Author: Sharon

My passions include photography, music, people, teaching, learning, taking risks and asking "I wonder what would happen if I..."

Beeman Students Plant Dune Grass

Posted on by Sharon
From the Beacon
Wicked Local Staff Photo by Ian Hurley Beeman School fourth graders Joshua Gibbs and Juleika Rodriguez, l to r, plant dune grass at Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester alongside their classmates, representatives from the Gloucester Conservation Division as well as Gortons on Wednesday, April 6. Over 100 students worked to plant over 7000 strands of grass to repair the damaged and depleted dunes.

With much debate happening around the city about just what to do with Gloucester’s waterfront, it might be refreshing for some to know that local youth are learning about the importance of caring for our coastline well before they reach the age that they have to make such decisions.

Students and teachers from Beeman Elementary School’s fourth- and fifth-grade classes recently combined with the Gloucester Conservation Commission and Gorton’s Seafood to plant dune grass in the dunes of Good Harbor Beach. The GCC reported that 7,500 culms of American Beach Grass were planted by volunteers from the school and Gorton’s last week, with Gorton’s footing the bill for the dune grass and sending 40 or so volunteers to help the students out.

The project is part of an effort by the school to teach students about the importance of a healthy coastline in a community that is surrounded by the ocean. It is a natural follow up to a similar school project held in 2010, which was funded by a grant from MIT and worked in conjunction with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

“It’s something we call ‘Living Blue,’” explains Beeman principal Ellen Sibley. “It focuses on the added responsibility of a coastal community to live green because we are the gatekeepers of the ocean.”

Read more: Students put in grass roots effort to replant dunes – Gloucester, MA – Wicked Local 

Kite Surfers on the Beach

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Saturday at Good Harbor. The kites were huge and the wind it was ablowin’! Notice that one guy had no head covering! The water temp is still in the 40’s. Ouch!

Nikon D70 Digital SLR Camera with Nikon AF-S DX 18-70mm lens

Posted on by Sharon

Many photos that I have posted here on GMG have been shot with this camera. It was my constant companion for several years and gave me the ability to satisfy my need for instant gratification. In the process, I have become a better photographer because of it. I now have the D90, but the D70 is still being used regularly.

If you’ve been thinking about getting a DSLR, this would be a great way to get one for less money than a point and shoot. I can show you the basics, and when the GMG Photo Treks begin, you can join in the fun!

Here’s the camera (Photo taken with my phone).

I can sell the body alone ($300) or with the kit lens and other accessories for $100 more.

Here’s more info on the camera

Sent me an email below if you’re interested! I’m here in Gloucester, so if you’re local, we can meet up so you can see it in person.:)     ~Sharon

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Thank you for your response. ✨

More info on the Gate Lodge on Niles Beach

Posted on by Sharon

Kim Smith sent this postcard with this note: “Can you please forward this image to Sharon for her Wood and Stone posting–no additional information on the back of the postcard. I thought she, and Deb also, might like to see an earlier incarnation of the Gate Lodge on Eastern Point.”

And a couple of  responses to my Wood and Stone post last week-

deb clarke says:

It’s the old gate house to the Niles Farm. one of Joe Garland’s books has the history to it.

I used to help Ida Tarbox (she used to live there) with her gardening years and years ago. we would bake soil in her oven for transplanting the house plants and have sherry in her sun room on sunday afternoons.

Shelagh says:

Read Joe Garland’s book about Eastern Point. The Gatehouse was built in 1888 by Eastern Point Associates, who bought Niles farm land and planned to build a big estate on Eastern Point. See the EPA logo and date 1888 on the stone arch above the (now) garage.

Thank you for the interesting information!       ~Sharon


Clam Tucker

Posted on by Sharon
Clam Tucker ~ On the ‘Squam, circa 1900 Alice M. Curtis/©Bodin Historic Photo
Clam Tucker is one of my favorite photos, and I always try to keep a print hanging in the gallery. My best guess on the location is the Mill River in Gloucester. Clam (Osmond “Clam” Tucker) kept his boat and had his clam shack on Clam Alley, which was paved with his shucked clams, and is across Washington Street from Gee Avenue.
I have talked to people in the gallery who knew Clam Tucker when they were children. Their parents sent them with buckets to buy his clams, and they timidly entered his shack where he told them stories. One person even claimed to have his clay pipe.
One piece of the puzzle that I haven’t solved yet is the type of boat this is. It can be rowed and also sailed. Any ideas?
Printed from the original 5×7 inch glass negative in my darkroom.
Fred Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Spring at Niles

Posted on by Sharon

I took my first bike ride of the season yesterday to Niles Pond. Heading out toward the retreat house was so peaceful. A turtle struggled up a rock to sun himself. One of the swans took off over the pond. The wind was right, and the flap of his huge wings could be heard clear across the water. On my way back, a great egret spread its huge white wings and landed on a rock on the edge of the pond. The mallards quacked seeking their mates. The pond is a world in itself. I am a grateful observer.     —Sharon

Thoreau speech at Library

Posted on by Sharon
From the Beacon

On the 20th of December in 1848 several hundred citizens of Gloucester packed into the Town Hall to hear what was billed as an “original and highly entertaining lecture.” The lecturer was Henry David Thoreau, the gentleman from Concord. These men and women of Gloucester, who paid the not insignificant sum of one-dollar admission for a yearlong series of lectures, were perhaps somewhat starved for cultural offerings and evening entertainment. After all, they were without television, radio, movies, sports bars and none of their children were in the Little League!

On Thursday, March 31 at 7 p.m., that evening in Gloucester history and the Thoreau lecture will be recreated by Jay DiPrima, who brings history to life through his dramatization of people and events. The program is being sponsored by the Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library, the current day version of the original sponsor. The Lyceum, which is the program arm of the Library, carries on the mission of cultural enrichment, education and entertainment.

For more information, click here.