Month: May 2013

On Leaving Gloucester From Ann Kennedy

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Dear Joey and All,

As usual, our days here have gone far too quickly and now it’s time to leave. Each day we experienced something special and have seen something more beautiful than the day before. We have loved eating in the restaurants, shopping in the shops, walking the neighborhoods and docks, hiking the woods and strolling the beaches. But most precious of all is having spent time with those who so generously have extended their friendship to us.

With thanks and best wishes to all for a wonderful summer, goodnight Gloucester!

Ann and Bob Kennedy

ELSIE and BLUENOSE, Start of the First Race

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

from verso: "Start of the first race of the Internatonal Race, showing 'Elsie' in the lead with Bluenose in rear." 1921, Halifax Nova Scotia

From the collections of the CAPE ANN MUSEUM, Gloucester, Massachusetts

“Start of the first race of the International Race showing ‘Elsie’ in the lead with Bluenose in the rear” 1921 Halifax, Nova Scotia

Thanks to  Fred Buck for locating this photograph and sharing it with the Gloucester Schooner Festival committee.

From A Race for Real Sailors  The first ELSIE – BLUENOSE RACE.

_________ The two fairly flew across the water, all sails filled in the stiff quartering breeze and hulls rolling heavily in the deep chop.  “The end of Bluenose’s 80-ft. boom was now in the water, now halfway up to the masthead as she gained on her rival.  The Elsie rolled still harder and three times brought her main boom across the Bluenose’s deck, between the fore and main rigging.”  It was a constant battle for the weather berth, with members of both crews either handling lines or working aloft or hugging the windward rails.  Anyone daring to raise his head above the weather rail on Bluenose caught the caught the edge of Walter’s caustic tongue.  __________

A Race for Real Sailors is in stock at the Cape Ann Museum. 

The stirring and poignant tale is illustrated with 51 historical photographs and five maps, and rounded out by a glossary of sailing terms and an appendix of the ever-changing race rules. This is a story that will keep even confirmed landlubbers pegged to their seats, a tale of iron men and wooden ships whose time will never come again.

Al Bezanson

White Pigeon With Band Terrorizing Annisquam

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

There is a white pigeon with a band on its leg hanging around our little neighborhood.  I first saw it on our patio on May 23rd.  It has been hanging out between our house and a couple of the neighbor’s houses. (Riverview Road, the one way part that goes in a circle, on the Annisquam)

Can’t get close enough to catch him or try to see the band.  I am sure he belongs to someone that does special events or races them.  Thought maybe you could get the word out there about him.  He isn’t wild, so he is not as afraid – worried a coyote, or cat may get him.

Thanks!

Lisa Ann Whistler Smith

Fish on Fridays

Posted on by Marty Luster

The Fish on Fridays series is a collaboration between Gloucester photographers Kathy Chapman and Marty Luster. Look for various aspects of Gloucester’s centuries-old fishing industry highlighted here on Fridays.

This week we took a look at the longliner Iron Lady from Boston  up for maintenance at Gloucester Marine Railways on Rocky Neck.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Longline fishing is a commercial fishing technique. It uses a long line, called the main line, with baited hooks attached at intervals by means of branch lines called snoods (or gangions).[1] A snood is a short length of line, attached to the main line using a clip or swivel, with the hook at the other end. Longlines are classified mainly by where they are placed in the water column. This can be at the surface or at the bottom. Lines can also be set by means of an anchor, or left to drift. Hundreds or even thousands of baited hooks can hang from a single line. Longliners commonly target swordfish, tuna, halibut, sablefish and many other species.

In the third photo below, note the transponders that are deployed  to insure finding  the location of the line at any time.

bowIronLady
sternIronLady
fishingnetradar
fullportsideIronLady


IMG_1650 copy Photos © Kathy Chapman 2013
 www.kathychapman.com  and
© Marty Luster 2013 
matchedpairs.wordpress.com, 
slicesoflifeimages.wordpress.com

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Paint Factory

Posted on by Manuel F. Simoes

With CEO of Ocean Alliance Iain Kerr, Mayor Carolyn Kirk, State Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante, State Senator Bruce Tarr, and many Ocean Alliance Volunteers.

To listen to Iain’s presentation link to     IAIN Speaks

IMG_2495

Kiss on the Neck for Good

Posted on by God's Morning

kiss tote poster

Dear friends and family,
 

As many of you know, my little ice-cream business KISS on the Neck on Rocky Neck in Gloucester, MA takes tremendous pride not only satisfying the sweet-tooth but encouraging the do-good among its customers.  


Last summer, this particular commitment had manifested through the sales of tote-bags, refashioned one by one from empty commercial rice-bags with all the proceeds going back to Senegal to support alternative income-generating projects for urban street-boys known as the Talibé. The overwhelming response to these bags in Gloucester exceeded my expectations and compelled me to return to Senegal this past winter to quarterback the growth of the project.
 
This film, a year in the making, will unveil our latest development, the K.I.S.S. Tote (Kindly Inspiring Sustainable Solutions) connecting KISS on the Neck Ice Cream with its mission abroad. The film shows how creativity, compassion and friendship has brought together different people and different concepts to inspire one truly innovative fundraising approach for the street-boys of Saint Louis, Senegal. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbooTp4JA4Q
 
It is also with great excitement, I announce that the K.I.S.S. Totes have gone on sale this past Memorial Day Weekend at KISS on the NECK and will be available shortly at the Bookstore downtown. This year’s collection, the most mind-blowing yet, is the result of thousands of hours this winter, revamping the designs, incorporating I-friendly pockets, diversifying color selection, strengthening the staying-power and improving the quality and craftsmanship of every product. We also have introduced a small hand-bag, place-mats and boosted our production of wine-sleeves, all refashioned from discarded rice-sac material. 
 
I’m proud of our progress this past year and I am confident you will find the products this summer both exceptionally appealing and downright practical. Furthermore, viewing this film, you will develop a much more concrete understanding how your purchases are being used to support a truly remarkable effort already at work in northern Senegal. 
 
Lastly, I wanted to resound one last thank you to all those who contributed to the JOGGLING project. I crossed the Paris Marathon finish-line at 4 hours exactly, with all three balls, still rotating in motion! We raised nearly  $4,000 for Taliberte, the same organization featured in the film. 
 
Thank you,
Richard

P.S. If anyone is interested in the French version of the film, please email me directly.
 
Richard Ross, Scooper-in-Charge 
 
KISS on the Neck Ice Cream
 & Other Sweet Endeavors
 
Rocky Neck Art Colony. Glosta, MA
St. Louis, Senegal. West Africa.
T. 978 304 2825 – E. rrross11@hotmail.com
KISS us on Facebook!! 

 

Swally Note from Morgan Faulds Pike

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

DSC_0342

Gloucester Sculptor and Gardening Friend Morgan Faulds Pike writes ~

Hi Kim,

Just read your post at GMG and thought I’d send this along since it happened today.

I went into the barn to put the broom back after sweeping the porch and I did the daily check of Swally! OMG!
Had to rush the photos because I didn’t know how much time I had.  I transferred him via his stick to the monarda. Then he flew away into the juniper hedge, perhaps to be shaded while firming up…
He was a tiny caterpillar last fall.  We fed him parsley and you advised us to let him winter in the barn.
Success!

Thanks and Cheers,

Morgan

Morgan Faulds Pike is well-known throughout Gloucester. She is the world famous sculptor who created Gloucester’s beloved Fishermen’s Wives Memorial.

full_size_clay_copyMorgan at Work on the Full-Size Clay for the Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Memorial

91_owls-2Leaf-person and Owls by Morgan Faulds Pike

Best Bands in MA coming to Gloucester

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

It’s a revolution — a slow one.  Perhaps you haven’t even noticed.  In school we’re taught about revolutions as if they happen all at once.  But most of them don’t.  They take years.  One day, you look around and everything has changed.  It’s hard to notice the revolution when we’re in the middle of it.  That’s where we are now — in the middle of Gloucester’s music revolution.  Here’s how you can tell:

On Sunday, The Brew, recently named Best Band in New England by the New England Music Awards, will be at Minglewood.  One quick listen and you’ll know why they won.

Music on Sundays at Minglewood?  That’s right.  This Sunday 6/2 Minglewood Tavern launches a new night of music.  Let’s get down there and prove them right for adding another night to the Gloucester music revolution.

Next Saturday, Boston Magazine’s Best Local Band, Three Day Threshold plays The Rhumbline.  This band ROCKS and defies genre.  Listen here.  They’ve also got a great sense of humor as evidenced by their Facebook description: “good country gone terribly terribly bad”.

If you look at their tour dates, you see they’re at Meadowbrook Pavilion, Middle East Downstairs (the big room) and the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.  But YOU can see them at The Rhumbline without even crossing the bridge.  That’s revolution.

While you’re at it, check out tomorrow’s Rhumbline choice, Under Griffin’s Porch.  Here’s a prediction: It won’t be long before they win a Best Band award.

Gloucester’s music revolution is all around you.  Join in and have some fun!

The last of the second series of The SingerSongwriterShuffle @ Giusuppe’s Ristorante May 30, 2013

Posted on by Joanne

What a great time last night at Giuseppe’s Ristorante, Gloucester, Ma. So many talented performers.
SingerSongwriters were, John Raymond Jerome, Kirsten Manville, Amy Lohman accompanied by Mel Green, Tee Max, The host for the evening with Bonnie Barish and Nancy Davis Williams“Shake”, Charlee Bianchini, Guy Zaccardi and Dan McGinn.

There will be more shows starting the second Thursday in June keep tuned.

second-singersongwritershuffle

Click the poster to view photos

http://www.giuseppesma.com

Watching the Sunset!

Posted on by Thom Falzarano

Pirates Lane-11

Deb, Jim and I went out for our usual Thursday Cupboard dinner, burgers and fish sandwich.  We wait all winter for the summer Thursday night event. After dinner we do the loop, down the boulevard over to GHB along the Backshore, then on to Niles for the sunset.  Tonight we turned left to Pirates Lane and watched this beautiful sunset.   What a painting mother nature gave us tonight.   We are truly blessed!

Historic Steam Ferry Prudence Visits Gloucester

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Fred Bodin Submits-

Historic Steam Ferry Prudence Visits Gloucester

The 62 foot long Prudence docked in Gloucester yesterday on her way from Belfast ME to Greenwich CT. The owner and two crew came into the gallery and told me about the 102 year old ship. She was originally steam powered and built of wood at East Boothbay in 1911. Prudence ferried passengers from Tiverton to Prudence Island in Narragansett Bay (RI) for 50 years. Later, the vessel gave water-based tours of the Kennedy compound in Hyannis. The Kennedys themselves also chartered Prudence for parties. She then went back to Maine for sightseeing on the Penobscot River, and will now be giving tours in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Prudence at the State Fish Pier in Gloucester

PrudenceRI

Prudence on Narragansett Bay.

TedKennedy

Ted Kennedy at the wheel of the Prudence. This photo hangs in the cabin. Courtesy of Jonathan Wilkes.

50% Off Summer Camp at The MAC VERY LIMITED TIME!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

BEAT THE HEAT SUMMER CAMP SPECIAL AT MAC

50 % OFF IF YOU CALL BETWEEN 9:00AM-12:00PM

CALL 978-526-8900 EXT. 257  ASK FOR JENNI ESTRADA

THAT IS RIGHT !!!!!

50% OFF CAMP FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND MEMBERS

DO NOT MISS THIS SIZZLING DEAL

EXPIRES MAY 31, 2013

"When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down "happy."  They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life."

                      John Lennon

Community Stuff 5/31/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

image

Friends,

Elvis Comes to Gloucester!

With award winning E.T.A. Rick Andrade. Rick has performed Elvis at Walt Disney World Night of Stars Show, and has most recently opened up for World renowned hypnotist Jerry Valley. Rick will be performing all the hit songs from Elvis’ 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, including some Gospel songs from his movie career. Proceeds to benefit the West GloucesterTrinitarian Congregational Church UCC as we celebrate our 300th anniversary. Please note that seating is limited.

This will be great fun and is a great fundraising opportunity. Please tell your friends and neighbors!

When: June 22 at 7PM (Doors open at 6:30PM)

Where: The West Gloucester Trinitarian Congregational Church. UCC

             488 Essex Ave. Gloucester MA

Tickets: $10.00 Donation in advance or $12.00 at the door. (Tickets on Sale Sunday after worship)

For tickets please call the church at 978 283 2817

Visit Historic New England for Free on June 1

Free Tours at Beauport – Saturday, June 1

Ten of the North Shore’s finest historic properties are open free to the public on Saturday, June 1, 2013 when Historic New England hosts a region-wide open house.

Travel along the Massachusetts North Shore and experience over three hundred years of history at Historic New England’s properties. Explore some of New England’s earliest architecture in Salem and Saugus, visit with farm animals in Newbury, and check out a 1924 Pierce Arrow touring car tucked into a carriage house on the prettiest street in Salem.

Travel to Cape Ann to visit Beauport, the seaside summer home of one of America’s first interior designers and Cogswell’s Grant with its celebrated collection of folk art. Tour times vary. Please visit www.HistoricNewEngland.org for hours and addresses to plan your trip around the North Shore sites.