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The Community

Woods Hole Scientific Community

Other scientific institutions located in Woods Hole are the Marine Biological Laboratory, the Sea Education Association, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Woods Hole Research Center, and the United States Geological Survey.

The Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) is an international center for research, education, and training in biology. It’s aspiration is to have a disproportionate impact on the advancement of the biological sciences towards improving the human condition. The oldest private marine laboratory in the Western Hemisphere, the MBL currently supports a year-round staff of more than 275 scientists and support staff working in such fields as cell and developmental biology, ecology, microbiology, molecular evolution, global infectious disease, neurobiology, aquaculture, and sensory physiology. Each summer, an additional 1400 scientists and advanced students from around the world come to the MBL to collaborate, study and conduct research, often using the diverse and abundant marine organisms found in local waters for their research models. The laboratory's educational program, which consists of six major summer courses and approximately one dozen special topics courses throughout the year, plays a significant role in training the world's experimental biologists.

The Sea Education Association (SEA) provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to participate in an academic study-abroad program called the SEA Semester. The onshore/at sea program combines intensive research in the areas of oceanography, maritime studies, and nautical science with hands-on experience aboard a traditional sailing ship. Piloting, celestial navigation, and practical seamanship are learned together with oceanographic sampling techniques and marine laboratory procedures. Critical thinking, problem-solving, team-building and leadership skills are emphasized throughout the program.

The Woods Hole Research Center addresses the great issues of environment through scientific research and education and through applications of science in public affairs. The Center maintains continuing research projects in the tropical forests of Brazil and Central Africa, in the boreal forest of Siberia - the largest forested region on earth - and in the forests of our own New England. The Policy Program works in the international arena to foster agreement on ways to safeguard the health of the planet. The Education Program involves training the coming leaders of environmental science in Brazil and Russia and post-doctoral research by American scholars.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is the federal agency with stewardship responsibility for the living marine resources in the United States. The Woods Hole branch of NMFS accommodates both the Woods Hole Laboratory Research Divisions and the Northeast Fisheries Science Center Directorate. The Center provides overall management and direction for the five laboratories located in the Northeast Region. The Woods Hole Laboratory conducts research on fisheries resources and on marine mammals and other protected resources in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. The laboratory is the world’s oldest facility specifically dedicated to marine fisheries research and currently houses a public and research aquarium that is open to visitors year round. It is also home port for two research vessels, the R/V Albatross IV and R/V Delaware II.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is an independent agency the collects, monitors, analyzes and provides scientific understanding about natural resource conditions, issues and problems. Located on WHOI’s Quissett Campus is the USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Program. The Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Geology Team is one of three marine teams that conduct research within this Program. USGS earth scientists explore and study many aspects of the underwater areas between shorelines and the deep ocean, off the U.S. East Coast, the Gulf of Mexico, and in parts of the Caribbean and Great Lakes. Research specific to the Woods Hole team focuses on four general themes: environmental quality and preservation, natural hazards and public safety, natural resources and public information. This team also provides several specialized technologies to assist oceanographic research. The USGS in Woods Hole works with more than 30 research institutions, agencies, and universities within the Woods Hole scientific community, the nation and the world.

Geography & Climate

Geography: The village of Woods Hole in which WHOI is located is a part of the town of Falmouth, which is located on the southwest corner of Cape Cod within Barnstable County. Most WHOI employees live in the town of Falmouth. Maps of Cape Cod and Falmouth/Woods Hole can be found at this websitewww.capecodtravelguide.com/cape-cod-maps.php. Falmouth is bordered on two sides by large bodies of water, Buzzards Bay to the west, Vineyard and Nantucket sounds to the south, and bordered on the north and east by the towns of Bourne, Sandwich and Mashpee. These communities, including Falmouth, make up the area known as the Upper Cape.

The town of Falmouth contains eight villages: Falmouth Center, East Falmouth, West Falmouth, North Falmouth, Hatchville, Teaticket, Waquoit and Woods Hole. Each village has its own post office and four have elementary schools. Falmouth is a well developed but rural coastal town with a winter population of about 31,905. The resort appeal of the area pushes the summer population to over 93,000. Falmouth contains about 49 square miles, including 1740 acres of freshwater ponds and about 1500 acres of sheltered salt water bays and harbors. Twelve of the town's 68 miles of seashore are sandy beaches where the mean tidal range is two to four feet.

Like much of Cape Cod, Falmouth owes its geologic character to glaciers which melted away some 12,000 years ago. They left behind a backbone of moraine--low-lying hills of glacial debris--running from Woods Hole to North Falmouth, generally along the route of the main highway (Route 28). To the south and east, sloping toward Nantucket Sound, is outwash plain, formed of sand and silt carried seaward by rivers from the melting glaciers. As it built up, the outwash plain was furrowed by these rivers into what is now the series of long, narrow salt ponds along the south shore of the town. Throughout Cape Cod, the landscape is dotted with small ponds or "kettle holes"-- depressions caused by isolated blocks of glacial ice that eventually melted away. The coastline has been changed since glacial times by rising sea level and the ongoing action of waves and coastal currents.

Climate: Falmouth's climate is influenced by the temperate climate of southern New England, made more moderate by the surrounding ocean which prevents extremes of heat and cold. New England winters are quite cold (December - March) with daytime temperatures often dropping below 32ºF (0ºC). Winter and spring snowfalls are often mixed with rain and deep accumulations are unusual. During cold weather you will hear reports about the "wind chill factor." The wind chill is the temperature of still air that would have the same effect on exposed skin as a given combination of wind speed and air temperature. The lower the air temperature and the stronger the wind, the lower the wind chill factor. Wind chill factors below 10ºF (-12º'C) are relatively rare, but they do occur. To be comfortably dressed in the winter (November to March) you will need warm outer clothing and boots. Unless you own these items, it is usually easier and more economical to purchase winter clothing after you arrive here. For a list of retail stores in the Falmouth area see the section on shopping. Good quality used clothing is available at lower prices especially at exchange shops (operated by churches or hospitals), and used clothing stores.

In summer the average temperature of both land and sea is 65ºF to 75ºF, and there are usually three to five days of fog each summer month along the shore. Lightweight clothing is appropriate for the warm, humid summers. Except for the rare tropical hurricane in late summer, the most severe storm is the Northeaster which brings heavy rain and high winds and tides in any season.

Eel Pond, Woods Hole
Bank of America: Woods Hole branch
Chruch St., woods Hole

Related Files

» Local Hospitals
Hospitals on Cape Cod

» Visiting Nurses Association (VNA)
Non profit health care for the upper cape

» SPIRAL
Patient Information in Asian Languages

» Bank of America

» Public Libraries
Network of libraries on Cape Cod

» Falmouth Public Library

» Yellow Pages
Search for businesses in your area

» Shining Sea Bike Path
Bike path from Woods Hole to To Falmouth

» Cape Cod Children's Museum
Funs things to do with the kids!

» Steamship authority
Travel to Martha's Vineyard

» Island Queen
Travel to Martha's Vineyard

» Cape Cod Transit
Bus service between towns on Cape Cod

» Plymouth & Brockton Buses

» Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles
For information on owning a vehicle

» Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL)

» Sea Education Association (SEA)

» National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Woods Hole

» Woods Hole Research Center (WHRC)

» United States Geological Survey (USGS)

Managing Your Money

Banks and Banking Services: It is a good idea to have a bank draft forwarded from your own country, in advance if possible, to a local bank in order to cover initial expenses. Your money would then be payable upon proper identification. Be sure to bring your passport to the bank and, for wiring funds (which tends to be expensive), be sure to use your name exactly as it appears on your passport. If you bring a check with you and deposit it at a local bank, it can take two to four weeks to have access to that money.

Falmouth has several banks, but the only local bank with a branch in Woods Hole is Bank of America. You may wire funds in U.S. dollars to Bank of America, Woods Hole Branch.

Opening an Account: Most banks offer many different types of personal account services for checking and savings. To open any kind of bank account, go to the bank of your choice and tell the receptionist that you would like to open an account. You will be directed to a person who can assist you in deciding what kind of account to open and how to complete the paperwork. For short-term visitors, a checking account (called a "current account" in many countries) will be the best kind of account to open. Most banks will request either your passport or your social security number before you are permitted to open an account. Some banks will require both. For a list of banks in Falmouth see our useful links section.

Automated teller machines (ATM) provide 24 hour access to your funds. Ask the person at the bank for an explanation of the service. The Woods Hole branch of Bank of America is open all year round but with limited winter schedule. An ATM is available all year round.

If you receive a biweekly or monthly check from WHOI, you may choose to have WHOI direct deposit the check into a bank account in your name, saving you a trip to the bank to deposit the check into your account.

This can be arranged through your department administrator or Human Resources

Credit Cards: It is very useful to obtain a major credit card such as Visa or Mastercard before you arrive. Some employees may obtain a WHOI Corporate VISA Card for business purposes (information is available through the WHOI Controller's Office). Many stores honor credit cards and most car rental companies will only rent a car to you if you have a major credit card. In order to apply for a major credit card while in the U.S., you will need a credit history from your home country.

Community Services

Numerous public agencies and private organizations serve the health and social service needs of Falmouth's citizens. Neither an inclusive list nor full descriptions of services can be presented here, but the local newspaper, The Falmouth Enterprise published on Tuesdays and Fridays, lists counselling services, support groups, clubs, relief agencies, walk-in clinics, libraries, places of worship, as well as information on recycling, garbage collection and hours for the town landfill. The information offered below is geared for the newcomer to our town who may not be familiar with public or private services.

Health Care & Medical Expenses

Medical Care and Health Services: There is no national medical care program or national insurance program in the United States. This means that medical costs in the U.S are very high and that they must be paid by the individual incurring them. Individuals can buy health and accident insurance which will pay some of their medical expenses. Insurance through your own country may provide some coverage for you and your family while in the U.S. This should be considered and clarified before you encounter a medical emergency in the U.S. You may qualify to participate in one of WHOI's health insurance programs (see below).

General Medical Care: It is common for families in the U.S. to select a doctor or dentist in the community whom they visit when they need examinations or medical care. You may wish to ask someone you have met here to recommend a doctor or dentist, or you may consult the yellow pages of the telephone directory under "Physicians" or "Dentists", or you may contact the Falmouth Hospital (with whom most of the town's physicians are affiliated) to see which doctors have openings for new patients. Your insurance provider may also have a list of physicians from which to choose, as dictated by the terms of their health program. Internists or family practice physicians are most commonly chosen for the general medical care of adults, and pediatricians for the care of children.

The Falmouth Hospital is a private community hospital serving Falmouth, Mashpee, Bourne and Sandwich. The hospital's medical staff has almost 150 physicians and surgeons including specialists in most areas. Patient care is provided by more than 500 nurses and about 600 other technical and service workers. The hospital's emergency room, staffed by physicians under private contract, is used by many residents and vacationers for their primary health care.

Emergency Care: In case of emergencies, there is a special number to call, 911, which will bring an ambulance, firemen, or policemen to your location very quickly. An operator will ask you to describe the nature of the emergency and state your location so she can get the necessary help for you.

If you are at work at WHOI, there are several emergency medical technicians on staff who will come to your aid when a call is placed to 2911.

Home Care: The Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) of Upper Cape Cod is a nonprofit health agency that provides health care to residents of Falmouth, Mashpee, Bourne, and Sandwich. Its professional staff of more than 60 makes over 30,000 home visits each year. Referrals to the VNA are made by family, physicians, hospitals, and other agencies. Services are provided in accordance with physician's orders.

Pre-Natal, Maternity Care, and Family Planning: In the U.S. a woman usually goes to a doctor (obstetrician) or to a clinic for regular check-ups during her pregnancy, and has the doctor deliver the baby in a hospital. Most health insurance plans cover such pre-natal care and the medical and hospital costs associated with delivering a baby. As part of a town-financed health program, a VNA nurse specializing in maternal and child care will contact all families of newborn infants to offer support and guidance. Most new mothers receive at least one or two home visits from the VNA nurse.

Family planning information (including information about contraception or birth control) is available through your family physician or through family planning information centers listed in the telephone directory's yellow pages. These centers offer counselling, referral services, and pregnancy testing.

Health Insurance at WHOI: International arrivals who are full-time salaried WHOI employees can enroll in WHOI's medical insurance plan and pay the employee's share of the premium. Guest Investigators and Guest Students, however, are not WHOI employees and are generally unable to enroll in the WHOI insurance plan. Such coverage should be maintained through your current employer or university.

If you choose to continue your out-of-country medical coverage, you may have to pay for medical service you receive in the U.S. at the time of the service and then be reimbursed by your country's medical service or insurance carrier. You should check with your national medical service or insurance carrier regarding their claims procedures before you arrive in the U.S. in order to protect yourself and family in the event of an illness or accident in this country. For more information on WHOI medical coverage, contact your Benefits Specialist in the HR department or view the benefits information at the HR site

If you are coming to the U.S. as a J-1 Exchange Visitor, you will be required to have health insurance for you and your family. The United States Department of State (DOS), who administers the Exchange Visitor Program, has set standards for minimum health coverage. Contact Beth Andrews for more information.

Selected Patient Information Resources in Asian Languages (SPIRAL): SPIRAL, a resource from Tufts University’s Health Sciences Library, has detailed health information in seven Asian languages, specifically Chinese, Hmong, Khmer, Korean, Laotian, Thai and Vietnamese. It is a unique multi-language health information site because it is for both physicians and patients. Segmented by language and by subject, a user - either a patient, doctor or other caregiver -- can search for documents in an Asian language on topics such as asthma, diabetes, nutrition, substance abuse, SARS and HIV/AIDS. A native speaker of an Asian language would go to the main web site, select his/her language, and then search for the information that was needed. Material is also provided in English so that an English-speaking physician or caregiver can see what patients are reading.

Transportation

Woods Hole/Falmouth is accessible by bus and car with major connections through Boston, Massachusetts, and Providence, Rhode Island. The Peter Pan Bus Line services Woods Hole and Falmouth from downtown Boston and Boston's Logan International Airport, and from Providence's T. F. Green Airport. Bus schedules are available at the Woods Hole Steamship Authority terminal and at the bus depot in Falmouth as well as by calling the bus company at 1-888-751-8800. The Plymouth & Brockton street railway company offers connections between Boston and Provincetown via the Sagamore bridge. Local public transportation is limited. For around town, taxi cab service is available. Summer shuttles operate between the end of June and early September. One of these is the Breeze, which travels between Hyannis and Woods Hole (via Falmouth). Between towns on Cape Cod there is a limited bus service on SeaLine Transit.

In warmer weather, a bicycle is a feasible means of transport for getting around Falmouth and Woods Hole. The International Committee owns a limited number of bicycles which can be loaned to new employees on a short-term basis until they secure a more permanent form of transportation (call your international committee member to request a bicycle loan).

 

Cars--Owning and Operating an automobile , Getting a Driver's License

November 3, 2017 -- [WHOI-announcements] Attention Foreign Nationals and Supervisors of Foreign Nationals – MA Driver’s License Important Notice-- Click Here

Additional Resource: Find All the Information You'll Need to Pass the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Permit Test and Get Your License at a DMV Near You! -- Click Here

 

The following information regarding regulations, fees and procedures may have changed since written. For up-to-date information, please visit the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) web site.

Massachusetts Driver's License

A valid driver's license is required to drive a car in the United States. The International Convention on Road Traffic of 1949 allows for individuals on nonimmigrant visas, whose home countries are signatories of the convention, to drive for up to one year from their date of first entry with a driver's license which has been issued by their home country. Call the Registry of Motor Vehicles in Boston at 617-351-9000 to find out if your home country is a signatory of the convention. After one year from first entry, all nonimmigrant visa holders are required to obtain a Massachusetts driver's license in order to drive legally in Massachusetts. When you buy a car, you must get a Massachusetts driver's license. Please note that a driver's license is widely used as a form of identification for writing checks, entering bars, etc., and may be convenient to have. If your driver's license is not in English, a translation should be attached. It is also recommended that you have an international driver's license.

A Massachusetts license can be obtained by passing written and road examinations at the Registry of Motor Vehicles. The nearest Registry of Motor Vehicles is located in Falmouth at 80 Davis Straits. You should bring your identification with you when you go to the Registry (passport, birth certificate or other ID). Drivers manuals, used to study for the written exam, are available at the Registry. For more information regarding how to obtain a Massachussetts drivers licence, and the associated fees, refer to the RMV web site. If you have a driver's license from another state in the United States, you must convert it to a Massachusetts license after one year of residence in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Identification Cards

It is also possible to obtain an identification card similar to a driver's license, but not valid for driving. To obtain this plastic identification card, take your passport or birth certificate to the Registry of Motor Vehicles AND two other forms of identification, such as your WHOI ID card, checkbook, cancelled check, bank book, credit card with photo on it, credit card receipt, cancelled rent check, or phone bill. The Registry also recommends bringing either mortgage or lease papers to prove Massachusetts residency. You must complete an application. There is a fee. The Registry of Motor Vehicles will take your picture and issue you a Massachusetts Identification Card. THIS IS NOT A DRIVER'S LICENSE. For more information call the Registry at 800-858-3926 or search their web site: http://www.state.ma.us/rmv/.

Buying a Car

Owning a car in Massachusetts is expensive. Often, car-related expenses far exceed the price you actually pay for the car. When you buy a car, you will have to purchase car insurance, register your car with the State of Massachusetts and have your car inspected. Before buying a used car you should have a mechanic examine the car. Massachusetts does not have a "Buyer's Right to Return Law" which allows the buyer of a used car to return it for a full refund under certain conditions. A useful web site when searching for a used car is: http://www.edmunds.com.

When you find a car you want to buy, be sure the car has a "title" (certificate of ownership). When you purchase the car, the previous owner must sign the title and give it to you in order to legally transfer ownership of the car over to you. The next step is to purchase auto insurance. Look in the yellow pages of the telephone book under "Insurance". A variety of factors can affect the annual price of car insurance such as the age of your car, how many years you have been driving, your place of residence, and the type of coverage requested. You should take the title of the car and your driver's license to one of the automobile insurance agencies to purchase your insurance. Often, for a small additional fee, the insurance agent will also register your car and get the license plates for you.

If you choose to register the car by yourself, you must do so by the end of that month in which you purchased car insurance. You must bring proof of car insurance, the bill of sale, proof of payment of sales tax and the certification of ownership (the "title") to the Registry of Motor Vehicles. You may also have to pay for a Massachusetts license plate and Massachusetts sales tax if you have not already paid it (about 5%) on the price you paid for the car or the "NADA" trade-in value of your vehicle (whichever is greater).

Finally, you must have your car inspected within seven days of registering it. Certain garages can inspect your car for the required safety features. The insurance agent can give you a list of garages which will inspect your car. There is a fee.

Remember, many of the expenses in purchasing a car will be annual expenses. Each year, you will have to insure your car, have your car inspected, and pay "excise tax" on the value of your car. The town in which you keep your car will notify you of the amount of excise tax you owe each year.

Renting a Car

Instead of buying a car, you may prefer to rent a car. You can look in the yellow pages of the telephone book under "Automobile Renting and Leasing". There are several locations in the Falmouth area. You will need a driver's license and a major credit car. Prices vary between companies. Some companies have a daily fee and other companies have both a daily fee and an additional charge for each mile driven. Always check insurance charges prior to renting a car.

Transporting Children:

Seatbelts are required by Massachusetts law, and children under the age of 5 must be secured in a car by an approved child car-seat. The Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance plan (available through WHOI) provides car seats at reduced costs to its subscribers. The Visiting Nurse Association may have infant and toddler car seats available for short-term use; and such car seats can often be purchased inexpensively at yard sales or borrowed from other families whose children have grown. After a child turns 5 years of age (or weighs over 40 lbs.), he or she must be secured by a standard car seat belt.

WHOI Shuttle Bus:

shuttle bus operates at no charge between the two WHOI campuses (the Village campus and the Quissett campus which are 2 miles apart) on Monday-Friday 3 times per hour (between 7:40 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.). The shuttle leaves Clark lab at the Quissett campus at 10 minutes after the hour, on the half hour, and at 10 minutes before the hour (e.g., 9:50, 10:10, 10:30); the shuttle leaves the Village from the Dyer's Dock/Water Street parking lot opposite the Redfield building on the hour, 20 minutes after the hour, and 20 minutes before the hour (e.g., 10:00, 10:20, 10:40).

Religious Organizations

Religion does not play the dominant role in the United States that it does in some other countries, for example, in Muslim countries or in countries where Catholicism is the official religion. There is no official religion or established church that is supported by the government. The doctrine of "separation of church and state" is widely respected, and religion is generally considered a private matter.

Foreign students and scholars who are Christian or Jewish and who want to join a church or synagogue here can simply look up appropriate addresses and phone numbers in the yellow pages of the telephone directory or refer to the listings in this Guide. Those representing other faiths may seek out other foreign nationals who share their beliefs and ask how they go about practicing their religion in the Cape Cod area.

If you wish to see what happens in an American church you can simply attend a service or go with an acquaintance who attends a particular church or synagogue. The Falmouth Enterprise publishes a directory every Friday of the observances and current activities of the various religious groups in the greater Falmouth area.

LISTINGS OF LOCAL PLACES OF WORSHIP

This is only a brief list; a more complete list may be found in the Friday edition of the Falmouth Enterprise.



Baptist



Falmouth Baptist Church,
Central Avenue, Falmouth Heights (508-548-3260)



Buddhist



Falmouth Dharma Study Group
Hatchville Road, Hatchville (508-457-0637)



Christian Science



First Church of Christ
Scientist Palmer Avenue, Falmouth (508-548-4077)



Congregational



First Congregational Church
Main Street, Falmouth (508-548-3700)



Episcopal



St. Barnabus Main Street,
Falmouth (508-548-3863)


Church of the Messiah,
Church Street, Woods Hole (508-548-2145)



Jewish



Falmouth Jewish Congregation
Hatchville Road, Falmouth (508-540-0602)



Lutheran



Christ Lutheran Church
of Falmouth
Brick Kiln Road, Falmouth (508-548-5689)



Methodist



John Wesley United Methodist
Church
Gifford Street, Falmouth (508-548-3050)



Roman Catholic



St. Patrick's Main Street,
Falmouth (508-548-1065)


St. Joseph's Millfield
Street, Woods Hole (508-548-0990)


St. Anthony's, East Falmouth
(508-548-0108)


Christ the King Parish,
Mashpee (508-477-7700)



Quaker



Society of Friends Rt.
28A, West Falmouth (508-540-7652)



Unitarian



Unitarian Universalist
Fellowship of Falmouth
Sandwich Road, Falmouth (508-563-7682)

Recreation

In a summer resort town such as Falmouth, the beaches are a major part of recreational programs provided for the local citizens and summer visitors. There are town or WHOI beaches within walking distance of each campus. The Quissett campus has recreational facilities at the rear of the Clark Laboratory: a baseball field, volleyball court, tennis court, and portable basketball hoops.

Some of the town's major outdoor recreation areas are:

  •  Beebe Woods -- a tract of 400 acres between the railroad and Sippewissett Rd., dotted with ponds and trails. A map of the area is available free at Town Hall.
  • Shining Sea Bikeway -- a 3-mile blacktopped pathway from Falmouth (Locust St. parking lot) to Woods Hole (Steamship Authority Parking Lot), used daily by bicyclists, walkers, and runners; no motor vehicles allowed.
  • Spectacle Pond Reservation -- a 90-acre tract with access from Pinecrest Beach Drive; has paths winding through acres of woodlands, bordering on two ponds.
  • Wing Pond Reservation -- a 19-acre parcel, reached by a right-of-way off Rt. 28A across from Chambers Hill Rd. Trails lead through cranberry bogs and woods, eventually linking up to Bourne's Farm and to 15 more acres of conservation land east of Old Silver Beach.
  • Sea Farms Marsh and Upland -- a 67-acre parcel reached from Gayle Avenue in East Falmouth; Sea Farms is an excellent site for birdwatching, situated on the shores of Bourne's Pond.
  • Ashumet Holly and Wildlife Sanctuary -- Massachusetts Audubon Society Sanctuary in Hatchville, has 45 acres with trails through fields and woods; There are 1,000 holly trees of 8 species here, rare Franklinia trees that bloom in the autumn, and over 50 pairs of barn swallows that return to a barn on the property to breed each summer.
  • Parks: Falmouth has about 25 parks ranging in size from very small to the 86-acre Goodwill Park. All the elementary school grounds have large playground structures and are open to the public when school is not in session.
  • Goodwill Park --north of Falmouth village, is located between Rt. 28 and Gifford St.; it includes Grews Pond with a seasonal lifeguard at a public beach, picnic facilities, a playground, hiking trails, and a field for athletic activities.
  • The Village Green -- at the west end of Main Street is the site of public gatherings throughout the year, particularly for holiday celebrations and singing in December.
  • Lewis Park -- behind the Town Hall, borders Siders Pond and is used by many people for birdwatching.
  • George Bigelow Memorial Park -- also known as Marina Park, on the west side of Falmouth Inner Harbor has a bandshell used for free weekly concerts in the summer.
  • Nye Park -- in North Falmouth has tennis courts, playground facilities, and a baseball field, bordering on a pond with a picnic area.
  • Woods Hole Ball Park -- located at the end of Bell Tower Lane on the far side of Eel Pond; the park has a baseball field, tennis courts and a handicapped-access ground structure. The Woods Hole May Festival takes place here yearly on Memorial Day weekend.
  • Swift Park -- off Blacksmith Shop Road in West Falmouth, has tennis courts and a baseball field.
  • Fonseca Park -- in Waquoit has a baseball field.
  • Fuller Field -- located near the center of town behind the Gus Canty Community Center, is a baseball and football field, used as the High School's home field in the autumn for football and in the summer by the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

For a listing of places of interest on Cape Cod, Marthas Vineyard, Nantucket and the Boston see below. Places of interest include museums, parks, aquaria, zoos and whale watching.

Museum Passes

Passes to many local and Boston-area museums are available at the Falmouth Public Library (located off Palmer Ave on Carlson Lane). Most admit two to four people without charge, but some have a small charge or 1/2 price admission. It is recommended that you call the library in advance to make a reservation for the pass(es) you want to use (457-2555). You will need your WHOI ID card to get services from the Library.

Cape Cod Area Museums

Urban Area Museums (amounts listed are admission prices WITH library pass)

Other Items of Local Interest

  • One of the best sources of local information is the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce, 548-8500, located on Academy Lane, off Main Street, Falmouth. They have a variety of information fliers for local organizations and events. The Falmouth Library is also, of course, a good source of local information. Especially check the bulletin boards there
  • Whale watching is one of the Cape's main tourist attractions. Check the telephone directory yellow pages under "Whale Watching." There are several out of Provincetown, but one local one is: Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises, out of Barnstable Harbor: 508-362-6088 or 800-287-0374.
  • The Cahoon Museum of American Art, 4676 Falmouth Road, Cotuit, 508-420-3709.
  • Falmouth Historical Society has a schedule of events. In addition, Trolley Tours of Falmouth history occur regularly throughout the summer. 508-548-4857. Brochures can be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce or call for information.

Other Cape Parks, Museums and Things-to-Do

  • National Sea Shore, 99 Marconi Site Road, Wellfleet, 508-349-3785, has 43,557 acres with six swimming beaches, historic lighthouses, upland forests, walking, surfing, hiking, nature trails, bicycling, etc.
  • Nickerson State Park, 3488 Main Street, Brewster, 508-896-3491, has 2000-acre park with pine forests, fresh water marshes, 8 miles of bike paths. Hiking, swimming, picnicking, fishing, canoeing, etc. are available. Camping is available with a reservation.
  • Cape Cod Museum of Fine Arts, Route 6A, Dennis Village, 508-385-4477. Not a lot of art, but fun to visit on a day tour. They also have art films, which you won't catch anywhere else on the Cape, at their Reel Art Theater.
  • There are bike paths all over the Cape; a nice one, Shining Sea Bike Path, runs from Falmouth to Woods Hole, along the shore right in front of our Quissett Campus. The Falmouth Chamber of Commerce has a map for sale that shows all the Cape bike paths. The Massachusetts state vacation web site has several maps of Cape Cod bike trails.

Information about other Cape Towns

Each of the Cape towns has a Chamber of Commerce where information specifically about that town is available. Telephone numbers are listed in the telephone directory business pages under the town's name (e.g. Hyannis Chamber of Commerce). For extensive information about towns' facilities and events, see www.capecodusa.com.

Visiting the Islands

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is the island you see across the Vineyard Sound from the south facing coasts of Woods Hole and Falmouth. It's a fun way to spend a day! It has several towns; the three main ones are Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven and Edgartown. Ferries to Martha's Vineyard leave from the Steamship Authority dock in Woods Hole, 458-3788. Auto ferrying cost varies with the time of year, advanced reservations are needed and VERY hard to get. There is also the Island Queen, a small ferry (no cars) that leaves from 75 Falmouth Heights Road in Falmouth, 548-4800. It arrives in Oak Bluffs.

Tours are available, and bicycles and mopeds are available to rent on the island as you get off the ferry. There are interesting events, many lovely beaches, restaurants, stores, etc. There are small busses than run between the main towns on a regular schedule in the summer (small fee). The Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce, 508-693-0085 can give specifics.

Nantucket

Nantucket is another small island, not within sight from our shores, farther to the southeast. It has only one town, also named Nantucket, famous for its historical sites from whaling days. Ferries to Nantucket leave from the Steamship Authority dock in Hyannis, 771-4000 www.islandferry.com. Auto ferrying cost varies with the time of year, advanced reservations are needed and VERY hard to get.

Tours are available as you get off the ferry, and bicycles and mopeds are available to rent on the island. There are interesting events, lovely beaches, restaurants, stores, etc. It's a fun way to spend a day! The Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce, 508-228-1700 can give specifics.

Police & Law Inforcement

Local Police: Police have different roles in different countries. The main role of the Falmouth Police Department is to perform certain social services for Falmouth residents. Also, a common police activity is giving parking tickets to people who have parked their cars in illegal places or have parked "overtime" in metered parking places. Police also expect residents to ask their help with such matters as lost or stolen property, noisy neighbors, and "suspicious activity" they witness in their neighborhoods.

However, the main responsibility of police officers is to enforce Falmouth ordinances (local laws). Some of the ordinances that are most strictly enforced involve liquor and driving.

The local police do not work for the U.S. government or any of its branches (such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) or Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS)). They do not spy or investigate for the U.S. government or any foreign government.

If a person is convicted of violating a law, that person's name and the nature of the violation will be recorded in the police department. This is called a police record. A person will have a police record for committing minor violations as well as criminal violations. A person's police record can be made available to certain government authorities if they request it.

A copy of the ordinances and laws that govern Falmouth residents is available at the Falmouth Public Library.

Federal Law Enforcement Agencies: The federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws is the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). No other agency shares responsibility for acting in cases where aliens might have violated the terms of their immigration status. Federal regulation requires non-immigrants to answer any questions asked of them by USCIS officers, no matter what the subject.

Another federal agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has responsibilities that may sometimes lead to the questioning of foreign students and scholars. Foreign students and scholars are not required to answer any questions from the FBI unless the agent has obtained a court order (called a subpoena) mandating a reply. If an FBI agent wants to ask you questions and does not have a subpoena, you may refuse. Doing so will not affect your immigration status. If you are contacted by the FBI and are uncertain how to respond, consult your advisor, sponsor or the WHOI Human Resources Office for assistance.

Holidays in the United States: State & National Holidays

The following table lists most U.S. holidays including legal holidays (when State and U.S. government offices as well as schools are closed) and business holidays (when many businesses except some drugstores, service stations, and food stores) are closed. Some holidays on the list are not celebrated throughout the United States and not all are celebrated by everyone. Some holidays are only for members of certain religions; others are for particular groups, such as lovers or children.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution policy instructs that those observed holidays falling on Saturdays will be celebrated on the preceding Friday and those falling on Sunday will be celebrated on the following Monday.

Holiday
Date
Significance
WHOI Observance
New Years DayJanuary 1Celebration of New Year's Day usually occurs the
night before, on "New Year's Eve", when it is common
for groups of people to have a party to celebrate the coming
of the new year.
Yes. A legal an business holiday
Matin Luther King's Birthday3rd Monday in JanuaryCommemorates the birthday of civil rights leader,
Dr. Martin Luther King.
Yes. A legal Holiday
Abraham Lincoln's BirthdayFebruary 12 or nearest MondayCommemorates the birth of the 16th President of
the United States.
See President's Day
St. Valentine's DayFebruary 14A day for lovers to exchange cards and/or gifts.School
children usually exchange "valentine cards" with their
classmates.
No
George Washington's BirthdayFebruary 22 or nearest MondayCommemorates the birthday of the first President
of the United States.
See President's Day
President's Day3rd Monday in FebruaryCommemorates Abraham Lincoln's and George Washington's
birthdays.
Yes. A legal Holiday
Ash WednesdayDate variesMarks the beginning of the 40-day period of Lent,
a period of penitence and fasting in some Christian denominations. 
No
St. Patrick's DayMarch 17A day dedicated to the patron saint of Ireland.Highly
celebrated in the Boston area because of strong Irish heritage.
Many people wear something green on this day.
No
Easter SundayDate Varies: March or AprilChristian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.
For children, baskets of candy and dyed, hard-boiled eggs are
hidden by a mythical "Easter Rabbit" or "Easter
Bunny".
No
Patriot's Day3rd Monday in AprilCommemoration of the battles of Lexington and
Concord against the British in 1775.
No. A legal holiday in Massachusetts and Maine.
Mother's Day2nd Sunday in MayGifts, cards, and/or special attention are given
to mothers and grandmothers.
No
Memorial DayMay 30 or nearest MondayWhen homage is paid to U.S. soldiers
who have died in wars.
Yes. A legal and business holiday
Father's Day3rd Sunday in JuneGifts, cards, and/or special attention
are given to fathers and grandfathers.
No
Independence DayJuly 4Celebration of the signing of the U.S. Declaration
of Independence from Great Britain. There are usually parades
and fireworks in many communities.
Yes. A legal and business holiday
Labor Day1st Monday in SeptemberCommemoration of the importance of labor and labor
organizations.
Yes. A legal and business holiday
Rosh Hahanah and Yom KippurDates Vary: September or OctoberRosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and Yom Kippur
the Jewish Day of Atonement
No
Columbus Day2nd Monday in OctoberCommemorates the landing of Italian explorer Christopher
Columbus on the shores of North America.
No
HalloweenOctober 31A children's holiday, associated with pumpkins,
witches, cats and ghosts for decorations. Children often go
to parties in costumes or go "trick or treating"."Trick
or treating" means putting on a costume and going door-to-door
in a neighborhood saying "trick or treat", and being
given a piece of candy or fruit by the occupant of the house
or apartment. Young children should be accompanied by an adult
when trick or treating.
No
Election Day1st Tueday in NovemberAlthough not a legal or business holiday, people
may leave work briefly to vote in municipal, county, state,
and/or national elections.
Yes. Employees may leave work briefly in order
to vote
Veteran's DayNovember 11Honors veterans of armed service.Yes. A legal holiday
Thanksgiving Day4th Thursday in NovemberA harvest celebration commemorating harvest-time
festivities in the original American colonies. Traditionally,
families and friends gather to have a large meal that includes
turkey and pumpkin pie.
Yes. A legal and business holiday
HanukkahDate Varies: Late November/Early DecemberAn eight-day Jewish holiday marking the rededication
of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
No
ChristmasDecember 25Began as a Christian celebration of the birth
of Jesus but is now a widely celebrated day of feasting and
gift-giving."Santa Claus", a mythical figure, is said
to visit the homes of children on the night of December 24 and
leave gifts for them while they sleep.
Yes. A legal and business holiday
    

(Adapted in part from Wernick, A., 1992.The International Student Handbook. A Legal Guide to Studying, Working and Living in the United States. American Immigration Law Foundation.)

Shopping

Food: Falmouth has three large grocery stores which carry all types of food products, including produce, meats, bakery items. We have a few small bakeries and produce stores, but generally, most people use the all-inclusive markets. These markets are Stop and Shop on Jones Road, Shaws in the Falmouth Mall, and Windfall Market on Scranton Avenue.

Clothing: A large mall with many clothing, shoe, and other types of stores is located in Hyannis, about 22 miles away. Two smaller malls are located in Falmouth and Mashpee (Mashpee Commons), a neighboring town. For clothing size conversions:

Women's Sizes
Junior
     
USA79111315
England 911131517
Europe3436384042
      
Misses'
     
USA & England1012141618
Europe3638404244
      
Ladies
     
USA & England3638404244
Europe4446485052
      
Shoes
     
USA56789
Metric3536383940
      
Mens Sizes
      
Coats and Pajamas
     
USA & England3638404244
Europe4648505254
      
Shirts
     
USA & Europe1414.51515.516
Europe3637383940
      
Shoes
     
USA678910
Metric3940414243