Author: Kimsmithdesigns
Documentary filmmaker, photographer, landscape designer, author, and illustrator. "Beauty on the Wing: Life Story of the Monarch Butterfly" currently airing on PBS. Current film projects include Piping Plovers, Gloucester's Feast of St. Joseph, and Saint Peter's Fiesta. Visit my websites for more information about film and design projects at kimsmithdesigns.com, monarchbutterflyfilm.com, and pipingploverproject.org. Author/illustrator "Oh Garden of Fresh Possibilities! Notes from a Gloucester Garden."
Annisquam Sewing Circle Plant Sale
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GOSLING SASS
This little straggler did not care much for Mom’s not-too-gentle nudging, which entailed a sort of nip and shove technique.
Safely in the woods and back to the pond!
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ROCK ON MOMS!
I stopped this morning to take a snapshot of the lifting fog when the beach combing mom and her little boy came on the scene. For all the moms making wonderful memories for their children, Happiest of Mother’s Days to You!
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Seaside Garden Club Annual Plant Sale and Auction
Kate Wikwerth writes –
It’s time for the much anticipated Seaside Garden Club Annual Plant Sale and Auction!
May 10th at the Manchester Community Center
Doors open at 6:00 pm
Auction begins promptly at 6:30 pm
This is the club’s only fund raiser for the year and a terrific time to add some beautiful, proven perennials from our members’ gardens, garden art and many wonderful items donated by local businesses. Light refreshments will be served. Proceeds from the auction are what keep this club going: funds our programs and community service work and allow us to keep the membership fee at $25.
Don’t miss this popular event – everyone is welcome to attend. New this year – A select group of items will be available at 6:00 for sale. Come early to preview the many Auction items! Checks and cash accepted.
The Seaside Garden Club is a group of fun, active, civic-minded and hands-on gardeners. We welcome all types of gardeners from beginners to experienced… there is always something to learn and share. We invite you to become a member of our club ($25 annual membership) and enjoy our monthly programs which feature interesting guest speakers and creative workshops.The Seaside Garden Club meets the 2nd Tuesday of the Month (September through June) and are always looking for new members. Membership is now open for the 2016/2017 season.
Be sure to visit our Facebook page: Seaside Garden Club Facebook and follow our blog: Seaside Garden Club Blog
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BREAKING NEWS – $4000 reached for the Bacheler Civil War Coat!!!
George and Charles King write:
O.K. everybody, all of us may have just saved a one-of-a-kind Civil War coat for the nation! With an amazing new on-line contribution in the last 24 hours for $1000 the fundraising for the restoration itself (if not the final display box) has come to a close!
We have raised $4000!
We hoped to have the coat fixed by the time we were in Gloucester High School. Thanks to everyone who worked towards this goal, the fundraising for the repairs has been completed before we’ve even graduated sixth grade!
A possible location for the coat that we like in the High School will be in front of this double display you can see in the photograph below and attached. The initial estimate to repair and mount the coat was $3500, but that was before we got involved. That $3500 was for a two-dimensional skinny archival display case.
We hope the coat will be freestanding within a museum quality display case that we can walk around and see from all directions. That makes the estimate bigger because the case is bigger. If it’s freestanding we may not need a hand crank. Our mom is pricing the cases (they need to be special UV plexi and other stuff). You can see examples of what they might look likehere. Some of them breakdown for travel.
The big clear display box will be mounted on top of a wooden cabinet. We were excited to see an example of a beautiful cabinet created by the GHS wood shop! Maybe they could do the pedestal for the case. See the close up photograph we took on the day that Caroline Enos interviewed us for The Gillnetter.
Please share our letter to the president on Facebook and everywhere for us, because we would like to know if there is another coat out there like this one. His friend was given one, too, so there may be another one. We think that it just might be the only one in the whole country and we want people to know about the Gloucester Civil War coat that was given by a slave to Albert Bacheler after escaping Libby prison to safety. He kept the coat to teach generations of Gloucester students. Also, President Obama could give us a great quote for the coat.
You can see your quotes for the coats and other information on the youcaring site. Thank you everybody, all the coat supporters, and the news –Good Morning Gloucester, Cape Ann Beacon, Bay State Banner, Gloucester Daily Times, and The Gillnetter– for spreading the story and helping save this coat.
Surprised and grateful,
Charles King and George King
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEXFIjLjysy/
See More Photos Here Continue reading “BREAKING NEWS – $4000 reached for the Bacheler Civil War Coat!!!”
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ANGELA SANFILLIPO SHARES MEMORIES FROM NUBAR ALEXANIAN’S BOOK “WHEN THE FISH CAME FIRST”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFDHhhlDyoA/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFDIAc9Dyo9/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFDIS3WDypZ/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFDIxaKjyqY/
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LOOK BOTH WAYS
Before you cross, look both ways!
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EXCITING NEWS ~ THE SCHOONER ADVENTURE JOINS THE SCHOONER CHALLENGE!
Len Burgess shares the following ~
Big News… the Essex-Built Schooner ADVENTURE has agreed to join the 4th annual Schooner Challenge! Grab up a bunch of your friends and add to the fun and join the crews of the ADVENTURE, the ARDELLE, and the LANNON in the famous Schooner Challenge to help support the preservation of the Essex Shipbuilding Museum’s Schooner ‘Evelina M. Goulart’. Tickets will go fast! Sign up NOW. Visit the Museum secure website: http://www.essexshipbuildingmuseum.org/ or CALL Marcia at 978-375-3337. Details are in the poster.
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WONDERFUL EVENT FOR NUBAR ALEXANIAN’S BOOK “WHEN THE FISH CAME FIRST!”
Despite the chilly winds and rain, a fantastic group of friends, fans, and well-wishers came out for Nubar’s book signing, When the Fish Came First. All throughout the evening there were waiting lines to purchase books! Thanks to Karen Ristuben and the Rocky Neck Cultural Center for hosting this very special community event.
Honoring Linzee and Beth Coolidge
Angela Sanfillipo and Nubar
Nubar signing his book Stones in the Road: Photographs of Peru for Ricardo and Diana Fernandez
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFDFi_-jykE/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFDEWrKDyhx/
Memories from December 1979 – Angela, her husband, daughter, and three-month old baby daughter’s christening
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TURKEY ON THE RUN!
What a delightful surprise to see this young turkey in our hood. I imagine they are ubiquitous, but it’s only the second time that I know of that they have been seen perusing Plum Street. My husband thinks she slept in our garden the previous night. 
Hungry, fearful, and on the run, she didn’t stay very long.
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BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL GOOD HARBOR BEACH
Scenes from this morning’s Good Harbor Beach sunrise.
Pink and violet hues when I arrived at 5:15 quickly gave way to reds and yellow, and then the looming gray mass of clouds overtook the sky.
Beauty abounds–from the grandest skies to the smallest creatures–that’s life at the edge of the sea.
This fearless little Song Sparrow ate breakfast at my feet
Morning songster
Kildeer trying her hardest to distract me from her nest
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Cape Ann Symphony Features Trio of World Class Soloists for Beethoven’s Triple Concerto
Lucia Lin, Owen Young and Robert Levin Share Stage with CAS for May Concert
Cape Ann Symphony’s May Concert features The Three B’s: Bach, Beethoven and Brahms: a trio of renowned composers; and world class soloists: violinist Lucia Lin, cellist Owen Young and pianist Robert Levin on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 8pm at the CAS performance venue at Manchester-Essex High School Auditorium on 36 Lincoln Street in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA. These three powerful soloists join the orchestra for Beethoven’s Triple Concerto for Violin, Cello and Piano. The Three B’s Concert program also includes the orchestra playing Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No.3 and Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 in F Major. Manchester-Essex High School Auditorium is handicapped accessible. Ticket prices are $40 for adults, $35 for senior citizens, $5 for Youth age 18 and under. For tickets and information, call 978-281-0543 or visit www.capeannsymphony.org
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SKUNK-HEADED HOEDOWN!
Although described as common along both the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts, this raft of velvety black ducks was new and different to my eyes. The Surf Scoters were here for several days gathering along Cape Ann’s backshore and feeding heartily several hundred yards off the beach. Both in the evening and the following early morning that I found them, they were first to arrive on the scene, soon joined by a paddling of Buffleheads and then several Common Eiders, and all amicably diving together.
Fairly far off shore at least we can catch a comparative glimpse of the difference between the male and female Surf Scoter (the female is far right).
The male Surf Scoter’s well-defined stark white patches against ebony feathers lends this seaduck its common name, “Skunk-headed Coot.” But it is the scoter’s bulbous-at-the-base orange, black and white patterned bill that I find interesting and almost comical. The female is a plainer dull blackish-brownish with light colored patches, one behind each eye and at the base of the bill.
I would love to know if any of our readers have seen Surf Scoters, when and where, if you have a moment to write. Thank you!
While watching them feeding and courting in the surf, several times it appeared as though they were squaring off, as in the top photo, and preparing to promenade in a hoedown!
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SEVEN SEAS REPORTS ANOTHER SPECTACULAR WHALE WATCH!
7 Seas Whale Watch Privateer IV Captain Paul Frontierro predicts a fantastic season for whale watching and so far his predictions are accurate!
May 1, 2016
It was another incredible weekend of whale watching on Stellwagen Bank. On both Saturday and Sunday we saw dozens of Humpback Whales (and 1 Finback Whale on Saturday) on the northern of the Bank.
Feeding was no doubt the main theme of both trips, as we had near constant surface feeding from just about every whale we saw.
On Sunday afternoon in particular, the feeding was right at the surface and we spent a good amount of time with an amazing group of 6 Humpback Whales who were blowing enormous rings of bubbles at there surface and then rising up through bubble with mouths wide open.
Here are just a few of the many, many photos that we took this weekend. Some of the photos were taken by our good friend and wildlife photographer Oktay Kaya. Thank you as always for sharing your images, Oktay!
SEE MANY MORE PHOTOS AND TRIP INFO HERE ON THE 7 SEAS WHALE WATCH FACEBOOK PAGE
Flock of Bonaparte’s Gulls wheeling in unison around the feeding whales
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NEW VIDEO: AMAZING PERSPECTIVE FROM THE TIPPY TOP OF THE ADVENTURE MAST WITH PANORAMIC VIEWS OF GLOUCESTER HARBOR
Rigging Schooner Adventure 2016
Climb the mast and rig the ship with Schooner Adventure crew member Mike Bergmann and his GoPro camera! Awesome job Mike and thank you for sharing!
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Lit House Book Club 3rd Anniversary Event at Duckworth’s!
Don’t miss this one–tickets are going fast!
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SCHOONER ADVENTURE UPRIG SATURDAY!
Saturday was a working day at the Harriet Webster Maritime Gloucester pier where three Essex built schooners, the Adventure, Ardelle, and Roseway were undergoing spring scraping, painting, and overall maintenance.
The Adventure’s Captain Stefan Edick’s and Lead Shipwright Geoff Deckebach’s crew of volunteers spent the day getting the schooner ship shape for the upcoming sailing season.
Volunteer workday Saturdays are a recurring event on the Schooner Adventure. Volunteers are needed every Saturday to help with vessel maintenance. I can attest to the fact that this a super fun and hard working group of people. They are ready to take on any task that comes up. No experience necessary; the knowledgeable volunteers and crew will show you the ropes. Join the Adventure crew and volunteers as they work on this tremendous project!
Contact Lead Shipwright Geoff Deckebach at gdeckebach@schooner-adventure.org or call 978-281-8079 to sign-up or if you have any questions.
The Adventure’s big sister, the Roseway (affectionately called as such because she is 91 years old while the Adventure is 90 years old) arrived early in the afternoon and she is currently berthed next to the Adventure.
Saturday’s Adventure Crew: Geoff Deckebach, Logan Livingston, Maura Hackett, Alex Myers, Shaun Coveney, ChristineMcCormick, Mike Bergmann, Tom Hovey, Stephanie Bean, Jay Boland, Susanne Flynn, Pam Bradbury, Cullen Morawski, Ira Moll, Annika Heinhold, and Willy Leathers
SEE MORE PHOTOS HERE
Continue reading “SCHOONER ADVENTURE UPRIG SATURDAY!”
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Like I said, those King brothers are going places!
If you’ve been following the fundraising efforts by Charles and George King for the Gloucester High School Albert Bacheler Civil War coat, then you know how creative and ernest they are in accomplishing the restoration of this exciting piece of Gloucester history. Thanks so much to these two dynamos for the thank you notes; not only are they go-getters, but thoughtful, too!
For more information, visit The Story here.
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7 SEAS WHALE WATCH REPORTS SPECTACULAR MULTIPLE WHALE SIGHTINGS
Fifty to sixty Humpbacks, two Finbacks, and hundreds of Atlantic White-sided Dolphins, 7 Seas Whale Watch had an extraordinary day at sea! 
April 27, 2016
We just returned from what will do doubt be remembered as one of the best whale watches of the 2016 season. I hesitate to even give an estimate of the number whales we saw because I feel it will set unrealistic expectations, but here goes: We travelled 13 miles southeast of Gloucester (to the northwest corner of Stellwagen Bank) and saw an estimated 50-60 HUMPBACK WHALES (I identified 30 individual whales and I know I didn’t get to half of what was out there), plus 2 FINBACK WHALES and hundreds of ATLANTIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHINS!
All of the whales were feeding. At one point we had a group of at least 12 Humpbacks feeding together. The whales were blowing huge rings of bubbles at the surface (these bubble rings trap and concentrate fish) and then rising up through the bubbles with their mouth wide open in one of the most impressive feeding displays we have seen in a long, long time.
While feeding was no doubt the main activity of the day, we were also treated to a spectacular display of breaching from a young Humpback Whale calf – “Venom’s” new calf! 
You can see many more photos, read the full account, and book your spectacular whale watching excursion aboard the beautiful Privateer IV here: 7 Seas Whale Watch
Good Morning Gloucester 
