Category: gloucester

Celebration from Virginia McKinnon

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey, Robert and I are celebrating our 60 Wedding Annivesary next week.
I would like to share our story with your readers. Virginia (Frontiero) McKinnon

Wedding Dancing0001

Our Love Story
Our story began in April of 1953. Bob was a diesel machinist at the Independent Machine Co. on Wharf St. in Gloucester.  Bob was repairing the engine of the fishing vessel, American Eagle. Peter was the engineer. Bob and Peter were old high school friends. In their conversation Peter just happened to inquired “ Bob,  Do you have a girlfriend?  Bob answered “Peter, I’ll tell you a secret, I was walking by Johnson’s Insurance office, on Duncan Street on my way to Sterling’s to have my “mug up” (coffee break) I happened to look in the window and fell in love at first sight with the Italian young lady working there. Sometimes I hurry home from work and to get cleaned up, just to stand outside the YMCA to see her walk by on her way home from work and my heart just skips a beat. I can’t find the courage to talk to her.” Peter stated. “That young lady is my niece! She lives just next door to me on Gould Court. Would you like to be introduced to her?”  Bob was so surprised and answered in the affirmative. Peter replied “ I will ask her to baby-sit for my son on Monday night at 7 pm and you can visit at quarter of seven.  I will be happy to  introduce you to her.”  Quickly the news spread of this impending romantic encounter and the family was so excited, but very careful to keep this secret from the young lady. I arrived promptly at 7 pm to baby-sit for little Sandy, when my Uncle Peter informed me that his good friend, Bob, just happened to come by for coffee. “We will not be going out” he stated, “but would you like to join us for coffee? .”  After having coffee, I got up to leave and Bob followed me. “Would you like to see my new car?” He stated. There was this beautiful 1952 Buick, hard-top, convertible. bright yellow with a black top. The car had big fins in back and lots of chrome. I had never seen such a beautiful car. Bob asked if I would like to go for a ride tomorrow night and maybe see a movie. Of course I could not refuse this offer. So the next night we had our first date. A few days later Bob came by the insurance office at 5 o’clock to offer me a ride home from work and my mother invited him to have dinner with my family. We always had good Italian food. My brother was away at college, but my younger sisters enjoyed his company. Soon Bob was having dinner with us almost daily.
Bob proposed to me in June. at my cousin‘s wedding. Since I was the maid of honor, Bob was asked to be the best man at the wedding.  Early one Saturday morning Bob came knocking at my  door at 7 am., We were all asleep.  My Dad said “You had better marry this guy, so we can get some peace and quiet.”

We were married on Thanksgiving Day, as my uncles were all fisherman and I knew this was one day they would be on shore to attend my wedding. We had a large Italian wedding at St. Ann’s Church, after the ceremony I requested the limo to make our traditional trip to “Little Italy” down Commercial Street and around the Fort Square, horns blasting all the way in celebration. All the wedding party and guest joined us. Our reception was in Manchester.

We went to Washington DC on our honeymoon. We were lucky to see Frances Langford at a nightclub, as Bob remembered seeing her, when he was in the Navy during WW2.  As he was walking across the airfield on the island of Tarawa in the Asiatic Pacific,  a jeep stopped, asking direction to the mess hall. There was Frances Langford, Bob Hope, Jerry Colonna, and Carol Lombard. 

We are so lucky to be having a early celebration of our 60th wedding Anniversary with our party at the Gloucester House on June 8th with seven children, eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and their families and our families and friends all attending.. 

Still together and still lucky in love.    Virginia (Frontiero) McKinnon  June 2013

Cape Ann Auction this Tuesday June 4th 1 Lexington Ave. Magnolia, MA

Posted on by Joanne

walt kolenda

Walt Kolenda Auctioneer

There will be everything from art & antiques to household merchandise. The auction takes place at the Charles Jones Hall in Magnolia, at 1 Lexington ave. 6:00pm.  Preview from 4:00pm-6:00pm

For more details go to www.capeannauction.com

Flag Pole Donated And Erected At Maritime Gloucester

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Anthony Marks submits-

Hi Joey
This flag pole was moved from the Sutherland home on Essex Ave. and
erected at Maritime Gloucester. It was donated by the Sutherland
family.

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GloucesterCast Podcast With Guest Ron Gilson and Host Joey Ciaramitaro Taped 6/1/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

GloucesterCast Podcast With Guest Ron Gilson and Host Joey Ciaramitaro Taped 6/1/13

Click to play-

Host Joey Ciaramitaro

Topics Include: Summer In Gloucester,The First Upscale Breakfast joint In Gloucester, the Makings of The Union Hill Coffee Shop, Au Beaujolais, Relationship Between Restaurant Patrons and Servers, Flags On The Boulevard, Differences Between Generations Honoring  Veterans, Paul Frontiero Sr, Death Row Sub, Death Row Meal.

If you enjoy the podcast could you help get it recognized in the iTunes directory by rating it here in the iTunes store

Ocean Alliance Ribbon Cutting

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

What an amazing day for the Ribbon Cutting at the Ocean Alliance Paint Factory location.   This robot actually flies above the whales and collects the liquid that comes out of the whale’s blow-hole very cool.

May 31, 2013 hanging out in at the Paint FactoryMay 31, 2013 Ribbon cutting

May 31, 2013 very cool

Special Time with FOB Ann Kennedy

Posted on by God's Morning

a morning with ann kennedy

I got to spend a very special morning with Ann Kennedy on Tuesday, toward the end of her and Bob’s month-long annual visit to their beloved Gloucester.  We met early for a delicious and hearty breakfast at Sailor Stan’s, then went for a nice long walk out Eastern Point, to the spot I now call Evelyn’s Point, beyond the Retreat House and Brace Cove.  We encountered many beautiful and fun things along our journey, including a mother duck with her ducklings (she had to be babysitting, as they couldn’t all have been her’s) and two turtles sunning on a rock in Niles Pond, plus a dreadful and vicious bullfrog that Ann attempted unsuccessfully to capture and bring to Joey.  This has become one of my favorite spots to walk to and it was nice to be able to share it with Ann, who had never been there.  The trails through the woods are soft and peaceful.  At one point we were forced to stop and turn back because of a large uprooted tree that made the path we were on unpassable.  It was a special time with a special FOB and friend, and I look forward to a repeat when they return next year.

Congratulations to Ann and Bob who just celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary.

E.J. Lefavour

Strawberry shortcake, plants, home-made preserves and pastries, antiques, and more!

Posted on by Matthew Green

Being sold this morning at St. Ann’s Church (70 Pleasant Street) as a fundraiser for Holy Family parish! Come get goodies for your garden and for your tastebuds!

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A few Fred Bodin’s Photos of Harbortown Cultural District celebration

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Catherine Ryan submits-

Hi Joey,

Here’s a few photos from Fred Bodin’s coverage of Tuesday’s May 28 kick off Celebration for the Harbortown Cultural District. The party was held in the Gorton’s gallery of Maritime Gloucester and it was packed! Check out the special cake –it very nearly covered a 4 x 6 table.

Gloucester from its water’s edge and beyond: the center for all! Like the “Harbortown” name, the cake was a mash up of two flavors, too. Lise Breen and Judith Hoglander worked with Jim’s Bagel and Bake Shoppe for this classic riff of Saul Steinberg’s famous 1976 New Yorker cover, a favorite motif for him.

Music filled the rooms and welcomed everyone. One of the Harbortown event’s surprises was the talent of musicians Zach Bridges & Steve Lacy from Henry Allen & The New Swingset. Here’s Henry Allen (on the steering committee for Harbortown) visiting with Mayor Carolyn Kirk and Karen Ristuben (Rocky Neck Cultural District) Gloucester ’s Rocky Neck Cultural District is a partner. Mayor Kirk spoke twice.

Leadership here and at the state level are advocating for the arts in a big way. The Harbortown Cultural District would not have happened without the support and commitment from Mayor Carolyn Kirk, Harbor Planning Director Sarah Garcia, Chief Administrative Officer James Duggan, all the Gloucester City Councilors, Senator Bruce Tarr, Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council representatives. The party filled up quickly. There was bountiful conversation and energy buoyed by appetizers and drinks thanks to so many wonderful partners and stakeholders. Here’s one of Fred’s crowd photos peeking through Maritime Gloucester’s display–what an apt framing for the themes of connection.

One of the first surprises on the evening’s program was a presentation from Harbortown partner, the Gloucester Public Schools. Teachers Kurt Lichtenwald’s  and John Barry’s S.T.E.A.M. (science technology engineering, Arts and mathematics) classes feature students’ and made, engineered musical instruments. David Puglisi came to the event and showcased his handmade plywood electric guitar see his youtube video!

Co-chair for Harbortown Cultural District, Judith Hoglander looks on.

Anita Walker, executive director for the Massachusetts Cultural Council gave a wonderful speech about Gloucester , this district, the arts and maritime connections. She spoke to the legacy of the continuous involvement of youth and fostering stewardship through generations. She took a moment to recognize a contribution completed for the application.

Fred captures the authentic spirit of Anita Walker in this one and sheer fun. The MCC is passionate about Gloucester and the arts across Massachusetts . Sarah Garcia surprised Walker with an iconic Gloucester southwester. They visited Nelsons on Main Street on the day of the site visit, and the classic yellow slicker hats and ancillary businesses of the fishing industry were obvious topics. To the left of Walker, Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Library Director, Carol Gray enjoys the moment.

 

More photos to come; David Cox, local media, and co-Chair Bob Whitmarsh were all snapping away at different points. By the way, one of the best Facebook pages in town, Fred Bodin may have some posted https://www.facebook.com/BodinHistoricPhoto

We’ll add some photos to our website http://www.gloucesterharbortown.org.

Thank you Joey and GMG for helping!

On Leaving Gloucester From Ann Kennedy

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Dear Joey and All,

As usual, our days here have gone far too quickly and now it’s time to leave. Each day we experienced something special and have seen something more beautiful than the day before. We have loved eating in the restaurants, shopping in the shops, walking the neighborhoods and docks, hiking the woods and strolling the beaches. But most precious of all is having spent time with those who so generously have extended their friendship to us.

With thanks and best wishes to all for a wonderful summer, goodnight Gloucester!

Ann and Bob Kennedy

Kiss on the Neck for Good

Posted on by God's Morning

kiss tote poster

Dear friends and family,
 

As many of you know, my little ice-cream business KISS on the Neck on Rocky Neck in Gloucester, MA takes tremendous pride not only satisfying the sweet-tooth but encouraging the do-good among its customers.  


Last summer, this particular commitment had manifested through the sales of tote-bags, refashioned one by one from empty commercial rice-bags with all the proceeds going back to Senegal to support alternative income-generating projects for urban street-boys known as the TalibÊ. The overwhelming response to these bags in Gloucester exceeded my expectations and compelled me to return to Senegal this past winter to quarterback the growth of the project.
 
This film, a year in the making, will unveil our latest development, the K.I.S.S. Tote (Kindly Inspiring Sustainable Solutions) connecting KISS on the Neck Ice Cream with its mission abroad. The film shows how creativity, compassion and friendship has brought together different people and different concepts to inspire one truly innovative fundraising approach for the street-boys of Saint Louis, Senegal. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbooTp4JA4Q
 
It is also with great excitement, I announce that the K.I.S.S. Totes have gone on sale this past Memorial Day Weekend at KISS on the NECK and will be available shortly at the Bookstore downtown. This year’s collection, the most mind-blowing yet, is the result of thousands of hours this winter, revamping the designs, incorporating I-friendly pockets, diversifying color selection, strengthening the staying-power and improving the quality and craftsmanship of every product. We also have introduced a small hand-bag, place-mats and boosted our production of wine-sleeves, all refashioned from discarded rice-sac material. 
 
I’m proud of our progress this past year and I am confident you will find the products this summer both exceptionally appealing and downright practical. Furthermore, viewing this film, you will develop a much more concrete understanding how your purchases are being used to support a truly remarkable effort already at work in northern Senegal. 
 
Lastly, I wanted to resound one last thank you to all those who contributed to the JOGGLING project. I crossed the Paris Marathon finish-line at 4 hours exactly, with all three balls, still rotating in motion! We raised nearly  $4,000 for Taliberte, the same organization featured in the film. 
 
Thank you,
Richard

P.S. If anyone is interested in the French version of the film, please email me directly.
 
Richard Ross, Scooper-in-Charge 
 
KISS on the Neck Ice Cream
 & Other Sweet Endeavors
 
Rocky Neck Art Colony. Glosta, MA
St. Louis, Senegal. West Africa.
T. 978 304 2825 – E. rrross11@hotmail.com
KISS us on Facebook!! 

 

Swally Note from Morgan Faulds Pike

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

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Gloucester Sculptor and Gardening Friend Morgan Faulds Pike writes ~

Hi Kim,

Just read your post at GMG and thought I’d send this along since it happened today.

I went into the barn to put the broom back after sweeping the porch and I did the daily check of Swally! OMG!
Had to rush the photos because I didn’t know how much time I had.  I transferred him via his stick to the monarda. Then he flew away into the juniper hedge, perhaps to be shaded while firming up…
He was a tiny caterpillar last fall.  We fed him parsley and you advised us to let him winter in the barn.
Success!

Thanks and Cheers,

Morgan

Morgan Faulds Pike is well-known throughout Gloucester. She is the world famous sculptor who created Gloucester’s beloved Fishermen’s Wives Memorial.

full_size_clay_copyMorgan at Work on the Full-Size Clay for the Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Memorial

91_owls-2Leaf-person and Owls by Morgan Faulds Pike

Best Bands in MA coming to Gloucester

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

It’s a revolution — a slow one.  Perhaps you haven’t even noticed.  In school we’re taught about revolutions as if they happen all at once.  But most of them don’t.  They take years.  One day, you look around and everything has changed.  It’s hard to notice the revolution when we’re in the middle of it.  That’s where we are now — in the middle of Gloucester’s music revolution.  Here’s how you can tell:

On Sunday, The Brew, recently named Best Band in New England by the New England Music Awards, will be at Minglewood.  One quick listen and you’ll know why they won.

Music on Sundays at Minglewood?  That’s right.  This Sunday 6/2 Minglewood Tavern launches a new night of music.  Let’s get down there and prove them right for adding another night to the Gloucester music revolution.

Next Saturday, Boston Magazine’s Best Local Band, Three Day Threshold plays The Rhumbline.  This band ROCKS and defies genre.  Listen here.  They’ve also got a great sense of humor as evidenced by their Facebook description: “good country gone terribly terribly bad”.

If you look at their tour dates, you see they’re at Meadowbrook Pavilion, Middle East Downstairs (the big room) and the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.  But YOU can see them at The Rhumbline without even crossing the bridge.  That’s revolution.

While you’re at it, check out tomorrow’s Rhumbline choice, Under Griffin’s Porch.  Here’s a prediction: It won’t be long before they win a Best Band award.

Gloucester’s music revolution is all around you.  Join in and have some fun!

Watching the Sunset!

Posted on by Thom Falzarano

Pirates Lane-11

Deb, Jim and I went out for our usual Thursday Cupboard dinner, burgers and fish sandwich.  We wait all winter for the summer Thursday night event. After dinner we do the loop, down the boulevard over to GHB along the Backshore, then on to Niles for the sunset.  Tonight we turned left to Pirates Lane and watched this beautiful sunset.   What a painting mother nature gave us tonight.   We are truly blessed!

City Hall, a year ago today vs. today

Posted on by Matthew Green

 

 

All the work paid off! Here is City Hall this morning:

City Hall today

 

 

Kudos to all the people involved in the restoration work!

– Fr. Matthew Green

Historic Steam Ferry Prudence Visits Gloucester

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Fred Bodin Submits-

Historic Steam Ferry Prudence Visits Gloucester

The 62 foot long Prudence docked in Gloucester yesterday on her way from Belfast ME to Greenwich CT. The owner and two crew came into the gallery and told me about the 102 year old ship. She was originally steam powered and built of wood at East Boothbay in 1911. Prudence ferried passengers from Tiverton to Prudence Island in Narragansett Bay (RI) for 50 years. Later, the vessel gave water-based tours of the Kennedy compound in Hyannis. The Kennedys themselves also chartered Prudence for parties. She then went back to Maine for sightseeing on the Penobscot River, and will now be giving tours in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Prudence at the State Fish Pier in Gloucester

PrudenceRI

Prudence on Narragansett Bay.

TedKennedy

Ted Kennedy at the wheel of the Prudence. This photo hangs in the cabin. Courtesy of Jonathan Wilkes.

Voting Ends For The North Shore Magazine BONS Awards Tomorrow- Support Local Businesses By Voting Today

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

These are establishments that are already on the ballot locally in the Play Category that I’m sure would appreciate your vote, to enter your own votes, click the graphic-

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I’ll highlight the other local businesses in the other sub categories throughout next week

Again I’m just going of of what was on the ballot.  You can click on any of the links to see GMG coverage of them and find out what they are all about-

Art Gallery (Viewing) –Local Colors Gloucester, Mosher Gallery Rockport and Pop Gallery Gloucester

Beach- Good Harbor, Natch Last year Cranes and Good Harbor Duked it out and it was close so if you have any local pride at all you will vote Good Harbor

Best Blog Smile

Brewery- Cape Ann Brewing

Dance Studio- Michelle Shaw Elite Dance

Fair/Festival- St Peter’s Fiesta and if it doesn’t win there should be an investigation.

Golf Course Private- Bass Rocks

Irish Pub- Stones Pub (you just gotta love the people at Stones)

Live Music Venue- Shalin Liu

Live Theatre Venue- Gloucester Stage Co

Lounge (no Gloucester joint represented time for your personal write in)

Marine- Cape Ann Marina is on ballot

Movie Theatre- Cape Ann Community Cinema

Museum- Cape Ann Museum

Trivia Night (no local joint represented write in your personal fav)

I’m taking category by category and highlighting some locals who you may want to consider worthy of your vote (BTW St Peter’s Fiesta is currently trailing Topsfield Fair and Good Harbor is close to Crane’s) so if you haven’t voted in the Play Category get on it!- Voting in the Play Category here

Here are some local joints that have been nominated in the Eat category (you can click on the highlighted establishments to see pictures or posts we’ve done about them)-

Vote Here  For The Eat Category In The North Shore Magazine 2013 BONS Awards

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Al Fresco Dining- Franklin Cape Ann, Lobster Pool

Bake Shop (Pastry)- Jim’s Bake Shop, Plum Cove Grind

Bakery (Bread) Virgilio’s

BBQ- Smokin Jim’s, The Farm Bar and Grille

Beer menu- Franklin Cape Ann, Cape Ann Brewing

Breakfast- George’s, Sugar Mag’s, Willow Rest (as you know my love of Gloucester Breakfast joints is unmatched- way too many to list so we will stick with the nominated but Mamie’s Kitchen, and Fort Square should be at least nominated as well)

Burger- Passports

Cocktail Bar- Franklin Cape Ann

Coffee Shop- Lone Gull, Cape Ann Coffee CafĂŠ Sicilia and Pleasant St -None are nominated all deserve to be!

Confectionery- Nichols Candies and Turtle Alley

Farmer’s Market- Cape Ann Farmer’s Market

General Excellence- The Market, Duckworth’s is not nominated but I’d say needs to be a write in.

Gourmet Market- Savour Wine and Cheese

Lobster- Causeway, Lobsta Land and Roy Moore are Nominated, For Lobster Pool and Seaport Grille not to be nominated is silly IMO

Italian- a write in for La Trattoria Gloucester only makes sense

Lobster Roll- Seaport Grille

Mexican- Jalepenos– for Tacos Lupita Gloucester needs to be a write in as well.

Pizza- Giuseppes and The Willow Rest.  There are so many great pizza joints in Gloucester and everyone has their favorites you could write in any number- Sebastians, Sclafanis, ect, ect ect

Pub Food- Franklin and Topside Grille

Raw Bar- Lat 43 nominated, Rudder could be a write in

Sandwiches- There is no Gloucester nomination and you could easily write in Virgilios, Sclafanis, or Willow Rest here

Seafood Prepared- the Causeway and The Rudder

Sushi- Latitude 43

Tapas- Alchemy or The Azorean

Thai- Thai Choice could be a write in

and when you’re done you can vote in the Play Categories-

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Ok I’ve guided you on who is nominated locally in the Play Category and Eat Category, see those posts by clicking those links.  If you notice, the influence from our local readership has many many Gloucester establishments in the lead.  Two that could use help are votes for Good Harbor as Beach and St Peter’s fiesta for Fair/Festival vote for those here

Now we focus on local establishments nominated in the Kids category. you can click on any of the hyperlinks to view past Good Morning Gloucester Coverage on each of these fine local establishments.

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Click here to submit your votes in the BONS Kids category

Baby Clothing-  There is nothing locally nominated but I think we could change that with a write in under other for Kids Unlimited, downtown Gloucester children’s clothing store extraordinaire.  As of this writing 0 votes, not nominated

Family Hangout Indoor- Monkey Joe’s should win this by a mile even though it isn’t nominated (yet) As of this writing 0 votes, not nominated

Family Hangout Outdoor- No Local Nomination.  You could write in Ravenswood or Halibut Point State Park  My Vote- Halibut Point As of this writing 0 votes, not nominated

Kid Friendly Dining-  No Local Nomination But I would write in Giuseppe’s or Lobster Pool’s Outdoor Eat In The Rough with the Smore Firepit and Sunsets As of this writing 0 votes, not nominated

Kid’s bookstore- The Bookstore of Gloucester As of this writing 0 votes

Kid’s Clothing- Kid’s Unlimited is not as of this writing nominated but I’m suggesting a write in campaign for them As of this writing 0 votes, not nominated

Toy Store- Toodeloos Gloucester As of this writing 25 votes and is not in the lead

When You are done voting in the Kids Category, feel free to vote in the Play and Eat Category and support local businesses

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I will highlight local picks in the other BONS category in an upcoming post.  Who  supports local businesses like this here blog?  NOBODY!  Get out the vote peeps!

Murder On Rocky Neck~ A slide show of the event on May 19, 2013

Posted on by Joanne

Murder on Rocky Neck

View slide show > http://www.flickr.com/photos/joey_grl/sets/72157633585148783/

I have enjoyed every show that has been put on by Henry Allen as with the cast and crew. I was told the costumes were made by hand by Costume Designers: Amy-Beth Healey and Brenda Leahy. A work well done. I was totally delighted with it all.

Joanne

A few words from Henry Allen,

Murder On Rocky Neck, The Opera was an idea that came out of my Summer Stock Theatre Club that I do in July & August. The children wanted to write a murder mystery about Old Gloucester. We decided that the idea was so great that we should develop it further in the Young Playwrights Workshop, which we did. The libretto was written collaboratively by 5 kids, ages 9-13, and the music was written by 15 year old Derek Dupuis (Renee Dupuis’ cousin).

Every year I work with local kids to create a show that is inspired by where we live. The show will then become a main stage intergenerational production the following Season. We are already working on next year’s script.

Ensemble cast: Alex Becket, Scott Brown, Emma Cavaliere, Caroline Connolly, Shannon Connolly, Sadie Cook, Timothy Edwards, Olivia Francis, Genna Healey, Jay Healey, Henry Jacques, Shannon Kelly, Belle Muller, Rodney Perry, Matt Service, Peter Souza, Elizabeth Wagner, Brandon Waterman and David Wesson.

Crew: Director: Henry Allen; Music Director: John Eldridge; Assistant Director/Stage Manager: Timothy Edwards; Set Design: Fionn McWilliam and Mike Ryan; Costume Design: Amy-Beth Healey and Brenda Leahy; Lights & Sound Design: InterMediaUnlimited.
A work well done. I was totally delighted with it all.

Greasy Pole, The Musical is coming up next!

greasy pole the musical northshorefolk

http://henr82.wix.com/northshorefolk