Author: Nichole S.

While watching the Patriots yesterday….and while sadly NOT watching the Red Sox play postseason ball, I started to wonder…..

How are we divided?

If you had to pick one of the major team sports to call a favorite which one would it be? I am well aware that golf, tennis, polo, race car driving, archery, boxing, wrestling, etc. are absolutely sports…but, for these purposes, let’s stick with Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey, and Soccer.  

For the record, I’m talking as a spectator.  What is your favorite team sport to watch and cheer for?

Please take the survey below, but also feel free to comment if your answer needs explanation.

CAYH is sponsoring is a new program, Challenger Hockey, to introduce boys and girls with developmental disabilities to adaptive ice hockey.

This developmental program is FREE and designed for children between the ages of 6-16. Skates and equipment will be provided.

The program will run on Saturdays @ 2pm starting October 10, 2015 and running till November 21, 2015. (No session held on November 14th).

1st week: Introductory program to initiate and confirm child’s interest.

2nd – 5th weeks: Instructional development based on USA Hockey Development Program.

Instructions and coaching will be done primarily by High School-age mentors under the supervision of adult coaches. The focus will be on customized training to the individual participant.

http://capeannyouthhockey.com/#434905

Have you seen me?

I’ve heard of the “elusive bluefin” but this is a first.

Mile Marker One at Cape Ann’s Marina Resort would love to get their friend, the bluefin tuna, back.  Evidently, he went missing at some point on Sunday.

They have stated that “there will be no questions asked” upon his safe return.

Did your roommate bring home some living room decor?  Did you walk outside and discover a fish out of water on your front lawn?  Maybe you saw a vehicle on the boulevard with a giant fish head sticking out the window?

Let’s hope he finds his way home.

At least someone is happy that summer is over and the beaches are empty.

Pick #1  Aeolus Quartet at the Cape Ann Museum

A Family Free Concert

http://www.capeannmuseum.org/events/aeolus-quartet-family-concert/

A live performance at the Cape Ann Museum featuring the exciting, young Aeolus String Quartet. Winners of multiple awards and the Graduate Resident String Quartet at the Juilliard School, this group promises an engaging 1-hour program with excerpts of Haydn, Dvorák, and Ervin Schulhoff appropriate for all ages.  The Quartet will introduce their instruments, the different roles they play, the different tools used by composers to make their quartet repertoire distinctive—all presented in a program that will cultivate a greater love for music and a deeper understanding of how a team can become greater than the sum of its parts.

This program is presented as part of a residency through Rockport Music’s Education and Outreach program with programs in both Rockport and Gloucester Public Schools.

Free, no tickets required

Pick #2   The Topsfield Fair (again)

It is still going on and if you haven’t gone yet, you should.  The rides kind of drive me crazy, but there are really so many great learning opportunities at the fair.  It is kind of a shame to miss it.

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Pick #3         A Day in the City

Head to Boston while the weather is still nice!  While there are clearly SO many places to visit, a lot of great walking and exploring to do, and a massive amount of restaurants to fill your bellies at, I’d put these two things on the list for Saturday…

Janet Echelman’s Aerial Sculpture over the Rose Kennedy Greenway

Get there while you still can, because it will be gone soon….and it is pretty cool to see!

Amazing art installation aside, I’ve told you all before that I really can’t get enough of the gorgeous Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway!

Read all about it HERE:   http://www.rosekennedygreenway.org/visit/public-art/janet-echelman/

And then, get your pumpkin on at the

2nd Annual Punkin’ Fest on the Lawn at the D

Click below to read all about it because it sounds like there is some fun to be had!

http://lawnond.com/calendar_events/punkin-fest/

As always, head to North Shore Kid for a more comprehensive list of family activities!

Frankenstein.  Just walking down the street.  On a Sunday afternoon. Because, you know, it’s October and I was in Salem.

I try each year to make our appointments early enough that the boys may be lucky enough to get the nose spray, but they were out of luck this year.  A round of shots for us all!

I went first and, even though I thought it was wicked funny to shriek and yell “OUCH”, (That’s right, Mother-of-the-Year) the boys stepped up no problem and each took one in the arm.

So, if you catch the flu this year (and I really hope that you don’t!), chances are it isn’t from us.

While I’m sad that the sun is setting early…I could get used to it if it always looks like this.  Good evening, friends.

Forgive me if it is common knowledge that somehow I am not privy to, but humor me nonetheless.

Can someone tell me what is happening in this newly cleared space at the end of Whittemore Street in Gloucester?

My grandmother lived on Riverside Avenue for years and I can remember scurrying around that neck of the woods when I was little….nice memories.

Anyway, I noticed this while heading under the train bridge a couple of weekends ago and meant to ask.

Needed this little laugh today….  Happy October.

October, for reals.

Time to get your Autumn on, my friends.

Pick #1   Harvest Fest at Mile Marker One

Always a great event…be sure to stop by!  Thanks to Cape Ann’s Marina Resort and Mile Marker One for hosting this morsel of perfect fall family fun.

http://www.milemarkerone.com/entertainment.htm

Pick #2  Topsfield Fair

While I know that there exist families who do not enjoy the Topsfield Fair for reasons of their own, we have always loved the fair!

Find the calendar of events within this link and see all that the fair really has to offer!!

http://www.topsfieldfair.org/

Pick #3  Family Day at the Bird Banding Station

Like many other local Audubon locations, Joppa Flats offers so many wonderful opportunities for families with young children.  This Sunday is no different.

http://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/program-catalog#program:program_code=40911

Registration is required in advance.

Family Day at the Bird Banding Station

Sponsored by Joppa Flats Education Center

Sun, Oct 04, 2015 9:30 am – 11:30 am

Location:

Bird Banding Station, Plum Island

Audience:

All (suitable for children 6 – 18 years)

Members:

Adult $8.00, Child $5.00

Nonmembers:

Adult $10.00, Child $6.00

Nonmembers can join today during checkout and take immediate advantage of member prices.

Come for an exciting visit to the Joppa Flats Bird Banding Station on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. See Mass Audubon scientists capture, measure, weigh, examine, and release migrant songbirds. Learn about migration, habitat use, and scientific research at a real field station. The station operates only during the height of migration in spring (April and May) and fall (September and October). Children must be accompanied by an adult.

For more family friendly activities, please see our friends at North Shore Kid

Do we really get to live here?

I’ve been seeing deer everywhere (well, maybe not everywhere, but often) the past several days.  Drive carefully, for your sake and theirs.

We met the nicest lady while riding the T from the TD Garden to Fenway Park yesterday. I can’t stop thinking about her.  I wish I had a photo.

She climbed on the T when it still wasn’t quite so full and took a seat kind of far away from us.  She caught my eye immediately.  She was a tiny little thing.  Maybe 5 feet tall…but I’m guessing still in the 4s.  She was dressed like Richard Simmons meets Punky Brewster and made me smile instantly.  There wasn’t a shade or hue of any color that she was wearing somewhere. She was rocking head phones and a fanny pack.  She had to be in her 70s.

The car got really full….and then started to empty out again.  As it did, she changed seats, and landed right next to one of my boys.  She immediately started to chat them up.  Not super familiar with riding the T and maybe a bit overwhelmed by it all, they were hesitant to offer more than one word answers at first.  But soon, even they, were under her spell.  She was equal parts quirky and charming.  A total breath of fresh air….and on a crowded T…that is a pretty big compliment.

Talking with the boys seemed to remind her of her own….and she was quickly telling us about them.  The youngest of which is now 43.  Exactly my age.  In the 10 minutes tops that we sat with her, we learned more than I know about some people who I have known for years.  I regret, that due to the noise on the subway, I missed key bits and pieces of what she said and found myself merely nodding and smiling. There were times when I could tell that she wanted more of a response, and I was sad that I couldn’t offer one.

What I could gather and hear was completely heartwarming…and a little bit “Cat’s in the Cradle”.  It made me smile and be sad all at the same time.

Grown children, birthday yesterday, one son can’t get time off, her husband used to know his boss years ago so she was able to arrange for him to not work yesterday, a special day together, something about Kentucky Fried Chicken, went to a place full of long ago Mother’s Day memories, should they invite the other children?, “no” someone will have complications, someone will have to be late, let’s just spend it together, a quick trip to Nantasket Beach, before they knew it 9 hours had gone by, his girlfriend had called several times, played games they used to play in the sand (I have to admit that image made me chuckle), how did it go by so fast, she feels like she woke up one morning and was old, there are years she is happy to not remember, yesterday was a great, great day.

It was time for us to get off and she smiled and said, “Boys, you be good to your mother.  Even when you think she is wrong, tell her she is right.  Mom, you try to be good too.  There’ll be times you know they’re wrong, but they need you to believe in them anyway.”

After we got off and were in the daylight of Kenmore Square, Thatcher said, “That lady was nice.  But, was she happy or sad?”   I told him I figured she was a little bit of both. I can’t stop thinking about her.

I love it when local businesses and business people are commended for a job well done! We all know that many Gloucester businesses offer service that is second to none, but it makes me, for one, feel proud when such people, companies, etc are recognized by those from outside our community as well.

And that is exactly what has just happened to Paul Genovese, Jr. from Palazzola Insurance Company.  Congratulations, Paul!  Keep up the great work.

Paul R. Genovese, Jr. of Palazzola Insurance Agency Earns Safeco Insurance® Award of Excellence for Superior Underwriting Skills

Hanging out with Bob Sweeney the other day as he presented a sweet check to the Gloucester Education Foundation and listening about where he was off to next, made me take pause and appreciate (again) just how much these incredibly dedicated organizations do to help positively impact communities in their “fan nations.”  I’ve climbed onto my soap box many times to recall the hours and countless nights (often several right in a row) that the high-ups in the Red Sox front office spent making appearances, offering large donations, and simply being in attendance to show their support to so many diverse charities, groups, schools, etc. during the years that I had an inside view.  Organizations such as the Red Sox Foundation, the Bruins Foundation, and the Patriots Charitable Foundation do more than many people may ever guess to give back and help make a difference.

Ok, done.  On that note, being in Bob Sweeney’s presence also reminded me of a fantastic day my boys spent skating on the ice at the TD Bank Garden.  Bob and the Bruins Foundation put on quite an event and made the boys and all other guests feel like little VIPs.  The best part, however, is the proud Mother moment that I got watching the video below a few days later.  While the boys flash by and make several appearances in the Bruins short video…. second 50 is where I have to stop and think, “Super.”  After watching the same video, Thatcher said, “The Ice Girl thinks we’re cute.”  Super, again.

If you have a 1:55 seconds of spare time…take a peak.

http://video.bruins.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=499909

Here’s Thatch dropping gloves with Lyndon Byers…totally a good sport.

Remember that little event called the Bluefin Blowout?  If you need a reminder, refer to this post right here.

https://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2015/07/25/last-day-of-the-2015-bluefin-blowout/

The tournament is for sure a win, win, win (maybe even another win).  In addition to being nothing short of an absolute BLAST, it is also a big draw for out-of-towners to head to Cape Ann….hence, a great addition to our amazing year-long schedule that promotes tourism.  It also happens to be a really premier fishing tournament!

Another giant win is the fact that, thanks to Bob Sweeney and the Bruins Foundation, a large donation was just made to the Gloucester Education Foundation.  It was an honor to be in attendance at the check presentation yesterday.

Tina Raimo and Kathy Clancy were pleased to accept the $5,000 check on behalf of the Gloucester Education Foundation from the one and only, Bob Sweeney.  In attendance also were Gloucester Mayor, Sefatia Romeo Theken, Drew Hale, co-founder of the Bluefin Blowout along with Rob Bouley, Tobin Dominick of Cape Ann’s Marina Resort, Ken Riehl representing the Cape Ann Chamber, Cidalia Schwartz and Kruti Kansara representing the Lyon-Waugh Auto Group (who are the proud and exceptional Platinum Sponsor of the Bluefin Blowout Tournament), Nicole Tongue of the Gloucester Fishing Company and key organizer or the event, and D.J. Scottie Mac, “The Voice of the Bluefin Blowout.”

To get ready for the 5th Annual Bluefin Blowout, shaping up to be the best one yet, check back here often…http://bluefinblowout.com/

Pick #1:  Free Admission to TONS of Museums

One day each year, visitors can enjoy free admission to participating museums across the country as they join the Smithsonian Institution in it’s tradition of offering free admission.  This Saturday is that day.

Head to the link below to search for participating museum’s in our area and don’t forget to print your ticket prior to heading out for the day!

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/venues/?state=MA&zip_code=&name=

For the record, our very own Cape Ann Museum and Cogswell’s Grant in Essex are on the list!

Pick #2 Super Blood Moon Eclipse

because I won’t do this justice, head to this link and get excited…and then pick a spot to view it!

http://earthsky.org/?p=51212

Pick #3  The 11th Annual Fairy House Festival

Head up to Portsmouth for two fun events and make a great day of it!

Portsmouth’s beloved annual Fairy House Festival takes place this weekend in Portsmouth’s historic South End on the grounds of the Governor John Langdon House, Strawbery Banke Museum, Prescott Park and Peirce Island.

More than 200 handcrafted fairy houses made by local artists, florists, garden clubs club members, businesses, families and local school children will be on display, including 10 select fairy houses build by creative professionals and judged by a panel of three judges, including Fairy Houses Series® Author/ Illustrator Tracy Kane.

HEAD HERE FOR ALL THE DETAILS

and then, while in Portsmouth….

Pick #4  Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival

READ ALL ABOUT IT HERE!!

Join the dozens of folk and sea music performers who bring maritime folk music and song to downtown Portsmouth every September. The 16th annual festival showcases music from the US, British Isles and Canada at venues in the Market Square area, including RiRa Irish Pub (22-26 Market Sq), and the Portsmouth Athenaeum (9 Market Sq).

This year’s performers include The Johnson Girls, Cliff Haslam, Dan Milner, Chris Koldewey and others.  A Saturday evening concert will be held at the First Methodist Church on Miller Ave. This event is open to all ages, with audience participation strongly encouraged!

Hours: Sat. 10 AM – 10PM; Sun. 1PM – 5:30PM.  All events FREE!  Donations appreciated.

For a more comprehensive list of family friendly activities, visit our friends at North Shore Kid!

I kid, seriously.  Even after seeing the big construction sign that screams “NEW STOP SIGN AHEAD” I almost forget to stop.  Rockport’s new Stop sign is in a spot where most conscientious drivers would come to a near-stop (or at least a serious slow-down) anyway, but it will definitely take some time to get used to.

Big happenings in town.