Author: Joey Ciaramitaro

Travel Dynamics International is pleased to announce the inaugural voyage of the newly-renovated M/V Yorktown. The sold-out voyage departs from Gloucester, Massachusetts, on May 24, 2012, and sails north along the Maine coast, through the Canadian Maritimes, and into the St. Lawrence, before disembarking in Montreal on June 5. Guest lecturers accompanying the voyage include maritime historian and former Professor of Naval History at the U. S. Naval Academy, William Cogar. Ceremonies celebrating the new ship are expected along the itinerary, beginning with a proclamation from Mayor Carolyn Kirk on behalf of the City of Gloucester during a Lobster Bake on the day of departure.
Built in Florida in 1988, Yorktown accommodates 138 guests in 69 outward facing cabins, is certified by the U. S. Coast Guard and flies the American flag. Originally operated as the Yorktown Clipper by Clipper Cruise Line, the ship was acquired by New York – based Travel Dynamics International in August 2011 and has just completed an extensive refurbishing of the interior and overhaul of mechanical and engineering systems, including installation of state-of-the-art satellite navigation and communications. The renovations were performed by Detyens Ship Yards of North Charleston, South Carolina.
Drawing on 43 years of experience operating educational voyages aboard small ships in every corner of the world, Travel Dynamics International has designed a series of itineraries that will keep Yorktown busy in North American waters. Following the inaugural voyage, Yorktown will continue down the St. Lawrence into the Great Lakes for the summer, before returning to the Canadian Maritimes in September. Cruises at the peak of fall foliage in New England and the Hudson River valley precede explorations of the Chesapeake Bay. Late November and December will find the ship along the Gulf Coast and on the lower Mississippi River. Yorktown opens 2013 with voyages to the ancient sites, rainforests and barrier reefs of Belize and Guatemala.
“We are thrilled and gratified by the tremendous response to our North American voyages,” says Travel Dynamics International Co-President Vasos Papagapitos. “It is wonderful to be able offer world class travel experiences right in our own backyard.”
Who We Are
Travel Dynamics International is the leading operator of high-caliber educational and cultural cruises aboard small ships. Offering customized voyages guided by distinguished scholars and experts, Travel Dynamics International caters to the traveler with a keen intellectual interest in history, culture, and nature.
Founded on the belief that traveling and learning about the world and its many cultures enriches individuals and society as a whole, Travel Dynamics Intern

The Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2012 Small Business Award Winners who will be saluted during Cape Ann Small Business Week, June 4 – 11. This year’s recipients, Rick and Jean Grobe of the White Elephant Shop and Transform Fitness in Essex, Deo Braga of Braga Management in Gloucester, Chuck Hayback of Nor’East Frameworks in Manchester and Kirk Keating and Bruce Rowell of Bayside Electrical Company in Rockport, will be honored at the Chamber’s 32nd Annual Small Business Week Luncheon on Monday, June 11, beginning at 11:30 am at the Bass Rocks Golf Club, 38 Beach Road, Gloucester.
The 2012 Cape Ann Chamber Small Business Week Luncheon will feature a keynote address by Robert Nelson, Director of the Small Business Administration’s Massachusetts District Office, on the importance of small business in leading the economic recovery. The seven area high school seniors who have been awarded Cape Ann Chamber Scholarships will also be saluted at this year’s luncheon.
The program is designed to recognize the extraordinary contributions of Cape Ann’s small business community in both exemplary entrepreneurial achievement as well as notable civic and community involvement. This year’s Small Business Award winners will also be honored individually at complimentary receptions in each of their communities during Cape Ann Small Business Week. Please visit capeannchamber.com for a complete schedule of these receptions.
Friends, family members, and colleagues of all small business honorees are invited and encouraged to attend the receptions and the luncheon. Tickets for the luncheon are available to members for $30 in advance or $35 week/day of and $45 for future members.
For more information or to RSVP for this event, please contact Tim Burton at tim@capeannchamber.com or call the Chamber at 978-283-1601.

Dear Joey and GMG FoBs (Friends of this amazing blog 🙂

I’m proud to tell you that I’m going "behind bars" to help in the fight against muscle disease. I’ll be cell to cell with many local people caught doing good work and helping to help raise critical funds for MDA. I need your help to reach my bail!

The Cape Ann 2012 Lock Up takes place on June 6, 2012, but I’m raising my bail before I go to jail! All you have to do is click here to make a secure, online donation today. Your support will help families living in our community with muscle disease, and help guarantee that I get out of jail. I will be sure to add you to my list of contributors.

Please support me in this important goal by visiting my fundraising page and making a contribution. Your tax-deductible donation makes a difference to the hundreds of kids, adults and their families who live right here on Cape Ann.

So come on, Discover Gloucester partners, friends of the blog, and of mine and Nick’s near and far!Thanks in advance for your help. Don’t hesitate to call or email me with questions.

Many Thanks from Linn Parisi