Favorite snapshots from the pre-plunge breakfast at Passports

Thank you Passports for hosting the super delicious New Year’s Rocky Neck Pre-plunge breakfast! A wonderful time was had by all!! Beautiful Ciaramitaro family–video footage will have to wait until tomorrow– in the midst of making New Year’s dinner for my family.  Happy New Year to All!

Click the last photo to see slide show

In Seine Field

In memory of Barbara’s mom, Mildred Kirschbaum, October 12, 1912 – January 1  , 2012.

IN SEINE FIELD

 

She’s in Seine Field, east of a nearby gate,

with her arms aiming at the fearsome sky,

as if proclaiming to all the trees, and

all the birds,  all the humans, and all the

creeping beings, all the grasses, all the flowers,

all the elements of earth and sky and

all the spirits of those that came before

and the force of  those who will come after:

I am here and I am perfect!

 

I absorb your bright sun, and rejoice in

your stormy clouds. I shake away your salt

winds that have taken many good men down ,

and I withstand your blasts of cold and your

furious summer fires; my roots are deep

and suck the nourishment of this dear land;

my limbs, long and limber , protect my core;

my elegant needles are dense and lush.

I am here and I am perfect!

 

And even when that day comes when branches

drop and my limbs crack and my trunk decays;

when my glorious needles curl , yellow

and fall, when even light breezes threaten

my ability to stand straight and tall  –

even when that end day comes and I fear

I can’t provide shade to the wanderer

and home to the joyous souls of Seine Field, still

I am here and I am perfect!

 

Marty Luster

Happy New Year! Rocky Neck Plunge

What a way to start the New Year! The Rocky Neck plunge was great this afternoon and we couldn’t have asked for better weather.

Here’s our Man, Joey, fresh out of the water!

Wishing Everyone a Happy New Year! I hope 2012 is good to you.

~Alicia

2012 Rocky Neck Plunge Video shot by Peter Van Ness ~ Text of George Sibley’s Poem below:


Richard Gaines once told us that Peter and I are interchangeable,  so here is my post.

Vickie Van Ness, Ericka Hyam (raffle winner) & Mayor Kirk take the plunge with over a hundred others at noon on January 1, 2012 at Rocky Neck, Gloucester, MA

In keeping with tradition, George Sibley began the festivities with a poem, but it was hard to hear.  George was nice enough to give us a copy, so we could transcribe it here for those who missed it.  It’s a good one.

Another year has passed since we last
gathered on this shore;
Cathy has again directed me to discharge
this rhyming chore.

Even though of harbor water we’re about to
get a tankful,
The fact  we’re here with our fellows is itself
cause to be thankful.

To have our planet Earth, and upon it our
homes and lives;
Now we’re about to feel a wet chill which
both extinguishes and revives.

So as in the waters of this cove our last
year’s selves are smothered,
We have another year before us in which to
try to help others.

Mamies Kitchen ‘Taste of Sicily’ Event Jan 23

Alicia writes-

Hi Joey,
Attached is the information for our night on January 23rd.
Tickets are available now for purchase and its selling fast already. We have two seatings available
one for 5:30pm and the second for 7:30pm.
It’s a fixed menu and everyone gets everything! I know seems like alot of food
but I couldn’t have it any other way!
Thanks
Alicia DeWolfe

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Gloucester Quilter is Rockin the LobStar!

The LobStar.
Yup, we got one as a present this year. It’s awesome.
Designed by a friend of my brother’s.
Sorry, I can’t make it to the Rocky Neck plunge because Dot and I got VIP tix to the Pat’s tomorrow!  w00t! w00t!
Have fun!

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check out the Gloucester Quilter Website