Month: March 2011

“Most people don’t recognize opportunity when it comes
because it wears overalls and it looks like work.”
–Thomas Alva Edison
1847-1931
 
Often praised as the pre-eminent inventor of the
modern technological age, the “Wizard of Menlo Park” was home-schooled
and a voracious reader. Beginning his working career as a telegraph
operator, he built his own laboratory for the exploration of electrical power
and went on to hold over a thousand patents. His inventions most famously
include the electric light bulb, the stock ticker and the phonograph.
His method of dogged trial and error, denigrated by his rival Tesla, is
reflected in his best known remark, “Genius is one percent inspiration, and
ninety-nine percent perspiration.”
 

Before the coming of the English explorers and colonists, Cape Ann was home to a number of Native American villages, inhabited by members of the Agawam tribe. Samuel de Champlain named the peninsula “Cap Aux Isles” in 1605, and his expedition may have landed there briefly. By the time the first Europeans founded a permanent settlement at Gloucester in 1623, most of the Agawams had been killed by diseases caught from early contacts with Europeans.

The area that is now Rockport was simply an uninhabited part of Gloucester for more than 100 years, and was primarily used as a source of timber—especially pine for shipbuilding. The area around Cape Ann was also one of the best fishing grounds in New England, in 1743 a dock was built at Rockport harbor on Sandy Bay and was used for both timber and fishing. By the beginning of the 19th century, the first granite quarries were developed, and by the 1830s, Rockport granite was being shipped to cities and towns throughout the East Coast of the United States.

Rockport had consisted primarily of large estates, summer homes, and a small fishing village while Gloucester was becoming increasingly urbanized. Rockport was set off as a separate town in 1840 as its residents desired a separate enclave with an identity of its own. As the demand for its high-grade granite grew during the Industrial Revolution, the quarries of Rockport became a major source of the stone. A distinctive form of sloop was even developed to transport the granite to parts far and wide until the second decade of the 20th century. For many years, there were a large number of residents of Scandinavian descent, dating from the days when Finns and Swedes with stoneworking expertise made up a large part of the workforce at the quarries.

Although the demand for granite decreased with the increasing use of concrete in construction during the Great Depression, Rockport still thrived as an artists colony—which began years earlier due to its rocky, boulder-strewn ocean beaches, its quaint fishing shacks, a harbor filled with small, colorful fishing boats, and Motif #1. 

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

Nancy Goodman Writes-
I’m
excited to announce that the band I play with, The Girl Next Door, will be
playing in Gloucester this Wednesday, March 9 from 6-9 p.m. In celebration of its second anniversary, the Seaport Grille will
be offering their special “Sully” Burgers at half-price ($5.95), and you can
eat in a heated tent on the deck.

The Girl
Next Door offers a crazy mix of songs, from Beatles to Elvis, Ricky LeeJones, some
blues, country, and even a few originals. Janice Fullman anchors the band
on guitar, keyboards and vocals. Barbara Jansson sings leads and plays
harp and percussion. Nancy Goodman plays flute, sings a few tunes and
supports with percussion. Fud
supports the whole sound on bass. We promise an evening of finger-snappin’
tunes, magical harmonies, precision grooves and lots and lots of fun.

Hope to get
to sing for you!
Love,
Nancy

http://www.goodmorninggloucester.com

Gloucester Adult Survey: Attitudes About Youth Alcohol Use

Please Participate : “Adult Attitudes About  Youth Alcohol Use” Survey*

Healthy Gloucester Collaborative & The Gloucester Health Department Ask Your Help to Support Gloucester Youth & Families

Available:  February 9 – March 11

Where to find the Survey:

Online: Click Here for Survey!

Community Locations:  Addison Gilbert Hospital, Cape Ann Medical Center, Cape Ann Pediatrics, Cape Ann Primary Care, Gloucester Family Health Center, CVS ( Main Street), Pathways for Children, YMCA, Rose Baker Senior,

ENTER THE RAFFLE & WIN PRIZES: STOP & SHOP, SHAW’S, MARKET BASKET, PLEASANT STREET TEA CO.

* all Gloucester Adults 21 and over are encouraged to participate – Help Bring Better Programs to Increase Youth Health & Safety

Kathy Day Substance Abuse Prevention Services / Healthy Gloucester Collaborative

Health Department, City of Gloucester

kday@gloucester-ma.gov 866-964-4604