Cape Cod History

January 24 - 2006: Ptown poker player takes home first place; The epic blizzard of 2005

2005: Cape Codders dig out from epic blizzard

On this day in 2005, Cape and island residents were still recovering from an epic blizzard for the ages that created snow drifts up to six feet high and forced commuters to abandon their cars.

South Dennis resident Bruce MacNayr was trapped in his home for 24 hours before plows reached him on this Monday following the 30-hour long weekend storm.

"This is the most snow I've ever seen in my life," the 46-year-old MacNayr told the Associated Press. "I've seen a couple of blizzards in my life, but this is the worst."

Many residents were stuck in their homes because towns had stopped plowing while the heavy snow piled into huge drifts.

"The snow is so heavy, plows can't push it," George Luna told the AP as he used a front-end loader to dig out a shopping plaza parking lot in Dennis.

It was the second major storm of the winter for Cape Cod, following one in December that dumped 18 inches and left many residents without power for days.

Some areas north and south of metro Boston saw a whopping 38 inches. Residents of coastal Scituate were unable to get to their homes because of shore flooding that turned to ice.

2006: Provincetown poker player takes home first place

Cape Cod resident last lady standing in Atlantic City tournament

ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey -- The poker action was wild at Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa with two final tables taking place on Monday. The morning's action started with the conclusion of the Ladies Event which began with 390 players, the highest attendance of any Ladies Tournament in Atlantic City. The final table was formed around 1:00 AM as these tenacious female players continued to play until a champion was crowned. Emily Flax of Provincetown, MA, was the last lady standing at 4:00 AM, taking home $30,927 in first place.

"I am so excited I won," commented Flax. "I started to believe I had a real chance to win when we made the final table." After picking up her winnings and her engraved champion's watch, Flax's smile brightened up the entire Event Center as she told the crowd: "I'm going to Spa to enjoy my victory before heading home. Borgata is out of this world!"

Read the rest of the story in the Casino City Times here.