Author: Nichole S.

As solemn an occasion as it was, I was pleased to be in attendance at yesterday’s 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the Gloucester Fire Department Headquarters.   Gloucester’s Police, Fire Dept., Coast Guard, Harbormaster, Veteran’s Services, City Officials, Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante, and the Gloucester Division of the Navy Sea Cadets (including my son, Thatcher) gathered for a short ceremony led by Fire Chief Smith. The ceremony included remarks from the Chief, a prayer by Chaplain Peter Aberle of the Orthodox Congregational Church in Lanesville, a symbolic “5-5-5-5” alarm on the ceremonial fire bell, and a powerful moment of silence.

All in attendance were invited to City Hall for a reception afterwards, thanks to the Mayor’s office and the Gloucester Fire Department’s Women’s Auxiliary as well as donations from Jim’s Bagels & Bake Shoppe, The Caffe Sicilia, and Virgilio’s.

A special display was open for viewing by those in attendance thanks to Gloucester residents Dan Leahy, an Army veteran of the Vietnam War who was working for the Port Authority at the World Trade Center at the time of both the 1993 and 2001 terror attacks, and Brenda Leahy.

If you were not able to attend yesterday’s ceremony, maybe make a point of attending next year. It is an important tradition for the City to continue to honor those whose lives were lost due to the attacks on September 11, 2001 and also to show our great appreciation and respect to current first responders.

This porbeagle shark was hooked accidentally the other day.  As they got it closer to the boat it became obvious that the poor guy had a plastic strap cutting into its dorsal fin and around its body.  They said that it looked like a plastic box tie strap. While the crew hoped to get the shark close enough to try to cut the strap free, it pulled the hook and swam away before they were able.

It makes me super sad.

Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, Police Chief Edward Conley, Fire Chief Eric Smith, Harbormaster Thomas Ciarametaro and Director of Veterans’ Services Adam Curcuru announced that the City of Gloucester will hold a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony tommorrow to mark 18 years since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The ceremony will take place at the Gloucester Fire Department Headquarters at 9:55 a.m., tomorrow, September 11.

As written in their Media Advisory:

Gloucester firefighters, police, military personnel and elected officials will conduct an observance ceremony this September to remember all those lost on Sept. 11, 2001 and in the ensuing Global War on Terrorism.

“Each year, we host this ceremony to remember the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks,” Fire Chief Smith said. “It is a somber day for us all, and it’s important that we continue to gather as a community on this anniversary to remember all those who lost their lives that day.”

The ceremony will begin with an opening statement from Fire Chief Smith and a prayer by Chaplain Peter Aberle of the Orthodox Congregational Church in Lanesville. The City will also hold a moment of silence, and in the tradition of the Fire Department of New York City, the Gloucester Fire Department will symbolically strike a ‘5-5-5-5′ alarm on a ceremonial bell to remember those who died in the line of duty on Sept. 11, 2001.

“This ceremony is an opportunity for our city to come together and support each other, as we always do in difficult times,” Mayor Romeo Theken said. “Thank you to the Gloucester Fire and Police Departments, Harbormaster, Veterans’ Services and Coast Guard for coming together to hold this ceremony, and remembering this very difficult day in our nation’s history.”

Mayor Romeo Theken’s office and the Gloucester Fire Department’s Women’s Auxiliary will host a reception at City Hall on Dale Avenue following the ceremony.

Gloucester residents Dan Leahy, an Army veteran of the Vietnam War who was working at the World Trade Center at the time of the 1993 and 2001 terror attacks, and Brenda Leahy are also organizing a display in the auditorium at City Hall in remembrance of the terror attacks. The display will include a 9/11 quilt among additional memorial items, and a video will be available to answer questions about the terror attacks. The display will be open to the public until approximately 12 p.m. on Sept. 11.

 

The light on the water caught my eye so I stopped for a quick photo.

Cape Ann Youth Hockey’s Developmental programs are starting soon.  Your young skater can join either Learn-to-Skate or the Cross Ice beginning hockey program.

Check out all details on the flyer below or click HERE to read more

On a personal note, I can’t say enough about the skills, friendships, lessons, and love of hockey my two boys have learned throughout their years in Cape Ann Youth Hockey.

 

 

I got more than a little lazy with my weekend picks over the summer….mostly because either there was something super obvious to do…or because days were best spent enjoying beaching, boating, and relaxing.   School is back in session and weekend “picks” are back as well.

Pick #1:  Beverly HarborFest

September 7th from 3:00-6:00 and FREE for all! 

“Great party on the waterfront with live music, great food, craft beers from local breweries, and fun activities for all! Saturday September 7, 3-6 pm at Glover Wharf near the Beverly-Salem bridge. See you there!”

Share #beverlyharborfest2019 with all of your friends and ask them to share!

READ MORE HERE

Pick #2: Middleton Food Truck Festival

Saturday, September 7th from 11:00-3:00 at the Middleton Golf Course on Route 114

SAVE THE DATE for The Town of Middleton’s 2nd annual Food Truck Festival! Food Trucks, Live Music, Family Fun Zone all on 114 Middleton at the Middleton Golf Course! All are welcome entry is FREE. This Event is to raise money for the Middleton Food Pantry. Brought to you by your local businesses: TrueView Financial & Vinum Wine Shop.
This Years Sponsors: The Goddard School-Middleton and Body Ambitions Fitness in Middleton.

READ MORE on their Facebook page HERE

Pick #3: Ipswich Ale Harvest Festival

Saturday, September 7th from 12:00-6:00

FREE ADMISSION @ The Spencer Peirce Little Farm in Newbury

“Bring the family and the dog and join Ipswich Ale for their annual Harvest Fest at the historic Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm!

Free admission! No tickets necessary. This is one of their favorite and biggest events of the year – come have a pint with them!

Enjoy live music all day by Bliss, Jambalaya Horns, and the Orville Giddings Band! Grab a beer off one of their tapmobiles, and food from Slim’s BBQ, Kelly’s Roast Beef, CopperDome Crust, The Whoo(pie) Wagon, and Sisters of Anarchy Ice Cream! And bring your camping chairs and picnic blanket and watch a game of vintage baseball – played with 1860’s rules. They’ll have a bouncy house, face painters, and lawn games for the kids. Oh, and don’t forget the adorable farm animals!

Sweet Paws Rescue will be on-site with adoptable dogs all day. Learn how to adopt here: https://www.sweetpawsrescue.org/adoption-info”

 

For a comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore Kid

 

 

Everywhere you look there is something interesting to photograph when walking around Gloucester’s waterfront.  This “dog house” behind Maritime Gloucester always catches my eye.

 

This guy’s home may be a bit cramped, but it sure is pretty.

Finn and I spent the week on Martha’s Vineyard last week.  A highlight for him for sure was jumping off the Jaws Bridge.  We went two separate afternoons there and, in all, I’d say he easily jumped 75 times.  He also earned his, “I Jumped off the Big Bridge” t-shirt.

 

 

 

Did you miss out on the opportunity to purchase some awesome Bluefin Blowout merchandise at the tournament this year?   Well, good news!  Much of the apparel and swag is now available, for a limited time, online.

Get your Bluefin Blowout Merchandise HERE:  http://bit.ly/BFBGear

 

These are definitely the strangest fish going.   I remember seeing my first sunfish years ago and I thought it was a fish that had been cut in half by a shark or something.  As nuts as it sounds, they actually have funny little personalities.  This one came right up to us…quickly I might add.  They’re pretty fast when they want to be.

 

 

 

This large pile of coiled, colorful rope caught my eye the other day while walking down the dock.

 

If you have a child who is interested in starting hockey this opportunity is NOT TO BE MISSED!

Registration ends today!!!

The Boston Bruins are excited to continue and grow the Bruins Academy Learn to Play presented by Pure Hockey (previously called “Little Bruins”) to help aspiring, youth hockey players develop their skills. Last season, the program expanded to over 80 locations across New England with over 5,000 participants. The program was available to both girls and boys and the registration fee included a full set of CCM equipment to keep valued at $500 retail, which included skates, a professional personalized fitting, and four weeks of on-ice instruction led by certified coaches. The Boston Bruins are thrilled to share their passion for hockey with the next generation of hockey players.* Last year, $2,500,000 (retail value) worth of equipment was donated through the program. *

All participants must be born between 2010-2014.

Please register today if you are interested in this amazing opportuinty.  Get a complete set of gear and four on-ice sessions for only $140!

Click here to learn more and register:

https://www.nhl.com/bruins/community/youth-hockey-little-bruins

If your child is already playing hockey, please help us spread the word.  We have several open spots and children from any community are welcome to participate.

The looming twin lights of Thacher Island look a little creepy when passing close by at night.

Thank you to the town of Rockport and the organizers of Rockport Illumination weekend!

 

The boys enjoyed a movie by the rooftop pool at the Beauport the other night.  Such a great spot to spend the night!

 

The boys are off to explore Thacher’s Island with their Race Team today so I dropped them off with their bikes…. so they can ride home later today …and made a little detour down Bearskin Neck to Helmuts.  I grabbed one of my favorite cranberry walnut muffins and sat for 10 sacred minutes before heading down 128 S for a day of work.