Whew! What a ride!

This Christmas season was a roller coaster ride of huge proportions. The calendars flew off the shelves faster than I could produce them. So I’ll need a new plan for next year! The two schools where I teach had more work than I thought, so although I was super busy, I was able to participate in the kids’ plays and concerts. Adorable! I got to shop with and for my own kids and grandkids and loved spending time with them.

Unfortunately, my mother had to finally go to a nursing home. My sister Pat did an incredible job of taking care of her way above the call of duty. She and my brother-in-law were able to keep her home for quite a while. A big thank you goes out to  our long time family friend Jan Dunsky (who works at Adult Foster Care) for her help and support throughout this difficult decision. But on the upside, Mom was with the whole family at Pat and Bob’s house yesterday and enjoyed having her favorite dog Tia next to her in the big recliner.

Although it’s been pretty stressful for the whole family this season, yesterday was just perfect. I’m so thankful for my family and friends who make life an amazing roller coaster ride!    —Sharon

For our female readers! Yeehaw!

Just so you don’t think Joey’s switched teams (not that there’s anything wrong with that), I posted this! 😉   —–Sharon

Click on the photo for a little treat!

Ready, Set, SHOP!

OK. It’s December 22 and I need to start shopping. But there’s still time! And if I did it earlier, I would have spent money on things like clothes and stuff for me.

So….

Who has their shopping all done?


Live music around town this weekend

My good friend, Joanne, has put together this week’s music schedule. So check in out here. Thanks Joanne! I love you!

Calendar Crazy!

Never did I think that these calendars would be so popular. Whenever I’m not working, I’m printing, cutting or assembling them. Right after the holidays, I’ll look for a more efficient way to do them for next year.

I’ve been sending them all over the country. If you want any of the three calendars, please order them ASAP. You can also get them at PRESENT and the Harbor Loop Gift Shop. Thanks!

Here’s the link to view the calendars.

Where Zat? I need HELP!!!

Ok…I’m not smarter than a 5th grader. Good thing I teach preschool! I thought it was Conomo Point in Essex. WRONG! I gotta admit I need a GPS to get to Ipswich. So….

I need your help. Who came the closest first? I’ll leave it up to the readers.

Thanks,everyone!

Here’s a better view of where the photo was taken.

  1. along the essex river near crane mansion?

    By: tugster on December 14, 2009
    at 2:16 pm

  2. make that the ipswich river…

    By: tugster on December 14, 2009
    at 2:17 pm

  3. Fox creek Ipswich side

    By: spearze on December 14, 2009
    at 2:48 pm

  4. on little neck looking towards cranes beach

    By: Camden Murray on December 14, 2009
    at 6:14 pm

Dan KING & KBMG play Tommy Doyle’s in Harvard Square

Come to Harvard Square! A magical place of city lights during the Holiday Season! Dan King and KBMG (King, David Brown, Dave Mattacks and Wolf Ginandes) play their special blend of live folk, roots and rock n roll at Tommy Doyle’s (used to be the House of Blues) on Winthrop Street.

with Joe Henley, performing their own modern mix of folk, rock, and bluegrass, this promises to be a splendid evening and a Holiday treat!

DECEMBER 18

Tommy Doyle’s
96 Winthrop St. Boston MA
9:30pm • $3

‘Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ at Blackburn

From the Beacon

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” based on the well-known book by Barbara Robinson, is Blackburn Performing Arts’ new holiday show. Co-directed by M. Lynda Robinson and Nick Neyeloff, the show is cast with a group of talented local adults and children from Cape Ann and is full of laughter and moments of pure holiday spirit.

The acting ensemble includes Isaac Aiello, Noah Aiello, Steve Aiello, Nora Backstrom, Sadie Backstrom, Bonnie Barish, Beth Bevins, Maria Chaney, Wendy Dagle, Jake D’Ambrosio, Tina Greel, Ray Jenness, Alexandra Legendre, Jared Marshall, David McCaleb, Stefanie Millefogle, Sierra Rudolph, Saima Sherman, Svea Sherman, Sabrina Seragusa and Nancy Williams.

There are 10 performances scheduled:

Week 1: Friday and Saturday, Dec. 11 and 12 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 13 at 3 p.m.

Week 2: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 17, 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 20 at 3 p.m.

Week 3: Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 22 and 23 at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children. Call 978-281-0680 for reservations. Blackburn Performing Arts is in the Blackburn Building at the corner of Main and Washington streets in Gloucester, with the entrance at 1 Washington St.

There is still room in the cast for children. Leave message at 978-281-0680 if interested in joining this fun project.

We finally have a WINNER!

Several of you got the right answer as to where the WhereZat house was. John H. was the first one to get the location. It’s the house on the corner of Tregony Bow in Rockport. The house was the employees’ quarters for the old Turk’s Head Inn. I took photos for my friend Don Dunsky who’s selling it. It has a lot of charm. Anyone have more info on the history of the house?

So John, Joey has your prize at the dock! Congratulations to you and everyone else for identifying this week’s location! See ya next week!

Men,Be PRESENT tonight!

Ok, Men….Come on down to PRESENT on the corner of Elm and Main and you you can get a big chunk of your shopping done. Beer, food, and gifts galore. Just go do it.

Jenny Dee and the Deelinquents

WHAT:         Jenny Dee and the Deelinquents
WHERE:      The Rhumb Line ( 40 Railroad Avenue)
WHEN:        December 12th, 2009 (Saturday)
FROM:        9:30pm – 12:30am (3 sets)
COVER:      None
AGE:           21+
(photo credit: Beth Oram)

Jenny Dee and the Deelinquents, who were just nominated for “Best New Act” at the Boston Music Awards, will be at The Rhumb Line in Gloucester for a full evening of girl group rock-and-soul this Saturday night, December 12th.   Featuring members of The Downbeat 5, The Gravel Pit, The Gentlemen, Papas Fritas, Eric Salt and Electric City, and the Phil Aiken Army, the eight-piece Deelinquents have been giving the girl-group-rave-up a modern treatment while bringing all comers onto the dance floor.  21+/no cover.

WhereZat? Clues!!

Another view of the property.

And a few clues…

1. It’s not in Gloucester, but it is on the island.

2. It abuts 2 streets and is on the water side of the street.

3. You can see it from a main road, but its front yard is on the side street.

Good luck. Joey’s offering a PRIZE!

Here’s the first photo.

We are Family!!!

There are so many good people here on Cape Ann. A big happy family!

To add to Ed’s thank you’s for the help on the Lobster Tree, I’ll add mine to Laurie Lufkin and her crew of people from Essex and Gloucester who made the GMG Cookie Contest a great success. She worked tenaciously to gather the prizes, choose the judges, prepare the score sheets and run the whole show. And SMILING through it all! Thanks also go out to all the prize donors including those that I was able to get – Friendly’s Restaurant and Cape Ann Lanes. A huge thank to Jim Montanginio and  his daughter Marcy for donating the space at Brown’s Mall. All good eggs!

And from all of us at PRESENT -a big thank to the Common Crow for the yummy cheese platter on Ladies’ Night.

More huge thank you’s go out to everyone who works at PRESENT. Without the invitation from Amanda to join the artisans this year, I would have never been able to create (and sell) the calendars that have become a huge hit. I’ve been crazy working two jobs, but it’s all been worth it as I’ve met so many creative people who are as whacko as me! 🙂