U.S. Dory Races

The International Dory Racing Committee will hold elimination races off the Gloucester Heritage Center dock Saturday June 4th at 8:30 AM.  All racing fans are encouraged to attend!!  Those dues paying members who plan to race must attend sign ups Friday evening June 3rd at the Dory Shop at 6 PM or email before 12 noon.  These races are strictly for 2 person teams in the following categories:  Juniors (men under 19), Women, Mixed Doubles, Seniors (Men Open) and Master’s (Men over 50).  The races will run from the Heritage Center Dock out towards green nun off Fort playground and back.  
Please share this with friends and family.  It will be a great day of racing, uniquely Gloucester, and fun for all!

Saturday May 28th 9am to 4pm
Castaways Vintage Cafe, 65 Main st., Gloucester, MA

Castaways Vintage Cafe Market is supporting local crafters, makers and vendors by having weekend markets – the first one is tomorrow – come check it out!

Vendors:
Cape Ann Sea Salt Co. – delicious locally made solar finishing salt 
Pat D’s Photos and Adventures – awesome photo gifts 
Temple of Enora – beautiful handmade jewelry 
Zoe Bee Designs 

Music – Matt Rich 

Extra incentive:
Free T-shirts (while supplies last) with the purchase of an açaí bowl

Hope to see you there!

Got sheep?

Gordon Massman Studio, 31 Pooles Lane, Rockport, MA 01966

Abstract artist Gordon Massman, in conjunction with Cape Ann Cosmos Media, will host an OPEN STUDIO event in the artist’s 2500 square foot industrial studio warehouse, on June 11, 4:00-7:00pm, at 31 Pooles Lane, Rockport MA. FREE and open to the public. 

Mr. Massman paints large-scale emotional depth charges, taking the viewer on magnificent journeys into the soul. The artist’s statement:

“I paint the unstructured indeterminate character of feeling, irrespective of logic and reason. I reach deep inside the complex nature of urges, desires, wishes, and motivations of the blazing human psyche. In the end, for me, there is only the tube of paint, the canvas, and the sum total of my life. I am blessedly untrained and, therefore, have no guardrails or painterly traditions to restrict my creativity.”

The Matthew Swift Gallery in Gloucester represents Gordon Massman’s work. In addition, the DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, MA, represents eight of his “museum quality” paintings through its corporate lending program.

Before Mr. Massman embraced painting full time, The New York Quarterly Press published seven volumes of Gordon’s poetry. In 2013, his four-hundred-page volume of collected poems was nominated for The Pulitzer Prize. 

Mr. Massman holds an MFA in creative writing from The University of Alaska. He received his undergraduate degree from The University of Texas-Austin in 1972. 

The June 11 Open Studio event will be Gordon Massman’s first unveiling of his work to the public. Attendees should be astounded, moved, and inspired by this vibrant, large-scale production of a uniquely creative outburst of expression. Gordon continues the legendary Rockport art tradition but moves into a new dimension and an unparalleled scale of painting. 

Food, libations, and music will enhance a wonderful experience for all.

The Studio Restaurant & Bar –Gloucester’s landmark hotspot overlooking Smith Cove – is set to make its long-awaited seasonal debut on Thursday, June 2. The neighborhood favorite will operate under new management, led by longtime Gloucester resident and restaurant industry veteran Shawn McQueeney, with many of the same waitstaff and bartenders locals remember season after season. Additionally, The Studio will debut a new culinary team overseen by Neal Maver (Tonno) that is comprised of Cape Ann standout Doug Papows (Feather & Wedge; Foreign Affairs) and celebrated Boston sushi chef Desmond Chow (PABU) that will showcase locally-sourced seafood classics and a live sushi bar feature.

The Studio has been a crown jewel of the Rocky Neck Art Colony for nearly 70 years. Undergoing minor cosmetic updates but with all the same charm, this indoor-outdoor hangout accommodates 380 guests with traditional dining room seating, sprawling bars inside and out complete with HDTVs, as well as lounge-style setups. The restaurant, encased all in glass, offers unobstructed views of Smith Cove from every seat in the house. For boating enthusiasts, The Studio boasts several slips for private docking and this season will introduce an unmatched “cocktails to-go” program with sips like canned prosecco, stateside hard seltzers and frozen “adult juice pouches.” Additionally, The Studio is the only venue to offer a boat shuttle directly to and from St. Peter’s Square in downtown Gloucester.

Helming the kitchen, the tag-team of Papows and Chef Chow will bring fun twists to New American cuisine and signature sushi creations. Papows – who first worked at The Studio at age 14 – returns as a leading chef bringing his passion for local sourcing, working closely with Cape Ann-area fisherman and farmers. Restaurant-goers can expect to see an all-day menu with seafood delights – including Papows’ signature lobster rangoons – complemented with casual pub fare. New this season, sushi chef Desmond Chow will feature a raw bar, tucked in the back corner, where sushi-masters will be on display executing their craft. The sushi setup – dubbed XoXo Bar – is a prelude to a new restaurant concept Chow will head up come fall in Chestnut Hill. 

To quench the insatiable summer thirst, the beverage program will boast something for everyone’s palettes. New to The Studio is frozen drinks, including a Stoli Doli with a choice of fresh purees and a margarita, as well as a rum bar featuring Kenny Chesney’s Blue Chair Bay. There is a rotating selection of eight beers on draught in addition to 20 beers available by the can. While the classic pours are available, local producers take centerstage with options from the likes of Great Marsh Brewing Company (Essex, MA) and Rockport Brewing.

The Studio Restaurant & Bar is located at 51 Rocky Neck Avenue in Gloucester. Beginning June 2, The Studio Restaurant & Bar’s initial operating hours will be daily from 4:00pm-12:00am and shortly following the operating hours will be daily from 11:30am-12:00am. The Studio Restaurant & Bar also will debut live music programming featuring local artists in the coming weeks.

I had been curious as to the project underway at Stage Fort Park creating a foundation and new pathways so I checked into it. Mayor Greg Verga informed me that the DPW is working to create a new location for the Vietnam Memorial which is currently located (at the time of this writing) at the Gloucester High School. I think this is a tremendous idea! The new location will be perfect for the quiet reflection and appreciation appropriate for our Vietnam Veterans.

This is from the City website regarding those being honored (since it’s hard to read from the photo). Thank you to these men and their families especially on this Memorial Day weekend.

UPDATE: The memorial was moved and a ceremony is planned for 10 AM Monday Memorial Day at the new Stage Fort Park location.

From the current high school location:

To the future location at Stage Fort Park:

The City of Gloucester prepares for a busy summer season in advance of Memorial Day Weekend.

In collaboration with several City departments, Mayor Greg Verga has been actively planning for the busy summer season in Gloucester. To engage our essential tourism industry and address resident concerns, the City has instituted several new systems and worked together to improve existing structures.

Gloucester’s Department of Public Works (DPW) has been consistently working to ready the community for the approaching warm weather. Parking enforcement at Good Harbor Beach, Wingaersheek Beach, and Stage Fort Park will officially begin on Saturday, May 28th. Non-residents will be required to make parking reservations via the City’s new online beach parking reservation system. Gloucester residents can purchase their resident beach parking sticker online, through the mail, or in person at City Hall.

Our City beaches have a “Carry In-Carry Out” policy for trash – dumpsters and trash bins are located at the beaches. Littering on city beaches is prohibited and punishable by fines up to $100. 

“It is important that every beachgoer do their part to keep Gloucester’s beaches clean and beautiful so that everyone can enjoy them,” said Mayor Verga. “We appreciate our visitors and residents following the trash policy.”

The City continues to monitor the Piping Plovers currently nesting at Good Harbor Beach. Our DPW and Conservation Department are diligently working to ensure another safe season for the protected species. All beachgoers should respect the nesting areas and are encouraged to report any violations. Due to the protected nesting area, our DPW cannot utilize the beach rake and rely on staff to help maintain the beaches.

The Gloucester Health Department has been regularly monitoring the creek at Good Harbor Beach. As of May 26, 2022, the test results for the creek were within acceptable limits, and the creek will be open for Memorial Day Weekend. The City will have updated test results early next week and will continue to update the community on the status. Beachgoers should pay close attention to all signage at the beaches and respect all determinations made regarding the creek.

Due to staffing shortages, the DPW may experience delays in regular mowing schedules for City parks and public spaces. The City asks for patience and understanding regarding the potential mowing delays. Seasonal porta potties have been placed throughout the City and are scheduled for regular maintenance and cleaning. Residents should submit neighborhood concerns and improvements via SeeClickFix.

The Gloucester Police Department has been preparing for the upcoming summer season. Parking enforcement will begin to ramp up starting Memorial Day Weekend, and officers will continue to monitor resident-only parking restrictions closely. Gloucester residents can purchase the multi-year resident-only sticker at City Hall. Visitors and residents should pay close attention to parking restrictions and signage. The City encourages residents to contact the Police Department’s non-emergency phone number to report parking violations.

The City’s parking kiosks are scheduled to be turned on Friday, May 27th. Visitors are able to pay with credit cards or coins at the kiosks or via the Flowbird parking app. The Pay-by-Plate system eliminates the need for drivers to place a paper receipt on their dashboard, and parking enforcement will be managed by the license plate number. The City hopes that the new system will increase parking space turnover for our local businesses.

Gloucester’s Harbormaster will have the Public Launch fully operational Friday, May 27th. Season passes are available for purchase at the Harbormaster’s office for permitted mooring holders within the boundaries of Gloucester Harbor Launch. 

The Mayor’s office understands that the summer months present several challenges for our City staff and residents. Our local restaurants and businesses depend on our City’s visitors and tourists, so we ask for patience and understanding from our residents.

For more information regarding Gloucester Beaches, visit: https://www.gloucester-ma.gov/299/Beach-Information

For more information regarding the public launch, visit: https://www.gloucester-ma.gov/838/Launch-Service

For more information regarding SeeClickFix, visit: https://www.gloucester-ma.gov/835/Citizen-Request

About The City of Gloucester, Massachusetts

America’s oldest seaport, the City of Gloucester, is known throughout the world as an authentic, working waterfront community, a place of spectacular natural beauty, and home to a diverse population of approximately 30,000 residents. Its sharp focus on economic development has helped build its reputation as the ideal location to live, work, and play. An important center for the fishing industry, Gloucester is also proud of its vibrant cultural life and rich art heritage. Gloucester is a destination for thousands of visitors who visit the harbor and its beaches during the summer months. The City will be celebrating its 400th Anniversary in 2023. For more information, please visit www.gloucester-ma.gov.