also describe the sequence of actions they will take in the days preceding a predicted storm, or in response to a sudden emergency.  Town Manager Julian Suso noted that he was very pleased with the great work the town departments have done to create the plan. Chief Sullivan and Ms Strohm emphasized the importance for every family to make a plan, stay informed, and plan ahead for [...]

The Old Stone Dock Association invites you to a presentation on Cape Cod Storm Surges on Friday, October 23, 2015 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Casino Wharf Restaurant FX (upper floor) at 286 Grand Avenue, Falmouth. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and there will be a cash bar. The talk can be preceded by a dinner in the Casino Wharf Restaurant FX starting at 4:30 p.m. and reservations are requested. If you wish to eat beforehand please reserve early at 508-540-6160 as there are only a limited number of tables. Tickets for the presentation are $10.00 per person and only available by reservation. Space is limited to 100 individuals so we suggest you reserve early as ‘first come-first served’. We cannot accommodate those who do not reserve a ticket. To reserve tickets e-mail PaulPCSMA@aol.com stating “OSDA-Storm Surge” in the subject line Name of each individual attending Street address Email address Please RSVP to Paul so we can maintain a master list. The Hurricane Carol show was a sell-out.  We hope you can join us on the 23rd.