Our fun trip to Disney

What a wonderful time Rick and I had at Disney last week.  We did everything from taking a photo safari, in Africa at Animal Kingdom to riding on a Small World at the Magic Kingdom.  We stayed at The Jambo Lodge on the Savannah.  Right from our balcony giraffes, wildebeests, Zebra, Kudus, Ankole-Watusi Cows, Eastern Africa Cranes and many more animals were free to roam.  We also saw amazing, beautiful Elephants, Rhinos, Hippos, Cheetahs, Tigers, Lions and beautiful birds.

Seeing these beautiful animals roaming free was incredible and I think I became attached.

I probably took thousands of photos.  This trip was our best time.

 

One of my favorite faces, no long lens needed.  In the morning these beautiful animals seemed to enjoy where are room was.

Tree of Life

This cutie just took a mud bath

Kudu

Magic Kingdom

Silverback Gorillas

 

 

Complimentary Fine Wine Tasting of South African Gems – at Savour, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2 – 4 pm

THIS SATURDAY, Oct. 21, 2 – 4 pm

COMPLIMENTARY

FINE WINE TASTING @ SAVOUR WITH TORI SEPAVICH OF CAPE CLASSICS

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We have a wonderful tasting for this Saturday, featuring the impressive wines of Cape Classics from South Africa, featuring my favorite white and red varietals, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc. While glorious in their place of origin, these wines obtain a purity and depth in South Africa unique to their own terroir. Come join us and Tori as we celebrate and enjoy these treasures.

Cape Classics

Behind every farm, winemaker, bottle and grape lies an untold story. Collectively, we discover these tales and share them with our customers. Demanding authenticity, Cape Classics operates the “old-fashioned” way, with relationships and social responsibility at the forefront of our business. The wineries we represent embrace sustainable eco and social practices, doing their part to help preserve lands for future generations while improving the human condition now. Our wines are expressive, crafted with passion and perspective, and delivered with the same hallmark levels of service and professionalism since 1992.

WINES

Bayten Sauvignon Blanc, Cape Town, South Africa

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon Alc. 13%

The Bayten estate is situated on east-facing slopes of the Constantia berg mountain, just south of Cape Town

and a few short miles from False Bay. This cool-climate coastal area is renowned for elegant white wines that possess an intense minerality. Bayten was established in 1769, when Arend Brink purchased the farm, built a manor house and began planting vines. The property changed hand many times over

the years. In 1981, the Mueller family purchased the estate and began to replant the vineyards and restore the estate to its former glory. Current proprietor Lars Maack constructed a modern wine cellar featuring state-of-the-art winemaking equipment and a temperature controlled barrel maturation area with a capacity of 3,000 barrels. Today Bayten has earned a reputation as the source of some of South Africa’s most exquisite, mineral-tinged white wines. The Bayten Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and zesty with  textbook aromas and flavors of green fig, gooseberry, and lime. Grassy herbal notes are supported by elegant underpinnings of mineral and chalk. Pairs well with oyster, fresh crab, simply grilled fish. $14.99

Raats Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Varietal: Chenin Blanc Alc.13%

Founded in 2001, Raats Family Wines is focused solely on crafting world class Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc, best known as the premier grapes of France’s Loire Valley. The boutique winery has quickly established itself as a New World leader in the production

of these two varietals, garnering tremendous critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base. Proprietor and winemaker Bruwer Raats firmly believes that South Africa’s proliferation of older Chenin Blanc vineyards provides a unique opportunity to craft terroir-driven wines that serve as international benchmarks for the varietal. The Raats Old Vine Chenin is rich and intense and   strikes a perfect balance between elegance and power. It exhibits luscious flavors of honeyed pear, fig, and citrus, with concentrated, mouthwatering minerality. Appealing hints of ginger and spice carry through on the lengthy finish. Pairs well with roasted vegetables, charcuterie, seafood. $27 .99

Kanonkop Kadette, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon Alc. 14%

The Kanonkop Estate is often referred to as a South African “First Growth.” The fourth-generation family farm, presently run by brothers Johann and Paul Krige, has been owned and operated by the Sauer-Krige family since the early 1930s.The name Kanonkop is derived from a “kopje” (small hill) on the property, from which a cannon was fired in the 17th century to announce the arrival of the Dutch East India Company’s trading ships at Table Bay. Upon hearing this signal, local farmers would load their wagons and set off for the harbor to barter their produce. Situated on the lower slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain in Stellenbosch, Kanonkop encompasses just over 247 acres of vineyards at altitudes of 195–395 feet above sea level. Cooling breezes from False Bay provide natural “air conditioning” for the vineyards, which are planted predominantly on decomposed granite soils of Clovelly and Hutton. The Kanonkop Kadette shows opulent aromas of blueberries, plums, and red currants. Underlying hints of dried herbs and subtle oak spice add further complexity. The tannins are finely textured and add a sturdy framework to support the plush fruit core. Concentrated flavors of blue and blackberries, combined with delicate acidity, creates a classic Stellenbosch red  blend with a lengthy, dry finish. Pairs well with steak, lamb, grilled burgers. $17.99

Raats Dolomite Cabernet Franc, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Varietal: Cabernet Franc Alc. 14%

While Raats is best known for their sublime Chenins, winemaker Bruwer Raats also crafts scant quantities of an exquisite Cabernet Franc that shows the heights this under-the-radar grape can achieve in the hands of a master. For Bruwer, crafting wines under his own label means that he doesn’t have to worry about shareholders or catering to a market, or to keeping within a cellar’s style. He values the freedom to craft something he believes in. The Raats Dolomite has an enticing nose with its perfume of Cape fynbos, rosemary, lavender, and thyme with spicy notes of nutmeg, cloves, and star anise. The palate is dominated by brambly dark berry fruit, black cherries, and spice, with a lovely savory character and a streak of graphite. The palate is complex and layered, with silky, fine-grained tannins, distinct minerality and mouthwatering acidity. Pairs well with steak, barbecue, spicy sausage. $24 .99

Taaibosch Crescendo Red Blend, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Varietals: 65% Cabernet Franc, 26% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon Alc. 13.5%

In the mid 1990s the property that would become Taaibosch began producing its own wines under the name Cordoba. These wines quickly gained fame, and by the late 1990s, Cordoba had become a cult brand and an icon of South Africa. At the time, it was the first Cabernet Franc-driven Bordeaux blend to be produced in South Africa. Unfortunately, in the early 2000s the cellar was made dormant and wine production under the Cordoba name stopped. In 2016, the Oddo family of France purchased the property, rejuvenated the vineyards, and built a new state-of-the-art cellar. (The Oddo family also owns Piton Sancerre and Vallon des Glauges domains in France).The Oddos named the property Taaibosch and quickly began the farm’s conversion to organic. Minimalistic intervention is applied throughout the winemaking process. The cellar system is gravitational to allow for gentle handling of the grapes and primary juice throughout the initial phase of vinification. This gives the wines a refined tannin structure characterized by balanced tension and longevity, not only in taste but also in terms of aging ability in bottle. Crescendo is a Bordeaux blend defined by Cabernet Franc. Crescendo is a reflection of the terroir from which its grapes originate and is characteristic of wine made in Stellenbosch. Notes of white pepper, clove, and red berries give this wine delightful aromatics. The tension in the wine lends itself to an elegant finish, bringing together the various elements in a gentle fashion resulting in an elegant, polished wine. Pairs well with roasted pork, beef stew, grilled lamb. $39 .99

And don’t forget to check out what’s new in our beer case, including two juicy NE IPAs and a clean, refreshing rice lager from East Regiment Brewing, a veteran-owned brewery in Salem and a crisp new lager and a smooth, refreshing kolsch from Rockport Brewing.

Find out about new wine arrivals and other events at Savour by following us n Facebook and Instagram. 

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Kathleen’s Price-Value Gems:

Unique to SAVOUR our three price-value collections, with

each category ($9.99ers – $14.99ers -$19.99ers) offering hundreds of wines

at one price, personally curated by Kathleen, some have limited availability

9.99ers…the quality is taste delivering above-price enjoyment …Value!

14.99ers…exhibiting qualities of complexity…Elevating the Experience!

19.99ers…value laden wines by innovative vintners…Expect Exceptional!

Adding to this Saturday’s wine tasting with Tori Jackson is Savour’s Everyday Tech Tastings at the North Shore’s Only Digital Wine Machine. Fun to use and enjoy! Taste up to 20 wines with new selections regularly added…& yes, complimentary. Kathleen welcomes your questions for food pairings. (We have just changed 18 of the wines on the machine, so come in and try something new)!

Welcome Your Donation in any amount for Pathways for Children.

Thank You! …Kathleen

 For Your Mobile Calendar – July

Savour Wine Tastings!

October 21 – Tori Jackson – MS Walker

October 28- Mike Cannon – Hogshead Wines

Nov. 4 – Semi-Grand Tasting

Nov. 11 – Gordon Alexander – Terroir Wines

Nov. 18 – Harry Zarkades – owner Main St. Wines

Nov. 25 – Morgan Downs – Savour

December 2 – Marc Bergeron – Masciarelli Wines

Dec. 9 – Semi-Grand Tasting

Continuing to offer case discount 0f 10% on wines and all items purchased with the case to all customers. Wine Club members get 5% off on 6 bottles and all items purchased with the 6 bottles. Thanks again for your support!

 We continue using our 5 Molekule high performance air purification units that clear the air of 99.9% of viruses, bacteria and allergens every hour, store wide.

We are pleased to continue curbside pickup service

Savour Wine & Cheese l 76 Prospect St. l Gloucester l 978. 282 .1455

Puppies and Pumpkins

Marshalls Farmstand is having a fun event on Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 10 – 2.  When shopping for great veggies, fruit and food, visiting the alpacas, please come over to say hello.  Thank you.

Hope to see you all coming to shop for great veggies and fruits with some fun vendors.   20% of the farm sales goes to Cape Ann Animal Aid.  Come and see the cute puppies from the Cape Ann Animal Aid.

 

Essex Shipbuilding Schoolhouse Archives Is The Place for Schooner Lovers

I was recently invited to attend the dedication of the Essex Shipbuilding Museum Schoolhouse Archives in honor of Jim Witham and took the opportunity to take a look around the Schoolhouse Archives at 28 Main St in Essex. If you love schooners, you really need to check it out. It’s small but packed with TONS of interesting artifacts and information about Essex Shipbuilding. I had not been there in quite a while and much has changed. I recommend you check it out when you can.

I was included in the event as a member of the organization, which has several fun events coming up including a Speakeasy fundraiser! See the image here for info.

Rockport Middle/High School Performing Arts Performances Open to the Public

 ~ ROCKPORTPUBLICSCHOOLS 

Rockport Middle/High School Performing Arts Performances Open to the Public

Enjoy live music and theater performances put on by passionate and talented students

ROCKPORT, MA – The Rockport Middle/High School Performing Arts Department would like to invite interested community members to attend their upcoming student concerts and theater productions. 

RHS Drama Department presents their fall musical:  Xanadu

Performances will be held in the John Lane Auditorium at Rockport Middle/High School on Friday, November 3rd & Saturday, November 4th @ 7:00 p.m.; with a matinee on Sunday, November 5th @ 2:00 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $10.00 per person.

RMHS Music Department presents the following Fall and Winter performances: 

All Shows begin at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Thursday, November 16, 2023: RPS Orchestra Summit (Grades 4-12) – John Lane Auditorium, RMHS

Tuesday, November 28, 2023: MS/HS Jazz Performance – Shalin Liu Performance Center

Wednesday, November 29, 2023: MS/HS Small Ensemble & Acapella Choir – Shalin Liu Performance Center

Tuesday, December 19, 2023: RMS Band, Chorus & Orchestra Winter Concert – John Lane Auditorium, RMHS

Wednesday, December 20, 2023: RHS Band, Chorus & Orchestra Winter Concert – John Lane Auditorium, RMHS

All shows are open to the public. The Rockport Public Schools is appreciative of the incredible community support of the fine and performing arts programs and is proud to provide their students with a variety of high quality programs. 

Rockport Middle School Recognized by DESE as a School of Recognition

 ~ ROCKPORTPUBLICSCHOOLS ~ 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/12/23

Mark Branco

Rockport Public Schools

978-546-1200

mbranco@rpk12.org

Rockport Middle School Recognized by DESE as a School of Recognition

Districtwide results show positive growth at all grade levels

ROCKPORT, MA – Rockport Middle School is one of only 66 schools statewide to be recognized by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as a School of Recognition for demonstrating high achievement and strong growth under the state’s MCAS accountability system. Districtwide results show that all grade levels demonstrated strong growth, particularly in mathematics at the elementary, middle and high school levels, and in English language arts at the middle school.

“Over the past few years, we have been focused on curriculum implementation, strengthening instructional practices, and providing targeted supports for students. This recognition is extremely appreciated by all of us at Rockport Public Schools. Our students’ success is a result of the determination and commitment of our talented educators who, in partnership with our families and community members, make RPS a fantastic place to learn” said Superintendent Mark Branco.

The District’s 2023 MCAS Results Summary and Results Overview Community Presentation are both available on the RPS website.