Month: December 2010
Breakfast Before the Rocky Neck Plunge?
It’s On! We’re meeting at 10:30AM Saturday at Passports for a nice warm up meal before we head to Oak’s Cove Beach on Rocky Neck. Who want’s to go and who of our contributors will be there to film it?
Did you know
Weather Vanes and Slate Roofing
A weather vane is an instrument for showing the direction of the wind. They are typically used as an architectural ornament at the highest point of a building. Although partly functional, weather vanes are generally decorative, often featuring the traditional cockerel design with letters indicating the points of the compass. Other common motifs include ships, arrows and horses, or as in the case of this one in Annisquam at Lobster Cove, a lobster. The word ‘vane’ comes from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘fane’ meaning ‘flag’.
Slate roofing was used in the eastern part of the country prior to the American Revolution. Despite this, the slate industry did not gain prominence here until the mid-nineteenth century. A number of factors contributed to the industry’s development including the advent of cheaper forms of transportation, first by canal and later by rail. An increasing U.S. population (which almost tripled in the years from 1830 to 1860) increased the demand for housing and building materials. Architectural tastes also contributed to advances in the slate industry. The prevailing architectural styles of the mid-nineteenth century placed strong emphasis on prominent rooflines. Slate, laid in multi-colored decorative patterns, and was particular suited to the curved or straight Mansard roofs of the Second Empire style and the steeply pitched roofs of the High Victorian Gothic. Installed properly, slate roofs require relatively little maintenance and will last 60 to 125 years or longer depending on the type of slate employed, roof configuration, and the geographical location of the property. Some slates have been known to last over 200 years.
Hippy – Pet of the Week
Hippy – Pet of the Week
Hello! My name is Hippy, a sweet five-month-old boy Spaniel mix pup.
I am happy and outgoing. I love people and other
dogs. I weigh about 13 pounds, so I will be medium in size when I am
all grown. I am at the Cape Ann Animal Aid (capeannanimalaid.com)
and hoping I will be adopted soon. I am so excited
about being part of a family. I don’t need my own room, I would be
happy just to sit on my new owner’s lap.
Please stop down to 260 Main Street in Gloucester and ask for
Hippy! If you want to start out the New Year with lots of fun,
just adopt me!
Thanks to Tina Ketchopolos who sends in the Pet of the Week
Beautiful Industry- Cape Pond Ice Harvesting Ice For Boston’s First Night
Click these posts to see videos of the process-
Video- 2010 Boston’s First Night Ice Sculptures Born In Gloucester MA At Cape Pond Ice
Beautiful Industry- Video Harvesting Ice For Boston’s First Night -Cape Pond Ice Part II
Beautiful Industry- Video Harvesting Ice For Boston’s First Night -Cape Pond Ice Part III
New Year’s Day Jazz Brunch @ Gloucester House Restaurant ~ Linda Amero & Steve Heck
Jazz brunch with Linda Amero (vocalist) and Steve Heck (Piano)at The Gloucester House Restaurant, Seven Seas Wharf, Gloucester, MA on New Year’s day 11:00-2:00 pm. 978-283-1812. www.thegloucesterhouse.com
New Years Eve at the Topside
I hope you all had a great Christmas! I also want to let you all know about New Years Eve at the Topside. We will have a great dinner menu featuring Baked stuffed lobster, filet mignon, Duck Ala Orange, Fresh Atlantic Salmon, and Pork Scallopini Ala Oscar (with asparagus and lobster meat). We will also be ringing in the New Year with entertainment from Ryan Faraday and will also have a complimentary Champagne Toast at midnight!! See you there…
The Scene of The Crime- Rocky Neck Plunge New Year’s Day
This is where we will be at noontime on New Year’s Day for the Rocky Neck Plunge. It will be a time to conquer fears. It will be a time for new beginnings., a time to bond with your fellow crazies who dare to step outside of normalcy and to do something just because others say it shouldn’t be done! People ask “Why?” I say- Why Not?
Bucket list stuff! Once you do it you will be able to recount the memory every year fro the rest of your life. Come join us for some serious fun!
Rocky Neck Plunge Info from Brenda Malloy-
Thought it may be a good idea to give people some directions on exactly where the beach is that The Rocky Neck Plunge takes place. It is called Oak Cove Beach at the end of Stevens Way, neither of which names are commonly known to most, even on Rocky Neck!
When one is driving down Rocky Neck and bears right at Sailor Stan’s restaurant, you take the first street on the left ‘Stevens Way’. This is a short street, 2 houses long, then you must go either right or left on Wonson St. If you were to continue straight you go down the gravel path ahead of you, this leads to Oak Cove Beach where the plunge takes place.
Hope to see a big crowd, one and all are welcome!
PEACE!
www.ImagineRockyNeck.com
Plan B for the Holidays
No Pretty Prayer
Sal Zerilli grew up “down the fort” during the 70’s and 80’s. He moved away, but held on tight to the love for his unique neighborhood of close-knit families and Italian traditions. Two years ago, fearful that the slow but imminent process of gentrification of his beloved fort would destroy its charm, Sal decided to preserve a bit of the precious history.
His documentary, “No Pretty Prayer” is a touching documentary of people and place. Each show at the Cape Ann Community Cinema has sold out. I saw it last night with Joanne (GMG’s own)who grew up as a non-Italian down the fort. Please-if you get a chance, catch this film. It’s a bit of Gloucester history that everyone should see. Bravo,Sal!!
Weekend Picks From Your Boy Joey and The North Shore Blogger Consortium
My Number One Pick Is New Years Day at Noon-
You know you wanna!
The Rocky Neck Plunge!
There are a ton of New Year’s Eve Celebrations-
Friday Dec 31st-
Cape Ann Community Cinema Wizard Of Oz Sing-A-Long
Giuseppe’s Ristorante New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve @ The Franklin Cafe ~ “Sinatra to Bocelli” Linda Amero & Ferdinando Argenti
DOG BAR–NEW YEARS EVE CELEBRATION
The Rhumb Line’s Mighty Fancy New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Day Jazz Brunch @ Gloucester House Restaurant ~ Linda Amero & Steve Heck
New Years Eve at the Topside
Music Around Town ~ December 27, to January 2, 2011
More listings to be added as they come in
Jan 1st New year’s Day-
Things To Do! New Year’s Day Rocky Neck Plunge
North Shore Blogger Consortium Picks-
The wonderful Jane Ward has some great ideas, over at Food and Fiction.
Media giant Seth gives up the best of Lynn at Lynn Happens.
Choices from all over New England at The Two Palaverers.
Video- Rocky Neck Plunge Recon
The “Doc” is in the House!
The “Doc” Will Be In The House!!
Willie Alexander…will be joining David “Doc” Vincent…Alek Razdan…Rik Razdan..New Years Eve..in Rockport Mass. Shalin Liu Performance Center Main Street ..here is an early W.A. video this aired on M.T.V. Filmed on Bass Rocks in Gloucester..thought you might enjoy this.
Previously aired on GMG
Len Burgess Gloucester Photos
Santa Trapped in attic Part II
Sista Felicia’s Salami Crisps With Crème Fraiche Video On The Taste Of The Times
This three-ingredient appetizer from Felicia Ciaramitaro Mohan travels very well and is so simple to make. Once again all of the ingredients can be obtained in the supermarket.
Simply bake thin-cut salami slices in an oven for about 10 minutes at 325 degrees F. and dry off excess grease between two pieces of paper towel. You want to get them crispy, like a potato chip. Once they are cooled and you are ready to complete them, add a dab of crème fraiche and top off with a leaf of fresh basil. (Felicia uses a disposable piping bag to add the crème fraiche but you could use a spoon.)
Click Picture Below To View The Video at The Gloucester Daily Times Taste of the Times website
Wanna Buy A Boat? The Lettie G Howard Is For Sale
Brian Luster (Marty’s Son) writes-
Hey, Joey! It looks like the Seaport Museum in New York is trying to sell the Lettie G. Howard. This might be the chance to repatriate her to Gloucester. I’m sure someone up there would like to buy her.
Seaport Museum May Look to Sell Off Historic Schooner
Read more: http://www.dnainfo.com/20101224/downtown/seaport-museum-may-look-sell-off-historic-schooner#ixzz19UnVm8Hx
Many people around here say that if there is a Schooner that most represents Gloucester’s schooner history that is still floating it would be The Lettie G. Forgive my terrible memory because I can’t remember why or who told me that but I know I’ve heard it several times. Perhaps some of the GMG readers who know could chime in with a comment on this post.
Here are many posts in the past with video and pictures of the Lettie G while she was here in Gloucester–
Second Mate Jarod Of The Lettie G Howard With His 15 Lbs of Vaseline
Posted on September 5, 2008 by Joey C
If you would like to know why any second mate would need 15 lbs of Vaseline you can click this link for the video explanation taken on the docks at The Maritime Heritage Center
Gloucester Perspectives- Kathy Dwyer From The Lettie G
Posted on September 3, 2008 by Joey C
Kathy Dwyer from The Lettie G Schooner talks about Gloucester.
Chickity Check It! Bowsprite: A New York Harbor Sketchbook
Posted on May 14, 2009 by Joey C
http://bowsprite.wordpress.com/
I know it’s from *blech* New York, but this blog has some fantastic photos, watercolors and stories from *blech* New York harbor. Well worth a look. If you are a schooner lover it’s a must visit.
Hedre’s a funny post about “Fishing Boats”- http://bowsprite.wordpress.com/2009/05/01/fishing-boats/
There’s also some beautiful watercolors of the Lettie G- http://bowsprite.wordpress.com/2009/04/19/the-schooners-of-new-york-harbor/
The author lists the Lettie G as the “Schooner Howard G. Lettie”.
I always thought it was the Lettie G Howard, goes to show how much I know about these boats.
For my posts on schooners including the Lettie G when she was in Gloucester click this text
Everett Harlow In Training For The Rocky Neck Plunge
Everett Harlow Writes-
Good Morning Good Morning Gloucester,
My wife Lisa van Sand snapped this yesterday. The caption reads "Second Runner Up – Mr. Blizzard 2010". We are both doing the New Year’s Day Plunge on Rocky Neck. See you then.
Ev Harlow
P.S. We love G.M.G. Congrats on the 3 year mark
Here’s the list-
Friends of The Blog Who Said they Will Take The New Years Day Rocky Neck Plunge-
Joey
Nephew BJ (Beasley)
Paul Morrison (and his rubber ducky)
Patrick Ryan
Amanda Nash
Ed (I’m game for anything) Collard
Donna (I may be small but I can do anything) Ardizzoni
Eric Lorden
Everett Harlow
Lisa van Sand
Who Else?
Rocky Neck Plunge Info from Brenda Malloy-
Thought it may be a good idea to give people some directions on exactly where the beach is that The Rocky Neck Plunge takes place. It is called Oak Cove Beach at the end of Stevens Way, neither of which names are commonly known to most, even on Rocky Neck!
When one is driving down Rocky Neck and bears right at Sailor Stan’s restaurant, you take the first street on the left ‘Stevens Way’. This is a short street, 2 houses long, then you must go either right or left on Wonson St. If you were to continue straight you go down the gravel path ahead of you, this leads to Oak Cove Beach where the plunge takes place.
Hope to see a big crowd, one and all are welcome!
PEACE!
www.ImagineRockyNeck.com
Santa Captured in my attic
A few shots from the storm. Santa did not make it out of Rockport and is now stuck in my attic.
The Rockport breakwater at high tide. Held up just fine:
And our power was still off Monday night so we went to Passports for dinner:
The baked haddock was delish as well as the beef gumbo to start things off. Santa was lit up in our attic when we got back. Yippee!
After the Storm
This is a painting I just finished of waves off the rocks at Annisquam Light, after the first little storm last week. As an old surfer, painter, photographer and lifelong lover of the sea, I have long sought to catch/capture that perfect wave. This one is close, but my quest still continues.
E.J. Lefavour – Khan Studio
http://www.khanstudiointernational.com/gallery_capeannpaintings.htm