West Barnstable Historical Society

Residents have a favorite place for listening to the season’s first peepers. Then in May, tender green leaves open up on the Maples lining Route 6A. The blossoms of Horse Chestnut trees arrive, followed by white roses that glow on the night of the full moon. Late-blooming Catalpas finish the month of June. We celebrate the Fourth of July with a parade co-hosted by our neighbors in Barnstable Village. By now the sun has heated up the peat deposits in the Great Marsh, making the dunes of Sandy Neck wave ​and shimmer. August sees pink Marsh Mallows bloom and welcomes the Village Festival which is held on the third Saturday. There's a dunk tank, hamburgers flipped on the grill by our firemen, an antique car show, lots of perennials and crafts for sale. The West Barnstable Citizen of the Year is honored. The prize of the day: Nisu, a Finnish cardamom bread, sweet and yeasty. The Lutheran Church table sells out each year. Around this time of year the crickets and tree frogs start disturbing the peace. The yellow school buses start around Labor Day. Then one morning a glow of orange appears on a tree at the corner of Maple Street. Winter is coming. Aaaah, time for a sauna.