Month: March 2019

AWESOME MORNING INSTALLING PIPL FENCING AT GOOD HARBOR BEACH WITH GREENBELT’S DAVE RIMMER, DAVE MCKINNON, MIKE, DPW’S JOE LUCIDO, VOLUNTEER MARY, DOG OFFICER TEAGAN DOLAN, GLOUCESTER’S CONSERVATION AGENT, AND ADORABLE RAINBOW GIRL FREYA!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

I checked on the PiPls early this morning, or more accurately should write, one Piping Plover. We haven’t seen the second PiPl since Monday afternoon. The beach was quiet, with only two dogs, and they were both on leash. Officer Teagan was also present, walking the length of the beach and keeping an eye out on our singular PiPl.

Officer Teagan Dolan

Dave McKinnon

Mid-morning I returned and the beach was bustling with activity. Dave Rimmer and his crew, Dave McKinnon (the above photo is for Dave’s Mom!), and Mike were installing the symbolic fencing. Gloucester’s Conservation Agent was present as well as volunteer monitor Mary. The group was soon joined by Joe Lucido. Joe was there to check on the signs, which are a work in progress, and a DPW crew was present cleaning up all the winter trash that accumulates and blows into the marsh. Joe has been posting about the PiPls on the Gloucester Beaches facebook page and he mentioned the Plover posts get tons of likes!

Joe Lucido

Shout out and thank you to Mayor Sefatia and her administration, all our City Councilors, Joe Lucido and the entire DPW, Heather Hall, Mary, and all our volunteers, Greenbelt’s Dave Rimmer, Dave McKinnon, and Mike, Gloucester’s Conservation Agent, and everyone who is helping our Good Harbor Beach Piping Plovers get off to a great start!


High-stylin’ Freya, in her hand crocheted rainbow sweater and hat (with matching rainbow shoes), and her Mom were at GHB enjoying the sunshine.

Great foraging in the tide flats for our PiPl. Notice in the super copped photo, a tiny little shrimp!

Generous Gardeners Philanthropy through gardening

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

I was honored when Susan Kelly invited me to see the new plans for a beautiful gardens at the Betty Smith Park.  This pretty spot is behind the tennis courts on Stacy Boulevard.  You may recognize this sculpture in the attached photo of Triton.

 

Generous Gardeners also has merged with the Gloucester Civic and Garden Council.

Below please find the plans hand colored drawing from Ann Johnson ASLA.

Generous Gardeners will be adding 4 light post and 2 benches.  The poison ivy will be cleared out so the beautiful flowers and trees can thrive.  Susan would like to thank the DPW for their help.  Generous Gardeners will be doing the work on their own.  Also this year the gardeners have planted another 27,000 tulips on the Boulevard.  These volunteers are amazing with their dedication and hard work.  Ann Johnson one of the Landscape Architects volunteers was one of the landscape Architects in Boston at the Rose Kennedy Greenway.  Very impressive group.

Board of Directors

Susan Kelly, President

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Susan Kelly is the President and co-founder of Generous Gardeners and brings her ambitious vision and exceptional energy to the Board.

Nancy Mertens, Clerk

Nancy Mertens is one of the earliest volunteers with Generous Gardeners and replaced original co-founder Terese O’Connell on the board when she resigned in 2017. She brings vast experience to the board including 7 years on the team organizing the annual Gloucester Garden Tour.

Chuck Kelly, Treasurer

Chuck Kelly brings a banking and accounting background to the Generous Gardeners board, helping ensure perpetual fiscal health for the organization. As a drone enthusiast, his videos and images of the public gardens document the progress of Generous Gardener’s mission.

Antonietta Calabrese

Designated as Lieutenant to Susan, she brings enthusiasm, dedication and vision for the gardens to the board.

Judy Caulkett

Judy Caulkett is an avid gardener and one of the original plant donors to Generous Gardeners.  Judy brings her gardening skill as well as editing and writing skills to the board for grant writing and garden tour literature development. 

Helen McCabe

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Helen McCabe comes to Generous Gardeners from the board of the Gloucester Civic and Garden Council as a result of the merger of the organizations in November of 2018. Helen brings a background in landscape architecture and the continuing vision of the GCGC organization for the revitalization of the Betty Smith Garden planned for spring of 2019. The graphic is the Triton statue in that garden.

Hazel Watkinson

Hazel Watkinson is one of several British Generous Gardener volunteers and as a committed volunteer and gifted gardener, she brings a unique perspective and understanding of the social and cultural implications of our mission to Gloucester.

 

@Adventureman @mrjamiemcdonald is off and running to #GloucesterMA He’s live streaming on Facebook

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Stacy Boulevard: Walker Hancock Triton sculpture, Betty Smith gardens & tennis courts to the East, and Blynman Bridge & railings to the West – more stunning investment #GloucesterMA thanks to DPW, Ann Gilardi Johnson, Generous Gardeners, CPA, DOT

Posted on by Catherine

Gloucester, Ma.

There is much exciting work in progress along Stacy Boulevard including welcome tributes to women. Incremental aesthetic improvements, public access, ease of movement, and celebration of culture require many hands and deliver a huge impact. Here is a brief description of the special current projects and some people involved.

Two revitalized and enhanced gardens beyond the tennis courts will emphasize generations of care

“Remarkable support comes from volunteer expertise like award winning designer Ann Geraldi Johnson and Susan Kelly and the Generous Gardeners who have stepped up as the city’s groundskeepers on the boulevard.” Mike Hale, Director of Public Works 

The Elizabeth Gordon Smith (Betty Smith) garden was cleared and the small Picture garden past the boulevard tennis courts was unearthed. Because Gloucester garden groups pre-date 1900, it’s especially moving to see the work in progess shoring up inspiring legacy connections. Incredible volunteers past and present serve the city’s Department of Public Works (DPW). Stacy Boulevard & Stage Fort Park advocates like Betty Smith, Louise Loud & the Gloucester Civic & Garden Council tended and protected Gloucester’s natural beauty — the very same grounds that are so lovingly served now by dynamos like Ann Gilardi Johnson and Susan Kelly & the Generous Gardeners. Plaques for Lucy Brown Davis, tribute by her sister Catalina Davis, and for Lucy P. Rogers ” president of the Gloucester’s Woman’s Club 1927-29″ are nearby.

photos: Betty Smith garden IN PROGRESS February (overgrowth and clearing underway–poison ivy was found) vs. March and can’t wait to experience the AFTER!

Gloucester MA Department of Public Works directing restoration special gardens Stacy Boulevard _20190215_ sculpture Walker Hancock © catherine ryan (4)
February 2019
TRITON bronze scupture public art Stacey Boulevard Gloucester Ma_ artist Walker Hancock monuments man_ raised atop boulder base _20190324_© Catherine Ryan (12)
March 24, 2019 more progress two gardens revitalized- Paul Manship Triton fantastic enhanced boulder base clearing
TRITON bronze scupture public art Stacey Boulevard Gloucester Ma_ artist Walker Hancock monuments man_ raised atop boulder base _20190324_© Catherine Ryan (6)
Gloucester, Mass., March 2019. Pubic art – Walker Hancock Triton

 

 

 

Continue reading “Stacy Boulevard: Walker Hancock Triton sculpture, Betty Smith gardens & tennis courts to the East, and Blynman Bridge & railings to the West – more stunning investment #GloucesterMA thanks to DPW, Ann Gilardi Johnson, Generous Gardeners, CPA, DOT” →

The One Hour at a Time Gang

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

Good morning kids:

 Hope everyone is well and looking forward to the spring and summer. 

 Time to get out there again as a group.

 Date:                    Saturday, March 30, 2019

Time:                    8:00 – 09:00

Where:                 St. Peters Square

We can do Main and Rogers. 

 Look forward to seeing all you smiling faces.

 

 

Stacy Boulevard: Walker Hancock Triton

Posted on by Catherine

March 2019 work continuing across Stacy Boulevard – read details HERE about  these projects– Hancock Sculpture, Betty Smith Gardens & Tennis Courts to the East, and Blynman Bridge & railings to the West-  additional stunning work and investment thanks to Gloucester MA Department of Public Works, Ann Gilardi Johnson, Generous Gardeners, CPA, Department of Transportation (DOT), and more.  Stacy Boulevard Part 8

TRITON bronze scupture public art Stacey Boulevard Gloucester Ma_ artist Walker Hancock monuments man_ raised atop boulder base _20190324_© Catherine Ryan (12)

March 24, 2019 photos of Walker Hancock Triton and grounds prep before/in process.

TRITON bronze scupture public art Stacey Boulevard Gloucester Ma_ artist Walker Hancock monuments man_ raised atop boulder base _20190324_© Catherine Ryan (6)
Gloucester, Mass., March 2019. Pubic art – Walker Hancock Triton

 

 

 

@Adventureman @mrjamiemcdonald Will Be Live Streaming The Final Six Miles Between 3-4PM On His Facebook Page

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

https://twitter.com/MrJamieMcDonald/status/1110946913837293569

I’d Say We Had A Pretty Good Time For The Night Before The @Adventureman @mrjamiemcdonald Gloucester Finish! Listen To 94.9 At 8:40AM I’ll Be Talking About Today!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

I’ll be on 94.9 With Aurelia Nelson at 8:40 This Mornig Talking About Today’s Finish! Tune In!

Last night I brought home some lobster, marinated some steak and chicken, Nichole Schrafft brought salad and pastry and we drank wine, beer and finished with excellent bourbon and tequila.

Adventureman and his team were such fun to be around.  Can’t wait to see everyone tonight!
Nichole Schrafft pictures and videos-

 

IMG_7314

 

On Wednesday the 27th March, after a year running exactly 210 marathons – more than 5,500 miles, from the westernmost point to the east coast via as many children’s hospitals as he could visit during his yearlong visa – Jamie McDonald, AKA Adventureman, will run his final six miles to the beach at Fort Point, Gloucester, Massachusetts.

And he’d love all the support he can get!

The mammoth adventure has raised more than $150,000 for sick kids so far – a cause close to Jamie’s heart, having spent the first nine years of his life in and out of hospital, with a rare spinal condition.

We’re inviting members of the public, of all ages, to join and support us. (Superhero outfits are optional but very much preferred!).

We have broken it down into a few stages to ensure people of all abilities can join in, and Jamie will be live-streaming to ensure people all over the world can be involved, too!!!

The route can be seen on Google Maps here: https://goo.gl/maps/Snm3sbYvgh52


Itinerary:

*** 6 miles out – don’t worry, it’ll be a nice slow pace!

– Meeting point: Sweeney Park, 113 Summer St, Manchester By the Sea
– Time: 2.30pm 

***1.7 miles out (if you’d like a shorter run)

– Meeting point: Hammond Castle
– Time: 3.45pm

***0.7 miles from the finishing point:

– Meeting point: Stage Fort Park (lots of parking nearby, apparently!)
– Time: 4pm

***Finishing point at the Fisherman’s Memorial Statue – where Jamie will dip his hand in the Atlantic Ocean, having done the same 5,500 miles ago in the Pacific!

-Time: approximately 4.15pm 

After the finish, the nearby Beauport Hotel has confirmed they will be putting on a welcome celebration and reception for supporters, so please do feel free to join us to celebrate the incredible achievement… after which, Jamie will be back in the UK to attempt to break the world record for the most miles run on a treadmill in 7 days!

*** Please feel free to share this event far and wide – and tag your friends in, too! ***

Click on and Save this link to follow his live interactive tracker map and know where he is

Adventureman Arrives Today and You Are Invited!

Posted on by Pat D

After nearly a year of running the perimeter of the United States raising money for sick children, Adventureman Jamie McDonald is scheduled to complete his 5500 mile journey right here on the boulevard in Gloucester around 4 PM today. We sincerely hope you can join us as we welcome him to Gloucester and congratulate him on his super hero efforts on behalf of sick children.

He will be running from Manchester to Gloucester. Those wanting to join him for his last few miles are welcome to meet up at Robert Sweeney Park for a 6 mile run (around 2:30 PM); Hammond Castle around 3:45 PM or Stage Fort Park around 4 PM. All are encouraged to watch for him along this route to cheer him on, but we’d really like to see a big crowd this afternoon at the Fisherman’s Memorial Statue for this historic event. Let’s give him a true Gloucester welcome.  Reception to follow at the Beauport Hotel and all are welcome.

To donate: https://www.adventureman.org/donate/

Adventureman-Logo

 

There Couldn’t Be A More Appropriate Song For @Adventureman @mrjamiemcdonald Than The GloucesterCast’s Themesong “Gloucester Til The End”

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Written By Earl Foote and given to us to use as our podcast intro.  Mike Lindberg one of Good Morning Gloucester’s first contributors created this video which I consider to be the best music video of all time.

Brings chill every time I listen to it still to this very day.  Mentions the crew of the Andrea Gail and my Uncle Cosmo’s boat The Captain Cosmo and the men that were lost to the sea, the Boulevard, the Fisherman’s Memorial Statue.

How much more fitting could the Song “Gloucester Til The End be for a Gloucester England born runner to finish a 5500 mile run around the perimeter of the United states and finishing on the Boulevard at The Statue?

Crazy.

Alexander Technique ~

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Ayurveda Wellness Healing, LLC's avatarCape Ann Wellness

Introduction to Alexander Technique
With Larry Young.

We are thrilled to host Larry Young for this amazing workshop. Come find out what everyone is talking about and experiencing!

The Alexander Technique is a simple, practical method for getting rid of unwanted tension in the body. It has been used successfully for over 100 years by people with bad backs, stiff necks, repetitive stress injuries, breathing difficulties, anxiety, depression and chronic pain as well as by musicians, actors and dancers, athletes and others who use their bodies professionally.

“You cant so something you don’t know, if you keep on doing what you do know”
Quote from founder of Alexander Technique

This introductory workshop will present Mr. Alexander’s discoveries and leave you feeling lighter, calmer and more free.

Larry Young is an AmSat certified teacher of the Technique and is based in Manchester-by-the-Sea.

When:  April 4

Time:  7 – 8pm

Where:  Ayurveda…

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Second Night Passover Seder at Temple Ahavat Achim

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

taagloucester's avatarCape Ann Community

Please join us for the traditional TAA second night of Passover Seder!

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: REGISTER AND PAY by Friday, April 5th – and pay $36/person. AFTER April 5th – $40/per person.

Please register early for what is always a sold-out event, so our chefs can cook delicious food for the correct number of guests.

Click here to register!

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SEVEN WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN ALL HELP THE PIPING PLOVERS RIGHT NOW!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

1) Volunteer to be a Piping Plover monitor. Please contact Alicia Pensarosa at gloucesteraac@gmail.com. Heather Hall is currently working on a temporary schedule until one is provided by Alicia. Heather can be reached at gonesouth5@gmail.com.

2) Please let your friends know the PiPls have returned and please share this post.

3) If you have a dog, and I know this is a great deal to ask, please avoid Good Harbor Beach. There are many other great places that folks can walk their dog. Beginning April 1st, all dogs are prohibited from Good Harbor Beach at anytime of day or night, including early morning and after the life guards leave for the day.

4) If you feel you must bring your dog to GHB, please avoid the No. 3 boardwalk area (their preferred courting and nesting area) and please walk your dog along the shoreline.

5) Join our Facebook page Piping Plover Partners.

6) Come to the Piping Plover Ecology, Management, and Conservation program at the Sawyer Free Library this Saturday from 10am to 12pm. This program is sponsored by the City of Gloucester’s Animal Advisory Committee.

7) Please report anyone harassing the PiPls to the police at 978-283-1212 and any dog harassing the PiPls to Gloucester’s Animal Control officers Jamie and Teagan at 978-281-9746.

THANK YOU FOR ANY AND ALL HELP GIVEN!

TWO GOOD NEWS UPDATES:

A note from Mayor Sefatia – A thirty day waiting period after the new dog ordinance was passed was required prior to any new signs being installed. The thirty days has passed and we will be seeing the new signs shortly!

Dave Rimmer from Greenbelt will be installing the protective symbolic fencing tomorrow, Wednesday!

Look for the Papa doing a fancy goose step during courtship. This is our Good Harbor Beach Mama and Papa courting last spring.

Plover Dad brooding eggs

A tell-tale sign of PiPls present are these sweet petite fleur de lis tracks in the sand.

A tiny chick, the fraction of the size of a child’s flip flop.

Essex Greenbelt’s Dave Rimmer and assistant installing the wire exclosure last year after the PiPls were driven off the beach by dogs–we don’t ever want to see this happen again.