When you need to ice your foot, but don’t have a way to hold it in place….you obviously grab a bait bag to do the trick.

Thanks to Paul Horovitz for sharing this only in a coastal town photo.

And though I do not “love” turtles, I am on board with reducing use of plastic straws. I’d be happy not to see another poor turtle with a straw stuck in any bodily orifice. However, I confess to not being all on board with metal straws….just unappealing to me. I will harken back to my youth and seek paper straws and hope their durability has improved over the years.

PRIVATE GARDENS of Bobbie Brooks OPEN for this weekend

A warm welcome to visit DISTINCTIVE GARDEN DESIGNS, 73 Langford St, Rt 127 in Lanesville 

Open Garden Days and Daylily Sales 

July 28, 29 – Sat and Sun – note the time to visit is 9-1

Collection of 1000 American Daylily Society registrations in bloom, with 500+ seedlings, with 200+ varieties to offer, plus 50 BB registrations, and with many potted up to carry home!

Or just come and enjoy! 

bobbie brooks
lilylady@comcast.net
distinctivegardendesigns.com

https://www.facebook.com/DISTINCTIVE-GARDEN-DESIGNS-269140633407/

Gloucester Resident Awarded Second Annual

Salem State Junior Book Award and Scholarship

Rose Degrange, of Gloucester, has received the 2018 Salem State Junior Book Award and Scholarship from Salem State University Undergraduate Admissions. A total of 50 local high school students received this award this year.

The recipients received a copy of Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand, a book which was chosen by many of the students from university community.  The recipient received a copy of the book, as well as a $1,000 scholarship to the university. To be eligible for the scholarship the student must be admitted and enroll as a first year student in the fall 2019.

The students who received book awards, all high school juniors, received a GPA of 2.75 or higher throughout their first three years of high school and have demonstrated a commitment to the community through work, volunteerism, family/peer commitment, and/or civic engagement.

Hi Joey, 

Happy Summer! 

I am a volunteer with the Mass Oyster Project.  You may be familiar with this organization.   Here is the our website:  www.massoyster.org

Mass Oyster Project is hosting a Waterfront Party at Maritime Gloucester on August 18 and thought that you may be interested in details. Attached is press release for your reference.  If you have time – come join us!   

Let me know if I can connect you with one of our Board Members for additional comments on these initiatives.   Thank you! 

Stories Songs and More

My girlfriends and I were sharing our own stories of marriage, motherhood, movies and more the other night.  One of them mentioned wanting to see the Mr. Rogers movie coming out. As we all have gotten older and somewhat simpler we realize how amazing this man really was. How present but purposeful every move, routine, and word was spoken to evoke such a feeling of welcome, love, and kindness.

My own kids have written biographies on famous explorers, Americans, and heroes of the times.  Most are noted for achieving uncharted territory and climbing some mountain top for the first time. However, most heros actually walk the same street everyday, take the same 7:08 train, and the same route on the boulevard. And, like Mr Rogers, in their quiet routine accomplish so many unspoken and trophy-less feats. Some of these heros help us journey back to our child self, you know the part of you who plays, wonders, and notices small details like lady bugs and acorns. They remind us to slow down, look up, enjoy time and a smile. They make serious note and attend to matters that are seemingly small to busy adults but to a 5 year old of the utmost importance. They call us out of our heads and into our hearts.

I had a toddler and infant swaddled in cloth heading to Stage Fort Park for some type of story time a decade ago. Instantly, magically, I was welcomed into this tribe of mothers, fathers, grandparents, children, friends, ,and two talented storytellers.  We would gather and listen, laugh and wonder. Year after year, Lucille and Alicia watched my children grow from babies to toddlers and more babies and long legged 10 and 12 year olds. One year my daughter found a tiny little teddy bear for Alicia’s puppet Pierra. To her this gift was as rich and tender as the first sighting of the Lady Slipper in Ravenswood Park.  Summer after summer they taught my children to wait, to listen, to not step in the poison ivy behind the bushes, to make a wish, to send a good thought, to laugh. But it never stopped at only those Tuesday mornings. Everytime we see Lucille walking on the boulevard or to the library or Alicia walking to the train we are embraced in their love and treated like the most important people in their lives.

Even two years ago when I was laid up in bed for a year with sickness Alicia read and responded to every heart wrenching blog I wrote sorting out the trauma and gift life had given me. Encouraging me to keep telling my story and helping me understand truly that life is about stories, songs, and more.

When I heard Lucille and Alicia were moving on from Tuesday mornings at Stage Fort Park sadness crept in that my youngest never got to meet the puppet Pierre and hear the story about Aunt Tia and be gifted a shell; a good thought at the end of July. Something in my summer shifted knowing Tuesday mornings at Stage Fort Park right on that little piece of grass has finally ended.

But  I realize it never really ends. My girlfriends and I  and their kids and my kids still will gather at Stage Fort, or the Boulevard, or in a backyard, and keep telling our stories and keep listening to each other. And we will keep sending good thoughts in the shape of acorns and sea shells.  Lucille and Alicia have taught me so much over these years and are some of my heros.

On Tuesday at 10:00 in that grassy same spot we would like to celebrate their 28 years of service to us. Come  and help us send them off with gratefulness, well wishes, good thoughts, and miniature teddy bears for Pierre.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlsCgYJh2FC/?taken-by=ctoon11

fishprinterWhat I’m having Rockport crew make in down time #lobster#13lblobster#crushingit #rockportma

www.fishedimpressions.com

Watch out for downed trees!

Group Art Exhibit Interprets Form

Pat Lowery Collins_Weed,Pebble, and Rock

Joreen-White_Nude2

Barbara Moody_Brocade

Flatrocks Gallery at 77 Langsford St., Gloucester, MA, will be hosting “Interpretations of Form”, from July 26 to Aug. 19. Curated by Pat Lowery Collins and Joreen White, it features the work of Barbara Moody, Joy Halsted, Joyce Audy Zarins, Pat Lowery Collins, and Joreen White. The opening is Saturday, July 28 from 4-6 p.m. Gallery Hours are Thursday through Sunday, 12-5 p.m.  Tel. 978-879-4685

The artists in this exhibit have chosen to interpret form – human form, animal form, form in the landscape – with the use of such diverse mediums as oil, acrylic, pastel, and bronze and by using a variety of approaches. While one artist may choose to deliver a message, another may seek to elicit an emotion and another to suggest the sublime. All have honed their skills over many years, and a selection of each one’s work will be on display.

“Dance like no one is Whale Watching”

July 28 8pm to 12am and Sunday July 29 5pm
MAGMA 11 Pleasant St Gloucester Ma.

Pulling a few things together for this weekend’s Multimedia Art Show at the Gloucester Paint Factory….swing by and take a peek at the awesome talent we have in our beautiful island and see the latest renovations to the Gloucester Paint Factory!   Proceeds from sales of any pieces benefit the Ocean Alliance and the restoration of the Gloucester Paint Factory.

JULY 27, 2018
Friday 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

JULY 28, 2018
SATURDAY, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
.
JULY 29, 2018
SUNDAY, 9:00 – 5:00 PM

Ocean Alliance
32 Horton St, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930

Pick #1:  Patriots Football Training Camp

LEARN MORE HERE

Pick #2: Snakes Show at the Sawyer Free Library

Snakes of New England and the world with Rick Roth

Saturday, July 28th at 10:00 a.m.  ALL WELCOME

LEARN MORE HERE

Pick #3:  Essex Heritage Boat Tours to Bakers Island Lighthouse

READ MORE HERE

*Not for children under the age of 4

Boat & Light Station Tour Schedule

Essex Heritage will be hosting guided boat tours aboard landing craft, Naumkeag, to Bakers Island Light Station again this June – September!

• • Tours offered Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
  • Tours will also run on Monday, September 3rd (Labor Day)
  • Departures are at 10:30 AM on Friday, 10:30 AM & 2:00 PM on Saturday/Sunday

• Adults: $35
• Children (4-12 yrs): $25
• Essex Heritage Members receive a 20% discount!  Not a member?  Not a problem.  Click here to become a member.  (New members: A discount code will be provided on your membership confirmation)

As always for a comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore Kid