Day: October 17, 2013

O’Maley Innovation Middle School – New Pledge

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

O’Maley Innovative Middle School SAILS on with Pledge!

Oct. 1, the entire O’Maley community gathered in the auditorium for our first SAILS assembly of the school year. Rick Doucette, YMCA Executive Director and SAILS Community member volunteer, acted as Master of Ceremonies. Rick had the honor of revealing to all gathered the O’Maley pledge and led us all in the Pledges’ first public reading. Principal Deb Lucey was the first to sign and Rick followed as our first community member. After the assembly students returned to homerooms where each classroom has a poster of the pledge. Students were then asked to sign on!

The O’Maley community is now engaged with sharing the pledge with others and inviting them to sign on in support. On Oct. 9, while visiting our school Dr. Safier enthusiastically added his signature to our pledge while a group of 6th graders looked on with pride.

Last Spring, as part of the O’Maley School’s SAILS initiative, the whole school participated in an all school writing prompt. The prompt asked students to take a look at examples of pledges and then discuss what it means to make a pledge and commit yourself to it. Next the students were asked to make a list of what they think should be included in an O’Maley pledge.

The responses from the writing prompt were then given to a group of student editors, made up from volunteers from each grade, who then took on the task of narrowing down the broad categories and reworking these down to a manageable number reflecting values expressed by students that they would like to see in a pledge.

The final Pledge draft was presented and accepted. The beauty of the Pledge as written by the student editors needed no further work. The pledge speaks to all and ask of each what is theirs to give.

Supt. Safier signing our new PledgeO'Maley Innovation Middle School's New PledgeRick Doucette at an O'Maley Innovation Middle School Assembly

Son and Husband Declare “World’s Best Meatloaf”

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Best meatoaf -1©Kim Smith 2013

What is it about meatloaf that makes men go crazy?? I can take it or leave it, but as soon as the weather turns cooler, my husband clamors for meatloaf. I usually make my aunt’s recipe, but thought this time I’d make something that was a little more enjoyable to me, too. After just one bite, both husband and son declared it was the best meatloaf they had ever had. Try this recipe and tell me what you think, or better yet, if you have what you think is the world’s best meatloaf recipe, please submit!

Freestylin,’ or Everything But the Kitchen Sink, Meatloaf

Preheat oven to 350.

1 lb ground veal

1 lb ground beef

1 lb ground pork

Virgilio’s breadcrumbs, approximately ½ cup

1-2 eggs, whisked

½ 16 oz. can pureed best tomatoes, approximately

2 medium onions or 1 large onion, diced

Worcestershire sauce, several dashes

Hot sauce, to taste

Chopped fresh parsley, thyme, and rosemary

Salt and pepper to taste

Glaze: roughly 1 large dollop of Dijon style mustard, ½ – ¾ C ketchup, several Tbs. balsamic vinegar, ½ – ¾ C brown sugar, s & p to taste.

Bacon, not too thinly cut

In a large bowl, thoroughly squish together all ingredients except the glaze ingredients and the bacon. Pat into loaf shape. Combine glaze ingredients and spread generously over loaf . Cover with bacon slices. Bake for approximately 1 hour.

Best meatloaf ©Kim Smith 2013

I served the meatloaf with chubby slices of portabella mushrooms sautéed in butter and olive oil, with a splash of red wine at the end, sugar snap peas quickly blanched, and creamy mashed potatoes.

Ocean Alliance and Jane Goodall

Posted on by God's Morning
ocean alliance and jane goodall
Ocean Alliance President and founder Roger Payne is teaming up with none other than Jane Goodall for a very special meeting to raise awareness about the state of the environment. Roger will be hosting Jane at our Whale Camp in Argentina, and you can watch their meeting live online at www.whale.org/livestream on Sunday October 27th at 3 pm Gloucester time. Join us in witnessing this historic meeting!

What do you get when you mix Mardi Gras & Halloween?

Posted on by Vickie & Peter
Henri Smith @ The Larcom Theatre in Beverly for a sold-out Mardi Gras Concert in April 2013 – photo: Thom Falzarano

Mardi-Gras-O-Ween with Henri Smith New Orleans Friends & Flavours at Cape Ann Brewery on Halloween night — that’s exactly 2 weeks from tonight (Thursday) at 8pm.

This will be fun blending of two great traditions.  A good time is guaranteed for all. Costumes are more than welcome.

Plus it’s a great way to get you psyched for Henri’s special Christmas concert at the fully restored, historic Larcom Theatre in Beverly on December 14.  Now, remember, as Fly Amero said (in this post) Beverly is NOT “up the line” it’s “virtually next-door … right down the street from us”.  Best of all, the Larcom is a gorgeous theatre with perfect sound.  The best seats are going fast, so get tickets here.

Found on the Hard Drive Plein Air Painting 2007

Posted on by capeannpainter

Found on the Hard Drive Plein Air Painting 2007

Randy from Florida put out a call on the message board “Wetcanvas” back in 2007 to find someone to paint with in New England. His Daughter was invited to take a class at Harvard so he would have some time on his hands to paint.

I invited him to Gloucester to go painting. We ended up at Loblolly Cove in Rockport. We had a good time painting the area. Randy painted some Houses on his right and I painted Straitsmouth Island when a red lobster boat came just in time to be part of my painting.

I sold my painting at EJ’s Gallery a couple of years ago.

I love painting outside but I try to find a place where there’s low people traffic. I’m a little shy when it comes to painting outside. We had a great day and the Rockport Police only charged me $25.00 to park. 🙂

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Former GHS Standout Still doing his thing at Curry College running for two TD’s in game against Coast Guard Academy

Posted on by David B. Cox

Jordan Shairs has a very good day at Curry College running and blocking and scoring twice…once on 59 yard run.

Jordan named athlete of the week at Curry Collge.

Doug Brendel Represents! in Minsk

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Greetings, Joey, from #8 Karl Marx Street in Minsk, Belarus, former USSR! The top-floor corner apartment is ours. Come see us! 🙂 I’ll be here for a week and a half with our “NewThing.net” ministry, now the biggest humanitarian operation in the country. FOBs can follow our adventures thru our photo reports — free signup at http://www.NewThing.net. Dasvidanya, baby!

Doug Brendel

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Keokuk, Iowa? We have a Long Reach

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
What does this young lady, Nicole Kelley, have to do with us on Cape Ann? Read on.
What does this young lady, Nicole Kelley, have to do with us on Cape Ann? Read on.
I made contact with David Grimes, who has relatives here. I asked him to send a few photos of Keokuk. One is of Chief Keokuk of the Sauk tribe. (1767-1848) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keokuk_(Sauk_leader). David told me that this is the 100th anniversary of the Chief Keokuk statue, in the park where he is buried.
I made contact with David Grimes, who has relatives here. I asked him to send a few photos of Keokuk. One is of Chief Keokuk of the Sauk tribe. (1767-1848) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keokuk_(Sauk_leader). David told me that this is the 100th anniversary of the Chief Keokuk statue, in the park where he is buried.
The crowning. This is not your ordinary beauty queen. Miss Iowa, Nicole Kelly, is a 23 year old Keokuk resident.. So here she is, and goes to the same church as David Grimes, who has Cape Ann connections. From her website: "Nicole, who was born without a left forearm, says in that she was overwhelmed at first by the outpouring of national and international attention she received after being crowned Miss Iowa." “I’m not interested in starting a revolution just for those who look physically different, I want to hear the stories of those of you who have felt different, who have overcome a hard challenge in your lives. I want this to be a campaign of empowerment, inspiration and celebration. I want this to be a place where you can see and be seen.” missiowa.com
The crowning. This is not your ordinary beauty queen. Miss Iowa, Nicole Kelly, is a 23 year old Keokuk resident.. So here she is, and goes to the same church as David Grimes, who has Cape Ann connections.
From her website: “Nicole, who was born without a left forearm, says  that she was overwhelmed at first by the outpouring of national and international attention she received after being crowned Miss Iowa.”
“I’m not interested in starting a revolution just for those who look physically different, I want to hear the stories of those of you who have felt different, who have overcome a hard challenge in your lives. I want this to be a campaign of empowerment, inspiration and celebration. I want this to be a place where you can see and be seen.” missiowa.com

LOVE AND KINDNESS PREVAILS

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

LOVE AND KINDNESS PREVAILS

Last week, our little school received a huge gift from St. Ann School – a computer lab and curriculum materials worth several times more than our annual budget for equipment and supplies. At a time when one group of families, teachers, and school/parish leaders are feeling hurt, disappointed and sad, they lifted the hearts and hopes of another group. On the surface, some might wonder why, but underneath, what else would be expected of an organization that served its community for over 100 years helping others and spreading love throughout the city. The children and their families, teachers, and staff of Eastern Point Day School, formerly St. Mel Independent School, thank the people of St. Ann School and the Holy Family Parish for your kindness and generosity. Without friends like you, we would not survive and continue providing an educational option on Cape Ann.   

Sincerely,
Bob Teel, Head of School
Eastern Point Day School

Community Photos 10/17/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey, I was out on the Lannon Sunday afternoon –here’s the Carol Ann on the way in, Ardelle returning to port and Heath and Tom Ellis
one day away from the last sail of the season. –Len Burgess Photo

Ardelle10-13-13_1011Heath&Tom-Lannon_1038Lobsterboat_1026

Al Bezanson Submits-

‘Tis the season – for cider donuts!

For a perfect mug up ____  donuts like my grandmother made

Cider donuts

Michelle Polito Submits-

Bass Rocks GC 10-15-13

Community Stuff 10/17/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

BankGloucester Gives a Combined $15,000 to Community Organizations

Patrick Thorpe, President and CEO of BankGloucester, presented checks to the fifteen winners of the bank’s sixth annual “Banking for the Community” program during a reception at the bank on October 8th, 2013.  A combined total of $15,000 was given away to the community organizations that were chosen with over 9,000 votes cast by the public. BankGloucester would like to thank the members of the community whose votes determined how the funds were distributed.

The organization receiving the most votes was Rose Baker Senior Center who received a check for $5,000. Open Door Food Pantry finished second and received $3,000. Faith Christian School received the third highest number of votes, they were a write in, received a check for $1,000. The following twelve organizations received $500 each: Cape Ann Animal Aid, Cape Ann YMCA, Hospice of the North Shore & Greater Boston, Compass Youth Program, Wellspring House, Beeman Elementary School PTO, Gloucester Education Foundation, Sawyer Free Library, and (HAWC) Healing Abuse/Working for a Change, Gloucester Maritime Museum, Action, Inc., and St. Vincent de Paul of Holy Family Parish.

Serving Gloucester and its neighboring communities for over 125 years, BankGloucester strives for excellence in its duties as a financial institution and in its support of local non-profit organizations and community causes. This program is one of the many ways the bank gives back to the community.

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SALEM CYBERSPACE IS AWARDED GRANTS TO EXPAND IN GLOUCESTER
College Success Programs To Open At Gloucester High School

Salem CyberSpace will be expanding its College Success Program to high school youth at Gloucester High School.  Twenty high school juniors will be accepted into this program on a first-come, first-serve basis and will join 40 high school youth from Salem and 20 from Peabody, as they work individually and in groups with trained counselors to explore careers and colleges, prepare for their college entrance exams and complete applications for college, financial aid and scholarships.  Once in college, students and their parents will continue to receive advisory services through college graduation.
The entire program from the end of their 10th grade year (which is when we recruit students for our program) through college graduation is FREE for students on free or reduced lunch.
The first meeting for Gloucester students will be on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 2:30 pm at Gloucester High School in Room 2306 (computer lab). Students will continue to be accepted into the program beyond this date until all the remaining spaces have been filled. Students may sign up through their guidance counselors or call Salem CyberSpace at 978-740-6667 x 105
The College Success Program provides low-income students and their parents with free, high-quality integrative educational and advisory services for college preparation, college admission, college success, and career exploration. With the addition of Gloucester and Peabody, Salem CyberSpace will serve 120 students.
The expansion to Gloucester is being funded by the Department of Higher Education under a pilot grant which will allow Salem CyberSpace to replicate its successful programs which have been running in Salem since 2009.  In addition, Applied Materials which is headquartered in Gloucester has provided the College Success Program with a matching grant to support the programs at Gloucester High School.
“We welcome the staff at Salem CyberSpace to Gloucester High School who will work with our guidance counselors to provide intensive group and one-on-one college and career advisory services to students and their parents. This free program will be particularly invaluable to students who will be the first in their family to go to college,” said Dr. Richard Safier, Superintendent of Schools. 

“As a parent it is scary thinking about how you can afford to send your child to college and how you go about searching out all the resources available. With this program I feel we will have a great advantage in helping Spencer feel comfortable with the otherwise overwhelming feeling of the college preparation process,” said Lori Taft, parent of a Gloucester student.

Since 2009, the College Success Program at Salem CyberSpace has served 85 youth in Salem, 100% of whom have graduated high school and gone on to college.  Of the 45 students who have gone to college, 87% are still in college or have graduated.   “We have been very successful in getting our high school students and our North Shore Community College transfer students full scholarships to both public and private universities including Salem State University, Boston University, Northeastern, and University of Pennsylvania, among others,” said Jesenia Tejada-Pérez, Coordinator of the College Success Program.

“We are very excited to be in Gloucester.  Mayor Kirk and Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Safier, have been extremely supportive and we look forward to working with the guidance staff, school administrators, and families in both communities as we gear up our programs,” said Linda Saris, Director of Salem CyberSpace.

Salem CyberSpace is also looking for volunteers to help tutor our students in preparation for their college placement tests (SAT Math & English).  In addition, local businesses who are interested in assisting students in their career exploration by providing job shadowing opportunities, informational interviews, community service or internships should contact Jesenia Tejada-Pérez at 978-740-6667 x 104.
About Salem CyberSpace and North Shore Community Action Programs
Salem CyberSpace (www.salemcyberspace.org), at 209R Essex Street in Salem, has been running since April 2002 and is a program of North Shore Community Action Programs (www.nscap.org). Our mission is to expand educational and career opportunities for low-income youth. NSCAP is the anti-poverty nonprofit serving Peabody, Salem, Beverly, Danvers, and surrounding communities with a mission to help low-income people become economically self-sufficient.