Friday night Ann Margaret’s friends and family threw her a fabulous and fun 21 x 2 birthday party under the tent at Mile Marker One. The full moon made for a perfect summer evening celebration and, with music provided by North Shore Acappella and delish picnic fare, everyone had a grand and festive time. Happy, Happy Birthday Ann!
Category: gloucester
Cape Ann YMCA Clean Team Rocks!
This morning we had a super training session with the Cape Ann YMCA Friday Clean Team on how to water the butterfly gardens at the HarborWalk. If you see the Clean Team working around town, stop and tell them thanks for the great job that they are doing.Thanks so much Clean Team–I am looking forward to working with you!
Emma Thomas, Josh Billings, Tia Strong, Austin Smith, Brendon Strong, Reuben James, and Philip Hinckley (left to right)
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Breaking News: Anita Diamant is the The Book Club @ Duckworth’s August Guest Speaker!!!
New York Times best selling author Anita Diamant will be leading the discussion at the The Writer’s Book Club @ Duckworth’s Bistrot event on August 17th.
Come join the table of the fabulous Chef Ken Duckworth in a discussion of Ballistics by Billy Collins. 
For more information about the event and to purchase tickets click here:The Writer’s Book Club @ Duckworth’s Bistrot.
From the Eastern Point Lit House website ~ Anita Diamant writing career began in Boston in 1975. As a freelance journalist, she contributed to local magazines and newspapers, including the Boston Phoenix, the Boston Globe, and Boston Magazine, branching out into regional and national media, with articles in New England Monthly, Yankee, Self, Parenting, Parents, McCalls, and Ms. She also wrote about Jewish practice and the Jewish community for Reform Judaism magazine, Hadassah magazine, and jewishfamily.com. A collection of her essays appears in the book, Pitching My Tent: On Marriage, Motherhood, Friendship and Other Leaps of Faith. Diamant’s first book was The New Jewish Wedding, which she followed the with five more guidebooks to Jewish life and lifecycle events. In 1997, Diamant published her first work of fiction, The Red Tent, whichthe independent booksellers alliance honored as its “Booksense Best Fiction” selection in 2001. Diamant’s novels, Good Harbor, and The Last Days of Dogtown, are both set in Cape Ann. 
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Two Saturday Events at Eastern Point Lit House
Not one, but two events are scheduled for Saturday, July 12th at Eastern Point House!
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Lights! Camera! Nature! Movies by kids ages 7-12 @ Cape Ann Community Cinema Tomorrow (SAT 7/12) NOON-2pm
From Cape Ann TV’s Lisa Smith:
Lights! Camera! Nature! Come to the Cape Ann Community Cinema on Sat., July 12 at Noon to 2 PM , to watch nature movies made by kids ages 7-12 in the the Kestrel Educational Adventure Program.
Here is one of the movies being screened “Telephone Island”:
Welcome to Telephone Island a magical island off the coast of Gloucester, Ma and it is filled with fascinating animals. This movie was made in the Spring-Summer of 2014 by a student in the Kestrel Foundation’s Lights, Camera, Nature program. The program is led by Jessica Kagle and made in co-operation with Cape Ann TV where the students edited their movies. Screening of this movie and the others made in the spring program will be at the Cape Ann Community Cinema on Main St. in Gloucester, Sat., July 12, 2014 at noon to 2pm along with NOVA’s “The Incredible Journey of the Butterflies”.
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It was a great night of music at the first Habor Loop Concert Series July 10, 2014~ Mamadou and The Jake Pardee Band
Beautiful evening, filled with expressive dancing, happy children, blues and world fusion music. The Jake Pardee band invited a special guest Dierdra Darrha to share her talent. She was very sweet performing a country kind of song. I believe the crowd was pleased. Many thanks to Bradley Royds all the sponsors that make this event possible. Especially the sound guys Frank Hawks and John Silveira. Looking forward to the next one.
Let the music begin
Dierdra Darrha
The Jake Pardee Band with Dierdra Darrha
Dierdra Darrha
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Thank You Pauline Bresnahan From Pauline’s Gifts
For making this special flag for my Beannie’s Birthday sail 
Check her out on Facebook – Pauline’s Gifts On Facebook
She does custom mailboxes, flags, you name it.
and Captain Heath Ellis For hanging it for us.
Pauline’s Gifts was voted number one gift shop on Cape Ann –
512 Essex Ave Rt 133
Gloucester, Massachusetts
Today 11:00am – 5:00pm
http://www.paulinesgiftshop.com/
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Does She Deserve a Sticka? damn right She Does!!!
If you’re an avid reader of GMG you read the blog post by Lisa Steinocher-
LISA STEINOCHER ASKS- “DO I DESERVE A STICKER?”
Posted on June 27, 2014 by Joey C 4 comments
Well the picture above provides your answer 
Lisa writes yesterday from home-
Back on Southern soil and had boiled peanuts and barbecue ribs for my fourth instead of clam chowder and Virgilio’s rolls ( hand cut with sesame seeds like they always use to make:)
I wanted to thank you for taking the time to visit with my dad, daughter and me. And I can’t thank you enough for my stickers. I really appreciate it! I’m very proud of them:)
Ill continue to enjoy staying connected to my Gloucester roots through your wonderful website.
Take care and best wishes,
Lisa Steinocher (aka the missed placed Yankee who lives too far inland)
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NEW TV Series “AWESOME GLOUCESTER” PREMIERES TONIGHT
From Cape Ann TV’s Lisa Smith:
Awesome Gloucester- The TV Show
The series premiere of “Awesome Gloucester” airs tonight, Thursday, July 10 at 7pm on Cape Ann TV Channel 12. Explore Gloucester and its awesomeness with host David Wesson and get an insiders look at baking bread at Virgilio’s Italian Bakery; explore the Maritime Gloucester tide pools with kids; and learn about distilling rum at Ryan & Wood Distilleries. This show is created by Lanesvillian Matt Morris, a filmmaker who loves this town and decided to make a television show about one of the coolest places on Earth.
The show also airs on Fridays at 3:30 pm; and Sundays at 5:00 pm. See full Cape Ann TV Schedule here.
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John Rankin joins the Dave Sag’s Blues Party tonight. All the way from New Orleans 8:30 to 11:30 @ The Rhumb Line 7.10.2014
Dave says,
We’re opening up the bomb bay with a vengeance this week to keep your summer at a frantic pace. First, this Thursday, let’s welcome back honorary Gloucester resident and New Orleans native, Mr. John Rankin.This guy has spent most of his life playing music and teaching at some of the most prestigious drinking schools in the City That Care Forgot: i.e. Tulane, UNO, Loyola and Parchman Farm. This hoodoo hoodlum will be showing up with his muddy boots and eleven foot sack to show you what it really like to suffer permanent brain damage. He got the gris gris and the mojo clubfoot to prove it. Also, he’s my best friend who knows me well and still likes me. Go figure.
Filling out this glowing gasbag of a gig will be that amazing artificer of the honkophonium: Mr. Marque Earley,on tenor and barium sax, and local boy Mr. John Loud, on the eggbeaters. This will be the zenith of interspecies communication! Rhumb Line hours:8:30 to 11:30.
http://www.johnrankin.net/index.html
40 Railroad Ave.
Gloucester, Ma.
(978) 283-9732
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Tony Gross AKA the Lobster Assassin
The cerebral lobsterman. Tony is playing chess when other lobstermen are playing Shutes and Ladders.
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Check Out the Native Wildflowers at the HarborWalk Tonight Before the Outdoor Screening of Wizard of Oz
Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea)
Yesterday afternoon and evening while weeding at the HarborWalk butterfly gardens I encountered a gorgeous male Summer Azure butterfly, lots of friendly Red Admirals, and myriad bees. If you are there at the HarborWalk tonight watching the The Wizard of Oz, stroll through the gardens and have a look at these beautiful native wildflowers in bloom today!
Veronicastrum virginicum
You may notice some bare spots in the garden, which will soon be filled! Hose spigots were just installed this week at the gardens and we now have an improved way to water!!!!! Up to this point, for the past several years, Lenny Linquata has graciously allowed the city to hook up hoses and fill watering cans at his restaurant spigot. 
Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
See previous GMG posts for more information about Gloucester’s Summer Cinema:
Coming This Summer: Free Movie Night
Free Out Door Summer Cinema Series 
Helenium autumnale and Dalea purpurea make a cheery bee and butterfly attracting duo!
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FREE Harbor Loop Concert Series Starts TOMORROW
This just in from Harbor Loop Concert Series organizer, Bradley Royds. He says we’ll have the full summer lineup soon. What better way to kick off a summer of free outdoor music than with Mamadou & Jake! — Thanks, Bradley, for making this happen again this year!
Harbor Loop Concert Series 2014
Summertime in Gloucester – its time for a party!
Thursday, July 10th marks the launch of the 41st Harbor Loop Concert Series. This is the perfect event for music-loving folks of all ages and the fun-loving musicians who enjoy playing for their hometown crowd.
Concert organizer Bradley Royds proclaims “The kick-off acts are sure to cause unbridled happy-feet and impulsive head-bobbing.” Jake Pardee will open at 6:30pm, and Mamadou will hit the stage from 7:45pm until 9:00pm.
Headliner, Mamadou, is well-known for whipping up original world-fusion rhythm and reggae based music. The band is comprised of a variety of well known Boston based musicians, featuring multiple percussion players and Pardee as lead guitarist. Royds adds “Jake is fantastic and he will knock it out of the park before Mamadou does the same.”
Lawn chairs, blankets, picnic baskets and coolers are all welcome in the park. A variety of food and beverage vendors will be on-site. As the sun sets over Gloucester, come enjoy the music while overlooking the scenic-historic Inner Harbor from the hillside of Fitz Hugh Lane Park.
The Harbor Loop Concert Series is totally kid-friendly, and the park offers an environment that is safe for the whole family. Shows are every Thursday in July and August, 6:30pm to 9:00pm. Please go to http://www.harborloop.com for further information and for notice of cancellation in the event of rain.
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What the Fluke
I will swim with a humpback whale some day.
It’s at the top of my bucket list for sure.
I actually planned a vacation to Costa Rica several years ago for the opportunity to swim with the whales in Drake Bay, but sadly, no whales were in the area during my stay.
I have, however, had the opportunity to swim with wild dolphins, sea turtles, sea lions, rays, black tip reef sharks, and manatees. Each of those experiences are kind of sacred to me. All are moments that I will never forget.
While swimming with wild marine life may not be everyone’s cup of tea, if you haven’t been on at least one amazing whale watch, you are missing out. We are incredibly fortunate to have whales not far off our coast for a good part of the year. I, all kidding aside, sometimes find myself laying awake at night thinking, “I wonder what the whales are doing right now?” Freak meter rating high, I realize, but true nonetheless.
So, today, knowing that the whales have been plentiful for the past several days, we went for a trip with Cape Ann Whale Watch. How do I know they’ve been plentiful you may ask? I follow their blog.
I had the opportunity to speak with both long time owners, Nick Danikas and Jim Douglass, in the parking lot prior to the trip. Both are great guys who are pretty passionate about offering trips that leave guests with memories to last a lifetime.
Likewise, the crew and the naturalists are phenomenal and beyond highly educated on the matter of whales and sea life indigenous to our waters. Their enthusiasm was contagious. Even the captain, John Karvelas, was excitedly pointing out bubble clouds as they formed on the surface of the water. Bubble clouds are a method that whales use to trap krill and sand eels in a tight school so that they can emerge, mouths open, and swallow up a giant meal.
Today’s trip was nothing short of amazing. To begin, we only had to head 11 miles off the Dog Bar Breakwater, which was a treat in itself. After a short steam, we were literally surrounded by humpback whales. I’ve been on many whale watches. Both on local whale watching boats and on smaller private boats. Today’s trip was one for the record books.
Click Here for more information about Cape Ann Whale Watch
Hear are some of my favorite photos from today’s trip.
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Burnham’s Field Renovation – VIDEO Update
Joey,
Why is project manager Steve Winslow standing knee-deep in a trench in slacks and a button-down shirt? It’s “Trench Week!” Here’s your Burnham’s Field renovation project video update.
John McElhenny, Friends of Burnham’s Field
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1976 Vintage Wicked Tuna- Janice Schrafft Catches 996Lb Bluefin (Her third of the day)
Janice Schrafft
996 lb Tuna
1976
North Shore Sports Dock (Next To Beacon Marine)
3rd fish of the day and biggest….the only one they kept that day
The Fish was caught on Stellwagen
Wicked!
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New Film: Mark Allen ~ Sunday 2014 Greasy Pole Champion Walking for Loved Ones
Mark Allen Walking for Loved Ones
Congratulations to Mark Allen, the 2014 Sunday Greasy Pole Champion! This was Mark’s first win, after 16 previous years of walking! Allen was walking for his cousin Peter “Black” Frontiero who has the second most wins of all time, with a total of nine.
Each year I look forward to filming and photographing the greasy pole events. The determination on the men’s faces, the camaraderie, the ecstasy and pride in winning, the anguish of defeat, the hilarious costumes, and the Felliniesque antics combine to create a fabulous fiesta of stories and images.
The film opens at the childhood home of the Giambanco Family, with Sefatia leading the Greasy Pole Walkers and guests in the rallying “Viva San Pietro,” the cheer that is heard throughout the city of Gloucester during Saint Peter’s Fiesta. Giambanco sisters Marianne, Grace, Rosaria, and Sefatia continue with their mother Rosalia’s, “Lia’s” custom of feeding the Greasy Pole Walkers dinner before the walk. The tradition began years ago when their brother, Anthony “Matza” Giambanco, began walking. Sefatia explains that Lia had always held a huge family feast with relatives from all around the country attending. The first year her brother walked he told his mom he couldn’t eat because he was meeting everyone. She said I don’t care; you have to eat, and told him to bring everyone back to their home. That was in 1978!
Next the Walkers head over to rally at the Gloucester House, where they greet Lenny shouting his name over and over, to a packed restaurant full of guests. Several more stops are made along the way before the next rally at the Saint Peter’s Club. The Walkers make one last stop to say a prayer to Saint Peter, and perhaps pin a gold charm or coin to the statue, before departing for the greased pole platform at Pavilion Beach
* * *
With special thanks and appreciation to Nicky Avelis and all the Greasy Pole Walkers for allowing me to ride on the boat. It went by way too fast! And thank you to the skipper for giving me a ride back to shore.
With thanks and appreciation to Rosaria, Sefatia, Marianne, and Grace for inviting me to come film the Walker’s rally at your welcoming Fiesta Sunday Feast!
The song “Love Runs Out,” is by OneRepublic for the reissue of their third album, Native.
The song “The Walker” is by Fitz and The Tantrums from the album More Than Just a Dream.
Follow Kim on Twitter @kimsmithdesigns and be her friend on Facebook.
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Free Outdoor HarborWalk Summer Cinema Series Starts on Wednesday
Destination: Downtown Gloucester
Free Outdoor HarborWalk Summer Cinema Series!
The Wizard of Oz July 9, 2014
Grab the Popcorn! The City of Gloucester and the Cape Ann Community Cinema are pleased to announce a swell summertime partnership: The HarborWalk Summer Cinema Series. These FREE outdoor movies will run Wednesdays for eight weeks throughout the summer, July 9 to August 27 at 65 Rogers Street (I4C2)—adjacent to the Building Center. Movies start at 8 PM (or when it gets dark, whichever is earlier), and feature blockbuster classics suitable for the whole family. Imagine seeing “Jaws” with Gloucester Harbor as a back drop, or “ET, the Extraterrestrial” in the moody dark of night!
The movies are free, and all are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, a blanket, or perhaps a picnic. Local vendors will provide snacks for purchase. Better yet, support our local restaurants by having dinner then walking down to enjoy the show.
North Shore 104.9 will provide pre-show entertainment, music and prizes beginning at 6 PM!
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Ron Schrank joins Fly Amero this Wednesday @ The Rhumb Line. 8-11pm July 9, 2014
This Week:
Prime Rib “French Dip”
w/choice of potato, $9.95!
Wednesday, July 9th
Special Guest: RON SCHRANK!
It gets better and better every time with Ron Schrank.Straight ahead folk & blues all the way… no messin’ around!
~ Fly
Dinner with great music!
*Each week features a special, invited musical guest
Dave Trooper’s Kitchen…
Prime Rib “French Dip”
w/choice of potato, $9.95!
Prepared fresh weekly by “Troop”… always good!
Plus – Check out Fred’s rockin’ wine menu!
Coming soon…
Julie Dougherty
Visit: http://www.therhumbline.com/
Looking forward…
…to seeing you there! 🙂 ~ Fly
Good Morning Gloucester 