Day: August 19, 2020

Sunday afternoon we watched surfers riding modest waves immediatly off the Eastern Point lighthouse, next to Mother Ann. Then on Tuesday evening we were treated to the US Coast Guard carrying out rescue exercises closer to the shore than usual.

From Massachusetts Department of Public Health today Aug 19 2020 that (with some expemptions)  as a requirement of entering school  January 2021, flu vaccines will be required for children. This includes day care, preschool, K-12, and colleges/universities.  From their press release:

State public health officials today announced that influenza immunization will be required for all children 6 months of age or older who are attending Massachusetts child care, pre-school, kindergarten, K-12, and colleges and universities. The new vaccine requirement is an important step to reduce flu-related illness and ​the overall impact of respiratory illness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students will be expected to have received a flu vaccine by December 31, 2020 for the 2020-2021 influenza season, unless either a medical or religious exemption is provided. Also exempted are K-12 students who are homeschooled and higher education students who are completely off-campus and engaged in remote learning only. This new flu immunization requirement to enter school in January is in addition to existing vaccine requirements for all those attending child care, preschool, K-12, and colleges and universities in Massachusetts. Elementary and secondary students in districts and schools that are using a remote education model are not exempt.

Additional information here: https://www.mass.gov/news/flu-vaccine-now-required-for-all-massachusetts-school-students-enrolled-in-child-care-pre

 

 

The Rocky Neck Art Colony (RNAC) is pleased to announce the hiring of Courtney Richardson as the new Director for Rocky Neck Art Colony. Previously the Director of Education and Public Programs at the Cape Ann Museum, Courtney brings her energy and deep roots in the Gloucester community to Rocky Neck.  As RNAC’s Director she will have the responsibility of implementing RNAC’s mission and be the primary spokesperson for the organization and liaison to the community at large

 

Courtney’s background in history (an MA from Salem State) and teaching (Gloucester High School in the early 2000s) will be put to full use not only as RNAC responds to this difficult year but as it pivots to embrace the future new normal.

Kathleen Gerdon Archer, RNAC’s co-president remarked “Courtney impressed the interview committee with her insightful questions, calm demeanor and suggestions of new areas for outreach. Her references were unanimous in support of her competence. We feel that Courtney’s combination of skills and personality will help position us for growth and all the good things we look forward to achieving. Here’s to the next chapter in the history of the Rocky Neck Art Colony.”

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The Rocky Neck Art Colony, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, nurtures excellence in the arts through exhibitions, workshops, residencies, and vibrant cultural events for its members and the public. Long renowned for its luminous light, this harbor and coastal location has been a magnet for some of the most revered realist painters in US art. Edward Hopper and Emil Gruppe are examples. It has as well been a catalyst for the progressive ideas of Stuart Davis, Marsden Hartley, Theresa Bernstein, Milton Avery and Nell Blaine, among others. Today, Rocky Neck continues to attract artists and art lovers to a thriving, creative community. rockyneckartcolony.org

This will be the first recipe in my cook book. Virgilio’s bread crumbs, Fisherman’s Wharf haddock and Capt. Joe’s lobster, of course. James Beard award here I come.

The Boston Celtics recently honored Billy Cincotta, 18, and Haley Blanchette, 20, of Gloucester, MA as ‘Heroes Among Us’ for saving five children from a rip current off the Gloucester end of Long Beach.

Billy, who was working at Cape Ann Motor Inn on Rockport Road heard the cries for help and immediately enlisted the help of Haley. The two of them use a surfboard to retrieve the five children from the water without the help of any lifeguards, who didn’t arrive until after the children were brought to safety.

For their courageous, life-saving actions, the Boston Celtics chose to honor Billy Cincotta and Haley Blanchette as ‘Heroes Among Us.’

For those of you away from “home” and missing the waves at the back shore……this is for you.