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.

GMG Old Cuban Cigar Ryan and Wood Rum Sail Aboard The Schooner Thomas E. Lannon- We Had So Much Fun The First Time We’re Goin’ Again!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

The First One Was So Much Damn Fun I Didn’t Want The Night To End. 

So what the hell, Paul Giacalone, Bob Ryan and Kay Ellis all agreed to shave a little off the prices of their incredible products and we give you the deal of the century for what promises to be another incredible night aboard the most beautiful ship in Gloucester Harbor- The Thomas E. Lannon.

For less than the price of regular ticket aboard the Lannon you get two hand rolled Cigars from Paul Giacalone’s Old Cuban Cigar Company and three rum drinks Featuring Ryan and Wood’s Folly Cove Rum and a couple of rum samplings from Bobby Ryan’s private collection.  $35 bucks gets you two hand rolled cigars three rum drinks AND your sail aboard the Lannon.  No brainer, right??? Call Kay at 978-281-6634

The thing is after we had so much fun last time I’m pretty sure the tickets are going to sell out  quickly.  So if you are one of my peeps I WANT YOU ABOARD DAMNIT!

Don’t be a lazy bastard and put it off, call now so we can hang- and smoke- and drink!  Fuck that sounds like a great time!

Here’s the deets-

Thursday September 8th

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Magnolia Road Race 5K and 1K Kids Fun Run With Ribbons for ALL The Kids!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Magnolia FrontMagnolia Chest

Hi Joe,

Thanks so much for the shout out to the Magnolia Road Race with JD a couple of weeks ago on GMG.  Time flies and the race is this Thursday evening.  What JD did not mention is that besides the 5K race at 6:30, there is also a 1K Fun Run for kids.  The cost to enter this race is only $3!  The course is short, easy and also includes scenic Shore Road.  All kids who enter get a ribbon and there are trophies for the top finishers.  We will also have an ice cream concession for the first time!

Also, we just got in our new race shirts and are really excited the way they turned out.  Saucony is again sponsoring the Magnolia 5K and we have their top notch dri-poly shirts.  I have attached a few pics also showing off our in-house model.  The first 100 5K entrants get these shirts and we are selling them at the race for $10 each.  All proceeds from the races, ice cream, and shirts go to the Magnolia Library.

You can sign up either at www.active.com or www.coolrunning.com
We have a few spots remaining for the free shirts.

I would really appreciate it if you could alert your loyal readers to this fun night!

Thanks, Randy Oneil

 

Magnolia Back

BBC Radio Interview (audio) With Our Buddy Jon Sarkin

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Listen to BBC Outlook Interview (audio)

Today on the programme we meet the chiropractor from the US who suffered a stroke and woke up a completely different character. He’s now a successful artist.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00jfts2#synopsis

Natural Selection at Work

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Bill O’Connor Writes-

Hi Joe,

Here’s a photo of two near winners of the Darwin Award from yesterday’s storm.  This was a few minutes before high tide at Good Harbor Beach.  Obviously, their need for attention far outweighed the value of the life of the person who was going to pull them out of the water if the undertow had taken them. Just a reminder to all the parents out there – make sure you teach your kids that it’s never a good idea to enter the surf in a storm surging tide during a Hurricane! The ocean is a powerful force and you should never taunt it like this.

Thanks,
~Bill O’Connor
North Shore Kid

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and here’s my Photo from 5:05 PM the Day of Hurricane Irene-

I was shocked that there were people bodysurfing and could not believe the stupidity.

(click the photo for the larger view)

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Bass Rocks Ocean Inn- You Wanna Stay Here- Trust Me

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Videos Coming-

The amenities from access to Bass Rocks Golf, Billiards, Discount Parking At Good Harbor Beach, Updated Spotless Rooms with Pillowtop Beds, Libraries, Breakfast, the Stunning Views, Complimentary Bikes, Bocce, Croquet, Horseshoes, Crystal Clear HEATED Pool and huge balconies outside of your room the place is incredible.  Look for our room tour videos throughout the week.

For More Info- Bass Rocks Ocean Inn

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Heated Crystal Clear Pool

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Super Friendly Staff

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Suite With Unobstructed Views

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Billiard Room With Library

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Standard Room With Double Beds

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Observation Deck

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Crane Beach Pre-Irene Photos From Mike and Sarah Dyer

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

“Backside of Crane Beach, looking kinda tropical last Friday before Irene”

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Holy Crap Where Did The Summer Go? It’s Schooner Festival Weekend!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Weekend after weekend there are amazing things to do around here, we all know that.  But this weekend is a biggie- Schooner Festival.  I’m not sure how it slipped off my radar but you can rest assured that will will be covering the shit out it here in these pages.

Marty and Barbara will be aboard the Press Boat, Paulie Walnuts will be getting shots from his favorite perches above the harbor and we will have pictures and video. 

You know the drill- if you have some great footage pictures or youtube video you want to upload send me the links and we will Live Blog It like we do so many other events.

GMG will be THE PLACE to follow along with the action if you can’t be there yourself- believe that!

Here’s the press release from the Chamber-

27th Annual
GLOUCESTER SCHOONER FESTIVAL
Labor Day Weekend

The Gloucester Schooner Festival will take place Labor Day weekend, September 2nd through the 4th, 2011.  It’s Gloucester’s major marine event, with participating vessels coming from ports along the Eastern Seaboard.  There will be both large and small vessels—ranging from 19 feet to over 100 feet in length.  You will see new boats and old boats, from newly built to over 100 years old!  Schooners include Gloucester’s Thomas E. Lannon and American Eagle from Rockland, Maine, and many more. Salem’s tallship Friendship will also join in the festivities.  New this year will be the entry of Gloucester’s newest schooner, Harold Burnham’s Ardelle.

The Mayor’s Race is the major event of every Schooner Festival and will take place this year on Sunday, September 4th, with fifteen schooners expected to compete for the Esperanto Cup, the Cameron Cup, and the Ramsey Plate.  Racing starts on Saturday afternoon with seven classes of traditional small craft from 19 to 45 feet long.

An obvious choice for boat lovers, the Schooner Festival also offers plenty of shore side events.  On Saturday, these include Gloucester Maritime Heritage Day, walking tours of Gloucester’s harbor front (hosted by The Schooner Adventure), the lighted boat parade, and a gala fireworks display over Gloucester Harbor. Sunday morning, a grand Parade of Sail passes the Boulevard promenade (Stacy Boulevard, Route 127) as the schooners head out to sea for the Mayor’s Race.  In addition, Festival-goers won’t want to miss Gloucester’s many attractions, including art exhibits, beaches, fishing, museums, dining, historical sites, whale watching, and more! 

The Gloucester Schooner Festival is made possible with the generous support of our sponsors: TD Bank, Market Basket, and the Schooner Thomas E. Lannon. The Festival is planned and organized by the Gloucester Schooner Festival Committee, composed of representatives of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, the City of Gloucester, the U.S. Coast Guard, the business community, and private citizens.

A full schedule of events is available online at www.capeannvacations.com/schooner.

 

and the schedule-

Twenty-Seventh Annual
Gloucester Schooner Festival™
September 2-5, 2011

The Festival is sponsored by the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce
(Schedule will be updated as events are confirmed. Last update: 8/20/2011.)

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
(subject to change)

Friday, September 2, 2011

All Day Arrival of Participating Vessels.

10:00 am – 5:00 pm            
Cape Ann Museum visiting hours.

10:00 am – 5:00 pm            
Essex Shipbuilding Museum visiting hours.

10:00 am – 5:00 pm            
Maritime Gloucester visiting hours.

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Mayor’s Reception for invited guests. Sponsored by the Schooner Adventure.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

10:00 a.m.
Skippers Meeting for all Traditional Small Craft, at Solomon Jacobs Park, immediately adjacent to the U.S. Coast Guard Station on Harbor Loop.

10:00 a.m
Gloucester’s Working Waterfront Walking Tour. Join Schooner Adventure at the Fishermen’s Memorial for a guided walking tour of the Gloucester’s Working Waterfront. Looking at old photographs and maps, we will go back to the days of Gloucester’s fishing heyday. Old companies and buildings will be identified at their original locations as we make our way to Duncan Point.
($5 per person)

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Gloucester Maritime Heritage Day Maritime Gloucester (formerly the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center), located at 23 Harbor Loop in downtown Gloucester, will host its annual Heritage Day celebration from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Center’s exhibits and aquarium will be open free of charge throughout the day. Free to all.

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Maritime Saturday with Schooner Adventure at the Gloucester Marine Railways on Rocky Neck. Maritime Tool Flea Market, Open House on the 1926 Schooner Adventure, View the 1925 Gillnetter Phyllis A., Dory and gill netting fishing presentations, Dress-up  like a Gloucester fisherman, Children’s Activities and Ship’s Store. Free admission.

10:00 am – 5:00 pm            
Cape Ann Museum visiting hours.

10:00 am – 5:00 pm            
Essex Shipbuilding Museum visiting hours.

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Start of Sailing Races for Traditional Small Craft, off Eastern Point Light.

6:00 p.m.
Festival Crew Party for invited guests.

7:30 p.m.
Boat "Parade of Lights".

9:15 p.m.
Fireworks Display over Gloucester Harbor. (following Parade of Lights, time approximate)
(The Gloucester Fireworks Committee is in need of more donations for the Labor Day weekend fireworks. Donations may be made to The Gloucester Fund, 45 Middle St., Gloucester, MA 01930. Please notate "fireworks" on your donation.)

Sunday, September 4, 2011

8:30 a.m.
Skippers Meeting for all Schooners sailing in Mayor’s Race at Solomon Jacobs Park, immediately adjacent to the U.S. Coast Guard Station on Harbor Loop.

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Open House at the Schooner Adventure at the Gloucester Marine Railways on Rocky Neck.

11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Shuttle Bus to Eastern Point Light, from Eastern Point Gate (Eastern Point Boulevard at Farrington Avenue) to watch the start of the Mayor’s Race. Free of Charge.

10:00 am – 3:00 pm            
Open House at the Schooner Adventure, Gloucester Marine Railways, Rocky Neck.

10:00 am – 5:00 pm            
Essex Shipbuilding Museum visiting hours.

10:00 am – 5:00 pm            
Maritime Gloucester visiting hours.

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Parade of Sail as Schooners proceed from Inner Harbor, past the Fishermen’s Memorial on Stacy Boulevard, to the race starting area off Eastern Point.

1:00 p.m.
Start of Mayor’s Race for Esperanto Cup, Ned Cameron Trophy and Betty Ramsey Trophy off Eastern Point.

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Reception and Awards Ceremony for contestants and invited guests.

Monday, September 5, 2011

"Rain Day" for recovery from postponements caused by inclement weather. ONLY IF REQUIRED.

Good Harbor Marsh Under Storm Surge Panorama From Bill O’Connor

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

click the image for the larger version-

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Hi Joe,

While we were down at Good Harbor Beach just before high tide during the storm today, I took a series of photos of the incoming surge on the marsh side of the beach and stitched them together.  While storms like these bring destruction and hassle for us humans, the surge is a form of renewal for the marsh habitat.  This is rather large photo so click through to see the high resolution version!

Enjoy~Bill O’Connor
North Shore Kid

By the way Bill and his wife Kelly are the creators of North Shore Kid, our pals who are nominated for a CBS Boston Most Valuable Blogger Award In The Lifestyle and Family Category you can vote for them here

and don’t forget the filthy hos  Restaurant Critiques extraordinaire from North Shore Dish who were nominated in the Dining/Entertainment Category

You can vote for them here

and of course you can always toss a vote our way if you think we are worthy in the everything else category.  You can Vote for GMG here

The rules for the voting state that you can vote once a day every day ‘til the 9th of September.

Cape Ann Hurricanes Recipe From Amanda Nash

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Here’s how we got through Irene over at Inn Magnolia:

The Cape Ann Hurricane
2 oz light rum
2 oz pineapple juice
2 oz orange juice
1 oz Bogg’s Cranberry Liquer (replaces the grenadine in the New Orleans version)
1 oz Gosling’s Black Rum

Pour each ingredient in a hurricane glass (okay, we didn’t have any) over ice, slowwwwly so they don’t mix.  Top with a squeeze of lime and a bamboo skewer (all we had handy) with a couple blueberries (a nod to the Downeasters).  Looks great but of course ya gotta stir it before you drink it.
BTW, the fire extinguisher in the photo is NOT part of the recipe!

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Chickity Check It! House Husband’s Take On Lobster

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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PYO Lobster and A Modest Proposal.

House Husband Writes-

My first and as of this writing only lobster taken on snorkel. I caught this in about 12 feet of water, at low tide in Rockport. Totally worth buying the permit to have this memory. Here’s the lobster, next to the guage — you can check it yourself with photoshop, if you’ve a mind.

For the rest of the blog post click here

Greg Bover’s Quote of The Week Is On Vacation. He sends this instead

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Greg Bover’s Quote of The Week Is On Vacation.  He sends this instead-

SV Linnet represents from The Basin on the New  Meadows River in Maine. See the sticker on the dodger? We’re waiting out the storm.  So far so good.

Joey’s response-

I’m squinting real hard but I don’t see no sticka.  Of course it would probably help if I knew what the dodger was.

Kathy Chapman Sends In Her Hurricane Survival Kit

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Anyone who canned or made Sista Felicia’s Sun-Dried Tomatoes yesterday I would live to see your finished product.  Send in a pic and I’ll post it.

SurvivalKit

Joey, you are too funny with those storm tracking lines!!!!!

Here’s my prep. Let’s hope we all survive this storm without harm.

XXOO, Kathy

Kathy Chapman
Photography and Graphic Design
174 East Main Street #1
East Gloucester, MA 01930
Web portfolio: http://www.kathychapman.com

Video- Hurricane Irene – Gloucester MA From My Podcasting Buddy Kenny MacCarthy

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

http://Liveoncapeann.com Shots of Eastern Point, The Dog Bar, The Back Shore and Good Harbor Beach, all at half/low tide. More

Hurricane Bob

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

This sailboat ran hard aground courtesy of Hurricane Bob on August 19th, 1991. Twenty years ago, Bob was the last hurricane to make landfall on the New England coast. The storm caused extensive damage and seventeen fatalities, resulting in the name Bob being retired from the list of Hurricane names.

Fred Bodin

Bodin Historic Photo, 82 Main Street

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Live Good Harbor Beach Webcam from the Blue Shutters Inn In Gloucester MA

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Click the picture below to watch the storm as it worsens throughout the day-

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Webcam courtesy Tony Sapienza and The Team At The Blue Shutters Inn On Good Harbor Beach

If you appreciate the coverage the GMG team have been bringing you feel free to vote for us in the CBS Boston’s Most Valuable Blogger everything else category
http://boston.blogger.cbslocal.com/most-valuable-blogger/blog/377-goodmorninggloucester/#

August 28, 2011 6:00 PM – Hurricane Irene Final Update From the Office of Mayor Carolyn Kirk:

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

As of 6:00 pm the Gloucester EOC was closed however all city departments are on call. The Department of Public Works Hot line for downed tree limbs, flooding, waste water emergencies and other storm related damages will remain open until 8:00 pm.( Please note the time change.) The storm hotline number is 978-281-9785. If you have any storm related issues after 8:00 pm, please call the police department on their businessline at 978-281-9751 or the Fire department at 978-281-9760. Again, for all emergencies, please call 911.

Please do not call 911 to report power outages, please call the National Grid power outage report line at 1-800-465-1212.

The Red Cross Shelter at the Salem High School on Highland Avenue will be open all night.

Please do not place your trash out tonight. There have been reports of trash bags being swept by the strong winds in several places in town. DPW advises us that normal trash pickup will resume tomorrow morning.

The beaches will be evaluated for Rip Tides tomorrow morning and signs will be posted if swimming is not allowed.

At this time there are approximately 20 sites being worked on by DPW and National Grid crewsinvolving fallen tree and downed wires. As of 6:00 Nationalgrid reports that there are under 400 Gloucester households without power, and they are evaluating the situation. There is currently no estimate as to when the power will be restored.

Thank you to all the city departments and CERT volunteers for all their work during this storm. This will be the final update for Hurricane Irene.