Linda and Rob Castagna from Milford-on-the-Delaware, NJ visit Gloucester every chance they get.  They are also great FOB’s, and Linda was so impressed with Good Morning Gloucester that she started Good Morning Milford at the end of January, to promote “pockets of beauty” in Milford.  http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Good-Morning-Milford-By-The-Milford-Merchants-Association/139094536207872

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Earl Kishida served as guest speaker read this poem.

“It is the Soldier”
It is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.

It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.

Charles Michael Province, U.S. Army

A Sea Of Flags!

In Honor of my Dad and to all he spoke of in glowing words. He remembered his service in the Pacific Invasions of WWII With Honor and all that came after them in the wars we have fought Since.

The Navy men, Marines, Windtalkers, Merchant Marines, Coast guard, Army, Airforce and those that have given themselves in the secretecy of war. Also to those that Serve here at home; Policemen, Firemen,  EMS and those that help us remember them and take care of them, like the Gloucester Veterans Administration, etc.

“These heroes are dead.  They died for liberty – they died for us.  They are at rest.  They sleep in the land they made free, under the flag they rendered stainless, under the solemn pines, the sad hemlocks, the tearful willows, and the embracing vines.  They sleep beneath the shadows of the clouds, careless alike of sunshine or of storm, each in the windowless Place of Rest.  Earth may run red with other wars – they are at peace.  In the midst of battle, in the roar of conflict, they found the serenity of death.  I have one sentiment for soldiers living and dead:  cheers for the living; tears for the dead.”

  ~Robert G. Ingersoll

The Old Map

 

The old map I picked up downtown at Fred Bodin’s

tells me a lot about where I am.

In 1884 my house would have been part

of the holdings of Wilber E. Proctor, whose family

owned quite a bit of land in West Gloucester.

 

But the map also tells me that there was no

dwelling where mine now stands, or anywhere else

on Mr. Proctor’s land; that nearly the entire area

of the Adams Estate, which included Wingaersheek,

and Wambull’s property along Coffin’s Beach, was vacant.

 

Atlantic Street was there, skirting the marsh as it does today;

branching with Atlantic Avenue which ran straight to

the beach, giving Benjamin Trumbell access to his home

near Sleepy Hollow Pond.  Who knows, the remains

of his three buildings may still be there in those woods.

 

But not a sign on the map of the houses now crammed

quite close together, each vying for a better view

of the ocean and the beach and the light across the bay;

each the home of joyous summer and the expectation

of more to come, but that map has not yet been made.

 

© Marty Luster 2012

Sinikka stopped into the gallery with friend Barabara Michel visiting from Berkeley, CA.  The girls have known each other since 5th grade in Mr. Nosenchuck’s class at Jefferson School. 

Sinikka will be exhibiting again this year at Khan Studio in September.

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com