My View of Life on the Dock
I pulled into the Friendly’s parking lot because I saw a hawk in a tree. Trying to channel my inner Kim Smith, I tried to sneak up and capture a photo. Armed only with my iPhone I knew it wouldn’t be wonderful, but thought it would look pretty against the sunset sky. Alas the hawk saw me coming and took to flight. The sunset over the ducks in the water was all that remained.
February 10th – 18th, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center
Tickets are $16 ($14 for a limited time) for ages 13+
10:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m. Youth and Family Programs
Hand print your own animal themed Valentine’s Day cards in printmaker Coco Berkman’s family workshop! Participants will leave with a set of cards. Ages 6+ / Free for families. To register call Education Coordinator Kirsten Vega at (978) 283-0455 x16 or email kirstenvega@capeannmuseum.org.
Learn more about Coco Berkman here.
Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate and Ice Festival – Feb. 9 through Feb. 11, 2018
Salem Main Streets, the Salem Chamber of Commerce, Destination Salem, and local retailers, restaurants, and businesses invite you to attend the 16th annual Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival. A decadent tradition of delectable chocolate, sparkling ice sculptures, and Valentine’s Day shopping…don’t miss Salem’s sweetest event of the year!
As always, for a comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore Kid
This past Saturday was the Rotary Club of Gloucester‘s 8th Annual Polar Plunge.
I arrived at the Cape Ann Motor Inn just past 10:00 am and was immediately surprised by the large number of people already in the midst of gathering. Shuttle busses from Good Harbor Beach continued to arrive, swimmers got ready, and after a welcome from both Senator Bruce Tarr and Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken the quick countdown began and the fearless plungers ran to the water.
Congratulations to all. A great turnout for a greater cause!
The event is part of Rotary International’s ongoing campaign to eradicate polio in our lifetime. Several hundred people are expected to plunge into the cold waters off Cape Ann this year. Last year, over 300 people braved the icy waters, raising more than $120,000. Since the first Rotary Polar Plunge in 2011, Massachusetts Rotarians have raised over a half-million dollars with this event.
Since 1985, Polio has been the signature cause for Rotary International as it has teamed up with partners including The Global Poverty Project, The Global Eradication Initiative, The World Health Organization, and UNICEF. Since that time, more than a billion dollars have been raised among Rotary clubs worldwide and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. When Rotary International took on the battle against this disease, more than 350,000 people spanning 125 countries were suffering from polio. Today, there are three countries awaiting eradication – Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan. In 2016, there were 37 wild polio cases reported; in 2017, there were 20 cases reported. More information on Rotary’s #EndPolioNow campaign can be found at www.EndPolio.org.
This year, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has again pledged a 2:1 match for every dollar Rotarians and friends raise toward eradication efforts. A 60-cents donation can make the difference in changing a person’s life. Please support Gloucester Rotarians as they brave the icy waters to help eradicate polio in our lifetime. The goal for the plunge is $125,000. Help Rotarians lead the way to eradicate this dreaded disease! Make a donation now!
On Saturday night Cape Ann Youth Hockey’s Squirt 1 team was invited to play a team in town from Beijing, China. The team from China was in town as part of a cultural exchange program with the Boston Bruins. The Bruins and the Valley Hockey League invited Squirt 1 to play Beijing at the Porrazzo Arena in East Boston. While Cape Ann was happy to be victorious with a score of 7-2, more importantly the team was honored to have the opportunity to build bridges with hockey friends from China. At the end of the game, Cape Ann’s coaching staff presented the visiting team with CAYH pins to take with them as they return to China.
After sneaking in a little bit of work yesterday, I stopped by Sonny’s Mobile in Beverly to grab some gas and beer for the big game (sigh).
The number of choices was almost overwhelming, but those cans sure are pretty!
As seen in the New Yorker…..
What is it like the week of the Super Bowl to not be a Patriots fan? Gosh knows I wouldn’t know.
Who doesn’t want ice cream for breakfast? Eat ice cream for breakfast with zero guilt, because it’s for a great cause! (Please invite your friends!)
Saturday, February 3rd is National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. We’ll be celebrating at Cherry Farm with a special “breakfast” menu featuring…
Waffle Sundaes
Donut Sundaes
Muffin Sundaes
Donut Ice Cream Sandwiches
“Coffee & Donuts” Ice Cream
Maple bacon ice cream
Warm maple syrup sauce
Warm blueberry topping
Bacon bit topping
Sorbet/Sherbet fruit cup
& More!Be sure to stop by early because from 8am – 12pm we will be donating half of the proceeds to support The NHL Alumni Corey C. Griffin ProAm Fund for Boston Children’s Hospital Concussion Prevention Research Center.
We hope to see you there! Please help spread the word by inviting your friends.
All information is found in this flyer but you can also look here for more
Saturday, February 3, 2018
Puck Drop is at 2:00PM
Warriors Ice Arena
90 Guest St
Boston, MA 02135
Head to the Warriors Ice Arena to watch Dana-Farber Cancer Institute doctors, nurses, researchers, and staff play a charity hockey game against Boston Bruins alumni to benefit the Jimmy Fund.
The Jimmy Fund supports pediatric and adult cancer care and research at Dana-Farber.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 children. They can be purchased online at the link above or at the door!
As always, for a comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore Kid
On Saturday, February 3rd from 10:30 am – 12:00 noon
At Long Beach in front of the Cape Ann Motor Inn
Please park at Good Harbor Beach and take the free shuttle bus to the polar plunge
Free admission: Make donations to #EndPolioNow campaign at: https://app.mobilecause.com/vf/polio/team/Gloucester
The Gloucester Rotary Club will again host clubs from Rotary District 7930 (eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire) for the 8th annual Polar Plunge on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at Long Beach in Gloucester. The event is part of Rotary International’s ongoing campaign to eradicate polio in our lifetime. Several hundred people are expected to plunge into the cold waters off Cape Ann this year. Last year, over 300 people braved the icy waters, raising more than $120,000. Since the first Rotary Polar Plunge in 2011, Massachusetts Rotarians have raised over a half-million dollars with this event. Since 1985, Polio has been the signature cause for Rotary International as it has teamed up with partners including The Global Poverty Project, The Global Eradication Initiative, The World Health Organization, and UNICEF. Since that time, more than a billion dollars have been raised among Rotary clubs worldwide and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
More information on Rotary’s #EndPolioNow campaign can be found at www.EndPolio.org. This year, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has again pledged a 2:1 match for every dollar Rotarians and friends raise toward eradication efforts.
A 60-cents donation can make the difference in changing a person’s life.
Please support Gloucester Rotarians as they brave the icy waters to help eradicate polio in our lifetime. The goal for the plunge is $125,000. Supporters can text “polio” to 71777 or visit www.GloucesterRotary.org to make a donation.
Kudos to this paddler for getting out and making the most of a brisk January day! Thanks to Paul Horovitz for sending the photo along.
Finn had a pretty early hockey game in Woburn on Saturday morning and I took advantage of the time in the passenger seat to delete tons of emails. While scrolling through my inbox, I found an email notification from the Patriots announcing their plans for a Super Bowl send-off party at Gillette stadium. With some extra time in the car as Finn and Freddy went into the rink to get ready, I decided to book a hotel and surprise the boys with a quick overnight trip to Patriot Place to be a part of the action.
I’m so glad I did. After a really long week the quick family trip was just what we needed. After Thatcher’s Sunday afternoon hockey game we drove to Foxboro. We checked into our room at the Renaissance Boston Patriot Place and the boys were thrilled to see the bright blue sign of Gillette Stadium shining right outside our window. After getting settled, we walked through Patriot Place and down to the NRG Plaza in front of the Pro Shop at the entrance to Gillette. The boys were able to walk up onto the stage that was set for Monday’s festivities and then spent an hour skating on the Winter Skate Ice at Patriot Place. After working up an appetite we had dinner at CBS Scene. Unbelievably, all of Patriot Place was like a ghost town. I had made dinner reservations, but we were one of only a few full tables there.
After dinner we walked back to the hotel and the boys decorated signs to show their Patriot Love. We were in bed by 11:00 and up at 6:00. After turning on the news we realized that the crowds were already gathering so we quickly got ready and went back down to the plaza. We scored great standing room directly behind the media pit and enjoyed the show!
The boys were interviewed by both radio and TV news personalities and were psyched to be a part of the excitement. They had the opportunity to hear from several Patriots greats and I hope that, as huge sports’ fans, they’ll look back on yesterday fondly for a while.
“Mom, do you think that is really Tom Brady!?”
On a positive note, they have both done a good job learning Roman Numerals at school.
At Joppa Flats in Newburyport, Saturday, January 27th
Winter is a wonderful time to bird in northeastern Massachusetts and southeastern New Hampshire. In celebration of this season, the Joppa Flats is hosting the Superbowl of Birding XV on January 27, 2018.
Superbowls I-XIV were great successes with teams of all abilities participating. The challenge is renewed this year, with prizes awarded in ten categories!
This is a unique competition to find the greatest number of species and to earn the greatest number of points based on the rarity of the birds recorded. The Zeiss Joppa Cup is awarded to the team that collects the most points by the end of the specified 12-hour birding day. Strategy and planning are essential in order to win this competition.
Registration
- $30 per participant if registered before January 1
- $35 per participant if registered after January 1
- $20 for participants 12 and under
Registration fees support refreshments and prizes for the winning teams.
To Register
Please mail the completed registration form with appropriate fee(s) to:
Joppa Flats Education Center, 1 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA 01950
You may also register by calling 978-462-9998.
Family Tours
SATURDAY, JANUARY 27
1:00 p.m. — 1:45 p.m.Walking Tours, Gallery Tours Youth and Family Programs
A tour for history detectives of all ages! Discover the story of Cape Ann by taking a closer look at 10 objects from paintings to film. End your tour in the Activity Center with hands-on fun and art-making. Recommended for families with children under 12. Free for CAM members and Cape Ann residents or with Museum admission. Children must be accompanied by an adult. To register, call or e-mail Kirsten Vega at (978) 283-0455 x16 or kirstenvega@capeannmuseum.org.
Head to the Cabot and enjoy Alastair Moock and Friends.
Twenty years into his performing career, 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 to preschoolers, and he plays everything from theaters to nightclubs 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.
Moock started performing in 1995, moving from his home outside New York City to the folk haven of Boston. After working his way up through the local coffeehouse and club circuit, he began touring the U.S. and Europe, eventually graduating to renowned events like the Newport Folk Festival and Norway’s Bergen Music Fest. In 2007 Moock was nominated for a Boston Music Award for Outstanding Singer-Songwriter of the Year. The Boston Globe called him “one of the town’s best and most adventurous songwriters” and The Washington Post declared “every song a gem.” ….. visit this site to read more
As always, for a comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore Kid
Cape Ann Youth Hockey would like to extend A big THANK YOU to Coach Geary and the Gloucester High School hockey team for spending their Saturday morning with the Learn to Skate crew.
What a great experience for the skaters, both young and old. Many of those same Gloucester Fisherman started pushing milk crates around in that very same program! How special for them to return and share their time and talents with this year’s youngest skaters as they gain confidence and skill. No doubt those young skaters will remember it for a long time to come!
These photos are courtesy of Dawn Enos. She caught some really special moments. Check out Cape Ann Youth Hockey’s Facebook page for even more photos.
East Gloucester Elementary School is presenting their 1st Annual Winter Carnival!
THIS SATURDAY, January 27th 10:00-2:00.
The fun will include Crafts, Games, Prizes, Raffles, Food, Face Painting, Bake Sale, and a Cake Walk.
All Ages Welcome!
Who knows where this window can be found?
Listen to this racket! We came home from a great night out with friends only to be greeted by this chorus of coyotes. You obviously can’t see anything, but they sounded like they were super close. Creepy.
The eerily quiet beaches of winter seem to cast shadows of long lost summer days. Soon enough.
We will be open the following days/times:
Friday: 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Rates: $25 per ticket, per block. (all ages)
Friday:
*NEW! One ticket gets you on the hill from open until close! (not valid on holiday and school vacation days)
Saturday and Sunday:
Each guest must purchase a new ticket for each time block they wish to tube.
Minimum age to tube is 4 years old.
(must be able to sit in your own tube)
First Block: 10AM-12PM
Second Block: 12PM-2PM
Third Block: 2PM-4PM
Fourth Block: 4PM-6PM
Fifth Block: 6PM-8PM
Sponsored by Ipswich River Wildlife SanctuarySun, Jan 21, 2018 1:15 pm – 2:30 pmInstructor:Members:Adult $12.00, Child $10.00Nonmembers:Adult $14.00, Child $12.00Nonmembers can join today during checkout and take immediate advantage of member prices.Our first presentation from 11:00 am-12:15 pm has filled, so we have added a second presentation from 1:15-2:30 pm.
Come see live birds of prey up close in this indoor presentation that will introduce you to the different types of raptors including eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls. We’ll discuss the special features these birds have that enable them to be successful predators at the top of the food chain. We’ll talk about how they hunt, what they eat, and their amazing vision, hearing, and feathers. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to see birds such as the peregrine falcon, kestrel, red-tailed hawk, saw-whet owl, barn owl, barred owl, great horned owl, and eastern screech-owl (birds subject to change).
Instructions and Directions:Meets in our warm, cozy Barn. This program is entirely indoors.Registration is required.Waitlist email or call 978-887-9264.Register by mail: program registration form (PDF 66K)For your own security, DO NOT send credit card information via email.For more information, contact:
87 Perkins RowTopsfield, MA 01983
As always, for a comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore Kid
Forgive me if this has already been shared….but worth sharing again nonetheless.
Need a weekend away with your girlfriends? Relax, reconnect and reminisce with your pals on a Girls’ Weekend in Gloucester!
Whether you are coming to town for the Bridal Expo or just looking to have a fun weekend with your friends, Gloucester has everything you need. Lodging specials, shopping discounts, art classes and more can be found in Gloucester on the weekend of January 26-28, 2018.
Download your Girls’ Weekend Passport, which will be your ticket to the great giveaways, discounts and experiences all especially designed for the ultimate girls weekend. You can also pick up a passport in person at any of the participating businesses during the weekend.
At first I assumed this was a sign for the rotary…like the rotary club….but I’ve been told that isn’t so. Is it really because everyone turns around there? I’ve never noticed it before.
Good Morning Gloucester 