Author: God's Morning

In spite of the news media’s warnings of Irene’s impending doom and destruction, a bunch of hearty, hardy souls ventured out this morning for Hurricane Mug Up at Khan Studio and the Good Morning Gloucester Gallery at Madfish Wharf on Rocky Neck.  It was a surprisingly large turnout considering that it was a rather nasty morning.  As always, Ed Collard was the first to arrive and help get things set up.  The Chamberlains, Coxs, Jacksons, Osborns and Ardizzonis were in the house.  Paul Morrison journeyed all the way over from Rockport with a batch of incredible lemon zucchini bread.  Peter and Joanne Souza ventured over from Schooner Adventure with some equally delicious zucchini bread.  Isabelle and Breanna Jackson brought a lovely tray of deviled eggs that they made with the help of their mom, Talitha.  Those girls will be contenders at next year’s Deviled Egg Competition.  Guest artist, Sinikka Nogela brought some fresh fruit, and Paul Frontiero brought some Vienna Fingers (yes, Joey there are still some left and I will keep them no longer than seven days for you).  Wendie Demuth stopped in with visiting friend, Chris White, a salmon and halibut fisherman from the West Coast.  Joey’s sister Felicia and niece Amanda showed up with homemade donuts and a huge batch of bista zugu (spaghetti and sauce with meatballs, potatoes and hardboiled eggs), so that all present could be well fed while continuing to track Hurricane Irene strike predictions and scud to safety before things got hairy.   Again, note to all proper Italian cooks out there, Felicia did not cook her delicious bista zugu in that crock pot; that was only used to keep it warm.  I’d never had bista zugu before in my life, and now I’ve had it twice in the past two weeks (Felicia’s and Paul Frontiero’s) – I must be doing something right!

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

Although last week’s Mug Up and Deviled Egg Competition was on a lovely sunny day, we have held Mug Ups in torrential rain and nasty stuff before, so a little hurricane threat isn’t going to stop us hearty New Englanders.  Mug Up will go on Sunday at 10:00 am at Khan Studio and the Good Morning Gloucester Gallery, 77 Rocky Neck at Madfish Wharf on Rocky Neck.  There will be coffee, food and fun.  Batten down your hatches and come on by.

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

that on September 8th there will be a group of greats in one great place, The Annie, in Gloucester?  Don’t miss the 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration of The Noise, famous for 30 years in Boston, now HQ’d in Gloucester.  I just love T Max and Sal Baglio – Allen Estes, Chelsea Berry and Julie Dougherty too.  We just have such amazing talent here, with more evolving and being attracted every day.  This place is like a greatness magnet.  Sponsored by gimmesound.com

That a hurricane can have the same name more than once?  I was telling Joey about my experience going through Hurricane Irene while living in the FL Keys, when a coconut tree blew onto my house.  He said he didn’t think a hurricane could have the same name twice.  She does have the same name, but I know I don’t have to worry about coconut trees during this Hurricane Irene. 

Hurricane Irene was a hurricane that produced somewhat heavy damage across southern Florida during the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season. The ninth tropical storm and the sixth hurricane of the season, Irene developed in the western Caribbean Sea on October 13 from a tropical wave. It moved northward, hitting western Cuba before attaining hurricane status. Irene struck Florida as a Category 1 hurricane, moved across the state, and moved northward over the Gulf Stream.

The hurricane first produced heavy rainfall across western Cuba, causing four deaths and damage. Irene was a wet Florida hurricane in October, similar to many hurricanes of the 1930s and 1940s. It later dropped 10 to 20 inches (255 to 510 mm) of rainfall in the Miami metropolitan area, causing urban flooding unseen since Hurricane Dennis in 1981. Despite being only a Category 1 hurricane, Irene caused eight indirect deaths and $800 million (1999 USD) in damage across Florida. (from Wikipedia.com)

For every year, there is a pre-approved list of tropical storm and hurricane names. These lists have been generated by the National Hurricane Center since 1953. At first, the lists consisted of only female names; however, since 1979, the lists alternate between male and female.

Hurricanes are named alphabetically from the list in chronological order. Thus the first tropical storm or hurricane of the year has a name that begins with “A” and the second is given the name that begins with “B.” The lists contain hurricane names that begin from A to W, but exclude names that begin with a “Q” or “U.”

Usually, the six lists of names for tropical storms and hurricanes repeat every six years. However, if there is an unusually large or damaging hurricane, the name is retired by the World Meteorological Organization’s hurricane committee because using it again could be considered insensitive.  I experience 3 of the now retired hurricane names while in FL (Georges, Mitch, and Floyd), so am not too worried about Irene.  Of course, I’m not in a concrete house with hurricane shutters now.

Let’s all believe this Irene will be a kinder, gentler lady.

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

That is it possible to kayak while talking on the phone?  Our Rocky Neck Madfish Wharf girl, Wendie Demuth of Wendie Demuth Photography, as anyone who knows her knows, loves to talk.  If the Blackburn Challenge introduces a new category next year for rowers who complete the whole course while talking on the phone, I think Wendie would be a serious contender. 

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

Here are some not particularly great shots of Ardelle as she pulled up to Gloucester Maritime, I think to pick someone up, then went back out and raised her sails and then headed back out of the harbor.  I caught a few shots of her under sail as she passed behind the paint factory (the gates were open, so I got to scoot to the back and catch her as she passed).  The light wasn’t great, but she sure does look alot prettier than when I watched her whiskey/rum plank being installed.  I missed her launch, so it was really great to see her under sail for her maiden voyage.

E.J. Lefavour

This big nosed naked thing showed up in the flower box at Khan Studio and the Good Morning Gloucester Gallery yesterday.  Does anyone know what it is, where it came from or who it belongs to?  It looks like it could be part of Paul Morrison’s ever expanding managerie of rubber creatures.  It can stay for now, but I’d love to see it find its way back home.

E.J. Lefavour

The First Annual Good Morning Gloucester Deviled Egg Competition was a huge success.  Five contestants turned out with some really great deviled egg recipes and presentations.  Joanne Souza of Schooner Adventure and the winner of the Most Original said: “Deviled eggs are a mainstay.  Peter (Souza) loves curry so that is a main ingredient.”  Paul Frontiero, winner of the Most Like Mom’s category had never eaten a deviled egg, but obviously did his research.  Some of his ingredients included garlic, red wine vinegar, miracle whip, mayo and hamburg sauce.  Rocky Neck artist, Judythe Evans Meagher, winner of the Best Taste category says: “This is my mom’s old-fashioned recipe, but the decoration is mine.  In truth, I don’t think there is any such thing as a bad tasting deviled egg.”  Photographer and Graphic Designer, Kathy Chapman, winner of the Best Presentation Category says: “These are all vegetables from my garden – lettuce, tomatoes, nasturtiums, chives and cukes that I made pickles from.”  Kathy moved to Gloucester from Boston last fall and has not looked back.  Blue ribbon winners of the Best Overall Deviled Eggs, Gigi Mederos and Stevie Black made their award winning deviled eggs using farm fresh eggs supplied by Brian Linquata of Dogtown Pet Care, finely chopped red bell pepper, homemade thousand island dressing, chipotle powder, celery seed, fresh chopped basil, salt and pepper.  Gigi has a trick to ensure that the eggshells are easily removed from the eggs after cooking.  She removes them immediately from the cooking pot and covers them with ice, and then again after the first ice has melted.  The shell then can be removed easily without sticking to the egg.  Although she did not enter her deviled eggs, probably to save her husband from any accusation of impropriety, Sue Lovett did make a batch of her amazing garden fresh zuccini muffins.

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

Steve and Diann Scaffidi are devoted FOB’s who transplanted to Gloucester from Middleton seven years ago.  See them here in front of Sinikka Nogelo’s newly hung exhibit and showing y’all the First and Second Place GMG Deviled Egg Competition ribbons.  So don’t forget to come by Khan Studio and the Good Morning Gloucester Gallery, 77 Rocky Neck Ave. at Madfish Wharf on Saturday from 5:00-7:30 for Sinikka’s Opening Reception, and Sunday morning at 10:00 for Mug Up and the First Annual GMG Deviled Egg Competition.  Also, if you can’t make it to Sinikka’s Opening Saturday evening because you are at one of the myriad “sheer embarrassment of cultural events going on around Gloucester that bedroom communities can only envy” (a line from Joey C.’s Gloucester poem that I just love), she will be here Sunday morning for Mug Up, so you have another chance to see her work and her.  And if you are coveting one of these extra special never before seen or ever to be duplicated ribbons, get crackin’ on those eggs.

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

Sinikka Nogelo, a Gloucester artist, was a familiar face on Cape Ann Television until her retirement last summer. This year she’s returned to sharing work in her first medium  – paint. Sinikka uses natural elements and personal symbols in the abstract expression of surroundings, thoughts and feelings. The works she will exhibit at Khan Studio and the Good Morning Gloucester Gallery encompass a “year of re-discovery.”
A graduate of Tufts University, Sinikka studied art at the Silvermine Guild in CT; the Museum School, Boston; Rockport Art Association; and Montserrat School of Art in Beverly, MA. She was a founding member of the women artists’ cooperative, Center and Main, located at that Gloucester corner until the mid-1980s. During her years on television she produced many arts specials and interviewed people working in all aspects of the arts.
Sinikka’s exhibit will run from August 19-September 1 with an opening reception on Saturday, August 20th from 5:00-7:30pm at Khan Studio and the Good Morning Gloucester Gallery, 77 Rocky Neck Ave., G3 on Madfish Wharf in the historic Rocky Neck Art Colony.

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

I just love reflections – they create such cool abstract lines and shapes.

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

That the old Tarr and Wonson Paint Factory was purchased by Ocean Alliance, an ocean environmental group, to use as their headquarters?  Ocean Alliance, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization, was founded in 1971 by biologist Roger Payne. Led by Dr. Payne and CEO, Iain Kerr, Ocean Alliance collects a broad spectrum of data on whales and ocean life relating particularly to toxicology, behavior, bioacoustics, and genetics. From that data they work with their scientific partners to advise educators and policy makers on wise stewardship of the oceans to: reduce pollution, prevent the collapse of marine mammal populations, maintain human access to fish and other sea life, and promote ocean and human health.  To learn more about Ocean Alliance and their restoration of the Paint Factory, visit their website at http://www.oceanalliance.org/ and don’t miss watching the fascinating and beautifully done video on the history of the Tarr and Wonson Paint Factory at http://www.oceanalliance.org/?page_id=354.  I think it is so great that this historic and iconic structure is being restored and preserved for future generations to enjoy; and especially for such an area appropriate re-use purpose.

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

That people love deviled eggs?  Having made deviled eggs a bunch of weeks now for Mug Up, I have come to realize that people really love deviled eggs, and it seems everyone has their own special recipe.  So during August 21^st Mug Up, we will be sponsoring the First Annual Good Morning Gloucester Deviled Egg Competition.  We will assemble a panel of distinguished judges, including Ed “I’ve never met a food I didn’t like” Collard and Paul “R. Duck and I love deviled eggs” Morrison.  The judges’ decision will be final and the entrant with the winning deviled eggs recipe will receive a 2012 Gloucester’s Finest Kind calendar or a Good Morning Gloucester T-shirt (if there is one available in your size) and a ribbon.  If you are a deviled egg aficionado and would like to be considered for a position on the judge’s panel, please post a brief description of your deviled egg experience and credentials.  Those who would like to have their special deviled eggs included in the competition and featured on the blog, just bring ‘em on next Sunday.  This is way bigger than Topsfield Fair competition and doesn’t cost anything to enter.  People who don’t like deviled eggs feel free to bring along something non-egg related to share.  Not to sway the judges, but I hear Mark Ring from the fishing vessel Stanley Thomas is a possible shoein for the winning deviled egg recipe.

This week’s Mug Up was great fun and the food was incredible.  Schooner Adventure’s Peter and Joanne Souza came and brought Peter’s special Portuguese chili (hearty, spicy and yummy), Charity and Laine Ciaramitaro came bearing warm bagels and cream cheese and some new artwork to share, ever lovely Brenda Malloy from Imagine Gallery came by with a bowl of healthy, plump, sweet blueberries.  Art Rocks Paul Frontiero and ever helpful Ed Collard were in the house, as was Ed’s daughter, Amy, and neighbor artists Wendie Demuth and Jeff Cluitt came by, as did guest artist Caroline Stella with a nice fruit salad, and Pete and Joyce Chamberlain were also here.  FOB’s Ozie and Mary Beth Osborn stopped in, as did Adam Bolonsky bearing watermelon.  Then Paul Morrison, R. Duck and Sue (Leavitt) came with a batch of the best homemade carrot cake muffins, made from carrots out of their garden, that I’ve ever tasted.  Artist neighbor Stevie Black popped in with a box of awesome scones; Gigi was sleeping in and didn’t make it.  Richard and Brennan Fitzpatrick came in with Eva Marin, exchange student from Barcelona, Spain to get a GMG sticker for Eva to take back to Barcelona to represent.  Thanks to everyone for coming, bringing your delicious contributions and making Mug Up such a wonderful weekly GMG family gathering on beautiful Madfish Wharf in the historic Rocky Neck Art Colony.   Rocky Neck and GMG Rocks!

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

That it’s not frozen processed fishcakes or lobster rolls with jalapenos (although there are definitely some hots in there), but strictly the real Gloucester’s Finest Kind?  The 2012 Gloucester’s Finest Kind calendar presents 12 of Gloucester’s working and one retired gillnetter, dragger and lobster boats and their crews as they really are – hardworking, hardy, fun loving, good looking men (and one lovely young woman) who make their livelihood from the sea, provide us with fresh fish and lobsters (whether previously liberated by Buddhist monks or not), and are part of that beautiful industry that made Gloucester great.  January features the crew of the Degelyse, and Captain Tuffy with two large unliberated lobsters.  Zach Jewell on the Lady J so naturally struck the perfect pose and was just too cute not to be on the cover.

The historic and beautiful small commercial fishing industry is in decline, drowning in the myriad state and federal regulations governing the industry.  A portion of the proceeds of this calendar will go to the Northeast Seafood Coalition, a 501(c)(6) organization dedicated to working with government regulators and environmental concerns to preserve the long-term health of fishery resources, fishing communities and the fishing industry.  The calendar will be available at Khan Studio and the Good Morning Gloucester Gallery at 77 Rocky Neck, or if you are out of area, you can order your’s at http://www.khanstudiointernational.com/gloucester%20fisherman%20calendar.htm.  Celebrate Gloucester’s beautiful industry every day of 2012, and be a part of the solution. 

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

Some pre-ball photos I was able to grab before my battery died.  We all know Ed Collard has great hair, but check him out here.  A blast was had by all, and the costumes were amazing.  Rocky Neck rules the wild, crazy and fun realm.  David Cox was taking most of the photos, so here’s a nice photo of David taking photos.  Also a nice pre-ball photo of the Madfish Wharf girls taken by guest artist, Caroline Stella.   I think the wig suits Ed better than me.

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

This past Sunday’s mug up was amazingly well attended in spite of the deluge of rain we had?  Our beloved leader Joey C. was there, as was Ed Collard and his daughter Amy and her fiancé Adam, Paul and Kathy Frontiero, Paul and Sue Morrison (with Monkey Bread!), neighbor Wendie Demuth of Wendie Demuth Photography, Jane Paznik-Bondarin and Andrew Karlin – FOB’s from Manhattan, FOB Becky Wuenchell brought fruit salad, Donna and Ed Ardizonni, neighbor Stevie Black, Kim Smith looking very coy, Alecia’s guy Mike (sorry to ID you that way Mike, but I don’t know your last name) showed up in the rain on his Ducati motorcycle with canoli’s and éclairs (yummm), Adam Bolonsky and his gal Yvonne brought absolutely delish carrot cake, Pete and Joyce Chamberlain brought bagels with cream cheese and lox, and a bunch of other stuff that I neglected to connect with the bringers.  I’m sorry if I missed anyone.  Of course, my deviled eggs are always a big hit (and this time instead of exploding them on the stove, the refrigerator froze them; but they still turned out fine).  In other words, we had a bunch of awesome people, conversation, new and old friends and an abundance of really great food on beautiful Rocky Neck – what more could you ask for.  Next Mug Up is Sunday, August 14, 10:00 am, 77 Rocky Neck, G3.  Everyone is invited.

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

That there’s still plenty of summer left and opportunities to come stay on quaint, historic Rocky Neck? 

Located in the historic Rocky Neck Art Colony, overlooking Smith’s Cove, Rocky Neck Accommodations offers clean, comfortable, waterfront one bedroom efficiency rooms & suites all equipped with kitchen facilities and private bathrooms.  Most rooms have decks overlooking the water.  If you want to stay in an area with over 20 art galleries, shops and restaurants within walking distance, and readily accessible whale watches, fishing, island tours, and beaches in Gloucester and throughout Cape Ann and a lovely, quaint village atmosphere, definitely check out Rocky Neck Accommodations.  Mona Faherty will make sure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Visit http://www.rockyneckaccommodations.com/  for rates and more information.

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com