Author: Joey Ciaramitaro

The creator of goodmorninggloucester.org Lover of all things Gloucester and Cape Ann. GMG where we bring you the very best our town has to offer because we love to share all the great news and believe that by promoting others in our community everyone wins.

Give the Gift of Cape Ann this Season!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Happy Holidays to our Chamber Members, Friends, and Families!

First quick update on our Chamber Holiday Celebrations:

– Manchester-by-the-Sea was last week at La Casa de Luis – a great time had by all!

– Rockport was Tuesday at the Fish Shack

– Essex is this Thursday at the Windward Grille

– Gloucester is next Tuesday (12/16) here at the Chamber

All celebrations are open to all – come on by and kick-off the Holidays with us.

And, with Santa making the rounds, ‘tis the Season for Gift Giving.

I’m sure by now that you have heard about the beautiful and symbolic Cape Ann License Plate, but did you also know that the proceeds are going back to the Cape Ann community to support:

1. Promotion of our Region

2. Economic Development, and

3. Education

Have you wanted to sign-up, but not yet done so?  Well, now is the Perfect time:  for Yourself, your Family, and your Friends –

Give the gift of Cape Ann this Christmas!

I have attached a ‘Christmas Application’, for you to fill  out and mail back to the Chamber. If you prefer, you may hold the $40 payment, and we will follow up with you as we get closer to the 1,500 target, and then we will submit the entire batch to the Registry.

Want to save paper and use an even easier way to sign-up? – you may do so on line at: http://capeannchamber.com/cape-ann-license-plate/ , or click on the below icon:

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And we want YOU to be a part of our “I Got Mine” campaign!

Everyone who has submitted an application by the end of this year, is automatically entered into a drawing to win a reserved number from 11 – 100, or a custom number free of the $100 donation charge. There will be three chances to win.

As part of this campaign, we are featuring folks who have signed up for the plate. Take a selfie with our license plate promotion frame, and post it on your Facebook page and we’ll post it on ours. Make it fun – come on by and pick-up a promo. frame (or we can deliver to you), they also make great stocking stuffers! Anyone recognize the good looking gent below?

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Check out our facebook page for frequent updates:   https://www.facebook.com/capeannchamber

I hope to see you before the Christmas break, but if I do not – I wish you a wonderful and safe Holiday season.

Yours Sincerely,

Ken

Community Stuff 12/10/14

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Cape Ann Families are invited to the Cape Ann Skating Club’s “Winter Festival on Saturday, December 13, from 11-2 pm at the Talbot Rink, O’Maley School, 32 Cherry Street, Gloucester.

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Free Family Event!

*11 am – Noon: Ice Skating Exhibition

*Noon – 1 pm:   Free Arts & Crafts, Used Skate & Dress Sale

*1 – 2 pm:         Open Skate – $5 per Family


*Great opportunity to learn about Cape Ann Skating Club Hockey & Figure Skating programs

Participants are encouraged to bring your own skates & helmets, limited rentals are available. Not a drop-off event!

Thanks!

Cape Ann Skating Club

For more information regarding Cape Ann Skating please visit:
http://www.facebook.com/CapeAnnSkatingClub

website: http://cafsc.org/

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Treetop Yoga is happy to be a part of the Toy Drive Program fro Pathways for Children!

Toy Drive

If you have new children’s toys and would like to donate them, please stop by our studio! All gifts must be submitted by Wednesday, December 17th.

We would also like to invite you to the “Holiday Flow” Class with Anneliese Brosch on Saturday, December 13th from 1:30-3 pm.
This will be a fun, warm Vinyasa-style class set to some of your favorite holiday tunes and carols. The class is designed to help you connect to the back body – the universal – and release some of the inevitable holiday stress.

The cost is $12 when you bring a child’s toy for Pathways for Children Toy Drive. ($20 otherwise.)

Wellspring House Annual Holiday Store on Saturday, December 13th and Sunday, December 14th

Wellspring House’s Annual Holiday Store will be held this year on Saturday, December 13th and Sunday, December 14th.  In its 18th year, the Holiday Store program provides an opportunity for low-income parents to “shop” by appointment for toys and gifts for their children.  This year Wellspring expects to serve 750 children from more than 350 families.  The operation of the Holiday Store relies strongly on the generosity of the Cape Ann community.  Many individuals and local organizations are holding toy drives, brightening the holidays for those most in need in our community. 

On Sunday, November 16th Cape Ann Pee Wee Football and Cheerleaders held a toy drive at their Championship Sunday event at Newell Stadium.  Over 100 items were collected.  Gloucester Fire Department, as well as Manchester Fire and Police Departments, are also holding drives.  New, unwrapped, non-violent toys/gifts may be dropped off at any of these stations until December 10th.

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Friends old and new are invited to En Vogue Salon’s Annual Holiday Open House on Thursday, December 11th.
We will be offering all day specials (listed below), refreshments, discounts on products and services, beautiful retail gifts by Leavitt and Co and a chance to catch up with our staff of stylists in the evening when they put down their scissors and blow dryers and socialize with you, our clients in the spirit of the holiday season.
Please join us!
Rosalie and the En Vogue Salon Team
En Vogue Salon
18 Washington St, Gloucester
(978) 281-8870
http://envoguesalongloucester.blogspot.com/

Open House Specials
Free Product Samples
20% off All Products
OPI Gel Manicure $25
Blow Outs $18
Makeup $25
Cuts and Blow Dry $30
Cut, Blow Dry, Makeup and Nails $75
Take advantage of our GIFT CERTIFICATE SALE December 11- 24. Save 10%
And sign up for our BASKET RAFFLE  – $5 ticket, $200 worth of products.
Drawn on Christmas Eve Day

En Vogue Annual Holiday Open House Flyer jpeg

2 SHOWS LEFT
“TOMFOOLERY” IS A MUST-SEE!

   Our first stage show, “Tomfoolery,” is a hit! It runs for 2 more shows, so catch it while you can!
     Thanks to a generous gift from a patron (who is both a fan of our Cinema and of fringe theater), we have added a 30′ performance stage, complete with a new live sound package and thoroughly modern sound. Each quarter, we will either host or produce a repertory or original stage production. Join us for our final 2 performances of satirical songwriter Tom Lehrer‘s classic TOMFOOLERY.
     The show, “by local folks, with local folks, for local folks,” is ensemble-directed and features Brian King, Jennifer-Lee Levitz, Jeph Ellis, and Olivia Gale, with Joseph Nuccio serving as musical director.
Click for a feature story about the Cinema & Stage. Click here for more information on the show, and here for more on Tom Lehrer.
     While this addition is a dramatic (and comedic!) new part of what we do, we are still movies over 95% of the time. Keep your eyes on your email for an announcement of our big December 12th movie!
     Won’t you please come out for TOMFOOLERY? It would mean a wicked lot to all of us who have put so much into bringing it to you.
     The following shows still have tickets available:
WED. DEC. 10 @ 8:00PM
THU. DEC. 11 @ 8:00PM

TICKETS:
$20.00 GENERAL ADMISSION
$18.00 CACS MEMBERS

With great appreciation,

Painting – Meeting of Gloucester Boats on Rum-Row From Bill Hubbard and More About The Arethusa

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Joey,

Here is my Painting, “Meeting On Rum-Row”

It’s 1932,  Prohibition and two former Gloucester fishing schooners meet up with the US Coast Guard’s 75’ patrol boat, CG-100 which was then based in Gloucester.  They are on Rum-Row, 3 miles off the coast of New York and New Jersey.  The coast guard is charged with patrolling the 3 Mile Territorial Limit to protect against the illegal entry of liquor into the US.

On the left is the 100 ft. Sch. H.L. Marshall and on the right is the 110 ft. Sch.  Arethusa.  Both were Essex-built and had been high-liners among the Gloucester fishing fleet.  They were purchased by the legendary bootlegger,  Bill “The Real” McCoy of Florida.  Both were rebuilt, strengthened and had their twin auxiliary engines replaced.  The Arethusa had a new ten ft. bowsprit added to accommodate a flying jib and increase her carrying capacity to 16,000 cases of liquor.  The Marshall carried 15,000 cases They were operating out of the Bahamas under British registry.  At that time the Arethusa’s name was changed to Tomoka after McCoy’s home port in Florida.  They were fast under sail or power and the nemises of the US Coast Guard.  At the height of his career, McCoy operated six former fishing schooners, hauling illegal booze from the Bahamas, Cuba, Bermuda,  Jamaica and St. Pierre & Miquellen Islands off Newfoundland.  Those cases, offloaded on Rum-Row to fast small boats and landed in the US earned McCoy $10/case.  The Marshall carried 1,500 cases and the Arethusa 1,600 and would earn him $31,000 cash

Rum-row was the 3 mile territorial limit of US legal jurisdiction off our coastline at the time.  The federal boats had no jurisdiction outside the limit and the smart rum-runners stayed outside to avoid capture.  McCoy operated one and hired young, seasoned fishing captains to skipper his other boats.  His boats were mounted with Bofors and Colt Machine guns – not to battle the Coast Guard but, as protection against mob-owned hi-speed boats that cruised the “row”  and hi-jacked unprotected ships.  McCoy earned the nickname, The Real McCoy because he refused to buy his liquor from the mobsters and guaranteed it was not watered down.

Eventually, McCoy was captured by what he and many others claimed to be a very unscrupulous trick by the Coast Guard.   My next painting in this series will be the show-down between his Schooner Tomoka/Arethusa and the cutter Seneca.

Bill Hubbard

Meeting on Rum-Row

Joey’s  note:

Our Lobsterman Tommy Burns named his boat The Arethusa after Bill “The Real” McCoy’s Schooner Arethusa.

Paul Frontiero Photo-

Check out Paulie Walnuts Post Here-

Arethusa 04/22/12

Arethusa

Definition: Arethusa was a nymph, possibly the daughter of an Arcadian river god, and a follower of the virgin goddess Artemis. One day as she was bathing, she discovered the river god Alpheus desired her, so she fled. She ran as far as the island of Syracuse, but he kept up. In desperation, Arethusa called on Artemis to defend her. Artemis did what she could. She transformed Arethusa into a spring, but according to Pausanias, the nymph didn’t remain pure even in her transformed state. Alpheus had himself transformed into a river running under the spring so that the waters of river and spring might mingle. AND KNOW YOU KNOW.

There are also these videos from Ben who came up and had a short stint aboard the Tommy’s Arethusa-

You may remember Ben from his brief stint as a lobsterman aboard Tommy Burns’ Arethusa and the Cartoon That Was Made About His Experience-

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Ukulele Love Affair John Hicks Part II

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

John talks about the Ukulele resurgence on Cape Ann

His website –
tinpanhaole
Check Out Ukulele Hootenany At Eastern Point Lit House-
Join us each month for Uke Night @ The Lit House! All levels of uke enthusiast is welcome.

The Next Uke Night is December 15
Ukuele Hootenanny with John Hicks
6:30-8 p.m. |Third Monday each month

1st Annual Employee Night on Main Street! December 11th!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

1st Annual Employee Night on Main Street!

Do you work in Gloucester but never seem to get a chance to hit up Main Street shops due to your work schedule? Well, now might be your chance to take advantage of extended hours with Gloucester’s first ever EMPLOYEE NIGHT! THIS THURSDAY, December 11th! 5 to 11 pm!

POP is participating and we’ve got a whole new sale rack full of discounted clothing/accessories!

Also, tons of new housewares, gifties and of course…. jewelry and accessories!

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We’re very excited to offer up FREE food and drink! 20 % OFF select sale items and clothing! Plus, 10% off ALL PURCHASES of $50 or more!

There will also be one whole rack consisting of $20 garments!!

Come play at Gloucester’s Emporium of Cool at 67 Main Street! (Be sure to bring your name-tag or proof of employment to snag the discounts!)

Who’s Going On This Red Sox “Baseball Winter Weekend”?

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

The Red Sox will host a “Baseball Winter Weekend” this January where fans will have an opportunity to interact with players, hear from owners, and listen to roundtable discussions on a variety of baseball topics. The event takes place at Foxwoods Resort and Casino from Friday, January 23, through Sunday, January 25. Passes for Baseball Winter Weekend are available now at redsox.com/winterweekend.

Hotel accommodations are available at Foxwoods, so the entire North Shore could make a weekend getaway out of it.

Note: Please don’t blow your entire life savings at the craps table. We’d prefer you save at least enough to buy a few Red Sox tickets — which will be available for sale at the event. OR — Red Sox fans will have their first opportunity to purchase 2015 single game tickets and “Sox Pax” on Saturday, December 13 at 10:00 a.m…. and then they can spend their leftover $$$ at Foxwoods.

Boston, MA, December 1, 2012: The Boston Red Sox hosted the tenth annual Christmas at Fenway Park presented by Stop & Shop, which featured player and alumni meet and greets, a Fenway Winter Village set up in the Big Concourse, access for fans to the home clubhouse and warning track, and an LED Winter Lights musical projected on the Green Monster. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox)

Photo courtesy Boston Red Sox

Breaking Gloucester Restaurant News- La Trattoria Calling It Quits After 9 Years #GloucesterMA

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Looks like timing for Pinoli opening could not be better-
https://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2014/12/09/two-star-michelin-chef-paolo-laboa-to-open-new-restaurant-in-gloucester/

TWO STAR MICHELIN CHEF PAOLO LABOA TO OPEN NEW RESTAURANT IN GLOUCESTER- PINOLI NEWS!~

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey,

Hope all is well! The time is finally here: Pinoli will be opening on December 18th. Pinoli is the result of the partnership between the Serenitee Restaurant Group and Chef Paolo Laboa. The restaurant’s menu will highlight the cuisine of Chef Paolo’s native Genoa, Italy, featuring fresh, local ingredients.

Pinoli Bring Genuine Northern Italian Cuisine to America’s Oldest Seaport
The Serenitee Restaurant Group has partnered with Chef Paolo Laboa to open the greatly anticipated Pinoli, in the heart of downtown Gloucester. Pinoli will serve Northern Italian cuisine utilizing the freshest, local ingredients at affordable prices. The restaurant itself is designed to feel like you are stepping into a familiar space, where guests are encouraged to walk right into the kitchen and say “hello” to Paolo.
“Cooking is what I love and I want to make each ingredient sing,” explained Chef Paolo. “If I make a dish with artichokes, I want you to taste the artichoke, not a heavy sauce. My goal is to have it be the best artichoke you have ever tasted.”
Paolo’s menu highlights local ingredients. With fresh seafood straight from the docks in Gloucester to seasonal vegetables from local farms, Paolo believes each dish starts at the source. His opening menu will be accented by an abundance of nightly specials, based on what is available that day.
Born and raised in Genoa, Italy, Paolo grew up in the kitchen. He worked at a number of restaurants in the region, earning the 1st Young Chef Award in Genoa and Milan. After moving to the United States, Paolo served as the executive chef at Farina in San Francisco. In 2008, Paolo won the Pesto World Championships in Genoa, Italy. Upon moving to the North Shore with his family, Paolo was the opening chef at Prides Osteria in Beverly, MA. Most recently, Paolo has been touring the kitchens of the Serenitee Restaurant Group, where his specials have quickly become guest favorites.

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Community Stuff 12/9/14

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro
CALL FOR ENTRIES : Perfect Storm, Where Inspiration and Imagination Converge

CALL FOR ENTRIES

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The Rocky Neck Art Colony invites New England artists in all 2D and 3D media to submit work for the Perfect Storm. Varied and diverse interpretations of this title are encouraged. The show will be held February 5 to March 1, 2015 at the Rocky Neck Art Colony Cultural Center at 6 Wonson Street, Gloucester, MA.  Submission deadline is January 9, 2015. See attached prospectus or  http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/_pdf/perfect_storm.pdf for more information. 

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http://middlestreetwalk.org/

A Ukelele Love Affair- John Hicks Part I

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

John Hicks Talks About Cape Ann Connections To The Ukelele

His website – http://www.tinpanhaole.com/
tinpanhaole
Check Out Ukulele Hootenany At Eastern Point Lit House-
Join us each month for Uke Night @ The Lit House! All levels of uke enthusiast is welcome.

The Next Uke Night is December 15
Ukuele Hootenanny with John Hicks
6:30-8 p.m. |Third Monday each month

Feel free to publish my email, TinPanhaole@gmail.com

Greg Verga Announces Bid For Mayor

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Greg Verga official announcement –
After long consideration and many conversations with colleagues, friends and family, I have decided to run for Mayor of Gloucester in 2015.

I seek the Mayor’s office because I believe I am the right candidate, given my knowledge of our City, my commitment to building community by respecting the City’s past and embracing its future, and because of my proven abilities as an active participant in the issues and people of Gloucester for many years. 
 
Now is the correct time for a new approach to the City’s administration.  To be an effective Mayor requires experience, proven leadership, and, more importantly, a willingness to listen to all sides of an issue. A true leader is not timid and must want to listen to all points of view from all the City’s constituency, and must be flexible enough to adjust plans which will serve the best interests of our City.
 
In the coming months, I look forward to discussing how my four terms on the School Committee, two terms as a Ward Councilor, and now as an At-Large Councilor establishes my experience to become the next mayor of Gloucester.  

I would like to mention two highlights of this experience at the present time.  One is my demonstrated commitment to transparency and inclusiveness. In my early days as a member of the School Committee, I pushed to have agendas and minutes posted online, and later, as its chair I moved our meetings to City Hall where live broadcasting was available.  On the City Council I have always insisted on more public engagement and accountability from us and the administration.
 
Secondly, is my record of willingness to embrace and consider change that would benefit the City and its people. An example of this commitment during my time on the City Council, and after careful review of the facts and listening to all points of view, I have welcomed and encouraged new ideas such as the Beauport Hotel and the DPA revisions of the new Harbor Plan.
 
As Gloucester’s Mayor, I will ensure that an open door policy will not just be a slogan, and there will be no surprises.  We will generate ideas in public not behind closed doors.  Our public buildings will not be neglected, and I believe that the ‘team’ is more than a select few.
 
My roots are deep here – with my mother’s family making their way here from Portugal and Nova Scotia at the end of the 1800’s and my father’s family’s immigration from Italy.  It was nearly 100 years ago when my grandmother, Ma Verga, sailed across the Atlantic to this community that opened its arms to her.  My goal is to keep Gloucester a welcoming city that remains full of hope for all who now and in the years to come will seek to build their homes, businesses, and lives here.

For Anyone That Doesn’t Think A Cell Tower In West Gloucester Is A Good Idea- Are You This Person?

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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From Gizmodo-

What’s The Strangest Thing You’ve Done to Get Cell Reception?

I’ll confess to standing outside on the furthest corner of a Lanai on my tippytoes holding my iPad over my head to try to upload a post to the blog.

The Absolute No Brainer Easiest and Most appreciated Secret Santa/Stocking Stuffer- Dinner Dealer Decks

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

The New Dinner Dealer Decks Just Came Out-

Jess and Dennis (and baby Emerson) will ship them out to you the same day you order them and guarantee delivery for Christmas right up until December 21. They are good from now through next year so you get an extra month to use them if you get them now.

No Brainer City Baby!  Order Your Decks Here- https://www.dinnerdealer.com/decks/

imageWho’s in the 2015 Deck-

Newburyport
Brown Sugar By The Sea
Georgetown
The Spot
Topsfield
Whoo(Pie) Wagon
Ipswich
En Fuego
Salt Kitchen & Rum Bar
Hamilton
15 Walnut
Essex
The Farm Bar & Grille
Gloucester
Duckworth’s Bistro
George’s of Gloucester
Latitude 43
Mile Marker One
Passports
The Pub at Cape Ann Brewery
Wally’s Blackburn Bistro
Willow Rest
Manchester-by-the-Sea
Cala’s
Casa De Luis
Essen
Foreign Affairs
Rockport
Nate’s At Front Beach
Beverly
Half Baked Café
Marino’s Café
Organic Garden Café
Prime Meats & Provisions
The American B.B.Q.
Vidalia’s
Danvers
9 Elm
Daily Harvest Café
Goodies Ice Cream
Peabody
Little Depot Diner
Maki Sushi Bar & Grill
The Nest
Middleton
Maggie’s Farm
Salem
Adriatic
Boston Hot Dog Co.
Comida Mexican Taqueria
Flying Saucer Pizza
Longboards Café & Bar
Naumkeag Ordinary
Opus
Scratch Kitchen
The Ugly Mug Diner
Marblehead
Cygnet Bakery
Le Bistro
Lime Rickey’s
Palmers
Shubies
Warwick Cinema
Swampscott
Caffe Paolina
Nguyen’s

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GloucesterCast 107 With Dennis and Jessica Alves, Kim Smith, Leslie Heffron and Joey Ciaramitaro #GloucesterMA

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

GloucesterCastSquare

GloucesterCast 107 With Dennis and Jessica Alves, Kim Smith, Leslie Heffron and Joey Ciaramitaro Taped 12/7/14

Topics Include: Dennis and Jessica Alves, Kim Smith, Leslie Heffron, John Hicks Ukelele Guy, Jillian LaFlam Wins GloucesterCast Subscriber Contest #3 A Custom Paulie Walnuts Framed Sketch, GloucesterCast Podcast New Subscriber Contest #4 Will Win A 2015 Dinner Dealer Deck A Dinner Dealer Deck Will Go To One Of The First Ten New Subscribers To The GloucesterCast Subscribe to Enter Here, Best Yankee Swap /Christmas Gift Idea Has To Be A Dinner Dealer Deck, GMG XMAS PARTY December 19th 6PM For People That Are GMG Google+ Community Group Members You Got Your Invite with the info Click To Join The GMG Google+ Community Group Here, Paul Morrison Covering Santa’s Arrival In Rockport Aboard The Freemantle Doctor, Craig Kimberley’s Rockport Tool Company Video, Round Table- What Would You Like To See At The Tool Company In Rockport?, Kim Smith Crushes Ladies Night Awareness With A Vine Social Media Awareness Post, Cheese Heaven, Who Is Steering The Downtown Group?, Jessica Alves Beautiful Ring and Baby Emerson, Kim Gets First Shots Of Pinoli In Former Space Occupied By Alchemy,Lots of Insider Scoop About Pinoli (must listen for restaurant insider buffs), Sclafanis Pizza Poll, Sweet Sauce vs Savory Pizza Sauce, Qi Massage Chairs At The Magic Scarf Downtown Gloucester, Thai Choice, Using Percentages, Rolling Stone Retracts Rape Story.

podcasticon1GloucesterCast Podcast New Subscriber Contest #4 Will Win A 2015 Dinner Dealer Deck A Dinner Dealer Deck Will Go To One Of The First Ten New Subscribers To The GloucesterCast Subscribe to Enter Here
To purchase Dinner Dealer Decks Direct From Dennis and Jess and Emerson – https://www.dinnerdealer.com/decks/

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Coast Guard in #GloucesterMA in 1925 @USCGNortheast

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Good morning, Joey,

Attached photo is one I’ve been searching for for three years and finally found it yesterday.

It was taken in 1923 at Coast Guard Base #7 in Gloucester.  It shows 9 of the then new 75’ Coast Guard Patrol Boats (and a couple smaller older boats.

Those boats were assigned along the coast to chase and interdict the rum-rummers during Prohibition.  Over 200 were built and assigned to CG stations on both coasts and later as Coast Guard and Navy patrol craft during WW-II.  Photo credit, Library of Commerce.

I’m currently working on a painting which shows Bill (the real ) McCoy’s rum-runners Arethusa, a/k/a Tomoka jogging on Rum-Row off the New York-New Jersey coast under the watchful eye of one of these, CG-153.  Hope you can use it.

Bill Hubbard

Therese & Bill0002 (1024x803)