Author: Catherine

posted content / cell phone photos mine, unless otherwise credited (thumbnail portrait of Catherine at MFA, Boston © David Cox photo) https://www.cryanaid.com/

Sawyer Free proposed build in the news | annual meeting Monday

Posted on by Catherine

Sawyer Free exterior_20190517_© c ryan.jpg

Gloucester Daily Times article Sawyer Free trustees eye renovation by Ray Lamont here

Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Library 2019 Annual meeting Monday May 20 6-8PM

SFL annual meeting 2019 invite.jpg
SFL annual meeting 2019 (*note to SFL- please consider returning to Valerie Marino type posting days — with real people rather than clipart advert photos of children)

 

Prior post Febrary 4, 2019 with some questions

Besides the local new Cape Ann Museum build I’ve mentioned, here is a another recent comparable. Bowdoin’s new Roux Center for the Environment is approximately 30,000 ft’. The planning phase took 9 months. The build out took 14 months and the project cost less than 15 million (seeded with 10 million from the Rouxs). The Sawyer Free project is more than double that cost and the planning phase is many times past.

The community has been consistent about addressing the bathrooms for sometime. In 2014, the “immediate objectives will be working with the library’s board, staff and volunteers to review the library’s collections for relevance; revamping the building’s public and staff spaces; overseeing installation of a modern heating and air conditioning system, and mentoring staff in their professional development…”

Round up of new library building coverage prior to November 2018:

Prior post with 1973 brochure ed. Joe Garland

 

Gloucester in the news and on the road: #GloucesterMA documentary and food a hit in Minnesota news

Posted on by Catherine

Great read- From Sea to Sustainable Sea: Supporting American Wild Seafood event in Minneapolis “combined midwest premiere of the Gloucester fishing documentary “Dead in the Water” by Rockport native David Wittkower sandwiched between a cocktail hour and a seafoot featst featuring Gloucester landed monkfish, redfish, crabs, lobsters andother seafood delights.” See who’s involved with this great road foodiefilm trip, read more here

Spreading Gloucester’s Story: Minnesotans eat up film on fleet, seafood by Sean Horgan, Gloucester Daily Times

_20190517_.jpg

Yella on the Water 25 Western Ave / Stacy Boulevard opening soon

Posted on by Catherine

The exterior transformation by RePro General Constuction & Design Services (ReProservice.com) for Danielle and Carlo Berdahn’s new Mediterranean bistro, Yella on the Water, is moving right along (in the former Morning Glory space) on Stacy Boulevard.

 Before (2013)  vs. construction underway (May 2019)

Sept 9 2013 Morning Glory ©c ryan
2013

Yella on the water new exterior Gloucester Mass_20190512_© c ryan (2)

 

They opened Yella Grille in Andover  (and catering) ten years ago.

Tesoro Vintage Finds | 5 Short Street West End downtown #GloucesterMA

Posted on by Catherine

Tesoro Vintage Finds_Gloucester West End Main Street_20190516_© c ryan.jpg

Find Tesoro Vintage Finds at 5 Short Street next to Caffe Sicilia in Gloucester, Mass., a close walk to Bananas and Cape Ann Auction.

(Adrift 284 Main Street on the East End closed.)

 

 

 

Questions for Sawyer Free Library building plans remain unanswered, yet trustees “should vote” TODAY whether it’s a teardown, reno, or …

Posted on by Catherine

library exterior from Dale.jpg

Public meetings –

Today Wednesday, May 15th, 2019

4PM 

The Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Public Library Building Committee will compare roughly estimated costs of one addition/renovation concept design for the Monell wing with the estimated costs of  a tear-down/new build of the Monell wing, after which the Board of Trustees “should vote” on their recommendation for which option to pursue. The plans are roughly the same as ones presented January 2017. Saunders is not a smidgen of this 21+ million quote. I’d link to any and all minutes and plans, but they have not been published on the library’s website (as they have been with other MBLC projects), distributed to the corporators (I am one),  nor released as hand outs and printed matter. I was told “when it’s the right time” by the architectural firm.

  1. tear down Monell / construct new building (nothing for Saunders)
  2. vs renovate Monell and build addition (nothing for Saunders)
  3. vs other

5:30PM 

Trustees “should vote” to accept the Building Committee’s recommendation based on roughly estimated costs

May 20th Annual Meeting

The annual meeting comes after today’s vote. “The Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library annual meeting of the corporation will be Monday, May 20th, 6-8, Main Floor. The Reading (MA) Public Library Director will give the keynote address on Building Community, Building a Library followed by a presentation of the preferred concept design (voted today), closing with remarks of the president of the board on the future plans for the library.”

 

Vintage street flair: BlackBear Barber Shop adds the perfect show stopper door propper

Posted on by Catherine

The BlackBear Barber Shop, 260 Main St., Gloucester, Mass., has a sharp greeter-  a carved wooden bear sculpture and calling card receiver/business card holder.

Blackbear barber shop_ carved wooden bear statue and card holder_barber shop figure for storefront_ Gloucester MA_20190511_© c ryan.jpg

(It’s a good fit for Gloucester history. Pre 1900, carved statues advertising Main Street businesses provided a new customer base for some  shipbuilding figurehead carvers.)

pin stripe apron

New restaurant Salt Water Grille opening soon | art by Alexia Seaside Graphics #GloucesterMA

Posted on by Catherine

Salt Water Grille_opening May or June 2019_ Gloucester MA_ art and logo by Alexia J Seaside graphics_20190510_© c ryan (4)

Salt Water Grille expects to open late May/ early June 2019.

The seasonal restaurant is located at 226 Washington Street, Gloucester Mass., in the former Friendly’s location off the first rotary. (See Gloucester Daily Times article here to learn more about the owners.) New logo and art by Alexia at Seaside Graphics.

 

 

Seaside Graphics in Gloucester, Mass., specializes in printing, graphic design and branding. “Seaside has done work for National Geographic Channel, Bosch, Honda North, Fama PR, Pilgrim Films, NOAA, Dunkin Donuts, NBC Sport’s show Shark Hunter, among others.” Owners and married couple Bill and Alexia handle the Wicked Tuna gear (e.g. Wicked Tuna, Falcon / Hard Merchandise, F/V-Tuna, The Wicked Pissah, and PinWheel). Check out the store on Railroad Avenue, or on line here: https://wickedtunagear.com/. The headquarters also carries Alexia’s Hooked for Life apparel.

 

 

 

 

 

Poll- Who are those guys? Fugro ship closer and slower today

Posted on by Catherine

view of fugro ship off gloucester ma coast from Salt Island Road_20190511_Gloucester Ma 01930

View of Fugro ship off Gloucester MA from Salt Island Road May 11, 2019, closer and slower.

“As the largest global supplier of marine geotechnical site investigation services, Fugro conducts tailored investigations in all offshore regions of the world.” 

Who are those guys? View of Fugro ship changes depending on vantage and as it moves back and forth. View of ship from Good Harbor Beach.

 

 

 

 

Until I hear back, queue GMG poll for best guesses –  as to what they are doing?

Cape Wind engaged Fugro for survey work as part of pre-construction for offshore utility-scale wind farm. Fugro may have been engaged with phases of projects closer to home, like the LNG “Neptune” buoy port that was developed in 2010 by ENGIE about 10 miles off shore where LNG vessels could moor and discharge natural gas. (Another LNG one, the Northeast gateway, is 18 miles out from Boston.)

operating_lng_facility.jpg

Wind projects in Mass (Wikipedia)

In September 2016, Baker’s administration announced that the offshore wind companies Deepwater Wind, DONG Energy, and OffshoreMW agreed to use the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal built during the Patrick administration as a staging area for their projects.[22] In June 2017, Massachusetts utilities issued the first RFP under the energy diversification law signed by Baker in August 2016,[23] and the following month, five major bids were submitted.[24]

In May 2018, Baker’s administration selected Vineyard Wind to construct an 800-megawatt offshore wind farm off the southern coast of Martha’s Vineyard,[25] and the following October, Vineyard Wind announced that it had signed an 18-month lease to also conduct their staging operations at the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal.[26] In December 2018, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced the sale of three wind lease plots of 390,000 acres of ocean south of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard to Equinor Wind, Mayflower Wind Energy, and Vineyard Wind for a national record of $405 million that the agency estimated could generate as much as 4,100 megawatts of wind power.[27]

from Fugro website

Fugro services re: Power

 

Essex openings tonight- 4PM Fun Friday & Bicentennial Display at TOHP Burnham | 6PM Essex Art Collective at Essex Shipbuilding Museum

Posted on by Catherine

Fresh – Essex Art Collective exhibition

Essex Art Collective Exhibit.jpg

tonight! Opening Party: Friday, May 10, 2019 at 6pm

Exhibit Hours on Saturday, May 11, 2019 from 10am – 5pm

Essex Shipbuilding Museum, Waterline Center, 66 Main Street (Rte. 133)

Come see FRESH new works by Essex Art Collective: women artists who collaborate in artistic endeavors and inspire each other to create paintings, drawings, printmaking, sculpture, fiber arts, mixed media works and photography. Group Members Alison Taylor, Jen Grober, Jen Romans, Kristen Wilson, Mallie Pratt, Margaret Sweet, Melissa Glorieux, Naomi Chapman, Rosie Winthrop and Wrenn Bartlett invite you to see the show!

 

CAPE ANN READS EXHIBIT

Installation View Once upon a Contest Cape Ann Reads at TOHP Burnham Essex_20190430_© c ryan.jpg

Reception: Saturday, May 18, 2019 from 10am – 12pm

TONIGHT! Fun Friday featuring James McKenna/Juni Van Dyke books 4pm

Fun Fridays Featuring  Reading/Activity with Award-Winning Authors & Artists– meet local artists and writers and enjoy free stories and visual arts events perfect for children to create artwork side by side with an older family member – either a parent, grandparent or a sibling May 10th, May 17th, 31st and June 7th at 4pm

Exhibit on View until June 21, 2019

Essex Town Hall, 3rd Floor, 30 Martin Street (an accessible facility)

Once Upon a Contest showcases award-winning children’s books by Cape Ann artists and writers. Congratulations to Essex resident and author, Diane Polley awarded Cape Ann Reads Honor Book for Lets Go! Animal Tracks in the Snow, with illustrations by Marion Hall. Congratulations to Essex resident and author, James MacKenna awarded Cape Ann Reads Gulliver Award for If I Were a Moose and If I were a Lion with illustrations by Juni VanDyke. And congratulations to Essex native and artist, Alexia Parker, for illustrating Cape Ann Reads Gulliver Award books for two authors, Pumpkin Carving and Bike’s Big Adventure. Parker is the Invitational Public Artist for the Essex show. Her series celebrates iconic Essex buildings and places in collage using solely paper and glue. Come meet some of these local authors and illustrators! Light refreshments by the Friends of the T.O.H.P. Burnham Public Library will be served.

Side by side Once upon a Contest at TOHP Burnham in Essex:

Fantastic Essex Bicentennial display – don’t miss it!

Essex Bicentennial display_20190430_© c ryan.jpg

Sign up to receive notices from Visit Essex, MA – May is Blooming with Events to Enjoy info@visitessexma.com

The Fugro ship is out there again today #GloucesterMA

Posted on by Catherine

May 10, 2019

view of Fugro Ship off Gloucester MA coast_20190510

view of fugro ship off gloucester ma coast_may 10 2019
cellphone snapshots from shore

Hope to update soon with which Fugro project involves this ship back and forth.  prior post May 8, 2019

For close up photos rather than snapshots see Pat Morss here

Last chance to catch Part I of A Turning Point group art exhibition at Jane Deering Gallery- Part II coming May 18th

Posted on by Catherine

Last chance to catch  Part 1 of A turning Point | The Contempoary Landscape at Jane Deering Gallery,  ideas from select regional and international artists about the environmental impact of man-made and natural disasters as that distinction crumbles (the unnatural natural disasters), beauty and life.

Young Suh wildfires series_california_ 2009_ Landscape show Jane Deering Gallery_20190504 © c ryan.jpg
Young Suh wildfire (california) series 2009

 

 

Installation views of this solid group show:

 

Where Part 1 is generally more focused on land, Part II pivots to water,  and opens with a public reception May 18th* from 4-6pm.

Erma Wheeler . Quarried Waters 1997 . watercolor on paper . 22x28 inches . 30x36 inches framed.png
Erma Wheeler Quarried Waters, 1997, watercolor on paper (22×28 inches / 30×36 inches framed)

 

*Mark your calendars: public reception for Once Upon a Contest Selection from Cape Ann Reads at TOHP Burnham Library in Essex is earlier that same day, may 18th, from 10-noon.

“The land will sustain us and beauty will thrive, if only we pay attention and heed.” Read the gallery’s press release for Part II below: Continue reading “Last chance to catch Part I of A Turning Point group art exhibition at Jane Deering Gallery- Part II coming May 18th” →

Fun Friday May 10 at TOHP Burnham Library Essex with Juni VanDyke and James McKenna children’s picture books

Posted on by Catherine

TOHP Burnham_20190416_© c ryan

The TOHP Burnham Library Essex is pleased to present Once Upon a Contest: Selections from Cape Ann Reads May 4 – June 21, 2019 for the libraries of Cape Ann

Featuring: Leslie Galacar, Martha Shaw Geraghty, Marion Hall, Steven Kennedy, Charles King, George King, Michael LaPenna, James McKenna, Barbara McLaughlin, Alexia Parker, Victoria Petway, John Plunkett, Diane Polley, Mary Rhinelander, James Seavey, Gail Seavey, Kim Smith, Christina Ean Spangler, Bonnie L. Sylvester, Juni VanDyke, Maura Wadlinger, Betty Allenbrook Wiberg, Kirsten Allenbrook Wiberg, Jean Woodbury, Claire Wyzenbeek

Public Reception: Saturday, May 18 10AM-NOON

Temporary Public Art: Alexia Parker

Fun Fridays: May 10, 17, 31, June 7 at 4PM
Author James McKenna & Illust. Juni VanDyke If I were Series 5/10; Illust. Alexia Parker Bike’s Big Adventure and Pumpkin Carving 5/17; Author & Illust. Barbara McLaughlin The Long Way Home 5/31; Author Diane Polley & Illust. Marion Hall Let’s Go! Tracks in Snow 6/7

TOHP Burnham Library, Essex
30 Martin Street, Essex, MA 01929
(978) 768-7410
Days/Hours: M1-7,T1-5,W1-7,Th10-5,F1-5,S10-12
https://essexpubliclibrary.org
https://capeannreads.wixsite.com/picturebooks

PDF print postcard HERE

 

GMG reader asks about Dutch company Fugro survey vessel far off #GloucesterMA today

Posted on by Catherine

Appealing to GMG readers for help with this comment:

A red Fugro vessel heading in the direction of Boston was moving slowly on the horizon past Gloucester this morning. It was well beyond camera phone range. A GMG reader described seeing “lots of phased array radars which caught my attention.  Usually only on military ships. The logo was large enough to read with a scope. Best guess is that it was similar to the photo attached from the Fugro website. Do they pass this way frequently?”

fugro-discovery_9152882_1244695_Medium.jpg

“We are the world’s leading Geo-data specialist, collecting and analysing comprehensive information about the Earth and the structures built upon it.”- Fugro

According to the company website, Fugro provides expertise in different industries including off shore services and science. (For example its seawatch wind LiDAR buoys meaure wind speeds for proposed wind projects.) The website mentions “10,000 employees in 65 countries”. Offices in Houston and Norfolk coordinated prior work in MA. See the December 1 2017 Press release related to Cape Cod job here

 

 

Scenes from Literary Cape Ann special event at Cape Ann Cinema featuring Rodman Philbrick, Andre Dubus III and Stephen McCauley

Posted on by Catherine

Literary Cape Ann presented  a terrific afternoon, Bestseller to Big Screen, featuring Rodman Philbrick, Andre Dubus III, and Stephen McCauley at Cape Ann Cinema 21 Main Street in Gloucester May 5, 2019.

The Toad Hall wheels behind Literary Cape Ann invited Beth Pocock, Asst. Director Sawyer Free Library, to moderate the first half of the program. Literary Cape Ann co-founder Rae Francoeur directed the second part.  The Book Store of Gloucester set up shop to handle book sales. Cape Ann Cinema had trailers queued up and fresh popcorn pop pop popping which was offbeat and endearing. All went off without a hitch thanks to great questions, event coordination/collaboration and three dynamite authors who were  frank, engaging, witty and bright. Make sure to look for the next Literary Cape Ann event.

Sponsored by Bach Builders and Gloucester Writers Center

Literary Cape Ann hosts Bestseller to Big screen at Cape Ann Cinema and Stage_Main STreet Gloucester Mass-flyer

“When a book becomes a movie, a lot happens. It’s a transforming moment for an author whose book takes on a new life. Three authors share their Hollywood stories on May 5, from 1 to 3 p.m. Rodman Philbrick: The Mighty; Stephen McCauley: The Object of My Affection; Andre Dubus III: House of Sand and Fog. Free. Book signings, refreshments, film clips.”

City to handle tricky removal of graffiti nuisance tag below founder’s plaque at Tablet Rock #GloucesterMA

Posted on by Catherine

Blanched and illuminated area beneath the founder’s plaque was tagged with graffiti which will be ably removed by the city DPW. Scroll below to historic photographs for context and comparison.

graffiti tag below founders plaque Tablet Rock Stage Fort Park_20190505_© c ryan

Days earlier it wasn’t. For comparison, here’s how the giant rock appeared May 1, 2019. Had it been on that day…

1974

Though uncommon, graffiti has been removed from this same spot before. Here’s a 1974 photograph from the Gloucester Daily Times catching a family reading the founder’s plaque. Graffiti was visible and without mention. 

1974 graffiti Tablet Rock _ maybe Charles A. Lowe photo_Gloucester Daily Times

1907

Stage Fort Park Gloucester MA Tablet Rock 1907 John Hammond SR and Natalie looking back.jpg
John Hays Hammond, Sr (1855-1936) holding hands with daughter Natalie (looking back to the camera) after the unveiling. Hammond’s involvement made this tribute happen (CR id research). Natalie hays Hammond (1904-1985) had the honor of pulling back the cord for the big reveal. 1907 photograph collection Library of Congress

Gloucester’s wrap around picturesque landscape was preserved as a public park in 1898. In 1907, the monumental natural glacial outcropping was decorated with an inset of bronze plaque and stone relief commemorating the first fishermen from England laying claim in 1623. Eric Pape was commissioned for its design. 

1901 before the founder’s plaque

1901 branded Battery K still visible_Tablet Rock Stage Fort Park
branded Battery K still visible 1901 photo by Thomas Warren Sears. Circa 2012, Catherine Ryan identified Gloucester images that had been unidentified in the Smithsonian collection and published here Stacy Boulevard Public Works stunner: Gloucester is an early client for the Harvard and Olmsted trained landscape designer Thomas Warren Sears, 2017.

2016

2016 Stage Fort Park graffiti_20161228_© c ryan.jpg
graffiti 2016 tablet rock  © c ryan
2016 side where Battery K could be seen 1901
2016 scale Tablet Rock
1973 tablet rock overgrowth

There are a few circle-A’s tagged around town of late. Also Eon

circle A graffiti tags trend_20190505_© c ryan.jpg
saw this symbol a lot in NYC many, many moons ago 
trending graffiti 2019 april_ c ryan.jpg

Honoring Ronda Faloon Cape Ann Museum (no surprise standing room only)

Posted on by Catherine

IMG_20190504_153636.jpg

Recognizing Ronda Faloon’s dedication to Cape Ann arts, community connections, and her inclusive and inspiring leadership. The long goodbye is not long enough. “You will be missed, thanked and remembered.”

Ronda helping someone find a seat during her intro_20190504_Cape Ann Museum © c ryan

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoying children’s picture books with Manchester librarian Carol Bender and artist Leslie Galacar

Posted on by Catherine

Scenes from Manchester last week © Beth Welin, Director of Manchester Historical Museum

Librarian, Carol Bender, Head of Youth Services, Manchester Public Library, reading Where in the World is Catherine Abigail by Michael LaPenna and illustrated by Leslie Galacar. The children from Magic Years were visiting Once Upon a Contest at Manchester Historical Museum.

photo courtesy Beth Welin_Once Upon a Contest Cape Ann Reads Carol Bender with Leslie Galacar at Manchester Historical Museum (2)

They met special guest artist Leslie Galacar.

photo courtesy Beth Welin_Once Upon a Contest Cape Ann Reads Carol Bender with Leslie Galacar at Manchester Historical Museum

Atelier Cape Ann great window displays | wedding gown bridal shop at 57 Eastern Avenue #GloucesterMA

Posted on by Catherine

Gloucester, Massachusetts. Atelier Cape Ann, a new bridal wear and alterations shop located at 57 Eastern Avenue, opened winter 2019. The changing window display beckons dreams and brightens this stretch along Rt. 127 with alluring bridal gowns and flower girl dresses showcased on the ground floor of this charming New England building. At the traffic lights, turn on to Eastern Avenue heading in the direction of Good Harbor Beach and Rockport. (If you’ve reached Jeff’s Variety you’ve gone too far.) There’s ample parking out back. Alterations by appointment only. http://www.ateliercapeann.com

Cape Ann Atelier bridal wear alterations_new business_Gloucester Mass_April 2019© c ryan (2).jpg

photos Jan-April