Author: Nichole S.

Row your boat ashore. We spend a lot of time on the beach at Owen Park when we’re down on Martha’s Vineyard. Finn always loves to fish….and the photo opportunities are endless.

I had the pleasure of photographing Becca Pizzi as she finished her 17th Boston Marathon last weekend. Her 16th and 17th were virtual….as the official marathon date back on Patriots Day in April was canceled. Even more impressive than running 17 Boston Marathons (hard to beat, right?!) is the fact that Becca has also completed the World Marathon Challenge….twice.

The World Marathon Challenge consists of running 7 marathons, on 7 continents, in just 7 days. Becca started her world marathon in Antarctica and finished in Australia. You can learn more about Becca’s amazing “feat on feet”…..and order her book, with of course, the very same name HERE. My two copies of “Becca’s Feat on Feet” arrived on Thursday and I was so excited to share her story with my students. Later in the day I overheard them playing “marathon runner” on the playground. Talk about inspirational. Thanks, Becca!

• 

• 

• 

This third post in the series shared with us from David W. Teele and Betsey Horovitz from the The Annisquam Historical Society’s “Notes from the Firehouse” gives us a wonderful look back at clamming with some amazing photographs dating back to the late 1800s.

You an also read prior posts in this series by clicking on these links:

The Lobstermen Cometh, the Bugs Goeth

Hoop Nets, Cunners, and Lobsters

Visit the Annisquam Historical Society HERE: https://www.annisquamhistoricalsociety.org/

You can also read all entries in their Notes from the Firehouse Series HERE: https://www.annisquamhistoricalsociety.org/notesfromthefirehouse

Below is an excerpt from “Happy as a Clam at High Tide.” See attached screen grabs to read more.

“It was not only illegal to dig clams at high tide, it was virtually impossible.

Few creatures as apparently simple as the clam have proved so useful, for so long, for so many. Great piles of shells (middens) testify to the importance of clams to Native Americans. From the earliest days of the Massachusetts Bay Colony (then including Maine) coastal towns had the right to regulate their clam banks; mostly, they still do. Owners of the “uplands”, land above the high tide mark, did not own the clams, although they did, and do, own the inter-tidal flats.

Clams not only could be served up for dinner, but they also were a cash crop. During some of the worst economic depressions, the clam banks might be the only banks that would honor the check of a destitute seaside resident. Clams went to Gloucester, Boston, New York, and Cleveland* in their shells, on ice; shucked clams, raw or salted, went by uncounted barrels-full to serve as bait. What would a clam bake be with no clams? Children need no tools to dig for the only crop that squirts back at them.”

Between buoy sticks, shovels, and lobster tank overflow pipes…..sails the Lannon. I love Gloucester Harbor.

I stopped to take a few photos of Walker Hancock’s Triton Statue in the Betty Smith Park at the far end of Stacy Boulevard the other day. It is one more reason that we are so fortunate to have such a beautiful spot to visit. From end to end the boulevard has really developed into such a magnificent destination.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Because when you live in Gloucester, and you’re 11 years-old, and you go fishing down by the Annisquam River, you should expect to find a petrified tuna head, right?

These two deer were out for a nice Sunday stroll in a quiet neighborhood in Rockport. After walking down the street a bit they stopped by a friend’s yard for a snack. I watched them for almost 10 minutes.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

NOTES FROM THE FIREHOUSE: THE ANNISQUAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY

I hope that you enjoy the second post in this series from the Annisqum Historical Society’s Notes and Findings.

See Post #1, The Lobsterman Cometh and the Bugs Goeth, here

This is such a wonderful glimpse into the Annisquam Historical Society’s extensive collection of photographs dating back to the days of glass plate negatives.

Take some time and view their impressive collection here: annisquamhistoricalsociety.org

I am very grateful to David W. Teele & Betsey B. Horovitz for sharing this information with us. I am hopeful that they may continue to share some of their findings and extensive research.  What a joy it is to see these images and take this trip back in time.

What is a cunner net, and why do you need one?

We hold many images of men lobstering from dories; virtually every image shows a metal hoop net with a bail. Even the image below, in which somebody is posing for aspiring artists, shows the net (as well as, apparently, a diving board on the nearby float). The model sports a handsome moustache plus a white shirt, collar, necktie, and vest, uncommon apparel for a working lobsterman. He may well have been a fellow artist…. Read more in the PDF screen grabs below

NOTES from the Firehouse: The Annisquam Historical Society

I hope that you enjoy the second post in this series from the Annisqum Historical Society’s Notes and Findings.

See Post #1, The Lobsterman Cometh and the Bugs Goeth, here

This is such a wonderful glimpse into the Annisquam Historical Society’s extensive collection of photographs dating back to the days of glass plate negatives.

Take some time and view their impressive collection here: annisquamhistoricalsociety.org

I am very grateful to David W. Teele & Betsey B. Horovitz for sharing this information with us. I am hopeful that they may continue to share some of their findings and extensive research.  What a joy it is to see these images and take this trip back in time.

What is a cunner net, and why do you need one?

We hold many images of men lobstering from dories; virtually every image shows a metal hoop net with a bail. Even the image below, in which somebody is posing for aspiring artists, shows the net (as well as, apparently, a diving board on the nearby float). The model sports a handsome moustache plus a white shirt, collar, necktie, and vest, uncommon apparel for a working lobsterman. He may well have been a fellow artist…. Read more in the PDF screen grabs below

I was down in Hyannis with Finn and my mom and we saw the beautiful blue-hulled Silver Shalis. A few days later I was on Nantucket with some friends and I saw her again. A week later I happened to be on Martha’s Vineyard and saw a beautiful yacht of the same color leaving the island as I sat on Owen Park Beach waiting to board my ferry…. I’m pretty certain it was the Silver Shalis again. So, the way I figure it….we’re practically family.

I’m in love with this wooden sign that I saw outside of a store on Martha’s Vineyard. I asked the girl working in store if she knew who painted it, but she didn’t.

I love this painting on the side of one of the artist booths in Hyannis. The waterfront along their inner harbor is a really lovely place to walk and explore.

Here’s a beautiful shot to help your day start off right.  Thank you to Paul Horovitz for this photo of Annisquam Light at sunrise.

The 146th running of the Kentucky Derby should have taken place back on May 2nd, 2020….as the attached Woodford Reserve logo suggests.  It will, instead, take place this coming Saturday, September 5th and, as with many sporting events, it will take place without fans.

As we countdown to the main event you can watch LIVE as the horses complete their morning workouts each day from 7:00-8:00 am.

Please click HERE to learn more: https://www.kentuckyderby.com/

Here are this year’s horses as they currently rank:

Leaving Hyannis Harbor for a quick trip to Nantucket for some hijinks with friends.

Last week we booked a private fishing charter on the Lady D. with Coastal Fishing Charters leaving right from Rose’s Wharf in Gloucester (same dock as Cape Ann Whale Watch).  It was a tough choice to decide whether to do a striped bass trip or head off-shore for haddock fishing.  Ultimately we took Captain Nick’s advice and went out in search of haddock.  Once off-shore we immediately started to catch.  The boys didn’t have to wait long in between bites and two of the times that we made a move to another spot we actually encountered dolphins! We are obviously aware that dolphin encounters aren’t guaranteed, but we were really happy to see them!

Our mate, Dylan, was extremely attentive and alternated between preparing bait, helping the boys with their gear, and cleaning fish.  He was extremely careful to measure each haddock very accurately if there was any doubt that it was a keeper and he taught the boys how to do so as well.  I lost track of how many fish we caught….I’m going to guess about 30…of six different species.  The boys caught LOTS of haddock, some cod, some red fish, mud hake, cunner, and something else that I can’t remember.  As it got close to time to head back to shore, Dylan started to clean our many keepers…..not an easy job…and bagged up the fish that we wanted to take home.

Captain Nick humored the boys who had many questions.  Always curious, they wanted to know all about the fish he has caught, the depth of the water, and what the ocean floor looked like in each spot.  He made sure that the boys had a great trip and was excited to put them on some good fish.

It was such a great day on the water and one the boys won’t soon forget.  I am so happy that we booked the trip and are already talking about booking again early next summer to catch some big stripers.

If you want a day on the water and the opportunity to catch some nice fish, consider booking your private trip as well.  You can learn more at their website here:

https://www.coastalfishingcharters.net/

or call Capt Nick at 508-284-2909

Gloucester Fishing charters! Fishing for striped bass, tuna, and deep sea fishing for haddock are all available at Coastal Fishing Charters. We are one of the best deep sea fishing charters in Massachusetts at an affordable rate. For over 35 years, Coastal Fishing Charters has specialized in Trips for Striped Bass Fishing, Cod and Haddock, tuna and giant shark Fishing in Gloucester MA.
All tackle is included or you can bring your own if you prefer.

We also do an ultimate private whale watch on our 35ft T Jason.
We have heat aboard the Lady D for those cool rides to the fishing grounds!!!

I am blessed to have a good friend who is a tremendous artist.  I’m blessed because she’s amazing in many ways….but, that could be a post for another day.  For this post’s purposes, I’m blessed because she agreed to paint a very special piece for me.  I had seen that she was working on a new technique.  She had painted a piece of her son swimming under water…and it was gorgeous.  I immediately knew that I wanted to ask her a favor.

Last April we traveled to Mexico and spent a wonderful day out sport fishing in Puerto Adventuras.  At one point the captain pulled up to a small island and let us snorkel off its coast.  While snorkeling, I captured an underwater photo of my boys swimming with a turtle.  It was such a special little moment and a photo that I’ve treasured ever since.  I sent it to Paula and asked if she’d be willing to paint it.

The end result took my breath away.  It actually takes my breath away each time I look at it. It encapsulates a moment of my boys’ childhoods that I’d like to freeze forever.  It is vibrant…and it is beautiful.  It is absolutely perfect…exquisite really, in my opinion.  I find myself staring at it every single day.   I can not thank Paula Morgan enough.  Take a moment and browse some of Paula’s work by clicking on the links below.

Check out Paula Morgan Fine Art by clicking HERE

Some of Paula Morgan’s work can be purchased here on Etsy 

Paula’s new Instagram page, Paula Morgan Art, can be found here:  https://www.instagram.com/paulamorgan_art/

We’re getting ready to head out on the Lady D for some offshore fishing.  Looking forward to a great morning on the water!

Finn had a doubleheader out on the Boylston/Worcester line on Sunday so after his games we took a little trip to do a drive by of the soon-to-be-moved Pawtucket Red Sox’s new home…Polar Park.   This soon-to-be home of the now WooSox is still well underway and has been delayed like everything else due to COVID-19, but…from what I’ve read…it should be a pretty impressive stadium.  Larry Lucchino knows a thing or two about building…and in Fenway’s case…renovating ballparks.  We can’t wait to take in a game out there and to add it to the list of other Red Sox franchise parks that we’ve enjoyed!