Year: 2011

Celebrating Pete Marston’s Life- The American Legion Hall Friday 6:30PM

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Everyone Knows Pete Marston as a Friendly Fun Guy.

Friday Night his friends and family will celebrate his life with an all star local musical cast and plenty of food.  Bring a dish if you would like to and any pictures you have of Pete to share.

Linda Amero writes-

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of East Gloucester’s Peter Marston (of Peter & Annette) on Wed. morning following a short cancer-related illness. Peter was a long-time, invaluable employee at Seatronics, a loving husband, father & grandfather.  A very gentle soul who will be greatly missed in the community.  There will be a celebration of his life (party!) and gathering of friends and family as follows:  Friday, Sep 23, 6:30p at the American Legion, Washington St., Gloucester.  Potluck, photos and musicians/instruments encouraged.  This was a much-loved guy… let’s give him a huge send-off!

– Friends of Peter & Family

Pete Marston

New Cape Ann Choir School Launched

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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St. John’s Church, 48 Middle Street, Gloucester launches a new program "Cape Ann Choir School" on Thursdays from 4:30-6 pm.  The program is intended to give children of reading age and older the chance to sing a wide variety of great music.  The children will rehearse weekly, and have opportunities to play handbells, African drums as well as learn how to read and write music.  The children will sing at St. John’s Church 2 Sunday mornings a month as well as a short Evensong service at 6 pm on the first Thursday of each month.  The Choir School will also seek to sing in the community as well. 

The foundation of the educational program is "Voice for Life" from the Royal School of Church Music in America www.rscmamerica.org.  This graded program serves to educate the singers in developing healthy vocal techniques along with learning the language of music.  Through singing Children will gain confidence and poise, raise their skill levels in academic and social situations, and learn discipline.  Choristers do not need to be Episcopalian nor members of St. John’s Church.  The program has received more than $10,000 to fund this initial year, for materials, vestments, training and visiting coaches.  The funding has come in both grants from agencies of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts as well as from members and friends of St. John’s Church.  This money will also be used to offer partial and full scholarships to the choristers to cover the $100/semester tuition. 

No child, desiring to sing will be turned away for lack of finances.  Leading the program are St. John’s parish musician Mark Nelson who has been Music Director at the church since 2001.  Assisting him is Astrid afKlinteberg who will be a singing leader as well as managing the group.  The program is beginning this week, and children come this Thursday, September 22 or Thursday September 29th to register. 

There is more information at the Choir School website http://www.capeannchoirschool.org/ e-mail:  st.johns.music@earthlink.net or telephone: 978.283.1708 ext 2. The public is welcome to support this group with your attendance and/or contributions.

Things To Do- Hospital Point Light Open House From Bill O’Connor

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Bill writes-

Hi Joey,

Last Saturday, B and I headed ‘up the line’ to Beverly to check out the Hospital Point Light overlooking Salem Sound.  We had a great time and had a chance to explore a unique North Shore landmark.   It’s only open to the public for special occasions, and this coming Sunday is the last chance to take a tour as part of Trails & Sails.  For more info check the event listing: http://northshorekid.com/event/hospital-point-lighthouse-open-house

After the tour, we went to Lynch Park to run around and play, because it was basically right next door.  I hadn’t been there in years, and had forgotten about the beauty of this water side park.  It’s definitely worth a visit!

Enjoy!
~Bill O’Connor
North Shore Kid

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Lobster Roll Crisis

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Doug Brendel writes-

Joey, thanks again for the 4 enormous lobstahs Sunday morning.
My friend from Ohio, the NYG fan, loved them.
We ate until we couldn’t eat anymore, and had lots of leftovers.
Which my wife Kristina made into lobster salad for lobster rolls.
However, I am sorry to say, she made the colossal mistake of chopping up a stalk of celery and mixing it in there.
But I want to assure you, I have taken corrective measures.
I beat her mercilessly, divorced her, and unfriended her on Facebook.
And after she gets out of the hospital, I’m going to bring her down to you so you can cuss her out and then push her in the harbor.
I’ll let you know when we’re on our way.
Love,
Doug

The Love for GMG Keeps Coming in!

Posted on by capeannpainter

Between all the great comments by the GMG readership and the CBS Blogger Award. The Love for GMG keeps coming in.

I received this Photo by email from a big Fan who loves GMG. She wanted me too share it with you:

Gray’s Hardware, the Talking Machine, and Four Generations

Posted on by Sharon
   Talking Machine Sign for Gray’s Hardware, Gloucester, circa 1900 Anonymous/ ©Fredrik D. Bodin
My research for Gray’s Hardware began a week ago when I got an email from Lynn Gray. She’s the great granddaughter of Charles A. Gray, who founded the store more than a century ago, and wanted to know if I had any photos of it. As you can see, I have a picture of Gray’s Talking Machine sign (or is it a horse-drawn billboard?). Lynn loved it, but what she really wanted was the front of the building, which was located at 129 Main Street (where Growing Pains is now). I was on a mission.
I called up an old friend and retired lobsterman, who grew up going to Gray’s for onion and potato sets (bulbs), nails, screws, and hardware.  He said it was the first shop on Cape Ann to sell Kodak photo supplies. I think they were also the first “phonograph parlor” here, which were springing up nationwide since the Talking Machine’s invention in 1877 by Thomas Edison. My friend’s circa 1900 post card appears below, showing they named the intersection “Gray’s Corner.”
From Lynn Gray: “Gray’s Hardware was built in the early 1870’s. It was started by my great grandfather, Charles A. Gray, and was later run by my grandfather Charles J. Gray. My dad, James Gray, used to ride an old fashioned bicycle with the large front wheel around Gloucester as advertising for the store. He lives and works at Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, NH. If anyone has a picture of my dad on that bicycle, now THAT’s something I’d like to see :)”
If you can help Lynn find her father on that bicycle – please let me know!
Talking Machine photograph printed from the original 5×7 inch glass negative in my darkroom. Image # A9357-002
Post card from a private collection.
Fred
Fredrik D. Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Kids and food… good stuff

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Jason Grow Forwards this story from East Gloucester resident John Sarrouf-

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If You Let Them Cook It, They Will Come

posted by Elijah and John

One way we try to inspire our six- and three-year-old kids to spend time at dinner is by letting them make it.  I cook at an island in my kitchen where the kids can sit and cook with me.  The trick is to find things appropriate for them to do.  That challenge inspired us to create this series called “Cooking with a Six-Year-Old,” though the age is not important – the theory holds true for any age.

Here is the first installment starring my son, Elijah, making hummus.  Please write to him to ask questions, tell him what you think or let him know if you changed anything to make the recipe better – he would love hearing from you!

For the recipe and more click here for the rest

Video- Somewhere off Cape Ann- Who Can Name The Lobster Gear

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Adam Bolonsky reports-

In a sea kayak somewhere off Cape Ann. 

Name the waters and nearby islands: that’s easy. 

But can a Good Morning Gloucester reader name the owner of the lobster gear the bluefish lure gets snagged on?

Should be easy: the buoy’s colors are easy to see, especially after the whole mess gets hauled up on the foredeck.

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Special thanks to Kayalu.com for use of the camera mount.

twitter.com/seakayak

Start of surf season, Good Harbor Beach From Kathy Chapman

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro


Start of surf season, Good Harbor Beach.

http://www.kathychapman.com

SurfGoodHarborChapman

Alice Bliss : A Book Talk by Gloucester Author Laura Harrington : Thursday, 9/22/11 @ 7 pm

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Laura Harrington, award-winning librettist, playwright, and author will speak at Sawyer Free Library about her coming-of-age novel, Alice Bliss, the story of the teenaged daughter of an American soldier in Iraq. According to Margot Livesey "Alice is a true heroine: intelligent, passionate, strong-minded. Watching her find her way is an absorbing pleasure.” Read more here.

Thursday, September 22, 7pm Friend Room
Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library
2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930
978-281-9763

video- watercolors by MARILYN SWIFT at North Shore Arts Association

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Check out Marilyn’s Website here–

NEW ENGLAND PAINTINGS:
watercolors by MARILYN SWIFT and oils by BRUCE TURNER

Meet the artists at the Opening Reception
Saturday, September 24th from 2-4pm
North Shore Arts Association
11 Pirates Lane
Gloucester, MA 01930

Water and oil mix well in this exhibition at the North Shore Arts Association, September 19 through October 2nd. Marilyn Swift will join up with former Rockport gallery partner Bruce Turner for a show in the Gordon Grant Room. Marilyn will exhibit recent plein air watercolors of coastal New England and Bruce will show new oils. More information available at NSAA 978-283-1857 or www.nsarts.org.

Evening in Gloucester Harbor From Father Matthew Green

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Look at these gorgeous photos and tell me you don’t thank god every day you get to be here.

Father Green writes-

Good evening, Joey!

One of the things I really like about being in Gloucester is the fact that there are lots of talented people who like to get together to share their gifts just for the fun of it. On the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, I joined the group that met on the Adventure to sing sea chanteys and watch the parade of lighted boats. I didn’t get great photos of the boats, but I got some nice sunset / moon photos.  So, these photos are a couple of weeks old, but I just got to process them now, and I thought I’d share them with you in case you thought them worth sharing with the GMG readers.

The sunset reflected in the water:

Ship masts silhouetted against the evening sky:

A seagull glides off into the sunset:

The moon over the shipyard:

People having fun sharing their musical talents:

Thanks for keeping us informed about events Gloucester!

Fr. Matthew

Doggy Beach Days

Posted on by Alicia Pensarosa

I am sure all the pups out there are excited to get back on the beaches and play in the waves. Here’s a video from Saturday of my Coconut, catching drift wood, in the tide pools of Wingaersheek.

 

Unfortunately, she got a big boo boo on her foot yesterday and will not be able to run free on the beaches for at least 2 weeks. The great team at Cape Ann Veterinary Hospital took good care of her, so I am sure she will heal real fast and be back to her old self soon enough.

-Alicia

AUTUMNAL EQUINOX ON FRIDAY!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Greetings! Fall begins here in the Northern Hemisphere on September 23, 2011, at 5:05 A.M. (EDT). The word ‘equinox’ comes from the Latin words for "equal night" — the time of year when the hours of day and night are approximately equal. Wishing you all the very best during this crisp and colorful season!
Tom Philbrook
www.thomasphilbrook.com

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Attention Alert Cape Ann Citizens! Stolen Bike!!!!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Jim Dowd writes-

Attention Alert Citizens!
Upon my return to our beloved island from my work deep down in the cubicle mines of Boston, I discovered my faithful mountain bike "Madeline" missing from the T station in downtown Gloucester. She was locked with a Kryptonite cable through the frame and front tire. As I am the only one with a key and she does not tend to wander off by herself, it is obvious that she has been stolen.
The picture enclosed is her when she was much younger. Today she sports handlebar extensions, black cabling, some stickers (Continental and Powerbar) wire water bottle holders and at the time she was wearing a removeable rear fender, which could easily have been discarded. Her toe-basket clip-straps are red.
I know not what hard use her new master put her to, he who undoubtedly tried to trade her for a few pills of oxycontin only to discover her 1988 vintage not making her worth much more than a TylenolPM, but in my care she was the sole means of solo transportation from my home to the station, hard economic times having reduced our family to a single auto. She was cared for and loved, had a dry place to sleep and plenty of green grease.
Won’t you be on the lookout for her? The dastardly deed has been reported to the GPD and no doubt they are working extra shifts to assure her safe recovery, but nothing supports our finest like watchful eyes. Her stickers and aftermarket handle extensions make her easy to spot. If you do see her you may take one of three actions, depending on your comfortability with confrontation:
A. Stop the rider, tell him/her the bike is stolen and summon the police.
B. Summon the police without alerting the rider, perhaps follow him/her to their destination.
C. Bring me their warm, still pulsating heart in an ornately carved, locked wooden box. (Police involvement not necessary)
Madeline and I thank you enormously. I know she is out there, close by. I can feel her.
Jim.

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Did You Know? (Ziggy’s Dad Died)

Posted on by God's Morning

That Tom Wilson, Sr., writer/creator of the Ziggy cartoon died of pneumonia at a hospital in Cincinnati on Friday.  He was 80.

Wilson got his start as an artist at American Greetings card company in Cleveland, working there for more than 35 years before debuting the character of Ziggy in a 1969 cartoon collection titled “When You’re Not Around.” In 1971, the Ziggy comic strip was launched in 15 newspapers.

Today, Ziggy appears in more than 500 daily and Sunday papers, with the character also featured in books, calendars and greeting cards – not to mention the rubber version one belonging to Violet Gray pictured here in our window box on Rocky Neck.

Wilson’s son, Tom Wilson Jr., took over the strip in 1987, so Ziggy will go on in spite of his creator’s passing.

E.J. Lefavour

Kiddo – Pet of the Week

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Kiddo – Pet of the Week

Kiddo

Good day!  My name is Kiddo and I am a two-year-old girl cat residing at the Cape Ann Animal Aid in Gloucester ( www.CapeAnnAnimalAid.com ).   My area here is very nice, but I hear word of a new shelter opening this year; how exciting! I am a sweet and easy going girl who enjoys a quiet environment. I am a little shy, but love attention.  I am not chunky; just big boned; what you call pleasantly plump.

I am hoping that you might stop by 260 Main Street in Gloucester and visit me!  The big dog near to me just said I look more like a rabbit than a cat!  I just gave him one of my looks as I think he is jealous of my beautiful black-and-white coat!  Dogs! Just no manners!!

Wednesday, 9/21 ONE NIGHT ONLY! FiLmprov comes to The Annie! $10

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

FiLmprov!

Wednesday, September 21

7:30pm

$10

RESERVATION HOTLINE: 978-704-1269

FILM + improvisation = FiLmprov!

Add live musical improvisation by world class jazz musicians to the animated film work of Kate Matson and enter the wonderful world of FiLmprov!

Choreographed found objects will dance, swim, ebb, and flow with the sound waves of the salty, sensitive, jazzy FiLmprov ensemble at the Cape Ann (The Annie) Wednesday, September 21st!

http://filmprov.tripod.com

FiLmprov at The Annie!