Category: Community Photos

Commemorative Vietnam Exhibit and Presentations at the Village Hall

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

VIETNAM WAR RETROSPECTIVE ~ Fifty Years Hence

 THE ANNISQUAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Annisquam Historical Society is sponsoring an Exhibit and Presentations to mark the end of U. S. military

engagement in Vietnam, 50 years ago. On display in the Firehouse is an exhibit of local

veterans’ evocative photographs, maps, artifacts, artwork, slideshows, videos and personal

items documenting the Vietnam era. The veterans will tell the stories of their tours of

duty in Presentations at the Village Hall.

  • Ron Beck – U.S. Coast Guard, served aboard a cutter on blockade duty in South China Sea.
  • Kermit Birchfield – U. S. Air Force, served as pilot with the 4th Air Commando Squadron on

AC 47s (DC 3s modified as gun ships) over S. Vietnam, the Ho Chi Min Trail and Laos, as well

as out of Thailand.

  • Bob Griffith – U. S. Army, served as armored cavalry platoon leader in the Northern Sector of

South Vietnam.

  • Rob Russell, M. D. – U.S. Army, served as a physician at Long Binh, South Central and Delta

region.

  • Robert Williams – U.S. Marine Corps, served as Combat Artist and infantryman in the field,

stationed at the Combat Information Bureau, DaNang, Vietnam.

 

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

 EXHIBIT: AHS FIREHOUSE ~ THRU SEPTEMBER

Mondays – 3:00 to 5:00 pm

Fridays – 9 :00 am to Noon (during the Annisquam Farmer’s Market)

Visit by request to: annisquamhistoricalsociety.org

Annisquam Historical Society – 7 Walnut Street, Gloucester

 

PRESENTATIONS BY VETERANS ~ AUGUST 22, 7:00 – 8:30 PM

Ron Beck, Kermit Birchfield, Bob Griffith, Rob Russell, Robert Williams

Annisquam Village Hall – Leonard Street, Gloucester

Wallace Foss: A Historic Tugboat

Posted on by Manuel F. Simoes

“The tugboat Wallace Foss once led a charmed, if hard-working life in the Pacific Northwest. And the fate of this wooden boat changed even before she was launched: her owners modified the original passenger vessel design to that of a tugboat in the middle of the construction process. Originally christened as Oscar B. in 1897 at Tacoma, WA, today the tug carries the name Wallace Foss and is berthed in Gloucester Harbor.

By 1913, Oscar B. was already a tired ship and had been beached along the Snohomish River in Everett, WA. Good fortune brought her to the attention of Seattle’s Rouse Towing Company, which bought and restored her, replacing her original steam engine in the process. Then in 1920 the Rouse Towing Company was purchased by Foss Maritime, which changed the name to Wallace Foss. (The company named its boats after family members; Wallace was a grandnephew.)

For the next 52 years, Wallace Foss towed barges and logs around Puget Sound, Hood Canal, and the San Juan Islands. And she was well maintained along the way–a new pilothouse was added in 1949 and a new diesel engine was installed in 1960. She worked hard as a tug until 1972, when she was retired. After retirement, she was restored and upgraded by her many successive owners, somehow always dodging the scrap yard.

Wallace Foss was built with Douglas fir planks and cedar decks. She is 65 feet in length, overall, and measures 16 feet, six inches on the beam. Her recent upgrades include new stainless-steel rigging, a bulwark replacement, resealing of the wheelhouse windows, fresh paint, and a new galley stove and watermaker. Her Caterpillar diesel has 1900 hours, and she also carries a Yanmar genset in her large, stand-up engine room. Although her machinery and modern electronics have been continually updated, she has retained her classic lines and historic aura, which have won numerous best-in-show awards at classic boat gatherings.

Today, the tugboat’s interior is more about comfort than hard work. A nicely appointed settee is the centerpiece of the deckhouse salon, while a fully equipped galley and a diesel stove provide everything needed to turn out hearty meals. A belowdecks bunk room accommodates five, and her recognizable pilothouse offers 360-degree views.

A recent owner, who converted her to be a comfortable liveaboard, relocated her from the Pacific Northwest to Newport, RI. She is ready for the next phase of her charmed life as a posh cruiser, exploring the waters of a new coastline.”

Written by: Zuzana Prochazka

Hummingbird at the feeder

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

Had to take the photo through the window but love these beautiful, amazing birds.

Ingredients

  • Refined white sugar
  • Water

Directions for making safe hummingbird food:

  1. Mix 1 part sugar with 4 parts water (for example, 1 cup of sugar with 4 cups of water) until the sugar is dissolved
  2. Do not add red dye
  3. Fill your hummingbird feeders with the sugar water and place outside
  4. Extra sugar water can be stored in a refrigerator
  5. Change feeders every other day and thoroughly clean them each time to prevent harmful mold growth

THE GODDESSES ROCK MUSIC ON MEETINGHOUSE GREEN ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 12

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2022

THE GODDESSES ROCK MUSIC ON MEETINGHOUSE GREEN ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 12
Gloucester’s own Goddesses light up the night with an evening of classic rock ‘n roll at the corner of Middle and Church Streets at 6:00 p.m.

Whether your best dance move is the Twist, Stroll, Watusi, Mashed Potato, Hustle, Funky Chicken, Running Man, or Moonwalk, the Goddesses have you covered
with the best-of-the-best classic rock ‘n roll tunes. Their repertoire spans the roots of rock to its pinnacle and beyond and the Goddesses deliver a non-stop
performance that will have you on your feet, singing along, and wanting more. Headlined by powerhouse couple Tony and Samantha Goddess on vocals and
electric guitar, the Goddesses features Dave Sag on bass, Steve Chaggaris on drums, and John Cameron on keys. Special guest musician for this performance
will be Mayor Greg Verga, an accomplished bass player and performer.

Your free-will donations will benefit HAWC – creating social change by taking action against personal and societal patterns of violence and oppression. The evening’s
food vendor is the Lobster Roller offering their delicious lobster rolls and clam chowder.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Now in its seventh season, Music on Meetinghouse Green features nine free Friday evening concerts from July 8 to September 9. Performances are held on the Green
with great music, favorite foods from local vendors, and a different North Shore non-profit organization benefits each week through free-will donations from the audience.
Concerts begin at 6:00 p.m. and conclude at 8:30 p.m. Some chairs will be provided and audience members are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. Picnic
with delicious local food from our vendors or bring your own. Performances are handicapped accessible and parking on the Green is limited to persons with disabilities.

ABOUT THE GLOUCESTER MEETINGHOUSE FOUNDATION
Founded in 2015, the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation is dedicated to preserving the landmark building as a civic hub, entertainment venue, and community center. In
addition to its work to preserve the historic 1806 Meetinghouse, GMF is currently raising funds to restore Meetinghouse Green. The GMF has received a $130,000 grant from
the Community Preservation Act and a $2,000 grant from the Essex Heritage Partnership Grant Program towards a total project goal of $340,000. Construction is scheduled
to begin in spring 2023.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Thanks to our sponsors, many of whom have contributed since the series’ first year, all of the season’s expenses for musicians and logistics are fully paid making it possible
for 100% of audience donations to go directly to our non-profit partners.

PLATINUM: John and Janis Bell, J.J. and Jackie Bell, Karen Bell, Cape Ann Savings Bank, J. Linzee Coolidge, Scobie Ward, GOLD: BOMCO, Mary Hintlian, Trish Roach and Rob Martin,
Mary Weissblum, SILVER: JoeAnn Hart and Gordon Baird, Landesign, Susan Mckain and Ken Steiner, Charles Nazarian, John and Sandra Ronan, BRONZE: Jerry Ackerman,
Peter Calkins and Susan Casey, Jonathan Golding and Sally Bradley-Golding, Joe and Maggie Rosa, Kathleen and Peter Van Demark, Kathleen Williams

For more information, a full schedule of upcoming concerts and events, and to sign up for the GMF newsletter, visit www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org.