Author: Joey Ciaramitaro

Weather permitting, the Docksiders will be will be playing a concert  in front of Sovereign Bank from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm compliments of the Christmas Parade Committee.  Since the 

Docksides could not play in Sunday’s parade because of the weather this will serve as their rain date.  The street will be blocked off at Duncan Street for the duration of the concert an hour or less. Merry Christmas!

Dec 8th Contra Dance

Hi Joey,

Our next dance is this Sunday, December 8.
Everybody is welcome, and our local contra dance family just keeps on growing.

We had several folks who’d never done a contra dance before join us in November and they all promised they’d be back for more!

Some folks come just to hear the music and visit with friends.

The fun starts at 6:30 with a helpful Introduction to the Basics of Contra Dance.  The dancing starts in earnest at 7:00 and goes to 10:00.

It all happens at the First Baptist Church, 38 Gloucester Ave., Gloucester.

Check out the smiling faces on these photos by Mary Barker.

People can get more info at www.facebook.com/CapeAnnContraDance.

Thanks for helping to spread the word!

Angela Cook Is Crowdsourcing Her Book-

I wanted to share some news – I put together a book, full of scenic
images of Rockport through all the seasons of the year, along with some
anecdotes and stories. Toad Hall has already offered to throw me a book
release party, to be held in conjunction with Motif 1 Day in May.  I am
self-publishing the book, so funding is essential.  I decided to start a
Kickstarter campaign to see if I can crowd-fund the project. Any way you
can help me spread the word? The campaign is at the link below:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1914659363/rockport-through-the-seasons-photographic-coffee-t
Thank you 🙂

Joey:  Can you help get the word out?  Thank you.

The Magnolia Library  & Community Center will light Magnolia’s 20 foot high Christmas Tree beginning at 5:30 pm this Saturday December 7th.  pm.  There will be a special visit from Santa Clause who will arrive at 6:30 pm.  The event is open to the public and children of all ages.  Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. 

Hi Joey C & GMG Readers!
Stroll Rockport’s Christmas tree-lined streets during our Annual Shopping Stroll – THIS FRIDAY! More than 60 merchants will be offering promotions, discounts, raffles and refreshments to light-up the Holiday shopping season! 
We hope to see you in Downtown Rockport!
Happy Holidays,
Dawn Noble
Rockport’s Downtown Merchants Group

Celebrate Middle Street Walk
at Sargent House
December 14, 2013

In addition to beautiful holiday decorations, seasonal gifts and treats from 11A – 4P, Sargent House will be hosting two benefit performances during Middle Street Walk:

• 12:00-1:00PM – Listen to a chamber music concert provided by Rockport High School musicians, led by director Nathan Cohen*                                                    

PLEASE NOTE: Seating will be limited for both performances. Please RSVP for one, the other, or both events at office@sargenthouse.org.  Suggested donation for each performance is $10.00 per person. These are benefit performances: proceeds will be split, and will support the performers as well as the Sargent House Museum.

For more information, visit our website: www.sargenthouse.org.

Eastern Point Day School Open House

Monday, December 9^th from 9:30 am –11:30 am

Interested parents, guardians and their children are invited to visit Eastern Point Day School on December 9, 2013 from 9:30-11:30 am. Come and meet the dedicated faculty and great students that make Eastern Point Day School a unique and enriching community. Eastern Point Day School is an independent school, Pre-K to 8th grade, focused on thematic teaching with an emphasis on curriculum integration and academic excellence, delivered in a nurturing, creative and dynamic environment.

We offer rolling admission, options to augment homeschool learning, scholarships and financial aid. For more information, please visit www.easternpointdayschool.org or email at info@easternpointdayschool.org.

A Christmas Celebration in Song North Shore Christian Men’s Choir

A Christmas Celebration in Song featuring the North Shore Christian Men’s Choir, a bell choir, trombone, and special guests will take place on Saturday, December 21st at 2:30 p.m.  The free concert will take place at First Baptist Church, (Harvey Park)

Four High Street, Rockport, MA.  A reception and refreshments will follow the concert. All are welcome and invited to attend.

Book Signing In Rockport-

BOOK SIGNING FOR ‘A ROCKPORT CHILDHOOD’ AND SLIDE SHOW OF 1930-1950s ROCKPORT
WEDNESDAY DEC. 11 AT ROCKPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY AT 7:30 P.M.     FREE ADMISSION
Sarah Clark presents her book A ROCKPORT CHILDHOOD; IDYLL AND REALITY with an accompanying slideshow. Some Gloucester folks may remember her father, Jimmy Clark, who was waterfront, city hall and general Gloucester news reporter on the Gloucester Daily Times for 34 years. The book tells the story of his romance with the Rockport girl, he managed to marry despite her mother’s objections to “the scruffy reporter from Gloucester.” Jimmy’s waterfront column Squibs was a feature of the GDT, and he was noted by the GDT staff as being the one reporter who knew all the spellings of Ciarmetaro.
Books will be available at the event or can be purchased beforehand at The Bookstore in Gloucester and Toad Hall and Tuck’s in Rockport. Price is $12.

Tickets are available at Rockport Inn and Suites at $20 each or can be purchased online by visiting http://www.rhsdeca.com. –click on sea shells and jingle bells link
Tickets are available on day of tour for $25.

Hi Joey,

As part of the Middle Street Walk, I am bringing Santa for the kids and Dawn’s School of Dance will perform starting at 3pm while people wait for the lighting of the Lobster Pot Tree. Could you post the attached. Thanks

Chris Orlando

Hey Joey!

We had some exciting visitors to the Paint Factory this weekend – the stars of the Animal Planet series “Whale Wars” from the Sea Shepherd Society, including founder Captain Paul Watson. Ocean Alliance staff gave them a tour of the facility for the first time since our new partnership began this year.  Currently between Antarctic campaigns, the group enjoyed dinner and a movie at The Franklin and Gloucester Cinema, with drinks at Mile Marker One, and loved their breakfast at Sugar Magnolia’s on Main Street. They enjoyed meeting the locals who welcomed them at every stop.

We have a feeling they’ll be back!

Amy Kerr

Ocean Alliance

(Pictured: OA staff members Rebecca Siswick, Mark Hayes and Andy Rogan; Sea Shepherd crew Quartermaster Shannon Mann, Captain Paul Watson, and Deborah Bassett; photo by John Graham) 

Mary Barker Submits-

Hi Joey,
Lisa Griffiths will be hosting the Inaugural Holiday Open House for her new business, That Nutty Redhead – Frosted and Gourmet Nuts, on Saturday  and Sunday December 7 and 8, from 1-7 p.m. in Rockport.  There will be door prizes, hot Wassail, wine, homemade scones, and a log on the fire.  Lisa uses only all natural ingredients in her nut blends.  Lisa’s mouthwatering nuts were a huge hit at the Rockport Harvest Fest this year.  Almonds, Cashews, and Pecans are available in 5 mouthwatering flavors, Bavarian (cinnamon/vanilla),  Spicy Hug (gingerbread spices and cayenne), Menthe Chocolat (creme de menthe), Orange Creamsickle, and Breakfast in New England (maple).  Half pound and pound bags will be available for sale, and party orders will be taken.  Lisa runs a state licensed kitchen.  All credit cards, checks and cash are accepted.
Please call Lisa at 978-412-5662 or John at 978-412-5259 or e-mail Lisa at ThatNuttyRedhead@gmail.com for the address, directions, and to RSVP (so she can plan for the amount of refreshments.
Lisa moved to Rockport 2 years ago from Pennsylvania and is trying to get herself established both with That Nutty Redhead and in the area of Everything Victorian (Civil War era)