Harwich seniors will kick off the summer season with a diverse slate of social programming and regional excursions, ranging from brain health workshops to the town’s participation in the first-ever Orleans Pride Parade. Harwich Council on Aging (COA) Director Julie Witts sat down with the Harwich Channel’s Dina Lane to outline a June schedule designed to maintain community connection during a period of significant administrative transition for the town.

The month begins on June 5 with a dual-track program at the Harwich Community Center. The morning session features an educational presentation on the Six Pillars of Brain Health, hosted by AARP. Witts noted that the session focuses on actionable steps residents can take at any age to maintain cognitive function. It's a popular talk, Witts said. People tend to always get a lot out of that. It's very empowering to hear what you can do. The atmosphere shifts in the afternoon to a tropical theme with a luau starting at 1:30 p.m., featuring music, dancing, and traditional food. While Witts joked that there would be no pit this year for the feast, she signaled the event would be a cornerstone of the month's social calendar.

The COA is also ramping up its popular out-of-town excursions, though Witts reminded residents that space is strictly limited due to equipment constraints. We only can fit 12 people on the van, so there is limited space available, she explained, noting that registration typically opens one to two weeks prior to the events. The June lineup includes a guided tour of the Whydah Pirate Museum on June 10, a destination Witts said has been frequently requested by local seniors. Other trips include a shopping excursion to Falmouth on June 23 and a historical tour of the 350-year-old Hoxie House and Grist Mill in Sandwich on June 30. These longer trips, which generally run from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., include planned lunch stops for the participants.

In a first for the region, Harwich will join neighboring communities in celebrating Pride Month through the newly formed Lower Cape Pride organization. The collaboration aims to provide local celebratory options so residents don't necessarily have to go all the way to Provincetown, according to Witts. Harwich will host a themed movie day on Friday, June 13, followed by a celebratory tea and pastry event on Monday, June 16, featuring treats from Montilio’s. Witts emphasized that the tea is open to everyone, regardless of whether they attended the weekend’s centerpiece event: the first Pride Parade hosted by the town of Orleans on Saturday, June 14.

As Harwich navigates a leadership vacuum following the resignation of Select Board leadership and the pending departure of the Town Administrator, the COA’s robust June schedule highlights the department's role as a stable anchor for the town’s aging population. Dina Lane concluded the interview by noting the consistent activity at the center, remarking to Witts that it sounds like an exciting month as always. Residents interested in the upcoming trips or the luau are encouraged to consult the COA newsletter or call the office directly to secure one of the twelve available van seats.