Author: Nichole S.

This Guy Must Have Picked the Short Straw

Posted on by Nichole S.

Construction continues on the Rockport Breakwater and, after watching this guy do his work, you have to assume that he picked the short straw.

Yikes!  That is not a job I would want in January…or anytime really.

Great job, my friend!

 

 

Nichole’s Picks of the Weekend 1/17 and 1/18

Posted on by Nichole S.

Pick #1

If you make it, they will come….I think.

With no real accumulation and the kids dying to go sledding…or in this case TUBING, New England Sports Park (formally Amesbury Sports Park) has you covered! This weekend is finally opening weekend so they must be making snow.

What is New England Sports Park? Where do we start? 

We are best known the steepest, fastest snow tubing hill in New England in the winter.  

But we are so much more.

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Pick #2 

I am a huge fan of Scavenger Hunts…just saying.  So, this sounds like a ton of fun! I’ve been meaning do one of the Watson Adventures Scavenger Hunts for some time now.  I’m not going to lie, the outdoor ones around Boston are more my cup of tea, but this sounds great….especially if you have kids who can’t get enough of the Museum of Science!

The Mad Science Family Scavenger Hunt

See the surreal side of science on a whirlwind tour to see the best of the Museum of Science. Kids and adults work together to uncover the secrets of eye-popping interactive exhibits, a life-size T. rex, a sneaky snake, hidden messages, an electrified jumping disk, optical illusions, a mad scientist’s lab, a musical zebra in a hunter’s trophy room, a book by a cat, live animals and a nightmare chair.

For ages 7 and up. Kids must be accompanied by adults, and vice versa. Click on the button below to see the hunt schedule and find more fun!

Saturday 1/17 at 2:00.  Kids 7 and up.  Be sure to purchase tickets ahead of time on the link provided!  GOOD LUCK!

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Pick #3

Ok. So this is a bit premature, but if you want to score tickets, you need to act now.  The new Cabot in Beverly is such a fantastic venue and they have opened with a bang offering a wonderfully diverse array of shows.  If you’ve been wanting to take your kids to a concert, but haven’t scored tix to Taylor Swift, One Direction, or Gosh Only Knows Who Else….or if you’re not sure that they’re old enough for such an event…next weekend’s Alastair Moock concert may just be the ticket you’ve been looking for. A sweeter, simpler concert for young music fans, for sure!

ALASTAIR MOOCK: A REAL CONCERT FOR KIDS
  • When: Saturday, Jan 24, 2015 10:30 AM (Doors open at 10:00 AM)
  • Ticket Price: $5.33 – $8.24

AWARDS: 2014 Grammy nomination – Best Children’s Album; 2013 People Magazine Best Kid’s Album; 2013 Parents’ Choice Gold Medal; 2013 NAPPA Gold Medal.

Nearly twenty years into his performing career, 2014 Grammy-nominated musician Alastair Moock has managed to carve out a unique niche for himself: He is a songwriter committed to celebrating the roots of American music while knocking down the walls between different audiences, genres and musical traditions. Today, his audiences range from adults all the way down to preschoolers, and he plays everything from nightclubs to theaters to schoolrooms. Like his boyhood hero, Woody Guthrie, Moock believes in the power of music to reach all people — young and old, far and wide, for all occasions.

 

 

But it is Moock’s newest album, Singing Our Way Through: Songs for the World’s Bravest Kids, which is nearest and dearest to his heart. In July of 2012, one of Alastair’s daughter’s was diagnosed with leukemia. The Singing Our Way Through project began when they started writing songs together in the hospital. Over the next several months, Moock continued to write and collect songs that reflected his family’s experiences – the love, the pride, the surprising amount of joy, and some of the more difficult parts too.

Moock decided he wanted to record an album for other families traveling similar paths. With the help of an amazing fundraising campaign and the musical talents of friends including co-producer Anand Nayak, Chris Smither, Aoife O’Donovan, Rani Arbo, Mark Erelli, The Okee Dokee Brothers, and (fellow 2014 Grammy nominee) Elizabeth Mitchell, Moock released Singing Our Way Through in July, 2013. Since then, more than 2,500 albums have been distributed to hospitals, cancer organizations and patient families around the country.

And Now I Can Sleep

Posted on by Nichole S.

I saw this sweater and matching pants (jammies, I’m thinking…but, I’m really not sure) during my one trip to the mall during the holiday season.

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They reminded me of something, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.  Since then, every once in a while, it has nagged at me.  I’d get this tiny little sliver of a flashback…almost grab it….and then POOF…it’d be gone again.

Until last night.

Victory!

I awoke from a sound sleep with a strange song in my head.  Foggy…I went back to sleep.  In the morning, I found myself humming it again…and then, not much later…I finally had it!

I had figured out the song.  But, why?  Why was I suddenly singing a song from some whackadoodle show from my youth?

The Great Space Coaster!  What?!

There’s No Gnu Like Gary Gnu!

Seriously?  I watched this stuff?  I was a pretty active kid…Did I really have this kind of free time on my hands?

And then…. I found these images.

And now I can sleep.

Do you think the designer of the pants and sweater clocked some time watching this same show back in the day?  You never know when inspiration will strike….or how long it will stay dormant in your psyche, evidently.

 

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Time to Reconnect

Posted on by Nichole S.

With a rare unscheduled morning suddenly before me and the boys off for a game of pond hockey, I put Marlin on his leash, grabbed a cup of coffee, and took off for a brisk walk around town.

It has been way too long since I’ve been able to find time to do that and it was exactly the dose of medicine that I needed yesterday.  I don’t often forget why I love living in Rockport, but this is the time of year that I don’t necessarily find the time to actually enjoy it….or appreciate it.  Early yesterday, for 90 fantastic minutes, Marlin and I played Who are the People in Your Neighborhood while walking past Old Garden Beach, down Atlantic, through town, up and down Bearskin Neck, to Front Beach, into Mill Pond Park, past the frozen pond, by the cemetery, down Hale Street, through town again, and back home….seeing friends and familiar faces along the way.

Along the way, Marlin was kind enough to let me wrestle my phone out of my pocket once in a while to snap a photo.  He isn’t keen on slowing down much…but, tolerated my pitstops.  He was most appreciative of the stops that allowed him to stalk birds.  He, unlike me, doesn’t have an affinity for front doors…but would take those opportunities for a quick pee.

There’s something magical about this town…no matter how cliche that sounds… and I’m so happy to have had the chance to reconnect.

 

Olympic Rings Good or Bad for the Purse Strings?

Posted on by Nichole S.

So, by now, you all know that the United States Olympic Committee voted Boston as its Applicant City for the 2024 Summer Games and the Paralympic Games.

Boston was selected over Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.  The last U.S. city to host the Olympics was Salt Lake City back in 2002 and it has been 18 years since the Summer Olympics has called the USA home.

The field is not yet complete, but for now Boston is competing against Rome. Germany is expected to enter a bid for either Berlin or Hamburg, South Africa will likely throw their hat into the ring, and Paris and Istanbul have been said to be entering the competition as well.

The host city will be chosen by the International Olympic Competition in 2017.

So, I ask you, based upon the knowledge that you have, what’s your opinion?

Bring on the Olympic Rings or Hell, No! Forget about those things?

Here are some articles for your reading pleasure. Comments welcome.

USA Today Article

FOX News

TEAM USA

Boston.com

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Boston Scores Winning Bid

Posted on by Nichole S.

Boston wins the United States Olympic Committee bid!  Next stop, International Olympic Committee…in the hopes of hosting the 2024 Olympic Games.

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Nichole’s Family Picks of the Weekend 1/10 and 1/11

Posted on by Nichole S.

Ummmm…..Brrrrrr.   It is kind of hard to think of doing anything other than a mad movie marathon or intense family game day under blankets, sprawled on the living room floor, but here are some ideas.

Want to feel like you are in the tropics, even though we aren’t?

Pick #1 is to visit an indoor garden and it might just help you forget these frigid winter temperatures!

Here are two great choices.

The Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston

While it may be too cold to enjoy some of the outside gardens, there are some gorgeous indoor spaces and you are always welcome to hike around outside as long as you can handle the temps.  Be sure to visit the Limonaia, or Lemon House, and the Orangerie.  The Winter Garden is also not to be missed!

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Or there are the Margaret C. Ferguson Greenhouses at the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens.

The Margaret C. Ferguson Greenhouses house the most diverse collection of plants under glass in the greater Boston area.

There are sixteen interconnected greenhouses comprising 7,200 square feet under glass. Many plants in the greenhouses have cultural value as food and spice around the world. Some plants in the greenhouses have historical significance to Wellesley College, the most prominent being the 130-plus year old Durant camellia which came from the founder of the college.

The Desert House showcases cacti and succulents in a series of miniature landscapes, demonstrating a range of adaptations to different desert environments and providing examples of convergent evolution. Larger landscape plantings give a realistic impression of desert plants in nature. Annuals such as desert bluebells are added to enhance the landscape as appropriate. This house is kept cool during the winter months to encourage spring bloom.

The Tropic House is the tallest of the greenhouses, allowing small trees such as palms, cycads and banana to grow in a central in-ground planting area. The house provides a general impression of a tropical forest understory, demonstrating adaptations such as aerial roots and large leaves with drip tips. Vines and lianas are encouraged to grow up appropriate hosts, and epiphytes are grown on trees or simulated trees.

Aerated pools in the Hydrophyte House provide suitable growing conditions for aquatic plants as well as plants adapted to wet root zone conditions, such as mangroves and papyrus. A range of water-loving plants, from floating aquatics to rooted emergents to floodplain species, is demonstrated in and around these unique pools.

Other houses and collections include the Seasonal Display House, Mabel A. Stone Cryptogam (Fern) House, Warm Temperate House, economic plant collection, caudiciform collection, sensory plant collection, and carnivorous plant collection.

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Pick #2

Need to shake off the chill?  Try the pot….The Melting Pot, that is.

I have such fond memories of fondue family nights spent hanging over our mustard yellow super 70s fondue pot!  While this experience may be slightly more modern than my memories (and more than a wee bit more expensive) it is worth it for a fun treat!  There are locations in Bedford/Burlington and in Boston’s Back Bay.

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Pick #3 

To help take care of some of that holiday excess that you may have enjoyed….

Hit the gym.  The Metrorock Climbing Gym

“Climbing for the Day” passes are $20 for adults, $10 for children under 7, and FREE for children under 4.

There are locations in Newburyport and Everett.

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Maserati Dreams on a Minivan Budget

Posted on by Nichole S.

You should have seen my boys’ eyes when we told them that we were renting a car for our weekend getaway to New York City….and then pulled into the Maserati Dealership…and then moved right along to the waaay back of the lot to the rental agency to pick up our mad minivan.

I’m still laughing.

But, really…who do they think we are?

Thatcher and Finn have become more than a little obsessed with cars lately. While a part of me is super impressed with how much they know, part of me could handle a day off from answering questions like, “What do you think goes faster?  A mustang or a corvette?” or “Would you rather have a fast little sporty convertible or a big 4WD SUV?” “Well, what if you lived in Florida? What if you lived in Alaska? What if you lived in Australia”  (Oh, for the love of God). Then there’s, “Which do you like better? A Bugatti or a Ferrari?” I had to Google Bugattis. Or the more elaborate, “If you had a mega yacht what type of car would you put on it to drive around all of the islands you visit?”  Ummm. Hmmmm. Good one.

Sometimes I get caught up in it and actually select my answers carefully….you know, because someday it might matter.  Other days, I just answer absentmindedly (don’t tell them…please).  Last week my mother was in the car with us and Finn announced, “There’s Nammy’s (their name for my mom) favorite type of truck!” as he pointed to a massive Dodge Ram.  I looked at my mom with a raised eyebrow and she whispered, “Sometimes its just easier to give them an answer.”

She’s right.  They’re relentless.  Always have been.

That having been said, they do love their cars….and they would be as happy as the Autobahn is fast just driving around looking at cars (and boats).  I know a couple of kids who will be attending some lawn events at the Lars Anderson Car Museum this summer, for sure.

So, while we didn’t actually take one of the Maseratis to NYC, the boys insisted that we give them some time on the lot to take photos and ooh and aah their little hearts out.

While they were running around all awestruck, I took a second to look around too.  In doing so, I learned a few things.  First of all, Maseratis cost a shit load of money! Secondly…and insanely…many of the cars on the lot were actually SOLD. What? To Whom?  And thirdly, Maseratis cost a shit load of money.  That bears repeating.

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Finn is still pissed that his Maserati dreams were shattered and he was pimping it minivan style instead.

Rockport Rings in the New Year

Posted on by Nichole S.

I can’t even imagine the details that need to go into organizing an event such as New Year’s Rockport Eve.  With 15 incredible venues and 38 performers and/or acts covering the entire downtown area over the course of 6 rockin’ hours, Rockport was the place to be on New Year’s Eve!

Massive kudos to those involved in the planning, execution, volunteering, and entertaining aspects of this event!

My only regret is that we had to limit our fun by only attending 6 of the many, many options.

We traveled in a group of about 6 adults and 7 kids.  Hitting the Shalin Liu for the Cape Ann Big Band was an absolute must and was also our first stop!  Such a tremendous venue and band….it was the absolute best way to kick off our New Year’s Eve celebration!

We then took in a Story teller, some face painting, balloon animal making, The Jolly Rogues and their Seafaring music, Jah Spirit and some awesome reggae music (some mad dancing), and then the one and only Dan King.

We made it back to our friends’ beautiful home in time for some late night drinks and snacks with about 35 minutes to spare before the big midnight moment.

Rockport proved one again, that we are beyond fortunate to call it home.

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Nichole’s Family Picks of the Weekend 1/3/15 and 1/4/15

Posted on by Nichole S.

Happy New Year!

I hope that 2015 proves to be everyone’s best year yet!

It looks like the cold weather is here to stay, but with no snow there’s no chance of sledding, snowshoeing, or cross country skiing anytime soon. There’s still plenty to do!

Pick #1 

Fire and Ice Festival on The Lawn on the D

Check out the link above for the weekend’s schedule of events!  It looks like a great time!  And…as the 1st event of its kind, you can be a part of the history!

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The Lawn on D kicks off its winter season with Winter on D’s inaugural event – Boston’s first Fire & Ice Festival!

Enjoy the chilling beauty of this winter season as The Lawn on D is magically frozen into a wonderland of ice. The Fire & Ice Festival offers fun free daytime activities and exciting winter attractions that will keep you happily frolicking in the cold including an ice labyrinth, free daytime and evening activities including kids dance parties.

The Fire & Ice Festival will feature one of the largest ice labyrinths in America that will allow visitors to walk through a glass-like maze built out of nearly 300 giant ice blocks bathed in colorful lights during the evening hours. Guests can also admire photos from world-famous adventure photographer Paul Nicklen whose polar photos of penguins, polar bears and other arctic creatures will be frozen into the ice labyrinth walls.

Watch the finest fire art performers from The Boston Circus Guild manipulate the orange and yellow hues of fire at their will. Feel the heat and watch the flames flicker and dance in the evening sky by skilled performers in an icy winter wonderland.

Got a chill? Kids and adults can warm up under the winter pavilion with a nice warm cup of cocoa! The pavilion will feature a beautifully carved ice bar, serving up seasonal favorites including apple cider and hot cocoa for the little ones, along with wine and beer for adults.

Fire & Ice Festival goers can sit by one of the many fire pits placed around on the lawn to warm their hands and feet after grabbing a bite to eat from one of our food trucks including free samples of Legal Sea Foods’world-famous chowder and good hearty bites from Stoked Pizza, The Taco Truck and Sheherazad.

Music and entertainment will be provided throughout the three day Fire & Ice Festival.

(Please note: Evening fire performances and Legal Sea Foods will not be present on January 4, 2015)

 

 

 

 

 

Pick #2 

The Neveland Theatre Presents Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

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Pick #3

Skating at the outdoor rink at Market Street in Lynnfield, some bowling at Kings and a good meal….some shopping wouldn’t hurt either!

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Check out the full list of restaurants and stores here!

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Pick #4

As has been mentioned here on GMG before, swimming at the Cape Ann Marina is a total no brainer.  Swimming, food, and drinks, oh my!  For the record, the kids’ meals are $8 and come with a drink, the meal, and even a small vanilla ice cream.

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Get Your Swim on!

Posted on by Nichole S.

School Vacation Swim Membership at Mile Marker One and Cape Ann Marina!

It isn’t too late to take advantage of this offer! I was about to pay $28 for one day, but with 6 days left before school starts, the $49 vacation week membership was a no brainer! Oh, ummmm, did I mention you can get a beer and some snacks too.

A perfect “Staycation” activity!!!

Artist at Work: No Rest for the Weary

Posted on by Nichole S.

I met a friend for a bite to eat and a couple of drinks at Stone’s last night and headed back out into the cold to head home at 9:30.  The chill was just leaving my car as I turned off of Broadway and onto South Street in Rockport to climb the hill towards home.

There, on the side walk, was an artist at work.  My clock read 9:42 and my temperature gauge read a mere 36 degrees, but he was happily painting away.

I drove past him and hemmed and hawed a bit about whether to continue towards home or turn around and capture the moment…with no camera, but at least, my phone.  I saw him painting on that same corner last week and was mad at myself for not stopping.  I didn’t want to make the same mistake twice.

I’m glad I turned around.

Chris Coyne, of Coyne Fine Art, was in the midst of an already gorgeous painting…surely to be all that more stunning upon completion.  This evening he was painting The First Baptist Church of Rockport. Last week he was painting one of my favorite things about the holiday season, the Dock Square Christmas Tree. He was kind enough to show me the completed painting of our beautiful town tree. Nothing short of stunning!

I’ve always had an appreciation for Chris Coyne’s art, but after seeing him out in the cold late at night to capture the perfect moment in time…I have an entirely new appreciation.

Do yourself a favor and browse his work at Coyne Fine Art or on his Facebook Page

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Precarious Position

Posted on by Nichole S.

Would you or wouldn’t you?  I saw this photo on the weather.com the other day.

I don’t know about you, but after the holidays, I’m ready for a vacation.  I’m just not sure this would be it.

Just some extreme athletes taking a little break during the International Highline Meeting in the northern Italian Alps.

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A Little Help Here: North Shore Shopping Center 1970s

Posted on by Nichole S.

As was touched upon during yesterday’s podcast, I’ve been thinking about the giant holiday soldiers that once stood guard outside the North Shore Shopping Center for weeks now.  If I’m being honest here, I actually think about them each December.

Having lived in Middleton, Hamilton, Gloucester, and Rockport for my entire life I have years worth of memories that somehow include hours clocked at that mall.

Now, I’m not trying to say that the mall itself holds any special place in my heart…and, in all actuality, I’m happy to report that many months go by when I don’t ever step a foot in there these days.  While holiday shopping this year, I went to the mall exactly once.  I hit the Apple Store, J Crew, and the Gap and was out in less than 30 minutes.

That having been said, I do have very fond memories from way back when that involve that same shopping center in one form or another.  For example, I remember fondly the way my grandmother would refer to it as the shopping center rather than the mall when I was a teenager.  I have fond memories of Brigham’s…but, that could have been The Liberty Tree Mall.  Speaking of…remember that strange, silver Tree that once stood in the center of that mall?  In speaking with my mother last night to piece together my memories, she was able to tell me that that tree was at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York before being moved to Danvers.

I digress.

I did really love those big toy soldiers!

Likewise, I have such fond and vivid memories of what, in my mind, was miles and miles of Christmas decorations adorning the long corridors of the mall.  I remember holiday scenes set up the length of the mall.  Every 50 yards or so, would be a different mini village to gaze upon with the holiday wonder that kids eat up like crazy.  I also remember giant, brightly colored artificial Christmas trees.

The problem is…. I seem to be the only one who remembers those decorations.

Help me out here, would you?!  Did they really not exist?  That can’t possibly be!

My mother was able to fill me in on the rides in Kiddietowne (that evidently, according to our podcast, Joey remembers.  Or at least he remembers the train.)….but, it seems those rides closed in 1973…and since I was just 2 years old then, I don’t fault myself for not remembering them.  My mom confirmed the old grocery store….and that I did indeed get lost there once when I was little. Sorry, Mom!  She, likewise, can confirm my memories of the toy soldiers. I also managed to find a photo of those outside of Filene’s.  My grandmother always said “Filene’s” with a soft i sound like Fill ene’s.  Funny the things you remember.

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After an hour of my life that I’ll never get back, I came up pretty empty handed in regards to the shopping center of my childhood memories.

Here’s a link to the rides at Kiddietowne that stood outside of where Macy’s is today.  Who would have thought?  And, for the record, for anyone with warm fuzzies about Kiddietowne, it turns out that they have reunions.  I read about the last one on their website. Sadly, it took place in 2006. I’m not sure if there are more in the works.

I also found some information on this website.  It details some of the growth, change, and development…but, doesn’t fill in any of the missing information I was looking for.  Bummer.  I barely remember it being an outdoor mall.

I think, in piecing together my memories and Joey’s memories, that maybe the decorations that I’m speaking of ultimately became part of the Enchanted Village at Jordan’s Furniture.  Thoughts?

While we’re at it…check out the photo of the old movie theater.  Not as waaaay back as some of my other memories, but man, did I clock some time there during Middle School and High School.  Open the flood gates of memories with this photo!

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Santa is Coming….again

Posted on by Nichole S.

After a LOOOONG day/night, Santa will be back in Dock Square to say “Good-bye” until next year and to give all of the children of Rockport an opportunity to say “thank you” for their wonderful gifts. One of my favorite holiday traditions.

Merry Christmas!!

Nichole’s “Picks of the Weekend” December 27th and 28th

Posted on by Nichole S.

Ok, I’m not going to lie, my First Pick for this weekend would be to R.E.L.A.X!!!

Enjoy some quiet family time.  Watch the kiddos play with their new toys. Unplug.  Plug in. Read a book.  Take a nap.  Go for a walk. Take a nap. Get the holiday crap out of the house.  Regain some normalcy.  Take a nap.  Go for a bike ride. Take a nap.  You get the picture.

Seriously, it is going to be (while I’m no meteorologist) close to 50 degrees.  Get outside and enjoy the somewhat mild weather and just chill.  I’m assuming that, like me, you’ve all been on the go like mad.  Shopping, hiding, finding, losing, wrapping, lying, shopping some more….repeat.  Throw in some holiday parties, engagements, and casual stop bys….and we are all BEAT.

I’m psyched for some major chill time with the family, but, if you are the proverbial energizer bunny and need something to do….have at it. I’ll offer a couple of suggestions.

With all my talk about relaxing, I have to admit I am kind of a hypocrite, because I’m super tempted to sign up for Pick #2

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary is offering a couple of excellent programs this weekend!

The first is SURVIVOR….family style.  While I kind of feel like every day in our life lately should be dubbed “Survivor Day”…this does sound pretty awesome.

Survivor: Saturday, December 27, or Friday, January 2
Through teamwork and problem-solving, we will explore the woodlands of the sanctuary and imagine that we are explorers stranded in the wilderness. In order to survive, we will need to build shelters, collect firewood, and find food and a water source. Come and find out how you would survive!

The second is Build a Bird Feeder!

Parent/Child Build a Bird Feeder: Sunday, December 28, or Saturday, January 3
Brighten up your yard this winter with a bird feeder handmade by you and your child. Each family will receive a kit containing all the necessary parts to build a feeder that will attract chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, cardinals, and many other birds to your yard. A short slide presentation will highlight the birds that commonly come to feeders. We’ll also observe the sanctuary feeders to see which birds are looking for food. Instructors will circulate to provide assistance.

Check it all out here for sure!

 

Pick #3

Keeping in mind that it is school vacation and most indoor activities everywhere will be jammed….the Museum of Science is now showing some pretty excellent IMAX movies and a 15 minute 4D Polar Express Show!

The IMAX Theater is showing 1. Galapagos (I will actually travel there some day!! Total bucket list vacation!!) 2. Pandas: The Journey Home  and 3. Mystery of the Maya.

Read More Here.

The Polar Express film…while really short…also looks pretty awesome!

We’ve taken trips into the MOS during school vacations in the past and, while the Museum itself is usually mobbed, we’ve had good luck simply parking, heading to an IMAX movie, and then getting out of there.  I like to save an actual day at the museum for days when it is safe to say that it won’t be too crowded.