Day: October 19, 2022

Cape Ann Paddle Tennis Club New Location To Open in November

Taking Limited Number of New Members

During the pandemic many outdoor sports realized unprecedented growth and that certainly was the case for Platform Tennis which saw a 30 to 40% increase in players according to Noah Seidenberg, founder of Xenon Paddle, a new manufacturer in the Platform Tennis Industry.

Cape Ann Paddle Tennis Club experienced the same growth in players and will be moving from their current 3 court location in Annisquam to the site for Spindrift YMCA near Wingaersheek Beach.  With the move, they have purchased 4 new courts and plan to build a paddle hut in the near future.

While the club had to turn away new members until they move to the new location, they are now taking a limited number of new members.

WHAT IS PLATFORM TENNIS?

Platform tennis is an American racquet sport played by thousands of people of all ages and ability levels

across the country. Developed to be enjoyed outdoors in cold weather, this easy to learn sport  offers vigorous outdoor exercise combined with friendly interaction. This unique game attracts people who desire fresh air, competition and social engagement – even on a chilly winter’s day or night. The sport creates and builds strong communities, because most facilities offer compact courts and warming huts, which are a fun place to gather and be active together.

The game is played on an aluminum deck about 1/3 the size of a tennis court and is surrounded by a 12′ high superstructure with taut, 16-gauge “chicken wire” fencing that allows play off the walls, as in racquetball and squash. The court surface is infused with grit so that play can continue in inclement weather. Players often colloquially refer to platform tennis as “paddle” or “paddle tennis”. Platform tennis is a great game on many levels. Unlike golf or tennis, learning to play is relatively easy. In addition, strategy is equally as important as raw power. In that sense, platform tennis entails the power and speed of tennis mixed with the strategy and patience of chess. It is, as a consequence, highly addictive.

WHAT ACTIVE PLAYERS SAY ABOUT PLATFORM TENNIS:

“It’s the very best outdoor activity in town that is affordable to all age groups. Camaraderie, friendship,competition, social play, great time after the play in the hut, girl’s night out, men’s and ladies’ leagues,  you name it this sport provides it. The club is the place where members bring their friends and family to spend quality time together.” Ania Kazakevich, Manager, Head Professional Wilmette Park

District

“Paddle tennis is a blast, and the culture is one of good sportsmanship no matter where you go in the country.” Alyce Dwyer, Jamestown, RI

“One word, addictive, my kids love it, my husband loves it. We can spend time together”.

For additional information please contact Sue Hunt Slobin at Suehuntslobin@gmail.com

That’s a wrap! The 2022 Gloucester Boxing Club Golf Tournament was a complete success! Thankfully the rain held off, however these men weren’t afraid regardless. What an amazing crowd that came out to support us and to the sponsor who supported us! The Club thanks everyone from the bottom of our heart for coming together and smashing balls! It’s been over two years since we held our last Golf Fundraiser due to Covid but we are excited for next year to continue this classic tradition.

Special thanks to the volunteers Katie Oleary and her nephew who came and helped cook and serve 50 hungry people . Thanks to Holy Cow for the Knock Out Punch Icecream! Absolutely delicious! And thanks to Richie for donating all the food! And thank you Norman and the Wenham County Club for hosting this great event! Truly blessed.

Vive la différence…

Mayor Greg Verga to join partners to celebrate Season 2 of Project: Pop up Gloucester

Mayor Greg Verga, with partners Action Inc. and UpNext will host a ribbon cutting for Season 2 of Project: Pop-Up Gloucester at 206 Main St. in Gloucester on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at 11 a.m.

The renewed program highlights the success of the concept for the city’s downtown. It began as a creative solution to bring retailers back into physical store space and continues to offer opportunities for small businesses. Businesses have the chance to operate at the prime downtown spot for several weeks at subsidized rates. After the set time, another “season” of business owners move in. 

“I am looking forward to season two of Project: PopUp in Gloucester and to welcoming two new small businesses to our downtown,” said Mayor Greg Verga. “We get to build on the success of our first round of businesses and continue to bring new life to Gloucester’s Main Street. I am proud of this successful partnership and collaboration and our work providing opportunities for these creative small businesses.”

This season welcomes two artists.  Ornelie Mukadi creates handmade Ankara accessories bringing a piece of the Congolese culture for her customers through her business TehillahS. 

She explained, “TehillahS started as a way to bring the Ankara fabric into rooms where it didn’t always belong. We strive to make our accessories wearable every. Project: Pop-Up allows me the opportunity to venture into the world of brick and mortar without the anxiety of a long-term lease. I hope to gain knowledge on how to not only survive but thrive in a business like mine.”

Sustainable designs will be sold at the second business called Detali.  Founder Natalia Douglass said, “This opportunity will give us a chance to show the world of upcycled design here in Gloucester as well as get together as a community who cares about ocean health.”

This grant-funded initiative allows time to test their business models in the city without the commitment of signing a lease or buying a property.  The entrepreneurs are also given resources to help seed their success through funding in part from the Massachusetts Office of Business Development and the North Shore Alliance for Economic Development.

call 978-515-7386

An addition to The Studio’s end-of-season Halloween event on October 30: Sous Chef Sal Valenti of Peabody recently got an adorable dog, Trager AKA “T-Roy” (photo attached), who has quickly become his best friend and family. At only ten months, Trager must have an unexpected surgery on his leg. The Studio is rallying around Chef Sal and little Trager to help pay for the required $8,000 surgery by auctioning off a baseball signed by recent Hall of Fame inductee, David “Big Papi” Ortiz, as well as a signed Patriots jersey by running back, LeGarrette Blount. Both items will be available for bidding onsite on October 30 and all funds will be donated directly to Trager’s surgery expenses.  

For those who are unable to attend the event but would still like to support “T-Roy” in his upcoming surgery, Chef Sal has set up a Facebook Fundraiser page and is beyond appreciative for anyone who might want to help: https://www.facebook.com/donate/640271754202885/?fundraiser_source=external_url.

I recently realized October 2022 marks our 5th anniversary as Good Morning Gloucester contributors! Time really does fly. I have been reflecting on how far I have come along as a contributor and podcast participant and I want to thank each of you for your support and especially for your comments. Sometimes we meet you in our daily routines and you kindly comment on the posts or the podcast. We really appreciate that! It’s always gratifying to know someone is out there listening or reading. Thanks also to those who take the extra steps to comment on Facebook, the podcast or the blog. It means more to each of the contributors than you might realize.

Special thanks to our Boss Joey and all the Castaways: Chris, Nichole, Scottie, Paul, Drew! And to the other contributors especially Donna, Nichole, Paul H., James, Manny and others past and present.

To celebrate the randomness of everyday life here on Cape Ann, here’s today’s offering. An apparently abandoned cute little Adirondack chair sitting roadside near the Good Harbor Beach footbridge just begged to be part of the blog’s history. And Keith and Aretha joined in the fun. As you may know, Keith is a wreath (follow #KeithIsAWreath on Instagram) and Aretha is his companion. They like to have their photos taken around town for fun.