Year: 2012

Thursday is “shopping local” day

Posted on by Matthew Green

Well, it is for me, at any rate. I like to walk down from the rectory to Stage Fort Park for the Farmer’s Market, and stop off in a store or two on Main Street along the way.  Here is today’s catch:

First, went to The Cave to get some “Manchego” cheese (front and center in the photo).  It’s a Spanish cheese made from goat’s milk. I bought it at the recommendation of the proprietor, Laura Cramer, to accompany a jar of Alexander Thompson’s tomato marmelade.  I got to try it in the store (with two other pairing options) and this one is a winner!

From there I headed down to the market.  I went looking for two of the other items in the photo above: Ma’s Brand bread and butter pickles, and maple syrup (from Northwoods Sugarworks in New Hampshire).  Thanks to the generosity of a couple at whose wedding I presided recently, I also had some extra cash to buy a beautiful hand-blown glass vase (on the left in the photo). It’s the work of Aron Leaman, a Gloucester native who has a shop down in Boston where he creates his glass art.

As I mentioned the last time I posted about the Farmer’s Market, I really enjoy buying there, because it supports small businesses and the local economy, and the enthusiasm of the sellers is (dangerously) contagious… I love to see their pride in their products.  Not the sort of experience you can have buying on-line, or even at local outlets of big chain stores.  They can offer great service and sometimes lower prices, but when possible, I like the direct interaction with people more closely involved with the actual production of whatever I’m buying.

-Fr. Matthew Green

P. S. I also picked up my customized “fire-breathing pickle-riding rainbow-jumping liger” teeshirt, which the folks at the G33K store were kind enough to make for me! I’ll post a photo soon…

Oh Yeah Baby- The Review is Coming- NordicTrack Performance Wear Boxer Brief

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

I’m just waiting for a sweltering hot day to put these bad boys to the test.

Here’s the stats you need to know-

Product Description

Performance Wear delivers 4 way stretch, mirco fiber, moisture wicking, odor control and day in, day out durability. Cool Effects keeps you feeling cool and dry. Offers all motion comfort fabric. Great for sports!

  • Stretch
  • Moisture wicking
  • Breathable
  • Odor control
  • 86% Polyester/14% Spandex
  • 6 inch inseam

The only thing that concerns me is the 6 inch inseam might be a little snug for the package.

2012-07-27 04.28.08

The 93rd Annisquam Sea Fair, 1939 From Fred Bodin

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Fred Bodin Submits-

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When these photos were taken on August 15th, 1939, the Village of Annisquam was having it’s 93rd annual Sea Fair. Established in 1846, this fair was held during the Civil War at a youthful 15 years old, over the brief Spanish American War in 1898 it was approaching age 50, during the "War to End All Wars" (WW I) it had existed for 70 years, and  the Sea Fair was nearly 100 years old for WW II. This Saturday, July 28th, Gloucester’s Annisquam Village will host it’s 166th Sea Fair. Go there if you can.

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You can read about the Fair on Good Morning Gloucester, and I can tell you that it’s a down home, grass roots, pure New England Yankee event. It’s all about family, community, church, neighborhood, and especially tradition.

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The Annisquam Sea Fair runs from 10am until 3pm. Dinner on the Annisquam Bridge (shown above in 1890) is served from 5pm to 7pm. Do make a reservation.

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This charming woman is selling post card prints for Gloucester photographer Alice M. Curtis (1871 – 1971), whose life’s work I bought in the form of her negatives. Some people seeing this GMG post will recognize their great grandparents, grandparents, parents, and perhaps even themselves as children. I’m hoping to see some interesting comments and recollections.

Fred

Community Photos 7/27/12

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro
Busy Sunday at Good Harbor From Len Burgess

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USCG Coastal Buoy Tender WLM 554 on-duty in Gloucester Harbor From Rick Isaacs

This is the 175′ MARCUS HANNA (WLM 554), stationed in South Portland, ME. 

Click the link below to read all about it-

http://www.uscg.mil/datasheet/175wlm.asp

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Community Stuff 7/27/12

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Erik Dombrowski submits on behalf of the International Dory Race Committee-

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The Gloucester International Races and Fiesta rowing is over and its time to get ready for August Eliminations and an “expense paid” trip to Lunenburg , Nova Scotia to compete and celebrate 60 years of dory racing.  The eliminations with be held on Saturday, August 11th at Niles Beach and we are hoping for a great turn out like we had in the Spring.  We need to be represented in all categories (Men’s, Women’s, Men Over 40, Mixed Doubles’, and Junior’s) in Canada , so don’t let us down and compete for a spot!  The International Races in Lunenburg will be held on Saturday, August 25th and the Canadian Dory Committee has many events planned to celebrate our 60th.  For those not planning to compete, we always need help coordinating the races, so let us know if you can help out.

The Maritime Gloucester (GMHC) Race is being held on September 15th (8AM registration at Niles Beach , hosted by the Gig rowers) and consists of a 5 mile row around Gloucester Harbor .  Last years dory champs Tim Oakes and Geoff Thomas are looking for some competition this year, and I hope we can field a full fleet of dories for this one!

Lastly, our committee could really use some help with the mentoring program.  New and prospective members are not being offered the appropriate help getting started due to our lack of volunteers.  Alex Thomas has offered to help, but we need more people that can volunteer the time to take people out in the dories and help them get started.  Please email me if you would be willing to help and have your information posted on our website.

See you at the races, Erik

Free Flu Vaccinations offered by the Cape Ann Emergency Planning Team and the Cape Ann Boards of Health

The Cape Ann Emergency Planning Team and the Cape Ann Boards of Health would like to remind residents about the upcoming free flu

vaccination clinics.   It is not necessary to reside in the town/city to participate, all are welcome.  

The flu clinic is available to those six months of age and older.  Those attending are asked to wear short sleeves and bring their health insurance card(s), but will not be refused a flu vaccine if they do not have their cards with them.

Dates & Locations:

September 18, 2012
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Rockport Senior Center
58 Broadway, Rockport, MA

September 20, 2012
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Rose Baker Senior Center
Six Manuel F. Lewis St., Gloucester, MA

September 26, 2012
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Gloucester City Hall
Nine Dale Avenue, Gloucester, MA

October 4, 2012
8:00 s.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Addison Gilbert Hospital (clinic will be held in Café inside Fisher Lobby)
298 Washington, St., Gloucester, MA

October 10, 2012
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
United Methodist Church
36 Broadway, Rockport, MA

October 11, 2012
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
NOAA – Blackburn Industrial Park
55 Great Republic Dr., Gloucester, MA

October 18, 2012
3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
BankGloucester
Main St., Gloucester, MA

October 20, 2012
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Essex Fire Station
24 Martin St., Essex, MA

November 6, 2012 (Election Day)
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Essex Senior Center
Pickering St., Essex, MA

Eastern Point Day School is Offering Full or Partial Tuition Scholarship for Students Applying to the Upcoming 2012-2013 School Year

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Eastern Point Day School is pleased to offer both full and partial tuition scholarships for new students in the upcoming 2012-2013 school year. It’s not too late to enroll for September 2012 and apply for these scholarships. The scholarship awards will be either 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% payment of the student’s 2012-2013 tuition. Come visit Eastern Point Day School and see if the school is the right fit for your child and family.

For more information, please visit our website at www.easternpointdayschool.org or contact the school at 978-283-1700 or info@easternpointdayschool.org

Thank you!

Gloucester Students Get Garden Education

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Elementary students at Veteran’s Memorial and Beeman Schools learned their lessons in the school garden this past year through a year-long CitySprouts program. All 520 students spent class time in their school garden as part of their math, science, social studies and literacy lessons.

“The garden has allowed students to have a hands-on approach to learning. It brings ‘real world’ experiences into the classroom by allowing students to get their hands dirty. As a teacher it is exciting to see students so engaged in learning,” states 3rd Grade teacher, Kaily Mione.

CitySprouts staff worked closely with teachers at both schools to support teachers’ as they extended classroom lessons outside to the garden. Each school was assigned a FoodCorps service member who cared for the school garden, provided support to teachers and led monthly Adventurous Eating Days in the school cafeterias. Children got additional garden time with after school activities in the garden led by The Food Project.

Beeman School Principal Ellen Sibley notes: “The garden has caused a cultural and behavioral shift. Kids involved regularly in the garden are more engaged in their work. This has an impact in their academic focus and their respect for others. The garden is a gentle world, a world that requires planning and observation. Change occurs over time. This is the opposite of the world that students are most exposed to, where instant gratification and a fast pace are paramount.”

“Statistics tell us that, by high school, only 5% of students are eating healthy food. CitySprouts, The Food Project and the national FoodCorps program are working together to help reverse that trend,” comments CitySprouts Education Director Christine Ellersick.

Thanks to a grant from North Shore United Way and funding from the Gloucester Public Schools Office of Student Health and Services, CitySprouts will continue to support teacher use of school gardens at the Veterans Memorial and Beeman Schools during the 2012-13 school year.

The CitySprouts mission is to develop, implement and maintain beautiful, resource-rich school gardens in collaboration with public school communities. Integrated into the curriculum, CitySprouts gardens inspire teachers, students, and families with a deep, hands-on connection to the food cycle, sustainable agriculture, and the natural environment. For more information, visit www.citysprouts.org.

CELEBRATED AUTHOR ANITA DIAMANT TO SPEAK AT CAPE ANN MUSEUM

New York Times Bestselling Author to Talk about the Inspiration Behind Her Novel

The Last Days of Dogtown

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The Cape Ann Museum is pleased to announce that nationally renowned Boston author Anita Diamant will be giving a lecture on her novel The Last Days of Dogtown as part of the Dogtown Lecture Series. It will be held on Saturday, July 28, in the Folly Cove Auditorium at 3:00 p.m. The lecture is $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers, and includes Museum admission. Reservations are required by calling 978-283-0455, ext. 11 or emailing jeanettesmith@capeannmuseum.org.

“We are thrilled to host author Anita Diamant at the Museum this summer, in conjunction with the special exhibition Marsden Hartley: Soliloquy in Dogtown.  The discussion of her novel, The Last Days of Dogtown, beautifully complements the Hartley exhibition and offers another perspective on how Dogtown has inspired artists and writers throughout history” said Ronda Faloon, museum director.

Anita Diamant’s writing career began in Boston in 1975. As a freelance journalist, she contributed to local magazines and newspapers. Her features and columns covered a wide variety of topics, from profiles of prominent people and stories about medical ethics, to first-person essays ranging from politics, to popular culture, to pet ownership. In 1997 she began her fiction writing career with her novel, The Red Tent, which soon became a best seller.

One of her next novels was The Last Days of Dogtown, set on Cape Ann in the early 1800s. This novel describes life in a poor, rural community of Dogtown inhabited by widows, spinsters and other marginal women, freed Africans, and orphan children. The novel was inspired by a pamphlet she found in a Gloucester bookstore many years ago. To hear the rest of her story, and the reasons she was drawn to Dogtown, come to the Museum on July 28.

About the Cape Ann Museum

The Cape Ann Museum is located in the heart of downtown Gloucester, Massachusetts, America’s oldest fishing port. Cape Ann – which lies just north of Boston and includes the city of Gloucester and towns of Rockport, Manchester and Essex – has been a leading center for artists since the 18th century, a maritime powerhouse and the source of granite for many major building projects up and down the East Coast.  

In addition to rotating exhibitions, the Cape Ann Museum has a number of collections relating to this rich cultural heritage, including an extensive selection of maritime paintings and landscapes by American artists such as Fitz Henry Lane, Milton Avery and John Sloan. 

Visit us today to discover the artistic treasures of Cape Ann, www.capeannmuseum.org.

Tools Of The Trade- The Lobster Banding Tray Aboard The Degelyse

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Lobster bands and banding tool.  As the traps come up from the ocean floor, hopefully full of lobsters the lobsters that need to be gauged for size get tossed into the slots and then measured and the ones that are legal sized get banded and thrown into the holding tank til they get in to offload.

2012-07-24 16.02.23

Beth Williams Represents At The Space Needle

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey….representing from the Space Needle, Seattle WA on a glorious sunny clear day!

Check out Beth Williams on GMG

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