Statues & Plaques in Gloucester Part III From Peter Dorsey

Dear Joey,

I knew that there had to be a Civil War statue in downtown Gloucester, but I had to hunt around a little for it. Sure enough, right next to the City Hall at the corner of Dale Avenue and Warren Street is a Greek Revival obelisk, a ” large granite and bronze monument with a finely hammered base, plinth (slab base), die and cornice, surmounted by a large size statue of Liberty in bronze.” (from “History of Gloucester, James R. Pringle -1892) It was dedicated oddly enough on September 11 in 1879, a day which was observed as a general holiday in order to mark the occasion. It was the second Civil War statue erected in Gloucester. This statue, next to the City Hall, was erected by Post 45 of the Grand Army of the Republic, G.A.R., one of the many patriotic societies of the day, “In Honor of the Soldiers and Sailors’ of Gloucester, who Fought in the War of 1861 – 1865, for the Preservation of the Union”.

This is another of the beautiful statues that graces the City of Gloucester. I recommend taking the time to find and gaze upon this handsome monument.

Peter Dorsey

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Taste of Home From Kate Young

Hi Joey,

I’m a faithful follower of GMG and I appreciate all that you do for Gloucester and all of Cape Ann.  We do live in the most beautiful place in the world.

My sister in California sent the attached photo she took at a grocery store in Buena Park, CA.  I thought you’d get a kick out of it.  She titled it “Taste of Home”.

Kate Young

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$1 DOWN AND GET MARCH FREE TODAY AT THE MANCHESTER ATHLETIC CLUB!!!!

 

‎*****SNOW STORM SPECIAL!!******
JOIN TODAY FOR $1 DOWN AND GET MARCH FREE!!!! CALL KATELYN AT 978-526-8900 X204 OR KHILL@MANCHESTERATHLETICCLUB.COM

Harold Burnham on This Old House Tonight

Al Bezanson Submits-

The PBS show This Old House will be featuring Harold Burnham and a sail on Ardelle at 6 PM tonight, Friday, March 8th.  Here’s a preview

Send in your storm photos and we will live blog this mother

Can you ever remember a year when thr weathermen have missed so many storm forcasts by such a large margin?
It seems the big ones they miss underestimating by a mile and the small ones they’ve overhyped and miss by a mile.

Fishtown Horribles Parade Notice

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The Fishtown Horribles Parade Committee is asking the community of Gloucester for assistance in sprucing up our newly established website. We are in search of photos of past parades to be included on our website that will show the history of the parade over the years. If you have any photos that you wish to share with us, please feel free to send them to any member of the Committee or to our general mailbox, fishtownhp@gmail.com. Photos can be of the parade itself or of your family/friends enjoying the parade. We will not be posting pictures of questionable nature. Please dig out your photo albums and send us a photo or two. Please include your mailing address so we can return the photos once they are scanned. Thank you in advance in our quest to make our site a community showcase. Please enjoy our new website: fishtownhorribles.org.

Send photos to: Fishtown Horribles Parade

PO Box 924

Gloucester, MA 01930

Mamie’s Kitchen Dodgemother Alicia DeWolfe Is Ready To Bring The Pain

Word on the street is that The Dodgefathers Ring Leader Alicia DeWolfe is out for blood after last year’s results in the GMG/Farm Bar and Grille Bikini Speedo Dodgeball Tournament.

She has assigned all new Capos and will stop at nothing to bring home a victory for her mafia den of crime also known as Mamie’s Kitchen.

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The Dodgemother in particular called out The Farm Bar and Grille squad Ass With Class, Crossfit Cape Ann two teams Power Snatch and Pistol Whip,  DogBar’s American Bacon, Passports Canadian Bacon and Ed Collard’s Reigning Champs Blinded By The White.

Be there to witness the pain Next Saturday March 16th at Camp Spindrift.

Ecology Class Collects Trash Around Shore!

GMG GHS correspondent Marlee Melvin reports-

GHS CLEANING UP! 

A laboratory exercise in the high schools ecology class measures and collects trash around the shoreline behind the school. The students picked up two full trash barrels, about 36 pounds, along 750 feet of shoreline, and using this as an overall average were able to calculate that there is probably around 390,000 pounds of plastic trash on the combined shorelines of Massachusetts! They were able to do this by utilizing the equipment and facility that were donated to GHS by Salem State (the “Lab”). The class is learning about plastics in the environment and their impact on the marine ecosystems! 

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Some Local Favorites You Should Consider Voting For In The 2013 North Shore Magazine BONS Awards

I finally got around to voting myself and I think what I’ll do is highlight the local establishments that are on the Ballot that are listed for your consideration-

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-

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)

Tennis Anyone? St Paddy’s Mixed Doubles Social- Guinness Corned Beef and Tennis- What’s Not To Like???

GMG FOB Stu Lehr is putting on this social. To reserve your spot contact Stu at 978-496-6621 or slehr@mactennis.com

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Community Stuff 3/8/13

Women’s Community Club of Magnolia Pot Luck Supper

On Tuesday, March 12th at 7p.m. the Women’s Club will be having a Pot Luck Supper at the Magnolia Library Center.  They have also invited members from the Lion’s Club, The Historical Society, and the Library Board. We are hoping for a good turn-out and asking members to rsvp to their various clubs if they plan on attending.


Pathways’ Cape Ann Families is seeking men and women to participate in the parent mentor program. This Cape Ann Families Program serves families in the Gloucester/Cape Ann Community.  Parent mentors can have a variety of roles, which include enjoying activities together, strengthening confidence and self-esteem, connecting with local resources and creating mutual trust and respect.  We are looking for volunteers to participate in our Parent Mentor Training, after which each volunteer will be matched with a parent, beginning a year-long mentorship/friendship.  The next five week training will run on Friday afternoons beginning on March 15th. Please contact Hailey Granger, Family Services Coordinator at 978-281-2400 x110 or at hgranger@pw4c.org for more information.


March Happenings at Rose Baker

March is another busy month at the Rose Baker Senior Center. In addition to the center’s ongoing events, there are a number of special events. A few of these events are listed here.

· Friday, March 9, at 10:00 a.m. is the next Adventure Slide show. Beth Welin is presenting “The Ghosts of Vincent Cove,” the history of the site the Senior Center now occupies. The presentation will highlight the three boatyards and businesses that were originally in this area. This program is supported by New England Biolabs Foundation and is free.

§ Thursday, March 14, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. we will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day early with a luncheon and party. The menu naturally features corn beef and cabbage. Julie Zelski will sing a selection of Irish tunes. And there will door prizes and a raffle. All seniors are welcome to join the celebration, but you must make a reservation by Monday, March 11. To reserve your space, call the Rose Baker Reception Desk at (978) 281-9765.

§ Wednesday, March 20, from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Lisa Orgettas, Executive Director of Spectrum Adult Day Health in Beverly, will present “Memory Loss: What’s Normal, What’s Not.” There is no fee to attend, but pre-registration is preferred. To register call the Rose Baker Reception Desk at (978) 281-9765. Walk-in guests are also welcome. Come with your questions and concerns.

§ Wednesday, March 20, from 4:30 until 10:00 pm., Jalapeno’s is hosting a fundraising event to benefit the Social Day Care Program at Rose Baker. This is your chance to support this wonderful program while enjoying a night out. Hope to see you there.

For information on additional happenings at Rose Baker see the Costal News, Rose Baker’s monthly newsletter. You can pick up a copy at the Senior Center.


Children’s Shabbat Program at Temple Ahavat Achim

PJ Library Shabbat Circle

Saturday, March 9th at 10 am

Come learn about Jewish Sabbath, sing songs and enjoy Jewish food!
This wonderful program will be led by David Wesson, TAA’s Director of Congregational Learning and Programming.
Everyone’s welcome! Bring friends!

Varian Semiconductor / Applied Materials and the Gloucester/ Silicon Valley connection

Catherine Ryan submits-

Hi Joey

There’s a long and continuous through-line of innovative and inventive companies and entrepreneurial spirit throughout Gloucester ’s history.

Here’s some background from James Kawski, Market Analyst and CI Manager for Applied Materials Varian Semiconductor, on the Gloucester/Silicon Valley, full-circle high tech connection.

  • Late 1940’s, brothers Russell Harrison and Sigurd Fergus Varian formed Varian Associates in California creating one of the early stalwarts of Silicon Valley. In 1953 they moved their headquarters to Palo Alto .
  • In 1975 Varian Associates purchased Extrion Corporation of Gloucester and Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates was born.
  • 1999 VSEA was spun off in 1999 and established itself as the world leader in the manufacture of Ion Implanters: large, technically complex machines used to make microchips.
  • 2011 Varian entered a new market making tools to build better, more efficient solar cells. In keeping with sustainable business practices Varian built the first power generating wind turbine on Cape Anne (which now forms a trio on our horizon with the two from Gloucester Engineering)
  • Late 2011 Varian merged with Santa Clara California ’s Applied Materials, reconnecting Gloucester ’s high technology history with Silicon Valley .
  • June 2012 Varian’s CEO Gary Dickerson named President of Applied
  • February 2013 Bob Halliday named CFO of Applied Materials

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Sigurd Varian

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Russell Varian

Photos courtesy Applied Materials © Ansel Adams

Statues & Plaques in Gloucester Part II From Peter Dorsey

Peter Dorsey submits-

Joey,

Another statue that I found both artistic and interesting is located at the intersection of Prospect and Pleasant Streets. It is made of large granite blocks, and commemorates the War with Spain from 1898 to 1902, and the Gloucester men who served then, ” Gloucester Honors Her Men Who Served in the War With Spain, 1898, Volunteers All, Erected 1923″  There is a copper relief plaque commemorating the Liberation of Cuba on one side honoring, “Gloucester’s Sons, 100 Strong”  and on the other side a copper relief plaque showing the U.S.S. Gloucester, and commemorating her “Sinking of the Spanish Destroyers Pluton and Furor” in July 1898, and the 300 men from Gloucester who “Volunteered for Naval Service”. 

If you have never looked closely at these beautiful relief plaques, I recommend that you park you car nearby, and walk carefully around the traffic; and spend a little time gazing at this beautiful commemorative artwork.

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Four Tracy Pirates Represent! in Bodin Historic Photo Gallery

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Fred writes-

Left to Right: Uncle Sid Tracy (Moran Tugboat Company), Emma Tracy, Karen Tracy, and Theo Tracy. Lacking a GMG sticker, I gave Sid my pirate patch, but Theo is holding a GMG mug that was left here after our GMG/Bodin holiday party (come get it if it’s yours). Emma and her husband are residing at Mother Ann Cottage on Eastern Point for the winter, which is the outermost house next to the Coast Guard Station. Her comment to me about living there: "Magnificent and dramatic views of the ocean, but windy and very cold." The weather will improve for us all, and I hope to see the Tracy Pirates at our next gallery event. They’re definitely a fun crew.

Fredrik D. Bodin

Bodin Historic Photo

C.B. Fisk Open Shop Invitation March 9th, 2013

Greg MF Bover writes-

Dear Friends and Family,

Although I will be away on another installation in Indiana, my Fisk Colleagues will be ready to show folks around the shop and answer any questions during this event.  We are expecting a large contingent of visitors from the school in Niiza, Japan where this organ will be going, I hope you will come see this unique organ too.

Please feel free to bring along anyone you think might be interested, or to forward this invitation along to your own friends.

Regards, Greg

141 Open Shop Invite - Email