Day: November 19, 2024

The large glass-front showcase at 15 Rocky Neck Avenue received a makeover last July. Formerly used to display artwork, it had been empty since Ellen Kroger moved her Rocky Neck gallery to Bearskin Neck. Ellen and property owners, George and Ellen Sibley, welcomed its transformation from art to history. The renewed display features a panorama of the northern end of Rocky Neck in 1905, highlighting today’s uses for several of the many buildings that remain. A new white frame was built to hold the refreshed bed of sea glass, shells and stones on the ground beneath. Twinkle lights were added for nighttime sparkle. Be sure to stop by to see it, day or night, on your next visit to Rocky Neck! Aside from Ellen Kroger and the Sibleys, contributors were: Rich Carlson, Sophie and Madeline Litterer, Larry Dahlmer, Arnie Morton, Mark Lacey, along with Ann Marie and Susan Morreale.

Source OnlyInBOS

Bureaucracy at its finest.

Historical Stage Fort Park to Host Tactical Demonstrations, Presentations and Living History.

The City of Gloucester, in partnership with Essex National Heritage Commission, Discover Gloucester, and Revolution 250, announces the national reenactment commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 21 – 22, 2025, at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, MA. Through the use of tactical demonstrations, historic lectures, presentations, and living history demonstrations, reenactors from across the country will bring to life the resolve and resilience of the people of Massachusetts in 1775 in defiance of increasing British military control and the oppression of colonial rights.

“Gloucester is proud to play host for the commemorative reenactment of this iconic moment in American history,” says Gloucester Mayor Greg Verga. “And we are looking forward to sharing the beautiful surroundings of our storied community, and the history of our people – many of whom were at the Battle of Bunker Hill – with the thousands of visitors we expect to attend.”

Featuring hundreds of reenactors from across the United States and Canada, the reenactment offers spectators of all ages the opportunity to interact with living historians and participants portraying important figures, soldiers, civilians, tradespeople, and more. The battle reenactment will include colonial militia, George III’s redcoat soldiers, artillery, tall ships, an amphibious landing, and battle scenarios culminating with three assaults on the recreated, fortified Bunker Hill. 

“We are very excited for this event, as it will help spectators discover the lives of soldiers, women, children, and marginalized groups at a time of revolutionary change in our nation’s history,” says Annie Harris, CEO of Essex Heritage. “By helping the public experience the diversity of perspectives as well as the sights, sounds, and smells of 1775, we can help the visitor expand their knowledge of this formative period of our Nation’s founding while paying tribute to the men and women who served and sacrificed during this epic fight.”

While the urban development over the last two centuries in Charlestown, MA makes it impossible to use the original battlefield, the City of Gloucester’s seaside park boasts key elements for telling the story of the Battle of Bunker Hill fought on land and at sea. And with deep connections to our nation’s history as well as the American Revolution, Gloucester is an ideal host for this momentous commemoration. 

To learn more about the 250th Battle of Bunker Hill, visit www.BattleOfBunkerHill250.com and www.DiscoverGloucester.com. 

Major Props…

[Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, October 22] — The Manchester-based wholesale company will share their beloved gift and tableware direct-to-consumer for the holidays. Known for distributing through 600 high end US retailers, along with department stores like Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales, Mariposa is converting the corporate showroom in their barn on Elm Street into a retail pop-up Thursdays through Saturdays during the upcoming season.

Unlike the fun—but frenetic seasonal seconds sale that will take place on November 2^nd at Blackburn Industrial Park in Gloucester, shoppers will enjoy a calm visit where they can tour both Mariposa favorites and specially curated offerings from their friends’ brands. Vietri Italian dinnerware, favorite holiday candles from The Thymes, the customer will find unique books and special stocking stuffers, along with wrapping paper and gift cards to be ready for the holidays! For important updates and holiday hours, follow Mariposa and Friends on Instagram @mariposaandfriends. Opening weekend starts Thursday, November 7^th!

Contact: Erin Connolly, Marketing Manager, erin@mariposa.com

Subscribe to the newsletter: mariposa.com

Follow us on Instagram: @mariposaandfriends

GLOUCESTER — Chief Eric Smith and the Gloucester Fire Department report that due to ongoing brush fires across the state, residents likely have noticed the smell of smoke and hazy skies.  

Both Gloucester and Rockport Fire Departments have responded to and investigated numerous reports of smoke odor, including launching drone units to confirm that there were no active brush or wildland fires within the communities. Through these responses, both departments were able to determine that the odor of smoke and haze were not from the communities of Rockport or Gloucester. 

Residents and community members are reminded that the smell of smoke may stay in the air for days due to the ongoing dry conditions and elevated wildfire risks. However, this does not mean there is a current fire burning in Gloucester. 

Chief Smith reminds the community that hazy skies are a normal result of extensive outdoor fires and that they should clear a few days after the fires are extinguished. It is important to note that since brush fires have been consistent across the state, it may take longer for the residual smoke conditions to clear.  

Given the dry conditions and the elevated risk of wildfires and fire spreading, residents are reminded that outdoor burning is prohibited at this time of year and fire conditions should be closely monitored at all times:

• Refrain from outdoor cooking and heating. Sparks and embers from chimineas, fire pits, and grills can easily ignite dry vegetation, debris, and overhanging branches.
• A trusted adult must be present before, during, and after a cooking fire. 
• Do not use gasoline or other flammable or combustible liquids to burn brush, trash, or other waste.
• Extinguish smoking materials in a sturdy ashtray with water or sand. Never toss cigarette butts, matches, or other smoking materials over the edge of a balcony, stub them out on stairs or railings, or toss them in dry vegetation or debris.
• Use caution with lawnmowers, leaf blowers, all-terrain vehicles, and other power equipment. The engines can become hot enough to ignite dry leaves and grass.
• Properly dispose of ashes or coals from fireplaces, wood stoves, or grills in a metal can, douse it with water, and secure it with a tight-fitting lid. These ashes can remain hot enough to reignite and cause a fire.
• Residents and community members should follow instructions from local safety officials.

Wildfire smoke can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Smokey skies can diminish the air quality and residents are reminded to take precautions as some vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, or those with premeditated breathing conditions may be affected.  

For more information regarding safety tips, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Is Your Home Ready for the Holidays? Self-Storage to the Rescue!

The holiday season brings joy, but it also brings clutter. Renting a self-storage unit can help you create more space at home. Here’s how: Make Room for Guests Store bulky furniture to create a welcoming space for family and friends staying over. Store Holiday Decorations Keep your seasonal décor safe in a storage unit, freeing up space at home once the holidays are over. Declutter for Less Stress Clear out non-essential items to make your home more spacious and relaxing during the busy season. Hide and Store Gifts Use a storage unit to hide gifts from curious eyes or store new purchases before giving them. Rotate Seasonal Items Easily swap out seasonal items, like summer gear or winter decorations, to keep your home organized year-round. Free Up Garage Space Store less critical items to make room for parking or winter equipment in your garage. Flexible Options Grove Street Self Storage offers a variety of unit sizes with short-term options to suit your holiday needs.

Since we were in the vicinity, we decided it was appropriate to try out an Irish pub for lunch after our tour of the Titantic exhibit, so we stopped at MJ O’Conners Back Bay on Columbia Ave for lunch. You might remember that we visited Ireland last spring and the first thing I noticed when I walked into O’Conners was that I felt like I had landed back in Ireland again. I loved it! Although there were no Irish accents to be heard on this occasion, we enjoyed our lunch very much. I ordered Guiness Onion Soup (in honor of the French Onion Soup tour) and corned beef/cabbage egg rolls. Jim got the chicken BLAT. The food filled us up and we went on our way to return home. The atmosphere was very pleasant and relaxing. It was a nice little change from our usual routine AND it reminded us of Ireland.