WELCOME TO PATTI PAPOWS SEASIDE POLLINATOR GARDEN!

Forty Oaks is the name given long ago to Patti and Jeff Papows lovely home, nestled on a hill overlooking the Atlantic. Many grand old oaks still surround the updated Shingle-style “seaside cottage.” Over the years the gardens have grown in beauty and maturity, with the newest addition being the native plants pollinator paradise–Common Milkweed center stage.

Welcome to Patti’s garden ~


 Hydrangea allée, with every species and color of hydrangea imaginable

Waist-high raised beds for lettuce and herbs.Dragonflies and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds dip, dive, and criss-cross the pool throughout the day.

Adorable and funny, Nellie is the “ham” of the family.
Trellises entwined with Clematis grace a garden wall.
Planters bursting with beauty around every corner.
Vegetable Garden

Catbirds, Robins, and Monarchs are just a few of the species of wildlife that find a welcoming haven in Patti’s seaside garden.

MONARCH FILM FUNDRAISING SCREENING PARTY

Dear Friends,

This past spring I had a tremendously inspirational experience. Out of the blue, a lovely woman from Concord, Laura Stevens, contacted me about the possibility of viewing my documentary film about the Monarch butterflies, Beauty on the Wing: Life Story of the Monarch Butterflies. I was reluctant at first, explaining that the film was in a rough cut form. Although the rough cut features the butterflies and Cape Ann in the most beautiful light, the film does need finessing.

Laura comes from a wonderful family and they all love Monarchs! Every year, she and her family gather together for a reunion based around a weekend of learning. Laura explained that it would be an extra special treat for the 27 women and children who attend the reunion to see the film. The more I thought about it the more I thought it would be a super idea, and sent her access to the film.

Several weeks passed when in the mail I received the most heartfelt thank you letters from Laura and her family members who had attended the screening, from the ninety-five year old great auntie to the youngest child there. And soon after that, donations towards the film’s completion arrived from this most generous family. I am so grateful to Laura and her family for the donations, and for their kind encouragement and enthusiasm.

At that time the thought crossed my mind that this would be a wonderful way to continue to raise funds for the documentary. Landscape design work and the story of Little Chick and the Piping Plovers has kept me from doing any recent fundraising, but my work typically slows for a brief period during the end of August and beginning of September.

READ MORE HERE Continue reading “MONARCH FILM FUNDRAISING SCREENING PARTY”

$12,000 grant opportunity for local artists and writers | Drawing, Printmaking, Poetry, Traditional arts

Mayor Romeo Theken always shares art news immediately! Please share. Dealers, tell your artists! Family and friends, encourage someone you know should try.

Here’s the announcement and deadline from the Massachusetts Cultural Council:

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The Massachusetts Cultural Council 2018 Artist Fellowship program opportunities have been announced!

October 2 deadline for drawing, poetry, printmaking, traditional arts

“Mass Cultural Council will accept applications in Choreography, Fiction/Creative Nonfiction, and Painting beginning December 15, 2017. Application deadline: January 29, 2018…Visit the MCC redesigned ArtSake blog, our online resource to support new art and Massachusetts artists. Every week, we round up a list of opportunities for artists – a way to find your next contest, artist residency, call to artists, publication, and more.”

Gloucester artist, Erica Daborn, was awarded an MCC fellowship grant in 2016.

MCC cultural districts

PICK YOUR OWN SUNFLOWERS AT CEDAR ROCK GARDENS AND ELISE’S TOMATOES ARE CRAZY TALL!!

Pick your own fabulous fresh sunflowers at Cedar Rock Gardens and a butterfly may follow you home!

Elise and her amazing (and wonderfully delicious) tomatoes. Elise and Tucker supply the produce to Short and Main and The Market Restaurant in Annisquam.

Cedar Rock Gardens is located at 290 Concord Street in West located. For more information, visit their website here.

It’s time to laugh

Feel like you’re drowning in negative buzz?  Maybe it’s time to laugh. You’ll laugh alright on Saturday night, right down the road in Beverly at 9 Wallis when Loretta LaRoche takes you back to Brooklyn and back in time to the humor of growing up with her Italian family in her hysterical show Love, Laughter, and Lasagna.

You can even eat some lasagna prepared by Beverly’s favorite deli Gloria Food Store before the show to get you in the mood.

You may remember Loretta from her PBS specials (see video below) or inspirational programs at North Shore Music Theatre a few years ago — and those programs were funny. Trust me: Love Laughter and Lasagna is even funnier!  Come on down; you’ll feel better!

August Garden Star

Rose of Sharon – Hibiscus Syriacus 

It is reviving gardens all over Cape Ann with it beautiful flowers in so many different colors.  

It so important to have a constant show in your garden and this shrub gives you that beautiful surprise in late July, August and into September.

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Love when this happens to ocean spray! Saturday looks like we’re going to have some sea swells. We’re spared today’s “high surf advisory” accorded to Cape Cod and Maine from Hurricane Gert.

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sun rise surf spray sun catcher

minutes before the sunspray

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Visitors on Stacy Boulevard

One of Gloucester’s Tourist attraction is Stacy Boulevard.

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From Lynnfield Mass

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From Richmond Virginia

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From Syracuse New York

They traveled here in a mobile home and enjoyed a break on the Boulevard

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A frequent visitor with his husky from Beverly Mass

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From Peabody Mass, she worked in Gloucester and returns with her friends.

Happy Birthday David Cox

If you see this Gloucester High School shortstop and official GMG good egg David Cox with a camera on the boulevard today make sure you wish him a happy birthday.

Forgot to credit photographer and now I can’t find where I got this shot. Any help? I’m guessing it has to be Manny Simoes.

Lee’s and JT Farnhams on top 10 favorites list for BRAVO Top Chef judge

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can’t miss Lee’s at Gloucester corner – there’s an Edward Hopper drawing of the line up of homes on Lee’s side of the street

Article link: “Want to eat like Gail Simmons? Here are 10 of her Favorite Restaurants in the country (and Canada)!” 

 

Lee’s – 2 East Main Street, Gloucester, MA  5AM – 1PM  (978) 281-3873  
At least one of us orders an apple cheddar omelette

JT Farnhams – 88 Eastern Avenue, Essex, MA
Open seasonally. Fried clams for me. My kids like that they brand the hot dogs. Founder of Farnhams from Gloucester.  

December 2016 view from JT Farnhams Essex
winter view from Farnhams

Bravo The Nosh blog Top Chef