Author: Joey Ciaramitaro

Whale Center of New England to Continue Operations

The Whale Center of New England based in Gloucester, Massachusetts is very pleased to announce that it will continue operations and work to further its mission. Following the initial announcement of the closing of the Whale Center, many caring friends, partners and members came forward to offer their support for the program. A dedicated group of these individuals have partnered with the Board of Directors of the Whale Center to form a new Board that will work to ensure the future of the organization.

The Whale Center was founded in 1980 by Mason Weinrich, then a Cornell University sophomore, by using work study money to get a placement from the College of the Atlantic to gather data on whales seen on whale watches. Originally formed as The Cetacean Research Unit (CRU) of the Gloucester Fishermen’s Museum, the Whale Center has achieved many significant accomplishments over the past 30 plus years for which Mason Weinrich, the naturalists, interns, staff and all the previous board members should be proud.   

Clifford Merchant, the newly elected President of the Board, stated that “The years of dedication and service by Weinrich, the previous members of the Board, and staff of the Whale Center of New England is very much appreciated.”  And as the new president, Merchant thanked the most recent Board of Directors “for entrusting both the Whale Center and the advocacy for the whales to the new Board members.”  The new Board would also like to take this opportunity to thank Dale Brown and attorney Meredith Fine for their hard work and commitment over the past several months and their assistance during this transition.

The Board’s initial goals are to raise the funds necessary to position the Whale Center to be able to continue the  mission started by Weinrich to actively engage education, marine conservation and research on whales and their habitat, .  The initial focus will be on education programs at the WCNE Visitors Center and whale watch boats, and continuing to gather research data through our partneships with whale watch companies.  The Board also plans on strengthening relationships with similar organizations and creating partnerships that will benefit the whales first and increase our knowledge of these amazing marine mammals.

Stephan Gersh, outgoing Board President told the Board members, “I wish the new board success in the future of the Center.  It is unique in its value to help protect our wonderful fellow beings. Remember always it is for them that we do what we do."

The members of the Board of Directors are all deeply grateful for the concern and support offered by our loyal members, staff and interns, scientific colleagues, and interested friends. They recognize the financial challenges facing not-for-profit organizations, but are committed to keeping the Whale Center of New England in the forefront of marine mammal education, research and conservation.  The board believes that with the financial assistance of our members and partners we can achieve that goal.  Anyone who would like to help should contact us on our website http://www.whalecenter.org or on Facebook “The Whale Center of New England”. 

The Whale Center of New England is a not for profit corporation dedicated to engaging in scientific research on marine mammals and their environment in the southern Gulf of Maine; to educating the public and the scientific community about marine mammals and their environment; and to aiding in the survival of endangered whales and other marine mammals in the Gulf of Maine with special emphasis on the Massachusetts Bay and Cape Ann area.

For further information, contact us at 978-281-6351, or info@whalecenter.org.
Whale Center of New England, PO Box 159, Gloucester, MA 01931-0159

Fundraiser Holy Family Parish.

Hi Joey this is the last fundraiser until we meet in august.  The ladies of the Guild decided to have an easy not much work in other words a fun fundraiser.  Could this get in sometime this week or before wednesday June 20th, you have been wonderful in the past.  Just to let you know the Plant Sale/Strawberry Festival took in over $3,000.00 for the Parish the ladies work hard.  So if you could put in the Jalepenos night it would be greatly appreciated.  Thank You Hilary

Holy Family Parish is having a fundraiser at Jalapeno’s Resturant June 20th, from 4p.m. to close.All one has to do is order dinner or take out between the hours from 4pm. to close and the Parish will recieve 10 % from the food reciepts.  Thats a wednesday night, 4p.m. to close. that includes all take out orders.  So if the kids have a game and you need a quick meal call in a take out order from Jalapeno’s Mexican Resturant or if you and a group would like to enjoy an evening of great food and great margarita’s come to the resturant.  So come and join us for a fun night, there will be a raffle, great food, see some old friends and make some new ones.  This is open to all

Hey Joey
Just wanted to let you know my latest TV documentary will be premiering this Wednesday on channel 38 at 10:30pm and then Sunday on channel 4 at 11:30am. It’s about the rise and fall and rise again of Boston’s historic Faneuil Hall–politics, entertainment (for some, that’s a redundancy) and food! It’s hosted by another Boston institution, Joyce Kulhawik. We packed a lot into a half-hour, and hope you can tune in. Here’s a link to the promo for it:

http://vimeo.com/43819228

Thanks!
Ted Reed
ted@tedreed.tv