Shark Car would like to remind you to be at the Fish Box Derby race this Sunday at High Noon, on Rogers Street hill. He sez, “Be there or be meat!”
Rick Isaacs photo
More Info- www.fishboxderby.org
Day: September 14, 2013
Not To Miss- Appleton Farms’ 375th Anniversary at their Annual Family Farm Day Event on Sunday, September 15th
Ipswich, MA – August 28, 2013 – The Trustees of Reservations invite you to spend an afternoon celebrating the arrival of fall and farm traditions at Appleton Farms’ annual Family Farm Day event on Sunday, September 15th from 10am—3pm (RAIN OR SHINE).
The family-friendly event features local healthy foods, music by Ben Rudnick and Friends, barnyard animals, a 4—H Calf Show, antique tractors, and traditional farm crafts and activities including pumpkin painting, pony rides, and a hay obstacle course!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
10—3 Farm Activities and Crafts, Bee Keeping Demonstration, Barnyard Animals
10—3 Dairy Store Hours
10—3 Old House Tours & Exhibits
10:30—2:30 Pony Rides
10:30—2:30 Food Court
11:30 & 1:30 Music: Ben Rudnick & Friends
12—2 Appleton Cooks! cooking demonstrations
12:30 4-H Calf Show
Appleton Farms is located off or Route 1A in Ipswich, 219 County Road. For details call 978.356.5728 or visit www.thetrustees.org/appleton. Entrance fee: Members $20/per car. Nonmembers: $25/car.
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The New Stickas Are In – Come Get Yours
Thanks Shewsberry and Frank
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Desperately Seeking Homie
Rubber Duck Flashback: Getting ready for the first ever GMG Bloody Mary Challenge on Sept 22, 2011
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On Reflection
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The Marilyn Louise
At the State Pier
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Where Are All the Monarchs?
Monarchs usually arrive in our region by the first week in July and go through several brood cycles. This year, barely any arrived. The Monarch’s sensitivity to temperature and dependence on milkweed make it vulnerable to environmental changes. Since 1994, U.S. and Mexican researchers have recorded a steady decline in the Monarch population in their overwintering grounds, with 2012-2013 being the lowest recorded to date.
Temperature change and habitat loss affect breeding success and longevity. Dr. Chip Taylor, a leading Monarch researcher at the University of Kansas reports that the widespread adoption of GMO corn and soybean crops resistant to herbicides, along with with intensive herbicide use, coupled with the federal government’s incentivized expansion of corn and soy acreage for the production of biofuels have caused a significant drop in milkweed throughout the heart of the Monarch’s range. Lack of milkweed equals no Monarchs. “Monarch/milkweed habitat has declined significantly in parallel with the rapid adoption of glyphosate-tolerant corn and soybeans and, since 2006, the rapid expansion of corn and soy acreage to accommodate the production of biofuels,” Taylor wrote on May 29.
Monarchs Nectaring at Seaside Goldenrod
What can we do? Encourage conservation organizations that conserve Monarch habitat, plant milkweed, plant nectar plants, and raise caterpillars. Hopefully the weather next spring and early summer will be more conducive to the Monarch’s northward migration and breeding success, and if and when the Monarchs arrive, they will find our milkweed plants.
Monarch Butterflies Nectaring at New England Asters
If anyone sees a Monarch, please email me at kimsmithdesigns@hotmail.com or leave a comment in the comment section.
Update #2: Reader Jude Writes the following ~
Hi Kim,
I have maybe 30milkweed plants in the front yard. I would be happy to harvest the seeds, are there places you know of that would be willing or have a large enough property to seed them? Can you harvest them as soon as the pods pop? I remember as a kid finding the most beautiful cocoon I have ever seen. I haven’t seen many butterflies at all and of the ones I have seen are not Monarchs.
My reponse:
Hi Jude, I am putting it out there in GMG Land that if anyone would like your milkweed seed pods to please contact me.
Yes, you can harvest immediately after the pods pop, as a matter of fact, I recommend doing just that and sowing your seeds in the fall. The easiest method is to lightly scratch the surface of the soil where you wish the milkweed to grow. Scatter the seeds and water. That’s it.
Thank you so much for writing. Hopefully, we’ll find a home for your milkweed seeds.
Update: For more information, see previous GMG posts on Monarchs and Milkweed:
How Exactly is Monsanto’s Roundup Ravaging the Monarch Butterfly Population?
News Release: MONARCH WATCH ANNOUNCES ‘BRING BACK THE MONARCHS’ CAMPAIGN
Cape Ann Milkweed Project
GloucesterCast Podcast 4/25/13 With Guest Kim Smith
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Lobster Scampi At Seaport Grille
Are you kidding me????
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Guess where we are
Hint. A favorite place of mine
Sent from my Galaxy S®III
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Harbor walk art rock
This should be an easy one
Continue reading “Harbor walk art rock”
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GHS Football vs Salem
GHS romps over Salem 43-15 More photos to follow.
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Special Night To Honor Cape Ann Chamber CEO Robert Heidt September 19th
The Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce invites you to a special night as we gather to honor our CEO, Robert Heidt, for all the support and service he has given the Chamber and Cape Ann.
Join us at the Chamber office, 33 Commercial Street, Gloucester on Thursday, September 19 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm for a complimentary gathering filled with laughs and thanks.
This complimentary event will feature beverages and appetizers. Please feel free to stop by for 5 minutes or 3 hours and bid farewell to our CEO!
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The Best Oil Change I Ever Had
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Harbor “ROCK” UPDATE
Art Rock somewhere on the Harbor Walk
9/14/2013 Approximate time 11:30am
Look for a live blog photo of location around that time.
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A Fat and Juicy Mix
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Community Photos 9/14/13
Is Donna Ardizzoni actually a famous TV star who escaped to Gloucester?
John McElhenny (Supersleuth) submits-
Joey,
On TV the other night I ran across the actress Rue McClanahan, who used to star on TV shows like “Maude” and “Golden Girls.”
Is it true that the lovely Donna Ardizzoni used to be a famous TV star and moved to Gloucester to write for GMG to escape the paparazzi hordes?
At Mug Up on Sunday, somebody call out the name “Rue!” and watch how Donna’s head spins like that lady in the Exorcist. Sure, your real name’s “Donna.” Riiiiight.
Anyone who’s met our Donna knows she has that star quality. Now it’s confirmed. Boom! Another Mystery Solved.
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Community Stuff 9/14/13
Essex Shipbuilding Museum presents…
The Essex Graveyard History Tours, SUNDAY, SEPT. 15th between 2-4pm
at the Old Burial Ground Main St., Essex, MA
https://www.facebook.com/events/516492061772213/
Take a trip through an ancient Essex cemetery, and meet some very interesting and important figures in Essex and American history! The live actors in period costumes bring history alive. From grave robberies to revolutionary war heroes, the Old Burial Ground in Essex on Main Street will be a place to see on September 15th. Tours run continuously between 2 – 5pm. Last tour leaves at 4pm. Refreshments will be served at the end of the tour. Admission: Members $8 and Nonmembers $10. Rain date September 22nd. If raining check the website on day of event.
After the tour you are welcome to see the museum.
For more information call (978) 768-7541
at Old Burial Ground Main St., Essex, MA 01929
from the Rockport Cultural Council :
The Rockport Cultural Council is now welcoming grant applications from individuals and organizations seeking funding for programs/activities/events that fall under the categories of arts, humanities or interpretive sciences, including field trips, performances, exhibits and tours. These projects must have some relationship to Rockport.
Applications are available online at http://www.mass-culture.org/rockport and can also be picked up at the Clerk’s office at town hall or the Rockport library.
The postmark deadline is October 15th, 2013. Applications may be for grants for programs that take place between July 1, 2013 (retroactive) and December 31, 2014.
The Rockport Cultural Council’s funding, slightly increased from last year, stands at $,250 to be distributed in fiscal year 2014.
For more information, potential applicants can also contact Maura Wadlinger at maurawadlinger@gmail.com or 978-546-6096.
On Saturday, Barbara Warren, Executive Director of Salem Sound Coastwatch (SSCW), will conduct a morning walk for persons interested in an up-close view of Good Harbor’s salt marsh. The walk will take place under sunshine, cloudy skies, or light rain – but not stormy weather! We’ll meet in the Good Harbor Beach parking lot in the resident area nearest Thatcher Road at 10 AM. Please wear outdoor clothing and boots if you want to leave the roadway and actually enter the marsh – an experience which, of course, is highly recommended!
There will be much to learn from observing the various species of vegetation growing in the marsh, the creeks, the tidal pools, and the fish and invertebrates feeding in the area. Sites needing restoration will be identified and variances between the lower and upper marsh will be explained by Barbara as she endeavors to answer all of our questions.
We’re hoping that you will be able to join us for our first group foray into Good Harbor’s salt marsh, and that you might even care to become involved in future marsh protection projects! Please join us for a terrific morning outing!
Kathe German,
Friends of Good Harbor Membership Chair
Good Morning Gloucester 