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."

Mary “Val” Babson Obituary

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns
 Sending heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Val Babson.

Mary “Val” Lavilla Cogswell Babson, 73, died July 30, 2019, peacefully at her home in Gloucester, MA, after years of enduring Alzheimer’s dementia. She died as she lived – full of grace, love, strength and beauty.

Born in Baltimore, MD, the day before Valentine’s Day, she was known to most as “Val” and to her grandchildren as “Tutu.”
Val adored her family and shared 47 loving years married to David E. Babson. They loved to travel but mostly enjoyed being at home together watching the tides come in and out of Lobster Cove. She always shared a vitality for life, a mischievous sense of humor, and boundless compassion and love for her many friends and family. We are all blessed to have her close to our hearts.

She graduated from the Friends School of Baltimore (1964), Wells College (1968), and Lesley University.
She was impassioned to improve the Gloucester Public Schools and contributed in a variety of roles by co-founding the Gloucester School Connection, helping to create the Multiple Intelligence Program, and working as the Public-Parent Information Director, Title I Liaison, and Community Outreach and Media Specialist.

She was an advocate for reading and building community, volunteering on the boards of the Annisquam Village Library and Sawyer Free Library, and always adding insight to her beloved book group. She got great joy from spending time in her beautiful garden and volunteered with the Garden Club of Gloucester. She also served on the board of the Gloucester Universalist Unitarian Church and was a docent at the Cape Ann Museum. For her years of dedicated service and leadership, she was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Gloucester Rotary, in 2013.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her three children, David B. Babson and his wife, Annalei (McGreevy) Babson, and their children Kavika and Toni Rose, of Rockport; Amanda L. Babson of Narragansett, RI; and Warren C. Babson and his wife, Rachel Grinstead-Babson, and their children Winston and Cedarmae, of Gloucester; and her brother Corbin C. Cogswell, III and his wife Lynda W. Cogswell of Cape May, NJ.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Corbin C. Cogswell, Jr. and Mary (Chapman) Cogswell, of Baltimore, MD.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gloucester Education Foundation, http://www.thinkthebest.org.

Funeral services will be held at the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, 10 Church Street, Gloucester, On Saturday, August 3 at 11 a.m.
 
Following the service, relatives and friends are invited to attend a lunch collation in the church vestry.
 
Information, directions, condolences can be found at

THE WONDERFUL MIRACLE AND MESSINESS OF BIRTH – PIPING PLOVER CHICKS HATCHING PART TWO

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I stopped by on my way home from work, fully expecting to see all three chicks hatched. Dad was sitting on the nest and two fluffy chicks were zooming in and out. He left the nest for a moment and wonderful luck of luck, the third chick was making its appearance!!

When I write messy, it is because while the third chick was hatching, the two older ones needed to thermoregulate, or cuddle, beneath the parent’s wing. There was a great deal of seeming disorder going on beneath the canopy provided by Dad’s fluffed out feathers.

Because the two older siblings were running in and out of the nest, as well as the parents leaving to discard the remaining chick’s eggshell pieces, I had a longer window into the third chick’s hatching (by mere seconds, I mean). Plus the twelve-hour-old chicks were just as adorable as could be!

From a nest of three eggs, two chicks hatched at dawn and the third, at day’s end. During both times, I had my movie camera on a tripod zoomed in on the nest and was able to film and simultaneously take still photos. A very unforgettable and happy day!!!!!!!!!!

Mom switched places with Dad but only stayed for a few moments before hopping up quickly. All three chicks were in the nest. You can see the newly hatched chick with its two older siblings. 

Read Part One Here

Hello World! Eyes barely open and first peek at the world.

Twelve-hour-old chick -my what big feet I have 🙂

THE WONDERFUL MIRACLE AND MESSINESS OF BIRTH – PIPING PLOVER CHICKS HATCHING PART ONE

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

As many of our readers know, this summer while finishing up with editing my Monarch film, I have also been continuing to document our Good Harbor Beach Piping Plovers. To make the best and most informed documentary, I have also been filming at other north of Boston beach locations. During our last heat wave, we posted about about how PiPl parents protect their eggs during extreme temperatures. The chicks that you see hatching in the photos are the same eggs that survived the heat wave! and are from a very, very special Piping Plover pair. More about these two parents in an upcoming post; for now I just have time to write about the chicks hatching.

Witnessing a beautiful family of Piping Plover chicks hatch is a day I won’t soon forget. Not only struck by the sheer beauty of it all, I was highly aware of the formidable challenges these valiant little birds face at every stage of development. Even hatching was messy and challenging.

On my way into work, I had been checking daily on the nest and knew the hatching day was soon approaching. Arriving at dawn on the twenty-fifth day from when the pair had begun brooding all three eggs, it was apparent and wonderfully exciting to see something was going on in the nest. Mom was on the nest and she was unusually active, moving around and adjusting the eggs repeatedly. She popped up for a split second and I could see an egg cracking. A miracle truly, that the eggs were viable, as it was so late in the season and the heat had been so extreme.

During hatching, the Mom (or Dad, whoever happens to be brooding the eggs at the time hatching begins) makes a canopy over the nest with their fluffed-out feathers. The nest is a mere depression in the sand, below eye level, so the only time you can see what is happening is when the parent leaves the nest. This only happens for the briefest of moments. A chick begins emerging and while it is still half in its eggshell, the nesting parent takes any parts of the broken eggshell in his/her mouth and runs, then flies further with it, dropping the eggshell far away from the nest. During those few brief seconds when the parent leaves to discard the eggshell, you can see what is taking place in the nest.

In the last three photos, the chick’s feathers are almost completely dry and fluffy.

Enthralled, I watched as two chicks hatched over an hour period, but then had to leave to be on site for a job installation that couldn’t wait. I hated to leave wondering, not knowing how the third chick would fare, and just prayed that it would still be light out when I stopped back on my way home from work that night.

Part two tomorrow.

PiPl Mom brooding eggs during heat wave.

Eggshell camouflaged amongst shells and sea bits

 

 

4Ever Fab to play at Gentile Bandstand

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Beatles Tribute band, 4Ever Fab, appears in concert on Sunday, August 11, 2019, at 7pm at the Antonio Gentile Bandstand, Stage Fort Park, Hough Avenue, Gloucester MA. This outstanding band returns to the bandstand with a terrific and genuine Beatles sound. This show features spot-on renditions of your classic Beatles favorites.

This concert is sponsored by Cape Ann Savings Bank, who will provide free ice cream treats to the audience. The concert is free to the public. Parking is free and the venue and rest rooms are wheelchair-accessible. Bring a blanket or chair and perhaps a picnic dinner. The rain date is Tuesday, August 14, 7pm. For further information please visit DavidLBenjamin.com or call 978-281-2286

FANTASTIC PIPING PLOVER NEWS FROM COASTAL ECOLOGIST JEFF DENONCOUR AT CRANE BEACH

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Jeff Denoncour, Trustees of Reservations Coastal Ecologist, shares some record breaking Piping Plover news from Crane Beach. Jeff writes that “at Crane 49 pairs nested and 87 chicks have fledged, with 8 chicks remaining, a great year and breaking records for Crane!”

Piping Plover lift off, times two!

Martin & Kelley bring Country to Gentile Bandstand

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The exciting Country act of Martin & Kelly make their Gloucester concert debut on Sunday, August 4, at 7pm at the Antonio Gentile Bandstand, Stage Fort Park, Hough Avenue, Gloucester MA. Jilly Martin and Ryan Brooks Kelly are rising stars presenting a quality show for all. The free concert is sponsored by Institution for Savings. Parking is free and the venue and rest rooms are wheelchair-accessible. Bring a blanket or chair and perhaps picnic dinner. The rain date is Wednesday, August 7, 7pm. For further information please visit David@LBenjamin.com or call 978-281-2286.

North Shore Concert Band Plays Celtic Concert at Salem

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North Shore Concert Band plays Celtic Concert at Salem Willows, July 30, 2019, at 7pm The concert features special guests the North Shore Pipe Band playing classic pipe tunes with the concert band. This concert is sponsored by North Shore Elder Services and the Salem Waterfront Hotel and Suites. The concert is free to the public. Parking is free and the venue and rest rooms are wheelchair-accessible. Bring a blanket or chair and perhaps a picnic dinner. The rain date is Thursday, August 1. For further information please visit DavidLBenjamin.com or Northshoreconcertband.com or call 978-531-9339.

GOOD HARBOR BEACH NORTH LIGHT SUNRISE SEQUENCE

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Good Morning! Brought to you by Thacher Island’s North Light sunrise.

NORTH LIGHTHOUSE SUNRISE SEQUENCE

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Good Morning! Brought to you by Thacher Island’s North Light sunrise.

Boston Area Premiere of BEN BUTLER Opens at Gloucester Stage

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Robert Walsh, Artistic Director   Christopher Griffith, Interim Managing Director

From: Heidi J. Dallin, Media Relations Director Phone: 978-281-4099/978-283-6688 Email: hjdallin@hotmail.com

Boston Area Premiere of BEN BUTLER Opens at Gloucester Stage

Historical Comedy Inspired by Real Life

Characters & Events   

Gloucester Stage Company continues its 40th Anniversary Season of professional theater with the Boston area premiere of Richard Strand’s Ben Butler from August 2 through August 25 at Gloucester Stage Company, 267 East Main Street, Gloucester, MA. Richard Strand’s Ben Butler, a smart and funny discourse on race, protocol and our sense of humanity garnered high critical acclaim during its Off Broadway run in 2016. New York’s Joseph Discher who helmed the show’s world premiere production in 2014 and the Off Broadway production in 2016, makes his GSC debut directing Ben Butler. Actors Ames Adamson as GeneralBenjamin Butler and Shane Taylor as escaped slave Shepard Mallory make their GSC debut in Ben Butler. GSC veterans Doug Bowen-Flynn as Lieutenant Kelly and David DeBeck as Confederate Major Cary complete the cast. Richard Strand’s Ben Butler,runs from August 2 through August 25. Performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 pm and Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 pm at Gloucester Stage Company, 267 East Main Street, Gloucester, MA.

Actor Ames Adamson as General Benjamin Butler, dynamic​ Civil War General, Massachusetts governor, and settler of the Bay View section of Gloucester, MA  in the Boston area premiere of Richard Strand’s Ben Butler at Gloucester Stage from  August 2 through August 25. The real Butler lived in the Bay View section of Gloucester in what is now known as The Ames Estate which is still inhabited by Butler’s descendants. 

The sharply comic play takes place in the middle of the Civil War, 1861 at Virginia’s Union-held Fort Monroe under the command of General Benjamin Butler. When three escaped slaves show up at Fort Monroe seeking sanctuary, Union General Butler is faced with an impossible moral dilemma – follow the letter of the law and return the escapees back to Confederacy, or make a game-changing move that could alter the course of US history? The bold and bright refugee, Shepard Mallory demands an audience with General Butler and what ensues is a battle of wits between two equally formidable men at the edge of a country ripped in half. One of Abraham Lincoln’s top generals, Benjamin Butler, a lawyer, championed the causes of labor, abolition of slavery, and naturalized citizens. After retiring from the battlefield, Butler was a settler of Gloucester’s Bayview neighborhood (present-day Ames Estate still inhabited by Butler’s descendants), a presidential candidate, and the 33rd Governor of Massachusetts.

Director Joseph Discher is excited to be directing his fifth production of Ben Butler, this time at Gloucester Stage. He directed the world premiere at New Jersey Repertory Company, as well as productions at Majestic Theatre, Barrington Stage, and the off-Broadway premiere. Discher’s off-Broadway credits include Vilna by Ira Fuchs featuring Mark Jacoby and The Violin starring Robert LuPone. Regionally Discher has directed  My Name Is Asher Lev and  A Moon for the Misbegotten at Playhouse on Park; Charley’s Aunt, A Child’s Christmas in Wales, The Diary of Anne Frank, Wittenberg, Our Town, Henry IV: Part One,To Kill A Mockingbird, Arms and the Man, The Grapes of Wrath, The Tempest, Amadeus, Galileo, Of Mice and Men, The Fantasticks, Twelfth Night, Scapin, Much Ado About Nothing, and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) all at Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey; One Man Two Guvnors at Florida Studio Theatre; The Weir, Red, and As You Like Itwith Theatreworks; and Julius Caesar at The Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis.

Ames Adamson makes his Gloucester Stage debut as General Ben Butler, a role he is reprising for the third time. He originated the role at the New Jersey Repertory Company, and again Off-Broadway at 59E59TH Theatres two seasons ago.  His recent regional theater credits include The Winter’s Tale and Blithe Spirit at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (where this December he will appearing as Scrooge in Neil Bartlett’s Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol); Ne Quittez Pas at Opera Philadelphia; and The Christians at The Wilma in Philadelphia.

Shane Taylor makes his Gloucester Stage debut as escaped slave Shephard Mallory. His Off-Broadway credits include Knives in Hens at The Shop Theater; The 50th Anniversary Production of In White America at New Federal/Castillo Theatre; and Romeo and Juliet at the Lincoln Center Institute. In New York: The Desire (The Billie Holiday Theatre), The Love Talker (NY Fringe). Regionally he has appeared at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, Luna Stage, Premiere Stages, Roundhouse Theater, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Berkeley Rep, Florida Studio Theater, and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. His film credits include God’s Forgotten House; Sarbane’s Oxley” (Best International Actor at 2007 Barbados International Film Festival) and on television he appeared in King of the Bingo Game on PBS. Mr. Taylor received an MFA from Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts.

Doug Bowen-Flynn plays West Pont Graduate Lieutenant Kelly in Ben Butler. He most recently appeared at Gloucester Stage in 2017’s To Kill a Mockingbird. His other regional credits include Boston Children’s Theatre’s Reflection of a Rock Lobster (IRNE Winner Best New Play) and To Kill a Mockingbird; American Repertory Theatre’s We Won’t Pay! We Won’t Pay! and Three Farces and a Funeral; Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s Henry V and Macbeth; Lyric Stage Company’s Book of Days; Publick Theatre’s Troilus and Cressida; New Repertory Theatre’s Romeo and Juliet; and Company One’s The Overwhelming. His film and television credits include Detroit, Clear History, The Invention of Lying, The Maiden Heist, Mystic River, and The War that Made America. He holds a BA in Communications from University of Puget Sound.

David DeBeck returns to Gloucester Stage to play Confederate Major John Baytop Cary. He last worked at GSC in 2017’s The Rainmaker. Mr. DeBeck’s favorite theater credits include The Other Place at the Nora Theatre; Strange Snow at Theatreworks, Hartford; Dinner With Friends, The Lonesome West and Hamlet at The Virginia Stage Company;  and Hosanna at both Philadelphia’s Walnut Street Theatre and off-Broadway at The Actor’s Theater.  He plays Sargent Shriver in the film, Chappaquiddick directed by John Curran. Mr. DeBeck’s other film appearances include Black Mass and The Company Men.  On television he has been seen in guest starring roles in Olive Kitteridge  on HBO; Brotherhood  and SMILF on Showtime; and NBC-TV’s Law & Order, Criminal Intent and Special Victims Unit.  Mr. DeBeck is associated with the Drama Desk Award winning Off-Off Broadway company, the Barrow Group.

Ben Butler playwright Richard Strand wrote his first play in 1976, a one act entitled Harry and Sylvia. That play won two national awards, was published by Hunter Press and a full length version of that same play, entitled Clown, premiered at Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago. Since that time he has had premieres at GeVa Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Performance Network, New Jersey Repertory Company, Detroit Repertory Theatre, The Z Collective and a number of other venues. His plays are published by Samuel French, Dramatists Play Service and Applause Books. Two of his plays, The Bug and The Death of Zukasky premiered at The Humana Festival at Actors Theatre of Louisville. The Bug has been translated into German, Italian, French, Greek, and Spanish. Mr. Strand currently lives in California and is a professor, technical director and set designer at Mt. San Antonio College where he teaches Stagecraft, History of Theater and Playwriting

BEN BUTLER PERFORMANCE TIMES:

Wednesdays – Saturdays: 7:30 pm;

Saturdays – Sundays: 2:00 pm

PLACE:

Gloucester Stage Company, 267 East Main Street, Gloucester, MA 01930

SINGLE TICKET PRICES: Single Ticket prices are $15 to $48 with discounts available for Preview Performances, Senior Citizens,Military Families, and College Students and those under 18 years of age. For detailed ticket information visitwww.gloucesterstage.com

PAY WHAT YOU WISH: SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 2 PM: Gloucester Stage is committed to inclusion and diversity, including socio-economic status. Pay What You Wish performances are the first Saturday Matinee (2pm) of each production, allowing access to the arts for all. No one is turned away for lack of funds and donations can be made before or after the show.

 

CAPE ANN NIGHTS: FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 7:30 PM; SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 2 PM & 7:30 PM; WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, August 14 & AUGUST 21, 7:30 PM: Enriching our local community is key to our mission impact. Residents of Cape Ann can purchase $25 tickets at Preview Performances and every Wednesday of each production. Limit of 2 (two) per household. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office 978.281.4433, with a valid address.

 

POST-SHOW DISCUSSIONS: SUNDAY: AUGUST 11 & AUGUST 18: Following the 2 pm performances on Sunday, July 14 and Sunday, July 21, audiences are invited to free post-show discussions with the artists from BEN BUTLER.

ABOUT THE COMPANY: Gloucester Stage is a professional non-profit theater providing a unique, intimate experience as audiences are never more than five rows from the stage. Located in a century-old repurposed brick warehouse on the waterfront of Cape Ann, the organization is led by Artistic Director, Robert Walsh and Interim Managing Director Christopher Griffith. Entering the company’s 40th Season in 2019, GSC benefits from a loyal audience searching for intellectually stimulating and socially relevant stories.

 

For further information, call the Gloucester Stage Box Office at 978-281-4433 or visit http://www.gloucesterstage.com

 

VIDEO: GOOD HARBOR BEACH BEAUTIFUL DEER

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Footage from a brief encounter with the beautiful Good Harbor Beach doe of the dunes.

 

See Photos here.

 

KIM SMITH FREE MONARCH EVENT FOR KIDS AT THE SAWYER FREE LIBRARY

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Save the date for my upcoming Monarch Butterfly program for kids at the Sawyer Free Library on August 21st at 10am. This program is free and held in conjunction with the Cape Ann Reads exhibit on display at the Sawyer Free.

WREN OF THE WOODLAND

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Flying in to the distinct squarish hole, then flying out to perch at the top of the old tree, then off to find insects for her brood, and then back again. Repeat, repeat, repeat. This mama wren was tirelessly feeding her hungry family, returning dozens and dozens of times with a mouth full insects in the very brief time I stopped to look.

I’m not sure exactly what species this is–she has a short tail like Winter Wren and is nesting in a tree cavity, near fresh water, which is common for Winter Wrens. Her tail is too long to be a House Wren. If any of our readers know for sure, please write. Thank you 🙂

Bobbie Brooks Distinctive Garden Designs DAYLILY DAYS

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Bobbie Brooks’ Distinctive Garden Designs’ DAYLILY DAYS
OPEN GARDENS – PEAK BLOOM!
Fr, S, S; July 26,27,28  from ‘9-1’
Fr S, S; Aug, 2,3,4  from ‘9-1’
Featuring display beds of mixed perennials, 1000 daylily cultivars, sales beds, mucho seedlings, and even my intros! There are several daylilies lined out to fill up your trunk or for a fall pickup. Your chance to visit private home gardens!
I would love to have you come for a morning visit…
photographers and artists also welcome
73 Langsford St. Rt 127N,
Lanesville Section of Gloucester, Ma.
978 283 4480
distinctivegardendesigns.com
https://www.facebook.com/DISTINCTIVE-GARDEN-DESIGNS-269140633407/

HUGE PLANT SALE AT CEDAR ROCK GARDENS!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

If you are looking for something to fill in a planter or a spot in the garden, we can help you out! That heat wave was a doozy! We hope everyone stayed cool and your gardens stayed watered. We are having a sale until Monday, July 29th. As always, the produce fridge at the nursery is filled with all the beautiful veggies coming out of the field right now so make sure you take a look at what’s new in there!

20% off
Hanging baskets
Flower boxes
perennials

50% off all annuals

Thanks,

Elise and Tucker Smith
Cedar Rock Gardens

In Stock today!

Vegetables

Lettuce mix
Salanova mix
Cauliflower bishop
Kale Toscano
Kale winterbor
Broccoli gypsy
Turnip haukuri
Chard
Kohlrabi mix
Scallions
Beets touchstone gold
Beets red ace
Tomato polish linguisa ‘big John’
Tomato estivation
Tomato green zebra
Tomato mr stripey
Tomato German Johnson
Tomato constoluto Genovese
Tomato Cherokee purple
Tomato striped German
Tomato red Brandywine
Tomato new girl
Tomato big beef
Tomato celebrity
Tomato Arkansas traveler
Tomato San Marzano
Tomato black cherry
Summer squash zephyr
Zucchini Dunja
Zucchini noche
Zucchini crostata romanesco
Summer squash multipik
Cucumber green fingers
Cucumber Corinto
Cucumber marketmore
Cucumber northern pickling
Winter squash butternut Waltham
Cantaloupe halona
Cantaloupe Hannah’s choice
Watermelon sugar baby
Eggplant orient charm
Eggplant Beatrice
Eggplant orient express
Eggplant Nadia
Pepper cayenne red rocket
Pepper cayenne arapahoe
Pepper joe e Parker
Pepper Hungarian hot wax
Pepper mad hatter
Pepper Bolivian rainbow
Pepper padron
Pepper sweet ace
Pepper Carmen
Pepper flavor burst yellow
Pepper gormet orange
Pepper intruder
Pepper jimmy nardello
Pepper red knight
Pepper escamillo
Pepper Cornito Rosso
Pepper cornito giallo
Microgreens
Lettuce bowls

Annual flowers

Zinnia Benary giant orange
Zinnia Benary giant salmon rose
Zinnia giant dahlia flower yellow
Zinnia profusion yellow
Zinnia profusion white
Angelonia super blue
Calendula dawn series apricot
Calendula princess mix
Calendula orange King
Calendula snow princess
Aster king sized mix
Verbena Bonariensis
Strawflower copper red
Strawflower mix
Dianthus chabaud picotee mix
Salvia evolution violet
Celosia fresh look gold
Ageratum red flint
Ageratum blue
Gomphrena fireworks
Gomphrena strawberry fields
Gomphrena formula mix
Salvia vista red
Salvia Victoria blue
Salvia Victoria white
Salvia citrus scent
Amaranthus red tails
Portulaca sundial scarlet
Portulaca mango
Portulaca sundial peppermint
Portulaca sundial fuschia
Gerbera daisy festival mix
Nasturtium whirlybird golden yellow
Nasturtium whirlybird cherry rose
Nasturtium trailing mix
Nasturtium Alaska
Superbena lilac blue
Superbena royal peach keen
Superbena lanai twister pink
Superbena Royal iced cherry
Rudbeckia cherry brandy
Argyranthemum vanilla butterfly
Argyranthemum golden butterfly
Cuphea fairy dust pink
Alyssum purple/Lavendar mix
Alyssum snow crystals
Begonia bossa nova night fever papaya
Begonia dragon wing red
Begonia top hat scarlet
Polka dot plant red splash
Begonia gryphon
Begonia bossa nova orange
Begonia on top sunset shades
Impatients New Guinea Apollo lilac
Coleus great falls iguaza
Coleus Main Street sunset boulevard
Begonia bossa nova pink glow
Impatience New Guinea sonic orange
Impatience New Guinea infinity blushing Crimson
Impatience rocapulco wisteria
Begonia nonstop mocha mix
Browalia endless flirtation
Impatience New Guinea infinity white
Sweet potato vine marguerite
Ipomoea sweet Caroline red
Sweet potato vine tricolor
Hypoestes hippo pink
Fuchsia dark eyes
Fuchsia swing time
Supertunia mulberry charm
Supertunia Bordeaux
Supertunia vista Fuschia
Calibrachoa superbells double ruby
Calibrachoa superbells blue moon punch
Calibrachoa superbells double or hi
Calibrachoa superbells morning star
Lantana Luscious citrus blend
Lantana luscious marmalade
Calibrachoa superbells tropical sunrise
Lantana lemon zest
Lantana luscious berry blend
Lantana bandana pink
Lobelia Rivera rose
Petunia vista silverberry
Dichondra silver falls
Marigold giant orange
Marigold giant yellow
Sedum ember reefs
Euphorbia diamond delight
Artemesia silver bullet
Osteospermum soprano purple
Osteospermum orange symphony
Karalee petite pink
Eucalyptus
Fountain grass
Petunia cappuccino
Fuchsia dark eyes
Fuchsia swing time
Geranium American cherry rose
Geranium caliente rose

Annual herbs

Curly parsley
Flat leaf parsley
Basil tulsi
Basil lettuce leaf
Basil Genovese
Basil sweet Thai
Basil lemon Mrs. Burns
Arugula
Dill Superdukat
Dill Hera
Cilantro
Marshmallow
Salad Burnett
Hyssop
Chervil
sweet annie
cutting celery

Perennial Flowers

Cardinal flower
Butterfly weed
Ice plant
Hosta August white
Bidens beezar fire wheel
Speedwell first love
Speedwell white water
Flowering maple
Joseph’s coat
Coreopsis cruzin Route 66
Meadowsweet
Globe thistle
Cinquefoil monarchs velvet
Phlox spring delight
Silkweed hello yellow
Coral bells palace purple
Aster beauty dark blue
Annis hyssop
Spires blue mist
Hollyhock
Columbine McKenna Giants mix
Columbine blue jay
Columbine Crimson star
Purple prince
Eupatorium gateway
Veronica enchanted indigo

Perennial Herbs

Lemongrass
Lavender hidcote blue
Catmint
Savory winter creeping
Marjoram compact
Sweet marjoram
Lovage
Lemon mint bee balm
Catnip
Lemongrass
Chocolate mint
Variegated pineapple mint
Wild bergamot
Lemon balm
Greek oregano
Italian oregano
Red creeping thyme
White creeping thyme
Sage tricolor
Roman chamomile
Feverfew
Summer savory
St. John’s wort
Horseradish
Bronze fennel
Rosemary
lemon Verbena

Perennial edibles

Asparagus pacific purple
Asparagus jersey knight
Black raspberry Bristol
Black raspberry Mac black
Blueberry duke
Blueberry bluecrop
Blueberry northland
Black raspberry Chester
Red raspberry Caroline

House plants/Tropicals

Juncus twisted arrow
Haworthia window plant
Hens and chicks
Canna lily cannova bronze
Succulents

please call or email with any questions.

thank you!
All the best,
Cedar Rock Gardens

SEA-ROCKET!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

What is that wonderful succulent yet scrubby-looking green plant we see growing on our local beaches? You are most likely looking at American Sea-rocket (Cakile edentula). Named for its rocket-shaped berries, Sea-rocket is a native annual. It grows in dry sand and is pollinated by beetles, moths, butterflies, flies, and bees. The edible flowers and peppery, succulent leaves, which taste somewhat like horseradish, attract myriad species of tiny insects as well.

Sea-rocket reseeds itself each year all around New England beaches and thrives in the poor medium of dry sand, above the high tide line. In springtime, along the Massachusetts coastline, you will see tiny shoots emerging and by early summer the multi-branching plant can grow two feet wide and equally as tall.

Throughout the Piping Plover’s time spent at Good Harbor Beach, Sea-rocket is an important plant, providing shade on hot summer days, protection from the wind, and attracts a smorgasbord of insects that both the adults and tiniest of chicks depend upon for their diets.

Piping Plover chicks and adults forage for small insects at Sea-rocket.

Sea-rocket growth progression-

The first photo was taken on April 6, 2019. You can see that there is no vegetation growing in the roped off area.

The second photo was taken about one month later, at the time our Piping Plovers began nesting. Notice the tiny shoots of Sea-rocket beginning to emerge.

The third photo was taken during the second week of July. Look how beautifully the Sea-rocket is growing in the roped off area. The fourth photo shows the same area after the PiPl refuge was dismantled and the Sea-rocket raked over.

Three Piping Plover chicks finding shelter beneath the Sea-rocket foliage.

DENOVO QUARTET PLAYS IN ANNISQUAM

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

The Annisquam Village Church concert season continues on Saturday, August 3 at 7:30 p.m. with chamber music of Holbrook Robinson, played by the Denovo Quartet. Robinson has close ties with Annisquam from his childhood summers there. The late Kira Robinson, the composer’s mother, emigrated to the U.S. during the Russian Revolution. The French-speaking group that she started upon her retirement in 1974 from Adelphi University still meets weekly in Annisquam. Following in the academic footsteps of his parents, Robinson is professor of French at Northeastern University with a deep passion for music. He is a self-taught composer, strongly influenced by (mostly tonal) works in both romantic and modern repertoire that have coherence and breadth.

Robinson’s quartets reflect his French propensities as suggested by the titles of his works: Accélerations, Célébrations, Langoureux Vertige, etc.. Jakov Gubanov, one of the last private students of Dmitri Shostakovich, writes of Robinson’s “individual style” and his “embrace of many noble traditions” . . . “Even though the music language leans on tonal, mostly diatonic idiom, the music sounds quite contemporary. There are many features, so attractive to both a professional and a common listener: rich and diverse texture with intensive polyphonic work, bright thematic ideas, convincing structure, and – what is most important – a strong spiritual message in each composition. I am very happy that inspiration never abandons you and that you have such responsive artists performing your works.”

Since their debut at the Deer Valley Music Festival in 2015, the Denovo Quartet has quickly established a creative presence in the greater Boston area as sought-after performers and collaborators. Mentored by the Muir Quartet at Boston University, Denovo Quartet is known for their robust sound and energetic interpretations and has been featured on numerous recital series performing both classic and contemporary repertoire. Recent engagements include performances at the Alcyon Chamber Music Series, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Brookline Library, and Parish Center for the Arts. While remaining grounded in the standard quartet canon, Denovo’s curiosities also extend to contemporary music, where they have an extensive background performing and recording new works. They were fortunate to work with Joan Tower at the Deer Valley Music Festival in the summer of 2015 and premiered Douglas Friedman’s “The Pilgrim,” which has since inspired them to seek out exciting new music. New commissions include recording quartets by Northeastern University professor Holbrook Robinson as well as current Northeastern University composition students. The quartet members come from Ohio, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Washington. Individually, they have performed across the US and on tours to China, Russia, Europe, South America, and Canada. They have played in master classes for such renowned musicians as William Preucil, Stephen Clapp, Christian Tetzlaff, Joshua Bell, Itzhak Perlman, Midori, and for the Emerson, Tokyo, Arianna, JACK, and Atrium Quartets. Each member of Denovo holds a graduate music performance degree from Boston University. All four freelance and teach privately in the greater Boston area.

The concert takes place in the newly renovated sanctuary of the historic Annisquam Village Church, renowned for its resonant acoustics and classic New England simplicity. All are welcome to a reception following the concert in the Village Church Cove Room.

Admission at door $20 / Seniors and Students $15 or order on-line through
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4292971 or
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-denovo-quartet-tickets-64879169342
The Annisquam Village Church is located at 820 Washington Street (corner of Washington and Leonard Streets) in Gloucester. 978.281.0376.
Join our mailing list at avc.music.program@gmail.com

Holbrook Robinson, composer

DENOVO QUARTET
MaeLynn Arnold, violin
Michael Hustedde, violin
Amberly Lamphere, viola
Daniel Dickson, cello

Kathleen Adams, Music Director

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR ANNISQUAM VILLAGE PLAYERS MAMMA MIA!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

This summer Annisquam will be transformed into a brilliantly-hued Greek island, as the AVP produces one of the most popular musicals of the Broadway stage, Mamma Mia!.  The jukebox musical romantic comedy is based on the songs written by ABBA, an internationally beloved Swedish pop/dance group active from 1972 to 1982. The title of the musical was taken from the 1975 chart-topper song “Mamma Mia.”

The musical opened in London in April 1999 and in New York in October 2001, becoming the ninth longest running Broadway show.  The Broadway opening was shortly after 9/11, and many found the show to be an affirmation of life in the midst of the destruction of 9/11. The show became a major motion picture in 2008 (filmed on the Greek island of Skopelos), and a sequel named Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again was released last year.  It is one of the few major musicals where the songs, popular worldwide since the 1970s, predated the show and the movie. Many audience members will recall as teens singing such megahits as “Dancing Queen,” “Super Trouper,” “Mamma Mia,” “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!,” “Waterloo,” and “The Winner Takes It All.” We will not be surprised to see our audiences singing and dancing in the aisles of the Village Hall this summer.

The show tells the story, through the ABBA music, of a young woman (Sophie), raised by her mother (Donna) in the Greek islands, and engaged to be married to her fiancé (Sky), seeking to find her father to walk her down the aisle.  After reading her mother’s diary, she discovers that there are 3 possible contenders (Sam, Bill and Harry), all of whom she invites to the wedding.

Old Cold Tater and Down Home Swing at Gentile Bandstand

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Old Cold Tater and Down Home Swing appear in concert on Sunday, July 22, 2018, at 7pm at the Antonio Gentile Bandstand, Stage Fort Park, Hough Avenue, Gloucester MA.

These outstanding acoustic musicians promise a great evening of Bluegrass at its best. This concert is sponsored by Cazeault Solar & Home. The concert is free to the public. Parking is free and the venue and rest rooms are wheelchair-accessible. Bring a blanket or chair and perhaps a picnic dinner. The rain date is Wednesday, July 31. For further information please visit DavidLBenjamin.com or call 978-281-2286