2018 Annual Guide: Falmouth

East Falmouth • Falmouth Village • North Falmouth • Teaticket • West Falmouth • Woods Hole

Quissett Harbor. Photo by Deb Casso

Photo Ops:

There’s no better spot to snap a unique sunset photo than The Knob, located at the entrance to Quissett Harbor. Visitors have to travel to this scenic spot on foot, and the path measures just under one mile, ending in a stunning overlook with unparalleled views of Buzzards Bay.

Favorite Spots:

The Shining Sea Bikeway, perfect for cyclists and walkers alike, runs just under 11 miles from County Road in North Falmouth to the Steamship Authority in Woods Hole, following the original route of the Old Colony rail line. Be sure to take a detour off the path in Woods Hole to see the famous Nobska Lighthouse, with gorgeous views of both Woods Hole Harbor and Vineyard Sound.

Mom & Pops:

Epic Oyster is a new addition to the North Falmouth community, situated in an old railcar that was used for years as the location of various diners. Owners Sarah and Marc Warner seem to have the magic touch, revamping this classic location into a successful oyster bar and seafood restaurant. As an added bonus, this fun spot is open year round!

Falmouth Road Race. Photo by Paul Rifkin

Don’t Miss!

Runners from all over—even some of the world’s elite racers—pack the streets for the Falmouth Road Race. This annual event is a summer highlight and a great opportunity to show your Cape spirit. Not a big fan of running? Try out the 28th Annual Falmouth Walk, with a picturesque course that highlights the charm of the Falmouth streets and shoreline.

Karen Rinaldo. Photo by Paige Biviano

A day in the life of: Karen Rinaldo, local artist and community leader

By Allyson Plessner

Karen Rinaldo’s day begins in the early morning. As an artist, she likes to use the quiet of the early hours to collect her thoughts. “I can often be found submerged in thought,” she says. “People assume that if you’re not holding a paintbrush, you’re not working, but I’m always in awe of the creative process. One’s greatest asset is the ability to think things out.”

Rinaldo has no shortage of inspiration. Her studio is an old commercial fish market overlooking Falmouth Harbor, where she can watch boaters come and go just outside her window or from the vantage point of her deck. “I love the fact that I am able to go to work in a special place, surrounded by water—my oxygen—and a view of the sea, constantly in motion and always moody,” she says. Rinaldo shares her space with other local business owners, which is a fitting situation for a woman who is passionate about community involvement and making a difference.

“I’ve always wanted to be a painter,” says Rinaldo. “My uncle was a commercial sign painter but loved the fine arts. What I remember most is the smell from the paints he used—all terribly toxic lacquers, but it dazzled me to see production at play and watch someone happy at work.”

Currently, Rinaldo is working on a Heritage Map series for the Falmouth Preservation Alliance. These maps are hand drawn and bring attention to existing attractions in any given town as well as sites and buildings that are now gone, drawn in a sepia color. Rinaldo has already completed two historic maps since she began the project in 2015, one for Falmouth and one for Woods Hole.

Photo by Paige Biviano

“I am very proud to be a part of this creative project,” says Rinaldo who knows too well the sting of losing a historic landmark. “My own house was razed to make room for development,” she explains. “I was too young, naive and inactive to take up the cause of preservation—even to think about it. That lesson haunts me to this day, and now my efforts go into making people aware of their town, village or community—its vulnerable landscape and historic character.”

Rinaldo can often be found sipping a cup of coffee at a downtown shop, watching a production at Woods Hole Theater, visiting Nobska Lighthouse, or walking along Old Stone Dock Beach and Surf Drive. She is inspired by the landscape of Cape Cod. “I am amazed at how intention can be found in places, how it reveals a sense of place worthy of protecting.”

Rinaldo is not only a passionate artist but also a passionate member of the Falmouth community. She participates in many nonprofit organizations and serves on four boards and two committees in her town. “I love the character of our business community, the involvement—both civic and social—from Main Street to the side streets. It is true that the positive efforts of one person can create a flow of optimism and good will throughout an area and beyond.” Rinaldo recently opened a second gallery in the heart of downtown with her business partner, Don Cross.

Whether she’s immersing herself in her community, a new project or simply her own thoughts, Rinaldo’s day always ends as it began: with creativity.

Allyson Plessner is the staff writer for Cape Cod Life Publications.