My View of Life on the Dock
GloucesterCast 173 With Guests Greg Bover @KimSmithDesigns, Mark Ring and @Joey_C Taped 2/28/16
Topics Include:
From w2wendy
(EDITOR’S NOTE) Mayor Romeo Thekan has called a meeting in her office on March 24th, from 5pm to 6pm, to discuss Ten Pound Island. Everyone is welcome.
Ten Pound Island with fish and lobster hatchery, air station, lighthouse, keeper’s house, and oil house. Photo submitted by Toby Pett.
Ten Pound presently
After reading the Gloucester Daily Times’s article about the city’s Recreational Boating Committee’s recommendations on how better to serve boaters, I have been looking at old photos and reading about Ten Pound Island. This tiny island located at the eastern end of Gloucester Harbor has a storied and fascinating history. The timeline (see below) was created to help give an overview.
The following is the part of the article that caught my attention:“Perhaps the most innovative idea in the report is to consider creating a community boat house — possibly similar to the house boats moored along the Annisquam River — and a dock upon Ten Pound Island that could host the Gloucester High School and YMCA community sailing and boating skills programs, as well as other public programs and access for rowing and kayaking.”
I am looking forward to learning more about the possibilities for Ten Pound Island and trust that our Mayor and community leaders will do a thoughtful study to create a comprehensive plan on how to co-exist with the birds that breed and nest on the Island. In our region, we have so many great examples to follow on ways to manage land for wildlife; two that come to mind immediately are the Plum Island Piping Plovers and the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge.
I think it important our community understand that more than likely, the vegetation found growing on Ten Pound is in a transitory state and that over time, if left to naturalize, will become a forest. The shrubs and brushy growth, so ideal for nesting birds, will eventually give way to hardwood trees, which may not be the best habitat for shore birds.
There is the hope that developing trails and managing the island flora will create an even better and more permanent sanctuary for our cherished wildlife. Today the Island is only accessible to private boaters. If a community dock were built at the site of the preexisting dock and trails were created and well maintained, just imagine the enjoyment and educational experiences Ten Pound Island could provide for all.
Ten Pound Island Timeline1644 Early settlers graze rams on the Island.
1817 Mariner Amos Story famously reports seeing a sea serpent (along with many others) near the Island. See account below.
1821 Ten Pound Island Lighthouse Station is established to safely guide mariners through Gloucester’s Inner Harbor.
1833-1849 Amos Story serves as Ten Pound Island Lighthouse Keeper.
1880 Winslow Homer stays with the lighthouse keeper during the summer creating over 50 watercolor paintings.
1881 Present conical cast iron tower, lined with brick, replaces original stone tower. Wooden keepers house is constructed.
1889 U.S. Fish and lobster hatchery is established.
1925 U.S. Coast Guard establishes first in the country air station, primarily to capture rumrunners during Prohibition.
1940 Lighthouse keeper’s wife Evelyn Hopkins honors Edward Snow, the Flying Santa who dropped Christmas presents from a plane for lighthouse keepers’ children, by nailing “Merry Christmas” boldly in newspaper, which could be read from the sky.
1954 Fish hatchery abandoned.
1956 Ten Pound island Light Station is decommissioned and replaced by a modern optic. The original fresnel lens is on display at the Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland.
1965 Keepers dwelling razed.
1988 The Lighthouse Preservation Society initiates restoration of Ten Pound Island Light.
1989 A modern optic was installed atop the tower and relit as a Federal aid to navigation.
1995 The oil house is restored.
1996 -1997 (*Possibly longer, checking dates) Shuttle to and from the Island is provided by the Gloucester Harbor Shuttle.
Currently, Ten Pound Island serves as an active aid to navigation.
“Merry Christmas” written with newspaper hammered to the ground
* * *
Amos Story sea serpent sighting account: “It was between the hours of twelve and one o’clock when I first saw him and he continued in sight for an hour and a half. I was setting on the shore, and was about twenty rods [330 feet] from him when he was nearest to me. His head appeared shaped much like that of the sea turtle, and he carried his head from ten to twelve inches above the surface of the water. His head at that distance appeared larger than the head of any dog I ever saw. From the back of his head to the next part of him that was visible, I should judge to be three or four feet. He moved very rapidly through the water. I should say a mile in two, or, at most, in three minutes. I saw no bunches on his back. On this day, I did not see more than ten or twelve feet of his body.”
In a separate sighting, Story’s wife, “a woman held in high esteem for her veracity” noted through a telescope what at first she believed to be a log that had washed ashore, until it moved, that is. Throughout the month, more and more witnesses told similar stories of a sleek brown serpent-like creature in Gloucester Harbor.
Links:
http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/maritime/ten.htm
http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=478
http://www.newenglandlighthouses.net/ten-pound-island-light-history.html
http://www.uscg.mil/history/stations/airsta_tenpoundisland.asp
http://www.nelights.com/exploring/Massachusetts/ten_pound_light.html
http://fitzhenrylaneonline.org/catalog/entry.php?id=44
https://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2012/09/17/ten-pound-island-from-bill-hubbard/
More Photos Here Continue reading “(EDITED) VISITOR ACCESSIBILITY TO TEN POUND ISLAND FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY AND BELOVED WILDLIFE”
For many, it is directly connected to experiences they have or have had with a specific organized Church. Whether that experience was good or bad for them tends to color how they view the word. Someone recently told me that they hated Sunday School when they were young, and so have had nothing to do with any of it since. Unfortunately, if someone teaches that God is angry, vengeful and something to fear, a child probably would not want to have anything to do with Him. But like a person who is bitten by a dog at a young age and goes through life always afraid of dogs, they miss out on the wonderful unconditional love and joy a dog (and God) can bring to your life.
I personally do not belong to any particular organized Church or denomination. I enjoy going to Church. I love the music, enjoy the people, and can be inspired by a well-prepared and delivered sermon. Over my lifetime, I have attended Catholic Church, every Protestant denomination Church, non-denominational Churches, Jewish Synagogue, Baha’i meetings, Pentecostal Church (an experience), UU Church, Episcopalian Church, Kingdom Hall, Russian Orthodox (where I was invited by a monk to experience their beautiful icon paintings), mega churches and little tiny out in the middle of nowhere churches. I have studied Rastafarianism, Buddhism, the Kabbalah, A Course in Miracles, Christian Science, Unity, read more spiritual practice and belief books than I could possibly list, have investigated the occult, astrology, numerology, scientology, Obeah, and have read and studied the Bible. I have gleaned knowledge from all. In the end however, it is my personal relationship with God and His word in the Bible that has proven to provide all the truth and wisdom necessary to live a loving, joyful, peace-filled life; not religion, which can get all muddled up by man with their creed and dogma, and has a tendency to push people away from God and each other. As the Apostle Paul said: “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
That is what that book causes you to do. It also causes you to connect on a personal level with God, and to hear what He has to say to all of us. Call me crazy if you want, but it was He who told me to paint and share this series, and so I am. It is for His purpose, not mine. It was He who told me to get myself and my mother out of here and down to Florida in January last year. Listening to Him saved us from experiencing the dreadful winter that none of us knew was coming, and which would have made it unbearable for me to care for Mom, not to mention miserable and dangerous for her during her recovery from major femur repair surgery, on top of her dementia, which had been made much worse by the anesthesia. But He knew, and I listened, even though I really did not want to deal with the challenge of transporting her to Florida in her condition and state. Do people consider that “religion”, or is it the wisdom of listening in faith to the source of all knowledge so that we might be blessed.
Here are a few definitions of the word “Religion”. There are many definitions, because it is such a hard word to define, but I thought these three were good (from http://www.religioustolerance.org/rel_defn1.htm):
Definition from an unknown dictionary:
Religion (ri-lij'[uh]n) n.
The beliefs, attitudes, emotions, behavior, etc., constituting man’s relationship with the powers and principles of the universe, especially with a deity or deities; also, any particular system of such beliefs, attitudes, etc.
An essential part or a practical test of the spiritual life.
An object of conscientious devotion or scrupulous care: e.g. His work is a religion to him.
The Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry (CARM)’s definition is more flexible and may involve a deity, multiple deities, or no deities:
“An organized system of belief that generally seeks to understand purpose, meaning, goals, and methods of spiritual things. These spiritual things can be God, people in relation to God, salvation, after life, purpose of life, order of the cosmos, etc.”
Wikipedia defines religion as:
“… a system of social coherence based on a common group of beliefs or attitudes concerning an object, person, unseen being, or system of thought considered to be supernatural, sacred, divine or highest truth, and the moral codes, practices, values, institutions, traditions, and rituals associated with such belief or system of thought.”
This painting, called Under His Wings, is from Psalm 91:1-7:
He/she who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge;
E.J. Lefavour
http://www.hobbithousestudio.com
THE 64th SEASON: A SEASON TO REMEMBER
Cape Ann Symphony Features Spain, Germany & Japan in
A Global Tour Concert on March 20
Concert Debuts World Premiere from Japanese Composer Koto
Cape Ann Symphony’s March Concert features a Global Musical Tour with music from Germany’s Beethoven, Spain’s Rodrigo and a world premiere work from Japan’s Koto on Sunday, March 20, 2016 at 2pm at the CAS performance venue at Manchester-Essex High School Auditorium on 36 Lincoln Street in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA. The concert program includes Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C Minor plus guest artist renowned guitar virtuoso Grisha Goryachev in his Cape Ann Symphony debut playing the exotic Spanish guitar concerto, Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez and the world premiere of Araumi to Nagi (Stormy and Calm Seas)from Boston based Japanese composer Takashi Koto. Manchester-Essex High School Auditorium is handicapped accessible. Ticket prices are $40 for adults, $35 for senior citizens, $5 for Youth age 18 and under. For tickets and information, call978-281-0543 or visit www.capeannsymphony.org
Guitar Virtuoso Grisha Goryachev
Cousin Eleanor Tucker, master pasta dough maker!
Kicked off the 2016 Feast Of St. Joseph yesterday with friends and family at my annual St. Joseph Pasta Making Day Extravaganza! Huge thank you to all who helped make all 130 lbs. of handmade Semolina Pasta for this years Feast!
Andrea Carlson
Highlight of my day…My Irish Childhood friend Kerrie who claims that “she can’t cook” making pasta with a smile😍 It must really be true that St Patrick was Italian…Cooking is secretly in her blood!
More Cape Ann Health, Fitness and Wellness News-
http://www.capeannwellness.com
Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit
Monthly Community Reiki Share ‘First Tuesday’ Every Month.
Next Community Reiki Share – Tuesday. March 1st. 5:15 – 8:15 P.M. $20.00 Suggested Donation. Portion of monthly proceeds donated to charitable fund-raising, local and abroad. In 2015 we contributed to Open Door, Wellspring, SeniorCare Inc, Mother of Grace Club, Reid’s Ride, Cheryl’s Healing Journey, and a group helping to feed, clothe and educate children in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya, to name a few.
Contact us if you have a charitable organization or fundraiser and would like to partner with us. Those organizations we partner with are welcome to attend as our guests.
This month’s Reiki Share proceeds to help benefit Family Promise of the North Shore – a local non-profit charity helping homeless families build new lives.
Come early and join us in celebrating the coming of Spring – only 20 days…
View original post 469 more words
Dropped off at the State Fish Pier
8:38am
Mini ‘Art, Rock
Find it if you can.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BCTgM6Sq8rR/
So the bitchy broad from Desperate Housewives of New York branded some mass produced Vodka with the brilliant name “SkinnyGirl” and #boom she is making millions seemingly overnight.
I was watching TV the other night and saw this ad for “Energems” which is basically chocolate with caffeine and they are acting like they revolutionized the chocolate energy snack game. Uhm has no-one eaten chocolate covered espresso beans, readily available at just about any chocolatier in the nation? Doesn’t matter if you have or haven’t because just like SkinnyGirl Vodka, it really doesn’t matter what’s inside the packaging, it’s more about the marketing apparently. You just throw stuff together that’s already been around for hundreds of years, give it a catchy name and some slick packaging and it’s a guaranteed winner.
The Energems folks are just smart marketers. Chocolate and caffeine and make it sound healthy- #Boom!
Uhmmmm hellooooooo, It’s frickin Chocolate and Caffeine. It’s been right there under our noses all along.
Disclaimer: I have no idea if this stuff if good or bad, works or doesn’t. I just think the marketing is brilliant.
I need an angel investor to back my ideas for some products I’m developing.
First and Foremost “Big Cock” Chicken brand where we inject frozen breaded chicken with Viagra. Bake ‘em in a preheated oven for like ten minutes and you’re good to go all night long. Hello?????? I’ll be retired in no time at all.
P.S. Look for my GoFundMe page any day now.
More Cape Ann Community News-
http://www.capeanncommunity.com
Judy Menicocci (l) and Florence Martin (r) are artist being honored at the Rose Baker Senior Center for the month of March.
Juni Van Dyke has named Judy Menicocci and Florence Martin the March Rose Baker Artists of the Month. Juni is the instructor and coordinator of the Rose Baker Art Program and each month she selects one or two artists from the program to be honored with a show of their work in the lobby of the Senior Center. The show opens the first week in March and can be viewed weekdays from 9am to 4pm until the end of March.
If you ask Judy Menicocci about her art, she will say “Art has always been my escape.” As a child, she was constantly drawing and creating. Later as a busy young mother, her creative outlet was sewing.
Judy’s current passion is watercolor and acrylic. These are new interests…
View original post 187 more words
Live blogging 02/28/2016
6:22 am GHB Sunrise
Good Morning Gloucester 