Hello Neighbor, I wanted to make you aware of an issue that will affect the Surf Drive area and our neighborhood. The Falmouth Coastal Resilience Committee has been studying the effects of climate change on Falmouth coastal areas and a draft report has been prepared specifically for the Surf Drive Area. There will be a public presentation of this draft report via a Zoom virtual meeting tomorrow evening, September 17 at 6:00 PM. The details for the meeting and the Zoom link can be found on the Town website by following the link: http://www.falmouthmass.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=769 (this took place on 09/17/20) One of our OSDA members, John Mullin, has been following this study committee's reviews and has offered his own thoughts which he wanted me to share with the Association. His comments, questions and concerns are listed below. I personally believe that careful reviews of the Study Committee's assumptions, models, peer reviews and conclusions are warranted. The Old Stone Dock Association does not take a formal position on this work, however this issue seemed important enough to share with you so that you can form your own opinions. Below are the comments, questions and references that John Mullin put together and wanted to share: QUESTIONS with the Falmouth Coastal Resilience Plan and a call to ACTION Although I join the majority in believing in global warming and the resulting sea level rise, I also believe in asking questions when a very consequential plan is based on a model that differs greatly from other models developed by the WHOI and from actual recorded seal level rise measurements by NOAA. The newly published Coastal Resilience Plan (CRP) discusses taking actions costing tens of millions of dollars, abandoning town assets and ceasing maintenance and services to affected areas, all based on a very questionable sea level rise model.  According to the CRP’s model the sea level will rise by approximately 3/4” each year through 2070. (this model predicts a sea level rise 660% greater than the WHOI model and actual measurements)  A WHOI study in 2019 predicts a rise of 1/8” to 1/4” per year through 2050.  The WHOI measured an actual rise of just less than 1/8” in 2019 in Woods Hole.  And NOAA measurements of actual sea level rise from 1930 to present averages 2.92 millimeters or less than 1/8” per year in Woods Hole. Based on the huge discrepancies between the models shown above and actual recorded sea level rise I call on all Falmouth residents and board members to demand the following prior to the implementation of any of the CRP recommendations: 1- A complete re-evaluation of the sea level rise model used 2- Due to the fact that all models are just predictions, the CRP should include an ongoing “predictive model” to “actual” comparison and plan adjustment methodology. A concerned property owner in the Surf Drive area. John Mullin References: http://www.falmouthmass.us/1052/Coastal-Resilience-Planning-Surf-Drive-A https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/sltrends/sltrends_station.shtml?id=8447930 https://www.whoi.edu/know-your-ocean/ocean-topics/climate-ocean/sea-level-rise/ I want to thank John for sharing his concerns with us and I [...]

Greetings from the Old Stone Dock Association (OSDA), I hope that you have been enjoying your Summer and staying safe during this unprecedented and sometimes uncertain Summer. The accommodations made by the beach staff and by Falmouth restaurants and shops have helped us all make adjustments that we never thought of before and enjoy some of the pleasures of life in Falmouth. I wanted to take a minute and update you on some of the activities that the Old Stone Dock Association has taken on this Summer. The Annual Tuition Assistance Program that the association makes available to children and grandchildren of members entering 2 or 4 year colleges in the Fall has given this years assistance awards. I am pleased to report that we had four very qualified applicants who received awards this year. They were: Nicolas (Nick) Daley, who will attend UMass Dartmouth and study Chemistry. Nick is the grandson of members Bill and Joan Swift. Joseph (Joey) Bayer, who will attend Palm Beach Community College and study Business. Joey is also a grandson of Bill and Joan Swift. Genevieve Madaus, who will attend Boston College and study Neuroscience/Psychology. Genevieve is the granddaughter of member Kathleen Madaus. Owen Filiault, who will attend Nova Southeastern University in Ft Lauderdale, FL and study Finance. Owen is the son of members and Beach Breeze hosts Don and Joyce Filiault. We want to wish these young people success in their continuing education. Another initiative that the Old Stone Dock Association has taken on in 2020 is to provide financial assistance to organizations in Falmouth who are taking on the extra burden of serving our community in a pandemic environment. After initial study the Board of Directors decided to provide some support ($500 each) to the Falmouth Service Center food pantry and Belonging to Each Other, an organization providing temporary shelter, transportation and food assistance to people in Falmouth. We are engaged with community leaders to get a sense of the current needs in Falmouth as the effects of the pandemic persist. Our plans are to provide another round of support this Fall. The Town of Falmouth continues on the unprecedented path of reopening town businesses, schools, parks and other facilities. This requires careful balancing of the economic well-being of the area with the health and safety of Falmouth residents and visitors. Falmouth Town Officials have done a good job with this balancing all the while with the continuing threat from the COVID-19 pandemic. Many new ideas have been proposed and some have been adopted by the town. This has resulted in some of our routines and expectations about 'Summer in Falmouth' changing this year. My observation is that most people in Falmouth are being careful and respectful of others. This says a lot about our community and our ability to adapt to changing conditions. Old Stone Dock Association Information is always available on our website at oldstonedock.com. Director Terry Saunders does a fantastic job updating the website with events and activities that [...]

The Old Stone Dock Association was pleased to provide 4 students with a check for $500 each for tuition assistance as they head off to college in September of 2020. Two checks were mailed on Monday, 08/03/20 and two checks were presented in person on 08/04/20 at the Beach Breeze Inn on Shore Street in Falmouth. See below for details on each student with their course of study and school along the OSD member affiliation. OSD Member Joan and Bill Swift (grandparents) Nicolas Daley, attending UMass Dartmouth, Chemistry OSD Member Joan and Bill Swift (grandparents) Joseph Bayer, attending Palm Beach State Community College, Business OSD Member Kathleen Madaus (grandparent) Genevieve Madaus, attending Boston College, Neuroscience / Psychology OSD Member Don & Joyce Filiault (parents) Owen Filiault, attending Nova Southeastern University, Ft Lauderdale, FL, Finance NICK DALEY GENEVIEVE MADAUS OWEN FILIAULT

During our recent membership renewal drive for 06/01/20 through 05/31/21 the Board of Directors decided to ask the membership if they would like to donate extra funds to support our local community and those that may be struggling due to COVID-19 .  Through July 4, 2020 173 ~ households renewed their membership and we had 4 new members.  In addition to the $25 renewal, we received an additional $1095 from 26 members ranging from $10 to $175.00.  A few were for specific projects ($200 Flower Boxes and $175 Soldiers Memorial) but the majority were to support community needs. Thank you letters were mailed on 07/31/20 to these members. Due to the their generosity, the OSDA Board of Directors voted on 07/07/20 to provide $500 to The Falmouth Service Center and $500 to Belonging to Each Other.  These checks were presented on 07/28/20 on the porch of the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce. See picture for presentation. (Note masked due to COVID-19.) Picture L to R: 1. Cathy Kligler accepted the check for the Falmouth Service Center as President of the their Board of Directors. Cathy and her husband Roger are also members of the OSDA. 2. Mike Herlihy is a Board of Director for the OSDA and he is also volunteer with the Falmouth Service Center. 3. Steve Saunders is a Board of Director for the OSDA. 4. Terry Saunders is a Board of Director and the Web Administrator for the OSDA. 5. Michael Kasparian accepted the check for Belonging to Each Other. Michael is on Advisory Board for BTEO as well as the President and CEO of the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce.

Steve Saunders, Board Member of the Old Stone Dock Association arranged for the flower boxes to be installed by Memorial Day at the Ellen T Mitchell Bath House at Surf Drive Beach. They were purchased at M. R. Soares Flower Garden Nursery, 1021 Sandwich Road, East Falmouth. The picture shows OSDA Treasurer Bob Lehtinen presenting a check payable to the Beach Donation Account to cover the cost of the flowers to Maggie Clayton, Acting Beach Superintendent.  Steve Saunders is far right.  (masked due to COVID-19 mandates)  

Dear Old Stone Dock Association Friends and Neighbors I hope that this finds you safe and healthy in the new year. 2020 has been a very unusual year for all of us. It has come to my attention that some of our year-round-residents may be having some difficulties with food supplies or picking up prescription drugs just to name two. There were two very good articles in the Falmouth Enterprise that I wanted to draw your attention to if you haven't seen them already and are experiencing these type of difficulties. First, the Falmouth Service Center is operating and has pre-bagged groceries available those in need right now. If you have any questions, please call the Center at 508-548-2794 and they will let you know what is available to you and how you can get it. This is available even if you have not used the Service Center in the past. Second, there are many services being offered through the Senior Center. This includes Meals on Wheels, transportation to the grocery stores, pharmacies and others. If you have any questions about these services or to sign up please give the Senior Center a call at 508-540-0196. Please continue to practice Social Distancing and reach out to the services above if you are having difficulty adjusting in these uncertain times. Falmouth has a lot to offer to everyone. Join me in looking forward to better times, better weather and seeing our friends and neighbors again, Jay Thayer, President Old Stone Dock Association

12-28-19   Dredging of Falmouth Harbor pumped to Surf Drive Beach.   01-15-20  Dredging of Falmouth Harbor pumped and spread onto Surf Drive Beach.   01-08-20  New Water Line Installation on Main Street   03-15-20  Opening Weekend at Falmouth Dairy Queen – Board Members Terry Saunders and Steve Saunders   03-24-20  Start of work on the new Surf Drive Beach retaining wall.   03-26-20  Main Street during COVID-19 Virus at 12:30 pm.  The contract for the installation of new water main and hydrants continue.   03-26-20  Signage on beach reminding of social distancing.  Fence installed around the shower.  Kindness rocks on the bench placed by Rebecca Westbrook Gonzales Family.   03-28-20  DPW competed the new retaining wall at Surf Drive Beach and sand previously deposited was back filled up to wall.  Our Old Stone Dock sign was reinstalled.   04-09-20  Road Reconstruction by Green Pictures provided by Terry Saunders, Web Administrator and Board of Director