Check in and say hey, and don’t forget to get a sticka!
Click pic below for Google Map and Directions-
My View of Life on the Dock
On February 6 at 4:30 AM my 98 1/2 year old mother-in-law, Mildred, fell down a flight of steps fracturing 4 vertebrae and sustaining a small brain hemorrhage. She was swiftly and professionally administered first aid by the Gloucester Fire Department, taken by ambulance to Beverley Hospital where she was further stabilized and then transferred to Beth Israel-Deaconess Hospital in Boston. After what seemed to me to be a ridiculously short 5-day stay she was discharged to Den-Mar Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Rockport where she currently resides.
I have known Mildred for 55 years, longer than the 53 years I have known her daughter, my wife, Barbara. In fact it was Mildred who “arranged” our first meeting. Before the accident, Mildred had lived with us for nearly 8 years. During all of that time she had been self-reliant, alert and strong.
For the first month at Den-Mar, Mildred was encumbered by neck and back braces. She often drifted away from reality and was frequently not able to participate in the rehabilitation program. Once the braces were removed and she had greater general comfort, she began, very, very slowly to improve. Although she needs assistance, and sometimes gets confused, she can walk for about 10 or 15 minutes at a time, engage in conversation with her fellow residents and show clear signs of the wisdom, humor and compassion that have endeared her to all who know her.
I would like you to meet Mildred through these photos; I hope her story will be an inspiration to all of us when we face tough times. For me, watching Barbara’s devotion to her mother (with whom she shares a birthday) is inspiration enough for a lifetime.
If all continues to go well, Mildred will come home to us next week.









As part of my ongoing search to bring you places in Gloucester that you probably never had access to I present you the gear room in which the motor that pulls up to 200 tons of boat out of the water at the Marine Railways at The Gloucester Maritime heritage Center resides.
Look for the video tomorrow morning
An Eastern Rigged Dragger Going Past The Road That Leads To The Paint Factory
Just bit more info. on the ZEBU , she was a steel daul sided eastern rigged vessel (could shoot net from port as well starboard side if need be) from Boston that was converted to scalloping later in life. You will note absent any otter trawler doors on either sides and the booms coming off off the main mast that would haul aboard the scallop dredges up the side of the vessel (note large rusted area mid ship) then a hook would bring up the steel rig bag and dump on deck for sortting of scallops,shells, rocks. Also on the side of the piothouse are build outs of schucking houses as well as a buildout at the raised forcastle area.She could have ran as many as 12 men doing shifts of shecking and deck duties.
The new dories have been launched! To get involved for a ridiculously little amount of money and have access to use these all summer log get in touch with the great folks at the International Dory Organization- http://www.internationaldories.com/index.html
Geno Mondello finished the dories and they were launched yesterday!
Membership is $60 for 1 year, and runs January to January. Membership includes use of committee dories, loaner equipment, and race and committee event invitations. To become a member, download the membership form here.
Hi Joey, as you are aware Coast Guard Station Gloucester is having a Safe Boating Event on Saturday May 21, 2011, 9am to 3pm.
Included in this event is a courtesy motorboat examination performed by the Coast Guard Auxiliary. This exam includes all safety equipment boaters are required to carry under Federal and State law.
The exams will be performed on the water at Solomon Jacobs Public Landing next to the station and also at Dun Fudgin Boat Ramp behind the high school.
For those people that pass the exam at the high school and display the decal they can launch their boats for free that day.
I would greatly appreciate you putting this on your site for people to see.
Thanks,
Jim Caulkett Harbormaster
Benefit for Hank Chick
Hank has suffered a heart attack and is in need of a quintuple by-pass. During pre-op testing for his heart condition they found a mass in his lung that has been diagnosed as Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that develops from the protective lining that covers many of the body’s internal organs, the mesothelium. It is usually caused by exposure to asbestos. Hank has been undergoing treatment for the past several months. He’s doing well, his spirits are high, and he’s determined to win this battle.
Hank is a lifelong Gloucester resident. He has a loving family, wife Marcia, 4 children, and 6 grandchildren. Hank is well known in Gloucester, he’s been a carpenter working for Bill Elwell for the past ten years, and he spent many years working on the waterfront as a carpenter before that.
Please come to the Crow’s Nest on Friday, May 20, 2011 @ 7:00 to join Hank and friends in an outpouring of love and support for him and his family as he battles his way through this formidable opponent.
There will be food, raffles, an auction, and music by
DJ Scottie Mac
Donations are greatly appreciated. Please call Susie Byrd @ 978-879-3889.
Auction items may be viewed on Facebook @ Fantasia Glass Art.
ITEMS FOR AUCTION
9)MORE ITEMS TO COME
Time for a Science Lesson.
Just kidding! There won’t be a Test.
I’m guessing not many GMG Readers would be able to pass.
Â
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From WIKIPEDIA;
“Oxidation of iron metal
When iron is in contact with water and oxygen, or other strong oxidants and/or acids, it rusts. If salt is present as, for example, in salt water, it tends to rust more quickly, as a result of the electro-chemical reactions. Iron metal is relatively unaffected by pure water or by dry oxygen. As with other metals, like aluminium, a tightly adhering oxide coating, a passivation layer, protects the bulk iron from further oxidation. Thus, the conversion of the passivating iron oxide layer to rust results from the combined action of two agents, usually oxygen and water. Other degrading solutions are sulfur dioxide in water and carbon dioxide in water. Under these corrosive conditions, iron hydroxide species are formed. Unlike iron oxides, the hydroxides do not adhere to the bulk metal. As they form and flake off from the surface, fresh iron is exposed, and the corrosion process continues until all of the iron is either consumed or all of the oxygen, water, carbon dioxide, or sulfur dioxide in the system are removed or consumed.[2]
Oxidation of iron metal
When iron is in contact with water and oxygen, or other strong oxidants and/or acids, it rusts. If salt is present as, for example, in salt water, it tends to rust more quickly, as a result of the electro-chemical reactions. Iron metal is relatively unaffected by pure water or by dry oxygen. As with other metals, like aluminium, a tightly adhering oxide coating, a passivation layer, protects the bulk iron from further oxidation. Thus, the conversion of the passivating iron oxide layer to rust results from the combined action of two agents, usually oxygen and water. Other degrading solutions are sulfur dioxide in water and carbon dioxide in water. Under these corrosive conditions, iron hydroxide species are formed. Unlike iron oxides, the hydroxides do not adhere to the bulk metal. As they form and flake off from the surface, fresh iron is exposed, and the corrosion process continues until all of the iron is either consumed or all of the oxygen, water, carbon dioxide, or sulfur dioxide in the system are removed or consumed.[2]“
Courtesy Tina Ketchopolos
Here is CWO2 Luis Munoz at US Coast Guard Station Gloucester speaking about Boater’s Safety Day.
I’ve attended this event in the past and there really are some interesting things to see. Â It’s not just for commercial fishermen, the entire public would enjoy the event and it’s free. Â Iespecially encourage people to bring their children, they have some cool demonstrations.
On Saturday, May 21, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. free health screenings, vaccines, access to health insurance, overdose prevention training, safety resources and other educational materials will be provided by: Addison Gilbert Hospital Gloucester Family Health Center CAB Health & Recovery Services Gloucester Health Department and Healthy Gloucester Collaborative
This program will be held at the U.S. Coast Guard Station, 14 Harbor Loop in Gloucester. There is no fee and all are welcome to attend.
For further information about the health fair, please contact Kathy Day at Gloucester Health Department 866-964-4604.
The free health fair is being held in conjunction with Safe Boating Day that will be held from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The event is help to promote safe boating awareness through demonstrations and informational booths.
“The goal is to put all aspects of boating safety back in the public eye as we approach our spring and summer boating season,” said Chief Warrant Officer Luis Munoz, the commanding officer of Station Gloucester.
The station will showcase an assortment of search and rescue demonstrations to include a live helicopter demonstration from U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, MA, damage control simulations, live distress flare exercises, de-watering pump operation and live fire extinguisher demonstrations and flare demonstration.
Information on commercial fishing vessel safety, tours of Station Gloucester and its vessels, structured boating and paddling safety and various booth will be available to visitors.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will also be offering free vessel safety exams for recreational vessels at the boat launch, located by the Gloucester High School and at the Gloucester Harbor Masters dock for vessels not on trailers. If the inspection is conducted at the boat ramp, and the vessel passes the inspection by the examiner, the launch fee of $10. will be waived by the City of Gloucester.
Tour of the station and of the visiting U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Jefferson Island, a 110-foot patrol boat will be available to the public during the day’s event. Partnering and businesses along with the Coast Guard will have booths set up throughout the station grounds to offer information on:
– VHF radio and digital selective calling/distress operation
– Salvage
– Medical information and Services
– Boating Under the Influence
– Commercial vessels
– Kayaking safety
– Cold water survival
– Fire extinguishers and operation
Representatives include:Â U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron, State of MA Marine Environmental Protection, Commercial fishing safety representatives, Gloucester Fisherman’s Wives Association, Gloucester Fire Department, Gloucester Harbor Master, Gloucester Police Department, REI, Seatronics and North Shore Fire.
Parking for these events are available at the lot adjacent to the Building Center and on Harbor Loop.
For more information about the Safe Boating Day Events, please contact Adam Smart at 978-283-0705.
Although this is subject to change we have the preliminary menu from Sugar Mag’s which will be officially opening for dinner Thursday and Friday nights beginning May 26th and 27th.
There will be no reservations so get there early!
Some pictures from Sugar Magnolia’s when they served outside on Main St for the Block Party-
Lobster Risotto

Sugarcane Skewered Diver Scallops

