My View of Life on the Dock
Did You Know that hummingbirds are smart? Percentage wise, the hummingbird has the largest brain of all birds (4.2% of its total body weight). They also live long for a creature with such a high metabolism – up to 10 years and longer. We all know that hummingbirds are turbo charged little creatures (flying 25-30 mph and diving up to 60 mph); but this new regular visitor to Madfish Wharf looks like he has a little rocket attached to his tail feathers to give him extra speed. Their wings beat on average 50 times per second, so are always just a blur unless they are resting. This little fellow likes to hang out on the Christmas lights strung across Madfish Wharf.
Then we have pigeons watching shadow pigeons kissing on the deck of an old boat at Marine Railways. It doesn’t take much to amuse me.
E.J. Lefavour
www.khanstudiointernational.com
Today’s Mug Up was an extra special event, being a combination Sunday Morning Mug Up and continuation of the celebration of supermen, Paul Morrison and Ed Collard’s triumphant completion of the grueling Blackburn Challenge after having had a good night’s rest. Don’t they both look so hale and hearty and tanned. Sista Felicia brought a special addition to the Mug Up fare of amazing Superman cookies (which she got up at 5:00 am to bake, with the help of BJ and Amanda). Paul Morrison brought the ever-awesome Lattoff Farms Monkey Bread (this batch was particularly heavily coated in warm, gooey cinnamon sauce – as you can see from the fingerlickin photo of our leader, Joey C.). We even had a visit from our lovely Mayor, Carolyn Kirk, pictured with guest artist, Ruth Curtis (who brought a healthy fruit salad) and adopted shelter family member . . . (sorry, I forgot her name). And our dear Paulie Walnuts was in the house, and brought an amazing cranberry walnut coffee cake. Good food, conversation and fun was had by all. Next Mug Up will be Sunday, July 31 at 10:00 am.
E.J. Lefavour
www.khanstudiointernational.com
That some people will do anything for a libation? Dave Arnott and Rich Tomczykowski came over from Manchester on Dave’s boat and decided they wanted to go to Madfish for a drink. The two have been friends since 3rd grade, and Dave even pulled out his tooth so he would match Rich. Unfortunately Rich didn’t bring any shoes. Dave came to the Gallery to ask if there was anywhere they could get a pair of cheap flipflops. There is no place on Rocky Neck that I know of, so I pulled out my Dollar Store pink flower flipflops and told Rich from Bedford that he could borrow them, as long as he let me photograph him sporting them to put up on Good Morning Gloucester. Don’t they look great on him? I think they probably will no longer fit me after he’s finished with them, so he can keep them for his next boating adventure.
E.J. Lefavour
www.khanstudiointernational.com
That there are spurious claims being made about Rocky Neck, especially concerning the Madfish Wharf galleries? Two men were walking onto Madfish Wharf this morning and one turned to the other and said: “There are no galleries open down here anymore.” Of course I immediately corrected him; but I have heard this false rumor on a number of occasions, so it is time to set the record straight. All the gallery spaces on Madfish Wharf are not only filled, but also operated by a bunch of creative, talented, fun-loving artists and people who want to promote Rocky Neck and the arts in a general on this beautiful little slice of Heaven called Cape Ann. So any of you who might have heard this rumor, be advised that it is false and come down to Rocky Neck to check it our for yourself. In addition to the 20 fine galleries and shops you will find on Rocky Neck (9 of them on or by Madfish Wharf alone), there is also great dining at The Studio, The Rudder and Madfish Grill (lunch and dinner), as well as great entertainment Thursday through Sunday nights (and karaoke on Wednesday at Madfish), as well as Sailor Stan’s for a great breakfast or lunch and Amy’s Coffee and Cones for coffee, Richardson’s ice cream or Richie’s Slush. And if you want to stay on Rocky Neck, there is the Rocky Neck Accommodations, where every room has a deck overlooking beautiful Smith’s Cove. All this in one of the prettiest places on Cape Ann with some of the most vibrant, unique and independent spirits you’ll ever meet. And did I mention great art and unique gifts!
E.J. Lefavour
www.khanstudiointernational.com
Ruth Curtis will be the featured guest artist at Khan Studio and the Good Morning Gloucester Gallery, 77 Rocky Neck from July 22, through August 4, 2011, with an Opening Reception on Saturday, July 23rd from 3:00-6:00pm.
Ruth’s passion is to share her love of the outdoors and nautical landscapes with others, and truly capture the beauty that surrounds us everyday. Lighthouses, small town scenery, sailing the ocean, and vivid moments are all captured in her work. Ruth brings to life the moments and images you want to treasure for life and pass on through the generations. Her work has been showcased throughout New England and has won over 150 photography awards. Stop by the Gallery and check out Ruth’s beautiful photography, and welcome her to Rocky Neck. Ruth Curtis Photography www.ruthcurtisphotography.com.
Doesn’t it make you feel cooler looking at the photo of the horse strolling through the snow?
E.J. Lefavour
www.khanstudiointernational.com
That on April 19, 2008, actress Sandra Bullock was involved in a head-on collision with a drunk driver in front of East Gloucester Square Laundromat while in the area to shoot “The Proposal.”? No one was injured in the accident.
Doing laundry is not one of my favorite chores, but having a great, clean, affordable laundromat with well maintained equipment nearby and my good buddy artist friend, Wendie Demuth of Wendie Demuth Photography (pictured here after staying up too late the night before enjoying the Rocky Neck nightlife on Madfish Wharf) to do it with, makes it fun. If you live or are visiting in East Gloucester and don’t have a washer and drier, East Gloucester Square Laundromat at 197 East Main Street is a great place to do your laundry. They even have a parking lot in back, a cool handpainted sign of a woman doing laundry the way I used to do it when I lived in Jamaica (except I didn’t have a wringer – just my hands), and a nice bench out front to sit on and watch the traffic go by (and hopefully no accidents). It’s also right around the corner from the North Shore Art Association, so you can take in a little art while your clothes are spinning around, if you’re there after 10:00 am.
E.J. Lefavour
www.khanstudiointernational.com
If you missed the Sangria and Silpada party at Khan Studio and the GMG Gallery last month, you’ll want to make sure you catch this one (if you love really unique, affordable jewelry and a reason to party on Rocky Neck, that is) at Niki Ahearn’s newly opened Madfish Gallery at 77 Rocky Neck, Gallery G5. And if you love karaoke, there’s that too afterwards at Madfish Grill.
That some people will go to great lengths to get their dogs on Good Morning Gloucester? Laura and Perry Williams from Ohio have had a summer cottage in Gloucester for 30 years, and they drive here each summer with Lucy, Dylan, Jackson, Reggie, Ceamus and Angus, pictured here sporting GMG bandanas, which Laura created by scanning her GMG sticker and printing the logo onto pieces of fabric. The photo shoot was definitely going to the dogs for a while, until Laura pulled out some treats, at which point they all snapped to attention and posed so pretty. Pictured with them are Richard and Linda (unfortunately hidden behind Laura) Campbell visiting from San Antonio, TX. The bottom shot is of Linda’s dogs though – nice sandals!
E.J. Lefavour
www.khanstudiointernational.com
That we can get into some very lofty discussions over here at Madfish Wharf on Rocky Neck? This morning Wendie Demuth and I were talking about cooking bluefish, after Adam Bolonsky said he was going bluefishing and would bring us one if he was successful. I said I had only cooked bluefish once, baked with mayonnaise and capons. Wendie said there was no such thing as a capon, except to describe a superhero after he has gotten dressed, and I must have meant capers, which is what I had meant. But in fact, capons are roosters that have been castrated to improve the quality of their flesh for food.
Caponization is the process of turning a rooster into a capon, and can be done by surgically removing the rooster’s testes, or may also be accomplished through the use of estrogen implants. With either method, the sex hormones normally present in roosters are no longer effective. Caponization must be done before the rooster matures, so that it develops without the influence of sex hormones. Capons, due to the lack of sex hormones, are not as aggressive as normal roosters. This makes capons easier to handle, and allows capons to be kept together since their reduced aggressiveness prevents them from fighting.
The lack of sex hormones results in meat that is less gamy in taste. Capon meat is also more moist, tender, and flavorful than that of a hen or rooster, which is due not only to the hormonal differences during the capon’s development but is also because capons are not as active as roosters, which makes their meat more tender and fatty. Superman is protecting this rooster from caponization.
Capers on the other hand are the unripened flower buds of Capparis spinosa, a prickly, perennial plant native to the Mediterranean and some parts of Asia. Their use dates back beyond 3000 B.C. where they are mentioned as a food in the Sumerian cuneiform Gilgamesh, an ancient retelling of a great flood and ark legend. The small, green herb buds lend a piquant sour and salty flavor to salads, dressings, sauces, vegetables and a variety of main dishes. They add a nice flavor to bluefish, and probably to capons too, and can be enjoyed by superheroes everywhere, with our without their capon, and whether or not they are trying to solve capers.
E.J. Lefavour
www.khanstudiointernational.com
That Juni Van Dyke from the Rose Baker Senior Center (she’s been there 20 years) is working on an amazing quilting project called “Gloucester: A Community of Neighborhoods” banner project? Fifteen neighborhoods have been identified so far to be included in this collaboration overseen by the senior citizens at the Rose Banker Senior Center under the direction of Juni Van Dyke. The neighborhoods include West Gloucester, East Gloucester, Magnolia, Annisquam, Lanesville, Rocky Neck, the Waterfront, Briar Neck, Stage Fort Park, Riverdale, Bayview, Downtown (East Main Street, West Main Street, Rogers Street, and the Library neighborhood). The project started in the Fall of 2010. There is a core group of 18 seniors that meet on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and bring snacks to share with each other. They love the project and it has created a great sense of camaraderie, support and sharing between the participants. When completed, the banners will be hung at City Hall and auctioned as a fundraiser for the City Hall Restoration project and the Senior Center.
Pictured here are West Gloucester (created by Lois Stillman) and The Fort created by Pauline Dion and Gerri Lovasco – good friends who grew up on the fort. The photos really don’t do them justice; these quilts are incredibly detailed and beautifully made. Rocky Neck is the next neighborhood banner that has been started and so far includes the paint factory, but additional input and collaboration is desired from the artists of Rocky Neck. If you are interested in being involved in collaboration input on your neighborhood (particularly Rocky Neck, as that is the neighborhood currently being worked on), contact Juni at 978-526-7248, email junivandyke@yahoo.com.
E.J. Lefavour
www.khanstudiointernational.com
That there were actually leftovers from this Sunday’s Mug Up? Not because there wasn’t a good turnout, or the food wasn’t great (Paul’s smoked bluefish pate is really awesome, my deviled eggs aren’t half bad, and the blueberry coffeecake was delish), but because Ed Collard was among the missing. The comfy chair at the head of the table sat empty, and we really missed not having him and his healthy appetite there. He and his wife were stylin on a brunch cruise around Boston Harbor on the Odessa – a Father’s Day gift from his kids. Some old favorites and some new people came by. Pete Chamberlain arrived by water, now that he’s gotten his boat fixed. Artist, Dixie Clark and her grandson, Tyler joined us. She lives on a boat here in the summer and Tyler was visiting her and really enjoying hanging with cool grams at the marina. Lou was passing by on her bicycle, and we lured her in for some Rocky Neck hospitality. Ben MacAdam, who is exhibiting his paintings at the Madfish Gallery, G5 stopped in with his friend. The Lusters were in the house, and Marty had a brand new very cool looking camera he was trying out for the first time. And of course Paul Morrison was there, without R. Duck – I think she was home with the chicks. Next Mug Up will be Sunday, July 17, 10:00 am. Hopefully Ed will be back, and maybe Joey and Paulie Walnuts can free themselves up and come over for a little Cup-A-Jo and visit too. I’m told that I make very good coffee.
E.J. Lefavour
www.khanstudiointernational.com
Don’t miss Ben MacAdam’s Opening Reception this evening from 5:30 to 9:00 pm at Madfish Gallery, 77 Rocky Neck #5. Check out what he does with skateboards!
E.J. Lefavour
www.khanstudiointernational.com
Dawn and Chloe Baker represent at Khan Studio and the Good Morning Gloucester Gallery. Dawn is the longstanding significant other of my youngest brother, Blake, and a devoted reader of the blog. She, Blake and Chloe live in West Gloucester and she is the function manager at Ipswich Country Club. In addition to Chloe, she also has a beautiful retired racehorse named Fleet, who resides at a stable in Rockport and loves to swim in a nearby pond with my brother, Blake. Because my little brother spends all his time commuting and working in Amesbury, and swimming with Fleet, he has not yet made the long journey from West to East Gloucester to visit his big sister at Rocky Neck. What’s up little bro? Niki and Cameron would love to see you, as would I.
E.J. Lefavour
www.khanstudiointernational.com
Julie & Scott Pantages are brand new subscribers to the blog who live in Magnolia. Scott drives for CATA and Julie has a dog grooming shop in Magnolia called Best in Show. A fun-loving couple, as you can see, who stopped into Khan Studio and the Good Morning Gloucester Gallery at 77 Rocky Neck to get a coveted GMG Version 5.0 sticker.
Captain Steve Douglass is bringing all those great people over to us here on Rocky Neck on the water shuttle. Saturday he had a boat full of bachelorettes he was shuttling around (poor guy – see how frazzled he looks). That afternoon he came across some poor man that had drowned and was floating near the Maritime Heritage Center.
Capt. Steve, remember that you said you would drop by some water shuttle schedules, and promised me a free ride, which I’ll take you up on so I can grab some photos and do a firsthand experience post on GMG about it.
E.J. Lefavour
www.khanstudiointernational.com
Laureen Maher had a great, well-attended Opening Reception for her “Brushwork” Guest Artist Exhibit at Khan Studio and the GMG Gallery on Sunday. Allen Estes and J.B. Amero, two of the subjects of her Rock Stars series of portraits were in the house, as well as many of the cool, artsy and art appreciating crowd from Rocky Neck and beyond. Sorry Adam, the painting of the snack bar at Good Harbor Beach that you loved so much is sold, but there are a number of other beautiful oil landscape, floral and rock star paintings still available. Her exhibit runs through July 21, so come on down to 77 Rocky Neck at Madfish Wharf and check out her work. The Gallery is open daily from noon to 8:00 (or earlier and later by chance).
E.J. Lefavour
www.khanstudiointernational.com
Jim, Charity and Laine (10 years old) Ciaramitaro (Jim didn’t know if he was related to Joey, but with a name like that, they certainly could be), stopped into the Gallery after a morning of boogey boarding at Good Harbor Beach, to get a sticker and meet and see Laureen Maher’s guest artist “Brushwork” exhibit of oil paintings. Jim grew up in Gloucester but moved to MN to be with Charity, who he met at Fiesta. In 2009, they returned to Gloucester to live. With them were Charity’s brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Sarah with 5-month-old Mae, visiting from Morongo Valley, CA.
E.J. Lefavour
www.khanstudiointernational.com
There were a bunch of people taking sailing lessons off Niles Beach the other morning, and it was amazing to see how quickly the instructors raced to the rescue to save moored boats from being smashed into by wayward, totally out of control sailboats. It was pretty chaotic and fun to watch. No one was injured and no boats were hit, at least while I was watching.
E.J. Lefavour
www.khanstudiointernational.com
Good Morning Gloucester 