I want to thank all of you. I want to thank our readers. I want to thank our contributors. I want to thank my family. I want to thank our fishermen and local merchants, our local politicians, people that have worked on the Block Parties, The Flowerbox competition, the GMG Tree Project, the Gorilla Art Project media presentations, the Matteo Russo Family Fundraisers, the fellow bloggers, Senator Tarr, Senator Ann Margaret Ferrante, Congressman Tierney and the folks at Action Inc. There are so many people that have played a role in GMG and if I haven’t listed you let me tell you that I truly feel blessed for this whole community we’ve built.
Thank You, originally uploaded by captjoe06.
Last night I was supposed to go to Action Inc’s annual dinner to receive a community outreach award which by itself was a great honor. Senator Tarr received an award and the big man of the evening was really Bill Rochford who received the Lyndon B Johnson award for his over 40 years of building Action and steadfastly helping those less fortunate.
I was told by the lovely Ronna that I’d be giving a little talk and I went in without any plan for a speech. Reading off a piece of paper is not my style and my theory on giving speeches is that I’d rather give a passionate speech from the heart without trying to memorize anything even if I make a bunch of mistakes. I want people to know when I speak, I’m all in. I let adrenalin take over and let it fly.
Well I knew my time was coming to get up and receive my award and I started to panic a tiny bit so I decided to go to the bar and get something stiff to settle me down. I asked the barmaid for something really really strong and confided in her that I had absolutely no idea what I was going to say when I got pulled up on stage. Thankfully she obliged and poured me a 3/4 of a glass of captain morgan and a dash of diet coke.
Well Senator Bruce Tarr gets his award first and if you’ve ever heard Bruce you know he’s as slick and polished of a speaker as they come. I knew I’d have to bring the thunder if I wanted to make an impact. As a matter of fact the first things I said once the lovely Ronna introduced me was “lucky Me I get to be the guy who follows Bruce”
So I went right in and spoke from the heart. I didn’t want to take too much time because really this was Bill Rochford’s night. I got chocked up about mid-way through because I was thinking about how blessed I have been. You’ll see the video tomorrow morning.
So after I accepted my award and shook hands I headed back to my seat but they weren’t done with me.
They told me to stay put and then one after another- Bruce gave me a special recognition from the Massachusetts Senate, Sefathia presented me with another special recognition from the Massachusetts Senate from Ann Margaret, and then another from The US Congress Special Recognition award from Congressman Tierney. I was slightly embarrassed and completely blindsided as I thought I was only there to receive the award from Action Inc.
But the bottom line is that even though I was being recognized for Community Outreach, the fact is that I wouldn’t have kept at it if it weren’t for all the folks listed in the first paragraph.
If you’re reading this- I owe it all to YOU.
Thank you so much for being a part of my life.
-Your Pal Joey
Good Morning Gloucester 
No one deserves it more — CONGRATULATIONS!!!
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Standing Ovation for Joey! I love how you signed it “your pal, Joey”. You keep it real. Well deserved, my friend.
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Congrats Joey, great honor and well deserved. You say it all the time about others, but you are truly a “good egg.” Keep on doin’ what you do.
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Great Job Joey! It’s a pleasure to work with you on GMG>
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And we thank you !!!
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Congratulations, Joey! This is well-deserved recognition for the work you do. I’m truly impressed by the blog and all your efforts on behalf of Gloucester and its citizens.
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You deserve it! Nice Job Joey!
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Great Job Joey! Looking forward to the Video.
I love seeing a grown man cry.
Don’t tell me Gov. Deval’s going to make you our next Senator?
We could use someone like you.
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I don’t have the patience for the political process.
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CONTRATS ON YOUR AWARDS JOEY! I’M PROUD TO HAVE YOU AS A FRIEND.
BILLY
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You have done so much for Gloucester and local business. What can I say but I’m just happy to know you. Congratulations buddy
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Congratulations Joey, My only regret is that Dad and I couldn’t be there to see you accept these awards. Needless to say we are very proud of all you do for Gloucester. I know how passionate you are to help businesses and present Gloucester always in such a good light. Keep up the great work. Love you
Mom and Dad
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Hey Joey,
I’m reading this at 9:00 tonight. I can’t tell you how proud I am of you and what you’ve created with this blog. You are absolutely the most dedicated guy I know with the best interest of Gloucester at heart. Keep up the good work,Kid! Glad our paths crossed!
Love ya!
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Joe,
I wanted you to know how very proud I am to know you. I wish we met much sooner in life so we could have been friends longer and could have participated in many more “efforts” together…. You are one of the few “go to” people I know…. if you want something done, ask Joe, if he can’t do it, he will know who can lend a hand… I thank you for that.
Tonites evening was wonderful – you are very deserving of the praise heaped upon you tonite Joe… really.
I do not usually go to this type of function, but when I saw that YOU were being recognized, I wanted to be there … FOR YOU… because you deserve it…. I had an absolutely lovely evening – thanks for being so much a part of it.
Jackie Hardy
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Well deserved. GMG is a treasure.
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Congratulations, Joey….you are among the handful of people who are always ready, willing and able to put themselves out there to make this city a better place. You and GMG are the best!! Keep up the good work and please know how much your efforts are valued!
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I think I always took for granted how good GMG was. You are very talented, you have a gift with your ease of communicating with anybody. Because of you I have done many things I would never have. Thanks!!!
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Congratulations on your awards – you really deserve them. Don’t know how you manage to do everything you do!
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Congratulations Joey. I wouldn’t know half what I know about my new adopted home of Cape Ann if I didn’t get my daily dose of Good Morning Gloucester. It’s also been getting me out of bed to enjoy that sunrise you keep showing here.
Get some nice frames for those awards.
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How wonderful for you and no one deserves it more. You are terrific and I am glad I subscribed to Good Morning Gloucester but more than that I am glad we are friends. You are the best.
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No worthier legend ever rose from the docks! You are our hero! Kisses from Ipswich! Your fans, Doug & Kristina Brendel
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Hey there! Way to go Joey! I love checking in with you and your blog and look forward to lots more of your dirty rotten fish pics…they are such a great reference for me. and one day, we should cross the street and say hello! I have the next 10 days off if you want to see my kitchen studio!
best,
deb.
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Nothing to Thank us for! This ones all yours!
The work and time you put into this tells me that Gloucester is in your blood and always will be. I look forward everyday to your blog! Be proud!
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