Year: 2011

There’s more to the reservation than the famous Ocean Lawn. The highest point on the Reservation, Bungalow Hill, provides a panoramic view of the sea. The hill’s rocky outcrops are evidence that glaciers once covered the area, erratically dropping these boulders when melting at the end of the last Ice Age. Look closely and you can still see the scour marks from the grinding force of the moving glaciers. The surrounding woodland is a characteristic New England mix of oak and pine, wildflowers and ferns – home to an array of birds and other wildlife, including fisher, fox, and coyote.
Beyond the woodland, a trail leads past Clarke Pond. This former salt marsh was cut off from the tide nearly a century ago when its inlet was filled, leaving a predominantly freshwater pond. Saltwater periodically washes in during high tides and storms, bringing crabs and small fish from the ocean. The pond provides habitat for ducks and geese, and heron and shorebirds feed here. Several acres of wetlands surround the pond with cattail, bulrush, and cordgrass standing distinctively among the varied wetland plant life, also marked by colorful displays of trout lilies, jack-in-the-pulpit, and swamp buttercups.
Coolidge Reservation also includes a portion of Magnolia’s Gray Beach (also known as Magnolia Beach) with its sandy shoreline and dunes, complete with colorful beach pea and beach rose.

Skeptics in The Pub

The October Cape Ann Skeptics in the Pub will be on the 18th. Mary Bowles will present a program based on the book Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. The book explores the story of extremely successful people. Why so some people succeed more than others? Gladwell argues that the lives of such ‘Outliers’– people who’s achievements fall outside normal experience– often follow a peculiar and unexpected logic.

The meeting will be held at the Dog Bar, 65 Main St., Gloucester. As usual, we will gather at 6:00 to meet each other and order dinner and drinks. The program will begin at 6:45.

Come and hear this interesting talk!

The Docksider’s First Annual Comedy Show, November 10 at Bass Rocks Elks Club, Atlantic Ave, Gloucester

Hosted by Hank Morse of 105.7 WROR Loren and Wally show. Starring comedian Tony V and featuring Artie Januario and Graig Murphy. Doors open at 7:00, show at 7:30. Tickets $20.00. Recommend purchasing tickets in advance at Virgilio’s, Jeff’s Variety, Christine’s Variety,Annisquam Auto Body, and The Depot Restaurant all in Gloucester or email sales@take1promos.com. Raffles and Door prizes. Dont miss this evening of laughs! All proceeds to support the Docksider’s trip to play at Disney World and SeaWorld in Florida in April 2012

BankGloucester will be giving away a total of $15,000 to community organizations at a brief reception at the bank on Monday, October 17^th beginning at 5pm.

This is the fourth year in a row that they have held their “Banking for the Community” program where the public votes for a slate of community groups that aid others; write-in nominations are also welcomed. These votes determine how the money is distributed. Top three awards are $5,000, $3,000 and $1,000. Twelve others groups will each receive $500. BankGloucester believes in giving back to the community and this is one of the ways that they do that.

Perhaps you would like to cover this event considering the positive impact it has on Gloucester residents. The reception will begin at 5pm in the lobby of the bank at 160 Main Street. Bank President, Patrick Thorpe, will be presenting the checks to the winners.

Just had to share before leaving for a weekend conference what an INCREDIBLE evening it was at breathtaking Shalin Liu Performance Center for Wellspring’s 30th Anniversary!  Rockport native and Grammy award winner Paula Cole was Joined by Grammy award winnerShawn Colvin (one of my favorite singers) for this wonderful event.  I’m sure Kay O’Rourke the Executive Director will have far better pictures but I told her I’d send these just in case.  

I remember volunteering for Wellspring over 20 years ago while at GHS.  The movie they showed about what they have been doing, the lives they have touched, and where they are today is truly inspiring.  This event was a sparkling example of the potential for the various local organizations to team up with the arts and culture of Gloucester and come together and really make a huge difference.  I am so grateful to have been in attendance tonight for this view of the exciting things already making their way to Cape Ann.  The possibilities are endless.  Bravo Wellspring House for a great evening for a great cause!

Bright Blessings,
Dr. Nicole K. Andrade