PARTING SHOTS Leap Year Day! Feb. 29, 2024

All Signs Point To An Early Spring

----- A sure sign of spring is Chatham’s Uncommon Thrift Shop opening for the season. And with their reopening last week, along with the groundhog not seeing his shadow earlier in the month, we can expect an early spring this year. The thrift shop is run 100 percent by volunteers, with the proceeds supporting St. Christopher’s operations and outreach including Chatham Food Pantry, Lower Cape Outreach and more. Donations are accepted Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m. Pictured are (from left) Anne Read, Lisa Buchanan, Marina Brock, Louise Montross and Ginger Plexico. AMY TAGLIAFERRI PHOTO

Remembering The Greatest Small-boat Rescue

-------Supporters of the Gold Medal Lifeboat CG36500 gathered at Meetinghouse Pond in Orleans on Feb. 18 to remember the 72nd anniversary of the famous Pendleton rescue. The U.S. Coast Guard vessel set off from the Chatham station on Feb. 18, 1952. MARCIA BROMLEY PHOTO

After Hours In Orleans

------- Tree’s Place welcomed merchants of the Orleans Chamber of Commerce for the February Business After Hours last week. Since 1986, the Orleans gallery, located at Rt. 6A and Rt. 28, has been devoted to promoting the best established and emerging artists in the region. Pictured are (from left) Tree’s Place owner Kevin Bennett, Jen Sprague of MainSail Events and Marketing, Hayley Reynolds, Laura Barabe and Cape Cod 5 Orleans branch manager Amanda Constant. JUSTIN ALEX PHOTO

Dancing At The Center

----- Last week, Chatham Park and Rec hosted their 11th annual “Sweetheart Dinner & Dance” (formerly known as the Father/Daughter Dance) at the Chatham Community Center. Forty-four young ladies attended with their “sweethearts” (mostly Dads). It was a fun event and volunteers from the Monomoy Regional High School Key Club came to help out serving food, DJ-ing and teaching the girls how to line dance. COURTESY PHOTO