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Attached is my poem “Hymn for Gloucester at 400,” an anniversary poem I will read at the kickoff Jan. 15, 2023. I sent it to the GDT and the 400 stories site and – because you’ve got more reach than anybody!!! – I wanted you to have it, too.
Have a good Christmas and keep up your excellent work.
Best and Health,
John
Hymn for Gloucester at 400
by John J. Ronan
The Man at the Wheel beholds an ocean, As past the ocean steady eyes Transfix a deeper, distant horizon The cenotaph dead will tell you is time.
He sees the Normans, Basques, the Grand Atlantic Banks, Champlain, a Frenchman Presaging Smith’s Tragabigzanda, Rechristened quickly the kinder Cape Ann.
Sees Gloucester’s birth and Fisherman’s Field, A lively Dogtown, early sloops, Colonial pride and commonweal In Blynman’s Canal and early schools,
In Murray, Rogers, fish and trade, Despite the crush of Crown attacks By savage British troops, charades Of regal honor, legal tax,
Until he sees on Lexington Green Both Minute Men and Minute Women Renounce with arms a king and queen – The war of independence, won!
The newly minted nation begins As Gloucester’s helmsman now admits Italians, Irish, Poles and Finns, The Scot, the Swede, forgiven Brits
Pursuing life and liberty, happiness, Divergent faiths and customs welcome: Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, The tempest-tossed, rejected, welcome
Where titled idlers must start anew, Where slowly slave and native claim Their rightful freedoms, overdue, And hand-me-down hate is shamed.
The helmsman looks on years of peace And war, on commerce, art, as sons And daughters succeed ashore, at sea. His watch is ended, his watch begun.
As even now, he guides with skill, This mettled man, heroic cast Of eye to windward, tacking still The open ocean’s future, past:
The ebb and flow and undertow Of sorrow, Patriot, Andrea Gail… And yet Fiesta, Horribles, hope, September schooners under sail.
Below the bronze, Atlantic waves Anoint the helmsman, his wife, a boy And baby, fifty states their wake, Our bright and spangled land in convoy
As we, helmsmen, helmswomen, astride With Him the foam-flecked deck, converged As one on time’s horizon, recite America’s prayer, the citizen pledge,
And salt of serious earth, as sea-salt hands, Acclaiming to fourth and future jubilees This weatherly granite, Gloucester, proudly stand At history’s helm and brave the blustering seas.
SIDEBAR:
John J. Ronan is a former Poet Laureate of Gloucester, a Professor Emeritus at North Shore Community College, and host of The Writer’s Block at 1623 Studios. He wrote the first draft of this poem in 2018 and has been revising it since as the anniversary nears. The form is loosely based on what the English minister and hymnologist, Isaac Watts, called long hymn meter.
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FINE WINE TASTING @ SAVOUR WITH ANTHONY SCIARAPPA OF CAROLINA WINES
DECEMBER HOLIDAY WINE TASTING BEGINS THIS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, WITH WINE AND FOOD
SPECIALIST, ANTHONY SCIARAPPA, AND SELECTIONS FROM HIS ACCLAIMED CAROLINA CONNOISSEUR PORTFOLIO, WINES MATCHED TO EVERY HOLIDAY OCCASION – ENTERTAINING TO DINNER PARTIES … TO A SIMPLE GLASS OF WINE.
Jules Lassalle established this family-owned Champagne house in 1942 in the village of Chigny-Les-Roses on the Montagne de Reims. A master of his craft, he established a signature style of elegant, tightly knit wines. When he passed away in 1982 his wife, Olga, and their daughter, Chantal Decelle-Lassalle, took over the estate, upholding Jules’ high standards and progressively pushing the domaine to the next level. In 2006 Chantal’s daughter, Angéline Templier, joined the estate as winemaker. Their twenty-eight-year tradition of “une femme, un esprit, un style” (one woman, one spirit, one style) holds true today more than ever. They continue to follow the vinification methods established by Jules in the forties: they use the same wooden basket press he installed in the winery over 50 years ago, pressing and vinifying the individual plots separately. Champagne J. Lassalle works with all three varietals authorized in the region (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier) on sixteen hectares of vineyards, all of them premier cru. It is one of the rare Champagnes that has been allowed to finish its malolactic fermentation, and all cuvées are aged extensively once in bottle—even the non-vintage cuvées, which are a minimum of five years old. This results in an astonishing complexity and depth from the beginning of their range up to the luxury cuvées. With a higher percentage of Pinot Meunier (most often used as a blending grape in Champagne), the J. Lassalle Preference is a more robust, vinous, and full-bodied style champagne. Red fruit, especially strawberry, along with lemon zest jump from the glass, while the palate shows a precise minerality and a long finish with excellent acidity.
Perfect to drink on its own. Pairs well with rich creamy dishes like lobster bisque. $52.99
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc Alc.14.5%
In 1983 David Hohnen tasted his first Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Captivated by its intensity, he began a journey to bottle the essence of Marlborough. He and winemaker Kevin Judd launched Cloudy Bay in 1985 to international acclaim, with a Sauvignon Blanc that put New Zealand wine on the map. The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc is really perfumed, with fresh guava, grass, papaya and bitter-lemon aromas. Intense and fresh on the palate, it has green apple, dried pineapple, candied ginger and lemon curd flavors with a hint of ripe melon. It is full-bodied with tangy acidity and an oily and creamy texture and a crisp finish.
Pairs well with shellfish, lobster, and herbed chicken. $36.99
Sesti Monteleccio Toscana Rosso, Tuscany, Italy
Varietal: Sangiovese Alc. 14%
Giuseppe Sesti didn’t initially choose a career in wine. Instead, he was inspired to study music, art, and astronomy, the latter becoming his profession. He met his future wife in Wales while writing his first book, and in 1975 they moved to Tuscany, where they purchased the abandoned castle of Argiano. They slowly restored the estate and Giuseppe later planted vineyards around the castle. In 1999 the Sestis’ daughter, Elisa, joined the estate full time, becoming a partner in all aspects of production. The Sesti Toscana Rosso Monteleccio is made from Sangiovese vines planted in oceanic sediment in the heart of the Brunello di Montalcino appellation and biodynamically farmed. Monteleccio has a nose that evokes juicy, ripe cherries, rhubarb, and a touch of mint. On the palate, fruit is balanced by good tannic structure and a lovely floral note on the finish.
Pairs well with mushroom pizza, roast chicken, grilled steak. $29.99
Château Les Trois Croix 2016 Bordeaux, Fronsac, France
Varietals: Merlot, Cabernet Franc Alc.14.5%
Chateau Les Trois Croix dates back to at least 1712, when the large stone tower was carved and inscribed Trois Croix, which is translated to three crosses. However, we started paying attention to the property after Patrick Leon purchased the vineyard in 1995. Prior to taking over Les Trois Croix in 1995, Patrick Leon was the winemaker for Chateau Mouton Rothschild in Pauillac. Sadly, Patrick Leon passed away in 2018. Today, the property is managed by his son, Bertrand Leon. The 20-hectare Right Bank vineyard of Chateau Les Trois Croix is planted with 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The terroir is limestone and clay soils. The vineyard is well placed at the peak of the Fronsac appellation with an elevation of 87 meters at its high point. This wine pours a deep brilliant red color. The fruity nose has hints of black currant and blackberry. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the palate with bright, precise black fruit and savory layers, framed by grainy tannins and finishing with a refreshing lift.
Pairs well with barbecued chicken, pork, duck, $34.99
Jean-Paul Autard carries on the tradition established by Paul Autard when he founded the domaine in the village of Courthézon in the 1970s. Paul took over at 17 years old, after his father passed away. His daughter Pauline and son Jules now work with him. Autard has 26 hectares of vines, of which 12 are in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and 14 in Côtes-du-Rhône (located at the border of the Châteauneuf appellation in Courthézon.) The aging cellar is a massive, vaulted cave cut into sandstone rock, housing the domaine’s barriques. The Autards have inherited a domaine in which the plantations of different varieties are perfectly adapted to the soil types. They aim to get the most out of each variety by vinifying separately and then blending judiciously. The vines’ age (more than 50 years), together with the limited use of only organic fertilizer, naturally ensures low yields and concentrated, balanced fruit. No pesticides, chemical anti-rot products or fertilizers are used. The wines are organically farmed and vegan. The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape has terrific purity as well as ripe notes of black raspberries, toasted spices, licorice, and crushed flowers. It has full-bodied richness, and sleek acidity carries the finish. Best from 2019 through 2030
Pairs well with mushrooms, barbecued beef, osso Buco. $43.99
Rustenberg Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon, South Africa
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon Alc. 14.5%
The Rustenberg Estate was founded in 1682 and is nestled in the valley of the Simonsberg Mountain in South Africa’s premium wine region. The estate stands on an impressive 880 hectares against the Simonsberg Mountain in Stellenbosch. In 1941 Peter and Pamela Barlow bought Rustenberg. Their son Simon took over the running of the farm in 1987. Simon’s son, Murray, joined in the running of the farm with his father in 2012. The Barlows have been at Rustenberg for over 80 years: the longest period any one family has owned the farm. Rustenberg makes a range of wines that typify the regions within which they are produced. Predominantly consisting of, but not confined to, varietals, these wines are made to represent the ideal regionally and varietally specific styles brought out through a blend of traditional and modern viticultural and winemaking techniques. The Cabernet Sauvignon is made in a more fruit forward and medium bodied style and is accessible in its youth but will benefit from further bottle age. It shows typical Cabernet Sauvignon flavor and aroma profiles of dark berries and tobacco with a well-structured and lengthy palate.
Pairs well with stuffed mushrooms, lamb, prime rib. $22.99
And don’t forget to check out what’s new in our beer case. We have a wonderfully dark but slightly hoppy Robust Porter from Smuttynose that pairs well with heartier autumn fare.
Find out about new wine arrivals and other events at Savour by following us n Facebook and Instagram.
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 Anthony 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.
Kate and I are going to feature one or two local places to buy holiday gifts each day highlighting the fact that there’s no need to buy your presents online or trudge up to the mall.
There’s excellent places to shop right here in Gloucester.
It was the first time I’ve stepped inside. Clean, spacious with so much to do and a place to gather for our elders. I’d totally go down there and play cards or shoot pool with my pals when I get old.
Today is a holiday party and Scottie Mac is DJ
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Kate and I are going to feature one or two local places to buy holiday gifts each day highlighting the fact that there’s no need to buy your presents online or trudge up to the mall.
There’s excellent places to shop right here in Gloucester.
Chief Eric Smith is pleased to announce that the Gloucester Fire Department is one of over 300 fire departments across the state to have been awarded a grant as part of the Department of Fire Services Fiscal Year 2023 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program.
The $18,550 grant awarded to the Gloucester Fire Department will be used to purchase modern nozzles that are less expensive to buy and maintain, and easier to operate, than the department’s current equipment.
“In recent years we’ve come to understand the need for updated hose and nozzle equipment, which are more reliable and more predictable for our firefighters,” Chief Smith said. “This grant funding will help ease the financial burden of our work to update our nozzles which will have a direct positive impact on firefighter and community safety. We are grateful to DFS for its support, and for the work of Sen. Bruce Tarr and Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante on this important initiative.”
The grant program provides local fire departments with a variety of equipment that makes the dangerous job of firefighting safer. This is the third year that funding has been awarded for this purpose as part of a five-year, $25 million bond bill filed by the Administration to support firefighter safety and health in the coming years.
Fire departments in Massachusetts were able to apply to this program for 121 different types of eligible equipment, including ballistic protective clothing, thermal protective clothing, gear washers and dryers, thermal imaging cameras, assorted hand tools and extrication equipment, communications resources, hazardous gas meters, fitness equipment and more.
“Every time a firefighter goes to work, they could be asked to rescue a child from a burning building, clean up a spill of hazardous materials, treat a patient with a contagious medical condition, or rush into a hostile event to rescue and treat victims,” said State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey. “This program is absolutely vital to helping fire departments prepare for the vast array of hazards they face today and making sure that firefighters go home safe after every call.”
A complete list of the awards by department can be found here.
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with quality win 63-44 at Danvers. Improve to 2-0 on the young season. Leading the Fishermen: Nate Montagnino 16pts Brady Sullivan 14pts Adam Borowick 13pts
Girls battle till the final buzzer, but fall 41-38 to Danvers. Carollo w/11pts & Purdue-DelTorchio w/10pts to lead the way
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