How is this for Holiday kindness! JM Walsh Oil Company is helping to make the winter more bearable and easier for 5 struggling families. Such a great act of generosity.
We are giving away 100 gallons of heating oil to 6 struggling families this winter. Nominate a family in writing by December 31st!
Please include your name and phone number. Serving families in Gloucester, Rockport, Mancester, and Essex. Selected families will be kept confidential and will be notified in writing with a letter and gift certificate after January 4, 2016.
Send nominations to 6 Cleveland Place, Gloucester or email to jmwalshoil@msn.com
If this act inspires you….and you are fortunate enough to be able to do so…feel free to donate funds to help sponsor even more families!
Great job, JM Walsh Oil! Please check out their website below
The Middle Street Walk is such a great way to experience community, celebrate the holiday season, and spend time with family.
As always, the program for this year is packed with some pretty special events such as choir concerts, buoy painting, a gingerbread house contest, story telling, a puppet show, holiday treats, guided walking tours, music, and of course…the lobster trap tree lighting ceremony at 4:30 at the Police Station.
We saw this holiday show last year and loved it! A great opportunity to see a seasonal and funny show without spending tons of money or traveling too far.
Gallows Hill Theatre presents:
A very Grinchy Holiday Special!
Join us at Gallows Hill Theatre for a fun re-telling of the classic tale with music, audience interaction, Max the dog,The Who family and Thing One and Thing Two!
A great holiday show for all ages, featuring Erik Rodenhiser as The Grinch.
After the show, kids can meet The Grinch, and take picture with the cast!
The first night that we had him we took a late night trip to Petco and were happy to bump into an adorable pup that had just been adopted from the Cape Ann Shelter! They shared a quick meeting of the minds before we headed for home.
Please, please visit and support our local shelters.
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We have several holiday traditions. Some are silly and some are really, really special.
One of the sillier ones started last night….the 3rd season of The Great Christmas Light Fight.
The boys LOVE to hunker down with some cocoa and popcorn and watch the 4 families compete with pretty fantastic holiday light displays. The boys continued to love it even after they realized it wasn’t going to be a show with families chucking holiday lights at each other….as the title evidently led them to believe.
We love “getting to know” the four families, seeing where they live, and hearing their stories. We love seeing them come together and work so hard to make their magic happen. We love guessing Who Will Win.
While it’s no, It’s a Wonderful Life, it works for us.
Check it out if you have some time to kill….if nothing else, it’ll help bring the holiday season to your living room.
I posted a few “live blog” photos of Santa’ much awaited arrival, but here are several more.
Such a fun tradition. It is so fun to watch the boys, and all of Rockport’s children, get older each year as they stand on T-Wharf and await Santa’s arrival.
This was our 9th “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and the novelty has certainly not worn off.
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Clearly the holidays are about 90% about the boys, but I can’t lie, one of my favorite holiday traditions has become Ladies’ Night at Savour Wine and Cheese. This is the 3rd year in a row that I have gone, with the same friends, and I am already looking forward to next year.
First of all the wine selection is extensive and wonderful. In addition, the cheeses that are available are incredible. It is also a perfect destination for a gift for a friend, guest, or dinner host. Each holiday season I have shopped for at least two people on my list at Savour.
Beach Gourmet also operates their primary kitchen out of Savour. It is so fun to chat with them, watch them prepare amazing dishes in their open, exhibition style kitchen, and obviously taste what they serve. They are beyond amazing.
Ladies’ Night brought a wonderful crowd of wine sipping, holiday strolling women who clearly enjoyed sampling the wine, but also continuously expressed how fantastic Savour’s inventory is…and how yummy the food was.
We stayed from 5:30-6:15, shared some laughs, bought some gifts, drank some wine, and then moved on.
Thanks so much to the staff for creating such a lovely evening!
Tree lighting in Gloucester last weekend….tree lighting in Rockport this weekend.
Pick #1: Christmas in Rockport
1:00 Saturday, December 5th
It is only fitting that in the incredibly quaint, picturesque, and perfect town of Rockport, Santa should arrive by lobster boat. This has been a tradition for as long as I can remember, but please note, that this year’s schedule will be a little bit different.
Santa has decided that he would like more time to linger, shop, and visit with the townsfolk so he has cleared his afternoon schedule to arrive in Rockport earlier than normal.
Santa’s boat should be arriving at T-Wharf at 1:00 in the afternoon on Saturday, December 5th. The tree lighting ceremony will begin at 4:00. That leaves a nice amount of time to shop, explore, walk our new breakwater, grab a snack or some cocoa, and maybe get some one on one time with Santa himself.
Pick #2: Family Holiday Present Workshop at Maritime Gloucester
What a great way to get in some family time while also hand-making holiday gifts for those special people on your list.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2015, 10:00 AM TO 12:00 PM
REGISTRATION : $5.00 PER CHILD (MEMBERS), $8.00 PER CHILD (NON-MEMBERS)
AUDIENCE: FAMILIES
Come spend the morning at Maritime Gloucester making nautical inspired crafts..the perfect handmade holiday presents. Ages 5 to 12 years. Cost is $5 per child members, $8 per child non-members. Parents/Guardians are required to attend. The workshop will take place in the Sarah Fraser Robbins Classroom accessed from the walkway to the pier.
Surely this event will be gorgeous and should get even the biggest curmudgeon into the holiday spirit….
Kick off your holiday season with us. Tour the Great House beautifully decorated for Christmas. With a nod to the great polar expeditions of the 1920s, you’ll see outdoor adventure paraphernalia, polar-inspired decorations, and a magnificent ice sculpture. Enjoy live music and dance, interactive activities, and warm cookies and cider. On Sunday afternoon, 2 pm-4pm, visit with the North Pole’s greatest celebrity Santa Claus.
Find that perfect holiday gift at the Castle Hill gift shop or the Harbor Sweets pop-up store. Please consider bringing a pair of warm new socks to benefit needy children through Ipswich Caring.
Christmas at Castle Hill Schedule of Events
Friday, December 4, 5-9PM
Acapella singers from The Essex Harmony
Cash bar with beer, wine, and our own polar punch
Special exhibition on Admiral Byrd’s 1928 polar expedition
Saturday, December 5, 10AM-4PM
Fitzy the Snowman carves an ice sculpture
Family explorer activities
Special exhibition on Admiral Byrd’s 1928 polar expedition
11AM String Quartet Music featuring Michael Hamill, Carlos Heymann, Alice Newell, and Ann Ward
3PM Ipswich Moving Company’s Youth Dance Ensemble
Sunday, December 6, 12Noon-4PM
Family explorer activities
Special exhibition on Admiral Byrd’s 1928 polar expedition
12Noon-2PM Sled dog meet-and-greet
2-4PM Visit with Santa
3PM North Shore Bell Ringers
Late night for the Schrafft boys last night. We took the boys into Boston to see “Elf the Broadway Musical” at the Wang Center.
We enjoyed some city holiday decorations, a quick dinner in the theater district, and then went into the show about 40 minutes early to bask in what is the awesomeness of the Wang.
While the show certainly had some mildly inappropriate parts….and it’s fair share of adult humor….it was a great time and a really fun way to kick off our holiday season.
There are strict rules about no photography during the show and, while I entertained the thought of being sly and snapping a couple during the production, the boys were mortified at the thought of me “breaking the law” so I resigned to use my pre-game pics of the Wang and to Google some images when I got home.
If you are interested in learning more about the show, CLICK HERE
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Exactly one year ago I was waxing poetically (well, maybe not poetically) about how much we love cutting down our Christmas tree each year at the Beverly Tree Farm.
With a gorgeous red “barn”, a roaring fire, cider, hot chocolate, Christmas Cookies, holiday decorations, the friendliest staff going, and beautiful decorations, our time there each year screams Warm Fuzzies.
To some, the trees may seem pricey at $90 each, but the experience of living the good cheer, walking the fields, searching for THE ONE, sawing it down, and tagging it is honestly, truly priceless.
Another thing that you should know, is that every penny over the expenses of operating the tree farm goes to a worthy charity. Over $110,000 has been gifted in just the four short years that the Bertolon family has been running the farm. This year’s charity is the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem.
This year we spent a good hour searching for our perfect tree. CERTAINLY not because there were not hundreds of good options, but simply because it was fun to take our time.
We went on Saturday after gaining confidence that the rain was over. In talking to the owners we learned that more than 450 trees had been sold on Friday. Which, they also pointed out, was one tree every 48 seconds!
Sadly, if you are feeling inspired to go find the tree that speaks to you, you only have one more day to do so. With so many fans, friends, and returning customers the tree farm sells out quickly. They plan on being open Saturday, December 5th but that just may be the end of the season! Please check the link above to be certain.
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I’m a total sucker for those incredibly sappy Hallmark Channel Christmas Movies. Seriously can’t get enough.
November and December is clearly all about the boys and making the holidays special for them…but, after they’re tucked into bed…give me a pumpkin beer and a completely cheesy Hallmark movie and I’m in it to win it.
As if the movies aren’t excellent enough…the Hallmark commercials = total warm fuzzies.
So, here’s my public service announcement for you all ….
Gloucester’s Annual Santa Parade and Tree Lighting.
Sunday, November 29th
Parade Leaves the State Fish Pier at 3:00 and heads to Kent Circle. Tree Lighting takes place at approximately 4:30
Pick #2:
Cape Ann Symphony Holiday Pops
This annual concert has become a joyful holiday tradition as the orchestra is joined by the Cape Ann Symphony Chorus to perform many holiday favorites including an audience sing-along. Wendy Betts, Choral Director.
While Sunday’s show is sold out, there are still tickets available for Saturday’s 8:00 pm concert.
It came up in conversation the other day that most of us don’t know each other’s phone numbers. True that.
I remember clearly a moment that happened YEARS ago……
A few years before our kids became a reality, a bunch of us were hanging out on July 3rd. We were in my living room with some local friends as well as a few friends from Rockport who were home visiting for the 4th of July week. On the 4th we all had different plans/obligations, but we wanted to meet up at the end of the day. The questions arose, “Do we all have each others’ phone numbers so that we can track each other down?” I, silly me, jumped up to retrieve a pad of “sticky notes” so that we could all swap numbers…. I walked back into the living room to see everyone else had whipped out their cell phones to add contacts. I, of course, had a cell phone back then….but, hadn’t quite transitioned to the modern day way of easily saving phone numbers. Much like some people now still jot down recipes from a website rather than taking a screen shot….or write down a child’s wish list from a store rather than snapping a photo of the toy or item.
So, back to phone numbers. I can tell you without a second’s thought that my phone number from birth to age 9 was 774-7451. My phone number from age 10-17 was 468-4544. However, I can’t tell you my mother or father’s current cell phone number. Nor can I tell you anyone else’s. The only cell phone number I actually know is my husband’s and that is probably only because it is one number away from my own.
I do, however, know our dentist’s and doctor’s office phone numbers off the top of my head. I could also order a pizza from two local take-out restaurants….because, I’m happy to report, they’re not simply saved in my contact list.
So, my question to you is…. In thinking of family members and good friends, how many phone numbers do you actually know? Who could you call if you were to lose your contact list?
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While it will be no surprise that summer is my favorite season around here, I am kind of in love with how perfect and pretty downtown Rockport looks right now during my evening run/walks.
There were about 30 more window fronts that I wanted to snap quick photos of, but my furry brown partner wouldn’t have it last night. It’ll have to be a work in progress.
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While it feels like I was doing Schooner Festival posts about a minute ago, facts are it is time for Christmas and Holiday posts.
Sorry.
For me, the holidays are about tradition. I also love to create some special days with the boys….and sometimes those days involve day trips or special trips into the city. Later on, my holiday posts will be about the more local activities that we love to do each year as well.
Pick #1
Faneuil Hall Tree Lighting and BLINK
Blink! Takes place from this weekend until January 3rd, but the Tree Lighting Spectacular happens just once…. and that is Saturday, November 21st at 7:00 pm.
Entertainment Schedule:
2 pm The Revels Singers
3 pm Women of the World presented by Scullers Jazz Club
4- 6 pm Dress Rehearsal for the Tree Lighting Spectacular
6 pm Amy and the Engine presented by Hard Rock Café
7 pm Faneuil Hall Tree Lighting Spectacular Live Show
8 pm The Sugarbabies Band
The glitter of gold and the sparkle of silver will dazzle you as you tour three magnificent mansions decked out in Yuletide finery. Music, tours, and spectacular decorations highlight the celebration of Christmas at the Newport Mansions.
Photo from Newportmansions.org
All three houses will be decorated and open daily for tours from Saturday, November 21, 2015 through Sunday, January 3, 2016. The Breakers and The Elms open daily at 9 a.m., Marble House opens at 10 a.m. The last tour admission at all three houses is at 4 p.m., and the houses & grounds close at 5 p.m.
A Winter Passport ticket providing daytime admission to all 3 houses is $29.49 for adults, $9 for children 6-17. Children under 6 are admitted free. Regular Newport Mansions daytime tour tickets remain valid through the Christmas season as well.
Pick #3
Events at MarketStreet, Holiday Stroll
November 22nd, 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Join us for our official kick off of the Holiday Season! Enjoy delicious samples, Holiday Caroling, Tree Lighting, a special visit from our favorite guest and more!
Christmas Tree lighting with special guest promptly at 6:00 PM
Entertainment from Victorian Carolers, Voices of Hope, Lynnfield Middle School, and the Lynnfield HIgh School Band
The skating rink will be open too! Not to mention the plethora of great restaurants and places to grab a quick drink. And then, there’s the shopping.
“Enough from the hatemongers, the fearmongers, and the warmongers. When are they gonna let the fishmongers speak?”
Good Morning Gloucester 