Congratulations to Sarah Gale ~ Recent Boston College Grad School Graduate!!!

Gales 1 ©kim Smith 2014Our very best and dearest summer friends, Kristina’s and Ben’s oldest daughter, Sarah, graduated from Boston College graduate school this spring. The beautifully growing Gale family gathered from far and wide to celebrate Sarah’s graduation. Usually we see the Gales in late summer and it was an especially wonderful treat to attend Sarah’s graduation party over Memorial Day weekend. I can’t wait for their return in August!!Gales 2 ©Kim Smith 2014JPG Isabell and Avery ©Kim Smith 2014

Gales 4 ©Kim Smith 2014Gales 5 ©Kim Smith 2014Gales 7 ©Kim Smith 2014Sam Gale ©Kim SmithSam Gale, who recently graduated from college, works at Cape Pond Ice. 

More snapshots from Sarah’s graduation ~ Continue reading “Congratulations to Sarah Gale ~ Recent Boston College Grad School Graduate!!!”

Beer Battered Panko Fried Pickles With Chili Pepper Dipping Sauce

 

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Beer Battered Panko Fried Pickles With Chili Pepper Dipping Sauce

Today the kids asked for a batch of Fried Pickles for a late afternoon snack…they are easy to make and supper yummy !

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Click continue for Beer Battered Panko Fried Pickles With Chili Pepper Dipping Sauce recipe details and photos Continue reading “Beer Battered Panko Fried Pickles With Chili Pepper Dipping Sauce”

Dory Race elimination results, Niles Beach 5/31/2014

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Joey,

Here are results if you do not have them yet,

Damon

At Niles Beach this morning, 5/31/14

Mixed Doubles

1. Jimmy and Laurel Tarantino

2. Elin DiAngelo and Mike Frontiera

Juniors

1. Bye  –  Thomas Beaton and Tyler Edmonds

Women

1. Bye –  Amanda Palazzola and Lindsey Rogers

Over 50 (wish it were over 75 🙂

1. Lenny Billante and Jay Prince

2. Jeff Muise and Tom Conrad

3. Alex Thomas and Donny Favaloro

Seniors (Open) Two heats, runoff Monday

First Heat

1. Rob Morrissey and Joe Cominelli

2. Jimmy Tarantino and Tom Jarvis

3. Joe Sanfillipo and Mark Duval

4. Mike Harmon and John Scola

Second Heat

1. Mike Mitchell and Vito Giacalone

2. Nick and Chris Giacalone

3. Dylan and Alan Morrissey

4. Jerry Ciaramitaro and Billy Edmonds

Okay Peep’s, your in for a real treat…THIS SATURDAY NIGHT MAY 31st we have an impromptu appearance at THE PILOT HOUSE RESTAURANT.

A ONE night only performance of some powerhouses of music sorcery… some Blues, some Rock, a mixed bag of great tunes with special guests who we like to call THE LOW HANGING FRUITS… featuring on Lead Guitar and Vocal’s STEVE AMAZEEN… on Bass Guitar and Vocal’s: RORY MCKENZIE… extra special appearance on Smokin Harmonica and Vocal’s: PAT CONLON… on Keyboards and Vocal’s a rousing applause for MARK DAVIS…and on the Skins and backing Vocals: yours truly PETER MALAQUIAS.. PLEASE MAKE A SPECIAL EFFORT TO SEE THIS YOU WON’T REGRET IT…. THIS SATURDAY NIGHT MAY 31ST AT THE PILOT HOUSE IN GLOUCESTER MA. SHOWTIME AT 8:30PM… thank you for your support!!

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Garden of Optimism

My rehabilitation garden, herbs of hope and happiness, as I joyously see it every morning. Parsley, Rosemary, Thyme, with a Flowering Beauty. "Gardening is medicine that does not need  a prescription ... And with no limit on dosage." - Author unknown Garden of Optimism grown from seed in in Gloucester, and generously given as a healing gift by Lise Breen.
My rehabilitation garden, herbs of hope and happiness, as I joyously see it every morning. Parsley, Rosemary, Thyme, with a Flowering Beauty.
“Gardening is medicine that does not need
a prescription … And with no limit on dosage.”
– Author unknown
Garden of Optimism grown from seed in in Gloucester,
and generously given as a healing gift by Lise Breen.

 

Weekend Forecast May 31st through June 1st 2014

Marine Forecast ….
Sat NE winds 5 to 10 kt…increasing to 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft.
Sat Night NE winds 5 to 10 kt…becoming N after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 ft.
Sun N winds 5 to 10 kt…becoming E in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 ft.
Sun Night S winds 5 to 10 kt…becoming SW after midnight. Seas 2 to 4 ft.

Video Cast…

Hourly Forecast….

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Long Range …

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2014 US Dory Eliminations Saturday 9:00 AM, Niles Beach , Gloucester

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The Gloucester International Dory Racing Committee will be holding dory races this Saturday May 31st at Niles beach to establish which US teams will face the teams from Canada in this year’s International races (to be held Saturday, June 21st10AM at the Jodrey State Fish Pier).  Teams will compete in 5 categories:  Junior Men (18 & under), Mixed Doubles, Women Open, Masters (New 50 & over), and Men Open.  With many teams practicing this Spring, this year’s elimination races should offer some competitive and exciting races.  Competitors must sign up to compete tonight at St. Peter’s Square (downtown Gloucester ) at 6PM or email reply before 6PM.  Members and the general public can best watch the races on Saturday morning from Niles Beach in East Gloucester .  I hope you can take some time to come down and participate or watch our modern day competition of the historic art of dory rowing in America ’s Oldest Seaport.

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Community Stuff 5/31/14

SEACOAST NEWS June 2014

Thanks to the Friends of Seacoast the residents enjoyed the weekly Musical Entertainment, a lunch outing to the Lobsta Restaurant, an Ice Cream Sundae trip to Friendly’s , A Luau with music by Guitarist Marty Sawyer. A Mothers Day Tea with Harpist Moira Kelly and a violet plant as a gift.

The Friends of Seacoast enhance the resident’s lives at the Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center with hours of enjoyment by providing the finances needed for the special entertainment, supplies and community outings. Any and all donations to The Friends of Seacoast are gratefully accepted.

The Friends of Seacoast are grateful for the gifts received in honor/memory of loved ones.

The Lottery Ticket Raffle was a successful fundraiser for the Friends of Seacoast! Congratulations to the raffle winner Gaye Viola!

We are looking forward to many events with the support of the Friends of Seacoast including weekly Musical Entertainment, Dinner Theater with catered foods from local restaurants, Community Outings and more…

The next Friends of Seacoast meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at 6:00 PM.

“Scenes of Cape Ann”

Thanks to the donations of images by local photographers and the beautiful work by James and Anna Eves from Cape Ann Giclee, pictures on canvases of familiar places and events on Cape Ann are on perminant display bringing memories and comfort to the residents on the Alzeimer’s care unit .

The unit looks like a museum of fine art and the residents love it!

Thank you to all the photographers who participated in this project Carl Gustin, Cathy Chapman, Charlie Carroll, Dana Hasselgard, David Cox, David Delroy, EJ Lefavour, Joey Ciarmataro, Lennie Bergess, Lowell Peobody, Mark Kenegis, Marty Luster, Fr. Matthew Green, Nancy Shaw, Skip Montello, Mark Kanegis, and Thom Falzarano.

Alison Cox

Activity Director


Contemporary Art at the White-Ellery House: George Wingate

Saturday, June 7

11 AM — 3 PM

245 Washington Street, Gloucester

and


Jonathan McPhillips Fine Art

Workshop Announcement

The Rockport Art Association

June 16 and 17, 2014

Coastal Attractions: Plein Air Painting the Marine Environment

Link to the workshop information at RAA’s website

Rockport Art Association
12 Main Street Rockport MA 01966 978-546-6604
email us

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This outdoor workshop is for the artist looking to enhance their skills at marine subjects, particularly on location. An inspirational and encouraging environment will be established in this course, fostered by friendly critique and advice. Individual attention and demonstration are emphasized. An efficient and loose approach to painting will be essential to realizing exponential growth when working “en plein air”. The basic principles of design, value, and color will be addressed as they apply to coastal subject matter. The prevailing goal will be to approach painting as a fulfilling and enjoyable experience…a learning process that allows us to grow as artists and individuals!


Three Essex-Built Schooner Challenge – June 16, 2014 – 6 pm

Monday, June 16, 2014 – 6 pm – 8 pm leaving from Maritime Gloucester Dock:  Participate in the Second Annual Schooner Challenge and help support the Essex Shipbuilding Museum’s efforts to stabilize the Evelina M Goulart – climb aboard the Essex Built schooners Thomas E. Lannon, Ardelle, or Fame and enjoy an evening of sailing and take part in Challenges, including:

  • Racing around a course (with man over board drills at a moment’s notice)
  • Fastest to weigh anchor
  • Knot tying
  • Song writing (extra credit for instrumentation)
  • Sail raising, and
  • Whatever else the (conspiring) captains dream up between now and then

Arrive by 5:30 pm to load – boats will depart from Maritime Gloucester, Harbor Loop, Gloucester.

Schooner seating will be assigned by random draw.
Every effort will be made to seat friends and/or couples on the same boat.

There will be cash bars on board, and light hors d’oeuvres will be available.

Last year the evening was capped by a double rainbow – we are hoping for an equally fabulous evening, so don’t delay!

Tickets are $40 per person.

All proceeds to benefit the Evelina M. Goulart stabilization project.

For additional information, and to purchase tickets, visit www.essexshipbuildingmuseum.org and select Details of Next Events!


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Hi Joey,

I hope this finds you doing well! I wanted to share the below release with you about some new and exciting happenings at the Crane Estate. As you likely know, our tour season began last week as well as the re-opening of our Castle Hill Café. And, we also have some interesting updates on a Zorn portrait on loan from the MFA at the house, as well updates on the final phase in the Allée restoration work in the casino complex area. I’m hoping you’ll feel free to choose bits and pieces of this below release (or all!) with your readers. Thanks for considering!

Cheers,

Holly Hannaway

Great House at Castle Hill Now Open for the Season

Expanded Tour Program, Enhanced Visitor Services, a Restoration in Action Project, &

Special “Appearance” from Richard T. Crane, Sr. Expected to Delight and Inspire Visitors

FREE Open House Planned for Sunday, May 31st

 

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This summer get your Downton Abbey fix as The Trustees of Reservations have officially opened their doors for the season at Castle Hill on The Crane Estate. Massachusetts’ own version of an English country estate, Castle Hill was recently described by popular travel writer Steve Jermanok as “the closest New England gets to Versailles.” 

This summer, visitors to Castle Hill and The Great House can experience all the Estate has to offer first-hand when exploring with friends and family. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the exquisite Great House and discover what life was like back in the day of the Cranes. Explore the grounds on your own and learn about the exciting Restoration in Action project on the Grand Allée Casino Complex. While touring the house, stop by the elegant stair hall to view the restored portrait of Chicago plumbing magnate Richard Teller Crane Sr. (father of Richard Jr. who built Castle Hill), painted by internationally renowned artist Anders Zorn. The portrait is on generous loan by the MFA and its donors, descendants of the Crane family. Afterwards, enjoy lunch on the terrace at the Castle Hill Café. With May being Preservation Month, visitors are also encouraged to learn more about this treasured National History Landmark on Sunday, May 31st from 10am to 2pm during The Trustees FREE Home Sweet Home Open House day (for more info visit: www.thetrustees.org/homesweethome).

“We are excited for another busy season on the Hill that includes an expanded tour program and improved visitor amenities,” adds Terry Cook, The Trustees’ Northeast Regional Director who just started with the organization a little over a month ago. “With so many upcoming programs, happenings and events to chose from, the opportunities for recreation and fun mixed with a little culture are endless here at Castle Hill.” 

More background on what’s new and noteworthy at Castle Hill this season:

Contact information:

Castle Hill on the Crane, 290 Argilla Road, Ipswich, 978.356.4351, www.thetrustees.org/castlehill

TOURS:

Great House Tours

The Great House Revealed one-hour tour offers an in-depth look at a 1920’s David Adler masterpiece – once summer home to Chicago plumbing magnate Richard T. Crane, Jr. On this walk through the mansion, you’ll be inspired by the past, and see how Adler masterfully combined centuries of architectural tradition with early-20th-century features including ornate woodcarvings, luxurious Italian marble, sterling silver fixtures, and, of course, stunning bathrooms that exemplify Crane Company craftsmanship. Tour & Gallery Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 10am-4pm | Fri & Sat. 10am-2pm.

Castle Hill Landscape Tours: The Designed Landscape

Experience the art, architecture, and landscape design highlights of this 20th-century estate by the sea, a National Historic Landmark. Learn how landscape architects, including the Olmsted Brothers, transformed a bare, sandy drumlin into a stunning country retreat. Explore formal garden rooms and other outbuildings. Investigate the original barn complex and walled vegetable garden, all part of a working farm that supported and sustained the estate. Coming in July, golf cart tours of the estate! Tour Hours: Thursday & Saturday, 11am and 1pm.

Hot & Cold Tours: Behind-the-scenes of the Great House (Now Every Other Wednesday!)

Walk from cellar to rooftop and see the spaces that supported the smooth running of the Crane household utilizing early 20th century technologies. Delve into closets, examine the boilers, explore the servants’ quarters, and climb a spiral staircase to the roof for one of the most spectacular panoramic views in the Northeast. Pre-registration is required.Pre-registration is required. Tour Hours: Every other Wednesday (beginning May 28), 5–6:30pm.

Children’s Treasure Hunt at the Great House (Weekly – beginning June 6)

The Great House at Castle Hill isn’t just a big mansion for adults to explore. It was once the summer home (and playground) of the Crane children, Florence and Cornelius. On this special, 45-minute guided treasure hunt created especially for families with children ages 4 to 8, you can sharpen your sleuthing skills as we search for treasures, both large and small, throughout the Crane family mansion. Included: hands-on experiences related to life in the 1920s and the daily activities of the servants who worked here. Tour Hours: Fridays (beginning June 6), 11am.

Castle Hill Café

At The Castle Hill Café, enjoy lunch on the Great House terrace or a picnic along the Grand Allée, the half-mile-long “front lawn” stretching from the house to the sea. Either way you’ll enjoy panoramic ocean views. The café, managed by Ferreira Foods in Salem, compliments the beautiful surroundings with fresh and innovative lunch choices and great service, giving each and every guest a truly enjoyable experience. Lunch menu items include fresh salads like Curried Cous Cous and Classic Caesar Salad as well as a delicious selection of sandwiches including a Field Greens & Goat Cheese Wrap and Tuna Provencal, as well as fresh fruits, yogurt and baked goods. Café Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11am—2pm.

Restoration in Action – The Casino Complex

The Casino Complex is the most distinctive Italian-style architecture surviving from the Crane’s first building campaign at Castle Hill in 1910. Casino is Italian for “little house,” a term used for centuries to describe small dwellings in gardens and landscapes surrounding a villa. Here at the Crane’s summer estate, the opulent Casino, situated at the bottom of the first Alleé, provided a secondary court of entertainment for the property, with a saltwater pool and accommodations away from the main house. After nearly a century in its seaside location, the building fabric and structural elements of the Casino Complex suffered from exposure to the elements, leading to an eroding structure that was eventually closed to the public in the 1990’s. Since 1998, The Trustees have been working restore the many architectural and decorative elements, salvaging and preserving as much of the original site as possible. Now, The Trustees are poised to complete the work on the former pool area and bath houses, with plans to revitalize the complex as a public and private entertainment venue, carrying on the legacy left by the Crane family. This third and final phase of The Trustees’ extensive Grand Allée Restoration project is expected to be complete by Labor Day.

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Zorn Portrait, Richard T. Crane Sr.

Painted in 1904 in Pasadena, California on one of his seven trips to the United States, Anders Zorn’s magnificent oil-on-canvas portrait of Richard Teller Crane, Sr., an international industrialist and plumbing magnate, was carefully restored by the MFA’s conservation staff.  Descendants of Frances Crane Lillie, sister of Richard Jr. who built Castle Hill, gave the painting to the MFA with the condition that they loan it to Castle Hill each year when it was open for visitors. When visitors experience the Crane Estate – a marvel of engineering and design – the legacy of the family can be felt all around you, so it is fitting that the artfully rendered and powerfully presented image of Richard T. Crane Sr. welcomes guests into this estate. The painting has arrived just in time for Castle Hill’s official season opening and is a treat for art and culture enthusiasts alike.  Zorn is an internationally renowned artist who painted industrialists and members of high society including Isabella Stewart Gardner, President William Howard Taft, Charles Deering, George Vanderbilt and Andrew Carnegie. His work was exhibited by the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum last year.


Hi Everyone,
The Cape Ann Painter and Photographer Group will meet at Cape Ann Giclee, 20 Maplewood Ave, Gloucester on Friday, June 6, 9 – 10:30 AM. Thank you to James and Ann for providing their space for our meeting!
Members are asked to bring a painting they have been working on or a photograph to share.
We will also plan some programs for the rest of the year. “Field Trips” in the summer months or possible social events will be discussed.
Hope to see you there. Everyone is welcome.
For further information call: Alice Gardner  978-810-9760.


Gloucester Shingles Prevention Program

The Gloucester Health Department is offering a limited supply of shingle shots to eligible Gloucester residents age 60 and older.  The goal of the program is to expand access to the vaccine and increase vaccination rates in our community.

The cost of the vaccine and lack of insurance coverage are barriers to becoming vaccinated. To assist Gloucester residents in making the vaccine affordable, the cost will be $85.00 per person which is half the cost of the vaccine. The vaccine at a medical office or pharmacy, if not covered by insurance, costs between $200 and $300. The Health Department is able to bill some insurance and Medicare Part D prescription plans and will provide assistance in determining coverage.

For those who do not have adequate insurance coverage and are on a limited income, financial help is available through completing an application process with the Merck Vaccine Assistance program. To be eligible for a free vaccine, the income guidelines are as follows:

  • An individual making less than $46,820
  • A couple making less than $62,920

It is estimated that in the United States, 1 million cases of shingles occur every year.

Shingles, also called herpes zoster, is a painful, blistering skin rash caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox.  A vaccine for shingles was licensed in 2006 which decreases one’s chance of getting shingles by 50%. It can also reduce the pain associated with it. Those who previously have had shingles should also get a shingles shot to help prevent a reoccurrence. A person needs only one shingle shot in a lifetime. To be safely vaccinated, medical eligibility guidelines include:

  • You cannot have a weakened immune system as a result of treatment with high doses of steroids, cancer treatment with chemotherapy or radiation, HIV/AIDS, or a history of cancer affecting the bone marrow or lymphatic system, such as leukemia or lymphoma.
  • You cannot currently be undergoing treatment for shingles or post herpetic neuralgia (residual pain from shingles) or have previously received a shingles shot.
  • You cannot have a life- threatening allergic reaction to gelatin, or the antibiotic neomycin.

Please call the Gloucester Health Department at 978-282-8022 for determination of eligibility.


In My Solitude: Recent Photographs
by Paul Cary Goldberg

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Pucker Gallery is pleased to present a new collection of photographs by Gloucester, Massachusetts based artist Paul Cary Goldberg. The series, titled In My Solitude, marks a return to the studio for Goldberg, who for the past five years had shifted his focus to documentary photography. He writes in his artist statement that after a period of feeling directionless, the layers featured in these photographs required his attention. “Fruit, flowers, pods, seeds, nuts, onions, garlic, bread and velvet found their places on the stage and relationships between them began to emerge.” Entering a new chapter in Paul Cary Goldberg’s work, we are invited to witness the artist’s focus on imperfections to seek beauty within. These photographs awaken in the viewer a longing to understand more about the relationships between the objects, which so fully exhibit their vulnerability.

We hope that you enjoy perusing the exhibition catalogue for this upcoming show, which will open at Pucker Gallery on 6 September, 2014. We also invite you to visit the Gallery in advance of the show to view this remarkable new series in person.

Visit our website or contact us to learn more about the art of
Paul Cary Goldberg and to see additional works.


" WATER SHUTTLE " seasonal passes now available until June 15th, $ 50.00

Hi Joey,
If you could please post ” WATER SHUTTLE ” seasonal passes now available until  June 15th, $ 50.00 , if interested email harbortours@gmail.com or call 978-283-1979.
Thank you.
Capt. Steve Douglass
Harbor Tours, Inc.
Gloucester, MA., America’s Oldest Seaport
www.capeannharbortours.com

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A Sea of Seedlings! and Milkweed Growing Tip

©Kim Smith 2014JPGWhere’s my garden, and my front porch? Lost in a sea of seedlings! ©Kim Smith 2014 **

Round No. 1 DONE!! Round No. 2, Ready to Plant!

Perennial growing tip: Several days ago Lisa Smith from Cape Ann TV helped me upload a film project. While working and catching up, she shared that she had purchased one each of a Marsh Milkweed plant and a Common Milkweed plant last year at our first Cape Ann Milkweed Project. Lisa thought hers weren’t doing that well and that they were not going to make it through the winter. She was very pleasantly surprised to see a strong sturdy stalk of Common Milkweed emerge as well as a nice little clump of Marsh Milkweed stems also emerge.

There’s an old-fashioned saying regarding growing perennials that goes something like this: The first year they sleep; the second, they creep; and the third year, they leap! Especially this year, where the ground and air temperature are cooler than what we have become accustomed to in recent years, perennials may be a little slower than usual to emerge.

©Kim Smith 2014

For Hire…if you need a fire pit.

A little bit of elbow grease never hurt anyone.  Its about time the boys start pulling some weight around the house for pete’s sake.

Loving our new fire pit!!  A totally fun afternoon project for VERY little $$$!  And…the boys and I were very proud of ourselves…which is a bonus.  Had we been thinking we would have saved this project for Father’s Day….damn.

Sista Felicia’s Favorite Kitchen Gadget Of The Week!

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 I absolutely love my Good Grips Cherry Pitter, by OXO! The OXO cherry Pitter, removes the pit swiftly without bruising the fruit. This handy little gadget makes eating cherries more enjoyable without their pits, and keeps them looking pretty enough to add to a summer fruit salad.  The OXO’s small non slip handle design is perfect  for the tiniest of hands. Most kids find this gadget more like a toy, and look forward to the task of removing pits.  Yesterday within hours of my daughter Amanda’s arrival home from school for summer break, I found her at our kitchen island pitting a big bag of cherries just for fun!

It’s Simply a summer kitchen gadget must have !