Author: Nichole S.

Greasy Pole Walkers Make Their Entrance

Posted on by Nichole S.

The Lady Jillian, from Harbor Tours, had the pleasure of delivering this gang to the pole this afternoon.  They make quite an entrance.

 

So Much Spinning

Posted on by Nichole S.

A whole lot of spinning was going on.  Funny….ever since riding the Twirling Strawberries at the Topsfield Fair 7.5 years ago and feeling violently ill from the spinning….only to discover two days later that I was pregnant with Finn… I haven’t been able to handle spinning.  Roller Coasters…no problem.  Spinning, twirling, twisting kiddie rides.  Shoot me.

Nichole’s Pick. Period.

Posted on by Nichole S.

I guess you could say that I’m boycotting my Picks Post this week, because….while I haven’t missed one since Joey asked me to start writing them….there is only one true pick for this weekend…  The 89th Saint Peter’s Fiesta.

Here is your list of events for this year….  taken from

http://www.stpetersfiesta.org/2004program.html

St. Peter’s Fiesta 2016

Novena to St. Peter

Monday, June 13 – Tuesday, June 21
7:00 p.m.
American Legion Hall

Wednesday, June 22

7:00–10:00 p.m.  Musical Entertainment….St. Peter’s Park:    
“Barry Mooney and The Sounds of Legends ”                                                                                                        

Thursday, June 23

Youth 3 on 3 Basketball Tounament      Time to be announced.
For further details, contact the Cape Ann YMCA.

6:30 p.m……      Fiesta 5K Road Race – with Cape Ann YMCA –
Starting location Stage Fort Park,
Finish line at St. Peter’s Park.
For further details, contact the Cape Ann YMCA.

8:00–11:00…      Entertainment, Dance and Music featuring…..
“WILD FIRE” …. St. Peter’s Park                  

Friday, June 24

4:45 p.m…….    Greasy Pole Contest…and…Women’s  Seine Boat Races
Pavilion Beach

6:30 p.m…….    Entertainment….Before Opening Ceremonies

7:30 p.m. ……    Formal Opening ….St. Peter’s Square

Entertainment immediately following to 11:30 p.m….                                                          featuring   Elio Lorusso and SEABREEZE

Saturday, June 25

9:30 a.m……          Family Activity Day….Newell Stadium
For further details, contact the Cape Ann YMCA.

10:00 a.m…….     Pavilion Beach…Military Seine Boat Race:  –
U.S. Coast Guard vs U.S. Navy…
Gloucester Fire Department vs Gloucester Police Department 

3:00 p.m……    Children’s Games…. Beach Court

4:45 p.m……    Sports Events… Pavilion Beach
Seine Boat Races..&..Greasy Pole Contest

8:00–11:30 pm. Musical Entertainment…St. Peter’s Square….
“Gian Faraone and  Big Band Orchestra”

Sunday, JUNE 26

10:00 a.m……     Celebration of MASS OF ST. PETER….. at St. Peter’s Park

10:00 a.m……   Celebration of MASS OF ST. PETER….. at St. Peter’s Park

 12:00 noon…..  Procession following the Celebration of Outdoor Mass

3:00 p.m……    Blessing of the Fleet… Stacy Boulevard.

3:00 p.m… …   Concert….United States Navy Band Northeast…St. Peter’s Park

4:45 p.m……    Sports Events…at Pavilion Beach –
Seine Boat Races..&...Greasy Pole Contest

6:30 p.m……    Children’s  Pinata Contest –  Pascucci Court

6:30 -7:15 pm     Musical entertainment.. St. Peter’s Square… featuring  Jimmy Geany

7:15 p.m…….    Awards Ceremony – Trophies awarded to winners of the Sports Events

8:30 p.m……    Musical Entertainment –  St. Peter’s Park featuring  Paul London

11:00 p.m……  Raffle Drawings and Closing Procession

Save the Date:  Next Year….
St. Peter’s Fiesta, 90th Anniversary, June 21 – June 25, 2017

IMG_1334

Jones Creek

Posted on by Nichole S.

The one and only Finn turned 7 yesterday and was very clear about how he wanted to spend the day.  Soccer camp, ice cream, bike riding, paddling boarding, and sushi.  We added the Summer Solstice as a bonus.  Why not.

While the whole day was pretty great, my favorite part of it all was taking the SUPs to Jones Creek and having some quality time with the birthday boy.  With Thatcher off at sailing lessons, Finn and I were able to spend some time on the river, hunt for crabs, and enjoy the view.

IMG_9936IMG_0024IMG_0029IMG_0017

If

Posted on by Nichole S.

I can’t help but think each Father’s Day, as a mother of two young boys, that they are most likely going to grow up to be fathers themselves one day.  I hope that I am preparing them, as best as I can, be be good fathers, good husbands, good friends, and good people.

I first read If by Rudyard Kipling in college during a poetry course.  I kind of feel in love with it.  I have thought of its words often while watching my young boys sleep, giggle, stumble, smile, play, skate, cry, struggle, succeed, throw and grow.

If

By Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
    Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
    But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
    Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
    And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
    If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
    And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
    Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
    And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
    And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
    And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
    To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
    Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
    Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
    If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
    With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
    And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
13495221_10210070653112818_4470214857497560258_n

That Melissa Cox, She’s One of the Good Ones

Posted on by Nichole S.

Not only is she a good sport, but she’s generous too.

Melissa agreed, thanks to a $500 request, to be tossed into the pool in the name of charity.

That $500 will go to a charity set up to help the Orlando shooting victims and their families.

You just never know what you’re going to run into when you meet up with a friend for a drink in Gloucester.  While I missed the actual splash…I landed on the roof top deck in time to see a wet, chilly, but still smiling Melissa Cox spreading cheer the way she always does.

Thanks so much to Christopher Sicuranza for capturing and sharing the moment…and to Melissa for allowing me to post it.  Thanks also to Steven LeBlanc for “the push” and Sean Nolan for stepping up big with the $500 donation.

(and, how about that roof top pool area!)  #Beauport Hotel

giphy

13445559_10100467740132379_7234853372719403649_n

Nichole’s Picks 6/18 + 6/19

Posted on by Nichole S.

Pick #1: Father’s Day Weekend Campout at the Crane’s Estate with REI.

Read all about it HERE     For Trustees members only…so sign up now if you haven’t already.

Adult $45 and Child $25.  Registration Required 

Spend an adventure-filled weekend camping at the Crane Estate! Our special site in the Pine Grove is an ideal location for both experienced campers and first-timers. This overnight includes a choice of optional programs and activities on Saturday afternoon, which may include a Great Marsh Creek Walk, a Dune Hike through the Crane Wildlife Refuge, a Guided Kayak Paddle in Essex Bay, or a Scavenger Hunt for the little ones. Of course you are also free to simply lounge on the beach, or explore the property on your own. Bring a bag lunch for Saturday. REI will teach us how to make a delicious, nutritious camp out supper – and we’ll follow that with s’mores around the campfire on Saturday night. A light breakfast will be provided on Sunday morning. After you pack up on Sunday morning, you are welcome to spend Sunday afternoon at the beach (parking in the lot by the Barn only).

REI-Kingdom-8-Tent-Campsite-Tour-Disneys-Fort-Wilderness-Resort-from-yourfirstvisit.net_

Pick #2:  Connors Farm Strawberry Festival, Danvers

Always a favorite kick-off to summer!

READ ALL ABOUT IT HERE AND PURCHASE ADVANCED TICKETS IF YOU’D LIKE

Saturday, June 18, 2016 – 9am to 6pm (Rain date Sunday, June 19, 2016)

$7.95 Admission per Person, 2 and under are free.

(A Portion of the Proceeds Benefit Jimmy Fund Clinic at Dana Farber)

Note: Everyone must pay the $7.95 fee for entrance to pick your own and all festivities

Activities Included with $7.95 admission: The Boston Rockabilly Band LIVE from Noon to 4pm, Jumping Pillow, Farm Animals, Hayrides, Cow Train, Grain Train, Duck Races, Pedal Carts & more!

Additional charge for: Food, Our Famous Strawberry Shortcake, BBQ Food, Pick Your Own Strawberries, Pony Rides, Strawberries Dipped in Chocolate and Face Painting.

 

full

Pick #3:  Arts Fest Beverly

READ ALL ABOUT IT HERE

Saturday, June 18th, 2016         10am-4pm on Cabot Street

NEW – Arts Fest is expanding – Cabot St will be closed from Judson to Bow St

Rain or Shine

Join us at Arts Fest on Saturday, June 18th from 10am-4pm. New this year, Arts Fest has expanded to include one more block of Cabot Street. Artist tents will be set up all the way from Judson Street to Bow Street. For fourteen years, Arts Fest has brought fine artisans and crafters downtown for a free festival that attracts thousands of shoppers and visitors. Artist tents will be set up with jewelry, clothing, furniture, paintings, photographs, pottery and more for sale. The free event also showcases live painting and local performers. There is plenty of fun for the whole family!

bms-header-new7

Pick #4:  Family Fishing Festival at Endicott Park, Danvers

Saturday, June 18th @ 10:00 a.m.

READ ALL ABOUT IT HERE

This festival is cosponsored by the MassWildlife Angler Education Program and Danvers Recreation. This is a non-competitive, family friendly, learn to fish event. Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours – limited equipment and bait will be provided. This is a free event; however, all visitors are subject to a $1 resident vehicle or $3 non-resident vehicle user fee. Open to the public. For more information, please contact Christine Dean at (978) 774-6518 or Jim Lagacy at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us.

imgres
Photo from http://www.fs.usda.gov

 

As always, for a more comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore Kid.

Who is in the Know?

Posted on by Nichole S.

We mentioned the other day on the most recent podcast (from the gorgeous new Beauport Hotel) that a new restaurant is coming to Rockport.

The Feather & Wedge Restaurant and Bar (happy dance) is scheduled to open sometime this summer.  I honestly don’t know a thing about it.  Who can fill us in?  I’d love to know more!

IMG_9279IMG_9277

Well, Hello, Beauport Hotel.

Posted on by Nichole S.

I was fortunate enough to spend some time at the brand new Beauport Hotel last night.  To say that it exceeded my expectations is beyond an understatement.  The attention to detail is second to none and I coveted each and every piece of art, piece of furniture, lamp, sconce, throw pillow, cushion, etc.

My best attempt to describe it is Pottery Barn (or maybe Restoration Hardware) meets America’s Cup.   It is crisp, modern, comfortable, cozy, bright, nautical, and chic…all at once.  It feels just enough like “Gloucester” while also feeling like a wonderful retreat and escape.  I felt at home….and yet a million miles away.

While there, I sat in a formal dining room to tape our podcast, at the indoor bar for a delicious tomato and mozzarella flatbread, by the rooftop pool for the sunset, and then on the expansive ocean-front deck by the fire pit. Each space had its own feel…while yet being completely cohesive.  There are comfortable sitting areas everywhere you look. Plenty of nooks and crannies for intimate seating for two….and large tables and seating configurations for meeting up with a large group of friends.

Honestly, even last night with a chill in the air, I could have sat on the deck for hours on end.

We are beyond blessed to have so many fabulous choices here on Cape Ann.  The Beauport Hotel is, in my opinion, the precious last piece of a puzzle.  Kudos to all involved in the enormous efforts of making it a reality.