Author: God's Morning

During the Captains Courageous Festival this weekend, we had the real pleasure of readings by Gwendolyn Carr.  The reading started and ended with her poem, Gloucester with manywonderful poems sandwiched in between, all on the subject of water.

Gloucester

I live close to the shore,

close by the men,

who go to sea,

who weather sun and storm

alike — they say they are free.

But are they free?

Or only slaves of water,

that vast expanse

which calls them every day.

They cannot stay away,

but must set out

to ply their trade,

to bring their living

to the shore.

They can do no more.

Their fathers did it,

so must they

live to obey the water.

I live close — close enough

to watch them though.

My danger lies on land.

Gwendolyn’s books can be purchased at Gordon College Bookstore and The Bookstore at Beverly Farms.

During the Captain’s Courageous Festival this weekend, Khan Studio and the GMG Gallery hosted reader, Anita Sanchez and her book The Invasion of Sandy Bay.  Anita and I swapped books, so she got Tales of Bong Tree Island and I got Invasion.  I have started reading the book, but haven’t finished it yet.

In Anita’s book, a young boy plays a key role when the War of 1812 comes to his Massachusetts coastal fishing village. The little town of Sandy Bay, Massachusetts, was the site of one of the wildest invasions in U.S. history, when the might of the British Empire came up against hardheaded New England townsfolk. The Invasion of Sandy Bay, based on eyewitness accounts of actual events, tells the tale – through the eyes of a twelve-year-old boy – of what happened on the night when the British put too much gunpowder in one of their cannons. The hilarious – and true – events of the topsy-turvy invasion are set against the backdrop of the dangerous lives of the fishermen.

Based on the actual invasion of Sandy Bay (now Rockport), Massachusetts, this work adds a unique perspective to the War of 1812. The invasion is told through the eyes of 12-year-old Lemuel Brooks. On his first night of trying to learn the trade of fisherman, Lemuel and Bill Tarr, a veteran fisherman, are captured by the British frigate Nymph. Bill is forced to pilot the frigate closer to the village so the British Royal Marines can go ashore and capture the fort. Lemuel and Bill escape and warn the town. What ensues is not a typical invasion! One group of Marines captures the fort and takes nine of the town’s militiamen as prisoners. A raft with British Marines sinks near the shore, and the fishermen rescue them and take them prisoner. Colonel Appleton of the Gloucester militiamen bans a proposed prisoner exchange, so the townsfolk take matters into their own hands. Aside from publicizing this little-known incident, the novel also fleshes out what daily life was like with an afterword that helps separate fact from fiction. Students will enjoy Lemuel’s adventures during the invasion and will empathize with his views on life. —Library Media Connection 

The book can be purchased on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/The-Invasion-Sandy-Anita-Sanchez/dp/1590785606

E.J. Lefavour

I went to the End of Summer Tasting at the Madfish on Friday.  Due to a Cape Ann NightSUP scheduling conflict, I didn’t get to experience the whole tasting, but did get to experience 4 of the 10 courses.  If you have the chance before they close for the season, you owe it to your taste buds to take them on the adventure of a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night dinner starting at 5:00pm at Madfish Grille under the new management and extraordinary culinary magic of Chefs Jordan Rubin and Johnny Sheehan.  I’ll tell you, don’t miss the oyster steam bun (OMG your mouth will go crazy with the amazing tastes and textures!), corn soup and prawn cracker.  Based on what I did sample, I have to believe that everything on the menu is equally incredibly fresh, delicious and unique.  These guys will rock your mouth’s world. 

E.J. Lefavour

Tell me this menu doesn’t make your mouth water.  $30 lets you put it all away and get a taste of what the rest of this season and next will bring at Madfish Grille, courtesy of Chefs Jordan Rubin and Johnny Sheehan.

77 Rocky Neck Avenue  Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 281-4554 – call now and make your reservation

http://web.mail.comcast.net/service/home/~/IMG_2647.MOV?auth=co&loc=en_US&id=477396&part=2

This is a daytime video Tyler from Cape Ann SUP took by the Boulevard yesterday.  In the NightSUP photos below of Evelyn Howe and your’s truly, although you can’t see it in these photos taken by Violet Gray, we were encompassed by thousands of little fish which actually leaped up onto our boards and feet trying to escape the gang of stripers that were hunting them.  Pretty amazing to experience the drama of ocean life up close and personal like that, especially in the dark.  The fish seemed to be telling each other to “go into the Light”.   It was particularly bizarre paddling through a thick stew of live fish, hearing and feeling them beating against your board and paddle, and having to keep pushing them off the board so they could either swim free and live or end up dinner for a striper.  It is getting late this season for people to try this for the first time, but if you have done SUP and haven’t done a NightSUP, you owe it to yourself to experience it.  It is a trip.  The air is getting chilly, but the water is still warm.

E.J. Lefavour

2012 schedule captains courageous

Make sure you come by Khan Studio and the Good Morning Gloucester Gallery for poetry readings by Gwendolyn Carr at 10:00 and Author Talk by Anita Sanchez on “The Invasion of Sandy Bay” at noon.  Also come for Mug Ups during Trails and Sails this weekend and next.

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

Gloucester’s Unitarian Universalist Church is about to become handicapped-accessible, for the first time in its 206-year history.  Platform-lift elevators are being installed and an outdoor ramp is already in place, to make it easy for everyone to access this historic building!   To help pay the bills, the church is conducting an online Bidding for Good auction, starting Thursday, Sept 20, and ending on Sunday, Sept. 30.   More than 150 items are on auction, from fine art to good eating, to fuel oil, to a Red Sox No. 34 jersey signed by David Ortiz (size XXL)!  Start your Christmas shopping now. Go to www.gloucesteruu.org and then click where it says “View Our Auction Here.” Please bid!  And pass the word! 

And, oh, yes – come visit us during Trails & Sails weekend – tours are on Friday and Saturday at 10, 1, and 3 – and on Sunday at 1, 2, and 3. And on Saturday, come hear some great sea chantey singing by Baggywrinkle and Three Sheets to the Wind – part of the Captain’s Courageous festival!

150+ free, fun, family friendly events at outdoor, historic and cultural sites – including at Khan Studio & the GMG Gallery for Mug Up and Captains Courageous events on Saturday: at 10:00 am Gwendolyn Carr – poetry readings and at noon Author talk – Anita Sanchez – “The Invasion of Sandy Bay”.

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com 

If you haven’t been to see Adriana “Gigi” Mederos at Aquatro Gallery, 77 Rocky Neck Ave., G6 on Madfish Wharf, you really need to check out the beautiful things in her gallery.  It is not too early to do some holiday shopping while the opportunity is still here on Rocky Neck.  Her Gallery is open daily through Columbus Day weekend. 

Also don’t miss Last Day of Summer Tasting Event

In a bold move, chefs Jordan Rubin and John Sheehan take over the helm at the Madfish Grille in Gloucester, MA. The young and talented Rubin and Sheehan met while working at Clio and Uni in Boston under renown chef, Ken Oringer.
The ambitious and capable duo is transitioning into the fresh concept they envision at the Rocky Neck Art Colony location by revitalizing a menu that will take full advantage of Gloucester’s bountiful seafood and local produce.
The popular Sushi bar will continue to be the focus of chef Jordan Rubin, who brought chef Sang Hyun Lee on board this summer as the fans and demand for his sushi increased since its inception at the Madfish last year. In the kitchen, Sheehan takes an adventurous and modern approach to traditional New England fare. Expect to be deliciously surprised through the fall.
Reserve your space at the Last Day of Summer Tasting Event on Friday September 21 right now and savor why we saved the best for last.

Last Day of Summer Tasting Event
Madfish Grille
77 Rocky Neck Avenue
Gloucester, MA 01930

Friday September 21
6:30 pm
$ 30 per person and cash bar
Make your reservation by calling 413 636-9688
Or via Facebook at Madfish Sushi Bar

Dorothy Ganick, Gloucester’s Poet Laureate, Rufus Collinson and David Demaine stopped in at Khan Studio and the Good Morning Gloucester Gallery to get a copy of Tales of Bong Tree Island and represent. 

Rufus mentioned that on Wednesday, October 17th at 7:30, the Gloucester Writer’s Center, 126 East Main Street will be hosting an event “Poets About Town” featuring readings by poets of different ages from Gloucester.  Rufus will be reading and introducing readers.  The event is open to the public.

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

To the 2nd Big Bong Tree Island  party:

When:   Saturday, September 15th from 5:00pm until whenever all the food and drink is gone and I can’t stay awake any longer.

Where:  Khan Studio and the Good Morning Gloucester Gallery, 77 Rocky Neck Ave., G3 Madfish Wharf

Hedgepiggywigs Joey, Paul and Ed say: “Be there or be a pile of wiggypicklepoo!”  Those of you who came to the party last Sunday, please feel free to come back and help finish off another batch of rum punch, wine and goodies.  Those who didn’t make it on Sunday, this is your chance for probably the last party of the season on Rocky Neck.  Everyone is welcome. 

Then Sunday Morning you’re all invited back for Mug Up at 9:00, and again at 5:00 for the Opening Reception of Sinikka Nogelo’s exhibit “Water Abstracts”.  Maybe you should just plan to bring your jammies and stay over.

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

I’m not big on going out for breakfast like Joey is, but one morning last week after two back to back paddleboarding sessions, I was famished and hightailed it to Sailor Stan’s for breakfast.  Also unlike Joey, I don’t go for the appealing before shots, but instead dive right in and then go for the decimated after shot.  This was a really beautiful and delicious Greek Omelette created by Karen and Wayne.

E.J. Lefavour

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

Had an amazing opportunity to go sailing Monday on Tom Cox’ trimaran TRIAD, which Tom has owned and raced for 20 years.  It was pretty windy, chilly and overcast with little bits of sun breaking through on occasion to scatter shards of light across the water.  The company, boat and experience was wonderful.  I didn’t take my camera for fear of water damage, and with all the spray I got covered with, I’m glad I didnt.  We sailed from Wonson’s Cove on Rocky Neck to Boston and back in 2 hours and were going 22.3 knots at the fastest.  Tom said it was the fastest TRIADhad gone this season.  It was quite an exhilarating trip.  Also aboard were Mary Rhinelander and Mike Lipton who I really enjoyed meeting and getting to know. Thanks Tom. 

Quite a bit different from my peaceful little Cape Ann SUP paddleboarding excursions around the harbor.

Here are some facts about TRIAD:

Model:Newick Creative

Designer:Dick Newick, the internationally renowned multihull pioneer and designer, has designed many champion trimarans including Phil Weld’s GULF STREAMER, ROGUE WAVE and MOXIE.

Length:42′

Beam:28′ 6″

Rig:Sloop rigged 53′ carbon wing mast, with 8′ bowsprit, 940 square feet of working sail.

History: Designed as a racer/cruiser, TRIAD was purpose-built for the Route de Rhum single-handed trans-Atlantic race in 1982. Featuring cold molded mahogany/ West^TMconstruction by Marc Le Jeloux of Trinite sur Mer, St. Philibert, France, she is strong and seaworthy.

Racing Record:

1983 – 1989:Campaigned extensively in the Caribbean multihull circuit. Consistent winner in the Heineken Regatta and Trade Winds races.

1992-1993:Purchased and outfitted by Tom Cox.

1994:Black Dog Dash: Elapsed time trophy

1995:New England Multihull Association Season Champion

1999: Marblehead-Halifax: First place

• New England Solo/Twin Championship:1st place
• Nantucket Lightship Regatta:1st place
• Gloucester Harbor Cup:1st place
• Gordo Cup:1st place

1996: Dismasted enroute from Bermuda to Newport, RI. Subsequently salvaged and returned to Gloucester, Mass. for refit following a spectacular rescue of her crew by the cruise liner, Royal Majesty.

1997: Hauled out for one year for repairs and an extensive refit. She was relaunched on September 16, 1997 with her new carbon fiber wing mast and new spectra sails.

E.J. Lefavour

Thank you to everyone who backed Tales of Bong Tree Island, and all who came to the party to help celebrate its launch, and Charlie Carroll for capturing it.  For those who missed the party or got the wrong info that the party was going to be on September 15th (my mistake), or just want to come back for another party, there will be a repeat party on September 15th so we can finish off all the wine, crackers and cheese, cookies, etc. that didn’t get opened Sunday (unfortunately the artichoke and lobster dip is all gone and won’t be repeated).  Always good to have a reason for another party before summer ends.  Saturday, 5:00-8:00pm, everyone is welcome.

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

Hello Everyone,

The next meeting of the Cape Ann Painters and Photography Group will meet on Monday, September 10, 2012 from 9:30-11:00.

The group will be meeting  at the new Rocky Neck Cultural Center at 6 Wonson Street, Rocky Neck. You can park in the lot on the right as you turn onto Rocky Neck and walk up to the Center. When you see Sailor Stan ‘s ahead, keep left and the Cultural Center is on the left (old Christian Science Church).  If you would like, you can pick up coffee at the  Last Stop (on the right just before you turn onto Rocky Neck.) The Last Stop’s owner said we are welcome to come and have a social hour before the meeting if we would like.

Since the Cultural Center is charging us $25.00 for the 1 1/2 hours, we will need to ask everyone to pay three dollars at each meeting to cover the cost.

We will continue with our custom of having everyone “check in” and share what they are working on.

Thank you Henry for letting us use the lovely parlor space at the Annie.  We really appreciated your hospitality  and wish you the best in your new ventures. Hope to see you at the meeting!

It will be great to see everyone again and welcome to new members!

Alice Gardner

Due to the major blow out Tales of Bong Tree Island backer reward (and all other friends and good people of Gloucester, Cape Ann and beyond) party Sunday from 4:00-9:00pm, there will be no Mug Up this week.  Mug Up will resume next Sunday, 9/16.  So for those of you who could never come to Mug Up because it interferes with your church, sleeping in or other Sunday morning activities, come to the party.

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

Cape Ann SUP comes through when your car is on the fritz and you need to get some lobsters from Capt. Joe & Sons for a big party.  Wendie Demuth and I paddled over to pick up the lobsters for the lobster dip that people will enjoy Sunday at the book party at Khan Studio and the Good Morning Gloucester Gallery, 77 Rocky Neck Ave., G3.  Everyone’s invited.

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com