Month: June 2021

Gloucester Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken Accepts Professional Findings

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Dear Friends, Family and Supporters:

As you know from the articles in the Gloucester Daily Times, there have been concerns over myself, current staff, and retired staff. 

This process played out through professionals and there’s more info below, but I want to thank you for being by my side.

You’ll see those outside investigation findings of the complaints below including the summary of complaints, but this is all I can share right now.

I realize that being a friend and being open wasn’t the best policy, and my choice of words were not ideal, either. I take full responsibility for being overly passionate, excitable and- yes-loud. I have been attending various professional management training sessions, webinars and more. I have learned new techniques and skills that I’m grateful for and embrace the positive change. I only wish I had known about how the perception of our conversations bothered them sooner but we’re moving forward together.

That being said, I’m glad to finally address this in some form but more excited about getting ready for a glorious, economical summer.

Respectfully,

Sefatia

Mayor Findings PDFDownload

JEOPARDY! fans: local clue or answer airing July 9th on @WBZ channel 4 #Jeopardy #GloucesterMA 🍿📺

Posted on by Catherine

Jeopardy! is fun to play along at home whether you’re a game show fanatic, trivia savant or casual viewer. This summer, don’t miss the July 9th episode.

get ready to watch and set that DVR for the Jeopardy! playback on July 9, 2021

“Jeopardy!” airs at 7:30 p.m. EST on CBS (WBZ )

So, what’s it going to be? Jeopardy! clue or answer? Will you know it when you hear it? Maybe it’s a Daily Double. Or a question that flips the lead.

p.s. It’s all fact checked, taped and ready to roll. Not surprisingly, they’re thorough.

@Jeopardy on Twitter

@Jeopardy on Instagram

Jeopardy! on Facebook

 https://www.jeopardy.com/watch for more information

Also according to J! Archives

there have been 6 clues and 3 contestants (Mary Flaherty season 15 player, Jim Spilman, season 23 and Heidi Wakeman season 18) from Gloucester since 1984 that they’ve archived, and

1043* clues about Massachusetts (could you answer them?) *247 ‘Mass.’ w/i ‘Massachusetts’

489 clues and 78 players from New York

1208 clues and 313 players from New York City

80 clues and 205 players from Boston

47 clues and 4 players from Salem

1 player from Manchester (Sarah Shemkus season 29)

a few questions for Essex (including Essex county)

and none for Rockport.

J! Archives built by diehards

Music on Meetinghouse Green, Summer Music Festival 2021

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

PRESS RELEASE (for immediate release):

Music on Meetinghouse Green, Summer Music Festival 2021

This summer series is dedicated in memory of Harry Hintlian for his encouragement, generosity, and for making the Meetinghouse a net zero building. The free outdoor concerts resume live on the Green at the corner of Middle and Church Street starting July 9th on Friday evenings at 6:00pm. Join us for the festival’s sixth season of great music, raising funds for Cape Ann non-profits via free-will offerings, and delicious food available from local vendors. More info at: http://www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

 Description:

This unique free summer music festival features a different popular musical ensemble at each Friday evening concert on Meetinghouse Green and benefits nine North Shore non-profits via free-will offerings from the audience. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and your favorite libation to enjoy the music and delicious food available from local vendors while supporting the local non-profit partner of the event with cash or check donations.

Performers:

The season again opens with the acclaimed John Baboian Ensemble from the Berklee School in support of Pathways for Children. Concerts offer a delightful medley of Jazz, Punk, Rock-n Roll, and Oldies from the 50s to the 70s. Some of this season’s offerings include:  What Time Is it Mr. Fox? with Brian King; singer Mari Martin; Willie Alexander’s Persistence of Memory Orchestra; The Goddesses; and The Cape Ann Big Band. The Middle Eastern group, Hye Fusion, returns with music ideal for line dancing and there are two newcomer ensembles to delight music-lovers: the internationally-acclaimed Klezmer band, Ezekiel’s Wheels and Vermont lyrical Folk duo, The Early Risers.

 Schedule:

DATE MUSICIANS NON-PROFIT PARTNER FOOD VENDOR
July 9 John Baboian Ensemble Pathways for Children Causeway
July 16 The Early Risers Backyard Growers Common Crow
July 23 Hye Fusion Maritime Gloucester Classic Cooks
July 30 The Goddesses Open Door Jalapeno’s
August 6 What Time Is It Mr. Fox? North Shore Health Project Maria’s Pizza
August 13 Mari Martin HAWC Jalapeno’s
August 20 Ezekiel’s Wheels Grace Center TBD
August 27 Willie Alexander’s Persistence of Memory Orchestra Gloucester Education Foundation TBD
September 10 Cape Ann Big Band Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation Causeway

Location, Time and More Info:

The Green in front of the Gloucester Meetinghouse is located at the intersection of Middle and Church Street. The program starts at 6:00PM and concludes around 8:30PM. Please consult www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org  for more information about the performers, non-profits and food vendors. Sign up for our email blasts to stay current, especially for contingency plans in case of bad weather. Note: parking on the Green is limited to a small area near Middle Street for persons with disabilities only.

Sponsors

Thanks to our Sponsors all the series’ expenses, such as for the musicians, are pre-paid. 100% of the free-will donations go to our non-profit community partners.

Platinum          John & Janis Bell, J.J. & Jackie Bell, Cape Ann Savings Bank, J. Linzee Coolidge, Scobie Ward

Gold                 BOMCO, Michael & Mary Ann Bresnan, Landesign, Inc.

Silver               Anonymous, Tom Burger & Andrée Robert, JoeAnn Hart & Gordon Baird, Pat Johnson & Jeff Henderson, Susan McKain & Ken Steiner, Charles Nazarian, John & Sandra Ronan

Bronze             Jerry Ackerman, Karen Bell, Pamela Bynum & Henry Ferrara, Peter Calkins & Susan Casey, Frederick Cowan, Richard Gardner, Rev. Janet Parsons, Dick Prouty, Joe & Maggie Rosa, Kathleen Williams, Sarah Willwerth-Dyer

Restoration of the Green Coming Up Soon!

After many years of neglect Meetinghouse Green is in need of a thorough restoration. Last year, summer series virtual audiences contributed $7,500 towards a Feasibility Study by the firm Landesign, Inc. to improve accessibility and enhance safety. The GMF is currently seeking large government and foundation grants plus individual donations to fund this over $200K project, slated to begin this fall and be completed in time for the 2022 summer series.

About the GMF

The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit modeled upon the Old North Foundation in relation to Boston’s famous Old North Church.  Its mission is to preserve the landmark building as a civic hub, entertainment venue, and community center. The ongoing preservation of the building seeks to combine the highest standard of restoration with energy conservation techniques and has achieved a ‘net-zero’ building carbon footprint with the help of Reforest the Tropics and its climate-change initiative TownGreen/2025.

Building History and the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation

Completed in 1806 for the first Universalist Church in America, the grand Federal Style, 600-seat Meetinghouse with a 110’ lantern steeple and Paul Revere Bell is a jewel in the heart of the Historic District. Now well into its third century serving the people of Cape Ann, its history is steeped in the establishment of religious freedom in Massachusetts and the Constitutional separation of church and state. Home of the present-day Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church and host to The Grace Center, the building is alive with activities like concerts, family-friendly entertainment, events, symposia and civic celebrations.

 

Goings on at Hammond Castle Museum for July 2021

Posted on by James Eves

July Movie Series

Come have a unique summer experience with a big screen movie on the oceanside lawn of the Hammond Castle Museum! Bring a picnic dinner, chairs or a blanket, and come early to spend time on the back lawn or stroll around the Castle. Doors open at 6pm.  Movies starts at sundown (approx. 8pm)

July 8 – The Secret of the Kells
July 15 – Monty Python and the Holy Grail
July 22 – The Princess Bride
July 29 – Young Frankenstein
Doors open at 6pm. Movies starts at sundown (approx. 8pm)

$20 Adults, $10 Children 6-12, Children 5 & under free.
Visit hammondcastle.org for more details and to purchase tickets! 

The Museum is located at 80 Hesperus Avenue, Gloucester, MA.  978-283-2080

Bubbles and Books

Join us each Monday morning in July and August for story time, followed by a bubble party on our back lawn. Stories start at 10:15 am. Feel free to bring a blanket for your little one to cuddle with while we enjoy some classic prince and princess stories and explore lesser known favorites too. Child 5 & Under: Free, Child 6-12: 9.00, Adults: 14.00, Seniors 65+: 10.00.  Visit hammondcastle.org to purchase tickets.  The Museum is located at 80 Hesperus Avenue, Gloucester, MA.  978-283-2080

Medieval Arms & Armor at Hammond Castle Museum 

July 10 or Aug 14, 10-11:00 am

Join Hammond Castle Museum Curatorial Director, John Leysath, as he walks us through the world of medieval arms and armor. This presentation will delve into the history, engineering, and use of armor.  There will be many examples of armor for visitors to see in person. There are two opportunities to attend this event; July 10 or August 14. Adult: $20, Child 12 & Under: $15, Child 5 & Under: Free. Please visit hammondcastle.org to purchase tickets. The Museum is located at 80 Hesperus Avenue, Gloucester, MA.  978-283-2080

Renaissance Music Day

Hammond Castle Museum will be filled with the sounds of traditional medieval, renaissance, and Celtic instruments and vocals on July 11 from 10am – 4pm. Performing in and around the Castle, four New England music groups will play throughout the day.  Offsite parking will be available in addition to Museum parking. $20 adults, $10 children 6-12, children 5 & under free.  Please visit hammondcastle.org to purchase tickets. The Museum is located at 80 Hesperus Avenue, Gloucester, MA.  978-283-2080

Gloucester Police ALS fundraiser we are doing for the family of Pete Frates

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Joe can you share this ALS fundraiser we are doing for the family of Pete Frates and an ALS charity of their choice. $20 donation for t shirts $10 donation for patches…call the community impact unit at 978-325-5471

St. Peter’s Rosary Recited at the Fishermen’s Wives Memorial

Posted on by Pat D

It was breezy but beautiful as these ladies (the Novena Girls) gathered at the Fishermen’s Wives Memorial to recite St. Peter’s Rosary. Thanks to Felicia for the altar to our pets which have sustained many of up through the pandemic and for gathering everyone together to pray. I think I missed a couple of latecomers to the group but the entire group is devout and dedicated.

Bustling Summertime circa 1956

Posted on by Pat D

This article from Monday June 18 1956 could have been written today! Except perhaps suggesting that few people know how to get to Good Harbor Beach …… It’s summer now officially. Enjoy!

First Day of Summer — pat morss

Posted on by patmorss

Last week I posted photos of young Eider ducklings practicing diving in shallow water at Raymond Beach, during Diving Elementary School. This weekend when I returned to my mooring, the parents and their nine kids were in deeper water for Diving Middle School. Here also, are other signs of summer.

Eider family ready for dive school
Kids down with one adult teacher, while the other remains on alert
All the kids pop up, while the other adult stays down
End of diving class
Two of the many deer on the Eastern Point Audubon land
Evening charter cruises are back
Interesting sunset cloud formation
Julia Nicole is back for evening fishing near the rocks
Our East Gloucester 3-legged coyote is doing fine; the “rear left leg” is actually his tail
Looking a bit scruffy while shedding his winter coat