My View of Life on the Dock
Large track-hoes (excavators) are needed to repair the damage done by the March nor’easter storm known as Riley.
The narrowest slip of land between a body of fresh water and the sea.
Native pussy willow trees survive storm after storm after storm after storm. More pussy willows, as well as other deep-rooted natives, need to be planted to help with the unending erosion.
Niles Pond water overflowing the bank and littered with debris swept in by the sea.
Nancy, Enza, Enza, Faye, Jackie, Sefatia, Nina, Kathy, Geri, Fay, and Josie.
International Women’s Day was celebrated Friday evening at the Gloucester House Restaurant. The theme this year was royalty and the hosting committee created a beautiful, festive atmosphere with exquisite floral centerpieces, fun purple-themed decorations, and costumes–tiaras were required 🙂 Mayor Sefatia stole the show, dressed head to toe in royal garb with a flowing purple velvet cape. Lenny Linquata and his outstanding staff at the Gloucester House, as always, made a fabulous dinner spread for the guests including fresh roasted and marinated veggies, heaps of fried calamari, and bacon wrapped Brussel sprouts to name just some of the appetizzers, chicken Florentine or fresh-off-the-boat haddock, and a mountain of exquisite desserts. A heartfelt huge thank you to Nina Groppo, Nancy Millefoglie, Enza DiMercurio, Enza Ferrara Taormiina, Faye Pavia, Jackie Zappa, Kathy Numerosi, Geri Millitello, Fay Puopolo, and Josie Taormina for hosting this much anticipated annual event.
Meet the Horned Sculpins:
Shorthorn Sculpin; Daddy Sculpin; Black Sculpin; Greenland Sculpin
The Shorthorn Sculpin, with its large flat head, vast mouth, weak tapering body, bat-like pectorals, and insatiable appetite, typifies the sculpin race in northern seas.
Longhorn Sculpin; Gray Sculpin; Hacklehead; Toadfish
Everyone who has fished along the shores of our Gulf is more or less familiar with this sculpin, for it is a nuisance to cunner and flounder fishermen. It often is bothersome to the angler to unhook when it spreads its needle-sharp spines and erects its spiny dorsal fin. It grunts when pulled out of the water and bites on any bait.
Staghorn Sculpin
The most southerly record for this Arctic sculpin, and the only one for the Gulf of Maine, is of a specimen caught at Eastport, Maine, in 1872, and now in the United States National Museum. It is only as a very rare stray from colder waters to the north that it ever reaches our Gulf.
From Fishes of the Gulf of Maine by Bigelow and Schoeder (1953) courtesy of MBL/WHOI
http://www.gma.org/fogm/Myoxocephalus_scorpius.htm
http://www.gma.org/fogm/M_octodecimspinosus.htm
http://www.gma.org/fogm/Gymnocanthus_tricuspis.htm
During sunset on Friday, noticed this little lobster on a kayak and also compared to last week, the harbor was calm and peaceful.
The Special Olympics USA National Games (www.specialolympicsusagames.org) will take place July 1-6, 2018 in Seattle Washington. Venues will include the University of Washington, Celebration Park, Pacific University Seattle University, King County Aquatic Center and many more. We are proud to be sending a delegation of 50 athletes and unified partner in honor of the 50 th anniversary of Special Olympic movement as coaches and staff to represent
We started today with our first morning Novena to St. Joseph at Felicia’s who so graciously opens her home each year for us to gather and share our intentions. This year we are holding weekend Novenas in the mornings so those who can’t make it at night can join us. Viva, Gesu, Maria, Giuseppe! 
Sometimes things just line up for you. While watching and waiting for our Snowy Owl to take flight and hunt,, she landed on this telephone pole perfectly aligned with the moon.. 
Salem Five is running a pretty fun promotion. There are only a few days left to enter the Dustin & Disney Sweepstakes. “Seven days of sunshine to uncomplicate your winter!” Yes, please.
I, for one, would love to chill with Dustin and spend some time at both Sox Spring Training and Disney….all expenses paid, thanks to Salem Five.
One lucky family will be swept off to Spring Training in Fort Myers to see Dustin and the team take on the defending World Champion Houston Astros at Jet Blue Park and, get this – you’ll hang out with Dustin Pedroia before the game! From there you’ll take a beach day on the Gulf of Mexico in Fort Myers before heading to Walt Disney World for two full days, with park passes to hop around all four of the planets most amazing theme parks. All in all, like we said – seven days of sunshine to uncomplicate your winter.
To enter, all you have to do is head into a Salem Five Bank branch and ask about Dustin and Disney.
How to Enter: Visit any Salem Five branch to enter
Entry Period: February 12 – March 12, 2018
Sweepstakes Drawing: March 13, 2018
We’re going to miss this place. Every single thing has been first class. The architecture is art. The landscape is art. The food presentation is art. If your travel agent suggests that you go to Sandals which was last cool in the 90s, find yourself another travel agent because they’re not doing their job. Overheard at the pool- “We were at Sandals in St Lucia and the rooms haven’t been updated in a long time. This place is brand new and is so much nicer.” Thanks my love for bringing me.
