“Granite Street Crossing will feature a two-story complex with 17 supportive senior units and six, two-story family townhouses. It will be built at 5 Granite St., a plot of more than an acre previously owned by Silva Brothers Florists.”
Michael Cronin, Gloucester Daily Times, July 18, 2021
Were you a Silva Brothers Florists customer?
‘before’ photos: c. ryan, Residences coming to 5 Granite Rockport, MA, July 2021
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Welcome back Alchemy and congratulations Serenitee Restaurant Group on the old– and first — is new again.
Alchemy had a 12 year run on Duncan.
Photograph from a fan who traveled to Gloucester just to eat at Alchemy and is pumped to see it back on the North Shore. Thanks Toni for sharing a photo of the exterior with GMG!
new Alchemy opening Wednesday
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Sawyer Free Library Tails and Tales 2021 Summer Reading Program special events continues the snake theme on Monday with Curbside Crafts. Stop by to pick up the creative craft kit!
and big kids!
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Sawyer Free Library Tails and Tales 2021 Summer Reading Program special events continues the snake theme on Monday with Curbside Crafts. Stop by to pick up the creative craft kit!
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Heidi Dallin shares an update: “Venue Change. Due to the rain forecast for this Sunday, we are moving our two special event performances to the Annisquam Village Hall!”
From Magnolia to Annisquam: Cape Ann Symphony Celebration of Summer concert moving indoors to the Annisquam Village Hall, 36 Leonard Street, Gloucester, MA.
Sunday, July 25, 2021, 3:00pm, Annisquam Village Hall
Sunday, July 25, 2021, 5:30pm, Annisquam Village Hall
Tickets here
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Beautiful read and interviews! More photos from the Vitale family and Film Cape Ann below.
“The charms of Gloucester exploded on the big screen at the local unveiling of the film “CODA,” a four-time winner at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
The special event Thursday evening, intended for those who worked or assisted in some way with the film, turned out to be “the” premiere after director Sian Heder learned that the West Coast screening was canceled.
“Our premiere in L.A. isn’t happening so you are at the premiere,” she told the attendees at the Gloucester Cinema on Essex Avenue. “But I’m so excited to be here and share this with you. This is the first time I am seeing it with an audience. This film is a love letter to Gloucester…”
Filmed in Gloucester in late summer and fall in 2019 before Covid, the movie benefited from the local Film Tax Credit (as will the upcoming movie, Confess, Fletch, starring John Slattery and Jon Hamm). Locations in town for CODA feature Pratty’s and the bandstand in Rockport. Many local hires involved, including Elana Lee, ASL interpreter.
“#FilmCapeAnn was thrilled to have CODA anchored in our area.
Productions that highlight the core beauty of our year round working waterfront depicted in CODA, and past films like The Perfect Storm & Manchester-by-the-Sea, are a huge part of the area’s contribution to the Massachusetts film industry, and making the Mass. Film Incentive permanent. We thank the MA Film Office and State Senator Bruce Tarr & Representative Ann Margaret Ferrante for their strong effort with this incentive as well.”
Meg Jarrett, Film Cape Ann
Photo credits below: Film Cape Ann
Photo credits below: Action! from the film shoot (early fall 2019, before Covid; and the big premiere night 2021. Courtesy the Vitale family
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
With thanks to Mike Hale, Dir. Public Works; Matt Coutu, Civil Engineer with New England Civil Engineering thru DPW; and Police Sergeant Conners.
At this time in July, Gloucester Public Works is generally midway into a construction season. Not this year. The rain has caused a “knotted web of deficiencies,” impacting routine work such as patching and pothole repair, outside painting, line & crosswalk painting, and summer paving which is “weeks and weeks behind”. Mowing wet grass or while it’s raining isn’t a good idea. And when the sun comes out the grass takes off. So that’s a visible delay. Still, DPW is plugging away at smaller projects around town, at the waste water plant, and pumping station projects. Most Utility work is on schedule.
Even before all this rain, the 2021 schedule demanded flexibility. DPW projects are unseen in the best of times, and can go unrecognized. Gloucester DPW worked through the pandemic. People forget that they were essential services. Prioritizing projects has been key (think critical events as in hazards or special events downtown). Also pacing and flexibility:
“The past 18 months have been taxing on these guys. Mistaken belief still out there that everyone had quarantine off. They need vacation this year. Didn’t get it last year. I’m mindful of burnout. So at times we’ll be short. Could be a specialty, supervisory, labor or machine operator job. They’re all important. The edges may be where you start assembling puzzle pieces, but you’re still going to need the outside and center pieces to be complete.”
Mike Hale, Dir. Public Works, July 2021 addressing holes if any in DPW operation
Essential workers, dangerous jobs – lest we forget | TRENCH BOXES — akin to mine shaft collapse prevention — for utilities and road work
Bertoni neighborhood water & sewer project 2021
Gas, sewer, and water lines have all been removed, redirected and replaced. Clay tile pipe (sewer) is notorious for ground water intrusion, and cast iron (water) for tuberculation*– New PVC will increase run time and water quality.
I had to ask. *TUBERCULATION: “Accumulation of minerals inside pipe decreases volume and impacts water quality.”
DPW is pumped about the new pump!
The former configuration ran beneath Rt. 128. Now that it’s been re-directed and running to a newer location off Poplar/DPW campus, there will be a significant savings both for the life of the pump and electricity.
“The Gloucester Ave. sewer pump station, during wet weather and high ground water, would run in excess of 12 hours per day, some days even longer. Running time for the newer one has been cut down to 6 hours a day.”
Mike Hale
Looking Back – February 1947
The Gloucester 2.5 mile highway construction was delayed “indefinitely”, because the bids for the approach (to a new bridge across Annisquam River) came in too high. The lowest bid was $1,285,776 and the cost was fixed at $300-$500,000.
August 1950
“…Much to the joy of thousands of beleaguered year-round and Summer residents, it was announced that the gap in the new high level bridge over Annisquam River was closed at 9a.m. by Bethlehem Steel Corporation.
The great significance was that it meant that it will not be too long before auto traffic will be flowing over this this improved entrance and exit to Gloucester, eliminating the two mile long traffic jams that have brought despair to motorists caught in the frequent openings of the low level Richard Blynman Bridge over the same river.
A sense of joy and relief was also experienced by the two Bethlehem officials in charge of the superstructure contract–Construction Engineers John P. McGonigle and Charles L. “Lonnie” Stroble. For as the 52-foot long, 44 ton piece of steel known as the central arch rib, south side, was lowered into place, their worry was whether or not it would fit. It did. 100 percent… The entire bridge is 860 feet long…
The superstructure contract, let by the State Department of Public Works to Bethlehem Steel is for $1,232,479.90.”
Boston Globe, Aug. 1950
1958 – RT. 128 Construction
Boston Globe focus on Rt. 128 by K. S. Bartlett features Gloucester, Ma.
“Approximately $1 million a mile for 65 miles of the great three-quarter circle from Gloucester on the North Shore to the high speed interchange in Braintree where it will meet the Southeast Expressway coming south from Boston. Cost of the 65 miles, all competed or now under construction, is a bit less than $65 million. That covers land damages, engineering, planning and construction costs since Route 128’s start back in 1936.”
“Rt. 128 has earned name, “Avenue of Modern Industry”: Million Dollar a Mile Gold Road” by K.S. Bartlett, Boston Globe
photo descriptions:
“Contractors building the 1.7 miles of the Gloucester extension found huge rocks dropped by visiting glaciers tens of thousands of years ago. More than half a million tons of rock (many kinds and varieties of hardness and weight) plus earth and plain dirt have been taken out to make your driving easier. Her you’re looking at one of the tough spots during the last weeks of construction.”
“Want a bit of New England’s famed chowder? You’re at the right place. The Gloucester extension of Route 128 ends at Eastern Avenue in Gloucester and just around the corner is Fish-Pier at the head of the Inner Harbor.”
The approach to the bridge they dubbed “Rail Cut Hill”.
Some of the homes date from this time. Department of Public Works, Gloucester, MA. Higher resolution PDF here – or lower resolution images below
ca. 1950 (scan from original)
1953
1954
2021 Bertoni neighborhood
Approximately 3 months project nearing completion (thanks to digging into standard clay rather than granite ledge). This week, the crews have reached the storm water drain reconfiguration stage.
View from Bertoni Rd. to RT. 128. Old clay sewer line deliberately closed 2021. Bertoni Rd. is a dead end street that originally connected to Gloucester Avenue (on the other side of the highway)
Salt Island Road | Brier (Briar) Neck neighborhood
In contrast, Salt Island Road, Brier/Briar Neck neighborhood took six months for similar work because of granite ledge and compact density.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Cape Ann Symphony musicians led by Maestro Udagawa performing at 179 Hesperus Avenue Courtesy photo
CAPE ANN SYMPHONY BRINGS BACK LIVE SYMPHONIC MUSIC ON…JULY 25th!
Cape Ann Symphony announces An Outdoor Musical Celebration of Summer: two live outdoor concerts on Sunday, July 25th at 3:00 pm and 5:30 pm, featuring a chamber orchestra of CAS musicians under the direction of CAS Conductor and Music Director Maestro Yoichi Udagwa performing poolside at the home of CAS President Fran White in Magnolia, MA.
This special outdoor musical celebration to benefit the orchestra features Adolphus Hailstork’s Sonata dechiesa; Cécile Chaminade’s Concertino for Flute highlighting CAS Principal Flutist Stephanie Stathos; and Joseph Bologne’s Symphony No. 1.
Seating for each performance is limited to 70. Tickets are $100 per person. Tickets include wine, beer, soft drinks and light hors d’oeuvres as well as a meet and greet with Maestro Udagawa and the members of the orchestra following each performance Call Cape Ann Symphony at 978-281-0543 or go to www.capeannsymphony.org for tickets and further information.
Sun. July 25, 3 and 5:30PM, at the home of CAS President Fran White:
179 Hesperus Ave. Gloucester, MA 01930
Wine and refreshments will be served prior to each performance.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Nice! Foot wash and outdoor shower rinse station added to Witham St. is a great add. This public beach amenity bookends the one installed by the footbridge on Nautilus Road summer 2017.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
“Stephanie Stathos will be the featured soloist in Cécile Chaminade’s Concertino for Flute this coming July 18 at the symphony’s two outdoor concerts.“
Stephanie Stathos | Photo Credit: Robert Torres
About Stephanie Stathos
Stephanie Stathos earned her degree in Flute Performance from Boston University’s School for the Arts. Based in Lincoln, MA, Ms. Stathos is first piccolo for the Lexington Symphony. She has served as the piccolo and second flute with the touring orchestra of the National Lyric Opera of New York. As soloist she has performed throughout the United States and Europe. Other appearances include performances with many of New England’s ensembles including Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Rhode Island Philharmonic, Symphony New Hampshire, Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, Concord Chorale (NH), Newburyport Choral Society, and North Shore Chamber Music.
A lover of all forms of music – classical, jazz, new music, ethnic – Stephanie has performed as soloist throughout the United States and Europe. Here she is seen rehearsing Domenico Cimarosa’s Concerto for two flutes and orchestra with the Orchestra Del Concentus Musicus Patavinus in the Sala Dei Giganti in Padua, Italy.
photo description: The performance in the Sala Dei Giganti in Padua, with Stephanie Stathos, Flute]
Stephanie Stathos is the Principal Flute of the Cape Ann Symphony and the soloist in Cécile Chaminade’s Concertino for Flute. She is thrilled to play this special piece with CAS:
“Cécile Chaminade’s Concertino was commissioned by the Paris Conservatoire in 1902. It is a popular piece in the flute repertoire and features a beautiful, memorable melody that recurs throughout the piece. As a young flute student the beautiful melody captured my attention and I began learning it. Although I‘ve performed the Concertino with piano over the years, playing it with the Cape Ann Symphony is a dream come true.
I am very much looking forward to seeing my colleagues and Yoichi again, but also to see those who have supported us through this incredibly difficult period. Each person makes a huge difference, and we are grateful to all those who attend our concerts and also to all those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the orchestra going.
I welcome the chance to say thank you in person on July 18 at the post-concert meet and greet!
Personally, the canceling of all live music that accompanied the Covid months has made me reevaluate what it means to play. It’s a huge privilege and I cherish each opportunity to perform more than ever. No one should take music making for granted – because, as we saw, it can go away very quickly.”
Stephanie Stathos, Principal Flute, Soloist
About this “Outdoor Musical Celebration”
This July 18 program is inspired by Cape Ann Symphony 2021 Composer Series emails celebrating Black History and Women’s History.
This special outdoor musical celebration to benefit the orchestra features Adolphus Hailstork’s Sonata dechiesa; Cécile Chaminade’s Concertino for Flute highlighting CAS Principal Flutist Stephanie Stathos; and Joseph Bologne’s Symphony No. 1.
Seating for each performance is limited to 70. Tickets are $100 per person. Tickets include wine, beer, soft drinks and light hors d’oeuvres as well as a meet and greet with Maestro Udagawa and the members of the orchestra following each performance Call Cape Ann Symphony at 978-281-0543 or go to www.capeannsymphony.org for tickets and further information.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Exciting to imagine how the pieces will sound outdoors in Magnolia this coming Sunday!
Until that time, sample a listen:
Hailstork’s Sonata de chiesa [Paul Freeman conducting the Czech National Symphony Orchestra]
Chaminade’s Concertino for Flute with CAS Principal Flutist Stephanie Stathos as soloist. [Below- flutist Julie Lee at Merkin Concert Hall, NJ – Cecile Chaminade Concertino for Flute and Orchestra, Op. 107]
My response to Catherine’s call for a single photo of the impact of the rainy summer on us. Here are one daughter and two sons-in-law (with dog) taking a walk during Hurricane Elsa, during a family visit.
Pat Morss
photo credit: PAT MORSS. Gloucester, MA, Eastern Point, Hurricane Elsa. July 9, 2021. (Jeannette L, Stew W, Derek L, w/dog :))
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
“The Jane Deering Gallery will host a pop-up exhibition of the most recent work of Gloucester artist Erin Luman. She’s returned to the beach to paint Cape Ann’s Long Beach cottages one more time. The show, aptly named The Lost Summer, is a smaller but dynamic collection of the expectant houses as they wait for their summer inhabitants and is a continuation of the previously sold-out show in 2018. The paintings will be on display for three days only, starting with an opening on the evening of August 1st and closing a couple of days later on August 3rd.”
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
July 18 program inspired by 2021 Composer Series emails celebrating Black History and Women’s History – featuring stephanie stathos flutist solo
Heidi Dallin shares the news:
Cape Ann Symphony musicians led by Maestro Udagawa performing at 179 Hesperus Avenue Courtesy photo
CAPE ANN SYMPHONY BRINGS BACK LIVE SYMPHONIC MUSIC ON JULY 18
Cape Ann Symphony announces An Outdoor Musical Celebration of Summer: two live outdoor concerts on Sunday, July 18 at 3:00 pm and 5:30 pm, featuring a chamber orchestra of CAS musicians under the direction of CAS Conductor and Music Director Maestro Yoichi Udagwa performing poolside at the home of CAS President Fran White in Magnolia, MA.
This special outdoor musical celebration to benefit the orchestra features Adolphus Hailstork’s Sonata dechiesa; Cécile Chaminade’s Concertino for Flute highlighting CAS Principal Flutist Stephanie Stathos; and Joseph Bologne’s Symphony No. 1.
Seating for each performance is limited to 70. Tickets are $100 per person. Tickets include wine, beer, soft drinks and light hors d’oeuvres as well as a meet and greet with Maestro Udagawa and the members of the orchestra following each performance Call Cape Ann Symphony at 978-281-0543 or go to www.capeannsymphony.org for tickets and further information.
“While we love the worldwide accessibility of our virtual concert series, we at CAS recognize nothing beats hearing live classical music in person. At this time there are few opportunities for that live classical music experience. This concert really is a special treat to hear CAS in the summer. Normally we do not perform in the summer, but we are currently in the planning stages of full season in November and just could not wait until November to reunite with our audiences.
Maestro Udgawa, the musicians and the entire CAS organization are very excited about being able to perform these special outdoor live concerts on July 18. Maestro Udagwa has programmed an excellent and distinctive selection of music from three unique composers to perform in a comfortable, intimate setting. We are thrilled audiences will also get the opportunity to meet and chat with Maestro Udgawa and the musicians following each concert.”
Fran White, Cape Ann Symphony (CAS) Board President
Maestro Udagawa looks forward to performing live and reuniting with CAS musicians , “The musicians and I are thrilled to be able to perform together, and are grateful to Cape Ann President Fran White and her husband David for opening up their large backyard to host a concert again this year. It is such a pleasant, tranquil (and bug free!) venue that offers the audience close proximity to the musicians – a chance we don’t get often in large concert halls. The opportunity to make music and share it with an audience is always a thrill and more than ever, we musicians are aware of what a privilege it is. The musicians and I are looking forward to the post-concert meet and greet so we can thank our audiences in person for their unwavering support.”
An Outdoor Musical Celebration of Summer will feature a chamber orchestra from the Cape Ann Symphony under the direction of Maestro Udagawa performing the music of Adolphus Hailstork, Cécile Chaminade and Joseph Bologne.
“The three pieces are gorgeous, and our principal flutist Stephanie Stathos will be playing a solo in Cécile Chaminade’s Concertino.
Adolphus Hailstork is a living composer who has written unbelievably beautiful pieces. Inspired by our email about Hailstork during Black History Month, I did a deep dive into Hailstork’s body of work and found it hard to choose just one piece for the concert! I decided on his Sonata dechiesa for its rich and romantic work for strings.
Cécile Chaminade’s Concertino is a piece I have admired for a long time, but when she was featured during Women’s History Month, it reminded me that I have to program something written by her. When this concert was in the planning stages, it seemed like the perfect time to feature some of her music and I knew Stephanie Stathos, our principal flutist would be the perfect soloist.
The Joseph Bologne Symphony No. 1 is a perfect classical symphony with clear themes that are light and yet full of energy. He had an extraordinary life, and it’s reflected in his music. I’m grateful that we are all starting to become more aware of the incredible contributions of these great composers and can’t wait to share them with our audiences!”
Yoichi Udagwa, Cape Ann Symphony Music Director, Maestro
Stephanie Stathos | Photo Credit: Robert Torres
Stephanie Stathos is the Principal Flute of the Cape Ann Symphony and the soloist in Cécile Chaminade’s Concertino for Flute. Ms. Stathos is thrilled to play this special piece with CAS, “”Cécile Chaminade’s Concertino was commissioned by the Paris Conservatoire in 1902. It is a popular piece in the flute repertoire and features a beautiful, memorable melody that recurs throughout the piece. As a young flute student the beautiful melody captured my attention and I began learning it. Although I‘ve performed the Concertino with piano over the years, playing it with the Cape Ann Symphony is a dream come true. I am very much looking forward to seeing my colleagues and Yoichi again, but also to see those who have supported us through this incredibly difficult period…
“…Each person makes a huge difference, and we are grateful to all those who attend our concerts and also to all those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the orchestra going. I welcome the chance to say thank you in person on July 18 at the post-concert meet and greet! Personally, the canceling of all live music that accompanied the Covid months has made me reevaluate what it means to play. It’s a huge privilege and I cherish each opportunity to perform more than ever. No one should take music making for granted – because, as we saw, it can go away very quickly.”
Stephanie Stathos, Principal Flute, Soloist
About Stephanie Stathos
Stephanie Stathos earned her degree in Flute Performance from Boston University’s School for the Arts. Based in Lincoln, MA, Ms. Stathos is first piccolo for the Lexington Symphony. She has served as the piccolo and second flute with the touring orchestra of the National Lyric Opera of New York. As soloist she has performed throughout the United States and Europe. Other appearances include performances with many of New England’s ensembles including Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Rhode Island Philharmonic, Symphony New Hampshire, Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, Concord Chorale (NH), Newburyport Choral Society, and North Shore Chamber Music. Ms. Stathos also is passionate about jazz, new music and ethnic music.
An Outdoor Musical Celebration of Summer Composers:
Adolphus Hailstork, 1941-
A prolific composer of music in every form from solo works to opera, symphony and chamber music. Adolphus Hailstork (1941- ) was born in Rochester, New York and grew up in Albany where he studied violin, piano, organ, and voice. He currently resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia. His works blend musical ideas from both the African American and European traditions.
Dr. Hailstork began his studies in composition at Howard University. He then attended the American Conservatory at Fontainebleau, France, where he studied with Nadia Boulanger. He received his Bachelor and Master of Music from the Manhattan School of Music and received his PhD in composition from Michigan State University. From 1969 to 1971, Dr. Hailstork taught at Michigan State University. He then served as professor at Youngstown State University in Ohio from 1971 to 1976, and in 1977 he became professor of music and Composer-in-Residence at Virginia’s Norfolk State University. He is currently a professor of music and Composer-in-Residence at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.
Cecile Chaminade, 1857-1944
French composer Cécile Louise Stéphanie Chaminade (1857–1944) enjoyed considerable success touring as a pianist and performing her own works. In the United States she was so popular that a national group of musical clubs was named after her, and in England her Prélude for Organ was played at Queen Victoria’s funeral in 1901. In 1913 she was awarded the Légion d’Honneur, a first for a female composer. Composer Ambroise Thomas said, “This is not a woman who composes, but a composer who is a woman.”
When Ms. Chaminade was a young her family moved to the village of Le Vésinet, west of Paris, and acquired Georges Bizet as a neighbor. She began playing the piano, composing keyboard music and pieces and Bizet praised her talent. Franz Liszt also praised the talent of the young pianist. Ms. Chaminade was urged to study at the Paris Conservatory but her father forbade it, saying it would be improper for a young woman of her class. However, she was allowed to take private lessons with Conservatory faculty. Ms. Chaminade toured steadily around Europe in the 1890s, finding special success in England. Audiences, including the Queen, loved her. Queen Victoria invited her to perform at Windsor Castle.
Today, thanks to an enlightened interest in the music of women composers, Cécile Chaminade’s compositions have experienced a revival in popularity.
Joseph Bologne, 1745-1799
Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1745-1799) is the first known classical musician of African descent. A man of many talents he was a composer, virtuoso violinist, conductor of the leading symphony orchestra in Paris, and a renowned champion fencer.
Born in the French colony of Guadeloupe, he was the son of George Bologne de Saint-Georges, a wealthy planter and Anne Nano, his wife’s African slave. At the age of seven his father took him to France, where he received an extensive education. During the French Revolution, he served as a colonel of the Légion St.-Georges, the first all-black regiment in Europe, fighting on the side of the Republic. Mr. Bologne traveled throughout Europe and England, fighting in many battles and, in competition, beating some of the most famous swordsmen in his time, while also conducting, performing and composing numerous string quartets, many instrumental pieces and several operas.
Cape Ann Symphony’s Outdoor Musical Celebration of Summer Benefit Concerts are Sunday, July 18 at 3:00 pm and 5:30 pm at 179 Hesperus Avenue, Magnolia, MA. Rain date is Sunday, July 25. Tickets are $100 per person. Tickets include wine, beer, soft drinks and light hors d’oeuvres as well as a meet and greet with Maestro Udagawa and the members of the orchestra following each performance.
Tickets are limited. Call Cape Ann Symphony at 978-281-0543 or go to www.capeannsymphony.org for tickets and further information.
Photo credits:
Stephanie Stathos, Principal Flute of the Cape Ann Symphony and the soloist in Cécile Chaminade’s Concertino for Flute in An Outdoor Musical Celebration of Summer on July 18 Photo Credit: Robert Torres
Adolphus Hailstork, Composer Courtesy photo
Joseph Bologne, Composer Courtesy photo
Cape Ann Symphony musicians led by Maestro Udagawa performing at 179 Hesperus Avenue Courtesy photo
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
