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."

Fall 2017 Youth Programs at Gloucester Stage

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NEW YOUTH ACTING WORKSHOP PROGRAM TO BEGIN AT GLOUCESTER STAGE COMPANY

FALL Session 2017 Starts on

Friday, September 22 For Children &

Saturday, September 23 For Teens

Gloucester Stage Youth Acting Workshops is accepting students 5-18 for the Fall Session.  The six week Youth Acting Workshop Fall Session meets for a total of four hours per week through Saturday, October 28. The Fall Session features expanded class hours & lower tuition. The Fall 2017 Session curriculum features Acting Instruction taught by award winning actress, Harvard graduate and Gloucester native Heidi Dallin; plus instruction in Lighting Design; Stage Management; Costume Design; Acting Shakespeare and special classes taught by Education Apprentice Annika Schultz in Prop Construction, Devising Theater and Play Writing.

Gloucester Stage Youth Acting Workshops are designed to provide young people an outlet to nurture their creative potential through developing self-confidence, communication and teamwork skills to use in their daily life as well as introducing them to the skills necessary for professional theatre.

Registration is open for the FALL 2017 Session. Students are divided in classes according to age.  The Children’s Class (ages 5-9) meets Fridays,4-6pm and Saturdays, 11-1pm. The Teen Class (ages 10-18) meets Saturdays, 9-1pm Class size is limited and registration is on a first come basis. For class times and schedules and to register, call 978-283-6688 or visit www.gloucesterstage.com.

Jungian Study Group at the Writers Center

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Carl Jung spent his lifetime exploring the relationship of our individual existence to the Grand Cosmology of the world around us. He addressed simple questions which are still being asked today. What is our relationship to ourselves, to others and to the world of nature around us? As much as Jung was an academic his journey was very personal as well. We are going to explore “Jung’s Map of Soul” by Murray Stein as a way to find “tangible spiritual tools” to add more depth, understanding and to celebrate our own creative lives.  Call David Calvo for more info 978-283-0231
 
It will be led by:  Patricia Vesey-McGrew, MA, NCPsyA is a supervising and training analyst at the C.G. Jung Institute Boston, where she is past president and a faculty member. Additionally, she is Deputy Editor (US) on The Journal of Analytical Psychology, a member of the Council on Accreditation and Board of Trustees of ABAP and a past member of the NAAP Board of Directors. 

Mass Audubon: A Good Year for Monarchs?

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The following post was shared by my sweet friend and GMG reader Lois. Thank you so much Lois!

During the last week of August, Regional Scientist Robert Buchsbaum and several Mass Audubon naturalists and scientists took a field trip to Conway Hills Wildlife Sanctuary just west of the Connecticut River in Conway, MA. While there, they were pleasantly surprised by what they saw. Here’s Robert’s report:

“The initial goal of our exploration was to document the odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) that are present at this sanctuary. Conway Hills is a relatively new sanctuary for Mass Audubon so our records of species that occur there is still a work in progress.

While rambling through a big field in the center of the sanctuary, we couldn’t help but notice the large number of monarch butterfly caterpillars that were feasting on the milkweed plants in the field. Just about every one of the Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) plants had a Monarch caterpillar on it, busily chewing on leaves.
This was very heartening to all of us, given how scarce Monarch butterflies were last summer and the overall concern about the future of this stunning butterfly.

 

 

 

COYOTE CLAN

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Stopping on my way home from a job site in Boston late this afternoon, I met up with a beautiful immature Yellow-crowned Night Heron. While photographing and filming, out from the woods appeared a pack of coyotes, two youngsters and two adults, I think. Then the heron that I was filming flew low and toward the coyotes; please don’t do that I said to nobody but myself. Up he then flew into the trees above and you can see one of the adult coyotes looking up toward the heron.

The canids took a few sips of water from the pond’s edge before stealing back into the brush. A few seconds later there was a series of loud growling and yelping. I was tired and shaky from a long day with no lunch, a little spooked that the coyotes were so close and didn’t wait to see what would happen next.  With both cameras in hand, I did manage to film the scene (and record audio of the ferocious growling!) and here are a few snapshots.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Immature

CAPE ANN TRAIL STEWARDS

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Good Morning Gloucester received a nice note of appreciation from Cape Ann Trail Stewards president Nick Holland. I went to their website to learn more about Cape Ann Trail Stewards. They are a non-profit, all volunteer coalition founded in 2012 and their primary focus is on helping municipal landowners and conservation organizations protect, maintain, and expand Cape Ann’s trail network. They match volunteer trail stewards to trails in need of stewardship, and organize trail work parties.

I am super excited to learn more and looking forward to exploring some trails with Nick. Thank you for writing and letting us know!!

Cape Ann Trail Stewards Mission Statement: Trails, from meandering paths to stony fire roads, connect Cape Ann communities across borders, public and private land, and diverse natural landscapes. CATs helps to maintain existing trails, improve access and promote the responsible and safe use of the Cape Ann trail system and recreational areas. CATs works with municipalities and like-minded conservation organizations to protect and preserve land for its recreational and ecological values. CATs promotes the understanding of the wildlife and natural resources of our woodlands and wetlands.

Cape Ann Symphony Expands in New Season

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CAPE ANN SYMPHONY 2017/2018

THE 66th SEASON:

GROWING BIGGER AND BETTER

Cape Ann Symphony proudly announces the launch of the orchestra’s 66thConcert Season on Saturday, September 23 at 8 pm at the Manchester-Essex High School Auditorium on 36 Lincoln Street in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA and on  Sunday, September 24 at 2 pm at Ipswich High School on 134 High Street, Ipswich, MA with Russian Fireworks, a passionate and fiery all Russian program. The orchestra’s new season features CAS’s debut performance in Ipswich in September; the Cape Ann Symphony Chorus in the annual Holiday Pops Concert in November 2017; a concert featuring French symphonic miniatures with guest artist harpist Ina Zdorovetchi in March 2018; and an evening of Orchestral Opera Gems in May 2018. Cape Ann Symphony Music Director and Conductor Yoichi Udagawa is eager to open the CAS 66th  Season,”The musicians of the Cape Ann Symphony and I are extremely excited about the upcoming 2017-18 Season. We have added a concert in Ipswich in September, and are growing bigger and better because of the generous support of our wonderful audience. Our goal is to present concerts of the highest artistic standards guided by an enthusiasm for learning, a passion for the joy of music and love of good old fashioned fun and humor.” Season subscriptions for the four concert season are available to purchase. Single ticket prices are $43 for adults, $38 for senior citizens, $15 for Students of any age; $5 for youth 12 years old and under. For information, call 978-281-0543 or visitwww.capeannsymphony.org

RUSSIAN FIREWORKS

Performances:

Saturday, September 23, 2017: 8:00 P.M: Manchester-Essex High School,Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA

Sunday, September 24, 2017: 2:00 PM: Dolan Performing Arts Center,Ipswich High School. Ipswich,MA

Cape Ann Symphony kicks off the 66th season with Russian Fireworks a passionate and fiery all Russian program featuring Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet and Stravinsky’s Firebird and welcoming guest artist, the brilliant pianist Ya-Fei Chuang to perform Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in her CAS debut. The season opening concert features the CAS debut performance in Ipswich at the Dolan Performing Arts Center on Sunday, September 24 at 2:00 pm in addition to the performance at the Manchester performance venue.

HOLIDAY POPS

Performances:

Saturday, November 25, 2017: 8:00 P.M. Manchester-Essex High School, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA

         Sunday, November 26, 2017: 2:00 P.M. Manchester-Essex High School, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA

The Holiday Pops Concert, Cape Ann Symphony’s joyful holiday tradition, including an audience sing-along to kick off the holiday season on Saturday, November 25 at 8 pm & Sunday, November 26 at 2 pm. The Cape Ann Symphony Chorus under the direction of Rockport’s Wendy Betts joins the orchestra for this exciting celebration of holiday music.

BELLE MUSIQUE FRANCAIS

Performance: Sunday, March 25, 2018: 2:00 P.M Manchester-Essex High School, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA

The Belle Musique Francais Concert features a selection of French symphonic miniatures by Faure, Ravel, Bizet, and Debussy. Guest Artist harpist Ina Zdorovetchi joins the orchestra for Debussy’s Danse Sacree et Profane and Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro. The program also includes Faure’s Pelleas and Melisande Suite, Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin and Bizet’s Jeux d’enfants (Petite Suite).

ORCHESTRAL OPERA GEMS

Performance: Saturday, May 19, 2018 8:00 P.M. Manchester-Essex High School, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA

Emotional, romantic and stirring works from the world of opera are featured in Cape Ann Symphony’s Orchestral Opera Gems on May 19 at 8 pm. The CAS celebration of opera features orchestral masterpieces from famous operas by Wagner, Puccini, Verdi, Tchaikovsky, Bizet and others. The program includesWagner‘s Meistersinger Overture; Tchaikovsky‘s Polonaise from Onegin;Puccini‘s Intermezzo: Manon Lescaut; Bizet‘s Carmen Suite No. 1 plus many other audience favorites.

SINGLE TICKET PRICES FOR CONCERTS

Adult/$43.00

Senior Citizens/$38.00

Students (of any age)/$15.00

Youth (Age 12 and Under)/$5.00

Season Subscriptions are Available.

 For Information call 978-281-0543 or Visitwww.capeannsymphony.org

BREAKING: POLYSTYRENE (STYROFOAM) CUPS AND CONTAINERS BANNED FROM GLOUCESTER (Edited)

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Plastic: Pick It Up Club Kids Lotus, Pilar, Atticus, Meadow, and Frieda

The proposed ban on the use of polystyrene (Styrofoam) cups and containers in the City of Gloucester passed City Council by a vote of seven to two. Voting in favor were Councilors Melissa Cox, Sean Nolan, Scott Memhard, Valerie Gilman, Jamie O’hara, Paul Lundberg, and Joe Ciolino. Voting in opposition were Councilors Joe Orlando and Steve LeBlanc. The ban will be fully implemented in January 2019.

The vote on banning single use plastic grocery bags will come again before the City Council in October, with some slight wording changes to the petition.

Ainsley Smith of Gloucester’s Clean City Commission wishes to thank all who came to the meeting last night in support of the ban and thanks everyone for all that they have done, and are continuing to do, on behalf of the citizens of Gloucester and their efforts to make Gloucester a clean city.

Really proud of our neighborhood kids for having the courage to come before the City Council.

Terrific turnout at the City Council meeting to ban plastic single use bags and polystyrene to go cups and containers.

Kestrel Outside Center Fundraiser

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The Get Outside Center (GOC) opened in 2014, with funding from a single generous donor who promised to fund all our expenses for 2 years. We have just completed our third year in operation.

The idea was to create a free community resource that would, after two years, become supported by local businesses and community members.

Our Vision Team planned and schemed for two years to find a way to remove common barriers to getting outside. We decided that what our community really needed was a resource center right downtown, where even people who don’t yet value nature shop, work, and eat. We decided to make this place easy to get to, completely free, super comfy and fun, and open all year.

The Get Outside Center brings in many children and families, and has something for all ages: Trail maps, live animals, digital microscopes, rotating hands on activities, and staff naturalists to answer questions. It has an extensive resource library so you can look up information, and includes everything from small children’s books, to in depth books for serious naturalists. For a small fee, visitors can become members and then check out all kinds of cool gear, including waterproof boots, high quality binoculars, compasses, field guides, backpacks, snorkel sets, and more.

We get about 1000 drop in visitors a year, and also host classes, events, and a Meetup group.

DONATE HERE

 

READ MORE HERE

Continue reading “Kestrel Outside Center Fundraiser” →

YIKES! HOMIE SWALLOWS A WHOLE LOBSTER

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Photographing shorebirds early today and this Homie arrives on the scene, loudly announcing his catch. Before I could turn on my movie camera, he swallowed the whole lobster, in one big gulp! You could see the sharp edges of the lobster as it went down his gullet. I predict a Homie with a tummy ache.

The tremendous variety of seaweed currently covering Pebble Beach captures a wealth of sustenance for migrating shorebirds (and Homies).

Sanderlings, Sandpipers, Semiplamated Plovers, and one Snowy Egret at Pebble Beach today, September 12, 2017.

Cape Ann Museum Exhibition Announcement – WWII Veterans – Photos by Jason Grow

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Jason Grow’s World War II Veterans Photographs

On view October 27 through November 26 at the Cape Ann Museum

The Cape Ann Museum is pleased to announceWWII Veterans: Portrait Photographs by Jason Grow, a special exhibition on view from October 27 – November 26, 2017. First shown at Gloucester City Hall in 2015, Grow’s portrait photographs of Cape Ann’s World War II veterans were enthusiastically received by audiences of all ages and walks of life. The exhibit makes an encore appearance at the Museum this autumn, offering visitors another opportunity to view these remarkable images as a group. Admission is free throughout the exhibition run for veterans and all active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve.

On Saturday, November 11, in honor of Veterans Day, the Museum will be free and open to the public and Jason Grow will present a talk about the exhibit at 2:00 p.m. in the Museum’s auditorium.

The Cape Ann Museum is proud to participate in the national Blue Star Museum program.Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and museums across America. Each summer since 2010, Blue Star Museums have offered free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve, from Memorial Day through Labor Day. For more information please visit the Blue Star Museums’ website:arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

Jason Grow is a Boston-based photographer and Gloucester resident. He specializes in photographing exceptionally accomplished, busy people with real time constraints in real environments. With a background based in photojournalism his experience has ranged from refugee camps to conference rooms.

DON’T MISS THE FALL ISSUE OF CAPE ANN MAGAZINE!

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Don’t miss the current issue of Cape Ann magazine featuring a terrific article about the Schooner Lannon and Captains Heath and Tom Ellis (and Polly Five Toes!), written by Terry Date. There’s also a great read about the Straitsmouth Savages and their restoration efforts to reclaim Straitsmouth Island, written by Mary Markos, with photos by Desi Smith. Our issue arrived this morning and I have yet to read all, but am looking forward to reading from cover to cover.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BY8UXL0F5wd-UkHRYiOcRGZCwvJpoOgqaH2cPk0/

HOW DO HURRICANES AFFECT MIGRATING SHOREBIRDS LIKE LITTLE CHICK?

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We can hope our Little Chick is taking his time migrating southward. Perhaps he has traveled only as far as Cape May, New Jersey, or maybe he has already migrated as far as Cape Lookout, North Carolina. Migrating shorebirds often travel shortly after a low pressure system and hurricanes are a part of the environment to which wildlife like Piping Plovers have adapted. However, no wildlife has in the recorded history of the world had to cope with a storm the magnitude of Hurricane Irma.

Piping Plover foraging, building fat reserves for the southward migration. The above PiPl was one of four of a small flock traveling in Gloucester, spotted on August 24, 2017.

Extraordinary weather events can push endangered species over the brink. High winds, storm surges, and wave action destroys coastal habitats and flooding decreases water salinity. Songbirds and shorebirds are blown far off course away from their home habitats, especially young birds. A great deal of energy is expended battling the winds and trying to return to course. Songbirds have it a little easier because their toes will automatically tighten around a perch but seabirds and shorebirds are the most exposed.

Shorebirds like Piping Plovers feet have evolved to run over sand easily and do not grip well with their toes.

Numerous Piping Plovers winter over in the low-lying Joulter Cays, a group of sandy islands in the Bahamas, and one of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Irma. Perhaps migrating PiPl sensed the pending hurricane and held off before crossing the Atlantic to reach the Bahamas and other Caribbean Islands. The flock of nine PiPl in the above photo were seen last year at the end of August in Gloucester (August 29, 2016.)

One famous shorebird, a Whimbrel named Machi, who was wearing a tracking device, became caught up in the eye of a powerful storm but made it through to the other side of the storm. Tragically, he was subsequently shot dead in Guadeloupe. Many migrating birds like Whimbrels know to avoid places like Guadeloupe where unbridled shorebird hunting is allowed, but Machi had no power over where he made landfall. Sea turtles too are severely affected by the loss of barrier beaches. Staggering loss of life has been recorded after recent powerful hurricanes–fish, dolphins, whales, manatees, baby crab and lobster estuaries, insects, small mammals, all manner of birds–the list is nearly as long as there are species, and nothing is spared.

A pair of Whimbrels at Brace Cove in July 2015

If you see rare or an unusual bird after a storm or hurricane, please let us know and we can contact the appropriate wildlife official.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BY5x54fFMFBQigucWeo1zl5IpicgibKOr-SUjU0/

“FLIGHT OF THE MONARCH” MAKES TRIUMPHANT WORLD PREMIERE!

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“Flight of the Monarch” Makes Triumphant World Premiere

By Tom Hauck

Even by the high standards of the Gloucester Stage Company, one of America’s most respected venues for new dramatic works, “Flight of the Monarch” has made an astonishing first impression. This new work, penned by Jim Frangione and directed by GSC Managing Director Jeff Zinn, and featuring just two actors, Nancy E. Carroll (Sheila) and J. Tucker Smith (Thomas), hits the stage as a fully formed and incisive examination of a question that every person asks themselves at some point in their lives: “What do I have to live for?”

The premise, like many great dramas, is simple: The lights come up on Sheila, a woman of advanced age, who is lying in a hospital bed. But she’s not passive; she’s on the phone, arguing with her sister. Defiant in her confinement, she just wants to get on with her life. Her younger brother Thomas, who has been dozing in a visitor’s chair, wakes up, and the siblings waste no time in exposing the family’s secrets. As the layers are ripped aside, we quickly learn that under Shiela’s fiesty exterior she’s losing faith in herself. She feels only the crushing weight of what she believes has been a lifetime marked by failure.

In crafting the peppery dialogue, playwright Jim Frangione, himself a working actor, thankfully avoids the temptation to be clever. Sheila and Thomas feel like people we know, and it’s easy to forget that we’re not hearing transcripts of actual conversations. Frangione’s ear for dialogue is spot-on and the plot elements are true to life. Yes, there are plenty of laughs in this drama, but none are forced, and they come from the heart, not from a playwright seeking to pander to his audience.

The direction by Jeff Zinn is what it should be: invisible to the audience. The play unfolds with such ease and naturalism that we forget we’re watching a consciously crafted presentation. As the actors verbally attack, retreat, and make peace – often with the span of a few seconds – we stay with them, never feeling as though we’re seeing anything other than real people with real problems.

Gloucester Stage Company veteran and Rockport resident Nancy E. Carroll and GSC newcomer J. Tucker Smith carry the production with nary a misstep. They deliver astonishing performances that resonate with real passion, dreams, and regrets. They never reach for cheap laughs, which goes a long way toward building and maintaining their credibility with the audience. When they express their deepest emotions, we believe them.

The set by Cristina Todesco supports the actors and the story. When the lights come up on the second act, which is set in Sheila’s living room, you’ll swear you’ve been there before – every casually placed tchotchke evokes the kind of run-down middle-class Cape that could use a really good cleaning. The lights, costume, and sound design all contribute to the authenticity of the setting.

“Flight of the Monarch” is a poignant and astonishing family drama that aims for the heart and doesn’t miss. Congratulations to the Gloucester Stage Company for presenting this newly created jewel. See it before it triumphs in New York! Onstage now through September 30. For tickets – while they last! – visit gloucesterstage.com or call 978-281-4433.

 

IMPORTANT REMINDER CITY HALL MEETING TOMORROW, TUESDAY NIGHT: Gloucester Vote 9/12 City Hall @ 7PM – Plastic Bag and Polystyrene Bans

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Gloucester Vote 9/12 City Hall @ 7PM – Plastic Bag and Polystyrene Bans

SEP 6, 2017 — If you haven’t done so yet, you can email your councilor (or the full council) to let them know your position on these ordinances, as they will be the ones voting on the 12th. Email addresses can be found here: http://gloucester-ma.gov/index.aspx?nid=121

If you’re inspired after reading Jack’s letter to the editor, you can keep drawing attention to our marine debris problems and submit your own through the Gloucester Daily Times website –https://www.gloucestertimes.com/…/f…/online_services/letter/. Read his letter here: http://www.gloucestertimes.com/…/article_ba33d4f5-d543-5736…

Visit Ban the Bag Gloucester on FBhttps://www.facebook.com/BanTheBagGloucester/

GLOUCESTER STAGE TALK BACK WITH THE CAST, DIRECTOR, AND AUTHOR OF “FLIGHT OF THE MONARCH” AND KIM SMITH

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On Sunday, September 17th, I am excited to say I will be joining the stellar cast, director, and author of Gloucester Stage Company’s current show “Flight of the Monarch” for a Talk Back. The Talk Backs are super fun and interesting events held at least once during a show’s run where audiences are invited to ask questions of the players. In attendance will be Jeff Ziinn, the director; Jim Frangione, the play’s author; Nancy Carroll, the lead actress who plays Shelia Callaghan; and Tucker Smith, the lead actor who plays Thomas Callaghan. I have been asked to join to answer any questions folks may have about Monarch butterflies and this year’s migration. The Talk Back is at 4:00pm and held in the theatre. Anyone is welcome to come, whether or not you have seen the show, so please do come! 

Monarchs, honey bees, and many species of butterflies and bees love the nectar rich florets of Bull Thistle. Monarch coming in for a landing at Eastern Point, Gloucester. 

THANKS TO KEN WHITTAKER AND GLOUCESTER’S PIPING PLOVER VOLUNTEER TEAM

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A huge thank you once again to our city’s conservation agent Ken Whittaker and the amazing team of Piping Plover volunteers who, with their kind dedication, helped one little chick survive Gloucester’s busiest of beaches.

Ken met recently with some of the volunteers, to review ideas and suggestions for next year, and to give volunteers thanks, as well as the fun caps pictured above. Left to right; Chris,  Ken, Carol, and Hazel.

Little Piping Plover Chick Three Days Old

FLEDGLING STEALS PAPA’S BREAKFAST

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Papa Cardinal enjoying his breakfast in peace.

“Rats, is that Pesky Pants I hear coming?”

Junior swoops in and swipes Dad’s blueberry.

“That was delish! You snooze, you lose Pops.”

THANK YOU ALICE GARDNER!

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Me in my happy place. Alice’s title is “Pure Joy” and that is precisely how I feel when working on film projects. Thank you Alice for sharing your photo from Saint Peter’s Fiesta. I LOVE it!

THE SPIDER’S TRAP

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It’s that time of year, where you’ll be walking in the woods or along a pond’s edge, when you come across a treasure trove of spiderwebs. Nearly every tree and shrub are dressed in gossamer woven webs of silk. The best time to find the spider’s trap is just after a spell of fog.