My View of Life on the Dock
“Hale said the Woburn-based firmof Heimlich Landscaping and constracting which installed the stands and track in 2013, is heading up the repair work wiht inkind design assistance from CDM Smith of Boston…
“It was safe, and it would have been safe. It just looked bad–it looked old when it was still new. But this administration wants to be sure to fix it. We want this to be good product, and a good long-term investment.”
A new mini marsh promenade is underway along Thatcher Road from Gloucester’s Good Harbor Beach entrance all the way around to the foot bridge. Walkers will have safe access via sidewalks and a natural path.
Gloucester has been planning for an opportunity to extend safer pedestrian access along Thatcher Road for years. When National Grid scheduled replacing antiquated gas lines along the busiest and scenic stretch, Gloucester Public Works was ready to seize the opportunity with collaborative solutions sensitive to conservation. Sidewalk upgrades were built out at both ends and paused until National Grid completed its underground infrastructure work. Prior to paving, Thatcher Road will be widened slightly to accommodate a safe and scenic path. The city hoped to complete repairs and paving by autumn and is on track to meet that goal. This week crews were clearing brush. The rusty guardrail was removed and will be replaced with a new design. “It will all happen quickly now,” says Mike Hale, director of Public Works.
Thatcher Road Under Construction
There’s an ideal and creative scenic overlook solution over the river that’s under construction off site. I can’t wait for the reveal! I have been documenting progress and will post various updates, fast stats and history as another impressive project moves along.
Gloucester’s great marsh walk will afford safer access for sweeping seasonal observation
winter, spring, summer, fall
One of my favorite Gloucester motifs, Gloucester oxbow, view from Thatcher Road
What was happening here? September 9, 2018, Stop and Shop parking lot, Gloucester, Mass
New signs announcing The Blackbear Barber Shop coming to 261 Main Street, formerly Eastern Point Lit House*. *Upcoming The Lit House Book Club @ Duckworth’s Bistrot events are Gifts from the Sea on Sept 23 and 1984 on October 21.
Fish and Bear
People are so generous! The donation drive for women in Active Duty has filled boxes many times over. Collections continue through Columbus Day and will be delivered to Operation Troop Support.
Courtesy photos below include GMG readers 🙂
Pauline Bresnahan, Johanne Cassia (Olde Ipswich Shop & Gallery) and Adam Curcuru, Director of Cape Ann Veterans Services, shared a quick video with veteran Vionette, “Vee”, Chipperini describing essentials that are great to receive when deployed. (Convinced me to go for bras!) Pauline said people have been creativite getting the word out and selecting special items to donate.
Organized by Woman Owned Businesses along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway, donation boxes can be found at particpating locations:
Families with kids ranging from infants to toddlers are invited to join Sound Harbor on Tuesday mornings to sing and dance with Renee!
Neither Mustard Nor Teeth
photographs by Peter Morse
drawings by David West
September 1-30. Reception September 29, 5-7pm, Jane Deering Gallery, 19 Pleasant Street, Gloucester
from the exhibition release:
“Neither Mustard nor Teeth, by artists Peter Morse and David West, is an exploration of the everyday discipline of the artist searching to find the extraordinary and the beautiful among the quotidian rhythms of ordinary life.
Morse’s photos call attention to the overlooked. They catch moments of light, pattern, form and structure that might otherwise be sensed only out of the corner of the eye. What is captured in the frame draws us nearer, asks us to pause. While grounded in the ordinary, they leave the viewer with questions about time and place and the seemingly familiar. West’s drawings feature the townscape of Gloucester as seen by a non-native. They are visual handshakes from a Southern alien coming to terms with a new place for the first time. The quiet empty spaces offer little peace; the architectures crowd each other and jostle for attention as they attempt to stay upright.
Both bodies of work are rooted in the act of stopping and looking, the life blood of the artist. Slowing down. Being present in the moment long enough to pay attention and to record. Whether the action is contained in the fraction of a shutter click, or the longer process of drawing, each is a response to the quiet call of objects and moments at hand. The phrase — neither mustard nor teeth — is from the essay, Of Power and Time, by the Massachusetts poet Mary Oliver. Oliver tells of the tensions between the necessity of living in the world with its demands of time and task and energy, all the while striving to see the inherent beauty of it all, to make sense of it through the creative process:
It is six a.m., and I am working. I am absent-minded, reckless, heedless of social obligations, etc. It is as it must be. The tire goes flat, the tooth falls out, there will be a hundred meals without mustard. The poem gets written. I have wrestled with the angel and I am stained with light and I have no shame. Neither do I have guilt. My responsibility is not to the ordinary, or the timely. It does not include mustard, or teeth.
Peter Morse lives in Amesbury, and David West is resident here in Gloucester. Both artists are in need of going to the grocery as well as the dentist.
Peter Morse holds a BA Summa Cum Laude from Gordon College and an MFA in Photography from the University of Hartford, CT. Residencies include Berlin, Germany, New York, NY and Portland OR. He teaches at Gordon College where he is also Manager of the Barrington Center for the Arts and the Gallery. He has exhibited in the US, Germany and Cuba. Morse maintains a studio in Amesbury MA.
David West is originally from Mississippi. He holds an MFA from Louisiana State University with a concentration in printmaking. He is Associate Professor of art at Gordon College, Wenham MA where he is Chair of the Art Department. West is also Co-Founder/Curator of ArtSpace 86 Gallery in Jackson MS. He has exhibited widely in the US. West is now living in Gloucester MA
Great article about the new children’s book, Let’s Go: Animal Tracks in the Snow! by Diane Polley illustrated by Marion Hall, an award winning entry in the Cape Ann Reads contest.
Deborah French, Director of Essex’s TOHP Burnham Library says Diane Polley “is an excellent example of a hidden children’s writer that was brought together with Marion Hall, the illustrator, through the Cape Ann Reads initiative to create a wonderful picture book. I’m sure she has more to come for us all to enjoy.”
BOOK LAUNCH CELEBRATION: Saturday, Sept 8 11:30-1:30, Cape Ann Cinema & Stage, 21 Main Street, Gloucester. “This is a free family drop-in event with children’s activities. Meet Diane Polley of Essex, the author and Marion Hall of Manchester, the illustrator, who will be signing copies of their book.”
Visually stunning and original, Let’s Go Animal Tracks in the Snow, is a gentle and clever story and non-fiction picture book that engenders shared experiences. Vivid wintery scenes are intimate and expansive, and beautiful watercolors match and extend the text. Expressions of color notes pop from the pages like finding fresh tracks in new snow. This children’s book is an irresistible inside outside story: snuggle up for a good read and wondrous exploration.
Announcement from the Massachusetts Cultural Council:
“Some good news to share: As the Mass Cultural Council (MCC) allocation was increased this year we are able to provide financial support to all the designated cultural districts for Fiscal Year 2019. Each district is eligible to receive a grant of up to $5,000 based on the submission of a plan of action and budget outlining the use of funds. The use of funds must be in line with the goals of the cultural district initiative…(such as) fees for professional consultants; hiring staff to manage or coordinate district activities; marketing and promotion of district activities and events; and fees connected to new cultural programs. Grant funds cannot be used for capital improvement projects or non-arts related activities…We are very delighted to be able to offer this small investment to support your work.”
Gloucester is eligible to apply for up to $10,000 because the city features two cultural districts: Rocky Neck and downtown. The application will be LIVE this week, due October, and awarded December.
Area residents murmuring that the smoke is possibly due to a refrigerator electrical fire. Rockport firefighters are assessing the situation on the ground. Simultaneous scene of spectators and beachgoers
Gorgeous morning brings big crowds to the boulevard for Gloucester 34th Annual Schooner Festival Parade of Sails. Color announcing is always excellent Photo Left to right: Laura with blue phone- assuming husband Jim spotting and calling in- major intel and committee work from both; Daisy Nell-great musician, singer, author and maritime gloucester historian – no wonder her color is so crisp and clear; and Mike Costello, former Cape Ann Chamber Pres. and co founder pushing event to Labor Day weekend. The city, Schooner Festival committee and sponsors do a remarkable job! Look for 1623 Studio broadcast (Cape Ann TV)- will add link here when available
Jim and Laura at last year Mayor’s Reception
Columbia was designed by Starling Burgess. Shown here under construction at the Essex boat yard (Arthur Dana Story ship yard), launched, and sailing to Gloucester 1923. Leslie Jones photographs, from glass negatives Boston Public Library collection. It sank in 1946.
The new Columbia is participating in the Gloucester Schooner Festival 2018 – download the fantastic program here- handy information about each boat and all the special events
2018 Gloucester Schooner Festival Parade of Sails – Columbia
Continue reading “Shark! Boat Parade of Lights Schooner Festival 2018”
Cape Ann Museum shares the flyer for Monarch Butterfllies with Kim Smith, Saturday September 8, 2018 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Mystery musicians and tenor soared through melodies on the West End by Caffe Sicilila and Short and Main, Gloucester, Massachusetts, for the downtown block party. I hope to add their names so I can credit the beautiful impromptu arias! Snippets of and ‘O sole mio
*post updated September 4th thanks to Good Morning Gloucester readers! Giovanni Formisano is the mystery tenor — remember that name!- and an excerpt from New England Tenors Weekly:
“A native of Torre del Greco (Naples) Italy, Tenor Giovanni Formisano, began his vocal studies in the United States. After joining the Opera Workshop at the Longy School of music in Cambridge Massachusetts, Mr. Formisano participated in various Opera programs such as the “Key West Summer Opera program” under the direction of Soprano Donna Role, the “Richard Crittenden Opera workshop” and the “New York Summer Opera Scenes” under the direction of Metropolitan Opera Conductor Joshua Greene. Mr. Formisano quickly gained recognition for his Italianate, legato and full lyric sound and was featured in roles such as Rodolfo in G.Puccini’s “La Boheme”, Alfredo in G. Verdi’s “la Traviata” , Ruggero in G.Puccini’s “La Rondine” and Cavaradossi in G. Puccini’s “Tosca”.
Because of his upbringing in the Naples area of Italy, Mr. Formisano also specializes in the Neapolitan song style and has participated in various concerts highliting this very quality…” as highlighted in the New England Tenors Weekly
street ‘o sole mio
Poster annotated TBD (quite the smokescreen)
Have you visited the Major Fred W. Ritvo Veterans Center headquarters for Cape Ann Veterans Services?
Last year Cape Ann Veterans Services completed an inviting renovation. Adam Curcuru, Director of Cape Ann Services, said that the Compensated Work Therapy Program (CWT), a veterans construction team from Bedford, “did an excellent job. They really took ownership of the program and the building. CWT helps veterans seeking treatment who are not prepared to step back full time into work and putting health first.”
– exterior wall to be future site of the monumental eagle carving from Cameron’s
Lucia Amero pointed to the original thank-you poster listing the people involved with getting the building ready for veterans services back in 1994-95. “Ritvo (the building’s namesake) worked to involve high school students like those taking classes in the electrical shop. Naturally, more work was done over the years to maintain the building.”
The 1995 thank you poster text:
Continue reading “Look inside! Major Fred W Ritvo Veterans Center Gloucester Mass.”
Enjoying all these sunny sunflowers swaying downtown. Can you spot them all? Hint- Main Street and Pleasant Street (Patti Amaral’s garden stretch); on the West End of Main Street at legendary storefront Bananas; Washington and Granite Streets nearby Mother of Grace; and Centennial nearly bookended at both Washington and Western Avenue.
Last year Joey wondered about the wall murals on Parsons (walkway between Main and Rogers) added after the 350ft’ street temporary mural.
You can listen to Joey here: GloucesterCast 243 Taped 9/25/17 Timestamped 43:38 Parson’s Street Mural
The Parsons Street wall murals were created by a lot of people including fine artists, teachers, and kids: Jason Burroughs, Laura Donworth, Kyra Moyer, Aiden Symes, Avery Mcniff, Teen Artist Guild, and Cape Ann Art Haven summer kids. One request from the building owner was that they include a reference to Gloucester’s Man at the Wheel as part of the overall composition. The long mural features iconic Gloucester architecture, history and themes (see the great whale!) . The Man at the Wheel depiction was pulled out and featured on its own; locals aware of the former owner’s affiliation with Sam Adams enjoyed the extra nod. Photos above are from 2015.
North Shore Magazine photographs of Gloucester including wall mural (from the whale end) April 2018
There are some Parsons Street before and 2015 in process here
Continue reading “So Joey asked about the Parsons Street murals”
Good Morning Gloucester 