Author: Nichole S.

I can deny that the snow looked extra pretty this morning, but I’m over it nonetheless.

The Morning Star is all loaded up with gear.

I’ve been driving through Rocky Neck in the morning as my son has taken up residency at Gloucester Stage for a two-week theater intensive as part of his Middle School curriculum. Took this quick photo yesterday.

I was reminded the other day to take some time….. so I took some time to watch the sunset. It was worth it.

Spring = So many reasons to call CleanPro. Spring is coming….which means so are the ticks and mosquitos. You can call 978-281-3939 today to book 6 treatments during their March Promo or book a free estimate online. Don’t forget that CleanPro offers many important home, office, and yard services….many of which are absolutely important to your family’s health and safety…or that of your pets.

Let’s make this a thing. Tons of snowmen on the boulevard each time it snows. This made me smile the other day. I’m happy someone took the time to make such a fun snowman right on the boulevard to greet everyone who drives by. Wouldn’t it be fun if we could get a whole bunch of snowmen to line the boulevard after each snowstorm. It’d be so fun for the kids.

Tonno has a March Madness I can get behind. I was at the bar at Tonno last night after a GMG livestream and their March special caught my eye. Get in there soon and try the March Madness Martini and appetizer combo. It is a perfect pairing of winter cured salmon, candied lemon mascarpone, pickled red onion, pepper jam, crispy capers, grilled bread served with an icy Cucumber gin fizz, house infused cucumber gin, Prosecco, chareau aloe liqueur, and lemon juice for $22. Yes, please. I’m not often a gin drinker, but the cocktail was perfectly refreshing and the appetizer, as you can hopefully tell by the photo, was super light, fresh, and delicious.

We woke up super early on Sunday morning to drive up to Freedom, NH to meet up with the Fish Nerds Guide Service (https://www.facebook.com/FishNerdsGuideService/) for a morning of ice fishing. If you’re looking for a relaxing outdoor activity, in the crisp fresh air, with good people and a beautiful view, this is it. I highly recommend Fish Nerds (who also have a podcast (check out HERE: https://www.podpage.com/fish-nerds-fishing-podcast-1/ ). We’ve spent the day with Clay and Vinnie twice now and have loved it both times. We arrived right at 7:00 a.m. and everything was set and ready to go. A warming tent is available if you’d like, all gear and tackle is ready, and a delicious warm breakfast is prepared right on a skillet on the ice half way through the morning to help warm up for the second half.

Cash price vs. Credit price. I was getting gas in Beverly the other day and noticed this for the first time. Is this a thing at gas tanks? I know there’s a credit processing fee for cards….and I’ve had the option in other circumstances, but never at the gas pump. I’ll have to pay better attention going forward.

Yesterday was beautiful. The sky was so blue!

What are your kids doing this summer? Harborlight has some great options for students in Grades 1-8. Beginning June 20th, students can register for any two-week session all summer long.

Read the descriptions below and learn more about June weeks HERE and July and August weeks HERE

Harborlight Montessori, 243 Essex Street Beverly, Ma

SIGNS OF SUMMER

Lower Elementary (1^st-3^rd grade) 
Monday, June 20, 2022 through Friday, June 24, 2022

During this week, students will explore our campus, coastlines, and neighboring habitats for signs of summer (officially June 21st!). Students will spend the week using their five senses to observe and record the changing of the seasons in places such as the woods, tide pools, and local gardens. At the end of the week, each one of them will find a medium to tell their story of summer in New England. 

“Live in the sunshine, swim in the seam drink in the wild air.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

REGISTER HERE

MUSEUM SCHOOL

4th – 8th Grade
Monday, June 20, 2022 through Friday, June 24, 2022

Did you know that Massachusetts has 228 museums? During this week, students will visit a different museum each day to explores themes in art, history, and science. Harborlight will equip each student with a sketchbook/observation journal for taking notes and drawing. They will explore exhibits and galleries, roam the grounds and halls, think critically, examine purposefully and be immersed in culture. They will also complete a scavenger hunt in Boston that highlights some of the city’s most spectacular murals and street art. The notes they take, memories they record, and images they sketch will serve as a visual diary of their studies.

REGISTER HERE

GEOCACHING

Lower Elementary (1st-3rd)
Monday, June 27, 2022 through Friday July, 1, 2022

Geocaching is a fun recreational activity for all ages. Students will go on real-world treasure hunts in their outdoor adventures this week. Geocaching is a fun recreational activity for all ages, it is a game of following GPS coordinates to ‘hide’ our own geocache objects and seek geocache objects already hidden by other players in our geocaching global community. This week’s lessons will build upon Harborlight’s Botany, Zoology, Geography and Environmental Stewardship curriculums. It will challenge students to apply mathematics (measurement, estimation, graphing, and Geometry) to their field experiences in nature.

REGISTER HERE

MAIN STREETS AND BACK ROADS

Upper School (4th-8th grade)

Monday, June 27,2022 through Friday, July 1,2022

Much like Chronicle’s Main Streets and Back Roads, students will explore gardens, footpaths, statues, parks, trails, waterfronts, and more of our neighboring cities and town. Students will visit Gloucester, Salem, and Newburyport to explore tourist attractions, off-the-beaten-path destinations, notable architecture, and the hidden ‘quirky-corners’ of these communities. While on campus they will design a destination brochure for an imaginary  city or town of their own that is inspired by their favorite sights, sounds, and flavors from the week’s adventures.

REGISTER HERE

Beyond the Pond

Lower Elementary (Entering 1st-3rd)

July 5th-July 15th

This two-week session will focus on the water around us. Students will look at both freshwater and saltwater sources. Students will visit area ponds and beaches to learn about the life that lives in those habitats.  They will further explore water via art and science and stories. A good dose of summer fun will be incorporated in each session through water play, picnics, music, bike riding, and lots of outdoor time.

REGISTER HERE

Project Runway

Upper School (Entering 4^th – 8^th)

July 5th-July 15th
Design, Create, Decorate, or repurpose!  Students will spend two weeks engaged in the design and construction of clothing and accessories.  Be it handbags or headbands or hats, dresses or denim or dinner jackets, sneakers or sunglasses or sweatpants….students will run wild with their ideas.  Whether learning to measure, cut, and sew or decorate, embellish, and repurpose, students will create a small collection that is as unique as they are.  Design challenges will be sprinkled into the session as well.  As collections become complete the planning of a fashion show will begin.  On Friday, July 15th, students will present their pieces to an audience as they take to the stage for a showcase. 

REGISTER HERE

Out of This World

Lower Elementary (Entering 1st-3rd)
July 18 – July 29

The Universe and space are always interesting to lower elementary children as they begin to wonder about their place in the world. This session will focus on the solar system and stars. Students will learn stories about the constellations and create a “solar system” walk around campus. A good dose of summer fun will be incorporated in each session through water play, picnics, music, bike riding, and lots of outdoor time. 

REGISTER HERE

Film Making with FC Academy

Upper School (Entering 4^th – 8^th)

July 18 – July 29

Students will bring creativity to life in a fun, collaborative, and exciting environment. They will learn skills in scriptwriting, storyboard sketching, improvisation and camera skills. Together they will write, shoot and edit a film in a genre of their choosing and edit their project together using the professional editing software Adobe Premiere. All necessary equipment will be provided by FC Academy for this class.  At the end of the two-week session student films will be shown to an audience of family members.

REGISTER HERE

Spy School

Lower Elementary (Entering 1st-3rd)
August 1 – August 12

A spy pays attention to details and sees things in ways that others don’t.  During this session students will use their senses to observe the world around them and solve problems and challenges.  They will observe nature and how nature uses camouflage to hide in plain sight.  They will examine fingerprints, learn simple ciphers, experiment with invisible ink, and work collaboratively to accomplish missions. A good dose of summer fun will be incorporated in each session through waterplay, picnics, music, bike riding, and lots of outdoor time. 

REGISTER HERE

Let’s Go!

Upper School (Entering 4^th – 8^th)

August 1 – August 12

Get ready for some adventure!  Students will be on the go for two weeks engaged in a variety of activities that scream, “Summer Fun.”  Kayaking, disc golf, biking, paddle boarding or surfing, mini golf, hiking, and a minor league baseball game are some of the activities that may be on the schedule.  

REGISTER HERE

Game On!

Lower Elementary (Entering 1^st – 3^rd)
August 15 – August 26

This session will be all about games.  Board games, tag games, water games, card games, dice game, obstacle courses, and sports.  Field trips for mini golf and bowling will round out the sessions. Students will create games to be played and shared with others.  A good dose of summer fun will be incorporated in each session through water play, picnics, music, bike riding, and lots of outdoor time. 

REGISTER HERE

Follow that Food

Upper School (Entering 4^th – 8^th)

August 15 – August 26

Source local products from farms, orchards, and even the waterfront to cook/bake delicious treats.  Learn about where food comes from and the path it takes to get to our tables. Explore the science of baking and visit a local restaurant.  Students will share some of what they have made via a prepared meal for guests or a bake sale on campus.  

REGISTER HERE

What’s your “Blast from the Past”? Please share your answers. I was driving to the Tsongas Arena at UMass Lowell for one of Thatcher’s high school hockey games the other day and we went by this Haffner’s gas station. My mom was with us and she immediately said, “Well, that’s a blast from the past.” I had never heard of Haffner’s, but it did make me think of some other places that I used to frequent that are no longer. Some of the places I came up with were the Ben Franklin store in Danvers, the old and original Supinos pizza (FULL of creepy clowns) also in Danvers, Pennyworths (I think) in Ipswich with it’s swiveling stools and soda fountain, obviously the old Papa Ginos in Gloucester with the jute boxes at each table, the Garden Patch florist down on Whittemore Street, and many more…. I don’t want to share too many here because I’d love to hear your answers. What places do you remember fondly that are no longer here?

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, college hockey is where it’s at. Now, mind you, this photo is of my son’s Essex Tech high school hockey team playing Lowell Catholic…but they played at UMass Lowell’s Tsongas Center. We attended one of the UMass River Hawks’ games this season and had a blast. Great hockey, easily accessible, clean, and hopping arena, and super affordable. It’s always so fun to see college students rallying to support their teams. Take advantage of some of the great schools around us…..UMass, Endicott, Merrimack, UNH, and many more! Go take in a game….and with baseball and lacrosse season around the corner, consider college games for that as well!

Gloucester Stage Youth Company performed Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach, Jr. this weekend to sold out crowds. Congratulations to Gloucester Stage for continuing the tradition of engaging the area’s youth in the art of theater, to Director Katie Oberlander, and to all of the staff and amazing children who worked so hard to make this production possible. If you have students, Grades 4-8, who happen to be on school vacation during March intersession weeks (March 7th-March 18th), Harborlight Montessori will be conducting a Theater Intensive with Gloucester Stage that culminates in weekend performances. You can sign your children up here: https://www.engageyourworld.org/extracurricular/experience-weeks

Several of us purchased tickets to a wine tasting at PSP Imports in Beverly Farms while attending the Cape Ann Chamber’s Auction in the fall. We had a really wonderful evening, learned a lot, enjoyed meeting some new people, and had the opportunity to appreciate how passionate those in the PSP family are. I highly recommend PSP Imports if you are looking to learn more about wine or have a fun evening out with friends, family, or co-workers.

Their philosophy as found on their website:

“PSP Imports is an importer and wholesaler of fine wines and spirits from around the world. We source the best available products, through both personal connections with small producers, for whom we serve as an outsourced export manager, and strong relationships with key volume producers, many of whom have been making wine for generations. Regardless of size, all of our suppliers are committed to using sustainable farming practices.  We even grow and produce a portion of our portfolio in the Tuscan hill town of Pienza, Italy.

Our portfolio is diverse and carefully curated to bring unique wines to our clients and their customers. We sell to restaurants, stores and other retail outlets in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and we are a registered broker to the New Hampshire State Liquor Commission. We also work with other distributors in Maine, Vermont, Texas and Colorado. In each line of our business, we put a premium on developing solid, long-lasting relationships.

We hope you enjoy our unique portfolio of the highest quality wines from around the world. Our offices are located on the North Shore of Massachusetts in Beverly Farms.  

FOCUS ON PHILANTHROPY

Just as we have forged relationships with small producers in Italy and beyond, and with customers here in the US, we are also committed to building partnerships with non-profit organizations in our community north of Boston. PSP Imports is proud to support organizations that are dedicated to helping kids and families end hunger and to find jobs in the food and wine business. Some of our partners include Root, Beverly Bootstraps, Plummer Youth Promise and many others

Join us at the Rhumb Line for the Super Bowl. Wings, Pulled Pork Sliders, Mac ‘N Cheese, and bar snacks. If you missed out on football squares everywhere else, try your luck with our 50/50 Raffle. Proceeds go to the Open Door Food Pantry. As members of the service industry we are eager to help those experiencing food insecurities.

Ten of us had an early dinner at Hale Street Tavern before heading over to PSP Imports in Beverly Farms for a wine tasting. I can’t wait to tell you all about the wine tasting in a post during the next couple of days. For now, I love Hale Street and we had some amazing sushi and salads.

On Golden Pond. Photo credit to Finn’s good buddy, Jackson P. of South Hamilton for catching this shot during a good day spent skating.

My morning routine before heading out the door each day. Fill the giant YETI with coffee, take a mason jar of overnight oats out of the fridge and add a variety of toppings, and then fill my little Blend Jet (check out link here as I think it’s pretty cool!) with some smoothie fixings. Both of my boys have their own Blend Jets as well and will often fill theirs to drink on the way to school or, for Finn, at school as his morning snack. Once they are charged, they are perfect for on-the-go and can be used several days in a row before you need to charge them quickly again. They come apart easily and are a breeze to clean. Short video included of the cordless mini blender doing it’s thing on my desk at work.

Good Morning, chickens. One of the things that I love most about my job as part of Harborlight Montessori school’s Admin team is that, along with my normal responsibilities, sometimes I never really know where the day will take me. Lots of times I’m just plugging away in my office, but sometimes it takes me to Wachusett Mountain as our 6th-8th graders ski all day every Friday during the winter, sometimes I find myself hopping on the train at the Montserrat station to accompany a group on a field trip to Boston, sometimes I cover in a classroom, or go skating at Endicott’s rink with the younger elementary students, and….often….I find myself in the chicken coop. Last May we hatched chicks in one classroom and ducklings in another. Unfortunately, the campus isn’t properly equipped to house ducks, but we were super excited to make the decision to have chickens. We raised the chicks for several weeks after they hatched before sending them off to the farmer who gave us the eggs. Once they were old enough and we were back in school after a summer break, we welcomed the chickens back to campus. Having them on campus has been such a wonderful learning experience for all our students. In better weather you’ll always see families or our youngest toddlers/preschoolers visiting the hens on our greenhouse lawn. Older students will often eat lunch outside on the picnic tables near the chickens or open a book on the wooden swing right next to the coop. The Middle School students gather the eggs….and either use them to cook or hand them out to teachers to take home. Good stuff.