Cape Cod games
This summer, instead of arguing over who gets to be the top hat, area Monopoly enthusiasts will have the chance to wrangle for the rights to the lighthouse or the sand dollar when a Cape Cod version of the classic game hits the shelves.
Created by Chatham residents Julie Eldredge-Dykens and Debbie Harry, CapeCodopoly will feature prominent local businesses such as Shepley Wood Products, Cape Cod Beer and Cape Cod Creamery. Twenty percent of the proceeds from the game, which will sell for $34.99, will be donated to the Cape and Islands United Way."We're just two crazy moms, trying to save money for our kids for college and also help out some people at the same time," said Eldredge-Dykens, wearing a pair of bright orange oilskin pants to promote her enterprise. The two women got their start in game design last year, when they put together a version of Monopoly featuring Chatham businesses, to raise money for the local PTA."It was a lot of fun," said Harry, who has lived in Chatham for 10 years. "And it was a great success," chimed in Eldredge-Dykens, a lifelong Cape Codder. That game, which is still available at stores in Chatham, has already earned approximately $26,000 for the PTA. The popularity of Chathamopoly sparked the idea for a private business. The pair formed a company, Double Dory LLC, and began work on a game that would encompass the entire Cape. Area companies can buy a space on the board, in which their logo and business information will be displayed. Standard properties cost $800; corner spots can be had for $1,000. The women are specifically trying to sell the available space to companies that are emblematic of the region."We are trying to choose a few (businesses) from each town that are classic or iconic Cape Cod," Harry said. More than one-quarter of these spots have been already been bought, said the women, and they expect to have the remaining slots sold by the end of March."This just seems like a fun, potentially successful idea so we were glad to be involved," said Beth Marcus, business manager at Cape Cod Beer, one of the companies that has already committed to appear on the board. The name of the Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank will appear on the money, while the spot traditionally dedicated to Community Chest cards will be occupied by the United Way. Richard Brothers, president of the Cape and Islands United Way, is enthusiastic about the partnership between his organization and Double Dory."It's going to make a tremendous amount of difference," Brothers said. "It's not beyond the realm of possibility that the sale of CapeCodopoly will impact hundreds of lives." Beyond the properties with local names, other aspects of the game will also reflect the culture of Cape Cod. The playing pieces will include such coastal-themed shapes as a sand dollar, a lighthouse and perhaps a fish or a dory. Instead of the traditional houses and hotels, players will be able to purchase cottages and inns to increase the value of their properties. The box will be decorated with a picturesque beach scene painted by Chatham artist Mary Flaig, an image Eldredge-Dykens calls "quintessential Cape Cod." To produce the actual game, Double Dory works with Ohio-based company Late for the Sky, which is licensed by Hasbro to manufacture custom versions of Monopoly. Eldredge-Dykens and Harry have not yet lined up stores in which to sell CapeCodopoly, but based on their experience in Chatham, they expect that detail to take care of itself."Who wouldn't want to sell it?" Eldredge-Dykens asked. Several of the businesses that have purchased slots on the board, in fact, have already expressed interest in selling the game. For many of those involved in the venture, the appeal seems to be the project's combination of a solid business plan, community pride and charitable giving."It's a tremendous story," Brothers said. "Families are going to enjoy playing a game and the game is going to be doing good in this community." Sarah Shemkus can be reached at sshemkus@capecodonline.com.
