Month: November 2024

[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.

All those resisting in Rocky Neck should feel safe, now that their guardian of the peninsular is being protected by a Boat Jaws.  Just an observation looking into the Gloucester Marine Railway facing onto Ricky Neck Ave. LOL

Bill Funk

East Gloucester

Silver Threads…

Like many others, I have always been quite fascinated with the fateful story of the great ocean liner Titanic, so it was a no-brainer when I saw there was an artifact exhibit coming to Boston. We bought tickets and traveled to the Castle at Park Plaza to see it. We’d been to this venue a couple of other times and they do a great job with events such as these so we knew it would be well done. And it was. You approach the boarding area through a kind of alley way set up to look like the docks (it’s actually a little confusing for a minute that the signs lead you to this alley). You are given a “boarding pass” that lists an actual passenger and a few details about their background and journey to this point. At the end you can scan your boarding pass to find out the fate of your passenger.

Visitors wander through a number of areas filled with photos, sounds, touch displays, and videos. Perhaps the most moving and impressive displays are those that include artifacts from the sunken vessel. I was most moved by the everyday items retrieved such as cash, eyeglasses, buttons, hairbrushes etc. These evoked the everyday lives shattered by this tragedy in a way no other movie or book has ever done for me. It’s a great idea for the history buff in your life. Further info at this link.

Good morning! St. John’s Church in Gloucester is having its annual church fair this Saturday! Below is some information and I am attaching the flyer. Please help us spread the word. Thanks!

St John’s annual Village Fair will be held on Saturday, November 23rd, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring the Saintly Sweets Bake Shop, Cookies by the Pound, Jams and Jellies, Holiday Decorations, Gift Card Raffle, Handmade Crafts and Vintage Jewelry. Our Silent Auction features VIP Bruins Tickets and a handmade Victorian Doll House. New this year is a free craft table for children. The Thrift Shop and Regal Rummage will be open with festive holiday offerings, and you can top off your visit with our famous Fish Chowder Luncheon. The church, located at 48 Middle St. is handicapped accessible, with parking at 33 Washington St. Admission is free, with a handmade gift for the first 100 attendees. Visa and MasterCard accepted.

Low minimums. No crazy set-up fees. goodmorninggloucester at yahoo.com