These excerpts are taken from the archives of the  Barnstable Patriot

Light House appointment: Mrs. Lucy Baxter, widow of the late T.P.D. Baxter, has been appointed, by the Secretary of the Treasury, keeper of the Sandy Neck Light House, at the entrance of Barnstable Harbor. Mrs. Baxter is every way qualified to perform all the duties of this Light, and has received her appointment through the recommendation of Hon. Charles F. Swift, the Collector of this Port. It merits, as it will receive, the approbation of this entire community.

Iyanough House: To give an idea of the rush of business at this popular Hotel under its present management, suffice it to say that some sixty names were entered on the register Saturday week. The House never was so crowded with guests as at the present season.

More:Early Files: Arthur Fiedler & Boston Pops perform at Cape Cod Mall in 1972

The Hyannis baseball club suffered another defeat on Saturday last, this time at the hands of the Sandwich club, the score standing at the close of the game 13 to 3 in their favor. Up to the close of the fourth inning the score was 0 to 0, but at the beginning of the fifth the Sandwich boys by skillful base running assisted by errors made at critical moments by the home team obtained five runs which proved too much for our boys to overcome although they struggled manfully for it.

Santuit: A very enjoyable picnic was held on the west side of the Santuit River on Thursday. It was designed especially for the young people who came in large numbers from Cotuit, South Sandwich and Forestdale. Ice cream, cake and fruits served to make a good lunch. Great credit is due to Misses Etta and Marion Bearse who were the movers of the pleasant affair.

Osterville: As we saw the large load of trunks pass Tuesday it reminded us that the season is drawing to a close and our summer guests are preparing to leave us. It does seem as if each season grows shorter than the previous one.

More:Early Files: Louis Armstrong performs at the Melody Tent in 1962

Thousands on Cape: Cape Cod probably never saw so many as on Wednesday because of the eclipse. One estimate places the number of cars on Cape Cod Wednesday at 100,000 and this is probably none too much as all roads were choked, the cars extending for miles in a solidly packed line and it was hours after they had started on their return trip before there was any appreciable let-up. (Note: The previous week’s Hyannis Patriot announced, “Almost everybody is interested in the total eclipse of the sun by the moon” which took place on August 31. According to the Patriot, “newspaper publicity” indicated that the Cape was the best place to witness the eclipse, attracting visitors “from all parts of the state and beyond.” Much of the Cape area witnessed the eclipse in its totality.)

With the donations of several sailing boats by interested residents of Hyannis and vicinity, cadets of the Massachusetts Maritime Association have been assured of practice in the handling of small craft. Appreciation of the gifts and the interest shown by them was expressed today by Lieutenant Commander Robert M. Gray, superintendent of the Academy. (Note: In 1942, Mass Maritime was located in downtown Hyannis in what is now the Barnstable Town Office building on the Hyannis Village Green.)

Construction of a parish house for the West Parish Congregational Church has begun, a church spokesman said, with the excavation of a basement. Plans have been drawn, calling for a one-story frame construction building. A main dining room seating 200 persons will be built to be used also for Sunday School classes and other gatherings. An up-to-date kitchen also is included. A stage is included in plans for the future.

More:Early Files: Hyannis baseball game called in 8th inning when score reaches 47-12

During the club year, members of the Business and Professional Woman's Club of Cape Cod participated in a plan which has been suggested to various service clubs across the country, in which magazines are forwarded to people in other countries. At a recent board meeting, members of the executive committee were exchanging notes from the thank-you letters they had received. One girl from India, who had received a home furnishing magazine mentioned how much she enjoyed it and also wondered if the Americans publish anything on hair-dos — of all things. (Note: Another letter from India, from a 19-year-old boy named Joseph, described his home village “as being surrounded by wild animals” including elephants, lions, tigers, monkeys, and various snakes.)

There's nothing like Cape Cod dust mixed with the Cape's playful breeze to make travel less than enjoyable. Those who use the lower end of Route 132 where the new shopping center is a-building opposite Cape Cod Mall are well aware of this. Bulldozers and other huge equipment have made a dry, dirt plateau upon which girders of steel have erupted into the air as if by magic. (Note: This was during the construction of Capetown Plaza.)

Winter costly affair: The winter of 1982 resulted in the accumulation of 43 inches of snow, with depths ranging from a trace to 7-1/2 inches. Plowing was necessary on seven separate occasions, using the DPW's 31 plows and 56 privately-owned plows. Sanding operations were required on 22 separate occasions using nine DPW sander units, 8,971 tons of sand and 2,114 tons of salt. (Note: Snow and ice removal costs for that previous winter totaled just over $215,000 according to the Patriot.)

More:Early Files: Cape Cod Secretarial School students aid war effort

Barnstable schools received something of an unexpected windfall totaling over $1.2 million in additional state aid and equal opportunity grants. With the passage of the governor's recommendation to supplement school districts an additional $100 for each student, Barnstable received an extra $607,700 not included in the 1993 town budget. Added to this is $678,997 in equal opportunity grants, provided as an offset to school districts with funding below the state average.

Town ready for Lewis Bay Boat Ramp reconstruction: The Town of Barnstable notified the State Access Board that it is ready to proceed with reconstruction of the ramp under the access board's construction program. The engineering division was notified that the MEPA Environmental Impact Report process is complete and no negative findings are included in the decision. (Note: MEPA denotes Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act.)