Day: May 2, 2019

Free! Spring Bird Walk at Eastern Point Wildlife Sanctuary

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Mass Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary is offering a free bird walk at Eastern Point Wildlife Sanctuary in Gloucester on Wednesday, May 8 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Join Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary Director Amy Weidensaul for a walk that will traverse beautiful coastline and wetlands as well as forested habitat. We’ll search for migrating birds such as wood-warblers and flycatchers in the woodland edges, and for nesting birds such as Eastern Bluebirds, Bobolinks, and Field Sparrows in the grassland. We’ll also pay close attention to birdsong as we spend a slow-paced morning enjoying the nature of Massachusetts. Bring binoculars if you have them, or let us know when you register if you need to borrow a pair.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Gloucester Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. Space is limited, and advance registration is required. To reserve your spot and get directions, call 978-887-9264 or register online at massaudubon.org/ipswichriver.

May 8, 2019 (Wednesday) 9:00am – 11:00am

Location:

Eastern Point Wildlife Sanctuary, Gloucester

Instructor:

Amy Weidensaul – Ipswich River Sanctuary Director

Audience:

Adult

May is National Better Hearing Month, Beauport Hearing Care

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

HEALTHCARE Corner

Cape Ann Health & Wellness Committee Monthly Update

Building a community network of wellness through education and shared

resources for body, mind and spirit.

MAY IS NATIONAL BETTER HEARING MONTH!

Beauport Hearing Care Collects Unused Hearing Aids for Charity

Raises Awareness of Better Hearing Month through ‘Orphan Hearing Aid’ Drive

Beauport Hearing Care of Magnolia is celebrating Better Hearing Month this

May by collecting “Orphan Hearing Aids” that are no longer needed and

donating them to the Starkey Hearing Foundation.

Judi Hodge Bergeron, board certified hearing specialist and owner at

Beauport Hearing Care, said, “We are excited to join with community

partners to collect ‘Orphan Hearing Aids’ all around Cape Ann. Donated

hearing aids will bring the precious gift of hearing to people that cannot

afford them.”

Beginning May 1st, look for the blue Orphan Hearing Aid collection boxes at

Aberdeen Home Care, Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, Rose Baker Senior

Center, Cape Ann Veterans Services, Cape Ann YMCA, St. John’s Episcopal

Church, SeniorCare, Salem Council on Aging, Manchester Council on Aging, Rockport Senior

Center, Senator Bruce Tarr’s Office, Second Glance, and more locations with addresses listed at

beauporthearing.com.

Hearing aid donations help people locally and around the world. Beauport Hearing Care

established a partnership with the Starkey Hearing Foundation a few years ago by providing free

hearing aids to impacted survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing. More recently Beauport

Hearing Care helped Gloucester’s Holy Family Mission obtain free hearing aids through a Starkey

Hearing Foundation partner in Santiago, Dominican Republic.

Numerous studies have shown that our hearing is very important to our overall health, and

especially to brain wellness and function. David Bergeron, brain fitness specialist and owner at

Beauport Hearing Care, said, “Hearing loss symptoms are often mistaken as dementia, but research

suggests that ignoring hearing loss is associated with accelerated loss of brain cognitive functioning.

Everyone should schedule an annual hearing test.”

For more information, call Beauport Hearing Care at 978-525-2300

Yadiel gets ear impressions for his free custom fit hearing aids at the Starkey

Hearing Foundation Mission in Santiago, Dominican Republic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reminder! Three amazing authors coming to Gloucester

Posted on by Catherine

Rae Francoeur shares portraits of the authors and writes:

This Sunday event Bestseller to Big Screen is an actual extravaganza!

Sunday  is the day that authors Andre Dubus III, Stephen McCauley and Rodman Philbrick will be here on Cape Ann — together!! Talking about books many of us have read and loved. And that were made into movies. Please join us. It’s free of charge. El Cinco de Mayo! 1 p.m. Cape Ann Cinema & Stage. This will be a rare treat. Getting even one of these esteemed and favorite authors to come would be considered really special. All three awesome storytellers in one place at one time is going to be amazing. We will show old trailers of their movies and there will be books for sale and a chance to meet the authors and get your books signed. Really. You shouldn’t miss this!! Presented by Literary Cape Ann.

 

Marshall’s Farm Stand and Greenhouses

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

Marshall’s Farm Stand & Greenhouses

Our official opening day will be this Saturday 9am-5pm. A lot of beautiful flowers and early vegetable plants are ready to head to your home. Come check out the new and improved farm layout. Pretty sure your going to love it!!!

GMG reader asks: Where have all the Lighthouse foghorns gone?

Posted on by Catherine

Annisquam Light_20190502_Gloucester MA_ © c ryan.jpg

photo caption : Annisquam lighthouse, Gloucester, Ma. photo copyright © C. Ryan, May 2, 2019

Question

“I’ve been living in Gloucester now since 2013 (and love it of course!). When we first moved to the city, we could hear the foghorns during inclement weather. However, about a year ago, I noticed that I no longer hear them. I loved this soothing sound on a gray day and am wondering what happened? Have the foghorns been turned off? Thanks!” –Patricia

Answer

Sort of. The foghorn sound has not changed but their frequency has dropped significantly because the systems are no longer automated in situ on light house grounds. Instead, foghorns are on demand now, manually kicked in by vessel operators. They are VHF automated to frequency 83 Alpha.  Five or more consecutive clicks sets the foghorn off for 30, 45 and 60 minutes depending upon the lighthouse.

The USCG in Gloucester explained that the USCGNortheast out of Boston tends the Cape Ann Lighthouses, albeit Thacher Island North Light which is private. The USCG  division responsible for all technology elements is called the “Aids to Navigation Team”, aka the USCGNortheast ANT unit.

Since 2010, slowly but surely the USCG has been replacing the automated VM-100 fog detector systems with  “Marine Radio Activated Sound Signal” or MRASS systems. VM-100 were problematic as parts were no longer fabricated and the systems were deemed less reliable and obsolete. Boaters rely on common knowledge. Many access USCG light list, GPS on their cellphones, chartplotters, and radar. When the weather hedges to the odds of even one boater being confused by fog, evidence suggests crowdsourcing engages the signal. Expect frequency to increase in summer when more boats are on the water.

The change was not without controversy. See the history of transition in Maine. Locally, a 2013 Gloucester Daily Times editorial expressed support of the Rockport Harbormasters’ opposition. Because of broad push back, the roll out was slowed down for better outreach and acceptance.  The “drop date” requiring all foghorns nationwide to be in compliance was May 1, 2019.

“The upkeep of the MRASS foghorns is so much easier,” explains Petty Officer ONeal of the USCG ANT in Boston. “All the foghorns from Plymouth to Newburyport have been converted. Eastern Point was switched over yesterday.”

I sympathize with this lament for the foghorn. And I appreciate the challenge of maintenance and adaptation. Understandably safety, navigation, cost and care were essential topics of discussion, less so audible texture, mood, sense of place & culture. (Never mind the challenge of mastering dead reckoning when vision fails.) The allure of the sound from shores, often traveling great distance, is in the ear of the listener. Beguiling. Haunting. Soothing. Despondent. Scary. Annoying [see bestselling author Elizabeth Stuart Phelps LTE complaints ca.1880 about the whistling buoy off Mother Ann and that’s no foghorn] What do you think, GMG readers, and vessel experts?

Like train engineers blowing the whistle obliging ogling toddlers, maybe a few boaters will queue the sound in dreary weather for pining landlubbers. Technology changes that’s certain. Perhaps the poetic qualities will be baked into future foghorn design despite obsolescence.

The MRASS system is robust and here now. Thanks to USCG Gloucester and Petty Officer ONeal USCGNortheast ANT unit Boston for confirming details and to GMG reader Patricia for a great inquiry!

Cape Ann Finnish Theatre Opens

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Eileen Fitzgerald and Terry Sands face off in The Betrothal the opening one act in a program of Finnish plays and scenes recreating the theatre world of the first Cape Ann Finnish immigrants this Friday May 3 at 7:30 and Sunday May 5 at 4 at the Lanesville Community Center, 8 Vulcan St., and on Saturday May 18 at 7:30 and Sunday May 19 at 4, at the Rockport Community House, 58 Broadway.

The $20 donation requested benefits the Lanesville Community Center and the Scholarship Fund Of Vasa Lodge 98, Spiran of Rockport.

Also in casts are: Karl and Heidi Pulkkinen, Anne Hyde, Martin Ray, Randy Dupps, Scott and Kierstin Hazzard, Chuck Francis, Tom Moriarty and Sarah Clark.

Show is produced by Valerie Nelson of  Lanesville Community Center and directed by Sarah Clark Of Rockport Community Theatre.

In Plain Sight & Vaping Education Night at GHS May 7th for parents and caregivers

Posted on by Catherine

Please see the Event Flyer  or text below for information about the “In Plain Sight” and Vaping Education Night Gloucester Police and Gloucester High School will present on Tuesday, May 7. As parents and educators, we are concerned about the health and wellbeing of our children. Please join us for an evening of experiential education to empower you to recognize and address youth health issues with your children.- All the very best, Mr. James Cook, Principal, Gloucester High School

In Plain Sight & Vaping Education Night An Evening Session for Parents and Guardians May 7, 2019 5-7PM Gloucester High School.

in plain sight

1623 Studio Cape Ann TV taped GPS event 2018 with visiting scholar, Ruth Potee, MD, at O’Maley discussing vaping and marijuana and impacts on the adolescent brain.

Nichole’s Picks 3/4 + 3/5

Posted on by Nichole S.

Pick #1: Tulip Festival Open House

READ MORE HERE

Get ready for tulips, tours and tinkering because it’s time for the Stevens-Coolidge Place’s annual Tulip Festival. Begin your day with a tour of this historic estate, followed by some friendly competition at corn hole, tip toe through the tulips with a guided tour and end the afternoon picnicking on the lawn with paper flower sun catchers to bring home. Welcome spring!

Curious to see the full house? Join us for full house tours being offered every half hour from 10am to 1:30pm on a first come, first serve basis. Inside you’ll find a two-story mural of the gardens, artifacts from around the world and of course the story of Helen and John Coolidge as they transformed this once working family farm into a gentleman’s summer estate to escape the hustle and bustle of busy city life.

Guided tours of the gardens are also available at no additional fee and will leave from the back patio at 10:30am, 11:30am and 12:30pm. What better way to celebrate the arrival of the friendly tulip, than with a knowledgeable horticulturalist.

Bring the whole family and enjoy making flower sun catchers with the kiddos and reading stories in the cozy nook of a tree. Throughout the day, the gardens and grounds are open for exploring. Play lawn games set up around the property. Borrow a blanket for lounging. Get lost in the colorful world of our multiple manicured gardens or share a picnic with friends.

And of course, no trip would be complete without a trip to the greenhouse to see what seasonal goodies are for sale to add to your garden. Special arrangements will be available today in preparation for Mother’s Day. Holland Flowers will alos be on site for those visitors wishing to take the tulips home with them! Green Apple Cafe will be on site for people looking for lunch options.

Questions? Want to become a Trustees member and enjoy free and/or discounted programs?

Contact kbibeau@thetrustees.org or visit us on Facebook and Instagram!

Help us plan for the day. Pre-registration encouraged.

Busy on May 5th? You can enjoy the Tulip Festival on May 4th as well!

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Pick #2: Milking Time at Appleton Farms

READ MORE HERE

Sundays at 4:00 pm

Join us Every Sunday at 4PM to see our Jersey heard being milked. See the cows bring brought in from pasture, get a look at the milking up close and ask our dairy farmer a few questions! Perfect for kids and adults alike. While you are here take a peek in the cheese kitchen viewing room, visit with our other barnyard animals or have a picnic in the stone paddock!

Please note that the time of this program can fluctuate slightly depending on the animals or farmer’s schedule. We recommend getting to the farm a little early so you don’t miss any of the action. Active milking will be going on, but our Dairy Farmer will do their best to answer all questions while they are working.

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Pick #3: New England Gem and Mineral Show

READ MORE HERE

Saturday – 9:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday – 10:00am to 4:00pm

$6 and children under 12 are free

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The North Shore Rock & Mineral Club (NSRMC) will host their annual event showcasing products like minerals, gemstones, jewelry, lapidary tools, beads, and much more. The event will take place in Coolidge Hall and The Fair Trade Building on the Topsfield.

The weekend show features wholesale and retail dealers of books, crystals, mineral specimens, fossils, gemstones, jewelry, beads and jewelry supplies, lapidary rough and supplies, as well as minerals and crystals exhibits, hourly door prizes, mineral and fossil identification.

Activities for children include Spin-A-Gem, gold panning, mineral sifting and geode cracking.

 

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

GOLFERS WANTED!! CASTING AGENT LOOKING FOR GOLFERS FOR UPCOMING PROJECT!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

NOTICE FROM SLATE CASTING

GOLFERS WANTED!!!!!

We are currently casting GOLFERS for an upcoming project!
No acting experience required, but GOLF experience a must!!
See below and pass it along to all your golf buddies!

Non Union
GOLFERS
Male & Female
Age 30-60

Must be available May 7th or 8th

Pays $1000 (+20% if you have an agent) IF CAST

Interested?
Email us the following no later than Friday at 12pm:

1- Name
2- Contact Information including phone number
3- A couple recent photos of you
4- A short video of your golf swing
5- Give us a brief description of your golf experience

Send to SlateCastingSports@Gmail.com

Please put GOLFER in the subject line

Thanks so much!
Ashley & Marina

Slate Casting | 162 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA 02116
Update Profile | About our service provider
Sent by slatecastingsports@gmail.com

Cemetery Stroll Mt. Pleasant

Posted on by Pat D

We took a walk through Mt. Pleasant Cemetery on a recent damp morning to see if we could fulfill any Find-A-Grave requests for Mt. Pleasant. Although we were not able to find any of those requested gravestones, we did notice some interesting things about this local cemetery.

Find-A-Grave provides a wonderful map (a very rare occurrence and a HUGE bonus) drawn by Matt Hautala in 1995; revised and expanded by Peter Tysver in 2008 and added to Find-A-Grave by Mark G. Spencer in 2015. Huge shout out of thanks to these guys! This kind of tool is invaluable to researchers.

Mount Pleasant map

Find-A-Grave states there are two famous interments: John F. Bickford Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor recipient 1843-1927 (he must have been a VERY young Civil War soldier) and Jessie Ralph, actress 1864-1944, but I think the most interesting one I located was the Amos Story family. The land upon which the cemetery is located belonged to him and his family has a long history of service to our country. Jesse Story was killed at Bunker Hill and Joseph Story died during the Civil War.

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The cemetery was built Victorian style, also known as park style and you can see this in how the pathways are designed almost like sidewalks or park trails.

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It was a dreary day and the ground was wet, but I found this cemetery to be peaceful and interesting in its variety of gravestone types. In fact, I do have at least one member of my family line buried here and it’s good to know he is well taken care of.  We could hear children’s voices from a nearby playground but it was otherwise quiet. We did get a visitor though! After the hawk stopped by to watch us, I knew there must be a message being shared. A little bit of research indicates that hawks forebode enlightenment and that we should be ready to receive a message. Shiver…… I should have taken note, but I think this might even be the Amos Story monument. So I am expecting a message from the past. I will keep you posted.

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