Glorious light and colors at Good Harbor Beach this morning. 
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."
SNEAK PEAK NEW LUXURIOUS COUNTRY ESTATE VENUE AND RESTAURANT – THE BRIAR BARN INN – OPENING DECEMBER 1ST!
Recently Briar Forsythe, my friend and proprietor of the North Shore’s newest inn and special events venue, the Briar Barn Inn, invited me to again visit the property and photograph their progress. You can see photos from April here.
Proprietor Briar and architect Gerald Fandetti
You will simply be knocked out by the beauty of the architecture and exquisite interior details. The buildings perfectly meld with the pastoral landscape, paying lovely homage to the area’s agricultural roots.
Some of the details will melt your heart. For example–architect Gerald Fandetti and designer Charlotte Forsythe, many, many years ago, rescued the gorgeous arching windows you see pictured here. The windows have been incorporated into the architecture of the Barn and will flank the entryway vestibule. Imagine storing these huge unwieldy windows for decades, not knowing if they would ever find a new life.
People love farmhouse style weddings–mostly because they want the feeling of at-home, relaxed, and down-to-earth entertaining. At Briar Barn Inn, you will find the perfectly idealized setting for your dream down-home wedding, along with every imaginable modern luxury.
More sneak peaks to come!
Briar Barn Inn is located in Rowley on the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway at 101 Main Street (Route 1). For more information about the Inn visit the Briar Barn Inn website here. To book your stay call 978-653-5323.
Message from the Briar Barn Inn team:
BRIAR BARN INN IS NOW BOOKING: December 2018 and beyond!
We’re so excited to be opening our Inn just in time for the holiday season – on December 1st, 2018! We want our friends and neighbors in Essex County to be among the first to enjoy our cozy rooms, so we are offering an introductory rate of 20% off your entire stay! So if you’re looking for a local getaway in December 2018 – March 2019, or want to host your family or friends for a wintertime visit, we invite you to celebrate a new tradition in our 30-room Inn. Each room features a fireplace, luxurious bathrobes, and an alcove soaking tub! We’ll also include a special in-room gift for our guests in December to celebrate our very first month in business.
The opening of our Restaurant and Spa will follow shortly after our December 2018 Inn opening, so this introductory rate is the perfect way to get a preview of all our property will offer.
Visit our reservation website (linked below) to book your stay! After selecting the dates of your stay, enter the code “LCAL” under the area that says “Rate Options”, and hit the “Apply” button to get 20% off your entire stay for visits between December 1st, 2018 and March 31st, 2019. Or call and mention “Local Love” to experience our very first season at Briar Barn Inn!
BOOK YOUR STAY TODAY!
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
GOOD NIGHT GLOUCESTER! BROUGHT TO YOU BY A GLORIOUS NILES BEACH SUNSET
Enjoying the last rays of tonight’s glorious Niles Beach sunset
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
A (RARELY SEEN) FOX SQUIRREL IN GLOUCESTER MASSACHUSETTS??
Rare for Massachusetts that is. This afternoon a very unusual colored squirrel briefly stopped by our garden. He sat atop the fence post, had a quick snack from our neighbor’s black privet berries, then departed as quickly as he arrived. At first glance I thought he was a Red Squirrel, but he was much, much too big. Next thought, perhaps a melanistic Gray Squirrel. Or perhaps a Gray and an American Red (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) had interbred, but that isn’t possible. However, I did learn a Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and a Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger) can interbreed. But possibly what we have here is an actual Fox Squirrel, which would be quite uncommon for Massachusetts. I am still researching this. If any of our readers has seen a Fox Squirrel in Massachusetts, please write and let us know. Thank you in advance.
Eating privet berries
Fox Squirrels are diurnal, which means they feed during the day. This little guy stopped by for a snack at about 1:30 in the afternoon. Conversely, Eastern Gray Squirrels are crepuscular, which means they are more active during the early and late hours of the day.
In this year of tree squirrel super abundance, I wonder, too if that could possibly be an explanation for an appearance by a Fox Squirrel; perhaps expanding its territory in search of food.
The coat of a Fox Squirrel comes in many colors, from nearly all black to rust, tawny gold, and gray combinations–like a fox. Gray Squirrels are mostly gray with white bellies. The average size of a Gray Squirrel is 9.1 – 12 inches; the average size of a Fox Squirrel is 10 to 15 inches.
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Mystery visitor
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
SAVE THE DATE: PRESENT GLOUCESTER HOLIDAY SHOP GRAND OPENING!
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11th FROM 2pm to 6pm
It’s beginning to look a lot like Present! Join us as we celebrate our opening for the 2018 season. We are located at 186 Main Street, across from the Police Station. We will have food, drink and all sorts of wonderful handmade things for you and the people you love!
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Rough Seas: Readings and Reflections on War and Writing
Rough Seas
Readings and Reflections on War and Writing
from the Cape Ann Veterans Writing Workshop
Join us for an evening to honor Veterans Day
Wednesday, November 7th at 7:30
at The Gloucester Writers Center, 126 East Main St.
Sign up for Veterans Day open mic at 7:15. Free Admission
Featured Readers
James Grigg, Poet, Viet Nam Veteran
Heather Dupont, Poet, V.A. Health Professional
Uncaring of the labors of man
The towering waves tear souls and sails
Such fury has the mind awakened.
James Grigg from Rough Seas
we stand facing The Wall
his trembling fragmentation
palpable as he whispers “I need to sit down”
Heather Dupont from Faded Songs
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
GREAT BLUE HERON SILHOUETTE IN THE REEDS
Poised to catch a fish, one of a trio of beautiful Great Blue Herons seen recently traveling together on Cape Ann.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
BECAUSE EVERY LITTLE BEE NEEDS A PAIR OF COWGIRL BOOTS
Happy Halloween from East Gloucester!
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Closing Artists Reception for Leon Doucette & Peter Herbert ART@the Icehouse Gallery
Closing Reception for Leon Doucette & Peter Herbert
If you missed our very successful Grand Opening Reception October 13th for this Exhibit, now is your last chance!— Please join us for our upcoming Closing Artists’ Reception for Leon Doucette & Peter Herbert at ART@the IceHouse, Cape Pond Ice Company, this Saturday afternoon, November 3, from 3 pm – 6 pm. 
Saturday, November 3, Closing Artists’ Reception, from 3-6 pm,
ART@the IceHouse, 104 Commercial Street, Fort Wharf, Gloucester
Please join us to view these lovely portraits, and land and sea-scapes by two talented local artists!
https://www.facebook.com/events/713080212385226/
ART@the IceHouse Gallery
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
CELEBRATING THE EXPANSION OF THE GLOUCESTER MARINE GENOMICS INSTITUTE – A HISTORIC DAY FOR GLOUCESTER!
Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute Class of 2019
Founders, supporters, and elected officials came together today to celebrate the expansion of the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute. The institute’s new facility is located at 417 Rogers Street on Gloucester’s inner harbor. GMGI is the world’s first dedicated marine genomics institute and is designed to advance marine biology research and to expand the local economy. The construction of the world-class genomics research institute was made possible by a $2.7 million capital grant from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) to help build and equip the 6,000 square-foot research institute and lab. Read more here.
Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute is open for self-guided tours!
Today was truly a historic day for Gloucester and you can see by the smiles of joy on everyone’s faces how meaningful is this expansion to Gloucester’s working waterfront.
Sherre Zizak was, for the second time this month, presented with the Unsung Hero Award, this one given by the City of Gloucester and the office of Mayor Sefatia.
Friends and supporters of GMGI received thanks today for their role in the expansion and they include the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, Governor Baker, Representative Ann Margaret Ferrante, State Senator Bruce Tarr, Mayor Romeo-Theken, Sherre Zizik, Lee Dellicker, Joe Rosa, John Bell, Marc Vidal, David Walt, Greg Verdine, Jonathan Pope, Michelle May, James Bacon, John Connolly, JC Guiterrez-Ramos, Bill Kane, George Putnam, Tom Simons, and many more.
About the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute
Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute was founded in 2013 by three entrepreneurial scientists with legendary experience in genomics and biomedicine — David Walt, Greg Verdine, and Marc Vidal — along with local businesswoman Sheree Zizik. Today, GMGI is led and backed by leaders with decades of experience in genomics, biomedical research, pharmaceuticals and industry.
The overarching mission is ambitious but simple: to catalyze the local economy by bringing science to Cape Ann in a meaningful way. The founders identified three strategies to accomplish the mission:
- Establish a world-class marine biotechnology research institute whose work is powered by the scientific field of genomics;
- Develop a local biotechnology workforce through a vibrant science learning environment; and
- Promote the conditions that encourage the development of a science community on Cape Ann.
The development of this research institute and the move to 417 Main Street have been made possible by a $2.7 million capital grant from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center.
About the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) is an economic development investment agency dedicated to supporting the growth and development of the life sciences in Massachusetts, home to the most verdant and productive life sciences ecosystem in the world. Through public-private funding initiatives, the MLSC supports innovation, research & development, commercialization, and manufacturing activities in the fields of biopharma, medical device, diagnostics, and digital health. Since its creation in 2007, the MLSC has strategically deployed over $700 million in Massachusetts, through a combination of grants, loans, capital infrastructure investments, tax incentives, and workforce programs. These investments have created thousands of jobs, and propelled the development of new therapies, devices, and scientific advancements that are improving patient health and well-being in Massachusetts and beyond. To learn more, visit masslifesciences.com.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
EASTERN POINT LIT HOUSE AND DUCKWORTH’S BOOK CLUB EVENT PRESENT “LITTLE WOMEN!”
Chris Anderson and Chef Ken Duckworth
DON’T MISS THE LAST BOOK CLUB EVENT OF THE YEAR! The literary dinners sell out quickly. If you would like to attend, purchase your tickets here.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Moderator: Erin Almond has published fiction, essays, and reviews in The Boston Globe, Roar Magazine,Colorado Review, Normal School, Small Spiral Notebook, and on Nerve.com, Cognoscenti.com, and The Rumpus.net. She is a graduate of the UC-Irvine MFA program and a recipient of a St. Botolph Foundation Emerging Artists Grant. She is currently seeking a home for her novel Witches’ Dance, and at work on her next book. Erin lives outside Boston with her husband, Steve, and their three children. NOTE: This event will run from 6-8 p.m.
Maggie Dietz and Todd Hearon led a lively discussion on October’s sold out book club selection, George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four.
Many of our Piping Plover volunteers will recognize two of October’s attendees, Kerry and Patty. Every morning at sunrise, these two are at Good Harbor Beach cleaning up, what on some mornings amounts to, a mountain of litter.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
GREAT BLUE HERON TIMES FOUR!
Last week we posted a photo of a group of Great Blue Herons, Cormorants, Snowy Egrets, Little Blue Herons, and Great Egrets all foraging together on a rainy morning. The Great Blue Herons are so perfectly camouflaged when perched on the rocky shoreline and we asked how many GBH folks could see. Reader Julie W. saw the most and she even sent the photo back with the Great Blues circled. Thank you Julie for taking the time to do that!!
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
HAPPY THREE WEEK ANNIVERSARY TO NEWLYWEDS KELLEY AND SCOTT!
Congratulations to Kelley and Scott, three weeks married!
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
SHORT BIT OF FOOTAGE OF THE ENDANGERED RUSTY BLACKBIRD FORAGING
As I was filming a Great Blue Heron, and standing as still as a tree, the beautiful Rusty Blackbird flew on the scene, not four feet away! My heart skipped a beat and I quickly turned my camera on the little blackbird. It’s foraging habit of flipping leaves to uncover insects and plant matter was fascinating and my only wish was that he stayed longer than a brief minute.
Scientists only relatively recently became aware of the dramatic decline of the Rusty Blackbird. Reports show that the population of the RB has plummeted between 80 and 99 percent.
As is the case with so many creatures the whole earth wide, two of the greatest threats facing the Rusty Blackbird are loss of habitat and climate change. The birds are elusive, nesting in remote areas of the great northern boreal forest and wintering over in the wet woodlands of the southeastern United States. Over 80 percent of their winter habitat in the southeast has been lost to development. Changes in the ecosystem of the boreal forests has affected nesting and foraging.
Without doubt, global climate change is the greatest challenge of our day. All living life as we know is in danger. Millions of human lives have been directly impacted by the Earth’s warming temperature. We are at risk of losing thousands of species of flora and wild creatures.
Non-breeding Male Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus)
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
TWIN LIGHTS ON A DARK AND SPOOKY NIGHT
Channeling Edward Steichen’s moonlit landscape paintings.
Twin Lights October Storm
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
JEFF WEAVER – NEW WORKS 2018 OPENING RECEPTION NOVEMBER 10TH!
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
STRANGER DANGER SAFETY ALERT AT VETERANS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TODAY
Important Message from Superintendent Richard Safiere
Dear Parents and Guardians,
There was an incident this morning, Thursday, October 25, when a driver of a green Subaru asked a Grade 5 Veterans Elementary School student whether he would like a ride to school. The student refused, twice, and ran into the school.
The police were contacted. They provided security at dismissal today and an investigation is actively underway. I have spoken with Chief McCarthy of the Gloucester Police Department and he has indicated that they will be increasing their presence at all of the schools.
I am writing to remind parents and guardians, that both at school and at home, we need to continue to remind our children about personal safety and “stranger danger”. We, for our part, will continue to do so, and we will take every step to ensure the safety of your children. I ask that you do the same.
Thank you.
Richard Safier, Superintendent
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
THE OPEN DOOR CELEBRATING 40 YEARS WITH A BEAUTIFUL AUTUMN BREAKFAST
The Open Door’s annual Autumn Breakfast, hosted by Cruiseport Gloucester, was especially beautiful and meaningful this year as it is the organization’s 40th year serving the Cape Ann community. The maxim of the Open Door is ‘feeding people and changing lives,’ and the heart rending testimonial given by guest speaker Colleen Moceri spoke to just that as she shared her story of how her life has been deeply affected by the assistance she has received from executive director Julie LaFontaine and her kind hearted staff.
Sheree Zizak received a huge round of applause and standing ovation for her tremendous generosity and was presented the Unsung Hero Award. The Helen Muise Community Service Awards were given to Jeffrey and Nancy McKeen, Janice Nolte, and Chris Pitman. The Charlotte Pope Award was presented to Ben Steele, and the Outstanding Partner Award was given to Addison Gilbert Hospital.
If you would like to make a donation to this most worthy of organizations visit the FOODPANTRY.org
The Open Door’s annual Thanksgiving Food Drive is Saturday, November 17th, from 9am to 3pm. Items most needed are peanut butter, canned tuna and chicken, healthy snack items, 100 percent juice and juice boxes, breakfast cereal, hearty soups, and caned fruits and veggies. Your food donations will be collected at Stop and Shop Gloucester, Market Basket in Gloucester and Rowley, and Shaw’s on Eastern Avenue and in Ipswich.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
GOOD MORNING GLOUCESTER BROUGHT TO YOU BY A GLORIOUS OCTOBER SUNRISE
Brace Cove Today
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
RESPLENDENT RED DAHLIAS
And one happy bee finding nectar!
Good Morning Gloucester 