Tuesday, July 28, 2015

The "Washashore " aka "Chatham Charlie "story part 2

The response to the cover photo was so positive that Lisa Franz, the Executive director of the Chatham Chamber of Commerce, decided to use him in the current cross marketing campaign. Her Operations Manager and right hand woman, Danita Scribner, came up with the idea to call him "Chatham Charlie". So this will be the summer of Charlie for the Litwin family and the town of Chatham. My husband Paul is beside himself. He is obsessed with all three of our Goldens ( our 15 year old girl Jamie and our 10 month old puppy Rosie ) but Charlie has clearly stolen his heart. Our boys, Peter 27 and Alex 25, loved marching in the 4th of July parade with Charlie.

We hope he brings a smile to your face and helps you discover the many wonderful places to go and see in Chatham. The card, print and posters are available at Local Color Art Gallery on Rte 28 in W.Chatham. The posters are also available at Where the Sidewalk Ends Bookstore, Chatham Clothing Company, The Chamber Visiter Center on Rte 28 and the visiter booth in the middle of Chatham center. Proceeds from the sale of the poster will go to the Chamber's scholarship fund and local animal rescue efforts. For more updates check out and "like" Chatham Charlies FB page as well as the Chatham Chamber of Commerce FB page. Wishing you all an EPIC summer and don't forget to take time to smell the roses.

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

The story behind "Chatham Charlie" aka "Washashore" Part 1


Charlie was 8 months old when I took the photo of him in the washed up blue dory. Last year
the photo was featured on the "Welcome to Chatham" page of the Chamber's guidebook. To have it picked as the cover shot is truly a thrill and an honor!

So many people have asked about the story behind the photo that I decided to share it on my blog. When you live here year round people ask "What do you do here off season?" The short answer is " I walk on the beach and take lots of photos. " On a chilly day in late April we walked was out to see the new cut with my friend Ann Brown. On the way back we decided to walk the inside of South Beach and that is when we saw the washed up blue dory. It was Ann's idea to put Charlie in the boat. He was good at sit, stay and look good even at 8 months. I took a few shots with my point and shoot Canon Power Shot and the rest is history.

I thought it would be fun to call it "Washashore" as I am a summer girl, aka "Washashore" My grandparents, Dick and Jean Tyner bought a house here in the 1920's and I have never missed a summer. The distinction between " a local " and "a washashore" is very clear and some people take it quite seriously. Even though Charlie was raised here he was born in Upton, MA at LazeDaze Kennels. Therefore he is and always will be a " Washashore " He's cool with it.