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.

UNVEILING OF THE NEWLY RESTORED 1930 CHAMPLAIN HISTORICAL MARKER

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

TUESDAY, JULY 23 AT 2:00 PM (rain or shine)
Corner of East Main Street and Rocky Neck Avenue

Join Mayor Verga and the Department of Public Works for the unveiling of the newly restored Samuel de Champlain historical roadside marker on Rocky Neck, which had rusted and disintegrated almost beyond repair. Spearheaded by Rocky Neck resident, Susan Morreale, this 7-year project is finally ready for prime time!

Susan, a member of the Historical Commission, worked with DPW, who funded the project, and the restoration firm, Skylight Studios in Woburn, to bring this 200-pound, double-sided, cast iron marker back to life.

A total of 275 markers were made and erected along Massachusetts’s roadways to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1930. Each marker tells a concise, significant story about the history of Massachusetts in just a few short, inscribed lines, identical on both sides, so they could be read from either direction by passing cars.

They commemorate “places which played a leading part in the history of the colony,” according to the official catalog issued at the time by the Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission. Beyond value in noting historical moments, the markers are a kind of history themselves — a standing museum of how the state saw its past in the 1930s.

Gloucester has four such markers, the others are in Annisquam and two at Stage Fort Park. As of 2011, of the original inventory, there were only 146 markers still standing in the state. Of the original 83 markers in Essex County, only 43 remain.1630 – 1930 SAMUEL DE CHAMPLAIN 

IN SEPTEMBER, 1606, SAMUEL DE CHAMPLAIN LANDED AT ROCKY NECK IN WHAT IS NOW GLOUCESTER HARBOR, TO CAULK HIS SHALLOP, AND MADE AN ACCURATE CHART OF THE HARBOR WHICH HE CALLED LE BEAUPORT.

Gloucester Reads: A Community-Wide Reading Initiative

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

 ~ SAWYER FREE LIBRARY

Join the conversation and sign up for a discussion group!

DISCUSSION GROUP SCHEDULE: SIGN UP AND BE A PART OF THE CONVERSATION

Sponsor/LocationDateTimeRegistration Link
Temple Ahavat AchimSun. July 2810am-12pmRegister
1623 StudiosMon. July 291-3pmRegister
Annisquam Village ChurchTues. July 304-6pmRegister
St. Paul Lutheran ChurchTues. July 307-9pmRegister
Manship Artist Residencies@ Lanesville Community CenterTues. August 67-9pmRegister
St. John’s Episcopal ChurchThurs. August 83-5pmRegister
Gloucester Writers CenterMon. August 126-8pmRegister
Gloucester UU ChurchThurs. August 225-7pmRegister

Together in partnership, the Sawyer Free Library, Gloucester’s Racial Justice Team and Gloucester Health Department, is presenting Gloucester Reads 2024, a citywide, intergenerational summer reading initiative. Running through August, this community-wide book club aims to spark conversations, inspire new ideas, and encourage introspection about race equity in our community.

In collaboration with sixteen additional community co-sponsors, Gloucester Reads 2024 will explore books reflecting Black experiences in America. This initiative includes selections for adults, young adults and children. Adults can participate in three ways: reading the book, joining a structured discussion group, and attending the virtual author’s talk.

The summer book club’s main selection is How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith. This acclaimed book, which has won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction, the Hillman Prize for Book Journalism, the Stowe Prize, and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, focuses on the history and present impact of slavery in the United States. Through eight sites, including New Orleans, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, New York City, and Angola Prison, Smith uses archival research and interviews to offer an intergenerational story of how slavery has shaped our nation’s history and memory.

For more information or to sign up for a book discussion, visit, SawyerFreeLibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.

To ensure everyone can participate, Gloucester Reads is offering to cover childcare expenses for those attending discussion groups, the author’s talk, or both. Participants can request funds on the discussion group registration form.

Gloucester Reads: A Community-Wide Reading Initiative

Catherine M. “Kay” Orlando Obituary

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Catherine “Kay” M. (Sutera) Orlando, age 97, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 18, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of the late Mercurio “Mac” Orlando. Born in the North End of Boston on February 6, 1927, Catherine was the cherished daughter of the late Vincenzo and Calogera (Ragusa) Sutera.

After marrying Mac, Catherine made Gloucester her home, where she became a cherished member of the community. In her youth, she was an avid bowler, a parish member at St. Ann’s Church, a member of the Madonna Del Rosario Society, and enjoyed Gloucester’s beaches. She enjoyed playing cards and bingo with friends at the Rose Baker Senior Center. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family. Catherine never missed a family event, whether it was a sporting event, wedding, or school ceremony, always traveling any distance to be with her loved ones.

Catherine leaves behind a legacy of love through her children, Lucille Militello (Frank), Linda Devoe (Gerard), Joseph Orlando (Sandra), Catherine Cahill (William), and Debra Muniz (Paul). She was a proud grandmother to 17 grandchildren, a great-grandmother to 32 great-grandchildren, and had many nieces and nephews. Catherine is also survived by her sisters, Marge Marino, Jennie Ciuffo, Lucille Bonfilio, and Barbara Sutera.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her sisters, Beatrice Ciulla (Anthony), Lucy Sutera, Phyllis Orlando (Michael), and Rita Sabella (Alfred), as well as her brothers, Leo Sutera, Ignazio Sutera (Lillian), Philip Sutera (Sena), and John Bonfilio; brothers-in-law, Angelo Marino and Nicholas Cuiffo.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the staff of Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation for their generosity and kindness during Catherine’s time there.

Catherine’s warm presence, unwavering devotion to her family, and vibrant spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

A visitation will be held in St. Ann’s Church, Holy Family Parish on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. followed by a Mass starting at 11a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. The burial will be held in Calvary Cemetery, Gloucester.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1999, Memphis, TN 38101.

Arrangements by Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester.

For online condolences please visit http://www.greelyfuneralhome.com

THE KITCHEN AT THE CUT

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 ~ THE CUT LIVE

Make a reservation!

Things are NEW over at The Cut! We have a new chef, a new bar manager and now a new Instagram account that is run by The Kitchen at The Cut staff with a focus on food specials, drink features and behind the scenes content. You should go give it a follow! See you at The Cut!

Starting NOW The Cut will be open Wednesday – Sunday, 4pm – 12am. The kitchen will be open 4pm – 10pm. Come party with us! 
Don’t forget to check out all our upcoming shows – we’ve got something for everyone!

Visit Our Website

Buy Tickets to a Show

Make a Reservation

In Gloucester we have first hand experience of a massive wind turbine failure.

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

I don’t have the answers but the questions I do have…

What assurances are there from the manufacturers of these things and what penalties do they face when there are these massive failures which impact a lot of people.

Do they just sell the things and then say- “Hey, good luck with that?“. Meanwhile entire fishing grounds are wiped away.

Like who ate the cost of the Gloucester Turbine failure? Was there a warrantee? Was there insurance?

Or because it’s deemed “Green” we just say fuck it and ram it down everyone’s throats?

I’ll say our experience with solar has been financially super rewarding. That being said we don’t have moving parts that are clearly prone to failure as we have seen first hand in our Gloucesterwith the windmill that came crashing down.

I’m sure our representatives are on this with it absolutely hurting the fishing industry which they represent and being able to speak on behalf of the fishermen with first hand undeniable knowledge of what happened in our own back yard with the turbine coming crashing down without warning. That knowledge of seeing it happen here would make them super qualified to speak on behalf of our fishermen.

Maybe this has already all addressed and there is a ton of mitigation money for every failure that sends shards of fiberglass onto beaches and takes away miles of fishable waters so when they inevitably fail, there will be an entity that will be held accountable. There’s no way they could press forward with this kind of massive undertaking without having all that stuff in place.

GMG Repost from 2011: Our Boy Jon Sarkin On NPR This Week (and more)

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Recently Awarded Pulitzer Award Finalist Writer Amy Nutt Wrote Jon’s Biography Which Just Hit The Shelves and Is Killing It On Amazon Hitting As High As The Number 250 Best Selling Book Out Of All The Books Amazon Sells Last Week!

Jon was on NPR With Terry Gross.

Click the picture for the audio-

image

Amy Nutt who wrote Jon’s biography will be in Gloucester signing copies of her book at The Bookstore of Gloucester

61 Main Street Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 281-1548

Jon writes-

i will be discussing my biography (“shadows bright as glass”) at “the bookstore” on main street in gloucester on thursday, may 12 at 7:00 with its author, amy nutt.

sarkinbook

photos of Jon’s art piled up in his old Birdseye work space-

You gotta see these videos with Jon in his element-

Glouc Lost beloved Soul Today. From The GMG Archives: Jon Sarkin Interview At His Birdseye Building Studio Part II

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Jon Sarkin Interview At His Birdseye Building Studio Part II

Thanks For Watching

RIP: from The GMG Archives Jon Sarkin Interview At His Birdseye Building Studio Part I

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Jon Sarkin Interview At His Birdseye Building Studio Part I

Jon talks about his relationship with Chad Carlberg, gives us a tour of his workspace inside the Birdseye building, shows how some of the pieces for the Guster Music Video were made and how success breeds success.

Look for part II tomorrow

Join us for the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics at Harbor 9 Golf!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Arrive by 6pm for pre-ceremony festivities, with primetime viewing beginning at 7:30pm. Enjoy specialty cocktails and watch the event on our 15ft screens. Full sound will be on. We will be broadcasting all Olympic games throughout the course of the two weeks. Come for the immersive experience and stay for the fun and engaging atmosphere!

MORRIS RETIRES, BOVER ELECTED

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

The Board of Schooner Adventure (Gloucester Adventure Inc.) announces the retirement of John Morris, who has been President of the organization since 2010 and successfully guided the restoration and relaunching of the National Historic Landmark vessel. His efforts transformed Adventure from a tired fishing boat/windjammer to the flagship of Gloucester it is today. Because of John’s leadership, the schooner is well positioned to greet her 100th birthday in 2026. 

Long-time Board member Peter Souza commented: “I would like to thank John Morris for his fourteen plus years of dedication and generosity to the Schooner Adventure organization and community. John’s love for Adventure emanated from his family’s connection to Gloucester’s fishing industry and history. It reflects John’s personal and family experiences and why he became involved with Adventure. John has always shown what it means to honor and remember those who worked and fished the waters, and how Adventure was and is a direct link to the past…helping to keep her alive and in great shape for present and future generations. Thank you, John, for your dedication to Schooner Adventure.”

Gregory Bover, a board member since 2011, has been elected President of Gloucester Adventure Inc. Greg took an active role in the later part of the restoration and has been ship’s carpenter and Chair of the Vessel Committee. He has been on the sailing crew since the ship returned to active sea-service in 2015. Additionally, Greg holds a 100-ton Near Coastal Master’s Credential, with a Sailing Endorsement, and is on the path to a 200-ton upgrade. 

Greg is the former Vice President for Operations at C. B. Fisk, Inc. of Gloucester, designers and builders of pipe organ for churches, concert halls and academic institutions across the United States and around the world. He also served as Project Manager, leading structural and mechanical design and participating in the architectural aspects of each project, while saving a little woodworking for himself. He retired in 2020 after loving the work for 42 years. 

Greg lives in Rockport with his wife Maureen Aylward. Long active in community building, he is a Past President of the Sawyer Free Library and the Gloucester Rotary Club.  He continues to serve on the Government Affairs Council of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, is a Trustee of the Awesome Gloucester micro-grant foundation, and a Corporator of the Cape Ann Savings Bank. Honors include a Restoration Award from the Gloucester Historical Commission, and citizenship awards from the Rotary Club, Unitarian Universalist Church, and the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce. 

On his election to the Presidency of Gloucester Adventure Inc., Greg said: 

“I am honored to serve the Adventure community in this important role. I look forward to working with my board colleagues to preserve our National Historic Landmark as a community resource for future generations, and to sail her as a living symbol of America’s maritime heritage.”

Gloucester Police Invite Residents to Attend Gloucester Lobster Crate Race on Saturday

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro
Gloucester Police Invite Residents to Attend Gloucester Lobster Crate Race on Saturday
Untitled
A participant of the 2023 Gloucester Lobster Crate Race. (Photo Courtesy DE Sports Photography)
GLOUCESTER — Chief Edward Conley and event sponsor, the Gloucester Police Department, invite residents to attend the 2024 Gloucester Lobster Crate Race on Saturday, July 20, at 10:30 a.m. Held in front of the Beauport Hotel at Pavilion Beach in Gloucester, the Gloucester Lobster Crate Race challenges participants to run across a string of lobster crates floating atop the water. While registrations to participate in the race, which cost $20 per person, have closed, anyone can attend the event at no cost. All proceeds from the event will go towards to the Gloucester Stage Company, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization supporting theater education and apprenticeship programs for youth in the region. “The Lobster Crate Race is now a yearly highlight in our community — it is a fun play on a big piece of our community’s history. I am grateful for the hard work of our Community Impact Unit to  organize the race and I hope everyone is able to come out and cheer on the runners. It is an exciting event and I wish all the runners the best of luck.” The sponsors for the 2024 race include Gloucester Police, Gloucester AMVETS Post 32, The Shed Portable Sanitation, Mortillaro Lobster, The Lobster Roller, Rusty Can BBQ, Woodman’s of Essex, and Ramsey Marine Pier & Dock Builders. The race includes five divisions of participants: featherweight (up to 75 pounds), lightweight (between 76 – 125 pounds), mediumweight (between 126 – 175 pounds), heavyweight (176 pounds and over), and municipal employees. Present at the event will be several food trucks, and attendees will be able to purchase collectable t-shirts. Anyone unable to attend may still donate directly to the Gloucester Stage Company.

FINE WINE AND CHEESE TASTING @ SAVOUR WITH KATHLEEN AND SUSAN THIS SATURDAY, July 20, 2 – 4 pm

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

COMPLIMENTARY

FINE WINE AND CHEESE TASTING @ SAVOUR WITH KATHLEEN AND SUSAN

We are giving our wine reps a little time off on these lovely summer weekends so they can spend that time with family. Rather than the usual formal wine tasting, we are offering an informal cheese and wine tasting. Susan and I will be here to pour and discuss the wines and the classic pairings we are featuring, such as goat cheese and Sauvignon Blanc.

Also, just to let you know, my family will be flying in from Phoenix this evening and staying until Thursday. Since my time is very limited with them, I will be closing Savour for ONE DAY (Tuesday, July 23) so I can spend the day with my daughter and her family, as well as my husband’s son, who is also flying in from Phoenix. I am sure they will all enjoy the beautiful, much cooler weather here on Cape Ann. We will be open Wednesday – Saturday of next week, for the usual hours of 11 am until 6 pm. Thank you for your understanding.

Kathleen Morgan

owner – Savour Wine and Cheese

Find out about new wine arrivals and other events at Savour by following us on Facebook and Instagram.

And don’t forget to check out what’s new in our beer case, including a clean, refreshing rice lager from East Regiment Brewing, a veteran-owned

brewery in Salem, and Perilous Voyage, a red ale from Rockport Brewing.

  _______________________________________________________

Kathleen’s Price-Value Gems:

Unique to SAVOUR our three price-value collections, with

each category ($9.99ers – $14.99ers -$19.99ers) offering hundreds of wines

at one price, personally curated by Kathleen, some have limited availability.

9.99ers…the quality is taste delivering above-price enjoyment …Value!

14.99ers…exhibiting qualities of complexity…Elevating the Experience!

19.99ers…value laden wines by innovative vintners…Expect Exceptional!

Adding to this Saturday’s wine tasting with Susan and Kathleen is Savour’s Everyday Tech Tastings at the North Shore’s Only Digital Wine Machine. Fun to use and enjoy!  Taste up to 20 wines with new selections regularly added…& yes, complimentary. Kathleen welcomes your questions for food pairings.

Welcome Your Donation in any amount for Pathways for Children.

Thank You! …Kathleen

 For Your Mobile Calendar

Savour Wine Tastings!

————————————————————

Continuing to offer a case discount 0f 10% on wines and all items purchased with the case to all customers. Wine Club members get 5% off on 6 bottles and all items purchased with the 6 bottles. Thanks again for your support!

 We continue using our 5 Molekule high performance air purification units that clear the air of 99.9% of viruses, bacteria and allergens every hour, store wide.

We are pleased to continue curbside pickup service

Savour Wine & Cheese l 76 Prospect St. l Gloucester l 978. 282 .1455

Gloucester Police Complete Move Back into First Floor of Station Following Renovations 

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro
Gloucester Police Complete Move Back into First Floor of Station Following Renovations 
GLOUCESTER — Chief Edward Conley is pleased to announce that Gloucester Police have moved back into the first floor of their station following a year of renovations. Gloucester Police officially moved back into the station’s first floor at 197 Main St. last week with dispatch operations moving back on July 9 and administrative offices reopening on July 10. The police station became fully operational and open to the public on Friday, July 12.   Renovations for the station’s first floor began last year, and the department was temporarily moved to the second floor, which was previously occupied by Gloucester District Court. Major improvements to the first-floor space include a completely renovated male locker room and the addition of the department’s first female locker room, upgrades of safety equipment and fire sprinklers, and updated radio and dispatch equipment to meet modern standards.   Additionally, the detention facility located on the first floor has undergone complete modernization to enhance officer and detainee safety, including new fixtures, video recording equipment, fire safety equipment, and a detainee decontamination station.  The newly renovated Gloucester Police Department is now ADA-compliant.  While the police department was operating out of its temporary location on the second floor, all individuals arrested in Gloucester were transported to the Rockport Police Department for booking and temporary detention.  The second-floor court area will now undergo renovations consistent with the first floor, with an estimated completion date of early February 2025, at which time Gloucester District Court will reopen. During first-floor improvements, Gloucester District Court temporarily moved from its location to Peabody where it will continue operations until competition.   “I am incredibly proud of our entire team. Completing a full renovation without disrupting emergency services was an immense task. There is still more work to be done, and we look forward to its completion,” said Chief Conley. “Special thanks to Chief Horvath and the men and women of the Rockport Police Department for allowing us to use their detention facility during this time. Additionally, thanks to Beauport Ambulance for assisting with medical transport from RPD.” 

U.S. Dory Races Elimination Races

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

The International Dory Racing Committee will hold elimination races off the Gloucester Heritage Center dock Saturday August 10th at 8:30 AM.  All racing fans are encouraged to attend!!  Those dues paying members who plan to race must attend sign ups Friday evening August 9th at the Dory Shop at 6 PM or email (coachbilly@verizon.net) before 12 noon August 9th.  These races are strictly for 2 person teams in the following categories:  Junior (under 19), Women, Mixed Doubles, Seniors (Men Open) and Master’s (Men over 50).  Also, we will have two (exhibition) races in the following categories.  Women (Over 50) and Junior Girls (under 19) Starting at 8:30 AM.  The races will run from the Heritage Center Dock out towards green nun off Fort playground and back.  
Please share this with friends and family.  It will be a great day of racing, uniquely Gloucester, and fun for all!

Culture Splash at the Sawyer Free Library – Thursday evenings

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

 ~ SAWYER FREE LIBRARY

To celebrate Discover Gloucester’s Culture Splash, the Sawyer Free Library will be giving away goodies related to all things arts and culture, including a poetry 101 kit, paint your own birdhouse, DIY diamond art coasters, and more! Giveaways are for 18+ participants and are first come, first serve. Limited quantities.

Every Thursday starting July 11 through the end of August | 4-7pm | Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street in Downtown Gloucester.

For more information visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or contact: lsvensson@sawyerfreelibrary.org

Culture Splash at the Sawyer Free Library – Thursday evenings