“On this day in 1856, 200 women, some of them wielding hatchets and ranging in age from 37 to 75, rampaged through the town of Rockport destroying every container of alcohol they could find. One eyewitness recorded in his journal: “There has been exciting times a-going on here today.” Weeks of planning preceded the five-hour raid. When it was over, the women had spilled hundreds of gallons of liquor. Over the next decade, alcohol sales in the town steadily declined. Rockport became one of several dozen Massachusetts towns where one could not buy liquor. Not until April 2005 would residents vote to permit inns, hotels, and restaurants to serve alcohol with meals. Twelve towns in the Commonwealth are still dry today, down from 17 in 2004.”
Never fails to amaze me how that can happen so quickly!
CAPE ANN SUP is renting paddle boards at Cape Ann Motor Inn Long Beach and Beauport Hotel Pavilion Beach. It’s a great day to try it out, but be warned. We did that last year and bought a couple of kypads because of Dominic!
Clay Sign Service installing a monumental and beautiful tribute ‘THE SEA IS A VITAL RESOURCE. SO IS SHE.’ on the back of 189 Main Street (above Wisdom’s Heart and the police station parking lot)
We found them at Good Harbor Beach, July 4 2017. The striped cushions are the right color! The pair were upended and cushions scattered along with various party remnants between the pedestrian bridge and the piping plover enclosure. We righted them and set them up for Piper Plover viewing. Some folks vandalized the endangered species signs and littered, and others were picking up trash and repairing. The coyote and birds were on the move.
These coaches and kids show up Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays and really dig in. The Volunteer coaches today were Zach Smith and Kyle. Michael Lattoff (sp?) is retiring and started this boot camp 30+ years ago. I marvel at the dedication of volunteer coaches.
My piping plover watch shift overlaps with this session. Good Harbor Beach piping plovers are conditioning alongside these hardworking athletes. The birds have to be well and strong for migration; zipping about the beach is no picnic.
Tough drills start low and use the ocean, too
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Seagull and piping plover tracks. And cigarette butts…
Today is day 11 and there are 3 babies. This volunteer video was taken a few days ago when there were 4 babies, tracking 1 baby plover back to its mom with a surprise at the end. From a volunteer shift by Cliff and Charles. For (nearly) LIVE updates to see what the summer brood is doing, updates are posted here https://twitter.com/Glostaplover
Please join in and share your sightings #Glostaplover
Rob Newton, Cape Ann Community Cinema and Stage, announced the 2017 HarborWalk summer cinema line up back in March. The six free movie nights start Wednesday July 12th! July 12, 19, 26 and August 2, 9, 16. Rain dates August 23, 30.
July 12 ::: Jaws
July 19 ::: Disney Moana
July 26 ::: Rogue One Star Wars Movie
August 2 ::: Lego Batman Movie
August 9 ::: The Princess Bride
August 16 ::: Sing!
“Jaws is a thriller of surprise rather than suspense. You feel like a rat, being given shock treatment, who has not yet figured out the pattern.”Molly Haskell, The Village Voice review
JAWS 1975 trailer Percy Rodriguez voice over
28 year old Steven Spielberg’s legendary camera shot (spoiler don’t peek if you haven’t seen the movie)
Mayor Romeo Theken likes to remind everyone that “There’s always something going on in Gloucester!” including all the free performances for most every Gloucester Summer Night.
Gloucester MA Free Outdoor Performances Daily Mondays farmers market Magnolia Wednesdays HarborWalk Summer Cinema Cape Ann Community Cinema and 104.9 Thursdays Farmers Market at Stage Fort Park and Harbor Loop summer concert series Fridays Meetinghouse Green concert series United Universalist Church Saturdays Main Street Block Parties Cape Ann Chamber Sundays Stage Fort Park concerts at the bandstand
Gloucester Meeinghouse Foundation announces their 2017 line-up
First up Berklee Be-Bop Guitars on July 7 to benefit Pathways for Children
From Gloucester Meetinghouse printed matter:
“The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation is pleased to announce the return of the free, outdoor concert series ‘Music on Meetinghouse Green’ starting with the Berklee ensemble Be-Bob Guitars to benefit Pathways for Children on Friday evening July 7th.
Mayor Romeo Theken regrets missing the 2017 kick off concert due to a prior family commitment, and she’s ever thankful that this fantastic series at such a grand and special venue is continuing after the pilot program last season! She’s asked Ward Councilor Melissa Cox to be on hand to open the first event. Mayor Theken is especially calling out old friends to come downtown to the old stomping grounds for all of them…especially August 11th!
July 7::Berklee Be-Bop Guitars
July 14:: Peter Souza, 3 Sheets to the Wind
July 21:: Melanie Bresnan & Friends
July 28:: Willie Alexander’s Persistence of Memory Orchestra
August 4:: Gordon Michaels
August 11:: Scanzonati Band
August 18:: Hye Fusion
So don’t miss the second season of Music on Meetinghouse Green featuring 9 great musical events in support of 9 terrific local non-profits via free-will offerings (please bring a folding chair, blanket, cash or check). Shows start at 6:00pm and run until 8:30pm. In case of inclement weather events will be held inside the historic 1806 Meetinghouse at the corner of Church and Middle Street.
The sponsors of ‘Music on Meetinghouse Green’ pre-pay the expenses so all contributions go to our non-profit partners. Special thanks to Linzee & Beth Coolidge (matching gift) plus Tom & Susan Andresen, J.J. & Jackie Bell, Michael & Mary Ann Bresnan, Harry & Mary Hintlian, Dick & Doris Prouty, Charles Nazarian, Sandra Ronan, and our corporate sponsor: Cape Ann Saving Bank.”
We like to support Gloucester Stage and Heidi Dallin, and try to see anything with Lindsay Crouse. There’s no question that Gloucester Stage productions are mostly terrific.
Tom Hauck’s GMG review compelled us to see the New England premiere of The Effect, Lucy Prebble’s 2012 dramatic play at Gloucester Stage. It’s a go see for sure! I think it’s the best play about thorny life and medical themes since Wit. We can delight in Prebble’s dynamite dialogue because the direction, acting, and set are pitch perfect.
Who knew? You can bring that glass of prosecco you didn’t finish back to your seat.
Can you spot a piping plover? Train your eyes to scan for movement–it’s the easiest way to spy the piping plover summer 2017 brood. They scuttle along dry seaweed patches back and forth to the wet sand and within the enclosure. Yesterday the baby chicks were still apt to topple over inside sand scallop depressions. Their future wings are visibly growing out. Now 1 week old, their sweet piping chirps are clearly audible. The parents are much easier to find. We’re lucky we can see the birds close up in Kim Smith’s gorgeous art.
Phone in hand? Share your Good Harbor Beach piping plover photos and observations! tag #Glostaplover and follow Gloucester Plover at https://twitter.com/Glostaplover
“A lot of my classmates from GHS Class of ’74 chartered the Harbor Shuttle for a 2HR cruise around the harbor. Our evening couldn’t have been more perfect. Old and dear classmates and some friends shared great conversation, an amazing night and a beautiful tour of the harbor where we all grew up. We all brought our own refreshments and let Steve do the driving . If you are looking to find a memorable way to enjoy the scenic view of the city and want a great evening with friends you should consider chartering Cape Ann Harbor Cruise.” – Pauline Bresnahan
Been enjoying the Gloucester City Hall tower rainbow pride light sequence all month! There are still a couple of more nights to walk on by. Check it out!
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photo caption: Dave Rimmer, Director of Land Stewardship, Essex County Greenbelt (Left) with Ken Whittaker, City of Gloucester Conservation Agent (Right)
Ken Whittaker, City of Gloucester Conservation agent, put the word out seeking volunteers to help monitor the piping plovers (Gloucester Daily Times). Today was the first organizational meeting and informational session with Dave Rimmer, Essex County Greenbelt. Ken is coordinating the schedule, and there are plenty of open slots available. “We will take this a day at a time until I have the opportunity to put together a formal schedule.” More than one volunteer is welcome on any shift, so please email if you’re interested in helping. Ken, Dave and other officials monitor the birds. When Kim Smith is there, she’s working on critical filming.
For those of you who could not make it, Ken Whittaker is holding a second meeting tomorrow evening about 4:30; Ken will be at Good Harbor Beach from about 3:30 to 5.
Piping Plover volunteers can receive free parking!
Planning on a beach day and can devote an hour of your time for observation? Email Ken to sign up for a shift and to learn more.
Volunteers are asked to bring binoculars and feel free to jot down some observations about the parents and the 2017 brood of 4. It’s simple. The birds need to be left alone and given wide berth when they’re on the move. Don’t follow after them. Look but don’t touch. Maybe intercept trash tumbleweeds. What gets tricky is when the birds are going back and forth from the water to the enclosed area.
Thanks to the enclosure, it’s obvious to stay away from inside the protected area. What’s less obvious is where to put your towel outside the fence. If you know your beach visit wouldn’t be complete without a vigorous paddle ball, can jam or football game, lining up your towels right outside the fencing is a little dicey. It happened today and the group was happy to move when Ken explained the situation. However, if you’re not one for major games and are happy to sit in your chaise for a long read and full day, you might want to think about doubling up as a piping plover volunteer for one hour. You’re there anyway. They are super cute and you’ll feel good helping out! Midday is low on sign ups.
“I have been in contact with the animal control officer who says she has been monitoring the situation but will kick it up a notch. Dogs are not allowed on the beach and you can remind scofflaws of this. If this becomes an issue I suggest people immediately call 978-281-9746 – Diana Corliss is the animal control officer and she can guide you from there. (Note, three essentials for monitoring include cell phone, binoculars …. and sun screen!)”
Essex County Greenbelt is responsible for the fencing of the protected area which is to the right of the boardwalk #3. They’ll tweak the fencing as needed. This year’s nest is within a close distance to last year’s nest.
The piping plovers nested on the beach by the dune’s edge to the right of boardwalk 3
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From Mass Moments (http://www.massmoments.org):
