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.

50% Off Summer Camp at The MAC VERY LIMITED TIME!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

BEAT THE HEAT SUMMER CAMP SPECIAL AT MAC

50 % OFF IF YOU CALL BETWEEN 9:00AM-12:00PM

CALL 978-526-8900 EXT. 257  ASK FOR JENNI ESTRADA

THAT IS RIGHT !!!!!

50% OFF CAMP FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND MEMBERS

DO NOT MISS THIS SIZZLING DEAL

EXPIRES MAY 31, 2013

"When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down "happy."  They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life."

                      John Lennon

Community Photos 5/31/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Dear Joey,

This is my Flat Coat, Jack, warming himself in the sun after taking a dip down in Lanes Cove this past Memorial Day.

Nancy Carolyn Kwant

Lanesville, MA

Jack Lanes Cove-1

Community Stuff 5/31/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Friends,

Elvis Comes to Gloucester!

With award winning E.T.A. Rick Andrade. Rick has performed Elvis at Walt Disney World Night of Stars Show, and has most recently opened up for World renowned hypnotist Jerry Valley. Rick will be performing all the hit songs from Elvis’ 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, including some Gospel songs from his movie career. Proceeds to benefit the West GloucesterTrinitarian Congregational Church UCC as we celebrate our 300th anniversary. Please note that seating is limited.

This will be great fun and is a great fundraising opportunity. Please tell your friends and neighbors!

When: June 22 at 7PM (Doors open at 6:30PM)

Where: The West Gloucester Trinitarian Congregational Church. UCC

             488 Essex Ave. Gloucester MA

Tickets: $10.00 Donation in advance or $12.00 at the door. (Tickets on Sale Sunday after worship)

For tickets please call the church at 978 283 2817

Visit Historic New England for Free on June 1

Free Tours at Beauport – Saturday, June 1

Ten of the North Shore’s finest historic properties are open free to the public on Saturday, June 1, 2013 when Historic New England hosts a region-wide open house.

Travel along the Massachusetts North Shore and experience over three hundred years of history at Historic New England’s properties. Explore some of New England’s earliest architecture in Salem and Saugus, visit with farm animals in Newbury, and check out a 1924 Pierce Arrow touring car tucked into a carriage house on the prettiest street in Salem.

Travel to Cape Ann to visit Beauport, the seaside summer home of one of America’s first interior designers and Cogswell’s Grant with its celebrated collection of folk art. Tour times vary. Please visit www.HistoricNewEngland.org for hours and addresses to plan your trip around the North Shore sites.

Voting Ends For The North Shore Magazine BONS Awards Tomorrow- Support Local Businesses By Voting Today

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

These are establishments that are already on the ballot locally in the Play Category that I’m sure would appreciate your vote, to enter your own votes, click the graphic-

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I’ll highlight the other local businesses in the other sub categories throughout next week

Again I’m just going of of what was on the ballot.  You can click on any of the links to see GMG coverage of them and find out what they are all about-

Art Gallery (Viewing) –Local Colors Gloucester, Mosher Gallery Rockport and Pop Gallery Gloucester

Beach- Good Harbor, Natch Last year Cranes and Good Harbor Duked it out and it was close so if you have any local pride at all you will vote Good Harbor

Best Blog Smile

Brewery- Cape Ann Brewing

Dance Studio- Michelle Shaw Elite Dance

Fair/Festival- St Peter’s Fiesta and if it doesn’t win there should be an investigation.

Golf Course Private- Bass Rocks

Irish Pub- Stones Pub (you just gotta love the people at Stones)

Live Music Venue- Shalin Liu

Live Theatre Venue- Gloucester Stage Co

Lounge (no Gloucester joint represented time for your personal write in)

Marine- Cape Ann Marina is on ballot

Movie Theatre- Cape Ann Community Cinema

Museum- Cape Ann Museum

Trivia Night (no local joint represented write in your personal fav)

I’m taking category by category and highlighting some locals who you may want to consider worthy of your vote (BTW St Peter’s Fiesta is currently trailing Topsfield Fair and Good Harbor is close to Crane’s) so if you haven’t voted in the Play Category get on it!- Voting in the Play Category here

Here are some local joints that have been nominated in the Eat category (you can click on the highlighted establishments to see pictures or posts we’ve done about them)-

Vote Here  For The Eat Category In The North Shore Magazine 2013 BONS Awards

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Al Fresco Dining- Franklin Cape Ann, Lobster Pool

Bake Shop (Pastry)- Jim’s Bake Shop, Plum Cove Grind

Bakery (Bread) Virgilio’s

BBQ- Smokin Jim’s, The Farm Bar and Grille

Beer menu- Franklin Cape Ann, Cape Ann Brewing

Breakfast- George’s, Sugar Mag’s, Willow Rest (as you know my love of Gloucester Breakfast joints is unmatched- way too many to list so we will stick with the nominated but Mamie’s Kitchen, and Fort Square should be at least nominated as well)

Burger- Passports

Cocktail Bar- Franklin Cape Ann

Coffee Shop- Lone Gull, Cape Ann Coffee Café Sicilia and Pleasant St -None are nominated all deserve to be!

Confectionery- Nichols Candies and Turtle Alley

Farmer’s Market- Cape Ann Farmer’s Market

General Excellence- The Market, Duckworth’s is not nominated but I’d say needs to be a write in.

Gourmet Market- Savour Wine and Cheese

Lobster- Causeway, Lobsta Land and Roy Moore are Nominated, For Lobster Pool and Seaport Grille not to be nominated is silly IMO

Italian- a write in for La Trattoria Gloucester only makes sense

Lobster Roll- Seaport Grille

Mexican- Jalepenos– for Tacos Lupita Gloucester needs to be a write in as well.

Pizza- Giuseppes and The Willow Rest.  There are so many great pizza joints in Gloucester and everyone has their favorites you could write in any number- Sebastians, Sclafanis, ect, ect ect

Pub Food- Franklin and Topside Grille

Raw Bar- Lat 43 nominated, Rudder could be a write in

Sandwiches- There is no Gloucester nomination and you could easily write in Virgilios, Sclafanis, or Willow Rest here

Seafood Prepared- the Causeway and The Rudder

Sushi- Latitude 43

Tapas- Alchemy or The Azorean

Thai- Thai Choice could be a write in

and when you’re done you can vote in the Play Categories-

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Ok I’ve guided you on who is nominated locally in the Play Category and Eat Category, see those posts by clicking those links.  If you notice, the influence from our local readership has many many Gloucester establishments in the lead.  Two that could use help are votes for Good Harbor as Beach and St Peter’s fiesta for Fair/Festival vote for those here

Now we focus on local establishments nominated in the Kids category. you can click on any of the hyperlinks to view past Good Morning Gloucester Coverage on each of these fine local establishments.

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Click here to submit your votes in the BONS Kids category

Baby Clothing-  There is nothing locally nominated but I think we could change that with a write in under other for Kids Unlimited, downtown Gloucester children’s clothing store extraordinaire.  As of this writing 0 votes, not nominated

Family Hangout Indoor- Monkey Joe’s should win this by a mile even though it isn’t nominated (yet) As of this writing 0 votes, not nominated

Family Hangout Outdoor- No Local Nomination.  You could write in Ravenswood or Halibut Point State Park  My Vote- Halibut Point As of this writing 0 votes, not nominated

Kid Friendly Dining-  No Local Nomination But I would write in Giuseppe’s or Lobster Pool’s Outdoor Eat In The Rough with the Smore Firepit and Sunsets As of this writing 0 votes, not nominated

Kid’s bookstore- The Bookstore of Gloucester As of this writing 0 votes

Kid’s Clothing- Kid’s Unlimited is not as of this writing nominated but I’m suggesting a write in campaign for them As of this writing 0 votes, not nominated

Toy Store- Toodeloos Gloucester As of this writing 25 votes and is not in the lead

When You are done voting in the Kids Category, feel free to vote in the Play and Eat Category and support local businesses

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I will highlight local picks in the other BONS category in an upcoming post.  Who  supports local businesses like this here blog?  NOBODY!  Get out the vote peeps!

GHS DECA students raise money for the One Fund

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Ann Grassetti  submits-

Lemonade blvd Marisa, Lauren, sara

The 8th annual Lemonade Challenge for charity was a great success despite overcast skies and rain showers last Friday before Memorial Day weekend.  Students from Ann Grassettis’ DECA, Economics, and Lucky Lobster Marketing class hit the streets of Gloucester to sell Lemonade for charity.  Students use their marketing skills and competitive drive to sell the most Lemonade with the reward being the most money going to a charity of their choice.  The 3 team success consisted of:
Marketing DECA 1st place under the leadership of sophomore Lauren Horne raised $1,484.00 for the Boston One Fund.  Lauren said of the team success, “The key was the location we selected at the boulevard and Market basket and picking the One Fund as a donation.” It seemed that people really were looking for a way to help the Boston Marathon runners”. 
Lucky Lobster Marketing 2nd place under the leadership of Zach Smith and Lenny Taormina with $543 for Autism Speaks.  Zach Smith who competed last year and selected the same charity worked hard for his charity as he said, “It hits close to home for him and his family” “I looked forward to this day the whole year”
Economics 3rd place under the leadership of Peter Mondello with $51 for the Make a Wish foundation
The students earned a record total of $2,144.00 in approximately 4 hours at their locations receiving donations from many citizens of Gloucester including Cape Ann Savings, Schlichte and Johnstone, Palazzola Insurance Agency, Carroll K. Steele Insurance Agency, Inc., Sugar Magnolia and as usual Bank Gloucester allowed them to meet in their boardroom to discuss the event.  Grassetti said, “It is always a great day for students to show me what they learned in Marketing and at the same time help others in need.”

Lemonade Sara and RosalieMarket basket crew

Lemonade Marisa, Julia and Sara

Chickity Check It- Our Thom Falzarano Is Named LAX Man Of The Year!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro
Gloucester’s Falzarano dubbed local lax Man of the Year

By Conor Walsh Correspondent

For Gloucester’s Thom Falzarano, it all started with an idea.

For The Entire Story at The Gloucester Daily Times click here

Cape Ann Museum Annual Meeting Tonight!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

CAM logo

May 30, 2013

Reaching Out – Strengthening Within

The Cape Ann Museum is pleased to announce a $5 million Capital Campaign. Hear more at the Annual Meeting on Thursday, May 30. Reception, 6:30. Business meeting and program, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. To RSVP, call (978) 283-0455 x35 or email amyfanning@capeannmuseum.org.

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Backstage at the Banana’s fashion show To Benefit City Hall From Henry Ferrini

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Head Banana, Richard Leonard brings his extravaganza to help raise money for the Gloucester City Hall Restoration Campaign. Richard, a one time Junior High School teacher, started Bananas a vintage clothing store in Gloucester back in the 70’s. The clothes all come from his store.
Featuring: Uvi Ajavon, Jean Anscombe, Elizabeth Bollenberg, Cynthia Capone, Leigh Calabrese Deborah Clarke, Barbara Drake, Susan Erony, Susan Fehrmann, Jenn Foss, Susan Frey, Margi Green, Carol Hager,Shayla Kaufman,Sarah Lafferty,Ann Mckay,Mary Mathews,Kerry NormandSabine Ocker, Jane Poirier, Oriana Reardon, Laura Ritchie, Tina Salah, Patti Salvucci, Ann-Marie Shimanoski, Sarah Slifer. Dale Theberge, Katherine Thompson, Heidi Wakeman, Kathatine Worth, David Adams, Colin Campbell, Jesus Camelo, Kevin Flynn, Daniel Larson. Tom Nihan, Joe Poirier, Phil Storey & Tony Tran.

Community Photos 5/30/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Gary Greel Submits-

Joe sending photo taken at Cripple Cove  thought you may like to post.Thank you Gary Greel.

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Jeremiah Nicastro submits-

Thought u would enjoy this picture my wife Toni Nicastro took

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Ann Kennedy submits-

Exploring the harbor walk dock-

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Community Stuff 5/30/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Savour Wine and Cheese Would Like Your Vote-

BONS Dear Joey,

These are the final days to vote for us in the 2013 Best of North Shore competition! The voting closes at the end of the day on Friday, May 31st. We are in the Gourmet Market section of the "Eats" category. If you have voted, Thank You! If you haven’t yet, CLICK HERE and follow the instructions on the page. You must register to vote. We appreciate all the support! Thank you!

2013 Best of North Shore

Hi Joey,
Can you please get the word out about our upcoming car wash? The last one was cancelled due to rain. Here are the particulars:
FREE CARWASH – donations welcome
Saturday June 1st, 9am to 1pm
DPW yard, Upper Main Street, Rockport
Support Rockport Cub Scouts Pack 55

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“Taste the Promise:” Taste Great Food and Drink While Fighting Homelessness on June 19th
May 29, 2013 – All are invited to sample delicious food, beer, and wine from local restaurants and
establishments at a “Taste the Promise” benefit for Family Promise North Shore Boston, an interfaith nonprofit
coalition providing services to help local homeless families get back on their feet:
“Taste the Promise”
Sample Food and Drink from Local Establishments
A Benefit for Family Promise North Shore Boston
Wednesday, June 19
6:30-9:30 p.m.
Coolidge Hall
Topsfield Fairgrounds
Topsfield, MA 01983
Tickets: $35 advance/$40 at door
Visit www.familypromisensb.org for advance tickets

Is there anything worse when you’re dining out and…

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Is there anything worse when you’re dining out and the person you are eating with doesn’t say please or thank you to the wait staff?

Like when the waitperson asks what you would like to eat and the person you’re dining with says “I’m gonna have the split pea soup.”  Not “I’d like the split pea soup please.”  Not “May I please have the split pea soup. “  But “I’ll have the split pea soup.”

  Like the wait person is a filthy animal not worthy of a please or thank you.

Makes me want to crawl under a table.

I see it more with old curmudgeonly types.

Just the worst.

Backyard Growers Program Surpasses Fundraising Goal!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hey Joey – We rocked our fundraiser – could you post this on your blog? Thanks! Lara

Backyard Growers Program SURPASSES FUNDRAISING GOAL! Reaching $8,196!

We launched our campaign on May 15th with the goal of raising $7,500 in 30 days. On May 26th—just 12 days later!—we surpassed our goal at $8,196! 100 people donating $8,196 in 12 days! That comes out to an average of $683 per day!

That’s a lot of excitement and commitment around school gardens in Gloucester!

And why have we been so successful? Because of YOU! Here are some of the awesome people who have donated to our campaign—We have:

  • A zillion moms, dads and grandparents from every elementary school in the district! Thanks Stephanie O’Neil of West Parish and Melissa Gillis of Veterans’ and Marty & Michelle DelVecchio of East Gloucester just to name a few.
  • Community leaders like Julie LaFontaine of The Open Door and J Harrison of The Food Project.
  • Gloucester folk who believe in our work!—thanks Carol & Hugo Burnham, Carol Ackerman, and Mari Martin to name a few.
  • The Beeman School PTO, who has seen school gardens in action and know it’s a fabulous investment!
  • Civic-minded restaurant owners like Mark McDonough of Alchemy and Latitude 43 and Ken & Nicole Duckworth of Duckworth’s Bistrot.
  • Backyard Growers Program alumni like Phoebe Potts, Jane Cunningham, and Ann Olson.
  • Backyard Growers Program volunteer garden mentors, Chip Norton, Ann Lasman, and Suzanne Gosselin, who not only give their time, but support our fundraising campaign as well.

Some special thank yous to:

  • Douglas Orre of Rockport for his very generous matching dollar donation to our campaign.
  • All of my friends and family far and wide who believe in this work and who want to make it happen for Gloucester even though they don’t live here.
  • Nikki Bogin, our very own Cape Ann Farmers’ Market manager.
  • Jim Dowd, for all his time as my on-line-fundraising-coach-extraordinaire.
  • Stevens Brosnihan, for putting up with his wife throughout this fundraising campaign.
  • Willa and Beatrix Brosnihan for being the fabulous stars of our fundraising video.

The campaign is still open! It is still possible to make a donation! Anything we receive now helps us offset our costs, add bells and whistles to our original plans, and build upon the future sustainability of school gardens in Gloucester. What will we do with more funding?

  • Buy harvest totes and salad spinners for each school for our district-wide salad day.
  • Provide our FoodCorps Service Member with her very own supply budget for the after school program at Veterans’ School.
  • Truck in some fresh, gorgeous compost to top-off all the garden beds in the fall, and purchase next year’s seeds.
  • Create new, fabulous partnerships in the community.

Support us today! Click here to visit our fundraising video and campaign page!

Thank you!
-Lara Lepionka

Video- Making Mast Hoops for Schooner Adventure at C. B. Fisk.

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Greg Bover submits-

Dear Joey,

Perhaps our readers would be interested in the video Joanne Souza shot of making mast hoops for Schooner Adventure at C. B. Fisk.

Geoff Deckebach, Bill Holmes and I started by sawing strips of ash 10 feet long, 1-1/8” thick and 1-3/4” wide, tapered at both ends. We steamed them for about an hour and a half and then went ahead as shown to make the two foot diameter hoops. These hoops go around the masts, about 20 on each one. The new sails will be tied on to the rings, or “bent on” as we schoonerheads say, and that allows them to be raised or lowered.

We are one step closer to actually sailing Adventure for the first time in almost two decades. It is a privilege and an honor for me to be able to help with the effort to return this icon of Gloucester to the sea.

Regards,

Greg

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Dani Lubbers- Striper Assassin

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Yeahhhhhhh! Got this puppy off the dock at the Coast Guard base on Friday night!!! 30 inches! Whoop whoop!!! –dani

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Harbortown Partners and Stakeholders Filled the Gorton’s Gallery Post From Fred Bodin and Catherine Ryan

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

It was a great event, with the usual speeches, and the big surprises were the winners of the temporary installations on the Harbor Walk. Here are a few photos from Mayor Kirk:

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Catherine Ryan-

Good event.

City officials including Mayor, Jim Duggan, Sarah Garcia, councilors Melissa Cox and Joe Ciolino; other state dignitaries Anita Walker, Meri Jenkins – MCC; Bruce Tarr; Ann Margaret Ferrante

Co-chairs Judith Hoglander and Bob Whitmarsh

Press including GMG FredB and DavidC  who are also founding partners J

So many Harbortown partners and stakeholders filled the Gorton’s Gallery at the Maritime Gloucester (key cultural anchor asset and founding partner for CD) We have a happening cultural district!

Surprises included

· Gloucester Public High School teachers John Barry and Kurt Lichetenwald’s cool S.T.E.A.M. (science technology engineering, Arts and mathematics) classes featuring students’ hand made, engineered musical instruments.

Student David Puglisi came to the event and showcased his handmade plywood electric guitar see his youtube video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v11HV7MNfU

Mr. Lichtenwald mentioned other students including  Sam Oliver who designed a ( Blue Man-esque) PVC percussion instrument, 6ft long that is at GHS on display;  she did the math calculations for every note.

· 2 sea chanty songs from founding partner and national historic landmark Schooner Adventure via their dedicated staff and volunteers!

Singers included Joanne Souza, Beth Welin, Barry O’Brien, Tim Perkins and Rose Sheehan

· Amazing jazz music from __________________ from Henry Allen Folklore and More (two young musicians—I have to get their names!!)

· food and spirits from Gloucester House, Topside Grill, Steering Committee, Cape Ann Brewery

· Mayor’s announcement of the three winners of the 2013 Gloucester HarborWalk Public Art Challenge

James Calderwood (Durham, NH) Fish Net(working title), street mural

Justin Desilva (Medford, MA), With Every Street There’s a Story (working title), 20 crosswalks

Bartek Konieczny (Abington, MA), Rope Arch (working title), sculpture

The 15 semifinalists’ proposals will be exhibited at Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free in July 2013!

Community Stuff 5/29/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

GREENBELT PRESENTS 24th ANNUAL ART IN THE BARN: image

Artisan Showcase and Sale June –14-16 benefits Greenbelt land conservation efforts

On June 14-16, paintings, sculpture, hand-crafted jewelry, and pottery will enliven every part of Greenbelt’s Cox Reservation, 82 Eastern Avenue in Essex, from the white farmhouse headquarters to the rustic barn, to the rolling grasslands and walkways overlooking the Essex River, as the annual Art in the Barn juried exhibition and sale returns for its 24th year.

The 130 artists include renown local artists Marty Morgan, Cynthia Curtis, Anne Cowman, Brad Storey and Beth Williams. Sale proceeds directly support Greenbelt’s land conservation efforts.

The opening reception, from 6-8:30 pm on Friday, June 14, will feature the music of Crazy Maggy, the famous Ipswich Ale Tapmobile, and tasty treats provided by the Flatbread Mobile Pizza Oven and Batch Ice Cream. Exhibition and sale hours are as follows: Friday, June 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 pm and 6 – 8:30 pm; Saturday, June 15 from 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday, June 16 from 10 am to 4 pm. The exhibition is free. Parking is $5 per vehicle for the whole weekend.

Relay for Life Cape Ann

The Relay For Life is a signature fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society. It is a grassroots community based event that takes place beginning at 6 p.m.on June 21-22, 2013 at O’Maley Middle School, 32 Cherry Hill Road, Gloucester. For more information about the event or to sign up as a team or make a donation, please visit the website at http://www.RelayForLife.org/CapeAnnMA."

IDRC Race boat launch

Lend a hand this Sunday morning June 2nd, at 8:30 AM when we will launch the freshly painted race boats in preparation for the US Elimination races the following weekend.  We will meet at Eastern Ave Self Storage (bring a trailer if you have one) and load up the 4 race dories, then off to the HS boat ramp where we will meet Joe Novello who has volunteered to tow them back to the town landing.  I also need a volunteer to meet Joe at 8:30 at the town landing to rig up the 2 practice dories that we will remove from the water after a full year in.  Please let me know if you can make it as many hands make for light work!

Only In Lanesville…

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Susan Hershey submits-

Joey –

drove by this sign, said to myself "did that sign really say what I think it said?" turned around. drove back and sure enough it did!

love it! thought you’d like it too! leave it to lanesville …

caution beautiful dreams ahead

Chickity Check It!- Ghostly Shipyards From Around The World

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

From Vincze Miklós on www.i09.com

Where do boats go when they die? Sometimes they end up in vast ship graveyards, sometimes craggy, foggy places where ships have met their doom, and sometimes spots where ships are deliberately left to rust. There’s a quiet beauty to many of these graveyards and their resting inhabitants.

For the entire post and incredible images- Ghostly Shipyards From Around The World

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Exploring Conomo Pt. and The Essex Conference Center

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Ann Kennedy submits-

Fun to see a floating house installation, or whatever it’s called, and the conference center is a beautiful place to see sculpture in the trees.  What a terrific day on Cape Ann!

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