Author: Joey Ciaramitaro

photo from Donna Ardizzoni

The Judges- Dani Lubbers, Kim Smith, Sista Felicia and Wendie Demuth

Good evening, Joey!

Like everyone else, I was saddened by the fire that destroyed a house and a store yesterday. So, I was concerned when I saw the emergency vehicles today at the corner of Hancock St. and Main St.  Fortunately, it looks like it turned out to be a false alarm. I did get a nice photo of the trucks, though.

And the view of the Manufactory was clear and beautiful in the crisp evening light.

Don’t miss out on your chance to win the grand prize in the Chamber’s $25,000 Game! Less than 100 tickets left!  The drawing will be held at The Gloucester House on Wednesday, September 28 from 5pm to 7pm.  There will be appetizers and a cash bar. Tickets can be purchased for a $100 donation and admits two to the party.  The $25,000 game prizes are as follows:

1st prize        $10,000
2nd prize        $ 5,000
3rd prize        $ 2,500   
4th prize        $ 1,000 (six prizes)
5th prize        $    500 (three prizes)

Again this year, we will have the 50/50 raffle at the party.  Those interested in purchasing a ticket should contact the Chamber office at 978-283-1601 or email susan@CapeAnnChamber.com.  Get your ticket now.  This is always a SELL OUT EVENT!

Theater Pie Workshops. Three Crusty Dramas offered for Children as warm and easy as Pie.

The SUN Troupe, grds. K-4, Thursday, 3:30-5:30, Oct. 13-Dec. 8, THE AUTUMNAL TOPIARY, A play by voice and design will be performed on Dec, 8 at 5:30  Workshop fee:  $78.

The Chicken Coupe Troupe, grds. 4- until a chicken decides to fly the coupe, Friday, 4:15-6:15., Oct. 14-Dec. 16, ROBIN HOOD, an ancient, wild, and merry tale will be performed Dec.16 at 7 pm, and Dec. 17 at 4 pm and 7 pm.  Workshop fee:  $88.

SATURDAY PLAYHOUSE, grds. 4 and older, A Three Week Intensive, Nov. 5, 12, 19, 12:30-4:30 pm, with a presentation of the play, THE FROG PRINCE, at 5:00 pm on Sat., Nov. 19.   Workshop fee: $48.00

The Theater Pie Workshops rehearse and perform at The Unitarian-Universalist Society of Rockport on Cleaves Street and are sponsored by The UU Society and Art Harbor of Cape Ann.  For more information email or call Dona Lambert at donalambert1@gmail.com, 978-546-9041.  All the workshops are coached by Dona and very dramatic and funny Art Harbor HS friends.  Fees made be split into two payments.  Registration is on a first call basis.

On the next Cape Ann Profiles show host Rich Sagall interviews  Henry Allen of the Cape Ann theatre and the Henry Allen Theatre Project. He discusses what motivated him to become involved with theatre, his goals with “The Annie” and the numerous events occurring at the theatre.
Cape Ann Profiles can be seen on Cape Ann TV Channel 12 on Friday, September 16 at 10:30AM and 7:00PM and on Sunday, September 18 at 2:00PM. It repeats on Friday, September 23 at 10:30AM and 7:00PM and on Sunday, September 25 at 2:00PM.
Upcoming guests include Bob Ryan and Dave Wood of Ryan and Wood Distillery, Sam Frontiero, a retired local fisherman other Cape Ann personalities who have a story to tell.
Rich Sagall is a physician and the president of NeedyMeds, a national non-profit that provides information on programs that help people unable to afford their health care costs. He also publishes Pediatrics for Parents, a children’s health newsletter

Hi Joey,

I totally forgot to pass this on, but there are CoastSweep cleanups going on this at Good Harbor Beach and Wingaersheek Beach on Saturday.  Good Harbor’s starts at 1pm and Wingaersheek Starts at 10am.  These beaches are already pretty clean, but the thing about CoastSweep cleanups is that the collected debris is catalogued and the data is sent to the Ocean Conservancy in Washington DC, who aggregates all the data and puts it to use through legislation.  By participating, you are helping to keep your favorite beach clean and preserving a wonderful natural resource, as well as making a contribution to creating legislation that will help preserve these beaches for future generations.  Win/Win as you say!

A really weird fact about marine debris is that Cigarette Filters have been the number one debris item found in beach cleanups worldwide for the past ten years.

If people want to find out more about CoastSweep here’s the link! http://www.coastsweep.umb.edu/ and they also have a cool little guide to marine debris here: http://www.coastsweep.umb.edu/documents/Pocket%20Guide03.pdf

Thanks!
~Bill O’Connor
North Shore Kid

The town of Essex comes together once again with its annual autumn MUMS campaign. Over the next two weeks, residents and visitors will notice the traditional New England Fall flower scattered about in every corner of the village of Essex . Shop and restaurants owners, town officials and the Essex citizenry come together to participate in a unified campaign to showcase the vibrant spirit of Essex by creatively displaying the mum plants throughout town. What has become a unique tradition for the people of Essex is continuing to attract out of town visitors who enjoy seeing the beautiful displays.

THIS YEAR’S MUMS TRADITION REVIVES THE SPIRIT OF ESSEX

This month the town of Essex is beginning to see the finishing touches on a three-year long town wide construction project. With the reconstruction of the new seawall, as well as the new roads and sidewalks project coming to an end, the town has completed its challenge of maintaining its reputation as a tourist destination despite the interruption caused by the project. This year, the mums represent the “cherry on top” giving reason to celebrate the fresh new look of Essex .

"This year’s Mums Campaign is off to a great start with donations arriving from all parts of Essex. We are looking forward to our best year ever… this is our time to shine."

–Robert Coviello, Essex Merchants Group

“Each year the arrival of the mums marks the change from summer to fall, bringing more exciting events and visitors into town. We look forward to displaying the mums on our store fronts and always enjoy the comments from our patrons about the flowers.”

– Brittany Gwinn, Manager of Essex River Cruises & Charters

The Mums Campaign is organized each year by the Essex Merchants group in cooperation with the Essex Division of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and the Essex Enhancement Committee. The Essex Merchants Group consists of a number of local business owners and leaders driven by the common goal of bringing and maintaining commerce and growth to the town of Essex. All proceeds beyond the cost of the plant are used to promote Essex as a destination for dining, shopping, history, outdoor recreation and appreciation of its magnificent landscape. The Campaign is a great blend of beauty and commerce.

Morning Joey!

I’ll shorten this as much as possible because it would take me an hour to actually tell you how awesome our night was last night….

Went to the Taste of Cape Ann (YMCA benefit) last night (I’m sorry I didn’t take pictures) and it was amazing! Food was out of this world, people everywhere, and bottomless glasses of wine. Kurt and I won 3 raffles! Woo! We happened to win this homemade crocheted baby/small  blanket. We didn’t catch the name of who made it. I would love to send this person a thank you letter and tell her that it is a beautiful blanket and thank you for donating it to the raffle. Is there any way to mention a little something in GMG to find out who made it? If it’s too awkward to slip in there, no problem…I’ll figure it out. Thanks! See you Sunday! – Dani