Author: Nichole S.

Things have become pretty quiet in Rocky Neck during the evenings, but while taking a walk the other night I passed lots of dog walkers and plenty of pretty views.

The 125th Boston Marathon is in the books and we really wanted to take a moment to congratulate some Gloucester residents who ran this year. Congratulations to Jamie Marshall and Nadina and Justine Wilk! No doubt there are more runners in our community to congratulate, so please share with us if you or a loved one ran this year. Please read more to learn about Jamie Marshall and Team Speed of Light and the Light Foundation and Nadina and Justine Wilk who ran for Team End ALZ and the MA/NH Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Nadina and Justine Wilk (a dynamic duo and Mother/Daughter team) ran this year on the official course as well as last year on a self designed course around Gloucester….both times to raise a significant amount of money for Team End ALZ and for the Alzheimer’s Association MA/NH Chapter. With the words “Running for Nonie” helping them each step of the way, Nadina and Justine ran in the beautiful memory of Nadina’s mother and Justine’s Nonie who suffered from the horrible disease. You can still support them by following this link to their official GivenGain page HERE.

We’re baaaack!!! Never did I think these words would be spoken, but here we are!!  This past year has been the most challenging for every single one of us.  Although we were not able to run Boston in 2020, we did, however, raise $40K to help the fight to end Alzheimers!! We couldn’t have done this without the enormous support from all of you.  This cause is extremely near and dear to our hearts as we watched my loving Mom, and Justine’s Nonie, suffer with this horrible disease.  We just know that together we can help to find a cure and give our children a world without Alzheimers.  
We have proudly joined Team End ALZ once again and will run Boston on October 11, 2021.  Please help us to reach our goal – your support means more than you will ever know.  LETS DO THIS!!!!!!!!    Much love, Nadina & Justine XO

Jamie Marshall also ran this year as part of Team Speed of Light for the Matt Light Foundation. The Light Foundation’s charity athletes run the famed Boston Marathon to bring awareness to the work of the Light Foundation. To date, they have raised more than $400,000 for our youth leadership programs. Jamie ran alongside Danica Patrick….who is known for speed on the race track and now also along the marathon route. You can still support Jamie and the Light Foundation on Jamie’s official GivenGain page HERE

Hey 26.2 – I’m coming for you in October!  That’s right, I’m taking part in the 125th Boston Marathon to raise money for the Light Foundation.  As many of you know, I serve as an active Board member for the Light Foundation, which was founded by former NFL player Matt Light.  The funds raised will help enhance the life changing programing that continues to inspire and transform the future of so many youth year after year.

The Boston Marathon is a race like no other!   Beyond its iconic, yet challenging reputation – it brings everyday athletes (like me!), many of whom are connected to extraordinary causes, to the same road as elite, world-class athletes. Together, inspired by strength and courage we run as ONE on the same journey thru the greatest towns on earth!

Please support my personal fundraising project and help me push forward on the road ahead to the finish line!   

Let’s goooooo Team Speed of Light!
Sazeets!
Jamie

I just spent a long weekend down in Nashville with seven friends. I’m so happy that we were able to fit in a trip to the Grand Old Opry. I happen to be a fan of country music, but even if you’re not, I think it is something that everyone would enjoy. The history, the stories, the tradition….it is pretty special. And, if you can watch the video that showcases some of the Opry’s members being surprised with the news of becoming a member and not get teary, we can’t be friends. Warm fuzzies for sure.

Here’s a short video that talks a bit about the tour:

We snuck in one last dinner at the Studio this week. They close for the season on Saturday night. You might want to get down there before you miss out. It’s a long winter…..

The email announcing this new addition to the Vineyard Vines catalogue reads, “Fishing for Compliments in Gloucester”….. and, while the cashmere 1/4 zip sure is nice, you had better hook up to more than a couple compliments if you want to buy one at the listed price. Still, regardless of the price, it’s kind of cool to have a Gloucester inspired sweater in the mix of Vineyard Vine’s collection.

“Even the most weathered fishermen can appreciate the softer things in life. Enter: our Gloucester Cashmere Quarter-Zip. Named after the famed seaside community of Gloucester, MA, and made from 100% naturally breathable and lightweight cashmere, this sweater is perfect to wear under a jacket for the evening sail or over a button-down for dinner and drinks at the yacht club.”

https://www.vineyardvines.com/mens-sweaters/gloucester-cashmere-quarter-zip/1E001204.html

Drove by Pebble Beach at just the right moment to see this fisherman hook up and then release this nice fish.

One of the most important things to do in your home in my opinion… Remember to schedule a Dryer Vent Cleaning with CleanPro! Several years ago a neighbor helped fix an issue with our dryer. When I saw the amount of lint and debris that was inside the walls of my dryer vent I was horrified! I was initially worried about the fire hazard of course…..and then also the fact that it just isn’t sanitary.

CleanPro is offering a 10% discount on all Dryer Vent Cleaning this month.

Well, hello, gourdeous. I’m always super sad to see summer end, but I love the colors of fall and I’m all about trying to visit farms on weekends….between football and hockey.

Get your tickets now! From what I’ve been told, this Halloween Party is always a blast! You don’t have to have a child who participates in Gloucester Youth Football or cheer to attend….you just have to be ready for a great night and be happy to support these kids.

This year’s Halloween Party is on Friday, October 29th @ 7:30 at the St. Peter’s Club. Reach out to Chrissy Madruga at 978-491-0074 for tickets. They cost $15 each and there will be prizes for best costumes, a DJ, cash bar, and a raffle.

Help support Gloucester Youth Fishermen Football and Cheerleading and get your Trick or Treat on with us.

A friend and I shared this beautiful Heirloom Tomato Flatbread while sitting at the Oyster Bar at Beauport’s 1606 Restaurant. Check out the full menu here: https://1606restaurant.com/

It’s always fun watching the huge schools of bait fish swimming in the lights off the transoms of the boats docked throughout the harbor.

Help support GMG Jim, in his other role as “Coach D,” and his O’Maley girls Field Hockey team by hitting 525 tonight. Part of your dining proceeds, between the hours of 5:00 – close, will go back to the organization. You can also purchase chances to win this awesome scratch ticket basket! If you can’t make it there this evening you can also Venmo Josie Martell at Josie-Martell-1 Tickets are $5 each.

Here is a link to make reservations at 525: http://525magnolia.com/

If you’ve ever taken a child to the Topsfield Fair you know how quickly those tickets disappear and how expensive letting them go on all the rides can be. So, purchase your MEGAPASS now and save some money! If you buy it before October 1st it costs $45 and includes fair admission and UNLIMITED “mechanical rides.” After October 1st it is $55.

BUY YOURS HERE: https://topsfield.fiestashows.com/

The Topsfield Fair is back, from October 1st – 11th, and has a pretty robust schedule of events for anyone interested. You can check out their schedule here: https://www.topsfieldfair.org/plan/daily-schedule/

In addition to the rides, fair food, games, animals, agriculture, etc. they also have a pretty packed live music schedule. While browsing I found that Frankie Avalon, 38 Special, Colin Jamieson, Phil Vassar, Tony Orlando, and others will be playing at some point during this year’s fair….proving that there’s a little something for everyone!

Like the saying goes, “Like a deer in headlights.” Although, I think these guys surprised me more than I surprised them. I wish I could have taken a better photo. Not only do I not get great photos in the dark with my phone, but I also didn’t want to frighten them away. While there are only three in the picture, there were at least five or six of them hanging out together.

Check out these wonderful youth acting opportunities at Gloucester Stage Company….including the Fall Production of CLUE! and workshops for a variety of ages. https://gloucesterstage.com/youth-company/ We are so fortunate to have this acclaimed theater in our community and I love that part of their mission is to connect with our youth.

Fractured Fairytales for Grades 1-3: Act I

Acting Fundamentals for Grades 4-6: Act II

Fall Production of CLUE!: Act III

While the weather looked dreary, the circle of red chairs around the fire on the beach on Cape Ann Motor Inn’s private stretch of beach looked really inviting. Check out Cape Ann Motor Inn HERE. It is a wonderful place for vacationeers….and Staycationeers alike!

CleanPro is offering a September special! If you buy one area rug cleaning, they will clean a second one for FREE. Call CleanPro at 978-281-3939 or visit them HERE to see all of the great services they offer! https://www.cpcleanpro.com/

I caught up with a couple of friends the other day at the backside of the Gloucester House watched as the Beauport Princess slowly passed by.

Mondays off thanks to the “Game of Thrones Clause.” Brilliant. If you follow GMG you’ve probably heard Joey talking about Dockwa….we’ve even had them on a podcast or two. Dockwa is a company who will book slips and moorings for you via their website or an app much like using a third party to book a hotel room or a flight.

I heard yesterday that they, thanks to their parent company the Wanderlust Group, are now giving all of their employees Mondays off and it’s genius…and they’re seeing productivity and profits increase! According to FastCompany.com (read more here)

“We were all spending an astronomical amount of time in front of screens,” says Mike Melillo, CEO of the Wanderlust Group, parent company to Dockwa and Marinas.com, which are platforms similar to OpenTable where consumers can reserve and book slips at marinas. “Boating was one of the few socially acceptable activities, and by the middle of May we were burnt out.”

Melillo decided to enact his “Game of Thrones” clause. “I always said, if on Sunday night while watching Game of Thrones I was dreading going to work the next way, I should not go to work. Work should be something you’re passionate about.”

Melillo used Sundays to plan for the week ahead, which cut into his weekend downtime. “l was miserable and felt drained, and I knew my employees probably felt the same way,” he says. “Taking Fridays off would be fine—everybody does summer Fridays. But the majority of our employees live in coastal towns, and the best time to get outside and explore and enjoy them is on a Monday when everyone else has gone home.” The company’s 45 employees who work out of the company’s Massachusetts and Rhode Island offices were given Mondays off as an experiment. “I wasn’t sure how it was going to go, but I knew something had to change,” says Melillo. Read more…..