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.

Celia Thaxter Quote of The Week From Greg Bover

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart. 
Celia Thaxter (1835 – 1894)

Click the picture to check out her wikipedia page-

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The daughter of a lighthouse keeper, Thaxter (née Laighton) grew up among the Isles of Shoals, eight miles offshore on the border of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. At age sixteen she married her tutor, Levi Thaxter, eleven years her senior, and moved briefly to Newtonville, but returned to Appledore Island for the birth of her first child. After her first poem “Land-locked” was published in The Atlantic Monthly, Thaxter’s fame as a poet drew literati such as Emerson, Hawthorn and Longfellow to the islands where her father was constructing the first resort hotel. As hostess, she began holding summer salons and was befriended by painters Childe Hassam and William Morris Hunt among others. Hassam famously painted her garden, which still thrives on the island thanks to the Portsmouth Garden Club.

Greg Bover

Have You Lost A “mercedesish” Key?

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Patty Knaggs writes-

Hi Joey,

Would you mind posting this pic on the blog?  Spied it on the Magnolia Swamp trail in Ravenswood, heading up to the Salem Trail on the end of trail farther most from the parking lot.  Found it in December/January I believe (pre snow deluge).  So why did I wait so long to try and find its owner?  Put it in a coat pocket and forgot about it…..sorry about that.  Logo at top of silver part looks mercedesish (thats a word, check it out in wikipedia) to me.

foundkey

Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce HOME & BUSINESS EXPOSITION MARCH 26th and 27th

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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The Cape Ann Chamber Home & Business Exposition will be held this year at Gloucester High School on March 26th and 27th.  The event, which will be held inside the high school’s athletic field house, is open to all businesses.  The floor will be open on Saturday (the 26th) from 10:00 to 4:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 3:00.

Committee chairman Ed Collard reports interest for the show is extremely high.  “We are excited to have the interest of so many businesses on Cape Ann and other areas,” said Collard. “This year’s show is going to showcase many businesses that help the community in a variety of ways and I believe we will have a terrific turnout.  This will be a ‘Show and Sell’ event.”

The Exposition replaces the Home & Garden Show from prior years.  Bob Hastings, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce said, “We decided we would have a better show by opening it up to all businesses in the area.  It will be a more diverse show with expectations of more booths than in prior years.”  

The Exposition will feature a show kitchen with cooking demonstrations by local culinary stars. Another featured highlight will include an interactive children’s section;  many exhibitors will be providing door prizes and other giveaways.

Booths are $375 with an early bird discount rate of $325 for businesses registered by February 25th.  To register your company for the show please download the attached registration form or contact Project and Events Director Tim Burton at 978-283-1601 or email tim@capeannchamber.com.

Lost Cast Iron Egret Footage On WHDH

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey — perhaps a GMG viewer who sees this footage may know where the Harringtons’ cast iron Egrets are:

Thanks, Amy

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Heather Atwood Cooks Italian Chestnut Stew

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Heather invited Giovanna Tognetti of the ancient Lombardian city of Brescia to her house for a winter time cooking session. There she learned from her Aunt Bruna this unique beef stew, thickened with melding chestnuts and sweetened with red wine. It is just as delicious made with the jarred variety of chestnuts.

click the picture to view the video and recipe at the Taste of The Times

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seARTS Announces Partner with an Artist Award Winners

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Mark Teiwes and our company Captain Joe and Sons collaborated two years ago for the seARTS Partner with an Artist program.  It was fun and created a lot of positive energy.

The 2011 collaborations were announced recently.  read the press release from seARTS below-

GLOUCESTER, Mass. – The Society for the Encouragement of the Arts’ (seARTS) is pleased to announce the selection of five creative artist/business partnerships. Each artist will receive a $1,500 grant to complete and publicly present new work.
Partner With an Artist (PWA), seARTS signature artist grant program, made possible by grants from the Bruce J. Anderson and the Andrew Bayness Funds of the Boston Foundation, invites artists to submit proposals for innovative collaborations with local businesses. PWA offers a unique opportunity for artists and businesses to explore creative relationships and develop innovative projects. 
In the spring seARTS (date and location to be announced) will hold a public discussion where artists and partners will present the concept, development and execution of their projects. During the week of May 9 – 14 the five projects will be presented for the public to view and experience at several locations. Details will be available in April.
Partner With an Artist 2011 Grantees
Elizabeth Ann Harty and The Rockport Council on Aging

Harty’s mixed media work – using photo transfers, calligraphy, texture and collage – will reflect the history and future of the newly renovated historic Rockport Community House in connection with its key role in the community and its Cape Ann location.

Susan Erony and The Gloucester Writers Center with additional partner(s)
Visual artist Erony’s project, A Few Chosen Words: 100 Fragments of Text by Gloucester Writers, will explore the relationship between word and image through and with the words of Gloucester writers on paper mache bricks. The project will be on exhibit and Erony will present a lecture on visual art that incorporates literature.
Kristin Miller and Cape Ann Community Cinema with Robert Newton

Cellist Kristin Miller and writer/filmmaker Robert Newton will create a 15-minute multi-media presentation using film, original music and narration tracing the history of the WPA Murals and their importance to Gloucester.

John Taguiri and The Gloucester Marine Railways Corporation
Using a large film format camera and 35mm digital imaging public artist Taguiri will photograph the Captains, crew and vessels that haul out of the GMRC this spring. Images will be on display at GMRC and negatives will be housed at the Library of Congress Archives.
Abby Ytzen with community partners

Graphic artist Ytzen’s project Discover Gloucester is an integrated education series – map, interactive website, posters and t-shirts – for residents and visitors that presents different various aspects of Gloucester such as fishing, arts, and history.

Partner With an Artist is managed by Sarah Slifer, who successfully created and managed the Gloucester New Arts Festival as a seARTS partner. According to Slifer, "PWA is an exciting opportunity for artists to think and work in creative partnership with businesses, bringing art out of the studio and into the public forum in new ways."

The Society for the Encouragement of the Arts is a coalition of individual artists, art organizations, cultural and civic groups, and businesses working to improve the economic base for the arts on Cape Ann, and to promote Cape Ann’s thriving arts community and rich arts heritage.  The Society for the Encouragement of the Arts has been a recipient of the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Adams Arts Fund for Cultural Economic Development.

Miranda Russell Plays The Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport.

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

 

Two Nights Only in Rockport’s Gorgeous New Concert Hall!
Don’t miss this intimate evening of music at the world-class Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport.
April 7th and 8th at 8:00 PM. Advance tickets recommended. Call today for reservations and information: 978-546-7391. Check out the space online atwww.rockportmusic.org.
See you there!!! ~ Miranda

Deb Bretton Robinson The artist of The Month at Alchemy

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

I’ve featured Deb’s work before on the pages of GMG.  now she has the space at Alchemy-

She writes-

Come in from the cold and enjoy Debra Bretton Robinson’s exhibit of her acrylic paintings at the Alchemy Cafe and Bistro on 3 Duncan St., Gloucester until March 4th aptly titled "Out of the Cold".  She includes many vibrant, warm and colorful scenes of Gloucester and Cape Ann.  Don’t miss it! 

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misery island

U.S. Citizenship Classes Being Held At Action Inc

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

U.S. Citizenship Classes

Learn the steps you need to take to become a citizen of the United States! From February 16th through June 15th, Action, Inc. is offering U.S. Citizenship Classes on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. Participants will receive help with the N-400 application, U.S. history and civics lessons, help preparing for the interview with a USCIS official, and more. To qualify, you must have a Green Card or equivalent, be a permanent resident for at least five years, and be moderately proficient in English. Classes run weekly until June 15th.
Enrollment is open. Classes are held at Action, Inc., on the second floor of 180 Main Street in Gloucester (enter at 5 Pleasant Street). To learn more, call 978-282-1000.

Chicken Empanadas At Gloria’s Inside Brown’s Mall

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Three Chicken Empanadas Underneath a pile of fresh vegetables and topped with Gloria’s special spicy sauce.  $5.61  Fantastic!

Today- February 16th Gloucester Alcohol Retailers and Servers Coalition: “Serving Up Good Practices to Keep Youth Safe”

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Healthy Gloucester Collaborative announces a free workshop for Gloucester Alcohol Retailers and Servers on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 from 9 am until 10:30 am at Cruiseport, 6 Rowe Square, Gloucester, MA.

The free workshop features guest speakers Caroline Wilichoski, Senior Investigator of the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission (ABCC) and Joyce Redford, Executive Director of the North Shore Tobacco Control Program. The Gloucester Alcohol Retailer/Server Coalition has extended the invitation to all local Cape Ann purveyors and partnering police departments including Essex, Manchester and Rockport.

Joan Whitney of the Healthy Gloucester Collaborative and Gloucester’s Director of Substance Abuse Prevention, points out, “This is a chance to ask questions, learn what’s available for support and training and get information from the ABCC, Tobacco Control and the Gloucester Police. Department represented by Chief Mike Lane.”

The February 16th gathering is to provide owners, managers and staff of alcohol establishments with the most up to date tools to strengthen staff skills to prevent sales to minors and to increase knowledge of their legal responsibilities to protect their businesses and to protect youth. In addition to ABCC and Tobacco Control license training, issues of “Energy Drinks” and “3rd Party Buying” will be offered for discussion.

Mark McDonough, Owner of Latitude 43 and Alchemy Bistro, looks forward to the event “This is a great opportunity to stay current with the latest information, trends and training methods. Education is an important step in maintaining a strong business and a strong community. We are lucky here on Cape Ann to have the Healthy Gloucester Collaborative bringing so many local groups together to work collectively towards the shared goal of a healthy community ensuring Gloucester is truly a great place to live and work.”

The Gloucester Alcohol Retailer/Server Coalition is sponsored by the Healthy Gloucester Collaborative. The Gloucester Health Department under a MA Department of Public Health underage drinking prevention grant is collaborating with the Healthy Gloucester Collaborative to combat this problem through resource support and targeted funding for training. According to James Burnham of Four Seasons Liquors and Co-Chair of Gloucester Alcohol Retailer/Server Coalition, “As business owners, we need to take charge to protect our businesses. That is why the coalition of alcohol retailers and servers was formed in September 2009, to create a network between businesses and to train our employees, and strengthen our business practices and ultimately help our community.”

The free coalition workshop meeting will take place Wednesday, February 16, 2011 from 9 am until 10:30 am at Cruiseport, 6 Rowe Square, Gloucester, MA. For more information, call 866-964-4603 or visit www.healthygloucester.org.

All Points Bulletin Issued For Big Lar and Dangerous Dick Low

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

The two former champs have been Missing in action since the Hot Wing Challenge.

We are holding two slots for the eating kings At the DTF Burger Challenge but cannot get ahold of them.  If anyone has seen them please have them contact us for entrance into the GMG/Farm Bar and Grille DTF Burger Challenge.

All Points Bulletin- Amber Alert- Coast Guard- Police- Fire Canadian Mounties- Anyone- Please Find Our Boys

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Dangerous Dick Low

Kim Smith Talks About Redpolls

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Kim Smith Writes-

How lovely to receive a visit from this charming flock of redpolls. I knew it to be a new-to-our garden species, but did not realize visits were so much more uncommon than common. Oh how I wish I had taken more snapshots! Common Redpolls are another "irruptive species" from the boreal forests of North American (see Pine Siskins archived on blog), and the winter of 2010-2011 has proven to be an irruptive year for both Common Redpoll and White-winged Crossbill, with many sightings reported in Massachusetts. To learn whether we had Hoary Redpolls or Common Redpolls I emailed Chris Leahy, Mass Audubon’s Chair of Field Ornithology:

Hi Chris–Last week I found this inexpensive Nyjer seed bird feeder at Whole Foods, hung it in the garden next to the finch feeder, and was immediately visited by what I think are redpolls. They stayed for a few days and have not been seen again. It was dreary and rainy, so my photos are gray, not crispy. Do you think they are Common Redpolls or Hoary Redpolls or are the photos not clear enough?

I posted a link on my blog regarding your talk at the Sawyer Free and was disappointed it was cancelled because of the weather. Click on the photo–Chris Leahy and the Birds of Cape Ann--I think it looks like the three sparrows on the right are listening to a talk given by the sparrow on the left–please forgive the "bird" humor. Let me know when you are giving the talk and I will repost.

From Chris– Great, Kim! Send some over to my side of the harbor please! They are Common Redpolls – which are by no means common most winters. There’s a lot of plumage variation in both species and several races of Common Redpolls.  Hoary’s are much rarer of course and tend to hang out in flocks of Commons. Their best marks are a very tiny bill and pure white (or nearly so) under tail coverts (not always easy to see). Sometimes they appear much whiter, but not always and Commons can get very pale especially late in the year as the brown tips of the feathers wear. Chris adds the following important note:

Keep your eyes on your fruiting shrubs for Bohemian Waxwings. We had a flock of 5 (with Cedars) at Halibut Point during the Birding Weekend on Saturday. And Mary in East Gloucester found a dead one on her deck. I’ve had Cedars in my privet hedge during the last 10 days but no Bohemians (yet!?).

Check out the rest at her blog here

Kat Valentine’s Local Author Publishing Series

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Kat Valentine is putting together a series of talks with authors who offer advice on writing and publishing.  here is the first in the series-

For/From Indie Authors: Daniel Arenson

Daniel Arenson is an author of fantasy fiction, from epic to dark and surreal. Like many writers, he began his career writing short stories. He sold his first story, "Worms Believe in God", in 1998. Since then, dozens of his stories and poems have appeared in various magazines, among them Flesh & Blood, Chizine, and Orson Scott Card’s Strong Verse. Five Star Publishing, an imprint of Gale, published Daniel’s fantasy novel Firefly Island in 2007. His second novel, the dark fantasy Flaming Dove, was released in 2010. The Gods of Dream, an epic Advice, is Daniel’s third novel.

Continued at: 

For/From Indie Authors: Daniel Arenson

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Boston Derby Dames Calendar Shot At Captain Joe and Sons- December Available At The First Bout of The Season February 26th

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

The Calendars will be available at the First Bout Of The Season February 26th For more info or to buy tickets click the banner-

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